Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 576) (1888 08 07)
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TeaRD EDITION, y 1 om Ss | a i ee a a f Z. wT Ws te Nace f win tl nl Ur! a i a it a ala. = a __Batered as at the Post Office the Post Office as b New York, N. Y¥., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright, 1888 by BEADLE aN ADAME, ‘ August 7, wm. = $2.50 PUBLISHE D WE E KLY BY BE ADLE AND ADAMS, Price, ‘ Vol. XXUL a Year. _No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No 576. Hy iy ih Ih it Ih, py ie yy? — | ii a @ if St PEERS TLE AUTHOR OF “‘ THE DANDY OF dipan “CAPTAIN CACTUS, THE CHAPARRAL COCK,” ETO, CHAPTER I. ‘*HANDS up,?? A HEAVY, Concord stage, drawn by four horses, was rattling along the ru ged trail be- tween Rocky Butte and Bullion City. It held six persons; three of them worthy of & Special introduction to the reader. a: Lucas Waldo, the owner of the Silver Lode Sesatitscsareserr= a valuable piece of mining property locate near Bullion City, was a man of about sixty, BELLO! HELLG! MELLO! OH, MISTER PRIIRegE! COME DAOWN Yme’ & MINIB! with a bronzed ut = gee face, and kind OH, MISTER—” dexk eyen Hie b hair was plenti
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2 gg = streaked with silver, and a close scrutiny re- vealed lines in the firm face which showed that life had held for him its share of sorrow and disappointment, At his side sat his daughter, Jennie, who was just budding into charming womanhood. There was a marked resemblance between father and daugbter, She had bis dark hair and eyes, and the same pleasant, kindly smile. : Jennie was Waldo’s only daughter, and was now regarded as his only child. He had a son, but whether that son was living or dead he did not know. Waldo seldom spoke of this son, He had never heard of him since the night of his disappearance, years ago, and the recollec- tions clustering around that disappearance were too bitter to be voluntarily recalled. The third passenger was a young man of brilliant, dashing appearance, known through- out the mining regions as Sunny Selim, the Sil- ver Sport. There was a fire in his fine, dark eyes, a gleam of sunshine in his handsome, browt face and a cheery ring in the tones of his voice that drew friends about him and knitted them to him as with hooks of. steel. A wide- brimmed hat, soft as velvet and ornamented with a silver cord, surmounted his curling, jetty locks. His limbs and feet were incased in neat-fitting pants, of some dark material, and polished, high-topped boots. A Mexican jacket, spangled with silver buttons and trim- med with silver braid, set off his well-modeled form to perfection; and beneath the jacket gleamed the butts of a pair of silver-mounted revolvers, The other occupants of the stage were a trio of villainous cut-throats, if their looks did not belie them, Except by reputation the Silver mpest was a stranger to Mr. Waldo and Jennie. A few com- mon-places about the weather and the scenery had been exchanged after entering the stage at Rocky Butte; but Mr. Waldo showed no spe- cial desire to cultivate the acquaintance of this comparatively unknown man, and the conversa- tion lagged and then ceased altogether. Perhaps Jennie’s impulses were warmer than her father’s. At any rate she cast many shy glances at the handsome young fellow seated almost opposite. QOmce their eyes met, anda flush of confusion mantled her lovely face. Darkness fell before -the journey was half completed. The country became more open however, as they approached Bullion City, and pee hy trotted steadily onward through the night. Suddenly a man rode out of the bushes at the side of the trai inted a Winchester at the driver and shouted: i Hands up, or I'll let the moon shine through you! His face was covered by a heavy mask, and he was mounted on a burro. e@ was and powerful-looking, and the animal he rode wasso diminutive that his feet almost touched the ground. As he gave the command, a number of road- agents swarmed out of the bushes. Two of them seized the lead-borses by their bridles, effectually preventing ac’ attempt at beg ty “‘ Better cave, gents! They’ve got us!” shout- ed the driver, to the occupants of the stage. At the first ce of the mounted road- agent the Silver ype drawn his revolvers. “Shall we fight asked, appealing to Mr. Waldo. Then, remembering Jennie and notic- ing terror plainly revealed in her face: ‘No; that wo'n’t do! The young lady’s life would be imperiled. I trust you haven’t much that they will care for, As forme, a few dol- lars and these tools are my present earthly pos- sessions.” He smiled so encouragingly that Jennie’s fears were greatly lessened, und she awaited the or- deal with more bravery than she had ever given herself the credit of possessing. The trio of ruffians at the opposite end of ths ‘coach conferred in low whispers; then shoved their hands above their heads. Mr. Waldo glared furiously at the encircling bandits. “Tf it wasn’t for Jennie I’d defy the whole outfit!” he exclaimed, “Same over bere,” added the Silver Sport, twirling the cylinders of his revolvers round to see that they were in working order. The trio lowered their hands for an instant and glowered ominously at the sport. Mr. Waldo leaned forward, touched his daugh- ter’s band, and whispered some hurried words, The action passed apparently unnoticed by the other occupants of the stage. ‘‘ Tumble out of there!” commanded the burro- rider, impatiently, ts a r) - eo aay? . % A 7 ‘ ie] oA <a" be s~» “oe ae eae NY eed: ee eae ea we BL ee 7 cea Leet sf r. i] The Silver Sport. ‘‘Tumble it.is!” responded one of the trio, as a descended and arranged themselves in a ine. Then twin jets of flame leaped from the re- volvers of the Silver Sport. The nien who were restraining the foremost horses fell; the driver, taking his cue, crouched low upon the box and applied his whip with quick strokes. ‘Down! In the bottom of the stage! For your lives!”shouted the sport, as the stage started with a terrible lurch. Mr. Waldo and Jennie crouched upon the floor of the bounding vehicle, while the sport interposed his body between them and danger, and sent arain of balls into the cluster of as- tounded road-agents, The very audacity of the act aided in its suc- cessful accomplishment, The suddenness of this attack threw them into confusion, Before they recovered, the horses had passed beyond their reach, afid were racing wildly down the trail toward Bullion City. In their rage and discomfiture they fired a volley at the flying coach; then, with savage cad 7c disappeared aioong the hills, s soon as they were beyond danger, the driver drew the horses down to a gentile trot, thus stopping the tremendous surging and sway- ing of the cumbrous vehicle. “That was a bold deed,” said Mr, Waldo, turning to the Silver Sport, who was now seated on the front seat, apparently looking back over the moonlit trail, ‘*A little reckless, perhaps, but it was well planned and executed, and no doubt saved me a good round sum of money.” There was no response. With a startled look, he advanced and laid bis hand upon the sport. He was senseless and blood was dripping from his right temple. ** Stop!” shouted Mr. Waldo, to the stage- driver. ‘‘I believe the gentleman here is badly injured; maybe dead.” ‘* Better drive on to the town, hadn’t I?’ asked the driver. ‘‘Them fellers might come down onto us again.” ‘*No danger; we’ve left them away hehind!” “*Oh, do stop, please!” cried Jennie, wringing her hands convulsively. Thus admonished, the driver drew rein and descended from the box, _ With kis assistance the young man was lifted out upon the ground, when Mr. Waldo at once made an examination of his injuries. ‘* Nothing serious,” he said, ‘‘though if was certainly a close call. A ball grazed his temple. He is not hurt otherwise that I can discover, and doubtless will recover in a few minutes.” The driver hurried away and soon returned with his hat full of water; and Jennie, with her soft, delicate bands, bathed the temples of the wounded man and washed away the blood- stains with touching gentleness, There seemed to be a magnetic healing in her touch; for, after a few passes, the sport opened his eyes inquiringly and then sat up. He looked about him, and lifted his hand to his head. ‘* Creased, eh?” he questioned. Jennie had withdrawn toward the stage and Mr. Waldo answered: *¢ Just a skull scratch, I am glad tosay, You will be all right in a little while ay “Oh, I am ali right now. A little ef Give me your hand and I'll crawl back into the coach, , Mr. Waldo assisted him to his feet and into the vehicle. ‘* Many thanks for your kindness, I am sure!” said the young man, smiling, as he sunk heavily into a seat, - ‘‘ The thanks belong to you!” returned Waldo, as the stage again started on its way. ‘‘ Your brave, though rather reckless, act, was the means of saving me @ considerable sum of money, no doubt, I had ten thousand dollars in bills on my person, When we were commanded to halt. During the excitement I managed to transfer a portion of it to my daughter, but I fear the search would have been so close she could not have retained it.” “T was aware of the transfer,” the sport re- plied. ‘Isaw you make it, though of course didn’t know the amount. That was what deter- mined me to undertake the dash, I thought I saw an excellent chance to break from the cut- throats, so I let fly!” e ‘What do you suppose became of our fellow- assengers?” Jennie asked, lifting her eyes to is. ‘‘Those scamps?” with an amused laugh, «¢ Without doubt they are members of that very band. They knew the attemptat robbery would be made, and were in the coach for the express purpose of preventing a defense. They must have felt rather lonesome when we left them so unceremoniously.” An hour later the belated stage rolled into Bullion City. Mr. Waldo endeavored to press a handsome sum upon the Silver Sport as pay- ment for his gallant defense, The latter wank not accept anything, and with a kindly ‘‘ good- night ” they separated. In his room at the hotel, Sunny Selim looked complacently at the furrow plowed by the bul- let, as he muttered: ‘“Not much of a beauty-mark; but it has helped to work me into the good graces of the old gentleman, and I am content,” CHAPTER II. JOSH PEPPERMINT AND HIS BURR’, ‘‘Hen-HAW! Hee-haw! Hee-haw!” The exasperating and idiotic bray of a burro ecboed along the rocky streets of that lively mining town, Bullion City. Tbe burro had planted itself firmly in the center of the main street and refused to budge an inch im any direc- tion, and its rider was evidently in despair. ‘Twist his tail, some one, won't ye?” he said, glancing appealingly at the bystanders. No one ventured to comply with the request to twist, and he again commenced to belabor and scold at the immobile brute. This brought forth another series of madden- ing brays, “ Sings like a canary!” suggested a red-shirted miner, laughingly. “Go on yer’, yeou!” shouted the rider, pay- ing no attention to the remark, ‘ Drat a pesky burr’, apybaow!” He dug his heavy spurs suddenly into its flanks. At this the beast rose upon its hind feet, pitched quickly forward and began to * buck” like a North Texas mustang. ‘‘ Whoa! Consarn ye! Whoa! I say.” *¢ Hold *im down!” yelled the miner, swinging his hat. Again the spurs gouged its leathery flanks. It thereupon stopped pitcbing, and darted for- ward with so violent a plunge that the long- legged rider was almost dismounted, urro and rider presented a comical sight as they flew wildly along, and many pedestrians halted to stare wonderingly at the unusual spectacle, The rider was apparently a countrified youth, tall and gaunt, and with such length of limb that his feet almost brushed the gravel of the street; and with every leap of the burro his arms flew up and down like the wings of some flying machine. It was not in the nature of a burro to keep up that tremendous pace for any great length of time; so, after a dash of a few hundred yards, it stopped as suddenly as it had started. As soon as the rider regained his equilibrium, for he had been almost thrown over his steed’s head, be stared about with owlish gravity, and. to read the signs along the street. is blue eyes lighted up suddenly as they fell upon a gaudy sign just opposite, — ‘““Bgosh, ef’t ain’t the very identical place I'm a-lookin’ fer!” He straightened: up and turned the burro’s head toward the bo a large, wooden structure, above the door of which gleamed the words, in big, flasby letters: ‘PRIMROSE PaLace.” A number of rowdies, roughs and miners, with asprinkling of the sporting and gambling fraternity, were lounging idly in front of the lace, , They stared good-humoredly at the awkward rider, as he advanced. : “Primrose! Primrose! Reckon it can’t be the daddy o’ my ole sweetheart back tew Var- mount! Heern they was a Primrose in this settlement, and thought as haow I’d come over ‘an’ ’vestigate. Runs a stunnin’ shop, ’tany rate, whoever he is!” He reined in the burro and calmly surveyed the smiling throng. “Hello, Jakie!” shouted a smoothly-shaver sport, anxious for a bit of fun. ** How’s the craps? §’pose you left dad to bum a-plowin’, like a dutiful son, an’ come to town to see the a sights!” : He thought the rider a ‘ Country-Jake,” and so addressed him as ‘‘ Jakie.” The immediate answer to ths sally of the sport was for the burro to turn its heavy eyes upon the speaker a@@ break into another fiendish ‘ hee-haw!” does!” observed the lank individual, solemnly. — “Knows his name like a, b, c, and when any % af es, «Thinks he’s faound his brother, this hoss — ae am « co — ee Y «
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away. _ _ “Fair play!” shouted a cheery voice. “ Don’t . you happen to have the best of him! +, Th if ua Far The Silver Sport. feller speaks tew him that-a-way, he does his beatenest to hold his own in tbe conversashun.” This was greeted with a loud laugh and hur- ran, and the sport colored visibly. ‘* Wa-al, gents, I’m a pilgrim an’ a stranger in this dasted, measly country, and I’m a-lookin’ fer a man named Primrose. Used tew know a Primrose back tew Varmount. Didn’t livein a palace, though, an’ mebbe this ain’t the man.” He looked inquiringly about as if expecting Primrose to advance trom the crowd, Then he turned to the sport who had ad- dressed bim as ‘‘ Jakie.” “Will you be so ‘’commodatin’ as'to ax the feller to step out o’ his shopa minit? I’mafeard this pesky hoss’ll run away ef I leave him,” “Ask him yourself!” was the angry reply. The retort to his little joke had evidently cut to the quick. The answer was accepted literally ; and, throw- ing back his head, the pilgrim and stranger be- gan to yell in stentorian tones: ‘** Hello! Hello! Hello! Oh, Mister Primrose! Come daown yer’ a minit! Ob, Mister—” ** What in thunder’s the matter? Do you take me for a sky telephone?” Caleb Primrose, the proprietor of the Prim- rose Palace, poked his head through an open window, as he asked the questions. He was a keen-eyed man of fifty, polished and shrewd and witha not unhandsome face, ‘* Come down yer’, I want tew see yeou!” A strange look swept over Primrose’s face, He withdrew from the window, and a little later, descended to the street. As he passed the irate sport be whispered something, hurriedly, when the fellow gradually edged away from the crowd, and Primrose advanced to greet the pul- grim. + My name’s Peppermint,” cried the latter, warmly, extending a hand. ‘Josh Peppermint, from Varmount; an’ this ‘ere burr’s named Jakie, Used tew know a Primrose daown East. Went courtin’ bis darter, Sallie, sometimes, when I wastohum. I don’t allaow, though, thet yeou’re the feller.” ‘“*T guess you're barking up the wrong tree, my friend!” Primrose responded, with a mean- ing glance, ‘‘I was never in Vermont and never had a daughter Sallie.” ** Wa-al, naow, that’s tew bad! Come all the way from Rocky Butte a purpose to see yeou, hearin’ thet yeou was in the teown. Nice shanty, yeou’ve got there!” “Tt will do!” returned Primrose curtly. **T reckon, naow, yeou don’t want tew hire nobody tew do nuthin’, dew yeou? I’m a-wantin’ a job, paowerful!” - he sport had returned, and a number of de- termined men mingled with the rapidly gather- ing crowd, : ‘*] think [ can give you a situation—either as a jail-bird or a stiff!” Primrose cried, whipping out a six-shooter. , But, quick as be was, he was not quick enough to catch the stranger napping. Those dull, blue eyes had noted every move- ment, without appearing to do so. They now filled with sudden fire, the right hand shot out, and Primrose found himself looking aera into the rusty tubes of a formidable, if old- fashioned weapon, — At Primrose’s first movement, Peppermint had drawn an old, pepper-box revolver and leveled it full at him. ' “Tallaow yeou was jest o-jokin’ abaout that jail-bird bizess!” he suggested, “Ef I thought yeou meant it, ’d bore a hole plum through yeou, I would, by ginger! AP ad nag quailed before the flash of those stern ue eyes, “ car only bluffing!” he explained awkward- ly, thrusting the half-uplifted revolver back into its place. he movement was only a ruse, for, as Pep- permint lowered his clumsy weapon, the sport who had been so stung by the Yankee’s retort a few minutes before, leaped toward him. The spring was tiger-like, and before Peppermint could turn to meet it, the weapon was dashed from his hand and rolled with a rattling sound upon the stones. _ Then the revolver of Primrose again gleamed in the sunlight. A flash and a report followed, but the little burro gave a sudden leap forward, ust in time to save its master’s life. dozen ands grasped its bridle, while it plunged and kicked and struggled in a frantic effort to get Again Primrose ised m, a cruel glitter in his keen eyes, eee jump onto @ man like a lot of curs, just because - ee ees SS The weapon was stricken to the ground as Primrose was again pressing the trigger, The Jandlord turned, with a baffled snarl, on the new-comer, who was none other than the Silver Sport, ‘* What is it to you?” he cried in hot anger. ** Not much, but I don’t like to see the under dog chewed up without some kind of a show.” The Silver Sport smiled pleasantly, and was glad to see,on glancing about, that there were others in the crowd who felt as he did. Peppermint having been pulled from his burro—which on being released, had darted wildly away—was now on his feet fighting furi- ously and surrounded by a clamorous throng. ‘“‘Down with the thief! String him up! Hang him!” Such were the cries that filled the air as the struggling mob swayed backward and forward about the powerful form they were vainly en- deavoring to hold. Seeing that Peppermint was likely to fare badly, the Silver Sport pushed his way to him, Then, placing himself by his side, he beld the throng at bay with a brace of revolvers and de- manded what was wanted. ** What's the fellow done, anyway?” he asked, appealing to Primrose, ‘‘I haven’t heard of anything against bim. I suppose you don’t jump on a fellow this way just for the fun of the thing!” Thus appealed to Primrose could not avoid a reply. tHe is one of the fellows who attempted to rob the stage, last night, between this place and Rocky Butte. In fact, he was the leader of the gang. He was masked, of course, but he was recognized ig ay 4 as soon as he entered the town. And he had the gall to ride the same beaet ee he rode during the attempted rob- ery. ‘““Who makes those charges?” asked Selim, ey secing that matters were beginning to look black for he saab ene “T was in the stage last night and I am satisfied that this is a case of mistaken identity. This person is not the man you say.” ‘We have three witnesses who are willing to swear that this is the same fellow,” persisted Primrose, To say that Peppermint was astounded, puts it feebly. He had come to town with a definite urpose, which was to secure employment. with- n the walls of the Primrose Palace. That his Jans had, in some mysterious way, been made know was now plainly evident. ‘*Tf he isn’t the fellow let him prove the fact!” called out Primrose, and his words were follow- ed by anangry growl. ‘I know he can’t; but, we’re honorable men and willing to give every one a fair show.” ‘ ‘*When you can’t help yourselves,” sneere the sport. Primrose colored, but hé made no reply, fur- ther than to repeat his charges, and ask that the stranger be placed in jail to await a trial. **T suppose it’s the best thing you can do,” advised Selim, turning to Peppermint. ‘I will try, to see that you get a fair hearing. We can’t fight a regiment, you know. One or both of us would be certain to go under.” ** Thet suits me jest as well er better than any other way,” replied Peppermint, quite calmly. ‘* Didn’t have no money tew pay fer a place tew sleep to-night, nohaow. Ef somebody’ll on’y look up thet hoss.” ‘* Tl see that your burro is looked after,” Se- lim assured, smiling. “ An my pistil?’ continued Peppermint, hesi- tatingly, as if he feared he might be asking too much, ‘‘ Thét ole pepper-box, yeou know, — It’s a-layin’ over there on the stun’s. My gran’ther fit intew the Mexican War with thet, an’ I wouldn’t take a small fortin’ fer it.” Selim secured the clumsy weapon, and then Peppermint permitted himself to be led to the rough wooden building which served as a jail. CHAPTER III. A COWARDLY ATTACK. PEPPERMINT’S seoreis were none of the pleasantest, as the jail door closed bebind him, and he found himself alone—a prisoner, with a whole town against him. “‘Wa-al, I'm in the hands of the pesky Philis- tines this time, fer cert’in,” he said, with an at- tempted smile, as he sunk upon the one little bench which the room contained. ‘‘The ques- tion afore the house naow is, how am I a-goin’ to git aout?” . é It was easier to ask than to answer the ques- on. a Just before dark the jailer appeared, with an apology for a meal. It consisted only of a glass of water, a piece of stale bread and 3a bit of cheese, *“Hope yeou don’t charge much, fer this is abaout the poorest hotel I’ve struck in a g while,” Peppermint observed, solemnly, as he surveyed this humble supper. The jailer, who was arougb-looking Irishman, low-browed and villainous-faced, scowled black- ly. Mu It’s betther than ye’il be havin’ to-morry avenin’!” ‘** Goin’ tew give me nothin’ but water then, eh?” ‘The rale mount’in dew wouldn’t tempt ye, I’m thinkin’!” ‘*Sho! ‘Yeou can’t reely mean it! My friend, Mister Primrose, said that he’d give mea fair shake.” Peppermint looked guizzically at the Lrish- man, “A fair shake, is it? Faith, an’ he'll do that same! But itll be a shake av yer fut, wid sorry a thing fer it to sthand on,” With this eg cay 9 reminder, be withdrew. A little later the Silver Sport was ushered into the room. A long conversation followed, but it was carried on in whispers, much to the disgust of A ss exemplary person, Mickey McGee, the jailer. After Selim’s departure, McGee brought in a lighted lamp, placing it upon a stand which be arranged in the center of the room. There was a barred window in one side of the wall, overlooking the street, and a queer smile passed over Peppermint’s face as he glanced from the lamp to the window. * That ’ere chap must take me fer a tarnation idjit!” he muttered, when McGee had departed, as he stepped softly into the darkest corner. ‘* Wants tew light up this ere pesky place so’t some 0’ his frien’s kin shoot me with more con- wenience, Wa-al, naow, they'll have tew git up ahead o the airly worm tew do that! I'll let thet thing burn awhile jest to please ’em, but Yll be powerful apt to blow it aout afore I go tew bed.” He yawned, as if weary of the whole business, then deliberately seated himself in the darkness and placed an ear against the wall in a listening attitude, Several times he heard light footsteps and occasionally voices consulting in low tones, He could not make out the words, An hour slipped by and everything grew silent, Then he stepped quickly and quietly toward the lamp and extinguished it, As he did so,a istol flashed in the window and a ball sped by im and buried itself in the wall. ** Jeerusalem!” he cried, throwing himself upon the floor and crawling nimbly into the corner he had just vacated. “That wasa narrer es- cape! Thought the skunks had gone away er z wouldn’t ’a’ ventured aout there, There was a movement beneath the window and a voice whispered: “* Did you hit him?” **Wa-al, naow, Mister Skunk, I bardly think ’et yeou did!” Peppermint cried, in answer. A smothered curse was the only response; and the footsteps glided away. The hours passed. Midnigbt came and went. The prisoner grew drowsy at last, and fell into a quiet sleep in the corner where he crouched. ‘om this slumber he was aroused in the early hours of the morning by the slow and deliber- ate turning of a key in the heavy lock. He eo then crept softly to the side of the oor. There was but one Pie oe engaged in this at- tempt at aging 2 he decided, after hearkening quietly for a little while, Feeling abundantly able to take care of any single assailant, he stepped back from the door and waited for it to swing open. The bolt soon shot heavily in the lock, the hinges creaked, the door swung backward and a man glided into the room, only to find Pepper- mint upon him with a rush, Down the intruder went under the sudden assault, and they rolled together over and over upon the hard floor, locked in a deadly embrace. The man attempted to strike Peppermint with the ugly knife grasped in his band when he en- tered, but the Yankee caught the uplifted hand and redoubled his exertions to get the better of his enemy. For more than five minutes the stubborn con- test continued, not a word being spoken, the ‘deep breathing of the combatants alone showing the desperateness of the struggle. Peppermint more than once gripped his assail- | ant in a steel-like grasp and attempted to lift him from the floor, but whenever he did so the sinewx rascal would twist away bis right hand
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4 light. Finally they arose, half-way to their feet, bendin gale. They staggered and reeled for an instant, then Peppermint brought all his wondrous strength into play and hurled the would-be assassin against the heavy slab-door. The fellow sunk to the floor in a limp heap the knife slipped from his nerveless fingers and | several months his features were plainly revealed, Tt was Mickey McGee, the jailer! “ Jerusalem, Nantucket an’ the North Pole!” exclaimed the Yankee, his eyes opening in boundless astonishment, A shiver ran through the Irishman’s frame. Fearing he was coming to, Peppermint took possession of the knife and began hurriedly to tear some strips from the coarse ticking of the cot, With these he bound McGee tight and fast, then seated himself and calmly waited for the Irishman to regain his senses. The latter had a hard head and, although the blow had, apparently, been sufficient to crush the skull of an alligator, he was not long in coming around, “Hello!” exclaimed the prisoner, as the Irishman opened his eyes and attempted to lift his hand to his bleeding and aching head, *‘ how dew yeou find yerself this fine mornin’, Mister Paddy McGee? Yeou was uncommon peart on’y a little while ago.” cGee replied on Ah Se a venomous glare, ‘“*f reckon, naow Mister Primrose hired you to play this leetle game. Hope he agreed tew pay yer doctor bills intew the bargain. It'll cost more’n a dollar, I allaow, to git that head tied up like it ort tew be.” Before it was fairly light a stepwas heard in the hall without, and Caleb Pr@irose poked his head cautiously through the open door of the inner prison, The sight that met his gaze must have astonished him considerably, for he drew back with a smothered curse, He had not expected to find_the tables turned upon McGee in this style, He it was who had fired the dastardly shot through the grated window. Finding it had failed to accomplish its purpose he had paid McGee to assassinate ae during the quiet hours of the night. The failure of his plans wrought him up to a yitch of fury: and an instant later he presented bimeelf at the prison-door with a cocked revol- ver, intending to shoot Peppermint down in cold blood, release McGee, and lay the blame upon some party or parties unknown, What was his surprise, therefore, to find him- self covered with a derringer, which ab mint hastily plucked from the bosom of ,bis shirt, “Tye got the drop on yeou,” the latter shout- ed, ‘tan’ ef yeou so much as bat yer eye, I'll put a bullet intew it!” CHAPTER IV. ‘¢ 4 FRIEND IN NEED.” Steps were heard in the corridor of the little jail, and Lucas Waldo appeared as a spectator of the tableau. Primrose thrust his revolver back into its lace and turned to greet him, with a sickly aun : ‘You're just in time to prevent a tragedy, it seems!” he said, forcing a smile, “I have no doubt I would have been a dead man in another minute.” ‘‘Been haying some kind of a difficulty, eh?” Waldo asked in surprise, as be peered through the open door at the bound form of the Irish- man. ** As I said, yon arrived just in time to pre- vent u tragedy. That fellow would have shot me down in another instant.” ‘‘Naow yeou’re a-puttin’ it jesta leetle strong, ain’t yeou?’ Peppermint queried, ‘* My story can be verified by the jailer. You see in what condition I found him—trussed up like a fowl ready for basting. | The Silver Sport. und the uplifted knife would gleam in the moon- | lead the road-agents on the occasion referred to “TJ shall take the greatest pleasure in the and writhing like young pines in a | world in proving that you are wrong.” Primrose modulated his tones with an effort, but he could not quench the angry fire that burned in his vicious eyes. * This town has been cursed with a most vil- lainous set of cut-throats and foot-pads, for they are weeded ont. I am also glad to say there are other p peogeer in the camp who think just as I do and are willing to assist in escorting these gentry from our midst by the necktie route.” “ Quite a burst of virtuous indignation, truly!” sneered Waldo. ‘‘One would think that you were a censor of public morals instead of the keeper of a notorious gambling nell,” Primrose fairly choked with impotent fury, and more than once did his hand creep slyly to the butt of his revolver. Josh Peppermint’s eagle-like eyes were fixed upon his face, however, and Primrose knew full woll that his first movement would be a signal for a shot from the deadly derringer. “(Tt is your inning, Mr. Waldo He backed toward the outer door, as he said it, knowing that if he remained longer he would be tempted into sume act which he would doubt- less have cause to regret. Then, with a maliguant glance at the Yankee, he pulled his hat down over his eyes and strode furiously down the street. “The wolf!” exclaimed Waldo, looking after the retreating figure. **We can dispense with your valuable ser- vices, McGee, for a little while. You know me i oe know that my word is as good as my bond, I will become surety for Mr, Pepper- mint’s pos Aorab pm You can return again in ten minutes, would advise you to use the time in committing that beautiful little story to memory so that you can tell it with a greater simplicity and apparent candor.” cGee slouched sulkily away, muttering male- dictions dark and deep. ‘¢ And now please inform me how it happened that 1 found wee so strangely situated a little while ago!” Waldo asked, turning to Pepper- mint, ‘Selim requested me to call on you early this morning. He will be absent from towna number of hours, probably, and he thought you might wish to confer with some one,” Peppermint detailed the incidents of the night, and asked: “What kind o’ a show, naow, do yeow think mebbe they’ll give me?” ‘““Not much, I’m afraid. You are to he brought before Judge Lynch, at one o’clock, and if Selim does not accomplish his mission by that time I have, some dread of the result. It may be, though, that I can rally a sufficient number of well- isposed men to force a postponement of the—’ ‘‘Hangin’!” interposed Peppermint, seein that he hesitated. 2 ne . “Primrose must be weakenin’ though, er he wouldn’t ’a’ tried Log mis he did las’ night.” ‘* He simply wanted to make assurance doubly sure!” was the answer. Waldo then made known the cause of Selim’s temporary absence from the town, which will be revealed in its pepe place, and proceeded toa discussion of a line of defense. The ten minutes became twenty before he re- called McGee and took his departure, ‘* Don’t allow yourself to become discouraged |” he cried, with a warm of the hand, ‘* You'll come out on top, yet, my good fellow.” “Hope I may. But, I say, boss, won’t you see that my hoss has his mornin’ feed on thistle an’ pine burrs?” And Waldo departed, smiling. CHAPTER V. JUDGE LYNCH, THE only law known to Bullion City wast he code of Judge Lynch. It is true the town boasted of a mayor and marshal, who was also the jailer, buttheir functions consisted mainly in adminis- “Tell the gentleman your story, Mickey. tering the laws of the erratic judge, who sedeci- How this road-agent tied you up, and was just on the point of escaping when I appeared and blocked his game,” McGee was quick-witted and rattled off a ef nga gent yarn, “TY don’t. believe a word of the story!” pro- tested Waldo, ‘* That Irishman islying, Any one can see it in his eyes, Primrose’s face became ashy pale and his fin- rs twitched nervously. “ Then you doubt my statement?” “You may construe my words to suit your- self!” Waldo replied, coldly, ‘‘I say he did not sions were carried out with such promptness and vigor that appeals and new evidence alway scame too late to benefit the accused. Lemuel Silvertop was the mayor, and he was a fitting companion to Mickey McGee, the marshal and jailer, Both were tools of Prim- rose and wholly subservient to his wishes. Silvertop wasa man of sixty, whose bristly, white hair was clipped closely to his head, after the fashion of a pugilist, He hada beavy jaw, a watery eye and the head of a bull-dog. His a real name was unknown, certainly no one be- lieved it to be Silvertop, To judge by appearances, one would be safe in asserting that he was a worn-out cracksman and burglar from the East, who was vegetati in the security of Bullion City, and who woul not be likely to leave the camp as long as he could obtain a dollar or a drink from his friend and patron, Caleb Primrose, It was through Primrose’s influence that he bad been elevated to his present position as the st, and I intend to see that | dispenser of border justice, and he repaid his chief with favorable decisions. With such a man as Judge Lynch, Primrose felt that he could grind his enemies to powder. Before this man Peppermint was brought. Ordinary courts, governed by statutory enact- ments, presume that a man is innocent until he is proven guilty; but Silvertop’s court was not an ordinary court. There the presumptions were all against the accused. If charged with horse-stealing—the most flagrant offense known in the wild West—the prisoner was expected to prove, especially if Primrose was the prosecut- ing witness, that it was morally and physically im ible that he could be gui Wy. eppermint saw at a glance that he could ex- es neither mercy nor justice from Silvertop. evertheless, he determined to make as vigor- ous a defense as possible, and hoped to be able to prolong the trial until the arrival of the Silver Sport, The court was convened in the open air in front of the Primrose Palace, ‘‘so that the judge wouldn’t have to wait too long when he sent for a drink,” as a bystander sagely re- marked. ; A platform was made by laying boards across a pair of saw-horses, and on this the august judge seated himself in state, with Peppermint close at his right hand. Evidently the digni and majesty of the court had to be sustained. As for the lesser fry, such as witnesses and spectators, the cobblestones of the street were good enough, A ‘““What’s the charge ag’in’ this ere feller?” demanded Silvertop, with a magisterial frown. Primrose pushed forward through the crowd. ‘May it please the court,” he said, with a deferential bow, that greatly tickled Silvertop’s vanity, ‘‘tke prisoner, Josh Peppermint, as he calls himself, is accused of holding up the stage on the Rocky Butte trail, night before last.” ‘‘ Nighabout ez bad ez hoss-stealin’!” exclaim- ed Silvertop, solemnly, turning his watery eyes upon Peppermint. ‘What hev ye got to say about it?” ‘ Thet he can’t prove it.” “Don’t bev to prove it, my boy!” said the court, sternly. ‘You must purjuice an alleyby, If ye warn’t there, I reckon it won’t be hard fur ye to prove whar ye wus at thet identikal time.” “Isn't that just a little strong?’ asked Mr. Waldo, elbowing his way to a place in front of the judge. “‘I appear as a friend of the de- fendant, and, although I deny emphatically that this court has any power in the premises, we are willing to take our chances if ordinary pas ri principles and rulings are allowed to pre- vail. At this there was‘a cheer; and it was pay evident that Waldo had succeeded in collecting a number of friends about him, Primrose glanced quickly around; and, notic- ing the number of Waldo's supporters, pro- ceeded to lower his demands, “My friend Waldo is quite correct,” he ob- ecivate smoothly. ‘“ We want nothing but jus- tice, But jastice we will have, though the heavens fall. We will waive the pr ents of the past, in this case, in deference to his wishes, It is not necessary, your Honor, to take any- thing for granted. We have an abundance of evidence. He then called the names of the three ruffians who were in the stage when it was stopped by road-agents, They identified Peppermint as the masked man who had ridden the burro, and were es- pecially fierce in their denunciation of him. Mickey McGee detailed minutely the sup- posed circumstances of Peppermint’s attempted flight from the jail. Primrose bolstered this with his concocted testimony, and matters began to look black for the Yankee, Ominous owls arose from the throng, mingled with threatening cries. BSilvertop sent for a drink, and when he had gulped it down he turned upon Peppermint, with owlish gravity. “It’s ex clear a case ez I ever see!” he ex- claimed, winking rapidly to relieve his eyes of their superabundant moisture. "Tain’t neces- sary to purjuice any more evidence, The court’s made up its mind, an’ all the evidence
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that c'u’d be scraped wouldn’t be likely to change it.” “You will allow us, at least, to introduce our side of the case!’’ protested Waldo. ‘*He’s like the Dutch jestice I read about one’t,” Peppermint observed, with a smile. ‘* After the first witness had finished he told the lawyers to go abead, but thet they mus’n’t talk joud énough to wake him; thet the case was set- tled as fur as he was concerned, but he intended to snooze awhile afore renderin’ jedgment, ‘Peared afterwards thet he was afeard ef he heerd any more he would git sort o’ tangled an’ wouldn’t know how tew decide,” The audacity of this speech fairly took away ** his Honor’s” breath. For a full half-minute he glared at Peppermint in speechless amazement, then he thundered: “| find the prisoner guilty; an’ he shall be hung at wonst untel he’s ez dead ez a herrin’!” Mickey McGee sprung upon the platform with a rope and the crowd became a sea of surging and shrieking heads, Above this wild tumult came the thunder of hoofs and the ringing cheery voice of the Silver Sport. The clamor instantly subsided, even McGee allowed the rope to trail at his feet and turned about in excited expectancy—and all eyes were turned toward Sunny Selim, who was coming up the street at a swinging gallop. A number of men vous at his heels, and he- fore him he drove a little burro, to the back of which was bound a tall and powerfully built man, The throng instinctively fell back as this cav- alcade approached. Sunny Selim drove the burro, with its strange burden, right in front of the platform upon which Silvertop was seated. ‘*Here’s your road-agent!” he cried, with withering scorn. ‘‘ A nice set of fellows, you es to harness up an innocent man out of pure Spite, : ‘Poor old Silvertop knew not what to do, and so ordered another drink, When he had swallowed it, he passed his hands falteringly over his closely cropped head, glanced appealingly at Primrose and then ran his eyes helplessly over the sea of upturned faces, ‘* This is a—a—rather a late date fer the in- terduction of new testimony!” he faltered. “* The jedgment o’ the court hez been psenounc- ed, an’ I don’t see ez we kin reely do anything more’n to see that it’s kerried out.” Then, gaining courage from the flow of his words: “It is the order o’ Judge Lynch that the pris’ner be hanged by the neck. ontel he’s ez dead ez a herrin’!” Again McGee Fert forward with his rope. ** Drop that!” Selim commanded, leveling a cocked revolver, and the rope dropped from McGee’s hands, as if it had been a red-hot bar of iron. A wild cheer went up from the throats of Waldo’s men, Silvertop’s florid face took on a sickly hue and his hands shook. ** Now, I demand that we be given a hearing!” cried the Silver Sport, thrusting a revolver un- der ‘‘ his Honor’s” bulbous nose. Silvertop was almost voiceless with terror, but he managed to stammer a consent, and Selim sage his prisoner to be hoisted upon the plat- orm. In form and general appearance the man did really resemble Peppermint, and when masked might be readily taken for him, But he had a most villainous countenance, and a ternble scar, ghastly and red, extended across his forehead, ‘* Gentlemen,” said the Silver Sport, ignoring Judge Lynch altogether and addressing the crowd, among which he recognized many friends, “ how I learned of the hiding place of this scamp is too long @ story to tell now, and I don’t know that it’s material. anyhow, ‘“*T was in the stage when it was halted by the burro-rider, and I knew that the feliow was not Josh Peppermint.” : ‘* Now, I am here to prove it.” He pressed the tube of the revolver: against the livid scar on the forehead of his prisoner, You know me!” he cried. ‘“ Acknowledge to the truth, or, as I’m a living man, I'll spatter these boards with your worthless brains, — _ ‘‘Gentlemen, I protest!’ exclaimed Primrose, in evident alarm. ‘Is it fair to extort a con- fession from a man in that kind of style?” Out with it,” shouted Selim, “or take the consequences, ” . _‘‘ I—I was hired to do it!” faltered the tremb- ling wretch. ‘The man who paid me—” | be This is an outrage!” cried Primrose, wildly. He gained the stage at a bound and rushed fugitive, The Silver Sport. upon the Silver Sport with the fury of a mad- man, The threatening revolver was sent spin- ning into the street; and, as Selim turned to meet the furious charge, the road-agent leaped down and ran like a frightened deer, A scene of indescribable confusion followed. Men shouted and screamed, pistols cracked, the air grew sulphurous with curses, and in the midst of it all Silvertop tumbled over in a dead faint. Selim wrenched himself from the restraining grasp of Primrose, and darted in pursuit of the Others joined in the chase, and it seemed for a time that the road-agent would be retaken. But he doubled on his trail like a hunted fox, and darted through the open doors of the Prim- rose Palace. The building was at once sur- rounded, and although Primrose ostensibly led the search in person, the rascal could not be un- earthed. ‘“*T thought you were using unwarranted measures with the fellow,” Primrose said, in ex- planation of the part he had taken, ‘and at- tempted to stop you, as an act of simple justice. But when the scoundrel ran that way I knew at once that he was guilty. It’s plain, of course, now, that Peppermint is innocent, and if you can find this fellow, I will take great pleasure in helping to put a rope around his neck,” hat evening, Josh Peppermint rode trium- phantly through the streets of Bullion City, mounted on his little burro, with his weapons restored, and no man ventured to molest him. It had been a day of defeats for Primrose, His eyes gleamed revengefully, as they fell on the Yankee’s tall form, but he closed his teeth with an angry click, and bided his time. CHAPTER VI. THE FLOWER BRIGADE, Ir the baffled men who sought so diligentl for the escaped road-agent could have ouaped, that night, into the subterranean apartment be- neath the Primrose Palace, they would have made a discovery to astonish them. The existence to this underground chamber was known only to the initiated few. There were several entrances to it, but they were so ingeniously concealed as to almost defy detec- tion. There were tunnels, also, opening into other houses at cousiderable distances away to make escape easy in case of a raid. On this night a large, if not goodly, company was assembled. Something of importance was evidently up for discussion, and belated arrivals continued to make their appearance until the night verged on the morning. hief among this motley array of villains was Primrose himself; and he was fitly accom- anied by his satellites, Mickey McGee and emuel Silvertop. The escaped road-agent was also there, with the three who had borne testi- mony against Peppermint that afternoon. Each wore an artificial primrose on the lapel of his coat, thus attesting their allegiance.to the proprietor of the Primrose Palace. Entrance was gained to the apartment much in the same way that admittance is gained to secret lodges, Indeed, to a stranger, the meet- ing would have seemed very much like a Ma- sonic gathering. Three raps were given at the inner door, These were responded to by three raps and the whispered query, ‘* Whither bound?” The reply was invariably, ‘‘ Over the primrose path!” After considerable waiting, Primrose seated himself at a table in one end of the room and rapped for order. ‘“Members of the Flower Brigade,” he said, rising, when order had been obtained. ‘I have called you together to-night to warn you of a new peril. Many of you were presant at the trial of the supposed Yankee this afternoon, and will know what I mean without much ex- planation. ‘*You know how we failed in accomplishing our purpose of hanging the fellow, through the interposition of two men, Lucas Waldo and the Silver Sport. ; } “Josh Peppermint, as he is pleased to call himself, is not a green countryman at all, Neither is he a ‘Down-east’ Yankee, as you might suppose from his dialect. ‘¢ The dialect and the anpearance of rural ver- dancy are assumed as a disguise, His true name is Sydney Sheldon, and he is one of the most dangerous of the detective fraternity.” There was a murmur of anger and astonish-. ment at this declaration. ‘‘Our friends further east warned me that Peppermint was on his way to Bullion City, and also gave me a description of -the character he would assume. So I laid a trap for bim. s dangthy. Jim, here, is about seqpeseaes hight. had him mask himself and lead the attack on the stage, mounted on a burro similar to the one Peppermint rides. I believed we could thus fasten a charge against the detec- tive that would place a rope around his neck and rid us of his attentions, You know how it resulted.” He stopped for an instant to note the effect of his words. The stillness which had been almost painful, was broken by a wild clamor, amid which could be heard vindictive denunciations of Waldo and the Silver Sport. ‘Realizing that it wouldn’t do to take any unnecessary risks, I attempted with the aid of Mickey McGee, to down Peppermint in the jail, last night, but failed. “So you see, friends and comrades of the primroses, we have made a bad mess of it.” He stopped again and a stern look came into his eyes. His voice, too, changed as he con- tinued: ** Now, what shall be done with the man, who, even though death apparently stares him in the face, groposes to reveal the secrets of the Flower Brigade, in order to save his own worthless carcass?” As these ominous words fell from the lips of his chief, Lengthy Sim shrunk against the wall in an agony of terror. ‘* You who were in attendance on the court of Judge Lynch, this afternoon, will understand me. ‘That scoundrel there”—pointing at the trembling wretch—" that perjured and coward- ly villain is the man to whom I refer!” A storm of hisses and snarls swept through the room, and Lengthy Jim crept appealingly to the feet of his enraged chief. Primrose heeded him no more than the earth beneath his feet. “That man, who swore by the most terrible oaths tostand by us and with us, and to never reveal a secret of this organization or the name of a member, though he should be torn limb from limb in an effort to extort a confession from him, was on the sige of revealing all, this afternoon. Only by my prompt inter- ference was he prevented from doing so.” A wail for mercy went up from the pallid Jips of the man prostrated at Primrose’s feet, ‘“*He who bad no mercy now cries unto you for mercy!” Primrose sneered, ‘‘ Members of the Flower Brigade, do you know what would have been the result if our secrets had been thus revealed? Bullion City would have been shakep as if by an earthquake, Every one of you would have been hunted down and shot like so many wild animals,” The reckless bandits were becoming lashed into fury, and their growls grew more ominous and deadly. ‘*T didn’t intend to reveal anything!” pleaded the hapless wretch. ** Silence, you dog!” roared Primrose, ‘‘ The words were upon your lips, ready for utterance, ‘*Men, comrades, members of the Flower Brigade! I leave it to you to decide what shall be done with a man who thus disregards our solemn oath!” A how] of fury arose, which must have reach- ed the street, had not the apartment been truly subterranean. ‘* Death!” shouted the frantic bandits, ‘‘ Down with all traitors!” ‘Tt is well!” exclaimed Primrose. He waved his hand. A half-dozen sturdy vile lains threw themselves upon Lengthy Jim. He struggled and fought like a hyena, It was useless. He was quickly overpowered and hurled, shrieking, to the earthen floor, and the primrose torn from his coat, When he was: securely bound and gagged, he was tied fast to a chair, This was lifted by four men, and then Primrose led the way through one of the crank yieente galleries, From this they emerged, through a concealed entrance, into a stable in the rear of the Prim- rose Palace. ’ The night was waning and the full moon was low down in the western sky, Leaving the stable, by a rear door, the solemn and ghostly company proceeded into the timber of the foot-bills, A half an hour later they crept back like guilty things that feared the coming light; and the body of the murdered -agent swung eony and ghastly in the freshening reeze, CHAPTER VII. “RARE, PALE MARGARET.” : A pRE?ty little cottage clung to a hillside, just beyond tbe unsightly suburbs of Bullion
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& hi s > » V 7 The Silver Sport. ——— City. Climbing plants trailed themselves above the windows and a rose bush in full bloom, sent its fragrance through the open door. A canary sung in its gilded cage above a work-table, at which a young woman was sit- ting. here was about the place a cheerful air of home comfort, sadly lacking in most of the dwellings of that feverish mining town. The rooms, though small, were well kept and tidy and bore mute testimony to the orderly industry of the fair housekeeper. This was the home of William Caxtonbluff, cheery Bill—a man of bonor and good heart, who had many friends and few enemies and was respected by all. Caxton was an assayer of ores and only his stern integrity had kept him from becoming wealthy. e would not lend himself to the petty schemes of unprincipled men who desired to foist worthless mining property on an unsus- ecting public. Other assayers might do that, mut Bill Caxton, never! If the assay showed that ore was worthless or comparatively so, all the wealth of the mountains would not induce him to assert otherwise. This was the secret cause of his humble position; for it is, unfortunately, true, that windy mine- boomers, with a worthless hole in the ground, far outnumber the honest men who have legiti- mate and valuable mining stocks for sale. The young woman seated at the work-table, above which the canary was thrilling so cheeri- ly, was Caxton’s daughter and housekeeper, Margaret. She was certainly a young woman of exceptional beauty. Her open, intelligent face, with its dark-blue eyes, aquiline nose, and mouth like a Cupid’s bow, was set off by a mass of golden-brown hair; and her form was grace and comeliness personified. She smiled as she bent above her work, as if her thoughts were pleasant. Occasionally she looked down the little path that led past the dainty picket fence. She was evidently expecting some one; and soon the sounds of manly footsteps sent the blood in warm surges to her face, A little later the Silver Sport turned into the path and came toward the house, He plucked a couple of buds from the flowering rose bush, as he passed it, and when Margaret arose to meet him, he handed her one and pinned the other to his handsome, Mexican jacket. *‘Only rose bush I know of in the country,” he said, with a smile, “‘and so I took the liberty. Name the penalty and it shall be paid, even to the half of my fortune.” ‘Which would be about how much at the resent time?’ with a lifting of her delicate eye- rows, “Well, it wouldn’* make you a great deal richer nor me appreciably poorer!” was the laughing reply. e helped himself to a chair, with the utmost nonchalance. “T hear you have been getting into trouble again?” she said, pouting her red ie, ‘“*Who was the bearer of evil tidings this time?” “ Father!” “And he condemned me for breaking away from those road-agents last night?” ** No; he seemed pleased with it, but said you were rather too reckless,” ‘“*Well, my recklessness saved to Mr. Waldo about ten thousand dollars, so he informed me,” **So much as that?” “And, by the way, Jennie behaved beauti- fully during the trying ordeal.” ‘She was here this morning,” Margaret re- lied, eying him sharply, ‘‘and do you know Pm afraid she is on the verge of falling in love with you?” “Pooh!” with a light laugh. ‘ Jennie is too sensible a girl for that. And besides ber father is not over-much pleased with some of my habits, I fancy.” “But fathers do not control the hearts of their daughters,” she persisted. ‘‘Jennie will get over any little tenderness she may have for me, as soon as Peppermint arrives. It is ridiculous to think of her falling in love with me. Now, Peppermint is really a handsome fellow—when not on dress parade, rm know—and I’m sure Jennie can’t belp liking m. when she knows him as he is.” He uoticed that she seemed relieved by the statemer.t. and laughed heartily, ‘*Not jea'ous, 1 hope?” **No; but—-” ‘‘ Under the circumstances you prefer that I should remain true to my first love. Or, to put it in another way, that I sho 1ld be off ‘with the old love before I am on with She new.” He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek, ‘** All that is eminently proper, no doubt, but it sounds funny, under the circumstances,” “T was not thinking of it in that way,” she said, her pink cheeks glowing. Then, noticing the mark left by the bullet, her eyes filled with surprise and alarm. ‘*You were hurt in the fight last night, and have tried to conceal it by combing your hair over the wound!” ‘“* Didn’t Jennie mention it?” he asked. ‘““No! How did it happen, and why didn’t you speak of it?” **One question at a time, my dear, or you will rout me, horse, foot and dragoons.” A tender light came into his eyes. ‘¢ Jennie is a girl of rare discretion! Tl) war- rant she told everything else, but left out that part of the story, for fear of alarming you.” He then described the manner in which he re- ceived the wound, and told how Jennie had bathed it, and stopped the flow of blood. “She didn’t tell me these things!” he ex- ‘“*] wormed them out of the stage- driver, He is an honest fellow and brave as a lion—and garrulous as an old woman. He has told the tale so often.already, that I have nar- rowly escaped hecoming a hero.” **And would be one quite, in my eyes, at least,” she said, ‘if you would only keep away from that hateful Primrose Palace,” ‘‘Impossible, my dear!” he replied. ‘'No need to tell you why, for I bave already told you a score of times. Perhaps, after Pepper- mint comes, it will not be necessary for me to go there quite so often.” ‘When do you expect Peppermint?” ‘‘ At any hour now. He wasat Rocky Butte yesterday. Isaw him and had a talk with him. n fact that was my purpose in going there. When he arrives I will turn over a good deal of the work to him.” ‘“‘T wish you were out of the business!” she exclaimed. ‘* Do you know remarks are already being made about your visits to me? It is the gossip of the neighborhood that I have accepted as a lovera man whoisa confirmed gambler.” There was a pained look in her eyes. “T hope you do not really care for these re- marks!” he said, anxiously. ‘ For a time it is absolutely necessary that I shouli be Sunny Selim, the Silver Sport. In no other way can I perform the task which I have set myself. ‘‘- Your father, does he regard this masquer- ading with displeasure?” He watched the varying emotions revealed in ber changeful countenance, as he put the ques- tion. ‘Tt is distasteful to him,” she acknowl- edged, frankly, ‘‘ though he does not condemn it.” He laughed lightly, to conceal the shade of annoyance on his face. “At any rate I am progressing in the gocd graces of Mr. Waldo. That was a lucky affair last night for me. It elevated me greatly in his estimation.” ** And in the estimation of his daughter?” with a questioning smile. ‘Yes, in the estimation of his daughter. And, if you say much more on that subject, I shall begin to believe you are really jealous.” His arm stole slyly around her slender waist and he pressed another kiss upon her pretty, pouting lips. ‘“* What is that old song? plained. “*O, don't be sorrowful, darling, O, don’t be sorrowful, pray! For. taking the year together, my dear, We always will find the May!” He sung it over softly, tapping the carpet with his heavy boot. “The May is coming for us soon, my dear! Then I hope, as my wife, you will be able to hold up your head with the most favored lady in the land.” He drew her to his breast. The senseless braying of a burrocut the morn- ing air like the blast of a fog-horn., fe drew himself up in an absurdly dignified fashion and broke into a loud laugh, and Mar- garet hastily straightened her tumbled hair. ‘Tt is our friend, Peppermint,” he said, beam- ingly. ‘‘ I suppose that burro never entered a town in its life without announcing its coming in that fashion, And Josh really seems to de- light in the music of its voice.” He br to a window which looked out on the trail from Rocky Butte, The sight re- vealed almost sent him into convulsions of laughter. “Josh Peppermint without bis burro would not be Josh Peppermint at all. Come here, Margaret, if you wish to see something worth looking at.” She came to the window at his request, and gazed at Peppermint and his ridiculous steed in amused astonishment. ‘““Which is the handsomer, my dear, think you?” asked the Silver Sport. ‘‘ Peppermint or the burro?” Her only reply was a rippling, girlish laugh. The burro was crawling, tortoise-like, along the rocky trail, and Peppermint was swing- ing his long legs and singing, “* The Girl I Left Behind Me,” “Tf Jennie Waldo ever falls in love with that fellow, he will bave to improve wonder- fully in his personal appearance,” she observed, archly. ‘“* Which would be the work of only a few minutes. Lethim discard that shock of hair and that shock of a hat, rid himself of those ridiculous clothes, remove the brick-dust color- ing and rub some of the lines out of his face, and he would become an entirely different fel- low, so far as looks are concerned. ‘“f never knew a man who could come up to Peppermint in successful disguising. The real Sydney Sheldon looks no more like that corn- field scare-crow than I do.” The burro and its rider passed from sight around the bend in the trail and entered the principal street of Bullion City, ‘* Now, my dear, I must go!” Selim exclaimed, ressing a last kiss upon the fair face beside rim. ‘I must see how Peppermint introduces himself to the worthy citizens of Bullion City, and be near to help him, in case he needs assis- tance.” He burried away, and. as the reader knows, was able to be of vast service to Peppermint in his first encounter with the proprietor of the Primrose Palace. CHAPTER VIII. TWO OF A KIND. On the afternoon following the hanging of the road-agent, Jcsh Peppermint was riding gawkily about the suburbs of Bullion City, staring owlishly at the various sights attractive to the eyes of a ‘ tenderfoot.” After a time the burro turned, apparently of its own notion, into the Rocky Butte trail, As it advanced slowly along this flinty highway, it grew lazier; and, finally, like the totally-de- praved creature it was, altogether refused to proceed. This necessitated a vigorous application of the spur, and a scene of pitching ensued which baffles description. Never was such “ bucking” seen by the ‘‘ oldest inhabitant.” Peppermint seemed determined not to be dis- lodged from his seat, and, when the waltzing commenced in earnest, he locked his long legs together under the belly of the little brute, twined bis arms around its neck and helc on like “ grim death,” or the man who, for a five- dollar bill, attempts to ride the trick mule in the arena of the circus. ; - Failing to dismount its rider in this way, the burro plunged viciously forward and then broke into a rattling gallop. All at once, just as it reached a point opposite the Caxton cottage, the burro stopped. Stopped, with premeditation and malice aforethought and with such a bending of its neck and stiffen- ing of its legs that Peppermint was shot for- ward over its expansive ears like a ball froma siege-gun. : ? He Janded with a terrible crash and failed to rise; and the burro made a wild dash for the adjacent foot-hills, Honest Bill Caxton, who had been watching the entire performance from the cottage win- dow, now ran out to the trail, accompanied by the Silver Sport, Peppermint was apparently unconscious, and, after a hasty examination, they lifted him ten- derly between them and carried him into the sears where a bed had — speedily prepared y Margaret for his recepuion. Lens Moaoaeaies and her father left the room, which they did in the course of a few moments, Peppermint looked up serenely from the pillow and asked, witha drawl: “ Wa-al, haow did yeou like the show?” The face of the Silver Sport, which had up to that time held an anxious expression, became wreathed in smiles. “Excellent, but the acting was almo-t too perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I really began to fear you were seriously burt,” “T told yeou thet Jakie could work the trick to parfection.”
