Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 69) (1878 11 19)
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aor esl 00 AMA UL ac Single Number. Gold Rifle, THE SHARPSHOOTER; OR, The Boy Detective of the Black Ranch. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF THE FOLLOWING HALF-DIME LIBRARIES, Nos. 1, 20, 26, 28, 82, 35, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, erc., ETC. CHAPTER I. THE CHARMED GOBBLER—GOLD RIFLE’S SHOOTING. Tue bright hot summer on the plains had gone, followed by its next brilliant-hued neighbor, autumn, and winter had ~ gee her mantle over the prairies and mountains of the Far West — showered her feathery-white flakes down so copiously that the wilderness was, as it were, im- passable except with the aid of snow-shoes, A terrible storm had fallen furiously over the North-west, for four days preceeding Christm: and when the bright, yellow sun slanted her rays across the plains of white, after so long an absence, it seemed like a loving smile on Nature’s deathl ace, and millions of sparkling diamond- like icles were born in the glorious illumination of God's shining countenance. The day promised to be a fair one, with clear skies, and warmth enough in the sun to obiviate the bitter wintry sting which bit the nose of the early trapper, and caused all the animal kingdom of the moun- tains and prairies, to keep as much to shelter as possible, The streams were all frozen over, solid, and everywhere stretched that desolate waste of purest white. Very little of life had there been on the frontier during the last week—I mean out on the wide savannas, where the snow had fallen to a depth of four and five feet on the level. Most of the wild, roving spir- its who make the plains their home—trappers, hunters and outlaws—had hied themselves either to the settlements, a few of which are scattered along the course of the North- ern Pacific Railway, in Dakota, or to their individual retreats, wherever they might be. There was one little settle- ment where a larger share of this floating population had gathered, during the protract- ed storm—a station hare the steam horse of the rail stopped for wood and water; and too, which was a ‘rappers’ trading station, from whence peltries were shipped by car-loads to the East. From its insignificance, per- e had but whenever mentioned, was called the Settlement, which answered Poi BEADLE Copyrighted in 1878, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, AND ADAMS, PUBLISHER No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. teen or twenty dwelling cabins, and a tavern block- house and smithy was all there was of the Settle- ment. Away to the south but a matter of four miles loom- ed up the Fort, garrisoned with soldiers, under the command of General Maynard, and around it were scattered a few settlers’ dwellings, prominent among which was the neat farm-house or ‘‘ quarters”’ of General Maynard. Thus, the territory adjacent was settled sparsely, but this did not prevent frequent raids by Tiger Track’s outlaws, and the roving tribes of red-skins who hunted on the plains andin the mountains, not a dozen miles westward from the Settlement. At the Settlement, on this crystal clear morning, all was a buzz of excitement. The event of the great holiday was to be a turkey shoot, and not only had the trappers and citizens | of the Settlement, but the military from the fort, under Acting Captain Bass, had promised to be present and take a hand. They were as handsome, well-behaved and well- oment he had sighted it, fired back upon his feet. eee — 8, 5 Cents. No. 69. drilled a squad of Uncle Sam’s boys as held a fort in the territory, and naturally great e tations were born of their participation in the ‘‘ shoot.” At early after-dinner hour, they had arrived with their band, on the spot, and all in the Settlement were co ted on the white snows of a level eats, a few hundred yards north of the station. ere were men, women and children, of almost every cast of countenance and attire: some mounted upon horses—others standing calf deep in the snow. By noon the excessive sharpness of the weather had melted beneath the smiles of the sun, and it was quite comfortable out, except under foot. Besides the soldiers from the fort, there were present many hunters, eepeets and scouts who had won distinction on the border, and traders who had won and lost fortunes in the fur business. The range for shooting was three hundred yards, with Renieaten rifles, breech-loaders, sixteen shot. A turkey was to be “stooled” at the far end of the range, and each man who had entered to shoot, at the cost of a ‘ quarter,’ had three chances to knock the bird over, if he could, and —_ off the fowl as his prize. Of course some unlucky ones must be the losers, but that was where the sport came in; and the man with the steadiest nerves and best practice stood the best show. The ‘shoot’ was under the management of a couple of backwoodsmen who had raised the a and had taken this meth of securing a good round price for them. About two o’clock the sport commenced, with a grand blare of music from the military band, which had volunteered ~ ei for the Leryn n old trapper named Strong, led off on the first fowl, bat failed to disturb a feather, or even the composure of the turkey. The white covering of the prairie made it bad for good shooting, and as a conse- uence the fowl at the end of the range stood a good show of not being hit at all. “By gracious!” exclaimed the man Strong, as he heard the announcement that he had not created a gobble from the turkey, “thet aire ther wust shootin’ I evyer did, fer a fact. I'm gennerally sum, w’en et cums ter turkey shutes, ef I do say it, an’ no one ‘ll allow as Zeke Strong ever lied jest fer bein’ famuss.”’ “Get out, Strong! You're no good as ashot, and every- body knows it!’’ retorted Jay Toleman, a youth rising twenty years, the son of the chief trader of the Settlement, and an acknowledged crack shot. “ You’re ’way off yer groove when you tackle any- thing beyond a mink-trap.” “Oh! you need’n’ blow, you young cuss of a bull-purp!” growled back Strong, an for he did not like to be told that he was behind the average. “T’'ve seen them as ked shute re. cl’ar out an’ out, an’ not try. Thar’s thet Tiger Track, ther outlaw—I’ve heerd sed he could brush a speck off *m a fly’s eye-winker at a dis- tance of three hundred yards.”’ — i and somersaulted
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2 Beadle’s HalfDime Library. “Oh! shut up yer lyin’, you old snake, if you don’t want to git knifed. I hain’t inno mood fer er chin, ter-day. I cum here to win hr cussed hea , an’ I’m goin’ ter do it, that’s me!’ Toleman said, with a contemptuous glance at the poor shoot- ing of a trader who had overloaded his corporosity with corn-juice. Jay Toleman was, as mentioned, the son of Jacob Toleman, the proprietor of the trading-post in the Settlement. This elder Toleman was a rude, ruffianly customer, and it was but natufal that he should bring his. son up to-his own standard. And Jay Toleman, as he approached his -majeriby,hacd, developed into a des- erate character, who was ecunlly feared arid hated yy the border ment He was reckless, rufflanly, and revengeful, andes dwith him a concéit.that made er more disgusting to those he came in contact Witn..° = If fie worked, it Was in the dead of night when no one knew it; yet he aliyvays 1ad plenty of money, and suspicions hacdoften bee aroused that he got it unfairly, thous;h just how nv one, of course, knew. He was at pape weeny re several days from the Settlement, but no one knew whither he went—few cared beyond a natural curiosity. He was of medium hight, stout of limb, and large- ly developed in muscle, with a face that was darkly indicative of his evil nature. There was nothing to attract in his make-up, yet hehadthe nameof being quite a lady’s-man, when he mingled in the society, such as the far frontier af- forded. S Some half _a dozen trappers followed Strong in his wey to knock over the turkey, but beyond the loss of a few feathers, the bird remained unharmed. Jay Toleman at last took the stand with a satisfied smile, and raising his long rifle, shot the turkey’s head off, with as much composure as though he had been firing at random. A cheer went up from the soldiers and the crowd, as an Indian brought in the neatly decapitated bird, for it’was' an extraordinary shot, considering that several'expert marksmen had failed. “There! didn’t I tell ye?” cried young Toleman, looking triumphantly around. ‘“*T ctim ter clean out ther turkey-coops, an’ that’s my first shot. down there—put up another turkey!’ Another bird was-speedily put up, accordingly and several shots were fired, some of which brushec the bird, but failed to’ knock it over. When it came Toleman’s shot, he settled the mat- ter with one bullet. : And so the shooting went on, the young crack-shot winning every time, much to his own elation and the disgust of the crowd. Such shooting was beyond the average—incomprehensible. Many of the trappers refused to shoot against such odds,’ and withdrew from the contest, but there were Others confident in their skill, to keep the entree full, and the shooting exciting. But Tolman won query. time, and at last the only remaining fowl was put upon the stool. He was a monstrous turkey gobbler—the largest any of the tors had ever seen. He had a body several times larger than that of the average domesticated * goose, and the owners announced his weight to be seventy-five unds! He truly was a noble and aristocratic old fellow, with a disdainful gobble, as he took the stand, and a cheer went up for him from the crowd.* The excitement over the handsome fowl was intense, and large sums were offered the owners, for the bird, alive, all of which were declined. The backwoodsmen declared that he was only to be had by the lucky shooter. And a hundred or more neces were sold on him, both men and women entering for the sport. The last one on the list of entries, was the young of the settlement, var A Tolman, and yet he ed that he should be the one to tumble over ‘the giant gobbler. During the prevalent excitement, a horseman had approached from the west, and sitting in his saddle, was casually surveying the crowd, and the prize gob- Hay, He was not one long to remain unnoticed, forsoon many curiovs glances were leveled at him. About twenty seo had passed over his head, but these years had been busied in perfecting and devel- what was now a handsome form, stout, pli- and athletic, capable of celerity, great strength and endurance. There was too, in the body and its carriage, pleating to the eye. In face, the young stranger ‘was ordinarily good-looking, in the way the world looks at beauty; it was a plain, every-day face, at a — tanned brown by exposure, with round fea- ; yet study might have revealed outlines in the face, in'the hazel eyes, and the firm mouth, denot- .. ing many manly qualities worthy of possession—ex- ressions of character that were noble and honest; of ambition to obtain eminence, of courage, of fear- Jessness, and of will that was unchangeable when in the right. The stranger was clad in a scrviceable hunting cos- tume of buck-skin, liberally fringed with mink fur, a round mink cap, and knee-boots upon the feet. He was mounted upon a dae 4 little white mustang, of —_ spirit and wicked eye, and his saddle its accouterments were handsome. In his belt were revolvers, a knife, and ficld telescope, at the back of his saddle a bow and quiver of arrows were attached; while, resting across the pommel in | front of him, was a gold-plated Remington repent- ing rifle. It was a remarkable-looking weapon, tho * This turkey-shoot, and this big gobbler, are all facts, according to the veracious papers of Yankton, Dakota, AUTHOR, »s barrel and all the steel parts being heavil D wri ghtly. with gold, and polished until they shone The sight at the muzzle of the barrel was set with a | flashing diamond! Toward this young stranger and his remarkable rifle many inquiring glances were leveled, but he ap- eared quite undisturbed, and watched the shooting or old Kinz Gobbler, which was now begun, but under rather unfavorable auspices at the best. For a gray pallor had gradually stolen over the heavens, and a fine powdery snowwas sifting down, rendering the shooting uncertain, as the target was | dimly discernible at a distance of three hundred yards. Shot after shot was fired without the Jeast reward, for thé King Gobbler stood proudly upon the stool, with his great fan-tail outspread, and occasionally emitting a gobble of indignation as the builets whizzed past. ‘ bas the contestants thinned down to a little bunch, and. still the turkey remained untouched, and the excitement grew in its intensity. What mystery was this? asked these astonished people. Was the old Gobbler possessed of a charm- ed life? It was an enigma, and when even Jay Toleman fin- ished the last of his three shots, unsuccessfully, loud expressions of wonder were héard on every side, } while the young bully cursed and swore in a fright- ful manner. “‘ String’s over, fellers!’’ cried one of the owners of plugged at thet aire turk, but nary a one tuk effect. Allow me ter remark, gentlemen, that thet fowl has bin put up at five different shoots, but nevyer got hit yet. e bears a charmed life, an’ is two years old. Any one else wanter try their luck fer a quar- ter, aside frum them as has shot?” “Hayr! I'll shoot again!’ growled young Tole- Sang tendering a quarter. “I was too nervous be- ore.” “ Can't help that, young feller; you're not entitled ter ernuther shot, no more’n the rest. Sum feller as hain’t plugged come for’a’d. Hey, you gold rifle chap, can’t you hit thet gobbler?” ** Guess so,”’ was the reply of the stranger. “ Thet ain’t half a shot; can stand on my head and knock that gobbler’s phiz off.” A loud yell went up at the extraordinary boast: “Oh! you needn’t laugh and smile in your sleeves, fer I can do it!” asserted Gold Rifle, ree “Tl bet you fifty dollars you can’t!” shouted Jay Toleman, who had been imbibing whisky rather freely, and was getting immoderately excited. ‘“‘ I'm ther best shot on the border, as ye can see by my pile of turkeys here, an’ I'll bet ye can’t hit that old salamander yonder, ef ye try a month o’ Sundays!” “*T ain’t on the bet myself, but just to show ye that you've been brought up out o’ your sphere of useful- ness, and the wonders that can be accomplished by scientific squintin’, I'll put on my spurs and show e,”’ Gold Rifle said, sliding from his saddle, rifle in and. ‘How much is the bill of fare, boss?” “Twenty-five cents,” young feller,’ replied one of the managers. ‘“Whew! That knocks me down to par, then!” Gold Rifle said, with a wry lock, ‘“ Bu’sted, ye see; -hain’t seen a quarter feranage. Tell ye what I'll do, though; I'll give ye a verbal mortgage, afore the crowd heer, on my rifle. shute the gob’, both rifle and gob’ pigeded I fail, =a “ae yourn,”’ ; * ™ eager! e TS. You're to stand on rea tai” Tee ay “Tf you like, and will furnish me a piece of board to keep my head from sinking into the snow.”’ The ares were made amidst the greatest Viadwers m0 havi h b S$ were made, some having courage eno y the Gold Rifle’s coolness, to bet that he wot win, although the majority were next to positive that his attempt would be agrand failure, Even if he were so expert as an equilibrist, that he could balance himself on his head, how would it be possible for him to fire, a rifle with any accuracy. e question was not long to puzzle the wonderers. Gold Rifle, as ee stranger had been quickly named, rapidly made preparations for his feat. A large, wide piece of board was packed down upon the snow, and upon this Gold e took his position. Ah Indian boy stood close by, with the gold rifle, which was cocked and ay for use, After glancing at the dimly discernible goles, and smiling at the applause of the crowd, he knelt upon the board and raised his body in to the air, and in a moment was perfectly balanced on his head, his feet erect in mid-air, his hands free. . The rifle was handed him—in a moment he had sighted it, fired, and somersaulted back upon his feet, while wild and loud rung the huzzas when it was seen that the bullet had dropped the King Gobbler / Later the fowl was brought in, and it was found that his head had been severed from his body! And Gold Rifle was victor. CHAPTER II. A VILLAINOUS ACCUSATION—JOSH HEMPERHILL. “HeLLo, Toleman; whar aire ye, now?” shou the man, Yeke Strong, who was hugely overjoyed that some one should found to carry off the big obbler, aside from the young bully. ‘‘ Hain’t ther | t shot on ther border, now, aire ye?” “Tm a little off, to-day,’ was the reply, in rather _ a crestfallen manner, “ but I kin do more surprisin’ feats than that.” _ The enthusiasm over Gold Rifle’s wonderful shot, | was intense.* : : *Indeed, many of the far western papers wrote ——- articles on it, giving of course the hero’s ue name, while we only deal, for the present, with the title by which he was so widely known. the gobbler. ‘ Three hundred an’ thirty-three shots | Captain Bass, of the military, came forward and locked arms with the young stranger, and led him around and introduced to him such as would be eli- gible acquaintances, for Captain Bass was but thirty, and a prime good fellow, who liked to see every- eo with everybody. hile they were making the rounds, three men were standing apart from the main crowd, some- what, and engaged in watching narrowly the youn sharpshooter, upon whom nearly all eyes were level- | ed, in admiration. But the eyes’ of.these three men emitted only glances of suspicion and hatred;-evidéntly the Boy ) | } | the youns bully.” He was~a little, harpshooter was not a stranger to them, One of the trio was. Jacob Toleman, the father of ed-up, villain- ous-looking man, with ill-attendane tgaapeedinal habiliments, and, a furrowed, eyil countenance that spoke but too strongly of excessive drink. He had a shrewd cast of eye, however, which would have impressed one with the opinion that he was clever at plotting or bargaining—a man of few scruples. he second of the trio was Omerhaun, the gun- smith, who manufactured or repaired firearms in his smithy, which was situated in a dark, gloomy | gorge, not far to the west of the settlement. He | Was a man something very nearly after the pattern of Jacob Toleman, except that he was stouter and had even a more disagreeable, hang-dog look than the trader. Boover Legree, the third of the party, was, at a glance, a first-water border ruffian, bristling with weapons, dark, wolfish-looking, brawny—one of the heavy villains, sometimes so admirably represented on our principal theater stages, Besides his personal appearance, which was brutal and rufflanly in-the extreme, he possesséd all the re- quisites of a ruffian—was a whisky-guzzler, a very wildcat on a fight, and of a quarrelsome naturé. Few men cared to cross him, for when enraged he was a fearful man to handle. » He was considered by some to be very. rich, having done, and still doin the most successful trapper business in. the -terri- tory. ach of these thrée men eyed the young sharp- shooter with savage glances, occasionally exchang- ing confidences, , Sa C * The kid’s the very image of your man, Toleman,” Legree said, with an oath, which he always used in speaking as a ‘finisher’ or “starter.” *‘Ken’t ye see it in his durned countenance, cl’ar as brandy?” ‘IT dunno,” replied Toleman, aonwa f * Mebbe lance.” you're right, but I can’t see much resem “But the gun gives him away, I tell ye,” put in Omerhaun. “I made thet plating an’ put et on thet gun, five years ago, when we warin Kentucky. Don’t ye oo I’ve got eyes, ye fool?” Ke 3 , Suppose that is Walter Wagner’s kid—what en?” “Sure Gy ack eM sneered i Aig biting fiercely at his brigandish black mustache. “If the oung feller inherits a whit of Wild Walt’s dare- evil disposition, he’d be a hard customer to attack.” “Yer right, Bor Wild Walt war wuss ner any mpeg? an’ I kin see a dozen p’ints o’ our old cap- ‘in in ther young galoot yonder. Jest ye watch him more, will ye? e’s ter jump out o’ his hide ter a fight, under a minnit’s notice.” “Yes, he has undoubtedly been trained by Wild Walt, and knows his P’s an’ Q’s. D’ye s‘pose he recognized us?” “No!- He war ter young, an’ then we've all changed our titles since five years ago. But I'll bet ther boy war sent heer on our trail. Wild Walt ‘ll never forget ther past.” “O’ course not. We must blot et fer him, tho’! replied Toleman, grimly. ‘‘Ten thousan’ in gold ain’t ter be sneezed at.” “I'd like ter sneeze at et, ef ’twould put et inter my coffers!” averred Legree. ‘The boy’s got to be tumbled over, or we're no good.” “T’ve a plan worth a dozen o’ yourn!” Toleman, senior, sai with his fingers among the roots of his hair, in a speculative way. “You notice about the feller, yonder, a slight re- semblance, in form, to the outlaw, Tiger Track?” Both Legree and the gunsmith started, and gazed at Gold Kifle, who was now standing conversing with Capt. Joe Bass. = Thar is sum resemblance in figger,” assented gree. ‘An’ Tiger Track’s face, ye know, is allus bebind a mask, What else d’ye want ter make an outlaw out o’ the boy, yonder?” . “Humph! you old rascal, what ye plumbin Boover. after?” “Til illustrate,’ replied Toleman, with an evil smile. ‘ Ye see, that cuss yonder may’s well be put out o’ the way, as we couldn’t make him tell whar Wild Walt is, no more’n we ked agrindstun. Thare- fore, et’s our line duty ter put him whar he "Il be an angel, instead uv an enemy. I'll get Jay, my son, :o accuse him o’ bein eee by joinin’ in our testimony, we ken soon hev him higher’n Ha- man. See? Then we’ll buy his carcass, tie et ter thet hoss o’ his, an’ ther hoss ‘Il natterally pull fer ther retreat o’ ther lad, as I ken see et’s a smart ani- mal, We'll foller ther trail, an’ in thet way mebbe come across Wild Walt?” “A darned good plan!” assented Legree. “Td give a big pile ter git a tug at our rascally capt’in’s throate, choke me, ef I wouldn't.” @ plan seemed to satisfy the trie for in the course of a few minutes Jay Tcleman vas motioned for and given instructions by his father. Awhile later, the a 8 arene, ace Rifle, was still conversing with Ca) n when th> two Tolemans, Omerhaun, and odver "Eangres sud- ee a ee ee a am forma uu SPOtOOM S's teas mew wero
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some distance, as fast as Gold Rifle. Genly approached, and stopping in front of him, Jay ‘Coleman cried: “Ha! ha! Mr. Gold Rifle, yer jig’s up, fer we four hev recognized you as the cuss who attacked us with a dozen outlaws down on Sleighton creek last winter. You are Tiger Track, the outlaw.” **You lie like a thief!” replied Gold Rifle, greatly surprised at the accusation. ‘ My name is Kit Wag- ner, and I come from beyond the Clay Bottom Stream!” - “Bah! ye ken’t lie ter us, you whelp!” here inter- yosed Legree. ‘‘ We know ye, an’ yer jig’s up. Fel- ers, grab thet cuss, ef yer after wantin’ Tiger Track, the outlaw and trapper’s foe!” Words like these acted like magic upon the honest but much abused trapping element. They came forward, grim and threatening, backed by the soldiers. But quickness here proved superior to force, With a muttered ejaculation, Gold Rifle sprun upon his white mustang, which stood close by, anc swinging bis rifle right and left, regardless as to whom he hit, he dashed furiously down through the parting crowd, and over the southern snow-covered prairie, toward the distant fort. A yell of rage escaped the Tolemans and their friends, and running to their stacked guns the sol- diery possessed themselves of them, and sent a storm of lead after the daring sharpshooter. He was by this time on a line with the turkey stool, and though none of the bullets struck him, his horse was hit, and dropped dead beneath him. Pausing only long enough to take some papers from his sadle-bas, the fugitive kept on over the snow-covered prairie at a rapid s , nearly equal to that which his horse had made, for there was a crust formed over the snow sufficient to bear up un- der his weight, which was indeed fortunate for the itive. ithout looking behind him, Gold Rifle ran on for his legs could carry him. Perhaps ten minutes elapsed, and then he paused afid looked around. He was in a shallow valley or depression in the prairie, and had stopped at the edge of a dark motte of blasted pine timber. rom his position he was unable to look back upon the settlement and shooting ground, because of the intervention of the swell he had descended. For several seconds he stood gazing around him, along the valley, and into the dismal stretch of tim- ber, hardly knowing which way to turn. e he was standing thus, a man with an ax on his shoulder came tramping out of the wood. “Hello! Gracious, who’re you?” was the saluta- tion. ‘‘ Look kinder as if ye war lost, or skeer’d or in a perdickament, stranger! I swow ef ye ain’t a picter 0’ my aunt y’s boy, Jim. Jim’s a preecher, now, an’ they do say he’s sum on slingin’ gospel. What's the matter, stranger?” ‘Oh! nothing of much account,’ Gold Rifle re- plied. ‘‘I’m trying to dodge a pack of fools who are laboring under the delusion that I am Tiger Track, the outlaw. Was just considering which way I'd best go.” “Ye fon't say so? Waal, now that’s tew bad, I swow to breeches. I tarnally hate ter see one feller sot onter by a big passel 0’ roughs, fer 'tain’t right. Ef every man war only like my unkle Ike used to be, up in New Hampsher’. He waz a good Christian, an’ allus used ter say his prayers every night afore he retired. S’pose ye’d like ter find a hidin’-place from them chaps w’at’s arter ye, eh?” “Yes, and I must be moving,” replied Gold Rifle. “* Although I’m not Tiger Track, I do not want them fellows to get hold of me. Good-by.” * But, hold, up, stranger. Two heads ar’ better’n ene, ef one on ’em’s empty. Jest ye tote yer carcass along after me. Ain't often I ken do a feller a good turn, an’ I allus improve sech chances. Cum along, now, without a word, an’ I'll show ye a coop so safe that ye’ll be surprised. Ye see I’m a man 0’ charac- ter, an’ I ain’t half so green as I look, tho’ lam frum Vermont.” And it occurred to the keen eye of Gold Rifle that he did look most ludicrously “green,” for he was clear-quill, old-school Yankee, from his boots to the top of his head, a distance of some six feet and four or five inches. - y He was at a glance a powerful man, but so awk- ward and unwieldy, as to create a belief that he could be easily handled. But this belief would have adually died out, to an observant eye. In face the man was extremely homely and ludicrous, while about his dress and manners, was preserved all of the original and outlandish ways of his forefathers. And as he followed trustingly in the Yankee’s footsteps, Gold Rifle could but smile at the apparent clumsiness of the great fellow. “Dunno much about you, stranger,” the words came, next, “but I reckon ye ain't so bad, or ye’d show et in yer countenance. My name’s Josh Hem- r Ye remember ther Hemperhills war a great Family, up in Vermont, no ya fe ho men, every mother’s son of ’em—men of sound moral an’ man- ly character, sir! Ye ken find their autobiographies anywhar in thet State. Bein’ ther last male o’ ther family, ther hull avalanche o’ manly character nat- ter’ly descends onter me. None o’ ther Hemperhills war afraid ter work—could chop wood an’ drink hare cider from morn till night an’ never squeel, I tell ye. An’ as @ man o’ character, et ooves me ter foller in their footsteps; so I kim out hecr an’ hired out ter General Maynard, fer ten dollars a eer an’ my . General’s a tarnal good feller, but when ye cum ter his darter, I swow she’s jest hes! Ruther sweet on me, too, fer she allus tells me she admires rinaman. But, cuss darn it, ther old general went an’ hired an Irishman, au’ he’s tryin’ ter cut around Miss May wi’ his gib- eee eee 3 berish; but I’m solid in my b'lief thet she won't sacrifice good healthy character fer an Irish hod- carrier.” “Of course not,’’ declared Gold Rifle, barely re- pressing a laugh at the Yankee’s earnestness. ‘ No woman of sound mind will stop to think of choosing between an ignorant Hibernian and a man of your superior qualifications.” ‘his pleased Josh hugely and he talked an inces- sant flow of nonsense as he led the way rapidly through the motte and ascended to the prairie on the other side of the shallow valley. But, talking did not interfere with his rapid locomotion, as Gold Rifle soon found. Evidently there was much in the fellow which had never been brought to light. In a measure he was ignorant of his own strength and powers. On rising to the level prairie again, Gold Rifle looked back toward the settlement, and saw that he was pursued, as he had surmised. A score of the ms 4 sabe had joined the now mount- ed soldiers, and all hands were now descending the slope into the valley. ““We shall have to run for it, Josh!” the sharp- shooter said, ‘‘or those fellows will catch up wit , ‘*No they won’t; but we'll run, as et’s yet two miles to the general’s.”” They did run, and Gold Rifle had to exert himself to keep u with the clums Yankee. On over the hard crust of snow they sped like a couple of startled deers, their heads bent forward, and pointing toward a handsome farm-house which was visible in the white ewe as Perseveringly the two men kept on, with a mile be- tween them and the pursuers, and at last the - egg into the yard that surrounded the general’s ouse. And the pursuers still came on. CHAPTER Il. DELIVER, OR DOWN GOES YOUR SHANTY. “HERE we are, stranger, at General Maynard's, an’ a gosh-darned fine feller the geueral is, too. Clean essence from his forefathers, an’ as squar’ a feller as ever chawed bis cud. Bet my character ag’in’ ther best bushel o’ potatoes as ever grow’d, thet ther gene- ral wull give you a warm welcome, but ye see I ken't jest say how’t’ll be with Miss May, fer she’s cl’ar one sweet over me, an’ hain’t got an eye-winker er any other feller, ‘less et ar’ thet dratted Irisher. Now, ef I befriend ye, like a man of character should, stranger, ye’re not to stick yer finger inter my pie, ner luk sweet at her, ner try ter coax her ar- ter ye, ner any conducements likely ter disturb my future prospects.” “You need have no fear of me, Josh,” replied Gold Rifle, smiling. ‘I don’t think I shall’ be likely ter interrupt ther harmony of your courtship. Lead ahead.” Josh accordingly led the way up the front steps of the elegant farm-house, and into a spacious hall, which in grandeur was beyond anything Goid Rifle had ever seen. The walls and ceiling were beautifully decorated, and the floor carpeted richly, and furmshed with mirror, hat-rack and coat-case. Josh led on, and they entered a grand parlor, where a cheery fire was blazing brightly, and casting forth a moderate warmth. Here in this parlor, were all evidences of wealth and taste. The apartment was richly furnished— with handsome chairs, tables and sofas, with costly carpeting upon the floor, and chandeliers pending from the ceiling. Pictures anc portraits decked the walls, while strewn about here and there were many adornments. In a word, the parlor was equal to many of our grand eastern salons, even if beyond, as you may say, the scope of civilization. And it is not unfrequently in western travel, that the tourist stumbles upon these oases in the desert —homes where beauty, wealth and refinement reign. Looking around, Gold Rifle took in his surround- ings at a glance, and inwardly felt that he was in the wrong place—that he was nnfitted for entree into such a palace, A young lady was sitting ata piano, idly drum- ming the keys with her white fingers, while an old, white-haired, white-bearded man was ensconced in a great cushioned arm-chair near the fire, engaged in perusing a Lox wok Hp was probably among the sixties in age, but a fine-looking man withal—firm, erect of carriage, and large of build—one born to command. His eye was still true and unflinching, and his hand trembled not, showing that his nerves were still under control. He was attired in the costume of a General of the Regular Army, aud near at hand a sword was hang- ing unsheathed, which looked as if it had seen a good many hard battles.