Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 722) (1891 05 26)
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a \ * ~< a Year. D a o 7 a : —— Zs \ AN \ . ‘ . f i | TA ere I) ri irs ha my TT \N Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, May 26, 189i. 2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 722 i : nes Vol XXVIII, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. \\ ii vi Mi | iN \ \\a THE RIVAL CAMPS OF THE NORTHERN BORDER. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS ETC, CHAPTER I, PECULIAR THINGS HAPPEN. ‘How’ up, thar, Jonathan, consarn yer home- ly pictur’! Ef yer don’t stop yer foolin’, I’m a puddin’-headed crockydile if I don’t cut ye one that'll make ye jump! Stop yer bitin’, now, an’ keep to ther road, or ll jest everlastin’ly git down from hyer an’ kick a hole in yer; I will, by janiper!” . And with the words the Jebu gave the refrac- DICK LOOKED FROM FACE TO | \ | SS cull . ia I Hie } i | | | | = SS SSS SS = RE SSS ; SS SSS SS FACE TO SEE WHAT MANNER OF MEN HIS FELLOW DOMINOES WERE, = [2g
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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. tory off leader a jerk with no gentle hand, and the animal was quickly brought into orderly subjection. ‘* Ef thar’s anything I hate,” the driver then observed, ‘‘ it’s ter have a critter what’s forever needin’ ter be yauped at for somethin’ or other; an’ that’s what’s ther matter with Jonathan Q, McGinty thar. Ef he ain’t a-bitiu’, he’s a-shyin’ off at somethin’ no sensible critter would notice, an’ I have more trouble with bim than with ther hull rest of ’°em tergether; I do, by juniper!” ‘*T have noticed that he seems to give you a good deal of trouble,” remarked a passenger who was seated beside the driver on the box. ‘I would put bim behind, and give him a trial at the wheels,” ‘*Durn me ef I don’t think that would be a ood idee,” the driver thoughtfully rejoined. * Reckon I'll try et on, an’ see bow it’ll work fer acbange, D’ye hear that, Jonathan Q.?” “It was only a thought that came to me,” the passenger observed, ‘and it may not do any good; but no harm to try it.” **That’s so, an’ |’ll fix ther ornery beast; 1 will, by juniper!” The *‘ Jehu” wasone ‘‘ Yankum” Titus, who handled the ribbons on the weekly stage between Junction City and the important camp of Red Shirt. They were rolling along through Thunder Guleb, and the trail, just here, was only wide enough for the passage of the stage, with little to spare, and the off leader had been cutting up in a way that threatened to bring a hub into contact with a projecting rock on oneside or the other. ‘Tt was a “‘ hearse” of the usual type, and the driver was a typical ‘‘ Jehu” of the Overland days. His name was Henry Titus, but he was usually called ** Yankum,” a nickname that had been applied to him, and which meant, in full, “vank them;” shorter ‘‘yank ’em,” shortest ‘*vankum.” And that was derived from a habit he had of jerking hard upon the leaders when- ever one was disorderly. / The nger who shared the driver’s seat was a man under thirty years of age, a good-look- ing and well built fellow of medium height. He had black hair, eyes and mustache, was plainly clad, and looked not unlike an ordinary man of business And yet there was that about him, notwith- standing, that raised him above the ordinary. Was it in his keen, flashing eyes? As we take a second look at him, there is something about him that seems i 4 The stage was well filled, with several on top besides the driver and this man just described, and was rum Pg | along ata ieaeey peoes WwW r ef Vil be stopped ter-day?’ the sently interrogated, as if speaking to = Why, have you been held up lately?” asked the Rane man. ‘** Held up!” was the exclamation; ‘‘ should say I bad been. Pve been stopped every trip fer four weeks ‘Thunder!” cried those on top, ‘ Reckon we'd better begin ter eat our wallys fer safe keepin’.” — x ; A game of cards had been in progress, but it was stopped abruptly, and each man began to feel for whatever valuables he happened to have about his person. The driver, at this, laid back his head and laughed heartily. ‘* What is yer laffin’ at?’ was demanded. ‘““Ter see ther scare I gey yer,” was the an- swer. i “ Then v2 didn’t mean et, hey?” “Yas, 1 mean’d et fast enough,” the driver assured, ‘‘ but thar ain’t no danger, These fel- lers what stops me ain’t no robbers.” “What do they stop you for then?” inquired the young man on the box ; “That’s ther queer part of et, an’ I have a notion Pm goin’ ter see fun one o’ these days.” “Tell us all about them, if you don’t mind.” i «pndo that, sartain. Kt ain’t much ter tell, ‘ but et ar’a queer case, Somethin’ new in my way, or leastways et was when I seen ’em fu’st time. refer to?” “*Thar’s six of ’em, an’ y’re all masked. | Bet yer life I —4 suddent ther fu’st time they ordered my hands up, But Pil tell yer how et war. Look out thar, Jonathan!” maint tert e quia eri SoMa tee cotton) te again, but a ; jerk brought the | 0 an stellen #0 ‘business, and. tk ly ning Griver had of an old and taken a new chew of tobacco, he told his story, “Et was four weeks ago ter-day that 1 was held up fu’st time,” he began, ‘‘I was all alone on top that day, an’ was ridin’ along thinkin’ about nothin’ in p’tic’lar an’ a good deal in en’ral when all of a suddenta feller sings out Hands up!’ An’I tell yer et war a shock, fer I thort et must be ther outlaw band what's been raisin’ the devil ’round byer of late.” ‘* Then there is an outlaw band here, eh?” the young man questioned, ‘* Bet yer life thar is! He hasn’t appeared on this trail yet, though; I mean ther chief,” ‘* Well, go on with your story.” ‘¢ Et war about a mileahead from hyer, wher l was stopped. I looked up mighty suddent, *bout as saddcnt as I yanked up on ther strings, an’ thar blockin’ ther way was six masked fel- lers. Yer see, I looked fer nothin’ less than ter git a bullet plugged inter me ef -1 didn’t stop mighty suddent, but when I looked second time durn meif ary one of ’em had a weepin’ in band. Et was ther biggest s’prise I’d ever had in my life, I b’lieve,” ‘““Then they didn’t mean harm to you and your passengers, eb?” ‘*Nary time—or not that time, anyhow. I don’t know how et’s goin’ ter be wuen they gits their man.” ‘*When they get their man? What do you mean by that?’ ‘“*I’m comin’ ter that now. When I'd got stopped, an’ Jonathan Q. had stopped bis pran- cin’ an’ stayed in his skin, then I asked what was wanted, An’ then ther head man of ther gang told me they didn’t mean no harm, but merely wanted ter inquire if a sartain man was aboard, ‘** What’s his name? says I. ‘¢* Deadwood Dick ar’ his handle,’ says he. ‘**Well, yer is welcome ter see ef he ar’ aboard,’ says I, ‘but I don’t opine he ar’, not this trip,’ ‘* With that, then, ther feller calls out to ther insiders ter know ef ary one of ’em answered ter that handle, an’ bein’ told that nary one of ’em did, he went off, an’ his men with him, sayin’ he would meet me next trip, An’ sure enough, next trip he was on hand, askin’ fer ther same feller, and two times more after that; an’ I reckon we'll see ’em ergain ter-day. So, ef ary! one of you galoots answers ter that odd name, ye had better be lookin’ out, that’s all,” A grim smile was playing about the mouth of the young man on the box with the driver. ‘Well, I hope they will favor you again,” he observed, quietly. ‘“‘It will be something to break the monotony of the long ride,” ** An’ I don’t reckon they’ll disapp’int ye,” the driver responded, ‘fer they was out last trip, an’ et war rainin’ likesin that day. They t biz, an’ I wouldn’t want ter be in ther boots of that feller when they gits him.” “Have you never asked them-any questions?” the young man inquired, “Yes; I put one or two at ’em last trip. I asked ’em who they was, fer one thing.” ‘* And what did they say to that?” “They said they was ther Lost Six, if yer kin make anything out of that.” ot ** And I don’t believe I can, What else did you ask them? ‘You see you have roused my curiosity, and I suppose it’s the same with the rest, hey?” This was said to the others on top, and they all responded that such was the case; and several more questions were put, the driver answering, and in that manner a considerable time was passed, They were still talking about the matter, when, suddenly, at a point where the gulch broadened and diverging branches led off in different directions, six masked men blocked the way. ‘ One of the six stood out,a little in advance - the others, holding up his hand as a signal 0 stop. ““Whoap!” cried Yankum. Titus, drawing bard on the reins and clapping on the break, “whoap! Hyer we is ergain, strangers! Stop your prancin’ now, Jonathan Q., or Vil most everlastin’ly git down thar to yer; an’ ef I do, you bet thar'll be a time around byar. What’s yy ) ther word, strangers?” , “Who are they? Whatsort of nae you; “ ; foremost stated, “We are here to meet that man again,” the “Ts he with you this trip?” '‘* Wull, I don’t know,” the driver drawled, Yer “A it ger a ask an’ find wp ot ‘ hich I will do. men, does any one of A answer to the name of Deadwood The moment » question was put, a brace of \ i tig a into the bands of the young “man who shared the driver’s seat, and he covered the masked six. : “Yes,” he answered; ‘‘that is the initial J wear on my collar, friends; what is wanted of me? ‘*Ha! you are Deadwood Dick, are you? I guess you will do, judging by the way you handle the poppers. We wantyou to leave the stage at this point, and go with us to your destiration,” ** Who are you, and what do you know about my destination?” Dick asked—for he it was. ‘* Weare the men who sent you that letter two months ago, asking you to come up here, We received your answer that you would come, and we have been expecting you for weeks, Now we are ready to explain further what is wanted, but you must go with us to our place, for this is no child’s play.” ‘* And what if I don’t go?” asked Dick, ‘*In that case we shall have to take you by force,” Deadwood Dick laughed. ‘*I fail to see how you will manage that, with the drop I have on you,” be remarked. “Turn your head and you will see,” was the quiet response, ‘* And give you a chance to reverse the order of things, eh? Turn the tables on me as it were, No, not any, And whatif Ido go?” | “Tn that case our scheme will be laid before you, and you can then elect for yourself whether you will accept or not. If not, then you will be at liberty to go on to Red Shirt.” ‘‘ But what proof have I that you are the men who wrote to me?” Dick demanded, ** Domino!” was the brief answer. ‘‘ That’s enough,” said Dick, putting away his weapons, ‘I will go with you.” And with that he sprung to the ground, telling the driver to go on, and stepping forward, extended his hand to the foremost of the Lost Six. CHAPTER JI. A SURPRISING PROPOSAL MADE, THE pair grasped hands in friendly greeting. ‘Do yer mean what yer says?’ asked the driver, gathering up the lines, “Yes, 1 mean what I said,” Deadwood Dick **Go cn without me, I go with these men.” “ All right,” agreed the driver, ‘tan’ et’s yer own funeral, I opine, But, all ther samey[ wouldn’t want ter be in yer boots.” ‘Don’t feel worried about me,” Dick reassur- ed, laughing. ‘‘ I am able to take care of myself { guess, But these men are all right, and intend me no harm,” ‘*Wull, I hope they don’t, thet’s all.» They calls themselves ther Lost Six, none ther less, an’ I’m afeerd there'll bea loatyaeroby afore you is done with em. Git up, thar, Jonatban Q.” With that command and a crack of the, whip, the stage started on its way, leaving Dick in the company of the masked men, and the passengers looked back ff the little group until the stage passed, out of sight. — “*Now,” spoke the leader of the six men, “ let us go,” and with that he turned abruptly and entered one of the diverging branches of tie canyon. | ff Deadwood Dick followed immediately after bim, the other five bringing up the rear, the six still wearing their masks, “ “ How far do we have to go?” Ditk inquired, “ About three miles,” was the answer. ‘We have horses just ahead here.” ‘““And may I ask the reason for this unex- agree manner of reception you have favoredme with mit) eis, “We prefer to say nothing about that till we have reached our destination,” was the answer, “Be assured that we mean you well, how- ever,” “All right; I take your word for that. If I thought different, 1 wouldn't be bere. If you should try anything otherwise, let me tell;you in time there will be fun for you.” A little further on they came to a place where seven horses were standing, and the leader indi- cating to Bristol which one he was to mount, Dick vaulted lightly into the saddle, — In a few moments they were moving On, the chief of the six leading the way, Dick and the others following in the same order as before, But little was said, and finally, after a bard climb over a most tortuons trail, the destination was reached. y They came out upon a broad plateau, com- manding a wide view in two directions, and there stopped. , eneet tostn, as they faced the open view, was a high rocky wall, while at their feet wasa sheer descent of seemingly a thousand feet. Dick looked around, and could see no means of going farther in this direction, and judged that this plateau must be the end of the journey, But in that he was not quite correct, | | aa tah: peed a
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. ‘* What do you think of this, Deadwood Dick?” the leader asked. ‘““Tt commands a good view, certainly,” was the response. as ‘You are right in saying that. And it looks as if we had come to the end of the trail, don’t it?” . ‘“‘T must admit that it does,” responed Dick. ** As you raise the point, however, I suppose I am mistaken. How is it?” “That isit. We go a little further. Before we proceed, however, let me point out to you the camp of Red Shirt. We shall probably have much to do with that camp in the near future.” “*T think I see it now,” Dick made answer, and he pointed away at a collection of buildings just discernible between two rocky walls quite a distance off. ‘Is that the place? I do not see any other, and I suppose it must be.” “Yes, that is the place. With a glass it can be seen plainly, and it is not impossible to signal between here and the camp. I mention this by the way. We may have occasion for such work,” After gazing for a few moments at the scone, the leader indicated that they would go on, and turned away from the ledge. Dick followed, and was guided to the extreme right of the plateau, where he soon siw the secret. There was a narrow ledge, just wide enough for a horse, which bent around a sharp corner of the rocky wall, and the trail went on from that point as before. The chief of the six rode around this corner, Dick boldly following, and the others coming after them in turn; and the trail, now descend- ing, was followed for some distance further. Presently an opening appeared ahead, having the appearance of the entrance to a cavern, and that, as the leader intimated, marked their des- tination. Tbey rode on and passed into this opening, and Dick recogni a large, well- lighted cavern. The light came through a rift in the rocks, high up overbead, and gave the cavern a cheer- ful appearance, “Well, here we are,” the leader cried, and proceeded to dismount, ; The others followed his example, and one of the number led his horse away to the left, the other animals following. Deadwood Dick looked around him in some- thing of astonishment, [It wasa place such as he had little expected to see. And it was unlike any he had ever seen before, in some respects, perhaps, In the direction in which the borses had been taken was a rough stable, suchas might be found out of doors in any camp. On the other side of the cavern was a big roomy-looking cabin, seeming out of place in such an unusual loca- tion. ‘““T see you are taking ev thing in,” re- marked the chief of the six. ‘* Well, do so, and when you have done we will go into the house,” ‘ Dick announced that he had satisfied himself already, and followed in the, direction of the cabin, _ The leader unlocked the door, and they filed in, Here they were in a large apartment, evident- ly the living room of the cabin. ‘““Make yourself at home here, Deadwood Dick,” the chief now invited. ‘I and my com- rades will step into this adjoining room, and will summon you into our presence when we are ready for you.” “ All right; just as you please,” Dick careless- ly responded, ‘‘ I am your guest of the hour, so do with me as you will, solong as you don’t at- tempt*harm,” ** And you have my word that nothing of that sort is thought of. ou will see presently that I have spoken the truth.” ‘I believe you, All the same, I am. going to see that my weapons are in good order.’ With the words, Dick drew his revolvers and examined them, while the others passed into an- other room. ‘* Tl] be darned if this isn’t a strange adven- ture,” Dick mused, when alone. ‘‘J hardly know what to make of it, I su Tl know more before I am much older, however.” be made sure that his weapons were all right and ready for business, he sat down on a stool with his back to the wall in such a way that it would be impossible for any one to sur- prise him from behind. He had waited ten minutes, perhaps, during which time he had heard the men moving about in the adjoining room, when the door opened and one of the six appeared and came forward to where Dick was seated. The mask was still on the man’s face, but in — respects bis appearance was somewhat al- red, Now he wore a dark gray shirt, without coat, and on bis breast was a white pisce, perhaps of on bse about six inches long by three in width. This peculiar badge was divided by a red line through the center, and that was all, whatever it might mean. Beyond this, the man wore a slouch hat of a common sort, with jean trowsers and rough boots. At his waist was a belt containing a full assortment of weapons. “The chief is now ready to see you, sir,” he announced. * All right!” agreed Dick, rising, ‘‘ 1’m ready to let him see me,” The man turned and went back into the inner room, Dick following. As he entered, a strange sight met the gaze of the alert detective, and it was somewhat start- ling; too, table was before him in the middle of the room, and on that table rested a rude coffin. Around the table were seated the mysterious men of the black masks. The one who had brought Dick in took bis place at the table, near the foot. There were now three on each side, and the only vacant place was one at the head of the table. All the men were clad alike, and on the breasts of the three on the opposite side of the table, the three facing Dick as he stood just within the door, were the same strange, oblong pieces of white, but remarkably different, too, That upon the man nearest the bead of the table and likewise nearest the head of the coffin, bad the same red line down through the center, but on each end were five red spots arranged in the regular order of a quincunx: each spot about the size of a gold dollar, On the next man was the same device, but differing in the number and arrangement of the spots, On each end of the rectangle of white were three red spots, ranged diagonally from corner to corner. On the Jast man on that side of the board appeared but two of the spots, one inthe center on each end of the divided background of white. In short, Dick recognized instantly the double-five, double-tray and double- ace of dominoes, : For a moment no one spoke, until Dick had bad time to take in the situation fully, and then he of the double-five said: ** Deadwood Dick, please take the vacant chair at the bead of the board, and we will proceed to business,” \ “T am willing to oblige, sir,” responded Dick, and he stepped forward to the seat indicated. Laying bis hand upon it, he took a swift’ glance at it to see that there was no trick about it, and sat down, **T see you are a man of caution,” remarked he of the double-five. ‘Tt pays to be cautious.” ‘*You are right. But you are no stranger to us by reputation, if you are in person. We have heard of you.” é; ‘“ Aslyour letter to me proved. But, gentle- men, to what must I ascribe the honor of my reception here? What is the business of which you k?” ‘* Have you noted the peculiar marks we wear on M4 front of our shirts?” “Yes; I see you represent the doubles of a set of dominoes,” ‘* So we ioe but we lack a ee and the purpose of invitin ‘ou here is to e you to accept that office.” 