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door, apol : ‘ > apo pet ea for havi ait wate Meet ea ee ; The Silver Spor, He looked anxiously about and then shot an inquiring glance through the window. ** Pull thet winder blind, will yeou? I’d ruther set up. Never like to lay in bed onless I’m sleepy. I kin talk better in a cheer.” Selim complied with the request. Then Pep- permint dragged his lanky form from beneath the coverings and seated himself in a rocker, “Twas watched, just asI said I would be!” he asserted, discarding the dialect, ‘ Prim- rose’s men have been following me all day. It was the only way I could, get here without arousing too much suspici ** Just before Jakie proc hibition of his bucking q ies, I noticed one of them on the corner above, Of course he saw the performance, and no doubt thinks {’m lying at death’s door. ** Waldo said you had some news for me! May I ask what it is?” ‘*Well, I wanted to tell you that thereisa deep cellar or subterranean chamber under the Primrose Palace,” replied the Silver Sport. ‘I have suspected as much for some time, Yester- day, when that burro-riding road-agent con- cealed himself so completely that the closest search failed to disclose his hiding-place, I was thoroughly convinced of the correctness of my suspicions. * While the play was at its highest last nicht, and the interest centered upon the gaming- tables, 1 made my way by slow degrees to the rear of the apartment. There is a heavily cur- tained window at that end, and by drawing the curtains about me, I could see all that occurred in the room without being myself seen,” There was a light tap on the door leading into the adjoining room, and the Silver Sport stopped suddenly in his narration. ** What is it?” he called. “There is a man coming down the trail. He has been standing at the corner above for quite a little while. I think he intends coming to the house.” ~ 1t was the voice of Margaret that conveyed the warning. “Great guv’ner!” exclaimed Peppermint, springing into bed and assuming a look of the most intense pain, * All right! We will be ready for him!” Margaret retreated; and Peppermint gave a hollow groan that brought an involuntary smile to the face of the sport. The man marched up to the door quite boldly, and doffed his hat at Margaret. ** A lot o’ the boys asked me ef [ wouldn't come down hyer and see how the stranger, Mr. Peppermint, is gittin’ along. We heerd that his burro throwed him tremendons hard.” **You can see for » tage !” said Caxton whose conscience would not allow him to tell even the whitest of lies, ‘ He was pitched from his burro and is now in bed in the other room.” He threw the room door open as he made the statement. The spy of the Flower Brigade availed him- self eagerly of the offered privilege. As he stepjed into the room he saw nothing whatever calculated to arouse his suspicions, Peppermint was lying in the bed, which was considerably tumbled, as if he had been tossing restlessly about. His eyes were closed, one hand rested hmply on his breast, and the heavy breathing denoted that he was unconscious. The Silver Sport was gently manipulating a palm-leaf fan; and when the man entered, arose softly and gave bim a chuir, “Bad burt, is he?” asked the spy, trying to look sympachetic. $ “I'm afraid so!” replied Selim. ‘He seems to be unconscious; the trail is hard and he re- ceived a terrible fall.” “ Why don’t you send fer a doctor?” _ The question was pertinent and one that might to give that ex- have been anticipated. Selim had not thought of it, although he re- ‘Plied promptly enough: Waldo is something of a surgeon and seems _ tobe a friend to the fellow. We think of carry- ing him over there, after a little.” The man knew that Waldo was pretty well ib. 5 foes in medicine and the explanation satisfied He picked up his hat, which he had depositea on the floor, twirled it around in his hands and arose to depart. ell, might’s well be a-goin’, I reckon. The anxious to know how he’s a-gittin’ A wouldn’t be gone more’n ten minnits an’ time’s about up!” Selim knew who the “boys” were, but he said nothing and the man backed through the disturbed them. Not un he trail did Pepper- had reached mint stir. Then he threw the covers off with a light Jaugh and sat up. ‘* Well, I'm glad the fellow came!” he said. ‘Seeing is believing, you know, and he will now be satisfied. He never would have been, I’m afraid, otherwise. He will bear to Primrose an account that will completely throw him off his guard, ‘“*It’s lucky you chanced to say that I am to be taken to Waldo’s!” **Couldn’t think of any other place to take you!” Jaughed the Silver Sport. ‘If Waldo hadn’t been something of a doctor ’'d have been stuck,” ** Well, we'll discuss that presently!” said Pep- permint, seating himself again in the chair. ** Just now I’m extremely anxious to bear the rest of your story. You were saying, I believe, that you had concealed yourself behind the curtains of the rear window in the Primrose Palace gaming-room. What then?” “Yes; I succeeded in gaining that position without attracting the attention of any one. After awhile I noticed that men were, one by one, forsaking the play, and entering the hall that communicated with the back yard. When Tsaw that I was not long in also worming my way into that hall. “Tt was as dark as the traditional stack of black cats, but I had been in ita number of times before and so*experienced no difficulty. ‘*T was stumped at first, for when I tried the door I found it locked. As there was no other means of egress that I knew of I couldn't imagine where the men had gone to. ** While I was still puzzling over this another man entered, I crouched in the furthest corner, though I don’t believe he could have seen me if I had stood within a foot of him, “Advancing almost to me, be turned sharp- ly about and rapped three times upon the wall. The raps were repeated from the opposite side, Then I beard the whispered question, ‘ Whither cag ? and the reply, ‘Over the primrose path, 4 “To my amazement, a door opened in the solid wall, at a place where I would never have thought of looking fora door, This he passed through, and then the door closed as suddenly and mysteriously as it had been opened, “T thought I could detect the outline of a stairway descending into the depths. However, I am not very positive of that; but I am sure the man who entered sunk downward as if de- scending a stairway.” “This is a most important discovery!” ex- claimed Peppermint, when the story had ended. ** I think we can make good use of it. And that recalls to my mind another subject I wished to speak of, ‘* As Josh Peppermint I have been spotted and am constantly watched, In that character, therefore, I can do nothing. It makes it abso- lutely necessary that I should assume an addi- tional disguise, “You told this spy, who called on us a few moments ago, that I would be carried to Mr. Waldo’s, because he was something of a physi- cian and a friend of mine, Now, that statement plays right into our hands. [ can remain at Waldo’s, or at least pretend to, and in some other disguise prosecute the work in hand. . “* T needn’t tell you that I intend to penetrate to that secret chamber beneath the Primrose Palace and lay bare its secrets. You have al- ready guessed that those are my intentions. As Josh Peppermint I can’t accomplish that, now, but I can and will in some other character. **T would suggest that you send at once for a litter, and as soon as it comes convey me away from here,” The suggestion was complied with and a half hour later, Josh Peppermint, who had apparent- ly recovered his consciousne«s but was seemningly in great pain, was borne slowly and cautiously to the elegant home of Lucas Waldo. CHAPTER IX, ‘‘OVER THE PRIMROSE PATH.” ‘On, my eye, hyer’s a fresh’un!” cried Silver- top, wiping from his purple face the rain of tears that had been pumped from his watery eyes by an inordinate fit of laughter, ‘‘ Some un name it an’ ga woes per A tall, stoop-shouldered German, of uncertain age‘and apparently fresh from Castle Garden, was — ng hee pry his heavy shoes clat- eringly ime to the ‘* Lauderback,” which rolled from his tongue in a jolly, trolling eee, atch”! | ay, Vutch, ® gray-headed reprobate shou .as the German fe within Rnavinz, you'd better get yer life insured, , The sparrers Il take ye fer a cabbige an’ pick ye to pieces afore night,” The German stopped, stared curiously at the speaker and then broke into a heavy laugh. ** Vbat olt sheep-he’t vhas dot sbeakin’ to me oy mineselluf like I vhas asaurkraut Dutchman? ot vhasa boody goot shoke, ain’d it? Now lookee here, you vheller! Do you see somedings creen by dot eye oudt?” He lifted the lid of his right eye with his fin- gers and stared hard at Silvertop. ‘*T vhas six mont’ in dis gountry, already. Der sbarrows vhat dries to ead me oop vor a he’t uff gabbage vhill vhint deir graws shoost shlob- bin’ oafer mit a nest vhull uff sbarrow-hawks!” The words were accompanied by such a ludi- crous attempt et swagger that the loafers in front of the Primrose Palace broke, asif bya common impulse, into a series of derisive yells. Mortification and anger were plainly revealed in the face of the German. ** Yaw !” he snorted. ‘‘ Dot vhas more foon as anypody efer see in “levendeen vheeks und six- deen Soondays. I dinks me petter I go py mine- selluf avhay vor a leedle vhile und hoont mit a microscobe vor dot shoke.” ‘When will we see his like again?” Silverto sung, slightly changing the first line of a balla popular at the time; and the boisterous crowd broke into another series of yells. Primrose who had been listening to the ver- bal duel from the doorway, also laughed heart- ily at this sally. This snatch of song evidently angered the Dutchman almost beyond endurance. He threw off his long-tailed coat, spat upon his hands and cracked his shoes heavily upon the pavement, * Lookee here, now you vhellers! I comes me py dis gountry oafer to vhint some vhork. I nod mooch gelt haben. Pud I vbasa honest man; un I gan vhip de hite off uff any vbeller vhat makes dhose shokes by me.” The loungers laughed inordinately, but no one seemed inclined to accept the challenge; and after waiting a few moments the German re- placed his coat. ‘*T dinks me all uff dem pull-dogs must haf dheir teedh vrom dheir he’t’s pullt oudt!” he said, dryly. ‘‘I vhas peen tolt dot dbis vas a vhightin’ down. Uff dot vhas so der vhightin’ mens. musd pe ayhey py dheir reladives vhis- itin’. He glared about even as he said this, showing that he rather expected some one to spring upon him. “You were wrongfully informed,” said Prim- rose. ‘* We used to fight a little, just to get a graveyard started, you know; but now, that that has been accomplished, there isn’t a more peaceable town between here and the salt water.” ‘* Vhas dot so?’ opening his dull, blue eves in wondering surprise, ‘‘UndI haf peen makin’ shackass vooll uff myselluf? Vhellid vhas my reat!” He pushed his way toward the €ntrance, where Primrose was standing. **You—olt vhite sheep-he’t und dhem odder vhellers vhat vhas vheelin’ so foonny yoost a liddle vhile ago—come alonk und haf some- ding to dake de vhatter vrom your eyes oudt!” Never was an invitation to “ take something ” responded to with more alacrity. The German threw down a five dollar gold- p:ece in payment. . ) “Dot is der last cend in mine bocket-book!” he said, ruefully, as it was swept into the till and a twenty-five ‘cent piece returned in change, ‘*Struck rather hard lines, eh?” Primrose asked, “‘ Ain’d bat any vhork vor a mond’. See dhem shoon?” holding up one ungainly foot. “I vhalkt more as dree hoonert mile dhem shoon in already.” ‘ye ‘“What can you do?’ questioned Primrose, as the loafers dropped away one by one seeing that no more drinks were to be obtained. “ Anyt’ings dot vhas honesd.” “ And some things that are not honest, if you are well paid for it, I suppose?” " Vell. I mighd,” naively, “Do you understand the care of horses?” “Dot vhas a lifery scaple where I my eyes vurst oben’d,” the Dutchman declared, enthu- siastically. * Well, I will give you your board and ten dollars a month to attend to the horses in the stable back there,” said Primrose, pointing through the rear window. “I discharged my last man a few days ago because he asked too mapy questions. You will sleep here in the bar- room, Thereis a folding lounge in the corner
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npeenamene Tse yonder, and the racket won't disturb you when you get used to it. ‘¢ The stable is to be locked every evening, re- member, and the key turned over to me, I have some valuable animals, and I[ have to be very careful, for the foot-hills are full of horse- thieves,” ‘* You pet me dot vhas a shob I been dhis long vhile lookin’ vor,” said the Dutchman, with a broad grin. ‘‘Vhen I vhork so sheap maype you vhill a glass of lager somedimes dhrow in.” Primrose shook his head. ** Nein?” ** T can’t give any drinks away. However, if ou wish, I will advance you a couple of dol- pt and you can buy your beer out of that.” ‘‘ Dot soods me shoost so vhell. Vhen vhill I dis pizness begin?” “Right away, if you want to. Here’s the key and here is a couple of dollars, Now, what’s your name?” ** Gus Shroeder.” Primrose made a memorandum in hi: account- book, and then led the way to the stable, where he instructed the German as to his duties. Sbroeder was evidently a lover of horses, and he entered upon his work witha willingness and zeal that pleased Primrose greatly. That night, however, be became to all appear- ances, gloriously and hilariously drunk. The two dollars passed back into his employer’s till; and before ten o’clock the combination of drinks had so affected him that he could walk only with the greatest difficulty. In this condition he reeled out into the street and disappeared, “Where’s that Dutchman?’ Primrose asked, after awhile, noticing that the bunk in the cor- ner was empty. No one could answer the question, . Then he remembered that Shroeder had failed to turn over the key to the stables, Somewhat alarmed he went out there; and sure enough found Dutch Gus snoring soundly on the hay. “Get up here, you Dutch lout!” he cried, Hidiitie 6 lantern in his face and at the same time giving him a sounding kick. His heavy boot failed to make any impression on the thoroughly soaked German. Well, I guess he can’t do any harm!” he muttered, ‘* He'll not come out of that before morning.” He went to a blind panel at one side of the stable, gave it a shake, and then returned. Could” he have seen the expression on the face of the supposed Dutchman at that time he would not have felt quite so much at ease, Finally he took up the lantern and departed, locking the stable from the outside, ‘* Well!” exclaimed the shadow, sitting up, **T’ve learned that much already; and I believe it’s the key to the whole thing.” He crawled out of the bay and crept softly to the panel. It required saarp eyes to discover it. But the alleged Dutchman had eyes as sharp as those ore hawk, and he was not long in discov- ering the neatly-constructed joints, He sought vainly for a lock, and finally began to thump the panel softly, hoping that he might touch a secret spring. In this he was successful, but not until he had gone over the surface carefully, inch by inch. Pressing upon this spring it yielded, and the anel flew backward, revealing a small opening eading downward into a tunnel. A _ shed-like projection concealed this opening oravenue from the gaze of the curious. The panel swung to, of its own accord, and closed with a click; and he began to grope his way forward in the dungeon-like darkness. CHAPTER X, IN A TRAP, Arter traversing more than a hundred feet in this way, Shroeder came to a sharp angle. The tunnel extended only about ten feet further * and then opened into the subterranean chamber, which was dimly lighted with coal-oil lamps. The detective crouched in the shadow and peered in. There were a number of men in the apartment; and a little later Primrose joined them and rapped for order. ‘As you well know, the road-agent business hasn’t paid at all, Jately,” he began, as soon as he had secured order. **‘We must try some- thing else, ‘ ‘*Now, I have received information which leads me to believe that Lucas Waldo is storing all the money that comes into his hands, to- gether with the bullion from the Silver Lode, in the stone building which he uses as an office for the works. “He has a big safe in there that can only be SUE —— Ss The Silver Sport. forced open by gunpowder and the jimmy; and it is guarded night and day by armed men. ‘That money and bullion he intends to send East, pretty soon, under a strong escort. | If we can get hold of it, it will pay us for the time we have lost by enforced idleness, ‘*The hanging of Lengthy Jim places in our hands the key to this wealth.” : ‘Hear! Hear!’ shouted Silvertop, tossing his greasy hat into the air. ‘* You must industriously circulate the rumor that Lengthy was put out of the way by Waldo, the Silver Sport and the detective. ‘*Remember, that a lie well told and firmly stuck to will answer us us well as the truth. ‘“‘Then, when public sentiment has been worked up toa proper pitch, complaint can be made against these three fellows, and they can be Janded in jail on a charge of murder, ‘*T will have something trumped up by which I can, at the same time, obtain control of the mine. Perhaps a deed of sale or a mortgage. Then we can go through that safe in great shape. ‘“* If the ng pans out as I expect it to, we can retire and live for the rest of our days like princes— or, like our esteomed friend and fellow- worker, Silvertop, on the interest of our debts.” The “‘ hear, hear,” of the hoary-headed villain referred to, was this time drowned in a general burst of applause. ‘* What was that?” Primrose asked sharply, as the cheering ended. The detective, in shifting his position, had displaced some earth from the walls, Primrose drew a revolver and advanced to- ward the tunnel. At this, the Dutchman fled, with cat-like steps, back through the pitchy darkness, “T thought I heard something!” Primrose averred, peering into the tunnel. ‘ It may have been only imagination, but we will see. “Here, bring one of those lanterns!” The lantern—a _ bull’s-eye—was brought; and he proceeded to explore the passage cautiously. All at once a volley of drunken curses, ac- companied by sounds of kicking and thumping, reacbed their ears. The sounds seemed to come from the stable, “*Tt’s that Dutchman!” cried Primrose, his eyes lighting with suspicion, ‘‘Can it be possi- ble that he has been in the tunnel?” The idea seemed too preposterous for belief; and another volley of loans and imprecations following immediately, he pushed forward to investigate the matter, followed by almost the entire membership of the Flower Brigade, When the detective reached the secret door by which he had entered, he fumbled hastily about in a vain endeavor to open it. On the previous occasion he had only found the concealed spring by the most careful searching, and now he could not find it at all, He cast his weight against the panel, but could not move it; then, knowing that Primrose was already in the tunnel, he gave it a tremen- dous kick, This also was barren of results. *‘Pll have to face the music!” he exclaimed, turning about in his desperation and drawing a revolver, Then an idea came into his bead. He turned again and began to kick ang pound at the door, swearing vigorously at the same time in the vilest Dutch dialect. He remembered that the door had closed of itself, propelled by secret springs; and that knowledge gave the cue to the part he intended to play. W ben he had almost thumped the skin from his knuckles, he stopped. Then, a moment later struck his revolver with the blade of his knife, producing a clinking sound which was a fair imitation of that made by the lock when the door closed. His intention was to make it appear that in thumping and kicking at the walls of the stable on waking out of his drunken stupor, he had accidentally touched the secret spring and stumbled unawares into the tunnel. “Och, mein Gott!” be cried, reeling forward, ** what a dunderhet I vhas peen to lock mine- selluf ub der parn in like dot,” : Then, as he seemed to realize for the first time that he was not in the open air: “Gus Shroeder, you vhas a pigger vool as a yucker-vish! You gick*der side uff dot parn oudt und valk indo a zellar-vhull of plack puz- zy-cats.” He stopped and stood cowering, with well- simulated, drunken gravity, as Primrose sud- denly flashed the light of the bull’s eye lantern full in his race, J Vbell, I dinks me maype you Vill know dot vace vhen you habbendo meed id again, eh? Id makes me vightin’ mat vhen a mans my eyes but oudt dot vay. You dinks me I vhas a roat- achent dot you go vlashin’ my vace oafer hke a bolicemanst” y “What are you doing in here?’ Primrose questioned, sternly. CHAPTER XI. A TRYING ORDEAL, SHROEDER shaded his eyes with one hand and endeavored to peer beyond the circle of glaring light. ; . “Oh, dot vhas you, Misder Brimroses!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Oxcoose me! I tought id vhas some grazy vheller dot vhas roovin’ rount mit de he’t-lighd uff a locomodeev, und I gits me my mat ub like a ciizzly pear.” ** Do you know where you are?” Primrose de- manded, without heeding the apology. | - ‘* Vhell, vrom de loogs uff wi I mighd ina good many eee a already. ud I shudge— mint you, Misder Brimroses, I only zay I shudge —dot ve vbas in a zyglone zellar, mit a dail to id.” ‘‘ How did you get in here?” in the same stern, even tones, ‘“‘ Yes, that’s the very identikal thing what we wants to know!” Silvertop howled, advancing to the front. ‘* How’d ye git in hyer?” ‘‘Now, I gids me my vightin’ mad ub vor zbure, vbhen dot zucker-vish obens his moud.” ‘Answer the question!” commanded Prim- rose, “You pet me I vhas all vide und a yart vool. I vbas a crizzly pear mit a class eye, Vhen I gids me my pack ub I vhasa vhirlvind mit a vind-mill died to ids pebint barts!” “Enough of that!” cried Primrose, as the Dutchman proceeded to place himse]f in a pugi- listic attitude. ‘* Dot sheep-he'’t, dot vhiskey-chug mit a pull- tcg vace—dot—” Shroeder choked with drunken rage and hesi- tated for words contemptuous enough. ‘“Dot bodato-nose! He inzult me! 1 vos der gock-chicken dot gan whip him mit vun hant pebint me died.” He leaped into the air with a whoop and cracked his heels together viciously. *¢ Come! come!” protested Primrose, “‘ enough of this horse-play. Go ahead into the room and if you don’t answer straight, it will be the worse for you. Lead on, Silvertop, and see if you can ley your mouth sbut for awhile.” He dropped in behind the staggering German, as he spoke, and followed him into the chamber, with a cocked revolver. As they gained the room, Shroeder stared about him with drunken curiosity. ‘‘ Dis vhas a gave, eh?” he asked, ‘' Vhell, I dinks me you vhellows shoose a foony blace vor a meedin’-baus,” Primrose had sent one of his men to examine the secret panel, and he now returned with the report that it was closed. ‘* Now, see here! I want straight talk and no foolishness. How did you get in here?” Primrose placed the cocked revolver on the table, in front of him. j ‘‘ How I gid in_here? Py sheminy, I ton’d know dot mineselluf, already. I vake me ub vrom a shleeb oudt und I vint me locked dot sthaple in. I-vhas peen as dhry as a zalt-parrel und as hoonery as a young eagle. Dot mate me gross like a pu l-tog und I gick her zide vrom dot stbable oudt so guick like a gickin’ ma- chine. I vbas a sblatter-goon vor gickin’ when I vheel gross like dot.” veal! told you not to go into the stable after night.” “7 know dot! Some mans must haf garriet me in dose sdaples vhen I vhas sleebin’ as sount like an invant.” on “You mean that you got drunk and disobeyed orders?” Primrose exclaimed, fiercely. : So hellup me, cracious, no!” the Dutchman protested. “I voult nod pe So grazy like a vbool dot I lock mineselluf ub, if 1 do dot!” Primrose looked at him keenly, and Shroeder returned the gaze with a stare of drunken stu- pidity, is “The fellow knows nothing! thought the chief. ‘That noise was probably made by a rat,” 4 roeder: Ey perce you are an honest fellow, and I don’t mind letting you into our secret. We're ona little jamboree to-night. It would burt our business probably if the town knew that we were having 2 drinking bout, and so we came into the cellar. You likea drink yourself oc- casionally; and if you wish you can join us. «“ Silvertop, set out that decanter!” Silvertop complied, with alacrity, and Prim- i
