Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 707) (1891 02 10)
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\ Ean) .' XXVIIL and Companions Story to ‘Blue Jacket Bill.” February 10, 1 5 SS UU Vol Lo ou shall hang for this! ave utterance to the threaten- CHAPTER I, THE YOUNG FUGITIVE. 5 Cents. Price, LET SOMBRERO,” ‘‘ THE RIVALS,” ETC, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BLUE JACKET BILL,” ‘‘ THE SCAR- *“HvuGcH HAMMOND, y “You have killed him! The ons who g ing words was a young and beautiful girl of 8. sixteen. Redfern’s Last Trail. The Romance of the Boy Trailer, r a Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. STREET, NEW YORK. No. 98 WILLIAM _— ol a | Q < | Q |G < eS yo A | <a | py ma bi jee) al 4 bd iS 4 2) s2 ss) 2) — 4 fea] ~ oo ~ A HUNDRED FEET AWAY, $2.50 a Year Si ii A tl \ 7 a . . . ON HE RODE STRAIGHT FOR THE BURNING BUILDING, TO SUDDENLY DRAW REIN WHEN Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates, mt No. 40% oe eg ae A bis ae PRES eee ay
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eee 1 ae le acd i 3 The Red Sombrero She was dressed in.a riding-habit, and her | horse was hitched near. ba | The scene was a country school in a dense | forest, the bour verging upon sunset, and the | locality on the eastern shore of the State of Maryland, At her feet lay the prostrate form of a youth scarcely nineteen, gasping for breath from a bullet-wound in his side, and near him was a squirrel-rifle, just discharged, Standing near, with a rifle clutched tightly in his band, was a young man of twenty, and to him the threatening words of the young girl were addressed. i ‘Nonsense, Ethel; it was a fair, stand-up duel,” be said, ‘Tc was a cruel murder, for now I know that Gray’s rifle had no bullet in it, for you drew it out to-day. “No, nol you shall hang if he dies, and, my God! I fear there is no hope for him!” The young man’ started and turned deadly pale now, while a look of terror spread over his face, Governed by au impulse beyond control as he gazed upon the prostrate form, and then caugbt the determined expression of the young girl, he | turned and fled, mounted his horse, and dashed away from the fatal spot. Like the wind his horse sped toward a distant. hill, whereon stood a handsome mansion, Dashing up to the stable be dismounted, rushed irito the mansion to the library and going to- ward a desk that stood there he said: “*T must take it, or I am lost.” He opened the desk, grasped a roll of bills, took other things from a small box, and sought bis own room, ** My father will be furious, but better that I take his wealth than his son be hanged on a tree, for that girl will hang me. *“*Ob! how I have loved her, and though I have my revenge on him, she drives me away in terror of my life. ‘*T must be off, or she will come tomy father to arrest me as the judge of the district, and he | will do it, yes, he would not spare even his own son, / With a number of things put ina pair of sad- die-bags, the ycuthful fugitive from a judgment he bad brought upon himself, went out, mounted the best horse in his father’s stables and rode away in the gathering twilight. He did not spare the animal, but kept at a sweeping gallop mile after mile, Late at night he arrived at a village upon the Tred-Avon River, and putting up at the inn learned that a schooner was to sail from there the following morning for the West Indies. He drove a good bargain with the landlord of the inn for tbe sale of his horse, and before noon the following day stoog upon the deck of a large schooner which was leaving the waters of the Tred-Avon astern, as it sped down the Chesa- peake toward the blue Atlantic. He had engaged passage for the island of Cuba, and with the shores of his native land dropping out of sight, his reckless nature be- came cheerful, the shadow of the gallows no longer fell upon him and he ground a curse be- tween his teeth against the boyhood rival at whose heart he bad aimed his bullet, first secur- ing his own safety by extracting the bullet from the weapon of his victim, : CHAPTER II. } A RECKLESS ADVENTURER, _ ALONG an unfrequented highway, in the a _ sunny land of Mexico, a horseman was riding 4 oe pleasant afternoon, several years after the _ flight of Hugh Hammond from his home, driven _ away by the threat of the maiden he had madly loved, boy though he was ip years. The horseman’s face was darkly bronzed, and _ he wore a sombrero and the costume of the , country. He was well mounted, and if armed showed no weapons, His face was a handsome one, his physique superb, and about him there was the reckless, indifferent air of a man ready for any emer- gency. So changed was the boy of twenty, in the three years which had passed since his duel with bis rival, Gray St. John, at the old school- house in Maryland that few, if any one could ve recognized him. ) “Halt, senor! no one travels this trail without paying toll!” ‘he command, and what followed came from the mesquite ut there was a some one at first invisible — trees that bordered the road, rifle muzzle only too plainly seen peering out into the face of the horseman, and a moment after a man stepped out before him, ; A quick glance of the horseman over his shoulder revealed to him a second man in the trailin his rear, so be accepted the situation cheerfully and said in excellent Spanish: “oere is an old saying, senor, that you can- not extract blood from a turnip, and if you can find anything of value about me it is more than I have been able to do for some days.” ‘““You are cool about it, senor, to say the least,” muttered the man. ‘There is no need of a heated discussion over nothing,” was the response, with a smile. ** Who are you, senor?’ and the man, eycd him closely, while three others of a like kind |! came out of hiding and gathered about the horseman, ; “A poor devil with whom the world is at odds, for 1am moneyless, friendless and out of work; but what little I bave I'll share with you if you demand it.” he men looked at each other, and then the leader said: “Well, senor, you are just the kind to take with men of our profession, for we admire your style. % Then perhaps you can give me a job?” “Well, yes, if you like the work.” “T prefer to be strangers to work, but then a man must not starve, and the world owes usa living, you know.” “That is just what we think, and we can give you a job if you like it?” ‘*¢ As gentleman, cowboy or cut-throat?” 4* Which do you prefer?” j ‘The former of course, while I would turn to herding if I bad to, and throat-cutting is not so bad if one gets well paid for the work.” ** Bravo, senor, you are more and more after our style.” “May I ask if you are gentlemen, cowboys or cut-throats, or maybap you are soldiers, for I’no- tice that you wear the remains of what once was a uniform.” ‘* We were soldiers, senor, but have given up cutting throats for the Government at a few esos a month, to do so for ourselves at a very air profit upon a small investment.” : “Senors, I am glad to know you, for I was meditating upon the subject of blood-letting for gold, when you rudely awakened me from dreams of future wealth.” The four were again looking at each other sig- nificantly. : In all their experience they had never met one just like the horseman who so coolly confronted them, If there was sarcasm in his words they failed to detect it, and mastered by a strong mind the leader said: “Well, senor, you are not the man we were looking for, but we are glad to bave met you,” “Yon are not a Mexican in spite of your good Spanish.” : “T am a citizen of the wide, wide world, amigo, “Tf you wish my horse and outfit, and demand it at the rifle’s muzzle, itis yours, and I will gd on my way on foot. } ra T-you! wieh my life you must fight for it, while if you desire neither, pitying my poverty, unless you have something to propose will bid you adios and go on my Way. “Sonor, we have something to propose, for your brains and our weapons will enrich us all, “We were soldiers, senor, belonging to the Lancero League of Colonel Eldoro, the richest man in Mexico. ‘‘ As I said, we prefer to soldier for ourselves, so disc! ourselves from the colonel’s regi- ment, and took to the road. «Business has not been as good as we could wish, so we decided to waylay the colonel on his way to his hacienda, where he goes every two weeks or so to see his beautiful daughter. “He always has @ well-filled purse, and car- ries jeweled gifts to“his daughter, so we were waiting for his coming when you appeared in nett, and we thought you might have money also, ee rances are deceitful, my friends, inmy case; it cak is a good plan of yours indeed, if the colonel is not a desperate man to handle.” “Oh, we know him well, and he seldom car- ries a pistol loaded, and depends upon his sword. “He will deliver when we make the demand.” “See here; I have a plan to get far more.” “Name it, senor.” ““You complimented the brains of the party es, senor.” “Well, you halt this Colonel Eldoro, rob him, a, by saying I could be Pease at eee rPre > ea angers, and then let me come in sight, charge upon you oe aa and accomplish his rescue, ** You will fire, but not at me, and I will fire, but not to hit you, and you escape with your booty. “The colonel will invite me to bis hacienda, and as a guest there I can arrange a plan torob him so that we can enrich ourselves, : “Or better still, you might be demanding of him an enormous ransom, see, when I come to the rescue. ““ What do you think, amigos ?” There was but one opinior, and that was ex- pressed in a bravo for the reckless adventurer, who then arranged the plot against the Mexican colonel, so that there should be no mistake, and the villains took positions to carry it out. CHAPTER III. TREACHERY. / CoicNnEL Cortez ELpoRo was a dashing com- mander of Lanceros, still some years under fifty, very handsome, immensely wealthy, a widower with one child, a daughter of seventeen, whose beauty, added to her being an heiress, made her a reigning belle in society. The colonel was popular with the fair sex and the idol of his soldiers, while he was nto fear- less, and few. men cared to force a duel upon him, for at that time dueling was the gentle- manly way of settling difficulties in Mexico. Stationed some dozen leagues from his mag- nificent bome, a palatial hacienda, surrounded by thousands of acres, the colonel was wont to go twice a month to visit his daughter there, who was under the charge of competent gov- ernesses for her instruction, He nad laughed at the idea of taking an escort of Lancers, had not thought of danger to him- self, and seldom went with his pistols loaded, little dreaming that he would ever be halted on the highway, though he was wont to say, when asked, what he would do if confronted by ban- dits: “Throw them my purse if the odds are against me, and if not, ride over them,” "The colonel was within a league of his home, almost upon his own lands, and was riding leisurely along, when he passed through a ridge of rocks which caused him to remark; “What a place for highwaymen to ambush one!” Hardly had the words left his lips when two men stepped into the pass before him, two be- hind him, all with rifles leveled, faces masked, and a determined air that showed that they felt that they held the game in their hands, ‘‘Half, Senor Colonel, if you value your life!” came the stern order. The reins were upon the neck of his horse; he did not know whether his soldier valet had loaded his pistols or not; his sword was in its scabbard, and a glance showed the Mexican colonel four against one, and their rifles leveled, ane colonel took it coolly, however, and re- ied: é PCT value my life, of course, so buy it with — this,” and he tossed his purse upon the ground. But, the men did not stoop to pick it up, and the leader said: ° j “You have some jewels, colonel, purchased for your daughter.” ‘* Ab, zd : command, so of course you are posted. “You demand the jewels, too, do you?” *¢-Yes, my colonel, “Take them!” and drawing a red morocco case from his saddle-pocket, he tossed that also upon the ground, “‘ Now, colonel, you wear a valuable ring, and a watch and chain, which we also want,” “The ring is my signet, and the watch and _ the ouun- chain was presented by my regiment, as worthy scamps should know, so Pll their value,” , é How can your | s, : n any way that you say. : Bes. Weill take the Jalnables now, and return upon receipt of cash,” any “Might is right, of the bandits, who thrust them into his pocket and said: Pap “That is not all, Senor Colonel.” ~ . “ Wh a prisoner until our paid.” * Ah! that is your game, is it? “ Well, name your price. “Twenty thousand pesos, hs ‘See here, villains, I have handed you all I had of value about me, but I will not be vihheda of a small fortune.” ~ eet OO mem kl ee iy oe ww know you as deserters from my = 2
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1 ' | avi? The Red Sombrero Rangers. *¢-You will write us an order on your bankers for the sum, and you will remain a prisoner with us until itis paid, or—” * Or what?” ‘“‘ We'll take your life,” was the determined response, “T am at bay, men, and I'll fight for my life before I vield it to a lot of coward cut-throats,” a the colonel whipped out his sword like a ash. But just then a horseman dashed into view. **Oho! in trouble, senor!” he called out, and he dashed upon the scene, a revolver in each hand, Then came several sharp reports, cries of ter- ror as two of the bandits dropped, and the other two who had fired without result upon,the rescuer turned to dash away when one of them was cut down by a blow of the colonel’s sword, But the fourth bounded over the rocks into the mesquite bushes, and though hotly pursued by the stranger, made his escape. As he gave up the chase, with a bitter male- diction, and returned to meet the officer, he found him standing in the trail brushing the dust from his purse and morocco case of jewels which he had taken from the dust, after having turned the pockets of the dead bandit wrongside out and recovered his watch, chain and ring. ‘Senor, Iowe you my life, for those devils would have murdered me. > “T am Cortez Eldoro, Colonel of Mexican Lancers, but you area stranger to me, senor, and if I mistake not, in Mexico,” ‘*Yes, Senor Colonel, [ am an American, pe seiing for pleasure in your beautiful land, and*my name is Hammond Hughes, and I con- gratulate myseJf upon having been of service to ou. vf “T claim you for my guest, senor, so come with me to my hacienda a league away, and I will send men to bury these dead bandits,” Thus met Colonel Eldoro and the youth whom @ young girl’s threat had mado a fugitive from his own land. CHAPTER IV. THE WOLF IN THE FOLD. THE hacienda of Colonel Eldoro had been the home of his ancestors for half a dozen genera- ‘tions.. Beautifully located, for it stood upon a hill rising out of a rolling prairie, with mountains in the background, it had been built of stone, and fashioned more after a castle of olden times than the house of a Mexican. There were forests about it, flower gardens, lawns and fruit trees without number. An outer wall surrounded the hacienda, and in the rear, overhanging a swiftly flowing ‘stream, were the outer buildings of the ranch, Cattle by thousands roamed the prairies under Mexican cowboy guards, there were droves of ponies and many other evidences of the great wealth of the gallant colonel of Lancers, Within the hacienda proper, which occupied over an acre of ground, were — halls, sitting- rooms, a library, art gallery and ascore of bed- chambers, ¢ There was a plaza with fountains and flowers. and a promenade upon the roof with several _ towers as points of observation. It was to this house, Buena Vista, that Col- onel Eldoro took his new-found friend, the man to whom he believed he owed his life, for he had felt that the four bandits would kill him in the struggle he had made, The man who had come to his rescue against such odds won his admiration and respect and he felt drawn toward the handsome stranger by the kindliest feelings, He saw in Hammond Hughes, as he had a} - @alled himself, only a gentleman of wealth and leisure, fond of adventures and wandering alone ‘through a foreign land dangerous in the ex- treme for a stranger to venture in, he er e6 |. Hespoke Spanish well, was educated, witty, a Tbe stranger had told him that he had traveled _ .for years simply for pleasure, moder- _ ate means, and no home ties, so roamed through _ the world as suited his humor best. brilliant talker and the colonel was delighted ‘in having found such an acquaintance, and intend- _ ed to keep him a guest as long as he would re- he _ @ most charming room, and the colonel bade main, Arriving at the hacienda, the guest was shown _ bim rest until supper, _ But mond Hughes, as I shall call him, _ did not seem fatigued in the least. He gazed from the different windows out upon le plaza upon one side and the varied scenery = the other views obtainable from his cham- ‘* A very magnificent house! ** A vastly rich man he must be,” So he mused to himself. Then he began to regard bis chamber. It was luxuriously furnished, the walls were hung with pretty paintings, and all about it was an air of refinement. As he turned again to the window and gazed out over the cattle-dotted prairies toward the distant mountains, he mused aloud: ‘* Well, that was a master stroke of mine in- deed. ‘*T am sorry that one of those four rascals escaped, but he will hardly dare to report me. “And if he does, it will be simply his word against mine, ‘*He is a cut-throat, I an American gentle- man, ‘* What a good thing it was those scamps took me at my word as being a poor vagabond, and did not search me, ‘*Egad, they’d have gotten a cool five thou- sand in Mexican bank-notes, “Tf I'd have met the colonel I could have ordered him to stand and deliver, and it would have paid me well. ‘“* But rescuing him will pay me far better. ** Yes, he is the richest man in Mexico, and his daughter is an heiress, “Well, I've knocked about and seen hard times, but I’ve learned much of men, and I have been high up the ladder and down at the bottom round, “Fortunately, my last gambling venture won me money enough to play the gentleman here for awhile, until [ can win a larger stake—in an eiress, “ Well, as the rescuer of her father, [ start in with flying colors,” And so the daring adventurer mused on until time to make himself presentable. The colonel himself came to the room after him, and led him to the plaza, where Senorita Dolores awaited them. As she arose to greet the stranger, he beheld the most beautiful creature before him upon whom his eyes had ever before rested. A form above the medium height, slender, graceful and perfect in outline, while her face, with its rich olive complexion, was radiantly Mats Ss “Tam so glad to meet you, Senor Hughes, to thank you for saving the life of my father, for he has told me all, : ‘*T owe you a debt of gratitude, senor, that I can never repay; no, never.” ” She had, in her impulsive way, taken both of of his hands in hers, and looked straight up into his handsome face. He replied pleasantly, and said that it was sheer love of adventure which bad caused him to goto the rescue, and he was the one to be grateful in having made thereby two such friends as her father and herself. The evening passed delightfully to all, for the guest had a voice of rare melody, and sung many songs of his own land, accompanying himself ypon the guitar most skillfully. When at a late hour he retired to his room, he muttered in a determined way: ¢ “The Senorita Dolores shall be my wife—I