Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 764) (1892 03 15)
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\* Ay im a a x / \\ : \ S <a rT rererrrrrri a sl So VATIONS __ Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. Copy righted 18 1892, | by BEADLE AND ADAMS, March | 15, » 1892 . $2. 50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY B bE ASP) ) ADAMS, w/, Price No. 764. a Year. YORK, 4 | 4 Guat. Nol. XXK. No. 98 V yet. Tal? i AA a a tw Hi //] KODAK KATES SBCREP SEVEN BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTER I. COMING TO CORDUROY CROSSING, “ Wroa January!” Lf It was Deadwood Dick, Junior, who spoke. Hdl, He was mounted upon a superb horse and was without any disguise, Riding along at a slow-and-easy pace, he had come toa forks where a sign ona tree caught his eye. The tree stood equarely between the cirerens trails, and the sign was big enough and bold enough to draw the attention of anyone who happened to pass along that way. Zé Y ‘* BEHOLD!” AND WITH THAT SHE TORE AWAY HER MASK: CAPTAIN CRIMSON WAS HIS OWN WIFE—THE MATCHLESS KODAK KATE,
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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. There were two signs, iv ‘act, standing one above the other, They were painted on boards, the upper one being about two feet long by six ibches in width and the under one, of the same length, about a foot in width. On the upper sign were these words: ** CornpuRoy CrRossiNG.” Tbat was bad enough; but the one under it was even worse, being like this: ‘Ty yu TAKE THE LEFT, YuL BE RITE, BUT In yu TAKE THE RITE YuL BE LEFT, suRE,” “Well, this is peculiar, agyhow,” Deadwood Dick mused, ‘*Seems tome I have seen some- thing on the satne ge before. If I take the left Vk be right, will I? Tl! take tue left, then, for it is the right I am after, every time; I don’t waut to be left.” After looking at thesign for some moments, and studying the surroundings, he drew his horse to the left and continued on his way. ‘*T must be nearing my destination, I take it,” he reflected, as he rodeon. ‘‘ Corduroy Cross- ing can’t be a great distance away. Well, I am not sorry, for Lam getting rathertired of the saddle for one day. I bope [ won’t fall into any exciting experiences till I have rested up & little, though it will be remarkable if I don’t.” The trail lay through a woodland here, and it was pleasant and refreshing compared to what it had been further back, There was a gradual descent into a broad, wooded valley, and occasionally a spines of water in the distance was to be bad through openings among the trees here and there, Further back had been stretches of hot sand and dreary mountain passes, for many miles, wild, rugged and barren. The change was a welcome, one to the traveler, and he seemed to appreciate it, for he removed his hat as he rode along and enjoyed the cool air, ‘*'Yes; I must be nearly there,” he said to himself again. ‘ This is about as it was de- scribed to me; besides, the sign back there is proof of it. I sball no doubt soon strike the corduroy road, and then the bog Ace be at hand shortly afterward. It must bea nt place, I should say—that is to say, the location; the piace, if report is true, is a littl— Whoa, January!” A charming personage had suddenly stepped out upon the trail in front of him, with hands uplifted as if commanding him to stop. Breaking off in what he was saying, Dick drew rein and brougbt his horse to a stop at once, making a bow to the woman who thus blocked his way so authoritatively. ** Are you going to Corduroy Crossing, sir?” she asked, She was young, not more than twenty at most, and handsome of face'and form, Ou her head was a soft felt bat, a coat of rather mas- culine cut was buttoned across her breast with a single top button, and beneath that was a neat- fitting bodice of cloth, of the same dark mate- rial as her skirt; the latter falling to a point balf-way between knee and ankle, Her feet were incased in a pair of serviceable shoes, over which were a pair of closely but- toned leggings. In her hand she held a thin and pliable black cane, one that had every ap- pearance of having a loaded \head, and that would be a weapon of no insignificant nature at close quarters, This was beld idly in the left hand, it being the right band she had raised to signify her wish for the traveler to stop, ‘Yes, miss; that is my destination,” Dick answered. ‘* Do not go there, sir, if you value your life.” Dick laughed lightly. ‘*Who could possibly want to take my life?” he asked, ‘I have no foes at Corduroy that I am aware of,” ** Perhaps not; but you are a stranger.” ** All men are strangers in a strange place, pretty lady.” A frown came upon the fair face immediately, ** Do not force me to regret that I stopped you to warn you,” she said, ‘' You will do so if you speak that way again.” ‘**Calling you pretty lady? I spoke but the truth, But, let it pass; I will not offend again, Will you tell me wherein lies the danger if I persist in going on to the camp.” “The danger lies in the fact of your being a stranger.” “That is peculiar, truly. I take it, then, that strangers are not welcomed at the camp,” _ “They are not, Thecamp of Corduroy Cross- ing wants no strangers, as you will be informed if you persist in going on your way.” | ** Well, I shall persist in that direction, for I am going there, I thank you for the warning you have given me, and trust that I shall profit by it. I think I can take care of Number One,” A troubled look came upon the girl’s face. She had ere tbis lowered her lifted hand, and now she stepped forward to the rider’s side, ‘* Thope you will heed my warning,” she urged. ‘‘T heard you coming and I stepped aside here in the bushes to wait till you passed, but wben Isaw your face I could not allow you to go on unwarned, Will