Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 702) (1891 01 06)
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AY WOW AN WW, RX {Nad ‘ia Vm ma 5a ee penve ree CU Tait. ; Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y4, at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright 1890, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, January 6, 1891, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 702. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 Cents. Vol. XXVIL, im OR. The Red Hat Ranger’s Red Hot Racket. A Romance of Southwest Trails, Tussles and Thoroughbreds, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, CHAPTER I. SAVED BY A DOUBT. A BAND of horsemen, wild, rugged-looking fellows armed tothe teeth, rode away from a hill-top over which an Overland Trail wound its way, and silently, in twos, threes, and now and —— then a single rider, went their separate ways in- ‘* MEN, THERE IS MY PROOF! THE CHAIN COLLAR OF THE BLUE JACKETS!” CRIED REDFERN. to the wilds of a mining country in borderland,
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Z What they left behind them wasa scene to The grave was dug, a log rolled ina blanket | Blue Jacket Bill. ; send a thrill of horror through the blood of one | placed in it, and then it was filled in and stones who Debeld it, for the rosy rays of the setting sun fell upon a human form suspended in mid- air, and gently swaying to and fro with a mo- tion as easy as the throbs of life passing out of the body of the one whose end had been thus tragic. One of the horsemen who left the spot where a tragedy bad been enacted, rode slowly along a trail which no one else of the party followed, He was dressed as a miner, with woolen shirt, top boots, corduroy pants, and a slouch hat, He came to a halt before he had ridden very far, and seemed Jost in deepest meditation. Then he mused aloud: ‘* My coubt increases each moment that they hanged the right man, I will return and see if he is dead,” Quickly he wheeled his horse and rode back to the fateful spot. There swung the body, to and fro, like a huge pendulum marking the seconds of ebbing life. The sup was on the horizon now, and its glow falling upon the ,pallid face of the victim of man’s inhumanity to man, caused the horseman to start and say. aloud: ** He is not dead! I will cut him down.” He rode near at once, his bowie severed the lariat that served as a hangman’s rope and the form was gently lowered to the ground. Then the horseman dismounted and loosened the strangling noose, spread the man upon his back and began to chafe the swollen neck. Going to a brook near he filled his canteen with water and bathed his face, head and chest, Then, as he placed his finger-tips upon the pulse, and bent his ear to the broad breast he took from a saddle pocket a small flask of liquor and forced some between the white lips, gasbed by the sharp teeth in the death-strug- le, ‘¢ He lives, that is certain; but this would cost me my life did the Vigilantes return, “Tt would cause me to fight, or be hanged for what lam doing, for these men stand no un- doing of their work. ‘* Ah! there was a sigh, and I believe I can bring him around.” More water was brought and the neck was rubbed bard, and more’ liquor forced between the shut teeth. At last just as twilight was falling, the eyes slowly cpened, the breast rose and fell in strong gasps, and in a hoarse whisper came the words: ** Am I dead?” ‘‘No, but you came as near it not to bein Shadowland as any one I ever*knew, pard.” ‘* Where are they?” * All gone.” ‘‘ They hanged me?” “ce Yes.” ‘* And found they had made a mistake—that 1 was the wrong man ?” * Noy ** What then!” ‘*T had my doubts, so returned.” ** Alone?” es Yes,” ** God bless you!” ‘| hope the prayer may serve me, for Iam an awful sinner,” ** Who are you?” ** One of the Vigilantes,” ‘* Yes, I recall your face; but that does not answer my question.” ‘*T am a miner bunting a fortune.” ** What is your name?” **7 am called in the camps Lariat Dick.” ** And I owe my life to you?” **Tf the Vigilantes do not come back and hang us both.” ‘* Ah yes, that means, you risked your life to save mine,” “*T took the chances on your being alive, as your neck was not broken.” ‘*Then you are in danger here?” * As you afte.” **T can leave, with your aid.” ‘Mount my horse and ll take you to my camp until you get able to travel.” ** One moment?” “ Yes.” **1 must still be considered dead,” ** Of course,” ** Are you willing to dig a grave near here?” “Yes, I understand, for the cut lariat over the limb there, and a grave, will tell the story that some one cut you down and buried you.” “That is it.” ‘Tl soon dig a grave, pard, and you can sit by and thank God you are not going to fill it.” * But for you I would bavedone so. Iam not one to forget,” was the low reply. piled on top tc keep the coyotes out. Then the man who had so narrowly escaped | death, mounted the horse of bis rescuer, the lat- | ter led the way and they moved off in the dark- | ness on a trail leading into the mountains, CHAPTER II. THE SETTLER’S DAUGHTER. A WEEK ufter the scene just described, two men are winding their way up a rugged trail to- ward the summit of a range of hills. One was farin advance of the other and on | foot, the otlier following, and mounted, but rid- ing slowly. The pedestrian was he who had called himself Lariat Dick, while the rider was the man who had been hanged by the Vigilantes of Colorado, They were many miles now from the scene where one had so ne.rly lost his life, and, still enfeebled, the rescuer was taking him by easy stages to bis home, Suddenly the horseman saw the one in advance halt, then spring to the top of a rock and bring his rifle to his shoulder. A long time he held it there, the muzzle con- stantly moving, as though following the object at which it was aimed; then came the puff of smoke followed by the sharp report, The horseman pressed forward now, for he saw his comrade disappear over the summit of the | ridge, as though in haste to get the game he had brought down. Arriving at the ridge, the horseman beheld a scene that caused his pale face to tarn to the hue of death, : What he saw was a young girl stauding upon the brink of a narrow canyon which split the ridge below in twain, and through which dashed a foaming torrent speeding on to the river at the base of the hills, Her horse stood near her, his head drooped and his body trembling. Lariat Dick was hastening toward the young girl with long strides. ‘““My God! it is my child! my Ruth! Could he have fired upon her? No! no! no!” and with the words the horseman, gaining renewed strength from excitement, followed Lariat Dick to the spot where the young girl stood, still peer- ing into the foaming canyon below. “Bravo for you, miss! but that was the gamest leap Lever saw made in my life, andlam no slouch as a rider, myself. ‘‘T wish to shake hands with one who has got the grit to ride a horse over that slit, and you can see the animal is nearly scared to death,” and Lariat Dick held out his hand to the girl, who said with a grim smile: ‘* As lam, sir; but you fired that shot?” “Yes, miss.” ‘*-You do not know from what you have saved me,” “‘T only know that Isaw you pushing for all you could, and the man was following you, hot! ‘You took the leap, and he was game enough to follow, sol caught bim in the air andI guess horse and rider are on the trail to the lava beds now, for that’s an ugly place to fall into,” and Lariat Dick coolly looked down the fifty feet of the chasm into the surging torrent that swept into the river a hundred yards away. As he did so he was startled by two cries: * Ruth!” ** Father!” He turned to behold his comrade spring from his horse and infold the maiden in his arms, ** Now this isa game I can chip in,” he mut- tered as he quickly turned to regard the canyon stream once more. His glance took in the ridge upon which they stood, the.chasm which the young girl had dared to leap, and below, beyond the river, a fertile valley where was visible a settler’s cabin home and outbuilding, and haif a bundred acres rudely fenced in and under cultivation, There were some bundreds of cattle feeding in the valley, a drove of sheep and ascore of horses, showing that the settler was well to do, A glance too had shown Lariat Dick that the young girl be had rescued was about eighteen, with a willowy, handsome figure and a face most attractive, She was dressed in a homespun riding habit and wore a broad-brimmed slouch-hat, while a belt about her waist had a holster in which there was bo revolver. Her hair, a dark brown, was worn in long braids down her back, and altogether she was a handsome, dashing border girl. ‘‘ He said his home could be seen from the ridge, so I guess that’s his daughter, andif so, I’m too glad,” muttered Lariat Dick, just as his comrade came toward bim. : - ** Lariat Dick, you have just done more for me than you did when you saved my own life, for this is my daughter Ruth, and she tells me that the one you shot was our bitterest foe, and he sought to kidnap her, ‘Ruth, this is Lariat Dick, as I only know him, a young miner*of Colorado, to whom I owe my life and yours. ‘*He was coming with me to our home, for I have not been well of late, and would not Jet me come alone,” Ruth again grasped the hand of the young | miner, in whom she saw a tall, fine-looking, bronzed-faced man of thirty. He had a look of marked intelligence, while his eyes had a reckless flash in them which per- oo had been the cause of much trouble to im. Altogether he was one to seek for as a friend, to shun as a foe, He was dressed as a miner, but with neatness, and there was about him an air that was very winning. He blushed at Ruth’s kind words, and asked bluntly: ‘* Who was the villain, miss?” ** A man whom in the long-ago my father be- friended as he would a brother, and who cruelly wounded him in return. ‘*He holds some secret of father’s which he sought to sell to ne on certain terms, for he came to my home this morning. ‘* | defied him, and he said he would send my fatber to the gallows, and unless I became his wife be would do so. “[ drove him from the kouse with my re- volver, and when I rode up in the hills two hours ago, hoping to meet my father, who has been gone far longer than he expected, I met this man again, and dashing upon me he struck my revolver from my hand and said he would take me with him and bring bim to terms, ‘*T wheeled my horse and _ fled, in my despair taking the wrong way, and so had to take that fearful leap or be captured by bim. ‘You saved me, sir.” Lariat Dick had listened {attentively to the girl’s story, and then asked: ‘* What was his name?” “We knew. him long ago as Hammond Hughes, but his close resemblance to my father caused him to take his name, Trent Baxter, and under it he committed forgery and other crimes,” ‘“* His close resemblance to your father, miss?” ** Yes, | remarked it as I tried to cover his eye! gag my rifle, for they are indeed striking- y alike, “Tam so glad I doubted, Pard Baxter, for those Vigilantes did indeed bang the wron man; the right one is at the bottom of tha river,” said Lariat Dick, impressively. ~_—_ CHAPTER Ill. THE UNKNOWN NAME. THE home of Trent Baxter the settler, had an air of comfort about it which Lariat Dick had not seen for many a long day. Ruth saw a wistful look come into his eyes as he gazed about him, like one who was reminded of a past happy home, and he gave a sigh ashe sat down and was left to himself by the settler and his daughter for a short while, Ruth had her household duties to look to, es- pecially as she had an bonored guest, and the settler wished to lie down and rest awhile before su ah he said. ere was a pretty lawn to the house, some domestic flowers, and wild ones too which Ruth had begun to cultivate, and a neat fence sur- rounded the Cabin, which had four rooms, di- vided by a wide hallway. The latter was used in pleasant weather as @ sitting-room and dining-room, while the ends were closed up in winter. A piazza surrounded the house, and in the rear connected to it were two rooms, one a kitchen, the otber a store and general utility room. Beyond were a couple of cabins for servants? quarters, with a barn and sheds. for the h&rses, cattle and sheep, The view down the valley was a grand, one, with the high range of rugged hills and the river to the right, the meadow lands and a dis- tant range to left. It was an ideal settler’s home, and Lariat Dick could not but wonder how men could so mistake as to accuse Trent Baxter of being the outlaw chief known as Blue Jacket Bill, and hang him up as such. “Tt was @ Close call, and but for my doubts he would be dead and this poor girl an orphan—y: more, for that fellow would have kidnap her. a (I » ‘ L —_
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ae Blue Jacket Bill. 3Y “‘T verily believe that he is the very man they mistook Pard Baxter for!” Trent Baxter had told Lariat Dick that he was a Southerner, and the young miner now saw about the place half a dozen negro ser- vants. Two of them were in the saddle, acting as cowboys, or herders, and they had greeted the settler as be came home with an earnestness that showed they were fond of him, Two other men, negroes, were working about the place, and several negresses wore seen, with some children playing in the back yard, which added to the home-like look of the place, So it was that Lariat Dick sighed when by- gone memories of his boyhood’s home flooded apon bim. An hour after their arrival supper was an- mounced, and Ruth appeared in a neat, well- fitting homespun dress, while the settler was greatly refreshed by his nap. Lariat Dick had ‘ freshened himself up” in the room given him, and the trio were quite cheerful as they sat down in the open hall to supper, just as the sun cast slanting rays from over the ridge. And such a supper the miner bad not beheld in many a long month, and said frankly that he eould hardly realize that he was upon the frontier, in a sparsely settled country, for Mr. Baxter’s nearest neighbor was half a dozen miles away. There was a moon a week old, and the three sat out upon the ‘piazza after supper, enjoying the beauty of the night, the settler puffing away at his pipe as he reclined in his easy- chair. At last he said: “‘Lariat Dick, I have only hinted to my ‘daughter that I got into trouble up in Colorado, and I wish you would tell her just how it all happened,” ** Better not talk over anything so unpleasant, Pard Baxter.” “Yes, but I wish to know all, Lariat Dick, for so I must call you, as you havenot yet given me your other name,” said Ruth, with an ex- ernuld broad hint that she would be glad to now, But she was disappointed, for the miner re- plied, in his frank way: : P ‘‘The boys call me Lariat Dick, Miss Baxter, so that name is good enough, and I rather like rb”? Ruth was disappointed, as was also the set- tier, for thus far the miner had not given him his real name, and there must be some dread reason for his hiding it. “*My father went up into Colorado,” con- tinued Ruth, slightly piqued by the miner’s re- fusal to give his name, ‘‘ to look after some in- “terests he once held there, in partnership with a miner, who told him that he possessed a very rich mine, ‘Father helped him out of much trouble by buying a half interest with him, and as he has never heard more than that the property was expected to pay largely, and that was two years ago, he went to have a look at it.” ne on you find your partner, sir?” asked Lariat ick. “‘No; for I got into trouble before I was able to do so.” “Who was your partner, may I ask?” ‘* A man by the name of Ben Bostwick.” “T have heard the name somewhere,”; said Lariat Dick, and Ruth resumed: **T did not wish father to go, for I have had little faith in the value of his investment, and that which we bave hereis paying him a good income. “LT really bad a dread of evil befalling him.” “Tell her, Lariot Dick, that her presentiment was @ correct one,” said the settler, ‘** Well, miss, I met your father in obeying the Vigilantes’ call to turn out and hunt down Blue Jacket Bill, a noted outlaw chief of New Mexico, who found his old camping-ground too hot for bim,and disbanding his men came to ©olorado and took tbe trails alone on horse- back. *‘T learned that he had been dogged to Col- orado by a scout from Fort Blanco in New Mexico, who was known as the Revolver Sharp) and that he put the Vigilantes on the track of the outlaw chief. , “ff obeyed orders, and when, With several other miners we joined the Regulators they had ‘already a prisoner who they said was the noted Blue Jacket Bill, and that man was Pard Baxter here.” “My father!” cried Ruth with indignant anger, springing to her feet, fairly startling the young miner with her vehemence, / CHAPTER IV. LARIAT DICK’S STORY. “My child, do not get angry, for mistakes often occur you know,” said the settler mildly. ** Yes, but for you to be mistaken for an out- law is a mistake I can never forgive,” was the a 9 ** Many an innocent man has been hanged by process'of law, miss, while on the border here mis- takes seldom are made and we generally get the right one. ‘But your father’s resemblance to the man in question, this outlaw, Blue Jackot Bill, was what caused the trouble. ‘‘Now you said your enemy of yesterday was strangely like your father,” d‘It is true, for they are of the same size, tall and well formed, only father is a few years older, I judge. **Then he has beard and hair like my father’s, and even their voices are alike.” ‘* Well, he was doubtless the man whom the Scout Redfern tracked from New Mexico, and giving the note of alarm that Blue Jacket Bill was in the Colorado mines, and describing him, some of the Regulators met your father on the trail, covered him with their guns and ordered him to surrender. ‘*He did so naturally, and he was asked his name, “He gave it, and that very name, Trent Bax- ter, Redfern the Revolver Sharp bad said was the name by which Blue Jacket Bill was some- times known. **So, as I said, when my party of searchers came up with the main band, they had your father a prisoner, charged with being Trent Baxter alias Blue Jacket Bill. ‘“‘ There was a border trial, and yet a few of us doubted, for I felt that your father seemed strangely honest-faced for a man whose crimes had been so terrible as those of which the New Mexican outlaw was accused. ‘* We spoke in his favor, and at last it was de- cided tosend for Redfern the Scout, who was known to be at a place a dozen miles away.” ** And he came?” “Yes, miss, and he looked with a quick glance into your father’s face and said that he was the outlaw.” ** Infamous!” ‘** Your father urged against it, and to be cer- tain the youth—” ** Youth?” ‘Yes, miss, for Redfern is scarcely over eighteeen.” ** And a scout?” ** A noted one, miss.” ‘*'You called him also by another name?” “He is known as the Revolver Sharp, miss, for he is the handiest man with his guns on the frontier, it is said, while asa gambler they say he plays only to win.” * A strange person, indeed!” and there was a sneer in Ruth’s tone, But unuoticing this, Lariat Dick replied: ** Ah, yes; he’s a dandy, miss, and handsome enough for a girl, “In fact, but for his splendid form and great strength, one would think he was a woman, he is so dove-eyed and gentle. ‘** But he’s got more nerve than half a dozen ordinary men, and dresses as gorgeous asa Don, while his rig is velvet and silk, Mexican pure top to toe, with a scarlet sombrero embroidered with gold thrown in, not to speak of a saddle, bridle, and spurs worth a mint of money, “His revolvers and knife are gold mounted too, and so they cal) him the Gold Revolver Sharp,” ‘* What bas he ever done to deserve one word of praise?” asked Ruth. _“ Well, he wears a mighty long string of In- dian scalps, miss,” “ And he said that my father was this crime- stained man known as Blue Jacket Bill?’. “Yes, miss, he took a second look and a long one, and then told us we had the right man. “‘ Then the Regulators, unbeeding your father’s protestations of innocence, strung him up and the Red Sombrero rode away.” ‘Oh how terrible! but who rode away?” cried Ruth. “The Revolver Sharp, miss, for he is also called Scarlet Sombrero.” ‘* And these murderers who called themselves Regulators?” ‘*T was one of them, miss, 1am sorry to say; but we rode off, leaving your father hanging there.” ‘Ob Heaven, have mercy!” gasped Ruth. ‘But I still had my doubts, and so I took the back track alone, cut your father down, found there was life in him and brought him to after a bard rub of it, That’s the story, miss.” ‘* Except, Ruth, that he carried me to his cab- in, I riding bis horse, he walking, and cared for meas tenderly asa woman cculd have done, until I felt that I must come home. “‘ He refused to let me go alone, so came with me, and thank God that he did, for you owe to arn Dick’s coming your life as well, my cna, ‘God bless you, sir,” and rising Ruth placed her hand upon the arm of the young miner, who responded; **T might as well tell you, miss, that there is a grave at the tree, which the Regulators will think Blue Jacket Bill is in, so that your father will hardly bein any more danger of being taken for him, while it’s my opinion the one’who didn’t quite make the leap you did across the canyon, will never trouble you more.” ‘*\No, that man is dead, I am certain,” said the settler earnestly, while Ruth mused aloud: ** That Redfern the Scout made a fearful mis- take, and he has my undying hatred for his ruthless act,” CHAPTER V. A CLOSE CALL. THERE was really a striking resemblance be- tween Settler Trent Baxter, and the man who had been in pursuit of Ruth, when his chase terminated so suddenly and uvexpectedly. They had the same long waving hair and beard, the same form, and were really alike in feature, voice and bearing, The man was well mounted, and his desire to capture Ruth must have been very great to have him risk the fearful leap. He was appalled at seeing her take the risk, and a cry.of admiration broke from his lips at her successful spring over the chasm, He was not one to back down from a peril a woman had conquered, and so he set his splen- did horse on the run to make the bound, while she bad reinec in her horse in the terrible dread that he would not meet death in his daring ef- fort to’ capture her. But, though his horse shot up into the air and forward, he was never destined to reach the other side, as the crack of Lariat Dick’s rifle upon the ridge sent a bullet into the brain of the animal, when it had been hastily aimed at the brain of the man, Down went the horse like a stricken bird, while, with a mighty spring the rider caught with one hand upon an extending limb of a tree growing in_the crevice of the cliff ten feet below the edge. The branch bent wildly, the tree cracked as the strain came upon its roots in the crevices, but it did not yield and the man drew himself up the trunk and sat there, his back against the wall, his face white, his whole form trembling with fright, He sat thus for some minutes when he heard voices, but the ‘wall of the canyon slanted un- der from the edge, thus hiding even the scrub tree growing on its side from one looking over the precipice. ‘ There were a few minutes of terrible suspense, and then the voices died away and the man drew a long breath of relief. He had seen his horse borne away upon the current, to dash to pieces upon the rocks where the stream tumbled over a fall into the river, “Tt was the closest call of my life,” he mut- tered with quivering voice. But though safe for the present he knew that he was not yet rescued from peril, Beneath him, fifty feet, surged the torrent, and upon all sides was a wall of rock, The tree that was his only support and ho was hardly eight feet in height, a dwarf oak, with a thick trunk and short branches. Above him ten feet was the ee of the wall of rock, but it shelved outward above him, and not even a bird could find footing there, As the situation was faced it grew more and more desperate, and the cold sweat broke out upon the man’s face as he felt that he had es- caped death with his horse but to die later by a fall from the tree, oo He knew that no mortal being could live in that wild torrent, or go over the fall alive. Still he began to consider that it was his only chance, and until night he sat there considering the course he would pursue after he had dropped into the stream on the morrow, for he would attempt nothing that night. In making himself as comfortable as possible for the night, he suddenly discovered that he had his lariat coiled about him. He had taken it from bis saddle-horn to bind é ’