swear it!” CHAPTER V. DOUBLY A TRAITOR, ‘* SENOR, a word with you.” The one addressed was a horseman who had halted at a spring to water his horse, ( The water gurgled out of a narrow » With rugged rocks on either side, and the horse had just raised his head after drinking, and his rider taken the reins to turn away, when the words fell upon his ears, By sheer force of cigcumstances he listened “ so was said to him, for a rifle covered his eart ! The rifle peered over a rock, not ten feet from him, and down the pass to the spring, so to dash by was impossible. The horseman knew that he was at the mercy of the one who said 8» quietly a second time: ‘Senor, a word with you, if you please,” “Well, be qnick with what you have to say,” was the stern rejoinder. “There is no hurry, senor, and you must listen, though you arearich American gentle- man, and I only a poor Mexican bandit.” **A bandit, are you?” © : ** Yes, senor.” “Then you wish my purse?” ‘*No, senor, I wish for more,” ** You'll get no more.” ‘*T am in a position to command, senor.” ** You have me under the muzzle of your rifle, so could kill me, no doubt.” ** T do not wish to kill you, senor.” ‘“‘Abl you are kind indeed; but mayI ask what your intention is?” “To go into partnership with you.” “In what business, may I ask?” ‘* Money-making.” ** And who is it that I am to have for a part- ner, for I do not recall baving met you before.” hi supposed your memory was better, Senor Hughes. **'You know me, I see.” x ** Very well, senor, so I will introduce myself as Felipe Soto.” “T am just as ignorant now as before.” “Our last meeting may reca)l unpleasant memories, senor; but it was only a league from this spot, and I had three other comrades with me then, who are now sleeping under the shade of the mesquites,” ‘Still I do not recall you or your comrades,” “What a memury you have, senor, or rather lack of it. “Now I was sure that you would recall hav- ing been stopped by four mountain toll-gath- erers, and escaping from robbery upon the plea that you were a wandering vagabond, while your pockets were really heavy with old. ‘You then entered into a plot wit Colonel Cortez Eldoro, ‘Tt was a splendid plot, senor, but went wrong from the fact that you got us to unload our weapons of ball, for fear we might bit the gal- lant rescue, and you also did the same, ‘* But you reloaded your pistols again, and the rescue was not a mock one, but a real one, for my three comrades were killed and my fleet heels and the close proximity of the mesquites saved me, ‘* Now, senor, after over a year I have re- turned to this part of the country to visit you. ‘*T am now the poor vagabond you professed to be, while you are the rich senor, the husband of the most beautiful woman in Mexico, and heiress to ber father’s immenye wealth, , **So, senor, I claim a handsome allowance from you, R *T wish to turn honest, to get me ara ch and some cattle, and live in comfort, and I will be then as silent as the grave.¥ chi i pee do not getthe hush money?” quietly asked Hammond Hughes, ‘* Well, I shall entertain the colonel and your wife with a very pretty story, and get an amnesty for what I will have to tell,” “They will not believe you.” “Senor, I have better proof than you think,” “Your word against mine.” *“ No, senor, t would not be sufficient, [ admit, forI am a deserter from the colonel’s regiment, and a bandit, or have been, rather, for I have partially reformed.” ~ ‘“* Well, let me know your proof.” “T was, before becoming a soldier, senor, a detective of the Goverment in the city of Mexico, ‘“T killed a man under circumstances where the Government had to protect me, and so L went on the list as dead, and joined the Lan- ceros, ‘But my badges and papers as a detective I have, and when you turned traitor I held them to be revenged upon you, “IT dogged you so well, senor, that I know your career since your coming to Mexico, ‘*T have not been idle in the months that have , and I know that you landed in Mexico witha band of smugglers, and have been a card- sh and adventurer ever since, while a ranchero who left Vera Cruz in your company having a large sum of money with him, was found dead, and his gold gone. ‘ “Senor, as a supposed detective, I have papers for the arrest of a man answering your description. “ And more, senor, I have deposited duplicate alr and a full confession of my own, in the ands of a priest, who will act promptly, if aught should happen to me. “Understand, senor, that you had better trade with me than the priest, for I am open to a proposition. **See, senor, I have won my game with you, so don’t be unreasonable.” c Hammond Hughes had_ listened with a sinister smile to all that the Mexican had said. He was waiting for a weak point at which to attack him, hoping to catch him off his guard. He had made up his mind that this man should die, But when the bandit told him that he had let a priest into his confidence the expression upom us to rob
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4 the adventurer’s face changed, and he turned very pale. He saw the trap that he wasin, and he knew now that he must come to terms, so he said quietly: “Well, if your price is not too high we may trade.” CHAPTER VI. THE COMPACT, Fewire Soro was a finished villain. He intended making a bold strike for gold, but he meant to have itso, in case of his death, that his revenge would come, even though he was in the grave. So be took into his confidence a priest, hand- ing him a sealed package, in which were the names he did not make known, If he died these names were to be made pub- lic, and Felipe Soto would have the satisfaction in his dying hour of knowing that he had ar- ranged for his revenge. ‘Senor, you are wise, and we will have no trouble, I know. “See, I trust you perfectly, and we can talk matters over amicably.” The adventurer made no reply, and dismount- ing from his horse, led the way to a place some distance off, where no one who might go to the spring would see them, ‘* Now, what do you want, Felipe Soto?” ‘(My wants are uot extravagant, senor, and I will state them, ‘* There is a ranch up on the Rio Grande that T have taken a fancy to, andI can buy it, with several hnndred head of cattle and two-score ponies, for, say ten thousand pesos.” ‘* Your price is too high.” ‘* Now I thought that moderate, senor.” “Pll tell you. what I'll do.” oe Yes, senor.” “Pll buy you the ranch and stock, or give you the money to do so.” ‘* You are so good, senor.” “Then I will give you an equal amount in gold to have you do some work for me.” ** Agreed, senor.” ** You do not know what it is.” ‘Tt matters not, senor, I will do it.” ‘“‘ Suppose it is to take a life?” ‘* Now, senor, do you think I’d hesitate to take a life which was Wortb ten thousand pesos to me?” “There must be no mistake?” “There shall be no mistake, senor.” ‘‘1t must be done in a peculiar way.” ‘‘Ah! maybe it’s the beautiful senora, your wife?” , Villain!” bissed the adventurer, Bué perfectly unmoved Felipe Soto continued: “No! not the senoraf Then it must be the Senor Colonel Eldoro, for she is his sole heir.” The American’s face changed color at this, and he said in a low tone: ‘What if I said it was the colonel?” - “Tt would make no difference to me, senor, no more than if it was the senora.” ** Would you kill a woman?” ‘Don’t tempt me by offering big money, senor, or you'll find out that I would.” “ Well it is not my wife.” ‘Bat her father?’ “ Yes,” ‘* He bolds the purse-strings too tight, senor?” ‘*-Yes, and his will leaves every peso to her, nothing to me.” _ “TT understand,” ‘If he dies, she is his heir.” ‘* Yes, senor.” “And I fear be may change his will so as to cut me off from the management which as the will now reads the law would give me.” “T can see how that is, senor; heis not as friendly with you as he was.” ‘‘ Well his daughter married against his will, for he had already pledged her to a man who is rising in fame and riches every day.” 1) see.” ‘But as she loved me he yielded and we were married just one year ago.” —, “You made quick work of it, senor, and I congratulate you; but how long do you think the colonel should yet live?” “He is consummating more speculations now which will pay him enormously, and it will be several months before they can be in a condition that would not be hurt by his death.” “Say in five months, senor.” “About that time, or when I need you I will write for you.” “Yes, senor: but have you thought how it is best to be done?” ‘Catch him upon one of his visits home, and instead of halting him, kill him, rob him and £9. ; The Red Sombrero Rangers. ** And my pay?” “T will bring it to you as soon as I can get away after the affair.” ‘‘T guess it will be safe, senor, for you’d lose allif you forgot to pay me, and more, if you oat iy me false I’d hang you if I had to hang to o it. ‘* lm revengeful, senor.” “T willnot play you false you handsomely, as in time i work for you to do,” “T am your man, senor; but when doI get my ranch?’ ‘Go there from here, and I will follow with- ina few days,for I must raise the money in some way first,” ‘*T understand, senor, so here where is you will find me,” and the man hastily wrote a few words in Spanish and handed the paper to the Ameri- but instead pay may have other can, Soon after they parted, and Hammond;Hughes rode slowly homeward. As he rode he mused to himself after this fashion: s ‘ Well, I must get rid of the colonel, and if he is shot and robbed by a bandit no suspicion will fall upon me. ** He will not change his will for six months yet, for I-heard him tell Dolores he would only do soif he found out that I was not the map J had represented myself to be, as some of my disappointed rivals have asserted. ‘Dolores trusts me implicitly, snd when her father dies, I can manage her property. ‘““Tf she puts the check-rein on me, why I shall simply have to get rid of her. ** And of ber baby boy? ‘Well, he must die in infancy, that is all, for then shall I be master of all, and not until then, **T am glad I met this Felipe Soto, for he can do what 1 intended to do. “But 1 must find out who this priest is, for after Welipe has done my bidding he must also go the way of all flesh, and in a way that the priest shall suspect nothing. ‘* As for the priest, I must get those papers from him, by fair or foul means, and then [ will have no trouble to enjoy the grand fortune Iam plotting for.” And a few minutes after he entered the rooms of his beautiful wife and gave her a loving Breeting, also bestowing a kiss upon the baby yy held up to,him by the proud mother. And against these two the man was plotting death, for their death made him the possessor of a vast fortune, CLAPTER VII. THE PLAN OF THE ASSASSINS, “ Senor, I am ready for the work.” It was nearly a year after the meeting of Stanwood Hughes and Felipe Soto at the spring, a league from the Eldoro Hacienda, and the speaker was the Mexican who had come to keep his pledge for gold, and remove the gallant colo- nel from his sphere of usefulness, He came in response to a letter received from the adventurer, and the two, according to an appointment made, met again at the old rendez- ous, ‘* Well, I am ready to have the work done, Felipe Soto, for the colonel is growing more and more bitter toward me for some reason, and I overheard him tell my wife the last time he visited the hacienda, that he should change his will, leaving every dollar to bis little grandson, Elroy, and place it in the hands of guardians for him, while she would be paid a liberal allow- ance, but, in case of my death, all should be as it was before. “Tat once wrote for you, and he is to come home on next Saturday, but I learned to-day he was to bring a priest with him as bis guest, and I fear this may spoil our plans,” ‘‘ No, senor, if I kill him in the presence of the priest, there will be better proof that bandits did the deed.” “True, if your hand does not fail you in the presence of the padre.” , “*Tt will not; but, senor, I have a plan,” “ Well?” ‘*Tt would seem better to have two men.” “Tt would.” ‘© So I brought a comrade with me.” * Ha! you let him into the secret?” “Not exactly, senor; but he knew enough to cost him his life, for he began to demand more pay, and we quarreled,” ‘Well? asked the adventurer, in a startled way. * Ob, I shot him.” “ When?” “Half an hour ago.” “My God! this will spoil all!” ea ee ee ee te. ee Ee ee ee eee ee eee ee eee ee eee ee < ‘* No, seuor, it will belp us, for he is wounded, mortally, but will live until to-morrow, ** Now you be my comrade, disguising yourself in his outfit, and I’ll do the shooting and kill the colonel, though both of us can fire upon him. Tl) rob him while you cover the padre with your rifle, and then we'll retreat. ‘* A few moments after you dash up upon your horse, the padre will tell you the story, and you. go in pursuit, “Come straight for the cliff, which I will show you now, and my comrade will be dead by then, but if not I can finish him, “His horse and mine will be there, “ll place him in position and all that, and you ride back to tell the padre that you killed one on the cliff, and the other as he stood on the: edge, and he fell over into the river, and was washed off by the foaming torrent. ‘The two horses will be there to prove your story, with the dead body, for I’ll make my es- cape on foot, as it will be safer for me. “Of course it will be the one who fell over the cliff who had what treasure there was taken from the colonel, and so all will work smoothly. “See?” “Yes, I see that you are the most perfect vil-~ lain that it was ever my pleasure to meet, “T am proud of knowing you, Senor Felipe: Soto.” « ‘* Ah, senor, you flatter me,” “No, I assure you that I am proud of you.” ** And my plot?” “Ts perfect.” «You agree?” ‘Indeed I do, my dear Felipe.” So it was arranged, and the trio went to the cliff, where the dying comrade of Felipe Soto lay, a wound in bis head. The situation was taken in thoroughly, and while Hammond Hughes returned to the ha- cienda for the night, Soto remained near the dying man until the morrow, - ‘“* Hammond, some of the hacienda people re- ported seeing two snspicious-looking men on the trails yesterday, so will you not ride to meet my” en to-day, as I have real anxiety about im : So said Dolores, more beautiful as a married’ woman than as a maiden, and she came into her husband’s room and leant over and kissed him. “Certainly, Dolores, if it will relieve your anxiety I will go.” “You are so brave, my husband, I have no: fear of danger for any one when you are near, **It is so good of you,” and Dolores’s words: made the man shiver; but hidirg his emotion, he said he would prepare for his ride, and am hour after rode away from the hacienda alone, for he declined to take an escort, as his wife asked him to do. 5 Shh two years had they been married, and poe) Dolores was not as bappy as she had hoped There was a mystery about her husband which she could not understand, and though he pro- fessed to love her, yet she feared that another love had claimed his heart. before he met her. Her father, for reasons he kept from her, had come to doubt her husband more and more, and the two were little more than friendly, but. Dolores alas took the side of Hammond Hughes, for she could see no harm in bim, ex- cept that their little boy was not the idol of his: heart as he was of hers, Hammond Hughes rode away from the ha~ cienda and kept his appointment with Felipe Soto, ‘How is the wounded man?” was his first uery. “He must have known we needed his body, senor, for he died ten minutes ago,” was the un- feeling reply. “Well, rig me up as quickly as you can, for we must be in plenty of time,” They put masks on them, and the adventurer further disguised himself, after which he took in the situation about the cliff, the body of the dead Mexican was placed in position, as though be slain, and the biding-places of the two orses noted. Then while Felipe Soto went on foot, the ad- venturer rode to a spot where he tied his horse, not far from the scene of ambush, Taking their positions among the rocks in the pass, they quietly awaited the coming of the noble man whom the base American had willed should be assassinated to enrich bim. CHAPTER VIII, THE AMBUSH. ‘t THERE they come!” It was Felipe Soto who 5) trained ears detected the soun ke, for his well- of hoofs,
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eee ** There are but two, and I feared there might tbe more,” he added, a moment after. ‘Better have your rifle ready, senor, for if mine should miss fire all is lust.” ** Yes, I shall fire when you do,” was the re- ply of the arch traitor. Soon after two borsemen came in sight. One was Colonel Eldoro, in his brilliant uni- form, and mounted upon a spirited steed. The other was a padre in his robes, and he rode a quiet-going nag, the slow pace of which seemed the fret the restive horse at his side, They were talking earnestly as they came on, and the colonel was heard to utter the name of his degenerate son-in-law. Just then tha two rifles flashed, though there seemed but one report. The bullet pierced the brain of the colonel, and ha dropped dead from his saddle, while his startled horse bounded on, wheeled and went back upon the trail. Tbe priest, in dismay, threw himself from his saddle and knelt by the dead soldier, unmindful of danger to himself, and the warning words: ‘“*You are covered, padre, and shall have his fate if you resist.” “Tt is not for a man of my calling to resist even an assassin accursed, Murderers, look at your red work!” and the priest pointed at the form of the dead colonel, ‘*T shall do more than look, padre, I shall search the body for gold,” was the reply of Felipe Soto, and the priest waved him back, when the muzzle of the adventurer’s rifle was thrust into his face and he heard the words: “Don’t throw your life away, padre, for we will have our way,” The priest uttered no word, and Felipe Soto searched the body, taking the purse, watch, chain, ring, and some presents for the daughter and little grandson of the dead man. Then the two robbers backed off and disap- peared, followed by a bitter anathema from the ‘priest. They had been gone but a short while when the clatter of hoofs was heard, and the priest, who was trying to discover if a spark of life re- mained, turned as a horseman dashed up. He instantly called out: “Ob, Senor Hughes! it is your wife’s father! ‘*They have killed him!” ‘‘ Who?” came in a voice of thunder as the adventurer drew rein. ‘* Two bandits!” ‘* How long since, and whitber did they go” “Hardly five minutes, it seems, and they went up the trail.” ‘** f will pursue them,” and on the adventurer dashed, Soon after, the priest was startled by hearing ‘half a dozen shots in rapid succession, and after tthe lapse of a quarter of an hour, back came Hammond Hughes. ‘‘Holy Father, I have avenged him at least. “My poor, dear Colonel Eldoro—my_ best friend?” and his voice quivered as he knelt by the dead soldier, Then he teld how he bad overtaken the ban- std killing both, though one had gone over the cliff. He urged the priest to go on to the hacienda, ‘break the sad news to Senora Dolores, and send aid to him, for he would remain with the dead, The priest mounted his staid old horse, which was greatly surprised at the pace he was put to, while the adventurer paced to and fro musing to thimself: ‘Curse the fellow! he suspected me, and so saved bis life by getting the drop on me, “But for that I should have killed him, and thus wiped out any witness to my act in this affair: * But I forget that he has a fuli confession in riest’s hands, ‘I must find that priest, whoever he be, and get those papers, and then kil] Soto.” “The colonel is gone, and Dolores is Sole heir now to all his vast wealth, and not a shadow of suspicion can fall upon me. * No, Iam safe, aud I will be the richest man in Mexico, and a hero, too, for, having killed the assassins of my respected father-in-law,” and the wicked man laughed in a bitter way at the clever ruse they had played, he and Felipe a to. Still he was not altogether happy, for he had gone to the cliff intending to really kill his com- ‘rade in crime, but had found that worthy full confident that be would do so, and from his perch behind a rock he covered the adventurer, eocly told him that he knew his purpose, and said: “‘ Now, senor, empty your revolver rapidly, so The Red Sombrero Rangers. 