- The young lady at the piano was the person whom the eyes of Gold Rifle centered upon, after he had given General Maynard a searching glance. She was about eighteen years of age, surpassingly pretty ; geo 3 roee Be a. her features were clear, regular and delicate, with cheeks tinted with the glow of health; a mouth sweet and tempt- ing, and eyes of hazel hue, shaded by heavy lashes. Her hair was lighter than brown—a sunny shade, and worn in its wondrous wealth down over the a x. an co ora) er attire was neat and stylish, and ng at her in her budding womanhood, Gold fie are his yo heart beat faster, and a flush of enthusiastic name — came involuntarily over his own good-natured ‘ace. Both General Maynard and his daughter looked - in surprise ac Gold Rifle and the eccentric Josh emperhill entercd the rcom, But both exhilited oer courtesy when Josh had introduced his young C e. “General an’ Miss May, this ‘ere’s a chap they call Gold Rifle, as ye mought jedge frum his gun, hyar. Ifound him in a fix, pursued by ther sojers o'fyour command, an’ all ther trappers an’ roughs this side o’ Dakoty line, an’ bein’a man of solid basis character—a trail wich descended frum old Nebuchadnezzar Hemperhill, who died in fifteen hun- dred an’ forty—1 fetched him along wi’ ther insur- ance o’ pertection. Why, sir, thet same lad, he tells me, stud on his head and shot a turkey ter-day.”’ yeneral Maynard bowed, and gazed at Gold Rifle, keenly. “Your name—what is it, young man?” he asked, his tones kindly yet stern. ‘“‘ What is this Josh is telling?” “My name is Kit Wagner, sir,’ the Boy Sharp- shooter replied, “though I am more generally cail- ed Gold Rifle, after my gun, here. As to what your man here has said, it is mainly true. I have been and am now pursued by those who pa i im te-day’s turkey shoot, at the settlement. Because I won the last turkey, it seems, a feeling of enmity was created against me; and a young fellow of about my own age, whom they called Toleman, ac- cused me of being Tiger Track the outlaw. His as- sertion was confirmed by a quartette or so of his pals, and to save being lynched by the crowd I had to make a dash for liberty. Back here apiece I met Neng man, and he insisted upon my coming here. ut Ithink I had not best trouble you. If [ goat = I may succeed in outwitiing the pursuers, et. eb Then you deny that you are Tiger Track, the out- wi ‘“*Most assuredly I do. Inever heard the name of Tiger Track until a couple of days since. My home is beyond the Clay Botvom Stream, and I am a stran- ger, hereabouts.’ “Well, well! This is rather a remarkable casel’” the general observed, watching Gold Rifle as the hawk watches its prey. ‘‘ You don’t look exactly like an outlaw, young man; and yet, in this decep- tive life, we are all liable to make mistakes. What do you think about the matter, May?” and the white- haired veteran turned to his daughter inquiringly. “*T believe what Gold Rifle says, papa,” May May- nard veplied, with a slight color in her cheek, as her gaze met that of the young sharpshooter. “I am sure he does not in the least resemble Tiger Track, whom you remember chased and tried ti capture us, but «1 1: cnth ago.” “ Kiy oy inion, exactly, dear. is Wagner, sir?’’ “ Yer, sir.” “JYbada friend by that name, years ago. . Now, oung man, I hardly know what to say for you, for see your ope rs are coming hotly toward the house; and they are angry, too, for many indignities have been heaped upon both soldiers and trappers by Tiger Track and his outlaws. I don’t believe they'll accept any explanation from even me, and it will be necessary for you to try your luck at escap- ing. “ But, believing you to be what you represent, I shall not let you go without friendly assistance. May, my dear, you may take this young gentleman to the Secret Corral, and give him a choice of the horses. Josh, you may remaiu with me, and we will keep the rabble out of the house as long us possible."” Gold Rifle arose to follow May Maynard, but first turned to the general, a suspicion of moisture in his eyes, you c.e a good and noble man, sir,’ he said, shaking the extended hand warmly, ‘ and if it ever comes within my power to do you a good turn, be- lieve me I shall improve the chance, Ithank you all for the interest you have taken in me, and maybe it won’t be long ere I can repay you.”’ “Nothing of the kind is required, young man, al- though I commend your spirit. Right is rigit, in this world, and I have fought for it the whole of my life, and shall continue to do so as long asI have breath. Good-by, sir, and God grant you success.” Then Gold Rifle turned and was about to follow May from the parlor, but he was once more inter- rupted by the Yankee, Josh, who pulled him mys: You say your name teriously to one side, his rude countenance a puzzlo” of combating expressions, ““Neow, you see heer, stranger,” he began, in & hoarse whisper—‘ aire you a man o’ sound moral an religyus character? Be ye proof ag’in’ ther smiles an’ fascinashuns o’ ther female sex’ Ef ye ain’t let me warn ye that the devil fisheth best for the soul of man when his hook is baited with a lovely woman. Neow, young stranger, ef ye've a man 0’ honorable character, ye won't look cross-eyed ner git spoony on my gal, Miss May, while she’s esquartin’ ye ter liberty. e won't whisper sofi sentimental nonsens- es inter her ear, ner feed her on sugar plums?” “Certainly not, Josh. You should put more confi- dence in me than that; and then, too, Miss Maynard is almost a total stranger to me.” “Yas, that’s so, sure’s preechin’, but, I :wow ter breeches, ye ken’t put no dependence in boys an’ gals nowadays. as ye uster c’u’d. They lack ther solid basis character. Thar, fer instance, ar’ thet Irisher, Pat Dolanigun—hedn’'t bin here three howrs. afore he war castin’ sheep's eyes at Miss May. Now, stranger, mind how ye conduct yerselt, fer if I ever find thet.ye tried ter win ther affections of yon gal away frum me, I'll skin ye alive!” And with a tragical scowl] Josh turned away, and. Gold Rifle accompanied May. The pursuing trappers and soldiers had by this time come up and drawn rein in front of the farm house, and knowing what was required of him Ge: - eral Maynard stepped out upon the veranda, tc} ' lowed by Josh.
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| 4 Ali the soldiers, except Captain Bass, were drawn up in line, while the rest of the party composed mainly of trappers and traders, were scattered about, presenting rather a warlike spectacle. Cap- tain , unable to restrain his men, rode forward and ¥ Spin Josh and the general on the veranda. “Order, here!’ Maynard cried, a fire in his eye, and the true military ring still in his tone. ‘What means this disorder among you privates?” “Tt means that we’re after an outlaw and thief— the ruffian Tiger Track, and he’s in your ranch!” re- plied Lieutenant Grey, a bitter outlaw-hater, who was leading the military in the place of Captain Joe Bass, who had refused to act against Gold Rifle, whom he believed to be an honest man. “Order!” again thundered the general. “Tis false, the charge you prefer against the young man. He is no more Tiger Track than I am, and I com- mand you to withdraw immediately to the fort.” “But we decline!’’ retorted Lieutenant Grey, with a sneer. “If you'll cover a traitor, general, we ‘won't, and we’re just the boys as is going to stretch up Tiger Track to the handiest tree.” “You can not have the lad—he is not here!” said the general, seeing that it was useless to argue with so many insubordinate spirits. “You lie!’ replied Grey, fiercely. ‘‘You are a traitor to your country, yourself, and you'll deliver up the boy, or we'll tumble down your shanty.” “Thave not got the ag man about my pre- mises,’’ declared the general. “Any three of you are welcome to come in and search!’ “We won’t come astep, you old cuss!’’ shouted the lieutenant, drawing a pistol. ‘‘ Deliver, or down goes yer shanty!” “Tl deliver nothing!” replied Maynard. ‘“ You are at liberty to come and search, for by this time your intended victim is far away.’ And turning on his heel the véteran officer re-en- tered the house. With an oath of rage Grey raised his weapon to fire at the retreating form, but before he could pull the fatal trigger, there was a sharp report, and a bullet from Josh Hemperhill’s revolver dropped the would- be assassin dead. A cheer of approval went up from the soldiers at the brave act, and motioning to Joe Bass to head them, they turned upon the Polemens and the other traders, and drove them off at the point of their bayonets. is ended what might have been a serious mob. In the meantime Por Maynard had led the way out of the parlor, into a kitchen, and down a steep pair of stairs into a deep cellar. Here she paused, and searching around for a few moments, produced a candle from a shelf, and light- edit. By its idumination Gold Rifle was enabled to see his surroundings, and all he beheld were the heavily planked walls of the cellar. ““Humph! I see no way of escape from this hole,” he said. “Because you are not in the secret,” May May- nard replied, with one of her pleasant little inuphe. “* Here—”’ and she led the way to one side of the cel- lar, ‘‘ Please push heavily against these two planks,” Gold Rifle did so, and to his surprise they fell back, leaving an aperture of considerable size. Through this he went, according to May’s orders, she follow- and closing up the hole. hey were now ina dark underground passage, about eight feet by eight in width and hight. “This passage runs about two miles in under- ground,” explained May, as they hurried along over a hard ground floor. ‘It was constructed so that in the case of an Indian sivge, we could ave some mode of escape, and it has an opening invo a small prairie valley. Its existence is a secret except to iny father and myself, and poor Josh, who thinks I am dead in love withhim., Ha! ha! hal” They soon arrived at a point in the passage where it was vastly wider, and here several handsome horses were feeding, attended by an Indian groom. May made hurried explanations to the young sav- age, and then giving Gold Rifle a warm pressure of the hand, and bidding him God speed, she hurried back toward her home above the earth, while the young man selected a fine steed from the corral, and mounting rode on through the wonderful avenue of escape, until he suddenly rounded a bend and rode out from behind a rock that hid the outlet of the passage, into the light and freedom of a little prairie walley. CHAPTER IV. LEGREE SHOWS HIS CLOVEN-FoOT ‘‘ CHARACTER." Unver the charge of the soldiers the trappers and traders must perforce retreat, and they were driven quite back to the settlement, ere they were left unmolested, and the soldiers withdrew toward the fort. By this time a larger share of the trappers had come to disbelieve the story of Gold Rifle’s being ‘iiger Track, but there were a portion left who ac- cepted the word of the Tolemans for it. A consultation was held between Boover Legree, the gunsmith Omerhaun, and the two Tolemans as soon asthey arrived at the settlement, in the cabin of the latter. “To's a defeat all around,” Legree growled, striv- ing to dampen his ferocious spirit by frequent uaffs of whiskyfrom a demijohn which sat upon the table, between them. ‘Ther boyee’s gone, an’ we ain’t likely tergit a glimpse o’ him ag’in in a dog's age, and that knocks all our prospects o’ get- tin’ the fortune back frum Wild Walt,” “T don't b’lieve the feller ever left old Maynard's house!” sneered Jay Toleman. “That gal o' May- mard’s put him away, while ther old cuss cum outside an’ harrangued to us!” Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ““Mebbe ye're right, but ther galoot’s slid out afore this time.” “Of course,” assented the gunsmith, lighting bis pipe. “That young cuss is smarter than you think or. He has got lots o’ Wild Walt’s blood in him, and I’ll bet you won’t easy get ahead of him.” “We must contrive to, somehow. Where does this Clay Bottom Stream lay, which he mentioned?” ‘““West of here,” replied Jay Toleman. ‘T have been there several times fer enough to make it pay. It is about thirty or forty miles, I reckon, over hill an’ plain.” “Ha! then it is somewhere in the neighborhood of Tiger Track’s stronghold, is it not?’ “ Yes—neer where the outlaw is ie gg ote ter hold his quarters. A story has been told, frequently, of a Black Ranch on the prairies, which is surrounded by a fence of plank sixteen feet high, and assumed to be the retreat of the outlaws. But { guess no one knows the truth of the matter.” “I’m not done with Tiger Track, yet, by a long shot!” oathed Legree. ‘‘The prize he stole from my cabin on Lent creek, ten years ago, must be re- | stored to me when I get a grip on the ruffian.” “The Tiger Track of ten years ago, and the Tiger Track of to-day cannot be the same,” suggested Jacob Toleman, “for the claimant of the title to- day is represented to be scarcely more than a youth. Yet his skillin handling his men in a fight, proves that he must have been under the training of the older outlaw, who took the field shortly after our band broke up and scattered.” “Tt matters not. I b’lieve thet Agnes Wagner is still in the power of the Tiger Track outlaw band, and if evyer God sees fit ter t her in the power of Boover Legree, she'll find that she has a hard task- master in the man she scornfully refused ere she be- came Wild Walt’s wife.” “That has been a matter of long standing, Le- gree, and I marvel that you still remember it!” “IT shen’t ferget my dges till dirt’s piled on top o’ me!”’ replied the ruffian trader, savagely. Two days passed by in the snow-bound northward. The weather was biting cold, and the snow still remained upon the oceanlike savannas, a winding- sheet for nature. The winter had set in, in dead earnest, to all appearances, and it was to be a severe one. Very few hunters or trappers ventured far beyond their respective shelters, and matters on the plains were temporarily at a standstill. Only Jay Toleman had summoned up courage to venture forth into the wilderness of snow, giving as his reason that he had a “ gang” of traps oud, upon the South Fork, which must be looked after. On the second day after Christmas, the border- ruffian trader, Boover Legree, mounted his horse, and rode down over the heavy crust to Gencral Maynard's. 6 often made it a part of his business to call at the farm-house and chat with the pretty May May- nard, although his visits were ever unwelcome to the | general and his daughter. But, as be had never shown eny of his villainous or disagreeable nature in their presence, and was as polite and gentlemanly as could be expected, his visits had been tolerated, for, being an influential man upon the border, the general was not desirous of crossing bim. To-day, one of the keenest, frostiest cf the prevail- ing cold snap, the trader found May Maynard alone in the cosey parlor, the general having ridden over to the fort, on business, May was looking her loveliest in a stylish suit of some delicate brown material, with more color than usual to her chesks, and a brighter luster in her hazel eyes. Gazing at her—at her lovely sylph-like form, her ey carriage, and her pretty face, half framed by her falling wealth of sunny hair, one could but be impressed with the glory of Ler budding womanhood. leading into the parlor: he was contrasting her ex- arg beauty and wealth of personal charms with ver, but didn’t get | him, please say quickly, for I shall have to excuse myscif from entertaining any one to-day.” ‘Well, ‘tain’t much I've got ter say 0’ ther chap,” Lesree replied, cat cloner. “Ye sec how it was. He got shot afore he kim in hayr, an’ he’s layin’ at ther precipice o’ death now in may old trappin’ cabin up on ther Clay Bottom stream. He’s give up ther ghost, and sent me fer ter tell ye, = ne wants ye ter come; and so forth, and so orth!” “What! Gold Rifle dying, and asking for me, Mr. Legreer’’ May exclaimed, in great agitation. ‘“ Im- possidle!” “*Tain’t impossible, no sech a thing, my lady, I jest cum frum there, only apee fer a minnit at the settlenfent. He has bin *fer you fer over half a day, sayin’ as how he had an important secret ter confide ter ye.” “Where is thoscobin? Could you direct me to it?” “No, fer ye’d soon get lost in ther wilderness of snow. But, ef )o. ll accept my escort, I'll soon have you at ther bey 908 bedside.” May arose from her seat and paced to and fro across the soft carpet a few moments in greatest perplexity of mind. She was half-inclined to believe that Legree wes lying to her—that his ny ade only an invention by which to entice her away from home into his villaii ous toils, es Her father had often warned her of him, and bade her not to trust bim in the slightest, and as she thought of these warnings, she resolved to resist, and not believe his story. y “If only on Christmas day you were Gold Rifle’s bitter enemy, how comes it that you are sent by him on this mission?’ she asked, stopping short, and gazing sharply at the trader. tage flushed, and shifted uneasily in his chair. ‘ Naas} you see—" he began; then stopped he stern glance of as he caught ay’s eyes. : “Enough!” she said, with a contemptuous laugh. “Do not imperil the future of your soul by lying any further. I know your little game, now, Legree Gold Rifle is no doubt in safe quarters, ere this, and as for your deliberate lie it has utterly failed. We have been warned that you would show your cloven foot, and it has now come forth. There, Boover Le- gree, is the door through which youcame, You will please take your departure through it.” “No, my pretty dove, I'll do potbing of the kind at resect! the trader replied, with a fiightiul leer. ‘Since you've found me out, ly, we may as weil become better acquainted. When f leave itis ’ere ranch, I’m goin’ ter fetch you along wiih nel” “Don’t you dare to lay a hand en ne, vidain, I | am in my father’s house, and I command you to | leave instantly, cr I will call the servants, aud have | eyes. you forcibly ejected.” “ Ha! ha! ha!’ ar.d Legree laughed loudly—“ that’s pretty well done, Miss Maynard. Your vocaticn should be that of an actress. Why, to my own knowledge, you do not keep servants other than that Yankee, Hempcrhill, who is as green asa cabbag»- leaf, aud a raw Irishman who knows enough to get up hash, and that’s ull. Do you for one mcment in\- agine that I have the least fear for them? If so, you are mistaken. I can lick both of them at a time.” “Thon, shure, an’ ye'll be doin’ what_ ye niver Cid before!’ exclaimed a voice, and the Irish ccok, Pat Dolan, stepped iito the ;.arler, with a grin cf delig!.t at an anticipated ¢fay. ‘‘ Allow me ter interdooce mesilf to yez, Mister Legree—I’m Patrick Dolan, late- ly from the ould counthiy—sacred Le its name.” Legree started to his icet with an oath, as he be- held a brawny incivici al, fully as heavy as himseli, and a man evideutly of true grit. Dolan was a representative Irishman, with the peculiar exprcssion of Hibernia written all over his countenance, and the intelligent Irish sparkle in his He was not a bandsome n an, yct possessed. a kindly bearing which would Lave won him friends ; . | almost anywhere. And the evil eyes of Boover Legree were fastened | gonna’, upon her while she sat at the piano, as | 1e stood for a moment unobserved in the doorway | at of the woman whom he had mentioned in the | t presence of the Tolemans—Agnes Wagner. “She is a fine woman and the possessor of beauty | which is rarely found. Ah! but I'd give a king’s ransom to possess her, and make her furnish light | to ‘my cloudy old heart. And, what’s to binder?” and here a devilish glitter darted into the ruffian’s | eyes, “ what’s to hinder? Maybe I can win her con- | sent, and I have the plan all ready. Once I get = Pp my power, Agnes Wagner can go to the evil,”’ The villain stood several moments, gloating over his intended victim, then stepped boldly into the room. May wheeled around with a little scream, as she heard his heavy tread, her face grown suddenly le, . “Oh, Mr, Legree, is it you? Youfrightened me by your abrupt coming, t i gz. ” “Eh? frightened ye, my dove?” the trader said softly, ashe took a seat near the piano. “TI got lonesome up at the settlement, and so ventured down here, where it is pleasant. Besides, I have a mission of mercy to fulsill, Ha! ha! Sounds strange, does it og hear an old tough like me ta’kin’ uv mercy? Well, ye see, I’ve got a heart after all, an’ hain't quite so as I’m cracked up to be. Ye re- member that feller we war after Christmas—ther one wi’ the Gold Rifle?” Yes! yes! What of him?’ May demanded eager- ly, “Iwas just thinking of him when you came in, wonder'ng if—” “Tf what?” ‘Oh, no matter what! What you have to say of “You see I am not unprotected, ycu ruffian!” May cried, triumphantly. me!” ‘““Arreh! an’ it’s yersilf as spakes the swate truth now!" a:sured Pat, advancing. ‘Shure, an’ has the dirts.y cmadhaun bin a-givin’ ye any o’ his slack, me lily?” “Yes, Pat, he has been threatening to carry me off, and I have ordered him to leave Re house, but he refuses to £0." “Ah! thin [ll make him go, me little shamrock. Shure, an’ ef the Yankee has got the character, te- dad Pat Dolan has got the Irish arm, an’ out goes the spalpeen av a blackguard.” Aud flourishing a club in 1 is hand, the impetuous son of the Emerald Isle sprung toward Legree, who was evidently waiting for him. But the club was of no use, for in a moment the two men were in a bear-like hug, waltzing here cnd there over the carpet, Pat endeavoring to work the trader out into the hall and thence out of doors, _ But Legree was a man of great strength, and be bent all his energy in trying to crush his ady .- sary. Bat however was made like iron, and all the effc >! of the trader were for a time unavailing, ‘Och! ye murderin’ shnake!’’ roared Pat, prime in his glory, “Ill show ye how they trate yer kind over at Ballyrack, on their ould soil. Shure, it’sscre heads I've given many & bla’guard, an’ I've not lost the twist o’ me wrist yit. Hooray, is thet yer style? —as Le; made an attempt to bite—‘ och! I a no hog that would be after bitin’, Redacent, an’ I kape up this jig ontill yer heart ‘3 sore as the nose av —~e ne Me Around and around, twisting and squ the two men went for several momenta: pb pel by a dexterous movement jerked away his Jef and dealt Pat a blow in the forehead that felled him “Delan will fight for