you not heed me and turn back? I know of what I speak.” “Tf anything in the world would change my purpose, miss, it would be you; but I seldom pay heed to warnings. I have blundered along through the world until now keeping to my own willful way, and so far have come out with a whole neck, Besides, there is no reason why any one at Corduroy Crossing should go for me, so far as I can see.” ‘* Then my warning has been in vain?” ‘* Yes; so far as sending me back; but it may serve me a good turn since it has put me on my guard, so to say.” ‘*T can read in your eyes that you have a strong will, sir, I hope no harm comes to you. I have done my duty, anybow, and will detain you no longer.” She stepped hack, makiug a slight bow as she indicated that he snould go on, Dick, however, was not in any burry. He wanted to know something about this young woman before they parted. **Pardon me, miss,” he said, ‘‘ but the little ou have told makes me curious to learn more, s it going too far if I inquire who you are?” **My name, sir, is Nellie Mason,” was the re- sponse, in ber rich, full tone of voice. ‘‘I am better known as Nugget Nell, You can dono less, now, than to tell me who you are.” There was frankness about her, but nothing i that was bold, “You are right,” Dick agreed, ‘I can dono less, My nameis Smith Douglas, and I am a gamble. ve pe I make no bones about telling, you see, Lam going to Corduroy Crossing for the one purpose of skinning everyholy I can. heosrg my ‘inelegant way of expressing my- self. The young woman smiled, but in a half sad way and made respon-e to what he bad siid. ‘* If that 1s your business, I have less fear for your safety,” sheremarked, ‘I will add, also, tbat I bave been deceived in your appearance. You may find some at Corduroy Crossing who are your equals, if not superiors, at the various games of chance, and instead of skinning the camp, you may come away shorn yourself, I will detain you no longer, sir.” With a slight bow again, she turned away and walked off up the trail in the direction from which Dick had come. The prince of Western detectives looked after ber for some moments before going on himself, and as he looked, he exclaimed 4 ** A trump, by great!” The young woman did not once look back, and in a minute or so, a bend in the trail carried her out of sight, “Yes, a trump,” Dick muttered, half aloud, as he started forward on his way, ‘ So, she thinks there are so ne at the camp who are my betters at handling the wicked pasteboards, does she? Well, sbe may be right; I do not claim to be invincible, But, what did she mean by saying she was deceived in my appearance? I guess Ido not rightly catch on to that, Per- haps it will all come out, for I have an idea that I sball see more of Nugget Nell,” A little furtber on and the trai] came abruptly to a marsh, where a corduroy road led the way to what seemed to be an island about a third of mile distant, Beyond the island, at one end, could be seen the flashing waters of alake. At the other end the trees of the island seemed to merge with those of the mainland at a distance of a mile or n thought: 80, The island, from this side, appeared to be rugged, and it was covered witha wood. Be- yond the lake, at the only point where it was visible, was another wood at least two miles distant across the water. The marsh seemed to round the island on one side and end, the lake 8 op te, ’ Deadwood Dick observed all this quickly as he drew rein at the beginning of the corduroy road across the marsh, ' He next gave his attention to the condition of the road, and observed that where it ended at the island the trail was resumed through what seemed to be a dark ravine, While he stood there, fixing the lay of the land upon his mind, he heard asound as of many voices shouting, which seemed to be borne to bis ears from the distant side of the island. It was like the howling of an excited mob, There was evidently excitement of some sort at Corduroy Crossing. ‘*] wonder what’s the rumpus?’ Dick ques- tioned, as he listened. ‘*The citizens must be enjoying a jolly drunk, or else perhaps it’s a necktie party. Maybe it is something gotten up for my especial benefit, for it would be re- markable te I were to enter the camp and not get mixed up in some sort of local walk-around. Well, we'll soon see,” Touching his horse, he started forward across the log crossing that led to the delectable town of the same name, It was a disagreeable ride, for the horse picked its way carefully at every step, evidently in fear of slipping, though the rough road seemed well made and safe, Finally it was crossed, and the horse gave a whinny of satisfaction as it set hoof firmly upon solid ground once more, Barely had the cross- ing been left bebind, however, when a challenge was heard, ‘*Whoap!” sung out a voice, hands, Mister Man!” And with the command a man stepped out from the shadows of the ravine With a rifle at his shoulder. , He bad the ‘‘drop,”. his gun covering Dead- wood Dick’s heart, and the redoubtable Richard had to comply with the modest request that had been made, Coming entirely unexpected, the order took Dick by surprise, and there was no time for bim to offer resistance. The man with the gun held the best hand, and Dick had no choice in the matter. ‘Up with yer CHAPTER II, THE TIMELY ARRIVAL, ‘“ WELL, what’s the reason?” Dick asked, cool- ly. “This byar gun o’ mine is ther reason, and ther cause, too,” was the reply. And with his words, the individual took & equint along the barrel of his weapon in a dan- gerous way. ‘* Well, 1 don’t know but wet you are right,” Dick agreed. ‘‘The gun is the cause; this is the effect. You have got the bulge on me this time.” a aaa ‘Yer kin jest bet yer life on’t, traveler, an’ I’m goin’ ter keep et on ye, too, I want ter know who ye ar’, what yer busivess is, an’ whar ye ar’ goin’, That’s what I’m hyar for,” The man was a rough fellow, with a bearded, evil face, and was clad in a manner becoming his rascally looks, * Toat’s what you are bere for, eh?” “You bet!” ‘Well, now, you see that I am peaceable enough, just suppose you point that old gun an- other way. I have no desire to have it aimed at me without reason, Just turn it off a point or two and we'll talk the matter over.” ‘IT prefer ter keep et right whar et is now,” was the response to that, ‘‘ Yer needn’t be afeerd of it’s goin’ off uuless I mean et. Now, est hurry up and say yer say, and I’ll ettin’ ye go past, If will bave ter turn tail to and go back ther way ye kem.” ‘Oh, that’s the idea, is it?” , “That's jest it, Come, now, exhibit health, and fool no more time aboutit.” “Well, fire in your questions, one at a time,” ‘* Fu’st on ther count, then, who are ye?” ‘** My name is Smith Douglas.” ‘‘Mebby et ar’, I won’t swear toet, Next, what’s yer business?” : ‘‘T am a gambler and sport,” was the prompt answer to that, PCy) “‘Ob-ho! Wull, whar are ye goin’? “T%m bound for Corduroy Crossing, with the intention of skinning the camp at cards, if I can do it.” * Wull, I ber bial ] ef I let ye go on ots little: ‘sougt for a starter, I guess,” “Wull, I reck ns ye kin pass. Ther camp don’t miss no chances like this byar, and if you don't git skinned yerself it will be a wonder to me. 1 think ye will find Nugget Nell ready ter put up fer what yer pile is worth, if you want ter lose et.” “ Nugget Nell?” — ‘‘That’s what I said.” “Who is Nugget Nell?” ‘‘ Didn’t ye meot a gal over on t’other side?” yer bill 0’ ’ Have ye got money ter peg bout don’t think well of et, ye . 7
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Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Lone Hand. “ Yes,” ““Wull, that was her, She’s a prime angel, mighty keerful ye may find yerself in ther same fix. When we need any outsi ie help ter run our she is, but she kin play kyards in a way ter , business hyer, we’ll send fer et.” make yer hair curl, She’s a stunner at kyards, and runs a game over at ther Howler saloon.” ‘*Ha! that is the situation, is it?” Dick rernembered bis conversation with the young woman, and what her parting words had been. ‘*That’s jest et,” he was assured, ‘* Yer kin pass on now, fer I guess yeare all right. Ef ye ain’t, ther boyees at ther camp will see to ye, that’s all.” ‘* By the way,” asked Dick, ‘‘ what is all the howling about over in the direction of your eamp? It seems there is something on the docket to-day, to make the citizens whoop it up so, The shouting, alluded to before, was still go- ing on, at intervals. ‘*Wull, yas, thar is a leetle bit of ’citement at ther camp ter-day, that’s so, And et’s all owin’ to a leetle mistake I made yesterday.” “Owing to a mistake you made yes.erday? What do you mean by that?” ‘* Wull, yer see, I allowed a feller ter pass hyar, a feller what I had a leetle s’picion of anyhow, and when he gut to ther camp ther boyees c’luded that he was a durn Government spy; and, I guess they’re goin’ ter hang him. hat’s ther reason why I was so p’tic’lar with you. See?” ‘*' Yes; I see. So, you don’t allow Govern- ment men here, eh? That is all tbe better for honest men, who are tryiug to work out an hon- ia Well, bave [ your permission to ride on ‘“Yes; yer kin go on an’ be darn to ye.” ‘Thank you, sir.” The rifle was lowered, and after making an inquiry or two concerning the way, Dick rode leisurely on. ‘* So, it’s a guarded island, is it?” he mused. ** And they are death to Government men, eh? A delightful place, truly! Iam glad that I was firm in my decision agaiust Kate’s accompany- ing me here, But, that shouting is getting louder and more business-like, and I think I will press forward and see what is going on. Perhaps I shall have to take a hand in the pro- ceedings,” Touching his horse, he hastened forward, and ere long came out upon the camp, which was on the sloping side of the island and facing the lake, The corduroy road was extended across another ptt of marsk on the left, and disap- peared finally in a wood beyond. The trail, as it emerged from the ravine, bent toward the camp to tne right, and from the camp it took another new start across the other marsh, There was no direct travel across the island that did not make the camp a sort of half- way stop as it were, as the trail plainly proved. Dick had taken this in at a glance before be had come fully out .into sight of the houses, As soon as he did come out where the whole camp was to be seen, other things claimed bis atten- tion. He took in the whole piace with a single sweep of his keen eyes, but in the foregound was a picture that claimed his interest as of first im- portance, Under a spreading tree was a great crowd of men, around one who was standing upon a box with a rope around his neck all ready to be Jaunched off into the great Hence, \, Without a moment’s hesitation Dick gave bis horse a cut and dashed forward toward the scene, He was heard, of course, before he reached the spot, and the crowd gave him their attention. ‘“‘ Hello!” cried Dick, as he drew rein, ** what is the meaning of this, folkses?” He had dashed right into the assembled mob, and stopped a few feet from the prisoner on the box, who stood facing him, Dick noted at a glance that be was a band- some, daring-looking fellow, and that his dan- gerous situation had not made him quail, ‘It means thatI amina pretey bac fix,” the prisoner answered for himself, in easy and calm tones, ‘“‘Itis a case of mistaken identity, for which I must suffer.” ‘*That’s what's the difficulty, eb?” cried Dick, ‘*What have you got to say about it, citizens? This man seems to know what he igs. talkin about, and you don’t seem to have frightene him worth a cent, Come, now, give him a show for his life, for he is a man, all through, that I can swear to!” There was a general growl of disapproval at this,and one man in the crowd pushed to the fore, “ What darn business is it o’ yourn?” he de- manded, ‘*Who be you, anyhow? Ef ye ain’t | | “Well, there’s no need to get your back up over it,” respondep Dick, coolly.