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LTP TR Re OT Spree weber as ; Le sian “ep Blue Jacket Bill, Ruth Baxter with, when he made her his pris- oner. ' He quickly uncoiled it and made himself fast on the trunk of tbe tree. The wisdom of this act he recognized as soon as he found himself dropping off to sleep, for he awoke with acry and a spring, feeling himself falling, or dreaming that he was, But for the lariat he would have dashed down to death in the dense darkness of the canyon below. So the night passed away, and a dozen times did the lariat save the man from death, At last the dawn came, and he began to look about bim for means of ésca pe. He pulled some pieces of rock from the crev- ices, tied them to the end of his lariat and threw them across the canyon with a jerk, hoping to ‘ catch upon the limb of a scrub pine growing there, Again and again he threw the rock and drew it back uncaught, ’, His arm was tired, and without food now, or water, for twenty-four hours, the strain upon him began to tell, strong as he was, Making another desperate effort he threw a rock and it went over the limb with a whirl, turning twice before it came to a stop. He could hardly restrain himself from a shout of joy at his success;.but, he did so, knowing his danger if found there. But would the end of the line hold? He drew upon it and it did so, Harder and harder he drew, until he was sure that it would bear his weight, and the snapping of a root of the tree warned him that the tree , was also feeling the strain upon it, He saw that he yet had a danger to face, for he had toswing from his perch, holding on to the lariat, and be careful to catch bimself against the opposite wall, fifteen feet away 80 as not to be stunned by the shock. He tied the lariat about him, and stood upon the trunk of the tree which began to sag badly, = he knew would not stand his weight much * longer. e saw that he would have a climb of some twelve feet up the lariat, and if it held him, there was hope for him, but if the end on the tree slipped, his doom was certain, Nerving himself for the dread ordeal, he slipped down on the tree as far as he dared go, until the lariat was drawn taut, and then with hands and feet ready to break the shock of the dash against the other wall, he swung clear, and not a moment too soon, as another snapping root admonished him. ; CHAPTER VI. THE LARIAT-THROWER. Wir a shock, quite severe, the daring man came against the opposite wall of the canyon. . Had he not been fast to the lariat, he would have been forced to let go, and dash downward; but, he withstood the blow, and then his heart seemed to cease beating, as he waited to seeif the lariat would come loose, It held firm, though his weight stretthed it as tense as a guitar string. Without delay he nerved himself for the up- ward climb, But his strength began to fail him, and he found he could not reach the top, so he quickly looped the lariat about him, and after a long rest, again began to climb and got within a foot of the edge of the precipice. Another loop he took about him with the trusty lariat, and then rested even longer than before. Again he began the ascent. His hand clutch- ed'the edge of the rock; one elbow was upon it, and there be hung, unable to go further, so ex- hausted was he by the terrible nerve strain. For a minute or more he rested; then reaching far forward on the lithe rope, with a mighty effort he drew himself to safety. But, bis feet yet were over the escarpment, and he could then not have moved an inch further if his life had depended upon it. He became dazed, and sunk into the insensi- , a, of prostration, } hen he recovered consciousness, he still re- ee in the same ition, and the sun on the estern horizon told him that he had been there suspended for hours! ut he was safe at last—upon the firm land— and rising to his feet he approached the tree, on the limb of which his lariat had caught. Then he saw how frail had been its hold, for the rock had turned twice around the limb and . then had been drawn upward until it caught under the lariat, where his weight had drawn it ‘tight. _ A slackening of the lariat for a second would ean) ae Var a F Ve 3 3 Re aiotdt hy thease ck DUR lee Mote ray SF ear itet 3; ‘oe Ne Pep het have been the cause of his being dashed to death! Hungry as a wolf, he knew he could get no food there; but water he could find, so he un- wound his lariat and hastened away through the timber on the ridge until he came to a small stream running from a spring. Eagerly he drank the cool water, and as it was twilight looked about for a place where he could pass the night, for at dawn he must be on his way to find food; and more—to seek safety, for he well realized that he was in a dangerous neighborhood, e found a spot mS among the rocks, sheltered by dwarf pines, and scraping together the dead needles, he lay down to rest and was soon fast asleep. It was justafter dawn when he awoke, great- ly refreshed by his sleep, but very hungry, and he sat down to consider just what he was to do, He was afoot, with bis revolvers it was true, though his rifle had gone down with his horse, as had also his ammunition, and other traps which he had with him. Yet he dared not shoot any game then, as some one might be near, and the home of Set- tler Baxter was not beyond hearing. No; he must plunge into the woodlands and kill some game to get food. Having decided upon what he would do, he rose to his feet. But suddenly he stooped down with a slight ejaculation, There, coming along a trail which must bring him within a rod of the pile of rocks where he was, he beheld a horseman, He was well mounted, well armed, and came along at an easy gait, unsuspecting harm, Quick as a flash the man had made one end of his lariat fast to a pine, coiled the loop end and stood ready to throw it. On came the horseman, his horse not even scenting danger, and as he passed the spot where the otber lay in ambush, the coil was pre apy and settled down over the head of the rider. It wasa splendid throw and the frightened horse with a spring forward dragged his rider from the saddle, with a fall so heavy that he lay stunned and bleeding upon the ground, he horse, as the one in ambush had seen, went to the end of his lariat, the other end being hooked in the belt of the horseman. Quickly sprung the lariat-thrower from his ambush, and dashing down the rocks he bent over the prostrate form of his victim. “‘T guess bis neck’s broken, so I have nothing to fear from him, [ll see what he has of value about him, and his rifle and revolvers will come in well— Ha! there hangs a haversack of food to bis saddle- horn. So saying the man quickly rifled his victim’s pockets, took his revolvers from his belt, and his aed from the saddle-horn and swung it on his ack, Then he mounted the horse, and as he rode away dove deep into the haversack of food, which was well filled with edibles sufficient to last several days, a canteen of fliquor being also stowed away in it. **T am ib luck. ; ‘*My patron saint has not deserted me,” he said grimly as he rode along at a sweeping gal- P- : And there in the trail for over an hour lay his victim, bleeding from a cut in the head and un- conscious, But the flow of blood at last revived him and he sat up and looked curiously about him, His neck felt sore and ‘he placed his hand upon it, and then felt the cut in his head. ‘‘T was caught with a lariat and jerked heavily from my saddle, ‘* Ah! I have been robbed of my weapons, my monéy, my horse and all. ‘* Who was the robber? ‘‘ Whoever he is, he is gone, and I must take his trail as soon as I can get back to Settler Baxter's and—but bow dizzy I feel,” and press- ing bis hand to his head he went staggering along upon the trail. Two hours after Lariat Dick tottered up to the settler’s home and fell like one dead upon the piazza steps. —— CHAPTER VII. A SHEEP AMONG WOLVES, THE scene changes to a mining-camp in New Mexico, which rejoiced most appropriately in the name of Devil’s Ranch City. | It was not a ranch in the acceptation of the a ‘te roe) IO be : h aes ee e . > , te a ‘ term, unless the herding together there of hu- man beings like cattle could suggest the idea. It was not a city in any acceptation of the word, for it was but a series of cabin hamlets, ; where miners dwelt, and was really but a group ( 2 f of camps stretched out in a valley which rap through a mining country, But as the home of devils it was a success, for seven out of every ten men there were of ades~ | » perado turn of mind, and a fugitive from y justice, nS Saloons were frequent, and gambling dens, Bs where all kinds of games of chance were played, were upon every hand. : There were targets for rifle and revolver practice, a race-track half a mile long, an various other means of amusement and for losing one’s cash in betting. ‘ The most important structure in the B eet and this was imposing only in being in Devil’s Ranch, was the ‘‘ New Mexico Hotel.” _ Its ‘* boss,” as his name read on the sign, was one by the name of Senor Du Val, whom most every one believed to be a Mexican, for he spoke with a slight foreign acceut. But Senor Du Val was an American pure and simple, and played the ‘* Mexican dodge” for reasons he found convenient, He did not look unlike a Mexican, dressed im the style of the country, and wore moccasins, & fact that allowed him to be present when his servants least expected it. He was a good Jandlord, and kept bunters and caterers out constantly for bis hotel, where a good table was always to be found, He bad the reputation of not being afraid of even the patron of the camps, Satan, and could take care of himself and manage bis hotel with- out advice from any one. , The stage-coach eastward had its terminus at ~ Devil’s Ranch, and was wont to run out once & week and arrive as often, and the going and coming thereof was an event for the miners, Fow of them got letters, or wrote them, and some of those who did used names not put down at their baptism as their own, It was safer for many of them not tokeepup — a@ corr mdence, Ve Still there was a mail to and from Devils — Ranch semi-weekly, and some of the miners re- ceived letters from home, and wrote back of their success or failure in making a fortune for their loved ones. u There were a precious lot of desperadoes in the camp ever ready for a fracas, and often the found some one to oblige them, and the result was that the graveyard of Devils’ Ranch grew apace in numbers with the oy 6 2 And intosuch a town one Sunday afternoom _ came an itinerant parson, wae He came walking along, a knapsack on his — back, on which was painted a white cross,and@ — a staff like a sbepherd’s crook in one band, a — gun across his shoulder held by the other. _ It was a double-barrel gun used for killing game, rather than winging enemies. — His face was clean-shaven, bis hair cut close as though he had just escaped from prison, and a he wore a somber suit, top-boots and aplug ~ hat, hr He wore glasses with a slight bluish tint in ; them, and came along singing a hymn ina | voice that was really zich and musical, & He either scented the supper at the New Mex- — ico, or had received advice from some oneasto — the best place to go, for bis steps were straight for Landlord Du Val’s hotel. é Some of the “sinners” gave hima wide berth, _ a few followed-him, b yceeed in with bis singing, | and others jeered and shouted at bim. But he reacbed the New Mexico and his heart was gladdened by the weleome given him §% by Senor Du Va!, who told himbe bad cometo mec right place for good living and to save souls, <e He registered as Ebenezer Freeze, and began work at once. : Rene, His fine singing, pointed preaching, and uni- versal good-humor, with his hammer-and-tongs _ wey of going for a sinner, made him popular in Devil’s Ranch, and the miners ors iy in liyely — whenever he passed his hat to help alonzg”the good cause, ate For some weeks bad Parson Freeze been at Devil’s Ranch, when one Sunday at noon a ~ horseman rode up to the New Mexico and told the peon who took bis horse to give hima good feed and every care. i He was a fine-tooking man, ranging upon fifty, with a face that was full of character and — such as only the possesser of a noble nature could wear. ‘ ee He was greeted in a pleasant and tru manner by landlord Du Val, who then went \ £*3* +’
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with him to his store, for the landlord kept a store as well asa hotel, gambling hall, and drinking saloon. BS Well, Miner St. John, shall my clerk put you up your regular two week’s supplies?” said Senor Du Val as he entered the store with the one whom he addressed as Miner St. John, ** Make it a month’s supplies this time, please, as [ shall hardly return before that time,” was the answer. ; The stores consisting of sugar, coffee, flour, ) meal, bacon, crackers, and other things were ‘ put up and placed in a large pair of canvas saddle-bags, after which the miner paid for ¢bem and went in with the landlord to dinner, zand a good dinner it was too. ‘‘Is your mine panning out well, Miner St. John?” asked the landlord. ‘** Yes, better by far than I anticipated.” | “That is good: but you must keep a very _ «lose watch then, for you have no neighbor within many miles, and there are plenty of men who might kill you.” “i “T have no enemy that I know of—at least +here,” he added after some hesitation. . ‘“‘It would make no difference to many fi) whether be were an enemy or not, so they got your gold. a ‘* Be careful, I beg of you, for Redfern, our * noutual friend, bade me keep an eye to your ei safety.” 1 - ** He is very kind, and a noble fellow.” ** Yes, he is indeed.” “Do you know where he is now?” ‘* He went down into Mexico, after he resigned ‘this place as scout at Fort Blanco, and I believe has gone to visit that mysterious Vailed Lady - who visited us here at one time, and but for _ Redfern would have taken the life of Trent Baxter the Sharp from Texas.” _ “* Yes, I beard of the affair; but that youth is _ amystery to me, Landlord Du Val.” 4 ‘* As he is to all of us, miner; but you are not going?” ‘** Yes, [havea very long ride, as you know, nd then I have a desire to see aud talk with Parson Freeze.” Mi “Ah! not going to let him convert you are you?” “No, but I have a desire to see and talk with him, so can you tell me where I can find him?” ** Out on the piazza I guess.” The miner did find the parson there, and in ~@haking bands with him left a slip of paper in ‘is palm, _. Then he went to the stable, mounted his _ horse and rode away. —— CHAPTER VIII, THE PARSON AND HIS PARD, _ Parson FREEZE had greeted the miner like One unknown to him, | He had spoken of his pleasure in meeting a _ “stranger and a brother,” and asked him to re- main to evening service, when he was going to run opposition to gambling and carousing by a sermon. — _ But Miner St, John said that he only desired _ ‘to meet the parson, of whom the miners spoke so highly, and telling him that he had a long _ ride before him so could not remain for tke ser- mon had ridden away, _ As soon as he could do 80, after the miner’s de- _-parture, Parson Freeze slipped away to himself and read the slip of paper left in his hand: _ It was as follows: _ “I must see you to-day. ‘ _ Follow me’and I will await you in Rocky Glen. ___ “As it is Sunday all the miners are in their camps _ go no one will see our meeting. ** Don’t fail me, “Sr, Jonn.”” __ The parson frowned, but somehow he did not _ Seem to wish to disobey the demand, and going grout to the stablehe gota horse belonging to Senor Du Val and rode away. X After he left what was known as “Social _ The camps straggled along for a couple of miles from the New Mexico, and the miners who _ were “at home,” greeted him as he rode by. asked ; ne . “Who's turned up bis toes, parson?” _ Another in ninéd, dss . Ni nig ther’ been a row, parson, and somebody x - Ver hain’t a-goin’ ter see some one who hev _ died a natural death, be yer, Bible Pard?” ‘ To all queries the parson had his answer, and re bs, Pe ere « PET EERIE SEMAN Hy CISTI FLO INR HY a Aaa . . Cy Ny ee eee Blue Jacket Bill. after leaving the last cabin be quickened his pace, and a mile further on beheld Miner St. John awaiting bim, As the miner saw him coming he turned ont of the trail into a rocky glen, and after riding a couple of hundred yards balted, ‘* Well, Pard St. John, bere I am, ‘** Nothing important, I hope,” said the parson, dismounting as the miner bad done, ‘Yes, Pard Baxter, I think so,” ‘“* Well, out with it, for I do not like suspense.” ‘You may not like what I bave to say, my friend, but I deem it my duty.” **T will listen, pard.” “You know that ever since you kept that Mexican, Juan the Fox, from killing me I have been your firm friend.” ‘*T well know that, pard.” “I told you that half my earnings were yours, that my cabin was your home, and you became as it were my partner. ‘“Then followed your arrest by Redfern as Blue Jacket Bill, and your escape from being shot when if was proven the young scout was mistaken, and that Juan'the Fox had informed him, accusing you from revenge. _ ‘* You disappeared for some time and came back in the guise you are now in.” ‘* Did [ not know all this as well as you, Pard St. John? ** Yes, but I recall it to suow that when Red- fern the Scout returned from Colorado and re- ported seeing you hanged there, I mourned you sincerely, “*Then you ap in your present disguise, roving that Redfern had seen the wrong man fenged, and you told me that you had come back to help me work in the mine, after you had tried to run down the Blue Jacket band of outlaws by going to Devil’s Ranch and finding out who they were.” ** And so I am, pard.” ‘True; but do you consider it right fcr you to appear in false colors, preaehing the Gospel as you do, under pretense of being a minister, praying a3 you do, where as a gambler known as the Sharp from Texas you have taken the lives of your fellow beings? ** Is not this blasphemy, friend Baxter, and is it not right that I should tell you, as a Christian man myself, it must cease?” ** Must ?” ‘*-Yes, sol said, and so I mean. ““T have believed your stories against all proofs seemingly brought by others against you, and Lalone know that you are not now what you pretend to be, a preacher of the Gospel. “Your old comrades, even that keen-eyed landlord of the New Mexico, do not recognize you with your clean-shaven face, your long hair cut close, your spectacles and general disguise.” ‘** Well, to what does all this tend, miner?” ‘*To urge you to stop your sacrilege, to come here and work with me, and when I have done all I anticipate, go from here with me and lead a different life, for I am rich enough for us both, thanks to my valuable mine.” ‘**T am not ready to go yet.” ‘*Tben you must stop this false life you lead as a preacher,” : “You know that I bave to remain in hiding until [can prove that Iam not the man they accuse me of being, ** Colonel Rockwood at Fort Blanco would place that young Revolver Sharp and bis sol- diers at once upon my trail, did they know I was back here again, and as this disguise is be- yond all recognition [ shall stick to it, for lam anxious to find the real criminal to prove my in- nocence, and | do not see how you are interested in me to the extent of wisting to have me do what is against my judgment.” “Well, Baxter, Iam no hypocrite, but I re- placer religion, and you are making a mock- ery of it. _“T bave told you what I wish, and unless you give up your fals2 preaching and praying, I will, on my next visit to Devil’s Ranch, make known to Landlord Du Val that you are not what you represent yourself to be, ‘* Be warned and do as I beg you, pard.” “All right, old fellow, give me a week