7, att ‘**l assure you, gentlemen, that I am proud of the honor you would confer upon me,” spoke Dick, ‘‘ but before I answer I must know more about you. If you are honest men with honest ro I may listen to your proposal with avor. CHAPTER III. CAPTAIN OF THE DOMINOES. Some weeks previous to the time of our story, } Deadwood Dick had received a mysterious an peculiar letter. { : It was one that had been following him for some time, and which finally had come into his hands a short time before his going to San Fran- cisco from the Territory. From a place somewhere in the northwestern part of Montana, it pur to be from the chief of a People’s Vigilance Committee, and urged Dick tocome to their aidin running down a band of outlaws. This outlaw band, the letter went on to say, was holding that part of the country in a terror- ized condition, and so far had defied all efforts made to capture them or drive them out. Hav- ing beard of Deadwood Dick, the Committee wanted to get his help in the matter. Dick, ever ready for adventure that promised to be a campaign against evil-doers, had readily accepted, promising to put in an appearance as soon as other engagements would permit, He was to come to the camp of Red Shirt, where he would find some one ready to meet him, and the signa] of recognition agreed upon was the word ** domino,” With this brief explanation let us proceed. Dick’s remarks were greeted with favor, and he of the double-five responded: ‘*Weare honest men, Deadwood Dick, and our designs are honorable. And now I will give you the explanation which you demand. “To begin with, then, let me inform you that here, within a few miles of each other, are two rival camps, Oneis the camp of Red Shirt, which you have seen from a distance, and the other is a camp called Gray Shirt, some miles forther on, We, as you may jodge by the color of our shirts, belong to the latter place. ‘‘ About these two camps is this one pecu- liar feature: All the citizens of either wear shirts of the one color. At Red Shirt, no gray article of that name is allowed; at Gray Shirt, the wearing of red is prohibited. And these rules admit of no exception, When a stranger arrives at either place, he must declare his in- tentions at once, If he is going to make a stay of more than two days, he must don the color of the camp. ‘*There is a good deal about this, and our business with you, that you cannot grasp yet, but you will see clearer when I have explained further. Both of these camps have good mines, run by stock companies, and both paying well, but Red Shirt has by far the best run of luck. This band of robbers has paid but little atten- tion to that camp, while ours has suffered right along. Scarcely a shipment can be got through in safety, owing to the outlaws, and we have come to the conclusion that Red Shirt knows more about that outlaw band than any one is aware of, ‘‘ Now we, good citizens of Gray Shirt, have made up our minds to sift the matter to the bottom, and get at the truth of it. Asour letter told you, we bave formed ourselves into a peo- ple’s committee, with the determination of run- ning this band to earth and freeing the country of them. We have made some attempts, hut thus far without success, owing to the fact that none of us is qualified to play the role of captain of the company. And that is the position we ask you to assume. Now you have heard the ‘main facts of the case, and what do you say to it? Will you join us, become our captain, and help us in ridding the country of these rascals?” Dick’s answer was prompt, 4 ‘If you have stated the case fairly,” he said, **T will comply with your request, If you have deceived me, however, it will be the worse for you when I find it out.” t ‘* Have no fears on that score. We have act- ed fair and square with you, and we expect you to do the same by us. Now are you ready to take the oath of the Gray Shirts, and become one of our band—the leader of the Domino Doubles?’ “Yes,” Dick camer ‘*T am ready.” “Very well. Men, stand up: and you, sir, lay your hand upon this coffin and repeat after me this oath of allegiance: ‘I do hereby pledge my word of honor, and make .this my sworn word, that I will prove true to the citizens of the camp of Gray Shirt in all things, and to the Domino Doubles in par- ticular; and that I will use my best efforts to break up the band of outlaws known as _ the Montana Marauders, and bring their chief, Iron J ohn, | to fill this coffin upon which my hand rests.” Deadwood Dick repeated the sentences, word for word, until the man of the double-five insig- nia ended, when he added: . “ And whicb, if all bas been truthfully repre- sented to me, is hereby pledged in the presence of these witnesses.” he *¢Good enough!” exclaimed the speaker of the band, ‘‘ And now, men, since our friend has been sworn in, let us unmask.” With that the man tore off his mask, the otbers doing the same, Deadw Dick looked from face to face with somewhat of curiosity to learn what manner of. men his fellow-Dominoes were. He of the double-five was a looking fel- low, about twenty-five years old, with a keen face and sandy mustache. Dick decided at on
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4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. that he was a man not wanting in nerve or good character. The others need not be described in particular, but as a whole Dick felt rather proud of the band of which he had been made captain. ‘* Now you see us for what we are,” remarked the Double-Five., ib * pe I am favorably impressed,” assured ick, ** Thank you for that. Weremained masked, because we did not want to make our identity known to you if you refused to join us.” ** Which was all right enough. But now that I am one of you—” ** And our captain,” ope man broke in, ** Yes, our captain,” echoed the Double-Five. ** Well, now that Iam your captain,” accept- ed Dick, ‘‘ let us talk the situation over and ar-: range our plans. You will have to post me well, seeing that I am a stranger here,” “* Which we will doimmediately. But you are ready to don the uniform of the Domino Doubles? We have it here for you, and in order to be at home at Gray Shirt Camp you will have to wear the camp-color.” | ** Yes, let me have it,” asserted Dick, ‘‘ and I will don it immediately.” **It is well, Double-Blank, bring out the cap- tain’s rig, and when the exchange has been made, take good care of Mr, Bristol’s clothes,” He of the double-blank bowed and went off, and turning to Dick, the Double-Five added: **Double-Blank is our home guard, sir. He is stationed here, to take care of things in our absence, to see to our horses, and such work. While one of our band, he is the least of our number.” ‘*T see,” said Dick. ‘‘ Your captain is your Double-Six, and the rank follows on down the scale,” “Exactly. I being Double-Five, am next in rank after yourself. Oh, we have the machine working finely, and all you have to do is to take hold and direct our movements,” Dick’s outfit was speedily laid before him, and he lost no time in putting it on, handing his own clothes over to Doubie-Blank. The rig proved a good fit, and when it was at justed Dick looked worthy the post he He had the same gray shirt, and similar rough hat, trowsers and boots, and on his breast was the mark of his rank—the Double-Six, F ** Well, do I come up to your expectations?” Dick smilingly asked, “Fully,” he was assured, ‘‘ We have seen enough of you already to support the good opin- fon we had formed of you.” f ‘‘T am glad you are not disappointed. But now one point before we go any further: If I am to be your captain, I must have the power as well as the name. You are bound to obey my orders, or, as we used tosay at school, [ won’t play.” — At this the men laughed. “There need be no misunderstanding on that score,” said Double-Five. ‘*‘ You are our cap- tain, and we expect to obey your directions to the letter. Am I not right in saying this, fellow D.\minoes?” ** You are!” was the ready answer. “That is all I ask,” said Dick. ‘* And now to business, I must know more about these two camps. What can you tell me?” ‘Perhaps there is more I should have told you when I was about it,” Double-Five answer- ed, ‘‘ You may think it strange that we should have directed you to come to Red Shirt instead of to our own camp, but we didn’t want it sus- pected that you were coming to our place. We met you, in disguise, and no one will know what you are doing. At Gray Shirt, of course, you will have an assumed name,” “I see. Then you think you have a spy in your camp, who carries news to the outlaws?’ ** Yes, undoubtedly there is, and who takes news to Red Shirt as well. But who he is we have not been able to discover yet.” “ There is no reason to doubt the integrity of any one of this band, is there? I mean of this band of Domino Doubles, I must put the mat- ter cent out bluntly.” { ““No, you need not doubt one of us,” was the answer, ‘‘ We know each other well, and have pledged ourselves to the task of running this —* band to earth, with you to lead usto that “Have you tried sending a spy to Red “*No; have had no one to send. You see, all of our citizens, and especially the members of our little band, are too well known there.” “Then I suppose that role will fall to me. But, no matter; I will undertake it, if it is | tains where it comes only once a week, and per- more about her. necessary. But, Double-Five, may I inquire who you are?” ‘*Certainly; Iam Walt Maybree, son of Joel Maybree, who is manager of the Last Chance Mine at Gray Shirt.” ‘*Ha! is that so? Well, I guess I made no mistake in forming my estimate of you. And the rest of you, gentlemen? Let’s become ac- quainted, if you don’t object.” There was perfect willingness, since the Double-Five had revealed bis identity so unhesi- tatingly. ‘** Bat these domino signals—do you wear them openly at your camp?” ‘*No. You will find that yourshirt is double- breasted, Fold it the other way, and your badge is out of sight.” “And what about matters at Red Shirt? What can you tell me about that camp, that will be useful knowledge for me to have? ‘* It is not easy to tell just what would be use- ful to you. A dayat Gray Shirt will enable you to pick up more than we could tell you in two hours. The mine there, however, is called, as I have told you already, the Good Luck. Ib is managed by one Hogan Upwortb.” ‘* What is the feeling between him and your father? That isto sav, what is the feeling be- tween the two mines?” ‘It is not by any means friendly, But here are complications which I will tell you more about later on. Hogan Upworth has a son, a fellow about my own age, who seems determined to wed my sister; while— But, more of this later,” ** As you please. But, what now? Are we to go on to Gray Shirt?” From that point an hour’s talk followed, which ended in five of the Dominoes going away to- gether, leaving Deadwood Dick at the rendezvous with Double-Blank, Later on, Dick set out from the cavern alone, the stage, she stood and looked about wondering- ly. Evidently she thought she bad arrived ina wild and rugged corner of semi-civilization. Addressing the driver, she voiced her com- plaint in these words: . ‘* Did I not understand you to say there was a hotel at this place, sir? Will you kindly tell me where it is?” ‘Bless yer heart, lady, in course I said so!’? tbe driver responded, ‘ Thar et ar’, an’ thar’s ther ’prietor in ther door. Honest Jo, a lady ter see you.” : “And do you call that thing a hotel?” the young woman exclaimed in a tone of disgust. ‘Tt looks more like a pigpep, on my word, And such a name!” with a glance at the unique sign. ‘“‘ It is worse than the name of the camp. : “T beg yer parding, lady, from ther bottom.o” my boots I does,” apologized the proprietor, coming forward, hat in hand, bowing. ‘Et ar’ ther best we bas ter offer though, as I ’sure ye. Had 1 knowed yer was comin’ 1 would ’a’ had ther windys washed an’ ther floor sanded.” At this odd manner of apology the young lady had to smile. ‘*But is there no other place in your camp where I could get board and lodgings, sir?” she inquired, “IT don’t reckon thar be ma’m,” was the an- wer, “Are there any women about your place, sir?” “Only ther cooky an’ she’s blacker’n mid- night.” f he young woman bit her lip. It seemed evident that she had not calculated upon finding so primitive a settlement as this. Tl tell yer what, lady,” spoke up Yankum, ‘an’ that ar’ this: [f yer has got ther rocks ter ante, mebby some galoot will give up bis shanty to yer use.” having been directed by Double-Blank, and ** Hal a happy thought!” exclaimed the lady, headed for the camp of Gray Shirt, being in | ‘‘ Gentlemen,” to the assembled crowd, “is there disguise, Plans of action bad been laid, as far | one among you who will hire his house to me for a week or so? I am willing to pay a fair price.” ; ‘*Hyer’s ther galoot what will do that aire same,” cried a voice, and a man pushed his way to the front. ‘ cit ain’t much ter boast of in ther way 0’ beauty, but fer solid com- fort et gits thar every time. Will yer take a look at it?” The young woman was first taking a survey of the man. He was a rough-looking customer, but rather cleanly in appearance, ‘* Yes, sir; I will go and look at your place,” the young woman responded, “ and if it will do we will see if we can come to terms regarding it.” “Kerreck! Foller right this way, ma’m, an’ we'll be thar in ther shake of a lamb’s tail.” With that the man moved off out af the crowd, the young woman followiug, and the crowd looking after them roa ““Wull, 1 ber durn!” éjaculated the proprietor of the oye ag ; ¥ ‘* Ain’t she a daisy?’ demanded the driver of the ‘‘ hearse,” in honest praise. ‘*That’s what she ar’!” was echoed, ‘ An’ see ther lugs Garry Long ar’ puttin’ on, will er!” aC s’ he thinks he hev made a ’pression on ther dandy gal. Wull, he’s got ther best cabin in Red Shirt, an’ she’ll most likely take et,” ** Yas, thav’s so, an’ you has Jost a boarder, Honest Jo. But, no matter, fer Garry Long will make et right by stoppin’ with ye himself, [ reckon, But say, Yankum, who ar’ ther lady?” ** Yer asks me too much,” was the driver’s an- swertothat, ‘I yivesetup. I took ber on at Junction City, whar she inquired about this hyar camp o’ Red Sbirt, an? was specially in- terested ter know about a hotel hyar; whith I ‘sured her ye bad.” ‘‘ An’ that’s all yer knows erbout her, hey? Wull, reckon she'll make her biz knowed when | she gits ready, J'll bet sbe ar’ a beauty, ter judge by ther leetle that kin be seen of her. But about them masked fellers, Yankum— What war et ye said ther name of that feller was?” “They called him Deadwood Dick, an’ that war ther name he answered to,” At mention of this name, a man on the low platform in front of the saloon bit his lips in a vexed way, and paid close attention to all that was said, He was a dark man, of peda height, and one who was evidently used to ways of the wild West. Like all the others present, he wore the red shirt peculiar to the camp. - His belt contained the usual we 8: a brace of revolvers and a knife, His. as it was possible to arrange. CHAPTER IV.. ARRIVAL AT RED SHIRT. IN the mean time the stage, under the guiding hand of Yankum Titus, bad come to its destina- tion at Red Shirt, There at the time the citizens were congre- gated in front of the one hotel of the camp, the ‘* Bung-Hole,” td do honor to the occasion, Stage-day,at your wild camp iu the moun- haps not even as often as that, is generally some- thing of a holiday on a small scale, * Whoap!” cried Yankum, as he drew up in front of the ‘‘ Bung-Hole,” ‘‘ whoap! Stop yer durn foolishness thar, Jonathan Q.! or ma p’izen duffer ef I don’t git at yer an’ do yer up; I will, by juniper!” ‘* Hullo, Yankum!” called out the proprietor of the Bung-Hole, as he appeared in the door- way of his shebang. ‘‘ Yer has got hyer again, has ver? What’s ther best word o’ news yer bas ter offer this trip? Did yer see yer masked gang this time?” “Did 1? Wull, I opine ef yer had been along yer would ’a’ thort so, by juniper! They was on band, you bet; an’ they got their man, too,” ‘Got their man, do yer say?” “‘That’s what I murmured,” } ‘** An’ what happened ter bim? Did they hang him?” “Oh, no; nary! They used him well, fur ez I could see,” j **Bat did they have ter take him by force? How wur et done, anyhow?” ‘“*Wull, [reckon not. Durn me ef ther feller didn’t have ther drop on ’em ’fore they could wink,” ‘* Yer don’t say so!” “ Wull I jest do.” “Then I takes et they didn’t mean him no barm,” ‘*That’s what they said, an’ ther feller went with ’em. Oh, they’s quite sociable cusses,” By the time that brief dialogue ended the driver bad dropped his lines and sprung down, and the passengers were getting out, Among the latter was a young woman, wear- ing a short vail that partly bid ber features from sight, Sbe was shapely, neatly dressed, and active in manner, hey None of the other passengers deserve especial mention, so dropping them without further comment we will for the moment follow the movements of this young woman and learn For the first few seconds after getting out of / at was the
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te Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, ordinary slouch pattern, his trowsers dark, and his boots rather finer than the ordinary run, as Western boots go. But more of him anon, Garry Long, as he has been called, conducted the young woman. to the cabin and threw open the door for ber to inspect it. A keen look around seemed to satisfy her, for she immediately asked his price per week, which, when mentioned, was readily agreed to and promptly paid, ‘*Thet aire ar’ business, I allow,” Garry ob- served, taking tne money, ‘‘ Now I will move right out an’ have ther place cleaned fer ye a bit, an’ by ther time yer has bad yer grub yer kin move in.” “Very well, sir; it is so understood, But, where am I to get my dinner? I -would not care to go into that horrid saloon.” ‘““Why, ther Bung-Hole ar’ all right, miss. Thar’s not a galoot in ther camp as wouldn’t fling down his hat fer ye ter wipe yer feet on, an’ I’m bettin? on et. You go right thar, an’ you'll be used white.” “Well, I suppose I shall have to, I will be back again in about an hour to take possession. By the way, do you know of a boy about the camp that I migbt get to carry water for me, chop wood, and do such like chores?” ‘©Yas, I opine I do. Thar’s that lad o’ Gil Hoyle’s, Gilly they calls him; I think be’ll jest fill ther bill. 1’ll send bim ter see ye, ef yer says so, He ain’t got all his buttons—whbich is ter say he ain’t balanced quite right in ther head, but I reckon he’ll do, He’s a harmless cuss,” * Allright,” smiling; ‘‘send him to me, and rbhaps he will answer my purpose, No doubt 6 will do quite well.” With that understanding the young woman turned away, and bent her steps in the direction of the “ hotel,” By this time the stage had been taken around to the stables, and most of the crewd was as- sembled at the post-office, leaving the hotel com- paratively deserted, The post-office was a concern by itself, and the opening of the weekly “ prize-package,” as the mail was called,was an eventin which everybody had an interest that no one denied, The young woman still bad on her vail, which covered nearly all ber face, and as she passed the crowd at the post-office she was the target of all eyes, She seemed to havean especial fascination for the dark man of medium height, of whom mention has been made, He was near the post-office, and looked at her keenly as she approached, Suddenly a light of recognition gleamed in his eyes, and his face slightly paled. He glanced about him quickly as if to see whether this was noticed, but was speedily satisfied, With the rest of the crowd he gazed after her until sbe had disappeared within the saloon, when he give his attention again to the post- office, But there was a frown upon his face. This i was Fred Upworth, son of Hogan Upworth, the present manager of the Good Luck Mine at Red Shirt. He was about thirty years of age, apparently, had a stern face and, as has been said before, was clearly no tenderfoot. , When the young woman entered the saloon, the crowd there lowered their voices, as perhaps a respectful acknowledgment of the presence of a lady in their midst; and she advanced to the bar, paying no attention to any thing or avy- y- ’ ‘*I would like to have something to eat,” she made known, ‘Mr, Long said I would find it here.” ‘‘An’ he war right, ma’m,” the landlord as- sured, “Drop yerself right at oneo’ them ’ar tables furder back, an’ yer shall have whatever yer wants,” ‘* Have you no dining-room?” ‘We calls this our dinin’-room when we is eatin’, ma’m,” “Will you not permit me to go back to your kitchen, then, where your cook can wait on me and supply my wants?” } ““Wull, yas, yer kin do that ef yer wants ter, I’ve no ’bjections ter that plan ef et suits 700. G right on through by that door over thar. ‘ With a slight bow the young lady passed through the door and disappeared, leaving those. r n the saloon to comment upon her as suited their ancy, The door opened upon a small hall, and a few steps to the rear were others, one leading out of doorsand the otber into the kitchen. The one feading out was open, so there was no mistaking the right one, Opening it, the young woman . to arouse any supicion, though that was not like- ly: and finally took her leave. stepped into the domain of the Bung-Hole’s colored cook, where instant recognition awaited her. CHAPTER V. SERVING TWO MASTERS, THE moment the door opened, the colored cook glanced up from her work, and at sight of the young woman, almost dropped a pen she had in band. ** Fo’ lan’ ob goodness!” she exclaimed in low tone, “ef et ain’ Miss Lily! Chile, how yo’ eber found yo’ way heah?” “* Hush!” the young woman cautioned in whisper, putting ber Sager to her lips. ‘I want some dinner, Aunty,” in louder tone, ‘*and asked the privilege of coming here to eat it, as T did not like to sit down in the saloon,” ‘“* Which am quite right an’ proper,” the ne- gress agreed, ‘I will gib you a dinner dat am fit fo’ a king, an’ dat I done tol’ yer. You sot right down dar, missy, an’ vo’ see ef I don’ do what I say. Golly,” in low tone, ‘but I’s pow- *ful glad ter see you,” She had now set down the pan, and looking about to see that no one was there to observe, took the girl’s hands into her own great black ones, pressing them fondly. The pressure was hastily given in return, and then the young woman withdrew her hands, saying: ‘‘ There, Dinah, be careful! seen at this. know.” ‘Yes, yes, chile; but I couldn’t help it, jest dat oncet. Will you bab some ob dis heah bear