‘ I am not go- ing to interfere with your little party. I only called your attention to the fact that your pris- over is taking it like a brave fellow, and since he says it is a case of mistaken identity, don't you tbink there is just a possible doubt in the matter?” ‘*That’s jest what ther matter is,” cried the spokesman for the crowd, ‘‘H9 is jest so durn brave, as you call it, that we Anow thar ain’t no mistake, We has got him dead to rights, and he is goin’ ter swing. Now, I am mayor of this byar camp, and if you don’t want ter git inter trouble yerself, ye had jest better keep yer lip out of our business, We knows this hyar galoot is Deadwood Dick, Junior, ther Government de- tective, an’—” ‘*Deadwood Dick, Junior?’ in genuine sur- prise exclaimed the horseman, “Yas, Deadwood Dick, Junior; and all his denyin’ won’t save his neck.” Dick gave a light laugh, and drew around to face the crowd in front, his horse drawing closer to the prisoner as he did so. “Why, gentlemen!” he cried, ‘‘you are making the biggest mistake you ever made in your lives, This man is not Deadwood Dick! I have seen Deadwood Dick and am not mis- taken.” ‘What? What’s that yer say?” “T say this man is not Deadwood Dick, Junior.” ‘* Just what I have been trying to impress upon their minds, sir,” observed the prisoner, He was perfectly cool, in spite of the fact that the rope was around his neck, and that he had been close to death, ‘*Do yer mean ter say that’s ther truth?” de- manded the mayor of the camp, in muck amaze- ment, pow, **T can swear toit,” was Dick’s confident assur- ance. ‘‘I have seen Deadwood Dick more than once, and bave good reason to remember him, This man is not he. If you were going to ban him on that account, let him go, by al means, if you are not willing to bang an inno- cent man, ** But see how durn coul he is!” the mayor call- ed attention. ‘‘ From what we have heard tell of Deadwood Dick he’s the coolest cuss on earth, That’s what this byar chap kin lay claim to, I allow.” *““Pshaw! Deadwood Dick may be a cool one, as they say he is; but, that does not prove that there are not other men just as cool as be, You have got the wrong pig ,this time, pards—that I can swear to!” The mayor looked around at the crowd, and as he did so Dick discovered a wonderful and startling peculiarity about bim, He had two faces—another face where the back part of his head appeared to be! It was startliog at first, but a second glance i yee it. he man was bald, as destitute of hair asa cabbage, and the back of his head was pricked with India ink in close likeness to his face on the other side, It had been done with considerable of artistic merit, and at a little distance further away the effect would no doubt have been puzzling. As it was, Dick could not repress a smile, The mayor had ‘turned to look over the faces of his subjects, to gather an impression of what the general mind was upon the matter under de- bate, and as he turned back he saw -Dick’s smile and knew at once what had caused it, ‘*Wull, blast ye,” he cried, “tye have seen suthin’, have ye? Strikes ye as bein’ funny, does et? Wiull, et ain’t funny, not a bitet ain’t, Ef you was fixed that way, and had ter carry et around with ye, yer life would be a burden to ye, I’m bettin’ on et.” “It certainly does strike me as funny,” Dick admitted. ‘If I smile it is because I never saw anything of the sort before.” ,; CHAPTER IIi. A TREAT IN LIEU OF A HANGING. Two things were very evident, One, that the man was not responsible for his strange tattooings; the other, that he was very sensitive about it. ‘*Wull,” the man growled, ‘‘ef ye never seen et afore, ye now see it behind. Ye kin take one good look at et, and then I don’t want ter ketch ye payin’ no more ’tention to et.” ‘That's it, eh? Well, I will try not to annoy ee re a you by looking at your double phiz. But, if you are so migbty sore in that spot why don’t you grow some buir and cover it over? Or you might keep your Hat pulled down behind, Better still, get some one to take it out for you,” ‘* See here,” cried the mayor, taking a stride forward, ‘do you want me to yank ye down off’n that ar’ hoss and wipe up ther ground with ye? VIl do et, in jest one brief minnit, ef ye don’t mind. Idon’t take no guff from nobody, I don’t. An’ hyar’s one thing more: I don’t allow nobody ter star-gaze at my face behind, as ther boyees will tell ye, an’ ef 1 ketch you a- doin’ it Vil bring ye to ’count, sure.” ‘* No,” responded Dick, self-possessed as ever; ‘“‘T don’t want to be yanked off my horse, and made a duster of, so please don’t do it. We'll let it drop, if you are willing, and I'll try not to trespass upon the forbidden ground—as it were, Still any one of the suggestions I have dropped is well worth being followed, especially that of raising a crop of hair and covering your decora- tions. There; I won’t mention it again, What about the prisoner?” The crowd had this, evidently wit some trouble, 2 For the moment, in his rage, the mayor had seemed to forget the prisoner, and Dick’s re- iven silent attention to all the expectation of seeing mark brought his mind back to the business of the hour, ‘Sure enough,” be cried, wheeling around, ‘* Ain’t be swingin’ clear yet, my lads? Up with him, and make short work of it, too, Et vee be one suspected character ther Jess, any- ow.” Those who had hold upon the rope drew it tight and prepared to pull, but with a wary eye upon Deadwood Dick the real, as if expect- ing some interference from him; and they were not mistaken, either. Dick took a hand in the