5 | the priest can hear the hot fight raging here, and then go back and tell your story. “You have your proof, the body of my com- rade, and the horses, ‘* But, remember, all in good time I shall ex- expect a visit from you with the amount of money demanded. “ See?” “Tl come,” was the response, and Hammond Hughes dashed away. An hour after the departure of the priest, a party arrived from the hacienda, and while some bore the body of their loved master home, others went with Hammond Hughes to the cliff and saw the result of his heroism / No search was made further, for it was be- lieved that both bandits had been slain, and the body of one was hastily bumed, while thir horses were led to the hacienda, whither the ““new master” had gone at full speed as soon as he had shown the men the result of his sup- posed attack upon the outlaws, He winced as he met the embraces of his wife, while her lamentations for the dead were min- gled with praise of her husband. ‘* You have avenged him, Hammond; but, ah! how fearful our loss!” she cried. The colonel was carried to the tomb of his an- cestors, followed by his regiment, and the representatives of many other commands, t was a grand funeral, and one long remem- bered, and the deepest sympathy was felt by all for the mourning daughter, while admira- tion for her handsome husband filled many hearts, And over back in the hacienda the will of the dead colonel becaine known, and a bitter curse was ground between the teeth of the assassin as he learned that the will had been changed, and all was left to the little grandson, with guardians to take charge of the estate, and an ample al- lowance for Senora Dolores, But, in case of the boy’s death, all came back into the possession of Senora Dolores, the will read, and through his shut teeth came the threat of Hammond Hughes: “*T will not be foiled, for the boy must die.” CHAPTER IX, PLAYING A BOLD GAME. ONLY by the whiteness of his face and lips, did the assassin show his extreme disappoint- ment when the will of the colonel was made known, He saw that he would be regarded critically by the priest, Padre Almade, who was with Colonel Eldoro when he was killed, and the others present, as this act of the Mexican officer implied distrust of his son-in-law. So he accepted the situation cheerfully, and made up his mind to win over his wife complete- ly to his influence. He was not a man to despair, He had played for a bigh stake in marrying Dolores, and had won, In getting possession of the stake, he had lost the first game, but there were two more games re to be played, and he must win oneor both of them, He realized now that he would need the ser- vices of Felipe Soto in the affair, and to gain them he must pay the ten thousand pesos he owed him for the last work done. To do this he had not a thousand pesos to his name, Had the old will of the colonel remained he would have had no trouble; but the last one left him with no means of getting the money. He had his living upon the estate, and such al- lowance as his wife would give to him from her share, which was liberal; ‘but for the year’s in- come he could not raise ten thousand pesos, She could not sell cattle from the various ranches of the estate, as the guardians of the child only could do so, and they were to pay ber the income coming to her quarterly, while she had command of the hacienda and its servants ry itn mistress, excepting the right to sell any- ing. But the colonel had left her full possession and powers, heiress toall should her child die, This was an unfortunate clause in the will, as it left the life of the boy dependent in a manner upon the guilty American adventurer. But Colonel Eldoro, in the nobleness of his nature, had not believéd it possible for a father to take the life of his own son to gain gold. The manner of Hammond Hughes toward his wife changed at once to the greatest devotion, and his child became his idol. He was wont to carry the little fellow with him on horseback, riding about the ranch, and \he devoted himself most faithfu'ly to his amuse- ment, He would sit in his wife’s pretty rooms by the hour, where he had before preferred the se- clusion of his library, and his manner toward the servants became kind and gentle, whera be- fore it had been stern, often harsh, The result was that Dolores loved him more and more, and her increased happiness in her husband’s society softened her grief at her fath- er’s death. Little Elroy became so devoted to his father that he fretted when not with him, and ¢ertain- ly life seemed like happiness unalloyed in the hacienda of Eldoro Ranch, Some weeks after the death of the colonel a letter came for ‘‘ The Senor,” as Hammond Hughes was called, bearing the American post- mark, It related tosome property of his in Texas, which needed looking after, and the settlement of taxes, He at once handed it to his wife who said promptly: ‘T have some thousands of pesos, Hammond, which are at your service.” “No indeed, I thank you, my sweet wife, I have ample for all emergencies, and I sball leave an order to sell the place when I go,” ‘* Are you going there, Hammond?” “T must, for you know I am not rich, and cannot afford to lose valuable property.” ‘ Oh, if father had only left bis wil] different- ly, then all I had would have been yours, “But I have seen among his papers, Ham- mond, letters which spoke of your past career, ‘*They were from various sources, and gave no signatures, yet they impressed him deeply I am sure, ‘* But when will you go, my husband?” ‘Tn a couple of days, cara mia,” * And how long will you be gone?” ‘* 4 couple of weeks, Berkaga a trifle longer.” “Oh! how Elroy and I will miss you. * But you are sure you do not need any money ?” ‘*No, indeed, my sweet wife, for I have some four thousand pesos I have never had to touch,” was the answer, and the man at the time had not as many hundred, “T have even more that is at your service, if you wish.” ‘*No, no; I will not need it,” was the reply. That night, when the Senora Dolores was sleeping soundly, a form stole into her room and bent over her for a long while, At last the form turned from the bed, and the odor of chloroform filled the room, The light was then turned up, and from a se- cret drawer in a cabinet a key was taken which fitted into a panel in the wall. This was opened and revealed a closet in which were a number of drawers and little boxes, ; Over these the midnight intruder looked until he drew forth a necklace of diamonds, two mas- sive bracelets, a comb studded with the same precious gems and a pair of earrings, immense solitaires, They were thrust into a pocket, the panel locked, the key returned to its hiding-place, and the white-robed form glided out of the room. The next morning *‘ The Senor” wasawakened by a servant, with the information that her mis- tress was quite ill, He hastened to her rooms to find her suffering with an intense headache and nausea; but he administered some medicine and she was able to join bim at dinner that day. The following morning, mounted upon the hest horse in the Eldoro stables, and equipped for a long journey, The Senor rode away from the har cienda, after his wife’s tearful good-by, and: started upon bis trip to Texas, CHAPTER X, THE PRICE OF LIFE, ’ Frurrr Soro was passing as an honest man, He had purchased a very desirable ranch over — on the Rio Grande, which the owner would sell for cash only. It had a comfortable house upon it, fairly well furnished and balf a hundred acres of land under cultivation, while there were several hun- dred cattle that bore the owner’s brand, Felipe Soto had thought that the brand strangely resembled a gallows; but this did not deter bim from paying bis money down and be- coming master, though he determined to re- tenes, cattle, taking a horseshoe as an em- blem of good-luck to counteract the effect of the other, The owner told bim, after the sale had heen consummated that the brand had been made to represent a gallows.asa warning to cattle thieves not to steal his stock, ; ,
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6 The Red Sombrero Rangers. Senor Soto then became a resident and the the neighbors flocked to pay their respects, charmed with a man who could pay cash down so large a sum for the ranch. One afternoon as Senor Felipe Soto sat on his piazza smoking, he spied a horseman coming toward his ranch, ** Tt is the Senor Hughes, “« He is wise not to delay longer,” he muttered. It was Hammond Hughes, and soon after he dismounted and was cordially welcomed by the newly-pledged ranchero. After supper the two talked together earnestly, and the adventurer told Soto of the colonel’s will and added: ** Now I have some property in New Orleans, so go there to dispose of it so as to pay you the price agreed upon. “T shall return by here and pay you tke money, and then | have another proposition to make to you, Soto.” *“T am open’ for all propositions, senor, to make money,” was the reply. ‘So the next morning early Hammond Hughes departed, and hardly had he gotten out of sight when a man started upon his trail, The man was Felipe Soto. In due time the adventurer put up at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans, and 6n the same day an old gentleman secured an adjoining room to him. The aged gentleman was such only in appear- ance, for in reality it was Felipe Soto, an adept in disguising himself, He dogged the adventurer to the shop of a dealer in jewels, and after his departure he entered the place and had a long talk with the diamond mer- chant. Then he returned to the hotel, and the two men left the next morning for Mexico, But when the adventurer arrived at the ranch - Felipe Soto that worthy was there to meet im, ‘“ Well, Soto, Isold my property to pay you though I did it at a saeeitie,* a Sate ‘‘T am sorry, senor; but you'll soon be able to make it up in some way.” ‘*T hope so, and it is upon that subject I wish to talk with you.” ‘‘T am ready to listen, senor, as soon as I have seen the color of your gold,” With this hint the American paid over the money gotten for the jewels he had stolen from his wife, and Soto saia: . ‘* You seem to have a snug sum over, senor.” ‘*T have a couple of thousand pesos, or so,” ‘You count badly, senor, for those three out- side notes in your roll of bills are one thousand each, for a glance showed me that,” ‘¢]¢ is not all mine, Soto,” sharply said Hughes, and then he eontinued: ‘+ Now, Soto, I have told you how the colonel’s will reads,” . **- Yes, senor.” ‘‘1f the boy dies, his mother gets all.” *“*T understand, senor.” ‘« And that is the same as my getting it.” * Certainly.” “‘ Now you are handy at killing?” * Rather.” “You don’t mind who it is?” “Not if the gold outweighs my scruples of conscience, senor.” ‘* Well, the boy must die,” as Yes, but how much is his death worth to ‘ou?’ mn Ten thousand pesos.” ** Not enough,” ** Fifteen.” “ No,” ** What do you demand?” ** You will get millions, and I only ask twenty- five thousand pesos, payable in five installments, witbin one year after the death of the boy.” “ Acreed.” ‘‘Give me your written statement to that effect, and I'll do the work.” “Ts not my word good?” **No, senor, I do not trust myself, soam not expected to trust another mau.” * Very well, I'll give it to you; but the boy must die in a way to create no suspicion.” ** Certainly.” But how?” ‘“‘There is a river near the hacienda?” “ Yes,” ** Does the nurse ever take the boy there?” 4*Yes, often, to the arbor on its banks,” ‘Then the nurse must be surprised, thrown into the river with the boy and both drown. ‘Their bodies will be found, and it will be be- lieved that the boy fell in, and the nurse, in try- ing to rescue him, lost ber own life.” “Soto, you amaze me, and are my teacher in villainy by long odds, ‘*T will become an adept in crime under your tuition.” ““Don’t flatter me, senor; but you like my plan?” ““Excellently well, and you can carry it out in your own good time, after I have been back home a month or two.” ‘“Depend upon me, senor,” was Soto’s re- sponse, The next morning the planter started for the home which he had planned to destroy. CHAPTER XI. THE BITER BITTEN. ‘““THE death of her child will prostrate her, and she will go into’a rapid decline I am sure. ‘“* My devotion will cause her to leave me all, and possessed of such wealth as I then will be I can return to the United States and live likea prince. “ Fortunately now I did not kill Gray St. John that day at the school-house, as I believed I had done when I fled. “Tf I had done so, I would not dare go back and resume my name as I will do, “But I shall have my revenge in a secret way, and onceI have removed Gray St, John from my path, I will make the proud Ethel my wife, and ah! bow she shall suffer for casting me off and taking kim instead. ‘‘Ha! ha! ha! I see before me riches, power and revenge!” “Hands up, senor!” The laughed died away on the lipsof Ham- mond Hughes, as he heard the ominous com- mand, and his face became deadly pale, He had been musing as he rode along, his thoughts brought up by nearing the hacienda after his visit to Felipe Soto. He bad reached the spot where Colonel Eldoro lost his life, and not dreaming of danger to himself, he yet was anxious to ride quickly by the fatal locality, for bitter enemies hovered there. But suddenly he heard the ominous words to halt, and a quick glance showed bim that from over the rocks and among the bushes peered the masked faces of half a dozen men, and their long rifles were aimed at his heart. He was a brave man, but life was dearer to him then than gold, so he wisely obeyed the command, while he said: “Well, I obey, so what is your will?” “Your weapons first, senor,” said a masked robber, stepping into the trail, ‘Is not my purse more valuable?” ** After your weapons, senor. “Quick, for my men are impatient.” “‘ Well, take them,” The robber obeyed, and he was careful not to leave a weapon secreted anywhere. ‘“‘ Now, your purse, senor.” ‘Here it is,” and the adventurer handed it over, “« Rather well filled, but you have more.” “ No,” “T say yes.” “Only my watch and jewelry.” “Yes, we will have those, too, but you have more money.” “Not a peso, for I have just returned froma long and expensive journey of weeks.” “Yes, and it was rumored that you had gone to dispose of more of your American property, so we want the money.” With an oath the adventurer took out a pack- age of bank-notes and handed them over. “More yet, senor.” “No, not another peso,” “So you said before, but I will take a search for the balance.” ‘No, I will give you all I have without your touching me, “There, now you have robbed me of seven thousand pesos and my jewelry.” * And your weapons, senor. ES Many thanks, for you can ride on your way now.” ““-Yes, now that you have fleeced me.” “ Pretty well, 1 admit, senor.” “Tt is strange you do not take my life,” sneered Hammond Hughes, “We prefer your gold just now, senor; but go on and do not tempt us,” The man put spurs to his horse and dashed away, hurling back the threat: “ll bave men on your track who will de- mand your lives within the hour.” The robber leader laughed, and then pocketed his robberies, Then he went up among tho rocks and gath- ered together a number of masks, black sticks with holes in the end to make them look like rifle barrels and sombreros, These he threw into a bag and walking rap- idly soon came to where a horse awaited him. The hoofs of the horse were muffled so as to leave no track, and fastening the bag to his sad- dle he mounted and rode away. After having gone a league, to a well-worn trail he took off the mask he wore and the face of Felipe Soto was revealed. Also taking the mufflers from the hoofs of his horse he rode gn at a sweeping gallop until night coming on found him leagues away from the scene where he had so cleverly headed cff his companion in crime and robbed hin: of the ba- ance of the money he had gotten for the jewels of Senora Dolores, In the meanwhile the adventurer had reached the hacienda his horse covered with foam, and, after a hearty greeting to his wife and little son bad told how he hed been balted by half a dozen armed men, at the very spot where Colo- nel Eldoro bad been killed, and robbed of a vast sum which he had received for his American property which he had sold, The ranch people were at once called in by the alarm bell and led by Hammond Hughes in pur- suit, and a thorough search of the spot was made, But no tracks of borses could be found, and it bor conchided that the robbers had been on ‘oot, The cowboys, some thirty in number, spread throughout the country and a thorough search wes made until nightfall, but, as the reader welh knows, without any trace of the alleged half- dozen outlaws being found, So the hunt was given up, and Hammond Bughes returned to the hacienda to receive the sincere sympathy of his beautiful and devoted wife in the very large loss he claimed to have met with, while the devotion of the husband to her made her heart beat most bappy. But with the greater devotion of the man to his wife and son, the coil of the serpent was infolding them the more surely. CHAPTER XII. THE SHADOW FALLS, Iz was a beautiful spot upon the river banks, where there was « rustic cabin and about it many things to amuse and entertain agchild. Half a league away was the hacienda of El- doro looming up grandly frem its site on the hill, and a pretty drive-way led from the house to the river. A miniature pony was hitched toa tree near a sober-looking mustang mare, and upon these the nurse and her young charge of two years had ridden to the spot for an afternoon of sport, The boy was precocious for his years, and rode his pony well, when Papita his nurse held the rein, while he loved to sit upon the bank and fish, though he was wont to yell lustily for aid when he caught anything. Papita was a model nurse, ever ready to an- swer and instruct ber charge, who in bis third year would run about at a lively pace and shout. out his little commands with considerable ve- hemence. Papita idolized her little master as though he were her own child, and seemed only happy when with him, ; They were seated upon the steep bank to- gether, the boy fishing, Papita half asleep not far away, when a man stole softly up among the rocks and gave the little fellow a shove, With a cry tbe boy fell into the river, and the man sprung back out of sight. A wild shriek came from the nurse, and in her terror she bounded into the stream after her charge, though she could swim but indiffer- ently. Fast then the man dove from the rocks, and when h) came up was within arm’s reach of the boy, whom he grasped. ae Save the young senor, and do not mind me! ° They were the last words of the faithful nurse, as she sunk from sight, ee Coolly the man_proceeded to obey, swimming with a bold stroke down the river, the child in his arms. ““Poor Papita!” cried the boy, but the mam swam on, going toward the other shore steadily, as the current swept him down toward the dis- tant rapids and shallows, A Glancing back he saw the uplifted arms of the woman, and then they disappeared. “J did not do it, and I am glad,” he mut- tered through his teeth, as he swam on. At length he reached the shore, gained a land- ing and plunged up the steep side of a lofty range. The boy began to beg piteously for him to go