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Ss : = a ' 8 ' 1 4 E “4 i 4 j + + Vy LAd hie 4 pu : a ae 7 - ie, + apy “ > tan . a pee y ‘ ny 7 Lom oy, ica io. Lee ¥ i Ee: CP? y. 5 fig * t , fv é . | ‘ M 4 pe pS ty hye: ag rn: tig! iat x + “4 v ail © he a 4 Bees (4 +0 _ yh men Cy Pe “od ay - Y s ve ¢ He as i} - gay, ‘ eS io 7! a. 2 NRA its)" 0 A The Silver Sport Tose poured out a tumblerful of the fiery liquor and it over to Shroeder. ‘‘ Shentlemans, dot sdrikes me der righd sbot in!” cried the German, lifting the glass, with un- steady hand. ‘‘ Vhat shall 1 gall dis assemply dot I dhrinks uff ids healt’?” ‘“‘ Ther Flower Brigade!” roared an enthusias- tic but incautious member. Primrose’s fist shot out, and the loose-tongued individual dropped to the floor like a log, ‘*Speak when you’re spoken to, will you?” snarled the irate chief. Snroeder stared stupidly at the fallen man; then lifted the glass to his lips, “To der Viower Prigade vhat vears putton- holes in,ids roses!” He tossed off the fiery liquor, or appeared to do so; although, in fact, the greater portion of it, by a lightning-like movement, was poured ‘down the inside of his shirt. “You are such a jolly fellow,” said Primrose, with a forced smile, ‘that you must gg, 8 come a member of our little social club. Take another drink and then we will swear you into our ©: ization,” He filled and pushed forward another glass of liquor, which Shroeder deftly emptied down his sbirt. The fallen man had arisen to his feet and crept humbly to the rear. ‘*We meet here occasionally,” Primrose con- tinued, ‘‘for purposes of amusement; such as drinking and playing cards and having a good time_generally, *“‘ Every member ‘s, however, required to take an oath that he will not reveal the existence of this place or the fact that such a club has been organized,” ** Dot zoots me, you pet!” cried the Dutchman, with owlish gravity. ‘I vhas villing to keeb my moud shud ub dighd like an oysder, uff I Ph jblendy uff peer und vhiskey to vhill id vith, Primrose then administered to him a modified form of the society oath, ‘Remember, now,” he said, sternly, “ that if ou say anything about what you have seen ere, to a single person, I will shoot you down like I would a mad-dog.” Shroeder reiteraced his protestations of abso- lute secrecy. Then a number of packs of cards were produced and the Flower Brigade fell to playing with the zest of old gamesters, Primrose lost no opportunity of plying the German with the fiery liquor and in less than a half-hour’s time he fell from his stool, helplessly and stupidly drunk. The chiet looked down on the prostrate man, ‘with a smile of satisfaction, “The fellow has a hard heud,.but no man could stand up against such a quantity of that stuff. I didn’t want to kill the fool, for I fancy be may be of some service to me, Carry him back through the tunnel and place him upon the straw in the stable. Possibly when he wakes to-morrow this affair will seem altogether like a dream.” . oo command of the chief was complied with. Not until noon of the next day did the sup- osed German awaken from hisslumbers, Then ne was heavy-eyed and apparently unsteady on his aay bad} The door had been unlocked that morning b Primrose; and Shroeder stumbled out of the stable, yawning heavily and rubbing his eyes. In passing from the stable he plucked a bunch of the blue bloom of alfalfa and pinned it to his coat. The Primrose Palace was deserted by all ex- cept the proprietor, when Shroeder eptered, _ with a trembling and halting gait, Primrose frowned, as he noticed the blue blos- - -$oms, “* Vhen vill dose Viower Prigades meed again?” Shroeder questioned, as he advanced hesitating- ly ; toward the bar. a ac do you mean?” asked Primrose, with aaa. terrible frown. Why, I vhas dhry as a zucker vish und I wand to again meed some uff dose vhellows,” . roeder, you’re drunk!” Ach, mein Gott, no! I vhas so soper as g ebaaae uff bolicemans!” “What are you doing with that alfalfa on your coat?” ose vlowers? Dot shows I vhas a member peen uff dose Vlower Prigades.” eM, if you remember that point 5). vae perhaps you ‘will also remember that you took an keep your mouth shut.” aw! You pet me regollecd dot, too!” “ You're oO * ” “Nein? t doing it by any means! ‘ ** Why, you're talking to me about it, now, ain’t you? ‘* Oh, zhure, dot vhas in der vambly!” __ ‘‘Here’s a drink. Swallow it; and let me im- press upon your mind that you are to speak about that business to no one, not even to me, Now, throw those flowers away!” Shroeder drank the liquor, and then tossed the blossoms into the street. **T will not need you any longer as a hostler!” Primrose continued. ‘‘ You disobeyed me last night by sleeping in the stable.” hroeder seemed just now to remember that portion of the night’s events. ‘* How vhas dot?” he said, scratching his head refléctively. ‘‘I vhas lock dot sdaple in und I gick der hint-side vrom it oudt likea bile-drifer; und dhis morning id vhas vixd All righd und dot door vhas vide oben sbrawled. Gus Shroe- der you vhas drunker as some loonadicks lasd nighd, pet me!” ** Not much wonder that matters seem a little mixed!” Primrose laughed. ‘‘ You only drank something less than a barrel of whisky.” ‘** So? I t?ought me I smell like a disdillery!” ‘Have another drink!” urged Primrose. “ It will take the kinks out of your head, ‘* AsI said I won’t need you any longer in the stable. But there is something else perhaps you can do, for which the pay will be better.” Shroeder looked dully at him, clearly not un- derstanding his drift, “You have seen this Josh Peppermint, I sup- pose? The fellow that rides the burro?” ‘* Yaw; I zeen dot shackass vheller!” ‘*T believe you claim to be a fighting man?” *“You pet! I vhas a vhighter vrom de old gountry. I vhasa Takoda plizzart mit an ice- perg in my moud, vhen I vonce gid me my grazy mat ub!” Primrose laughed. “T am in need of a rg Fess just now; and, if you will put this Josh eppermint safe under the ground,I will give youa hundred dollars, cash,” ‘A hoon’ert tollars! Sheminy cracious, dot vhas a bile uff money! Uff I ton’d lay dot Shosh Bebbermint oudt vor dot I vhas a loona- dicks mit a din vhistle died py my goad-dails!” CHAPTER XII. THE SILVER LODE. Two days later, Sunny Selim became the manager of the Silver Lode. Hot was the anger of Tobias Neeley, who had been discharged to make a place for the sport. And to his anger he added the fire of jealousy; for Neeley was, or at least imagined himself to be, desperately in love with Jennie Waldo. The first care of the Silver S ort was to strengthen the fighting force. Noveinat sus- fo employees were dismissed and their places Ned by men known to be thoroughly reliable, Of course these changes were not unknown to Caleb Primrose. Neeley, the discharged man- ager, was one of his paid spies; and two or three of the dismissed men were members of the Flower Brigade, pa ime shrewdly guessed that Waldo had receivéd warning of the proposed raid, After thinking the matter over carefully, he sent for Neeley. The latter was in a towering rage, as he pro- ceeded to obey the summons. Peppermint, since his enforced confinement, at the Waldo residence, had apparently become an admirer of Jennie’s; and his advances seemed to be encouraged rather than repulsed. The Yankee was now able to walk about; and on two occasions Neeley had seen them walking together in the adjacenf grove, as the shadows of evening advanced. With Jennie, heart free, Neeley had never considered his chances exceptionally good; and this later development seemed like closing against him forever the doors of hope. “* What’s wanted?” he asked, as Primrose pre- ceded him into a little room at one side of the gaming hall. The tones were as harsh as the gros of a bulldog. “Not in a good humor, eh?” said Primrose, with a smile, — He did not wish to broach his scheme too sud- denly, and so drifted into a preliminary con- versation about Josh Peppermint in which he stated that he had made a bargain with Schroeder to lay the detective out. This was vews, and good news, to Neeley. He at once determined to speak to this reckless Dutchman and endeavor to make it worth the latter’s while to hasten Peppermint’s departure from this sublunary sphere, ** And now, to come to the subject_that in- duced me to send for you!” said Primrose, ‘* You are aware of the movement rae psig against the treasure-house of the Silver e. I want to put in effect a little plan that ma: possibly save our necks should we fail and f, into the hands of our enemies, “Tt is this: You will proceed at the earliest possible moment to abduct Waldo’s daughter, and carry her off into the hills. You can take her to old man Simcoe’s. I believe she can be kept there for months, if necessary, for there are very few people in the town who know any- thing about Simcoe, or where the old rascal lives. If Lengthy had remained there, asI in- structed him to, instead of running off to that cave, the Silver Sport would never have found bim. Neeley could scarcely conceal his delight from the keen eyes of his employer. No plan of ven- eance could have been suggested that would five pleased him better. — ““With Jennie Waldo in our power we can dictate terms to that precious trio that will be apt tomake them squirm. Wecaneven hold her for ransom or for exchange should any of our friends fall into their hands.” “‘It’ll work like a charm,” Neeley exclaimed, deli rng “Yes; I feel satisfied the plan can be made to work, But you must remember one thing, and that is that the young lady must be well treated, It will make it easier for any of us who may chance to fall into their power.” Neeley promised to treasure up this caution, and, a little later, took bis departure, Beyond the outer door he encountered Sbroeder, who had evidently just come up the street, and was on the point of entering the sa- loon. ‘“Why, hello! hello! Glad to see ye,” said Neeley, grasping his hand and wringing it ef- fusively. The supposed Dutchman opened his blue eyes in evident surprise. ‘* Vhy, hello, yourselluf!” he exclaimed, pulling his pinched fingers slowly apart. ‘‘ Py sheminy, Idinks me you musd be vun uff dhem wringer- machines vhat dears a vhellow’s clodings indo more as zixdeen bieces,” ‘Primrose was jest a-speakin’ to me about you,” cried Neeley, not heeding the complaint. “So? Vhell, I hobe he vbas been zaying somedings sveet.” Neeley gave an impatient gesture, but con- tinued, smnilingly: “Yes; he jest now told me as how you'd agreed to lay out this hyer Josh Peppermint handsome.” “You pet me I do dot!” exclaimed Shroeder. *“Vhen I meed me dot vhellow [ yhill shumb mit bote feed ondo him like a afalanches,” *‘ That’s the kind o’ talk! That’s good! Now, I tell ye what I'll do!” hcoking a finger con- fidentially into a button-hole of Shroeder’s ancient coat. ‘The minnit you down this fel- ler, you jest call on me an’ Ill hand ye over fifty dollars as free as water,” CHAPTER XITil. AN UNGRACIOUS SUITOR, Just before dark, Neeley placed two horses in waiting in a thicket of quaking asps, only a few rods from the home of the Waldos., A con- venient gorge, through which he ascended, en- abled him to dothis without much danger of discovery. Then, as darkness came on, he advanced stealthily through the grove in the direction of the house. He had proceeded in this way but a short dis- tance when he caught the gleam of a white dress. He stopped and listened, Voices, in low conversation, reached his ears, He drew a revolver, shifted his position, and again advanced. He was soon near enough to discover that one of the arbor seats was occu- pied by a young woman and ycung man: and his ears told him that they were Jennie Waldo and Josh Peppermint. A smile of malignant pleasure came into his evil face, He reversed the ends of the revolver, that he might use it for a club, and crept slow- ly forward, with stealthy, cat-like tread. _ When within a yard of the arbor seat, he drew himself erect, grasped the revolver more firmly and bounded forward, The blow was delivered with crushing force, and Peppermint slipped to the ground without a moan, ennie started to her feet, with a scream of terror. She turned to flee, but Neeley quickly tossed over her head a blanket, which be drew from beneath his coat. ; The call had been heard in the house, as was evidenced by the moving of lights and the con- fused sounds of voices,
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es & Ee . t 10 The Silver Sport. answer to that startling scream; and when he reached the apparently lifeless body of Pepper- mint he halted and stared about in a mystified and uncertain manner. This gave Neeley time to reach the horses, Mounting one and leading the cther, he drew the now wholly senseless girl up in front of him, dashed into a ravine and headed for the foot- hills, He was a shrewd and wary scoundrel and purposely sought the most flinty paths, where the hoofs of the horses would leave no tell-tale signs. “When be had penetrated some distancs into the foot-hills, he halted long enough to transfer himself and revived, to the back of the led horse. again pushed ahead. The country grew rougher as they advanced; but Jennie’s abductor rode right on, in grim silence, until long after midnight. Then he halted; and, after listening intently, gave the plaintive and penctrating call of the cuckoo. This he repeated, three times, A grumbling voice replied in indistinguish- Then he able words, a door seemed to open in the face of | the mountain and the light of a sputtering lamp pierced the darkness. An old man shambled out of the door and ad- vanced, with unsteady steps ‘““Who is it?’ asked a shrill, cracked voice, and a withered crone appeared, shading her eyes with a claw-like hand, and endeavoring to penetrate the gloom. ** Dunno yit!” the old man grunted. ‘““Why, it’s me, Simcoe!” answered Neely. “T’ve got a charge fer ye. The sweetest little piece o’ female loveliness ye ever set eyes on, I reckon, I brought her up hyer under instruc- tions frum the boss. You're to treat her well— that is, as well’s ye know how—and [ll lay around to see that nobody don’t slip up onto us unbeknownst,” He slipped from the saddle as he spoke, and lifted Jennie genily to the ground. The long ride and the mental shock to which she had been subjected had rendered her so weak that she could scarcely stand. ‘““Whar’s thet gal?” cried the old man, ad- dressing the witbered crone. ‘* Hustle her out yer’ to ’tend to these hosses.” The woman disappeared, and a moment later the sounds of cruel blows and the screams of a child came from the dug-out. ‘Yes, granny! Yes! [’ma-goin’, Oh, don’t whip me, granny!” This was followed by another rain of blows, and a half-clad girl of twelve dashed through the doorway. **Come an’ ’tend to these bosses; don’t ye hear me?” yelled the cld man; and the girl advanced tremblingly to where he was standing. ** Yes; grandpa, I will. Where are they?” **Cain’t ye see?” he shouted. ‘‘Thar they be, Take the saddle off o’ that ‘un an’ give °em some hay, er I'l] tan ye!” he grasped the bridle-reins and hurried the horses away, as if she feared another beating, Jennie was ushered into the dug-out, which was little more than a cave set in the mountain- side. Knowing that complainé and fault-find- ing would do no good and might possibly harden her lot, she quietly entered the one spare room pointed out to her. It was a wing of the principal apartment, separated from it by a certain of dirty calico, and seemed very much like a tunnel or mining- drift that had terminated abruptly. Neeley went away in the morning, but this fact brought no relief tothe prisoner. In truth, it seemed to increase the hardness of her cap- tivity, for it left ber to the tender mercies of Simcoe and his wife, and two more heattless and cruel wretches never lived. The presence of Neeley was a perpetual annoy- ance, but he shielded Jennie from the causeless abuse that was poured alike on her head and the head of the unoffending Maria. The next day Neeley returned, and in the afternoon he ha age Jennie to walk out along the hillside. Hedid not permit her, however, to pass beyond his range of vision. is she turned a spur, in this solitary ramble, she came suddenly upon the child, Maria. There was a mixture of fear and determina- tion in the looks of the poor creature. “Don’t look torst me, miss!” she said, in a whisper. ‘‘They’re a-watchin’ of ye, and ef poe A know’d ’af I was hyer, they’d beat me er 10, “Tm a-goin’ to run away to-night. I can’t stand it any longer to stay hyer an’ be whipped for everything, like as if I war a nigger er a his fair captive, who had now | The Silver Sport was the first to hurry out in | mule. I know the trail to Bullion City, an’ ’m a-goin’ there. Ef ye want to send a letter by me to any o’ yer friends, you kin place it under the aige o’ this rock an’ Til kerry it.” Jennie was a yuung lady of keen perceptions and fertile expedients, and as soon as the girl commenced speaking to her, she began pulling | at the leaves of a wild rosebush which grew near the trail. This gave an excuse for stop- ping, and also brought her face to face with the crouching girl. ‘“‘T hear everything you say,” she answered, in a low voice, speaking apparently to the rose- bush, ‘‘and will do just as you suggest. I will write a little note, as [ go on around the trail. On my return I will leave it here where you.can get it. Take it to Margaret Caxton, who lives in a little cottage just outside of thetown, Any one can show you the place. ‘* She will not only send some one to my relief, but will also provide you with suitable clothing and a good home, where these people will not | dare to come after you. **T cannot express to you now how much I thank you for this noble and unselfish offer. Perhaps some day I can turn my thanks into deeds.” She threw the gathered leaves into the air as | she concluded, and strolled on along the moun- tain-side, On her return, a few moments later, she tossed ; a crumpled note to the hidden girl, who imme- diately drew back into the undergrowth and vanished, CHAPTER XIV. A PLAN THAT FAILED, LATE the following day the girl Maria tapped timidly at the front door of the Caxton cottage. It was opened by Margaret. Maria was pale and trembling, and so foot- sore, weary and faint she could hardly stand. **Be you Miss Margr’t Caxton?” Receiving an affirmative answer, she delivered the note; then reeled and fell headlong in the doorway. A moment later Maria revived and related her story, and the letter from Jennie was read. Margaret was anxious to fly at once to ber friends with the important information; but she could not forget the worn creature who had bravely pressed on, in spite of danger and ex- haustion, until the message had been delivered. Seeing that the girl was half-famished, she placed a bountiful repast before her. Maria ate ravenously, but nevertheless answered the ques- tions which Margaret poured forth in a steady stream. ‘* Now, I will arrange a bed for you!” said Margaret, when the dishes bad been cleared. ‘*You are worn out, and must have sleep be- fore thinking of anything else. I am going away for awhile, but will return before night. Then, I hope to find you feeling much better.” The girl was asleep almost as soon as ter head touched the pillow. Margaret did not waste much time on her toilet that afternoon; and ten minutes after Maria had fallen asleep, she locked the bouse securely, and hurried away toward the office and works of the Silver Lode, ; An armed patrol was on duty at the gate, but she was well known, and found no trouble in gaining admittance. To her dismay she learned that all of the men to whom she dared trust the secret were away with the searching-party, somewhere in the foot-hills or mountains, Even Josh Pepper- mint, who had scarcely recovered from the ter- rible blow given him by Neeley, was absent with the others. The disappointment was bitter, and she could scarcely restrain her tears as she wended her way homeward. Maria was still calmly sleeping; nor did she awaken until late at night. Then she was so greatly refreshed as to be almost herself again. In the mean time, Margaret had paid two more visits to the Silver Lode, and had also called at the Waldo residence, : She could learn nothing definite at either place, and returned almost discouraged. She was pacing tte floor in a very frenzy of suspense when Maria awoke, and stared in a dazed way at her unfamiliar surroundings. “Do you think you could find the way back to Simcoe’s?” Margaret asked, as the girl blinked heavily at the light and rubbed her eyes “*Yes’m, I think I c’u’d. But I don’t want to!” “You would do it, though, if it was necessary to save the young lady who sent the note?” Margaret looked at her appealingly. ‘*They’d beat me!” she cried, her eyes filling with terror. ‘‘ They’d kill me; I know they would; fer runnin’ away! Don’t make me go, missus! Please don’t!” ‘*['m not going to make you go!” said Mar- garet gently. Then she related the result of the afternoon’s search. “Don’t you think if you were provided witha good horse that you would be willing to show me the way to Simcoe’s? No telling what may happen to Jennie, if she is not rescued soon.” e girl demurred, but by dint of much per- suasion, Margaret finally wrung from her a reluctant consent. ‘* Now eat all you want!” counseled Margaret, heaping a bountiful repast upon the little table. | ‘I will get out the horses, and we will start as es cS soon as possible,” Caxton had two horses, which he kept_ina small stable not far from the cottage. These Margaret proceeded to saddle and bridle. When they were in readiness, she hurried back to the house and filled a lunch basket with substantial eatables. She also slipped into a pocket of her dress a small, silver-mounted re- volver—a present from the Silver Sport. ‘* Now, we must be going,” she said. ‘‘ I would | like to reach the vicinity of Simcoe’s dug-out be- fore morning if possible. If not we shal! have to hide in the hills until to-morrow night before we will dare to approach it. I have some hope that we may come upon the searching party; butif we do not, we will attempt Jennie’s release by our- selves. If we fail, itis not likely that we shall be captured, if we keep close to our horses and remain concealed during the day. At any rate you will be safe; for, if you find thatIam dis- covered, you can gallop away;I will overtake you if I am not captured.” Before she ceased speaking, they: were at the stable. The horses were led out. Margaret as- sisted the girl to mount; then leaped lightly to the back of ber own animal. The moon arose shortly after, and its light aided them greatly when they reached the dan- gerous and uncertain trail through the foot- hills. The horses, however, were mountain-bred and as sure-footed as goats, and they advanced at a rapid, swinging gait. A short time before daybreak Maria laid her hand on Margaret’s bridle-rein. ‘We're almost there, now!” she explained, in subdued tones, through which thrilled an under- current of fear. ‘I low ’at we'd better hide the hosses some’eres nigh. Simcoe’s got powerful sharp ears, ef he is old.” The advice was acted upon, and the horses were led into a deep ravine, filled with scrubby pines. ‘* Where is the dug-out, now?” Margaret ques- tioned. ‘** Right in the side of yon hill!” The girl pointed to a mountain, which loomed dark and grim, less than a half mile away, ‘The door opens this-a-way, an’ when any one comes out you kin a’most see inter the house frum yer’. The young lady’s ’most shore to walk along the trail over which we come jes’ now.” Margaret felt a thrill of exultation. ‘* Does she ever come this far along the trail?” she questioned eagerly. “No! But I kinsbow you a rock, when it gits light, which you kin hide bebint an’ talk to her jes’ as I did t’other day, It’s a big rock an’ they cain’t see ye frum the house,” Margaret realized that if she expected to ac- complish anything when an opportunity present- ed, she must have rest, Soshe watered the borses at the little branch that went brawling through the ravine. Then she hoppled them carefully, turned them loose to graze and endeavored to obtain some sleep. She would never have resigned herself thus to slumber, without a sentinel, if sbe bad had greater experience; and her lack of this caution resulted most disastrously. They were awakened by Neeley’s harsh voice and the vixenish screams cf Mrs. Simcoe. “Run away ag’in, will ye!” cried the latter, pouncing upon the hapless Maria. “Ho, bo! I'll welt ye fer this! Ill Varn ye to lead an inimy onto us!” CHAPTER XV. PRIMROSE SHOWS HIS HAND. Wuewn Sunny Selim halted by the side of his friend, Sydney Sheldon, who had_ been stricken down in so cowardly a manner by Neeley, he feared that he wasdead. The scream which had ome oda ts Rie pg heggete him - ta owever, € dashed on in rsuit o J pahah abductor. PS That pursuit, as the reader knows, was useless,