matter, as be bad predicted he should bave to 0. ** Just go a little slow with that business, if you please!” he cried, raising his hand. ‘I am going to have a word to say about it. You are banging this man because you suspect him of being Deadwood Dick, Junior. I tell you he is not that man, because I have seen Deadwood Dick too often to be miszaken, If that is the only reason you have for sending bim_ off, don’t do it. He is not the man.” ‘But, be’s a stranger, anyhow!” growled the mayor, What if he is? Do you makea practice of hanging strangers here? If so, it will be a first rate place for me to get out of, seeing that lam a stranger myself,” “Ther best thing ye kin do,” declared the mayor, sullenly, ‘‘ Strangers is not wanted hyar anyhow. Yer room is worth more than yer company. Who ar’ ye, anyhow, an’ what has brought ye here?” ‘Questions that I do not mind answering,” responded Dick. ‘My name is Smith Douglas, as I bad to explain to your guardsman back there, and I am a gambler. I have come here for the purpose of skinning your crack players, or of dropping my pile with you, just as it happens.” *Wull, ye ar’ honest about et, anyhow. You say ye kin swear that this galoot ain’t Dead- wood Dick, do ye?” ‘Yes; positively. No chance for a mistake, I'll stake my life on it,” ‘* Have ye ever seen ther prisoner before?” “ Never, sir.” ‘* Is it not as I tried to convince you?” the pris- oner remarked, ‘It is lucky for me you hap- pened along, Mr. Douglas, or I might now be swinging.” *‘]t seems they would have hanged you for Deadwood Dick. You must have a grudge against that gentleman, mayor. It wouldn’t be a healtby place for him to visit, I take it.” “You kin jest bet yer left et wouldn’t!” assert- ed the mayor. ‘* And, by the same token, it is just the place for me to hang up my hat fora time. 1 bave no desire to fallin with Deadwood Dick just now.” “ How kin we swear that ye ar’ tellin’ us ther plain truth?’ demanded the mayor, ‘‘ Mebby you two ar’ in cahoots, an’ you ar’ lyin’ fer yer pard. Mebby it’s a put-up game all around,” “It came near to being a string-up game for me,” spoke the prisoner. ‘‘If your suspicion were correct it would show that we made a poor mess of it, wouldn’t it? Does it Jook like the work of Deadwood Dick? I argue not.” “You have made your mistake this time, mayor,” declared Dick, decisively. ‘‘ This man, as I have asserted, is not Deadwood Dick, Jun- ior, If you know anything about Dick and his methods, you ought to be aware that he general-
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“A about et in my presence, Et ain’t healthy ter do so, as they all knows,” And with that he turned away and took a seat, With a passing remark to the crowd, Dick turned and rode out. He followed down the street, which turned ly enters a camp in disguise, if he has business there. That isthe way you wantto look for him.” See hyar,” the mayor demanded, ‘‘ whar did you last see Deadwood Dick, sence you know him 80 well,” **T saw bim at Mexican Mustang, sir, where he came disguised as a Quaker, or something of that | toward the lake, and soon saw the hotel. sort. If he ever pays you a visit he won’t leave It was a house better than the usual sort in any room for mistake, if he can help it, youmay | wild camps, and over its door was a sign an- be sure,” nouncing its name as the— ““Wull, boyees, sence ther proof seems good, ‘“BANG-UP HOTEL.” ye kin let ther prisoner go,” } ‘* An’ that’ar robs us of our fun,” one man growled, ‘* Just the sort of house 1 want to find,” mused “Tf they | Dick, ‘If it is as bang-up as the rest of the camp it is no doubt a hummer. It is a hard ‘*No matter,” rejoined the mayor. don’t carry theirselves mighty straight thar may it is no d i place, if indications count for anything.” The hotel faced the lake, very properly, and be a double hangin’ ’fore long.” With a good deal of muttered disapproval, the had a piazza on that side, Dick stopped at what was the side entrance, men nearest the prisoner cast the rope from his neck and freed his hands, when he stepped for- : which opened into the bar-room, and dismount- ed and went in. ward and extended his right to Dick. Nobody was present but the landlord, a tall, ‘We are strangers, Mr. Douglas,” he said, **but you have done me a good turn, and if [ lean fellow of forty years, All the camp had been at the hanging, and were now around the can ever return the compliment I shall be only saloon. ’ too happy to do so, though I hope it won’t be a favor of the same kind exactly, it’s rather try- , The landlord’s name was Tripham Marker, and he was about as bomely, as a man, asever lived, ing on the nerves,” ‘ He was an Irishman by birth, but one who had One would not imagine that you are fixed out with nerves, like other folks,” observed Dick, spent his years in New England, and hence was called the ‘** Irish Yankee,’ as they shook hands, ‘Or, perhaps you are ail nerve. Certainly you took your bad fix coolly enough. No; I hope you'll never becalled upon to perform a similar service for me, May I ask your name?” ‘*My name is Carlo Waterstone, sir. Like yourself, I am a child of leisure; that is to say,a Dick greeted him in a hearty way. ‘* Any room for one more?” he asked. ‘ Can you give me accommodations for self and horse?” **T can that same, sir,” was the response, in a speech that smacked as much of Yankee drawl as it did of Irish brogue, The important fact ascertained, Dick regis- tered and became a guest of the house, and when he had seen his horse taken away he fell into conversation with his host, | rt. “*1 do not lay claim to being a sport,” Dick refuted. ‘‘ lama gambler pure and simple.” ‘* Well, it isa distinction without much of a difference, I surmise.” “Perhaps you ate right; [ won’t dispute.” A man in the crowd now spoke up. “Et hits me hard,” he said, ‘t that