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——————— ‘ The Red Sombrero Rangers. back to ‘‘ poor Papita,” but he said in a kindly tone: “Yes, little senor, ’ll take you home.” At last the summit of the ridge was reached, and there a korse awaited. All dripping as he was the man mounted, and holding the boy 1n his arms rode on at a rapid ce. tie did not slacken his speed even at nightfall, and for several hours held on until he came to an adobe but in the mountains. A woman heard the hoof-falls and stood in the door, It was a peon woman, and she said, politely: “ Have you the child, senor?” ‘Yes, Francesca, here he is and asleep, ‘Take off the clothing he has on, and put on him what you prepared. * After he has forgotten do as I told you and the gold I promised 1s yours,” “T will obey, senor, but do you go on to- night?” ** Yes, at once!” and as the woman took the child the man rode on, It was Felipe Soto. He had had his orders to act from Hammond Hughes, and he had obeyed, but only in part. And at the Eldoro Hacienda? As the shadows began to lengthen ‘“‘ The Senor” began to grow strangely anxious about his boy. He went to the window of his wife’s room, and looking out toward the river said anxious- vie Why does not Papita return, Dolores?” ‘* She will soon.” ‘Where did she go?” “Toward the river, for Elroy is so foad of his gallop on his pony, and catching a fish delights the little man above all things.” ‘“‘T wish Papita would come, for I feel anx- ious about the boy whenver she goes to the river.” ; “ Papita swims, you know, and she is so care- ful; but really, Hammond, you do look pale and worried, so [ will send after them.” She called for her maid, and a servant from the stables was dispatched at once for Papita. He went off at a gallop, Hammond Hughes sitting in the window watching him, He saw him enter the timber, and tried to talk calmly to his wife, who laughed at his fears, Then he sprung to his feet, and cried: ; “He is coming back at the full speed of his horse, and alone!” “ My God! can harm have befallen my beauti- ful boy?” groaned Dolores, and springing to the window she dropped upon her knees before it while her lips parted in prayer. The man went to another room and returned with a glass, ‘“‘ He is spurring bis horse desperately. “Oh, Dolores, what has happened to our ae he cried. ut the beautiful woman uttered no response, and her lips moved only in prayer for the safety of her child. Toward the hacienda dashed the horseman, halting a moment at the adobe wall, and as he neared the house, from the window rung the voice of Hammond Hughes: “ What word do you bring of my boy?” The man halted beneath the window and cried: ‘The horses are there, senor, but they are not to be found, and—” A shriek of despair came from the mother, while tae man called to her maid to help him re- vive her, for she had fallen forward in a swoon. Couriers were sent for a physician and the priest, and then Hammond Hughes rode off with a party of men to the timber. There was the little senor’s gold-embroidered sombrero, his whip, and the fishing-rod of Papita half-drawn out upon the bank. apita’s horse and the boy’s pony stood hitched under the trees, but the riders were missing. The search was kept up for days, and at last, bruised and lodged against the rocks in the shal- lows, the body of poor Papita was found, and buried decently, for it was felt that in trying to save the young master she had lost her lite. — But the tiny form of the little senor the river did not give up; it bad not lodged among the rocks of the shania: but bad drifted on to th sea—it was supposed ! : , CHAPTER XIII. UNVAILED. WHITE-FAcED avd wan-looking, Dolores at last arose from the bed where her life had so nearly ended. For two months she had lain ill with brain fever, after the truth dawned upon her that she had lost her darling boy. All through the long illness of his wife The Senor was a most devoted purse, His devotion and self-sacrifice had been the talk of all at the hacienda, and he had received the pe cai of every one, He seemed happy indeed when his wife re- covered, and urged her to go with him, as the physicians ordered, for a change of scene. A sea voyage was taken, and Dolores returned after six months strong and well, but with her heart still heavy with grief. Back to the old scenes she came, and only the devotion of her husband had saved her life, all said, and she believed it, Whether it was that the coming back remind- ed Dolores of her loved dead, her father, her boy and Papita whom she nad been deeply at- tached to, for they bad been children together, certain it was that she soon began to look ill and pale again. One day a padre called at the hacienda and asked to see ber. It wasthe Padre Aldama, and he was a priest from the Rio Grande country. He asked to see the Senora Hughes, and was admitted to the pretty sittimg-room where she passed most of her time. The Senor was away, hunting, but returned a few minutes after the arrival of the priest, and ashe reached his own room heard him greeted by his wife. He was about to enter the room, but words he heard checked him, and knowing that his pres- ence was unknown, he concealed himself behind the folds of a curtain and listened, and he heard that which made bis knees tremble and his face become pallid, while he had to shut his teeth hard to prevent them from clicking together as with a chill. ‘* My poor senora, I have come to see you up- on an errand which will wring your heart with pain, ‘* Be brave, be strong, and hear all that I have to say.” So said the priest, and with a low moan Dolo- res replied: ‘“ Little can give me deeper pain than what I have suffered, holy father,” **My child, let me tell you the whole truth. “‘T knew your father well, and a noble man he was. ‘Tam known in the church as Father Alda- ma, but my name was Aldama Soto. ‘*T have a brother who went to the bad from boyhood, and be now lies at the point of death, and it was by him that I was sent to you. “Do you remember, when away from home on your travels, your husband left you in San Antonio for a week ?” “T do, father.” ‘Well, it was at that time my brother was shot down by an assassin, who sent for him to come to him, and believing he had killed him, be left him lying where he fell, ** But Felipe, my brother, did not die, and was found and taken to a place where he was well cared for, ‘* He'sent for me and I went to him, and when he was able bad him removed to my home. ‘* But be began to fail and made his confession to me, and my God! what a confession it was from human lips. “Tam to make known to you that confession, and as it deeply concerns you, my poor woman, 7 will tell it to you, for so Felipe would have me 0. “Nerve yourself then to hear the bitterest tale of wrong and sorrow, cruelty and inhuman- ity ever poured into a woman’s ears.” Then, in a low, earnest tone, the priest told of the stopping of Hammond Hughes by the ban- dits, and the story he had told them of bis povy- erty, with his compact to aid them frob Colonel Eldoro. After that came the plot against the colonel, his death at the hands of the American, for Fe- lipe said that he had put no ballet in his rifle, and only one hit the colonel. Then the priest handed over the watch and jewelry of Colonel Eldoro, which Felipe Soto bad kept most sacredly. The visit of the American to Felipe, to pay the money he had agreed upon, his being tracked to New Orleans, where he sold the jewels stolen from her to a dealer in gems, and Felipe’s visit after him, and demana that the man should keep them until ealled for, all was told, with the plot to destroy his own son. Felipe confessed that he had followed and robbed Hammond Hughes, and handed to the priest the jewelry of the American as proof. And more he gave the letters of Hammond Hughes to him, with the written pledge to pay twenty-five thousand pesos, after the assured death of the infant son of Senor Dolores, Like a statue sat Dolores listening to all. She could not grow whiter, and her face could not become more rigid than it was, She heard yet did not move, and the priest told how his wicked brother had gone to the river and hurled the boy over the bank, while Papita had sprung after him, hen he continued: “With a cry my brother bade me leave him and come at once to you, “He could say no more, andI was glad to come, so left bim with one whom I could trust to care for him, and came to you to tell you all, that your husband married you for your gold, killed your father to get it, and thwarted by the will, hired my brother to take the life of the little senor, your son and his, “Then he sought to put my brother out of the way, and God grant that he has, and I am sure that your failing health is the secret of his threat to Felipe, to remove you by slow poison, for he hesitated to tell him nothing as he ex- pected to silence his tongue in the end. “Such is my cruel story, my poor child, and here are my proofs in full, and Heaven have mercy upon you.” A silence of some minutes followed and then Dolores said in a low voice that was hushed in its suppressed emotion: ‘* Father, you bave opened my eyes, and un- masked the man I call my busband, ‘* He must die by my hand !” CHAPTER XIV. THE VAILED LADY. Tuer Padre Aldama was frightened at the look and words of Dolores. Had she burst into tears, or mourned, he could understand it; but her heart seemed to have turned to stone, She uttered the threat ina manner that told the priest she meant to keep it; then she arose and glided into her husband’s apartments. A short stay and she returned with a bottle without any label. “This is what he gives me each night before I retire, as he said, to make me strong again, but 1 have been worse ever since I took it. What is it, holy father?” The priest looked at it, inhaled it, and said: ‘The deadliest of poisons, madame!” “Now to my jewels, for I have not opened the case since my father’s death.” She took the key from its secret hiding-place, opened the secret panel, and then the jewél- case, It was empty! “Yes, he stole them, as you said, and your description of them, as told you by your brother, is perfect, ‘It is getting dark now, father, so I will have lights brought, as my husband must soon arrive, and I will receive him here— Ah Anita is bringing lamps now, and the maid of Dolores entered the room, ‘* Anita, when my husband returns, bid him come at once to my rooms,” “Yes, senora; but I shooght he was here,” ‘“« Has he returned?” quickly asked Dolores, “Yes, senora, over an hour ago, end he came here, I thought.” * Anita, go at once and find him,” and the girl was startled at the voice and manner of her mistress, But, soon she returned, and made report: ‘Senora, Pedro says that the senor returned to the stables, mounted his swiftest horse and rode away half an hour ago.” ‘My God! He has heard all, and bas es- caped, and in the darkness we can never track him. “Qnick, Anita! Order every man on this ranch to arm himself and go in chase of Senor Hammond Hugbes, for he must be found, Quick! obey!” Anita sped from the room and then, turning to the padre, Dolores dropped upon her knees before him, raised her hands and said in a voice that rung through the room: = “ Holy father, upon my knees before you, I vow to vail my face from all human kind until I have tracked to his grave that man who mur- dered my father and my child. “ Register my vow on earth, holy father, as it is registered in Heaven!” The priest fairly shuddered at her awful vow, while she sprung to her feet and left the room, All through the night the cowboysscoured the prairies, hills and mountains in search of the fugitive.
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8 The Red Sombrero Rangers. But the morning came and no trace of him was found, At last his trail was taken and followed to the river, but there it was wholly lost, and the dis- appointed horsemen returned with their report. The priest had met the Senora Dolores in the morning and found her robed in deepest black, while an impenetrable sable vail concealed her face so securely that even the color of ber hair could not be seen, aud her hands were also gloved, ‘*T have sent a courier to the City of Mexico, holy father, informing bim that a scout brought in news last night that the Indians were upon the eve of rising and telling the Govern- ment that I will protect the frontier here with my people, while I bave claimed my right of a captaincy in the Mexican Army and asked per- mission to serve as such.” ‘You, senor?” ‘¢- Yes, father, for one of my ancestors, by bis great courage, won a rank which was to be an heirloom in our family, descending through gen- erations, “Nothing was said as to there being no male heir, and as I was the only child of Colonel El- doro, I claim the rank, and wiil get it. “ Then I shall orgauiz> my people into a com- pany of Lanceros, for you know my life in camp with my father has made me a very good sol- dier, and with the hacienda we'! fortified with a few cannon I can defy the red-skin foes, or the bandits who sometimes raid along the frontier. “Tt will keep me from thinking, father, aud enable me to do much that 1 have an intention to do,” The wortby priest listened with dismay, and urged all in his power against the course of the Vailed Woman, But she was firm, and soon after he returned to his dying brother, wondering if it had not been better for him to have let the law deal with Hammond Hughes, rather than tell all to poor Dolores. Some days after his departure Dolores re- ceived by a messenger a letter from him which read: “Poor, sinful Felipe died but though he heard me say t could utter no word,” lt was some weeks after that Father Aldama received a letter from Dolores, whieh was as follows: “Thave my commission, and am known as the Lady Captain of Lanceros. ‘My good people are as devoted as they can be, and my company not only formed, but I led them against the Comanches two days ago, and beat them severely. “J have repeated my vow_in my prayers, and some day you will hear that I have kept it. ‘Until then to all I shall remain ever “THe Vartep Lapy.” CHAPTER XV. “ THE LITTLE CAPTIVE. A SMALL party of Mexicans, a dozen in all, consisting of men, women and a child, were on the march toward the Rio Grande River, They moved slowly, and their outfit was not a rich one, yet it seemed al! of their earthly pos- sessions, At night they camped in the chaparral, through which a small stream wound its way, and one guard was put on watch. The guard leant against a tree and went to sleep, sunk into a slumber that was his last, for pee after my return, nat you knew all, he he neither saw or heard a form creeping toward’ him. Suddenly the form arose, and a hatchet fell with deadly foree upon his head, With wild yells there sprung from the shad- ows then two-score of painted Indians, and re- lentlessly they rushed upon the little camp. Men and women, awakened from their slum- bers, fought with desperation for’ their lives, aud a few savages fell, But the fight was @ one-sided one, and short- lived, for the Comanches soon were masters there. The dead lay about where they had fallen, and their scalps bad been taken by the victors, who danced about in mad glee. All were dead—with one exception! That exception was a boy of four. He was not so dark in face as the ple who had been with him, and there was a look about him as though he was not of their blood. The woman whom he had called mother had seemed very devoted to him, and she guarded him with a jealous eye, while she was wont to address him as Roy. She lay dead upon the ground, and the boy sat near regarding her, half with horror, half with sorrow, A chief had warded off the blow of a brave, and had taken the little boy as his special cap- tive, He seemed surprised to see that the child did not shrink from him, or ery out in terror, and he spoke to him kindly—as kindly as he would to one of his own children. The little fellow seemed to have won him over at once. The booty to be obtained from the littie train was taken by the braves and packed upon the borses, while the wagons were burned, and shed ared glare around, making weird and strange pictures, The httle boy regarded it all calmly, and at last as the savages mounted to ride away, leav- ing the dead bodies as food for wolves, the chief called to him, and placed him behind him upon the back of his pony. And like grim specters the red riders rode away in the darkness, It was a long, hard ride back to the village of eee ga but the little captive stood it well, He ate the food given him with seeming relish, appeared impressed with his captors, and watched them with interest and a silence that caused them to wonder, The Comanche’ village was reached, and tho men, women, and chiJdren rushed out to greet the victors. The little captive looked on with the same calm eyes, and was taken to the tepee of the chief and given into the keeping of his squaw. She was a comely Indian woman, hardly over twenty, and having no children of her own, when the chief told her’‘that the boy was to be his pale-face son, she drew him toward her and embraced him. Then the little fellow’s arms went up and were put around her neck, while he went into tears, The chief looked on with surprise, but smiled and rode away to care for his horse. From that day the little captive became known as ‘‘ Little Brave” the pale-face son of Mad Panther the great young chief of the Com- anches, Several years went by, and the boy of four had grown into the lad of seven. He spoke Comanche as a native, and was as thorough a little Indian as any red-skin boy of the village, He could shoot a bow and arrow, throw a lance and ride a mustang better than any Indian lad of twelve, while he could, and would take his own part when imposed upon, in a way that delighted Chief Mad Panther, and his Indian mother, who had become strangely fond of the little pale-face captive. His hair had grown long, reaching to his waist, and his red mother, by adoption, dressed him in the best buckskin, handsomely beaded and embroidered with porcupine quills stained brilhant hues, He had learned to snare birds, rabbits and wolves, and had killed wolves witk his bow and arrow, Mad Panther taught’ him to trail, and was surprised to see how quickly he learned. But the Comanches had been raiding the set- tlements of late, and bad extended their expe- ditions acress the Rio Grande into Mexico, Ove night Mad Panther and his braves re- turned froin a successful raid, and the village was wild with joy over the scalps taken. But the joy soon ended, for the gallant Texan Rangers were upon their trail, had crossed the river in the night, and dashed like an avalanche upon the village, The scene was one never to forget, and the Rangers killed mercilessly, driving the women, children and braves to flight in the mountain recesses, Mad Panther had fought likea tiger, but fell dead at the door of his own tepee, while his wife sunk by bis side and anarrow pierced her heart, No merey was shown by the Texans, for they remembered the red deeds of the Comanches in their own happy homes. The