fo’ yo’ dinner?” in louder tone again, ‘Yes, anything you have,” was the response. ‘*7 am as hungry as ove myself, Wait on me,” this in lower tone again, “and we will talk as we find opportunity wbile IL am eating.” ‘All right, chile. Now dah yo’ is, wid de bestest dinner I could git up fo’ yo’ if I done try a week, Pitch right in, now, chile, an’ fill yo’- self so full yo’ ’most bu’st. Yo’ mus’ be hongry after dat stage ride.” So the big negress talked, as she arranged things on‘a little side-table for ber pretending stranger guest, and so they both continued talk- ing aloud, at odd moments, all the time the young woman was there, But it is with their talk in undertone that we have interest. ‘*) received your letter, Dinah,” the young woman whispered, ‘‘and set out at once. Are you sure you are not mistaken?” ‘* Be I sbua ob it, chile? Why, I could sw’ar to et, if I done had to. Course I is shua, else I wouldn’t ob sent fo’ ye’ ter come heah, would I? I reckons not, I does,” ** And Goes be know you?” ‘“Nary time!” **Ts he bere now?” ‘Yes; see’d him not a bour ago,” **Bot you haven’t spoken to him about the matter?” ‘* No; I would be no good fo’ dat work. Yo’ is de one to do dat part ob it.” ** Yes, I suppose so,” **An’ you wants look out fo’ him, chile, fo’ he is a bad man.” ‘We are well aware of that, Bad as he is, though; I do not fear him, and I will have re- venge for— But will you point him out to me?” ‘*Bet yo’ sweet life I will, honey, soon’s he shows his nose ’round dis way. I has it in fo’ him, an’ you bet dah is gwine be a day ob reck’- nin’ fo’ long dat will jis’ make bis hair curl.” ‘* What manner of looking man is he, Di- nah?” ‘* Well, chile, he is lookish, I "low. He am dark, an’ about de middle ob highness, I should say.” s y I believe I have seen him already, Dinah,” ‘* Hit am mos’ like’ yo’ has, chile.” **[ believe he was at the post-office when I came along.” - ; “Dat war him, yo’ kin bet. Whut am yo’ *pine ob him, ef it war de right one?” ‘*T believe he is a man to be feared,” ‘Right yo’ is.” 4 ‘But we fear him not, and revenge must now soon be ours,” This, while quoted together, was really a whispered exchange of words now and again at odd intervals, And in the same manner tbe young woman told her old friend, as the colored woman clear- Vv was, all.about her arrangements concerning the cabin. The young woman spent as long a time as she dared in the kitchen of the saloon, not wishing We must not be I am a stranger to you, you Passing again into the saloon, she paid for the dinner and went out and over to her hired cabin. There she feund a pale, weak-eyed youth sit~- ting on the doorstep, whittling away at a stick as though life depended on it. * Are you Gilly?” she asked. ites lad sprung up with a start, and an- swered: ‘‘- Y—y—yes ’um; this hyar is me.” ‘** And where is Mr. Long?” “Garry Long?” ‘Yes, I believe that’s bis name.” sid Oh, he has gone off. Said the cabin was all right. ** And did he tell you that I wanted to hire you to wait on me and do my errands?” ‘*Yes'um; he told me, Did he tell you yer will have ter wear a red shirt?” The young woman gazed at her questioner in blank amazement, half-pityiugly, for a moment, and then she smiled, She had been told that the lad was not alto- gether right, mentally, and this peculiar remark she took as proof of it. ‘* No; he did not tell me anything of that sort,” she replied, ** Well, most likely ye will.” ‘*Ob, I guess not; Iam nota man, 7Cu know, Gilly. But, why do you make so odd a remark as that?” j ‘Cause et ar’ so,” was the earnest response, ‘* Don’t ye know this ar’ Red Shirt? An’ don’t every man wear a red shirt?” “That is certainly so, come to think of it, But then, a woman couldn’t be expected to dress like a man, you know, Now let’s see about our new home—rather my new home.” ** But yer will, though,” the youth persisted. *¢ All the wimmen byer—tha’ ain’t many—wears %em, You'll be waited on by ther ’mittee, if yer is goin’ ter stay byer longer’n two days.” ** Oh, well; Jet them come,” the young woman ended the discussion, ‘‘ Who are the women of the camp, Gilly?” ‘* Tha’ ain’t many, as I said,” was the reply. ‘© Tha’s Missus Upworth an’ ber darter Tilly, an’ a woman what’s servant to ’em. Then tha’s Tim Googin’s wife, what does washin’; an’ Pat- sey Doyle’s gal, an’ ther nigger woman at ther otel. Them’s all of ’em, I guess,” ‘““Then there are not many of them, that’s true. But where do the Upworths\live?” / “Over by ther mine! , See shanty?” **-Yes, I see it.” * That's it.” By this time the young woman had made up her mind that if uot altogether as bright as he might be, Gilly Hoyle was not quite a fool, and by some careful questioning she managed to Jearn a good deal about the camp of Re and the inbabitants thereof. The main drift of her questionings seemed to be in the direction of the Upworth family, as though her interest centered there. But she was careful not to let any words drop which even & hat biggest to use as a cipher key to her business, She was not long in finding some work for the lad, and he tried to prove bis worth by do- ing his tasks quickly and well. Finally he was not wanted any Jonger for the time being, and was told to go, with the under- standing that he was to come and make himself useful every morning and evening. Gilly went off whistling, and rattling some change with a merry jingle, evidently feeling himself a man of riches for the once. He was burrying in the direction of his father’s shanty, when he was stopped by Fred Upworth, “Hello, Gilly!” that gentleman saluted. ** What makes you so ha The youth exhibited bis money. ‘*Here’s ther first pannin’,” he said, ‘an’ there’s more where it comesfrom, I’ve got a ap.” ot should think so! They tell me you are working for the pretty lady who came by the stage, You are the best man in Red Shirt!” _ The ror giggled, as though this tickled him immensely. : “ Yes, ‘that’s what I am!” he declared. Garry sens me up to et, an’ when I went to see ther lady she ’gaged me right off. An’ ther work she wants don’t ’mount ter nothin’, most. ‘“Why, you'll soon be rich, I should say, if the lady stops here long. How long is she going to stay?” a n’t know,” is the lady’s naine?” ** Don’t know,” smarter person than Gilly Hoyle might be able | ‘*Haven’t found that out yet, eh? Well, what | “‘Pshaw! Do you mean to tell me you don’t,
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know the name of your employer? I ought to boot you. You are not as smartas I thought you were.” This last remark seemed to hurt the youth more than the booting would have done, even if vigorously applied. ’ ‘But I’m goin’ ter find out,” he apologized. «See here, Gilly,” drawing nearer and speak- ing confidentially, ‘‘ how would you like to earn a little more money?” ** Bully! You jest show me how ter do et, an’ see ef I don’t.” ‘* Well, ’l1 tell you what I'll do: For every quarter this lady gives you, I'll give you a half, if you'll do what f want you to do,” ** Pll do that, you bet!” They were standing between two shanties, and well out of sight from the cabin of Garry es ' * But you mustn’t let anybody know this, Gilly.” **f won't, you bet.” ‘* And particularly not the lady.” ‘* All right! I onderstand that, Mister Up- worth.” ** And Dll tell you what I want to know. I want to find out what her name is, and what brings her here,” **Pllask ber, but I don’t b’lieve she’ll tell me onless she wants ter,” was the innocent response to that. “ Dast it!” cried Upworth, impatiently, ** don’t be such a fool as to ask her anything, I couldn’t trust you for that. But, keep your ears open, and you’ll hear it al!, sooner or later. Perhaps she has some friend here who will dro in to see her. If so, you can listen. And want to know who ber callers are. Now do you understand?” ** Ob, yes, you bet! [ll keep my ears and eyes open, an’ say nothin’ ter nobody. An’ whatever I gits hold on, Pll tell it toyer. Yer kin trust Gilly fer that, an’ he’ll show yer whether he ain’t a man or not.” 7 “That’s right. Only bo careful not to let the lady suspect. it is for her good, you know. You must do your work well for her, Gilly.” CHAPTER VI. A STRANGER’S UNIQUE PROPOSAL. Gray Suret was a better place than Red Shirt, every way. As a whole, it had a better class of citizens, and more of the gentle sex, Its buildings were superior, and its hotel was new, had not been opened long, and was the pride of the eT The ‘ Hotel yal,” it was called, and was owned by the mining company. The proprietor was one Hardiman Snooks, an adept in his line, Such a high sounding name for a hotel was not in harmony with the name of the camp, buf it was a step toward better things in the way of cognomens generally, An effort had been made to change the name of the camp, at the time when the hotel was formally opened, but the effort had resulted in a failure. The old residenters were too strong for the new element. The feeling against the camp of Red Shirt was too strong, and there must be some mean; of holding a mark of distinction the one from the other, It was argued that the citizens could cling to their gray shirts just the same, even though the camp were called Excelsior— the name proposed. But this was not heeded. No amount of argu- ment would alter the minds of the majority, so the name remained. The only time when Gray Shirt had ever made a concession to Red Shirt, was once when Gray Shirt had run out of liquid lightning and hed to humble itself to beg a supply from the rival camp, paying about ten times its market cost, This would not have been so had, of itself, but that same supply of liquid exhilaration was found to have been ‘ doctored,” and the citizens of Gray Shirt, almost to a man, were made about as sick as mortals can be and not die outright, This was too much, and the one circumstance that might have been made the beginning of friendly relations. between the two camps, was made the cause of bitter and undy- Oy cous, he white-winged goddess of Peace, to be poetical for the nonce, was hovering over this camp of Gray Shirt one afternoon—the after- noon of this same day of which the peerions chapters treat, and everything about the place was quiet and orderly, when a lone horseman rode leisurely into the town, Drawing rein at the piazzaof the Hotel Royal, he slid out of the saddle with a lazy, sleepy air, threw the rein over a post, and shambled up the steps and into the bar-room, There was nothing particularly striking about this man, he was an ordinary specimen of the human family in nearly all respects. if he had any marked peculiarity, it was this evident trait of chronic laziness in bis make-up, His every move was with the same sleepy air, as if he had been born tired. He wore, too, a solemn air, as though he might be a preacher, but his raiment was not alto- gether suited to that character. He wore a rough slouch hat, a pair of as rough boots, while the section between was clad in a mixture of odds and ends of ‘‘ store” clothes, His age was not easily determined, but might have been guessed as forty. He had a chin whisker, and a pair of common spectacles spanned his nose, He was of medium height, and his coat bein too big for him, made him look a good dea smaller than he really was. Entering the bar-room, he looked sleepily around, and shuffled to the bar, * Any chance for grub and lodging here?” he lazily drawled, ‘‘If you have got the spondulics,” was the eply ‘** And I have,” the stranger assured, ‘*Then we can fix you out, sir.” It was not the proprietor behind the bar, but his clerk, whose name was Bob Dickens. He was a rather fancy voung mau of twenty- four. or so, wearing a “bled” shirt with a blazing diamond on the front. Tbere was nothing about him that deserves es- pecial mention, unless it was the air of impor- tance he carried with him, together with the airs be assumed, Flirting the hotel Register around with a flourish, he invited the prospective guest to affix bis name, at the same time dipping a pen and handing it over for that purpose, The new-comer took the pen, and, leaning over the book wearily, lazily inscribed his name inthe proper place. “ There it is,” he drawled, as he surrendered the n, ‘It’s rather a tiresome name to write, be- gee long.” : he clerk twirled the ledger around facing himself again, and read: “SIGISMUND SOPHOCLES STIFF.” ‘* Whew!” he whistled softly. ‘It isn’t very short, that’s a fact, You’ve slopped clear over the space with it. Why don’t you sign yourself simply ‘8S. S. Stiff? ” The new arrival sigbed wearily. ‘If I did that,” be explained, ‘‘I would bave to tell people what my name is in full, and life is too short and uncertain to spend time so idly. Still, I don’t see but that it’s about as broad as it’s long.” “ Why, how is that?” ‘*Why, if I eseape questions on one hand by one dodge, I open the door for as many more in some other direction. At my last stop I simply put myself down as‘ §. 8. S- on the Register, and I thought I would die under the questions it brought down upon me and here, when I write each name out in full, it begins to be as bad the other way. I almost wish I bad been born a Chinaman.” ‘Born a Chinaman! What good would that do you ” “Why, I could havs a short name, something like ‘Ho Ko,’ for instance, and nobody would ever think of asking me what it means. But lease don’t make me talk any more now, for ’m tired. Will you see to my horse out there, and have him cared for? I'll sit down for a few minutes and rest up.” ‘* Yes. sit down, for you look tired. We'llsee to your horse,” Mr. Stiff shuffled toa chair, laid down a little bundle he had carried under his arm, and stretched out for a few minutes’ quiet ease. There were several in the room at the time, and among others a young man of twenty-five or thereabouts, rather good-looking, with keen face and sandy mustacbe— But we bave seen him before. It vas Walt Maybree. \He sauntered idly to the bar, some moments after the stranger bad sat down, and looked at the name that had caused the clerk to whistle upon reading it. ‘* How’s that for a handle?” Bob Dickens asked in undertone, ‘* It’s a heavy one, no mistake,” was the smil- ing response, ‘No wonder he looks weary, eh?” _ Carrying such a heavy load on his con- science, eh?” Both had a quiet laugh, and Maybree moved Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. away, taking a seat on the other side of the room, The stranger rested for a little while, several more entering the room while he was enjoying ame but presently he rose and shuffled again to the ar. **- Young man,” he spoke, with as much drawh as before, and loud enough for all to bear, ** have you an undertaker in this growing town?” ‘*Why, do you think you are going to die?’ the clerk counterquestioned, with a wink at Maybree. ‘* No, I’m too tired to die,” was the solemn re- sponse, ‘‘ What I am coming at is this: I am an undertaker myself, and 1 am lIcoking for a promising place to locate.” , This drawled statement raised a laugh at once, ‘‘T don’t think there is much demand for men of your calling here,” the clerk made answer. *‘Our citizens don’t die often, and when one does keel over he is generally planted with bis boots op. You would starve to death if you depended on the business for a living.” ‘‘But Ican vary my usefulness as occasion re- quires,” Mr. Stiff drawled. ‘‘I am an excellent hangman, a first-rate butcher, and bave been | something of a doctor, too. But I bave given up | the latter profession,” ‘“ Why, how was that?” * I found it too dangerous, I lived last, and he died before morning. The man’s brother was with bim when he died. Next he had occasion to call an undertaker, and [ responded, carrying a cc ffin with me,” Laughter all around made the man stop till he could again be heard. ‘« Well,” be resumed, ‘* when I went in, and put down the coffin, that brother looked at me in a way that made me feel chilly. ‘Are you doc- tor and undertaker both? he demanded,, ‘ Yes,’ said I, And that’s all tbat was said. He jerked a knife outof bis boot and came for me, and I— Well, [moved out.” ‘“And that’s the reason you don’t practice medicine any more, eh?” “Yes; thetwocallings don’t seem to work well together—that is, where one person tries to carry on both at once. But I am useful at otber things besides these mentioned. If yc u think there’s an opening for a live man bere, I’llstay and open a shop anyhow, and trust te luck. Perbaps when you citizens see what a neat coffin I can turn out at short notice, you will begin to patronize me.” ‘‘ What else are you hand asked, evidently to lead the astranger to say more. “Tama Jack at all trades,” was the drawled answer. ‘‘ But there is none that I am so handy at as that of undertaker, if Ido say it myself, I am something of a lewyer, have worked as a tailor, can do a good jobat bricklaying, and at sboemaking I am almcst as goud as iam at undertaking. Infact, I’m a hand around, <a I think I’!] stay awbile anybow,” ‘*Do yer know ther rules of this byer camp?" demanded a rough citizen. “No; being a stranger, I do not, sir.” ‘* Yer no doubt notices that we all wearsgray shirts?”, ‘*- Yes, so you do; now that you speak of it. What is that for?” ** An’ does yer know that this byer camp ar’ called Gray Shirt?” é ‘* Yes; I had heard so,” ‘* Well, ary galoot what comes hyer, an’ in- tends ter stay more’n two days, has ter swear citizenship an’ put on ther campcolor. That’s what you'll have ter do, too, if yer means ter stay. “Well, that isa new wrinkle, sure. What is your idea in that?) Why wouldn’t a red shirt do just as well?” ‘© A red shirt? You let ary galoot come inter this hyer camp witb a red shirt on, an’ thar’d be need fer a ondertaker, mighty quick!” “You speak in riddles, my dear sir, 1 can’t understand what you are driving at. Perhaps it is fortonate for me that I have not a red shirt on my own person— the fact is I haven’t any on.” His coat was buttoned high up, and this was evidently the truth, or at any rate it was not challenged. “Then we kin soon explain ther p’ints,” de- clared the rough citizen, ‘Sav, Mr. Maybree,” turning to him, ‘‘ you onwind ther tale fer him, will yer?” iS “Why certainly,” Walt, ‘if vou want me to. Somebody will have to do it, if it is the gentleman’s intention to remain here and be- come a citizen of our town.” With that preliminary, the young man launch- ed out and gave the history of the rival camps, I was called one | night to doctor a sick man, at the place where | at?’ the clerk | man to have or nmeeer 8080 =r cep’ 7a oo — - ~—oe)