somethin’ ar’ wantin’ ter make this byar job complete, We have been robbed of our fun; badn’t some- body better treat?” “Whoop!” cried the crowd, ‘ That’s ther CHAPTER IV. GOING FOR RICHARD, Tur door by which Dick had entered the _ idee, boots an’ all! Whose treat is et? Ther | hotel was not the main one. That opened upon man what got saved, or ther man what saved | the piazza, also from the bar-room, but as the him? Whoop ’er up, boyees, fer a treat all; side-door was nearest the rest of the camp, that around,” was the one most generally used, >. ‘*T suppose I ought to stand this,” said Water- This botel, by the way, bad been built when stone. “If you will giveme back my money | the place was enjoying its boom, as all new and weapons, gentlemen, we’ll adjourn to the | places do, and before its mining interests bad Ho vler and do the proper thing in nonor of the | petered out and left the camp stranded. This occasion, I hold ao malice toward you, though | was the reason why it faced the iake instead of 1 h»pe you will be a little more sure of your man | being grouped with the rest of the camp further another time.” back, It was also the reason why it was a little His things were restored to him, and the crowd | larger than the average of its kind in the usual set off in the direction of the Howler Saloon, the | Western camp, Its builders had expected the double-faced mayor leading the way, place to become a city in a short time, Dick had not dismounted, and when the saloon When Dick and the Jandlord fell into conver- was reached he rode right in, sation they step out upon the piazza, where a This feat was nothing new for him, but it was | splendid view of a charmiog lake was had, proof evidently a novelty for the citizens of Corduroy | that the builders of tbe botel knew what they Crossing. were doing when they chose the site. The mayor brougbt bis genuine face around The lake seemed to be two or three miles to bear upov him, baving secured a place at the | wide, by several more in length, to judge by the bar, and stared at him in a manner thet was full | portion that could be seen, and was as splendid of interest, a little body of water as any one could desire, While the crowd was taking advantage of ths free poison, Dick was running his keen eyes over the assemblage as a whole, and he came to the conclusion that it was about as villainous a gang as he had ever seen in his life, “Areyou not going to take something, Mr. | roundings, eb?’ Dick hinted, Douglas?” asked Waterstone, seeing that Dick ‘* Tf it was only half as good, sir,” was the re- bad not indulged when the crowd began to thin | sponse. # You speak as though it might be better than it is.’ ‘*No more than you did yourself, sir, You can see what it is for yourself,” ‘TI pretty rough hole, I take it to be, but that’s all right. 1 suppose there are worse places,” ‘*T have heard of one that is worse, sir, but no need to mention it. I have never been there, and those who do go never come back again.” Dick laughed lightly. **You are too rough on your camp,” he said. ““Why do you stay here, if you consider it such a terrible place as all that seems to indicate?” “Faith, me interests is in this hotel, and I have to make it turn a dollar if it will. But, then, the place isn’t so bad as you might think, sir, The devil’s own fine time the boys have once in a while,” Dick caught on at once, so to ic He saw that the man was trying to remove ‘*You have a fine location here,” Dick re- marked, ‘¢ A fine one, indeed, sir,” was the agreeing re- sponse, ‘*If the camp were only as good as the sur- out, ** Not this time, thank you,” was Dick’s answer, **IT am more in need of something solid. I sup- e you have a hotel here, eb, mayor?’ “* Bet yer life on’t!” was the prompt response, “* Where is it?” ‘* Jest a leetle furder ’round by ther lake,” “Good enough; I think I’!l drop around there and see about getting accommodations,” ‘* And perbaps I'll see you again,” said Water- stone, “if the boys don’t take it into their heads to string me up a second time. I’m stopping there.” ‘All right, we'll have a chat after awhile. Won’t you join us, mayor? You can probably hold up your end in a three-handed game at talk. I’m curious to hear your story, you know.” The mayor frowned, . “T don’t believe you’d find me ’greeable com- _ pany,” he declared. ‘‘I don’t set up ter tie to _ strangers at short notice, As fer my story, any- | the bad impression he had made, | body hyar kin tell ye all about Double-face ** You look at it in two ways, then,” Dick ob- Duncan, Et ain’t no secret, but nobody talks ' served, i Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. . “Yes; and why not? Fora lot of rough men, what’s the odds what fur a place it is? For ladies and childer it would be all drat I said of it, and more. lt took a big tumble when the mines played out.” ** So, the mines are all played out, are they?” ‘Every wan of them, sir.” ‘*Then what keeps the camp up?” ‘** Oh, it’s the panning, mostly, sir,” ‘*Most camps die right out when the mines shut down,” ‘‘Begorra, so did this, too, for it is only a ghost of what it was, sir.” ‘*T see,” returned the new-comer, whether he saw or not, Perbaps he saw far more than any one sus- pected, and especially his host. j Some business had brought bim to this camp of Corduroy Crossing, whatever it might be, and his questions bad an object behind them, “By the way,” Dick presently remarked, when be had lighted a cigar and offered one to the landlord, ‘your mayor is remarkably em- bellished with an extra face.” ‘** He 1s that same,” responded Marker, with a laugh, ‘‘And mighty touchy he is about it, too. If any one pays too much attention to it he gets mad and is likely to knock bim down.” ‘** So I discovered, when I tooka look at it my- self, It was surprising to me, and I could not help