Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 759) (1892 02 09)
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, i : = So nla iat (Ram! a la? Sar a Uae Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE No. 759, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK.. OBLELLIANG Yi IBN i . UN ; \ \ BS / M et at a a a et at at at oon a Ai Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND A AND ADAMS. {//} f my | Yn y IN ANOTHER INSTANT HEADLIGHT HARRY WAS PERCHED UPON THE VERY POINT OF THE PROJECTING COW-CATCHER, ‘ Ait Sit Hes saci & os) i] | p i j i a . wien ye x HBS S —— THE RAILROAD PARDS IN FORTUNE GITY. BY, COL, A. F, HOL7, AUTHOR OF ‘'HEADLIGHT HARRY” NOVELS, ‘* BLACK BUCKSKIN,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. THE RESCUE. “Took, Rufe—look! What's that on the track ahead? Good Heaven!—a man, sure’s I’m alive! And he’s lying half across the rails!” ‘A fact, as sure as your name is Harry Hilton!” was the answer.
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7 wEALTHFUL NUTRITIOUS ma ena motive, as, with a tremendous puffing and snort- ing, it toiled like some panting monster over the heavy grade, the excited voice of the speaker rung suddenly out; and the stalwart fireman, at that moment busily engaged in stirring the seething fires that raged within tbe heart of the iron giant, paused abruptly in his occupation and cast an anxious glance through the narrow window infront, Instantly his dust-stained face turned pale, for it required but that one swift glance to demonstrate the truth of the engineer’s Startling announcement. Swinging abruptly round a sharp curve, a long straight stretch of track now lay before them, and the object that claimed Harry Hil- ton’s—Headlight Harry as he was known to his comrades—attention was several hundred yards distant; yet it was plainly recognizable as a hu- man form, lying close along the rail, but with head and one arm and shoulders extending over the rail. Even as the quick eye of the vigilaat engineer perceived this threatening peril, big ready band and brain were working to avert it.. One short, sharp ‘vhistle for ‘‘ breaks!” fiercely smote the air, while almost simultaneously steam was shut off and the engine reversed. Then, hastily or- dering his fireman to take care of the machine, Headlight Harry glided thro the narrow opening in frontofthecab, “"* cee , He was prompt to realize “that bis trp¥, + * though rapidly losing speed, could not be brought , to a standstili in time to prevent the threatened «horror, Despite this fact, however, he was de- ; termined to save the life of the unfortunate ' victim if, indeed, be were still alive, or at least 4 save the body from frightful mutilation shonld the contrary prove to be the case, With the ‘agility of a squirrel he darted along the narrow Tunning-board, clinging to the hand- rail as he went. The cylinder-box afforded tbe next convenient foothold; and thence by a nim- ble swing he was enabled to reach the pilot. Within the swaying cab, Rufe Ruffles watched with breathless interest the movements of his “ gallant comrade, It was easy to divine the lat- ““* ‘ter’s purpose—but, would he be in time? ae Had the train been running at fult speed when "Mehe discovery was made, Harry’s bold plan of “ie, “Yescug. would have been wholly impracticable; «ut, fortunately, they bad just pulled out of a 4 stationyand, witb an’ adverse grade to overcome, had pot, attained the full rate of speed, And nowgthanks to the prompt act of its masters, the _powerful machine was losing momentum at ‘every revolution of its resis!less driving-wheels. » "** Nevertheless, the space that intervened be- * tween the on-rushing engine and its intended victim was dwindling with appalling rapidity, and Headlight Harry was not a moment too gay, BOO in reaching a point of vantage, though I scarcely ten seconds bad elapsed from the time when he sighted the man on the track until be stood up6n the swaying pilot, ready to make the effort to Snatch the unknown from the very jaws of death, In another instant Headlight Harry was : perchei upon the very point of the projecting cow-catcher, clinging to the heavy coupling-bar with one hand, while with the otber he reached eagerly out to clutch the apparently lifeless be- ing who lay balf-across the rail, bis upturned face gleaming ghastly white in the fading sunlight. The iron monster still forged ahead, and now was literally upon its victim, the projecting iron of tbe cow-catcher fairly grazing bis limbs; but, ere the truck wheels could perform their cruel work, Headlight Harry’s powerful hand gripped the waist of the uaknown, and in an instant the senseless form was lifted from the track, The intrepid engineer clung to his prize with the tenacity of a death grip; and, exerting a strength that seemed fairly superhuman, he drew the body steadily toward him until it found a partial resting-place against the slant- ing side of tne cow-catcher. n this precarious position, to maintain which taxed to the utmost every nerve and sinew, Harry Hilton waited impatiently through mo- ments that seemed like hours, until the great wheels of the iron horse ceased revolve, and he was permitted to leave his uncomfortable perch. Scarcely had the train reached a standstill when the conductor and train hands, together with a goodly number of passengers, all eager for an explanation of this sudden interruption, hastened to the spot where the engineer was bending over the still senseless form of the res- cued man, It was easy for the dullest mind to comprehend what had just transpired, and in- stantly there went up a cheer, for the gallant young knight of the lever who had dared so much to save a fellow-being. . “Td nt 4 siden CL r idlight Harry’s Heritage. Quite heedless, however, of this outburst, the young engineer was eagerly examining the un- fortunate stranger. Hesaw before him a man of patriarchal appearance, apparently on the wintry side of sixty, with long hair and beard of silvery whiteness, and clad in garments of coarse homespun much the worse for wear, Considerably below the medium in stature, spare and attenuated, it was to the favorable condition of slight weight that Headlight Harry’s success was, perhaps, largely cue for it Was quite im* probable that he could have lifted and held at arm’s-length a man of even ordinary size and weight, Though the pallid face of the unknown was seemingly that of the dead, the engineer was not altogether disappointed as he searched anx- iously for some sign of life. The heart was throbbing, though very faintly, and this slight pulsation inspired the brave engineer with hope that consciousness might be restored, Meantime, from the eager throng came ex- cited questions and remarks, ‘* Who is he?” ** Ts be dead or alive?” ‘* How came he on the track?” ‘*Did be have a fit; or was there top much of a jag on?” ‘Yes, the poor fellow still lives, though he may not recover consciousness,” declared Head- light Harry; ‘‘and as for the cause of his mis- fortune, I think this will convince you that it is no accident, but the result of the most dastardly foul play!” So speaking, he pushed back the silver locks, and all could see the dull red mark that showed with startling distinctness upon the ghastly brow of the stranger. “*Great heavens! Tbe man has been sand- bagged!” cried Conductor’ Moore, aghast. ** Yes; knocked in the head likea dog. And, not content with that, the dastards must needs complete their fiends’ work by leaving their poor victim here between the rails, to be ground to a shapeless mass by the first passing train, Oh, I would give a year of my life to have the authors of this outrage here at this minute, and enjoy the privilege of choking them to death from the nearest limb,” The young engineer’s impassioned utterance, his firm-set face and fiercely-gleaming eyes all formed an unerring index to the red-hot indig- nation that burned within his breast, Rising to his feet he faced the assembled crowd, and as those present looked for the first time squarely upon the engineer’s face, he was met on all sides by surprised and inquiring glances, while exclamations of astonishment were beard on every band. ‘* What’s the matter, geutlemen? You stare at me as if I was a first-class dime museum freak. Is there anything particularly remarkable about my personal appearance?” Headlight Harry sharply demanded. ** Well, I sh’d say thar wuz, pard,” promptly returned Rube Ruffle, than whom no one seemed more arrazed, ‘‘ What’s that spot on yer fore- head, jest over yer left temple?” Mechanically, the young engineer put bis band to the spot indicated, then withdrew the member to find it streaked with blood. ‘** Blood! How came it there?” he ejaculated, not until that instant becoming aware that he was injured, All eyes were centered now upon the young engine-driver; and Rufe Ruffle, after a mo- ment’s eager scrutiny of the bloody furrow that marked his comrade’s brow, fairly shouted in excitement: ** Great howlin’ jackals! be’n creased by a bullet!” For an instant Headlight Harry stood in mute bewilderment; then, like a flash, the whole truth was revealed to him, “Strange though it may seem, I believe you are right, Rafe,” be exclaimed. “I heard no pistol-shot, yet the grind of wheels and hissing of escaping steam might easily have drowned the noise of that; while, as for the slight pain caused by the scratch, 1 was too much excited to notice it nntil now.” ‘* But, who can have fired the shot, Harry?” queried Conductor Moore. “Who? Who, indeed, but the samescoundrels who placed this poor fellow upon the track! Doubtless they were crouching in yonder thickef, awaiting the result of their diabolical deed, and, seeing me upon the pilot, divined my intentions and sought to frustrate them by drawing a bead upon my head, Fortunately, I got off with a mere scratch, though it was a mighty close call, as you may see.” he theory advauced by Harry seemed to all quite plausible. Why, pard, ye have | “Then, if that’s the case, the durned skunks can’t be far off—probably hidin’ at this minnit in yonder woods. Le’s run the pesky varmints to earth, an’ give ’em a tasteof hemp,” cried Rufe Ruffle, fairly bubbling over with righteous indignation. His suggestion was greeted by a wild cheer from the assembled passengers and trainmen, the former by this time being on the scene in fulk force. Deadly weapons leaped suddenly into sight, gleaming wickedly in the bands of a score of resolute men, as they followed the plucky fire- man into the forest, entering upon the search with a spirit and determination that boded no good to the unknown offenders. : The latter, however, were not to be caught, Evidently they had fled at the first sign of danger, for not a trace of them was to be tound any where; and, after a thorough search through the dense thickets that lined the track op either side in tke immediate vicinity, the exaspsrated man-hunters were forced to abandon the quest and return empty-handed, Meanwhile, the luckless victim of these in- human ghouls had been taken aboard the train, and every available means employed to restore him to consciousness, but without success, Nothing remained, therefore, but to burry him on to Richville, that being the nearest point where proper medical attention could be pro- cured. The train was accordingly put. in motion ee al again, as soon as the last enthusiastic man- et | hunter could be recalled; and, as they whirled | 7 merrily over the irons, the passengers found [™y time to discuss at their leisure the singular’ events that had caused so startling an interg” ruption to their journey. As for Engineer Harry, he climbed into hi cab, unbeeding the flood ot congratulations the E poured in upon him, and went abvut his dutie@ | as though nothing unusual had bappened—the ~ cool, reliable engine-driver—and, as be lightly, © mouuted to his seat, it was without a thought of % pan But, as he urged on his iron steed at a tre- « his own narrow escape from the secret assassin, mendous pace, in the effort to regain lost time, it was to see constantly before him the haggard face and silvery hair of the mysterious old man whom he had rescued. The sad predicament of the Jatter bad excited far more than ordinary interest and sympatby in the engineer’s breast, and He of all others was anxious for the stran- ger’s recovery, for he felt that a story of uncom- mon interest might be told in connection With this remarkable affair. ; The ran to Richville was completed without further incident; and, immediately upon 8rrival at that place, the mysterious unknown W&Ss hur- ried to the public bospital, there to recelve the careful nursing for which that excellent lnstitu- tion was noted. 4 But, despite the efforts of the hospital nat the old man continued throughout the night ine Though life was) still discernible in that feeble frame, it was but a faintly smoldering spark, that obstinately re; ~ mY re, the same comatose condition, fused to be stimulated into flame, Meantime, no one could be found to recogniz)” the unfortunate; neither was there anything 7 erson that would lead to identifica. so the curious public, left without © upon his tiov. An other means of solving the mystery, was forced” to impatiently await the recovery of the stran- ger sO miraculously suatched from death by plucky Harry Hilton. CHAPTER IL THE OLD MINER, As Headlight Harry stepped down from his engine at the Richville Station, on the evenin ot the day following that which had witne: the stirring events just related, an envelope was thrust into his hand by a messenger who had for some moments impatiently awaited his arrival. ‘From the hospital, sir; an’ very imp»rtant,” said the youth, and hastened away, leaving the engineer to regard the missive in mingled sur- prise and curiosity. Tearing open the envelope, whichwas addressed simply to “‘ Harry Hilton, Engineer,” he found its contents to comprise but a few lings, written in the same, straggling, alptnst illegible hand that characterized the supers¢ ~«\ion: ‘Come tO me at once. not, Fi ay foes: A and bave something of the utmos ay ee i" commuuicate. Remember the oppo life is lost if you ignore this requ haste! 4 / Toe Man Wuose Lire You Savsp- Needless to say Harry Hilton was surpris¢d — , 5 t. So wah Po ei + ’ 1 rk 4 3 ‘ J - * é r ie: od if | ae & Ege Vee ke - im ft fis | a, + il oh ae ne rN. ea 4 ule beng.) fe | ae : may 0. F - nok (AP fact | | “yan t
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to receive this communication, couched as it was in brief but forcible language that seemed to leave no doubt of its sincerity. He had felt an extraordinary interest in the welfare of this unfortunate old man, even taking pains to caJ]l at the hospital before leaving town that morning for the purpose of ascertaining bis. condition, being informed at that time that the patient still lay insensible. Yet, he had not anticipated that this feeling would prove so warmly reciprocal as the language of the stranger would seem to indicate, He read the note to his bosom friend and con- fidant, Rufe Ruffle, and the face of that wide- awake young inan betrayed his astonishment, ‘Jiminy! You’re in clover now, pard, sure enuff. That little act o’ yours last night has made your fortune. It’s dollars to doughnuts that old duffer is a second Jay Gould in disguise, an’ wants to make you his sole heir as a reward for saying hislife, So trot out your seven-Jeague boots, pard, an’ just hump yourself toward the horspittle, for, if the old chap croaks afore you git there, the chances J] be lost, Come, git a move on, old man! You hear me?” Headlight Harry could scarcely refrain from laughing at the sudden burst of enthusiasm dis- played by his comrade. “ You are giftel with a very fertile imagina- tion, Rufe,”’ be exclaimed. ‘‘I fear, however, your predictions are too extravagant to become verified. Doubtless the poor old fellow merely desires to personally express his thanks for what services I chanced to render, in which case it ‘would be ashame not to accord him the privi- lege. So, 1 um off for the hospital at once,” “Good luck to ye, pard! An’ don’t feel too proud to recognize your old chum when ye come struttin’ back a millionairy,” was Rufe’s parting salutation, as the engineer hastened away. Despite his own assumed indifference, Head- light Harry was nota little impatient to hear what the mysterious stranger wished to commu- nicate, Something within him seemed to whis- r that the coming interview was destined to be Paight with far more than ordinary importance, It was barely possible that Rufe Ruffle’s idle pre- diction might not, after all, be entirely devoid of troth, On arrival at the hospital, Headlight Harry had but to state his name to gain ready admit- tance, j ‘*The patient is expecting you, Indeed, he has been inguiring for you almost continually ever since he regained consciousness several hours ago,” explained the talkative attendant, as he led the way through a labyrinth of halls and corridors to a quiet apartment in the rear, Into this. room, which was remote from the main ward and used only for special cases, the engineer was ushered, e could dimly distih- guish the form of the patient, propped up in bed at the further end of the darkened room, with an attentive nurse sitting near in readiness to ad- minister to his wants, The latter promptly with- drew, however, as Headlight Harry entered, and he was left alone with the mysterious stran- er. ee With a feeling somewhat akin to awe, the young railroader softly approached the bed, and looked down upon that wan, pinched face, scarce- ly to be distinguisbed from the pillow that it pressed, such was its ghostly whiteness. As he stood therein silence, it was to become aware . that the glittering black eyes of the unknown were fixed upon him in a steady, searching gaze that seemed to penetrate his very soul. ‘‘Well, my friend,” softly began Headlight Harry, after waiting for several moments in vain for the old man to speak, and growing impatient under that piercing scrutiny; ‘‘I am here, at last, in response to your message, In what way ean I serve you?” Still maintaining that eager scrutiny, it was some moments ere the unknown vouchsafed a reply; and when at length he did speak, it was in tones that, despite their weakness, were pecu- liarly harsh and rasping. “So, then, you are Harry Hilton, engineer, commonly known as Headlight Harry?” ‘Yes; that is my name, sir.” ‘* And the man, if I am rightly informed, to whose prompt and courageous efforts I am in- debted for my life?” Jee. ‘*No doubt your information is quite correct, since, I am happy to say, I was permitted to figure quite prominently in your rescue,” re- turry® the young engineer, with pardonable ‘fact thar’ © 00% Closer, my friend! Let me grasp the x rved my life!” and his thin, nervelegs fingers convulsively clutched the strong palm of the railroader. ‘‘Ab! Itis 4 pleasure to clasp sucb a band, s0 full of life the man who Headlight Harry’s Heritage. and strength—a hero’s hand, ever ready to aid the weak and oppressed! Harry Hulton, it needs no knowleige of your past to determine your character; J can feel it in the cordial grasp of your hand,—I can read it in your face as from a written page; [ can see before me a man of intelligence, the personification of health and strength; a man naturally modest and unas- suming, yet, withal, bold as a lion when occa- sion demands—a man of sterling integrity, to whom I would not for an instant hesitate to in- trust my all.” A faint flush suffused the young engineer’s bronzed cheek, as these flattering words fell rapidly from the old man’s lips. ‘* You are very complimentary, I’ll allow,” he laughed. ‘‘ You give me credit for more good qualities than I ever before suspected myself of possessing, Are you sure you have made a cor- rect diagnosis of my case?” ‘* Believe me, young man, I never make mis- takes in character reading. A man’s face is an infallible index to his soul; and it requires buta glance at that frank, noble countenance to demonstrate all that I have claimed, and more. Ab! It is, indeed, refreshing to meet such a man, after a lifetime’s experience with the knaves and cut-throats with which this God- forsaken land abounds,” There was a momentary pause, during which the unknown never removed those keen, pene- trating orbs from the engineer’s face: then he continued: “And so, Headlight Harry, you have come in answer to my message? Ha, ha! I knew you would not ignore the summous, I was care- ful to couch my request in words well calculated to excite your curiosity; and your presence here at this moment indicates that my efforts were successful.” ‘They were, indeed,” admitted Harry, frank- ly. ‘* From the tenor of the message, I inferred that you had some very urgent reason for desiring an interview. So, here I am, ready and anxious to serve you to the best of my ability.” ** At present, then, you can serve me best by simply listening to what lam about tosay. That, I fancy, will not prove a very irksome task,” the old man chuckled. ‘‘ Let me assure you, as a starter, that I have not sought this interview, as you may have sup- posed, merely for the purpose of thanking you for your efforts in my behalf. Words are in- adequate to express my gratitude; therefore, it would be a waste of time and energy to attempt it. No! I propose to show my appreciation in a far more substantial manner; and when you leave this room, young man, it will be to feel richly repaid for the trouble you have taken to visit me, “Before coming down to business, it will be necessary to make quite a lengthy explanation, so, kindly give me your attention, Fuirst, bow- ever, lock that door; then draw as near as pos- sible, for what I bave to say is for your infor- mation alone, and you know the old adage that ‘even the walls have ears. Are you sure that we are alone in this room?’ and the old man glanced nervously from side to side, as if imag- sia every harmless shadow to conceal a hostile orm, ‘*Oh, yes; Lum confident there are no eaves- droppers near, so you need have no apprehen- sions on that account,” Headlight Harry assured him, after a searching glance around the dark- ened room, Then, after fastening the door, he drew a chair close to the stranger’s bedside, and signified his readiness to listen. There was a brief pause, during which the old man seemed to be summoning all his energies for the effort; then began what was to prove a most strange and interesting revelation, CHAPTER III. THE MINER'S REVELATION, “WELL, my young friend, I am, as you have doubtless conjectured, a man with a history—an exceedingly interesting one, too, I can assure you; and, if all my innumerable adventures and mishaps could be put into print, I fancy the would make a good-sized volume, Gideon Go is the name by which I was christened; but I have wandered so long in the wilderness, and sported so many wild-west ‘handles,’ that I sometimes wonder how I have managed to re- member it through all these long, long years. I first saw the light of day in a quaint old farm- house away down-East, Would to God that I had been content to always remain in that uiet rural home! I would probably bave been living happily to-day, instead of lying here a disappointed, world-bating old wretch, broken cacoaty iu beaith and spirits, and only wait- ing for the grim reaper to come and relieve my misery. ** But, nc! To one of my wild and roving nature the humdrum life of the farmer was in- tolerable; so at an early age I cut loose from the old folks and started out, filled with all the roseate hopes of youth, to see the world in its illimitable greatness. It was just at that time that the California gold-fever broke out, and I was in the van of that vast borde of prospectors who swarmed over the Golden State in that memorable year of 49. Oncea full-fledged gold- seeker, there was no return to civilization for me; so, for the last forty years, the wild, nomadic existence of the prospector has been mine. And during that time, scarcely a spot from the Sierras to the Rockies—from British Columbia to Mexico—that my weary feet have not trod; hardly agulch or billside where I have not sought persistent]y for the golden dross to which all men are slaves. ‘*But I have no time at present to dwell upon those memorable days, fraught though they were with adventures innumerable, I must hurry on to events that have closer relation to the subject of my narrative. It was about one year ago that my peregrinations led me intoa small mining settlement among the Colorado mountains, bearing the euphonious name of Satan’s Camp, Be assured the appellation was a most appropriate one, for, while I have visit- ed some pretty tough towns in my time, lam convinced theré is no place in the entire West that, for general cussedness, can compare with this same Sstan’s Camp. A veritable hot-bed of vice and crime—every other building a saloon or gambling-den! Fully nine-tenths of the population comprise thieves, bummers, sharpers —ruffians and criminals of every description, whose principal occupations are drinking, gam- ing and fighting—sleeping by day, and turning night into a perfect Pandemonium with their drunken revelry. The hardy miners, who toiled in the neighboring valley, comprised the only decent element; and, as these foolish fellows habitually came into camp at nightfall to squander their earnings in gambling and drink, it was chiefly upon their bard-earned gold that the horde of rumsellers and sharpers thrived. ‘* With my yearsof experience as a pro=pector, I was enabled to see what I believed to, be con- clusive evidence of vast mineral wealth in the near vicinity of Satan’s Camp; and it was this, alone, that tempted me to tarry in such a dis- reputable locality. I disdained to mingle with the local miners, toiling incessantly in the gulches, quite contented with a few ounces per day. 1 was looking for larger game—and at last I found it! It was my custom to spend days at a time prospecting among the neighboring bilis; and upon one of these solitary excursions I struck it rich. Slowly making my way through a deep and narrow ravine, I suddenly came upon a spot where evidently an enormous bowlder had been rent to pieces by some mighty power, for rock fragments strewed the earth for yards around. And there, in the midst of this mass of worthless rock, was gold—precious gold, glistening with wondrous splendor in the solitary ray of sun- light that penetrated to this dismal spot. Not in the tiny, insignificant flecks that are the usual reward of the miner; but in solid lumps, of vari- ous shapes and sizes—some of them fully as big asa wan’s fist, Think of it, young man! Lumps of pure gold as big as your fist! There was no mistaking the nature of the glittering ore—I was too old a prospector for that. I realized that, after long years of unrequited toil, a princely fortune now lay at my feet. Do you wonder that I was fairly overcome with joy and excitement? ‘* There was in thislucky discovery something that savored strongly of the supernatural. To one accustomed to delve for his precious ‘ounces’ with pick and shovel, the presence of this veritable deluge of golden nuggets seem- ed quite unexplainable. It was as if some good fairy had had considerately emptied ber cornu- copia there among the rocks, for the first fortu- nate traveler to stumble upon: and I, thank Fate! was destined to be that favored mortal. Though I subsequentiy hunted high and low in the vicinity for further signs of the auriferous it was quite in vain; for nota trace of mine wealth was to be found beyond the radius of that’ megic treasure spot. ‘*When at length my excitement had abated sufficiently to admit of serious thought, I found myself confronted by a most perplexing prob- lem. How could I dispose of the treasure thus providentially discovered? In its present condi- tion, that glittering mass was of no more yalue to me than so much worthless stone, It must = ee,