and I will, for, no matter what the instrument, I have done some good among the miners.” ‘“*{[n one week’s time you will come back to the cabin then, Baxter, and work with me to the end I have in view?” ‘“‘ Here is my hand on it, pard. ‘Expect me, _“*Now { must return, for,” and he laughed lightly, you knov I have an appointment to preach to-night,” : Thus they parted, the one trusting and hoping, the other muttering: rr snsnsesnnnstssesssssestesssnsssssesnsses snes raised, _ This time the intended assassin seemed to have \ **'Yes, in one week’s time, for he will do what he says, and I must act. “Tt is time now, and delays are dangerous,” CHAPTER IX, THE SHOT FROM THE DARKNESS, MORE than the week passed by, and Trent / Baxter, alius Parson Freeze, as the reader now } knows him, did not appear at the cabin in Yel- . low Canyon, where had dwelt Gray St, John for a long while, digging the earth for the precious metal known as gold. The miner went on with his work steadily, however, for he had the hope of soon turning bis mine over to another to work for bim, while he sought those be loved, and for whom he had toiled so long and earnestly, His thoughts went back to his youthful days, when a rival for the band of the girl he loved, forced him to fight a duel with him, in her presence, and left him nearly dying, while he fled, believing he had given bim a fatal wound, He married the sweet young girl afterward, and their sweet daughter, Ethel, was now with her brother in Maryland, longing for bis return, He had left them in poverty, and for a while fortune bad been against him; but at last he ‘struck it rich,” and since then he had steadily grown rich. And saving him, as he believed, from the bul- let of an assassin, Trent Baxter had become his friend, been made his partner. That friend he had been told was secretly Blue Jacket Bill, the leader of a band of road- agents, and he had also been told that he had been banged in Colorado, But back he came, disguised as a preacher, and he had believed him as of |yore an honest man, But he would not tolerate in kim his blas- phemy, his mockery of the Gospel, and had - gone and told him so frankly. Now as he sat in his cabin this Sabbath night, the thoughts of Gray St. John took a gloomy turn. ; He had heard of the man with whom he had — fought a duel in his boyhood having been lost at sea; but somehow the presentiment would force itself upon him that Hugh Hammond, for such was his name, would some day take his life, He dreamed at nightof death-struggles with his old foe, and the dread of such an end gave him the deepest concern. : It was the custom of Miner St, John never to | work 1n his mine on the Sabbath Day. He was wont to dress up in his best and spend the day in writing home, or in going to the store at Devil’s Ranch for stores, for there was no Sunday in that place. He had written his letter on that day, and was seated in deep thought in his cabin, his mind full of that same old fear that bis boyhood rival would one day bunt bim to his death, His horse was cropping grass in the canyon below the cabin, the talling of a rivulet over the rocks near made pleasant music, and Miner St. . Jobn did not feel the near presence of danger, Had he felt a peril near, he would have been prepared for it, for he was a fearless mau, i - But he did not know that a horseman rode Re to the barrier across the canyon, dismoun hitched his horse, and scaling the fence walk in toward the cabin, As though knowing the land well, he crept near the capyon’s side, keeping in the sbadew, The miner’s faithful horse feeding near seemed to know the intruder, for he gave nO warning neigh, as he would bave done bed a stranger ap- peared in the darkness of the night. « Up the steep trail to the cabin, perched upon the rocks in a grove of pines, Moved the form. He saw the light shining from_the open door, and from a positicn near beheld Miner Gray St. Jobn, seated in his rustic easy-chair, lost im thought, / The lamp burned upon the table near, sending a radiance over the form of the miner, and for some time the intruder stood regarding bim., Then he slowly raised a rifle to bis shoulder and his eye ran along the sights. Was no guardian angel near to warn the miner of bis danger? It seemed not, for he sat perfectly motionless, his head resting upon one band. But be was not asleep, For some reason the rifle was lowered, end the man hesitated, : Again he ‘raised the weapon, and the motive which caused him to once more Jower it, who ean tell? ' Was it a pricking of conscience? No one knows; but a third time the rifle was rs
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Blne Jacket Bill. made up his mind to act, for ho placed himself well, took a long aim, and his finger touched the trigger. There was a red flash from the muzzle of the rifle, a sharp report, and Miner St. John sprung to his feet, He stood upright one moment, his hands out- stretched as though toward some one, and then, without a word, sunk back dead in his chair. The man who had fired the shot did not move from his position. He saw his victim rise, that silent, pleading, stretching forth of the hands, and something very like a groar came from his lips, Then he saw the form sink back, and he knew that Gray St. John was dead. Yet still he did not move, still he did not ad- vance toward the motionless form, He seemed to lack the strength to move, and resting his hands upon the muzzle of his rifle, stood gazing like one entranced upon the motion- less form. At last a sigh broke from his lips, followed al- most immediately after by the hoarsely uttered words: “ Fool! it was his destiny to die thus, mine to kill him! ‘*T would not be weak, but strong, for much, oh, so much, depends upon it!” With this the assassin strode boldly into the cabin, closed the door behind him, and was alone with the dead. CHAPTER X. THE BLUE JACKETS. Since the rumored hanging of their chief the Blue Jacket Band of outlaws had been very uiet. . They were a bold, bad lot of road-agents who had done much damage under the leadership of a mysterious chief known as Blue Jacket Bill. Whether the blue Jackets, or the Comanches and Apaches were the greatest cause of dread to miners, and settlers, and of worry to soldiers, no one could decide. Who Blue Jacket Bill was no one seemed to know, more than that he was a man of superb physique, dressed in black pants, long boots, and wore a bright blue jacket and a scarlet scarf about his waist. His head was sheltered by a black sombrero which had a visor which could be pulled down over his face, thus masking it completely. Splendidly mounted and armed, and a daring fellow, he had been for a long while a lone road- agent. Then, when a party of soldiers sought to cap- ture him, half a dozen other Blue Jackets ap- red upon the scene and Uncle Sam’s Boys in lue had been beaten off. Robberies of stage-coaches, trains and settle- ments followed, with an occasional dash upon the mines, until Blue Jacket Bill became terri- bly feared along the border trails, and all efforts “od capture him or his men, seemed utterly use- ess, + If one of his men was wounded in a fight, every other Blue Jacket at once gave hima shot and ended his life then and there, for they were determined to have it a case of ‘‘ dead men tell no tales,” But at last came several hard,blows upon the Blue Jackets, hit by one Redfern, aj boy scout from Fort Blanco. Next was heard the startling news that a noted gambler of Devil’s Ranch, but one who was much admired and always considered a Sanat man, had been arrested by Redfern as ue Jacket Bill. He denied it in toto, but he was carried by his captor to the fort, where soon after a man appeared claiming that he was Blue Jacket Bill, and he would not see another hanged on his account, Of course that set the Sharp from Texas free, and next came a party of alleged Texan ran- cheros to the fort, one of them, an old man, claiming that the self-accused Blue Jacket Bill was his son, and an escaped lunatic. Of course this set him free; but Redfern still stuck to his belief that the Sharp from Texas was really the right man, and tracking bim to Colorado he at once run down and saw hanged one whom he declared was Blue Jacket Bill. That be was mistaken the reader has seen. But Redfern returned to the fort, and from thence to Devi)’s Ranch, and the result of his work there was the death of El Paso Pete, and the capture of several men who were dis- covered to be beyond all cavil members of the Blue Jacket Band. The proofs were against them, and taken to Fort Blanco they met with just punishment for their criines, Redfern, the Revolver Sharp, had gone to Mexico, and since then the Blue Jackets had not been heard from upon the trails, But the Blue Jackets were not utterly wiped out, though frightened into keeping quiet. They had heard of the hanging of their chief in Colorado, and yet had received secret in- formation from him since his alleged tragic end, Only lately they bad received secret notifica- tion to meet at the old rendezvous in the moun- tains, and just six men put in an appearance there, all that was left of the band, These six were masked, and they wore their costume which had given them the name of Blue Jacket outlaws. The place of rendezvous was a crater-like place upon the top of a hill, and the approach to it was incapable of leaving a trail, The men had assembled there one by one,, and were grouped about talking over the occurrences since their last meeting together. The gist of this conversation was that they all were of one opinion regarding their chief, and that was that he had as many lives asa cat is credited witb, Upon the way to the rendezvous was a sey- enth horseman, He was mounted upon an animal that had the look of possessing great speed and bottom, and be was armed with three revolvers in his belt. He rode like one accustomed to the saddle, and what his face was no one could tell, for it was completely masked. He wore a blue jacket, embroidered in gold, a wide-brimmed, black sombrero encircled by gold cord, and had even his hands concealed under gauntlet gloves, so that whether he was pale-face, Indian or negro could not be ascer- tained by the eye. He seemed to know the trail well to the hill- top, and rode in upon the group there before they were aware of his coming. ‘* Well men, I am glad to see that the Blue Jackets are not all wiped out, for there are sev- eral of us left yet,” be said pleasantly, as the party quickly arose and saluted him as soldiers would their commander, ‘* Let me see whom we have left out of our band of thirteen. ‘¢ Answer to your numbers as I call the roll.” Then be began and slowly called the roll in numbers. As he called out: ‘* Number one!” he answered himself: ** Present!” Then came the other numbers up to thirteen, and just six failed to respond, the other six be- ing. present, e took a slip of paper from his pocket upon which opposite each number was written a name and some description of the man, and the chief alone knew the secret as to who the Blue Jackets were. Those six present had come alone, and being completely masked not one of them knew who his comrade was. Only by bis more gorgeous uniform was the chief known to his men, ‘* Men, I called you together to tell you that there is work to be done, and to convince you that your chief, Blue Jacket Bill, was not dead, ‘They may have hanged Trent Baxter the gambler, the Sharp from Texas, or some one else, but Blue Jacket Bill was not born to be hanged and he is, as you see, once more before you. ‘One week from to-day Mexican Joe, the driver, carries eastward a good many pesos ia old dust, and I will show them that Blne Jacket ill and his men are still alive by transferring the treasure to our keeping. **At noon, at the Blue Jackets’ Toll Gate, where we have so often taken toll, meet me without fail. ‘* You can go!” The men again saluted, each man walked to his horse, mounted and rode away, not two of them going together. When they had been gone some time Blue Jacket Bill, the chief, also mounted his horse and rode away, taking the trail backinto the valley from whence he had come. CHAPTER XI. THE CHIEF WAS WELL POSTED, MEXICAN JOE was a safe hand with the reins, knew the trails perfectly, drove a good team of horses and was as plucky as behooves a mortal man to be, He was an American who was known as Mex- ican Joe because he bad once driven stage in Mexico, Some said that he had driven it more in his own interests than the company’s, but he cer- tainly was looked upon asa good man to have by the line that ran coaches out of Devil’s Ranch eastward, It was said that Mexican Joe was so cunning that he could run a coach through carrying thousands of dollars, which the sharpest-eyed road-agent could not find. So one morning Mexican Joe drove out of Devil’s Ranch wearing bis accustomed smile of unconcern, and started upon his eastward run. He had as passengers four miners, who were on their way home. They had been reasonably good fellows, worked rather hard, and had added to their savings until they had laid upa bandsome “ nest egg” apiece in the hands of their wives, ang were going back to enjoy the result of their labors, Their Jast diggings they bad kept to take with them in the natural ore, and each was proud of what be had to show, lt may be that this quartette would have re- mained longer in the mines, for they ratber en- joyed the free life there, had not Parson Freeze crossed their paths. Ore of them had been a convert at home, but became a backslider when temptation asailed him. The ‘‘ parson ” quickly showed him the error of his ways, and he came back into the fold, while his influence brought in the other three. From that day the ‘‘ parson” became their best friend, and they gave up gambling and drinking for bis sake, while they decided to go home together aad lead different lives. So they talked it all over with the “parson,” set a day secretly when they would depart, and then plotted how they could carry along their separate treasures without losing them, should avy of Blue Jacket Bill’s band hold up the stage- coach on the way. They hit upon & most clever plan, and with the aid of Mexican Joe it was carried out, The night before their departure, the parsom not being then in Devil’s Ranch, they slightly ‘* fell from grace.” That is, the unconverted among the miners made up a plot to get the ‘‘ Prayer Sharps,” as they called them, on a spree. They gave them a royal send-off, and whem the coach started at an early hour the next morning not one of the four bad been to bed and they were bundled into the vehicle in a con- dition that they would not have had the parson see them in for half their hidden treasure. They had been prevailed upon to take a part- ing clase. which was quickly multiplied by @ dozen, or more, So Mexican Joe drove off with his four pas- sengers, all of them fast asleep, and he muttered to himself: ‘‘Id give a Comanche’s sculp if the parson could be ’ere now.” So Mexican Joe sent the team along at a brisk pace, wholly unmindful of danger, for he, with others, considered that the Blue Jackets had been wiped out, ‘“« Now there’s a place I never feel easy about, if there are no Blue Jackets now,” he said to himself as he approached a canyon pass known as the Blue Jackets’ Toll-Gate,” : Here had scores of robberies been committed by road-agents, and over under the shadow of the cliffs were a number of graves, of victims and outlaws alike. ; Mexican Joe’s fears had not been without cause, for as he drove into the narrow pass among the rocks, he suddenly saw a horseman ride out of the pines before bim. He gave a quick glance over his shoulder and beheld two horsemen close in behind him, There was 2o mistaking the man in front, It was Blue Jacket Bill or his ghost, He sat quietly upon his horse, his revolver drawn, awaiting the coming of the coach, which was yet a hundred yards away from him, The two Blue Jacket horsemen in the rear came on at a pace a trifle faster than that of the coach, On either side now, from the rocks, appeared two dismounted, men, and these were Blue Jackets also, and armed with rifles. . “Tl be darned,” ejaculated Mexican Joe as he saw the trap into whick he bad driven. He was a cool fellow, and agained remarked; “But they won't find the dust, though I does hope they give them drunken gerloots a scare as will sober ’em forever.” As he saw the chief of the Blue Jackets point significantly to his revolver with his left hand, Mexican Joe drew rein witb the remark: “Excuse me, pard. I were driving a little fast; but durn me ef I didn’t think you was ; dead Si ett > jae _ AC SAME alco eS ee ee
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ee ahs re] Blue Jacket Bill. “Do I look like a dead man, Mexican Joe?” ‘‘Not much to speak of; but I heard you was hanged.” : ; “Tt was a mistake.” ‘© Pm sorry.” ** What?” pat | says, I’m sorry, pard, that you wasn’t hanged.’ “You are complimentary.” _ Don’t mention it: but has you any biz with me, ormy pilgrims this morning, Blue Jacket Bill?” “Yes, I want their money, which you have so carefully hidden away,” was the cool reply of the chief. es CHAPTER XII. BETTER AND WISER ONES, Tre four miners had slept the sleep of the un- just, from their leaving the New Mexico at evil’s Ranch, . Their carcasses were full of rum, and their brains befuddled so that the ride and the scenery had no charm for them. One of them awoke in a bewildered way when they were halted, and he glared outof the coach window. Did he really see Blue Jacket, or was he dreaming? : : The last words of Blue Jacket Bill quite re- called his scattered senses, and the vigorous blows and kicks he gave his comrades aroused them. A fight would bavé followed had he not whis- pered the magic words: “We are halted by Blue Jackets!” They too awoke to the situation as they heard: “T hain’t cfrrying no treasure this run, pard.” “*T know better!” _ “Then yer ought ter do better!” * © Gome! no nonsense with me, for I want that gold.” . ; “T hain’t got but a dozen dollars in my clothes!” _ “Tt is not your money that I wish, but the dust that belongs to Dollar Dan, Ben Cape, Silas Moore and Benedict.” ‘Oh, Lord!” came in chorus from the four men in the coach as they heard themselves named. “Tf they has got any dust, they was fools to bring it along,” said Joe. ‘“They brought it all the same, and I want it.” “Pard, we has a leetle change in our pockets, that’s all,” said one of the miners from the coach window. : ‘* Get out of there, all of you, and down flat upon your faces,” came the order, It was not obeyed, and Blue Jacket Bill senta bullet through the coach, unmindful whether it hit any one or not, The effect was electrical, for the coach doors flew open and out sprung the quartette, They were very unsteady upon their pins and down they fell, but ttat was what the Blue Jackets meant they should do. ’ Then the chief rode forward, while his men kept the miners covered, and said with a sly smile: ** Been fitting up your old hearse, eb, Joe?” “Well, I kinder pruned it up a leetle.” “ Yes, and I admire your taste immensely, “‘ Got these trimmings on your last run East, i guess. " ‘Well, blue was always a favorite color of mine, you know.” i “Here, Number Seven, tear this top lining from this coach!” = “My God!” groaned the miners, while Mexi- can Joe said: “Waal, he are posted for a fact,” Blue Jacket Number Seven quickly cut away the trimming of the inside top of the coach, re- vealing @ new ceiling. ‘* Ab! now get Joe’s axe and knock that ceil- ing out!” "Fis was done, and bag after bag of dust dropped down in the coach. “Clever, were you not, Joe? ” But since I was hanged I bave a better sight and know what is going on. F “See, here are some seven or eight thousand dollars in dust that you tried to run through without m: Anding,” , As the chief spoke, he was placing the buck- skin bags handed to bim in a pair of saddle-bags across bis horse, while Mexican Joe regarded the coasetine with simple wonder. , “How you fot on to that racket, just beats me,” growled Joe, “You know a man that has been hanged can see anything, Pard Joe, ‘*T’m a spook now, so don’t try and hide things from me,” ‘“* Waal, when Redfern the Revolver Sharp hears of this, Pll go big odds that he makes a spook of yer, Blue Jacket Bill.” ‘‘ Pll take your bet, Joe, soname the amount,” was the quick reply. ‘‘- You believe my word is good to pay?” ps 5 ad ** Well, if the Sharp Revolver don’t kill you, either by bullet or hanging within six months from this day, Ill fetch you a hundred dollars myself.” “Good! and if he does Ill say right here be- fore my men that they are to pay you the same sum,” “‘That’s mighty poor chance of getting it.” “ Why 9? ‘hey’ ll be hanged with you.” ‘* Ah! that may be, so ll make you sure,” ‘** How can you?” ““This bag is worth about five hundred,” and he held up a bag of gold-dust. ‘* Yes, maybe a trifle more,” “Well, take it to Du Val of the New Mexico and leave it with him until the time is up, when you can claim it from him. “If I win, bring it back to me with your own five hundred.” “Tlldo it, pard,” and Mexican Joe caught the bag of gold tossed up to him, Having put the balance’ into his saddle-bags the chief said: ** Now, pards, you can goon your way, and I am well aware that you have money where you are going, besides more in your belts, so you have not been robbed of your all. ‘* Get into the coach.” They obeyed, a sad, inflamed-eyed, bloated- face, nervous lot, and Mexican Joe drove on his way with a wave of his hand, and a cheerfv1: “Ta-ta, Billie.” A sadder but wiser set of men the miners were | after their adventure, and they swore “ never to drink any more.” It.is to be hoped that they kept their pledge after the bitter experience they had known, Blue Jacket Bill watched the coach until it was out of sight, and then handed to each one of his men a bag of dust, while he said: “You are dismissed for just three months from to-day, men, when you are to meet at the regular rendezvous. “* Tf you are needed sooner you will be notified by the secret signs upon your cabin door, “Now you can go, and I congratulate you upon your work to-day. **Remember, in three months, if not sooner notified.” The