looking. How did it come there? I imag- ine he would not tell the story himself,” ‘*Neither he would, sir, There are enough others to tellit for him, I suppose he thinks, Would ye care to hear about it?” * Certainly; that’s why 1 asked.” ‘* Well, you see the mayor is a bard drinker, at times, He'll go for weeks aud never a drop will he touch; but then of a sudden off he goes and gets so blind stavin’ drunk that he won't know anyt’ing for a couple of days or more,” ‘* Goes on benders, eh? ‘*That’s what you might call them, sir. Well, you know he is baldheaded. Devil a Lit more hair is there on his bead than there ison a bil- liard ball, One night, so the story goes, when he was so dead drunk that he didn’t know what his name was, ea fellow went to work and made an India ink picture of his face on the back part of bis head, just as you see it to- day. © There must have been a lively time when he found it out,”. ‘*T suppose there was, Anyhow, it wouldn’t wash off, and so they came tovcall him Double- face Duncan, the name he bears now.” ‘*Tt was ratber rough on him, that’s the truth. But, about this fellow ~~ were about hang- ing when I came along: Who and what is he, aud why did they want to swing him off?” ‘© Who and what be is sir, I don’t know. He claims to be a sport, or something in that line. The boys took him for Deadwood Dick, an’ that’s why they were about sending him off, I saw you interfere and save him,” ‘*T was able to tell them he was not Deadwood Dick, for I know that individual. Tell me though, why do they want to put Deadwood Dick out of the way?” ‘* Because they don’t want him prying around here, sir.” “Phen the island has secrets, has it?” ‘¢ Perhaps; it’s not for me to say.” ‘Well, you needn’t, It will be a good place for me to hang up for a little while, I fancy. But, what’s the rumpus, [ wonder? The crowd seems to be coming this way.” “I give it up, sir. They do seem to be bear- ing this way, that’s the truth of it. Let’s be af- ter seeing,” By stepping to the end of the piazza they could look up the street toward the center of the town, The whole camp seemed to be coming toward the hotel, in something of a hurry. They were talking and shouting in loud tones, and it was evident that something had gone wrong with them. Deadwood Dick took a sly look to see that his weapons were in prime order, believing that whatever the excitement was about he was go- ing to take part in it. f Ther ph to mean business, for a fact,” declared the landlord. ‘ Let’s go through the bar-room and meet them, I don’t want them to come in if I Roa help it. Lam not prepared to entertain mobs. “Come along,” assented Dick. ‘‘ No doubt they'll pretty soon let us know what is in the wind.” They left the piazza and went through to the side entrance; just in time to meet the foremost of the mob, i -
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Co. wor vw. oo - command, Leading the van was Double-face Duncan, the mayor, who had weapons in hand, all ready for business. At his heels came the denizens of Corduroy, crowding one upon another in their mad desire to keep up with the mayor, each man desirous of being first. Among the rest was Carlo Waterstone, the man whose life Dick had saved, and who now had a look of alarm upon bis handsome face, as though there was further danger for somebody, As saic, Dick and the Jandlord were just in time to meet the foremost, and that was the mayor, ‘* Up with yer hands, you son of a tinker!” the mayor cried, presenting his weapons at Dick’s head, ** Hello!” exclaimed Dick, coolly, yet with evi- dent surprise, ‘‘ what is the matter now, mayor? W bat bas gone wrong with you?” “ We'll show ye what’s wrong,” was the angry retort. ‘*Up witi them ’ar hands, I say, or by ther ‘ternal gosbness ef I don’t bore ye and have done with et!” ‘* Well, now, this is something of a surprise party,” Dick parleyed, coolly asever. ‘* Vdlike to know what is the trouble before I fall in with the procession, If you assure me it’s all right, why that will make it so, I suppose.” ‘“ Consarn ye! ar’ ye goin’ ter elevate them ’ar hands? Ef ye don’t do et in jest one holy second, by the ’terna) goshness ef I don’t make a clean wipe-out of ye, and you'll never know what bit ye, I’m a dead shot, and I can’t x iss ye at this range, Up with ’em, an’ thea V)! ’splain.” ‘*Mayur, you are pushing things too fast,” Dick argued, while he did not offer to obey the “Tf you want to kill me, blaze away; butotly a coward would do that, and I dou’t believe you are one, Can’t you tell me what has got you by the ear? What has sent you here in this warlike array? What bave I done to get your dander up in this style?” “*Cuss ye fer yer coolness!” the mayor cried. ** Ain’t et so, boyees?, Ain’t be even more cool "an t/other one? Thar’s no mistake, you bet!” ‘*Nary a mistake!” echoed the crowd. “It looks to me as though there must be a big mistake,” observed Dick, ‘‘ You seem incline to go for me, I see, Now, 1 demand to know what the dickens it is all about.” His tone and change of manner went to show that he was waking up. While still perfectly cool, there was a showing of anger that, had they known their man, would have warned them to go slow, “Yer demands ter know, do ye?’ cried the mayor, ‘* Well, evar’ soon told toye, Yow ar’ Deadwood Dick, and we knows et, and we means ter hev ye, dead or alive. Doye ketch on to that ’ar?” Dick forced a laugh. ‘Well, what has come over you, anyhow?” he demanded, ‘Are you a lot of crazy loons? You seem to think everybody is Deadwood Dick just now. Isn’t there some one else around you might bring the same charge against? You are ?way off the track, pards,” ‘“ Yer will bave to prove et, ef we are,” de- clared the mayor, peremptorily, **Can you prove that lam Deadwood Dick? If you can, that will settle it;1f you can’t, then that ought to settle