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et eh oe ’ ory ¥ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 7 stating all the particulars which it would be essential for a prospective new citizen to be ac- quainted with. The lazy and sleepy stranger listened atten- tively to the end, when he roused up and draw]- ed out: ‘* Why don’t you send a delegate over there to whip the best man they can produce? I’m handy with my fists, along with my other accomplish- ments, and I'd like no better fun. Swear me in, citizens, and send me.” CHAPTER VII. UNDERTAKER STIFF’'S UNDERTAKING. AT such a proposal as this, from such a source, the crowd laughed wildly. Mr. Stiff looked around as solemnly as an owl, with never a smile upon his own grim visage. **Don’t you think I could do it, gentlemen?” he demanded. ‘1 would like to prove to you that 1 am everything I claim to be.” “But ther idee o’ your going over ter Red Shirt ter whip ther best man!” the rough citizen laughed, ‘* Why, man alive, you would git chawed up so fine that you’d never know yerself ergain.” “Of course you would!” exclaimed the fancy hotel clerk and bartender, ‘' You are] too slow to hold your end up with Red Shirt, my friend; too Stiff, as it were, You may be a good enough undertaker in one way, but you don’t want to undertake that sort of job.” “That is plain enough, friend,” agreed Walt Maybree. ‘‘ We have some good men here at Gray Shirt, but I don’t believe there is a man in the camp you could hira to undertake what you propose. It would be as as death to him if he did, and so they would not want to risk it. You are a blower, I take it.” p ‘*That is where you make your mistake,” was the lazy drawl. ‘‘ Life is too short and breath- ing is too much like work to waste breath in idle talk. I meant what I said, and now that you have picked me up on it I’m ready toback it. If you have got a good man around anywhere, trot him out and let me hook horns with him just for a friendly round.” The crowd laughed louder than ever at this. oe proposal was really too ridiculous for any- thing. And especially did it seem to tickle the rough citizen who has been mentioned several times, He laid back bis head and faleiy pesres: ‘*You bad better be careful how you talk,” cautioned the fancy clerk. ‘You may find someb to do you up, without looking very far. We have some tough customers here at Gray Shirt.” : ‘‘And Ben Dooley here is not the least of them, either,” added Walt Maybree, indicating the rough citizen who was taking it as such a joke. ‘‘Mayhe he will take up your chal- lenge, and prove to you how easy it is to be mis- taken,” ‘“‘Durn me ef I wouldn’t like ter take some of ther consait out o’ him,” Mr, Dooley declared. “T wouldn’t want ter hurt bim, though, an’ I would only do et in fun, yer know. What dyer say, ter Stiff? Will yer tackle me jest fer a friendly go, an’ let me fake a fall out of yer?” ~ “Tm your man,” Mr, Stiff drawled lazily. ‘* All I ask is that you won’t handle me too yough, and if you find that you have got me all right, that you won’t let me down, T’ll call ita fall for you anyhow, and it will save me the work of getting up. I once got laid out on the floor, it would be a big temptation to lie rigbt still and go to sleep.” * You're ther durndedest laziest man that I ever seen!” cried Mr. Dooley. “ J will wake you up a little, if I get balf a show at ye, No gettin mad, you know, and no drawin’ weep- ins, : : % en right, Mr. Dooley, that is understood. It would be too much like work anyhow, to draw weapons, This is only in a friendly way, and no | need to get mad.” “Then fe will try me, will yer?” , ‘Yes, I sup so,” “Then git ready,” ““T'm ready.” The sleepy stranger had shambled out to the ‘middle of tne open space on the floor, and lazily braced himself for the effort. _ Ben Dooley, the rough citizen, swaggered for- ward to meet him, and when they were face to face, remarked: “Mister Stiff, I hate ter touch you; you look too durn lazy ter stand up, anyhow.” ‘Don’t mind that,” was the drawl; “grab Tight on and stand me on my head.” “ But no strikin’,” Dooley ruled, ‘‘ I wouldn’t ‘want ter hit ye.” “All right; no striking allowed,” Mr. Stiff assented, “Jest a fair an’ plain ’rassle, no more.” ‘** 'That’s well understood.” ** Look out, then!” Everybody was smiling broadly, anticipating some rare fun, ; But it was rather awkward for Mr. Duoley to begin. His opponent stood so careless that it seemed a pity tou molest him, ‘* Well, come on,” Mr, Stiff invited, as Dooley hesitated; “it is bard work to stand here do- ing nothing, my good friend. L[et’s have it over with,” “All right; look out fer me, then. Now I’m comin’ fur ye, an’ hyer ye goon yer head. Come, stiffen yer muscles, so’s I'll know I’ve got hold o’ somethin’, Now, presto, change !” With that exclamation, Mr. Dooley made an effort, intending to give Mr. Stiff a sudden fling that would lay him on bis back ingloriousiy, But, there was a surprise in store for bim. t the same instant the sleepy man seemed to go off like a keg of giant powder, and Mr. Dooley went spinning away on his ear to a distant corner. Nobody could see how it had been done, and the lazy man looked as weary as ever, there seem- ing not to be any life in him, It did not seer possible that such a thing bad really happened. “Great Scott!” ejaculated the fancy clerk, ** How did he do it?” “ Not as lazy as be looks, I guess,” remarked Walt Maybree, smiling at the result. ‘*That’s the kind of an undertaker I am, gen- tlemen,” drawled Mr, Stiff. ‘‘ No foolin’ about me when I undertake a job.” ‘*Gosh all lightnin’!” cried Mr. Dooley, as he gathered himself up after his collapse in the corner. ‘‘ Is this hyer me or somebody else?” “What is the matter, Ben?’ inquired young Maybree. “Matter! Gosh all lightnin’! Ther durn galoot ar’ set on springs!” This raised a how! of laughter. Mr. Dooley was about half-mad now, and eager for more, * But yer can’t do et ergain!” he cried. ‘‘Gosh all lightnin’, no! I wasn’t lookin’ fer nothin’ like that. Hyer I come, Mister Stiff.” ** Come i along!” the ‘‘ undertaker” drawled. ‘‘The combination is set, and all you have got to do is to touch thespring. I go off wonderfully easy, when you tamper with me, ‘“*T'll be lookin’ out fer ye this hyer time, old hoss. Yer can’t do et again, an’ I’m bettin’ rocks on et. Now jest look out fer yourself, fer if I git a grip on yer I’m goin’ ter wipe up ther floor with yer, an’ don’t yer fergit it!” As he ended, Mr. Dooley made another rush to the attack, and seemed to catch the Jazy man about as fairly as he could. No better hold could have been asked for, apparently. But the result was about the same as before, There was a sudden awakening for a second on the part of the stranger, and away went Dooley, This time he was stood fairly on his head, and was sent spinning off like a top, for some dis- tance, when he collapsed as before and came down all in a heap. Now the crowd awakened tv the fact that the stranger was something with his muscles, That he was too much for Dooley was plain. The fancy clerk was too ;amazed to comment, and Walt Maybree smiled broadly as he wit- nessed Dooley’s discomfiture, “Gosh all lightnin’!” yelled Dooley, as he scramble1 up once more. ‘“ How do yer do et, stranger? J'}l et oncet more, an’ ef yer kin do et again I'll chuck up ther sponge.” “Tl try and satisfy you this time, then,” romised the ‘undertaker.’ ‘It is too much ike work for me, standing here waiting for you all the time. How will you have it thistime? I ean give you one with extra trimmings at no more @ost, * Durn yer drawlin’, lazy tongue, I'll show yer this hyer time! You jest let me have a holt, an’ say ready, an’ then see whar you'll be.” “ All right; I'l do that. ‘Say when you are ready, and then let her go. If you throw mel’ll treat,” The stranger allowed Mr. Dooley to take just such a hold as he wanted, and as soon as Dooley gave the word the fun began, This time it cost the sleepy stranger more of an effort, as could be seen, for Dooley hung on desperately; but his hold was soon broken, and away he went, half-way to the ceiling, coming down witb a crash that jarred the windows, _ Now the crowd cheered, and Mr, Stiff was the lion of the hour, It was plain that he was more of a man than he had appeared to be at first sight. There was dynamite in his make-up, Mr, Dooley rolled over, sat up, and glared around foolishly at the laughing crowd. “Gosh all lightnin’!”. he ejaculated, rather meekly, ‘‘ I wonder whar he carries et?” ‘“* Are you satisfied?” asked the stranger, with his nsual draw], ‘* Yes,” was the reply, ‘I’m satisfied. Don’t want no more,” “Then T'll sit down and rest a bit. More real exercise than I have taken in six months before.” , Me Aha are you, anyhow?” demanded the fancy clerk. The lazy man groaned. “Tired as I am,” he sighed, ‘‘ you will poke questions at me. Look on the Register, young man, and there’s my name.. What I am I have told you already.” “Yes; but you can’t put that yarn down our necks, you know, We know better. A man of your caliber was never an undertaker. Ill bet you are more than you seem on the surface,” ‘** Which I have tried to prove to you,” agreed the stranger. “I told you I ama Jack at all trades. But to go back to the point where we started, if you want to send a delegate over to that camp of Red Shirt, send me.” ‘Would you undertake such a job as that?” asked Walt Maybree. ‘I'd undertake anything,” was the sleepy an- swer. ‘I have enlisted my sympathies with this camp of yours, aud I’m against Red Shirt tooth and nail, If you want a little sweet revenge for that dosed rum racket they played on you, just let me go over and whip their chief,” ‘“Et would be a good idee, stranger,” spoke Ben Dooley, now upon his feet once more, ** but et would be suerside fer you. You may be some on ther rassle, but yer could never lick ther bull camp 0’ Red Shirt which ar’ about what you'd have ter do ef yer went thar,” “I'd take the chances of that,” was the drawled response, ‘* You jest swear me in asa Gray Shirt, and if I don’t undertake to uphold the digmty of your camp, then you may hang me, that’s all,” “Gosh all lightnin’!” cried Dooley, “but I’d like ter see et, ef et could be done. y, fellers, let’s let him tackle Hard-fist Pete ter-night, an’ ef he kin do him up he ar’ a chief fera fack. What d’ yer say, stranger?” “That suits me,” Mr. Stiff drawled. ‘I’m willing to undertake anything that comes in my way. If this Hard-fist Pete is your best man, let’s see him, and if. he don’t disable me I'll go to Red Shirt anyhow. Now tbat you have got me excited, there’s no holding me.” This was talked over at length, and it was arranged that the stranger and the local “bruiser” should meet that night ateight, Mr. Stiff’s stock was on the rise at this camp of Gray Sbirt. ‘ CHAPTER VIII. THE STRANGER’S SPURS WON, Now this man mentioned, this Hard-fist Pete, was the terror of Gray Shirt. - He was a strapping fellow, raw of bone and huge of muscle, and was cock of the walk at the camp. F Whenever a pilgrim from Red Sbirt, hunting for figbt, ventured to show bimself at Gray Shirt, he had to tackle Hard-fist Pete. Several had come over for the purpose of snatching Pete’s laurels from bis brow and carry- ing them off, but failure had been the result in every instance, This was a good while ago, however, and of late no red shirt had been seen at the camp. And Pete, in bis turn, took care not to be seen at Red Shirt, believing be would be killed if he went there, Perhaps he was right, too. Anyhow, he had refused all challenges, unless under the condi- tions that the cballenger should come to Gray Shirt to fight. Here he was assured that he would have fair play, as could not be believed would be the case were he to go there, All this and a gcd deal more was explained to the long-named “undertaker,” to let him know just what sort of mission he was thinking about undertaking, but it did not serve to turn him from bis purpose, So it was decided that a friendly round or two with Hard-fist Pete was to settle the questicn, and the coming event was eagerly looked for- ward to, The remainder of the afternoon passed quietly enough, with nothing further of an exciting nature taking place, Mr. Stiff spent most of the time resting, but did go out a little to look around the camp. He seemed to give a little casual attention to the mine, the Last Chance, and to its surround-
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8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. that he wes taking note of every person who came within his range of vision. And he attracted a good deal of attention, too, | for since his ‘‘round” with Ben Dooley, bis name had been handled pretty freely, and he was an object of much curious notice. e seem- ed to see nothing of that, but shambled and shufflea around as though too tired to lift his feet quite clear of the ground. Loug before the hour named, the bar-room of the Hotel Royal was crowded, and betting was | freely indulged in, with the odds largely in favor of Hard-fist Pete, who was known for what he was worth. Those who had not witnessed the fray between the stranger and Mr. Dooley, and had only the stranger’s appearance to support what was said of him, rather doubted his ability. A little before eight Mr. Stiff shambled into the room, looking lazy or tired, or both; and rested himself against the end of the bar where the clerk’s desk was, Only a little further away was Mr. Hard-fist Pete, who, at sight of the man who was tc be his | opponent, laughed heartily. e had notseen Mr. Stiff before, and his im- pression of him at sight was that he would prove an easy victim. ‘*Put thet ’ar thing up afore me?” hesneered. ‘Why, boyees, thar won’t be nothin’ left of him when I gits done with him.” ‘*That’s what we all says,” declared another voice. ‘* Better wait an’ see how it wull be,” advised yet another. Said one man: ‘* Bf yer had seen ther way he dumped Dooley, mebby yer would think twice afore yer smiled so loud at him.” ““Mebby you’d like ter take his place,” cried Hard-fist Pete, banteringly. ‘‘I will do you up jest ter git my hand in while I’m waitin’, if yer says so,’ ‘““No, not any in mine, ef yer please,” the fel- low declined. ‘' Et wouldn’t be a big s’prise ter me, though, ter see you git doneup, You don’t know what a rip-snorter ther undertaker ar’.” “Git done up by thet ’ar thing! Haw! haw! haw!” : So went the comments around; and while they waited for time, Walt Maybree entered in company with Fred ‘Upworth of Red Shirt. The young man, Fred, had laid off his red shirt for the occasion; indeed it would not have been well for him to have appeared at Gray Shirt with it on; and was well dressed. The pair were talking together, and came for- ward to the end of the bar near to where the lazy-looking stranger was reclining, “This is the man who is to try his hand against Hard-fist, Mr. Upworth,” said Walt, in voice loud enough for the weary stranger to overhear. Mr. Stiff turned his bead ina tired way and tuok a survey of the young man from Red Shirt. But it was only in a casual way, and no particular attention was given to it. ** Well, he will get done up, that’s all,” Fred prophesied, in lower tone, “Pm not so sure of that,” declared Walt. | “And if he wins, then our boys are going to send him over to your place as a delegate Fein our camp.” "4 ** And he will be a good one, if he does get away with Pete,” Upworth declared, ‘Send at flong, and we'll see that he has fair ay. } **That is easy to say,” responded Walt, to that, ‘ but will you see that he gets it?” “Yes, I will, I promise you tbat, if [ am there,” ** We can’t ask anything else,” ** And he'll get that.” _ Pretty soon Mr. Stiff was notified that it was time for him to prepare for the coming event, “I'm all ready,” he lazily drawled, ‘‘I have ings; and a keen observer might have noticed + been okie: however,” he added, ‘that may- er be this gentleman and myself bad better fight with gloves, if there are any such articles in the cainp, “Haw! haw! haw!” laughed Hard-fist Pete. *That’s ther fu’st showin’ of ther white feather, by darn ef et ain’t!” “Look at it that way if you want to,” the Stranger drawled, “but PU tell you what my reason is; We have no cause to be anything but friends, and this is to be a friendly test of skill, I believe, Then why should we punish each other with bare fists? “ But that ar’ what ther boys ar’ lookin’ fur,” declared Pete, “No matter about any else; it’s for you and | to settle the matter. What do you say? If you are a better man than I, I don’t want my face all battered up for nothing.” ‘* Yer hears what he says, tellers,” cried Pete; ** what does yer say to et?” “Let it be with gloves, by all means,” cried Walt Maybree, - * All right, if you say so; but yer wants ter onderstand that et wasn’t none o’ my askin’. J This baving been settled, gloves were hunted up, somebody at the camp happening to have a set, and by that time the hour for the perform- ance to begin had rolled around, All this while Hard-fist Pete had been swag- gering around, declaring that it was a shame for him to fight with such a specimen as the lazy-looking stranger, and that be really felt asbamed of himself for his part in it; but it wasn’t for him to back out of it, ain’t afraid o’ my face, if he ar’.” He was willing to let the man off, though, any volley of remarks on every hand, the fallen bruiser scrambled to bis feet, looking about him in the most silly way that can be imagined. ‘*Stranger,”. he said, ‘they tells me you is a ondertaker,” offering bis hand; * but I tells’em you is a chief! You isa better man than I be, by a long shove! An’ ef you'll go over ter Red Shirt, as ther delegate from byer, an’ knock ther consait out of some of ther galoots over thar, 1’ll be yer friend fer life.” CHAPTER IX, UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS. THE lazy Mr. Stiff «as the hero of the hour. And he was urged to take upon himself the honor of pecaerp without delay. The camp would be proud of him, and he would have no cause to regret his allegiance with the Gray Shiris. Mr. Stiff was ready to comply with this re- time he wanted to withdraw, and let him go | quest, and the oath of citizenship was admin- free. Didn’t see what his fellow-citizens were thinking about, to pit such a man as this against him, istered forthwith, and he was made a Gray Shirt. ‘“*T happen to have a shirt of about this par- At last all was ready, and the two faced each | ticular color in my bundle,” be announced, other, Now was to be settled for good the question of the stranger’s worth as an acquisition to the rR. * ‘Whar will yer have ther first one now? de- manded Pete, as he flourished his gloved fists in the ge ‘* Nominate yer spot, an’ I’ll oblige yer quick, 4 . ‘* Well, tap me on the nose to begin witb,” the lazy stranger drawled. ‘‘I can’t fight worth a cent till I get a good one on the proboscis; that riles me up, every time.” ‘“* All right, then, hyer yer has et!” With that exclamation Hard-fist struck out, but ‘without effect. Greatly to his surprise his arms were brushed aside without the least ef- fort, seemingly. This caused him to redden somewhat, and he tried again, but with like result. And then he aimed blow after blow, waxing hotter at every stroke, but without touching the sleepy stran- er once, sit pies This lasted for a minute or two, and by that time Pete was enraged, as everybody was boot- ing at him, asking him why he didn’t hit the mark, and a hundred other such questions, ‘*1’ll show yer whether I can’t hit yer or not!” he howled, ‘I'll give ye one now that'll make yedizzy. Look out fer me, I’m gittin’ mad!” Now he rushed to the attack like a maddened tiger, striking blow after blow as hard and fast as he could deliver, but all to no purpose, **Cuss yer,” he cried, panting, ‘‘et ar’ ther gloves that ar’ botberin’ me, I can’t do nothin’ wi’ gloves on!” owing them off, he made another attack, aeniog as hard as he had ever fought in his ife, The lazy, sleepy stranger was wide enough awake now, and warded every blow with a skill that seemed marvelous, Finally, balf out of breath, the fellow drew back and leaned against the bar, with an expres- sion on his f ce comical tobehold. He eyed the stranger with a wondering gaze, ‘“Wull, I ber durn!” he ejaculated, “ Not going to give it up, are you?” drawled the undertaker. ‘‘I haven’t had my share of the fun yet,” ‘*Let me git my wind fer jesta second,” was the response, ‘an’ [ll show yer whether I’ve give et up or not! Vlldo yer up afore I’m done with yer.” “‘ That’s the talk!” cheered the crowd, “ Don’t let no stranger like this come byer an’ beat you, Hard-fist. Get yer wind an’ go fer him again, an’ give him rats! You kin do et, ef yer tries hard enough!” Mr. Stiff allowed bis opponent to rest for a few minutes, and then he went for bim bard, ‘* Come, now, time is up,” be drawled; ‘* let’s finish the business, for I am getting tired and want to sit down.” Hard-fist had to defend himself, since now the” other was making tbe attack, but the defense was weak ax compared with the other’s aggres- sive movements, First Pete got a tap on_one shoulder, then a gentle reminder on the other, and the next he knew, a blow on the breast lifted him off bis feet and carried him beadlong ivto the crowd, Mr. Stiff bad still retained the gloves, so his blow was not hurtful though hard enough to have felled an ox. **Hooray! hooray!” yelled thecrowd, “ That’s ther stuff! Ther stranger ar’ our man! He's us delegate ter Red Shirt, an’ don’t yer fergit 6 . And amidst the booting and yelling and the ‘‘and Dll appear in it in the morning. I’m with you, citizens, out and out; and against Red Shirt to the teeth.” ‘You hear that?” remarked Walt Maybree, smiling, speaking to Fred Upworth. ‘ Your camp will have to look out,” . ‘Yes; I hear it,” assented Upworth. ‘ But he wauts to keep clear of Red Shirt, or some of our tigers over there will make a meal off him.” “Are you from that camp of Red Shirt, sir?” Mr, Stiff asked, turning upon the young man. “Yes: I belong there,” was the response. dy But you hayen’t the color of your camp on ow.’ ‘* Because I am here on peaceful business, and only on a short visit.” “Oh! I see, Well, when you return, kindly give the respects of Sigismund Sophocles Stiff to your fellow-citizens, and tell them I am coming over there in a day or two to clean their clock for them,” ‘*T will so inform them, sir; but you had bet- ter keep away. We have a new man there now, a fighter who has whipped every other chief in the place, and who has been threatening to come He is a bad m=n.” ‘Good enough!” cried the undertaker, ‘*My especial regards to him, and tell him that I’m coming over there todo kim up. What do you call bim?” * He is called Terror Ted, in a familiar way.” * Ajl right, tell bim I’m coming.” The fight was over, and the antagonists were on friendly terms still, but the excitement ran high. Gray Shirt had not had such a waking up in a long while, and the citizens let themselves loose to do honor to the occasion, Finally the stranger, or rather newly made citizen, announced his desire to retire, declaring himself exceedingly tired; and with a guod-night to all, shuffled out of the room, He carried bis bundle with Lim, and when alone in his room, opened the parcel and took out firsta gray shirt, which he donned at once. That done, some further alterations were made in his appearance, and be looked another person entirely. Opening the door, he peered out into the hall, and seeing no one there, came out, locking the door after him, and descended the stairs and passed out to the street. He looked now like a rough-and-ready miner, and a belt at bis waist carried the usual array of weapons. Stopping in a shadowed place, he waited. Men were leaving the bar-room now and again, singly or in pairs, and his eyes searched every face as they came out, Presently Walt Maybree and Fred Upworth appeared, and leaving the hotel, went off down the street in company. And the watcher went after them, silently. ; Keeping well in the shadows, he could hardly be seen, and it was not likely that the young men would discover bis presence, There was something about his movements which spoke of experience in this gort of work. ut the reader eet tage ae i= : ‘n was, so why not apply bis rightful name was Deadw =f Dick, and the game against Iron Jobn, the outlaw, and his band, the Montana Marauders, bad fairly begun. ‘How it would epd remains to be revealed, | Finally, in the the deep shadow of a deserted building, the two young men stopped, continu- ing their conversation, Dick passed quickly sround the building, coming near to the pair on the other side. over bere to tackle this man Hard-fist.