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to the floor. Then the ruffian, with an oath, sprung toward May, who had retreated in affright. “Now, you little tigress, I'll have you without—” “A doubt!” finished a voice, and the trader was suddenly confronted by the stalwart form of Josh Hemperhill, and a pair of cocked revolvers, “Without a doub , Mister Legree. Oh! ye needn't look—et’s me, ef Tam as green as a cabbage leaf. Now, sir, you git, or Iswow ter breeches ef I don’t sock et er youfer kill, Iain’t a-foolin’, nuther, so you git /” With a frightful oath Legree turned and walked out into the hall, an expression of malignant hate upon his countenance, “ Remember, May Maynard, Iam not through with you, yet, nor you either, you accursed Yank!’ he eried, as he left the house, mounted his horse and rode away. Josh returned to the parlor and found Dolan just crawling to his feet, with a wry expression of coun- tenance. “The bla’ guard—the spalpeen—where is he?’ was the demand. “T put him out, Pat, darned ef I didn’t! Jest as easy as chawin’ cheese. Ye're a good fighter, Pat but thar’s one essential ye sadly lack, an’ that’s good solid basis character !”’ CHAPTER V. INTO THE WILDERNESS—JOSA’S POWER. For several days after Legree’s ejection from the Maynard farm-house, things moved along in their own channel, Little was done outside of the old general’s quar- ters, for he was a humane man, and not the one to cause either man or beast to labor out in the bitter cold and freezing weather which prevailed. So that during this time of little-to-do, eccentric, uncouth Josh Hemperhill had plenty to occupy his time within the farm-house, for he paid Miss May the strictest attention, aud in hisown way tried hard to make a successful courting. Also, he was busied in mace a weather cre upon his rival, the Irish- man, lest he should plant a seed of fascination in the eye of Miss Maynard. And so it happened that the two men-servants were quite a bore to poor May, whose maiden tastes and ideas took quite another channel from them, and, although she had not the heart to offend by re- sisting the ridiculous protestations of Josh’s love, or the little gallantries of Pat Dolan, she was often NOVEL LOCOMOTIVE thoroughly disgusted with them. In one of these unenviable frames of mind, she appiied to her father, the white-haired old general, or A * Well, me my on deary,”’ the old man said with a smile, “I know what you are to do, I am sure, unless you send Josh away for awhile, on some pretext or other; for I do not wish to offend the poor fellow, he having done me several good turns. The crazy loon would do almost anythin for you, 1 betieve, and you might send him o somewhere for awhile, and V’ll order Dolan not to show his visage outside of the kitchen, I see by the barometer at the Fort, and a telegram from the weather bureau at Washington, that oursevere cold weather is virtually over, although we may be troubled with snow.” “Very well; [ll send Josh away then,’ May re- plied, brightening up and hurrying away toward the servants’ quarters. ‘I’m sure it would be a great relief to me to escape his ardor. And then, | have just a capital idea how to dispose of him, and kill two birds with one stone.” The day being a moderate one, with a smiling sun, she resolved to have Josh start at once, and hunted him sn in the pantry, where he was inno- cently engaged in stowing away a half of one of Pat’s New Year mince pies, with evident huge delight to think that he was “‘hitiing one,’ at the ‘“ blarsted Trisher,”” Calling him one side, with a roguish glitter of fun in the expression of her hazel eyes, May approached him on her proposed plan. “Josh, you have quite.a notion of liking me, hav- t B ty “Eh? why, bless yer heart, yes, Miss May. Iswow to gracious ef ye didn’t cum near takin’ the breath ear away frum me.” “That is because you were appropriating Dolan’s jes, Josh, which is very wrong ow would you ike to have me bake pies for you to eat, Josh?” “Oh! Jerusalem! wouldn't that be O. K.?” and the Yankee’s face lighted up with a beaming grin. ‘ You don’t meanit, fer sartin, do ye, Miss May?” ““Why shouldn't I, Josh? You’rea great good fel- low, and ought to have all the pies you could eat. You know the Fourth of July isn’t a great ways off!" 4 Fact, by Jimminy. Hedn’t luked thet fer ahead, ‘et “ And the glorious Fourth is an auspicious day for Celebration of the nuptials of a happy pair, Josh?” “ Hey—how’s that, Miss May?” “Tsay, the 4th of July is a happy occasion for one to get spliced.”’ “Whew! Jewhitaker Jewsharps solider than a brick there, Miss May.’ és,and {see you appreciate my candor, Josh. Not many young ‘ladies would exchange all these little confidences, but I believe that pond do almost any Cains for mie, as you seem to love me—and— and— “So I do—so I would, Miss May—sure’s Methodist preachin’ ar’ full o’ glory. Lordy! Miss May, ''m a yaan of character—ther solid double basis, dupiex article—an’ I'd wade through fire an’ blood for yer sweet sake.” g **Oh, no, Josh!"’—with a little outburst of merri- ment—“ I don’t want you to wade through anything yes. Ye’re Gold Rifle. — 5 but snow. Now, will you promise me to do mea several occasions, scouted about and fetched in valu- | able information tothe fort. Consequently he had favor?” ‘On course 1 will, Miss May—anything mind to ask. I’m allus a generous chap, ef Iam a leetle bit green. Thar were ther hull Hemperhill family, down ter old Nebuchadnezzar himself, who war noted for their generosity—old Neb once giv his right hand away ter an’ old maid named Jones, an’ she died an’ left him a fortin’ 0’ a milyun. Yer see ther streak o’ character dated back ter ther Antedi- luve itself.” “Yes, Josh; and now I tell you what Till ask of you, You remember the young fellow you brought here—Gold Rifle?” * Yes, Lreckon. What o’ him?” “Well, I want you to go and hunt him up, and de- liver to him a note which I shall give you. You may have to be absent a week, or even a month, before you find him; but after that you can have a whole winter to yourself in his company. With your wea- ~— you can supply yourself with food, and have olly sport.”’ : “Vex, Miss May; but sense I’ve got a hankerin’ arter you, I kinder hate ter go away.” *“ Pooh! Don’t be a baby now, or I shall say you've lost your character, Josh.” “Phen I'll go, Miss May, darned if I won’t! W’en e sling a shot at my character, like ther Hemper- bins of the olden time, I'm on my muscle.” So it was arranged that Josh should depart at once, and he was furnished with a fine equipment, consist- ing of a fur-trimmed suit of buck-skin, a Sharpe’s army rifle, pistols, knife, hatchet, snow-shoes and cooking utensils, and by the time he was ready to start, he had a horse-load of traps. Best of all, he was supplied with numerous articles of food, among which were several of the coveted pies, which Dolan had spent time in preparing for New Year's, now but two days distant. . Then mounting his horse, Josh bade a sorrowful adieu to the farm-house, and its occupants, all ex- cept Pat, to whom he gave a parting scowl, and set out over the white prairie into the western wilder- ness. May Maynard had some doubts about sending him adrift in mid-winter, for it seemed cruel to her, but when assured by the general that Josh was a good shot, and not the one to either starve or freeze, she felt better, and her young heart beat faster, and a lit- tle beauty-flush came upon her cheek as she thought of Kit Wagner, the Gold Rifle, and the surprise that | would be his on the reception of her sealed note, | which it was Josh’s business to deliver. And Josh, as he rode away further and further into the snow-bound wilderness, wore rather a grum ex- pression of countenance. ‘*Neow et jest lucks to me Jike a kind uv a fraud!” he wey i ap shutting one eye, obliquely. “I swow ef I don’t b'lieve thet Miss May’s jest bin a- humbuggin’ me, ter git rid o’ me. But mebbe I ain’t right. Leasthow et looks crooked thet she'd want me to kerry a billy-doo ter thet aire Gold Rifle chap, ef she keers a plug o’ terbaccy fer Josiah Hemperhill.” The snow over which the Yankee directed his course, was formed into a heavy crust, capable of safely bearing | the weight of a horse;* it was easy traveling and there was chance to make good progress. Josh, however, with a bitter doubt tugging at his honest heart-strings, was in no hurry to return to the farm-house, from which he had been banished in so neat a manner. “Tl hunt up thet Gold Rifle an’ keep my agree- ment with Miss May, anyhow,” he muttered, “fer thet'll add ter ther strength o’ my character. Ill bet a copper thet Miss May’s laughin’ in her sleeve, now; but, sech is life, as old unkle Nebuchadnezzar used ter say, when he corraled bugs on his pum’kin vines. An’ thar’s thet blarsted Llrisher, too—hain’t got no more character’n a lame gander, an’ he’s rinnin’, too, ter think he’s got ther hull field ter imself! But, I'll bet Miss May ‘ll set back his im- perdence, fer I still b'lieve she hain’t got eyes fer no one else but me.” Knowing that not enough snow had fallen since Christmas to obliterate a trail, Josh decided to re- a to the little valley in which Gold Rifle had de- uched from the secret passage, and here there were chances that he could strike a trail that would eventually bring him up to the sharpshooter. After about a half-hour’s ride he descended into the valley in question, and found a faint horse-trail sure enough, loading from the vicinity of the pas- sage along the valley to the westward. * That’s Gold Rifle's trail, kerect,’’ Josh muttered, running his eye along the valley, “‘but the next thing ar’ ter foller it. Ef it doan’t play out, 'liswow “i don’t foller it, an’ overtake Mr. Gold Rifle in a jiffy.’ On looking at the sun he saw that it was declinin toward the western horizonrapidly, but he resolvec to push on and accomplish what distance he could before night came on, for the open prairie was a poor bivouac-place, and he pone’ to reach some conve- nient motte of timber in time to camp. Therefore he rode onthrough the clear sparkling winter’s afternoon, never deviating from the plain trail which the hoof-strokes of Gold Rifle’s horse had made upon the crust, riding at a swift gallop, as he had done. Although Josh had been but @ year in the Far West, mingling among its strange men, he had picked up a considerable smattering of prairie and woodcraft. He knew an Indian sign when he saw it, and had, on * Dakota perers remark upon the thickness and strength of the snow-crust during the mid-winter of which we write. Upon the plains its like was never known even by the oldest hunters and trappers. | directed by the snow trail. e’re a | less fear in going into the wilderness than though he had no experience. But now, as he rode along, his mind would back to the Maynard farm-house, and to the conclu- sion that he had been designedly banished from the light of May Maynard's beautiful eyes. “Et’s a durned, doggoned shame,”’ he muttered, ‘“‘an’ I'll tell Miss May so, see’f I don’t. She orter hev hed sum respects fer a feller’s feelin’s, even ef I did kum frum Varmont., Reckon I’m as good as any gineral’s darter, ef I am green and gawky. Thar war old Saltpeter Hemperhill, fer instance, who in hes boyhood war calkylated to be as gawky as they make ’em. But thet ar’ feller had ther true solid basis character, and darned ef he didn’t rise up ter be trustee o’ ther Skimmerville school—an’ now they do purtend ter say he’s runnin’ for Con- gress. So much fer character.” Following the course of the valley for a couple of hours, Josh then ascended to the level prairie, still This he followed as rapidly as possible, and just at dusk sighted a motte of cottonwood timber ahead, which promised shelter for the night. He was considerably fatigued, and without thought of danger, he rode briskly forward and entered the woodland, where but little snow had fallen upon the — although the branches and boughs were eavily laden with the flakes. Dismounting in a well-protected spot, the Yankee turned his horse at liberty, and began making pre- parations for an evening campfire, when he was sud- denly and rudely interrupted. There was a chorus of savage yells, and he was quickly seized, thrown to the earth, and bound hand and foot. As quickly as he could collect his seatter- ed senses, he looked around, and discovered that he was in the power of a band of red-skins, some twenty in number, who wore war-paint upon their faces, and were of a savage, repulsive aspect. Moreover, Josh saw by their head-dress, and the fancy carving upon their cheeks, that they were braves of the Sioux nation. Without offering any verbal explanation, the red- skins dragged their victim along through the wood- land by the heels, taking extra pains to take all the stones and stubs in their path. At last they reached a temporary Indian encampment of seven an and Josh was placed, under guard, by a roaring camp-fire. : In the course of an hour he was visited by a 1 portly chief, accompanied by nearly_the whole camp. The chief was well known to the Yankee, for he had once participated in a hunt for the big war- _ of the Sioux nation; and this chief was Sitting Bull. A fugitive from the Black Hills country, there were months when his whereabouts were really un- known, and these months were spent in dodgin among the motte-islands of the great savannas 0 northern Dakota. bi Wagh! Sitting Bull has seen the white Yankee before,” the chief said, a sudden wave of recognition passing over his grim countenance, so horrible in its decorative paint. ‘“‘ He chased the Sioux warriors from the fort, ere the snows of winter made the plains white. Sitting Bull does not forget.” ““No, ye’re darned right!’ Josh retorted, with a grin, as he thought of the mentioned occasion. “Ye’re durned right, old Chair-bottomer. An’ now thet ye’ve got me,I calkylate ye'll be after skulpin’ me, or roastin’ me?” “No! Sitting Bull has even a better sport for his warriors. A wild young buffalo bull has been cap- tured, and shall take the Yankee toward the setting sun. Sitting Bull has said it.” A long lariat was fastened about Josh’s feet, and he was again dragged through the timber—this time to where the western side of the motte met the prairie. Here the lariat was fastened to the hind legs of an untamed bull, and Josh was ready for rapid transit. Only about ten yards of rope intervened between him and the heels of the bull, and things promised to be mutually interesting. The whole encampment of savages had by this time gathered upon the prairie, and at a signal from Sitting Bul, there was a wild chorus of savage screeches, and the young buill gave a snarl of terror, and plunged madly away into the night, out over a boundless expanse of prairie, and dragging poor Josh ruthlessly along in the rear. CHAPTER VL HUNTING THE BLACK RANCH. Own over the wintry plain pinsaed the terrified young buffalo, with snorts and bellows, and at every ound of the strong young animal poor Josh was jerked along, at a terrible speed—now on his back, and then on his belly, in and out of hollows, over hummocks, and through bushes—it seemed that his infuriated war-horse would never stop. In vain he endeavored to sit up long enough to grasp the rope with his hands, which were now free, but each time he was jerked back, and subject to the agony of his wild ride. It was fortunate that the snow-crust covered most of the rough spots over which they went, or he could not have retained his consciousness, during the first ten minutes of his journey. But, despite the snow, his clothes were torn and his skin blistered. The moite island encampment of Sitting Bull and his warriors was left far behind, and the buffalo was heading due westward toward a long line of timber | that grew upon the shores of the little Adder.
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6 Although it was a dark night, the groundwork of white had the effect to make objects at a consider- able distance visible to the naked eye; hence, Josh discovered their approach to the timber when they were yet some distance away, and was now assailed with double fears for his personal safety. Of course, should the bull attempt to pass through the timber, all hope of his escaping alive was lost; to be dragged along through the timber would be al- most instant death. Nearer and nearer to the timber thev approached, and Josh's hair began to stand on end at the pros- ct ahead of him, when there was a sharp, ring- ang rifle report, a bellow of pain, and the bull went erashing forward to the ground, The impetus of the fall nearly jerked the wits out of Josh, but he soon recovered to find the buffalo Moundering in death-throes at his feet. With his unloosened hands he soon had his feet at Liberty, and rose to gaze around him. He was not a hundred yards from the edge of the timber, and yet he could see nothing of the where- abouts of any person from whom the death-shot might have come. The bullet had struck the buffalo in the lower part of the neck, and penetrated to the rt. “Waal, I'm ther luckiest cuss afoot, darn my socks ef I ain’t!” Josh muttered, finding that his strong Sharpe’s army rifle was still lashed to his back, and his belt weapons allintact. “‘ Reckon all I'm tacking ar’a hoss an’ grub, an’ I swow ef I’m goin’ back ter ther general's, ontil Miss May gits luv- sick over me, and sends fer me ter cum back ter her arms. No, siree; thar’s too much o’ ther old Nebu- ehadnezzar Hemperhill solid basis character in me, fer that. Uli bet ther gal’s a-sobbin’ after me now, these females are so capricious, unless—unless that h-darned [risher is puttin’ on his graces. Blast ™%&, why didn’t they send him out hayr, too?” “*Because two o’ a kind is to much even fer geod nature to tolerate!” ee a pleasant voice, and a handsome form loomed up through the dark- ness. “Helio! I'll be jugged ef et ain’t the Yankee, Josh!” And no less a personage than Gold Rifle advanced to the side of the dead bull! “Yes, an’ yer thet Gold Rifle chap I’m huntin’ fer!” cried Josh, witha broad grin of delight. ‘* How @ye do, anyhow? I'm as tickled ter see ye as I would be ter see my hoss, w'ich I left back heer in ther hands of old Chair-bottomer—Sittin’ Bull.”’ “Ah! then it is to the red-skins you owe this Fide, eh?’ and a smile illuminated Gold Rifle’s face. “J thought so, when I heard you coming. I knew Sitting Bull was somewhere around on the plains, bat was ignorant of his exact whereabouts. But, whatever brought you out here so far from the 9” * Jestin search fer you!” Josh grunted, with a geowl, as he thought of May Maynard and the Irish- man. ‘‘ Ye see, Miss May sent me fer ter fetch ye a letter, an’ she’s goin’ ter marry me next Fourth o’ July.” «What, Miss Maynard marry you, Josh?” “On course she is! I swow ef I ain’t ther luckiest %eoon in this kentry. Promised me this very morn- im’, afore we parted.” “Get out! You shouldn’t take what she says to heart, Josh! She’s only foolin’ ye, I guess,” “Darnation, no! She's legitimately engaged ter me, an’ we're goin’ ter hev frostin’ an’ firecrackers en ther weddin’-cake. An’ ef she tries ter go back on me, I'll sue her fer britches o’ promise, 1 swow ef I won't.” “Well, I wish you much joy already, Josh!” Gold Riitle said, with a smile. ‘ But you say Miss Maynard sent a message. Come along to my camp ie yonder wood, and let me have it.” Accordingly the young sharpshooter led the way ever the prairie toward the gloomy line of timber, and Josh limped after him as fast as he could, for he was decidedly stiff from his rapid ride over the prairie. Never in all his boyhood’s coasting experi- ce, had he riddea so fast over the snow with noth- ing between him and the snow but his clothing. It was something novel in its way, yet quite uninterest- ine to the person concerned. They soon arrived at Gold Rifle’s camp, which was pitched in under the shelter of the timber, and eontiguous to the bank of a medium-sized stream, kmown as the Little Adder. A fire was burning brichtly within a lodge of buffalo-skins, and it was a welcome sight to hali-frozen Josh, “Here we are!’ Gold Rifle cried, as they entered the cheery lodge, where was warmth and the odor ef cooking meat. “Now give me the letter from Miss Maynard, and you can warm and repair dam- eres," wr Hocae ter me ye’re in an awful hurry ter git a letter frum one ye ain’t got no claim to,” grumbled Josh, takiag off one of his serviceable cow-hide boots, and producing a crumpled envelope. ‘ Thar i¢ %s, but I give ye ter understand thet ther gal ain't yeurs, no more’n the name o’ Hemperhill is.” “*No, of course not,’ Gold Rifle replied, receiving the note, and tearing it carefully open, thinking the while of the sweet and pretty daughter of the gene- ral, who had helped him to escape, and whom he was with, in thought, constantly. "The note was penned in a delicate, graceful hand, am} ran as follows, with the heading of date, place, ete. “ Win. WAGNER: “Dear Sir—I send you this note by our man-ser- vant, Josh Hemperhill, with the request that he will a@cliver it safely to you. In it I wish to make my- eet so bold as toextend you an invitation to a s0- ein) gathering which will take place at our quarters om the 16th of January, that being the eighteenth amaiversary of my birth. Your presence would be Beadle’s Half-Dime’ Libra & source of muck pleasure to father and myself. Josh you can keep with you until you pay us the desired visit. Very truly yours, ‘*May MAYNARD.” A flush of joy stole over Gold Rifle’s face as he rused the above—joy because of the honor con- erred upon him by the Maynards, and because he was given the opportunity to call upon and form a more thorough acquaintance with pretty May than had _ thus far been his privilege. “Tl go!” was his instant resolve, ‘‘ and have a good time. If between now and then I can not clear myself of being Tiger Track, it is curious. 1 have oe by gay thing pretty well seasoned for cooking already.” “Waal!” growled Josh, as the young sharp- shooter slipped the note into his pocket—‘‘ what did my gal write ter ye, Cap? ’S’pect she guv ye an invite ter our weddin’, eh?” “She give an invitation to a birthday gather- ing, Josh, the sixteenth of next month. To-mor- row is the first—New Year’s. And I mean to make the moments count too.” ‘Ye don’t say?—an’ did she put in any kisses or luv poetry fer me?” ‘“Nary, Josh! She said you was to remain with me, until I get ready to £5 back to the general’s. So now, you've got to follow the trail I lead, for the next two weeks.” “All right. I’m ther chap as kin do it, ef I do say so. swow ter breeches ef I don’t believe I could outwalk ye!” “T haven’t the least doubt of it, Josh. But we won't try. Now, then, it is peneg ony ft that you should know my business, as we are to be together. Look at this, and you will understand my calli here upon the prairies;"’ and palling aside a strip o: the fur with which his buck-skin suit was ornament- ed, the firelight glanced upon a plate badge of solid gold, with a star in the center, and an inscription on he plate, in beautiful design, which read: U. 8. GOVERNMENT, TO C. A. WAGNER, In recognition of faithful services as a detective spy. Upon the other edge was an inscriptive date— “March, 187—” “Waal, b gosh, ef ye ain’t one o’ them detective chaps!” Jos exclaimed, in astonishment. ‘* Who'd ever a-thought it? Thar war =~ old unkle Nebuch- adnezzar, who war once in thet line—uster set for a hull hour on a stretch, a-tryin’ ter detect w’ether mice got into ther srannery, or not." “Yes, Iam a detective,’ Gold Rifle confessed, *‘and my business here is to break up Tiger Track’s outlaw band, and clean out a certain nest of naa known as the Black Ranch—the stronghold of same Tiger Track, by the way.” ““Phew! ye don’t say so! Neow, why didn’t ye show yer cullers ter them galoots as war after ye, ther other rt “ That was because I did not care to have my busi- ness publicly known. When I do, I shall apply to Gen- eral Maynard for co-operation in exterminating the gang. believe there were men among those that er me, who are members of Tiger Track’s and.’ “Ye don’t say so! Waal! waal! an’ what are ye goin’ ter do, now, since you've added in a man like me, 0’ solid duplex basis character?” “Tam hunting for this Black Ranch. Very few upon the Dakota frontier know where it is, yet many strange stories are told of it, and the mysteries about it. It is said to be somewhere upon these prai- ries, but that a man might look for it a lifetime and not stumble upon it. et, I believe that Iam upon the trail of it, and hope to find it, ere long. You can accompany me, and may be of some aid.” The evening meal of roasted deer-meat was now served up, and both Josh and the young detective did it ample justice. The fire was then replenished with fuel, and they turned in for the night. Early on the following morning they were astir, and after eating what was left from the evening meal, Gold Rifle furnished two mustangs from a bough-shed, in the timber, and both he and Josh mounted and set off, Gold Rifle in the lead. He headed their course, after leaving the timber, due north, and rode rapidly, the crust holding up be- neath the strokes of the animals’ feet. Josh followed close behind, for, although he was large, awkward and clumsy, he was by no means a poor horseman, as Gold Rifle saw at once. About the middle of the forenoon they came ae a single trail, headed in a north-westerly direction. “A hese evidently several days old, and had partly ed up. ‘*Where do you ’spect thet aire trail leads ter?” asked Josh, as he drew rein alongside Gold Rifle, ** White or injun?” “White!” was the reply; ‘‘ don’t you see the horse was shod?” : *“Who’s been along heer?” “That I don’t know. If 1 knew who is absent from the settlement, I might better determine. Now, you see, the course we are following, I have no doubt is the true one to the Black Ranch, and yet this other trail probably leads there, too. Now, you must follow one, and I'll take the other.” It was accordingly arranged that Josh should fol- low the north-western trail, while Gold Rifle kept straight ahead. He rode rapidly, and in three hours came up with Josh, where the two trails merged into one. The north-western route was only a roundabout way, to throw off scent. “We have the straight trail ‘fore us now, eh?” Josh demaneed ry. “Yes, I should say so. If nothing haypens, we mer sight it before dark.”’ ey rode rapidly forward. | The formation of the prairie was now perfectly level for miles to come, and the snow-crust stout, so that they were enabled to make fair pro The afternoon wore away toward darkness; the sun sunk to a level with the ocean of white, and awa: to the north, on the crest of a prairie billow a dark speck grew visible to the searching gaze of the two horsemen. At first it was no larger than a pea; then it grew steadily until it had assumed and was gradu- ally assuming larger proportions, the further they advanced toward it. In half an hour they were near enough to define a at barn-like edifice upon the towering crest of a distant prairie billow, surrounded by a high fence of plank. And Gold Rifle gave vent to a shout of joy, and drew Se as he beheld all this, motioning Josh to stop, also. that’s the Black Ranch and stronghold of Tiger Track, undoubtedly,” he said, “and that is all we want to know at present. The next thing is to find a hiding-place, for I’m satisfied we’ll have a chance to fight outlaws, soon!” CHAPTER VII. A BOY IN CAMP—A STORY OF MAMMA AND THE BLACK U: the day foll ing Gold Rif pon the day follo r3) e’s discovery of the Black Ranch upon the prairie, an Indian conn made its way to the settlement, and came toa halt on the village square. It was not rider] for a boy of some six or seven years, well wrap furs, was seated astride of the saddle. One by one the villagers were attracted to the spot, and gathered around the lad with the greatest curi- osity. Ata glance the waif did not belong either at the fort or settlement, yet here he was, alone and unaccompanied; and from whence did he come? He was fat and chubby of his age, with a stolid boyish face, a firm-set mouth, peculiar to see in one so young, and eyes as black as coal, and having the een + the d “wer - e not appear to htened, as gradually a crowd gathered around rime but, rather, peommed 40 watch the men with interest, singling out, with the wonderful intuition of childhood, the faces that were good and those which were evil. At first the villagers were at a loss what to do, but finally an old trapper broke the ice by approaching ed ttle stranger, and beginning a series of ques- ons. “Well, my little man, who are you?” was the first interrogative. ** I'm Jack!” was the reply, without any show of bashfulness; and, too, it was apparent, that the lit- tle fellow was intelligent beyond his age. ** Jack, eh? Well, what else—Jack what?” “Dunno!”’ was the reply. “Don’t know where a live, do you?” ** Yes, I do—at the Black Ranch. Mamma is there —be'n very sitk but gettin’ better. Mamma’s a very nice woman.” ** As you are evidently a nice little fellow, who is your mamma?” “*Mamma’s my mamma, sir.”’ “ Of course, you little man, but what is your mam- ma’s name?” ey do in this there?” The boy hesitated, and looked thoughtfully ore'Dunno what th do—lots of “ Dunno what they do—lots of men; more’n i here,” he replied, at length. ‘ Men got pid Da he ‘What does your mamma do, boy?” “Mamma she lays to bed most all day an’ cries, an’ at night they lock here up in the room.” “Ha! what is this, you little cuss?” cried a gruff voice, and Jacob Téleman pushed forward, ex- itedly. “Hell and furies! How'd you ever get this far away from home?” and the ruffian trader laid a heavy re aa the waif’s arm, and he began to ery, in . Mold stop, there, Jacob Toleman!” cried an au- thoritative voice, and General Maynard rode for- bench ’ bee —_ , you wean, or fil have you ‘al res and pu rons, t right ou hands on that boy?” a : “The right of a protector and guardian—the right of a, aera ‘de = e “Oh! I dare say you know all aboutit. But we will not trust to yas testimony in this case. ‘The child is too young to know the meaning of a lie, and we will belisve him in preference to you, whom we all know so well, Step aside, sir, and let me questiou e a At first Toleman hesitated, end wag in to disobe ‘ bay A bende cinta d hed Pad general's aa had e effec’ m him ; eral then rode closer to the winter-waif. sheik “Your name is Jack, eh, little fellow?" “Yes, sir.”