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a C a - rs eadlight Harry’s Heritage. first be taken to the haunts of civilization, and there converted into the coin of the realm. How to transport my precious gold thither in safety, was me problem that now obtruded upon my mind, ‘“*An easy matter, that—did you say? Not when you consider the peculiar circumstances in which I was placed. Remember, I was sur- rounded by a horde of unscrupulous ruffians, scarcely one of whom would hesitate to cut a man’s throat to obtain an ounce of gold. Nota man in Satan’s Camp enjoyed my confideuce to the extent of being intrusted with my secret; and as for removing my treasure alono and unaided, it was a task that would require a number of mt since I could conceal but a small quan- ity on my person at one time, Then, too, I was convinced that my frequent prospecting expeditions had already served to arouse the curiosity of the citizens, inasmuch as I had de- tected some of them apparently spyin’’ upon my movements at various times, 6 was, in- deed, quite possible that the rascals ‘rom the camp were at that moment in the immediate vi- cinity, threatening to swoop down upon my Iden treasure. ** After mature deliberation, I decided to cache the nuggets and return to camp, there to con- tinue my customary humdrum existence, hoping thereby to disarm the fast rising suspicions of the ruffians, and await the first favorable oppor- tunity to steal away from that pestilential neighborhood with my new-found wealth, A _ canoes d adapted to my purpose was uckily close at hand, and to it I transferred the precious stuff, gathering each glistening particle with scrupulous care, afterwards concealing the entrance to its hiding-place in a manner well calculated to defy detection by any chance in- truder. Indeed, I had serious doubts of bein able to find the spot again, myself, so wild au inaccessible was the whole Ye about; so, to prevent any such calamity, 1 then and there made a rough memorandum, detailing various topographical features in such a way as to form an infallible guide, This done, I returned to Satan’s Camp by a roundabout way, in a de- cidedly happier frame of mind than when I last left it. ‘Had I carried out my carefully pre-arranged lans, all would now be well; but human flesh Ls weak and prone to error, and it was at this stage of the game that I made the one irretriev- able break of my lifetime. Reaching camp just at nightfall, I made my way into one of the nu- merous saloons, where I was accustomed to spend my leisure time merely as a looker-on, having none of the drinking and gambling pro- pensities of my fellow-citizens, On this occa- sion, however, highly elated by my good for- tune, and longing to express the exuberance of my feelings, it is but natural that [ should have been tempted to take a drink or two, just by way of celebration, I yielded to the temptation, and that’s what did the mischief, for, not content with the first drink or two, I must needs follow them up with numerous others; and, as the natural consequence of my indiscretion, I soon found myself in a half-drunken, loquacious state that boded ill for the preservation of my secret. Like the besotted fool I was, I openly boasted that I had struck it rich, and, in proof of my statement, triumphantly displayed the pocketful of sample nuggets that I had brought from the hills, This insane demonstration on my part was all-sufficient to make me at once the center of attraction aniong the gang of toughs and sharpers who filled the room. ‘¢ The proprietor of the establishment was King Kirby, a notorious card-sharp, and the acknow!- aged. leader of Satan’s Camp—a man who dress- ed and looked like a gentleman, but who was at heart a thoroughly unprincipled scoundrel, Un- der pretense of protecting me from the designs of the avaricious crowd, he inveigle’ me into his rivate room, and there, under cover of a friend- y game of poker, proceeded to rob me at his leisure. So well did besucveed that, inside of half an hour, the last of my golden nuggets had or a within his capacious pockets. ‘* Hiven then there was a chance to retrieve my blunder, for the mere loss of the gold was of it- self insignificant, when compared with the pre- cious secret I possessed ; but I must needs make a bad matter worse by giving my maudlin tongue still further sway. Making light of my recent losses, I boasted of the millions that I had cached in the mountains, and foolishly hinted at a paper in my possession that gave specific directions for reaching this magic paige leg © All of this was eagerly taken in by King Kirby, who im- mediately sought by threats and coaxing to ob- tain my secret. I had still sense enough, bow- ever, to resist his demands, and luckily made my escape when he attempted to wrest my secret from me by force. ‘* But the mischief was done beyond repair; and when, in my first sober moments, [ realized the result of my night’s spree, it was to mentally curse my stupidity for committiag such an egre- ious error. [| was nowamarked man in the camp. Knowing well tbe character of King Kirby, | felt my foolish utterances had inflamed his cupidity to such an extent that he would exert himself to the utmost to penetrate my secret. I comprehended fully the danger of the situation, for King Kirby was the recognized head of a powerful gang that comprised the most vicious element of Satan’s Camp. Nevertheless, I was determined never to reveal the secret of the cache of gold, even though my life should pay the pen- alty. | concealed the precious slip of paper, bearing directions for reaching the cache, so cunningly that I fancied mortal eyes would never find it. For daysI endured a state of eternal foar and worriment, the object of constant es- ionage on the part of King Kirby’s minions; iving almost without sleep, in constant dread of violence, I felt the situation fast becoming un- bearable, ** At length I overheard a plot, by which the gambler proposed to have me seized and car- ried bodily to the bills, and there force me to confession by the most diabolical torture, This proved an all-powerful incentive to prompt and vigorous action on my part. To save my life, [ resolved to abandon my treasure tempo- rarily, and flee from Satan’s Camp, So, that very night, 1 left my enemies deep in their ac- customed revelry, and stole unobserved from the camp. Taking the rough mountain-trail that formed the only means of egress from the place, I pushed on in frantic haste, seeking only to put as many miles as possible behind me ere the break of day, In the morning I was cvertakeu by the daily stage-coach, in which I completed the journey to Fortune City, the nearest point that was penetrated by the railroad, Here I took the first east-bound train, traveling as far as my limited funds would carry me, after which there was no alternative but to hoof it. When I left the train, hundreds of long, wear miles still intervened between me and my ulti- mate destination—the home of my boyhood; but I entered resolutely upon the task, thankful to escape from Satan’s Camp and its murderous denizens, Alas! I had proceeded but a short distance in this fashion, when I was suddenly assailed and overpowered by two burly fellows who stole upon me from behind, Judge my surprise and horror when I recognized in my captors, foes whom I had fondly believed to bea thousand miles away—King Kirby, the gam- bler, and bis right-hand partner in villainy, Black Jerry! ‘* Apprised of my sudden departure from Satan’s Camp, this ill-fayored pair of scoun- drels bad started hot-footin pursuit, determined that their intended victim should not escape so easily. Arriving st Fortune City too late to prevent my departure, they still clung tena- ciously to the trail; boarding the train quite un- beknown to me, alighting at the same station, and afterward seizing the earliest opportunity to pounce upon me like a cat upon a predatory rodent, ‘** Without ceremony, the ruffians now sub- jected me to a thorough search; while I, know- ing full well what they were looking for, and having the utmost confidence in the security of its hiding-place, viewed their efforts with con- tempt. They were searching for the paper of which I had so foolishly hinted, giving specific directions for reaching the cache of gold. It was solely to obtain that precious scrap of paper that they had tracked me with the persistency of bloodbounds for more than a thousand miles, And now I chuckled to see them search in vain for that which I had s6 carefully bidden. Com- pletely baffled in their search, the ruffians now turned upon me, and sought. by threats to wrest the secret from me; but, in reply, I only laughed in their faces, Finally, exasperated beyond measure by his failure, King Kirby snatched up a heavy club, and with a horrible curse, brought itdown upon my head with all the force he could muster. I lost consciousness as I fell, and regained my senses only to find myself lying eras in what.I am told is the Richville hos- pital, “From the nurse in attendance, I soon learn- ed the story of my discovery upon the track where no doubt my dastardly foes had placed me, and my subsequent heroic rescue by the engineer of the up-bound Express. Immediately, then, it became my purpose to secure an inter- view with my brave preserver, and demonstrate my gratitude, not by mere empty words, but in afar more substantial manner. That interview, happily for us both, was easily brought about; and it now remains to bring matters toa climax as soon as the law ’ll allow. By way of intro- duction I have inflicted upon your ears a yarn whicb, [I fear, was much longer-winded than necessity required; but I’m pleased to observe that you have been an attentive listener from first to last, and your patience shall be reward- ed, for I will now pass on, without further palaver, toa subject that cannot fail to be of interest to you. **To be brief, then, I propose to give you the benefit of my great discovery,—to make you sole heir to the hidden wealth that bas so ex- cited the cupidity of the men of Satan’s Camp, It’s not a veritable Golconda, mind you; but I reckon the stuff ‘ll foot a good round million when assayed,—envuff to keep a man in tol’rable comfort for the rest of his natural born days, Ani it’s all yours, boy,—ev’ry ounce of it! What se Pit Is the gift worth accepting?” eadlight Harry had half expected some- thing of the kind, and yet the magnitude of the old mineér’s offer fairly took bis breath away. ‘‘I—I am sure your generosity is unparallel- ed,” he declared, when at length he had recoy- ered snfficiently to use his tongue. ‘ But, surely, you do not intend to give me your entire for- tune, Why, you'll want it yourself when you get out of here; or, at least, there are relatives or friends who should be remembered before myself, a perfect stranger.” Gideon Goff smiled sadly as he deliberately shook his head, : ; “*T expected some such argument, so I am prepared to dispose of it at once, Firstly, as regards myself, my hours on earth are number- ed, and I shall soon be where sordid pelf is un- known—” ‘** Nonsense, friend! You are worth a dozen dead men yet, You'll live to circumvent your enemies, and enjoy your hard-earned wealth in peace,” : The old prospector gave an impatient gesture, ‘No, no! I tell you I’m on my last legs. When I leave this place it will be to go to the cemetery, In regard to kindred, I may say that I bave not a relative living; and as for friends, you, Headlight Harry, bave shown yourself to be all that the term implies. You, and you alone, shall inberit the eache of gold.” ‘‘Such being your desire, I shall most assur- edly accept the gift,” said Headlight Harry, scarcely able to credit his good fortune, “J feel quite undeserving of such marked appre¢ia- tion, which is quite out of proportion to what slight services t may have rendered: hence my hesitation in the matter. However,“] appreciate most highly your un‘qualed generosity, and I shall endeavor to make good use of the fortune so unexpectedly acquired,” “T am sure you will, my boy,” exclaimed Gideon Goff, heartily. ‘But first, remember, you must secure the gold before you can enjoy it. I can not, unfortunately, give you the precious metal itself, but only the paper which contaips the key toits whereabouts, The rest remains for you to perform,” ‘* With the key in my possession, I fancy the task will not be a difficult one,” ** Don’t be too sure about that, young man, Remember my own experience, and be warned of the perils that beset the stranger in the Wild West. That arch-fiend, King Kirby, together with his numerous satellites, will still be on the lookout for that cache of gold, and it will be dangerous to venture into their midst. When you do go for the treasure, it must be with plenty of well-armed friends at your back; otherwise you will probably fall a victim to the wolves of Satan’s Camp,” **{ shall certainly profit by your advice, and take all possible precautions to avoid trouble; and, with the advantage of possessing the key to che secret hiding-place, I think it will be a com- paratively easy matter to circumvent King Kirby and his minions,” ‘tT sincerely bope so, my boy, And now, without wasting further time, let us look at the precious paper that is to guide its new owner to a princely fortune. Yes, I bave it right here upon my person, though it would be hard work to make King Kirby believe it, after his recent unavailing search, I fooled the scoundrel com- pletely. a, ha, ha! “Now, Headlight Harry, give me yonr close attention, and you shall know tho wher of that magic guide, to obtain which my |. traveled a thousand miles in vain. I'll wag you will be surprised to learn the simple method employed to effect its concealment; yet, despite its ewig pk it proved too much for 4 Kirby’s feeble brain, Ho, ho!” houts
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Se ~ - The young engineer drew closer, and awaited _ with breathless interest the next movements of the dying prospector. i‘: CHAPTER IV. HEADLIGHT HARRY’S HERITAGE. SoMEWHAT to Headlight Harry’s surprise, Gideon Goff deliberately bared one foot and held it out for inspection. ** Look at that foot!” he commanded; and his visitor obediently fastened his gaze upon the member, mentally wondering what on earth the old man was driving at, ‘‘ Look at that foot, I say! Examine it well, then tell meif you see anything extraordinary about it.” 1 must admit that I do not,” was Headlight Harry’s response, after a careful inspection of the miner’s pedal extremity. ‘¢ Hal I thought so!” and Gideon Goff chuckled asif highly pleased. ‘‘I tell you it eludes the sharpest eyes. Now, young man, look again more carefully. Just run your finger over that heel, and seeif the sense of touch will not dis- eover that which your sight has failed to re- veal,” Still vaguely wondering, the engineer prompt- jy did as directed, and instantly a gleam of light shot athwart his puzzled brain. **T feel a certain peculiar roughness there,” said he, ‘*‘ And—yes, here is a spot that is slight- ly different in color from the rest of the heel, Ab! Isee now! You have applied a small piece of court-plaster to the part; though it adheres so neatly and closely, and is so neariy like the nat- ural skin in hue, that itis well calculated to de- * ceive the casual observer.” “Ay, lad, that it is, An’ while you have penetrated the secret, it was not until I had invited your closest attention to the spot. D’ye wonder that King Kirby was baffled? Why, the varmint actually stripped my feet an’ turned my socks inside out in his eagerness to find the precious bit of paper, which at that moment lay right under his very nose. Ha, ba!” ‘But I do not quite understand, after all. What relation bas this bit of plaster to the aforesaid paper?’ inquired Headlight Harry, “agerly. “Why, boy, you are obtuse, an’ no mistake,” chuckled Gideon Goff. ‘This plaster serves to sever up the paper, which now lies between it and the skin, as snug asa buginarog. D’ye understand?” “Yes; my fuddled brain has at length grasped the idea, and a brilliant oneit is—the idea, I fnean, Of course. None but a master mind could have devised so ingenious a biding-place, remarkable alike for its simplicity and effi- jciency. No mortal eye could detect the secret under ordinary circumstances.” “Well, my boy, the whereabouts of the golden guide being detefmined upon, it now ‘ Yemains to bring the same to the light of day. To do this will require a liberal application of _ moisture, for this plaster clings with a most tenacious grip. So, if you will kindly bring me a basin of water and a spovge—” The desired articles were quickly forthcoming, and applied so industriously that in a few mo- ments Gideon Goff triumphantly held up to view the precious scrap of paper, none the worse for its long imprisonment in that pecu- liar receptacle. : » * At last,” he exclaimed, “ you see before you the magic guide to fortune—the ‘ open sesame’ tountold wealth, Take it, my lad! It is your inheritance!” + It was with ill-concealed eagerness that Heac- Tight Harry grasped the extended paper, It was scarcely larger than a postage stamp, and ‘covered with writing executed in mlnute crim- son characters. But as the engineer’s gaze rested upon the inscription, bis face instantly assumed an expression of the most hopeless per- ' plexity; for, while every letter was perfectly degible, the whole was quite as Meaningless to him as was the handwriting on the wall to the © Babylonian king. And glancing at the old ' miner, it was to see the latter intently regard- : ing him with a reguish twinkle in bis eyes. “What is the matter, young man?” inquired “Gideon Goff, apparently quite amused at the other’s bewildered air. ' ** Why, this inscription—is it Greek, Chinese **Neither one nor the other, but simply good old Roman characters—rather poorly formed, no doubt, but allowance must be made for the fact that my pen was a sharpened stick, and my ink the juice of a berry.” “But I camnot read it—it’s all Dutch to me,” ey $$ NS Headlight Harry’s Heritage. persisted Headlight Harry, whereat the old pros- pector chuckled gleefully. ‘“*Of course you can’t read it, nobody can but myself,” be laughed. ‘‘I sprung it on you as a little joke; and it was worth cousidera- ble to see the look of surprise that stole over your face, You see, I am something of a cryp- togrammatist: and this is a specimen of my skill in that direction, Of course you know what a cryptogram is?” The engineer shook bis head dubiously. **T must confess my ignorance. I’ve never met the animal you mention in all my travels,” he admitted. “Well, a cryptogram is a writing in cipher. In this case each letter stands for some other letter, unknown of course saye to the maker of the crypt, who possesses the key. To ob- tain a clew to the puzzle is usually like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack, | wrote out the directions in cipher for the special benefit of whoever by accident might come into possession of the paper, being confident that there was no one in Satan’s Camp who had brains enough to penetrate its meaning. So, you see, if King Kirby had secured the paper, its possession would have been of little use to him, [ll wager the scoundrel could not solve ey a if he tried for a hundred years. Ha, a! “Surely, you have taken extraordinary pre- cautions for the preservation ot your secret,” declared Headlight Harry, still curiously re- garding the enigmatical inscription. ‘But, I say, how do you expect I am to benefit by this cipher? It would drive me into a lunatic asylum if I attempted to solve the thing.” *“*Ohb, spare yourself all anxiety on that ac- count,” laughed Gideon Goff. ‘‘ You will have no occasion to rack pour brains over this crypto- gram, since I intend to explain its meaning thoroughly, In five minutes you will under- stand the cipher as well as I do. So please listen, while I elucidate the mystery.” With the precious paper clutched in his trembling fingers, the old prospector prepared to give the desired explanation; while Head- light Harry bent eagerly over him, anxious to catch every word that was about to be uttered, But, alas! Gideon Goff was not to be per- mitted to elucidate his secret cipher-writing; for at that moment came a most startling inter- ruption, Breaking suddenly, and with startling dis- tinctness, upon the quietude of the chamber, what was apparently a subdued sneeze fell upon the ears of tha two men, causing both to start in mingled surprise and alarm, ‘*Good God! What was that? There’s some one in this room,” gasped the old man, fairly tivid witb fear. “It sounded like a sneeze—probably some- body in the corridor outside,” returned Head- light Harry, seeking to rally the miner’s trepi- dation, though he himself was filled with sudden doubt and alarm. At that instant the sound was repeated, louder than before; and this time there was no mistak- ing either the nature of the noise or the local- ity from wich it emanated. ‘I tell you there is some one in this room. They’re hiding under this very bed,” screamed (Gideon Goff, trembling in every limb with sud- den terror; and the engineer, knowing full well that bis companjon spoke the truth, nerved bim- self for the encounter with the unknow intruder nem he felt was certain to follow this denou- ment, The stranger, however, was first to act. Finding detection inevitable, he scrambled quickly from his hiding-place, coming into vio- lent contact with Headlight Harry, who at tbat moment stooped to peer under the bed. As a result of this sudden collision, the en- gineer was hurled violently backward, while the intruder, with a cat-like bound, was instantly on bis feet. Then it was that Gideon Goff gave vent to a scream of terror, for despite the semi-darkness of the room, he immediately recognized the new- comer. ‘*Merciful Heaven! It’s King Kirby, again,” he gasped. For a brief moment the massive form of the gambler towered above the cowering wretch on the bed, The latter still clutched his pre- cious cipher, and, as King Kirby saw it, he sprung forward with an inarticulate cry of triumph, and snatched the paper from the nerve- less grasp of its owner. “Ha, ha! At last I triompb, old man,” he eried: then turned to find himself confronted by Headlight Harry. The latter grappled resolutely with the in- 5 trnder, but only to find that he bad caught a Tartar, for King Kirby was a veritable giant in size and strength, Witha tremendous effort, the gambler threw cff the grasp of his oppo- nent, sending him reeling backward. Then he bounded to the open window, threw back the shutters, and darted through the opening, still clutching the precious cipher. Tbe engineer was instantly at the window, only to find that King Kirby had diseppeared, A vine-clad trellis, extending along the side of the building, showed the means by which he had effected both entrance and exit. That he still lurked in close proximity, how- ever, was evidenced when Headlight Harry sought to follow him down the trellis; for there was a sudden report, and a bullet whistled viciously by his head, warning him of the dan- ger of pursuit in that direction. Simultaneously, a low cry of agony welled from the lips of Gideon Goff; and, as the en- gineer glanced in that direction, be was thrilled witb horror at the sight that met his gaze. The old miner had fallen back upon the pillow, a crimson stream oozing from a gbastly wound in bis temple. The bullet from King Kirby’s revolver, while missing one mark had found another: and Head- light Harry saw ata glance that the unfortu- nate victim was dead, For an instant he stood in indecision, then sprung to the door with the intention of calling assistance, This was an easy matter, for the pistol]-shot bad attracted at- tention, and already several attendants were hastening through the corridors to learn the cause of the disturbance, So rapidly had these events transpired that scarcely five minutes e’apsed after the first ap- pearance of King Kirby before a small, but resolute party, headed by Headlight Harry, en- tered the hospital grounds in’search of the red- handed assassin. Yet, that brief time seemed all-si. fficient for the latter to make good his es- vape, thanks to the prevailing darkness, end a diligent search failed to reveal any trace of bis whereabouts. Meantime, a messenger was dispatched to Police Headquarters, end the minions of thelaw scon put in an ay pearance, a es to take up the pursuit of the murderer. ut by this time much valuable time had been lost, and it was not improbable that King Kirby, with such an excellent start, would succeed in leaving the town unobserved. Having done all in his power to aid in the ap- prebension of the assassin, Headlight Harry felt his r-resence no longer necessary, and therefore withdrew, after making arrangements for the proper burial of the old miner at bis expense, And as he walked away, it was with a mind as- sailed by a thousand conflicting thoughts, In such swift succession bad recent events crowded upon one anotber that it can scarcely be won- dered at that the youth’s brain was in a whirl, and he could hardly believe bis late experiences to be other than a most extravagant dream, The town clock solemnly struck the hour cf midnigbt as Headlight Harry hurried down the silent street; but, despite the lateness ofthe hour, he turned his footsteps toward the humble’ home of his boon companion, Rufe Ri file, That worthy youth bad long since sought re- pose, but the engineer's lusty knocks soon brought him to the window in a state of dishabille, sleepily rubbing his eyes and angrily demanding to know the cause of the disturbance, “Oh, come, old fellow, bottle up your chin- music and let mein, Dve come to bunk in with you for the rest of the night. And, moreover, I’ve somethirg of the utmost importance to com- municate; so stir yourself lively, old man, and don’t keep me waiting bere all night.” ‘* Oh, it’s you, is it?” returned the fireman, in- stantly recognizing his comrade’s voice. “ Dog my cats if this ain’t a purty unseemly hour ‘to be round lookin’ for lodgings, rousin’ a poor chap out of bis hard-earned ‘snooze. Howsumdever, I'l] excuse yer this time. Jest wait until I kin crawl inter my trouserloons,” A moment later Rufe had admitted his friend, and was leading the way to his own cozy apart- ment, “So you’re back from your cajl on the ole gent, eh? How did you leave his royal nibs?” inguired the fireman, eagerly, “Sh! Don’t speak disrespectfully of the dead, Rufe.” ** Dead?” ‘* Yes; the poor old man has escaped from is tribulations at last. A speeding bullet cut short his life, fired by the same individua] who left him on the track yesterday,—a bullet, by the way. that was intended for the precious anatomy ok yours truly.”