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 9 n **T tell you it is altogether useless,” were the m first words he caught. “Bat, 1 will not give up,” responded young 1 | Upworth, determinedly, ‘‘I Jove the lady, I alt. and must have her.” n ** And it is the same in my case,” Walt Maybree 1 admitted, ‘* What are you going to do about it . though. The opposition is strong, and there .- | seems no way of breaking it down.” ‘“f¢€ irma would only consent to elope with me, we could easily arrange to make a double party of if for I am sure Tilly would go with you without much asking on your part. But, that is where it is hinged, it seems.” * No; you needn’t look for anything of that sort from a girllike Irma,” Waltassured, ‘She e wouldn’t do it under any circumstances, I don’t believe, and certainly not, when she doesn’t seem to be overmuch in love with you. You can see . | how it is for yourself.” “Yes; 1 see only too well. But couldn’t you y urge the thing for me a little, Walt?” “T don’t believe it would do any good. She has a mind of her own.” ‘But I have done much for you with Tilly, M and—” 1 “ [ never asked you to.” * [ know; but—” : ‘*It’s no use, I wouldn’t try to influence my r sister one way or the other in the matter, : Fred.” 3 . “T thought you were my friend. I have done e that much for you with my sister, and 1 would 7 do more, too, if necessary, 7 “It was without any asking on my part, as I said before. You must do yourown love-making. I warn you, though, that it won’t do for father : to catch you,” “Ha! ha! ha! Weareon even terms there, and I’m glad of it, It won’t be healthy for my father to see you after Tilly, either, We can , easily overcome the opposition though, if we - work together.” d bade Be going to be frank with you, Fred Up- 4 worth, I’m going to tell you plainly that you are not just the sort of man I would like to see Irma marry. Not that I have said a word against you, or intend to, but I can’t say any- thing in your favor.” : ‘** Well, curse your coolness, anyhow! You stand here and tell me this to my face, Walt Maybree!” “Ido. Isn’t that better than to say it behind your back?” | * Then you don’t like me, eh?” “*T don’t have a very brotherly regard for ; you, though I wouldn’t do anything to injure you if I kuew it.” : *« And I suppose I ought to give you credit for | that much, But you’ll maybe think better of me after I’ve become your brother-in-law,” : ‘* Which I do not think will ever happen, I Pa believe lrma cares anything about you, and— | “* Aud I don’t care whether she does or not; sbe shall be mine just the same! Do you under- stand that?” **T very much doubt it, Fred. She’s a girl you can’t drive, and you will have to use fair means.or none with her, I doubt it.” ‘ But, I tell you, she shall be mine! You hhave refused me a slight favor—have even added insult to your refusal, but 1’ll show you that I can manage the affair without you.” “Tm sorry for it all, Fred, but I’ve been open and frank with you. That is the way I would like any man to be with me.” . “Well, Vl give you what you like, then. Im going to be against you now in regard to «Tilly. How do you like that for a change? ‘You wouldn’t repay favor with favor; now [ll give you the opposite.” ‘*I don’t believe your interference one way or the other will make any difference,” respond- ed Maybree, ‘If anything, opposition is likely to work in my favor more than against me,” ** Pll show you about that, too. I thought you { were my friend, but now that I know you for : Bs you are, : will—” “Tam not any mears your enemy, Fred Upworth.” y any x yy Jpworth was angered, and his tone was hot and sharp. Maybree was cool and easy in man- ner, and his tone even, Dead wood Dick, as he listened to the talk, was Seiad to understand much he had desired to get hold of, It gave him an insight into the characters of the young men. : __4dnemy or not, fired Upworth, * we are done, _| and may as well part.” " SPUN : as you please. But you won’t return Red Shirt tonight, will yout You might fall in Dn. / with Tron Jo “*Lron Jebn, indeed!” was the hot retort. ‘I - \ might be as well received by him as I have been here, Brother-in-law, good-nigbt.” With that, Upworth wheeled and stalked off in the darkness, leaving Maybree gaziug after him as he disappeared, and the parting was not responded to. ‘* Well, he is hot-headed to-night, that is sure,” Walt muttered to himself. ‘‘I Jike him less the more I see of him. Irma shall never marry him if Ihave anything to say about it. But then I guess there is no danger.” Leaving the shelter of the deserted building, he retraced his steps toward the hotel. As soon ashe had gone, Deadwood Dick set off in the direction Fred Upworth had taken. He might not be able to find bim again, or he might; it was about an even chance. He wanted to learn more about this personage, if possible, Not far had he proceeded, when he was chal- lenged out of the darkness at his right, ‘*Ts that you, Tom?” a voice demanded. Dick recognized the voice of young Upworth. **No;ILain’t Tom,” Dick gruffly responded. “Who be you?” “Bt don’t matter, so long ez you ain’t ther galoot I’m lookin’ fer,” was the return. ‘* Waal, yer needn't git buffy about et, any- how,” rejoined Dick, ‘‘I wasn’t goin’ ter force meself onter yer company,” ‘* That’s all right, pard, an’ no damage done,” Dick went on, taking no pains to be silent, but when he had proceeded far enough to be out of hearing, be turned suddenly and hurried silently back the same way he had come, As he drew near to the spot where Upworth had spoken to him, he turned off to the Jeft, making a detour in order to come up behind tre place where the man had been. Moving as silently as a shadow, almost, he sane came up behind a large bowlder he ad noticed during the afternoon, and ‘there stopped. Presently his keen ears told him he was not alone, for another man was just on the opposite side of the big rock. Only a little time passed, when steps were heard, and again the man spoke the same challenge, This time it was answered in the affirmative, and another person turned and came up to the bowlder, joining with Upworth in a low-toned conversation, CHAPTER 'X. NOCTURNAL EVENTS AT RED SHIRT. THE camp of Red Shirt was wrapped in dark- ness and slumber, Not that every denizen was asleep, but the figure seems the proper one to employ. Certain it was that all lights were out, and all the places closed and barred for the night. Even the Bung-Hole was dark and silent, When that popular resort closed its doors and put out its lights, then it was high time that every other light should go out; but it was sel- dom that any remained to that time. The reader may question the purpose of intro- ducing a scene at this camp at so unseemly an hour, but let him remember that the author sel- dom makes a move without a purpose in view, and patiently follow where he is led. Suddenly, from a ledge of rock behind the hotel, at a little distance away and higher than any of the buildings, flasbed forth a light. It was small but bright, and looked not unlike eee of a tiny bull’s-eye with a silveredreflec- ba The one uliar thing about this light was, that it could not be seen'from the street of the camp, but only from a point almost equal in height with the light. he explanation of this is simple: the ledge. of rock being not level, but on an incline, with the higher part fronting the camp. So, with the light a little back from the edge, the ledge itself hid it from view. For a time it blazed there, like a lone star, and then away off in the distance, sending its tiny ray flashing down through a narrow defile of the mountains, appeared another light, a com- panion to the first, and for a while they glared at each other in a manner that might be likened to friendliness or defiance, either. After that, changes took place, slowly at first, but presently more rapidly. The firstlight was darkened for the space of a second, when it flashed forth again. And the next moment the presenti repeated the same, as though it were a signi For a few seconds, then, both lights disappear- ed, but presently the first was seen ae ina series of flashes, of longer or shorter duration, and then darkness as before. Immediately the other light took on the same peculiarity, in its turn, as if taking up the series of flashes where the first had. stopped, and car- rying-it on.$ And so for an hour, steadily, back and forth these signals of lights were exchanged, with un- tiring continuity. While this was going on, and only a little while before the mentioned hour had expired, @ horseman rode into the camp. His horse was walking, and the rider himself had something of a wearied air abcut him, He was nearing the center of the camp, and was turning toward the stables of the hotel, when something caused him to glance away to the right, There he caught sight of the light flashing in the distance, and stopping his horse, sat and gazed at it wonderingly. -What was it, and what didit mean? He could not answer. Finally the light flashed for the last time, and darkness closed permanently over the place where it had been seen, as though at last it had succeeded in an effort to blot it out. The rider looked for some time longer, but it appeared no more, ‘* What was that light?” he asked bimself, as he rode on, ‘‘and what was the meaning of it? This is something that has got to be looked into, Proceeding to the stables, he slipped out of the saddle, quietly put away his horse, and returned to the street. Standing for some minutes before the hotel, he looked off in the direction where the light bad been seen, but nothing was to be seen of it now, and presently he moved on. Ths night was a dark one, the stars being hid by clouds, and objects were not discernible at any great distance away. Just as this man started on, a great, black figure came around the corner. of the hotel and went up the sfreet in the direction he was going. Tbe man stopped at sight of the figure, and waited until it had got abead of -him a little dis- tance, when he moved on after it, a hand upon a weapon, ready to use if necessary. Moving silently, and keeping ouly near enough not to lose sight of the figure, he followed it to the door of Garry Long’s cabin. . There it stopped, and the person—as a person it was—knocked lightly upon the door, The watcher drew as near as he thought he could without risk of being discovered, and there waited. No response was made to the knocking, and presently it was repeated. This time it brought a-sound from within, and soon a voice demanded to know who was there. ‘*Hit am me, chile,” was the low-voiced re- sponse, ‘ n de doah an’ Jef me come in, Hit am only Dine.” Low as the words were, they were plainly dis- tinct to the spy, and he knew immediately who the dark figure was. It was old Dinah, the cook at the saloon. Presently the door opened, a dim light was seen within, and in the light appeared the young woman stranger who had tbe day before bired the cabin, but whose name had nut yet been learned. The negress hastened in, the door was closed after her, and as soon as it was shut the watcher hastened forward, stepped to the door with careful tread, and applied his ear to catch what- ever might be said between the two within. ‘**'You are late, Dinah,” the young woman re- marked, “I must have slept a long time, I lay down with my clothes on.” ‘Shua I is Jate,” was the response. “I done thought dat blame ol’ ranch nebber gwine ter git ter sleep in de worl’, shua. But, yer I is, chile, and now, Missy Lily, I mus’ hug yo’ oncet.” I There was a sound witbin, as though the young woman bad fallen into the embrace of a friendly bear, s ‘* Goodness! you bave squeezed the life out of me, Dinah!” was the exclamation immediately following. ‘‘Sit down now, and let’s have a talk. I must hear everything you can tell me.” About at this time another interested watcher drew near to the cabin to learn something. It was another man, a man muffled in dark clothes, and in one hand. carrying something that looked like a bull’s-eye lantern closed, This person had been coming silently up the street when the door of the cabin opened, and in the light that shone out he saw a man crouch- ing at. a little distance, ncluding immediately that some mischief was intended, or that crooked work of s me sort was going on, he passed around and cane to the cabin from the rear, where there was a
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10 curtained window partly protected by a broken ‘broad shutter. This second spy had somewhat the advantage of the first, for the curtain was thin, and he could look into the room and discern the figures of the two women and what they were doing, as well as hear all that was said between them. After all her caution, the negress had evidently chosen the very worst moment of the whole night to pay this visit to the young woman. “* An’ dat’s what I'll done tol’ yo’,” was the re- sponse to the girl’s last remark. ‘‘ Now yo’ is heah, an’ yo’ mus’ hab all de facks I kin gib yo’. se old Dine hab made no fool job ob hit, you t **T can readily believe that, Dinah,” ‘* Yo’ bet yo’ life yo’ kin, chile, I didn’t send fo’ yo’ fo’ nothin’. What I knows I knows jest as well as anybody.” ‘* But, tell me all, Dinab, and in as few words as possible. What have you learned concerning the fate of my poor sister? Do you know whe- ther she is living or dead?” At this the man at the door gave a start, his teeth set together with a spap, and he listened eagerly for more, “*She am dead,” was the sorrowful response, “*She an’ de baby am bofe dead, poor chile! But de willain am alive, an’ you bet we has got hit in fo’ him in a way dat will mak’ bim wish he hadn’t nebber been born!” “You have not told me his name,” spoke the rl. “Hit am Fred Upworth, dat’s what hit am.” The man at the door, could he have been seen, would have exhibited signs of greatest agitation. There was something in this that had interest for him. ee a have you proof against him?” inquired e girl, “Yes; I hab de proof, too, Yo’ wait till we corners him, an’ see if I hasn’t proof ’nough.” ‘** How long has my sister been dead?” ** More dan six long months, shua,” “* And did he—he—kill her?” ‘“Mebby not, right out, missy; but in de sight ob de good Lawd he am a murderer jest ce same,” “Then he abused her?” ‘Mos’ shamefully! An’ she done die.” __ ‘ Poor, erring zie! But he shall pay for - ampee I have sworn that he shall pay for it “‘T sh’u’d smile ef he didn’t, chile} Hangin’ is a heap sight too good fo’ a willain like he am, How we is ee ter git at him am fo’ you ter say, missy, Hi doan’ got not much brain fo’ any- thing in de way ob layin’ plans, though I kin *bey orders ’mazin’ly wel]. Yo’ mus’ do all de plottin’ in de game,” “Very well; but tell me, if you know, where is my sister buried?” “T bab l’arned dat, too, missy. Hit am erbout a mile from dis bery camp, at a lone spot in de mountings,” ‘**Poor Mazie! poor Mazie! But your proof, Dinah, There is no chance to be mistaken in the man, you say,” *“Nary bit obachance. I hab de proof all rights all yo’? wants am ter git yo’ han’s on im.’ “ And that I willdo. I shall begin my efforts to-morrow,” ** But how is yo’ gwine ter do it?” ‘* Here is a thought that has come tome. See what you think of it. I will seek his acquaint- ance and lead him to love me, ifIcan, Then, when the time is ripe, I will lure him into the hills, to a place agreed upon with you before- hand, and there we will take revenge that is justly ours. We will hang him!” “Sarve himright! Sarve him jes’ right!” the negress excitedly exclaimed, **“You can take me to the place where poor Mazie lies, you know, and we will let that be the scene of our revenge. 1 can lure him there, once I make him regard me with his evil passion mis- called love, and-once there, and in our power, his fate will be in our hands, Oh! how I shall long for that hour to come! It is terrible, I know; but [ will be equal to the occasion.” The man at the door allowed his lips to curl in a smile, and gave a meaning shrug of the shoulders, At the same instant the man at the rear of the cabin slipped, his elbow went crashing against e glass, and the two females sprung to their ‘feet with cries of alarm. ( To escape discovery, the man sprung from the window and dodged around the side of the cabin, where he came into sudden collision with the other man, who bad hurried away from the door for similar reason. There was a slight exclamation from each, and a powerful light Be ee SS 2 eel ec ee . was flashed into the face of one, revealing the features of Fred Upworth. Instantly the light was gone, and with it disappeared the other man in the darkness, CHAPTER XI, MEETING AT THE RENDEZVOUS. DEaDWoop Dick listened in vain to overhear what the men said. Their tones were too low, and drawing as near as he dared, with every risk of being discovered, he was still unable to hear. Whatever they were talking about, it was plain that they wanted no one else to hear, and were cautious accordingly. Their confab lasted some twenty minutes, and Dick did not catch that many words, Finally they parted, Fred Upworth moving off down the valley and the other man retracing his steps toward the camp. Who this person was, Dick had been unable to uess, though he was sure he had heard the voice fore, Believing he had no further need to shadow Upworth, and wanting to learn who this other man was, he followed him, keeping a little dis- tance in the rear, It was so dark that discovery was not likely to happen, and even if it did, it mattered little. The man led the way straight to the hotel, Dick increasing bis pace as they drew near, in order not to lose sight of the right person, and as the fellow passed into the bar-room, and the light fell upon bim, Dick recognized Bob Dick- ens, the fancy day-clerk of the house, Deadwood Dick smiled grimly to himself at this discovery. A suspicion that had entered his mind was confirmed, Passing on, he went out of the cam other direction from that taken by Upworth, roceeding with care and caution over the un- amiliar ground. When presently he came to the entrance toa canyon he was challenged, and responding cor- rectly, advanced to where some horsemen were standing. These were members of the Domino band. ** Are you all here?” Dick asked. aes Double-Five hasn’t come yet,” was the reply. EVery well, we must wait for him. you my horse?” ‘* Yes; this one is it. Captain Double-Six.” Dick advanced in the direction indicated, and was soon in the saddle, But little was said, as the band waited in silence for the missing member, and after a short time another person was heard approach- in the Have Come right this way, ing. Again the Chet tee was given, rightly re- sponded to, and Walt Maybree, or the ‘t Double- Five of the band, came forward and joined them, inquiring if all were there, ‘Tam a little late,” he observed, when he had mounted his horse, ‘* Wasdetained by a person with whom I had to exchange some talk, In fact, it was Fred Upworth, But now weare all here, so let’s be off,” “And the sooner the better,” said Dick. ‘You lead the way, Douole-Five, as you are better acquainted with the trail than I am,” ‘* Ajl right, Captain Double-Six. Give your order to start and we are off at once.” “It is given,” responded Dick; and they set forward immediately. There were five of the party, and their mid- nigbt journey was made in almost silence, Little was sail by any of the party. They were in the gray shirts and rougb garb of the camp of Gray Shirt, and could they have been seen, upon their breasts would have been found the insignia of the Domino Doubles, They pressed on as rapidly as possible, through along and diverging course of canyon trails, then up the tortuous, mountain-side way that led to the plateau we have seen, and there they emnened. $ hen they had come to a stop, a challenging voice was heard, ““ Who comes there?” was demanded. ‘* Dominoes,” was the response, “ Whois captain?” “* Double-Six.” ** Advance, Captain Double-Six, and give countersign.” Deadwood Dick rode forward a few paces, met the man who had challenged, and spoke the secret word, ‘‘Has the Double-Four signaled yet?” Dick asked. No,” wasthe response; * not yet. The light has not appeared.” | ‘Shall we go on to the cavern, Double-Fivef” turning to the lieutenant of the band, ** Tt is hardly worth while, till we baveawaited the signal, is it?” ‘So I think. We will wait here till the hour has arrived. Have you the signal-lamp with you, Double-Blank?” ‘¢ Yes; here it is.” A small bull’s-eye was put in Dick’s hand, and with its aid he looked at his watch. . ‘* Tt lacks a little of the hour,” he announced. ‘‘ We will go on and dispose of our horses, and by that time it will be up, and we can return on foot for the experiment.” They rode on to the cavern, where their ani- mals were left, and after a few minutes’ stay at the cabin, returned on foot to the plateau. As they came out upon the rocky shelf, a light was seen blazing in the distance like a flaming star. ‘* There it is!” exclaimed Dick. ‘** And now to test the thing,” added Maybree. Deadwood Dick opened the slide of the lantern he bad in hand, and its light flashed forth through the black void. Followed then what has already been de- scribed at length, and for an hour the signaling was kept up, at the end of which time the lights were closed for good, “Tt is a success!” exclaimed Double-Five, “Captain Double-Six, I congratulate you upon the big success of your happy thought. We are going to win, and whatever secret is hid at Red Shirt shall] soon be ours,” ‘* This is one step ee that direction, aoybow, o-morrow afternoon I go. answered Dick. — there, and then will come the tug of war, I ex- pect. Double-Ace will go ahead of me, dis- guised and wearing a red shirt, to communicate with you in case anything goes wrong with me,” ‘* And Double-Four will remain here, to tele- graph with you ifrequired. We intend keeping a lookout bere on the plateau.” ‘Yes; and now tc the cabin, where we will await the coming of Double-Four.” Returning to the cavern and entering the cabin, cigs Sor themselves upon blankets on the floor, being in need of the brief rest, and were soon asleep. This was with the exception of the Double- Blank, who remained on guard; he having taken his sleep during the day and the earlier part of the night. And asleep they remained until the arrival of Double-Four. Upon his arrival they were awakened, and a consultation and council of war occupied the en- suing balf hour, Plans were arranged, as far as could be, for the mode of procedure, and the night’s work was done. Before they left the rendezvous, however, — Double-Four said he had something furtber to make known, in which they might feel disposed to take action. ‘¢ Perhaps you remember,” he said to Dead-~ wood Dick, ‘‘a young woman who was on the same stage with you yesterday.” ‘“¢ [ remember her,” Dick assured, “She is at Red Shirt, and, I have reason to believe, in some danger,” “Then it shall be the business of the Domino Doubles to see that no harm comes to her,” Dick decided. “T thought you would say that.” “ But what is her danger?” . ‘*She has come to Red Skirt upon a mission of vengeance, and her intention has become known to her enemy,” y “That's rather an awkward state of affairs for her,” observed Double-Five. ‘‘Doyou know who her enemy is?” “Yes: but you may believe me mistaken, I want to assure you that I am not.” “ Well, who is it?” “Fred Upwortb.” ‘“‘Ho! Isthatso? Let's have your story,” “Tt ig goon told. After leaving the rock, I was coming through the camp to the place where I had left my horse, and everything was as black as tar. Suddenly the doorof a cabin opened, sending outa light, and in that light I caught sight of thecrouching formof a man. A big wo.nan entered the cabin, the door having been opened by a girl, or young woman, as I took i to be; and the thought struck me that the man meant them no good, ‘ ‘¢ Well, I paused for a second, to consider what to do, and decided tiat if I stationed myself be- hind the cabin I should be ready at hand if help was needed. Going around, stealthilv, T caught sight of the man again as I passed, this time with his ear at the door; and upon reaching the rear of the cabin I found there a window with a broken shutter, and was able to see and hear, ib. tw