Ranger captain hyd raised his revolver Ke fire again, when, suddenly, he lowered it with e cry: “ That is no Indian, but a white child.” He referred to the little captive. Little Brave stood in the entrance to the tepee, over the dead bodies of Mad Panther and his squaw. He held an arrow in his bow, as though to fire upon tne Ranger captain when he cried: ** Tt is no red-skin, but a white child!” Then the Ranger sprung from his horse, and, | advancing toward tbe little captive, said: | “My poor boy, you are their captive no longer, and I will be a father to you until your parents claim you.” CHAPTER XVI, A BOY'S Vow. E1GuHt years have passed since the attack of the ‘Texan Rangers upon the village of Coman- ches on Mexican soil, and the scene once raided by the red skins, and which led to tbe terrible retribution, has prospered under a long peace. Across a prairie one afternoon a youth was riding slowly, a herse trotting behind him and loaded down with pelts. The youth was about fourteen years of age, yet his face was so strongly marked with char- acter that beseemed older, He bad a look of thorough manliness, and an air of courage, decision and perfect confidence in himself. He was well mounted and carried a lariat, in addition to a rifle, pair of revolvers, and hunt- ing-knife, )ressed in buckskin leggings, he wore a blue woolen shirt and a gray slouch hat pinned up jauntily upon one side, Little top-boots and spurs completed his cos- tume. He bad a pack at the back of his saddle, as though out for a long jaunt, and bis horses had the appearance of having traveled far that day. Tt was the sunset hour, and his gaze was fixed intently upon a dark smoke which rolled heay- enward some miles away among the hill-lands, What did it mean? As darkness came on the smoke disappeared, and agreat red glare appeared in its place. ‘hen, here and there other red fires were seen, and from the boy’s lips came the words: “The Comanches are raiding the settlement!” With the words the spurs sunk into the flanks of the horse, and he bounded away at a rapid run, followed by the pack-animal. On the youth rode, at a swinging gallop, his way now guided by the sight of a score of burn- ing houses, and though the pace of his horses slackened, as they became more and more tired, he did not spare the spur. Straight toward tke spot where the smoke had been seen at sunset, he went, while he could see other fires kindling to the northward, showing where the red fiends were carrying on their work on their retreat, they baving struck the lower end of the settlement first. On, on he sped until his tired horses could hardly go faster than a slow lope. From the distance came wild yells, and, soon after, shots fired in rapid succession, “The Rangers are on their track! Bravo! Bravo! Oh! if I was only with them!” cried the youth, ‘But I will be, for I shall mount a fresh horse as soon as I get home and follow. ‘* Home! I fear Ihave no home now.” “And father, mother, sister, and dear old grandma, what has become cf you?” He dashed a tear from his eyes as he spoke, and once more the cruel rowels tore the flanks of his horse. But, the poor animal could go no faster, and the tried pack-horse only followed because led by the lariat. At length the youth came to a rise of the rairie, and then hills came into new and timber- ands, But, on he pushed, bis way lighted by the glare of the burning cabins of the settlers. “Oh, how sorry I am that I left home! “But, father wanted the pelts and I had to go after them, as be wasill. ‘“‘T hope all is well at home.” Into the bill-lands he had come now, and wind- ing around a trail at the base of a ridge, he sud- denly came into view of the home he had left a week before. : Then all had been happiness there, with every evidence of its being the home of some well-to~ do settler, There was a large and commodious cabin, with smaller ones for the hands, and spacious outbuildings. . Fields were tere for cultivation, tuere were large numbers of cattle, horses and sheep, and peace and plenty rested upon all. 4 But, how changed the scene from the past and the present! Now the great cabin and outbuildings were masses of living coals; the fences were down; the cattle run off, and the firelight showed a fearful desolation upon all. A large dog stood near the ruins howling dis- mally, and ke alone was all the youth beheld about the place. e On be rode, straight for the burning building,
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The Red Sombrero Rangers. to suddenly draw rein when a hundred feet away. ioe his saddle he sprung, and then advanc- ed with quick step nearer. But he stopped suddenly, and instinctively took off bis hat. His eyes bad fallen upon some of those who fad dwelt there in that once happy home, ‘There lay the form of the settler, dead, He had been torn from a sick bed and put to death, Nor was this all. Near him lay the white-haired woman whom the youth had called grandma, The boy was calm now—too calm for one of his years, gazing upon such a scene as he now beheld, Over among a bed of flowers lay another form, and from the boy’s lips came the one word: * Sister |” She, too, was dead—a young girl just across the threshold of womanhood, and from her blonde hair a scalp-lock had been torn, as also from the heads of the other victims of the Comanches’ cruel vengeance, On, still further, the last one of the household was found—the settler’s wife, On tiptoe the boy went from dead to dead, his head uncovered, while only a moan would come from his pallid lips, : Still further on, lying here and there, were ; several others, the slain people of the ranch, ; The Comanches bad done their fiends’ work 4 only too well, and few had escaped, ; The home of Captain Redfern the Ranger ; chief had been the first one the human tigers had struck, and from their hiding-place in the timber they had swooped down upon their vic- tims, Other settlers had been partially warned, but the red wave of horsemen had swept on, killing and burning as they went. And to the ears of the boy came the distant sound of fighting, the yells of the savages, the cheers of tte Rangers, And then down upon his knees amid the scene of ruin and death dropped the boy, while from his lips came a vow to claim lives tenfold for every one of those so dear to him whom the Co- manches had that night slain, And as he rose, perfectly calm now, a wild neigh was heard and a splendid horse came dash- ing toward him. **My own good horse!” cried the boy exult- sot and at his call the horse came toward im, It was but a few minutes’ work to throw his saddle and bridle upon him, and then away dashed Roy Redfern on the track of the Co- manches, CHAPTER XVII, A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN. Neitz Bort, the driver of the coach whose terminus was Devil’s Ranch, in the mines of New Mexico, and his pard and alternate, Mexi- can Joe, bad a hard struggle to keep alive. They were both of them splendid drivers, fearless men, and they had a run to go over twice a week that few men would dare venture upon. Devil’s Ranch was as wicked a community as could be found upon the frontier, from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Salt Lake, and that was saying a great deal. There was more actual deviltry there to the square inch than most localities could show to the square mile of territories, ; Honest miners in the minority, alleged miners, and desperadoes of all kinds were there and death was a daily visitor to the place, This was the terminus of the coach run as I have said, and the trail ran eastward, via Fort Blancc, when there was a passenger or freight for that outpost, otherwise along a valley a couple of miles from it, and thus ‘on to branch coach trails, or roads, There were road-agents along the way to hold up the coach and rob the passengers, and the trail was such a dangerous one in places that few cared to travel it by night, as the dan- ger of going over a precipice was about equal to being killed by outlaws, But Neil Burt and Mexican Joe drove it semi- weekly, and though often held up by Blue _ Jacket Bill and his band of outlaws, they con- . tinued to go on their way in spite of the perils Mey encountered, _ Fort Blanco was a delightful post to be sta- tioned at, though its commandant had his hands full in looking after red-skins, the citizens of Devil’s Ranch aad Blue Jacket Bill and bis out- its way to Devil’s Ranch, and Neil Burt was on the box, There was not a single passenger, and Neil was singing as he drove along. He had left the fort twenty miles away, and Devil’s Ranch was still twenty miles ahead, and it would be night before he reached there, The road here was not bad, rolling and tim- bered, and the idea of seeing other than a road- agent there never entered the mind of Neil Burt, and he was not expecting even an outlaw to show himself then, But could Neil Burt believe his eyes, when they suddenly beheld in the trail ahead a horse- woman? There she sat quietly upon her horse, a spir- ited jet-black animal, with silver-mounted bridle and saddle, and champing his bit like a thor- oughbred, The rider was dressed in deep black, wore a heavy sable vail, and gauntlet gloves of the same somber bue, Her form was upright, and slender, but par- tially hidden by the long vail which was too thick for Neil’ Burt to penetrate, keen as were his eyes, As the coach drew near she hed her whip up as though for a signal to halt, Neil Burt would have done so anyhow, for she was right in the trail, while the appearance of a woman in that lone place so excited bis cu- riosity he would never have gone by without asking a few questions, ; ‘Senor, I would like passage to Devil’s Ranch with you, if you please, and at your own terms,” she said, in a voice which Neil Burt afterward said was as sweet as a mocking-bird’s notes, She spoke in English but with the sweetest of accents, and Neil Burt at once doffed his scm- brero, and with a low bow said: ‘With pleasure, miss, and lll be honored if you will take a seat upon the box with me, though I have no inside passengers, should you wish to be alone,” and Neil Burt gave his reins a twist around his lamp and sprung to the ground, his sombrero still in hand, ‘* Thank you, senor, I will ride on the box with ” “‘T can hitch your horse alongside of my leader, lady, and—” ‘““Tpanks, but I will leave my horse here.” ‘* Leave him here, lady?” ** Yes, senor.” She sprung to the ground as she spoke, un- buckled her belt and let fall her long riding skirt, which left her in a full dress of mourn- ing. This she threw over the horn of her saddle, after taking from where it hung a leather sachel, Throwing the reins over the horse she then patted her horse affectionately and mounted to an stage box with an ease that surprised Neil urt. ‘Pll bitch your horse, lady.” ‘*No, senor, leave him where he is, please.” ‘But itis thirty miles nearly to Deyil’s Ranch you may not know?” i: Yes, senor, my horse will take care of him- self.” Neil remounted to his seat, gave a glance at the horse and after making his passenger, whom he felt was beautiful, as comfortable as possible, he drove on. At a bend in the trail half a mile a away he suddenly looked back, There stood the horse just as he had been eft. ‘Well, this is a queer go alf round. “ Tve got to find out who she is and what’s her game, or I’m no account as a pump.” So muttered Neil Burt as be gazed at his si- lent, vailed passenger, and began to meditate just. how he should open the conversation, for menor he stood in awe of the Vailed Lady in ack, Just then to the surprise of the driver the pas- senger began the conversation by asking: ‘** Senor, do you know Blue Jacket Bill the out- law chief?” CHAPTER XVIII. A MYSTERIOUS ARRIVAL, “ WELL, yes, lady,” answered Neil Burt, ‘I does know Blue Jacket Bill rather better than T’'d like to, for he often meets me on my runs.” ‘* Describe the man, please?” ** That’s as hard to do, lady, as to describe you, for he goes masked as completely as you do,” Unheeding this reference to herself, the Vailed Woman asked: ‘*Ts he a large or small man?” ‘ ‘*Tall, splendidly formed, and as fierce as a ws, One day the coach was bound westward, on ‘ tiger.” “* He has a large band, I believe?” * Yes, lady.” Tt is not known who he is?” ‘* Not a soul that knows gives it away, lady.” ‘“*The New Mexico is your best hotel in Devil’s Ranch, is it not, senor?” ‘*Ttis the best in this part of the country, lady, and Senor Du Val knows how to runa hash-house.” **Ts he a Mexican?” “Well, he goes for a Mexican, lady; but, somehow, I think he’s an American, for he’s square clean through, will never pick a row, but is the last man to let go if they jump him, “To you know a man in Devil’s Ranch by the name of Trent Baxter?” “The hc 4 from Texas, you means, lady” ‘* Yes, I belieye he also bears that name.” ‘Ho is also called the Gambler Sharp, for he plays the best game of keerds in the mines,” “You Know alii well, then?” “As well as any man does, I guess, lady, and that is saying mighty little, for somehow the Sharp from Texas hain’t one to beintimate with any one, onless it be in a fight, and then he gits too durned familiar, begging your pardon, and ther’ hain’t a man in Devil’s Ranch that don’t feel a leetle awe of him but one, and he hain’t no man, puther.” ** 4 woman, then?” ‘* No, lady, though he’s handsome as any wo- man I ever see.” ““ Who is he, then?” “A boy, they say, for he don’t seem over eighteen, and yet he's man from boots to som- brero, and a dandy, too.” ‘What did you say his name was?” “They calls him at the fort Redfern the Scout, and inthe mines he is known as the Gold Revolver Sharp, for he allers carries two gold- mounted weepons, and a bowie of the same, while he dresses as fine as a Mexican bull- fighter, and in Mexican togs, too.” ‘* He is a Mexican, then!” “Tf he is nobody knows it, lady, for_he speaks Eaglish like the professor at Fort Blanco, and Spanish just as well,” ** What does he claim to he?” ‘*He makes no claim to be more than Redfern the Scout, and they do say he is the best in these parts, and Buckskin Sam, chief of trailers at the fort, says so himself, he included, ‘Then he’s the deadest of dead shots with those gold-mounted revolvers of bis, and when he goes fora man in Devil’s Ranch that wants to boss the community, he gets him, “The boy don’t know what fear is, for he carries about with him finery enough to tempt Blue Jacket Bill and his gang to kill kim, but, somehow, when he gits into a killing game it’s the other man turns up his toes,” ‘Then he is a desperado?” “Not a bit of it, miss; only the cutest, hand- somest lad you ever seen, dressed in velvet and silk, and wearing gold spurs, and a red som- brero, which is embroided with gold thread, ‘*He’s a boss dandy, is the Gold Revolver Sharp, lady, and when he plays cards, too, he wins the pile, though I have never seen him and the Sharp from Texas hitch yet, but ’m a- thinking that some day they may do so, “Going to stay long in the Ranch, lady?” “T do not know.” ‘Maybe you is a Mexican lady, for I ob- serves you has a accent in your talking, though its mighty slight and most pleasing.” “Thank you, senor,” and at the reply Neil Burt was sorry he had not halted after asking the question and left off the compliment, for it gave her a chance to thank him instead of re- plying. But he opened fire again with: “You don’t scare easy to be alone in this country.” ‘“‘T am able to protect myself, senor,” was the quiet reply and Neil Burt sunk into silence, mut- tering to himself: ‘She beats my time, sart?in,” It was after dark when the lights of Devil’s Ranch came in sight, The vailed passenger gazed at them with déep interest, now and then asking a question, which Neil Burt promptly answered. “'There’s the New Mexico Hotel, lady, and it’s lighted up big to-night,” he said, pointing to a pile of shanties in a group, several of them rising to the height of a second story and sur- rounded by piazzas. Soon after the coach drew up before the New Mexico, and Senor Du Val the landlord advanced and met his lady guest, though with an inquir- ing look at Neil, for it was a very remarkable thing to see a woman in Devil’s Ranch,
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10 The Red Sombrero Rangers. He conducted her himself to his best room, ordered a special supper for her and returning to the office asked Neil: “Who is she, Neil?” “T don’t know no more than a fool,” ** She told me to register her, as Senora Dolo- res of Mexico,” “Waal, I didn’t know that much, for I couldn’t see through that black blanket she wears, and I’m durned if I knows if she’s Injun, Mexican or pale-face.” ‘“ Why has she come here?” “T give it up,” was the answer of Neil Burt, and so did the landlord, who, though hedid look something like a Mexican, and spoke English with a feigned accent, was really an American, CHAPTER XIX, ON A WOMAN’S TRAIL. THERE was a world of excitement at Devll’s Ranch, Never in its history had it been so stirred up as by the arrival of the mysterious Vailed Lady who had come in on Neil Burt’s coach, and, after creating a great excitement, had as mys- teriously departed. Not a soul had discovered her identity, unless it was one man, Trent Baxter the Sharp from Texas, To explain ani get at bottom facts, I will state that the Vailed Lady in Black, after she had had her supper, sent for the landlord of the New Mexico and told bim she was anxious to rie cards, if she could find a foe worthy her steel. As in duty bound he had escorted her to the gambling saloon, which was in full blast, and she had challenged the Sharp from Texas to a game, as she was told he was the best player in the mines. The Sharp from Texas was a tall man with a superb physique, Wore his hair in waving masses far down his back, and his beard full, falling to his belt, He dressed gorgeously, sported diamonds, wore his revolvers ready for use and was a man to command admiration and induce awe, He played for stakes no matter how high, and it was seldom he lost, while he had to often offer odds to get partners. But the Sharp from Texas had not seemed over-anxious to play with the Vailed Lady, yet dared not refuse, He was asked to name the stakes, but politely left it to the Lady in Black, whose sable vail no eye bad yet penetrated. She had responded that she would play for a stake to remain unknown until one or the other won, The interest excited by the strange game was too intense for the Sharp from Texas to refuse, and the terms were agreed to, The game was won by the woman, and then came the startling assertion that the stake she demanded was the life of the Sharp from Texas. And more, then and there she would have claimed it, had not there appeared upon the scene one bold enough to strike up her revolver and save the gambler from instant death. That one was Redfern the Scout, or as he was also called, the Scarlet Sombrero, and the Gold Revolver Sharp. He had demanded a aan with the Vailed Lady for stakes he would name, and she had yielded. Redfern the Scarlet Sombrero had won, and he named the stake that for one year she was not to attempt the life of the Sharp from Texas, Tbe Vailed Lady turned and left the saloon, the Sharp from Texas quickly quitted the place a9 Redfern the Scout went to his room in the otel. The next morning the Vailed Lady had left the hotel, going as she had come, on Neil Burt's coach, The Revolver = had followed soon after, and the Sharp from Texas could not be found, and Devil’s Ranch was left to talk over the strange happenings. Several days after when Neil Burt came in on his run, he had something to say of importance. The