six Blue Jackets ealuted and rode away, as before, going singly. Soon after their departure the chief resumed alou}: “Tf my plot goes well, tais is the last of the Blue Jackets, “Tf it fails, then I shall need gold, and these trails are the places for me to get it. “Now to get well away before Mexican Joe reports this day’s work at Fort Planco,” and Blue Jacket Bill rode off at a gal.op. CHAPTER XIIL. THE ALARM. THE garrison at Fort Blanco had had a season of rest and peace for some time. The allegded hanging of Blue Jacket Bill, and the real execution of several of the band had caused them to feel no longer dread that the trails would be infested with those merciless road agents. Then, too, the Comanches had been whipped into submission for a while, and the Apaches were too closely watched to make a disturbance. The disturbing elements in the mines had been held in check, it was said, by the good services of Parson Freeze, and fewer fracases had been had in Devil’s Ranch than ever before known. Colonel Rockwood, the dashing commandant of Fort Blanco began to feel that he would have little field service for his men, 4nd almost regvet- ed the stagnation of affairs. His favorite scout, Redfern the Revolver Sharp, @ youth who was a mystery to every oue, had gone to Mexico upon affairs of his own, hav- ing resigned bis position in the scouting corps under Buckskin Sam. Before leaving, Redfern, who had been doing Secret Service scouting work for the command- ant, had recommended Landlord Du Val of the New Mexico at Devil’s Ranch, as a secret agent, while Manuel Moline, a special scout, had taken his, Redfern’s, place at the fort. While there was nothing of an exciting nature going on in the field, the officers and their fami- lies at Fort Blanco made up for it in enjoymenta of various kinds, There were hunts, fishing parties, rides, and dances at the fort, and thus time was not hang ing heavily upon the hands of the garrison. Then came a rumor that a murder had been committed in the mines, and Manuel Moline was sent to ferret it out. He returned in afew days accompanied by Landlord Du Val who reported that a miner by the name of Gray St. John, who had one of the best paying leads in the mines, had been shot in his cabin, and after being robbed by the assassin had been buried, He told what he knew of Miner St. John’s his- tory and said that he was a friend of Redfern, and had been the partner of Trent Baxter, whom he had taken in with him. To find the murderer was impossible it seemed, and soon after Senor Du Val sent in the startling information that Parson Freeze, the preacher who had done so much good at Devil’s Ranch, had mysteriously disappeared. He had not left his room in the hotel with in- tention to stay away, for there were all his things, a Bible and some tracts, with a bag con- taining nearly fifty dollars in gold, He had said he would return one evening when he had walked out, stating that he was go- ing to visit asick miner, und since that no one had seen him, There were several sick miners in the camps and as many more laid up with wounds and bruises received in rows, but none of them had received the consolation ef a call from the par- son Mpon the day of his mysterious disappear- ance, It was hinted that he had made some enemies by his bold preaching, and a few who professed to know, stated that the contribntions of the miners had been most generous, and the parson changed all gold into paper money, and was wont to carry it in a belt around his waist, This led to the belief that he had been murder- ed by some one for bis money, for there were men in Devil’s Rancb, so said Landlord Du Val, who would kill an angel for bis wings. This disappearance of the parson, following so closely upon the murdered Miner St, Jobn, created considerable excitement among the miners of the fort. Hardly had this news cooled, when Mexican Joe drove bis coach into the fort, and dismount« ing from bis box, usked to see Colonel Rock- weod, He bad four passengers, not one of whom. looked bappy, and from their conversation the soldiers judged that their looks did not belie them. Colonel Rockwood’s orderly at once led the driver to the presence of the commandant, and Mexican Joe said in bis quaint way: Colonel, I has to report a resurrection, sir.” ‘““1 do not catch your meaning, Joe,” the colonel said, with a smile. ‘Well, sir, Blue Jacket Bill wants to be hanged ag’in.” ‘*Ab! you have news,” “Yes, sir, at Blue Jacket Toll-Gate at noon to-day, my hearse was held up by three mounted and four dismounted Blue Jackets, and the leader was ola Bill himself,” “Impossible, driver, for Redfern the saw that man hanged in Colorado.” “Then he didn’t wait to see him buried, sir for that was Blue Jacket Bill that held me up. “You are sure?” ‘He bas halted me, sir, something liké- sixty times in my runs, and I have been too near bim for my owm good, so I knows him for keeps. Scout *T hain’t never seen his face, but his form . and bearing I know mighty well, as also his voice; his horse, saddle, bridle and all, and it was Blue Jacket Bill, sir, or his ghost.” This is remarkable, driver,” said the colonel, and then he asked Mexican Joe to tell him the whole story. Joe did so, even to the bet, made with the outlaw chief, showing the bag of gold. ‘Tf you lose I'll pay the bet, Joe, and I'll ses that that bold boy Redfern gets news of thig affair at the earliest possible moment,” and Colonel Rockwood sent his orderly after the four miners who also told the doleful story, but brightened up when the commandant said'that Redfern, the young Gold Revolver Sharp, would soon be upon the trail of sia hey bey also stated that they had a few ? dreds each in their belts, and admitted that had they been sober the four of them would have the Blue! =
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8 made a bold fight with Mexican Joe’s aid, and perhaps beaten the outlaws off. So the coach rolled on its way, while Colonel Rockwood wrote a letter hastily and dispatched it by special courier. It was addressed to: **Roy REDFERN, El Paso, Texas.” CHAPTER XIV. LARIAT DICK TAKES THE TRAIL. Wuen Lariat Dick fell unconscious upon the iazza of Settler Baxter’s home, he was seen by uth, who quickly called aid. He was seen to have received a bad cut on the head, from which he had bled freely, and he was at once taken back to his room and put to bed. The settler was out upon bis place, but soon came, and a physician who lived ten miles away was sent for with all haste. What had happened neither the father or daughter could guess, and Lariat Dick was un- able to tell. The physician arrived by night, and found the young miner in a high fever, and delirious. He dressed his wound, gave bim some medi- cine, and awaited at the cabin all night to note the result. The next morning he said that the miner had brain fever, and only the best of care could save his life. ‘** He shall have it,” Ruth quickly responded. Then the settler took several of his men and followed the trail of the miner after be left his home on his way back to the mines. In a few hours he returned, and told Ruth that the miner had been ambushed and robbed by some one, but who did the deed there was no means of finding out. He never for a moment thought of the man who had gone down into the canyon at Lariat Dick’s shot. But Ruth did, and asked: ** Could it have been that man, father?” ** My child, can the dead come to life again?” ** But are we sure he was killed?” **The chances of his not being were one in a million.” * Still that might have been his chance.” ** No, I cannot believe it; but we will wait until Lariat Dick is able to tell us.” ‘Yes, if he ever is; but, father, why does he hide his name from us?” ‘Some whim of his, my child, for I do not believe him to be a bad man.” **Or a fugitive from justice, as many here on the frontier are,” “No, if he was a fugitive, I think be would have given us an assumed name to avoid caus- ing suspicion.” True,” And so the weeks passed away until at last the strong frame of the *young miner defeated disease, the fever was broken and he awoke one morning very weak, but with every prospect of speely recovery. “Your life has been saved by the devoted love of Ruth Baxter, sir, if it is any pleasure for you to know it,” said the physician. ** Tt is,” was the quiet response. “There is no longer eesd of my services, so I will leave youa tonic to take and give you into the charge of your friends who will! soon bripg you round.” ** Doctor, I have not a dollar here to pay you, but | have money at my cabin. ‘*The one who tried to kill me, robbed me of everything.” ** My dear sir, I am in no need, and when you come again to see Settler Baxter bring me what you deem right, **T have made you just twelve visite, so the fee will not break you,” and clasping his patient’s hand the physician took his leave. From that day Lariat Dick improved rapidly, and in ten days was able to be out, One afternoon he rode with the settler and Ruth up to the scene of the ambush, He could tell nothing, for he had not seen his enemy. But he went over the scene like one who un- derstood what he was about, and then made his way to the spot where Ruth had taken the dar- ing leap. He laid down and looked over and gave a low whistle. ** What is it, Dick?” asked the settler. “There isa tree below the edge here some poo feet, and the roots are some of them pulled ou “That man may have caught there.” “But that would have done no good,” ‘You say he had his lariat about his waist, Miss Ruth?’ ‘* Yes, to bind me with, he told me.” Lariat Dick at once took his own and the settler’s lariats and made them fast to a tree, Then he lowered himself over the edge of the cliff as coolly as a sailor would have done, and began to swing outward and back until his feet rested upon the tree, It bent under his weight, but supporting bim- self with his lariats he slowly reached the po- sition, After a long while, it seemed to those above, he came up over the cliff. ‘© Well?” said Trent Baxter eagerly. ‘‘ The horse went down, the man did not.” **-You are sure?” * Yes, he was lodged in the tree while we stood bere ta)king about him,” ** But how do you know, Lariat Dick?” ‘* Well, the tree has given considerable, there are marks upon it where a rope has been tied to hold the man in at night, and smal] rocks were t. xen out of crevices, while, best proof of all, I found this there,” and he held up a white silk handkerchief from which strips had been torn. ‘* He had a white silk handkerchief,” said Ruth. ** We will now ride around to the other side, for he could not get up from this.” ** Nor from the other.” “That remains to be seen, settler,” and mounting their horses they rode around to the other side of the canyon, There Lariat Dick went to work iu the same systematic manner as before. ‘* See here, settler, do you see those scratches upon the rocks?” “ Yes.” ‘They were made by feet,” ‘Tha man 1s nota bird, Dick.” **No, but he swung across the canyon at the end of a lariat,” ** How could he?” **Here is a rock with pieces of the handker- chief on it,” said Ruth. ** Yes, he tied a rock to the end of his lariat, made it secure with strips from his silk handker- chief and practiced until he threw it so as to catch around some limb. ** Now to find the limb.” ‘*Lariat Dick you are a wonder,” said the settler. ‘*No, Iam reading very plain signs—see, here is the limb,” and he pointed to where the lariat had drawn tightly around the branch of the tree, as was plainly shown by the bruised bark. “Now, my man went from here to the trail, and seeing me, while he had his lariat, he simply roped me, for my neck proved that. **He needed food and a home, and he got all I had—see?”’ “Yes, I see that you bave solved the mys- tery,” said the latter admiringly, ‘And the next thing is to find the man,” was Lariat Dick’s determined response. CHAPTER XV. LARIAT DICK MAKES ANOTHER DISCOVERY. BACK wo the settlers’ home rode the party, all impressed with the discovery that had been made, That evening as they sat together upon the piazza, Lariat Dick said: *Tyent Baxter, I think I am well enough to start home.” “Tt’s a long ride, Dick.” “Pll go slow; but Pll have to get .n outfit from you, of horse, weapons and all that,” “Certainly, all I have is at your service, Dick, but you better not be in a hurry.” ‘Ob, I’m all right now, only I don’t know how I can ever get even with you and Miss Ruth,” **Don’t speak of what we did, Dick, in the face of your services to us,” said the settler. “Weill, Pll go back and sell out my mining interests, and then take a trip southward.” **Tndeed?” * Yes, I've got -a snug sum saved upto my credit in the Bank of Omaba, and I can get a good price for my mine, I think.” **T hope so, Dick, but remember, you will al- ways find this your home, whether you are rich or poor.” “You are very kind to a poor wanderer, Mr. Baxter,” replied Lariat Dick, and then the con- versation turned upon his going away. The next day heagain started upon bis way to his cabin, following the same trail on which he had very nearly lost his life. A ride of several days brought him to the mining country. and he rode up to his cabin one evening just before sunset, It was locked, and all as he had left it, but it seemed very dreary to him now for some reason. Tbe next morning he rode down to the mining- camp, known as Metal City, and stuck up a no- tice there in a store which read: ** Lariat Dick will sell his mine to any one who has got the dust to pay for it. ‘Apply to Lariat Dick, Nugget Gulch, Smoky Range.” Purchasing what supplies he needed, Lariat Dick set out upon a voyage of discovery before returning to his cabin. He bad heard the name of Ben Bostwick men- tioned somewhere in the mines, and he wished to find that personage. Many bad heard of the man, but did not know just where to locate him, and so Lariat Dick started upon his return to bis home, He had a good load upon his borse, so dis- mouuted to walk upa long and steep hill, the animal following. As he neared the summit he saw two men crouching behind a bowlder, their rifles ready in hand, their faces turned upon the trail on the other side of the ridge. **That looks like an ambush,” he muttered, and he quickly led his horse behind a thicket, and creeping nearer to the two men, called out as he covered them: ‘*Hands up, pards, for only a coward will shoot a man from ambush.” The men started to their feet, but they obeyed the command, for each felt that he was covered. But one looked as though he’d chance a shot, when Lariat Dick sung out: ‘** Shoot them, boys, if they wink!” That settled it, for not seeing the ‘‘ boys,” or knowing how many there were, the man called out: ‘**T squeal, pard.” : ** Count me another,” said the other. ** Watch ’em, boys, while I clip their claws,” commanded Lariat Dick, and he stepped quickly oe and disarmed first one and then the other, Tossing their belts and arms behind him, he said coolly: ‘* Now, what game were you after, pards?” ‘* We was jist a-restin’.” ** Yes, I see, with your rifles leveled to kill that horseman, ‘* Ho, stranger! do you know these gents?” The one addr bad suspected no one’s presence until the call of Lariat Dick, who now threw himseif upon his guard, revolver in band. He was a fine-looking man of fifty, dressed in a corduroy suit, top-boots and slouch hat, and looked like a miner who had struck it rich and was content to take life easy. “Ah! what’s up?” he asked. **T was on my way up the ridge trail, and came up in the rear of these men, who had their rifles trained on you, “Thinking I had backers, they wilted, and I clipped their claws, sir,” “Tf Pd ’a’ know’d yer were alone I'd ’a’ kilt yer,” growled one, ‘Yes, we'd bev done yow up.” “it would have been a_three-handed game, pards, for I don’t die easy.” ““T know those men, my young friend, and it has not been a week since they threatened to have my life. “Ben Bostwick is your friend for life, and that is no idle thing to say,” and the horseman held out his band, ‘Did you call yourself Ben Bostwick, sir?” ‘1 did, for poet is My name.” **T was looking for you, sir,” ‘Indeed, and bow can I serve you, for I am more than willing.” ‘* What shall we do with these men?” **T would do the country a service to shoot them both; but let them go, if you wish, for I bave no fear of them, as I shall a dozen men on their trail to-morrow, and they know what that means if they are caught. ** Don’t you, men?” One of them made a significant gesture to- ward his neck, while the other said: “Tf you'll let us go, Boss Bostwick, we'll git out of the mines for sart’in.” “Go then, and if you are caught you shall hang, for I'll put men on your trail to-morrow sure, Lariat Dick stepped forward and picked up their weapons, which he tossed into the bed of a small stream fed by a spring up on the ridge, ‘By the time you fish those out, it will be dark and you can not follow our trail. ‘Will you come with me, sir?” ** Certainly,” and the two rode off together, **My cabin is but a few miles from here, Mr,
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Bostwick; and I will be glad to have you re- main all night, for I have something to say to you of importance.” ‘ ‘¢ Lead on, my young friend, for I was looking for a camping-place when you saved me from those two villains, whom I discharged from my employ in the Golden Gulch country for steal- ing, for I have a mine there.” ‘Then you do not live in these parts?” ‘*No, I am here looking for any good paying lead to purchase it.” ““Ab! then you are just the man I was look- ing for,” was Lariat Dick’s earnest rejoinder. CHAPTER XVI. A HUNDRED FOLD. LARIAT Dick was a good host, and he hada fresh supply of provisions, so that Ben Bost- wick was sure of a good supper and a clean place to sleep in at least. He soon realized that fact, and as the young miner cooked supper be watched him curiously and with interest. He was not a demonstrative man, but he ap- preciated fully that he owed to Lariat Dick his life. At last supper was ready, and heartily en- joyed, after which the two men sat down fora smoke and a talk. The stranger opened the conversation by say- ing: f So you have a mine to sell, have you?” ‘* Yes, sir, I advertised it at the store to-day,” ** No need, for I will buy it.” A ‘*-Yes, you wish to repay me for saving your life.” **No, no, I told you I was looking for mining property to buy.” ‘ * Well, I have a good lead, which has banked me some twenty thousand, while I have a couple of thousands of dust on hand. ‘*T have worked it for three years, so you can seo that is worth what I ask—five thousand cash,” ** Pll take it; but why do you sellif it’s a fair question?” [ll tell you how it is, “Some three months ago we captured a man here, for I am a Vigilante, whom we had reason to believe was the New Mexican outlaw Blue Jacket Bill. “ We hanged him—” ** So I heard.” ‘* But I had my doubts, and went back and cut bim down. ‘‘ He was not dead, sol coaxed bim back to life after a mighty hard time of it. “Then I brought him here, and when he was able to travel went with him to his home. ‘*‘I wished to see just what a mistake we had made, ‘*T got within sight of his home, when, being some distance ahead 1 saw a horseman chasing a girl on horseback. “« She took a leap across a canyon I would not risk, and I dropped the horse and man into the opening as they were going over. To my surprise I found it was the daughter of the man I had saved, and his home was near, ‘*The daughter told us that this man had come to their home. ‘“*He had once been her father’s friend, but had ruined bim financially, and, from a striking resemblance between them, had taken even his name und committed crimes under it. ‘*He had for some reason wished to get rid of her father, and kidnap her, and so she bad fled from him, when I got my shot intand checked his career, as I thought. ‘* Aftera few days at the settlers’ cabin, I started for home, but was anibushed, lariated, and received a cut in my head that laid me up for weeks with brain fever. ‘*T was robbed of my horse, Money and wea- pons, and barely got back to Baxter’s cabin when I fell. ‘* When able todo.so, I took the trail of my assailant, and discovered that he had caught in ' a tree in his fall, while his horse went on down. “With his lariat he had escaped, and he it was who bad ambushed me, ‘From the man’s resemblance to Settler Baxter, I am sure now, for the man known as ®lue Jacket Bill had also claimed his name, I believe that he was the outlaw chief. **T have a score to settle with him, be he who he may, and so I shall go down to New Mexico and look up this man and square accounts with him, for I'd know him from his resemblance to the man whom he has so basely wronged.” ‘You called him Baxter, I believe?” ‘*Yes, Trent Baxter was the settler’s name, and it was the name taken by the one whom I believe to be Blue Jacket Bill,” Blue Jacket Bill. * And Trent Baxter is the settler whom you rescued?” ** Yes, sir.” ** And his daughter, too?” ** Yes, sir, Miss Ruth.” “* Where did you hear of me?” ‘“*He was up here looking for you when the Regulators caught him.” ‘** Ah, yes, he is my friend, and once did me a great service, which I am happy to say now will wey, him a bundred-fold. ‘Il had a mine which I feared I would lose to creditors, and Baxter gave me the money to free myself, and I made him half-owner. * But now to a point which you have ex- plained to me, **] did not know Baxter very well, and yet when, @ year or more ago, a man came to my camps, and calling me Bostwick in a familiar way, Said that he was my friend Trent Baxter, Somehow, though he looked it, I could not believe it, and when he demanded a settlement I put him off by saying that the mines were just beginning to pay, and in six months [ could give bim a generous share. ** Still he came to me again, and I gave him more noney, yet could not bring myself to be- lieve that he was really Trent Baxter. **T last saw him three months ago, and con- vinced against my will that he was Baxter, I told bim that at a certain time I would close out my interests and we would have a settle- ment together. “The time appointed was one month ago, and as he did not come I was at a loss to