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ry ‘The dickens, yousay! Give us the bull'yarn, pard, afore 1 bu’st with curiosity.” Rufe Ruffle was thoroughly awake, now. No more thoughts of slumber until he heard all that Headlight Harry had to reveal. The engineer lost no time in recounting his night’s aci\ventures; and to say that his listener was astounded thereat would be to but faintly express the true state of his feelings. Jumpin’ Jehosaphat! A cool million in gold! Why, it sounds like a romance, An’ to think that bloodthirsty pirate, King Kirby, should jump in at the critical moment an’ carry off the prize. Too bad, pard—too bad!” “Oh, the jig is not up, yet—not by a long shot,” exclaimed Headlight Harry, cheerfally. ** Though King Kirby possesses the papers, he is still far from the hidden treasure, inasmuch as the former is written in a secret cipher, the meaning of which will doubtless require no little time to unravel. Thus, at the present moment, we stand on anequal footing as regards know!l- jedge of the location of the cache,” “Well, pard, what d’ye propose to do?” ‘* Regain possession of that paper, if such a thing is possible,” came the determined answer. **T do not intend to surrender what rightfully belongs to me without making a stubborn fight.” “*Bnily for you, old pard! Tariair yer pluck; but, jest the same, it strikes me as how you’ve tackled a mighty tough job when you try to cir- cumvent tbat cantankerous scoundrel, King Kirby. How d’ye propose to go about it?” ** Well, Rufe, | must admit my own ideas on that score are somewhat vague at present. Neveretheless, my purpose shall be accomplished by hook or by crook, It is quite probable that irby will escape from the officers who are now searching for him, in which case he will make a bee-line for his old stamping grounds, Satan’s Camp; and while he is puzzling his brain over that cipher writing, it will give me achance to arrive on the scene of action. Once there, my subsequent movements will be governed entirely by circumstances,” “Tt’s goin’ to be a pesky dangerous under- taking, pard,” declared Rufe Ruffle, with an ominous shake of the head. ‘‘A case of beard- in’ the lion in his den, with the probability of gettin’ chawed inter mince-meat.” “I’m well aware of the peril, Rufe. Yet, much may be accomplished by cool and judicious action; and the prize at stake is certainly worth a determined effort. Now, what d’yesay, Ruf: ? Can I count on your assistance ir this hazard- ous undertaking?” “Kin ye, indeed! Did Lever go back on ye, yet, pard? It *pears to me something like a fool’s errand; nevertheless, I’m with ye through thick and thin. So, make yer calkerlatioas ac- cordingly.” Headlight Harry grasped the hand of his friend and shook it warmly. “Good enough, Rufe! You are, indeed, a true friend, and your loyalty shall be rewarded when I strike that golden legacy. And now, pard, it’s high time we turned in, To-morrow we will make preparations for our great treas- ure-hunt,” CHAPTER V. WESTWARD HO! ** WELL; Rufe, we are slowly but surely ap- proaching the end of the first stage of our long and wearisome jotirney. Unless something un- foreseen happens to prevent, another two hours will find us landed safely within the classic pre- cincts of Fortune City, at which point we must part company with the iron-borse, and intrust our precious anatomy to the tender mercies of a mountain Jehu for the remainder of the dis- tance,” “With a good night’s rest sandwiched in between, by way of variety. sorry for that, you kin bet your boots. I tell you, pard, bein’ cooped up in a dusty train for six- an’-thirty hours, a-wearin’ out the seat o’ your trouserloons, an’ nothin’ to do but gawk cuter the winder at these everlastin’ rocks an’ hills, kinder makes a feller feel like lightin’ on ‘terry- firmer, if only jest long ernuff to kick the kinks out of his legs,” “T agree with you, the situation is a trifle monotonous; yet I, for one, am not disposed to complaip, when I think of the forty odd miles of mountain trail that leads from the railroad to that wondrous Mecca of our hopes—Satan’s Camp. Perhaps, Rufe, when every joint in your body is loosened by the incessant jolting of a rickety stage-coach, you will wish yourself back to these comfortable cushioned seats,” “« The speakers, who occupied a seat in the for- Headlight Harry’s Heritage. ward coach of a Far Western passenger train, were none other than the Railroed Pards; yet, their most intimate friends might easily have failed to recognize this fact, so decidedly altered was their personal appearance. In place of the fair, beardless youths so familiar to the reader, there now appeared a pair of apparently middle age, with long hair and luxuriant beards that quite concealed the lower half of their faces. Their garments, of coarse but serviceable ma- terial, were neat and well-fitting, and nicely adapted to the character they had seen fit to impersonate. They consisted of flannel shirt, jacket and trowsers, the latter being tucked into | heavy boots, and supported by a broad leather belt, from which the usual six-shooter was sus- | pended; while a broad-brimmed felt hat, resting | jauntily on the head, went to complete the very ordinary make-up of the Railroad Pards., In- deed, to look at the cunningly disguised rail- | roaders, the keenest observer would fail to sus- | pect that they were other than the typical Westerners their looks and manners would in- dicate, As Headligkt Marry had expected, the das- tardly slayer of Gideon Goff had succeeded in making good his escape from the Richville offi- cers, and no doubt was now safely hidden in the far western mining region that was his favorite | stamping-ground, and to which it was now the | urpose of the Railroad Pards to follow, The | atter had lost no time in completiug their ar- | rangements for pursuit; and, while entering fipon the project with their usual vim and de- termination, it was not without proper appreci- ation of the manifold perils that attended such an undertaking. To enter the haunts of King Kirby in their own true character would be suicidal to their plans; hence, the adoption of a disguise was an imperative necessity. In this extremity, the pards soon found a friend in need in the person | of a local wig-maker, well-known to them, | whose secrecy could be depended upon; and, un- | der his deft fingers, they underwent a facial metamorphosis so wonderfully complete that there was no longer any besitation about enter- ing the camp of the enemy. The question of disguise being thus effectually settled, there was nothing to prevent the Rail- | road Pards from taking the next train for the West. Not a word bad been breathed to any one concerning their intentions, not even to their friend, the wig-maker; and when they quietly departed, secure in their efficient dis- guise, not a soul in Richville was cognizant of the fact. And now, less than three days after the tragic death of Gideon Goff, we find the de- termined young treasure-seekers rapidly draw- ing near the end of their journey, it was some time after sunset, and the shades of night were already fast falling in the gloomy, mountain- walled valley, when the train drew up atan unimportant station and two passengers hurried aboard, The personal appearance of the new-comers, together with the manner of their entrance, served to attract general atten- tion. The first stranger was a typical mountaineer, gigantic in stature, shabby in attire, with shaggy, unshorn locks aud a fiery red beard that reached the breast of his greasy buckskin-shirt. He was apparently well-filled with ‘‘ bug-juice,” and wore the air of a veritable fire-eater as he swaggered up the aisle, His companion was an undersized individual, a trifle better dressed and considerably less bewhiskered, who followed demurely in the big man’s wake, lugging a di- | lapidated valise, he giaut burst into the car like a miniature cyclone, ruthlessly thrusting aside the brake- man, throwing open the door with a bang, and finally bringing up in the first vacant seat, Jand- ing therein with a force tbat threatened anni- hilation to the company’s furniture. ‘*Hooray! Here we cum at last, gents; the fiery, untamed wonders of the woolly West, You've heard tell of us, gents—I’m Tbhunderboit Tommy, the mountain bravo; an’ this here galoot 18 my pard, Midget Mike, the biggest little card-sharp and hoss-thief ‘twixt here an’ ‘Frisco! Oh, we're a reg’lar team o’ ripsnorters, we are; an’ this is our first ride on the railroad kyars. Ker-whoop!” “The ‘ripsnorter” settled his prodigious frame as comfortably as the limited space available would permit, and proceeded to take in the sur- roundings with the air of one who is looking for the first time on the marvels of a modern pas- senger coach, “So this here is a railroad kyar,” he ejaculated, at length, ‘‘Mighty fine ranch, too,durn my ugly hide if it ain't. A reg’lar palace on wheels! Shoot me for a Greaser if —— this hyar seat ain’t a durn sight better’n the back of a mule, an’ a stolen one at that. Say, Mikey, ye durn little snipe, jest shove along a bit an’ give yer uncle elbow-room. Ye allers was a hog, Mikey; but, hang me, if ye don’t keep yer own side o’ the seat, Ill pitch ye outer a ga body, bones an’ britches. Ho, ho, o! A vigorous poke in the ribs evoked a grunt of pain from the little man, and caused him to shrink as far from the giant as the arm of the seat would allow, where he continued to sit de- murely, in ludicrous contrast with the other, who towered above him like Gulliver over Lili- : putian. This noisy demonstration had not failed to at- tract general attention to the new-comers. It was apparent that the big fellow who had styled himself Thunderbolt Tommy was, just drunk enough to be garrulous, and the least bit quar- relsome; while the other man seemed disgusted at the behavior of his traveling companion, and sought by soothing words to quiet his frequent outbursts of uncouth eloquence, though with no visible effect. It chanced that the Railroad Pards occupied a seat just behind and obliquely across from that appropriated by the blatant mountaineer and his ‘diminutive associate; and, as the garrul- ous discourse continued, they began to take more than ordinary interest in the proceedings. ‘“‘What d’ye think of our talkative friend, yonder?” at length whispered Rufe Ruffle to his companion. “Simply that he isn’t so big a fool as he looks,” came the ready reply in the same guard- ed tones. ‘That chap is nodrunker than I am, and his cheap talk is all a blind. The fellow is playing a part.” ‘*Jest my opinion, eggsactly, pard. what’s their little game, anyway?” “That time, alone, can demonstrate. How- ever, that there is some evil work on foot I very strongly suspect, Keep your eye on the fellows, and when, at length, they show their hand, it is barely possible we may be able to give them a surprise party.” The Railroad Pards continued to keep a nar- row watch upon the objects of their new-bora suspicion. If any deviltry was afoot, they were resolved to do their share toward preventing its consummation. Meantime, half an hour had elapsed since the appearance of the strangers, and the train nas- moving steadily westward at a lively rate, Thunderbolt Tommy bad for several minutes lapsed into perfect silence; but now he suddenly burst forth again with renewed vigor. “Holy rattlesnakes, Mickey! It’s a devilish long time atween drinks on this byar train. Durned if my in’ards hain’t a-dryin’ up for want of irrigation. Mickey, ole pard, pass out that spare flask that’s in that ’ere walise o’ yours, Lively, now, afore I choke to death!” ‘*There’s only a drdp left—” **Never mind. That’s better’n nothin’, ‘er out, lively! Dye hear?” “But, er—I say, pard, don’t ye think ye’ve had—er—er—bout enuff licker?” remonstrated. the little man, in a timorous voice, ‘‘Wot’s that yesay, ye durn little whipper- snapper? Haven’t I had enuff licker? Ha, ha, ha! Hee, hee, hee! Ho, bo, ho! Who dares tell Thunderbolt Tommy that he’s bad enuff licker? Great prowlin’ panthers! I’m the great untamed ripsnorter of the Rockies, an’ when i Pass raise my dulcet voice something’s got ter drop. ~ Gimme that walise, blast yer dirty hide!” The “ripsnorter’s” voice resounded like the bellow of a rampant bull. Ina twiukling he bad snatched up the valise lying at the little man’s feet, torn it open and pounced upon the precious. flask. Then, as he held it to the light, the look of triumph instantly yielded to one of deep dis- gust and anger, . ‘Great jumpin’ jack-rabbits! drop left!” The next moment the strong arm of the ex- asperated giant described a sudden motion; then followed a crash of glass as flask, valice and all went flying through the window, ‘“‘There goes yer pesky valise,” roared the in- furiated ruffian. ‘An’ I’ve half a mind ter throw ye after it, yer durn leetle balf-growed monkey!” : Then, for the first time, the little man showed symptoms of lifeand energy. He was on his feet like a flash, gesticulating wildly, and sbout- ing at the top of his voice. : “You darn fool, you’ve done it, now! That grip had all our money in it,” he shrieked. ‘Stop the train! Stop the train, somebody! I must have my valise!” Dancing in the aisle like a madman, his gaze / Not a durn But © . en 2 2 cae mene pee ¥ = a
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} y Pell suddenly upon the bell-rope, Instantly he seized it and A gore viciously, again and again, until the cord parted from the strain and fell slack in his hands, é ‘Ha, ha! lee, en Ho, ho! So it does, indeed!” echoed Thun- derbolt Tommy, who, with anger abated with wonderful quickness, now stood eying his com- panion with a complacent grin. Then upon the’ears of the astonished passen- gers suddenly sounded a third voice, outringing loud and clear. *“ Hold hard, ee fine fellows! The game is not yet played. We are in this deal, and the eards are inclined to run our way, just now, So, up with your bands, you dastardly skunks, if you wish to save your heads! Lively, now!” And, to their utter surprise and discomfiture, the two new-comers found themselves neatly covered by revolvers in the hands of the Rail- | road Pards! CHAPTER VI. THE TRAIN-ROBBERS, ir was a startling tableau that greeted the eyes of the conductor of the west-bound Express, as he chanced to enter the forward coach just at that critical moment, There stood the Railroad Pards, side by side, each with trusty six-shooter cocked and leveled, and with stern, set faces that clearly bespoke their determination; while directly opposite were the two strapgers, Thunderbolt Tommy f&nd Midget Mike, each a picture of disgust and rage, with arms pees, elevated in obedience to the command of Headlight Harry. About this interesting group were gathered a car-load of passengers, each thoroughly imbued with the excitement of the moment. Such was the scene upon which the thunder- struck official gazed for a moment in mute amazement, ** Gentlemen, what is the meaning of all this?” be demanded, when at length he could find ut- terance. “It means, sir, that a shrewd plot has been discovered, and, perhaps, frustrated,” was Headlight Harry’s ready response. “To be brief, these fellows got up a sham. quarrel, during which one threw off the other’s valise, to recover which the latter has signaled the engineer to stop. I believe, sir, that these scamps have pce Met ahead whose object it is to rob this train. Their recent maneuver was but a shrewd device for stopping the train with- out arousing suspicion of their true purpose, - That’s just what it means!” At these words a murmur of surprise and in- dignation ran through the car, a grim fore- boding of the storm that threatened i!] to the two strangers, should Headlight Harry’s accu- sation prove true, The suspects, however, faced the music with a show of righteous indignation that was truly refreshing. “It’s a lie, gentlemen! A gol-durned, whop- pin’ lie! Great hoppin’ horn-toads! Somebody’s goin’ to suffer for this insult to me, the great American ripsnorter, You hear me?” bellowed Thunderbolt Tommy, ‘All right, mister! In case I have made a mistake, I’m ready at any time to answer for the consequences,” was Headlight Harry's ready retort, ‘Now, conductor, there's no time to waste. If this train is allowed to stop, the re- sult will be disastrous, Already we are losing speed, and the engineer must be warned at once to keep ahead,” The conductor was a cool, quick-witted fellow, who had enjoyed considerable experience with the light-fingered gentry of the West; and, with the knowledge of previous wrecks and robberies fresh in his mind, he was inclined to share the suspicions of the Railroad Pards, ‘“‘Hang me if I dov’t believo you're right, gentlemen, I’l) signal Bill to go ahead,” he ex- claimed, But when his eyes rested on the broken bell. cord, his face lengthened perceptibly, and an exclamation of disgust escaped him, “Blue blazes! Here's a pretty fix. What the dickens is to be done?” ‘* Leave it to me—I think I see a way out of the difficulty,” cried Headlight Harry, hurried- ly. ‘*Some of you draw a bead on these rascals and see that they do no mischief. Now, Rufe, come with me!” : Many of the passengers were armed, and the suspects found themselves menaced by fully a dozen deadly weapons; while Headlight Harry, pausing only to see that bis directions That’s the little trick that wins | the the game,” laughed the little man, in high | | ; were followed, dashed from the car with Rufe Ruffle close at his heels, His object was to communicate with the engineer and warn him to keep ahead. Could this be done in time to save the train? Rusbing through the baggage car, he reach the platform only to find furtber progress blocked by the Ex- press car, the door of which was securely locked and barred. It was altogether improbable that the vigilant messenger within, ever on the alert for train- robbers, could be induced to open the door; at least, not without fatal delay, And Headlight Harry did not propose to waste time in the attempt. The bell-rope still hung slack, having evidently parted close to the engine, Headhight Harry lost no time in hesitation. If passage could not be bad through the evr, the only alternatiye was to go overit, In a twink- ling he had sprung upon the brake head, grasped the projecting roof with both hands and pulled himself to the top, in which athletic feat Rufe Ruffle was scarcely bebind him, it wasa hazardous task to craw] on hands and knees over the rounded, slippery roof of the swaying coach, for the slightest mismovement might suffice tosend them to destruction; but the Railroad Pards accomplished the feat in safety, and an agile, cat-like swing carried them from the roof to the front platform, with noth- ing but the tender between them and the engine crew, Meanwhile, the engineer was earnestly en- gaged in bringing his train to a standstill, in obedience to what he believed to be the conduc- tor’s signal, and blissfully unconscious of the shrewd game that was being attempted, Owing to the excessive speed of the train, together with a heavy down-grade, several minutes were re- | quired to accomplish this purpose; so, when the Railroad Pards reached the front platform, the train was still moving at a moderate speed, though losing momentum with every passing moment, Grasping the broken end of the bell-cord, which dangled loosely from the tender, Head- light Harry gave a series of lusty jerks that speedily attracted the engine-crew’s attention. “Goon, goon! Don’t stop, for Heaven’s sake! There’s danger if youdo. Keep on at full speed, I tell you!” But, though the young railroader shouted at the top of bis lungs, his words were drowned by the grind of wheele and hies of escaping steam. His eager gesticulations, however, were seen and understood, At that moment the headlight’s vived glare revealed fully a score of armed men grouped upon the track just in advance of the slowly moving traivu. Their presence there was fraught with grim significance to the veterar engineer, who needed no second glance to convince him of the true state of affairs, Like a flash his trained hand flew to the throttle, but, even as he made the movement, there came a sudden fusilade of pistol-shots, and bullets flaw through the cab like hail. Shot through the brain, the engineer fell from his seat likea log, The fireman, too, sunk lifeless to the floor, pierced by adczen balls, In another instant the the engine rolled into the midst of the waiting robbers, already gain- ing fresh impetus from the last desperate effort of its dead master. As the locomotive rushed by, there was a determined effort on the part of the outlaws to jump aboard, and, while most of them received only an awkward tumble for their pains, a few were fortunate enough to secure a footing on the steps of the cab and the foremost car Tbe Railroad Pards had discreetly thrown themselves flat on the platform even as the first shot was fired, thus escaping the leaden hail that hurtled viciously through the air; and now they found their position disputed by two burly ruf- fians who suddenly scrambled upon the steps, one on either side, The latter were doubtless surprised to find the platform already occupied, and the alert railroaders gave them no chance to recover, A bullet from Headlight Harry’s ready six- | shooter quickly placed one of the robbers hors- du-combat, while Rufe Ruffle disposed of his man with equal facility, though in a far differ- ent manner. Having no time to drew a weapon, he quickly raised his foot and planted it full in the outlaw’s face, With features crushed and battered by the heavy boot, the fellow shot back- ward, like a stone from a catapult, and rolled over and over down the steep embankment, Having thus unceremoniously disposed of their nearest foes, the Railroad Pards now turned their attention to the ones who had succeeded in : effecting a lodgement on the engine, These a they saw to be but two in number. A quic glance back showed the remainder of the gang rupming after the train, their shadowy forms just visible in the deepening gloom. Evidently none of them had succeeded in boarding the train as it sped past, and they were now depend- ing upon their more fortunate comrades to check the flight of the iron horse. And the precious pair in the cab were devoting their energies to that end, quite oblivious of the fact that a formidable foe was watching their every movement, bent on frustrating their das- tardly scheme, ‘* Tue game is ours for keeps, Rufe, It’s two to two, and we’ve got the drop,” coolly whis- pered Headlight Harry. ‘Just take the chap on the left, pard, and blaze away when I say the word,” “All right. I’ve got a bead on the durned galoot, a’ready,” was Rufe’s cautious reply. Little thought the two rascals in the cab that grim death at that instant stalked in their midst; and their first admonition of danger wae when two pistol-shots, blended as one, sounded above the clatier of the speeding train. Then followed two cries of mortal agony, and two forms fell writhing to the floor, while with triumphant shouts the Railroad Pards clambered over the tender and into the cab. “Hooray! The day is ours,” cried Rufe Ruf- fle, in bigh glee. ‘*Tell you, pard, we've jest eucbered the varmints in fine stye. Now, what's the next move?” ‘*To clap on full steam, and run away from that dangerous gang, back yoncer,” replied Headlight Harry, suiting the action to the word, Once more the train sped swiftly onward, saved by the coolness and bravery of the Rail- road Pards, leaving the would-be robbers bhope- lessly bebind, ‘*T suppose,” went on the engineer, as he climbed into the bigh seat, and proceeded to perform his self-allotted duties as nonchalantly as if he was in the cab of his own machine, ‘that we shall have to officiate in the capacity of engine crew, at least until the next station 1s reached, since the original crew is scarcely in condition for active service. Well, I guess I can stand the infliction, though I had scarcely calculated upon being back in an engine cub so soon,” ‘Wal, pard, the soorer I get rid of my job the better I shall like it, if I’ve got to travel with these cadavers any great distance,” de- clared the fireman, witha look askance at the four motionless forms that lay in a ghastly heap upon the floor. ‘‘Shoot my cats, if this byar cab don’t look more like a first-class slaughter- pen than anything else I kin think of.” Meantime, while t!e Railroad Pards, alone and unaided, were devotirg all their energies to to the preservation of th. Western Express, the passengers remained in a state of anxiety and doubt as the final outcome of this unexpected difficulty. The sound of fire-arms at length told them that the would-be robbers bed been encountered, while the subsequent uninterupted flight of the train led them to bope that all peril had been passed in safety, None were quicker to comprehend the true state of affairs than Midget Mike and Thunder- bolt Tommy, the preci: us pair of plotiers who were unexpectedly brought to grief at the hands of the Raijroad Pards,. Under cover of a dczen revolvers, they had yemained in meek submis- siop, copfident that their’ccnfederates would soon be on hard to relieve them of their embar+ rassing position, But when at length they re- alized that relief was to be no longer expected from that quarter, the thought of their own probable fate nerved them to desperation, and they madea sudden and determined break for liberty. With a defiant yell, Thunderbolt Tommy bounded like a tiger toward the nearest dcor, which was only a few feet away, with the little man following close at his heels, Instantly a scathing volley greeted this audacious attempt at escape; and Midget Mike went down before a we]l-directed shot, But though half-s-dozen balls had pierced his flesh, the giant desperado kept on. He reached the platform and, leaping desperately out into space, disappeared from the horrified gaze of the spectators. It was altogether probable that instant death rewarded this foolhardy plunge; but whetber Thunderbolt Tommy survived or perished was a question that interested the passengers but lit- tle, so be it they were wellrid of his unwelcome presence, Ten minutes after this stirring episode, the train drew up atasmall station; and then it was that those on board first learned the details