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§ndignation, The Silver Sport, ny It was a sorrowful group that gathered in the Waldo residence a little later. Peppermint had beer brought in, bleeding and senseless. Waldo made a hurried examination of his injuries and found him suffering from concussion of the brain. Volunteer attendants were easily secured. Peppermint was confided to the care of these, and a searching party was immediately organ- For two days and nights the search was kept up with unwavering courage and industry. Moiny times were they within a very few miles of that dug-out on the mountain-side, On _ the second day they were joined by Pep- permint. He was weak and giddy, still, but he sat his little burro with a firmness that concealed his lack of strength. , During the early hours of the second night— the night in which Margaret performed the journey that was to end so disastrously—word was brought them by one of their adherents in Bullion City that Primrose was preparing to move in force ou the works of the Silver Lode. The messenger stated that Primrose had gone before Silvertop—who, it will be remembered, claimed and exercised the functions of mayor— and had procured warrants for the arrest of Peppermint, Waldo and the Silver Sport for the i murder of the road-agent, Lengthy im. He had also produced a bill of sale purporting / to convey the Silver Lode from Waldo to him- self, and had been granted some sort of an in- formal judgment of ouster against the present occupants, This was certainly startling news, A council of war was immediately held and it was deter- mined to return at once to Bullion City, inas- much as they were making no perceptible pro- gress at the work in hand. Peppermint, however, announced his deter- mination to remain in the hills until he found the trail they were looking for or became con- vinced that it was impossible to do so. Sitting on his burro in the little gorge, he looked very sad ana worn as they filed away, in the pale moonlight. When they reached Bullion City, they found the statements of the messenger had not been colored. The most intense excitement prevailed, The town was rapidly dividing into two hostile camps. Pugilistic encounters were already be- coming frequent, and a deadly and bloody col- lision seemed not far away. : Great was the surprise of honest Bill Caxton when he found his daughter missing, and the horses gone from the stable. It looked like another abduction; and he became almost fran- tic with grief, “ While they were still startled and shocked by this new calamity, word was brought that Prim- rose’s men had commenced theiradvance upon the Silver Lode. Sunny Selim and Waldo, with their followers, had gone quietly tc the works, in the darkness, and it was thought probable that Primrose was not aware of their return. _ Primrose made his advance just before day- light, hoping to catcn the sentinels napping. In this, however, he was mistaken. His progress was barred by leveled Winchesters, and the stern command to halt came from the closed og pve At this Mickey McGee advanced and read the warrants, with a flourish and the rich brogue of old Ireland. : No response was given. “ Arrah, now!” he cried, hotly, “Do yees be listenin’ in there? Oive anuther paper to read bs yees that's as intherestin’ as a timperance ract, . He unfolded the order of Silvertop command- ing him, as marshal, to dispossess Waldo and turr the property over to Primrose, “Phat d’ye say to that, now?” he cried, tri- unphantiy, as he finished. aldo was just bebind the gate and answered, with honest indignation: : : te Why, only this! It’s pro pi tigh-banded at was ever attem ‘ fratot® “oda uite a commotion in 1 it was evident thar they had not counted on Waldo being behind the walls, “* Yees wor notified!” cried McGee, with great “Tkem tothe warruks to serve the papers an ye, and was tould that ye wor thrampin’ treugh the hills. ButIleft a copy ad = clerruk,” - iSdained to reply: and, after waiting plittlo while, Primrose ; ed out: ‘© Well, what do you savy, Mr. Waldo, to the charge of murder? We have warrants for your arrest. I po sa you will not resist their legal execution. No one will be more grateful than I will be, if you can prove yourself innocent of the charge.” ‘*T say that it isa sneaking, cowardly, treach- erous lie!” shouted Waldo. ‘‘And the man whoat- tempts to arrest me on sucha trumped-up charge had better say his prayers, now; for he will die with bis boots on.” **Down wid thim!” shouted McGee, hopping about first on one foot and then_on the other and flourishing a huge navy. ‘Down wid the dirty blagards!” He started to advance. At the same moment a rifle cracked within the inclosure. Mickey leaped into the air, dropped his revolver, then clapped a band to his broken wrist and bobbed about like a be- beaded chicken. ‘**Come on, if you want to take us!” shouted Waldo, derisively. ‘‘ There are more cartridges in the same gun, and my men are anxious for a little target-practice.” Then, as Primrose’s men halted and huddled together in a confused way: “*T assure you, gentlemen, that you are being deceived and led into danger by Primrose, who cares only for the gratification of his own de- sires. You know the man, or ought to know him by this time, and a greater scoundrel never went unhung.” A bullet from Primrose’s revolver crashed into the gate. ‘‘Shoot away, friend Caleb!” shouted the Silver Sport, mockingly. ‘The truth pinches, sometimes, eh?” . “So! My dear friend Selim is in there, too, iz he?” sneered Primrose. ‘‘I suppose you are also enjoying the company of our original friend from New England, Mr. Peppermint. May peace be with your ashes; for we intend to cremate your entire company!” This fiendish threat created quite a flutter of alarm among the defenders of the Silver Lode. ** He can’t do it,” Selim assured them. Then, as casks and inflammable oil barrels began to appear in front of the gate, he posted his best marksmen at the hastily-made loop- holes overlooking that point. When these had assumed their positions, he called to Primrose, in a voice which had in it something of the roar of a caged lion: ‘*My men have orders to fire on the first man who rolls a barrel against the gate or attempts to set a match to one!” This was answered by a how] of defiance, and a half-dozen tar-barrels were launched full at the walls. CHAPTER XVI. OFF FOR THE FOOT-HILLS, A SHEET of flame spurted from the somber walls incircling the works of the Silver Lode, and the first glinting of the morning sunlight fell upon a number of men lying dead or wounded upon the ground, victims to their own rashuess, The sight had a cooling effect upon the ardor of Primrose’s followers, A consultation was held, and Primrose ap- proached, waving a white handkerchief as a flag of truce, “Well, what do you want?” demanded Selim, when Primrose was within easy speaking dis- tance. ““A conference,” replied Primrose. ‘‘ You must see that you are completely surrounded. That the Silver Lode is, in fact, in a state of siege. You cannot possibly escape, and it is only a question of time when you will be starved out and forced to surrender. ‘* Knowing this and feeling certain that in the final outcome I shall win, I yet ask for a con- ference in the interest of oe and good order. The Silver Lode is legal y my property, for I have Mr. Waldo’s bill of sale, showing that fact.” “That's a falsehood !* shouted Waldo. “TJ didn’t come to bandy words!” Primrose continued, coldly, “TI came in the hope of pre- venting further bloodshed. I claim and de- mand possession of the Silver Lode. You deny the claim and Pronoes to keep me out by the bullets of Winchesters, Now, to show you how perfectly confident am of the justness of my cause, I gh ees that the entire question be sub- mitted to a board of arbitration! Waldo was thunderstruck, ‘* What can the fellow mean?’ he asked turn- ing to the Silver Sport, “Tt’s only a shrewd game of bluff, and is made wholly for the effect it will have on his : hearers. Primrose begins to see that he cannot dislodge us, If he could obtain possession of the Silver Lode for one hour it would be sufficient for his purposes. He sees that his game for the cash stored in the strong-box is likely to fail. Therefore, he has nothing to lose and all to gain by such a proposition. **Tf you should accept he would move heaven and earth to purchase or influence the arbri- trators. But he knows you will not accept and. his words are buncombe intended for the public r. ‘No doubt be has a forged bill of sale, which you may besure he has taken great pains to ex- ibit. If he can make the people of Bullion City believe that you are wrongfully withhold- ing from him property for which you have received payment it will wonderfully increase: his influence. “The fact that the assertion is made so boldly and unhesitatingly will almost carry conviction to the minds of some men.” ‘““What have you got to say?’ Primrose shouted, becoming impatient. ‘I don’t want to stand here all day!” . “Simply this!” replied Waldo. ‘‘That your game of bluff won’t work. If you have such @ paper as you speak of, it’s a forgery.” ** Then you refuse to arbitrate?” ““Yes! If you have any legal claim against me, submit it to the court of Sharon county, to which this mining district is judicially attached, although the fact has never been recognized by you and the alleged officers of this town,” “ Bullion City can run its own affairs without. any outside interference!” Primrose answered. here was 10 reply. Seeing that none was intended, he then beg- ged the privilege of removing the dead and wounded, which was granted. No further assault or advance was made dur- ing the day. The excitement did not abate, however. Armed men prowled constantly about the works and tbe streets of the town were filled with knots of eager disputants. As nigbt came on, Primrose’s men agaim closed around the Silver Lode. But they con- tented themselves with firing their revolvers at the gate and tossing an occasional stone into the inclosure. No notice was taken of these demonstrations, and toward morning the stone-throwing in- creased, . In the group thus annoying them, Selim fin- ally noticed the stooping form and heavy face of Dutch Gus. He was making himself remarka- bly conspicuous as a stone-thrower, and was evi- dently endeavoring to attract attention. ‘Hello! There’s Peppermint!” Selim ex- claimed, with astart. ‘* What can he be after, I wonder?” Waldo peered out at the Dutchman, with great interest. *T don’t know. But I believe he has discov- erec that we have noticed him. He’s preparing to heaye a stone over the fence. Lookout for it! ** Py sheminy! I t?inks me I vhill smash more as dwo hoon’ert uff dhem py dot!” he exclaimed, as he hurled the stone into the air. “Give it to em, Dutchy!” Silvertop shouted. “You pet me I do dot! I smash me dose vences indo vood kindlings poody soon!” The stone had no sooner descended upon the inside of the inclosure than it was grasped by the Silver Sport, who hurried with it into the stamp-mill and then into the office, where a lamp was brightly burning. Waldo followed, and together they bent over the bowlder. As expected, a paper was attached to it. Se- lim cut the string, spread the paper out on the table, and read: “T have discovered the place where Jennie Waldo: now is. Margaret Caxton is with her, which is a matter of great surprise tome, as I did not know she left her home in Bullion City. Primrose sent a force to more securely r euare his captives, and by following them I learned the location of the place. The accompanying map will enable you to find it. Come with about ten good men. It is my opinion that Primrose will not venture an assault until he cam increase his forces. Be_on your guard constantly against fire. ours, PEPPERMINT.” A map of the hills, with the route to the dug- out traced in pencil, accompanied the letter. The knowledge that Jennie was only twelve miles away brought a sense of unutterable relief to the readers, They at once jumped to the conclusion that Margaret had also been ab- — Caxton was called ‘m and shown the etter. | “Can we do anything?” he asked, anxiously. “We must!” was Selim’s positive response. “Yes, we must; bat 1 hardly see how we are
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a 1z going to!” said Waldo, with a perplexed air. * An assault may be made at any time.” He arose and paced the room, in his nervous anxiety. ** TE must be done!” be declared, at last. ‘If the Silver Lode goes and with it every dollar I possess! Select your men, Selim, and fight your way through the ranks outside. I will stay bere and try to beat the rest of them back, if they make a rush, **There is no need of that, I think!” said | Selim, smiling at his earnestness, ‘I believe we can accomplish it in a better way and witb- out a very great amount of risk. I agree that we ought to go at once to the relief of the young ladies and I am ready to make the venture.” A vision of the fair face of Margaret Caxton arose before him as he spoke, ** Now, my idea is that I and the men I may select can steal out of here, one at a time, be- tween this and morning, and Primrose be none the wiser,” “There are plenty of horses in my pasture just below!” said Waldo, grasping eagerly at the idea, ‘‘ And you will find saddles and bridles at the stables, if these scoundrels haven’t carried them away.” Tbe Silver Sport called to a man who was standing near: ‘* Munson, bring eight of the best men into the Office, will you?” The man nodded, and disappeared; returning, in a few minutes, accompanied by eight stalwart | young fellows, heavily armed. Selim explained his object in calling them to- gether, and asked if they were willing to under- take the rescue of the youn ladies. Munson looked along the line of faces inquir- ingly. apd answered for them all; ** They ain’t one of us but would die for them gals eft was.a needcessity.” He doffed his hat as be spoke; and a look of commingled pride and firmness came into the eyes of his companions, “You are the very men I want!” Selim ex- claimed, giving them each his hand in. turn, “* We will restore the young ladies in safety or we will lay our bones on the foot-hills,” ‘“‘Ay, that we will!” cried Munson, and his men withheld a cheer only through fear of giv- ing Primrose warning. Tea minutes after, the first man crept stealth- ily from the rear gate; and an hour later Sunny Selim was in the rayine, with his band of picked oe mounted aud ready to start for the foot- Aills. CHAPTER XVII. “PIG OR PUP!” As Peppermint sat on his little burro and | watched the searching party disappear in the direction of Bullion City, he realized that he was thoroughly worn out and unfit for anything | like satisfactory work. Only his intense anxiety | had upheld him thus long. The pain of the un- healed wound caused his head to throb fever- ishly; and he fairly reeled as he swung out of | the saddle, He had no very definite idea of the course to be pursued in continuing the search, and de- cided to postpone thought upon the subject until morning, The little burro was easily satisfied with any movement that gave it an abundance of time to eat, Peppermint hoppled its front feet and turned it loose to crop the coarse herbage of the hillside, knowing it would not stray far. Then he threw himself upon the ground and sought rest in slumber, The sun was more than an hour high before he awoke. The burro was not far away, and he speedily caught and saddled it. breaking intoa deafening bray, when a word | from Peppermint brought it to its senses, See or hear something down the trail, eh? | Well, we'll get back into the scrub where we | can see and not be seen. Possibly we may dis- cover something of importance,” ; He led the burro around the hillside and tied him ina thicket; then crawled along until the ‘trail to Bullion City lay Paley below him. at he saw was a troop of eight horsenien riding rapidly along, Before they came op- posite Lis place of concealment, however, they | The Silver Sport. turned into an almost indefinable path leading nearly at right angles from the main trail. ** Aha! I must follow those fellows. There is no town or village in that direction, and if there’s been any new mining-camps opened, it’s since I left Bullion City.” He hastened down, sprung upon the back of the burro, and was soon speeding along after the i at the best gait of his diminutive steed. After aride of two hours the burro again threw its ears forward, This time it showed an eagerness to advance, and Peppermint a that the horses were in the vicinity. He halted and tied the burro ina place of Noor aaan ti near the trail, and advanced on oot, By ascending an elevation he was able to look into a small valley just beyond the turn of the trail, In this valley were the horses, but their riders were nowhere to be seen. In the course of a half-hour, he saw them moving, in single file up the slope of the oppo- site mountain, evidently having just come from some point in the valley below, Great was his surprise to see a door open in the face of this mountain, into which the men vanished. It was the door to the Simcoe dug- out and was so close an imitation of the sur- rounding rocks that he rnight have ridden within twenty feet of it without discovering it. Another half-hour passed and two women came out of the dug-out, followed by a man. The distance was too great to determine their identity. From their erect appearance and their walk, however, he judged that. they were young women, He determined to get nearer if possible and obtain a view of their faces, He believed that it would be possible to make a closer approach by going arouud the opposite side of the bill. He ran back, remounted the burro and pre- pared to make the attempt. It required a circle of nearly a mile to bring him to a point opposite the one he had just vacated, but he put the spurs to the little brute and accomplished it in a re- markably short space of time. He now saw only the two women. Thinking that the man had probably gone back into the dug-out, he descended into a ravine to hide his movements and began picking his way slowly toward the mountain-side, He had not advanced far in this way before he became aware that be had bean discovered. The man whom he had supposed in the dug-out had caught sight of him and was now dogging him, The one glance which he caught of the heavy, evil face told him that the man was Neeley. As soon as he made the discovery he turned into a gorge leading to an adjoining valley, with the intention of waylaying his pursuer. As he did so, an ideacame into his head which | caused him to laugh aloud. He spurred the burro rapidly forward, and, when he bad covered what he considered a safe distance, halted, Leaping down, he drew the burro into the sheltering bushes, took some arti- cles of clothing from the pack, and by a few deft changes, transformed himself into Gus Shroeder, the howling Dutchman fresh from Vaterland. Then be gave the burro a cut with a switch that sent it clattering off out of sight. It was not many minutes until Neeley ap- peared, creeping and prying through the dark gorge, where the shadows lay in patches almost as black as midnight. When he arrived opposite Shroeder’s place of concealment, that individual leaped out upon him. ** Ah, you Shosh Bebbermint!” he cried, as he dealt Neeley a stinging blow. “Uff I ton’d make you t’ink I vhas a vhlying-machines mit vorty tousant vings, dhen I vhas no more as @ Gansas hobbergrass. Vor dwo tay I haf vhol- lering you peen, und now dot I vhint you, I vbill smash you indo minze-meed sboost like a sausage-grinter!” Neeley was taken wholly unawares, but he rallied quickly and endeavored to close in with Shroeder, ‘I cave!” he said, as he opened his eyes and stared hard at the towering form above him, “You gave, eh?” shouted Shroeder, whipping out a big knife, “Vhell, ve see somet’ings apout dot already, I vhas nod in der gafing pizness mineselluf,” He flourished the knife wickedly, and ad- vanced a step, **Vhen you vhas peen blanted dose taisles ' peneat’, dot vhos a hoon’ert und vhifty tollar in dese bants-bockets. You see sometings like dot, eh? A hoon’ert und yhifty tollar ton’d grow on efery pushperry gooses!” Neeley rubbed his bruised optics and stared at Shroeder as if he could not credit the evidence of his senses, ‘Well, may I be durn’d!” was all he could manage to articulate. Then, as Shroeder gave the knife another wicked flourish: sz ay Dutchy, who do you take me fer, any- wa oJ j be question and the tone of voice brought Shroeder up with a jerk, He peered down into the face of the prostrate man with a startled look. ** So!” There was a world of surprise and wonder compressed into that single word. ¥ Then he tumbled backward upon the flinty earth and rolled over and over in a very excess of explosive mirth, ““Can’t say ’at I kin see anything so pesky funny about this hyer bizness,” Neeley ex- claimed, with supreme disgust, as he felt over the bumps that were growing on his cranium, *‘ Mebbe it’s a picnic for you, Dutchy, but it’s more like a funeral fer the undersigned,” ‘‘Holt me, somepoty!” cried Shroeder, clasp- ing his aching sides. ‘‘Dot vhas yoost doo foonny vbor noddings. I haf me nod sooch bic- nics since I gome dhis gountry ofer,” “TI thought you was Peppermint when you jumped out at me,” Neeley explained. ‘Yaw, me doo! You tolt me dotI shoult der hite vhip off uff dhem vhellers, und vhen I see you coming alonk so kviedly I dells mine- selluf, ‘so hellup me cracious, I vhill gif him a oot vuns,’ I dinks me dose is dhem Shosh ebberminds, und you dinks you [ vhas dhem Shosh Bebberminds, und id vhasn’t neider uff us. Dot vhas a goot shoke.” ‘Well, but how’s this?” questioned Neeley. ‘*Peppermint went through hyer a little while ago. Isaw him.” “Dot is vhat 1 dinks minesulluf. I vholler dhem vhellers vhor more as dwo tays yet, I hite me avhile ago dot billsite pehint und I see dose Shosh Bebberminds come alonk here. I creeb town und shumb oudt at dot vheller, und it vhas you. How you oxblain dot, eh?” ‘* He must_have gone by before you got down hyer,” said Neeley, rubbing his bruised head re- flectively. ‘“‘By this time I reckon he’s on t’other side the mountain.” Shroeder sprung to bis feet in evident alarm. “Tf he gits furdher as dot I musd vhly like dwo picycles uff he ton’d gid gleam avhay vhrom me,” “You can’t ketch him now,” said Neeley. ‘‘ Might’s well come over to the shanty and rest up awhile.” “You got some vhomans over dhere, eh?” questioned Shroeder, chucking Neeley lightly under the chin, “What do you know about them?” Neeley questioned, in great surprise, ‘Ob, I see dhose vhomans, you pet me, Dwo younk gyurls vbalk dot moundain-site py. You vhas a olt Plue Peart, eh? Oh, you vhas a shly weasels dhis dime, already!” Neeley reddened and would have blushed had such a thing been possible, It greatly tickled his vanity to be thought a ladies’ man. ‘No, I ain’t a masher!” he protested, feebly, as if he really wished that he was. ‘?’Tbem’s a cou ple of girls frum Bullion, up byer fer their health. : “Dhose Valto gyurl, eh? I heert somet’ing apout dot vhemales rooning avhay Py @ Mans]” “Yes; and t’other is Caxton’s darter.” - “Sol A habby vamily you musd pe yb dhere,” 7 ob Se * Well, we git along something like cats and dogs! Come up an’ see fer yourself! ’ ‘Nodding voult petter sood me uff T vhint dime, bud yoost now I musd dot Shosh Bebber- mind pe looking afder. Id vhas a hoon’ert und Raitty tollar in mine pook-bocket, you know, uff vhint dot vbellers. “ And iy him out!” Meeley corrected, with a laugh, ; ; “Und lay him oudt! Yaw; I vhill lay him oudt like a dree a-valling. : “ Well, all I kin say is.I hope you'll ketch him. He’s a-sneakin’ around bere tryin’ to spy out something. 1’d go with you ef you hadn't shuck me up 80 bad awhile ago.” Shroeder laughed lightly and set off down the gorge in the direction taken by the burro, and Neeley climbed painfully back over the route he me. mh as the supposed Dutchman was out of