un- derstand it. ‘*But now 1 do, and he was the impostor, your friend being my friend, Trent Baxter; and if you are going by his home on your way Soutb, I'll accompany you, for I am a very rich man, Lariat Dick, and he is half owner with me, ‘* Now we understand each other, I believe.” “There is no denying that, pard, and it will be a happy day for me when Pride up to Bax- ter’s ranch with you as my comrade,” said Lariat Dick, earnestly. And three days after the two were on their way to the home of Settler Baxter, CHAPTER XVII. REDFERN THE RANGER, THERE was a mystery hanging over a grand old hacienda in Mexico which no one seemed just able to solve, The ‘place looked more like a fort than a house, and its owner was proprietor of the acres for miles surrounding it. Thousands of cattle fed upon the prairies, and large herds of mustangs roved about attended by herders and bearing the peculiar brand of the fair owner—for a woman presided over all—a brand representing a human eye. It was said by those who knew that the haci- enda was as grand as a palace, and furnished as luxuriously, The mistress of all was vastly rich, and her father bad been a distinguished Mexican officer, a commander of Lanceros, By some service rendered, bis rank descended in his family, and only one child being his, a girl, sbe claimed and received the rank at her father’s death, She was known in public as Senora Dolores, and to her people as the Lady Captain, It ‘was said that she had over a hundred men in her employ, and that they were drilled as sol- diets, and certainly she had rendered good ser- vice with them in beating back the Comanches in several raids, The Lady Captain stood well with the Govern- ment of Mexico, and yet she was never known to receive visitors, and lived the life of one exiled. To even ber soldiers she went vailed, and she was known. also as the Vailed Lady. On one occasion she bad come by coach to Devil’s Ranch, and no one there saw her face, It was soon seen that she came for a purpose, and her purpose was revenge. In some way the Sharp from Texas, Trent Baxter, as he was called also, bad won her mor- tal enmity, and the Vailed Lady would have killed the gambler but for the interference of Redfern the Revolver Sharp. The Vailed Lady had left Devil’s Ranch as she bad come, by coach, and Redfern bad followed, to solve the mystery regarding her. He overtook the coach to scare off a band of Blue Jackets, and learned that they had halted the stage to make the Vailed Lady a prisoner. But she had left the coach before, when a party of masked horsemen had met it, and she 9 had ridden away with them upon a horse that had been brought for her. Redfern did not yield his determination, for some strange influence drew him toward the woman, and he took her trail and followed her to Mexico, By a bold act he had gained an interview with her, and when he left her it was with a promise to come again, and more, he wore a badge of protection which she gave him. After having, as he believed, seen Blue Jacket Bill hanged, he had resigned his position as scout at Fort Blanco, and set off for Mexico. And it is there that the reader will accom- pany, to the hacienda of the Lady Captain of nceros, To the surprise of her people an American youth had come to the hacienda, and the Lady Captain had adopted him as her son. And more, from that day she had been no longer the Vailed Lady of Mexico, for she had cast aside ber vail and her deep mourning, and come out iu all the beauty of her lovely face, revealing that she was a woman nearing two- score years and whose life held some dark secret which she kept from the world. Redfern had at once been made the commander of her Cowboy Rangers, and besides he was given the management of the estate. What it all meant her people could not un- derstand, and yet not one dared raise.a dissent- ing voice, One pleasant afternoon the Senora Dolores was seated in her luxurious boudoir, when the Senor Redfern was announced, ° He bent gracefully over and imprinted a kiss upon her forehead, while be said: ‘*T have returned, my mother, and I believe there is not the slightest danger of trouble with the red-skins.” **Tam glad to hear this, Roy! but here is a letter which came for you to-day by special courier. ‘““T sent word that you were absent, and would return response when you came back.” “That was right, mother, but it is an official communication, and bears the Fort Blanco stamp —yes, it is from Colonel Rock wood.” He opened the letter and read aloud; “ My Dear REDFERN:— “When you left the fort you told me that if I needed you I must call upon you for your services. ‘7 do need you, and beg you to fulfill the prom- ise made me, for there is work ahead which I be- lieve you alone can do, * So come I beg of you, and if you have changed your mind about the commission in the United States Army, I believe I can assure you that it is at your service. ‘** Hoping soon to see you. “*T remain your friend, ** Rockwoop.” ‘* He writes you a kind letter, my son.” ‘*Yes, mother, and though unofficial, it is a demand upon me,” * Will you go, my son?” ** ‘Yes, mother.” ‘* When will you start?” “ To-night, mother,” was the prompt response of the young scout. CHAPTER XVIIL. MET BY CHANCE, THE young ranger was one to attract atten- tion any where, He was hardly over eighteen, and his face was refined and intelligent, while it was stamped with decision and character beyond his years. @His eyes a woman might be proud to possess, and infact there was almost feminine beauty stamped upon every feature. But then there wus a nvanliness about him too that one could bardly fail to observe, while his form was tall, sinewy and graceful. His hair was worn in wavy masses, falling upon his broad shoulders, und this added to his effeminate look, while his good looks were heightened by his wearing a broad-brimmed scarlet sombrero, embroidered in gold and looped up upon the side by a pin representing a human eye, the black being of onyx, the white of pearls, and a diamond for the pupil, all set in solid old, ; r His costume was that of a Mexican caballero and gorgeous in the extreme, while bis scarlet sash but half concealed a trio of gold-mounted revolvers Of large caliber, and a Icng-bladed knife, the hilt of which was gold, with a minia- ture sombrero of rubies set in it. 2 Massive gold ‘spurs adorned bis boot-heels, and altogether he was a very striking looking outh, i Such was the mere boy in years who had
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gained the name across the Rio Grande of being the most daring horseman, deadliest shot and best lariat-thrower on the plains, He was also noted as a bold gambler who played to wio and for any stakes, while it was said that he bad wrongs to avenge against the Indians and had a string of scalps that would have driven a big chief mad with envy. He had won the name of the Scarlet Sombrero and the Gold Revolver Sharp, and he,-was re- spected by all with whom he came in contact aud feared by evil-doers. Some said that he was a Mexican, others called him a Texan, and he spoke both Mexican and English perfectly, and never referred to his antecedents. A mystery seemed to always hang about him, and though he had been a special scout at Fort Blanco he had never drawn a dollar of pay, tell- ing the paymaster when he left to give it toa charitable purpose. Why he had gone to Mexico no one knew, and though living there in luxury, the acknowledged heir of the richest woman in the country, he had obeyed a call to return to Fort Blanco for a special duty. And before he left he had received another call from one who was his*friend, telling him of the murder.of Miner Gray St. John of Yellow Canyon. ‘ ~ That call came from Landlord Du Val, and either one he would have been prompt to obey, Such was Redfern the Ranger, When she had heard his decision, the Senora Dolores said. ‘Not a word would I say, Roy, to prevent your going; but Ido insist that you shall not go unattended.” ‘¢ Who must accompany me, mother?” “Pick your own men from among your Red Hat Rangers, for you must have an escort, if they go secretly as such,” “f will do as you wish, mother,” was the response, and two hours after Redfern was rid- ing toward the Rio Grande splendidly mounted, and with a score of daring horsemen following him, When Redfern had crossed the Rio Grande, when daylight dawned upon him, he was alone. Nota solitary Red Hat Ranger was in sight, and he rode along at a brisk pace, as though anxious to make the best of time, and reach the fort as soon as possible. He was looking about for a camping-place for the night, while the sun was yet half an hour high, for be had pressed his splendid horse hard al! day, when he beheld a horseman com- ing toward him. He did not halt, but simply loosened a revol- ver in its holster, and rode on, viewing the stranger with a searching eye. Ths stranger was in a good locality for any one to look out for a foe, red-skin or pale-face, He had ridden out of a timber motte, and seemed to be following a trail. i But he saw the Red Hat Ranger as soon as he was discovered, and he too prepared to meet @ foe, if foe it proved. As ‘Redfern drew nearer he saw that the stranger was a well-formed ¢ellow, armed with rifle and revolvers, and was riding a horse that showed fine points. He was a young man, dressed in corduroy, top-boots and slouch hat, and there was that in his handsome face to cause a feeling of con- fidence rather than mistrust. The two drew rein when about thirty paces from each other, and Redfern called out: “Well, pard, is it war or peace, for I am ready for either?” It was a bold challenge, and the stranger smiled at the plucky way in which it had been uttered. But he responded: ‘You are Redfern, the Revolver Sharp?” *“*T am Redfern, and they talk other names to me, among which is the one you named,” ** Then [ am on your trail,” “Wor peace or war, I asked, senor?” ‘¢That.depends upon you, for I am a peaceful fellow. “But I was going to Mexico to find you.” **T am glad to have saved you a long ride, mor. “ But, may I ask your name?” ** Lariat Dick.” * Ah! I recall your face now, for I saw you ath hanging of Blue Jacket Bill up in Colo- O, n **Pard Redfern, I have got something to say to you about that very hanging. / “Do you ride all night, or shall we camp?” “JT was looking for a ape ym when I saw you, for my horse bas come a long jaunt.” Blue Jacket Bill. “Well, back in the timber yonder is good water, wood and a snug camping-place. ‘*Shall I surrender you my weapons to show you good faith on my part?” “Oh, no, we are on equal terms with or with- out weapons. i ‘We will camp, now, Lariat Dick, and get better acquainted with each other,” and Redfern led the way toward the timber island. CHAPTER XIX. STARTLING “TIDINGS, THE place spoken of by Lariat Dick, as a good camping-ground was as he had represented it. There was a cool spring, an abundance of grass, and the situation was a good one for defense, In among the timber there was little danger of being seen there, for a vista of miles around did not sbow a human being in sight. The miner and the ranger opened their respec- tive haversacks of provisions, built a fire and had a very enjoyable supper together. Redfern showing not the slightest curiosity to know why Lariat Dick was on his way to Mexico to see him. Lariat Dick lighted his pipe after supper, spread his blankets and sat down quietly upon them. Redfern did not smoke, but spread his gor- geous serapes, and throwing himself upon them s2emed ready to go to sleep, when the miner said: “ You remember I was one of the Regulators that helped hang Trent Baxter?” ‘Yes, [ remember your face well now.” “Jo you recall that I urged against the hanging, saying there might be a mistake, and to give the man the benefit of the doubt?” ‘Yes, you did, and several others agreed with you, I believe.” “True, but all yielded to your judgment in the case.” ‘¢ Yes, I knew him too well to be mistaken.” “And yet you were mistaken, my young friend.” ** Senor!” ‘*T say that you made a sad mistake, for that man was not Blue Jacket Bill.” ‘Senor, you are deceived, for I saw, as I be- lieved ata glance, that he was the man I bad trailed for a long while. *“1t was I who gave the alarm to the Vigil- antes that Blue Jacket Bill was in the mines,” ‘*] know that, sir; but that was not the man, as I can prove to you,” “No, for [had an unfailing proof, and I put itts the test when I,a second time looked in the man’s face, for something about him, and his manner of speaking caused me to doubt for a moment,” ‘* May I ask what your proof was” Redfern did not speak for moment and then said; ‘*Tt was a proof that twomen who resembled each other could not possess.” ** You will not tell me what it was?” ** Well, yes. “Do you see this pin?” and Redfern took his red sombrero from his head and pointed to the human eye. ‘Yes, | observed it, and it is a remarkable pin indeed,” “It works on a swivel, as you see, and turns when I press this spring. “You see any change ia it?” ** None, sir.” ** Now watch close, “Do you note a change now!” “ce Yes,” * What is it?” ‘**T could not tell you to save my life, yet there is a change,” “See, this pin is a human eye composed of pent, onyx and a diamond, witb a gold back- round, ens The onyx here, you see, is black.” ** Yes, I see,” “‘Now make the change, for this eye is the same with the exception that in place of the dark stone these are worquoise.” ' * Yes, the eyes, J see now are made to repre- sent a dark eye and a blue one,” Yes,” “* Well, what does that mean?” ‘Tt means that Blue Jacket Billis the only man I ever saw who bad the remarkable peculi- arity of one blue and one black eye, Senor Lariat Dick,” said Redfern, earnestly. ‘Ha! now I understand you, and you saw that peculiarity in the man you said was the outlaw chief?” . ‘“*T did, senor, and that convinced me that I Was not wrong. “ Yet you were wrong, as the man we hanged — had one blue and one black eye.” “* And was Blue Jacket Bill.” ‘No, he was Trent Baxter, a settler.” “That is the name Blue Jacket Bill was knowh by in the mines,” ‘*T know, but he assumed the nane of a man who had been his friend, forged his name and nearly ruined him financially, after which he fled to the mines and became an outlaw, **The man whom he closely resembled, even to the blue and the black eye, took what he could | save out of his fortune, and with his only child, ¢ a daughter, anda few faithful negroes, estab- -lished a new home for himself on the frontier as a settler. ; : ‘“* He went up into Colorado to find one whom he had helped, was captured, and from his strik- ing resemblance to Blue Jacket Bill was strung up by the Vigilantes,” ‘*My God, Senor Lariat Dick, if. your words are true I have made an error that is criminal, and remorse will haunt me through life. ‘But no, no, you are mistaken.” “Scout Redfern, let me tell you now that though the Vigilantes hanged Trent Baxter the settler, he is not dead, for I, doubting as I did, went back, cut him down and brought him back to life.” ‘*Thank God for that! but Ionly hope you have made ao mistake.” ‘No, senor, I took the man to my cabin, for I ama miner, or was rather, and when he was able to travel went home with him, “There I found to my joy that he had told the truth, and you will be glad to bear all that I have to tell of him and bis daughter.” Thon Lariat Dick went on to tell the story of the settler’s home, and of his rescue of Ruth and what followed, When he made known that the foe of the set- tler claimed to be Trent Baxter, and bad been the one who had ambushed him, Redfern said quickly : , ‘““That man is Blue Jacket Bill!” “That was my belief.” “* And I have my work to do over, to run him down,” ““That is why I have come to seek you.” ““Then you shall go with me if you will, and next time, Lariat Dick, there shall be no mis- take about the man whom we hang.” “None, I am sure,” was the reply of Lariat Dick, and the two talked on for a long time in regard to what was to be done to run the daring Chief of the Blue Jackets to death. When they started on their way the next morning, the two, now firm pards, took the direct trail for Devil’s Ranch. CHAPTER XX. THE PARSON’S STORY, A PERFECT how! of delight went up one morn- ing early, from the early frequenters of the bar of the New Mexico, when a servant gave the in- formation that Parson Freeze bad returned to Devil’s Ranch, \ He had not given any reason for his sudden going and mysterious absence, but bad gone to ee room asking not to be disturbed until a late our. : The “parson” bad become popular in the camps, and the boys were glad to see him back again. ‘| ; They enjoyed his singing and sermons, and were always ready to chip in their contribu- tions to help their own salvation. Indeed many of them considered that ‘ chip- ping in” liberally would help them in the long run at Judgment D, ay. b When Landlord Oat Val, who was never an ~ early riser, arose and heard the news, hetoo was” 7 gratified to know that Parson Freeze was again in Devil’s Ranch. ; He sent up word for him to come down and breakfast with him, and soon after the parson put in ao appearance. He was neatly dressed in black, had ona spot- less white choker, but there was a woe-begone expression in bis face which almost made the landlord laugh. ’ ; “Delighted to see you back again, parson, for we have all been Most anxious about you. ““We feared that you had been killed.” “ Ah no, Brother Du Val, no ove would killa — poor innocent like me, though I have been in the den of lions.” vas “ Well, it must have been @ relief to get out — of this den of wolves, as Devil’s Ranch'certainly — is: but where have you been?” ¥ + PN tell you. : : ««] went Over, or rather started one afternoon — to minister to a poor miver who was ill, when, — over near Rocky Glen I was set upon by three
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men, sizeed, gagged and bound to the back of a horse. ‘We traveled for hours through the night, and the last part of the journey I was blind- folded. “Then we halted at a small camp in a canyon and I was given a blanket to sleep upon and fs told if I attempted to escape I would be shot. ““ T determined not to attempt to get away. 3) “The next morning the cause of my capture came out, “The men were masked but I have reason to believe they are from Devil’s Ranch, sands of dollars, given me by miners, and if I would send one of their number to get it, I should go free, “T told them that I had sent the generous contributions away, which the miners bad given to me—given it into the church treasury. ** Bat they would not believe me and so held me a prisoner until at last they were convinced that I told the truth, “They threatened me with death, and day and nightone of them was constantly guarding me. ‘* At last they determined to let me go, and blindfolded and bound | was brought back right to the outer camps and released. “T have suffered much, my friend, in body and mind.” Du Val gave the parson his deepest sympathy and a fifty-dollar bank note, which latter he ap- preciated most. Then he told him of the murder of Miner St. John and of the recent robbery of the coach by the Blue Jackets. ‘“*T thought they were dead,” said the parson. ‘So we all hoped, or at least frightened off; but this proves that Blue Jacket Bill was not the man whom the Colorado Regulators hanged, “But I hope he will be taken soon.” “ “Ts there any chance of it?” : os Well, parson, don’t give it away, but there Ss. “Tam delighted to hear this, Brother Du Val, for that bold bad man sbould be taken and hanged.” “The next time he is taken there will be no doubt about his being hanged, for I shall attend the affair myself, if possible.” ‘*But what are the chances of his capture, may I ask, brother?” said the parson, helping himself to a third piece of venison. “Well, as I said, don’t give it away; but I have written to Redfern to-come on.” “T have heard the men speak of him, even as of a David of old.” “Yes, he is a wonderful boy, yet a man in strength, experience and deeds, ** How he could bave made the mistake he did about hanging the wrong man for Blue Jacket Bill 1 do not know; but it was done, that is certain, **Now Redfern was very much attached to Miner St. John and he will track bis murderer down, and I am sure, as Blue Jacket is again in the mines, that he is the one who committed the murder.” ‘But might not some of the band of Blue Jackets been playing the part of their chief?” “No, for he is a man who could not disguise himself.” : ‘* Who saw him?” ‘*Mexican Joe who knew him well, and I would not be at all surprised if he was not the one who kidnapped you.” | ** Now I guess you are right, Brother Du Val, and though it’s my duty to pray for my enemies, no prayer shall I utter for that vile man Blue Jacket Bill,” and the parson spoke as though in this case he would neglect his duty and teach- ings. Soon he asked: ** Do you expect this young giant soon?” “You mean Redfern?” ‘Yes, brother,” “*T hope so, for I am not the only one who was sent for him and he will obey the call. Now go out and let the boys see that you are back, and if half of them don’t get dressed in honor of the occasion, I will be greatly surpris- ed,” said Du Val with a laugh. CHAPTER XXI. THE PARSON RECEIVES A FEE. DEviu's RANCH was delighted at the return of Parson Freeze, and an orgie was held in honor of the occasion, which ended in half a dozen fan and a shooting scra e had his hands full by joo and a generous contribution was taken up as a salve for what he had suffered while in the hands of the ‘‘ Phil- istines,” as he called his kidnappers, | “They said that they knew that 1 had thou- | Sr sir omer epee ge ap OOH ieeaie others |in a | several miners remarked that there was some- .cision of the miners, Asa Si es: Blue Jacket Bill. 4 11 resting-place, wrapped in serapes and placed in the coffin which had been brought for it, The parson did nothing to assist, but stood apart while the others did the work. When the coffin was lowered into the grave Redfern called him and he came forward, He seemed like a man deathly ill, but said that it was from bis attack of the day before and his long ride, but revived after a