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pe ‘ 4 ‘seth i age 4 Ue ‘ P the exciting scenes through which they bad assed. When it became known just what part the Railroad Pards had borne in the conflict, the latter were immediate recipients of unstinted apparel trom both passengers and trainmen: for t was universally admitted that to the daring efforts of these gallant young railroaders was | owed the safety of property if not of life. Since there was no eaogineer available at this int, to take the train on its way, Headlight rry volunteered to continue in that capacity as far as his destination, Fortune City, which was now but a few miles distant. There would be no difficulty in securing new men at that point, since it was the regular place for chang- mae locomotives and crews. be four dead bodies were removed from the cab to the baggage-car, much to Rufe Ruoffle’s relief, and then the train proceeded on its way | to Fortune City, that enterprising town being soon reached without further incident, No sooner did the wheels of the iron-horse cease to revolve, than the Railroad Pards leaped from the cab and mingled with the crowd that thronged the platform. With tbeir usual modesty, they shrunk from being lionized, and accordingly made haste to escape from. the vicinity, and thus avoid the demonstration that would probably be forthcoming. And so when the grateful conductor of the Western Express, whose run eoded at this point, came to seek the heroes of ths hour, filled with a laudable desire to ‘‘do the handsome,” | he was beth surprised and chagrined to find they bad silently stolen away. And while he searched eagerly up and down the station plat- forms, the objects of his quest were quietly making their way to the nearest hostelry, where, after enjoying a hearty supper, they im- mediately repaired to their room, and were soon ,sleeping as only men can sleep who are worn _ and weary trom a long and hazardons journey. CHAPTER VII. FORTUNE CITY, AT a seasonable hour next morving the Rail- road Pards were astir, quite refreshed by a night of sound, unbroken slumber; and, after rtaking of a hearty breakfast, sallied forth to inspect the place in which they had been set down, fortune City was a typical Western com- mupity which had passed triumphantly through its embryo state as a struggling mining-carmp, and now, with a number of marvelous Jodes within its limits, was fairly launched upon the road to prosperity. Then, too, the recent pro- jection of a railroad through the place had served to give a wonderful impetus to its rowth, at the same time increasing the self- importance of its inhabitants to such an extent that they were now inclined to look down upon their less favored neighbors. Yet, while the people of Fortune City boasted of their superior civilization and progress, it was a noticeable fact that they fondly clung to many of the objectionable features that charac- terized the camp in the first era of its existence, Courches and schools were conspicuvus for their scarcity; but saloons, concert-halls and gaming- dens flourished on every hand. The populace, representing almost every nation on the face of the globe, comprised good, bad and indifferent; | but tbe former class were decidedly in the mi- nority. Thieves, cut-throats, blacklegs of every description commingled with their more respec- table neighbors. Everybody was on the go, and the streets of the town, even at this early hour, presented a lively appearance. The Railroad Pards were not slow in “sizing up” the place into which their peregrinations had led them, and it would be a slight stretch- ing of the truth to say that they were favorably impressed by what they saw, The boisterous, rough-and-ready nature of the town and its people seemed strange and unnatural to the un- sophisticated youths from the East, who felt sadly out of place amid 3uch turbulent surround- 8, ‘he young railroaders learned upon inquiry ' that they had arrived in Fortuns City too late to connect with the stage-coach forming the enly means of communication with Satan’s Camp, which celebrated community nestled high among the hills full thirty miles distant, at the end of arugged wagon-trail. <A single rickety vehicle, in the last stage of dilapidation, formed the entire rolling-stock of the line, and, owing to the extreme roughness of the way, this required about all day in which to perform the journey, | going and returning on alternate days, Wye | | | very midst of their enemies, rtation, therefore, necessitated a so- ortune City until the following morn- of tran journ in ing. Nor were the pards particularly displeased at this prospect, since:it gave them an opportu- nity to gain a slight insight into the peculiari- ties of far western life, ere venturing into the Recoguizing their own inexperience, it was to feel that all knowl- edge thus acquired would be of valuable aid in | their future movements, i Accordingly, they set out with the determina- tion to ‘do the town up brown,” as Rufe Rufile expressed it, with eyes and ears wide open, pre- pared to drink in ail the wonders of this bustling | Western ‘‘ city.” They found plenty to instruct and amuse them, for new scenes presented them- selves at every turn. Street fights and distur- bances of various kinds were not infrequent, and in one of these the Railroad Pards suddenly fonnd themselves called upon to play a promi- nent part, Strolling leisurely along, wrapt in contempla- | , : | but he was not quick enough to save himself. tion of the stirring sights around them, they turned a corner just in time to witness an inter- esting scene, and ove which they had scarcely anticipated, A young woman, swinging a basket on her arm, was tripping lightly through the street in their direction, Her course led past a saloon in front of which stood perbaps a dozen loafers, all in various stages of intoxication, As she was about to pass, one of the group, a burly six- | foot ruffian, deliberately barred the way with his stalwart form. ‘‘Hold on, thar, my beauty! I reckon I’ve got a word to say to ye,” he roughly exclaimed, ‘* Hold on, I tell ye! No passin’ byar ontil I’ve said my leetle say.” The girl drew back a step, and fixed a pair of glittering black eyes upon the loafer’s face, ‘“*What d’ye want?” she sbarply demanded, in a vuice that betrayed neither surprise nor alarm at this sudden intrusion. ‘““Wal, my dear,” explained the big ruffian, with a horrible leer, ‘‘ye see I’ve made a leetle bet with the gents hyar that Id kiss the first woman that cum this way. An’ you, my angel, happen to be that very fortunate young female. Do ye catch on the situation, my con- centrated lump of sweetness?” On the girl’s fair face appeared a lock of in- effable scora and disgust. ‘*T reckon you’ve lost your bet, Mister Man,” she coolly retorted. ‘*I dunno’s I'd object to bein’ kissed by a good-lookin’ young feller, but when it comes to a big, overgrown, rum-guz- zlin’ lubber with a nose like a beet an’ a mouth like a crocodile’s, I reckon Dll have to be ex- cused. So please drag you lubberly carcass out of the way, an’ let me pass without further palaver.” A roar of laughter went up from the assem- bled loafers at the expense of their discomfited companion, whose face was now redder than his nose with the rage that these cutting words ex- pressed. ““Go easy, ye little spitfire!” he exclaimed. ‘“*T opine ye don’t know who ye'r’ talkin’ to, else i wouldn’t shoot off yer mouth quite so freely. ’m the great Florida Alligator, I am, an’ when I set out to doa thing, I reckon it’s as good as done. So, young woman, jest prepare to be smacked by yer royal uncle, What can’t be cured must be endured, ye know. Haw, baw, baw{” He advanced a step as he finished speaking, but the movement did not seem to intimidate the young woman in the least. “Once more, Mister Alligator, I say, stand aside and let me pass,” she sternly cried, ‘If you dou’t—” “If I don’t? Ho, hd, ho! If Idon’t? Well, my leetle vixen, w’ot’ll happen if I don’t?” laughed the ruffian, boisterously, as he continued to advance, “* Just this, you cowardly brute!” The girl’s hand executed a lightning-like move- ment, and a cocked revolver found its way to within an inch of the giant’s nose. Before he could even think of dodging, the hammer de- scended, Under ordinary circumstances the next mo- ment would have found the ‘‘ great Florida Alligator” food for the coyotes; but, for- ‘tunately for him, the cartridge failed to ex- plode, With an angry roar he bounded forward, seized the girl in his powerful arms, and wrench- ed the weapon from her grasp. *“*Ho, ho! So ye’d shoot the great Florida Alligator, would ye, ye durn cantankerous little spitfire! I reckon we can’t allow any sich a calamity as that to fall on this hyar community. Ye oughter be ecsreful, gal, how ye flourish round them 0 off by accident, ye know, an’ hurt some faw, baw, haw!” ‘*Let me go, you drunken lout! dirty paws off’n me, I say!” “Ho, ho! I reckon not, my dear, not if I knows myself. I’ve got ye dead to rights, now, an’ ye don’t pass hyar until ye’ve paid the toll,” The young woman, nothing daunted, strug- gled desperately for freedom, only to find her- self like an infant in the roffian’s powerful grasp. About this time the Railroad Pards, who had arrived upon the scene just in time to over- hear the conversation between the maid and the ruffian, concluded it was time to take a hand. Two muscular hands suddenly clutched the big bully by the collar, dragging him violently backward. Theastonished ** Alligator” quickly released the girl, at the same time making an effort to turn and face his unknown assailant, Take your Another vigorous movement of those muscular arms sent him staggering forward, while almost simultaneously a broad-toed boot caressed the amplest portion of his anatomy, This vigorous assault proved too much for the ruffian’s equili- brium, and thé next moment found bim sprawl- ing ignominiously on the ground, 7 The burst of laughter that greeted the giant’s downfall swelled to a roar as he struggled to his feet, cursing and gesticulating wildly. Covered with dirt from head to foot, with clothing torn and disarranged, his ruddy proboscis skinned and bleeding from an abortive attempt to plow up the unyielding earth, he certainly presented an aspect well calculated to provoke the ristbili- ties of the delighted lookers-on, . Unmindful of the girl, who had by this time disappeared in the crowd, the big fellow now | looked only for the man who had so deftly brought about bis discomfiture, ‘* Where is he? Where is be?” he howled, dancing about like a bear on a red-hot stove. ‘‘Show me the feller w’ot struck the great Florida Alligator, Produce him—trot him out, say I, an’ see me grind him inter dust quicker’n acat kin jump a fence, Great hoppin’ born- toads! Will nobody point the durned galoot out ter me?” ‘ . His appeal was not in vain, for in an instant Headlight Harry had confronted him, with reso- lute face and fiercely blazing eyes. f *T reckon I’m the man you're looking for,” he coolly exclaimed. ‘I had the satisfaction of kicking you into the gutter, just now, and noth- ing would please me better than to repeat the dose, in case you still hanker for more of the same medicine,” A murmur of surprise and admiration ran through the throng as this bold declaration fell from the lips of the youthful stranger. He who styled himself the ‘great Florida Alliga- tor” was the acknowledged bully of Fortune City, admired and toadied to by the lesser luminaries of his own ilk, despised by the more respectable element, yet, cordially feared by the entire community, friends and foes alike. It was but rarely that a man could be found bold enough to dispute the sway of this giant bruiser, aod they invariably paid dearly for their temerity, Therefore, while the assembled throng of spectators admired the plucky spirit of the stranger, they felt that the redoubtable Alligator was about to add one more to his long list of victims, and accordingly looked eagerly for the process of annihilation to begin. The big bully, bimsel?, was so astonished by Headlight Harry’s audacity that for fully a min- ute he could do nothing but stare at the latter with open mouth and protruding eyes. “Great jumpin’ jack-rabbits! Has it come to this?” he howled, at last, fairly livid with wrath. : Young feller, I opine ye don’t know who yer a-talkin’ to. I’m the great, untamed Florida Alligator, I am, an’ ev'ry time I snap my Jawsa victim Sarre or bear me twitter, you tarnal whipper-snapper ! ‘** Ha, hat’ ‘The Tlorida Alligator, eh? You sport an euphonious appellation, my friend, and I’m sure it suits your complexion to a T, Why, a man with a phiz like yours ought to make his fortune in a dime museum, posing as a first-class freak, You're a whole menagerie on wheels. ““Wot's that? Another insult to be wiped out in blood! Holy snakes! but won't I make. ye suffer for all this back talk? Durn yer pisen hide, yer ugly, white-liyered son of a sea-cook— ye 'tarnal spindle-shanked—” __ : ‘‘ Hold on, my red-nosed friend! the engineer blandly interrupted, ‘* Please spare your vocab- ulary any further strain, for I cannot waste time sky shootin’-irons—they might — body.” rai
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Pa bs gto your foolish babbling. Hope if we aver meet again I shall find you ina more ami- able mood, Ta, ta!” Headlight Harry turned away ashe spoke, anxious to put an end to this senseless war of words; but the Alligator was evidenly deter- mined to have it otherwise, for with one tiger- like bound he placed himself before the youth, waving his long arms and cursing wildly. ‘*Ho, ho! No ye don’t, my daisy!” he roared, “IT reckon ye don’t git away from the great Florida Alligator so easy. Thought ye was mighty smart, didn’t ye, to grab a feller from be- bind an’ roll himin tbe mud? But now, when the opportunity presents to tackle that same fel- ler face te face, yer heart slumps inter yer boots, an yer wants ter sneak away like a yaller cur, with his tail between his legs, Haw, haw, haw! How’s that for a crawfish, boyees?” The crowd, too, had accepted Headlight Yarry’s attempted retreat asan unmistakable mark of cowardice, and the boss bruiser’s appeal was met by a command to “sail in an’ eat up the tenderfoot, *thout any more durned palaver.” This the Alligator was both ready and anxious to do, judging by the way he pranced around his intended victim, brandishing his arms and spit- ting on his hands by way of preliminaries ere settling down tothe work of annihilating the tenderfoot. Rufe Ruffle, who bad hitherto remained a si- lent spectator, felt a trifle uneasy as he witnessed these warlike preparations, **Look out, pard!” he whispered, warningly. “That big cuss ’ll chew ye inter mince-meat. Le’s make a break an’ git out o’ byar.” “* And get shot in the back as a reward forour eowardice? Not much, old man! Keep cool, pard, an’ just leave this overgrown lout to me, { fancy I can dispose of him without much diffi- culty.” Much though the engineer disliked to figure in a street fight, he felt that in this case there was no alternative, for the belligerents were by this time encompassed by a dense crowd of on-look- ers, who would be satisfied with nothing less than a genuine set-to, and who would undoubtedly frustrate any attempt to retreat. And, since he must face the music, he resolved to pitch in and baye the matter’ over as soon as possible. ‘* See here, Mister What’s-your-name,” he ex- claimed, suddenly advancing upon the cavort- ing ruffian, ‘I see you're spoilin’ for a fight, and, such being the case, I’m inclined to accom- modate you. But I warn you in advance that you'll git badly licked, so, if you wish to back out, you’re at perfect liberty to do so, Better take my advice an’ levant before your handsome phiz is in worse condition than it is already.” ‘Wot? Me back out?—me levant? Me, the great untamed Alligator of the everglades? Great hoppin’ horn-toads! Who ever heard the like’ o’ that? Hang ine for a hoss-thief, young teller, if ye ain’t the checkiest tenderfoot w’ot ever cum to Fortune City. Seems almost too bad to slaughter sich a precious lamb, but it’s gotter be done. Ker-whoop!” For an ipstant they stood, facing each other, and as the expectant spectators compared the slight, lithe form of the youth with the huge, overtowering frame of his antagonist, it was to feel that tae latter would win an easy victory. Headlight Harry, however, while quick to real- ize the superior size of his adversary, felt confi- dent that his scientific knowledge of the manly art, with no little strength to back it, would prove more taan a match for sheer brute force; and, accerdingly, he now proceeded to force matters to a head. ‘*So you still want satisfaction, eh?” he cried boldly. ‘* Very well, you shall have it in liber- aldoses, I’ve given youa fair chance to quit honorably and save your bacon, so you'll have your own pigheadedness to thank for the result, Now, Mister Alligator, prepare to receive a sound thrashing. Herelcome! Fair warning! Look out for yourself!” Then, before the burly ruffian could realize what was coming, Headlight Harry made a cyclonic rush and planted a clinche 1 fist square- ly between his eyes, Down went-the Alligator like a log, lying for a moment dazed and breath- less; the next, however, saw him again on his feet, rushing madly at his nimble antagonist, The latter adroitly avoided the rush, at the same time landing a clever upper cut that caught the giant under the chin and lifted him fully a foot imto the air, Then followed such an exhibition of scientific fisticuffs as had never before bee witnessed by the astonished men of Fortune City. ; Headlight Harry danced around his big an- tagonist with the agility of a monkey, raining blow after blow upon his head and face with marvelous force and precision, and easily evad- ing the vicious, but random blows of the giant, who fought blindly and entirely without method. The latter was not slow in realizing that he bad caught a Tartar, and made repeated rushes in the desperate endeavor to seize his agile foe and crush him in his powerful arms; but the engi- neer was too wide-awake to be thus caught nap- ping, and, while keeping clear of the Alligator’s grip, still maintained a fistic fusilade upon that worthy’s facial organs. The spectators, meantime, looked on in breath- less silence, utterly paralyzed with astonishment at this unexpected turn of affairs, They had looked for a one-sided contest, and such it proved to be; but the tide of battle was setting exactly contrary to expectations, and the great Florida Alligator was the under dog in the fight, in- stead of his intended victim. Nor were. they particularly grieved at seeing the boss bruiser of Fortune City being literally whipped ‘‘ clean out of his boots.” This fickle Western crowd, never so happy as when witnessing a lively fight, always made it a point to cheer for the winter; and the murmur of approval that followed the first blow of the engineer rapidly swelled to a roar, each successful hit being greeted by a wild yell of applause that fairly made the welkin ring. And in that entire assembly no one was more delighted than Rufe Raffle, who watched the marvelous performance of his friend in open- mouthed amazement. For perhaps five minutes the luckless Alliga- tor withstood that merciless assault; at the end of that time he sunk upon his knees, with hands upraised to ward off the expected blows, and howled lustily for mercy. He presented a most woe-begone spectacle with both eyes closed, blood streaming from:his nose, and his entire face bruised and battered from contact with the iron fists of bis antagonist. A few faithful adherents carried him from the arena, amidst the jeers and laughter of the spectators who had erstwhile been so lavish in applause, while one enthusiastic native howled in a voice that rose high above the din: ‘* Now, boyees, fill up yer Jungs an’ give three times three for the dandy tenderfoot. Hip, hip, Hooray !” And then five hundred lusty voices smote the air ina mighty chorus, applauding the plucky youth who had thus sighally vanquished the boss bruiser of Fortune City. CHAPTER VIII. WILD NELL, **Say, pard!” “Well, Rufef “It strikes me with the force of a pile-driver that we’ve made a pooty reckless _beginnin’ to our career in the wild an’ woolly West. First we take upon ourselves the task o’ killin’ off a gang 0’ train-robbers; next we git tangled up in a rough-an’-tumble street fight through our desire to help innocence an’ beauty in distress, W’ot the next difficulty ‘ll be the good Lord only knows. I recken we started off at too fast a clip, an’ the sooner we down brakes the better it 11 be for our health.” “Ha, hal Rufe, old man, what on earth are you growling about? Little need of worry now, I guess, since we came out of both adventures with flying colors,” ** Which is no sign that we'll be so lucky next time, I tell ye, pard, it behooves us to keep our durned meddlesomeness in check after this, afore we find ourselves in a box.” ‘*True’enough, Rufe. I agree with you it is hardly wise to mingle with these promiscuous side affairs, when the real work of our lifetime yet remains unbegun. We will get enough of adventures, [’m afraid, when we buck up against King Kirby in the struggle for that hidden treasure. So TV’ll heed your advice, pard, and puta check npon my temper in the future.” It was an hour after the spirited encounter between Headlight Harry and the boss bully of Fortune City, which had resulted so decidedly in the former’s favor, and the Railroad Pards now reclined at length in the grateful shade beside the rough trail that led from the town up into the adjacent mountains, Losing no time in escaping from the admiring crowd that surged around them at the conclusion of the struggle, they bad sought this sequestered spot on the outskirts of the town, to enjoy a brief rest ere resuming their round of investigation. “Haw, haw! How you did sock it to that big chap, the Alligator, to be sure. Durned if my ribs ain’t sore from the laughin’ I done. Never enjoyed anything so much in my life as I did to i sss te LL — —— see you a-sendin’ ’em in, left an’ right, an’ that overgrown galoot prancin’ round Jike a mad- man, sawin’ the air with his bony fists, an’ never able to hit a good lick in return. Dog