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The Silver Sport. 13 Neeley’s sight a smile broke through the look of G-rman simplicity. = For downright fun that was equal to a cir- cus! The form and face were Shroeder’s, but the voice was the voice of Sydney Sheldon. The burro was cropping the sage-brush in the valley below. é A few quick cbanges brought Peppermint once more upon the scene, He laughed again. : “That little adventure reminds me of the famous story of the darky, who was ordered by his master to convey a pig to aneighbor’s, On the way he stop at a saloon for a drink, leaving the sack with the pig in it outside, A wag removed the pig and replaced it with a pup, and the darky could never understand how the transformation was effected. Neeley will begin to think pretty soon that I can be pig or PUP, at pleasure.” he burro’s head was turned toward Bullion City, and the journey commenced, which was tosummon Sunny Selim and his picked com- pany to the rescue of the young women, CHAPTER XVIII. LOVERS ALL, WHEN Peppermint tossed the bowlder, with the letter attached to it, over the wall, he only waited long enough to satisfy himself that Selim had secured it. Then he began a series of retrogressions, which carried him slowly to the rear with- out attracting suspicion as to the cause of his retreat, When he had freed himself from the throng, he hurried at his best gait to the place where he had left the burro, _ Morning dawned before he reached the vicin- ity of Simcoe’s dug-out. A thin, blue smoke ascended from some invisible chimney, showing that the occupants were astir, It was a pleas- ant sight, for he had feared they would depart during the night. He soon became aware, however, that some- thing unusual was contemplated. Neeley came out and looked long and earnestly down the trail toward Bullion City. A little later the eight horsemen, who had passed the night in an adjoining grove, rode up tothedoor. | “ They’re goi Pee hunt another hole,” mused Peppermint. ‘‘ Neeley has evidently become alarmed because J. Peppermint, Esquire, was in the vicinity yesterday. The events of a few minutes showed that he was correct, . Two of the horsemen dismounted, and their horses were given to Jennie Waldo and Mar- garet Caxton. Neeley’s horses were placed at the disposal of Simcoe and wife. en the forward movement began, Neeley and Maria led the advance on foot, Jennie and Margaret followed, and the rear was brought up by the mounted and dismounted horsemen, _ When they had out of sight, Pepper- mint carefully noted the direction they were taking. Then he mounted the burro and hur- ried to the place appointed for the meeting with the Silver Sport. Here he pinned a note toa tree, in a conspicuous place, and hastened back to watch and follow the retreating party. Luckily they were compelled to move slowly, and he was not long in catching sight of them again. For more than an hour he hung upon their trail. During this time he cast many a back- ward glance, Finally he heard the distant trampling of hoofs, and fearing the sounds might reach the retreating party, he rode back, It was the Silver Sport and hismen, He had found the note, and was hurrying at the top of his speed, trusting to Peppermint for warning when he began to press Neeley closely, “They are making for @ trail that runs through a narrow valley, or rather gorge, two or three miles beyond,” Peppermint explained, “Its opposite end can be reached, I am sure, by riding round the base of the hill you gee ahead of us and to the right. [t isa long way round, but it can be accomplished in time by ong riding. a f y idea is for you to separate your force and send haif the nen round the bill, and follow the direct trail with the other half, keeping carefully out of sight until the time comes to strike. Then, when Neeley’s party is well within the gorge, close in on them from both sides. ‘When the party that the hill is in tion, let thems fire rey nal,” The advice was so good that it was at once avopted and acted upon, As Peppermint’s burro was jaded and not very speedy at its best, Selim led the flanking party himself, to see that no slip occurred in that part of the programme, Peppermint assumed command of the remain- der, and led them carefully but rapidly over the direct route, They could not approach very near without revealing themselves until after Neeley’s party had entered the gorge. _ Then they closed up as quickly as possible, with a due regard for secrecy. When the whip-like crack of the rifle came from the distance, echoing and reverberating with startling distinctness among the rocky crags, Peppermint’s men bounded eagerly for- ward, and the yell which went up from their leathern throats was answered by a ringing cheer from the flanking party. Neeley’s men were fear-stricken and para- lyzed ahd those charging parties swept toward them. They could not tell the number of the re for each man was doing enough yelling for A short time they buddled together irreso- lutely; then, as a volley of balls, purposely fired high, whistled and screamed above their heads, they dashed their horses at a rocky opening, which seemed to offer a means of escape, and fled wildly. Neeley, seeing that resistance was useless, at- femnp to follow them, Then recognizing the need of a swifter means of locomotion than his feet could give, he attempted to pull Simcoe from his horse as the old man darted by. Sim- coe struck him to the ground with a howl of rage, and dashed after the fleeing horsemen, followed immediately by his shrieking wife, Before Neely could rise, Peppermint was upon him. Munson came to Peppermint’s assistance, and the struggling scoundrel was soon lashed so tightly, he could scarcely move, ‘1 allaow you might’s well keep cool!” said Peppermint, with his old-time drawl. ‘‘ Folks similarly sarcumstanced hev been knowed to bu’st a vein by tew much wrigglin’!” ‘“*Curse you!” Neeley snarled. ‘‘I ought to ’a’ laid you out fer good, when I had a chance,” ‘“‘Thet little love-tap is abaout well, thank ’ee!” said Peppermint, with mock politeness. “ And raaly, naow, friend Neeley, you ort tew ‘a’ laid me aout yistiday when you had secha all-fired purty show fer it, ‘*Dhen I dinks me, py sheminy, dot I voult neffer dot hoon’ert und bared tollar gid vhor layin’ dhose Shosh Bebberminds oudt!” here was a marvelous facial change, a change as great as that which the voice had undergone. Neeley’s jaw dropped, as the truth flashed upon him, and he stared at the man before him in stupid ands hless amazement, “Rie! Fie, Mr. Peppermint! Don’t badger a man when he is down!” It was the laughing voice of Margaret Caxton. She rode up, at that moment, agonareamien by Jennie Waldo, The girl, Maria, bounded along at her side, jubilant and thrilled with an unut- terable sense of freedom. Quite a surprise-party you and our friend Selim have given us!” said Jennie, ‘ A little startling, but preferable, I am sure, to the ex- cursion we we were taking.” Her words were jocular, but the tears glis- tened in her eyes even as she spoke. Selim and his men had arrived by this time; and, if there was no expression of sentiment in the presence of the encircling horsemen, you may be sure that “Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spake again!” ‘*Gentlemen, allow me to present my ward and protege, Maria Holton!” Margaret ex- claimed, merrily. ‘* Although in no wise re- lated to the Simcoes, as sbe informs me, she has lived with them almost from infancy and suf- fered much at their hands. I expect to give her a home with me, and shall call. her Maria Caxton!” “Unless you should conclude to change your own name!” whispered Selim, who sat at her side. : Margaret colored and bit her lip; but kept her eyes fastened upon the girl, who was acknowl- edging the introduction with her best courtsey. eeley was lifted to the back of a horse, to which he was firmly bound, Then the homeward journey was commenced. e necessity for rapid traveling imp every mind, and no grass was allowed to grow neath their horses’ feet. The fear that they might find Primrose triumphant, or Waldo at least sorely pressed, acted as a spur to urge them on, CHAPTER XIX, A LIVELY TIME. SHORTLY after Selim and his men left te Silver Lode, Primrose drew off his forces. When the sun came up it revealed the streete and alleys in thse vicinity deserted. But large crowds of men could be seen upon the main streets and about the center of the town. As the hours advanced, the sounds of saws and hammers came distinctly to their ears, Oc- casionally a drunken yell arose. ‘There is danger brooding in the air!” Waldo asserted. ‘I would give much to.know what is: going on out yonder. ¥ f think I might obtain the information for you!” said a keen-eyed young man, who had overbeard thd remark. Waldo looked sharply at the speaker, ** You cap trust the boy!” said Caxton, inter- = the look. ‘‘I am well acquainted with im, ehas been working in another camp, and is not generally known here.” “Do em think you could go into the towm and walk boldly about among that crowd with- out being detected?” “‘T think I could!” the young man replied, modestly. ‘‘ Have you no friends there to whom you would wish to send a word?” ‘‘T have friends there, but they seem afraid to do anything!” Waldo answered, with a frown, “That was what I was thinking of when I asked the question, They fear Primrose because his men are organized and they are not, and so they remain quiet and do nothing. If there is any one among them who could be trusted to organize and lead them it occurs to me that. Ae might receive substantial aid from the out- side. “The boy has a head on his shoulders!” said. Caxton, with a nod of approval. ““There is such a man!” Waldo replied, thane ully. ‘‘Solon Brown, the principal store- eeper. “Then my idea would be,” replied the youth, “to bave this Mr. Brown proceed quietly to organize and arm your friends and such men as be can rely on and hold them in readiness for the return of the Silver Sport. Then let him place himself and his men under Selim’s com- mand to be used as the latter’s judgment may dictate.” The suggestions seemed so good that Waldo requested they might be at once carried out. efore this could be done, however, a number of Primrose’s men stationed themselves in a. building opposite and the youth’s departure was necessarily postpone. It was not until the middle of the afternoon that he was able to steal away unobserved and: join the noisy throng in the streets. He had scarcely departed when it became evi- dent to the watchers in the office of the Silver Lode that Primrose contemplated a movement: of some importance, ‘* He hasn’t abandoned the effort to take this: mene yet, you can see!” Caxton observed. “I new he wouldn’t. What he is up to now, though, is more than I can guess,” They were not kept long in the dark as to Primrose’s object. A number of low trucks, om which were mounted heavy, bullet-proof walls, were rolled slowly into view. Bebind them Primrose’s men ped and danced in a very delirium of exultation. Primrose, on that day at least, had not spared his villainous whisky. This was evidenced by the number of drunken men in the oncoming rabble. Baffled once, the proprietor of the Primrose Palace bad loosed the hell-hounds of drunken insanity and malignant hate. Liquor had been poured out like water, and his men burried to the assault like furious and reckless demons, ‘*Here they come!” Waldo announced anx~ iously. ‘ Our young friend bas bardly had time to accomplish anything and we are, I fear, going to have a hard time of it. Those walls are the explanation of the mysterious sounds we bave been hearing.” His words were almost drowned by the yells and hootings of the oncoming mob. ‘‘ They are rolling empty oil barrels behind those mounted walls!” said Caxton, peering through a loop-hole. ‘They evidently intend to burn us out,” “ And I fear they will be able to accomplish their pu !” exclaimed Waldo, anxiously, “Our Winchesters will be worth very little against those heavy timbers. Ob, that Selim and Pepperment were bere now!” The spang of a rifle cut the air and a balk from the Winchester of one of their men hurtled into the crowd beyond the line of advancing
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f 14 The Silver Sport. walls, and the crowd melted away like a snow- bank blown on by a hot wind. ‘““Burn them out, my men!” yelled Primrose, encouragingly, trom behind the foremost wall. The command was answered by a pandemoni- um of drunken yells, and the oil-barrels were 5 ag rolled against the gate of the Silver ode, Primrose ignited a mass of kerosene-saturated cotton and hurled it, with his hand, among the oil-barrels. The rapid fire of the defenders was answered by opposing volleys and a series of derisive yells, The flames leaped up with an angry hiss and entwined themselves like serpents around the wood-work of the gate, Seeing that the gate must go, Waldo drew his little force into the office, and there prepared to defend the coveted treasure to the last. Tn less than a half-hour the gate was a mass of warped iron and glowing embers, ‘At them, my men!” yelled Primrose, with demoniacal glee, and with horrible cries the as- sailants propelled the trucks against and over the ve bag 2 fire. Then, high above the howlings of the frenzied mob, arose the ringing cheer of Josh Pepper- mint as he led his men to the rescue. The force marshaled by Solon Brown, in obe- dience to Waldo’s instructions, placed themselves ! in the rear of the gallant little band and threw themselves upon Primrose’s drunken rabble, with a fury that was resistless. As Waldo saw Peppermint charging madly up the street, mounted on his plucky little burro, he threw open the office door and led his own force to the assault. Hemmed in upon two sides, cut down by vol- leys from the rear and maddened by the flames that had now communicated to the mounted wall on which they had much relied for protec- tion, Primrose’s men threw down their arms and fled in wild disorder. | As for Primrose himself be fought like a caged tiger and was only taken after he had been stricken senseless to the ground by a clubbed rifle, With him was captured Silvertop and Mickey McGee. When the smoke of battle had drifted away and quiet was again in a measure restored, the young man who had carried the message to Solon Brown put in an appearance. He had done yeoman service with Brown’s men, having been prevented from returning to the Silver of Primrose’s final assault. From him the cause of tho hurried advance of Primrose’s men was,learned. He had scarcely had time to communicate Waldo’s request to Brown when a horseman dashed up to Primrose, who was superintending the construction of the mounted walls, That horseman was one of the number defeated by Fappecmnips and Selim that day in the foot-hills, and he bore to his chief the information of Peppermint’s advance, his it was that determined Primrose to make the assault that had just ended in his total de- feat and capture. CHAPTER XxX, JOSH PEPPERMINT’S JUBILEE. Now that the tide had changed in Waldo’s favor, many men who had held aloof or been passively hostile came to his assistance, and the flames were quickly stayed. Peppermint smiled audibly, as he noticed this, and remarked, in an aside, to Selim: ‘*Reminds me of an old lady I once knew whose philosophy of life was always embodied in the expression: ‘This human race is a queer race peo le!" Now that the lawless element of Bullion City was effectually cowed and their spirits broken, the timid officials of Sharon county, who had feared to make a move before that time, reached forth the mailed hand of the law and laid it heavily upon the offenders, The Flower Brigade was effectually broken up. Its members, fleeing for their lives, sought refuge in distant_mining-camps. Some even penetrated to the British Dominions or crossed the seas to escape the vengeance of a long-out- raged justice. Bulhon City took on a new lease of life and vigor. The mining interests, that had lan- guished because of the piratical exactions of the road-agents, became prosperous and flourisbing. An excellent class of men replaced the villain- ous crowd that had followed the lead of Prim- Tose, ode by the unexpected suddenness As for Primrose and his associates in prison— Silvertop Neeley and McGee—tbey were taken to the county seat of Sharon county and given a fair and impartial trial. In this trial it was developed that Primrose’s affairs were toppling to their fall when he plan- ned that daring raid upon the treasure-sale of the Silver Lode. In fact, he was a finahcial, as well as a moral, bankrupt. The gorgeous saloon and gambling-hell, known as Primrose Palace, was mortgaged for more than its value and ruin stared the villain in the face. He had organized the Flower Brigade more than a year before, that he might) have assist- ants in carrying out his nefarious schemes, But it required a mint of money to hold those law- less men in subjection to his jwill, and the venture had been a losing one from the start. Realizing he could not tide over the disastrous period that was approaching, he had conceived the plan of capturing the Silver Lode and rifling it of the money it contained, of which there was nearly fifty thousand dollars in bank notes alone. If successful he intended to allow his follow- ers to take the bulky and cumbersome bullion. The bank notes he proposed to secrete on his own person and, under the shadows of night, vanish forever from Bullion City, leaving his followers to shift for themselves. It was impossible to fasten the crime of mur- der upon him and his confederates. Court and jury were alike convinced that they were guilty of taking the life of Lengthy Jim. But it was not squarely proven. None of the witnesses had actually seen the crime committed; and, al- though the circumstantial evidence was quite strong, the ‘legal doubt” to the benefit of which even the most desperate criminals are entitled, saved their worthless necks. from the gallows. One point of interest was developed, however, in this effort to fasten upon them the charge of murder. That was that Sunny Selim had received from William Caxton the information which led to the discovery of Lengthy Jim’s hiding- place. Caxton, by chance, overheard Primrose speak- ing to Mickey McGee about the attempted stage robbery. Inthe conversation Primrose said that Lengthy Jim had left Simcoe’s dug-out and taken refuge in a certain cave. The location of the dug-out was not mentioned, but that of the cave was; and Primrose had said that if Lenghty could be kept out of the way for forty-eight hours longer they would be able to kang Pep- rmint on the charge of being the road-agent eader. Caxton lost no time in communicating this importeat information to Sunny Selim, with the result already known to the reader. At the conclusion of the trial, which was long drawn out and tedious, the jury returned verdicts of guflty upon the other counts, with- out leaving their seats. Primrose was sentenced to hard labor for life; and his confederates were each given ten years’ imprisonment in the Territorial Penitentiary. Silvertop died two years afterward. The others, worn and broken men, are still delving in the prison mines. Before the conclusion of that famous trial Bullion City arrayed itself in holiday attire in honor of a double wedding, which was celebrat- ed in a manner long-remembered. The happy couples whose lives were thus linked together were Sunny Selim and Margaret Cax- ton; Sydney Sheldon, better known as Josh Peppermint, and Jennie Waldo, the beautiful daughter of the proprietor of the Silver Lode. hen the guests were duly assembled in the drawing-room of the Waldo mansion, and while the white-haired minister was yet fumbling for his glasses, honest Bill Caxton raised his hand for silence, ‘*T have been delegated, friends, to make an announcement and offer a few words of explana- tion!” he said, in a voice husky with emotion. ‘The secret I am about to reveal is a secret no longer to the parties most interested. The young man known as Sunny Selim, who is, to- day, to wed my daughter, is the son of our good host, Lucas Waldo!” The announcement created a sensation, and the buzz of voices Was so great that he could scarcely proceed. ‘Tam proud of him and of the record he has made recently; but, friends, I am more proud of the fact, that my daughter became his af- fianced wife long before she knew that he was a legal heir to the Waldo fortune. Bill Caxton is penniless, but I feel sure Margaret values more than money the wedding portion her father this day bestows upon her—the only one he can be- stow—the heritage of a good name.” His voice failed him; and there was not a dry eye in the room as he suw&, trembling, into a chair. After the ceremony, the benediction and the congratulations, the following facts were made known by Waldo. His son, whose name was Ernest, had been rather intractable and wayward in his early youtb. Waldo had married a second wife— now dead—and with her Errest could never agree. Waldo loved dearly the wife of his second marriage, and his son’s evident antipathy for her angered him, Finally an explosion came, and in a fit of pas- sion Waldo had ordered Ernest to leave his house and never return, The impetuous and hot-headed boy took him at his word, and the next day disappeared. When reason regained its sway Waldo was almost heart-broken; and searched persistently for his son. All his efforts were fruitless. Years rolled away, his wife died, and but for his beloved daughter, Jennie, a settled sadness — inevitably have taken possession of his eart, Finally Ernest returned, changed by years, and with a heart as changed as his appear- ance. He had intended to at once disclose his iden- tity and beg his father’s forgiveness, ut on reaching Bullion City, he became aware that Primrose was organizing his follow- ers for the purpose of crushing Mr. Waldo. Affecting the exaggerated dress and--air of a full-grown Western sport, he began to haunt the Primrose Palace, for the purpose of discoy- ering means and measures by which Primrose and his gang of road-agents and cut-throats might be overthrown. P He gained Caxton’s confidence speedily—with- out revealing his identity, however—and thus began his acquaintance with and courtship of Margaret. It was his appeal, also, that brought Sydney Sheldon, the detective, upon the scene, _ The festivities, the feastings, the merriment, and the spontaneops overflowings of wit and good-cheer were such as no pen could faithfully and accurately portray. The mansion was brilliantly illuminated that night, and the town was a sea of twinkling and blazing lights. There was music, mirth and dancing, and the event was long remembered as Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee, THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 54 inclusive, 15 to % popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to % inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces. YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERIES. Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports. Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Book of Dreams, Dime Fortune Teer. Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion. Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Chess Instructor, Dime Book of Beauty. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, om receipt of price—ten cents, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PvsiisHers, 98 William Street, New Youu.