story Neil Burt told was that when he had gone a few miles, with the Vailed Lady on the box, he had seen horsemen ahead and told her that Blue Jacket Bill and his band were waiting for them, “You are mistaken, senor, those men will do you no harm,” was the reply. Upon coming up with the horsemen Neil Burt had discovered that there were quite a number of them, all mounted upon black horses, and that they were masked, Like trained soldiers they were drawn up on the side of the road, and saluted as the coach came to a halt. The Vailed Lady had then dropped into Neil Burt’s hand a purse heavy with gold, thanked him for his kindness and said: “T leave se here, senor. Adios!” Then she had thrown on the long skirt which one of -the men handed to her, sprung lightly into the saddle of the horse she had ridden the day before, and with a wave of the hand dashed away out of sight. Neil Burt was astounded, but drove on, to be halted at the pass known as the Blue Jacket’s Toll-Gate, by Blue Jacket Bill himself and a party of his men, Their first demand had been for the Vailed Lady in Black, and Blue Jacket Bill uttered oaths both loud and deep when he found himself thwarted in his attempt to capture her, and was about to content himself with robbing the coach of what he could find of value, when the clatter of hoofs was heard and the outlaws fled, driven off by Redfern the Scout alone, He was also surprised to find the Vailed Lady gone, and hearing the story of Neil, had wheeled his horse and gone back on the trail. ‘And he’s gone on the trail of the Vailed Mystery, I'll bet this purse of gold,” said Neil Burt, handing the gift of the woman to Senor Du Val to look at, and adding: “There’s ten golden onzas in there she gave me, landlord, and I does hope the Scarlet Som- brero means her no harm, for she’s a lady, and no mistake, if she is on the shoot gambles and hides her face.” CHAPTER XX, REDFERN. Ir was a long time before Redfern the Scout returned to the Devil’s Ranch, The Vailed Lady was still the subject of con- versation among the miners, but the excitement of the affair had blown over. The Sharp from Texas bad been seldom seen in the ranch since; and when Redfern arrived it was at night, and he went direct to his room. Thither Senor Du Val soon followed him, and while the young scout ate the supper sent. up to him, the landlord. told him of affairs in the mines, In his description of the youth Neil Burt had not been wrong, for his face was one that might be called beautiful, yet it was stamped with manliness beyond his years, Perhaps seventeen, he yet might be older, for at times there was nothing boyish in his face, His remarkable dress, a most gorgeous Mexi- can suit, and his gold-embroidered red som- brero gave him a picturesque appearance tbat was most striking. “Well, Redfern, I must say you are as great a mystery in the mines as is the Vailed Lady, for not a single man would have ever dreamed of your saving the life of the Sharp from Texas, when he is your avowed foe.” The scout smiled at the words of the landlord and said: ““T would not be a mystery, for lama solver of mysteries, senor.” “Then solve yourself for my benefit, for you know how friendly I feel toward you.” - “« What would you know about me?” ** Who are you?” **Roy Redfern.” “True; but Mexican or American?” **T do not know.” ‘“*Can this be possible?” “Tt ie * Don’t you remember your childhood?” “Yes, but too well. “T recall an Indian massacre of—I do not know whom, for was in a wagon-train, and all were killed except myself. “The chief took me captive, carried me to his village, and there I spent years, I do not know how many. “Then the Texas Rangers attacked the village, and I saw the chief and his wife, who had been kind to me, shot down. “Ttben was taken by Captain Redfern the ranger chief, to his home. ‘His wife, mother and child were all the fami- ly he had, and they adopted me as one of them. “Tn fact I loved them as I would my own parents and sister, and they were devoted to me, “They taught me to read, and, an educated man I learned much from the captain, studying each day with my adopted sister. “One day when I was about fourteen I went on an errand for my father, who was ill, and when I returned, a week after, lsaw my home in flames, and father, brother, sister and grand- mother dead, ‘‘The Comanches had been there. ‘Then and there that night I vowed ten-fold revenge, Senor Du Val, and I have kept my vow in the years which have passed since that night of horror, **T joined the Rangers, and we recaptured the stock, regained the booty, and the settlers built my home up again for me. “ But [left it in good hands and went on the Comanche trail six months of each year. “T warned the fort of danger to a wagon-train, and so got an appointinent there as scout. “You have heard that I always take.a scalp when I kill an Indian, “Tt is true, for I do, and they keep my count of tenfold lives, for those four dear ones slain, ““T have completed my string now, and kept my vow, and when I have rundown Blue Jacset Bull and ‘1is band, I shall go to Mexico to live.” “To Mexico?” a“ Yes,” ‘‘ Why there, Redfern? After a silence of some minutes the youth answered ‘*Pll tell you frankly. “T saved Trent Baxter from death because I am not ready to see him die yet. *“T saw the Vailed Lady here in the hotel, after our meeting in the Gambling Hall, and do you know I was so strangely drawn toward her that I made up my mind to solve the mystery regarding her. *© So I took her trail.” So Neil Burt said.” “She was met on the coach trail by a party of masked horsemen, and | followed them. “Others joined her at the Rio Grande, and crossing I followed until I came to her home, a fort-like hacienda where only one of great wealth could live, for she bas a hundred people fully about her, and cattle and horses in untold numbers, “T was halted by guards, refused permission to see her, but getting a hint that a messenger was expected from the Government to her, I ambushed him, took bis uniform, leaving him bound and in hiding, and thus gained entrance to the presence of this most mysterious woman,” ‘““Was she still masked?” ‘*- Yes, she wore her vail, and, recognizing me, I told her what I had done to see her, ‘*T could not tell ber why, and yet she asked me much about myself, and was most kind to me, “She gave me this pin to wear, and told me it might serve me well some day, and would gain me admission to her presence when I came again, for I pledged myself to hunt down for her Blue Jacket Bill.” The landlord took the pin, a solid gold one, representing a human eye. Upon one side, for it worked on a swivel, was a black eye represented by a dark onyx center, diamond pupil and pearls, Upon the reverse was a blue eye, with tur- quoise in the place of the onyx. ‘“This is a wonderful pin, and one of rare value, Redfern,” said the landlord, ** Yes, and one I appreciate most bighly. ‘But now let me tell you, senor, that when I have kept my pledge I shall return to the home of the Vailed Lady, that mysterious woman of Mexico. ‘She has told me to come to her, to be as a son to her, and somehow the longing is upon me to go, and I will.” “T think you are wise, I must say, for she is no ordinary woman.” “No, for she holds the rank of a captain of Lancers in the Mexican Army, and is known as the Lady Captain, in command of an outpost, her bome.” ** And you did not see her unvailed?” “T did not,” “* Strange.” “No, for I think she must be under some vow to keep vailed.” + And she hates Trent Baxter?” ‘‘ With the deadliest hatred, for she knows that he is not what he pretends to be. t ‘‘But just what heisI shall one day know, senor, was the firm reply of the young scout. CHAPTER XXI. AS A SCOUT-DETECTIVE, THE commandant of Fort Blanco, at the time of which I write, was Colonel Martyn Rockwood a handsome man, a dashing cavalry soldier, an a genial gentleman, popular with officers and men alike who were under him. Since his assuming command matters hac been more peaceful than before in the distric: —
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af dkeep your pledge, for I have the utmost confi- The Red Sombrero Rang ers. p ip he commanded; the Blue Jackets had been hunted down and the red-skins beld in check, while the turbulent spirits at Devil’s Ranch had been dealt some very severe and salutary les- sons. Redfern, the Scout, had resigned, after the wiping out of the Blue Jackets, and had gone to Mexico, But the colonel held his pledge to return should he require his aid. And so Colonel Rockwood, requiring the aid of the young. scout, bad put him to the test, and written for him to come. “Mr. Redfern, the Scout, sir,” said the orderly, as the colonel sat in his quarters one night, nearly a year after the visit of the Vailed Lady of Mexico to the Devil’s Ranch, Colonel Rockwood uttered an expression of pleasure, and said quickly: “ Show him in at once, orderly.” A moment after Redfern entered, He was dressed if anything more elegantly than ever, and his bright-red gold-embroidered sombrero looked very beautiful as the lamplight flashed upon it. He was given a cordial greeting, told to be seated, and then the colonel said: ‘Now, Redfern, I wish to make known to you that the man you tracked to Colorado, and the Vigilantes hanged there, was not Blue Jacket Bill, the outlaw chief.” “T am aware of the fact, Colonel Rockwood, and I was on my way here to hunt down the right man, when I got your letter asking me to come, “To explain, sir, 1 met on my way hither a oung miner from Colorado, who was one of the Vigilantes that hanged the man, who was strung up upon my say so that he was Blue Jacket Bill, and I believed that 1 was right, for I did not un- derstand bow the man could bear the same mark he did, of one black and one blue eye !” ‘tTndeed! and Blue Jacket Bill is so marked?” “Yes, sir, as is also the man the Vigilantes hanged.” “This is marvelous.” “ Well, Colonel Rockwood, it is equally mar- velous that the young miner I referred toasa Vigilante, had his doubts, went back, cut down the man, brought him back to life after hard work. and went to his home with him, ‘*He found him to bea well to dosettler, and his name was Trent Baxter, which name Blue Jacket Bill claimed when a gambler in Devil’s Ranch. “The settler told the miner, whose name is Lariat Dick, how the outlaw, whom he had be- friended in the past, had taken his name and defrauded bim, doing him much harm, “Lariat Lick had arrived with the settler just in time to rescue Ruth, the settler’s daughter, from this same man, still claiming the name of the benefactor he had wronged. still dogging his steps to further do him harm, “The man escaped from Lariat Dick, whom he afterward ambusbed, robbed and left for dead, and the young miner came to seek me aud tell me that Blue Jacket Bill was still alive, and now we are leagued to hunt him down to- gether. “This same man, Colonel Rockwood, who calls himself Trent Baxter, and is known as the Sharp from Texas, I know now to have been in Devil’s Ranch disguised as a parson, “‘T know that he killed another benefactor, Miner Gray St. Jobn in his cabiv, and I be- lieve is now going to the home of his victim to profess friendship and wrong his wife and daughter out of their fortune, “Twas told by Miner Gray St. Joon some- thing of his wife, and how when a youtb, his rival Hugh Hammond had fought a duel with him, having first in some way extracted the bul- Jet from his, St, John’s rifle. ‘* He fled, after robbing his father, a promin- ent man, and was supposed to have been lost at sea, “But Miner St. John showed me a photo- graph of his rival and foe, and I am sure that Blue Jacket Bill is his old enemy Hugh Ham- mond, “ Miner St. John always felt a dread of losing his life at the hands of this man Hammond, and yet, though befriending him in his cabin, failed to recognize him as I did; but then experience has taught me to read ths human face well. “Now, Colonel Rockwood, I am going to take the trail of Blue Jacket Bill and follow it to the end, and Lariat Dick goes with me, “When the end comes the man who is hanged this time will not be the wrong one, I pledge you my word.” c* And somehow, Redfern, I feel that you will | dence in your ability to do so,” was the response | now,” and soon after the man arose and left the of the gallant colonel, Soon after he added; “Tf you run this man to earth, this arch vil- lain whose villainies we do not know tbe half of I am sure, I will promise you that there will be no trouble in securing you from the President a second lieutenancy in the army, won on merit alone.” CHAPTER XXII, A STRANGE PROTECTOR, . A SMALL party of trailers had dared venture out from San Antonio, Texas, in the tace of perils against which they had been warned. Though together, the party was distinctly divided. Ove division was a settler and his family, venturing toward a settlement where he was to make a new home, For company and mutual protection he had joined in with the others, consisting of one elderly gentleman and two ladies, There was not a large wagon-train going through for some,time, so the parties would not wait, and so ventured, There was a driver of the gentleman’s ambu- lance, and who also acted as cook, and a guide and hunter, and such was the small force that made the venture in the face of hardships and dangers, One of the ladies possessed a sadly beautiful face, and was yet in her thirties. This one the gentleman addressed as Mrs, St. John, and she appeared to be in bad health, for she was racked by a severe cough and was far from strong. The other lady was a young girl of fifteen, strangely like her mother and very lovely in face, while ber form was slender and graceful. This one the white-haired gentleman addressed as Ethel. The ambulance was a very large one, drawn by two strong mules, and it was water-proof and arranged with every degree of comfort that could be thought of. It was devoted wholly to the use of the two ladies. The gentleman rode on horseback, and there were led horses along for the two ladies, A tent they also had, and the trip, under other circumstances would not have been an un- pleasant one, ‘There were provisions in plenty, a good cook, and the hunter and guide supplied them with fresh game each day, Both ladies were dressed in mourning, and there were the traces of grief upon their faces which the change of scene did not drive away. “Hac! I known, Mr, Baxter, that the journey was to have been such a severe one, | would never have undertaken it,” said Mrs. St. John as she sat with her daughter and their protector one evening in camp, after having been some days on the march, “T did not wish to discourage P pce my dear Mrs. St. Jobn, for fear you would be tempted not totake the journey, and your presence in the mines is necessary absolutely to secure for you full claim upon your busband’s property,” an- swered Mr, Baxter, carefully wiping the glasses of his massive gold spectacles and replacing them upon his head. *T almost feel tempted to let it go, for with what my poor murdered husband placed in the bank to the credit of both Ethel and mysel’, and has to his own credit, which is, of course, ours, we have ample fortune,” ‘Yes, Mr. Baxter, I would rather lose it than have mothor suffer more,” Ethel said. ‘But the mine is worth far more than the three bank accounts, I assure you, my dear ladies, and it will only be a few more days of hardship to stand, while we could not return alone over our trail, as it would be far too dan- gerous to think of.” “Well, it is our only course, I fear; but I wish we could give you authority to act for us.” ‘That might have been done hack in San An- tonio, or at your home iv Baltimore, Mrs, St. Jobn, but it is not possible here to draw up legal papers.” Ks **T wish you hac! thougbt of it, sir, before we left home.” “1 did, but then it was-a@ very delicate sug- gestion for me to make, to place your fortune in my hands.” “* My husband trusted you so implicitly, Mr. Baxter, and you were such a true, noble friend of bis, I feel that you would have acted for our good in all things,” “Certainly, Mrs. St. John, as I am doing ladies to retire. Going to the camp-fire where sat the hunter and guide smoking, he sat down and said: “When will we reach the last camp of the train?” “In three nights, pard,” ‘You are sure that your friends will be there?” ‘They never fail whar there is money to pick up, pard.” “There must be no mistake,” “There won’t be.” “You will of course see one of them on the trail, guide, the day we reach the place?” “Yas, cap’n, and if you go with me you kin talk it all over with him and have no hitch in the perceedin’s.” ‘Yes, I can go on a hunt that afternoon, and we can meet on the trail ahead.” “ Jist so, pard.” ““There must be no hitch, no mistake, if you expect to get your money for your work.” ** A)) will be serene, cap’n, for we arranged it all so as to have no hitch, ** Don’t you worry, for the thing is fixed to please yer.” There must be the same number left on the scene as we have in the outfit, you know.” “Thar must be, and thar will, for thet was in ther papers, and Bricktop Jack hain’t going to have no mistake, if he has ter kill Comanches ter fill in the gap, pickin’ em off in the fracas, and makin’ t’others believe they was kilt by the defenders. ‘1 tells yer, cap’n, all will go serene.” “Tt must!” was the decided response of the ola gentleman, and he retired to his httle ‘* A” tent and sought his blankets for the night, CHAPTER XXIII. TREACHERY, Tue third day from the camp, when the fore- going strange conversation was held between the old gentleman and his guide and hunter, a man sat on a fallen tree in a timber motte, as though waiting for some one, His horse cropped grass near, and ever and anon tbe man would rise and glance out over the prairie. At last he cried, with evident pleasure at the discovery: ** There he comes!” Tbe man resumed his seat to await the coming of a horseman who had appeared over a distant rise in the prairie. The one who waited was a hard-faced villain, if looks go for anything, and they do in nine cases out of ten, ; His hair was long and fiery red, his short beard the same hue, and his eyes deep-set, very black and cunning. He was roughly dressed but splendidly armed. The one who was approaching was the guide of the little party who had ventured upon the trail in the face of all dangers. ? His face was by no means attractive, but it was bis knowledge of prairie craft that had gained him his position, not his good looks. _ “Ho, Trailer Tom, you is here arter all,” cried the red-headed man, 3 “You bet Ikoeps a promise, Bricktop Jack, when there is gold to be made. ‘Waal, what’s been done?’ and Trailer Tom dismounted and allowed his horse to feed near, while he sat down upon the log. “ All has been did, and ther reds is not over fifteen mile away.” ‘Who is they?” “Black Bear’s band o’ Comanches.” Mi They is good ones fer ther work, and strong. enough,” “Thar is forty of ’em,” “They'll do; but there is ter be some of ’em kilt ef they sh’u’dn’t be by ther settler,” ‘*T knows, fer as I onderstands ther racket, yer wants ther same number 0° bodies found, if thar should be any trailers on yer track, as thar is in ther outfit.” “* Adzactly, we must leave jistso many dead folks, and they is ter be gnawed by coyotes and spoilt so.as not ter be know’d, yer know, from them as forms the outfit.” ‘ “But thar is three in ther lay-out that is not ter die.” “Yas, more than that, fer me and Ben counts fer somethin’, I guesses.” “Yas, so thar is ter be five.” * Jist so.” And five bodies, is ter be found ter make up.