pull at Senor Du Val’s pocket-flask, Then in a voice that quivered at times he read the service of the dead over the body of poor Miner St, Jobn. ' It was an impressive scene, and the voice of the parson, deep and sonorous, rolled through the rocky canyon in many an echo; but how much» more impressive the scene, had all those present known the truth, the real cause of the emotiom of the man who stood at the head of the grave, his voice reading the sacred words that con- signed the form of the dead miner to the earth forever. Perhaps the large fee the parson received from Redfern compensated in a measure for his suffering. Sunday came and the parson was in his element. He held service in the afternoon on the piazza of the hotel, and his voice wag rolling out hymns manner that made his hearers feel, when a horseman rode up and dismounted, In spite of the parson’s singing a cheer went up from the congregation for: “The Gold Revolver Sharp!” It was Redfern, | Raising his scarlet sombrero in response to the welcome of the crowd, he dismounted and went with Senor Du Val into the hotel. That night another horseman arrived at the New Mexico and he wrote his name in the register: ‘** Lariat Dick, Colorado,” The following day and night other strangers dropped in and put up at the New Mexico, until thing up sure as shootin’, Redfern had kept himself very quiet since his coming, and he had gone off somewhere with Du Val; but the miners seemed to feel that the reappearance of Blue Jacket Bill upon the trails had something to do with his coming again to Devil’s Runch, He had reported himself that he had seen Blue Jacket Bill hanged in Colorado, and now here turned up the outlaw chief once more upon the trails; and that Redfern must keep up bis repu- tation by hunting him down, and having no mistake about it this time, was the universal de- CHAPTER XXII. THE ACCUSATION, THE party returned from the burial of the miner, and yet, tired as was the parson, he was. that ‘night in the gambling hall of the New Mexico, A much larger crowd than usual had gathered there for the coming of Redfern again to Devil’s- Ranch, after the attack of the Blue Jackets upon Mexican Joe’s coach, proved that something of interest might be expected to happen, They did not wish to miss that bappening. Then the presence of a dozen strangers im Devil’s Ranch indicated to the curious that something out of the run might be sprung upon the camp at any time. So a large crowd bad gathered at the ball of chance, and the parson was circulating among them, with an admonition here, a warning there,, and a kind word everywhere. He looked better, and told Redfern, who asked about bis health, that be thought that the attack: had passed off wholly. Among the strangers there in the hall was Lariat Dick. He seemed to know no one, and not caring to play, watched the players with marked interest. Others of the strangers were there, too, and most of them were gambling. Several of them were Mexicans, but they spoke English well, and appeared to be as much at ae in Devii’s Ranch as in their natuve land, Redfern strolled about in an indifferent sort of way, declining several invitafions to play. At last he went to a table where a large game was in progress, , The players were two of the men of Devil's: Ranch and two strangers, and the latter seemed to be getting the worst of it. At last Redfern said in his quiet way, ad- dressing one of the strangers: “Senor, why do you not play pards with your friend, for these two men play into each other’s hands all the time?” ** How do you mean, senor?” asked one of the strangers, while the two men of Devil’s Ranch uttered a malediction upon the interference of the scout, ' But not noticing it, he said: ‘““Tf you play partners, then you are on equal terms with these sharps.” “TI did not know they were acquainted, senor.” : ‘*Oh, yes, they are known here as cut-throat poker-players, and you see one is your partner, the other the partner of your friend. When they get a chance they exchange cards, and thus you are beaten.” ‘See here, Redfern, do you accuse us of cheat ing?’ one of the men angrily demanded, “Certainly 1 do; and that is not the only charge I make against one of you.” Several of the miners saw Redfern give a quick signal of some sort, for the two strangers: covered one of the sharps at once, while the youth, quick as a flash, bad a derringer muzzle. in the face of the other, He had not been seen to draw the dread wea- pon, but there it wasin his hand, and be said in, a voice that showed he meant work: “Hands up, sharp, or Pll turn your body over for the parson to bury!” F The man, with a fierce imprecation, obeyed, Parson Freeze had taken the first opportunity he could to meet Redfern, and Senor Du Val bad introduced them after the youth bad been in Devil’s Ranch a couple of days. It was in the Gambling Hall, where a dozen games were going on, the parson had to fight the Devil with fire, he said, so frequented all the places where there was any wickedness going on. ‘*T am glad to meet you, parson, and I am oing to ask you to do mea favor,” said Red- ern. “Yes, certainly, my young friend,” was the reply. : ‘“‘T had a friend murdered up in Yellow Can- yon, and he is one I thought a great deal of, while I made a pledge to him that I would carry out certain wishes be had for his wife and daughter, in case harm befell him here in the mines. ‘* Now I have ordered a coffin made for him, and I wish you to ride over with me to hiscamp and give him a decent burial, so I can tell his wife and daughter that he receivea Christian burial when I see them. Are you ill, parson?” The parson bad suddenly turned deathly pale, and reeling had nearly fallen. __ But he recovered himself quickly, and said, faintly: “Rum!” f The landlord got it for him, and dashing it off, he said, as the color came back to his face: ** A sudden faintness only, and I am subject to thein. ‘‘ Sometimes they are most severe; but I am all right now—yes, all right now,” and the par- son still wore a weary look. : “You will go with me on this sacred duty, parson, for I assure you I will be glad to recom- pense you most liberally,” said Redfern, ‘*T will go with you, my son; certainly, cer- tainly,” ‘“When will you go? To-morrow, parson?’ “Yes, yes, I’ll be ready; but now excuse me, please, for I will lie down for awhile,” He arose and went to his room, but not to lie down, fer he began to pace to and fro, his brows clouded, his lips firmly set. ““My God! must I do this?’ he muttered over and over again, ‘ ; At last a strange expression came into his eyes, a look that would have been becoming to Lucifer, and he hissed forth: ** Yes, I will; I can do anything.” The next morning early a party of five horse- men left the New Mexico. Twe of them were peon servants, one of them bearing a new-made coffin, the other a large bundle before them upon their saddles. The other three were Senor Du Val, Redfern, and Parson Freeze, The latter seemed not wholly to have recov- ered from his attack of the day before, for he was very ple and wore a kaggard look. It was a long ride to the Yellow Canyon, where was the cabin of Gray St, John, but the party rode briskly and reached there before noon, » The peons then duga grave in a quiet, pretty spot, and the body was taken from its former gathered around, and one of them cried out menacingly: while several of the hardest tougbs in the mines: road e “See here, boy, you are carrying too high® —
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« ER AE TS TILED CTR Te OE: TS EAI I lt 5 te RE RRR eee te Sint ee MO ais ¢ hela» gs ap =s 4 = " \ ~ - Saal 12 Blue Jacket Bill. — A ae ca thand in tnese mincs and your claws must be lipped,” Roath Redfern was seen to make # quick sig- mal, and the speaker and those who had stepped ‘to his side, found that they were in the very mid- ot a number of men who were strangers in Devil’s Ranch, but bad their hands or their revolvers, and were ready to use them, Then Redfern said quickly: ‘* Tf you interfere here, my man, you will find it bard work to explain to the good men of Devil’s Ranch why you protect a Blue Jacket.” These words fell with startling effect upon the crowd, while a voice cried: “Show us the Blue Jacket, Pard Redfern, and all who protect him!” At this the bravo who had hoped to mukea name by bluffing Redfern, quickly edged back from his position and the youth said in the most matter-of-fact way: “Here is the Blue Jacket, pards; but, he is my game, not yours,” “Yer lies! I hain’t no Blue Jacket,’’ yelled the accused gambler, ‘*Very well. If I do not prove it, I'll give you leave to empty your revolver at me from ‘ten paces distant.” ‘** And if you does?” cried a voice, ‘**Tll see that he does not escape,” was the sig- nificant response, “Prove it!” shouted a number of voices, ‘*- Yes, prove it, or he bas the shots at yer,” cried one, eager for the ** fun.” ‘Prove it! Prove it, Pard Redfern!” and a perfect howl for proof went up, but not in the feast disturbed by the row he had raised the youth faced the crowd and said calmly: *T intend to prove it, men, and bag my game at the same time.” CHAPTER XXIIL THE PROOF, SOMETHING in the look and manner of Red- fern silenced the crowd, an‘! all eyes were turn- ed alternately upon him and the man who now had turned to a deathlike hue of face. Parson Freeze, deeply interested in the scene, had come close to KRedfern’s side, and the «stranger from Colorado, Lariat Dick, also step- sped near and stood looking on, an anxious and interested spectator of all that occurred, The landlord bad also drawn near, and just ‘then, as though by accident, the strangers noticed in the camps the past few days hail ‘drawn. in a circle about the young Revolver Ranger. The scene was now a calm one; but all knew that it might break forth in fury in a second of ‘time. ‘*Men,” remarked Redfern, as he. glanced over the crowd, ‘the Blue Jackets are my deadly foes, and*I am their enemy unto death. I happen to know something about them from close observation, and that knowledge comes to my aid now. Withio the past year I bave run toearth no less than nine of the band, though I did make a mistake in letting the Vigilantes hang the wrong man for Blue Jacket Bill. Had I thought a moment before condemning that poor fellow I would have looked for the sure proof that be was a Blue Jacket, I accused the man bere whom you all knew as Trent Bax- ‘ter the gambler, alias the Sharp from Texas cand he had the same proof that I speak of, and dt may some day hang him, If Ihave my way it will.!' Each man whom I[ have captured, or killed of the Blue Jackets had the proof upon him that he is a member of the band. ‘*You may recall that < took men out of ‘your midst, Cavalho, Corallez and _ others whom you little dreamed were Blue Jackets; ‘but they were. **Now, I repeat again, if I donot give the via I claim, 1 will stand across this room, umbly ask this man’s pardon, and permit him to empty his revolver at me; but he must be sure of bis aim, for the seventh shot that is fired will come from my revolver at him. ‘**T now tell you that about this man’s neck is a collar, pricked in india-ink in blue, represent- ing a chain, to which hangs a in red ink, and bearing the letters B, J. B, ‘*Men, there is my prooft The chain collar of the Blue Jackets!” Redfern tore open the shirt of the man he «accused, revealing the mark he had indicated! A P ieaney yell of fury went up from the crowd, while the accused man uttered a cry of ‘terror, and attempted to draw his revolver, but Redfern’s derringer covered him, and he heard tthe words: * Resist and you die!” Ail men cling to life, no matter what the fate head of them, and though the gallows arose in all its horror before him, the man did not resist, and thus end his life then and there. He was quickly disarmed by Lariat Dick, while the crowd, now thirsting for the blood of the man whom no one doubted was one of the Blue Jacket Band, cried in savage tones: ** Now we'll swing him!” ‘* One more Blue Jay to hang!” ** Give him up, pard, and we'll hoist him!” The mass of humanity made a move toward the man which seemed irresistible; but, Red- fern’s derringer suddenly disappeared, his re- volver took its place, while be cried: **Men, I claim this prisoner for the United States, and shail take him to Fort Blanco for trial, so don’t crowd me!” “Hort Blanco be blowed! We'll hang him here, and you kin try him arterwards,” The speaker was the fellow who, a short while before, had told Redfern he was carrying too high a hand in Devil’s Ranch. He was now wishing to hang the man he bad sought to defend a few minutes before! But his words met with the approbation of the crowd, and they still pressed forward toward the prisoner, ** Men, I know my duty and I shall doit, I warn youoft!” again cried Red.ern, while Du Val called out: Boys, don’t crowd him, for he’s right, and don’t you forget it.” ‘Waal, we has a say I guess, as well as Red- fern, and I says hang the Blue Jay!” It was the same bravo who bad before spoken, and he made a spring for the trembling wretch, But the sharp crack of the dauntless Red- fern’s revolver checked his spring and seut him down ina heap, a bullet in the very center of his furebead! “If wecan’t hang a Blue Jay, you sha’n’ tkilla miner, Redfern,” cried another voice, and a shout came from the crowd. Instantly there was a rattling of revolvers, yet only for an instant, for the maddened crowd surged back now, in wild fright, for though Redfern’s revolvers were barking, others about him were joining in the chorus, and it was seen that he bad a full score of backers by his side, among whom were, Lariat Dick and the stran- gers in Devil’s Ranch. “‘That Redfern is the devil!” cried a miner as hes out of the ball. ‘* Parson, you will have a busy day of it to- morrow,” remarked Redfern coolly, and he walked out of the gambling hall with his pris- oner, after whispering to the landlord: “One of my men was killed and another wounded—please see to them.” ‘*T willat once; but, did you see how cool the parson was under fire?’ “I noticed it, and tbat is not all,” was the re- ply. But, the parson overheard the words, and one instant after he, too, slipped out of the hall, un- mindful of the wounded who migaot need the consolation of his presence. Two hours after, Redfern had left with his prisoner, and Lariat Dick was with him, The next morning not a stranger was to be seen in Devil’s Ranch, and to the surprise of Landlord Du Val the parson was missing also, ‘“‘He must have gone with Redfern,” be mut- tered, But the landlord was wrong in this surmise for the parson had gone alone, CHAPTER XXIV. THE PARSON GOES ON A JOURNEY. THE words uttered by Redfern to uandlord Du Val, in the gambling hall, and overheard by Parson Freeze, seemed to impress the latter gen- tleman unpleasantly. He quickly made his exit and sought his room in the New Mexico, unmindful cf the rumor go- ing the rounds that a miner wh. stood near him swore that he had seen the parsop with a re- volver in his band, and he seemed so scared he was aiming at bis friend Redfern. But the parson had been not 1 few minutes in his room when he heard noiseg on the piazza be- low giving utterance to these very words; ‘*Tt’s all up now with Parson Freeze, and I must look out for myself,” muttered the man, Then he muttered aloud; ‘““] did hope to get a chance to send that Yellow Canyon treasure through unsuspected by the coach, but that must wait for another time. ‘‘ Now there is but one thing for me to do and that is to get out of here, “I can then go North and play the role of friend, and if I do not doso soon that infernal boy will get there first and win all, ‘That is my only hope now for the future, un- - : less I can venture back to Colorado and convince old Miner Ben Bostwick that J am really Trent Baxter, which the old fool doubts, ‘But now to get out of this Devil’s Ranch, which certainly is most properly named. ‘Whew! but how the bullets flew to-night in the hall, and in ten seconds as many men went down, ‘*T did get in one shot at Redfern, but a fool put his head in between as I pulled the trigger and got the lead. : ‘* And I was seen, too, so have no time to tarry here. ‘*That boy bears a charmed life, and is the coolest, deadliest shot I ever saw. ‘*Now to be cff,” and the parson quickly threw a few things together, not forgetting his money this time, lowered himseif from bis win- dow, by aid of his lariat, and reaching the shed stables called for the landlord’s best horse, which 4 been placed at bis disposal by Senor Du al, Soon after he was riding out of Devil’s Ranch at a gallop, and his course lay for the Blue Jackets’ Toll Gate in Canyon Pass, He dismounted at the canyon, and went on foot amoung the rocks. Taking from the pack he carried a Jantern he lighted it and soon reached a spot among the rocks which was a secure hiding place, The lantern revealed that be had there some large bags of gold, and from one of these he took a few handfuls, ‘‘T cannot take much so must leave it until anotber time, for it is safe here. ‘*If it had not been for that fracas to-night; Icould have nipped Mexican Jve on his next trip, when [ was a passenger, and the only one, and [’d carry this all through as Government treasure witbout mishap. ‘‘But now it must wait, until 1 go north to play my cards with the wife and daughter of Gray St. Jobn.” So saying he put out the lantern, left it in the hiding place, and returning to his horse once more continued on his way. Once or twice during the night he halted to rest his horse, and just after dawn for break- fast. But not for a long while, for be pushed on once more, Toward noon his horse began to feel the pres- sure, and dismounting he walked by bis side for miles, and then again halted forrest, ° Night came and yet be did not go into camp for any length of time. y All during the day he had cast glances behind him, as though he feared pursuit. Through the night he walked, leading his borse, and only at daybreak camped. He went to sleep for a couple of hours, awoke, cooked his breakfast, and his horse being re- tres:ed by food and rest, be urged him once mor. to a rapid gait and kept it up for hours, He bad avoided all regular trails, and seeming to know the country thoroughly, came in sight at sunset of a stage station upon another branch than the one which led to Devil’s Ranch and by Fort Blanco, To his joy he learned that a coach was ex- pected within.an bour, and he at once sold his borse for what be could get for him, and soon after be was going eastward, the only passenger in the coach, greatly to his delight, CHAPTER XXV. THE NOOSE TIGHTENING. THE excitement was intense in Devil’s Ranch the day following the fracas in the gambling hall of the New Mexico, There were men who said that Redfern the Revolver Sharp never came there that a row did not follow, and others at once remarked in his defense, that he always took in some desperado or outlaw who needed hanging, while he cer- tainly bad not brought the trouble on, He had even gone so far as to explain why he had demanded the prisoner whom he bad taken with him. This silenced the ill-feeling against the boy scout, or rather the open_expression of it, Many wondered why Redfern had gone out of Devil’s Ranch that night with his prisoner, and who he took with him. ; The report that he had resigned his place at the fort as seout was no longer believed, and the strangers seen in the place were set down as his secret pards, Y What Lariat Dick, of Colorado, had to do with Redfern no one knew; but be was also found gone on the following morning, What most surprised the rancbers was the dis- appearance of the parson. e was wanted badly to make the burying a