my cats if it wasn’t a sight for sore eyes! Pard, I never knowed you could handle your dukes half so lively, afore. Ho, bo, ho! How you did line %em out!” And Rufe Ruffle laughed uproariously as he recalled the circumstances of that memorable scrimmaze, ‘Yes, pard; I fancy I gave that rum-soaked braggart a lesson that will last him the. rest of his natural born days, and it was a piece of work in the performance of which I took the greatest satisfaction. But what became of the young woman who was the innocent cause of the commotion?” ‘*T opine she skedaddled the minnit that dirty blackguard took his paws off’n ber, Leastwise, I ha’n’t sot eyes on her since that identical min- nit.” ‘**What sort of a female was she, anybow, Rufe? In my hurry and excitement I saw only that she was a woman, and cannot say for the life of me whether she was old or young, plain or handsome, Pray give me some enlighten- ment,” . **Ho, ho! So you’re interested in the female, eh?” laughed Rufe, facetiously, ‘* Wal, I opine I ha’n’t much wiser than yourself on that score, since 1 only got a brief glance at the fairy cree- ter, eighteen or twenty, pretty as a pictur’, ratber plainly dressed, an’ from the free an’ indepen- dent way in which she sassed that feller, an’ afterwards snapped a shooter in his face, I reckon she’s a genuine native.” “T should like to see her again, just out of curiosity. I wonder where she disappeared to so suddenly?” “ ‘Paps if ye want to see her real bad, ye kin engage a detective to ferret out her where- abouts,” suggested the fireman, with a slight touch of sarcasm. ‘‘ But, hold on! I reckon ye won’t need to go to that trouble, for byar she comes now, big as life an’ twice as natral. Look yonder, pard, an’ behold the fair damsel whose acquaintance you are so desirous of making.” Sure enough, the fair subject of their conver- sation was approaching, tripping hghtly along the rugged trail from the direction of the town, On her arm she still carried the basket, now heaped with a miscellaneous assortment of pack- ages, evidently household supplies, and she bore the heavy burdenifas though it was but a feather- weight. si As the girl dréw néarer, the two wayside loiterers had an excellentio; p>rtunity of noting what wondrous charms «f person sbe pos- sessed, She was scarcely More than eighteen, slightly above medium height, with a form lithe and willowy and of exquisite proportions, Her features were remarkably clear-cut and beautiful; her eyes, black as jet, sparkled with wondrous luster; the rosy glow of youth and health suffused her cheeks. peor of lus- trous, jetty hair fell unconfined fo her waist. The garb of this mountain beanty was sim- ple in the extreme, consisting’of a dress of coarse material that reached scarcely below her knees, fitting just closely enough to reveal the graceful contour of her form, Indian leggins and moccasins, fringed and leaded, protected her feet and limbs; while upon ber head rested a jaunty cap, from which a’handsome eagle’s plume nodded saucily to the breeze, An orna- mented belt engirdled her waist, and supported the dainty weapon with which she had pluckily attenipted to shoot down the desperado, Thus attired, the young girl presented a most picturesque appearance; and the Railroad Pards, feasting their eyes upon this glorious vision of female loveliness, felt they v.ere in the presence of a veritable nymph of the mountains. Humming a merry tune the maiden hurried on, and not until she arrived directly opposite the lounging-place of the two railroaders did she become aware of their proximity. The son abruptly ceased, and, an instant later, the loo of surprise on the girl’s fair face gave place to one of glad recognition; then, to the utter con- sternation of the pards, she advanced directly toward them. The latter bad not anticipated such a move- ment, and consequently were overwhelmed with embarrassment when they realized that this lovely mountain maid seemed bent on subject- ing them to an ‘interview; but they quickly arose from their recumbent position, doffed their bats, and courteously awaited her pleas- ure, The young woman paused before them, glanced sharply from one to the other, and I sh’u’d say, however, she was a gal of*
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Sg sere ” rte o ah ie ge rs q a aie al ~ . Po ee era ete Sie ee re oe ates finally settled her gaze upon the flushed face of Headlight Harry. **T reckon as how you’re the feller that wiped up the earth with that overgrown tough who calls hisself the Alligator, a short time ago?” she said, in an inquiring tone, She spoke without regard to grammatical con- struction, did this pretty mountain maid, and her language sounded strangely uncouth and out of place; yet the voice that uttered it was singularly clear and bell-like, ‘* Yes, miss; I had the pleasure of polishing off the precious scoundrel you refer to,” returned the engineer, in answer to her query. ‘‘ You should have remained and seen how effectually our assailant was punished for his insolence, e will not repeat the act right away, I fancy.” ** Ob, I was there, bet your life,” declared the maid, with refreshing coolness, ‘’Tain’t like me to skip off when there’s any fun goin’on. Ye see, a friend o’ mine chanced to live next door, so I took in the hull circus from a second-story window. Ob, butit wasa be-utiful sight to see you hammer that blamed galoot until he howled for mercy. Stranger, you’ve done me a right ood turn, an’ I appreciate it, you kin bet. Rat's why I stopped hyar, to thank you for your kindness; but I—I reckon I can’t express myself well enough to do justice to my feelin’s,” *‘ No thanks are required, I assure you, miss, Like the gaJlant knights of old, my hand is ever ready to strike in defense of innocence and beauty in distress,” laughed Headlight Harry. **T reckon you wouldn’t have needed to inter- fere if my shootin’-iron had only behaved itself,” pursued the mountain houri. ‘I bad a bead drawn on the Alligator’s noddle-box, an’ but for a defective cartridge, I reckon he’d be in the undertaker’s care ’bout this time. I’m gener- ‘ally able to take keer o’ myself, but this time I was mighty glad of a friend,” ** And I am doubly glad that I happened along in time to be of service to you, especially since it has been the means of bringing about this pleasant interview,” exclaimed the young en- gineer, gallantly, ‘‘ My ¢up of bappiness would be complete if [ could but know the name of my charming acquaintance,” *“ My’ name? Why, don’t you know?—lI’m Wild Nell! I reckon you’re a stranger here, fer ev’rybody ’round these parts knows Wild Nell.” ‘*T am, indeed, a stranger in Fortune City, and I regret to say my knowledge of Wild Nell’s existence dates from the present moment. But, if I may be so bold as tovask} where are you go- ing with your heavy burden? Surely, there are no habitations in this direction,” and the youth pointed up the precipitous mountain trail, with its dubious prospect,of rocks and trees. “Oh, yes; my home lies yonder—a good two miles up the gulch,” replied the girl, with a smile, ‘ Ilive with dad, yeknow—he’s a miner, an’ I’m his housekeeper an’ only companion since mother died, se¥’ral years ago.” There was f momentary pause, and then she resumed; ‘* You say you are strangers in Fortune City —when did you arrive, if I may ask?” “On last night’s train from the East,” ‘So, then, you are tenderfeet, I reckon.” **T believe that is the sobriquet which your people apply to us unsophisticated fellows,” smilingly admitted the engineer. ‘* Wal, stranger, you may be a_tenderfoot, but I reckon you’re no chicken. That fact is demonstrated by the handy way in which you done up the boss bruiser of Fortune City,” was Wild Nell’s compliment, inelegantly expressed. *“*Do you know any one in this place?” she went on, with the air of one who is conducting a regular examination. “Not a soul,” was the ready answer. **Then why, stir'anger—why do you come so shrewdly disguised?” Suddenly, swiftly was this shot delivered—so suddenly that Headlight Harry could not re- he a violent start. Glancing into Wild ell’s face, it was to feel her wondrous eyes neq 4 him through and through, and he csnew that she had penetrated their secret. A merry laugh pealed from the lips of tne mountain maid, as she witnessed the surprise and consternation her speech bad wrought. ‘“*Ha, ba! That caught ye unawares, didn’t it? Reckon ye felt secure in that stunnin’ git- up; but ye couldn’t deceive Wild Nell. No, sir-ee!” “Great Scott! Girl, are you a clairvoyant or a witch?” cried the engineer, in amazement. ‘*Neither one nor t’other. Simply an or’nary, ev’ry-day gal, who knows how to use her eyes an’ ears to good advantage. Your rig is all right in its way, mister, but your speech is what gives yedead away. When I first set eyes on yer phiz, [ took ye to bea man of forty-five or thereabouts; but the minnit 1 heard yer voice I knew ye was at least twenty years younger. As for them beautiful whiskers o’ yours, [ reckon you got ’em ready-grown at the wig- maker’s, Ha, ha, ha!” Imagine the astonishment of the Railroad Pards at finding the disguise which they had deemed impenetrable thus readily discovered by this sharp-eyed mountain maid. They could only stare in mute bewilderment at the latter, as she went hurriedly on: ‘“‘Don’t be alarmed ‘cause I’ve penetrated your disguise, gents. Your secret is safe enuff with me, Plenty o’ men come to town in dis- guise, an’ they’re usually of two classes—first, fugitives from justice, and second, detectives who are huntin’ for thesame, Now, I know you don’t belong to the first class, so I s’pose you must be detectives. Reckon there’s some poor, luckless galoot hidin’ in these parts whom you are mighty anxious to find. Haven’t I struck it right, stranger?” There was just the slightest trace of anxiety in Wild Nell’s voice, and the engineer did not fail to observe it, He began to suspect, now, that the girl’s efforts to ascertain the object of their visit to Fortune City was prompted by some motive stronger than mere curiosity. ‘* Ah! my shrewd guesser, I fear you are at fault this time,” he hastened toexclaim. ‘‘We are no more detectives than you are. We are staying in Fortune City but temporarily, since our ultimate destination lies further beyond, and to-morrow at this time will find us miles away. So if, by chance, you have any relatives or ac- quaiutances who are expecting a cali from Pink- erton’s bloodhounds, I trust these few words of explanation will serve to set your mind at rest, so far as we are concerned.” Headlight Harry keenly watched the girl’s face while speaking, and, when he saw her start and slightly change color at his well-directed shot, it was to feel that his suspicions were not without foundation. Wild Nell, however, immediately recovered her usual self-posses- sion. ‘‘ Wal, stranger, hope ye aren’t mad ’cause I’ve asked so many fool questions,” said she, half-apologetically. ‘*‘ Ye kuow it’s a woman’s nature to be inquisitive, an’ 1 reckon I’m no ex- ception to the rule,” ‘No offense, I assure you, miss. Indeed, I am most happy to gratify your curiosity; and if there are any more questions that you have in mind, don’t hesitate to propound them at once. I will answer to the best of my abil- ity.” The mountain maid laughed merrily. ** Oh, I reckon my curiosity is about satisfied, now. Tnank ye, just the same, stranger, An’ now [ guess I must be goin’, cause it’s gettin’ late, an’ dac ‘Il have a fit if he comes home an’ finds supper isn’t ready. Wal, s0 long, gents! I won’t forget the favor ye’ve done mein a hurry,-an’ if ever you tenderfeet get into tron- ble, remember Wild Nell’s your friend, an’ mebbe she can find a way of helpin’ ye out. Good-by !” And then with a careless wave of her hand, the mountain sprite tripped lightly away, her elfin laugh floating back to they ears of the two young fellows who stood regretfully watching her departure, In silence they watched the re- ceding form until it disappeared from view, the eagle plume in her jauaty cap nodding a saucy farewell as she vanished within the forest shade. ““ Well, Rufe, what do you think of our fair acquaintance?” inquired the engineer, at length recovering his speech. ‘“‘Did you ever dream of encountering so beautiful a being in this wild and inhospitable locality?” ‘What do I think of her? Why, dog my cats, thar’s only one thing to think, an’ that is she’s the gol-darnedest, all-firedest, daintiest, prettiest leetle piece of caliker that ever walked on two feet, That’s what J think! An’ I kin lick seventeen kinds o’ stuffin’ outen the first feller w’ot dares to say she isn’t.” was the start- ling manner in which Rufe Roffle gave vent to his long pent-up enthusiasm, ‘* A reo’lar angel in petticoats,” he went on, ‘Can’ sharper ’n a steel-trap, to boot. Did ye see how quick she was on to our disguise? Jerusalem! I was clean gone paralyzed when she sprung it on us so sudden like.” ‘* And, too, did you notice how anxious she appeared to ascertain our errand in Fortune ity, and how relieved she seemed to find that we were not the redoubtable man-hunters she mistook us to be? I rather suspect that some of her acquaintances—her father, perbaps—have ee SS good reason to fear the detectives’ visit, and gard for their welfare was what prempted so many questions, However, be that as it may, the girl is unquestionably a dandy, and I hope it will be our good fortune to meet her again.” Rafe Ruffle suddenly faced about and Jaid a heavy hand upon his comrace’s arm. ‘*See hyar, pard!” he exclaimed, abruptly, ‘* Well, Rufe?” ‘You an’ me are chums, ar’n’t wef” ** Certainly.” ‘* An’ have b’en for years?” **T reckon so,” ** An’ you’ve got a gal at home, which same you're engaged to be hitched to—isn’t that a fact?” “Tt is, Rufe. But what on earth are you driving at, old man?” ‘‘ Jest this, pard. You know your duty, an’ I reckon yowre man enuff to follow it. If there’s any sparkin’ to be done round these parts, I’m the very identical chap w’ot’s goin’ to doit. Understand?” The young fireman’s voice had a determined ring, avd Headlight Harry stared at him for a moment in mute amazement, Then, as the light dawned upon bis mind, be burst into a hearty laugh. ‘Ha, ba! I begin to see which way the wind blows,” he exclaimed. ‘* Why, Rufe, old fellow, what’s come over yousosuddenly? You are the chap who hasalways professed to be a confirmed mysogynist.” % A’ what?” “A mysogynist,—woman-hater, you know,” Rufe scratched his head for a moment in per- plexity, then answered in toues of dogged deter- mination: ‘So I did, pard, I'll admit, Howsumdever, I opine there’s no law in the land that kin pre- vent a fellow from alterin’ his opinions, in case he takesa notion. At any rate, pard, if { should ever decide to shove my head into the matri monial yoke, I reckon Wild Nell represents jest the article I want to tie to. Them’s my senti- ments, eggsactly!” CHAPTER IX. TRAPPED, As the Railroad Pards contiuued their pere- grinations through the streets of Fortune City, it was to find that their fame bad already pre- ceded them, The story of the attempted train- robbery had gained immediate circulation, and there were plenty to recognize the heroes cf that occasion and point them out to ovhers, Then, too, the news of the boss bruiser’s disastrous de- feat at the hands of Headlight Harry bad travel- ed with lightning rapidity, and served to in- tensify public interest 10 the indomitable young strangers. Thusit was that the Railroad Pards, as they wandered from place to place, soon found themselves the cyuosure of all eyes, Among the first to accost them was the rail- road station-agent, who exhibited a telegram from the management directing bim to ascertain the names and addresses of the men who bad been instrumental in saving the Western Ex- press from robbery. Scarcely bad he disap- peared when the Wells, Fargo & Co,’s local agent appeared on the scene, bent ona similar errand, These incidents were not without a cer- tain suggestiveness, which was by ne means lost upon the young railroaders, ‘‘Pard, [reckon that means somethin’,” Rufe Ruffle knowingly declared, as the Express agent blithely departed with the desired finformation. ‘‘ These railroad an’ Express fellers seem so all- fired anxious to locate us that I shouldn’t be at all surprised to see ’em open their generous hearts an’cum down with a dollar or two, jest by way of recompense for services rendered,” “Pshaw! Let them keep their rewards, if it’s really their intention to offer any,” replied dead- light Harry, with a scornful gesture. ‘‘ Remem- ber, Rufus, we havea cool million in prospect, and can afford to laugh at the alleged generosity of a niggardly corporation.” “That’s all well enuff, pard; but I reckon ye’ve forgot the good old saw that says ‘a bird in the band is worth two in the bush,’ That million in prospect is yet a good ways off, an’ I reckon it’s a good scheme to catch on to all the leetle things that’s flyin’ ‘reund loose. I, for one, am out for the stuff, evry time; an’ if anybody has a reward to offer, 1 reckon yer uncle is jest the chap to gobble it up with- out a second asking.” At the very next corner, the pards were waylaid by a seedy individual who introduced himself as the representative of the ‘ Daily Screech Owl,” and who declared that his mis-
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sion was to secure a detailed description of the date attempted robbery from the lips of the participants, themselves, for publication in the | evening edition of that enterprising sheet, From previous experiences with the ubiquitous | reporter, the victims felt that the only way to get rid of this interesting specimen would be to comply witb his request; and soon, therefore, the seedy youth departed, profusely voicing his thanks, and promising that the article should appear in the finest style the ‘‘ Screech Owl” could command, accompanied by flaring head- lines and original wood-cuts, Nor did the series of interruptions end there, for bardly had the newspaper fiend gone his way when a burly specimen of the genus native, nearly seven feet high, bronzed, bewhiskered, and armed to the teeth, suddenly interposed his gigantic form as a barrier to all further pro- ess, “Hold on, thar, pards!” I opine you're the very galoots I’ve b’en a-kitin’ all over town to find,” was the loud salutation of this formidable individual, as he towered like a living monu- ment above the Railroad Pards; while the letter surveyed his huge proportions with a feeling somewhat akin to anxiety, vaguely wondering if a second ‘‘ Alligator” affray would be the the outcome of the interview. “Well, I reckon you’re only about the forty- ‘leventh individual who has come on a similar errand within the past two hours,” returned Headlight Harry, cheerfully. ‘‘ And now, having found us at last, my friend, in what Way can we serve you best?” Tae answer that was forthcoming speedily set their minds at rest as to whether the new- comer’s mission was warlike or peaceful. ‘“*How kin ye serve me, eh? Why, simply by ‘lowin’ me the priv’lege o’ graspin’ your good right han’s, pards,” and, as he spoke, the stranger thrust out his own huge, hairy paw. ‘‘ Lemine introduce myself, gents, *thout further cere- mony. I’m Big Hank Hawkins, chief o’ the Fortune City Law an’ Order League, an’ while I’m a purty touzh cuss to look at, you'll find thar ha’n’t a squarer mau in camp, if I do tell it myself. Come, pards,—shake!” And the pards did shake, without a moment’s hesitation, for they quickly sized the giant up as an honest, good-natured fellow, whose redoubt- able appearance was by no means to be taken as an index to his true character, ‘Hang me for a hoss-thief, pards, if I hain’t tickled to death to make yer acquaintance,” continued Big Hank, evincing a genuine satis- faction in this opportune meeting. ‘' D’ye see, {ve b’en away for some days, an’ when! sailed inter’ town this afternoon, the fu’st thing that greeted my ears was the story o’ last night’s scrimmage; an’ when I heard that the heroes o’ the occasion were still in Fortune City, I imme- diately set out to trail ’em down, determined not to rest until I had grasped their han’s, an’ tole ’em in plain United States how highly [ appre- ciate their efforts, Pards, your recent work has not only proved a blessin’ to the bull community in general, but has b’en*a reg’lar godsend to the Law an’ Order League,” ** Indeed’? ““The avowed purpose o’ the Law an’ Order League,” went on Big Hank, ‘is to keep the morals o’ Fortune City in tol’rable good trim, an’ raise holy blazes with all evil-doers in gen’- ral; but ever since our organization, some time a-back, our efforts hey b’en directed principally ag’in’ the very identical gang w’ot ye had the pleasure 0’ buckin’ ag’in’ last night. “This gang, ye understand, is located somewheres up in the mountiugs, yonder—only Old Nick hisself knows jest whar; an’ the way they’ve b’en up to their hellish work ©’ late is well kalkerlated to make us alleged Regulators feel mighty sore, since, strive as we may, we’ve never yet b’en able to do anything effectual ag’in’ ’em, ‘* Howsumdever, when we sot eyes on the dead outlaws wot was brought in on the train last night, somethin’ like a suspicion o’ the truth n to crawl inter our durn thick skulls, for we recognized in the cadavers sey’ral well- | known characters o’ Fortune City. We've reached the conclusion, therefore, that the hull won’t be long now afore we've nailed the bull caboodle an’ wiped ’em out, which happy result, gents, "ll all be owin’ to your own han’some work, in thus farnishin’ us with such a vallyble clew.” “We are extremely glad to learn that we have been of so great service to your league,” Headlight Harry bastened tosay, when at length there came a@ break in the long-winded utter- ance of the giant, | room, darn gang is composed o’ feller cits whom we | had hitherto failed to suspect; an’T reckon ’t | “It is, indeed, flattering to | praisewortt y—their Ta. Sac Li a _ receive such unstinted praise, believing as we do that it is honestly and sincerely expressed; but, | really, I fear you are inclined to overestimate our services, as you see fit to call it.” ‘** Not much, pard! I reckon as how Big Hank knows w’ot he’s a-talkin’ about, an’ he don’t make a practice o” bestowin’ his praise wbhar it ain’t merited, I tell ye, pards, ole Webster’s bookshunary don’t contain words enuff to prop- | erly express the gratitude o’ the Liw and Order League; an’ I reckon the hul! town’s yourn as Jong as ye keer to keep it. some important biz to ’tend to, an’ I opine Pll hev to tear myself away. Afore I vamoose, thar’s a little favor I'd like to ask o’ ye,” “* Name it, friend.” ** Wal, ye see, the Law an’ Order League holds a@ special meetin’ ter-night, right in that ball which ye kin see yonder; an’ I kinder imagine nothin’ would tickle the boys better’n to see ye two gents occupyin’ seats of honor on the front platform. So ye’ll drop in for a few minutes, won’t ye, pards—jest for to obleege yer humble servant?” “Nothing could give us more pleasure, I assure you,” was the engineer’s ready reply; whereat the giant native fairly pranced in de- . | lustrious gents who have so kindly consented to light. ‘‘Hooray! That’s the way to talk, pards. The boys’ll be tickled to death to meet ye; an’ Pve only to pass the word ’round that ye’r’ comin’ to insure a full attendance, Now, don’t o'clock, sharp, Jest call for me at the door, an’ act,” After a few moments more spent in giving further utterance to his voluminous thougbts, | Big Hank finally took his departure; and the Railroad Pards were once more left to follow | their own inclinations, Their meeting with the burly chief of the Vigilantes had proven a very pleasant surprise, Big Hank Hawkins, uncouth and rough-man- nered though be might be, was undoubtedly as honest and upright as he was brave, a personage of no little local importance, and one whose friendship was not to be despised—especially in this wild and perilous region, where the velue of a true friend could scarcely be overestimated. Realizing this, the pards were nothing loth to , cultivate the giant’s acquaintance; and conse- quently the hour of eight found them at the ap- pointed place, baving passed the intervening time without further adventure, Big Hank was on the lookout for his expected