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. {1 The two persons were a young lady and a ne- gress. They were well-known to each other, and from their conversation I got hold of their business at Red Shirt, ‘“* And if I overheard, so did Fred Upworth, of course. And what he heard must bave made his ears tingle, I should say. But let me sum it up in my own words. This young woman, is seems, is in search of a lost sister, or the man who ruined her. The old negress was her advance guard as it were, She had come to Red Shirt, got hold of the truth, and then sent for the young woman to come there. The sister, Mazie by name, is dead, according to the old negress’s story, and also a child which she seems to have had, And the rascal, the one responsible for the girl’s death, is no other than Fred Up- worth.” ‘““ The knave!” grated Walt Maybree. “So say I,” agreed the narrator. ‘ His name was spoken out, so I know Iam not mistaken. And now the plan is, to get him in their power and settle the score with him; ard I tell you this sister of the dead girl has the pluck of a Nemesis! It is her intention to get up a flirta- tion with Upworth, lure him to the place where the dead sister is buried, and there she and the negress intend to hang him, as he undoubtedly deserves. But the dickens Of it is, Upworth has heard it all, and will be on his guard; what is more, he may take steps against this young woman, to get her away from the cam fore she can tell her story. ‘You see she is ina bad situation, and does not know it.” “T will take a hand in this game, too,” de- clared Deadwood Dick, immediately, ‘i will not see that woman harmed, but will on the other hand lend her what help I can toward righting the wrong that has been done. 1 have no regard for this Upworth, and from what I have seen and heard of him, think he is a rascal of first water.” ** And [am glad that this much of his past career has come to light,” declared Walt, ‘‘ Now I will know how to deal with him, in a certain matter of which I will not speak now.” “ T know to what you refer,” said Dick. ‘‘ You will do well to plant yourself determinedly in his way, in the plans he has on foot; for, judging by what we have heard now, he is equal to any crime, almost.” ‘What do you know concerning what his plans and intentions are?” Maybree demanded. “*T overheard your conversation with him to- night,” Dick acknowledged, : CHAPTER XII, BIG EXCITEMENT AT RED SHIRT. THatT bit of information occasioned Walt Maybree a little surprise. j Dick explained to him, withboldiug however & part of the reason he had bad in spying upon him; and further told of the secret conversation Upworth had had with the hotel clerk. hat be withheld was the fact that he had wanted to learn secretly more about him, Walt Maybree, himself. Coming there a stranger, as Dick had, there was no great reason why he should not bave some suspicion regardivg the intent of these self-styled Domino Doubles. Now, however, his suspicion had been allayed, since he bad learned more of the man with whom he bad enlisted his services, Perbaps Walt guessed this part of it, but if he did he made no allusion to it in any way. “ Aud,” Dick concluded, “it will be well for you who remain at Gray Shirt to keep an eye upon Bob Dickens, You may find him up to some tricks that will be of interest to us,” “« He shall be looked after,” promised Double- Five. ‘‘ And now, captain, if we are to get back into camp before daylight, we must be moving.” ““ lam ready,” said Dick. once,” In a few minutes more they were in the saddle and out upon the return trai) to Gray Shirt. They reached their destinatiou before it was light, and before any one was astir, and putting wis their horses, sought their several beds, alt Maybree and Dick entered the hotel, Walt having a night key to a side door, and Dick lost no time in getting back into the room where the lazy “‘ Mr, Stiff” was supposed to be taking solid comfort. It was late for breakfast when a knock was heard at his door. , a. ‘Well, what’s wanted?” Dick inquired, imi- tating the drawl be had used before, to suit the ‘* Let us go, and at character, “Why, you're late for breakfast,” was the response. ‘‘ You will have to bustle out of that ¥ if you expect to get any to-day.” NN Ee ee petit games weary Mr. Stiff drawled, against a snag some of these days, and get used up in the very worst kind of way. it at this very camp of Red Shirt where ’m going.” yer never eat another meal! thar, by ‘tarnel but we’ll make yer build a coffing fer yerself when ver gits back, an’ plant yer in et; we will, by darn!” he said. with me?” impos genera! battle between the two camps, Dick gave out a weary sigh. ‘““ What care I for breakfast?” he drawled. “ All I want is rest, and plenty of it. Let me sleep on till time for dinner, and then call me up. If any extra charge, Ill pay it.” ** All right!” was the agreement; and the at- tendant went off mumbling something about this man’s being the laziest specimen he had ever had the misfortune to fallin with in his life. He was more than lazy; the word was not for- cible enough to express bis condition. So Dick fixed it all right for a whole forenoon of solid rest, to prepare for what was to come, and nothing was seen of “ Mr, Stiff” that morn- ing. After dinner, however, he appeared in the bar-room, rigged out in his gray shirt, a citizen out and out. He had already taken the oath of allegiance, as will be remembered. “Well, how do you feel now?” inquired the fancy clerk. “ Pretty good, after my little nap,” the weary “Ef I stranger responded. “ Tittle nap!” exclaimed one man, could sleep like you I’d be ther seven sleepers of ther world, by hornets!” ‘“*An’ef yer could fight like be kin,” et ai ers in another, ‘“‘ yer might be ther seven won of ther world, too. ter f yer ever gits licked, mis- Id like ter see ther galoot what does et.” And I expect I'll get it, sooner or later,” the *T expect to run up al I may get The crowd set_up a howl] of protest. “No! No! Yer must do up Red Shirt, ef Ef yer gits licked The self-styled undertaker smiled in a tired way. Pin try to hold up my end, citizens,” he promised, ‘‘ butif I get laid out, plant me un- der the friendly shade of a juniper bush, where the wind will sigh a solemn requiem over me, And put up a slab at my head, on which inscribe: ‘He undertook many things in his time; this time undertook too much.’ ” lease This brought forth some laughter from those easily excited to mirth, and when it had subsid- ed the lazy man called for his horse. ‘*T suppose it is about time for me to be off,” ‘*How many of you citizens are going The whole town was eager to go, but that was sible. It would have been a signal fora Said one man: - “T ber dern ef weall wouldn’t like ter go, mister, but et won’tdo. But I move, pards, thet we send over two or three fellers, not wearin’ ther gray, ter see how ther thing goes. What’s yer say on that?” ‘““That’s ther idee!” chorused the rest. ‘‘ Pick out yer men, boyees, an’ let °em go on a leetle pica ter be on hand fer ther comix’ of ther chief, at Red Shirt when our delegate gits thar! Haw! haw! haw!” Ok! but I bet thar’ll be a whoopin’ time This was immediately eed to, and Ben Dooley wanted to be one of the committee, but he was ruled out, been sent to take a hand in, if the battle went against the delegate. speedily selected, and assoon as they had laid off It would look as though he had So three others were their clanship colors they set out, the delegate following balf an hour later. Meantime Red Shirt was in a state of feverish expectancy, Early that morning Fred Upworth had told about his visit to Gray Shirt, and of the proposed arratigements, _ He did not underrate the ability of the fight- ing stranger, either, but rather tried to magnify it, if possible, He wanted to stimulate the local pride to the bizhest pitch, and put the gladiators of the home arena upon their muscle, Of the home talent in the fistie way, Terror Ted, as he was called, undoubt-dly ranked first. He was a bigger mon than Hard-fist Pete of Gray Shirt, and perhaps a better, though that point had never been tested. A great, overgrown, broad-shouldered giant, he had easily vanquished the best men of the camp soon after his advent, and was now king of the arena. Upon his arrival there, he bad given his name as Big Ted: but when he bad given two or three exbibitions of his fighting qualities, and had \ ‘laid out” the best men the camp could pro- duce, he was rechristened Terror Ted. “ Comin’ hyer ter clean our clock fer us, ar” he?” he remarked, when the matter was n.ade known to him, ‘ Waal, now, 1 opine be wull find us ter home, with ther jigger out and ile on ther binges; Ido, by jumpin’! Au’ ef this hyer camp can’t find a man ter lick him, by jumpin’ Dll do et meself, that’s all.” At first it was proposed that one Hiram Higgs, called Higgsey Hi, should be the one to defend the honor of the camp, but when Fred Upwortb had dilated upon the extraordinary ability of the coming delegate, it was finally concluded that the camp could not afford to rest its case with any man inferior to Terror Ted; and he was accordingly told to get ready, He took the matter very easily, remarking that he didn’t think it was at all necessary for him to go into training for the affair, Fred Upworth took him aside, though, and drilled it into his head that the fellow who was coming was likely to give bim a pretty severe brush, and that he must make up his mind to it. Further, be made him promise that be would not touch a drop of anything in the way of liquor until after the fight, and further, as an extra in- ducement, offered to give him a hundred dollars clean cash if he would whip his man,. And this last was the clincher. Terror Ted went around boasting what he would do when the time came, and bis backer, at the same time, went around and gave orders that no one was to allow Ted to drink, under any condition or threat. This was a weakness the local chieftain had, and it was well known that if he Jaid aboard a load of ‘* bug-juice” he would be likely to get used up in the fight. But the promised hundred dollars filled Terror Ted’s eye, and knowing his weakness well enough, he wisely kept away from temptation as much as possible, fortifying himself with the happy anticipation of the ‘‘gee-lorious old spree” he would bave as soon as that bundred dollars was bis. ' *‘ Let him come,” he cried, exultingly, feeling of his muscles and flourishing his gigantic arms, “en ef Idon’t jam bis head down inter bis stummick I’m a duffer! Why, fellers, I’m goin” ter Jarrup him so bed he wov’t remember who he well Oh! let him come! an’ jest let me git one paste at him! an’ ef he don’t double up like a wilted stinkweed, I’m a liar!” That was a fair specimen of his boasting, to quote all of which would compel us to extend our story to a double number. Late along in the afternoon three citizens from Gray Shirt, in neutral attire, rode into the camp. The whole population of the place was congre- gated at the Bung Hole Saloon at the time, The ‘‘ delegate” was eagerly watcbed for, and at first it was thought that one of these must be be: But this was not the case, and the three rode forward leisurely and dismounted. ‘““Whar’s ther delegate?’ was the eager de- mand, ‘©Oh, be ar’ comin’,” was the answer. ‘‘ We jest rode on ahead, ter tell yer he wull be hyer soon ; “‘Ther sooner ther better fer me!” cried Ter- ror Ted, ‘I’m ther galoot what’s most interest~ ed in this hyer thing.” ‘¢ Well, we wentures ter remark thet mebb it will be interestin’ fer ye, afore yer gits done,” another of the three observed. “If ther onder- taker dov’t make ye hump ter git thar, 1 miss my guess,” , ‘* Mebby you'd like ter try a hand at et, while we wait—” “Ob, no, thank yer: we has come over hyer in peaceful garb, as you kin see.” A volley of question, answer and remark went the rounds for some time, when suddenly another horseman was descried entering the valley. ““Hyar he comes!” cried somebody who was the first tosee him. ‘‘ Hyar comes a Gray Shirt, } sure’s yer born!” ; “That’s him,” declared the advance guard, “* Now, then, Mister Big Man, git yerself ready ter do him up, an’ let’s see how yer will make out.” , { Terror Ted had bis eyes fixed upon the coming horseman, who was approaching at the slowest possible walk, and looked to be balf-asleep as he sat in the saddle. He seemed as limp as a man of rags. “Yer don’t mean ter say thet aire thing ar” ther delegate, do yer?” he cried out in disgust. “Ef et ar’,in marcey to him go out an’ meet him an’ turn him back, I couldn’t bit him light enough not ter kill him; couldn't ef I tried.” Mebby yer won’t be able ter hit er tall,” was
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12 the response to that. ‘“‘ Ef yer does, et wull be xsore’y Hard-fist Pete could do, an’ we calls him no slouch, Don’t go ter tellin’ what ther dele- gate ar’ made of till yer has tasted of him, mis- ter, an’ then yer will be quallerfied ter judge, an’ yer opine will be wu’th listenin’ to. Git read y. now, ter salute ther delegate from Gray Shirt!” CHAPTER XIII. TELLS WHICH SIDE WHIPPED, By this time the delegate from Gray Shirt was at band. " ft was Mr. Stiff, as lazy and weary as ever, now clad in gray shirt and accompanying rough raiment, And as he came up, Red Shirt let itself loose in a whoop of laughter at his appearance. It was too much, such a specimen as this to Lie of getting away with suciia man as Terror ed. That individual was the first to greet him, ‘** Mister,” he spoke, mildly, ‘‘ ain’t thar some mistake?” ‘* How is‘that?” drawled Mr, Stiff. ‘* Mistake about what, my good man?” Y ‘* Why, et can’t be thet you ar’ ther expected delegata from Gray Shirt, what’s come over hyer ter larrup me.” ‘“*T guess there’s no mistake about it,” re- sponded Mr, Stiff. ‘‘I’m here as the delegate from Gray Shirt, and my_ business is to whip the best man you can produce; or—get whip- The delegate had stopped, and was sitting with arms hanging, in as lazy an attitude as mortal could assume, He did not appear to have life enough in him to last him over till the same time next day. And to talk about fighting e was the object of general ridicule, and the crowd was making all mauner of fun of bim. Inviting him to get down and die; to stop breathing and take a rest, and any number of similar enticing things. And the delegate took it all mildly, seemingly too tired to re- sent. ‘Presently be looked around over the crowd, and demanded: “Well, citizens of Red Shirt, I suppose you'll allow me to dismount and rest a little before the difficulty begins, won’t you?” “Ther wisest thing yer kin do,” spoke up one man, ‘‘is ter turn yer hoss an’ go right back ter Gray Shirt, straight, an’ tall yer people yer got skart out.” ‘*Not any,” drawled the delegate. ‘‘ When I o back it will be either as victor or vanquished, can’t go back without making a showing of some kind. But what say you: may I dis- mount?” ‘Yes, you may dismount, sir,” responded Fred Upworth, who had pushed througb to the front, “‘and no one will offer to molest you. Stretch yourself a, little, and then we will ar- range for the meeting you have come here to seek.” /‘ Tbank you, sir,” drawled the weary man. He slipped out of the saddle, an1 requestin somebody to see to his horse, shambled towar the Bung-Hole, A great part of the crowd followed him, and when he entered the saloon the place was speedi- ly filled. He CAP upon a chair, stretched himself out, and for a time did nothing but rest. é Meanwhile the crowd surged around him, tak- ing a survey of his appearance, and talking among themselves about the folly of his thinking of “doing up” Terror Ted. . That worthy was in the front part of the saloon, expressing himself in terms rather more forceful than elegant. ‘*Et looks like a shame,” was one remark ke offered, ‘I hate like sin ter do up sich a pore cuss ez he ar’,” Finally the delegate roused up, got upon his feet, and leaning against the bar, called out: ‘* Citizens of Red Shirt, hear me. It is time now to come to business, I suppose. What con- ditions are you willing to grant me?” “You _is entitled ter anytbing yer asks,” de- clared Honest Jo, the proprietor of the saloon. “*T reckon the boyees will give yer what yer asks, seein’ as yours ar’ a dead goose anyhow.” * Yas, yas, sot yer own tarms,” invited Ter- ror Ted, ‘* We kin afford ter humor ye, I reck- ons. We isinclined ter be good ter ys, out 0’ pity if nothin’ Jelse, You may bea fighter, but a yer be yer looks tells a whoppin’ lie, that’s all, “All I shall ask will be fair and square terms,” the delegate drawled. ‘ And then all 1 want is to have the agreement lived upto. If you won’t give your word to that, then there won’t be any fight, that’s all. What do you say on that head, citizens of Red Sbirt?” There was an immediate howl that he should have the fairest kind of a show. The idea of missing the fun was not to be thought of. The camp was ready to promise anything. ‘‘Let us bear your conditions,” demanded Fred Upwertb. ‘* Well,” was the lazy drawl, ‘‘ they are these: That if I get whipped, [ am to be sent back to Gray Shirt with proper care. If I come off vic- tor, then I am to have the freedom of this camp for one week, to wear the gray sbirt all the time, and to flap my wingsand crow as long and loud as I plense. How does that strike you?” “That’s all right,’ was the shout. ‘ We *srees ter them tarms, an’ we'll live up to’em, too.” ‘‘Tean ask nothing fairer. And now about the fight. I want you to pit your best man against me, so that one fight willdecide. If I am going to be whipped, 1 want 1t done right up quick and brown, S2e?” * An’ Ym ther buckleberry what'll do et!” cried Terror Ted, waving bis big arms wildly. ‘¢ Let’s git at et, old hoss, fer I’m dyin’ fer some- thin’ ter drink,” ** All right, just as soon now as you please. Don’t get excited.” ‘* Excited! Me! Bless yer soul I don’t often git excited, but when I do— Whew! When yer sees my ears begin ter flop, then I’m growin’ excited.” ‘Then Dll keep my eye on your ears,” said the delegate. ‘‘Now I’m ready, gentlemen, so go on with your arrangements, and as seon as Tm wanted let me know, Tl rest till I’m called.” Eager for the fun to begin, the citizens bus- tled to arrange the final details, and pretty soon | ) ; i | offered a feint, followed up immediately with a the delegate was infornied that be was wanted. The crowd had furmed a big ring in the street in front of the saloon, and in the ring stood the giant gladiatcr, bat and coat off, and the sleeves of his red shirt rolled up half way to the shoul- der. ; The sleepy delegate got up and shi ffled out, and passed through the opening into the ring, the gap closing up bebind Lim immediately, Taking off bis bat and dropping it to the ground, and then removing his spectacles and putting them in a pocket of his coat, and taking off the coat and passing it over to one of the men from Gray Sbirt, he was ready. “Git yerself up byer, then,” invited Terror Ted, ‘tan’ let me gitone crack at yer, an’ ef 1 don’t take ther fight out of yer, I’m a liar,” ‘*' Well, bere I am,” drawled the delegate, as he sbuffled up lazily and put up bis hands, ‘‘ Hit me bard, when you do bit me, and when I’m whipped, tell me, if I don’t have sense enough to know it.” } ‘Waal, yer is as good as licked already,” de- celared Terror, “but et will be hard ter make yer believe that without ther proof ter back et, so hyer’s ther proof, Look out fer yerself now, an’ byer’s what’s goin’ ter send yer home disabled.” That ponderous rigbt arm swung round, a terrific blow was delivered, and it hit—the air! So heavy had it been that it almost carried the giant with it, and tke delegate was out of the way. Lifting his left fist, the delegate gave the bull- whacker a gentle reminder under the ear, a tap that caused him to bellcw out in wild rage. He pranced around furiously, calling the dele- gate all manner of pretty names, and evidently all beeause he bad not stood still to receive the ‘*nose-bu’ster.” ‘Don’t waste breath that way,” the delegate advised, ‘* You may need it before you get done,” ‘You'll need a coffin when I am done,” was the vengeful] retort. ‘‘By ther great hokus- pokus, but I'l] kill yer this hyer time,” At the delegate he rushed again, this time put- ting on all steam, as if were, delivering two blows in quick succession, one with each fist. But no damage was done. { The sleepy delegate caught the blows with a swift clip on the forearm of each of the giant’s pile-drivers, giving them a sensation akin to toothache, and making him how] with pain. “Keep cool, Ted, keep cool!” called Fred Up- worth. “If you lose your head you're done up, sure!” “He's not excited till his ears begin to flop,” drawled the