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I ae —_> i iy f | * And your mamma's name—” “Dunno; fordot.’’ “She isa prisoner in the Black Ranch?” * Yes, sir.” } “Do you know this man?’’ pointing out the elder Toleman. “Yes. He bad man! He comes and say very bad, wicked words to mamma, dat make her cry.” “Ha! and ‘is there any one else here among this crowd, whom you have seen at the Black Ranch?” ‘*No!” replied the boy, after a glance around. “Tiger Track he’s very Baa to mamma, so she git Injun to send me off here. I fought o’ mamma’s name, now. It is Mamma Mabel!” General Maynard started violently in his saddle, and gazed eagerly at the boy. * What! what! Mabel—Mabel what, boy?’ and the veteran was terribly excited. “§S ! what is the remainder of your mother’s name?” “T don’t know!’ the boy replied, growing fright- ened. ‘“‘ Name jest Mamma Mabel!” ‘*Mabel! Mabel! my God, can it be ible!’ Gen- eral Maynard muttered, running his hand across his eyes. ‘Gentlemen ’’—turning to the curious crowd, “T believe that I am on the eve of a discovery that will enlighten me concerning a lost one who has been dead to me for the last ten years. I therefore claim the right to this boy, until I learn more defi- nitely what I wish to know. Are you willing I shall take him with me?” “ Ay! ay!” was the rousing shout in concert, for the general was highly respected by the large share of the settlers. ‘‘ The boy is yours.” ‘** And, my men, I may call upon you to assist in attacking this unknown nest of the outlaws, the Black Ranch. Can I rely u : nm your se “ Ayl ! gen ” was the eager response. iz Were with ~ ave heart and soul.”’ Then General Maynard rode away toward his farm-house, leading the horse which bore Master Jack, by his side. When they arrived at the farm-house, little Jack was taken to the ee, where May gave him a lov- ing welcome, and before an hour had passed he was quite at home, although he occasionally mentioned “mamma,” which showed that she, whoever she was, had a deep hold upon his childish affection. Nothing was said on the subject to the boy, but May and the General had a long talk about her and the Black Ranch. “Tt is undoubtedly my Mabel,” the old man said, bowing his head in his hands, “* who has been lost to me these twenty years. Poor Mabel! to think that she is languishing in a barbarous prison, when she might be here, a comfort to my declining years.” “And who is this Mabel?” May Maynard asked, i heen interest. “You never told me of her hereto- ore. “ Because I did not wish to bring up the past. May, you little know ail the disgraceI have suffered in my V bre years, and 1 may as well give you a brief of the story, to-day. Mabel was my first and a Don’t start, my dear, for I will ex- plain about you, by and by. Mabel, as I said, was my first daughter and also my only child by mar- pine bo Her mother died upon giving birth to her, and Mabel was placed under the charge of a compe- tent nurse. During the succeeding seventeen years, I must confess that I was little with my child; war to- gether with a multitude of other matters, kept me away for a most part of the time. Yet I had a handsome home on the Hudson, which Ihad inheri- ted, and was able to rear my child in luxury and give her all the advantages of education. At the age of seventeen she was the belle of her social cir- cle, and I a to entertain hopes of her making an eligible mate “About this time I saw a chance for gigantic speculations in Western railroads, and disposing of all my eastern property, moved away to this country. And it was the curse of my life, for in three short months I had no daughter, she having secretly wedded a man of questionable character, and had fled. I heard afterward that he became thé chief of a band of robbers. For the recovery of my child I searched and toiled until the outbreak of the great war between the North and the South; then havi not to deter me, I rejoined the a and fough until victory was ours, and I had attained the hon- ors of generalship, which, thank God, I never dis- graced. Just a year or two before the war I took roy enopees you as my own child, from the death- of a gallant old officer of the regular army, and have reared you under my name, as you were such an exact image of what my Mabelonce was. Your real name is May Faulkland, but you are welcome to mine own, until you make a choice of a husband, and may God grant that your choice be crowned with success. ‘Yes, dear ; but do you believe it possible that the Mabel of whoe this ite boy speaks, can be your poagnem daughter?” “Ye y, I do candidly believe that the prisoner of the Black Ranch, and my long-lost Mabel are the same. Indeed, the child, sander, bears a striking pesepablance to Mabel, as she looked when last I saw er,”” “ And, do you know, papa, there is another, whose features resemble those in yonder portrait—which is of your lost daughter, is it not?” “Yes, that is a correct portrait of Mabel; and to what other do you refer?” To the young man who was flying to escape the mob, on Christmas—Gold Rifle.” “Hal is that so? I did not notice, Iam sure®”’ Yes, I was struck at once with the resemblance between the two, but Idid not speak of it, as one often meets ns resembling each other who en- tertain not the slightest degree of relationship.” Gold Rifle. 7 “Well, if this is so, I should like to see the young man again, for he may indeed be the child of my daughter by her outlaw husband, for it seems to me that the name of Wagner is not foreign to my mem- ory. Whether or not I have heard it in connection with the name of my daughter’s husband, I do not know. After leaving home she was called Agnes. He changed his name, doubtless, after he became an outlaw.”’ “Well, what do you propose to doin this case, be- lieving that Mabel is indeed alive and in the mysteri- ous Black Ranch?”’ “Do? why I shall organize a company out of thé trappers and hangers-on at the settlement, and start to the rescue at once. And, while! think of it, *twould be a good plan to start at once, while Master Jack’s horse’s trail remains distinct. "No doubt by it, and the little fellow’s direction—for he is observant and as keen as a razor—we can find the den of outlaws without much trouble. And then we must take it/” ‘*Oh! t’would be glorious fun, papa!’’ May cried. with a zest. “I-should love to be along. Can h £0, please—can I? I can dress up in my male unting costume, and you know that I’m a capital shot. ay, I gor” “Yes, child, even though it may be to instant death, for I fear to leave you here alone and un- rotected, with two such heartless wretches hover- ing at the settlement, as Jacob Toleman and Boover Legree. Yes, get yourself and outfit in readiness, at once, for I shall start as soon as I can ride back to the settlement and equip my men.”’ “Why not take the soldiers, papa?” “Because they would be of little or no service in this kind of work, I want men who will know what 1 mean when I say fight/ Such are found among our hunters and scouts. As I said before, get your- self ready; arm yourself thoroughly, and provision and clothe yourself for a long siege, for it may be months ere we get back from our journey.” Then the general arose and left the — to order his horse, and May also hastened to her room to prepare for her expedition into the wilderness, which she was confident would be a source of great delight to her. For she was a lover of the ride and hunt and wild life incident to camping out; had on more than one occasion scoured the plains in search of game, and proven herself,an unerring shot. And it was a pleasurable thought to her, that, by going now, she might be able to do good to a suffering sister; then, too, *way down in her young heart there was the least bit of a hope that, in the path of their journey, they might run across the young sharpshooter, Gold Rifle. For the young hunter and scout was constantly on her mind, and haunted her dreams, until she had grown to listen expectantly for his footstep, and dream sweet dreams of him, in whose face there was so much that was noble. First of all she provided herself with and donned a semi-male hunting suit of buck-skin, which had done her service in many a prairie tournament, be- fore, and fitted her to perfection. Then she armed herself with a Sharpe’s mid-range rifle, and revolvers and knife. Her horse, a handsome bay animal was then brought around by Pat Dolan, and the saddle-bags equipped with a good stack of cold meats and other provision for the coming campaign. By the time all this was accomplished, the general arrived at the farm-house with twenty men whom he had enlisted in his service at the settlement. They were mostly trappers and fur-traders, a rough, but kindly-disposed band. The general had been careful in selecting his men, for he well knew that a great deal depended upon their skill and trustiness. A well-stocked larder ever being a fact in the May- nard mansion, the band were all provisioned there before starting, for little of the game kind was to be found for the searching in the snow-bound wilder- ness. At last everything was in readiness, and with the white-haired old general in the lead, and May by his side, leading the horse of little Master Jack, the cav- alcade set off over the snow-crust toward the Black Ranch—for General Maynard had secured the servi- ces of an old trapper who had seen the famous out- laws’ den, and was confident he could guide the party to it without any trouble. CHAPTER VIII. GOLD RIFLE’S DARING VENTURE—A TRAP THAT CAUGHT —FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS, From the Black Ranch, it would have been com- wl an easy matter to have detected the two orsemen as they stopped in full view upon a crest of white. Gold Rifle was well aware of this, and having but little doubt that their rash advance had y been discovered, he knew it would be neces- sary to hunt a place of refuge; hence his words at the conclusion of a late chapter. Glancing sharply around he sought and found a place which he knew would better answer their pur- pose, in case of an attack, than the open peer It was a small motte of a few scattering cottonwoods, which w around a buffalo wallow; yet it com- manded a view on all sides, and was the best cover to be had in the vicinity, “*If it were not that we are obliged to leave a snow- trail,’ the young detective said, as he and Josh made haste to take possession of the motte—“if it were not for this, we might evade the cusses yet.” “How d’ye kno’ they’ve seen us yet? was the Yankee’s demand, for he was one who believed in looking on the best side until it came to the worst. “TI don’t know for positive, but it looks very likely. You notice that there is a high tower rising from one corner of the Black Ranch? I have no doubt but that is a watch tower.” *“* Waal, mebbe yer right. But, what’s ther use o’ outlaws coming out heer? I swow ter breeches ef they ain’t foolish ter think o’ fightin’ men o’ solid basis character like me an’ you!” “Correct; but that makes no difference with them. They fight all men alike and I reckon they’re pretty rough customers to handle. Nor doI believe that they contine their depredations and doings alone to outlawry in this country. To me, itstands to reason that they could not exist upon the few pelts they capture and dispose of—they wouldn’t fetch more than enough to suply the gang with bad whisky. And, then, the surrounding expanse of territory fo; miles and miles offers no great inducement for raid- ingsand plunder. No, sir; there is a deeper some thing behind all this outlaw business, and I’m the one that is going to unravel the ball or bu’st, you hear me! Already I’ve got my mind glued onto the business, and I’m going through with it.” Turning their horses’ heads while they were con- versip bey rode away to the motte, and dismount- ed. ere the ground was less covered with snow, and with easily extemporized shovels of bark they soon had a large space cleared to earth on which to build a fireand camp. This operation piled the snow up around them so as to quite hide their camp, and kept off the err cutting wind, Gold Rifle had in his saddle-bags a picce of raw venison, yet, large enough to last for a couple ci meals, and they concluded to use this first, and re- serve their other provender for the future. Leaving Josh to prepare the evening meal, Gold Rifle left their snow fortifications, and scouted about the camp. He could find no signs of enemies in the neighbor- hood, nor were there any signs of approaching out- laws from the Ranch. is was a relief to the young sharpshooter, for he had no desire to fight against odds of twenty to one. In the direction of the Black Ranch all was quiet; evidently the outlaws had not discovered their ap- proach. Scouting through to the western side of the mott«, the young detective made another important ci: - covery, namely—the existence of a Geep, sluggisl stream of water. It was now frozen over, with a glassy-like surface, caused by an overflow and freeze. That it was dec)) and still water, Gold Rifle determined by the ban. « which were full to a level with the grounding. This stream ran through a deep and extremely narrow valley which opened abruptly down from the west- ern side of the motte—a sort of channel throug): Nature’s cold white face, and by following its course as far as eyesight would allow, Gold Rifle came to the conclusion that the stream ran in its northeri, branch not far from the site of the Black Ranch, for along both edges of the valley grew fringes of a species of sage-bush, and these he could see a long way in the direction of the ranch. Hetaming to camp he found Josh ready to serve up their meal, and while they partook of the venisou, he related his Ciscovery of the stream. “TI believe it’s the only way I can approach any nearer to the outlaws’ nest than I am now,” he said, Met age “ for to go over the prairie is cer- tain discovery. Luckily, I am provided with a pair of good skates, and if the stream goes by within gunshot of the ranch, I’m bound to get that near, anyhow.” “Yas; but whar’m I goin’ ter — while ye’re doin’ this?’ questioned Josh, with a grim look. “D’ye calkylate I’m goin’ ter foller at yer heels, an’ run the risk o’ gettin’ my head blowed off? Ef I am a man 0’ character, I hain’t hankerin’ after losin’ my top-kno ‘ ‘Oh! no danger about you! It will be your duty to stay bere and take care of the horses and the - camp. You can keep an occasional look-out to pre- vent being surpri and captured, and await my return, which will be immediately after I spy out all that is requisite to my plans. If the cusses get me in a trap, why probably you won't see me at all, and had tter go back to the fort and give the Darkness was by this time enshrouding the earth, and Gold Rifle determined to cover the Cistanme be- tween him and the Black Ranch while it lasted. For, he argued, the place would be Jess on guurd should he arrive at the dead of night, and he would have a favorable opportunity to get inside the walls. Looking carefully to the condition of his rifle and revolvers, he bade Josh adieu, and leaving the camp, descended the narrow valley to the ice. Here he paused long enough to affix to his boots a handsome pair of regulation skates, and then he darted rapidly away over the flassy surface of the river like a bird. The course of the river was very tortuous and dc- ceptive, and it soon became apparent to the younc detective that to reach the Ranch he must accom- plish about twice the distance that would have been necessary, bad he gone overland. But he cared not for this, as the skating was excel- lent, and he enjoyed it hugely. Every stroke seut him nearer and nearer to his destination, In two hours’ time he concluded he must be in close proximity to the Ranch, and accordingly slackened his speed, finally eye hey a halt. With his skates still fastened to his feet, he left the ice, and cautiously ascended so that his face was on a level with the prairie. He gazed around. It was a dark, moonless night, yet he was able to a objects at a considerable distance, the snow lighting up the und, dimly. The Hack Ranch now lay to the north-east of several miles, but by the line of bushes which fri the valley, he saw what he had before surmi that the stream and valley wound close to the Ranch
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3 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. on the northern side, but just how close he was yet unable to determine. Going back to the river, he resumed his journey on the ice, making strangely weird music with his ringing skates, e remaining distance he accomplished in another half hour, without much exertion, and found him- self in an ce gh bend in the course of the stream, just around which was the Black Ranch, in close roximity to the banks. The high plank fence, in act, ran out to the very edge of the bank, and only the upper part of the Ranch could be seen over its top. After he had brought himself as near as he dare without exposing himself, he sat_down and took off his skates, and secreted them in the butt of a hollow log which ended up through the ice. Wrapping his precious rifle in oil-cloth, he also secreted it in among the bushes, reserving for use only his revol- vers and knife, for in close quarters he knew these would answer his purpose better than a rifle. His next move was to creep stealthily up among the fringe of hen-sage, sd lying low, make obser- vations. All about the place was deepest quiet. There were no lights, no signs of life—nothing in sight to tell that the grim structure within the black painted-fence was inhabited by humans. Nor was there a sound of nature afloat on the night, unless, maybe, it was the snap peculiar to all ies of ice on a sharp acti There was no light in the tower which arose a score of feet above the main building at the south- western corner, and after watching for some time without seeing any one, Gold Rifle came to the con- clusion that there was no sentinel posted to-night. Satisfied on this, he crept from his concealment rapidly over the snow toward the fence. This was fully fifteen feet high, and he knew that if he could once get in its shadow, it would be one strong point gained in his favor. And his rapidity of movement soon brought him safely there, and he stood up alongside the fence and listened. ; The same dead, ghostly silence still prevailed up- on the prairie and around the Ranch, and the young detective could but draw the conclusion that the place ~vas wrapt in slumber. Still, with this knowledge, very few men of older years than Gold Riile, would have cared to venture #0 boldly under the very shadow of such a death den a3 was the Black Ranch, by repute. after listening to assure himself that no one had been disturbed by his coming, Gold Rifle sat down and took off his boots, and hid them in the snow where to find them again, for at present time of action their crunching onto the crust was danger- ous. As @ substitute to protect his feet from the cold, he drew upon his feet heavy fur moccasins, which were among the mysterious contents of his haversack, He was then ready for business, and first of all, made a tour of inspection around the mighty fence, stopping now and then and endeavoring to peer be- tween the cracks, without avail. The darkness in* side preventing his seeing anything of the interior. Upon the southeru side he found two ponderous gates, made like the fence of heavy plank, and bar- red ou the inside. Here, evidently, was the only en- trance and exit of the Ranch. Here, also, Gold Rifle saw the fresh imprint of horses’ hoofs, showing that some one had recently entered the yard from off the prairie. Going all around the Ranch, he arrived at the spot he had started from, and throwing off his outer, or hunting, jacket, he set silently and noise- lessly to work. With his stout hunting-knife, he cut out in square cakes a large space of snow crust, taking care to work under the dark shadow of the fence. These cakes he made about two feet square, and when pried out they had a solid thickness of about five inches, and were all a person would care to carry. After cutting over a hundred of these, a task which oceupied fully an hour, he carried them close to the fence, and began piling them up in order of a stairs, until he had elevated them so that by standing on the last step he could just peer over the top of the fence. In two minutes after the completion of his novel snow stairs, he had drawn himself up on the top of the fence, and giving a hurried glance, he dropped | lightly down into the yard—and into the grasp of half a dozen men who had all the time been crouch- ing in a black shadow. 2° vain the young detective fought to free himself | from the iron grasp upon him, and to get at one of his revolvers. ut he might as well have tried to ‘aise the earth. He was borne down upon the snow, and bound se- vurely, hand and foot, and then carried between ‘our brawny outlaws into the Black Ranch, which vas a monster building, roughly.constructed and spellent in its midnight color. Tn through a series »f halls and. entries, and then finally the captors halted in the center of a long wide apartment, fur- aished only with rude settees. ‘“Ha! ha! you young hawk, you didn’t escape us so nice, after alt, did ye?” he leered. ‘* You put ourself in our man-trap, neatly. Now, then, I don’t ntend ter spend much breath over Yer but I've gota few questions ter ask ye. Ye’re Wild Walt Wag- ner’s kid—that we know. Now, then, whar’s yer ‘*Find out, and you'll know!” retorted Gold Rifle. “Tl not tell ye.” “All right; we won't urge you. Search him, wai and then cast him into the pit, without bonds. e can't never git out—that’s bin proven.”’ A hurried search of Gold Rifle’s clothi cordingly made, and an old letter found and handed eagerly, his villainous countenance assuming a more = lical expression. When he had finished he d: ‘“‘It’s a couple of months old, but here’s what it says: ‘‘Dgar Son:—When this reaches you I shall have left our mountain home, and taken the gold to a safer hiding place. On my return, I have a great mission to perform—this is to rescue your dear mo- ther and my wife from captivity. Only yesterday I got an inkling that she whom we have so long mourned as dead, is living and a prisoner in Tiger Track’s stronghold, If you can do anything, do it quickly, for our mutual sake. Your FatTuHEr.”’ “So ye thought you’d come and search for yer mother, did ye, boy? Well, we’re goin’ ter give ye a chance, among the human skeletons as will keep you company in the pit. D’ye know where Wild alt is?’ “No! I wouldn't tell, if I did!’ returned Gold Rifle indignantly. ‘* He'll be the death.of you, yet.” No more was said; the four men pounced upon him, and though he struggled with all his power, they bore him to a well-like opening in the center o the pow and pitched him over into it, headfore- most. Down—down—down went the young sharpshooter into the black depths, and the four ruffians turned away with horrible chuckles, as though the work were nothing unusual to them—a sort of by-play to pass away time. CHAPTER IX. IN THE EARTH—GOLD RIFLE’S ACTION, Wuen Goll Rifle found himself going down head- foremost into the pit of darkness, he felt sure that he was going to his death, yet had the presence of Gold Rifle was placed on one of these, and allowed ‘he privilege of ei up. The room was brilliantly lighted with chandeliers containing seas and the young detective had a chance to see who his captors were. One he remembered of having seen at the Christ- mas turkey shoot, and heard addressed as Jacob Toleman—one of the foremost in denouncing Gold Rifle as the outlaw, Tiger Track, The others were masked, but that they were some of the trader’s there could be no doubt. Th» trader advanced now, a devilish expression of jubilance upon bis face, mind to make a desperate attempt to turn over, so that he would strike upon his feet. Whether or not. he succeeded, he never knew; all he realized was a terrible jar, then a blank came, and he knew no more. How long he lay in this condition of course he could not tell, but at last there came an awakening. He opened his eyes. Everything that had passed came aaadiy to him, and in a second he knew that he had been cast into ee beneath the Ranch, For many minutes he lay perfectly quiet, fearful to move lest that act should bring to hima the discoy- ery that some limb bad been broken or misplaced. He could feel no soreness as he lay upon the ground, and after awhile came to the conclusion that he was not hurt at all, and with an effort rose to his feet. He now found that he had sustained no injuries otherwise than a severe shock which had nade his lower limbs rather stiff, and that he was still better than half a dozen dead men, He stood for many minutes at loss what to do. Around him all was Stygian gloom, He could not even see his hand in front of hisface. Above, many hundred feet, it seemed, was a tiny round speck of light, and this he knew emanated trom the room of the Black Ranch, from which he had been hurled in- to the pit. He was in a hole, deep down in the bowels of the earth, which was intended as his tomb. That others had died here was plainly evidenced by the terrible stench that prevailed—a deathly, sickening odor of decaying bodies. A horrible place it was, and a shudder escaped Gold Rifle, as he breathed the foul atmosphere. “Ugh!” he muttered, half fearing to stir; “‘ this is about ther worst dose of perfume I ever got, What's to be did? that’s the question before ther Investiga- tin’ Committee. A feller can’t remain long in this stench and live; and.as long’s. I’m hull-boned yet, I ait a-going to say die. The first requisite is a light, and I have the very article of production in my coat- sleeve pocket, which is handier thana pocket in a shirt, Glad them chaps were kind enough to leave my hands and feet free.” Bending over, he fumbled in his eapacious right coat-sleeve, which contained a leathern pocket, and soon produced a half of asperm candle and some matches. One of these he struck upon his sleeve, and then ignited the candle, and had a bright light, which illuminated the bottom of the pit with start- ling distinctness. What he saw was but evidence of what he had been given reason to expect. He was in a tomb, deep down in the bowels of the earth—a place of the dead, rather than the living. Allaround were strewn skeletons, skulls, and half-decayed corses—close at hand lay a body that apparently had not yet entered ie decom position—that of a man past forty years of age. At one side of the pit was. adeep hole in the bot tom, with a body half-dragged into it, and close at hand lay a shovel and a pick. To Gold Rifle, the meaning of this was quite plain. The stench rising out of the pit being too great in the Ranch above, a man had been sent down by the outlaws to bury the dead, but weakening when the | he did not pause but | Mary endurance, an Was ac- | ve | grave, and the dirt piled copiousl to Jacob Toleman. He tore it open, and perused it | t - job was half complete the fellow had backed and left his tools behind him. oes And to Gold Rifle this was next to a reprieve, for he knew in an instant that the pick and shovel meant life and liberty to him. Sticking the candle into a thumb-denture in the wall, he seized the shovel and began rolling the de- cayed bodies into the grave. It was a trying piece of work, and any man but one with iron nerves must have fainted in the stench around. But, work- ing for life and libe ever lends to man extraordi- : at last the job was finished; every corse,or evidence thereof, was rolled into the upon them. As a natural result, the stench the pit became less and less offensive, and in half an hour the at- mosphere below was quite breathable. At least, it seemed so to Gold e, after the sickening ordeal he had passed through. His candle was burning low, and having but one more in his pocket, he knew that he must needs get to work toward escaping. He had already formed his plans; for his hands and brains had each been busy. He would cut a spi- ral stairway of steps around the pit, from the bot- tom to the top! It was fully thirty feet to the floor above, but what of that? e, li » Vengeance, all awaited his exertions. He had faith in his suc- cess to work out his fully-formed plan, by aid of the shovel and his hunting-knife—for, strange to say, the outlaws had not oy Ses him of weapons. So commencing, he cut a deep indenture into the und siding, and worked from that, step by step. he ground was of tenacious clay, but this was a the better for him, asit made his staircase of earth all the stronger. With all his strength he worked away, throwing the soft dirt into the bottom of the pit, and thereby effectually shutting out the scent of the dead bodies. By the time his candle was half-spent, he had two circles of his stair-case completed, and was about half-way up from the bottom of the pit. Although much et by his exhaustive labor, ept determinedly on, for he knew that he must needs accomplish the remainin | distance while his light held out, and he calculate the candle, which was a whole one, would last about six hours, in all. The hour and minute hands of his watch pointed to the hour of twelve, but he was unable to tell whether it was noon, or midnight, not knowing how long he had been insensible. Believing by the state of his stomach that it must be noon, he paused long enough to partake of the scraps of venison which were in his haversack. He then went on digging resolutely, and worked until he found that he must yield to exhaustion, and rest. He accordingly ceased his work, and digging out a deep hole in the dirt, enconsced himself in it, and went off into a sound, refreshing sleep, first, how- ever, blowing out his candle. When he awoke, a couple of hours later, he felt greatly refreshed and strengthened, and set to work again. For two hceurs he labored, and then, when he was within ten feet of the opening into the room above, his candle wholly expired. But this was not so great a disappointment now, as sufficient light for his purpose came down from above. Right here he dug out, in addition to his staircase, a large, deep cavity in the earth siding of the pit, in what he cencludec was the northern side. He spent several hcurs in its construction, for he meant that it should be large enough so that éwo per- sons could move about handily. Two persons— fcr with remaikable daring his form- ed plans now included the rescue of his mother, and escape by way of this re itt After he had completed the little cave, he proceed- ed to complete his staircase, working carefully, and with as little noise as pcssible, for there was now danger of being overheard by the outlaws, should any of them chance to be in the room overhead. Therefore, though swiftly, he worked silently, and in the course of half an hour he had attained astand- ing position from whence he could grasp the ficcr rim above with his two hands without falling, so that it would be an easy matter to draw himself up out of the now half filled pit. : But this he was not anxious to do immediately. | He had been caught by the outlaws once, and if he was to be caught again, he meant that it should not be for lack of precaution on his part. Finishing the last step necessary, he returned to his little cave, ten feet below, and sat down to rest and listen. From here almost everything going cn in the room overhead could be distinctly heard. Some time elapsed before Gold Rifle heard any sound; then came the tramp of heavy-booted fect, and a man pate over into the pit, with a strange, hollow laugh. Directly afterward, the lights im the room were turned low, and Gold Rifie heard the fel- low tramp away. ““Humph!” he muttered, “I guess the coast is clear now, and I can go upsafely. Reckon that chop was a guard, and it will be my duty to silence him if he gets in my way. The room above evidently is nc t used except on occasions when the band meets to try a fellow-mortal for some offense, and chuck him down into the pit.” Leaving the shovel in the cave, and arranging his knife and revolvers in a convenient position, the young detective set out on his daring venture, B the power of his strong young arms he drew himself up out of the pit into theroom. He was now free, in one sense—free from imprisonment in that deep, darksome earth-dungeon. It will be remembered that he left his boots in the snow, outside of the great fence; therefore he covld now move nearly noiselessly, clad in his thick, warm moccasins,
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Gliding into one corner of the room where the shadows were the thickest, he crouched down upon one of the rude settees and waited. He had as yet not fixed upon any plan of immediate action, but he knew that it was necessary that he should, for he could not remain long undiscovered. Indeed, he now heard the Llumsy-footed guard coming back, with muttered curses upon some object which he had dropped. oRen't be I drapped it inter ther pit!’ he wled, tram into the room, and approaching the black” hole Ii the floor. ‘ Wouldn't "at lost thet plug o’ ter- baecy fer a counterfeit dollar, ’ca’se thar ain’t no more in ther Ranch, ef old Jim Bender, the quarter- master, don’tlic. Kinder ‘spect Jim’s hid ther weed fer his own use, and wants ter make ther b’yees go wi'out, durn his old hide, an’—” , “Halt! One move or word and you die!” came a low command, accompanied by the click, click, of a revolver lock. ‘Stand perfectly still, without look- ing either way, or over you go into that pit, eend over eend, as sure’s thar’sstrength enough in six fel- lers to put ye thar.” The guard obeyed, with a muttered curse. He dare not disobey, when he felt the cold muzzle of a revolver touch the back of his neck. With the strong deer thong straps which he al- ways ed _in his pocket, Gold Rifle securely bound the ruffian’s hands behind him, and then wheeled him around so that they faced each other. “There yeare, my man!’ he said, with a chuckle ‘taken a prisoner just as nice as you please. Couldn't have done it better yourself, could you?—There! take care ye don’t speak loud, or I'll send you where they have brimstone hash for board. Now, then, since you're my prisoner, I have a perfect right to subject you to a rigorous course of questionin which may not be at all to your liking, but whic you must swallow and digest as you would a sugar- coated ase “ And also you must answer every question, and if you don’t, and go a-tryin’ ter yell, or talk loud to at- tract attention, or any dodge ere down goes your shanty into that pit o’ the dead, like a double- distilled thunderbolt! D’ye hear?” The man assented by a nod of his head. He knew it wasn’t his trump flop, yet. CHAPTER X. QUESTIONING—FALSE HA’R—PLAYING GUARD—A CAP- TURE AND ESCAPE INTO THE CAVE. “Wet, then,” continued Gold Rifle, gliding away, and closing the door which the guard had left open, and also turning on a greater power of light from the lamps, ‘the first question I shall ask you is what is your name? Answer in a low prompt tone, and you'll not be harmed.” ‘““My name’s Mose Renfrau!’’ was the sullen re- Pe Mose Renfrau, eh? Do you belong to Tiger Track’s outlaws?” “The gang w’at works inside. The outlaws ar’ No, 1, and hev nothin’ ter do wi’ us fellers.” “Oh! that’s the lay-out is it? You’re a guard then?” “Yes! I have charge of the whole building—a beat through every hall to see that all is right.” “Do you ever enter the rooms?” “Ov course; I hev ter give ther signal and they let me in,” ‘* What is the signal?” “Go find out—I’ll not tell ye.” *“You won't, eh?’ Gold Rifle reminded, seizing him and forcing him forward toward the hole of the pit—“‘ then down ye go, end over end.” The fellow’s face assumed a white, sc red look as he was confronted by the yawning abyss, and he trembled in every limb. “Yes! yes! I'll tell,” he gasped, his teeth chat- vane. “only don’t shove me down in that grave. What is it you want to know?” “The signal you spoke of.” ““Well, it is five successive light raps upon the door. One feller never speaks ter ernuther, durin’ workin’ hours.” Gold Rifle gazed at the guard sharply, to see if he was lying, but he was evidently not, judging from his countenance. But, one thing did not escape the lynx eyes of the young detective—a ragged edge of hide where the hair and beard met above the ear. “See here!’ he exclaimed, grimly, “ you ain’t ther — ye seem, at all. What means this?” and with his hands he jerked off first a long false beard, and then a wig of hair. “What kind of a crooked game are ye tryin’ ter play, anyhow?” " The man swore roundly in French, and his eyes looked like balls of fire. Shorn of his hirsute he. sessions, he appeared a man of thirty-five, smooth- faced, and the very photograph of all that was evil. “You may as well out with it,” said Gold Rifle, ‘for I know that you are not here without an object. You are under disguise, and have some plan afoot, or you would not be here. Needn’t be afraid to tell’me, for I’m a detective, and don’t want any- thing more to do with you than can be helped. at are you here for, you rascal?” “To kill Tiger Track, the outlaw!” replied the man, flercely, ‘I have been here a year for that purpose, and still Tiger Track lives.” * What wrong has he ever done you?” “Ruined my wife, and afterward n.urdered her to rm rg of her. Do you not think I ought to hate m “T should — yes. And now, are we to be friends or enemies? You evidently care nodding for the ‘band, except to accomplish your object; I am here to rescue My mother who has long been a prisoner Gold Rifle. in Tiger Track’s power. You can let me have your place as guard, until I get her free, and then assume this disguise again for your own plans.” “*Correct; but where will I stay during all that time?” “Down in the pit. The dead are all far under the ground and there is no smell. You can remain there, and I will lower you down provisions. If a day goes by without your hearing from me, you can come up by aid of a stairway I have cut into the earth. You will find your trappings in this room.” They talked at considerable length, and after giv- ing Gold Rifle all the information possible, Renfrau consented to be lowered into the pit, on conditions that Go'd Rifle would not forget the food. This the yonng detective promised, and procuring a long, stout rope, he lowered the Frenchman into the pit. He then donned the wig and false beard, after which he closely resembled the man whose place he was usurping. The first round he made of the beat, he was watchful and ready for defense, should his assumption be detected. He passed several men in the long halls of the Ranch, but none of them paid the least attention to him. After making half a dozen rounds, according to Renfrau’s directions, he repaired to the cook-room and got his morning meal, which consisted of veni- son and corn-dodgers, for which he had a strong relish. So strong, in fact, that he managed to store away five of the dodgers in his pockets. These he dropped down to Renfrau, on his return to the audience-room. Of the elder Toleman he had seen nothing, and no one mentioned him. The outlaws, he found to occu- py quarters in the south-eastern part of the build- , where they remained, hardly ever venturing in- to any other parts. A io a night passed, and still Gold Rifle re- mained on guard duty. The larger part of the day he was allowed to sleep, as there were plenty astir throughout the Ranch; night was when his services came into requisition. Although he had been nearly all through the Ranch, he had not stumbled upon the room which contained the imprisoned Agnes Wagner, his long-lost mother. Renfrau had told him that she was somewhere in the great building, but even he did not know exactly where. # But there was one discovery he had made—one don wei one outside the outlaw clique had ever sus- cted. The Black Ranch was in reality a counterfeiters’ den, where base coin was manufactured and finished for the market. Gold Rlifle had been in five rooms devoted to its manufacture, the first being the molding, the second the sizing, the third the stamping and the fourth the weighing and perfecting room. The fifth apartment was the store and boxing-room, and also the office. As near as he could learn, without betraying him- self with over-inquisitiveness, Gold Rifle concluded that the counterfeiting had been going on for nearly six months, during which time over twenty thousand dollars’ worth of the spurious coin had been success- fully “flooded,” and still the counterfeiters had twice that amount on hand for future use. They only worked at the dead of night—from elev- en o’clock until day-dawn: then the counterfeiting- rooms were locked up, and the men, some eighteen or twenty in number, scattered to their various rooms throughout the building. There was a bar in one room, and this was the general resort of all within the Black Ranch. Moreover, Gold Rifle learned that a squad of ten men constantly acted as pickets in the yard outside of the building, and a man kept watch in the tower. And he saw that it would be next to impossible for him to escape, unless it was as he had designed, by tunneling out in under the Ranch. This he resolved to do, as soon as possible after finding his prize, the imprisoned Agnes Wagner, For the day following he had no occupation, and in these hours, when there was no danger of their being discovered, both he and Renfrau worked at the tunnel, for the Frenchman saw that it might serve him as an avenue of escape, after he had com- pleted his meditated vengeance on Tiger Track. About six o’clock in the evening Gold Rifle resumed his guard duty, but Renfrau kept on digging. In one of his rounds through the halls on the se- cond floor of the Ranch, the young detective heard a groan, and approaching close to the door nearest him, he paused and listened. There were voices in- side, engaged in conversation’ It was evidently a man and a woman, and the man was speaking, in the unmistakable tones of Jacob Toleman. “There! there! shet up yer blubbering, woman, over thet brat o’ ourn. Et cum ter ther settlement, an’ I had it brained as I told you I would, ef you ev- er tried any games to escape. I reckon ye'll find out after awhile thet I'm master / When I stole yeaway from Alf King, or Boover Legree, as he’s now known, I thort I war gettin’ a lamb, ‘ca'se ye allers appeared so while ye war Wild Walt’s wife; but I soon found ther difference!” “Yes, be brute! tel found that I was yet a wo- man, and would fight for my power, It’s now many years, Dolph Carew, since I saw the light of the outer world, but God. be praised, I believe it will not be much longer. I am inspired with a faith that I shall either die, or be rescued from this terrible in- carceration |” “Ha! ha! you are getting wild a; ain, Aggie—out o’ yer right mind. Why, you old = ool, who do you ate a could rescue you from this impregnable prison? You are here for your life—my wife, my slave, if I choose to make ye." , “Your wie? God forbid! The bonds which you forced upon me were but a horrible mockery in the sight of heaven, for I have a husband living. No! 9 no! you need not leer and scoff, for Wild Walt still lives, and I shall be again his ere oy Something tells me so, and I cannot drive off the impression. It clings to me by day and by night.” ** An’ ‘li hev ter keep a-clingin’, fer all ther good it will do you. I see Legree, a few days ago, an’ he’s as hot as ever at Tiger Track fer stealin’ ye. Legree isa very devil!” “But an angel, compared with you, you wretch!” was the retort. “T know I’m not an angel!’’ replied the villain, with a malignant chuckle. ‘ Indeed, ii is one of the greatest delights of my life to worry and torment frou—to make your existence a foretaste of hell. That is because I love you so. But 1 cannot tarry longer, now, for I must away to other work. Gen- eral Maynard, your father, 1 may as well tell you, will soon make an attempt to take this Ranch, with the vain hope of repossessing himself of you. He has but a handful of men—one to our three—and in- side of twenty-four hours from now, if they a proach near, their bodies ‘l] make coyote fodder. So good by, you she-tigress cub, and may your dreams hereafter not be so silly. Your days are doomed to be spent within these dismal walls, and when you die I shall cremate you, and retain your ashes as a souvenir, in a glass case at the head of my bed!”’ With a horrible laugh the ruffian turned, and Gold Rifle heard him coming toward the door, He stepped to one side, an expression of grim de- termination upon his face, his eyes gleaming forth the Peete anger that was in his breast. “Till baste the inhuman beast one rap,” he mut- tered, seizing a ee | walking-stick, which stood near. “If I can’t drop him, I’ve got a knife to finish him with, aside from as noisy a pair of revolvers as ever cracked. I dare not use them here, however.” Nearer the ruffian came, and Gold Rifle seized his stick firmly. There was much depending, now, and he resolved to be the victor when he had the chance. The key turned in the lock, the door opened, and the elder Toleman, or Dolph Carew, as the prisoner had called him, stepped out into the hall. Then came a whiz and a whack of the club, and without even a groan the old ruffian dropped to the floor. . Gold Rifle did not pause to see if he was seriously hurt or not, but seizing him by the heels, dragged him back into the room occupied by the prisoner. ““Come!"’ he said, turning to her, and beholding a pale, sickly-looking woman, cf eight-and-thirty years. “If you would escape from this living death, come with me, for I em your son, come to rescue you, my long-lost mother!’’ And he advanced to- ward her with outstretched arms. “My son!"’ she gasped, rising toward him, her eyes shining eens with a new-born hope; “my Goda, can this be true, or am I going mad—mad—mad*”" “You are not wrong, dear mother!” the young de- tective replied, kissing her tenderly, “‘for if you are Agnes Wagner, the wife of Wild Walt, I am your son, whom you have not seen since he was a little boy. But come, dear mother, we must not tarry here, for you probably well know the men who sur- round us!" “Oh, God! I have not prayed to Thee in vain for aid, and You have sent me a noble gift which over- whelms me with gratitude toward Thee. Yes, come, my son, for I would not longer tarry in this horrible confinement. Is he dead?” with a motion toward the senseless ruffian. “No, I think not, so I will lock him in this room, that he may have a taste of what you have experi- enced, here!’ Gold Rifle said, ren 6 He hastily gathered, up a Con e of wraps and clothing, which caught his eye, and then led the way out into the hall, locking the door after them. Then they cautiously cescended the stairs, and made their way through a labyrinth cf halls, most luckily not encountering any one of the encmy. On Yeaching the pit room, Gold Rifle by Renfrau’s assistance, succeeded in getting Mrs. Wagner safely’ cown into the little cave in the side of the pit; then Gold Rifle went to the cook room, and succeeded in capturing a large haunch of venison, already roasted for the morrow’s meals. This he took down into the little cave, and then Renfrau received back his disguise and went cn guard duty above, the same as at first, promising {9 warn the young detective in case of danger. After slicing up the venison, and secreting it about his person, Gold Rifle set desperately at work in tunneling toward the river shore, which Reniraa had already well started! CHAPTER XI. OUT OF EARTH—ON THE ICE AND A RACE FOR LIFE— IN THE PATH OF AN AVALANCHE, DETERMINED now was Gold Rifle to escape, for he had a dear mother to care for,and he worked away with a will. The dirt was now light and loamy, being so near the surface, and he made rapid headway. When it was about morning, he ceased his labors for a fear moments, and with Mre. Wegner partook of some cf the venison he had captured. He then went at it again, and by noon he conciv«- ed by a gurgling sound just in front of him, that lo was almost through. So he paused, and went bas ic to the little cave in the dirt, at the commencement of the tunnel, where he had left his mother. Fie found the guard, Renfrau, here, also, waiting anx- iously to know the result of the labor. “T guess 'm nearly through,” Gold Rifle answer- ed, to his inquiry, “ but. whether I shall come cut above or under the ice, I do not yet know. I shail ary break out until darkness again, How is it ov !- side?”’ ; “Sharp and clear, with moonloss nights, You 1]