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Fe te i. a } «ae — s ees “v d 3F A DLE’S* H ALF-D)IME* | LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY PHILIP Ss. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Oaprvain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Lesther Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vempires. B88 A oN pe Boy 3 or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. $68 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BIB Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. B83 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Fly ; or, A Race for a Ranch, 408 Little Leathess Breeches$ or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 451 Little Ab Sing or, The Curse of Bl 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. Sit Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 5.-t The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, 617 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 555 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, | &98 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. * 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page or, The Doge’s Daughter. 43 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154, The Sword Hunters ; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Crulse to the Open Polar Sea. 200 e Boy Bedoutns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Bleck Nick, the Demon Rider. 395 California Joe’s War Trail. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.)” 284 Old Rocky's ** Boyecs; Breaker. 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack}; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whvop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Oreeping Vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio reds or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. B49 Wild Wolf 3_or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. B57 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. BYZ Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Larint; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The isy from Denver, 427 The ree Trailers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; er, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 311 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, B22 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vandetta. 840 Clip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. \iBY J, C. COWDRICK. or, Benito, the Young Horse Bee coat ¢pifiikilty.” roadway B "s city. 548 Marts the Wie, 557 Brosdway Billy's Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line 579 The Chim 592 The Boy 605 W ty Joe, the Young Horse- q Bee er ie tae Ferner B09 Jack Jagger, the Butcher Boy Detecti ive. or, Five Points Phil’s Menageri | BAG Tartar siver Naty the Pier Detective So BS . the Boy Shadow. BED Harlem Fuck, the Office Boy Detective. £48 Brooklyn Ren, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, + avement Pete, 88 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. 608 Wide Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, llow Chief's Vengeance, or, The ey League of Devil's Island, e Helpless Hand 3 or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-secker Guide t oF, The Lost Mountain, BY MAJOR NENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, «806 Neck.Tie Ned; or, The Dog-Out Pards, 846 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, Bor Kid-Glove Kits the Dandy of the Rockies. + B98 Kid. The Gold King. ri 33 aK “sve Kit and Pard; or, The Go ng: Guich Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery of Golden 505 Powell's Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. 80 Reart BY TARRY 8T. GEORGE. oaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. ry Ratt ick Rube; or, are eee of Kentucky. Ory ; or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. VY 5 or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. 66 Hickory "s Spy. 172 Thunderbolt Romy ast e Piteder. of: BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 248 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, ‘Ihe Fortunes of a Founvauge 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 615 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist, 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Nock’s Rival; or, The tiaunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPT. J. F. ©. ABAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass Eve; the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whifiies’s Pet or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’a Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. $1 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. Buck Bueckram 3} or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Wis Pets; or, The Wild Huntress. 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scaip King; or, The Human Thunderpolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Harpoons or, Lost Among the Floea, 848 Fire-Heelss or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards. 861 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM R, EYSTER. 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. ‘ 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY COLONEL DELLE SARA. 108 The Lion of the Sean; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game. BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas, BY ©, DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE C. JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 493 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 5938 Flute, the Singer Detective, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed irteen. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest, BY JOHN J. MARSHALL. 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American, 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes, BY WM. G, PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. S81 Dale Dare the Sport trom Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. BY MAJOR E. L. 8ST. VRAIN. 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport, 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” pg ene Waves the eed fag be ‘pone t ° ard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alt, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill #Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. 10 Nat Todd or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 21 The Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, The Three Tra ray or, The Mountain Monster, Bas Indian Joe; or, Whe White Spirit of the Hills, BY FRANK DUMONT, anded Hand , The Man of M "4 b+ Ther ive, the Boss of the Road. slat tapes 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bats 171 Ebony Dan}; or, The Rival Leagues, 185-Evil Eyes ov, The Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 256 Young Kentuck: or, The Red Lasso, 270 ard Ben or, The Riot at Keno C 286 Foun the Boy Tenderfoot. eno Camp. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEM YNG. nd Jim: or, The Pet of the Famil: ot The Captain of the Club; or. Th Ri al Athletes or, vi 101 Jack linrkaway in New x A “a : eS . ’ BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The ay oa 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill ; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-llawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Duinty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire witb Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Blagk Rider 3 or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist h or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trall, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective, BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 nate Hand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper, BY LIEUT. i. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Ba, 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin Tom; or, The Demon’s Trail. 842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyou. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. BY J. W. OSBON. | 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. BY FREDERICK DEWEY. 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shota, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM, 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. m 589 Tom-Cat and Ferd; or, The Dead Set at Silver Ct 601 Happy Hansa, the tech Vidocg; or, Red-Hot e Round-Up. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reld aod Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful ae, 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Vovares. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Joan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 7 Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank nn. ’ 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 we Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie *. Irons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Uutlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green. wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. e 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxq, 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Gleeson. 128 The Young Yrivatecrs or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By Je Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward erson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By George L, en. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clift, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lien tenant Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky Berectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Hones. By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother's Re- 865 mote By Ned Bun oy a ‘oe es Itimore Ben the e' va. ~P. yf 874 Gath ast ‘om; or, Ben’s Double Match, By George Moree. 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel) Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F, 8. Winthrop, 475 The Black ee By John 8S. Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henry J. Thomas. 528 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur 9. Holt. 582 The Cowboy Duke. hy Fawin rooke Forrest. 552 Ariel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enton. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime is for sale by all newsdealers, cents per copy, or sent Rte ph receipt of six cents each, five BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorks
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7 BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Ken; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. A2 Phantom Miner}; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha OL; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57 Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or. Calamity Jane, the Heroine, 7? Corduroy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick In Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick aa Detective. 129 Bandweod Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood}; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 The Black Hilla Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood. Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture, 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, 221 Sugar-Coated Sam}; or, The Black Gown, 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Rough« and Teughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trafl 809 Beakwees Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of regon, B21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or; Rainy Days in the Dig- ings. B51 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. B62 Deadweer Dick’s Claims or, The Fairy Face of Faro ate. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City, 410 comets 1 Dick’s Diamonds ; or, The Mystery of Joan urter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “ Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, ot Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand. 459 ne Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- >. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claim 10, 471 Rozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Dog. Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Dendwood, 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’a Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Peadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings ; or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick's Three. 529 Deadwood Dick's Danger Ducks, 5S4 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr. the Wild West Vidoeq. 549 Deadwood Dick on Mls Mettle. h54 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Afloat. 54 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. 606 Dendwood Dick Jdr’s Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s oom, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, | 89 Death-Fuace, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, | 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix, | 61 Buckhorn Billy or, The Red Rifle Team, ' 69 Gold. Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. | 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 188 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappenrance. | 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s: Camp, 96. W atch-Eye; or, Arabs nod Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Hove the Young Speculator. Al Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 45 poeente Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s joss Job. 1 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. z N 286 Apollo BAH, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista. 258 Sicrra Saim’s Seven} or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 27 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 2S1 Denver Doll's Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen, MPLA ATE ENR RRS LH ee BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WII! Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Buy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags, 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Keaa, Will Wildtire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, ise van wie rein the W ned . ? y. age, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Teumtoaed’ or, Will Wildire Wins and Loves, 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob crete the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Handy; or, Wil! Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, tie Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, 220 Tom Tanner; or, The leek Sheep ot the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 245 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two ** Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway ¢.or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly. Jim’ Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Jove} or, A Boy of the Times. 8s7y raved, the Leveler; or, Thé Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 ee Brick, the Jolly Vagabond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. ATY Detective Dodge 3 or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Firemans or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. 566 The Secret service Hoy Deteetive, 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. BY OLL COOMES, & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Knilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ringer. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger, 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Prospect Pete ¢ or; The Yoong Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Werculen: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Viger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashin Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguixed Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Bow Sharpshooter. 200 LAttle Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ; or, Ruainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Herenules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AI? Webtoot Mone, the Tramp Detective, A22 Baby Sam, the Boy Glant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckekin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fredy or, Old Polar Saul. A68 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. A78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, A482 Stonewall Bob, (he Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. BY T. ©, HARBAUGH, 8% Nick.o’ the Night; or, Th» Boy Spy of ’76. % The Widden Lodge; or The Little Hunter, 47 Sigkvngete Nat} or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dand ack; or, The Outlawaof the Oregon Trail. arefeot the Wood-Hawk. Captain, Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Rougha of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli-» the King-Pin of Bowie, 198 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. at 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda: or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 4 A445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. AGL One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar. BAK Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, BH58 Dodger Dick's Desperate Case. 5 r Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detertive- ROT PR avs CII RI BEADLE'’S«H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or The Fugitive Yachts 4 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship or, ‘The Rival Lieutenants, ‘ “he Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Seu-bevil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Mussar Captain ; or, ‘Me Hermit ot Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Beale, the Stock-Tender's Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins. 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Goubes Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midehipman Mutineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 ape Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. 269 The Gold Ships or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold on Pp 280 Merle Monte’« Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride. 284 The Sea Maruuder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande, 804 The Dead Shot Pandy ; or, Benito, the Buy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or. Dead Shot Dandy's Double, 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Long ‘trail. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. B88 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isador, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Roy Inaurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachts«man; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard: Harry ; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Wills or, Rie Boy Ferret ot New York, 454 Wizard Will’« Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard, 488 Ferrets Afloats or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, AS? Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The MNunted Midshipman, 5611 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BIll, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander of the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lalitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 660 Pawnee BIII, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. BSO The Outensat Cadets or, The False Detective, 5S6 The Buckekin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 5697 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8B Kaneas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Meadly-Eve, the Duknown Sccut. 68 Border Robin Hoods or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 608 The Pitcher Detective’ Foil; or, Double Carve Dan’s Double Play. By.Geo, C. Jenks. : 609 Bolly Derrit, the Vetersn Detective; or, Little Lightning's Invinei*les. By John W. n, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. By T..C, Harbaugh. 611 Bildad Barnaele, the Detective Hercules; or, The Tussle at T.ble Mountain. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, By Edward L, Wheeler, 618 Billy Blazer: °; The Skeleton’s Legacy. By P.S. Warne. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid; or, The Queer Com- bination. fy Jo Pierce. ; 615 Fightin Marry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone; or, The Heathen Chinee’s Mission, By J, C. Cowdrick. 616 The Ocean Detectives or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear By Gee ©. Jenks. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and the Red Riders of the Rio. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ’ 618 Deadwood Dick, Ir. in Cincinnatl; ot, The Clineber Campaign. By Ed: L. Wheeler. } 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Doubie Grip Witness. By Wm. G. Patten 620 Little Light ning’s League; or, The Mystery of the Island, By John W. Oshon, 621 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar’? Man; or, The Spoiler Dispoiled. By A. C, Grissom, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Queer Affair at Tomb- stone. Bv Lieut. A. K. Sims, 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Wummer; or, The Old Captain’s Moving Miracle. By Jo Pierce. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville. By E. L. Wheeler l 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer; or, The Hero of the Crater, By Jos, E. Badger, JT 626 The Champion Pardss or, The Lucifer of Silver. Bar, By T. C. Harbaugh, _Keady July 23. Y 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanenss or, The Wolfin the Fold. By Charles Morris... Ready July 30. 628 Broadway Billys Dead Act; or, The League of the Sworn Seven. By)J-C« Cowadrick. Ready August 6. 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jacktown. By Wm, G, Patten Ready August 13, 680 Deadwood Dick; Jr- in No Man’s Land; or, Goleonda, the Gladiator, By Ed. L. Wheeler, Ready August 20. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five conte per copy, OF sent by mal! on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York.