guests, and greeted them in his usual vociferous fashion, ‘*Hello! Hyar ye air, right on time, I see, Waltz right in, pards, an’ make yerselves to home, The boys air outin full force to-night, an’ they’re all a-dyin’ to scrape yer acquaint- ance,” And accordingly the Railroad Pards were ush- ered into the presence of the Law and Order League, The building in which this noted organization was wont to assemble, and which Big Hank had dignified by the name of “ ball,” was a roomy, one-story frame structure, located in a quiet street at the very edge of Fortune City. There were no other houses in the immediate vicinity, and, save for the assembling Regulators, the street was quite deserted, even at this early hour. Within, however, a far more animated picture was presented, The ‘‘ hall” comprised one large, rougbly-finished room, in which nearly two-score bronzed and bearded men were now congregated. Some stretched at ease on clairs and benches; others leaned carelessly against the walls, Those who weré not chewing the ‘‘ weed” were smok- ing it, and the atmosphere was heavy with the fumes of vile tobacco, A busy bum of conver- sation pervaded the hall, interspersed with loud laughter and not infrequent oaths; but all this quickly cedsed when Big Hank appeared escort- ing his famous guests. A shout of recognition greeted the Railroad Pards as they meekly followed their guide to the narrow platform which occupied one end of the Dropping into the chairs already placed there for their use, the young railroaders Fokea interestedly upon the scene, meeting with com- posure the battery of two-score pairs of curious eyes now focused upon them, Rough and uncouth ia garb and manner, the personal appearance of the men comprising the Law and Order League was scarcely calculated to impress the casual observer favorably; yet, a more honest, bold and energetic set of fellows never existed than these self-appointed guardi- ans of the public peace. Their purpose was most zeal iudefatigable; and if | of its members, | this feeling, needless to s y, was fully recipro- ; cated, since the presence of the strangers was But say, I’ve got | ; Order League, kindly bush yer blamed babblin’ | an’ bearken unto me, for I’ve got somethin” | mighty important to communicate,” , eyes, forgit the place, pards, an’ the hour is eight | | great pleasure in introducin’ ye to the bold young I'll waltz ye in an’ do the grand introduction | the League had failed to accomplish anything noteworthy during its brief but turbulent exist- ence, the result was chiefly owing to hard luck, and by no means to any remissness on the part The Railroad Pards, quick to estimate the worth of these bold, rough-and-ready Western- ers, could not fail to appreciate the opportunity thus given for making their acquaintance; and largely responsible for this unusually full attend- ance, ‘“* Feller-citizens an’ brethren o’ the Law and It was the strident voice of Big Hank that suddenly cleft the air, as with heavy tread he strode upon the platform, bis huge frame tower- ing bigh above the audience. The renewed shuffle of feet and hum of excited voices now ceased as if by magic, while all stood in a state of eager expectancy, ** Pards,” the giant quickly continued, ‘* afore we commence tie reg’lar bizness o’ the evening, 1 wish to call yer undivided attention to the il- grace this occasion with their august presence, an’ who are at this minnit occupyin’ seats of honor on this hyer platform, right afore yer You've all heard of ’em already, pa: ds— who in Fortune City has not? An’ now I take strangers who, I’m ashamed to admit, have done more toward wipin’ out that pesky outlaw gang in one short hour than the bull united Law an Order League has accomplished during the en- tare period of its existence,” With a melodramatic flourish Big Hank con- cluded his oratorical eff rt, and instantly there arose from two-score lusty throats a cheer, loud and terrific, that threatened to lift the very roof from the rickety building, And as round after round of applause ascended skyward, the Railroa’ Pards stood with lifted hats, meekly bowing their acknowledgments, This, bowever, failed to satisfy the enthusias- tic Westerners. Nothing less than an adress would meet their ideas, as was evinced by the cries of ‘‘ Speech! speech!” that asssiled the guests froni every side, ‘Now, neither of the Railroad Pards laid claim to oratorical powers, and, being taken utterly by ‘surprise, they stood dismayed amid the chorusoft excited cries, exchanging imploring glances, and each waiting for the other to as- sume the initiative, ‘““Treckon that means you, pard,” Rufe Ruffla whispered, cautiously, ‘‘ You’re the boss talk-slinger o’ this outfit, so jest step out an’ give ’ern a little taffy. Reckon ’t won’t take much to please ’em, Brace up, now, old man, an’ have some style about ye!” Though scarcely less flustrated than bis com- panion, Headlight Harry nerved himself for the ordeal and advanced to the edge of the platform, A final’ cheer greeted this move- ment, then the exubérant crowd lapsed iuto silence, ‘* Gentlemen of Fortune City—” Thus bravely began the engineer, but whether or not he would bave made a success of his impromptu speech will never be known, for even as the first words passed bis lips there came a most surprising interruption, A strange vcice suddenly pierced the air, out- ringing loud and clear: ** Ho, within there! mother’s son 0’ ye, or we'll blow Kingdom Come! Lock alive, now!’ And then it was that the members of the Law and Order League made a most alarming dis- covery. The room in which they sat was exceedingly well lighted, baving several spacious windows on either side, as well as at the rear end behind the platform; and, the night being oppressively warm, all these were open wide. Now, as the occupants looked up in surprise at that brisk command, it was to find each window-sill fairly bristling with rifle-barrels, while in the back- _ ground could be distinguished the faintly out- lined figures of the masked men who held these instruments of death, **Han’s up, b say, you durn galoots! Geta move on, lively now, or off goes yer noddle- boxes!” There was no need of a second repetition of this stern command, Caught like rats in & trap, with a score of deadly rifles staring them in the face, ready to beleb forth their leaden contents at the first show of resistance, the mem of Fortune City were sensible enough to see that Up with yer han’s, ev’ry ye all inter
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re in ig men 4 . from. without. it, old man? was but one course left to follow. Forty - pairs of hands, therefore, went skyward witn an ' out of the way place, trussed up like a couple of a ee alacrity that was truly laughable, the movement being accempanied by a volley of curses from the disgusted victims. ‘Ho, ho, ho! What an interestin’ pictur’ ye present, I do declare,” came the unknown voice “Whod ’a’ thought sich oa smart crowd ’d allow themselves to git caught so slick? Shoot me, if the sight hain’t enuff to make a jackass laff outloud! Why, it’s in our »wer to wipe out the bull Law ap’ Order eague, an’ not leave so much as a grease-spot ©’ the bull cabvodle.” ‘* Blaze away, then, cuss ye!” howled Big Hank, unable to suppress his anger and vexa- tion. ‘‘It’s no more’n ter be expected from sich a ‘tarnal set o’ sneaks. Ye dassn’t put down them shooters for a jiffy, an’ give us half a fightin’ chance.” “Keep cool, Hank—don’t excite yerself,” ame the complacent retort. ‘* We hain’t out for scalps to-night, so ye needn’t feel anxious fbout yerown. We've simply gota leetle duty to perform; after which your precious League is free to continue its routine, so far as we are concerned,” ‘¢ That’s good news, I swear. So the quicker ye do that leetle duty, as ye call it, an’ take yer ugly carcasses out o’ hyar, the better it'll suit us. Come, now, who the blazes ara ye, an’ what are ye after?” **'To the first question, none o’ yer durn biz- ness. To the second, we are after the two galoots standin’ thar by yer side, Sorry, in- deed, torob ye of yer honored guests; but the fact is we’ve got a prior claim on their sassiety, Bo opine they'll hev to come along with us.” Imagihe the consternation of the Railroad ‘Pards when these ominous words fell upon their ears! They. were standing side by side on the platform, but a few feet from the open window; and, even as the unknown leader of the masks ceased speaking, a rope was suddenly cast through the opening so adroitly that the ample noose settled over both men and tightened about their waists, One quick, powerful jerk sent them reeling backward, and in another moment they were dragged bodily through the window aud into the open air. So swiftly and adroitly was this maneuver executed that the pards had not the slightest chance to offer resistance. Indeed, they bad scarcely begun to realize what was taking place ere they found themselves powerless in the bands of their captors, Suddenly, now, the men with the rifles disap- peared, and immediately afterward the sound of rapid hoof-beats told that the marauders were riding away. No sooner was that dreaded rifle-battery removed than Big Hank’s party rushed for the door, drawing their own weapons as they ran; buf when they reached the open air it was too late to aid the Inckless pards, The dim forms of the masked marauders could be distinguishedj barely a hundred yards away, riding recklessly from the ‘town; but, though within easy range, not a shot was fired for fear of hitting their eaptive friends, The Vigilantes could only curse in impotent rage, listen to the fast-dying hoof-beats that now marked the course of tho audacious unknowns, as they dashed swiftly toward the neighboring obo bearing the Railroad Pards in their midst. CHAPTER X. DOOMED TO DEATH. ‘Well, Rufe, what @’ye thing of think of the situation? Neither pleasant nur comfortable, is **] reckon ’tisn’t any worse than I expected, pard. I prophesied that sooner or later we’d be Yunnin’ our durn necks into a noose; but hang me if the time hain’t come a blamed sight sooner than I expected.” ** You will hardly venture to assert, however, + that it was our own meddlesomeness that got us . into difficulty, this time, Certainly it is through no fault of ours that we are lying here in this ¥h turkeys all ready for the cook’s oven.” fr It was a wild and desolate spot in the very heart of the mountains. Barren walls of rock rose ‘high on every side, encompassiig the parrow oN b 4 4 i 4 canyon, and throwing fantastic shadows where ‘the light of early morning had scarce yet pene- ‘trated, A natural depression in the rocky wall here formed a sort of cave, in which the luck- Tess Railroad Pards now lay, bound securely d aud foot, with the hard earth for a pil- fow and the overarching rock for a canopy. i ak 4 posite the cavesat a burly masked ruffian, reclin- | ing at ease against a bowlder and puffing away at a dirty pipe with an.air of supreme satisfac- tion. A rifle rested across his knees, ready for instant use, while despite hls apparent indiffer- ence, a pair of keen eyes kept careful and un- remitting watch upon the prisoners. Should the latter succeed in slipping their bonds, a feat that was well-nigh impossible, this trusty watch-dog threatened to make short work of any attempt to estape. For long and weary hours the two railroaders had lain in the same uncomfortable position in which we find them. Unable to move band or foot, with the tight cords cutting into their flesh, and sore all over from the numerous bumps and | bruises received during that desperate night’s | ride from Fortune City, theirs was a situation scarcely conducive to physical comfort. Nor was their mental condition in any way an im- provement upon their bodily discomforts, “Dog my cats, pard, if this hyar hain’t git- tin’ a leetle monotonous,” wac Rufe Ruffle’s sor- ry lament, as be laboriously turned over and over in vain search for a softer patch of earth on which to repose his aching frame. ‘I wish we'd had sense enuff to keep away from that thar Law an’ Order League’s fandango, I reckon we wouldn’t be hyar, now, in this durned ridiculous plight,” “Don’t be so sure of that, my boy. I imag- ine these unknown gents with the masks would gever have rested until they discovered our whereabouts, wheresoever we might have chanced to be, since their sole purpose in enter- ing Fortune City seems to have been to effect our capture, Under more favorable circum- stances, however, I fancy the scoundrels would have found us bard customers to handle. As it is, I feel like kicking myself when I think how neatly we were entrapped.” ‘*Pwasn’t no fault of ours, reckon, We'd give ’em a warm reception if they’d only give us half a chance; but the: blamed varmints wuz too sharp for that, so byar we are, an’I opine thar’s no use cryin’ over spilt milk, The next thing is to ascertain our whereabouts, as well as the identity o’ the gentlemen to whose extreme kindness we owe this delightful leetle pleasure excursion.” “‘There’s little doubt in my mind as to the lat- ter question,” declared Headlight Harry, promptly. ‘I believe our present captors are identical with the train-robbers whom we had the pleasure of thrashing last evening. Indeed, who else in this locality could desire our capture bad enough to go to such desperate measures?” ““T reckon you're about right, pard,” agreed the fireman, ‘An’ now the question arises, what do the pesky varmints intend to do with us poor devils, now that they’ve got us nicely cor- raled?” ** Revenge is their object, without a doubt. As to what particular means they will employ to accomplish their purpose, that remains for the future alone to determine. In our present help- less position, it only remains for us to meekly await our captors’ pleasure,” ** Shoot me if I hain’t gettin’ tired o’ waitin’ for the Varmints to come back. Say, pard, what’s the matter with tackling that black galoot out yonler? I’m jest a-dyin’ for informa- tion, an’ mebbe our masked friend ‘Il condescend to enlighten us a bit,” * All right. Open fire on the fellow, Rufe. It won’t do any harm, though probably all the points you get out of him won’t pay for your waste of breath.” Rufe Ruffle immediately hailed the stalwart sentry. “Tsay, out there, Mister Man-who-bides-his- face, if ye haven’t any pertickler objections I’d like to fire a few questions in your vicinity.” A surly grow] answered him. “What the blazes d’ye want?” the masked map curtly demanded, ‘*Only a leetle information, my festive friend an’ feller-citizen. Firstly, what’s the geograph- ical location o’ this place? Secondly, who are the blamed galoots w’ot brought us byar? Third- ly, where have they gone ter, now? Fourthly, when d’ye expect ’em back? an’ fifthly, w’ot are they goin’ to do with us when they do get back? By answerin’ these questions, mister, ye will confer a great favor, an’ furnish consid’rable re- lief for two inquisitive minds.” The sentinel deliberately rose, strode a few paces nearer, then brought his rifle to a level and carefully drew a bead upon the loquacious speaker, ‘‘Look ye, young feller,” he snarled, fiercely, ‘if ye take me for a walkin’ information bureau i ee ed Nor were they quite alone in this desolate | I opine ye’ve made a big mistake. Now, lemme place, for several yards away and directly op- | give ye a pointer! { When the boss left me hyar, he says, says he: ‘If these two galoots try to escape, or even bother ye with their cheap talk, I opine ’twould bea good scheme to clip off an ear or two, or mebbe a nose, jest to keep ’em quiet, ye know, an’ at the same time afford yer- self a leetle innocent amusement.’ Now, 1 reckon I’ve got to obey orders; an’ the next time ye open yer mouth ter me ‘ll be the signal to begin the music, Durned if I hain’t itchin’ to take a shot at them lop ears o’ yourn, stranger. Which one dy’e prefer to have off first?” The masked rvffian impatiently fingered his weapon as be spoke, while the way he squinted along the glittering tube seemed to betoken a speedy commencement of the proposed rifle prac- tice. The Railroad Pards, however, immedi- ately recognized this warlike demonstration as nothing more or less than a very palpable bluff; yet at the same time they were convinced that it was impossible to gain any information from their guard, and consequently no further at- tempt wes made in that direction, Nothing remained but to patiently await de- velopments; and this proved an exceedingly arcuous task to the anxious young railroaders, Afflicted both ‘in body and spirit, they endured a most uncomfortable existence, each moment seeming of an bour’s duration to their tortured minds, It was a vast relief, therefore, when at length footsteps were heard, indicating the re-approach of the band; for, even though the latter’s return was more than likely to produce unpleasant re- sults, it would at least serve to relieve the tor- turing suspense which was now fast becoming unendurable. With illy concealed eagerness the Railroad { Pards watched the returning marauders as they came abruptly upon the scene. They number- ed fully a score—all stalwart, muscular fellows, whose belts fairly bristled with weapons. They still wore the somber masks, but were now . minus their horses—a fact that led the watchful capers to surmise that the gang possessed a camp sOmewhere in the immediate vicinity. ‘* Wal, pard, we’re back again at Jast,” saluted he who seemed to be the leader. ‘‘ Glad to see ye’ve kept the pris’ners safe durin’ our protract- ed absence.” “Ay, cap’n; that was an easy ‘nuff job, I reckon,” responded the sentry, as he lazily arose and stretched himself with a prodigious yawn, “Pm mighty glad to see ye back, ’cause this kind o’ duty is gettin’ altogether too tiresome to suit my notion. What the deuce kept ye away so long, cap’n?” 4 “‘Oh, it took us some time to decide how to dispose 0’ these precious youths, Some wanted one thing an’ some wanted another, but we’ve finally come to an agreement, an’ opine we'll now relieve ye o’ further duty. Come, boys, gather up the gentle lambs, an’ le’s be off. We've got lots of important biz on the decket, so it behooves us to get this leetle job over with as soon as possible.” Willing hands seized the prisoners in obedience to the chief’s command, and the entire party moved hurriedly away, bearing the luckless railroaders in their midst. Every word of this brief conversation was plainly audible to the attentive prisoners: and, while the speech of the masked leader conveyed no definite idea of their future fate, yet it was clothed with a certain grim suggestiveness that could not fail to increase their doubtand uneasi- ness, The Railroad Pards were not to be kept much longer in suspense, however, for after whet for perhaps ten minutes along the rugged trail, the giant chief abruptly called a halt. ‘Right byar's the identical place, boys,” he gleefully exclaimed, ‘tan’ I opine thar ha’n’t a spot in the hull durned Rockies that’s more suit- able for our purpose,” A wilder and more desolate scene could scarce- ly be imagined than that which now unfolded itself to the wondering gaze of the captives. Here the trai] narrowed until it became but a mere shelf projecting from the precipitous side of the mountain wall, On one side it formed the brink of a yawning chasm, which plunged down, down to an unknown depth; while yond and on every hand grim, up-towering walls of rock shut in the scene, casting a per- petual shadow over all. A faint glimpse of cerulean blue, far above the lofty cliffs, formed the single bright spot-in this cold and cheerless prospect, The young railroaders felt their fears rapidly increase as they viewed their wild surroundings, For what purpose, indeed, could they have been | brought to such a dismal spot? All too soon was } / { ; Fei 4 eh The eh oA Bee tag ee) 7 sei aaa
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— A ' = ; i —— the question answered, for the grim leader now suddenly faced his prisoners, a demoniac light dancing in his eyes. ‘*Wal, my gentle lambs, hyer we are at last on the scene of execution, an’ the boys are all impatient for the fun to begin; but, afore we proceed with the circus, I reckon I kin spare time to spout a few words just by the way 0’ preliminaries, In course ye’r’ botb a thirstin’ for enlightenment on the subject, an’ I opine *twould be a ’tarnal shame ter send sich a good- lookin’ pair o’ youngsters off to Kingdom Come, without introducin’ ourselves an’ explainin’ why we are forced to resort to sich desprit meas- ures,” ‘* As regards the introduction, Mister Man, I reckon none is necessary, since I already re- cognize your voice as that of the ruffian who, as Thunderbolt Tommy, figured quite prominently in a certain episode two nights since,” was Headlight Harry’s quick retort, ‘‘ As for your precious associates, I surmise they are identical with the gang that aided you in the attempt to rob the Night Express, but who, I am happy to say, failed most ignominiously in that das- tardly undertaking.” “Oh, ho! So ye recognize me, hey?” laughed the masked leader. ‘‘1 reckon, then, ‘twon’t need much ,»xplanation on my part to make ye understan’ what ye’r’ hyar for. It was owin’ entirely to yer cussed meddlesomeness that we missed a neat bit o’ plunder that night, an’ I opino we're not the boys to forgit the debt we owed ye in a burry—no, sir-ee! So while ye were strattin’ around Fortune City like a couple o’ young fightin’ cocks, exultin’ in yer wonderful €xploits, us chaps was busy to work on the dead quiet, arrangin’ to rope ye in, I reckon ye’ll allow we made a mighty clean job of it, stranger; for byar ye are, caught like rats in a trap, an’ meekly awaitin’ the pleas- ure o’ yours truly. Haw, baw, haw!” ‘*T rnust acknowledge you caught us very neatly; but, now that we are your prisoners, what do you por to do with us? That is the guestion that is agitating our minds just at present.” “Ha, ha! Now we’re comin’ down to the pint, forsure, Of course ye can’t expect to be set free after committin’sich a serious offense ag’in’our band. When we first clapped paws on ye, it was a foregone conclusion that ye’d got ter pass in yer checks, The only question with us was what mode of punishment would best suit the crime for which we hold ye guilty. The boys had more’n a dozen suggestions to make, an’ it took us some time to decide, but I reckon we've now hit on the proper thing. D’ye see this chasm, stranger?” ‘* We're not blind, surely.” “Wal, folks hereabouts call it the Devil’s Jumpoff. They say it has no bottom, but goes straight down to Old Nick’s domains. Now, we're a-goin’ to send ye both down inter that hole on a voyage o’ diskivery,\jest to prove or disprove the kerrectness o’ that theory. How will that tickle yer notion, gents, for a leetle pleasure excursion?” The Railroad Pards could only stare at the speaker in unutterable horror. Surely, none but a fiend could plan and execute so diabolical a deed! The next moment convinced them that the outlaw chicf was terribly in earnest. In obedience to a signal, the masked ruffiins sprung to work with a readiness that showed every detail of this dastardly scheme to be care- fully pre-arranged. The two railroaders were first bound back to back, three separate pieces of rope being employed for this purpose. Ono of these was fastened under their armpits; another encircled their waists and effectually pinioned their arms: the third was used to secure their ankles. Then around the first-named cord was passed the end of a strong ropo, this being secur¢ ed in a long loop so contrived that tho men thus fastened might be suspended in an exactly per- pendicular position. E ** Ye see, gents, we’re bound to do this job in proper fashion,” explained the robber ‘chief, while thes ominous preparations were jin pro- ess, ‘Of course the quickest way out of it d to throw ye over the cliff without ceremony ; but I opine that 'd prove too much of a shock to yer sensitive nerves, So we'll jest drop yo over an’ let ye hang awhile, s0’s to give yo a sorter chance to prepare fur the final plunge,” The loose end of the rope was securely fasten- ed to 4 projecting spur of rock, and then, all being in readiness, the ‘luckless young rail- /Troaders were Jowered over the dizzy brink as far as the length of the rope would permit. The masked leader