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. got off, easy enough, an’I wish ye God speed, an’ he leddy too.”’ The guard then took his departure, and Gold Rifle and his mother waited anxiously for the coming of darkness. During the time intervening, they found much to say to each other, and Mrs. Wagner was greatly overjoyed to learn that her husband was alive and somewhere in the West. The knowledge was con- soling to her. The afternoon passed quickly, and when by his watch he knew it was growing dark, Gold Rifle led the way into the tunnel, and on reaching the spot where he had left off digging, he set to work to break through the remaining dirt. It was an ys matter, for a few shovelfuls of dirt only were taken out, ere a dull light shone in. Peering out of the aperture, he gave an exultant lit- tle cry, for his calculations had been so correct, that they would come out fair and even upon the ice. In five minutes he had the hole large enough to admit of their egress, and they breathed the pure air of freedom. i Before them stretched the night and a snowy wil- derness. And they had now to depend upon their feet to bear them away from the terrible den that had so long been Agnes Wagner’s prison. “Oh! God be pane she murmured, as she gazed out over the boundless view of crystal white, and up at the heavens, where a few pale stars were twinkling. ‘‘This is the grandest, most grateful sight that has greeted my eyes for many long years. It seems like coming out of a dark world intoa brighter one.” “And so it will be to you, dearest mother, for I shall and others will strive to make your future life most happy and bright. You will remain, please, while I around the neighborhood and get my boots and rifle, which I left outside the fence ere I attempted to enter the Ranch and got caught. I won't be long.” 4 “But you are going into perilagain, my son.” __ “No, [am not risking much, dear mother, and will soon return.” So saying Gold Rifle crept from the hole out into the open air, and along in the shadow of the creek bank. Above him towered the shadows of the great Ranch surrounded as it was by its black, high fence. Everything looked about the same to the young scout-detective, as when he had entered, now some forty-eight hours before. Stealthily he crept along the bank several yards, and then came upon his rifie, securely hidden in the sage bushes. Leaving it, he crawled along over the snow to- ward the fence, near where he had scaled it, for it was here he had buried his boots. It was a daring venture, but he was aware that he must have them, in order to escape. Inch by inch he crept along, ex- pecting every minute to get a challenge, or a bullet in his brain. : ; But luck was with him, and without evident dis- covery he found and pulled on his boots, He was about to retreat, when his eye caught sight of an ob- ject close at hand, and his we jump when he saw that it was a medium-sized frame hand-sled, with half a lasso attached, it had evidently been left there by some ranch hand; yet, it occurred to Gold Rifle, might it not be a decoy? It was just the very thing he wanted to draw his mother upon, still he hesitated and lay up- on the snow, watching with the eyes of a lynx. *Reckon a feller can’t more’n try, anyhow!” he mu‘tered, at last, ‘‘an’ ef I am discovered, I calcu- late wi’ my skates on I kin outrun ‘em,” Creeping forward he grasped the lariat and began creepin, “ms toward the river, pulling the sled behind him. ithout accident he reached the ice, and securing his rifle and skates, he advanced along up to the hole. Here he found Mrs. Wagner await- ing anxiously. ‘Had you any trouble?” ‘ “No, but I opine we'd better be gittin’ out of this, ively. ‘Twon't be long before there’ll be a rumpus xn the enemies’ camp. You get on the sled, while 1 am putting on these skates, and we'll soon be off.”’ 9 Fark! listen! a shout!’’ exclaimed Mrs. Wagner, breathlessly, posing into the hole. Quickly Gold Rifle sprung to the opening, and listened for a repe- tition. It came bdéoming along through the tunnel, a mo- ment later, in a hoarse, deep voice—the voice of the guardsman, Renfrau: * Fly! fly! they've discovered yr Jlight—look out fer *em, a good seven dozen strong. Fly!” “As I expected!” Gold Rifle muttered, with a ae contraction of his brows. ‘‘ We've got to git, sha ” He finished buckling on his skates, then placing Mrs. Wagner — the sled, he wrapped her warmly in the blankets he had fetched from the Ranch. Every minute now seemed an hour until they should get started. ** Now hang on!” he said, and seizing the lariat he started down over the ice, drawing the sled behind him. The track lay before him like a monster reach of glass, and a spirit of joy was the young sharp- shooter's, as he was able to away from the out- law den, at a much faster speed than he could go on the snow. He could hear the shouts and curses of the out- laws, and knew that they had discovered his escape, and the route he had taken, but he resolved to dis- tance them, nor give up in the attempt. “ They’ve got only one — chance to head us off,’ he muttered, and that’s below here, a couple of miles in the 7 bend of the river. By § overland on horseback, they can perhaps get there ahead of me. Bnt, not if Ican e ip it. He set his teeth hard together, and darted on over the smooth surface like a fying bird, never pausing once to look back or around him. Not until he was spprosching near to the bend; then he came to a t. “What is the matter?” inquired Mrs. Wagner, anxiously. ‘Is there danger?’ “Yes, to advance further on the river, A whole gang of the outlaws are concealed around a bend own yonder, and we shall have to leave the ice.” He was not long in making the decision, but pulled the sled up onto the strong snow crust on the west- ern side of the river. “You had better let me get off and walk,” said Mrs. Wagner, anxiously. “I have considerable strength on occasions lile this.” “No! no! you sit still. I can make better time drawing you than if you were to walk. Tbe crust holds up perfectly under my skates, and I shall keep them on. It was too dark’ to see anything of the enemy, so he set out over the prairie at a brisk speed, the stiff crust answering nearly the same purpose of the ice, for skating. For several hours he toiled on, pulling his precious prize behind him, determined to keep a-going as long as his strength held out. But at last he was ebliged to succumb to fatigue, and come to a halt in a small belt of timber on the top of a prairie crest. ‘I'm goin’ to stop here till daylight, anyhow,’’ he said, puffing and panting from his over-exertions. “T don’t reckon the devils will get my trail before that time. We must have come fully eight miles from the river, if not more.” He did not build a fire, although the night was cold, for this would be certain to attract his enemies to the spot, but wrapping all the blankets snugly around poor Mrs Wagner, he threw himself flat upon the crust, face downward, and went off into a sound sleep, trusting to his instinct to arouse him in case of danger.* ‘ Gold Rifle slept on undisturbedly until close upon day-dawn, when he awoke, ready for the day’s labor, come it in what shape it might. Arousing his mother, who had not suffered much from the cold, he gave her some of the venison he | had fetched along, and they both satisfied the crav- ings of their appetites. _‘* We will wait a little longer, till the darkness en- tirely clears away, for I want to get a view of the surrounding prairie!’’ Gold Rifie said. ‘This must be the highest dpm for several leagues around, as I remember, and I can see the outlaws if they are any- where on the prairie, within eye-shot. The moun- tains of the Little Panther range cannot be far back of us,” ‘* And, is there where you are going, my son?” “Tf I am pursued, yes. Otherwise shall cut around, and make for the fort, of which your father has command,” The darkness cleared away rapidly, now, and the light of a clear, crisp day dawned over the snow wilderness. And the mr that was presented tothe view of Gold Rifle was little more than he expected. The outlaws were at the spot where he had left the ice, some five miles to the eastward, and were ‘bea starting out upon his trail, He saw this much, y aid of his glass; but he also made a discovery that was in a degree, encouraging. There were but about a score of the pursuers, all told. The remainder of the outlaw gang had evi- dently taken another course. “Can you see the Black Ranch, my dear?” Mrs. Wagner asked, coming out to the edge of the timber, where Gold Rifle was standing. “One corner of its roof—no! it’s the tower of the Ranch hy off yonder. The remainder of the place is hidden behind a prairie swell, greater than this. But come; we must not tarry here, but must reconmmence the race. The outlaws are ore beginning pursuit, where we left the ice, and I wis to reach the mountains ere we stop again.” Mrs. Wagner again resumed her position upon the sled, and seizing the lariat, Gold Rifle set out | briskly to the westward. No halt was made, but he pushed determinedly on toward a high mountain peak which loomed up before them in the distance, looking like a giant specter in its sheet of pure white. “There’s a cave half-way up that mountain side, if I remember!" the young detective said, as they advanced, ‘“‘for I think that is the Elk or Earth- p rome: peak I’ve heard old Alva Lanche tell about. down at Yankton. If we can get in the cave, we'll Dt po right, and can fight off the varmints until they git sick.” But in the course of a half-hour, a new change ap- peared. The heavens suddenly became overcast with a dull gray color, and snow began to fall fast and thick, every flake counting, being as large near- y | a nickel. Evidently a severe storm was at 1and, A stern expression came over Gold Rifle’s features, and Mrs. Wagner noticed it, at once. - “ What is it?” she questioned. ‘‘ Will not this snow cover up our trail?” . “Yes, and us, too, unless we strike cover inside of * ans J of my readers will say, doubtless—‘“‘ Why, I should think he would have frozen, lying there?’ But my answer is, no! Several winters ago, I had occasion to try the experiment, at the suggestion of an old woodsman, for we were out where neither shelter nor fire was to be had. I laid down, and be- ing fatigued, dropped into a sleep which lasted until mo , when I was awakened, very much refresh- ed, not feeling the cold, scarcely at I have often ‘| since tried to study out the reason of my not freez- ing, but gave it up as a mystery. | shelter. ' feet, or more; then stop two hours,” was the disquieting reply. ‘‘ Et’s goin’ ter be an old snorter, much as ye read about!” wet He increased his walk to a run, and kept on, while the white flakes came down in dense clouds, cover- ae Spe perfectly white. n—on, resolutely, yet doubtingly, and at last they d y - | arrived at the foothills of the mountains, but to their disappointment not a tree was there to offer them ; And the snow came down faster and faster; it had already fallen to the depth of a foot, and still no signs of cessation. “Get off and let me assist you!” Gold Rifle said; “we shall have to try and hunt up the cave, up iv the mountain side, or perish in the snow!” They began the steep rocky ascent, which was nearly perpendicular, and gained an altitude of fifty with white scared faces, as they heard a strange humming, rushing roar, above them—something awful in its import: ‘* My God, we arein the path of an avalanche /” Gold Rifle exclaimed! CHAPTER XII. ON THE PRAIRIE—RUFFIANS AND RED-SKINS. THE man whom General Maynard had engaged as guide into the Black Ranch country, was in many re- ge an ‘odd ’un”’ on the side of human character. e was evidently along in the forties, strong and muscularly built, with a 0 sharp glance for every new object, and a habitual watchfulness about himself, lest he should bejstricken by an enemy, or should betray himself. He was one of those old roving spirits who had spent a lifetime on the border, and seen rough life in nearly all its different phases; was a man of liberal education, evidently, but uncouth and eccen- tric of speech as a general thing. Little of his face could be seen for the heavy beard that swept nearly to his belt, and at a glance into his black, gleaming eyes, one would say that he was not the man to brook insult or much offense. He gave his name to General Maynard as Old Steuben, and by this title he was made known to the whole party. 6 After leaving the farm-house, the cavalcade struck | into a shasp, gallop, and headed due westward into 1 h the pure white of the snow-bound West. All of the party were mounted upon steeds whose powers of endurance had had many a test, and whose speed was hard to equal; and therefore there was a jolly spirit Meirkier ee Perhaps, more than all else, it was because pretty May Maynard headed the band, looking gay and bright in her artistic costume —for she was now a man among them, and every man could have well wished her their captain. Old Steuben rode on in advance, grimly silent and uncommunicative, except when questioned, The man seemed to have some burden resting upon his mind, some secret which caused the re- serve, which was one his personal peculiarities, May noticed this, and her tender young heart kin- dled toward him, for his quiet withdrawal from the — of the men, looked as if none were friendly to m. “Are you lonely without company, sir?” she ask- ed, galloping forward to his side. ‘I should think you would be.” ‘Bh? lonesome, my leddy? No, I don’t reckon I am, more’n usual. Kinder natteral to me, ye see— this preference for solitude. ‘Tain’t many ladies as comes ter talk ter an’ old nut like me.” “That is because they are so blind as not to see that men ofttimes are found under the rudest cover- ing, sir,’ was the reply. God bless ae young lady, fer thar’s more truth in ’em words thun ye’d suppose. Thar was a time | when Old Steuben hed as much style as any o’ ther | der the rough exterior of boyees, but life on this frontier ‘ll soon take ther pol- ish an’ starch out o’ a fellar.” May could but be impressed with his words, and saw that there was a sound, deeply sensible man, un- Old Steuben. They traveled along swiftly in the afternoon’s sun- light, making a picturesque sight as they trailed over the white winding-sheet of the prairie. About sundown they came in sight of a “ prairie island,” or motte of timber, several miles ahead, and General Maynard sgpeles. to the scout, who ap- proached respectfully. * You see the timber ahead, scout—would that not form us an admirable camping-ground for the night?’ f Yes, general, if it is not already occupied by ther enemy. Them ‘ar mottes ar’ ginerally occupied, in sech weather, by red-skins, or ruffians 0’ sum sort, an’ they'll be sure ter fight fer their grounds.” “True, but I don’t fancy the notion of camping down in the open. Is there not another of these islands where we can find shelter, by a few hours more of brisk ride?” “Most likely, sir, and we will strike off a little more to the north, curving gradually in that direc- tion. But here, let me call yer attention tersumthin wich I reckon hes escaped yer eyes. D’ye know thet ee ppg ‘ , : wed ? no! by whom, pray?” “Dunno, sir, fer my eyes won’t reach fur enough ter let me find out. But thar they are, about six miles back in the rear—jest in plain sight, now!” All hands turned in their saddles, and gazed back over the ocean of white, in search of the sail of life, and, sure enough, two horsemen were seen far in the distance, on the crest of a prairie swell. “They've follered us frum ther settlement!” said Old Steuben, ‘an’ I reckon they're up ter sum devil- try, or they’d hurry an ketch up. “LT cannot imagine who it is, unless some of Tiger Track’s men were in the settlement, when we left,” said General Maynard, anxiously, “Your idear is probably kerect!” replied the
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scout; ‘“‘ anyhow, they ken’t do us no harm as long as they keep at sech a distance—thet’s a fac’!”’ The cavalcade now turned their course to the | north-west, and made a wide detour around the motte General Maynard would have chosen for a | cap. Sharp Old Steuben kept a weather eye upon | the island for some time after they had passed it, and although his eye-search was unrewarded by a glimpse of enemy, something seemed to tell him that enemies were there. And if they were red-skins, he was well aware what that signified—they would be | followed and attacked. , “T guess we'd better not camp to-night,” he said, addressing General Maynard, ‘“ but had better push | on while there is darkness to cover us.” ‘** And why not-camp, scout?” ‘“* Beca’se, general, we’ve got a leddy among us, an’ I kno’ ye wouldn’t want her ha’r fingered by a red-skin’s greasy fingers!” “Great heaven, no. Why? do you apprehend danger from Indians to-night?” | ; ‘* Mought heer frum ther red rips ef we war ter git | in range 0’ em.” fy “ Well, then we must keep moving and keep out of | their way, for a charge on us and consequent loss of numbers now must be avoided if possible. On, men! Let no halt be made until an hour before day- break.” And on galloped the cavalcade swiftly over the winter's snow. Night now began to settle down rapidly, and with dense darkness. What few pale stars peeare in the heavens were insufficient to make light below. A ghastly paleness rising from the snow was all that afforded the travelers light by which to guide their | course, when once night had drawn her shroud closely around. Old Steubea now withdrew from the cavalcade at General Maynard's suggestion, and waited for a cou- ple of hours upon the trail. This was for the purpose of learning whether or not they were followed by either the two strange horseman or by other fves. But his two hours of watching and waiting resulted | in no discovery, and he rode on and overtook the cavalcade about midnight, at the edge of a belt of | cottonwood timber. “Well, what is the news?’ General Maynard de- manded, anxiously. ‘‘ Did you see anything of the enemy ?”’ **No; I guess we have outwitted them, sir. Hev ye bin in this timber?” ““Yes—or I sent three of the boys, here, and they made a thorough search, without finding any- thing in the enemy line.” “Well, then we mought as well stop hayr an’ | reat, fer thar’s no tellin’ w’at ter-morrer ‘Il bring orth.” Tuey accordingly rode into the heart of the | motte, where no snow had fallen, on account of the dense matting of tree tops, and a camp fire was built to keep off the chill of the night, “We must post three sentinels around the border of the motte!” said Steuben, ‘to insure safety, and, revent any one getting into the timber unknown us. I for one will stand guard. How is it with | you, Cotton?” addressing an old grizzled trapper. “All right, ’'m willing—” : “And I will act as third sentinel!’ announced May Maynard, eagerly, as she stepped forward rifle? hand. ‘I would enjoy nothing better.” Spat, young leddy, it’s ruther out o’ yer line, ain’t et? “No, sir—it’s just what I like, and I'll wager you can't go out on the prairie, and slip in past me, except I see and challenge you.” ‘Let her go, if she will,” said General Earners coming up, with a smile. “ill wager she'll take care of herself,—and us, too, for she was not brought up without training!"’ = right—just as ye say!’ replied Old Steuben; | “but I'd not ‘low et, ef she war my gal. Too risky, this puttin’ a purty gal up fer an Injun et.”’ May took the station assigned her, however,— had her own way, just as she usually did—on the eastern side of the motte, while Steuben took the southern, and Cotton patrolled the northern and | western sides. The watch was a lonely one, but May Maynard was far from a coward, and she aced silently along the edge of the wood, stopping listen at the slightest sound, and investigating the cause, as far as she was able. After awhile Old Steuben ¢ i to meeting her at | the southern end of icr beat, and the exchange of a few words was the means of driv’ + away the loneli- ness of the hour, and making t. — .-atch endurable. “Seen anything?” asked the scout, once, when they met. “Better look ae sharp, fer my bones tell me thar’s Injuns hard bv, wotchin’ fer a chance ter pop iuter the motte, but “mnoffer sartin. Ef | ye see anything outside oc _. timber line, w’at’s | ot legs or moves, blaze away 1: a signal ter ther | oys in camp. "“I'won’c do ter wt ‘em kno’ we're small in numbers, so fire off ons o’ yer revolvers | several times, after each rifle-shot.” “Oh! I'll attend to that, never fear, But, I want | ou to answer mea question, which is of much in- st to me. Do you know a young man by the ape of ae é agad + Solere his real name is Kit Wagner.” ad I reckon I know him—orter, at least. “What about him?” “Oh! nothing much,” and the darkness hid the blush that swept over the fair sentinel’s face, “I ‘t know but you might have seen him lately.” ‘No, } hevn’t seen him fer a dug’s age. Guess he's got a new lay-out on the string. Where did you ever see him, leddy?” j | stop on hail! ; red ripscallions. Gold Rifle. 11 “He came to my father’s house, Christmas, for protection from a gang of trappers who were - suing him under the delusion that he was the outlaw, Tiger Track. Josh, our farm-hand, fetched him in, and we helped him to escape.” “* And the rascal stole sumthin’ afore he got away, oe he? Oh! ye might have knowed he wara thief!” ““What! Gold Rifle a thief? Impossible, sir. We _ missed nothing.” “But he stole sumthin’, howsumdever—yer leetle heart, my leddy, an’ I know et. Didn't I tell ye he war a thief, eh?’ “You are incorrigible, sir. I did not ask because I was in love with him—I mean—I mean—” “Just what you say, Miss May; an’ ef ye'll take an ole cuss’s ‘vice, like me, ye’ll keep right on a-luv- in’ Gold Rifle, fer he’s a good Jad, an’ as a border de- | tective, he’s a-goin’ ter make a hit.” They now separated, and resumed their beats, but the old scout’s words had left May Maynard’s heart in a little flutter, and it beat and throbbed faster when she thought of the young sharpshooter—and how glad she would be to see him again. She little knew that at this same hour he was bur- | rowed like a prairie dog in the earth beneath the Black Ranch, working for liberty. But in her thoughts of him, she did not forget that the safety of the camp was depending on her watch- fulness, aud she kept a sharp eye out upon the snow- white prairie, onto which she ¢ould look but fifty yards or so, because of the darkness. It was well along toward morning, the darkest part of night, when she saw two men riding directly toward the motte; and at the same time a fierce vin- dictive yell went up from the southern end of the motte, followed by a rifle report. Instantly May fired at one of the ens horsemen, and with a curse he tumbled to the ground, but the other pressed on toward her. “What is the matter?’ demanded General May- nard, as he and half a dozen men came running out of the timber. “* Ruffians!"’ said May, slipping a fresh cartridge | into her breeéh-loader. * Red-skins, and old Sitting Bull at thet!’ cried Cid Leena. dashing up, and then away again in an ns! . CHAPTER XII. A LITTLE SCRIMMAGE AND A BIG STORM. ‘*Dip you fire, May?” asked the general, for a mo- ment at a loss what iodo, ‘‘I heard a rifle report.” ** Yes, I fired, and dropped my man, sir,” May re- plied, her eyes sparkling. ‘‘Here comes the other ellow, and Ill lay him out, providing he doesn’t Halt! you ruffian, Aali/” and her gleaming rifle bore directly down upon the approach- ng horseman. 3ut he heeded not her words, and despite her ring- ing rifle-shot his horse leaped forward to the edge of the motte, and the man slid from the saddle. “You needn't hev bin so cursed imperdent!’’ he growled, limping a trifle, “ w’en a feller’s tryin’ ter warn ye o’ ther red-skins,, Most humans w’u’d been | glad.’ ‘“Boover Legree!” cried May, stepping back in alarm. “Yas, my daisy, but ye needn't be afeard o’ me on ’em old scores, fer I'm heer fur a different purpose, ter-night. Gineral, git yer men tergether, and go quick ter ther southern end o’ ther motte, fer thar’s nigh about a hundred o’ Sittin’ Bull’s gang thar, an’ Old Steuben fightin’ ‘em off. That's w’at’s ther mat- ter. Come ahead, you louts!” and away leaped the trader, with rifle in hand, to assist in repelling the attackers. Seeing that his purpose was evidently honest for the present, General Maynard ordered his men to follow his example, while he and May hurriedly brought up the rear. There were now loud yells in the direction of the southern end of the motte, that were fierce and sav- age, and were followed by an accompaniment of eS Freee which echoed fitful.y out upon the night. n three minutes they reached the battle ground, to find Old Steuben assailed on every side by a swarm of copper-colored varmints; but the ava of the scouts turned the tide somewhat, and it was a hand-to-hand conflict on every side—a desperate, determined struggle for victory on the part of both reds and whites. ** Sock et to ’em boys!” yelled the guide, Old Steu- ben, as he did wonderful execution with both knife nr revolver—“ let the skunks hev fer all ye’re wuth!” One by one the savages went down, until full a ‘core had fallen, General Maynard had sent May back into the trees, for he feared for her to join in the battle, and he fought in the midst of the affray. But the struggle could not last forever, and at last there was a signal whoop, then the savages quickly ceased fighting and withdrew out upon the prairie, leaving their dead, but dragging their wounded after them, “Hooray! thet’s ther kind o’ medicine ter give ‘em!’ shouted Old Steuben, dancing delightedly about—" thet’s ther kind o’ bull-dozin’ ter guv ther Hurra! fer ther victory we've won!” ns And “5 trappers all accorded with the sentiment ya yell. Morning was now dawning in the east, rapidly, and the whole* party remained upon the battle- coum until the day was light enough to see how e field lay. Then it was discovered that some twenty-five of the red-skins had been killed, while Sitting Bull and his remaiiiug warriors had withdrawn to prairie, } See ee ee ee a mile away, where they were grouped down, evi- dently awaiting action on the part of the whites. “They mean to follow and torment us!’’ said Gen- eral Maynard, turning to Old Steuben. “Sitting Bull is one of the worst demons on the frontier to battle with—a dogging cutthroat of snakish ani- mosity !”’ ““Ye’re right, thar, gineral!” “foot an’ hand, thet old Bull’s a a hand.” Accordingly arrangements were made to leave the motte, and continue on toward the Black Ranch, which Steuben declared could not now be over a half- day’s journey further westward. While preparations were being made, there was a little commotion, occasioned by Old Steuben, who had threateningly confronted the man Legree, who ee declared it his intention to accompany the bri- gade. The eccentric guide and trapper had confronted the trader, upon seeing him for the first, with flam- ing eyes, and an expression of countenance which was savage. ‘Ha! ha! Alf King, so you’re here, are where your foes are thickést, and your life ZS On athread? Good! I’m glad of it—I want ye, present- ly—want to pay you a trifle I’ve owed you for years, ut not now—we have notime to arrange duels over individual disturbances. General Maynard, you will please keep watch over this wretch, for he is a man of mine to deal with, and must not escape. Shoot him down if he attempts it!” “Who in ten thousand demons are you?” wled a fiercély, with half a notion to spring forward and annihilate the cool guide, yet somehow fearing to attempt the job. “Tt matters not who or what Iam, you wolf. Iam one who will do the world a favor by rid it of you, forever!’’ was the reply, as the guide turned away. The eavalcade now mounted, and Legree was placed between two mounted ““You'll have to submit to this, or go over and join Sitting Bull,’ the general said, in answer to a growl from the ruffian trader. ‘ Noneof us trusts e—here ou behind our backs, and we can do no less than | eep you under watch. You should have stayed at the Settlement, where there is larger scope for your | villainy, for if you joined us, with the hope of steal- ing away my daughter May, you will be by finding her wide awake, and full own interests as weare. So your mission will be en- tirely unrewarded, unless by some act of treachery you get a bullet through your skull!” The guard who had been left on the southern end inted | as ee to her | of the motte now returned, with the announcement | that the red-skins had made no move to change their ae yet, but were evidently eating their morning meal. ““Now’s our time, then, to get out!” he added, | “and git a start.” “Correct!” out fer danger, and foller me.” He led the way through the heart of the motte to the north-western corner, and thence out onto the aa prairie beyond. “We're goin’ ter hev a thunderin’ storm, by-an’- by!” he said to General Maynard and May, who rode on either side of him, after giving a speculative glance at the sky. ‘‘ Et’ll be a snorter, too.” ‘Why do you judge so, scout? I see no upon the sky, which is as bright and beautiful as the smil- ing countenance of Godcan make it.” “True enough, in my bones by w’ich I ken foretell as correctly as a clock can tick. In about two hours—no, say four, at bm longest, ye’ll see a change, wi’ snow-flakes a-fal- n’ ” “Then it behooves us to find a place of shelter ar soon as — does it not? ese heavy storms are not pleasant things to meet upon the open prai rie.” ; “Right ye aire, general, and we must trust ter our luck in findin’ a motte, fer I don’t know o’ any, very contiguous to the Black Ranch.” They moved along—on over the white — snow-crust into the wilderness, at a jog trot. For the animals had received but comparatively little rest, and were less high spirited than on the previous day. A sharp look-out was kept in the rear, and it was finally discovered that the savages were ge aE et) stealing along in the back- ground at their leisure, with no apparent desire to overtake the enemy, yet. “They’re goin’ ter find w’at our lay-out is, furst!” said Steuben, “ an’ then try an’ nonpluss us. But I reckon w’en et comes ter snow, they’ll hev ter git a big spy-glass ‘twill find us.” ‘I fear their Cen Dey the outlaws whom we are going toa’ ” said the general, uneasily. “We'd om a hard fix, then.” “Don’t ye fear, general, fer sech won't be ther case, at all, fer I’ve heer’d thet Old Sittin’ Bull hates ther outlaw Tiger Track, like ther Old Nick hates holy water. e’ll quicker put ina fer us, first, an’ then try ter bounce us, Be aelanbad On—on over the glistening waste of white the y advanced; then, after a couple of hours came he change which Steuben had predicted—a quick clouding over of the sky to a somber leaden hue, and a few feathery flakes of uncommon size began to descend hesitatingly In ten minutes fall, a perfect hurricane of snow was descen and the brigade were wrapped in a ghostly mantle, ~e they urged on their horses through the terrible storm. “Never saw anything like this before, I declare!” Steuben; ‘‘come ahead! Look | eneral, but I've got a barometer | after the first flakes had begun to _
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12 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. General Maynard growled, with a head-shake. “I'm of the opinion that we re in for a hard time, before we get out of this. I wish I'd left you at home, May, where you’d have had comfort and warmth, in- stead of peril and cold to submit to.” “Pshaw! papa, you needn’t worry about me!” May replied, with a little ripple of laughter, “ for ('m warm, and allright. I prefer this wild sport to being penned up in the house. Don’t fear but what I’d complain if I had any cause.” “T don’t b’lieve you would, you’re such a plucky little thing!’’ the old officer replied, riding ahead a little to join Steuben. “Do you think there’s any danger of our being snowed under, scout?” “Dunno, gineral; ken’t tell about thet, fer thar’s no tellin’ what is what, ner when sech a storm as this is goin’ ter quit. Reckon ef et snows us under, thar’s enough 0’ us ter diz out, sumhow.” And it did look exceedingly as if there was danger of their being snowed under, for the falling cloud- bursts of snow were gaining in ground depth with astonishing rapidity, and making the labor of the horses severe in the extre:ne. But they i on, under the urge of the scout— toiling along through the blinding storm, whose denseness was something unparalleled. It was growing darker, too, which looked as if the heavier part of the storm had not yet fallen. On consideration, it was decided that it would not do.to stop now—they must needs keep a-going, at least until the storm abated. ‘Bin out in a few storms, myself,’’ observed an old trapper by the name of Deking, “ but durn my old picter ef I evyer heerd tell o’ ther beat o’ this. Why, fellers, ef et don’t quit afore long, we're goin’ ter ie entombed alive, afore our time.’ “ An’ heva funeral all ter ourselves, boys!”’ chimed in Old Steuben. ‘One thing we orter be thankful fer—thar ain’t many wolves an’ buzzards around, this weather, ter pick our bones,” In the terrible blinding storm, it was hardly possi- ble to advance in regularity, and so they scattered somewhat, each one picking a path for himself. It so happened that the trader, Boover Legree, was left unguarded and unnoticed by the rest of the brigade. But with a fiendish expression of satisfaction he fol- lowed on, now and then chuckling to himself as he heard May Maynard’s clear silvery voice ringing out through the storm, and muttering a curse when he | thought. of the scout, Old Steuben, “We thet cuss knows me, an’ he do fer he called me by name, | do not know him—can’t think of an enemy of the past, whom he might be—unless—but *shaw! that man is dead long ago, although Jake Toleman believes to the contrary. And the girl— Jove! she’s a queen to even what Agnes Wagner used to be, and ef I don’t possess her ere this storm ceases, may I never be able to raise a villain’s hand And the man laughed low and crafty at some me- ditated planof action. He lagged behind all the rest of the bigade, but watchec as well as the storm would permit. And he saw with great satisfaction, that May Maynard was gradually falling behind the rest, her steed having grown contrary and lazy. She evi- dently was unmindful of the fact, and had for- gotten the existence of a wolf in the fold. But Legree was not unmindful—he was watch- ing. her as the hawk watches its prey—with a gleamirig, sinister eye. He had come from the Settlement with the pur- pose of capturing ay Maynard fully fixed in his mind; Omerhaun had fallen by the daring beauty’s fire; but he would not—no! the victim was drop- ping nearer and nearer, unsnspectingly ignorant that she was not keeping up with the rest. Until she felt astrong grasp laid upon her shoulder, and looked around to discover that she was alone with the villain Legree her only companion! The brigade had left her behind! Help! help!’ she screamed. CHAPTER XIV. DEATH OR VICTORY IMPENDING. “Goss ye, et won't do ye no good ter screech fer help!’ growled Legree, sudely clapping his hand over May’s mouth. ‘“*.c'll find ye’ve fallen inter ther claws of a tiger!” ; ““T fear you not!” replied May, indignantly, ‘‘and I defy you. My friends are not far away, and will answer my cry!” “Will they, tho’? Mebbe so an’ mebbe not. Jest you cum along wi’ me, or you'll be sorry; none o’ rey screechin’, now, ef ye don’t wanter get killed, er oncet.”’ those ahead of him, | And turning his horse’s he roly from the | trail as it ran in a northerly co ; : beast a cruel jab of the. spur and se.zcd May's thorough- | bred by the bits. But, when his horse bounded madly forward, May’s balked in its tracks, and as a result the trader was jerked backward from the saddle onto the snow, ‘Hal ha! ha! that’s the time you didn’t make a oint!’? May exclaimed, with a laugh; then she put er hand to her belt, for a revolver, but to her sur- prise she did not find one there. They hadall been removed, and her knife also. ‘Ha! ha!’ chuckled Legree, rising from his plunge into the snow. “He langhs best who laughs last, my dove, with clipped wings. I’ve got ye jest as completely m my power as I hed before! : “No, sir-ee, you hain’t,”’ exelaimed a voice, and who should ridein upon the scene but Josh Hemper- | hi, the Yankee. ‘ b o’ no character, or wisdom, or book-larnin’, snags “Wen et cums ter pass thet aman | hisself ag’in’ a man o’ solid — eee ane character, as represented by ther Hemperhill family, he allus gits hisself in a box-trap deefikilty. Char- acter aire one o’ ther et ackomplishments o’ ther H. family, frum old Nebuchadnezzar down to yer ‘umble sarvent, an’ we’ve bin a healthy, prosperous race. Hello! darn my socks! I swow, ef et ain’t Miss May and thet cuss I boosted once afore!” And the eccentric Yankee covered the trader with his revolvers, while a grin of triumph covered his countenance. “Oh! Josh, is it you? I am so glad you have come!” May cried. “Yas, I reckon ye must be sum’at tickled, seein’s ye war in a fix,” Josh replied, with unusual grim- ness. ‘‘ Danger ginerally alters ther opinions o’ ther female line. Fer instance, ye war orful tickled when ye got rid o’ me, by sendin’ me off after Gold Rifle, but I notis Josh cums in mighty welcome about rescue time!” “Oh! Josh, not quite as bad as that. But, did you find Gold Rifle?” : ‘*Reckon so, an’ lost him ag’in. Darn his picter, he left me in a motte ter wait fer his return, but ther nag got a leetle too hot, an’ so I slid out fer ther ort.” “And what became of Gold Rifle?” “Dunno. Started fer ther Black Ranch, an’ didn’t cum back. Guess as how he got gobbled up by ther ruffians, or mebbe he’s all hunky. But, where’s the rest o’ the folks—how’d ye git out hayr?”’ “There's more ahead, toward the north—” “No, they’re here, now!”’ exclaimed a voice, and General Maynard and the brigade rode forward. ‘“What’s the cause of this delay, pat my child?’ “There’s the cause, papa!” aa ay ed, pointin to Legree, who was cowering under the bearing o Hemperhill’s istols. ‘* The villain tried to carry me on bay failed when Josh came up and showed his and.” “Fal is this so? Josh, you’re a trump! _ Boys, seize the accursed ruffian, and bind his hands, and leave him alone here on the prairie, without his horse. If he gets out without freezing or starving, it’s all the punishment I care to give him.” The order was executed to a letter, and Legree was left alone in mid-prairie, while the brigade re- sumed its course, with Josh in company. May rode by his side, and when no one was near, uestioned him concerning Gold Rifle, who was now the center of all interest to her. “Do you think Gold Rifle was captured by the outlaws, Josh?” “Dunno! Guess he’s smart enough ter hoe his own row.” “What did he say when you gave him the letter?” «‘Sumthin’ about yer invitin’ him ter yer birthday og Neow, see hyar, Miss May, yer goin’ et a eetle ter strong ter suit my notion, an’ ef ye don’t stop, I'll hev ter sue ye fer breeches 0’ promis’, swow ter gracious ef I won’t! ** Josh, you silly fellow, I hope you don’t imagine for a moment that there is any engagerfent existing between us, or that I love you? No! no! you must not be so blind and foolish. I like and respect you as a friend, and all that, but as for marrying you, I could not think of such a thing.” “Then ye aire fishing after Gold Rifle, eh? Ye calkylate he'll fit yer ideas better’n me, eh?” “T don’t know, Josh; but don’t you think we'd make a better match, he being nearer my own e?” “Yas, mebbe yer right, an’ I won’t kick so hard ef ye ain’t a-goin’ terlet Pat Dolan, ther Irisher, inter yer good graces.” “T promise that, Josh, for Pat’s at home, and we're off here, and liable to be for some time.” The snow-storm continued with unabated fury, and it grew,more and more difficult to urge the horses along, for at every step they sunk deep in the feathery bed. The cavalcade was wandering on, not knowing ex- actly the direction all were going—wandering on, to keep from being snowed under, with scarcely an object now, unless it was to find a place of shelter. ome of the men were growing very much fa- tigued, and alarge number of the horses threatened to play out before long. “Hark! did you hear that?’ demanded General Maynard, as a terrible roar in the distance was dis- tinctly audible, and fairly shook the earth. “What does it mean, Steuben?” “Thet war an avalanche w’at hes slid frum top ter ther fut o’ Earthquake range, which ar’ off ter our nor’-west, thirteen or less miles. Heerd’em afore, an’ seen ‘em, too. A big mass o’ snow gits piled up on their mount’in side, an’ a spring o’ water in the peek loosens et, an’ down she comes lickety scoot. ope nd one warn’t going up them mountains then, i et would be asure funeral ter thet unlucky fel- er.” Josh at this juncture rode forward in his eccentric way, to give some intelligence, “Miss May tells me ye're s’archin’ fer ther Black Ranch, gineral. Ef thet’s so, ye’d better go keerful, as ye may bunk up > Rak it, kerslap, afore ye know et. *Tain’t fur ahead,” and then Josh related what he knew of Gold Rifle’s attempt to penetrate the Ranch. “The rash youth undoubtedly has received death at the hands of the outlaws for his reckless venture,” said General Maynard, anxiously. ‘He should never have attempted such a feat, gxcept with plen- ty of aid near at hand to back him. “Oh! he'll git thar all the same, an’ don’t ye for- it et{’’ put in Old Steuben, quickly. “I know afew eet o’ thet lad, an’ll bet my rifle he goes through ef it’s through five an’ water.”’ “T hope so, truly, scout, for I believe him to be a nephew of mine, But, you have heard Josh’s advice. Had we not better come to a halt, lest we do run un- expectedly upon the Ranch? Such an event would be a disaster to be avoided if possible.” “I think I remember a motte of timber a mile fur- ther east, and we will make a closing attempt to find it. If we fail, so be it.” So they kept on, and the day drew toward a close. But Steuben was right, aud just when night was falli thickly, they found a small motte of cottonwoods, whose densely matted branches had halogen the snow from reaching the ground, eaving a fine camping-spot for the toil-worn brig- ade. A search of the timber revealed no enemies,» and a rousing camp-fire was built, and all gathered around it to partake of their evening meal. “TI don’t judge we'll be molested” here,’’ Steuben said, ‘‘unless some belated voyageur like ourselves accidently stumbles along in this direction. The outlaws will keep close to their den this weather.” hab’) y wrong thar, I swow ter gracious ef ye ain’t!” put in Josh, “fer a gang o’ ther salamanders invad- ed my camp, early this mornin’, wich war ther means 0’ makin’ me skedaddle. T lit out, an’ they after me, ontil ther snow came, w’en they couldn't see me no longer.” “Then, sumthin’s ther row. Mebbe Gold Rifle found and escaped wi’ yer daughter, general, wich called out ther roughs?” “God forbid that they are out in such a storm as this,” replied the general, with a shiver. The evening was spent in warming and eating, around the great fire; then all turned in to sleep, ex- cept Steuben and another scout, who stood guard at the western and northern sides of the motte. About midnight the snow ceased to fall as alrvntly as it had come, and in half an hour the ¢!. as clear and a few stars hung pendent in the Lou, ens. All around the motte lay a wide long wilderness of purest white piled upon white, while over it and all nature a strange quiet prevailed—not a sound to break the monotony of the weird dead winter scene, or the midnight hour. But the quiet of the night did not make Old Steu- ben less on the alert than usual. He knew that they were just as liable to be surprised as if there were no snow upon the ground. Now and then he would pass through the camp, to ascertain if all were sleeping right: then back to his post he would go, faithfully. Tt was getting along toward morning ere he dis- covered any signs which he calcula’ were of the enemy. But at last his sharp eye caught a glimmer of light out upon the western — such as might have emanated from the torch of some night-traveler. It was visible for some time, and then totally disap- peared, ** Well, scout, what does it mean?” It was General Maynard who spoke, he having come out from the camp so silently that Steuben had failed to hear him. ““Do you think that enemies are approaching?” ‘Guess it luks thet way, gineral. “‘Spect some o’ the outlaws, or else red-skins aire makin’ fer this yere so In which case thar’s bound ter be a rumpus. Hev ther boys hed enough sleep?” i 7 robably i. a I ge’ pape t. : as, an’ tell ’em ter git their pop-guns ready, fer thar'll be work inside o° half air bone. What is it. Dave?’’—this to the other sentinel, who had returned from the northern and eastern side of the motte. “ Any signs o’ danger?” *“Reckon so; thar’s a band o’ fellers wi’ torches approachin’ ther motte from ther east, and I reckon as how it’s ther outlaws.” “Then we’re bound ter git it on both sides, eh? Wal, ef we divide up right, we can make et musical fer ‘em, they not knowin’ our exact number, Day- break is close at hand, w’ich is fortunate in itself.’ It was nearer than he was aware, and it was soon light enough so that a good view could be had of the rairie for several miles in any direction. The am- ushed scouts were also able to make another dis- covery. Not a mile away, on the crest of a prairie-billow, was a large, barn-like structure, inclosed within a high plank fence—the Black Ranch, of which they were in search, although it was now white with the fallen snow. “That's the Black Ranch, gineral,’’ said Old Steu- ben, *‘whar ye say oe daughter is, an’ et’s a tough old place to attack, I tell ye.” Little Master Jack, who had been fetched along with the brigade, under the charge of an old trapper, was brought forward, and instantly recognized the building, and gave a shout of delight. “Black Ranch!” he articulated. “Jack want to see his mamma; she over in big house.” “And, God granting, you soon shall see her, my pet,” the general said, tenderly. The men were all aroused and put in readiness for a coming combat. One party of the enemy were ap- proaching from the east, and one from the west,, each numbering about a score of men, who were un- — outlaws of the notorious Tiger Track’s and. The eastern enemy were the nearest, and it was not until they were less than a mile away that it was discovered that they were armed with rifles of a long po otal make. This was discovered by aid of a field glass. ‘““Thet puts a new aspect ter ther case!” Old Steu- ben said, “‘and ef we ever calkylate ter git out o’ this wi’ our skulps on, yo've a ter do sum o’ ther tallest fightin’ on record. ite Injuns, an’ lots of *em at ther same time, aire a dose IJ ain’t fond of.” Half of the men were distributed along the eastern side of the motte, and half along the western; then with fast-beating hearts they waited for the enemy to come within rifle range. 7 Death or victory was impending.