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aaa Blue Jacket Bill. success, and there were wounded men who wish- ed to have.a few words of consolation from a parson. : But that person had again mysteriously dis- appeared. At first it was thought by Senor Du Val that he had accompanied Redfern; but then he changed his mind after a peon had reported the condition of the parson’s room. He at once made an investigation to find that this time the parson had premeditated a de- parture, and a lengthy if not a permanent stay. He had taken everything with him except an extra Bible and a number of tracts. Then, too, the landlord claimed that Parson Freeze had frozen to his best horse, and had left some time before Redfern, while no one except the stabdleman had seen him depart for other pastures, fr So Landlord Du Val grew suspicious toward afternoon, for he, too, heard the rumors that Parson Freeze had drawn a revolver instead of a Bible, ne er the fracas, and had also fired a shot, not in the defense of law and order, but which had been aimed at Redfern. So, late in the afternoon, Landlord Du Val re- turned to his own comfortable rooms and pen- ned the following note: “My Dear Reprern:— “Do you know that I believe that parson is a fraud of the greatest magnitude? “Taking all in all, his emotion when you asked him to as St. John, his strange manner at the alee) his former mysterious disappearance, and t night his drawing a revolver during the row and Jiring at you, put all together, convinces me that the parson is living a double life. “IT learn now that he left before you did, and he took with him all but his stock in trade, while he rode away the best horse I had in my stables, “IT give this information for what it is worth, and send a scout upon his trail, while a messenger bears this to the fort to you. “The scout has orders to report to you there also, when he has fully gotten the direction which the parson took, “Fortunately my horse, which the parson rode, was shod only yesterday, and for mountain work, so his tracks can be readily followed by a good trailer, which the man I send is. “Permit me to congratulate hak upon beginning our work well, and with regards to Lariat Dick be- eve me, . “ Yours always, “Du Vax.” In the mean while Redfern and Lariat Dick had gone on toward the fort with their prisoner, upon whose wrists the youth had slipped a pair of handcuffs. , They had ridden on until dawn, and there camped for breakfast and rest; continuing their : wel after several hours, t was after nightfall when they reached the fort, and went directly to the quarters of Colo- nel kwood, where they were at once ad- mitted. Colonel Rockwood greeted the youth most warmly, saying in his pleasant, way: : I knew you would come, Redfern, at my ca ¢ ° He also welcomed Lariat Dick cordially and then gave a glance at the prisoner. Redfern understood the look and said: “‘T have to report my arrival, Colonel Rock- wood, and that of my comrade, Lariat Dick, and we are ready for duty, sir, “ But, I wish also to deliver to you this pris- oner, whom I charge with being an outlaw of the Blue Jacket Band, and whose capture, I re- Rt to say, caused several deaths at Devil’s neh, for the miners wished to hang him then and there.” “Orderly, send a guard here for this pris- oner,” called out Colonel Rockwood, and when the BlueJ acket was removed, Redfern gave his reason for having arrested the man, ‘I saw him cheating two of my men, sir, and as his sbirt collar was unfastened, I caught a glimpse of the secret sign of the Blue Jackets, so determived to arrest bim, and I only regret that there was fatality attending my doing so, * But, Colonel Rockwood, I have anotber pcle for you to hear, and Lariat Dick here will t tell it to you, so as to explain my report of hav- ing seen Blue Jacekt Bill hanged. ariat Dick then told his story, and the col- onel was greatly surprised, but was glad to know that the settler had escaped, and congrat- ulated the young miner upon his good work, Then Redfern said: : __ ‘Colonel Rockwood, I hope I am not‘ mak- ing another mistake in wrongfully accusing an innocent man! but 1 believe that a parson now at Devil’s Ranch is not all that he represents himself to be, for in the unpleasantness that fol- lowed my capture of the Blue Jacket in the UPAR ae ee an 1 Teen! as SS i ane ee : Sg Be Came’ pes rca Ry eee tay a gambling hall, I certainly saw him aim a revol- ver at me and pull trigger, but another got the bullet, and I concluded, as the fight ended in about fifteen seconds, to pretend I did not see it. ** Now I wish to start upon the track of that parson, and something tells me I will not go upon a fruitless errand,” f “I leave the whole matter in your hands, Redfern, and congratulate you upon having so able an ally as your friend bere, “Hunt down the Blue Jackets in your way, and when their chief is again caught, make no mistake in your man,” said Colonel Rockwood. CHAPTER XXVI. ON THE TRAIL OF THE SERPENT, THE next morning, after the arrival of Red- fern at the fort, the messenger came from Senor Du Val, and the youth carried the landlord’s letter at once to the colonel, who remarked: “You were on the right trail, Redfern, about that parson, as you always are—except when you hanged the wrong man up in Colo- rado,” added the commandant, with a sly wink at the youth. “*T am glad he was not hanged beyond recall, sir; but when this scout arrives which Senor Du Val wisely put upon the trail of the parson, I shall know Jost what todo, for now I believe the man is Blue Jacket Bill himself.” “Do you really think so?” “Yes, sir.” *T had not thought of that.” ‘* [know that he is about tke height and size of Blue Jacket Bill.” **'Yes?” ‘*But he is very round-shouldered, though that could be put on, sir, you know, under his oat “True,” ‘* His hair is cut short, his beard close-shavon, while Blue Jacket wears long hair and beard, which to remove would almost disguise him,” “Very true,” thy There is one thing which would betray him, “What is that?” ‘* He has one blue, and one black eye.” “The parson?” “No, sir, Blue Jacket Bill.” ** And the parson?” ** Wore glasses with a bluish glass, pretending tosuffer with his eyes,” “ Ah id “That would hide the color of his eyes, sir, ani I remember that the lenses of the spectacles were very large, and the frames large and fit- ted close under the brow and to the cheek.” ‘*He may be your man, Redfern.” “If he is, sir, then he is also the foe of Settler Baxter, Lariat Dick’s friend, and more, he is the Devil’s Ranch gambler who took the name of Trent Baxter, the Sharp from Texas as well, and in him I wili find the murderer of Miner Gray St. Jobn.” ‘Do you believe it?” _ ‘* Yes, sir, such is my idea, and he not only murdered the miner for his money, but from a long standing revenge, for the man, I. believe, was Miner Gray’s boyhood foe and rival Hugh Hammond, ““Tf so, he means harm to the miner’s wife and daughter, and I shall see that he does not carry out his plot of wrong.” ‘“‘T declare, Redfern, you are a natural born detective and scout and I am led by your view of the case to place confidence in all you say.” “Itis my own idea, sir, and may be wrong; but if I am right, then our man is none other than Blue Jacket Bill as well.” The orderly now entered with a report that ascout had arrived at the fort and wished to see Mr. Redfern, ? ‘“‘ Admit him here, orderly,” said the colonel, with a glance at Redfern. Soon after Du Val’s scout entered and after saluting the colonel said: “Senor Du Val sent me, Pard Redfern, to track that old Sky Pilot Freeze, and then report to you.” ‘Yes, and you have done sof” ‘Yes, pard, I picked up his tracks on the Blanco stage trail, and followed him to Blue J — ik “He pushed hard for the place too, as his tracks showed, but halted there for rest and fooled around on foot for some purpose I could not mn ye : : sao ut 1t was night when he was there. wae, ee “ “Then he lit out over the ridge, leaving the / stage trail and making for the northwest coack trails, “Soon as I got bis direction, and seen that he was dodging open trails, I came to report to ou. ‘** You have done well, pard.” “And here is the four mates tothe shoes put. on Landlord Du Val’s borse, which the old sky pilot got away with for sure.” He handed over the four iron shoes, which Dw Val bad told him to take, as they were made especially for the horse taken by Parson Freeze,, and after being complimented by Colonel Rock- wood on his quick and valuable work, he went: out to the scout’s quarters, ** Well, colonel, it looks as though I was right,”” said Redfern. ‘* More so than ever. “When do you start?” “As soon as it is dark, sir, and I shall go at once to Blue Jacket .Toll-Gate and camp until morning.” ‘‘ And Lariat Dick goes with you?” ‘Yes, sir.” ? **Then I predict for you success, Redfern,” was the emphatic response of Colonel Rock- wood. As soonas it was dark two men rode away from the fort. They were Redfern and Lariat Dick, and the carried a led horse with them, as though the jaunt was to be a long one. They reached Blue Jacket Toll-Gate before midnight, and after looking to the comfort of their horses, sought rest. With the first peep of dawn they were up and searching for the parson’s trail. Two such trailers were not long in finding it, where Du Val’s scout bad said it branched off from the stage trail, and they started just thirty- six hours behind the fugitive parson, The wisdom of bringing an extra horse was soon evident, for one could always be rested from carrying the weight of a rider, and then better animals were hard to find, They did not spare their horses, but’ took bet~ ter care to husband their strength than had the arson to save the animal he rode, and the traib ing a well-marked one, they followed without: much delay, for Redfern soon got an idea just: ' where the fugitive intended to strike for. But trailing was slower work than going di- rectly on one’s way, and they reached the stage station just forty-eight hours behind the parson. They learned of his going east by coach, almost immediately after bis arrival at the sta- tion, and the description of the man and horse which Redfern recognized, left no room to doubt that they were upon the right track. But the coaches on that branch only ran once nS so they were delaayed for five days there, Then leaving their horses in charge of the sta~ tion agent, and Redfern purchasing Du Val’s horse also, they took the coach eastward with tbe same driver who had taken the parson, And so the trailing of the serpent was con- tinued, slowly but surely. CHAPTER XXVII. IN THE COIL OF THE SERPENT. Ir was just the kind of home where happiness should dwell, the cottage where the wife and ae of Miner Gray St. John had found a refuge. Mrs. St. John, a beautiful, but sad-faced wom- an of thirty-six, had bad ber share of grief and hardships, for her life had known many sorrows. Her boy hero, Gray St. John, had become ber husband when the two were hardly more than children, for she was but sixteen, he not twenty- one at the time they were married. She bad seen Gray St. John shot down by his: rival, Hugb Hammond, and had nursed her lover back to life after long months of suffering. Through poverty in their married life they had struggled, until at last, with their daughter Ethel growing in years, the father decided to try bis fortunes in the gold-mines of the far West, d At first it was only disappointment, Then came a letter full of hope, followed by a remittance, and life took on a rosy hue. The letters and the drafts came regularly, and the mother and daughter each had a bank ac- count building rapidly into a fortune. They gave up the little rooms where they had kept house in Baltimore, and purchased the cottage in the suburbs of the city, with and comforts, It was neatly furnished, and the mother and we daughter at last knew what it was to live in lux- ury. : ts garden patch, flower plot, lawn, shade-trees, :
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~—- = a ae 14 The far-away miner’s drafts still came, ‘and he wrote them that he, too, was buildingupa bank account, to place them beyond want for life—nay, to bring them in a handsome income independent of what he sent to them. So in a couple of years Mrs, St. John began to feel that they were rich, and urge her husband to return home and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He promised to come soon, wrote that be had a certain while yet to work, and would then place his mine in competent and honest hands, for it would still continue to yield gold for some time to come. His- letters had told how a miner had saved his life, and what friends the two had become. In fact, all of his letters spoke of his “‘dear pard Trent Baxter,” and he hoped he could per- suade him to come home with him, Baxter had not “struck it rich,” as he had, but he had a good living from a mine, he wrote, and not a word did he say that his generosity had forced Baxter to take a share of his mine, Then there were two weeks when no letter came, and the next one was received, and in a strange hand. It was mailed from the fort where Gray St. dJohn’s letters came from, and with trembling fingers Mrs. St. John broke the seal, fearing that ber husband was seriously ill. The moan that broke from her lips told Ethel that it was worse, and she sprung to her moth- er’s side to hear the low words: ** My God! Ethel, your father is dead!” It was long before they could read the letter, and their tears came hot and fast as they did sO. It wasa kind letter, and ran as follows: *“My Dear Mrs. Sr. Jonn:— “Tt is with a feeling of remorse at the pain I give, that I write you the sad tidings that your devoted husband, my noble friend, is dead. “T believe that he has mentioned me, Trent Bax- ter, in his letters to you, and, if so, you may know that my grief is also most poignant, for from the time T met him we were like brothers. “He helped me to become a better man, and we had planned together to soon start for the East, where he said his home was to be my home. “But I must tell you of his death, or all that I know. “T was away at my mine, some thirty miles dis- tant from Yellow Canyon, and went to spend the Sabbath with him, as was my wont. “T arrived early in the morniog, and instead of the joyous welcome I always received, all was silence at the cabin. “But I cannot dwell upon the sad remembrance more than to say that I found my dear pard a dead man, slain by some merciless assassin, his cabia robbed, and no trace by which the murderer could be tracked. “*T buried the dear remains decently, got together what things I could find in the cabin which I thought ‘you and your daughter would prize, his papers and books, and then gave the alarm through the country = eg and capture the guilty one who had done the eed. ‘* But my efforts were useless, and at Jast I found time and calmness to write to you, one week after his death. ** He has often told me that I must be as a brother to you, asa father to Ethel, if harm befell him, and so I shall come to you and tell you all. “You may expect me a few weeks after the re- ception of this letter. It is needless for me to add that in your deep grief you and Miss E’hel have my deepest sym- pathy. for I mourn with you in your great loss, and lieve me ever “Your attached friend, “TRENT BAXTER.” “P.S.—Permit me to add here that it may be nec- essary for you and Miss Ethel to return with me to New Mexico, at least to the vicinity of the mine, to settle up the business complications which may arise under the circumstances of your husband’s death, for he has left here certain gold which I alone know the repository of. “IT will try and bring you by a way which will be less fatiguing and dangerous than the ordinary route, and I very much fear there will be no possi- mas | of your avoiding the trip. * But we will talk it all over when I arrive. ** Again, insympathy, Lid | We B.” Such was the letter received by Mrs. St. John from her husband’s “‘ devoted friend,” Several weeks after the reception of this letter there drove - to the cottage a hack from which alighted a tall, handsome gentleman dressed in a stylish suit of gray. e wore side whiskers of some six weeks’ growth, his chin and upper lip being clean shaven. His hair was white as snow, and wasin curl- ing clusters about his temples and neck, He also wore gold-rimmed spectacles, carried a gold cane and looked like some well-to-do banker, rather than: (DS. shetienatth eo eB nee —— Blue Jacket Bill. “MINER TRENT BAXTER, ‘© New Mexico.” for so read the card he sent in to Mrs, St. John, The reception which the visitor received from both mother and daughter was a cordial one, and little did they suspect the handsome white- haired stranger was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and that they were already in the coil of the serpent. CHAPTER XXVIII. TRACKED TO DOOM, Two weeks after the arrival of the man they were trailing, at the cottage of the Widow St. John, Redfern and Lariat Dick came upon the scene. The cottage was closed, and the nearest neigh- bors told them that it had been sold for cash furniture and all, by Mrs. St. John, who had gone with her daughter to live in some further west state. Did they go alone? was asked. ‘No; an elderly gentleman, with gray hair and gold spectacles had come for them!” was the response, Then the two trailers held a consultation, and decided that the serpent had, in truth, insnared his victims.” They made numerous inquiries, and learned that Mrs, St. John had received a letter telling her that her husband had been murdered, and then had come the white-haired gentleman for them. A livery stable was found where the carriage had been hired that took them to the depot, and there they found that ticket had been purchased for New Orleans. The two trailers found the very conductor with which the three had gone south, and reach- ing New Orleans discovered that they had stopped there for nearly two weeks. Then they had taken the steamer for Gal- veston, The trackers took the train, and arriving there followed to San Antonio, where they had remained some little time, waiting for a wagon- train going northward, it was said by those who knew, Then, as no train was going soon, the party started by ambulance with one wagon-load of settlers who risked going, a hunter and a guide, And upon their trail went Redfern and Lariat Dick, but days bebind them still. And one day in the timber they came upon a scene which filled them with horror, as they drew rein and threw themselves from their horses. There before them were the charred remains of the wagon and ambulance, with the skeleton forms of the eleven people who had comprised the party, several of whom were children of the settler, There they were, scattered about, the wolves fighting over their bones, and all telling the ter- rible story! “Comanches have done this, Lariat Dick,” said Redfern, ‘* Yes, it is their red work,” was the answer. ‘«'There were eleven in the party, Dick.” ** And eleven skeletons are here.” ‘Yes, but we must be sure of his.” ‘Yes, here it is, and his white wig with it.” “You are right, and the clothes he was de- scribed in are here almost torn to pieces,” ‘And here are bis spectacles! At last, Red- fern, he has met bis doom,” ‘Yes, but what a fearfuldoom to drag the others into, Dick,” said Redfern as he glanced at the skeleton forms of the others of the doomed arty. a We must bury them, Redfern.” ‘Yes, and that man far away from the others,” was the decisive reply. The sacred see was performed, and then the friends continued on their way until they came to the place where they must part, for Lariat Dick was to return to the home of Settler Trent Baxter. ‘*T shall send my report in writing, Dick, to Colonel Rockwood, for I return to Mexico to my mother, whom I some day hope to make an American of,” “I thought your parents were slain by Co- manches, Redfern, for so I heard at the fort.” **My adopted parents were, but the Lady Captain of Mexico has proven to me that she 1s my mother, and that I was stolen from her in early boyhood. : ‘“* T avenged those I believed to be my parents, as I vowed to do, boy though I was, and nowI am content to forget the past and live for the future, Dick.” Se ee SS ~~. ™ **T hope we may meet again, Redfern.” ‘* Perhaps we may, Dick, for if the settler and his daughter forgive my having been the cause of his suffering, 1 may drop in upon you some day, when Miss Ruth is your Ruth.” “Pll take that as a promise, Redfern,” said Lariat Dick, as he grasped the hand of the youth, And thus they parted to meet again when Red- fern found indeed that both the settler and Ruth freely forgave him for haying hanged an honest man for Blue Jacket Bill, THE END, Beadle’s Dime Library. BY EDWARD WILLETT, 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man's Sacrifice, 209 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince. 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Crime. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp, 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 298 Logger Lem; or, Life in the Pine Woods, 808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True. 815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League, 827 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective. 837 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp, 348 Dan Dillon, King of Crosscut. 368 The Canyon King; or, a Price on his Head. 483 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. BY GEORGE C. JENKS. 898 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective, 432 The Giant Horseman. 507 The Drummer Detective. 526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective, 538 Rube Rocket, the Tent Detective. 554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler. 572 Jaunty Joe, the Jockey Detective. BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN. 57 The Silent Hunter. 86 The Big Hunter; or, The Queen of the Woods, BY WM. G. PATTEN. 545 Hustler ee the Cowboy Sport. 571 Old Dismal, the Range Detective. 602 Captain Nameless, the Mountain Mystery. BY GEORGE ST. GEORGE, 296 Duncan, the Sea Diver. — é 417 Tucson Tom; or, The Fire Trailers. BY NED BUNTLINE. 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle, 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover. 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privateer. _ ; 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 220 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King, 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. MISCELLANEOUS, 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 10 Vidoeq, the French Police Spy. By himself. 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Marryatt. 82 B’hoys of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegians. 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont. 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany. 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger. 102 The Masked Band. By George L., Aiken. 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw, By H. Ainsworth. 133 Rody the Rover. By William Carieton. 140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo. Walker. 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo, 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief, 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell, 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas. 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt, By Col. Jo Yards, 275 The Smuggler Cutter. By J. D. Conroy. 312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor- ris Redwing. ; 350 Flash Falcon, Society Detective, By W. J. Cobb. 353 Bart Brennan: or, The King of Straight Flush. By John Cuthbert. | 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H.- Morse, 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill. 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. W. Osbon. y 534 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter’s Cave. By Marmaduke Dey. - 542 The Ocean_Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives, By A. F. Holt. 566 The Dauntless Detecjive: or, The Daughter Avenger. By Tom W. King. A new issue every Wednesday, Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale hy afl Newsdealers, teu cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each, BEADLE & AD. MS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,