delegate, ‘‘ I am watching bisears, When they flop, then I’ll be seared.” It was one thing to give the bullwbacker ad- vice to keep cool, but it was altogether another Deadwood Dick,’ Jr.’s, Dominoes. / ; thing for him to follow it; and this taunt from the delegate drove him wild, “T']l show yer whose ears will flop!” he vociferated. “Tl give yer somethin’ ter carry home with yer! I'll wind ye upso’s yer won’t never come unwound, an’ that I’m tellin’ yer. Hyer I come, ter plow yer up! Waugh! !” If he thought to scare his opponent he was mistaken, The delegate was there, drowsy as ever in appearan‘e, but he had proved that he was Wide enough awake. In rushed the terror, with head down and eyes closed, with the plain intention of getting hold of his antagonist. And im that he suc- ceeded, though his hold was not exactly what he could have desired. / With a whoop >f exultation he swung the delegate clear off his feet, and lifted him over bis head. But it did not stop there. "The delegate went on over, much against the bullwhacker’s desire, and his feet struck the ground behind him! And then up went Mr. Terror, with surprisin ease, and was turned completely over, aot allowed to come down upon his feet some dis- tance away. Had _ it been physically possible for bim to ‘* flop” bis ears, they would bave been ‘‘ flop- ping ” wildly now, He stood and stared at his antagonist, his eyes flaming and his breast heaving. The delegate looked as meek as a lamb, was 5s quiet as a zephyr, and as sleepy asever, It did not seem possible that such a thing as the bull- whacker’s toss had happened, ‘Waal, I ber darn!” Terror Ted ejaculated. “T see thar is some fight in you, Mister Stiff, an’ Vll have ter see what science kin do ergainst yer. Amble up hyer now, an’ let me have | another go at yer,” The delegate ambled, and their arms went up. The terror sparred for a moment, and then hard blow. It ought to have been a success, but it wasn’t. The delegate was out of the way, and in return he gave the bullwhacker a thump on the fore- bead that must bave made him see stars, ‘“Waugb!” the gladiator bellowed, ** Waugh ! Yer life pays fer that aire clip, or ’m a stink- weed! I'm goin’ fer yer scalplock this byer time, an’ don’ yer fergit it! Waugh!!” It was now or never, and the gladiator knew it. He put forth every effort, pressing hard upon his antagonist and sending in blow after blow with lightning quickness. But it was all of no use, The delegate parried every blow with even more ease than he had found it to avoid the blows of Hard-Fist Pete at Gray Shirt, and ere long Terror Ted began to grow weary. Then it was that the delegate pushed the bat- tle against bim, hammering him around that ring in great style, not dealing very heavy blows, but atvnaiiinee ones that raised a lump every time, and presently the fellow began to bellow for mercy. “Hol on! Hol’ on!” be yelled. “I bas enough, Ihas! I caves! Igivesetup! You ar’ ther best man, an’ 1 don’t keer who knowset! Letup, let up! Ow—wow ! Fer ther luv 0’ goodness, hol’ on! I bas bad all ther fight I bankers arter, an’ P hid is ther cock of ther walk, Gray Shirt wins ther day, by darn!” —_—. CHAPTER XIV. DICK’S NEW DEAL, THAT there was a “time” then may be be- lieved. Hisses and groans were ong of the great glad nal, : The victim of bis own misplaced confidence was a sight to bebold, He held out well, taking punishment as long as he could stand it, a There was not a spot on his head and face that was not discolored. His eyes were fast closing, blood from his own nose was all over bim, 4” he was teetotally done up and knocked out. ate” ‘“* Are you sure ae bad all you wa the ] le: ate e 6 1 sy Vas ee yer! I is done up, an’ roe as sense enough ter know et. Lis ’ fair an’ square. licked, lie “ No! no!” cried some one in the crowd, eard on every side, ator was signal and “We way, Ted can’t let Gray Shirt do us up that Down him Go fer him aan f are S to Bey an’ chaw him imb on him 4 erselves,” grunt- “Et yer wants et eR nih q nel gy . one, an? éd the whipped man, im, go I’m licked. Ef yer wants ter sample fer him, but I wants no more in mine,
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 13 It was settled. There was not aman there who could have whipped Ted, and to tackle the delegate would have been the worst of foolishness. Groans were heard all around, and soon these were followed by murmurs that it had not been fair, and threats began to be whispered against the sleepy delegate. é Nor were these whispers in any wise bushed by the lond and victorious cheering that was be- ing indulged in by the few men from Gray Shirt who were present. They were whooping them- selves hoarse, “None of that, now, good citizens,” drawled the delegate, whose ears seemed to catch every whispered word, ‘ Your promise was that [ was to have the freedom of your camp for one week, to do pretty much as 1 please, and do all the crowing I want to.” * That is so, boys,” spoke up young Upworth. “Tf our man has been whipped, let us keep our word, We can show these men from Gray Sbirt that we are men of honor, anyhow, Ted says he is whipped, and whipped fair, and as he is the best man we can produce, it will have to stand so. What do you say, boys?” At this, from Fred Upworth, the majority shouted approval, and soon it was agreed to all around, This_was the great point gained, and Dead- wood Dick was now in the camp of the enemy, with a standing that was bound to be respected. He was not done yet, however. He had one further point to play. “Thank you, gentlemen,” he drawled. ‘I felt sure that you would keep to your end of the bargain. And now, you men from Gray Shirt, carry the news to Mary as soon as you please!” “You bet we willl? was tho cry. ‘* Whar’s our hosses? We'll go straight ter Gray Shirt, an’ ef every galoot in ther camp don’t drink to ther bealth of their delegate, then I misses my guess,’ They got their animals in short order, and pretty soon were off for home, carrying the glorious news of victory. The delegate from Gray Shirt looked after them as they rode out of the valley, and as they disa peared he was heard to mutter to bimself:; ae it, you duffers; but you can’t play me for a gilly again, If I had got killed here, it wouldn’t have been any funeral of yours, If you see me at Gray Shirt again, let me know it, ie at is that you are’saying, sir?’ demanded Fred Upworth, wee stood eat “Did you overhear?” was the return. “*T believe I did.” ‘* Well, I mean it. me,” ‘‘What are you going to do, then? Do you betel to join us here, and be a wearer of the Tr i. ‘I don’t know how it will be. My plans are not settled. I may ‘ind it convenient to move on, before many moons. 1’m a sort of drifter,” As he said ‘this, the delogate gave a sly iw and turning away, shambled toward the saloon. Upworth looked after him d then started to overtake him, ane ‘Say, a word with you,” he said, laying a No more Gray Shirt’ for - hand on bis shoulder, _ ‘* Asmany as you want,” a was the easy returu. “Tes step off this way, and have “4 talk in rate, aa The delegate went with him, without question, and awaited his pleasure. i When they had got a little distance out of the crowd, Upw, to and facing the ti stranger, sais seopped, 3 cotta “You are not what you seem. You are in disguise. Don deny it, now, for I am no fool, No man Who ean fignt as youdo would look so cussed lazy.” Mr, S:iff smiled, “This 1S News to me,” he drawled, smiling, “Maybe you can go furtwer, and tell me whot am, if you believe that» ‘< pad can, t00, You are Deadwood Dick, ‘unior arash. The delegate’s face never changed a line, and 8 smile remained, — ‘That’s news to me, tog declared. ‘ Any- thing further YOU know about me? Let me hear Trorst; I guess © can stand it.” 1 Brrorth’s face 88 a puzzle clinal hfoun are » eman sharply, - you?” he ’ ba laughed, | something Fnmense. He seemed to enjoy _ “The idea that I should Dead- ta Dick!" he exclaimed, “taken, for 4 his on a serious &XPression, “ what do you about, know about Deadwood Dick? And why did you take me to be bim?” ‘* Because I know Deadwood Dick is around here somewhere, and I’m looking for him toturn up. ‘* What! Deadwood Dick around here!” So the delegate gasped, and he looked furtive- ly around, Fred Upworth’s face looked puzzled again. What was this stranger, anyhow? ‘* You seem to have reason to fear Deadwood Dick,” he observed, ‘* Don’t you care about meeting bim?” ‘*Oh, nothing of that sort,” the delegate ner- vously denied, ‘‘ but I— I guess PH take my horse and move out. I’m rather afraid your man Terror Ted will go for me behind my back, and— : Now Upwortb laughed. “You can’t blind me that way,” he cried, ‘© Tt is Deadwood Dick you are afraid of.” ‘Oh, no,” in a more lively tone than he had yet used; ‘what should I be afraid of him for? Who is ke, anyhow? But, I think I'll bemoving out,” ** Look here, whoever you are,” and Upworth laid a detaining hand on him, ‘‘ you may as well own up, my man, Imean you well, and if you will make a clean breast to me I may be able to help you out.” Mr. Stiff looked at him keenly. ‘*Tt don’t do to trust strangers,” hesaid, “I think [ll slope off and go about my own busi- ness ” ‘* But, one word first,” detained the young man. ‘ Tell me something about this Deadwood Dick, if you can,and describe him so that I would know himif Isaw him. Iam no fool, as I told you, and you can’t blind me.” ‘* Neither am I a fool,” Mr. Stiff declared, ‘“and if I bad anything to tell it is not likely tbat I would unwind to a stranger.. No; we can’t deal. And I’m off as soon as I can get ‘my horses,” This time he started in earnest, and Upworth had to go after him and detain him as before, ‘* See here,” he said, ‘‘l have reason to look out for this Deadwood Dick. I can see it is the same with you. I bave heard that he is some- where around here, and I want to get hold of him. If you can help me I will make it worth your while.” Again that searching look, o you mean that?’ the delegate demanded. ‘* Yes, I mean it, every word. Let us under- stand each other,” ‘* Well, Pll own up, but I warn you not to try ry tunny work, You have seen me fight, and I’d mash your face before you could wink. And I can shoot a little, too, so mind you don’t try to fool me,” “On my word you can trust me,” “Well, then, I am in sey and I’m trying my best to keep out of the hands of this tireless detective, Deadwood Dick. He has tracked me inch by inch, for a thousand miles, and I’ve had on as many disguises, He is aterror, if all they say about him is true.” ‘* But who are you?” ‘Say, that’s askin’ too much. I won't tell ou. A man don’t bave to put bis neck in a— ut, enough said,” This with another wink. ‘* You are re the man I want to help me,” Upworth declared. “You know this Dead- wood Dick by sight, and if you can help me put ge out of the way it will be a good job for both of us. dial ‘* Do you see any green in my eye?” demanded the sleepy delegate—now awake to the fullest sense, drawing down his eyelid. ‘How do I know but that you are in cahoots with him? Let me go, end don’t try to hold me. I’m off.” This seemed to bave the desired effect, Upworth threw aside all reserve, and showed bis hand. ‘‘One word more.” he detained, ‘You are suspicious of me. Stay here till to-night, and let me prove to you that you are safer here in this town of Red Shirt than you can be any- where else, I can put you in the way of making one of the fattest fortunes you ever dreamed And you are just the sortof man we want,” “Tf I thought this wasn’t some game to trap me. You were so quick to see through my dis- guise, that—” , “You won't wonder at that, when you learn more about me. You remain here, and I'll bee what I assert, But what was your reason or declaring you wouldn’t go back to Gray Shirt?” “T should think that, too, They're not my eee theres’ 1 Me te sp over there, I like the ap- 4 pearance of things a good deal better here. It’s too tony over there, and a fellow wouldn’t have the backing, if he needed it.” ‘* A fellow of your sort, eh? Ishould say not. © This is the place where you want to Jocate, Mr. Stiff, and you had better declare your intentions and make yourself solid with the boys at once. Nothing would please them better than for you to become a Red Shirt.” “If I thought I could trust you—” ““Thunder! To-night we will put your mind easy on that score,” “Well, Il doitand take chances, It isn’t often I get fooled ina man, and you seem the right sort.” “You'll find that Iam, you bet! Now come on and I'll tell the boys I bave won you over, and we'll swear you in just as soon as you say so.’ Conducting the ex-delegate back to where the crowd was still assembled, Upworth made a tell- ing speech, informing them that the stranger had made up his mind to join hands with Red Shirt. And the finish of it was, that Deadwood Dick took upor hitaself allegiance to this camp, to the immense delight of all. CHAPTER XV. CLOSING THE CIRCLE, It was soon night, Dick was at the saloon, where he had remain- He had played well his part. He seemed nerv- ous, and had the appearance of being on the lookout for danger. Fred Upworth had watched him a good deal of the time, and was satisfied that he was what he had intimated, a rascal who was keeping out of the clutches of the law. The first part of the evening passed without any event worthy of note, and the time was run- ning along toward midnight, when the sleepy- looking man of mystery was approached. A man moved over to him, without drawing notice, and whispered: “You are to follow me, ‘There’s no trick about this; cover me witha hr vt if you want to, and at the first sign of treachery, plug me.” ‘* All right,” Mr. Stiff drawled. ‘* 1'll follow you, and don’t forget that I wilt plug you, too, ifany fuuony work is tried on with me, I cun shoot justas well asI can fight.” The man moved away, and aftera few mo- ments went out, Dick leisurely followed, and was led away from the camp toward the west. Presently he came to a place where two horses were tied, and bere his guide stopped. **Climb your horse,” he directed, ‘‘and we will be off. We have a few miles to go, but don’t be alarmed, Keep me covered.” “You can bet your life I will,” Mr. Stiff drawled. ‘‘If there is any sage | business about this, depend on my having a hand init before it is done witb.” Dick vaulted into the saddle with a spring straight from the ground, an impossible feat for a character such as be bad been taking off; and bis companion could but admire his agility, As soon as they were mounted they were off, Dick close bebind his guide, and carefully on the lookout for danger, though he bardly expected any treacherous move. He had every reason to believe they meant him well. Finally, after a ride of perbaps three miles, over one of the worst trails Dick bad ever cross- ed, they were challenged. The leader responded, and they passed on, soon coming out into a small cup-shaped open, Here were lights, and several masked men were standing around, The ago sprung from his saddJe; be was now , masked like the others, and one of the group stepped forward to Dick, “ Welcome to the rendezvous of the Montana Marauders,” be spoke, offering his band, ‘ Al- low me to introduce myself. I am known as’ Iron John.” ‘ “Glad to meet you!” asserted Dick. And his lazy drawl was gone as by magic, “1 tell you this is something like, boys!” He gave the outlaw’s hand a hb shake, and then sprung from the saddle as lightly as an agile cowboy. When Pick bad shaken hands all around, then. Iron John demanded: “Now, stranger, before we let us know who youare. Don’t be afrai to trust us.” ‘ “You bet I won’t!” Dick returned. “ Did = ig hear of Rio Rex, the cattle-thief D f ‘No: we never did.” — “Well, this is pretty far north, and I suppose go any tyttber
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-_ my fame hasn’t reached here yet. That’s whol am, anyhow. It got too mighty warm for me south, there, and so I’m taking a tour for my health. Ha} ha} ha!” His laugh was so hearty as to convince all that he had spoken the truth. “Well, bow would you like to join the Mon- tana Marauders?” asked the outlaw chief, blunt- Ro “Nothing would suit me better,” answered the detective, “but I will only do it on condi- tion, ‘* Well, what’s your condition? Give it a name, and we will consider it.” “It is this: That you will agree to defend me against that devil of a Deadwood Dick, who is hounding me to death!” If anything had been wanting to assure the outlaws that the man was what he claimed, this remark supplied it, Nofurther mistrust of the man was harbored by any. Dick bad been trying to recognize the voice of the leader, Iron John, but so far had failed. Jt ‘was his suspicion that it was Fred Upworth, but, if so, he had a wonderful knack of changing his voice. ‘*Here’s my hand on that!” exclaimed the chief, extending his hand again. ‘1 will do that, willingly, and so will my men.” ** You bet we will!” was the approving shout. **Then I’m one of you, as soon as you say the word,” agreed Dick. ** And we’ll make you one of us at once.” Then followed much that need not be recorded here. Dick was made a member of the band, and was given the post of lieutenant—so called, by unanimous consent, : ** Now,” spoke the leader, when all had been finished, ‘‘do you know what would have been your fate, had you refused?” NO: I don’t know,” Dick answered. ** You would never have left this basin alive. If you had refused, or had we found you to be a Spy, it would have been death to you.” ‘If I had been a spy,” Dick coolly argued “it is not likely that I would have been fool enough to venture here. Those fellows generally ice ta full hand, and some over, before they av. Dick’s same guide returned with him to Red Shirt, and by the time they reached there the camp was in darkness, Captain [ron John had not revealed his identity, and the only man of them all whom Dick knew anything about, thus far, was this one who had been his guide, Entrance to the hotel was had easily enough, and Dick sought his room, Later, a dark form stole out, went in the di- rection of the rock shelf in the rear, and present- ly signal communication was being held with the omino Doubles! Next day Dick lounged around the camp, as lazy and sleepy as ever, though now a Red Shirt and to the manner born. He was the same Mr. Stiff, with hardly enough ambition to keep from being in his own pit He was paying attention to everything, while seeming to be observing little or nothing. And his interest was in a measure centered upon the cabin occupied by the strange young woman who had been his fellow-passenger on the stage. Without drawing attention, he watched her every move. Nor was this all, He seemed-to take a par- ticular interest in Fred Upworth, and several others of the prominent characters of the camp. Nothing escaped bis observation, while, as it seemed, nothing could excite the least degree of interest in him. Yet with all this, he had the air of one constantly apprehending danger. News of his turning traitor to Gray Shirt haa reached that camp, and great was the indigna- tion 1t aroused, It would have been as good as a death-war- rant, almost, for him to have showed his head there again. He made himself at home around the Bung- Hole, having won the admiration, and perforce, the respect, of the urbane proprietor, Honest Jo; and the freedom of the whole house was He bad already made friends with old Dinab, the colored cook, and could invade her precinct whenever he desired. ‘Late in the afternoon he paid a visit there, for some apparently simple purpose, and engaged the old negress in an earnest conversation, It is hardly necessary to repeat what was said, or even to give a synopsis, for the reader can readily guess the import of the interview. Suffice it to say that Dinah was interested, In the evening when ber work was done, the fhegress paid a visit to the cabin occupied by _ the mysterious young woman, and what passed - ‘ IE 5 We Lait i ee ee : Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. between them could not have been detected by the keenest of ears outside the cabin walls, Plots and counter-plots were in progress evi- dently. Several days passed without any exciting event worthy of note, During that time, however, much advance had been made by the Lion-hearted Richard. He had detected every member of the outlaw band, was in the secret of all the plans they had laid for future operations, and had them in his power! The mysterious young woman, whose name had been learned to be Lily Langdon, had made the acquaintance of Fred Upworth, and they were much in each other’s company. Both were playing shrewd games, and both playing well their parts. On her part, the young woman was enacting a role suited to the arrangements made between ber and the old negress, and which Upworth had overbeard and knew all about. He, in turn, was falling into the scheme, lend- ing himself to her designs with apparent uncon- sciousness of what her intentions were, It was her purpose now to allay his suspicion, and dis- arm his mistrust, if be bad any; and then to bring about something of which the rogue little suspected. Upworth, on the other hand, again, was will- ing to play the dupe, falling into the trap he bad heard planned, baving back cf it all another de- sign, which he had no idea could in any manner become known to the object of bis evil intentions, the lady herself; but through the watchful Dick, she was fully aware of everything, and lent her- self to his plans freely, The telegraphic signals had been kept up, al- most nightly, and the wonderful ligbt on the distant mountain had become a thing of great- est mystery, calling forth wondering: comments of every sort. If it kept on, an ex; edition was going to be sent outsome night to find what it meant, Thanks to the formation of the rocky shelf nearer at home, under which the camp rested, almost, the responding*light could not be detect- ed, and the truth of the matter was not guessed. Then, tco, with every eye fixed upon the dis- ‘tant light, no other was looked for. Pretty soon came some mysterious and strangely unaccountable disappearances, Two or (bree citizens of Red Shirt were missing, and no one could account for their absence, or even make a reasonable guess as to what bad become of them, They were seavly gone; that wasall. At ages Shirt, too, one disappearance was re- ported, that of Bob Dickens, the fancy and higbly popular clerk of the Hotel Royal. hen be had gone, how, where to, and why, were questions unanswerable, Most wondcrful of all, though known