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Gold Rifle. CHAPTER XV. OUT OF DANGER—FIRE! Ir was a terrible fact that the words of Gold Rifle expressed. : “My God! we are in the path of an avalanche!” Above, the storm-bound mountains rose sheer and declivitous; around them’ the whirling snow wis a feathery vortex; above all came that ominous, frightful roar. “A what?” Mrs. Wagner demanded, growing deathly pale; ‘‘a—” ‘An avalanche!” Gold Rifle repeated, scarcely above a whisper. ‘ We are doomed, unless we can get out of the way in four minutes or less!”’ He stood not an instant idle, but worked even while he spoke. He had kicked away the lately-fallen snow until he came down to the hard-frozen crust beneath. Then with his stout hunting knife he cut out a large block of this crust. Below the snow was soft and unpacked—easy to penetrate, “Quick! quick!” he gasped—‘‘ help scoop out a be with your hands—there is not a second to be ost!” Neither there was. The fearful hissing rumbling roar was growing louder; coming nearer each mo- ment, with a terrible slide of snow and ice upon its wings. . A few seconds when a man is working for dear life, will accomplish miracles, Both Gold Rifle and his mother set desperately, almost wildly to work in digging a trench below the erust—they worked like mad, hurling the snow out and deepening their excavation. The avalanche glided on with accelerating aye 5 was not ten ards away, when Noo Bam flat in the trench, and Rola Rifle pulled the di ed crust into its former position above them. Then the very mountains seemed to quake and tremble, as the giant mass of snow and ice passed over them, and plunged in a huge bank among the foothills, with a roar like an ocean hurricane. Gold Rifle’s ingenuity had saved them. For when the terrible avalanche had , he raised the cake, and they emerged from the moun- tain side, unharmed, “God be praised, for he has watched over us, kindly!’ Mrs. Wagner said devoutly. ‘* My son, do think there is danger of another of those dread- snow-slides,”’ ‘*No, mother, dear, Do you not see, the moun- tain has been swept of all the loose snow, and it will require time for more to accumulate sufficient to cause another avalanche. We will keep on up.a way further, and I have hopes that we will find the cave I have inentioned.” And with an inward prayer of thanksgiving for their escape, they continued the ascent of the steep mountain side. d Rifle had to lead, and with a heavy stick make indentations in the crust in which to step, or they could not have advanced a rod with- out slipping back a yard or more. In the course of half an hour they arrived in front of an overhanging cliff of rock, in which was a large round hole—the entrance to the cave Gold Rifle had spoken of. At first he hesitated to enter, fearing he might be imperiling his mother by taking her into a bear’s den. ut reconnoissance dispelled this idea, and they entered, to find it asnug little cavern of twenty b sixteen feet, dry, and not ill smelling. It had evi- dently been inhabited before, as there were evidences of tenancy—a broken kettle, a lantern, and fire- wood piled up in one corner. “Ha! this is just the place we are looking for,” Gold Ritle exclaimed, gladly. ‘‘Here-wecan remain until I find my father, or until the storm stops, and then I'll take you to the fort. It’s a good round for- ty miles, bnt we can do it easily in a couple of days afoot, by cutting across by a route I have in view.” “Do you think the outlaws are still following us, my dear boy?” ‘No. They undoubtedly gave up the chase when they found that the snow was in one sense befriend- ing us. They Fes gan came out unprovided with provisions, and were unprepared for a siege.” Thanks to the capture he had made in the Black Ranch larder, Gold Rifle knew that they would not want for food for several days to come. He built a rousing fire out ef the dry pitch wood and cones, and soon had a genial warmth pervading the cave. Out of the venison they made a comfortable meal, and then leaving his mother to warm at the fire, Gold Rife left the cave to take a view of their sur- roundings from a more elevated point. But night was drawing near, and it was still snowing, so that he had to return without making any discovery whatever. He found his mother standing at one side of the cave, with a fired torch in her hand, and she was visibly excited. ‘‘Oh, Kit, do come here!” she exclaimed, excited- “‘HJere’s your father’s name written upon the wall.” ‘ “Then he must have been here before us,” replied Gold Rifle approaching and paneing at the inscrip- tion painted upon the rock: ‘ Wild Walt, October 10th, 187--," “iT has not been here since October, probably. I have not seen him for two years.” “Oh! that he were here now, for Walt was eyer good to me,” said Mrs. Wagner, with asigh. “ He was @ man of questionable repute when I fled with him, and turned out to be an outlaw chief. ButI loved him none the less for this, and soon persuaded him to leave the band and lead an honest, upright life, which he did, until I was abducted by Alf. King, one of his own men.” Gold Rifle did not consider it necessary to keep a herder hen he believed that very few knew of the moun cave, and less were likely to attempt to | reach it in the driving storm that was now sweep- ing over the North-west. So he lay down and ac- cepted of nature’s gift of refreshing sleep. He awakened about midnight, and stepped without the eave to note the effect of the storm. To his sur- prise he found that the sky was clear with a few stars shining and that the snow had ceased to fall. ‘*To-morrow we shall leave this cave, and at- tempt to cross the wilderness again to the fort,” he said to Mrs. Wagner, on his return, “so sleep | and rest well, so that you will be prepared.” Had he added his own thoughts in words, some- thing like this would have been said: ‘*For, dear mother, I am anxious to get back to the fort and obtain a glimpse of another face there, which has haunted me since over a week ago. ‘Tis the sweet pretty face of May Maynard that is ever before me, though why should I think of and aspire to her, who is so far above me in education, wealth, and position?” We return to the brigade whom we left in the prairie wilderness, lay low for the coming of the enemy. Getetel Maynard and Josh Hemperhill had charge of the half-score of men who lay within the motte on the eastern side, while Old Steuben with May May- nard—Captain May, as she was called—commanded the western approach, with nine men. The teath, an old trapper, had been left in the center of the motte in charge of little Master Jack. The eastern gang of outlaws were approaching the fastest, and would soon be within range, while ag advancing from the west came on more leisure- iy jest because ye hev given me ther mitten. | did not “When these rascals, get near enough, boys, let ‘em haVe it !’’ cried General Maynard, now in spirit for battle. ‘‘ You can guess the length of rifle range. Don’t shoot their horses, but shoot dead at them. They’re the curse of these prairies, and must be ex- terminated. “Yas, boys, plug et ter ’°em ther best ye’ve got writ down in yer catalogue. Put all yer solid basis character inter yer pop-guns, an’ sling it straight at ther cusses an’ ye’re sure to win.” Nearer and nearer the outlaws rode, evidently un- suspectingly, and then, when they were within easy rifle range, General Maynard gave the word, and the crack of half a score of rifles echoed over the wilder- ness in white. Then as many men of tue myo oor ing band reeled in their saddles, and four dropped lifeless upon the snow. The others, however retain- ed their seats—there was a fierce vindictive yell, and the ruffians came charging on, like mad. ‘*Lay low, boys—now, one, two, three and fire /”’ ordered the general, grimly, and ain the death dealing repeaters of the br: posers e, and six out- laws dropped back out of the dles, never to fol- low the war-path again. “Hurray! thet’s ther kind fer ye, boyees—charac- ter-plated, war every one o’ them bullets, an’ luk at their execution!” cried Josh. ‘**Yes—there’s only ten left on this side, boys, but they’re comin’ like thunder, and you'll have to work uick!" cried the general.. And he spoke the truth. he outlaws were spurring their animals and goad- ing them on, although it was but feebly they floun- dered through the deep snow. All were masked and armed with rifles and army revolvers, and they were a desperate looking set of men. “T tell ye what!’ exclaimed an old weppe “Tve diskivered one 7 ae = ahead 0’ ye, boys. Thet chap thar in ther lead’s none other than the cussed galoot they call Tiger Track, an’ I know it.” ‘“ How d’ye know et, Greckel?” “‘Beca’se I war once tuk a prisoner by him, but Mac rea ‘**Lay low, boys!’’ cautioned General Maynard. “Hark! the devils have attacked t’other side. Hur- up—let’s clean out these roughs, an’ join ther rest o en boys. One—two—three—” ? n oan a report of ten rifles rung out, and every saddle was emptied although some of the out- laws were not killed,"but severely wounded, and left lying upon the prairie by the horses which were skurrying away in nearly every direction. Without waiting to look after the wounded, Gene- ral Maynard and his men hurried to the western side of the motte, where aw found a hot contest waging. * oy gaa of bullets had been exchanged, but no one cilled. The outlaws on this side were a round score, in number, and fiercely urged on by no less than the | two ruffian traders, Jacob Toleman and Boover Le- gree, who in some inexplicable way had joined in with the outlaws. Old Steuben had been badly wounded in both arms, and could no longer participate in the affray, but he cheered on the men, and kept them wide awake to the enemy’s weak points. “You see them two men, Josh!” he said, pointing | out the ruffian traders to the Yankee. “ Waal, them chaps aire after Miss May, an’ ef ye don’t put a buz- zer in their ears, 1°ll no longer count ye a pard.” And, in the next charge that was‘made, both Le- gree and Toleman fell, mortally wounded. Several of the brigade were hard hit, but they poured such a | destructive volley into the ruffians that they ‘turned tail,” to use a western phrase, and beat an ignomini- ous retreat. * Licked em, by thunder, an’ character’s what did their job—duplex, solid basis character, sure’s I’m a relic o’ ther characteristic family o’ Hemperhill!”’ Yosh exclaimed, dancing delightedly about. ‘‘ Miss May, ye’re a good’un an’ no mistake! Ye’re solid, an’ ef ye war only ter link yer fate wi’ a man 0’ un- doubted character, like me, wat .appiness would be ours, yours an’ mine!” “Tm sorry, Josh!’’ May replic |, with an effort to “ Allright, honey, I ain’t going to blubber nor spout "Ss ate 0’ fishes in ther sea, w’at’ll bite at characteristic ait.” “ Of course, Josh, and make you a better wife than | Iwould.”’ The outlaws continued to retreat until they were out of sight from the watchers at the motte. They o toward the Black Ranch, and this looked rather strange, too, seeing that it was their nearest place of refuge. “T tell ye what!” averred Old Steuben, “I’ve jest ot an idear o’ what ther row is wi’ them chaps. here’s but a dozen o’ ‘em left, an’ they calcylate they ain’t strong enough ter hold ther Ranch, wi’ch is undoubtedly empty. Sothey’re goin’ terlight out an’ ae this country.”’ “Perhaps you're right,” assented General May- nard, ‘‘ and after we have gathered in our a we'll attempt to investigate the matter. hands, now, assist in bringing in the wounded.” It was a work that occupied considerable time, and eighteen, in all, were brought in, of the outlaws, and their hands and feet bound, and their wounds skillfully dressed. Among them were Legree and Tiger Track—Jacob Toleman having expired shortly after he had been shot. On removing the mask of Tiger Track, it was a great surprise to the men of the Settlement to behold the sinister evil face of the dead trader’s son—the bullying Jay Toleman, whom we introduced at the beginning of our narrative. The excitement of this discovery had not yet wholly abated, when Old Steuben, who had been on a scout came rushing into camp, with long leaps. “The Ranch! the Ranch!” he cried—“‘it is all CHAPTER XVI. BORDER JUSTICE—CONCLUSION. Ir was indeed true—the Black Ranch was wrapt in flames. The smoke and flames were darting m many a window and crack, and the rg! Moms J of snow upon the roof had all melted off. ere Was scarcely a visible spot of the building above the high plank fence but was on fire, and the fire was evident- a well executed scheme of an incendiary. “God forbid that my daughter Mabel is in yonder building, now?” General Maynard said, anxiously, ‘for no earthly power can save that outlaws’ strong- hold. See; yonder is a horseman just leaving the ates, and ng southward. He is evidently the Sank wedath, ike h, who hed grudge “Sum galoot, like enough, who sum ag’in’ the outlaws!’’ suggested Old Steuben. “I reckon thet Gold Rifle succeeded in rescuin’ yer ecb gineral, an’ thet’s w'at started the outlaws abroad.” ““T truly hope that such may be the case, scout, for to have my long-lost daughter restored to my arms, would be one of the greatest joys Icanimagine in my old age. Of her I have ever carried a hope— that we would meet again.” “D’ye think, general, thet ef ye war ter hev ner daughter restored to you, thet ye could freely for- give her past desertion o’ you, an’ also forgive the at-one-time outlawed husband with whom she fied, providing he had reformed frum the past, inter a man 0’ men?” “Yes, scout, most freely would I forgive them both and take them to my heart, in my declini e, for except my dear May, here, I have no one to love or care for me. But, why do an speak thus, scout— what know you of my daughter and her husband?” —_ wp | know that Wild Walt will be rejoiced, sir, and embrace an early opportunity to take a place at your family board as your future stay and sup- port. But, enough of this; see, the building is now going rapidly, and soon the Black Ranch will no.lon- er be a thing of existence. What do you propose do with the outlaws, general?” “I propose to give them an immediate trial, and string ‘em up the verdict so decides,” was the stern reply. ‘T think there will be sufficient evidence against them, and I’m satisfied that they wouldn’t have granted us even the mercy of a trial.” All hands stood upon the edge of the motte and watched the burning of the Black Ranch—this place of death and the devil, which had become a rival in the North-west to what the slaughter station of the inhuman Benders was, a few years ago upon the middle border—watched the flames lick up the wood fiercely, until the great pile, fence and all, was re- duced to a bed of ashes and glowing coals. Then, the party went back to the camp, in the heart of the motte, and preparations were made for the trial of the outlaws. General Maynard assumed the position of judge, at the request of the little band, and opened the court with a stirring speech, relating how the coun- try had lately been scourged by bold, lawless men, whi had raided, thieved and destroyed homes with- out number; and he wound up with a request that the gentlemen present who knew anything concern- ing the outlaws would step forward and sworn, and give their testimony. An old “vet,” by the name of Darrel, came for- ward, was sworn, and declared that Tiger Track and his band had raided his home, but a year ago, mur- dered his wife and mother, and robbed him of stock and money. Another man, from Cheyenne, testified that he had seen Tiger Track stab a man io death, in an upper settlement, and then escape, Still another testified that he had been one of a train crossing the Pisin, on the previous summer, which had been attacked by Tiger Track'’s band, ype all hands save himself and teamster were mur-
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14 'B “This is enough, Gentlemen of the Jury, to satisfy the minds of any honest men. But, if there’s any more testimony, let’s have it.” “There is!” exclaimed a voice, and who should ride forward into the space where the border court was held but Gold Rifle. “T can testify, and swear | to it if necessary, that I was recently captured by | old Jacob Toleman, and Tiger Track’s outlaws, and taken into the Black Ranch, where I was pitched into a pit, where there were many dead bodies, some of them recently placed there, others decayed and no- | thing but skeletons left. That they were victims of the outlaws, there can be no doubt, and as a detec- | tive, I vote that the inhuman scoundrels all be strung up!” ““And so they shall be. Gentlemen of the Jury, you have heard the testimony of witnesses. You may retire to consider the case.” “No need o’ that, gineral!”’ said Old Steuben, who formed one of the decisive body known as the | “Jury.”’ “We don’t leave our seats fer sech cases as this, but unanimously say “ guilty,’ an’ so string em up, ter oncet. Thet’s w’at they deserve, accord- im’ ter our agreement—eh, boyees?”’ !” responded the Jury. and every one of the prisoners to be lynched in the southern end of this motte, and may God have mercy upon their souls.” The words were a glee ere the trappers and traders composing the brigade, sprung forward to do the work, which, according to their views, was justice. In vain the poor wretches begged and entreated— | all except Tiger Track, or Jay Toleman, but it was of nouse. The resolution of the Regulators was not to be broken. Jay Toleman was the only calm one among the lot, as they were borne away toward the assigned lynch- ing ground. He helda sort of grim, bull-dog defi- ance—did not quail, but rather denounced the cap- tors in the viles' language of his vile vocabulary. The young wretch’s heart was too hardened—his | / | soul too deeply steeped in crime for him to care for death. At last all of the outlaws had been removed to the | he was a bitter enemy of Tiger Track. southern end of the motte, and all of the brigade ex- | cept four had gone to witness the “ sport,” for in the remote West, a good old-fashioned lynching is con- | sidered by the frontiersman next to the Fourth of wy. | e four remaining behind were General Maynard, Gold Rifle, Old Steuben, and May. The quartette stood facing each other for some moments—expect- uncy upon the faces of the general and the scout. Gold Rifle stood with arms folded, a half-humorous expression upon his countenance, and a gleam of ba in his eyes. “Well,” he said, glancing from one to another, ‘I take it, by your looks, that you're expecting some- thing of me.” “Rnd you're exactly right,” replied Old Steuben, with a laugh. ‘‘ We're expecting much of you. But first, let us know each other. Kit, my boy, this is our grandfather, General ay fe and this young tady. your aunt, IT suppose. neral, and Miss May, this is your relative, Kit Deronda, detective.” * We are glad to meet you, young man.” the gene- ral said, ex eoding: his hand, ‘‘ and although it is a little surprtse at this time, I must confess that I’ve had an inkling of our relationship, suggested by my darling adopted daughter, May, But, Steuben, you agner with whom my daughter fled, say ‘ my son;’ can it be possible that you are the | Wild Walt Wi years or” 2 iia" pariin. general,’ and the, old scout-guide threw off a wi looking man o ree stood revealed. “Then, praise God, for I am reunited to my dear father, husband and children!” cried a voice, and Mrs. Wagner, so sang lost to loving hearts, rushed into b- scene, and fell into the open embrace of Wild Walt. ; Such a glad reunion! The two men, husband and father, went into ecstasies over the returned one and while they were engaged thus, Gold Rifle or Kit Deronda, turned to Miss May, who was standing a little aloof, holding Master Jack by the hand. “Well, Miss Maynard, this seems to be a gladsome moment, does it not? and it occurs to me, just now that we must be brother and sister, eh, or aunts and uncles, or. —”’ “Only by adoption, sir!’ May replied, a painful flush rising to her cheek.. “I have lately found that I am not General Maynard’s own daughter, but an adopted one—the child of an old army officer, named Faulkland. Therefore I am an outsider, but I cannot help feeling overjoyed all the same at the nee sae of events.” 1 ich shows the goodness of your heart. And I’m right glad, too, that you are no relation to me, although I would love to havea sistér. I suppose this is my little brother whom I have never seen.” After the exchange of a few more words May and Gold Rifle joined the others, where Wild Walt was speaking. “*T joined an outlaw band, general, after I fled, ac- So be AE ip daughter. In the community in which you lived at that time, J was nearly unknown and the name of detective had been little heard. I was a detective on my own hook, and joined the out- laws tr segs to asc their force, and how to ecessfully break them up, I was made their chief, and known as Wild Walt Wagner. I had not been _ forty-eight hours with them when I was seen and by a party of hunters, and branded as an outlaw. It was useless now to leave them, as death awaited me outside of their ranks. SoI staid until the goodness of my wife, here, caused me to flee and false beard, and a handsome- | | from _ them, with our little boy. I hid myself, but Alf King one of the men, stole away my wife, and she was appropriated, later, by Dolph Carew, known to you as Toleman, Jr. With him she came to this country, and she has just told me that the wretch forced her to marry him. The little boy, here, isa result of their union. But he shall never lack fora | father, in me, and now that we are ail reunited in one happy tamily, I see no reason why we should ever part. After about an hour the trappers and traders came marching back from the southern end of the motte, singing in wild harmony a peculiar lynching song: ‘* We've hung up the cusses to a cottonwood tree, To a cottonwood tree, to a cottonwood tree, They plead an’ they argied, ut we couldn’! all agree, So we boosted ’em up to glor-r-ry.” “Yas, capt’in, we’ve suspended them galoots above wuif reach, an’ they’re out o’ sin an’ tempta- tion.” ‘“‘An’ I swow ter breeches, thar warn’t only one “ la Ps : 9 : r | solid basis character galoot among ’em!’’ putin Josh. - Then n the name of the law, which we have of | ¥ & 4 I necessity taken into our own hands, I sentence each | “ He war thet Jay Toloman, or Tiger Track—tuk his rations as natteral as ary hoss ked do, wi’out a grunt.” “Tf you've hung the wretches you've done the country a good service,”’ said Wild Walt, ‘‘for them outlaws had mocapel for fiendish cruelty and devil- ishness. May , however, forgive them, as we all hope to be forgiven our sins,”’ To which there was a hearty amen. That night when all were gathered around a rous- ing camp-fire, Gold Rifle was importuned to’felate all about his adventures in rescuing Mrs. Deronda, his mother, which he did, touching li¢htly, however, on parts where he had played the heroic. He rela- ted what he had discovered about the Black Ranch, concerning the counterfeiting scheme, and his expe- rience in the death pit. ““Who do you think fired the Ranch, Kit?” Wild Walt asked. ‘The guard who aided me to escape, no doubt, for His name he said was Renfrau.”’ **Do you think it will pay to overhaul the ruins of the Ranch to get at that counterfeit money ?”’ ““No. It has doubtless been melted, and could be of no use to us, anyhow.” And so the Black Ranch’s ashes were!left undis- turbed, and on the following morning the brigade set out for the settlement, which, in due time, they safely reached, the Maynard party proceeding on to the general’s quarters, glad to get out of the track- less wilderness. May Faulkland had her birthday party after all, and a brilliant affair it was, to which all the soldiers and trappers were invited. Gold Rifle was present, and on that auspicious occasion found time to whis- er his love-dream to the fair May. And it became nown, later, that they were engaged; later still, in the spring-time, they \ ere united in matrimony—and they all live almost under the guns of the fort, the van families of Derondas, as happy as the day is ong. General Maynard isstill grand supervisor of things at the fort, even in his old age, and finds at the homes of his own daughter and daughter of adoption, a double blessing to his declining years. _ The gold which years ago Wild Walt had taken from the outlaws, has been contributed, we learn, to a committee at Y, a free school on a grand scale. alt “ would not have the stuff on his hands,” he said. And with Gold Rifle lives as a retainer no less a personage than ec- centric Josh Hemperbill. THE END. “The Model Family Paper Most Charming of the Weeklies.” A pure paper; good in every thing; bright, bril- liant and attractive. 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1 Deadwood Dick, THe PRINCE of THE Roap, By Edward L. Wheeler. Yellowstone Jack; or, THE TRAPPER OF THE ENCHANTED GrounpD. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Kansas King; or, THe Rep RIGHT Hanp, By Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 5 Vagabond Joe; THE Youne WANDER- InG Jew. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biddon, Tra THE NorTtHWwEST. By 3 er; or, LIFE IN ward 8, Ellis. The Flyi OUTCAST. Yankee ; or, Tor OcEAN y Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Seth Jones; or, THE CAPTIVES OF THE Frontier. By Edward §. Ellis. The Adventures of Baron Mun- chausen. Nat Todd; or, THe Fate or THE Sroux Captive. By Edward §. Ellis. 1 The Two Detectives; or, THE Fortunes or A BowEry Giri. By Albert W. Aiken, author of ‘‘ The Spotter Detective,” etc. 1 Gulliver’s Travels. A Voyage to Lilliput, and a Voyage to Brobdingnag. 13 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, author of “‘ Vagabond Joe,”’ etc, 1 4 Manas or, THe WONDERFUL 9 The Sea-Cat; or, THz Wiron or Darien. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 16 Robinson Crusoe. His Life and Surprising Adventures, (27 illustrations.) 1 e{ Ralph Roy, The Boy Bucca- neer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 1 ay Sindb&d the Sailor. His seven voy- ages. From the Arabian Nights. 19 The Phantom Spy; or, THz Por : OF THE Prarriz. By Buffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers; or, Drap- woop Dick’s DEFIANCE. By Edward L. Wheeler, author of ‘‘ Deadwood Dick.’ 21 Frontier Angel. A Romance of Kentucky Rangers’ Life. By Edward 8. Ellis, author of ‘*Seth Jones,” etc. 2 The Sea Serpent; or, THz Boy Rosrnson Crusoe. By Col, Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Night: or, THE Boy Spy or 76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 24. Diamond Dirk: or, Taz Mystery oF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, author of “‘ The Flying Yankee,” etc. 2 5 The Boy Captain: or, Tur Pirate’s DaveuTerR. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Demon. Edward L. Wheeler QT Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes, Qe Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Discuise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 2D The Dumb Page; or, THE DoGr’s Roaring Ralph Rockwood, Tun RecKLESS Raneer. By Harry St. George. 31 Pratries. By Oll Coomes. 32 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian: Wheeler, author of ‘“‘ Deadwood Dick,” ete., etc. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, THE W. Pierce, author of “The Boy Detective,” etc., ete. 34 Oregon Sol; or, Nick WHIFFLEs’ Wild Ivan, Tue Boy CLAupE DuvAL; or, THe BrornerHoop or DeatTu. Dead- wood Dick Romance No. 4. By Edward L. Wheeler. By Pistol: or, DEADWoop Dick In Daventer. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 3 Keen-Knife, THe PRINCE OF THE or, Tae Girt Deap-Ssor. By Edward L. Rep PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEES, By Samuel Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 A Sporting Paper for Young Americans, at BEADLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Every one of them ‘* Live” Stories by ** Live® Authors. a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DIME, 36 The Boy Clown; or, THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA. By Frank 8. Finn. 3 » 4 The Hidden Lodge; or, Tux LITTLE HunTER OF THE AprIRONDACKS. By T, C, Harbaugh, author of “ Nick o’ the Night,”’ ete. 38 Hed Wylde Tue Boy Scour. By 3 Death-Face, the Detective; or, Lire anp Love IN New York. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. A story of a Young American who wanted to see the world. By John J. Marshall. Al Lasso Jack, THE YounG MusTANG- ER. By Oll Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner: or, Drap- woop Dick’s Bonanza. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 43 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Rat Rube: or, THe Nicur- HAWES OF OKY. By Harry St. George. 45 Old Avalanche, the Great An- nihilator: or, THE Grru BRIGAND. By Edward L. Wheeler. 4 Glass Eye, the Great Shot ofthe West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. ANTELOPE ABE.—No, 27. Each number A” Nightingale Nat: ox, Tor Forest prawns, By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John, the ene agent, or, THE OvTLAW’s Retreat. By Badger, Jr. 49 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, or, Deapwoop Dick IN Danezr. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 50 Burt Bunker, THe Trapper. A Tale of the North-west Hunting-Grounds, By Charles E. Lasalle. Rifles, or, THE UNDER- ‘Amp. By Archie C, Iron. 51 The Bo GROUND 5 The White Buffalo. A Tale of Strange Adventure in the North-west. By Charles E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THe Boy PHEntrx; or, THROUGH TO THE DEATH. By Edward L. Wheeler. 54 Ned Hazel, Tur Boy TRAPPER; or, + THE PHantom Princess. By Capt. J. F.C. ams. 5 5 Deadly-Eye, THz Unknown Scovt; jalo Bi or, THE BRANDED BRoTHERHOOD. By Buf. 56 Nick Whiffles’ Pet, or, In THE VaLLEy or DeaTH. By Capt, J. F. G Adams. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Hagiess or, Tae Parps or Fioop Bar, y Edward L. Wheeler, 5 my The Border King; or, Tux Szcret For. By Oll Coomes. 59 Old Hickory, or, Panpy Ex11s’s Scape. By Harry St. George. 60 The White Indian; or, Tax Scout OF THE YELLOWSTONE. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill, or, THz Rep Ririz Team. By Edward L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship, or, THe Rrvau LikvTENANTS, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 6 The Red Brotherhood, or, THz TweELve AveNGcERS, By W. J. Hamilton. 64 Dandy Jack, or, THe OUTLAW OF THE OREGON TRAIL. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill, or, Mustane Sam AND HIS “Parp,’’ By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 66 Single Hand, or, A Lire ror 4 Lire. By W. J. Hamilton, 67 Patent-Leather Joe: or, OLD Rar- TLESNAKE, THE CHARMER. By Philip 8. Warne, author of “A Hard Crowd,” “ Tiger ck,” * Always on Hand,” etc. 68 The Border Robin Hood; or, TRE Prarriz Rover. By Buffalo Bill. 69 Gold Rifle, THz Youne S#arp- SHOOTER; or, THE Boy DETECTIVE OF THE Brack Rance. By Edward L. Wheeler. wf O Old Zip’s Cabin; or, THE GREEN- HORN IN THE Woops, By Captain J. F.C, Adams. q 1 Delaware Dick; Tur Youne Rana. ER Spy; or, BrorHerR AGarnst BROTHER By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western, Tur Texan Raneer. By W. J. Hamilton. Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, CALAMITY JANE, THE HEROINE OF THI Wuoopr-up. By Edward L. Wheeler. 7 4 Hawk-eye Harry, ‘tnx ‘Young TRAPPER RANGER. By Ol] Coomes. ws 5 The Boy Duelist; or, THE CRUISE OF THE SEA Wotr. By Col. Prentiss In graham. "6 Abe Coit, the Crow-Killer, By Albert W. Aiken. A new issue every week, The Half-Dime Library vs tot ple by al Newsdealers, five cents per copy, nt by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. last! “THE YOUNG NEW YORKER, a Journal of Recreation and World of Sport.” Price, 5 Cents. For sale everywhere.