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* le z - 2050 bs ae ames ur . — 5 BEADLE’S* HALF-DIME*]IBRARY. ~~ —— y . —$—$—$— $reg BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 4 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. . 184 Sure shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, tie Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. B84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hereules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfeoot Mone, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. A478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemte. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 662 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Den Barr, the Plaing Freelance. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. é 670 Norway Nela, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Mall.) $84 Old Rocky's ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant Gooress or, The ‘Ang? of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack}; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Creeping Vat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. 862 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. B49 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. got The peek Raiders or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. ne ot, the Boy Kanger. BID Chinta of ooaks or, The Three Thunderbolts. ‘881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 8 Romeo and the Reds}; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. . 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Tratlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Stars or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy, 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingam, 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 95 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nero, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Vendetta. Clip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. Ad RY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joes or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captain aeinodnt or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Deepard, the Duelist; cz, The Mountain Vompires. 888 A Tough Boy ; or, The Dwart’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, s cory or, A Race fora Ranch. 408 Little Leather: Br ches 3 or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood. 451 Colorado Kate. ‘4 Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Pards. 617 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old W casel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy, Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout. 648 Nappy Harry’s Big Find, 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special, BY JO PLERCE. PE Hip of the Barer, The Migce of Mattar Swe 452 Slots = Rob. the Street-Boy. i eed Bovle Boom. 460 The Lawyer's Shadow; or, Luke's Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the mas, Horse-King, 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar t ; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective, “88 Wrestli Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, ‘1 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, 4 51 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. «59 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 5869 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, os 8 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, : OR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. «614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. , $s peed Bumblebee, the Harlem Hace / ane By: unrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. =v? $ Gamin Bob, the Rowsry Badger; or, Scooping @ Slippery Set. G28 Sky-Roeket Rob, the Life-Saver. a Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator. _ 694 Spiey Jim, the Only One of His Kind BY J. W. OSBON.- ‘ 469 The Riyal Giants of Nowhar’. Pity sue rr, the Manifrom Hard Luck. 56a P d Bue Sy ep the Sierra Shadow. 89 Belly Borie Bs 20 Lt tie 5 nem teen eteran Detective. ss 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy pector, League; or, The Mystery ofthe Island. Prow wv} \ Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girle 78 Abe Coil, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Jve buck of Angels and His Boy Pi sd. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and ‘raps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes ot a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 ‘Taos Ted, tae Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dreud Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tues; or, Dandy Kock’s Angel 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock's Doom. 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock's Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rivals or, The | aunted Maid of Taos. BY CAPT. J. F. C. ADAMS, 4 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiffies’« Pet; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram ; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets; or, The Wild Huntress. 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human Thundervolt. BY ROGER STARBUCR,. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk. the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the | »es. 848 Fire-IHeela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the HIll Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-houre, 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner, BY WILLIAM E EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy_ of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 5S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Dan’s Double Play. 616 The Ocean Detectives or. The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel. : BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR T. 8. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. 519 Captain mystery ; or, Five in One. 581 Dats? ware the Sport from Denver. 687 Ol Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 Yhe Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Viplet Vane, the Velvet Spon. 641 Dikmal Dave’s Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective. 66% Violet Vane’s Victory. 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, 698 Violet and Daisy, the Posy Pards. BY MAJOR E, L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Rob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Duransro Dave, the Youny “inn ion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mount.in Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or The Captives of the Frontier. 310 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 21 ‘rne Frontier Angel. The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairle Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountain Monster. 288 Indian Joe; or. ne White Sririt of the Hills, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck: or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Ialand Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain Orthe Club ‘or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Markaway in New York. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards. 846 Rapley Ra aie or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. 891 Kid-Gleve Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies. 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pards or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Munter: or, The Golden Gulch Mystery. 505 Powell's Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasgo; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Cantain: or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise. j 00 The Boy Bedoutna; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lanse, 14 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, %& The Ticer Tamer: or, The League of the Jungle, 1 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 95 California Joe's War Trail. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, f 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. J 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-lhawk Kits or, The Dauyiter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 ‘The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Pat 208 The Boy Pards; or. Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, ‘he Strange Guide B55 ‘The King ot the Woods: or ante! Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective , ; 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Traller. 1 oe 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. |. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. BY W. J. HAMILTON, s 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 Single Hand; or, A Life fora Life, 72 Mad Tom W eastern, the Texan Ranger. us 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop, : BY JAOK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. i 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. Ht. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY COL, A. F. HOLT. ' 899 Black Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Desth Canyo 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot. the Pilot of the Woods. 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective. 691 Headlight Harry’s Haul. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78% Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island. . 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain, “BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shote. j 478 Tangemund, the Desert Vetective. , 542 The Canyon Pards. ' BY ARTHUR ©. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Parda. 621 Truthful James, the ‘ Pecooliar’” Man. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, ; 546 Captain Cactur, the Chaparral Cock. i 5668 The Dandy of Dodge. X 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow BS9 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidoeg-. PF 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Tas : 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or. BTick Ivan’s Great Combine, ne 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Ranee Detective. 2 657 Warbling William. the Mountain Mountebank. veg 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. x 689 Billy. the Gypsy Spy. i MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Rela aus % Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdiny or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Ilustrations.) 4 Le 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the x Carribees. By S. W. Pierce. Pah 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By F S, Finn, 84 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A.C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. me 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. ; 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain . oan Hamilton Holmes. : 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan} or, The Young Champion, By George epson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By i. Alexander Patten. per: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- - By Edward Emerson. , ae ht the New Yirk Boy. By G@. L, Aiken, oe 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Tra! 9 298 Hed e a By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu bs tenant Alfred Thorne. 2 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris. 874 Gold-DPuat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, By @ H, Morre, 876 Californian Joe’s Firat Trail, By Colonel) Thomes Hover Monstery. i 418 Billy Rombshell, the Cliff Climber, By F.S. Winthrop. hn! 7% The Black Ship. By John S Warner. a Comanche Dick and His Three Invinetbles, By SS ; Henry J. Thomas. } R C3 S28 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F. Holt, A. 582 The Cowboy Duke. rooke Forrest, 4 BS2 Ariel the Athlete. B Teri beelac WIL Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 852 The Dead Detective’ Double. By Gerad Carlton : A New Inaue Every Tuesday. ~The Half-Dime Library is for sele by all newsdenlers, five eontn per copy, or sent by mati on receipt oF six cents each, : ¥ READLE AND APAMB. Publishers. 98 William Street, New York.
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~~ eet - Sta ‘ Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. 476 Deadwoed Dick, Jr.’ Dog Detective. Bd pesauees Dick, Jr., in Deadwood, eadwood 496 Deadwood 500 Deadwooa 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, De 515 Deadwood 622 Deadwood D 529 Deadwooa 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, nga. verance. 561 Deadwood D 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 5S4 Deadwood 590 Deadweod Dick, J 595 Deadwood Dick, J 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick €18 Deadwoed 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man's Land. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick) Jr., tn Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, -r.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, J 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durangoy or, “ Gathered In.” 678 Deadwood Dick, J 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Doliars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. B2 Bob Woolf; er, The Girl Dead-Shot 89 Death-Fuace, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 61 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob io te ht, 8 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks. 1 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 4% Captain Ferret, the New York Detective, 61 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 7% Nobby Nick of Nevada or, The Sierras Scamps. 81 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 09 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 18 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young G)adlator. 244 Slerra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sicrra Sam’a Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy; or, The Ange! o! Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Hetra, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll’« Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. B25 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, B80 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 289 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. Sas Ae ae wrod he Rae from Gopher. Yreka Jim. the Gold-Gatherers or, The Life Lo ' 872 Yreka Jim's Prize. Be ce BTS Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slah City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villatn’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim's Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. . 416 High Nat Marry, the Base Ball Detective, Sam Slabsides, the Begzar-Boy Detective, Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 3 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. Sealskin coe ee Sam, tho Sparkier. ‘ No Double Numbers. —_ BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankee}; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fuyitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shudow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy, 116 The Hussar Captain ; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reina. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir, 250 The Midshipman utineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating F eather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or,“ ‘The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirute’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Buy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy's Double, $14 The Mysterious Marauder}; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail. 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Fiagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WIII, the Boy Phantom. $98 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator } or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, Tho Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Vachtamany; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 29 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Seca Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard Marry 3 or, The Seaipegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WIII: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will’s Street Scouta. 462 The Born Gulde; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Floras or, Wizard Will's Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard W1)!’s Last Case, fi 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King ot the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 5620 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Buc'skin Rovers, 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rie, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective, 586 The Buckskin Avenger, 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607 The Rover_ Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Rio Raiders, 644 The Hercules Highwayman. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Batterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza, 668 The Buceancer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover, 679 The Sea Shadowery or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrere; or, The Sharp from Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Mood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trappers Trust, BY CHARLES MORRIS, Will Somers, the Boy Detective, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy, Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, Detective Dick; or, The Hero tu Rags. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett s or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Beene the Bank Runner, The Hidden tend} or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge, Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King, 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly dima Jobs or, The Younes Detective, 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Fiver, the Reporter Detective, 482 Invincible Logan, tho Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vaganond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive.‘ 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, b he Seerct Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Feld, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator, 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. Se ey ted ANINASW ann AAOSHOTHIONWSOSWOR BY J. ©, COWDRIOCK, 860 Bilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King}; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Withour.. Name 424 OCibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redl ht Ral » the Prince of the Road, Broadway Billy’s Boodle, 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘Ditikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadwa Billy's Peath Racket. 434 air tape uke the Yohng ny pores 8 aul ‘he Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pin anh. : = 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, T)e Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 628 Broadve Billy's Dead Act. 640 Barebrek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 'lypevwsiter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the “ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or,Benting San Francisco's Fines} 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night}; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge} or. The Litt! Hunter. 47 Nightingale N at} or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dand eek 3 or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack j or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 28 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 89 Judge Lynch, Jr.t or, The Boy Vigilante, 55 Gol Tri er, the Sper or, The Gir) Avenger. 69 Tornado Tomy; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 88 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 98 Arkansaw } or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge, 20T Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hanter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Rei Jezebe!. 241 Bill Brave; or, The Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Tuckelin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Tramp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the La‘so. 845 Pitileas Matt; e7, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Pardy or The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Feet, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, The Boceuneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 Tho Silken Lasse; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fex, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bay, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 621 Dodger Dick's Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dedger Dick’s Double}; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodder Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq, 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champion Pards. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower, 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musician Detective. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without « Head; or, Lightheart Luke’e Clean Sweep. By Josvp™ E. Badger, Jr- Se ltieetientientiadtiel 699 Bimple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, Playing the Fool for Big Stakes. By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 700 Deadwood Dick, JIr.’#, Prop; Satan’s Spring, By Edward L. Wheeler, 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hot Rangers Red Hot. Racket, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 208 Broadway Billy’s Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdriek. Ready January 13 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pots ot Making Crooked Things Straight. By Edward L, Wheeler Ready January 20, ‘ 205 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Detective’: Crate By Wm. G. Patten, or, The Sojourn ad Ready January 27, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library '« for *#!e by all newsdealers, five eenta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of s1x cents each, BEADLE AND ADAME, Publishers, 98 William Street New Yerk,