laughed aloud in fiendish 5 as he viewed this operatian, “Ha, ha! How d’ye feel now, down there?” Headlight Harry’s Heritage. he exclaimed. ‘* Reckon ye feel like cussin’ tbe day when ye were durn fools enuff to incur the wrath of this hyar gang. Ha, ba! Revenge is sweet! ‘* Now, then, my innocent lambs, jest hearken to yer fate! With.this knife I’m a-goin’ to cut the rope jest half in two. The remainder will part slowly, strand by strand, under the heav Strain, It’ll take time to do that—possibly half an hour or more; an’ that'll give yea chance to meditate on yer past wickedness, an’ pray for future salvation. ‘* Farewell, now, my precious heroes! I can not linger longer near you. Hope you will have a pleasant journey! Give my best respects to Old Harry, when you meet him; an’ don’t forget to write an’ tell us how ye like the climate down thar, And now, my friends, adieu —a long adieu!” As the chief moved away, accompanied by his satellites, his hoarse laughter, floating back with startling distinctness on the morning air, fell like the knell of doom upon the ears of the Railroad Pards as they swung slowly to and fro *twixt heaven and earth, suspended by a mere thread that threatened at any moment to break and send them headlong into eternity! CHAPTER XI. VICTORY. SLOWLY to and fro swung the two lucklesa victims of outlaw vengeance, their pinioned bodies hanging in shadowy silhouette against the grim, gray wall. Above, and on every side, great towering masses of rcck; below, a black aud fathomless abyss, shrouded in a gloom deep and impenetrable, Silence, profound and deathlike, pervaded the solemn scene, ‘* Pard |” It was the sepulcbral voice of Rufe Ruffle that suddenly broke the awful stillness, “Yes, Rufe.” ‘*T reckon we’re in an orful fix—” “* Decidedly so.” ‘* An’ there’s no earthly chance o’ gettin’ out of it, eh?” ‘** I’m afraid not, Rufe,” was Headlight Harry’s doleful reply. “In a few minnits, more or less, this rope will break, an’ then we’ll drop p)umb down inter nothingness. Gee-whillikin! What a prospect! Now, pard, ye kin see what our durn fool med- dlesomeness has brought us to, If we’d minded our own bizuess I reckon we wouldn’t be hyar now, preparin’ for the grand tumble act.” ** Rather, pard, go back to the primary cause, and say that, had we not entered upon the search for Gideon Goff’s millions, we would now be quietly running old Number Nine, and our pre- sent misfortunes would never have overtaken us. Heigh-bo! I fancy King Kirby will enjoy a walk-over, now, in the race for the bidden treasure. Judging by present indications, we are permanently out of it.” ‘*Durn the hidden treasure, say 1! King Kirby’s welcome to it, or any other galoot w’ot’s lucky enuff to find it. As for me, only let me plaut tkese two good hoofs ©’ mine on terry- firmer, an’ see how quick I’d cutsticks for home. No more treasure-huntin’ in mine, please. Say, pard,” he continued, after a momentary pause, *“how deep d’ye s’pose this durn hole is, apy- way?” ‘*That’s a question that will be answered all too soon, I’m afraid,” returned the engineer, sadly, ‘“‘Ha! What was that?” Oaly a light, almost imperceptible tremor of the rope; yet, it was fraught with terrible signi- ficancc to the Railroad Pards, swinging there ahovo that unfathomablo abyss, Jt told them all too plainly that another strand had parted, —tbat there was one lec3 link in the fragile chain tbat soparated them from eternity! Soon, alas! would the remaining strands follow, one by one until the last slight thread was severed,—an then—? The very thought inspired tho luckless youths with horror, No longer did they attempt to converse, for their thoughts were too deep for utterance. In utter silence they hung thero against the somber side of tho cliff, suspended by a mere thread hetween life and death, filled with an inexpressible terror that only increased as the moments went slowly by. But bark! Was that not the sound of foot- steps on the rocky shelf above? Whose voice was that which, an instant later, was wafted to their eager ears? ‘*Hello, below there! Keep your courage up, pards, for I’m a-goin’ to save ye,” 13 The effect of these cheering words was fairly electrical, Hope leaped buoyantly into the breasts of the helpless captives where once bad reigned doubt and despair. ““Make haste, then, for Heaven’s sake!” shouted HeadJight Harry, imploringly. ‘ The rope which holds us has been cut, and it won’t last much longer.” “‘Never fear, pard! Keep cool, an’ rely on me. I'll have ye out of that in about three shakes of a lamb’s tail,” came the assuring re- sponse, and then for a moment silence reigned. again. Who was this friend in need?—surely the voice sounded strangely familiar? And now, having discovered the parés, by what means did the new-comer propose to extricate them from their dangerous position? Did he full comprehend the many difficulties attending this undertaking? Eagerly, breathlessly, in a state of commingled hope and fear, they awaited the further movements of their would-be rescuer. Nor bad they long to wait, A long, slender ri; hagparre was suddenly dropped over the cliff, falling within a foot of the suspended railroaders¢ and in an another instant the stranger canie running down this swaying structure with cat- like activity, Headlight Harry, whose face was turned to- ward the new-comer, instantly gave vent toa ery of amazement, for he saw that the latter was a woman, and even in that dim, uncertain light it required but a single glance to recognize the form and features of Wild Nell, the moun- tain beauty:- This, however, was vo time for explanations; and, without a word, Wild Nell went quickly to work with the confident air of one who fully comprehended the situation, and was well pre- pared to overcome every difficulty. She carried in one band a Jong, rawhide lasso, the noose of which she passed up over the limbs of the ¢wo men and drew taut about their waists, standing, meantime, on the lowermost round of the rope-ladder, and supporting ber- self asshe worked by entwining one muscular arm around one of the side ropes. She then produced a knife, and with a few rapid strokes severed the cords which bound their arms and feet; and now the pards bad only to slip the former from under the rawhide noose in order to rezain full use of their limbg. They still re- mained tied back to beck, however; and from this difficulty there was apparently no relief, ‘* Now, pards,” declared Wild Nell, in evident satisfaction at her neat baodiwork, “ t’other rope kin break as soon’s it pleases, 'cause I reckon my trusty rawbide ’l] hold ye safe enuff. Now, d’ye see, thar’s only one way to reach the top. One o’ ye must climb this Jadder an’ carry tother on his back. See?” ‘“*T comprehend,” Jaughed Headlight Harry, “Owing to our pecvliar position, one must do the climbing for both. Nothing could be easier, for the prospect of escape has trausformed me into a veritable Ajax. I feel that 1 could carry a dozen men on my shoulders. But the ladder, —will it bear us all?” “Don’t worry *bout the ladder, pard, It'd take a ton to break it. P’vexecured it at the top by puttin’ a big rock on the end of it, Now, jest wait until Feit to the top an’ perhaps I kin give ye a lift with the lasso,” She nimbly scaled the ladder, and then the engineer began the ascent with his heavy bur- den. He found the task no easy one, and the ascent was slow and laborious; but steadily be mounted, round by round, while Wild Nell rendered very material aid by hauling away on the insso, and at length he stood upon the rocky platform, One stroke of the knife sufficed to sever the remaining rope which bound the pards together. and then, the lasso being removed, they s free once more, scarcely ablo to comprehend their providential escape from death, Filled with gratitude toward their beautiful preserver, the yon railroaders advanced eo ger- ly to grasp ber band, ; ‘*Wiid Nell—” earnestly began Headlight Harry; but the mountain maid quickly cut his utterance sbort by an impatient gesture, “Stop! There’s no time for palaver,” she ex- claimed, nervously. ‘‘ You must git away from hyar as quick’s the law ‘ll allow, ‘cause the. gang’s liable to come back any minnif, If the cotch ye ag’in, I reckon they'll make quick wor o’ ye. So, take my advice, an’ skip afore it’s too late.” She was hastily rolling up the rope-ladder as she spoke, evidently anxious to escape herself from that dangerous locality. ‘But, before we go,” persisted the engineer, “at least explain how you became aware of our
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t 14 gorry predicament, in time to rescue us so | handily.” ** Wal, then, seein’ ye’r’ so inquisitive, i bap- pened to overhear these fellers a-plannin’ to cap- ture ye. I was unable to warn ye in time to prevent this, so I kept a watch on their sub- | sequent movements, hopin’ to find a chance to | set ye at liberty. 1 learned what they intended to do with ye, an’ then went to work to circum- vent’em, You kin see how well I succeeded, I told ye, pards, ’d never forgit the good turn ye done me, an’ [ reckon I've kept my word.” ‘““Noble girl! We can never repay the debt we owe you. But how happened it, may I ask, that you were enabled to overhear the plot of these scoundrels, and follow their movements so closely? In short, what are you doing here, ina region peopled by such lawless characters?” A faint flush suffused Wild Nell’s cheeks at these pointed questions, but it almost instantly disappeared. **Pard, ye’r’ axin’ somethin’ now that I don’t feel inclined to answer. In fact, it’s none o’ yer bizness,” she retorted, coolly. ‘‘ Now, if ye value my friendship an’ yer own safety, don’t ask any more questions, but jest streak it out 0’ hyar afore— Hark! Hyar they come, now!” Sure enough, rough voices, plainly audible in the distance, told that the outlaw gang was al- ready returning, ‘*Hyar, pard, take this—you’ll probably need it! An’ now be off! Take the trail to the right, | an’ scoot for yer lives! Good-by!” Headlight Harry mechanically grasped the re- | volver that Wild Nell thrust into his hand, and watched the nimble-footed mountain maid as she darted away like a startled fawn, In another moment he, too, was running for dear life, with Rufe Ruffle close at his heels, Nor were they an instant too soon, for scarce- ly had they disappeared when the returning outlaws came leisurely upon the scene. The severed ropes and the utter absence of their late | prisoners told the story of rescue as plainly as words; and, with angry cries, the gang rushed forward in pursuit of the fugitives, being well | aware that the latter could escape only in one direction, and must even then be in the immedi- pte vicinity. Meantime, the Railroad Pards were toiling along the rugged mountain trail, straining { every nerve to escape from their merciless foes; but, with every inch of their bodies stiff and sore from long hours of confinement, they were in no fit condition for such a contest, and within | five minutes the fleet-footed pursuers were close | at their heels, Perceiving the uselessness of further flight, | the young railroaders turned at bay, resolved to resist capture to the last, From his position behind a sbeltering bowlder, Headlight Harry promptly blazed away, and had the satisfaction of seeing his man bite the dust. and a second outlaw fell. Unprepared for such a warm reception, the gang paused in momentary indecision, but the loud voice of the masked leader urged them on, and once more they rushed fiercely upon the brave defenders. Crack !—crack !—crack! sounded the engineer’s Tevolver, one report following another in swift } | Again he fired, succession; while Rufe Ruffle, lacking a better weapon, utilized the rocky fragments at his feet and transformed himself into a human catapult, showering the missiles upon bis foes with terrific force and unerring aim. One ruffian after another went down before this lively fusilade, but they still outnumbered tbe railroaders ten to one, and came on in an overwhelming body, unchecked by the storm of lead and rocky missiles. But at this critical moment, when the last hope seemed goue, and speedy recapture threat- | ened the Railroad Pards, there suddenly arose a ) mighty shout, and all were electrified to see the pass above filled with armed horsemen, with the | arg figure of Big Hank Hawkins at their | ead. ‘“Hyar they are, boys! Hyar’s the pesky ‘varmints!” was his vociferous cry, “Sail into am, pards, an’ give ’em Hail Columby!” And then, like a thunderbolt, the Vigilantes swept through the narrow gorge, scattering the dismayed outlaws before them like chaff before the gale, With his usual promptitude, the big chief of | the Regulators had organized a strong 4 to effect the rescue of the Railroad Pards, his party, leaving Fortune City at daybreak, had Sag several hours in fruitless search amon @ hills, and now the sound of firearms ha brought them to the scene just in time to save their and put the enemy to rout. bh ihe i Lies eer EIR a Sei hoo = aie 3 iets ee — eer a rs Aa Their victory was most complete, since the outlaws, taken wholly by surprise, were too de- moralized to offer an effectual resistance. Their leader was one of the first to go down before the impetuous charge of the Vigilantes, while but a mere handful of his followers succeeded in es- caping the terrible slaughter. The once power- ful band, for months the terror of the commu- nity, was now practically annihilated; and, therefore, it was with feelings of elation that Big Hank’s party returned to Fortune City. The news of their great victory spread like | wildfire, and caused universal rejoicing. There was a general curiosity to view the remains of | the redoubtable outlaw chief; and the greatest surprise of the day occurred when tbat ruffian’s mask was removed and his true identity re- vealed. It was the well-known face of Giant Tom, the miner, that met their astonished gaze —the father of Wild Nell, who had hitherto en- joyed the reputation of being an honest, law- abiding citizen, and whose connection with the outlaws bad never been suspected. None were more interested in this discovery than the Railroad Pards, since it served to eluci- date all that had been obscure to them, and yerified their suspicions tkat this mysterious wood-nymph wasinsome way connected with the mountain outlaws, And Wild Nell—what of her? The Jone cabin was found deserted, and a vig- orous search for miles around failed to reveal a trace of the outlaw’s daughter. She had sudden- ly vanished from the scene, and her present whereabouts were clothed in impenetrable mystery. ; The first regular coach that left for Satan’s | Camp after the events just narrated, numbered the Railroad Pards among its passenger's. Once free from the perils that bad beset them during their brief sojourn in Fortune City, the pards | were anxious to reach the scene of their chosen labors, ere fresh difficulties arvse to interrupt their plans, Already had valuable time been lost—enough, perhaps, to resulf,in utter ruin to | 497 Gaptain Coldgmp’s Nerve: or. Injun Nick. their scheme; and this fact made them doubly which they did despite the strenuous objections of Big Hank, who bitterly lamented the loss of his new-found friends, A large crowd was on hand to speed their de- partura, and the coach rolled away amid a chorus of cheers for the gallant young railroad- ers, which continued until the lumbering vehicle was lost to view. The Railroad Pards were now fairly launched on the way to new scenes and adventures, The hidden gold bequeathed to Headlight Harry by the old miner was the ultimate goal of their ambition; and, ere this could: be reached, there were cunning enemies to outwit and unknown perils to overcome, How well the bold young gold-seekers succeed- edin their purpose, together with the series of startling adventures they met with amidst the trapsand dangers of Satan’s Camp, will be re- lated‘in a companion story entitled ‘‘ Headlight Harry’s Treasure-Hunt; or, Tbe Fight for the Cache of Gold,” THE END. Beadle’s Dime Library, BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers. 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 634 Old Handeart’s Big Dump. 622 The All Around Sports. 603 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Rollér from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile. 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. | 583 Oregon, the Sport With a Scar. 525 Fresh Frank, the Derringer Daisy. 508 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back. 459 Major Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives. 429 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Angels’ Fiat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 375 Royal George, the Three in One. 356 Three Handsome Sports; or, The Combination. 344 Double Shot Dave of the Left Hand. 333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop. 300 A Sport in Spectacles; or, Bad Time at Bunco. 268 Magic Mike, the Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cutsleeve; or, The Little Sport. 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch. 192 The htning Sport. 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand, Sharp: or, The Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar ! Pub Headlight Harry’s Heritage. BY cEORGE C. JENKS, 572 Jaunty Joe, the Jockey Detective. 554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler. 538 Rube Rocket, the Tent Detective. 526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective, 507 The Drummer Detective. 432 The Giant Horseman : 398 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective. BY N&D BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy. 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover, 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. ’ 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. ; 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, Tie Skipper’s Crime, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privat er. 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle. BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES, 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hun'er. 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective, 642 Red Pard and Yellow. 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. 592 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 Oid Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp. 550 Silkk Hand, the Mohave Ferret. 543 The Magnate Detective. 532 Jack Javert, the Independent Detective, | 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective. 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. ; 496 Richard Redfire, the Two Worlds’ Detective, 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block. 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret. 458 Co)dgrip in Deadwood. 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective | 453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail. 447 Volcano, the-Frisco Spy. | 441 The California Sharp. 434 Lucifer Lynx, the \ oncer Detective. 421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York. = . | 400 Captain Coldgrip; or, The New York Spotter. anxious to proceed at the earliest opportunity, | 392 The Lest Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound, 382 The Bonanza Bana: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan, 374 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities. 365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. 352 The Desperate Dozen. 347 Denver Duke, the Man with ‘“ Sand,” 340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective. 385 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar. 221 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. 278 Hercules Goldspur, the Man of the Velvet Hand, BY LEON LEWIS, 624 The Submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls. 484 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. 431 The Silent Detective; or, The Logus Nephew. 456 The Demon Steer. 428 The Flying Glim; or, The Island Lure, MISCELLANEOUS, 566 The Dauntless Detec:ive; cr, The Daughter Avenger. By Tom W. King. 542 The Ocean Drift; or, The Fight for Two Lives, By A. F. Holt. 534 Green Mountain Joe: or, The Counterfeiter’s Cave. By Marmaduke Dey. 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. By J. ¥ Osbon. 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill. 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George H. Morse, 353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, By John Cuthbert. 850 Flash Falcon, Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb. 812 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor- ris Redwing. 275 The Smuggler Cutter, 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. Jo Yards. 199 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas, 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban. 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief, 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel, 144 The Hunchback of Notre Dame. By Victor Hugo, 140 The Three Spaniards, By Geo. Walker. 133 Rody the Rover. By William Carieton. 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ai sworth. 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken. 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger, 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany. 68 The Fighting Trapper. B: pt. J. F.C. Adams. 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont. 82 B’hoys of Yale: or, The Scrapes of Collegians, 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Marryatt, 10 Vidocq, the French Police Spy. By himself. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler, A new issue every Wednesday, Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail receipt of twelve centa each. BEADLE & ADAMS, hers, 98 Wil street, New York, ; By J. D. Conroy. By Col, » .* = f - F a! ae, igo \ ae ce 4" a es BY i “th. Pty ? a