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12 The Red Sombrero Rangers. * Jist so.” “Two of ’em is women?” “ Yas.” ‘‘ Waal, ef I hain’t in luck I never was afore.” o How so?” “Yer see I come across, some six mile away from here, a place whar thar had been a big camp. “ They was goin’ to the Red Valley settlement, I guesses, for they come down on ther up-trail across the river, “They also had a hot fight only two nights ago with Black Bear, and beat him off; but thar was a woman anda young gal kilt, along with half a dozen men of ther train.” “Waal?” “Now I are ainquisitive cuss, and so I jist digs fer curiosity ter see if thar were anything ©’ value put in by mistake, and so I comes across the woman and the gal, and t’other dead folks.” “ Yas,” ‘You say thar isa woman and a gal ter es- ** He be.” ‘*Waal, them graves over on the river will furnish the women folks and men who is ter be deft in ther camp with them as is ter be really dkilt, * When was they kilt?” “ Two nights ago,” “Then they'll do, so jist git yer pard and dig em up, and have ’em near our camp fer ter- night. 4 ‘Tl do it; but what about ther gent and ther woman as gits away?” “Waal, you and your pard, me and Buck, is ‘ter be ther guard for them wharever the gent wants ter go, but we is not ter show ourselves, only be near, if wanted, followin’ tha’r trail.” ““What are ther gent up ter, pard?” ‘* Lord knows, but he’s no fool.” ‘**T guesses not.” “Here he comes now, for I told him I'd be here ter meet you, and he’d better come and talk it all over, as he wants no hitch about it.” As Trailer Tom spoke a horseman appeared lin sight. It was Mr. Baxter, the gray-haired protector of the ladies, “ He’s a old one, Tom, ter be in deviltry. “* He oughter be thinkin’ o’ on and ther kt said Bricktop Jack as Baxter came in sight, ‘* My opinion are thet he hain’t so old as he looks and makes out, pard. ‘But Pll interdooce yer,” and as Baxter rode up and dismounted, Trailer Tom continued: “Cap'n, this are my pard, and he hev got things fixed jist prime.” ‘* Yes, there must be no mistake,” was Bax- ter’s stern response, ‘Thar hain’t a-goin’ ter be, cap’n, as yer will say when yer hears thetssong my pard here has ter sing, **ffe hev Black Bear and his band of Co- manches, thet same Black Bear bein’ a renegade white man, cap’n, and all ther stiffs wanted is already supplied, so yer see things is goin’ jist wight. ‘*It must be so,” and Baxter then listened to ‘the whole plan, his face flushing with pleasure as be heard how complete all was. Then be mounted his horse aud rode off again ‘to find some game with which he could join the little party later in the day. “ Even that young fiend, Redfern, cannot fol- low my trail beyond to-night’s camp, if, as I be- lieve, he is on my track,” muttered the man as he came in sight of the little train he was lead- ang to its doom at the next camping-place. CHAPTER XXIV. THE LONE SCOUT. CoLoneL Rockwoop was just preparing to retire for the night when word came that Red- fern the Scout had entered the fort and wished to see him if possible, * Admit him, immediately,” was the colonel’s ‘command, and when the youth entered he was not alone, for his companion was Lariat Dick. They were travel-stained and weary looking, sand when they bad taken the seats the colonel motioned them to, he asked: “Well, you look as though you had news, Redfern?” ‘*T have, sir, and sad news it is, though I have ‘the satisfaction of reporting that at last Blue Jacket Bill is in his grave.” “ Bravo!” cried the colonel, almost excit- edly. ** When was he hanged?” “He was not banged, sir, but murdered by Comanches,” “ What a pity; but how was it?” “T will have to begin at the beginning, sir, since we left here.” “ Do so,” ‘* We took his trail, sir, at Blue Jackets’ Toll- Gate, and followed it until we struck a branch stage trail, when he sold his horse at a station and took the east-bound coach.” “ Just as you feared.” “Yes, sir; but trailing on coaches, railroads and-through towns is slow work, compared to prairie and mountain tracking, so it was weeks before we reached the home of Widow St. John and her daughter in the outskirts of Balti- more. ‘Tt had been sold only a short while ago, and the ladies had started for the West, we learned, with an elderly gentleman.” ** An elderly gentleman?” * Yes, sir; none other than Blue Jacket Billin a wig of white hair and gold spectacles,” “The fiend!” “You will say more tban that, colonel, when you know all,” “Tam most anxious to learn all,” ‘““We again began to trail, sir, and tracked them to New Orleans.” “ South they went then?” ‘Yes, sir, and remained there some days, and then took steamer for Galveston, going from there to San Antonio.” “ Tt strikes me, Redfern, that you are as good a detective as you are a scout.” “Thank you, sir! but I had Lariat Dick’s help you know,” was the modest reply. Pray go on with your story.” “We reached San Antonio, Colonel] Rock- wood, to find that as there was no wagon-train northward for some time, the man bad pre- vailed upon a settler to join him, and with a hunter and a guide had started in spite of the danger, some time before our arrival. ‘With the wagons of the settler and the am- bulance and horses we had no trouble following the trail and began to rapidly overbaul them, “But we were more than a week too late, and yet we could not have moved any quicker from the time of our leaving here.” ‘*T car well believe that.’ “* We came upon their last camp, in a pretty motte, and there were the ashes of the vehicles, and the appalling sight of the bodies of every one of the little party, for we knew the number, ‘*The time that had passed, and the coyotes had disfigured the bodies almost beyond recog- nition, but we found the clothing of the ladies, the white wig and gold spectacles of Blue Jacket Bull, and enough to convince us that the ee had done their awful work but too well, “My God! this is fearful,” cried Colonel Rockwood, with deep feeling. “Tt unmanned us, sir, for the while; but we buried the bodies and then came on our way, sir, to report to you.” “You did right, Redfern! but to think that when that fiend incarnate met bis end he should carry out of life so many innocent souls,” For a loug while they talked over the sad af- fair, after which Redfern and Lariat Dick sought the quarters assigned to them, After breakfast the next morning a soldier came to Redfern with the information that a man had arrived who wished to see the men whose trail he had followed from the lower country. The stranger entered and both he and Red- fern at once recognized each other, for the man was a scout in the service of the Vailed Lady of Mexico, “Ah, senor, I did not expect to find it was your trail I was following; but I came on here to make a report of a strange discovery I had made, and seek the aid of the commandant in aiding two unfortunate women, who are in the “iid of the man you know as Blue Jacket ill. acpi sprung to his feet with a cry, and said: * Quick, Benson, tell me what you know?” “Well, senor, I was scouting on my own hook, for I left Mexico, you know, some time ago, and I came upon Black Bear, that renegade white man and his band. “*T Jaid low and watched, for I knew they were up to some deviltry. “* Two days after I was hiding in some timber when a horseman came there whom I knew as Bricktop Jack, a great rascal, “*T kept in hiding and he was joined by a man 1 I did not know, “T could not hear what they said, but soon after a third horseman appeared, a man well dressed, and with white hair and gold spectacles. “ After a long talk they separated, going dif- ferent ways, and I moved off too, over to a ridge where t had left my horse, “That night I heard firing, and mounting and riding in the direction I saw that it was in the timber where I had been, “‘T knew then that a train had been treach- erously led into a trap set by Black Bear the renegade, “T kept a long way off, and saw them burn the wagons and the Indians ride away. ‘‘In the morning I visited the scene and saw the work of the red devils, ‘“‘T took their trail at once, and after following it for some time, came to where a small trail branched off. “There were eight horses in this, and I fol- lowed. “T came to their camp at night, and creeping near, saw that there were two camps, neither one in sight of the other. “In one was a man, the one with gray hair and spectacles, and two ladies, “In the other were four men, Bricktop Jack and his party. ‘“‘T knew the only way they could take from there, so went ahead and lay in hiding. “The man and the two ladies, with a led pack-horse, passed, and a mile in their rear fol- lowed the four men, evidently a guard, but seeking to remain unseen by the Jadies. “I determined to see the upshot of this strange maneuvering, and so kept on the trail for a couple of days, until I tracked the party to an old, deserted mining-camp. “Then I took the back track, passed the scene of massacre, but noticing your trail, ard that the dead were buried, I followed it on to the fort.” ‘* Are you tco tired to take to the trail within the hour, Benson?” asked Redfern. ‘At once, if you say so, senor.” “Well, 1 will have a talk with Colonel Rock. wood, and then we will start for Devil’s Ranch, for I can find there, as miners, over a dozen of the people of the Vailed Lady of Mexico, and they will follow my lead. “Now to see the colonel, and then to take the trail once more of Blue Jacket Bill.” Half an bour after, mounted upon fresh horses, Redfern, Lariat Dick and Benson rode away from the fort, CHAPTER XXV. THEY MEET. In an old mining-camp, in a cabin which had once been the ‘* hotel” of the place, sat two per- sons whom the reader has met before. One was Mrs. St. John, once known as Ethel Enders, and who bad married the youth whom his rival Hugh Hammond bad nearly given his morte] wound, The other was Etbel her daughter. At last their eyes were opening to the truth, that their proffered triend, Trent Baxter was not all that he seemed. They had escaped the massacre in the camp by Black Bear, by the courage of Baxter as they were led tc believe, and he bad led them for days until they had reached the deserted‘mining- camp. But Ethel had seen him several times dro back oa tne trail and meet some one, and of this he Lad not spoken, and then too she had ob- served bim after reaching the camp, in conver- sation with several rough men, She bad asked him if others were there and he had replied in the negative, and now mother and daughter began to fear that all was not right, for they had both discovered that his white hair was a wig. The mother had not broken down as Ethel bad feared she would, but seemed to gain strength, now that other danger threatened them, and they determined to pretend not to suspect the man but to watch him closely. — And this they did, Ethel, after they were supposed to have retired for the night, slipping out of the cabin, and creeping to the one near by where Trent Baxter had his quarters, To ber surprise there were four men in there with him, and what she heard caused her to turn deadly pale and tremble violently. Baxter was speaking and she heard him say: ‘Men, the old lady can’t last long with ex- posure »nd hardship, and then the gir) will be- come my wife. Once she is, I can get hold of her fortune, and it is great, as I know. You stick by me, and I’ll pay you well. Two of you 2M
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The Red Sombrero Rangers. 13 —=. can go to the nearest camps for provisions, and bring them back, and Pll stay here to guard the girl and wait until the old lady dies, * T loved her some twenty years ago, but I'll transfer my affections to her caughter now,” and the man laughed in a cruel way. Ethel cared to hear no more, but returned and told her mother all. Mrs. St. John grew stronger in face of the danger that threatened, and said: “T will not die, my child, for nowI know that man at last. ‘“* His face has haunted me, and if Iam right he has deceived your poor father as he has me— yes, I believe, Ethel, that be is the murderer of your father—he is Hugh Hammond. ‘* Await until to-morrow and note closely if his right eye is not a black one, his left eye blue.” “7 will, mother, and if so, when those two men go, we can escape to-morrow night, for he said there was a iv trail from here toa min- ing camp some thirty miles away, and we will claim the protection of the honest miners. ‘* We can take all the horses, so they cannot follow us, and push along the trail, which the animals will follow, I know,” “Yes, my child, we will do so; but remember, we must be just the same as ever to him.” So it was arranged, and the next. morning mother and daughter treated the traitor just as sweetly as ever, though it cut them to the heart to do so, Mrs, St. John pretended to be quite ill in the afternoon and Ethel went out to gather her some wild flowers, she said, but in reality to note the situation of affairs. She saw where the horses were kept, and that Sh could go from there down the trail spoken ° < Then she noted the camp of the two men over in a glen, and saw that there were but two horses, which proved that the other two had gone after provisions. After their frugal supper tha mother and daughter pretended to retire early, and Hugh Hammond, for his black and blue eye had be- trayed him as such, went to his cabin and began ey play cards with Trailer Tom and Bricktop ack, Then the mother and daughter crept from their cabin, sought the horses, and saddling their own, led the pack-animal and the steed of the outlaw after them. They dared Lot go to get the horses of the other two men, so struck out in the darkness on the trail which Ethel had noted in the after- noon, For several miles they went along until they came to a surging stream, They dared not cross it in the night, so felt that they must await the dawn, They argued that the outlaws would not awaken before dawn, and perhaps not discover their absence until some time after, so they would have a fair start. So they halted and sought out a resting-place near, holding the stake-ropes of their horses in their hands, At dawn they arose, crossed the river, and reaching the other shore, found themselves sur- round by a dozen horsemen, dressed in Mexican costume and wearing scarlet som- breros, A youth stepped forward quickly, and said as he doffed his sombrero: “* Have no fear, ladies, for we were upon your trail, knowing that you were in the power of an outlaw known as Blue Jacket Bull, “Tf you are Mrs, and Miss St. John I may be known to you through Miner Gray St. John’s letters as Redfern the Scout.” Words cannot express what followed, and Ethel quickly told their story, which was lis- tened to with deepest interest by Redfern, Lariat Dick, Benson, and the half-score Red Hat Rangers of the Vailed Lady of Mexico, “We will await them here,” said Redfern, and the Red Hats went into ambush. They had not long to wait, for soon Blue Jacket Bill appeared coming at a gallop, and following were Bricktop Jack and Trailer Tom, riding double. Into the stream they plunged, and as the out- law chief neared the other shore a lariat encir- cled his bead, and he was dragged from bis sad- dle into the water, and thence ashore, At the same time the Red Hat Rangers spur- red into the stream from their ambush and cap- tured the other two outlaws. Unable to offer resistance, captured as he was by Redfern’s lariat, and dragged through the water, Blue Jacket Bill was seized and bound, Then came the order from Redfern: **Men, throw a lariat over that limb, for he has just ten miuutes to live. ** This time there shall be no mistake,” ‘‘And the others, captain?” asked one of the Red Hat Rangers, “Must hang with him. ‘*You, Benson, lead the ladies yonder out of sight.” ‘“*Do you intend to carry out your threat, Red- fern?” asked the outlaw chief, who was now calm, but very pale, *T do,” “Will nothing change your determination?” * Nothing.” “* Not even if I was your father?” “No, I would hang my own father if he were such a man as you are, forI know all your crime-stained career, Hugh Hammond.” ‘© All?” sneered the outlaw. “Yes, all.” ‘“‘T am sure that you do not, so I will strike at you et. " ' ; am ave you a piece of paper and a pencil? “ Yes, pen anit ink if you wish,” 8 **So much the better. ‘*But will you pledge yourself to give the pa- per unread, to the one to whom it is addressed?” “7 will.” **- You mean it?” oe I do.” The outlaw smiled, and paper, pen and ink having been given to him by one of the Red Hat Rangers, he wrote in a bold hand for several minutes, Then he folded it up and addressed it, while he said: “T wil die with this in my hand. “When I am dead take this paper, and un- read, give it to the one to whom it is addressed.” ‘*T will do so,” was the reply. “Then Lam ready.” ‘* Have you no confession to make?” ‘* None, for you know me as Hugh Hammond, alias Trent Baxter, alias the Sharp from Texas, and last as Blue Jacket Bill. ‘* What more need I say?” “That is enough; but I will give you time to make your peace with Heaven.” “Thank you, no, it would do no good. * 7 am ready!” “Swing him up, Rangers!” came the stern or- der from Redfern, and the outlaw chief was dragged up into mid-air, while the other two outlaws quickly followed. When dead they were buried upon the banks of the stream acd then the party went into camp within sight of their graves. CHAPTER XXVI. CONCLUSION, From the spot where Blue Jacket Bill at last met his fate, the Red Hat Rangers, escorting Mrs. St. John and Ethel went on their way to Devil’s Ranch, where the mother and dau citer were given the best quarters in the New Hotel by the delighted landlord. Leaving them there to claim the mine of Gray St.John and place its management in honest hands, Redfern and Lariat Dick went to Fort Blanco and after hearing the story of the Red Hat Rangers, Ccionel Rockwood no longer doubted that at last Blue Jacket Bill bad met his fate. While Lariat Dick returned to the home of exico | Settler Trent Baxter, to tell the story, Redfern went back to the mines and from thence to Mexico to deliver the last message of the dead outlaw chief as he had promised, He was welcomed warmly by the Vailed Lady, and after telling his story, handed to her the paper given him by Hugh Hammond. She read it and uttered a low cry, while Red- fern heard the words: * A cruel, but a just retribution!” Then she swooned. Calling for the maid of Dolores, Redfern seized the paper and read it. It was as follows: * DOLORES:— ‘“‘T have been captured by my own son, and he will give the order to hang me. “He does not know me as his father, but I know as my sop, for the man, Felipe Soto, whom I hired to kill him, kidnapped him instead, and a strange life bas been his. “This is my revenge, that I die by my son's hand, “Hue Hammonp.” Thus did Redfern know the terrible secret; but heaided in restoring bis mother to con- sciousness, and then said softly: “It was a just retribution, my mother. ‘‘ Cast the past utterly from your heart, as I ei. and happiness will come to us in the ‘uture, ‘*T will,” was the low reply, and Dolores kept: her word, as much as lay in her power, She was made happy in the future, when her son, who still kept. the name of his adopted father, led to the altar Ethel St. Jobn, whose mother’s life had passed away among the mines, and who found her last resting-place by the side of her murdered husband, As though to escape the memories of the bit- ter past, Dolores sold out the estates in Mexico, and became an American, purchasing a grand old house in California, where she, her son and daughter still live, and where no one knows the son as Redfern the Red Sombrero Ranger, or the other as the Vailed Mystery of Mexico. THE END, Beadle’s Dime Library. BY PHILIP 8S, WARNE. 1 A Hard Crowd; or, Gentleman Sam’s Sister. 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai. 29 Tiger Dick, Faro King; or, The Cashier’s Crime, 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport, 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart. 207 Old Hard Head; or, Whirlwind and his Mare, 251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Despard. 280 Tiger Dick’s Lone Hand. 209 Toree of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport. 338 Jack Sands, the Boss of the Town, 3859 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo. 380 Tiger Dick’s Pledge: or, Tne Golden Serpent. 404 Silver Sid; or, A * Daisy *’ Bluff. 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand, 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to * Tie To.” 502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains, 522 The Champion Three. 544 The Back to Back Pards. 567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft. 583 Captain Adair, the Cattle King. BY GEORGE C. 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Wheeler, Charles Morris, Oll Coomes, C, Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, Leon Lewis, Major Dangerfield Burr, Philip 8. Warne, T. C. Harbaugh, William R. Eyster, J. C. Cowdrick. Tae BANNER WEEKLY 18 PUBLISHED AT THE Fottowine Rates: For Four Months.. ......... For One Year............+ Two Copies for One Year. . ec eceeee ee l.00 sceupeee -- 3,90 . 5.00 Single Copies.............0.. » sch cluwichas oman ORE Supplied by all Newsdealers. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PousiisHers, 98 William street, New York. THE DIME §PEAKERS. Dime Dialect Speaker, No. 23. Dat’'s W’at’s De Matter, The Mississippi Miracle, Ven Te Tide Cooms In, Dose Lams Vot Mary Haf Got. {man’s Rights, Pat 0’Flaherty On Wo- The Home Rulers, Hezekiah Dawson On Mothers-In-Law, He Didn’t Sell The Farm, The True Story of Frank- lin’s Kite, [Again, I Would I Were a A Pathetic Story, All About a Bee, Scandal, A Dark Side View, Te Pesser Vay, On Learning German, rigs ShmallVite Lamb, A Healthy Discourse, Tobias So To Speak, Old Mrs. Grimes, A Parody, Mars and Cats, Bill Underwood, Pilot, Old granley, The Pill Peddler’s Oration WidderGreen’s last words Latest Chinese Outrage, The Manifest Destiny the Irishman, Peggy McCann, Sprays from Josh Billin, De Circumstances ob de Sitiwation, Dar’s Nuffin New Under de Sun, ‘0 Religious Poem, iolin, Picnic Delights, Our Candidate’s Views, Dundreary’s Wisdom, Plain Language My Neighbor's Dogs, The Stove Pipe Tragedy. Condensed Mythology, Pictus, The Nereides, eons of Attica, A Doketor’s Drubbles, The Coming Man, Out West. 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Published Every ‘ BEADLE'’S+* H ALF- DIME«[ IBRARY. BY OLL COOMES. ae reeabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. ¢ Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope A we the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies, BS The Werder King eer Teese order 3 or, C ‘00. 71 Delaware Dick, the Youre RAngad Spy. iS flawk-eve Harr y -the Young Trapper Ranger. B ” a . 184 Sure shot Seth, the Ey Rifleman, Hin Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, Silver St. the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon, 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Ga Captain, 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, aca Md oy Hercules’ aa ‘The Prairie Tramps. ‘ger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashin Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Rangor, 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, ate Dare-Devil Dan, ‘eth ne Lad Ranger, ‘2 Minkekin Mike, tle Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon 3 or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger, 417 Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, rts ne ingedfoot ¥F xed prorold aus Saul. ‘amarac ‘Lom, the Big Trapper Boy, 478 ola ‘Tom Rattler the Red River Epidemte, onewn oO ¢ Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy ‘Trapper. 