only to a certain few, was that each of these disa r-. ances removed summarily a member of the tana Marauders. That band was alarmed, Presently, one morning, Red Shirt awoke to find the camp placarded with printed notices, mysterious to some but plain enough to others, They were all alike, and the following is a copy of the wording: “To THE Camp oF Rep Sart, Pusrrc Norice:— “You are harboring a nest of vipers. The head- quarters of the Montana Marauders is in your midst. Let Iron John and his pirate crew tremble, for the sword of vengeance is bared. A few have been dealt with; all the rest are doomed. We mean business! (Signed) ha On- “THE PEOPLE’s CoMMITTEER, The Domino Doubles of Gray Shirt.” Needless to say, the greatest excitement fol- lowed, and more than one man in that camp trembled in his boots. Again did Mr, Stiff begin to exhibit a desire to move out and seek a clime more conducive to good health and longevity. CHAPTER XVI, WINDING UP THE BUSINESS. MipNIGHT found the Montana Marauders at their rendezvous, k All. were masked, and their manner was serious. Matters of moment were to be con- sidered, A ; The great question was: what is going to be done? They had lost five men in all, and only five remained, including “‘ Rio Rex,” the man from the Texas border. ‘ He seemed the most excited of any. He de- clared it must be Deadwood Dick who was at the bottom of it, for it was just like his work. ang he was for getting out as speedily as pos- sible, But Iron John would not hear of that. He was a member of the band, and had to take his” chances with the rest. But just what ought to be done was hard to decide, A scheme had been planned for the robbing of the Gray Shirt stuge a few days later, to capture the bullion from the Last Chance, Now that had to be abandoned, for they were afraid to undertake carrying it out. They were at a loss what to do, and finally the opinion of the new member was unanimously called for. He gave it as his opinion that the members of the band had better remain exceedingly quiet, and do nothing that cculd possibly draw sus- picion upon any one, ; Not that he had any idea who they all were, he added, but he considered that the only really safe plan, ; But for some reason this did not quite suit Iron John, He bad a scheme on hand that must be carried out, And in it he would need the mle of his men, or, at any rate, some of them. hat that scheme was he did not then ex- plain, but said he would make it known/when the time was ripe for carrying it out. In the mean time the suggestion of the man from Texas was the best that could be dope. And with that understanding, and some further planning, they separated, Another day or two passed, and finally an- other member of the band was missing. This time it was Rio Rex,and the lazy and sleepy Mr, Stiff wasseen no more at Red Shirt, neither was he seen again at all, Yet another day or two passed by, and by this time the frieudly relation between Fred Up- worth and the young woman who occupied Garry Long’s cabin had become very marked. Miss Langdon had made a purchase of a horse, and Upworth was her escort whenever she went for exercise out of the camp. _ i One afternoon she sent for him, making a re- quest for bis company upon 4 little excursion she desired to make, She bad been out alone, she explained, and had visited a point that sbe wished to visit again for the purpose of making a sketch. By the way, she was handy with the pencil, and sketch- ing. was her chief occupation, he young man agreed immediately and they set out forthwith, and on the way the young woman’s conversation never flagged a moment. Their destination was finally reached, and, drawing rein, the young woman’s manner changed, and pointing to the outline of a grave by the side of the trail, she exclaimed: ‘* Fred Upworth, tell me who lies there?” ‘* Why, really, how should I know?” the young man asked, pretending greatest amazement. ‘* You speak a lie!” the young woman cried, ‘There lies the body of poe Mazie Lang, whom age ruined! And I—I am ber sister, Lily ng} ‘* ‘Yo? jes’ bet dat am de fack!” cried another voice, and the head and shoulders of old Dinah appeared above a bowlder, presenting a rifle bined at the man’s breast; ‘an’ yo" jes’ put up yo’ han’s, mighty soon, or down yo' goes!” ‘«This—this must be all a mistake!” Upworth sped, putting up bis bands promptly, “*I—I now nothing about this, Miss Langdon. What do you mean? It is all a great puzzle to me.” ~ s©¥You wretcb!” was thecry, ‘You know it is true. My name is not Langdon, but Lang and Iam here to avenge my sister’s wrongs and death. We are goin it here and now! moves! *But tke proof,” the fellow gasped, in pre- tending fright, “Surely ou will not lynch me without proof, will you? hat proof have you that [ am the person you suppose?” ** The best of proof,” was the answer, ‘“‘ Wo have the old woman who was yourservant when my sister was in your power. She is ready to swear to it all.” For a second the man’s face paled, but soon a smile spread over his features, and at that in- stant strong bands seized the old negress from behind, and she was disarmed—masked men dashing out at the goal time and making a risover of the young woman, ; Pu Ha! ha! hat?” Upworth laughed, ‘* What an easy thing it is to be mistaken, I fancy’the tables are turned, my pretty Lily, Your sister was a beauty, but you are far prettier, and [ have no objections to taking you under my pro- tecting, care. Bind them, men, and bring them along!’ fend The negress and the young womat screamed, then cried, and acted nA though frightened out of their wits, All this was nob Unexpected to them; but, had it been, their actions could not any <a pi abr d, horses Were brought, ey were soon bound, bc roug and the whole party set off through a defile of boot him, Dinab, if he to hang you, and do ~ A 2 t as
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15 Dea dw ood Dick Je . 8, D ominoes 4 fi i ¥ 4 th e . m — ountains : f the ut th or ¢ y li ere he ey littled a sur dena nothing jedreamed, ezvous un eC " awai ; aga - waited a of the esi n : iri i m ~ nade ie pici and at of w U Ee fair uly mint — ee first th hieb = haat gues 0 re The prison sed was ain ere — i ed i seni bh e Ag hy hie th w a t Shi or Sa ad r ty a 86 John Deaton an | Where was bei one around thi noun pe rg inte nt OLA oS he Sat a h ing th > wh ted, a cabi nded Di a tr e Wi 's doi th his f. ast g order ena hen, . nd w in sti saan as ouble ent ings at he anita de eas tet , imm udde ere ill fur ake sup prov to no oO than i had y ta gle The nds 1 ae: all u ther rr are Bn 36 Pens: kn had Ev th hit, obese tp ” IE hone nsus at a hat i be out. ew, a n ore m, BY in rowndin sprun: owed br a pees died roy Shi - it und beet the Goo a suspected, ae Rat Nee ON it 0 e a i e r ood ne t 24 z saben vE procia rh ny tem uP Biri y the ihe: tory, 0 natural The esd Repkup ol ‘Luck took ge pace Ek LEL PRENT symb ime we re re i no d min e onl f mene 10 ane & A Birks bet 0 Is : ad re Vv sev _ m eat e y it 21 he E hand irk; oy hy or, T SIN Bem a a is ores pee Dead on sen as i bee = rvexauan lit ron jub lai th ra the 3 is adw pig thas Shaw Mi § 197 eee ee 3 tl a es!” me e b y Shi fo me lea ood id d mp ne 04 Attlh use evil » the rer ie Riv of tl Fugiti th e gi bn,” dm rea: irt re. n Ti ve. 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Brom the New York Evening Sun, April 22, 1891. TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. The Deadwood Dicks, Senior + Junior, are the Gentlemen. There Have Already Been Eighty Volumes Published Relating to Their Astounding Courage, Coolness and Skill. In only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a novel statement when the fact is here recorded that literature has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader. will have to think a moment over this remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home. But it is most essentially a half dime novel state ment that will be news to many when it is added that literature, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, would show but few heroes that in the eyes of boy- hood would be even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly reveal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. Perhaps if everything were known of his career in bookland, Robinson Crusoe would rank above any hero ever offered to the boys of the world, for Robinson made his vg Pigs a long time ago and his adventures have been translated into pretty nearly all the languages that are printable; but while Robinson is and ever will bs a worthy person- age, he is, it is to be feared, most decidedly a back number in the eyes of several millions of the boys and young men of to-day, And then,. too, Robinson's reputation. was made and safely anchored to leeward at a time when com- etition in the manufacture of heroes of juvenile iterature was so slack that it is scarcely worth men- tioning. Had he postponed his debut until to-day Robinson would have had to hire a press agent,/o the very objectionable type known as a_ hustler, and even with that assistance the odds are that he would have experienced a severe frost. Robinson, like many other bygone characters calculated to thrill the juvenile mind, labored under the disadvantage of having only a comparatively | few adventures, and he was further very heavily handicapped by having to confine his adventures within the narrow circles of probability and com- mon sense, The modern heroes of fic ion for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important, are not trammeled by any such confined conditions, and with the bars let down ad- mitting them to the boundless expanse of the utter- ly impossible, it is but natural that their unnatural- ness should bear'away the palm of popularity, and such as Robinson be left far behind in the race, Therefore the statement of the surpassing promi- nence of the two Deadwood Dicks having been so emphatically made, it will be as well to justify the emphasis with some facts about their history from a bookseller’s point of view, before plunging into the seething vor‘ex of their recorded lives. Deadwood Dick made his first appearance before the public in 1877, under the auspices of Beadle & Adams, the William street publishers of popular literature for the masses, and for fourteen years he or his son has been reappearing at intervals, which were at first irregular, but they have uow settled down to a basis of once in six weeks, It was in 1885 that Deadwood Dick the elder made his final appearance after thirty-three yolumes of adventure, and his son, Deadwood Dick, Jr., who had been growing up in them for many years, took up the running, and has kept it up to the tune of very nearly fifty volumes more in thé six years — eee passed since bis remarkable father was uried. During the fourteen years they have been on the market these stories have been sold at five cents a volume, and the circulation they have attained throughout the length and breadth of t.e land, has been in the aggregate something truly vas‘, for the entire series 1s kept constantly ia print, and many of the early issues are now enjoying a sale of their twenty-seventh or thirtieth edition, It can be Soeily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks are so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature for boys and young men, that their posi- tion is assured so long as their author can keep it up, and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which oot have lived, and for which one of them has died, American boyhood, and that is a tremendous fac- tor in the land, now knows Dcradwood Dick, Jr., a good ceal better than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling inci- dents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy fcotsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the mil- lions wait hungrily for the next volume, which on every sixth Re eas appears with the certainty of the Tuesday i , and a new set of delizhtful thrills go thrilling away from Maine to California, Mr. Victor, the courteous editor for Beadle and Adams, who told The Evening Sun what it wished to know about the history of the two Dicks, said that he had often had his attention caled to what are known as Deadwood Dick clubs, which are or- | ganizations consisting of from three to a dozen boys, who take turns in buying the Deadwood Dick novels as they appear, and reading them in rotation, so that in the ease, for instance, of a club of six mem bers, each member would be kept thoroughly in- formed of his pet bero’s latest doings, at a cost of | in its gory magnitude, and would form a record of only five cents once in thirty-six weeks, while when nine of these economical young enthusiasts pool their issues in the same direction a nickel will serve the purpose for a whole year, Mr. Victor, in his curious and interesting task of editing this phase of the literature of the day for | one of the most extensive publishing houses in the | pirates, stage robbers, and, indeed, | business, has weighed the question carefully, and | finds that a volume once in six weeks is just about the amount of Deadwood Dick, Jr., that his count- Jess admirers can comfortably absorb and digest. In England, too, this extraordinary series of eighty volumes telling of the doings of father and son has been republished for years, to the infinita delight of the boys and youths of Great Britain and the solid satisfaction of the London publishers that had the pleasure of thus getting square with A merica on the piracy question. “When I received the first Deadwood Dick story,” Said Mr. Victor, “I was struck with the freshness of the author’s style, and after toning it down a little sent it to the printers. The story made a hit and I accepted another and another until we found | that the character was becoming unusually popular | { | tion the struggle made to sift the material on hand and condense it into something like a reasonable among our patrons, : al ves urging the author to make the stories iess characters, and adrtalening 8 the sulphurous nature of their dialogues became moderate enough to need but little editing, and at the same time the torrents of liquor that flowed like rivers through his earlier manuscripts, dwindled to rivulets under the influ- ence of my appeals for Jess rum, “ The author urged the absolute truth of both the language and the amount of bees sera that he attributed to his characters, but I begged in the interests of morality that the flow of both one and the other be curbed, and of c-urse the stories were none the worse for his doing so, *“Deadwood Dick, himself, was also gradually re- formed and changed from the outlawed terror of the law-abiding to the deadly fos of the law break- ers, and when cnce that transformation was achieved his subsequent course in the path of vir.ue was an assured success. “True, the path was a somewhat rocky, bloddy and dangerous one; but no one who foll .ws him along its various ups and downs ean doubt its virtue, and from that virt e he n- ver deviated.” The full and official list of the titles of tris re- markable series would fill at least a column of The Evening Sun. It contains some real gems in the way of names calculated t» attract the youth in search of a thrill. For instance there is Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross, A Wild, Strange Tale of the Leadville Mines —of Men of Steel—of Toughs and Tigers—of Road-agents, Regulators, Avengers, Adventurers, and of the Thri'ling Life in the New Eldorado. Can any one deny the comprehensiveness of that cr h‘s probable power of seducing nickels from the pockets of novel-reading boys? Then there are a number ¢f_ delightfully alliterative titles, such as Deadwood Dick's Defiance, or, the Double Daggers, and Deadwood Dick’s Double, or, the Ghost of Gor- gon’s Gulch, Peculiarly fetching, too, in their forceful effect on the small ‘boy’s p-cket money must be Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop Up; Deadwood Dick's Dead Deal; or, Captain Crackshot, the Girl Brigand; Deadword Dick’s Death Trail; Deadwood Dick's Death Plant, and Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. In the selection of localities fur his adventures Dead- wood Dick, Jr., shows far more desire for variety, than the old .man ever did, for he has volumes that relate his remarkable doings in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Roches- ter, Buffalo, San Francisco, Denver, Galveston Leaiviile, andeven at Coney Island. The tiles of the younger hero’s volumes show that he met with and got the better of swindlers, bunco men, coun- terfeiters, bank robbers, horse thieves, smugglers; pretty near every sort of criminal known to the pol ce, while his father confined himself almost exclusively to root- ing out the Western type of bad men, Progress has, therefore, a worthy representative in Deadwood Dick the younger. it is surely not necessary to add that in the mod- erate compass of a newspaper article, only the merest shadow of justice can. be done to the eareers of any heroes that have had such an extraordinar collection of stories as that written about them, [f a month or so were given toa careful reader for the task, he might, with the assistance of a double-entry bookkeeper, tabulate the number of blood-curdling episodes that occur in the eighty volumes, together | terrifically forcible in the language of his rougher | | —y | with the exact number of persons who are shot, stabbed, hanged and removed in sundry less con- | ventional borderland ways, such as being tossed into quicksands, burned.in the tops of forest giants, | fed to bears or made to try and walk on tight ropes across bottomless chasms. The finalsummary would be something appalling slaughter that would shame toe battle of Gettys- burg, but it might prove a source of entertainment to some idle person of a sanguinary turn of mind, anc so the ideais suggested here. The variety of duels in these stories ig another | source of wonder to the reader, and it must be ack- nowledged that Mr. Wheeler has as prolific an imag- ination as it is possible to conceive. Every volume of the series fairly bristles with episodes of a nature that makes those related in the more ordinary 10- cent or 5-cent stories seem as mild as hotel] milk, and hotel milk has been pronounced by scientists to be th» mildest object in nature, In coming face to face with the notes of a variety of episodes and adventures in the books which the writer made as he hurriedly went th ough the eighty volumes, and which he hoped. to utilize in this article, an overpowering sense of Mad buc:ed up against the ype ghee rears its dreac front and mocks the man who dared to face the task of d. ing justice to the subject. Once or twice a flowing beaker cf mexie or nerve foed, has been tossed off, and with grim determina- shape. With a heartfelt sigh the colossal task has, however, been reluctantly abandoned, Ther are the eighty volumes each so crowded with thrills and he rt-lugs that it were madness to hone to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tweenthem, The three larger pictures illustrating this article, have been se’ected at rahdom from eighty just as interesting, and the smaJler ones are por raits of Deadwood Dick, his wife, Calamity Jane, and Deadwood Dick, Jr. To abandon tne idea of giving a few extracts from their lives causes infinite pain, but if once a start were made in that direction, it would be cruel to The Heening 8vn’s rea ers to stop, and it is there- fore better not to relate one single adventure. Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written, and until the glut of gore and supernatural courage and success of the heroes becomes indi- gestible to the ordinary mind, there is much amuse- pant to be found in adventures'of the Deadwood Dicks, The small boy and his larger brother have minds attuned by nature to absorb the music of the con- stant flow of villains’ blood and the rever-ceasing cracking of rifles and revolvers that keep the silence in & perpetual state of unrest throughout the Dead- wood Dick series, but it is not so with a more mature mind,and unless you are a small boy or a youth prone to admire the terrifically heroic in li erature, you are advised not to purchase the entire eighty volumes, but to try a sample here and there from the li-t, Ifyou area small bey, or the other fellow, you doubtless know more about it than the writer, and so don’t want any acvice on the subject. Asa ting tribute to Mr, Wheeler, the owner of the brain that has evolved and continues to evolve the most popular boys’ stories of the day, it is but fair to add, and an interesting fact as well, that he has also found time to dash off some novels about Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; Bob Wo If, the Girl Dead-Shot; Death-Face, Detective; Oid Ava- lanche; Wild Edna, the Giri Brigand; Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phoenix; Buckhorn Bill; Gola Rifle, the Sharpshooter; Rosebud Rob; Nugget Ned; Idyi, the Girl Miner; Photograph Phil; Canada Chet; Watch- Eye; Jack Hoyle, the -Young Specul:tor; Gilt- Edged Dick, the Sport Detective; Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport; Bonanza Bi'l; Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks; Solid Sam, the Boy R ad Agent; Cap- tain Ferret, the New York Deiective; New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective; Ncbby Nick of Neva- da; Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo; Fritz, the Bound Boy Detective; Snoczer, the Boy Sharp; Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; Cyclone Kit, the nero Gladiator; Sierra Sam, the Frortier Ferret; Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; Denver Doll _the Detec- tive Queen; Turk, the Boy Ferret; A No, 1, the Dashing Tcll-taker; "Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; Kelley, ickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia; Little Qnick Shot; ngaroo Kit, the Mysterious Ianhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood; FVirst- class Fred; Yreka Jim, the Gold Gatherer; Nabob Ned:' Cool Kit. the King cf Kids; Bicyele Ben; Wrinkles, the Night Watch Detective: High Hat Harry, the Baseball Detective; Sam_ Slabsides, the Beggar Boy Detective; Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detect ves; and Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher, He may therefore be pronounced the Storytel- ler from Storytell-rsvil‘e, and the Deadwood Dick stories will be bis towering monument. Miner;