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481 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood; or, Moll Mys- tery. By E. L. Woeeler. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan; or, The Search for the Hidden Cache. By Oll Coomes. 483 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles; or, Yankee Eph’s Prairie Cruise. By H. F. Thomas. 485 Git Thar Owney the Uvknown; or, The Boy Oarsman-Detective’s Double Pull. By G. C. Jenks 186 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler; or, The Tribunal of Ten. By Edward L. Wheeler. 187 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger; or, The Young King of the Gold Mines. By Col. Pb. Ingraham. 488 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor. By Chas. Morris. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. By Wm. G. Patien. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo; of, Brought to Bay by a Bold Boy. By J. C. Cow- drick. 491 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Compact; or, Prince Pis- tol, the King of the West. By E. L. Wheeler. 402 Git Thar Owney's Pledge; or, The Owls’ Nest Ugly Brood. By Geo. C. Jenks. 493 Taos Ted, the Arizona Sport; or, Boston Bob’s Checkmate. By Albert W. Aiken. . 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective; or, The Black Bluffs Mystery. By Jo Pierce. 495 Arizona Joe. the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Inheritance; Cristc, Jr. By HE. L. Wheeler. 497 Buck Taylor. King of the Cowboys; or, The Raiders and the Rangers. By Col. P. Ingraham. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck; or, Cap- tain No Name’s Mission. By J. W. Osbon. 499 Sincle Sight, the One-Eyed Sport; or, the Girl Protegee of Red Flash. By T.C, Harbaugn. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. By E. L. Wheeler, 501 Boots, the Boy_ Fireman; or, too Sharp for the Sharpers. By Charles Morris, 602 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret; or, The Octopus League of New York. By T.C. Harbaugh. 503 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 504 Five Points Phil, the Pavement Prince; Caught in the Spider’s Web. By Jo Pierce. 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. Major H. B. Stoddard, Ex-Scout. 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road; or, A Wild Night’s Wild Work. By J. C. Cowdrick. 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger. By Col. P. Ingrabam. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance; or, Fatal Foot- steps. By E. L. Wheeler. By or, Monte or, By 009 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce 510 Cool Colorad f-Breed Detective. W. Aiken, o, the Hal e. By A. 511 The Outlaw Middy; or, the Young Patriot Sea Ranger. By Col. P. Ingraham. Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective; or, Jack o’ Diamonds and his Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 518 The Demon Doctor: or, Deadhold, the Kid De- tective. By George ©. Jenks. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing up a Strange Case. ‘Ry J. 0. Cowdrick. 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegée: or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. Ry BE. L, Wheeler. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, By Jo Pierce. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s All- For-Love Campaign, By P. 8. Warne. 618 Cool Colorado in New York: or, the Cowboy’s Fight for a Million, By A. Ww. Aiken. 519 Captain Mystery; or, Five in One. By Wm. G. Patten. §20 Buckskin, Bill, the Coman Shadow; or, A Crimson Trail. By Col, P. tales, : 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge: | he Gold Gan of Gotham. By T.C. Harbaugh’ 7 e 522 Dead woed Dick's Three; o i in’ Bull” of Bismarck. By E. L, St al Belleri 523 The Dandy Sport; or, T} he By Col. A! F. Holt. ne King Pin Conspirator Bh oe ee Be 5.6 ere; OF Redlight Ralph's oe Bre ay COLE ei ore, Tansled Trails in me nor Bs lite er Det: Fre a or itosres mn P. Mg we. Rescue; or, The Jack 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows; or, wv by oe for Human Game. ByT. C. Harbaugh, eadwood Dick's D, ks; or, The Owl of Oregon. By ELL. Wheelee ene 530 The Bucks‘in Bowers; or, The Cowboy Pirates of the Rio Grande. By Col. P Ingraham. 531 Daisy Dare, the Snort from Denver; or, The Toll Takers of Colorado. By W. G. Patten. : 512 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library i i 532 The Cowboy Duke; or, Lasso Leuis’s Strange | Mission. By E. B. Forrest. , 533 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward; or, Five Points Phil and the Birds of Prey. By Jo. Pierce. 534 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. By E. L. Wheeler. 535 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. By Col. P. Ingraham. 536 Broadway Billy’s “‘ Diffikilty ’; or, Old Rodman’s Millions. By J. C. Cowdrick. 537 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow; or, Against Desperate Odds. By Jobn W. Osbon. 538 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret; or, The Trail of a Missing Hand. By T. C. Harbaugh. 539 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. By E. L. Wheeler. 540 Captain Ku Klux, the Marauder of the Rio; or, The Buckskin Pard’s Strange Quest. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective; or, The Lively Racket in Jericho. By Jo Pierce. 542 The Canyon Pards; or, Cimarron Jack’s Last Hunt. By Fred Dewey. 543 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detec- tives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 544 Deadwood Dick Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora the Locator. By E. L. Wheeler. 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte; or, The Buc- caneers of Barrataria. By Col. P. Ingraham. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or. Josh Peppermint’s Ten Strike. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, S47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. By P.§. Warne. 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective; or, The Mys- tery at Springside. By J. C. Cowdrick. 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettlé; or, Captain Crim- son-Cowl, the Road Ruider. “By. '‘L..Wheeler. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or, The Ayenging*§on. B Col. P. Ingraham. we. 7 ! Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery. By Jo Pierce. 552 Ariel the Athlete; or, the Ring Detective’s Trans- formation. By David Druid. 553 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case;.6r, Sharper than the Sharps. By T. C. Harbaugh. 554 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Gotham; or, Unraveling a Twisted Skein. By E: L. Wheeler. 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf. By Col. P. Ingraham, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. Warne. 557 Broadway Billy’s Death Racket; or, The Street Arab’s Wake. | By J. C. Cowdrick. 558 The Sure Shot Pards; or, The Marked Thirteen. By A. C. Grissom. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Bov Detective; or, The Cousin's Crime. By Jo Pierce. ; 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower; or, The Gold Queen’s Secret. By Col. P. Ingraham. 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston; or, The Cool Case. By E. L. Wheeler. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper; or, The Bad Man from Wapsipinnicon. By Oll Coomes. 563 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three. By T, C. Harbaugh. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man with- out a Past. By J. W. Osbon. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King; or, The Owls of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingraham. 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective; or, Tony Blink’s First Scoop. By C. Morris. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks. By E. L. Wheeler. 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. By A. K. Sims. 569 Brooklyn Ben, The On-his-own-hook Detective; or, Ned Chester’s Very Bad Case. By Jo. Pierce. 570 Camille, the Card Queen; or, The Skeleton Trail. By Col. P. Ingraham. 571 Air-Line Luke, the Engineer Detective; or, The Double Case. By J. 0. Cowdrick, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarch- ist’s Daughter. By E, L. Wheeler. 573 The. Two Shadows; or, Dodgder Dick’s Stop Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 574 Old Weasel-Top, the Man with the Dogs; or, Sandy Andy's Life Run. By P. 8. Warne. 575 The Surgeon-Scxut Detective; or, Running Down the King. By Col. P. Ingraham. 576 The Silver “port; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret-Sifter; or, Mrs. Ingle’s Suspicious Lodger. By Jo. Pierce. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles. By E. L. Wheeler. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. By J. C. Cowdrick. By P.S $i 580 The Outcast Cadet; or. The False Detective. By Col. P. Ingraham. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective; or, Against Heavy Odds. By Geo. C. Jenks. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop; or, The Man From Jersey. By T. C. Harbaugh. 583 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow; or, The Tigers of No Man’s Land. Bv Lieut. A. K. Sims. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver; or, Cool Kate, The Queen of Crooks. By E. L. Wheeler. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret; or, Marked With a Triangle. By H. Enton. \ The Buckskin Avenger; or, Pawnee Bill’s Pledge. By Col. P. Ingraham. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective; or, The Bad Man of White Hoss. By Wm. G. Patten. 588 Jack O’Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector; or, The Friend Indeed. By Jo Pierce. 589 Tom Cat and Pard: or, The Dead-Set at Silver City. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; or, The Prince of Purgatory Pass. By E. L. Wheeler. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover; or, The Aveng- ing Sailor. By Col. P. Ingraham. 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, How’Tom Hiléreth Run the Rascals Out. By J. C. Cowdrick. 593 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp; or, Jim Reardon's Big Trouble. By P.S. Warne. 594 Little Lon. the Street-Singer Detective; or, Kit Christopher’s Missing Link. By T.C. Harbaugh. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. By E. L. Wheeler. 596 Jimmy thé Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Charles Morris. 597 The Young Texan ‘Detective; or, The Black gravos. .By Col. P Ingraham. 598 Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Git Thar Owney in a New Role. By Geo. C. Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport; or, Happy Harry’s Hurrah Pards. By P. 8. Warne. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Islarid; or, The ‘* Piping ” of Polly Pilgrim. By E. L. Wheeler. 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidoeq; or, hed-Hot Times at Round-up. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street Steerer. Pierce, 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, The Dove Among the Vultures. By Wm. G. Patten. 605 William O’Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. By J. C. Cowdrick. 606 Deadwood Dick Jr's Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Beoom. By E. L. Wheeler. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions, By Col. P. Ingraham. 608 The Pitcher Deteetive’s Foil; or, Double-Curve Dan’s Double Play. By Geo: C. Jenks. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective: or, Little Lightming’s Invincibles. By John W. Osbon. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. By T. C. Harbaugh: 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules; or, The Tussle at Table Mountain. By A. K. Sims. 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit: or, Turning the Tables on Satan. By Edward L, Wheeler. 613 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Strange Legacy. By P. 8. Warne. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid; or, The Queer C_mbination. By Jo Pierce. 615 Fighting Harry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone; or, The Heathen Chinee’s Mission. By J. C. Cowdrick. 616 The Sailor Detective; or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. By Geo. C. Jenks: 617 Ralph, the Death-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and Red Riders of the Rio. By Col. P. ngraham, 618 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. By E. L. Wheeler. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness. By Wm. G. Patten. 120 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery of the Island. By John W. Osbon. 621 Truthful James, the ‘‘Pecooliar’- Man; or, The Spoiler Dispoiled. By A. C Grissom, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Queer Affair at Tombstone. By Lieut, A. K. Sims, 623 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer; or, The Old Captain’s Moving Miracle. By Jo Pierce. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville By Edward L. Wheeler. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer; or, The Hero of the Crater. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 626 The Champion Pards; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar. By T. C. Harbaugh. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. By Charles Morris. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or, The League of the Sworn Seven. By J. C. Cowdrick. 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jacktown. By Wm. G. Patten. 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in No Man’s Land; or, Gol- conda, the Gladiator. By Edward L. Wheeler. 631 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, 'The Cowboy Detec _ tive’s Own Case. By Li A Sims, oe g By Jo eut, A. K
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af 4 ok BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. ? Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers, Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue 682 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton. 633 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector; or, The Dead- wood Desperado’s List Innings. By J. W. Osbon. 634 Cache Car], the Chico Giant; or, The True Hearts of Red Eye Roost. By Buckskin Sam. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout; or, The Boomer’s Last Battle. By P. 5. Warne. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Queer; or, Saw- dust Sam’s Last Green Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. »687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective Harbaugb. * "688 Tom Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. Pierce. “ Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. By J. 0, Cowdrighy é Dismal Da¥e’seDandy Pard; or, The Clew to A?" Captain Claw. By William G.*Patten. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr, in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. Edward L. Wheeler. : 643 Happy Harry's Bi Jezebel’s Last Stak By T. C By Jo By om, The Beautiful ‘Find; e 8. Warne. by P. ; » 644 The Hercules: Highwaytiian; or, The Mounted a Mithers of the Overland By Col. P. Ingraham. ¢ tp. By T. C. Harbaugh. la-Range Detective; or, oss-Notch. By Lieut. A. ~ ~ , mn : lilly, the «Merchant’s Ward >for, ctivé against Professional. By J. Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippety Set. By Jo Pierce. 650 Butteyfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, * Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard, By Col. P. Ingraham. @51 Bound-Boy Frank.the Young Amateur Detective, By William G. Patten. . 652 Don Barr. the Plain’s Freelance. By Ol Coomes. 653 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Har- baugh. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. By Edward L. Wheeler. « 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By C. Morris. 656 Butterfly Billy's Man Hunt. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrabam. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. By Lieut, A. K: Sims. 658 Sky-R»cket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm- Waif of Gi-nt’s Boot. By Jo Pierce. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the ‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar; or, Cibuta John’s’ Champion Chase. By J. ©. Cowdrick. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Insurance Case; or, Corialing a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; o, Banner Ben, the ‘ildfire of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Specter Soldier of the Uverland. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 663 Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jaspar City Clean Out, By William G. Patten. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Special; or, The Life Racket at Rattlesnake Ridze. By P. 8. Warne. 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Warbling William’s Home Run. A..K, Sims. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon's Double Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 667 Bob and Sar, the Daisy Detectives; or, The Gamin Spies’ Big Stake. By Charles Morns. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman; or, The Sea Rover's Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Bravo in San Francisco. by J, C. Cowdrick. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The Rival Ravchmen, By Oll Coomes, 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. By T, C, Harbaugh. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jv., in Durango; or, ‘* Gathered In” By Edward L. Wheeler. 673 Ralph Renwoo}, the Lightning Express Detec- tive. By A F. Holt. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Relph, the Rover. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best: or, Beating San Fran- cisco’s Finest. By J. C. Cowdrick. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout; or, The Tussle at the Big Bonanza. By Lieut.A K. Sims. 677 Chincapin Dan’s Second Trail; or. The Baffled Black Hawk's Fate. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune. By Edward L. Wheeler. &79 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. Detective; or, By Lieut. ~ By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. fe, % > x ‘ oe a pale: UV Walaa. . 680 Dauntless Dan, the Freelance; or, Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia. By Oll Coomes. The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle; or, Double Curve Dan’s Dead Ball. By Georgo C, Jenks. Wild Vulcan, the Long Range Rider, By William G. Patten. i 3 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator; or, The Unseen Enemy. By Jo Pierce. Deadwood Dick’s Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler. 385 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective; or, Breaking the Eureka Spider’s Web. By T, C. Harbaugh. 3 Orlando, the Ocean Free Pag; or. The Tarnished Name _ By Colsnel Prentiss Ingraham. Broadway ‘Billy in Clover:. or, TPe'Ruction at Lake Tulare. By J.C, Cowdrick, _ Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch; or, Th Con- spirators of No Man’s Land. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 9 Billy, the Gypsy Spy; or, eae ouéThe;Mys- tery of Two Lives. By Lieut. A. K. Sim. 4° y Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Do-lars;,or, The Hf faming Bird of Honeysuckle. ByYEdygard L. Vt eeler. Headlight Harry’s Haul or, The"Bailroad Pards’ big Day. BRA F, Molt. ® we The Rival Shatgs: or; Redferh, the Secret Ser- | vice Scout, ol. RP: Mgraham. 3 Violet and Daistphe'Posy Pards; or, The Racket at Red Hot, BRy Wm. GY, Patten. int nly Ove of His‘Kind; or, Head- ks. . By Ja Pieree, Tr., af PWanger Divide; or, De- ad Secrét, By E, L. Wheeler. 696 ,Broa ha y in Texas; or, Rounding Up the | Red River Rustler... By J.C. Cowdrick. 697 The Scarlet Sombrerc; or, The Sharp from Texas. By Col. P. Ingraham, 698 Old Crazy,,.fheMan. Without a Head; or, Light- heart Luke wen Néan Sweep. By Jos. E, Badger, Jr. 699 Simple Sim, the Broného Buster; or, Figying the Foot for BigStakes, By Lieutenant A. K, Sims. 700 Deadwood Dice's, Jg&; Drop; _or,“The Sojourn at Satan's Spring. Bae ward L: Wheeler, 701 Photogda Fred,"the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight tote’ Finish, By’. GéAarbaugh, -; 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or. The Red Hat Ranger’s Red Hot Racket. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 703 Broadway Billy’s Brand; cr, The New York | Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack:Pot: or, Making | Crooked Things S$ raight.. By Ed. L. wheeler. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow: or, The Crafty Detective’s Craft. By William G. Patten. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective; or, The Harlem Sport's Star-Faced Pacer. By Jo rierce. 707/The Red Sombrero Rangers; or. Redfern’s Last gi Trail., By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 78 Light-Heart Lut® Legacy; or, The Lucky Lad’s | ‘> Winning Hand. By Joseph E Badgcr, Jr. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Charles Morris. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap Shot. By Edward L Wheeler. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Pard De tectives’ Clever Deal. By J. C. Cowdrick. The Mesmerist Sport; or, The Mystified Detec- tive. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Old Misery, the Man from Missouri; or, The Mystery of the Mountain League. By Wm. G. Patten. Wide Awake Len, the Quaker ek Ferret; or, Caging the Cormorants. By T, C. Harbaugh. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Still Hunt; or. The Sec- ond Round in San Francisc». By Edward L. Wheeler. Mosquito Jac’r. the Hustler Gamin; or, Move-on Mike s Grand Catch. By Jo Pierer. Light-Heart Lute's Last Trail: or The Gold Crater’s Secret. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Pawne” Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnap- per. By Col Prentiss Ingraham. Broadway Billy’s Full Hand; or, The Gamin De- tective’s Double Snap at Santa Fe. By J. C. Cowdrick. . Maverick.Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. By Edward L, Wheeler, Silverblade, the Sheshone; or. The. Border Beagie’s Secret Mission. By Jos. E, Badger, Jr. 724 Violet Vane's Vengernce; or, The Wipe-Out at | White Water, By William G. Patten. 725 Daring Dick, Pav nee Bill's Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 715 716 717 roe G2 en as . 731 Ruth | 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr's | 759 Headlight Harry’s Heritage; | , 7%61 Marmaduke, | 762 Broadway Billy's 726 Dennis Duff, the Brown Sport’s Kid; or, The Covers and Blinds of Gotham. By Jo Pierce. 727 Headlight HRarry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge, the Outlaw Queen. By Col. A. F. Holt. | 728 Deadwocd Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. By Edward L. Wheeler. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, the Border Beagle at Bay: By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 730 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Crooked Game at Coffin City. By Wm. G. Patten. \ Redmond, the Girl Sbadower: or, The Rivals in Buckskin, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 732 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detective: or, Trap- «~, ping Big Game. By T. C. Harbaugh. 733 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or, Unearthing the Cavern League. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 734 ygadw od Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All- A tund Surprise. By Edward L. Wheeler. Tomer ey Billy’s Business; or, Waking Up Wind Canyen Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick. 736 Larry,*she Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Bide. By George C. Jenks, 737 Buck Ta , the Comanche’s Captive; or, Buck- skin Sam @ the Keseue. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- ham. 735 | 988 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case; or, The Mys y terious Disappearance at Manitou Springs, J. C, Cowdrick. 739 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Ghost Trail. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Deathwateh; Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. ward L, Wheeler. 741 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeq; or, Sport. against Sport. By Wm. G, Patten. 742 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective; or, Break- ing the Meshes of the Gclien Coil. By T. C. Harbaugh. 743 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or, The Water Waif’s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce. 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, The Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, wiet Jack, the Secret Service Sp¥: or, Too uch for Red Leary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr. s, Double ;_or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings. By Ed. L. Wheeler. or, The By Ea- 746 | "48 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, the Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, By. Joseph #. Badger, Jr. 749 Dashing Charlie, the Young Scalp-Taker; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Strug- gle at Shanty City. By Wm. G. Patten. 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. By John W. Osbon. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Gliance. By Edward L, Wheeler. 753 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On the-Catch Combination. By J. C. Cowdrick. 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow, By T. C. Harbaugh. 75 Gold Dust Dan’s, Oath; ér, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. By J. W. Osbon, 956 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. His, 757 Detective Frank's: Sweep-stakes; or, A very” Remarkable Expose. By Charles Morris. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait; or, The : Demon Doctor of Dixon’s Deposit. By Edward L. Wheeler, or, The Railroad. Pards in Fortune City. By A F. Holt. 5 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard or, Red Hair, the Renegade. By Col, Prentiss Tngraham. w the Mustanger Detective; on, ae. Great Mix-Up at Crescent Butte. By Liewt/Ay K. Sims. pe Pargain; or, The Three Detec- tives in Denver. By J. C. Cowdrick. 263 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of; Fate, By Wm. G. Patten. Ready Mareb 8. od Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand; ot, Koda a peeees eret Seven. By Ed. L. Wheeler. > « Ready Mareh 15 A new issue every Tuesday. a The Half-Dime Library 1s for sale hare Newsdealers, five cents per copy, OT sent by ue on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers. ie 98 William street, New York. © eS as wi eer ao Gi