65: ion Barr, the Plains Freelance, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance, or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, BY BUOKSKIN 8AM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) £84 Old Rocky's ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker. 846 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. ®75 Arizona Jack ; or, Giant Goorge’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of paces or, Giant George’s Revenge, B07 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Hod Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, S27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, B&2 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Ww {ld W olf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Slege of Fort Pargatory, 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek or, The Three Thunderbolts, 881 Bandera BIll; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 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 Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asn Scott, the Stenmboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Feurless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville, 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Miakeetivas or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 640 Clip the Contortionist: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, ‘the Charmer. 17% HH Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leether Joe’s Defeat. Aa eT ae es lig or, A fora Ranch. 408 Little Leathers Breeches} or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ab Sing or, The Curse of Blood. @ 5674 Old Weasel-top, the Man w: Dogs. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. ith the 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy, Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Cont Scout. 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find, 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special, BY JO PIEROE, B97 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. ag aR ee eee yf . 0 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Heree-King” Be 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 604 Five Points Phil, 609 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 5616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 626 North River Naty, the Pier Detective. “88 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, - Lt Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, 51 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 259 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 569 Rrooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, S%7 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, GOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Rumblebees the Harlem Hammer. 6 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 4 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger: or, Scooping a Slippery Set. 688 sky Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. altpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind, BY J. W. OSBON- £62 The Rival 61 har’ 498 Cactus neta, Bow rrd Luck. 587 uckey ¥ ys the Sierra Shadow. rot Powder Phir, the Boy Miner. Bolly Borrit, the V t 620 Littie Watts, Veteran Detective. : 688 Plucky aul, the Boy Bouck oni Ths Mystery of tne Island, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 78 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ZY Sol Giayer, the Glant Trapper. 258 Joe buck of Angels and His Boy Purd. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Y'raps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, tae Arizona Sport, 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas, 90 The Dread Rider; or, ‘The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Hand}; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseus, 164 Dandy Kock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The tiaunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPT. J. F. 0, ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. 46 Glasa-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiffles’s Pet; or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout 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 Peta; 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 STARBUCK, 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 | 0s 848 Fire-Heela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM R EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke}; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. BBO Tho Yankee Rajah3 or, The Fate of the Black Bhereat. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 59S Flute, the Singer Detective, 2 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Fotl; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussel. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U. 8. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY WM. & PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 681 Dain re the Sport from Denver. 587 Old 6 bahell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness 629 Violet. Vane, the Velvet Spon. 641 Dismal Dave’« 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 Dalsy, the Posy Pards. BY MAJOR E, L. 8ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” 859 Duramro Wave, the Youny Champion Wrestlers 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. Bill Biddon, Trapper. Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Fyontler, Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, @1 'rne Frontier Angel. The Boy Minera; or, The Enchanted Island, he Wunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, The Huge Hunter ; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Mountain Monster, Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills, i BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young K The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard bey M = The Riot at Keno Camp, 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, 89 Island Ji . The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the ‘Glub: ‘or. The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. BY MAJOR WENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pardes. 846 stapler Ra an ¢ or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard: or, The Gold King, 406 The Mad Man-Hunter: or, The Golden Gulch Mystery, 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Oat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doze’s Daughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lanno ; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cratse. 200 The Roy Bedoutnay or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lange, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal Kfhg: or, Round the World, 265 The Tiger Tamer ; or, Tho League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trail. EO OO oe Te BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Tra) vat 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, q ie Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ¢ or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-lhawk Kit; or, ‘The Daughter 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-Patl 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. B19 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wooda: or. Danie! Boone's Last Tralle 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chinecapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood ; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 pale Mand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop, BY JACK FARRAGOUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. I. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the 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 Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyy® 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Expreas Detective, 691 Headlight Marry’s Raul, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island, 187 The Helpless Liand; or, Backwoods Retribution, 289 The Gold-seeker Guide! or, The Lost Mountain, "BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 642 The Canyon Pards. : BY ARTHUR C. 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 Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat_ and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 601 Happy Mana, the Dutch Vidoog, 614 Bildnd Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’« Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective, 676 2M ise Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gypsy Spy. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Rela axs Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver's Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladding or, The Wonder ‘ul Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinsom Crusoe, By Juss Lowis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By F 8. Fina, BS Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 561 The Boy Rives: or, The Underground Camp. By A; C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green. wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, F 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captala’ Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Munters; or, ‘IheCave of Death. By Burton 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By Geo erson. 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By arry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam} or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By Je Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Tre mi or The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone, By Edwar . 261 Fergun Fearnau nt the New York Boy. By@. L. Alken), 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crockett’s od Trail, By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clif, orm . 817 BS id the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Liew tenant Alired Thorne. y ; 828 The Sky. Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honore Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Halphs the Jtiver Rovers or, The Brother's Ree venge. By Ned Bun ine. imore Tren the Bootblack Detective, By A, P, Morris, 7 Balt nat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, ye H. Moree, B76 Callfornia Joe's First Trall. Hover \onstery. 418 Billy Bombshell, the CliffClimber. By F. 8. Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship, By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and Hix Three Invinelbles, By Henrv J. omans, B28 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F. Holt, 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. B52 Artel the Athlete. By David Druld. 58S WIM Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 Tho Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton A New Insue Every pensetats > Walf-Di: {fs for sale by all newsdeslers, five ieee copy, or cent Nba! receipt ot alx cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMA, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York By Colonel Thomas
Page 16
BEADLE'’S+«H ALF- DIME*| IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, No Double Numbers, } ee BY EDWARD L, WITEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, Deadwood Dick’s Deflance; or, Double Daggers. or, Butfal, Ben le. o, The .«antom Miner, or, Omana Oll, 3 or, The Pards ot Flood Bar. Dick on Dec! rT, Calamity ¢ ne, the Heroine, pet eas te or, Corduroy Charlie, ck in Leadville, pene von ee wy es eh . r, The Double Crose Sign, end wood ck ax Detective. peat od ab “etal Po The shat ha Gulch Ghost. endwood Dick’s ome nse; or, Blonde Bill. Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; « Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: o 5 Deadwood Dick’s Dreams or, The Rivals of tie k 5 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; o ve Black Hili’s Je 1. Lege pad Pie ee i or, aay June’s Adventure. Jendwood ck’s Dead Heal. Deadwood Dick’s Death-Viant, Gold-Dust Dick. A Romunce of Roughs and Toughs, penerece pth, Dey ees or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwood Dick’s Death Trail, Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. a peated or, he Terrible Vendetta, “ ad aim, Dick in Dead City. Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, Deadwood Dick In New York; or, A “Cute Case,” Bieteeee or, The Chained Hand, CK, r. Dick, dr.’s, Definnee. Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand, Dick, Jr’s, Bix Round-Up. Bick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective, Disks oe in Teadu ood, ek, Jr.’s, C pact. Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, Dick, Jrva, Diggtugs. Dick, ‘a, Deliverance, hes ‘*, Protegee. dick, Dick, Jr.'s, Danger Ducks. Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, Dick, Jr., in Texas. Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeg Dick, Jr., on Hin Mettle, Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Dick, Jr., in Boston, Dick, Jr., In Philadelphia. ie ones AS ek. Jr. o8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» in D yer. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree. Jeadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Leadville Lay. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit, 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl. 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., in Buffalo, 48 Deadwood peut oe PL ONsEe nous the prensimont >4 Deadwoo ick, Jr., Among the Smugglers, 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Gaaect 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, * Gathered In.” ra peneenod aah, oe, esas EEYS or, Found a Fortune. 4 Deadwoo ck, Jr.’s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The sty Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 6 Watch-Eye 3; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, Jaek Hoyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport, Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boas Bob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sa the Boy Road-Agent. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Nobby Nick of Nevadaj or, The Sierras Scamps, ‘rank, the Buckskin Bravo. ty the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Fr 3 or, The Ventriloguist Hunter. 226 Snoozer, the B arp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo BA, the il Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Ange! of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy } or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 299 A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Sirl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot}; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterions Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 868 Vreka Jim. the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize, 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Marry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsides, the Begzar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 485 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 5 Deadwood endwood Deadwood 5& Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwooa 8S Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 554 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadweod RO bal kt fk fa ka et Pew we moe BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, nd Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. hadow Ship} or, The Rival Lieutenanta, The Boy Dnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. The Mussar Captain ; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. Little Grit; or, B » the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 04 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison Bill, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sports; or, The Woman Trailer. Crimson Kate 3 or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 7 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. Merle, the Middy r, The Freelance Heir. The Midshipman Mutineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “The Gold Ship” Chase, Merle Monte’s Fate; earl, the Pirute’s Bride, The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte's Pledge. Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail, Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, @ Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. Inodor, the ung Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise. Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. The Sea Ralder. The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. Waphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. Wizard Will's Street Sco The Born Guide; or, Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagavond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will's Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe 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. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin 580 The Buckskin Bow 585 The Buc-skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Latitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 5 Pawnee BIll, the Prairie Shadower, Kent Kingdon, the Card King. Camille, the Card Queen. The Surgeon-S t Detective. 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 Scout; or, The Kio Raiders. 644 The Hereules Highwaymuan, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza, 668 The Buccancer Midshipman, 674 The Wizard Saflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; 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 Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Ion. Wm, F. Cody), 8 Kansans King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spr or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Berder Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’i Trust. te. lior Boy Wanderer. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WIll Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil ats the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete ; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. Black Reas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. = Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. D A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Handy or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. Tom Tanner ; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 5 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway?: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim's Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Paketn; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Rendy, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectiye ¢ 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 Fireity Jack, ihe River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger ; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 2 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Briek, the Jolly Vaganond. Aes w i Sa ane Jerky, Pescative: or, Entombed Alive. retective Dodge; or, e stery of Frank Hearty. i a : cots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the 8 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. cH ie 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Atkanans; or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. ——* BY J, 0. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King}; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentines or, A Boy Withous a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonny 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. 506 Redlight aie ey the Prince of the Roads 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Dittikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer. The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party, The Boy Pinkerton. 5 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. Barebsek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, ? Typewarlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. Moonlight Morgun, the *‘ Pizenest ” Man of Ante Bar. Broadway Billy Abroad. Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest 7 Broadway Billy in Clover. . Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T. ©. HARBAUGIIL Nick_o? the Nights or, The Boy Spy of 776. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or. The Little Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tra. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Rone? or, Injun Jack From Red Core, Ned Temple, the Border Boy. Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade, Plueky Phils or, Rosapthé Red Jezebel. Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies, Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowle. The Buckskin Detective. Old Winch 3 or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. Dynamite Dan}; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bullye Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, The Ten Pardsy or, The Terror o! Take-Notice. Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 5 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secrets 8 Cool Sam und Par’; o- The Terrible Six. Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, Ihe Brecaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The l'win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 Yhe City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior 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. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger 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 Sherp on Guard, 626 The Champtfon Pards, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Bengle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower: 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musiclan Detective. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Hend; or, Lightheart Luke’s Clean Sweep. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 699 Sirnple Sim, the Broncho Buster or, Playing the Fool for Big Stakes, By Lieut. A. K. Sims. ; 700 Deadwood Dick., Jr.’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler. % ee 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T, C. Harbaugh, pa te 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat RangeraMited Hot Racket. By Col. Prentias Ingraham. 708 Broadway Billy’« Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdriek 204 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot; or, Making Crooked Things Straight. By Edward L, Wheeler 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Deteetive’s Craft. By Wm. G. Patten. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Racer, By Jo Pierce. 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 208 Light-Meart Lute’*s Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s Winning Hand. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready February 17. 709 The Curbstone Detectives or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Charles Morris. Ready February 24. 710 Deadwood Dick, Trey in San Franciscos or, Kodae Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ready March 3 A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library 1s for asle by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of atx conts each, BEADLE ANP ADAMS, Publishers, . 98 William Street, New Yorks