it.” “So you say. We don’t keer a good deal whether we kio prove et or not, Ef you can’t prove otherwise et is goin’ ter go hard with ye, that ye kin bet.” ** Well, upon what grounds do you bring your charge that I am Deadwood Dick? Lam getting interested, In what manner do I lead you to suspect that I am the rampant Richard of Dead- wood? Spit it right out.” * Wull, ter begin with, you ar’ about as enol as he is said to be, and fromfall counts must look somethin’ like him. Then, at ther Howler Saloon ye wouldn’t take yer bitters with there rest of ther crowd, and we hev heerd tell that Dead- wood Dick bas gone back on likker and never touches a drop. Thar ye bev et, a good, strong case!” CHAPTER V. RICHARD’S BIG BLUFF. . Drapwoop Dick laughed Jightly and slipped ' bis bands carlessly into his pocket, af Mayor,” he said, ‘* you are fooling yourself in a worse way than to eat sawdust and call it corn meal. If I wanted to drink, you may safely bet your life I would drink.” ‘ “Yas; but the trouble is yer don’t want ter, ang yer don’t mean ter do et; an’ that’s what w&bas ter say. Yer is Deadwood Dick, and thar ain’t no gettin’ out of et.” ‘Your proof is too thin,” declared Dick. ‘ a Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 5 won’t hold color. Only a little while ago you were sure that Mr, Waterstone here was Dead- wood Dick, and now you are sure that I am he, The trouble is, mayor, you are off the track. You are only guessing,” ‘* Be ye goin’ ter put up yer bands?” ‘* What's the use? You have got the drop on me, and J am not kicking, am 1? if you want to shoot me, bore away!” ‘* By the ’ternal goshness ef you ain't got a narve! Et’s a pity ter have ter shoot ye down like a dog, I swear et is. 1 don’t want ter do et,” ‘*Don’t do it, then, by any means, I am wil- ling to excuse you. If I put up my hands, though, what do you intend doing with me then? Going to bang me up like a horse-thief as you were serving Mr. Waterstone, eh?” ‘© We're wiilin’ ter give ye a fair trial.” “Ob, are you? Well, let me make a propo- sition to you, will you?” ** What is et?” ‘You believe that Iam Deadwood Dick?’ Yes; you bet,” “But, you can’t prove it,” ‘*Kin you prove ye aiv’t?” ‘*No; for 1 am a stranger to you all.” **Wull, then, what’s yer proppyzishun?” “Tt is this: Ihave no intention of running away, and I want you to let me enjoy the free- dom of the camp,” ‘* That's cool, anybow.” ** Maybe it 1s; but, listen: I have reasons for wanting to keep clear of the real Dead wood Dick, and I think we can work together pretty well. You don’t kaow Dick and I do,” “ Wull?” ‘*]f Le gets on track of me he will most likely follow me bere, see?” ‘“*T hear what ye say, anyhow,” “That’s enough, Well, if becomes I can point him out to you, and then you can do the rest. There’s no use your hanging a dozen or two up- til you get the right man, for that will be only a waste of life,” ‘* Do ye mean that as real business?” *“Of course Ido, If youcould rid meof Dead- wood Dick, you would be doing me the biggest favor imaginable,” ‘* What do ye say, boyees?” The mayor turned to the crowd, and his double face came around facing Dick, : It was a curious sight, and it seemed as though the men behind him were still seen by him even while he looked another way, Good stories were told abont the mayor and his double face. It was said that it bad once saved bis life, when a fellow with murderous in- tent sneaked up behind him to drive a knife into his back. The assassin was about tostrike, when suddenly he saw the eyes looking straight at bim, and with a gasp he dropped his knife and fled in terror from the spot. The mayor’s burden was not altogether to bis disadvantage, it seemed, ‘*Et hits me hard:that et would be a good idee ter put’em both on ther rope,” spoke up one man, in response to the mayor’s call for opinions, “That would wipe out ther doubt right at oncet,” added another. ‘* We kin look out fer Deadwood Richard ourselves, and we kin hang jestas many off-color galoots as happens along.” ** Which would be rather rough on the inno- cent ones,” argued Dick. “TI can’t agree cheerfully to any such plan as that,” put in Waterstone witb a grim smile, The crowd laughed. “Then there is another thing to take into con- sidaration,” added Dick, ‘“W hat ar’ that?” demanded the mayor. Of a sidden Dick’s hands flashed to the fore, and a pair of glittering five-shooters covered the mayor and the crowd, The opportunity for which be had been wait- injs had come, for he bad caught the mayor just enough off bis guard to get the drop vn him and so reverse the order of advantage. “Tt is just this,” Dick went’on, quietly. ‘If you insist upon carrying out your idea, mayor, there is going to be the liveliest kind of a ruc- tion bere, and somebody is going to get hurt. I have got the drop just now. Don’t move a fin- ger, if you value your good bealth,” The mayor could only stare in his amaze- ment, **T am not slow to shoot, if I am not Dead- wood Dick,” the detective answered, ‘‘ and I don’t waste many shota when I mean business, Now, you bave brought this thing to just this point, It’s either peace or war, just as you please,” i ‘Yes; and I feel that I have reason to chip in ‘*It | here, too,” declared Waterstone, stepping to Dick’s side with weapons in hand. ‘* Now, citizens, whatisit to be? Wedon’t want trouble, but you can bet your boots you are not going to hang us for somebody else without a kick on our art.” af The mayor put away his weapons with de- liberation. He was making a virtue of grim necessity, for he saw there was danger in any other course, **T don’t see but we might as well have peace,” he said, ‘‘and take these fellers at their word. As long as thar is a reasonable doubt, we might ez well give’em ther bennyfit of et.” ““Then you will leave us alone, will you?” asked Dick. . “Yas, only ef we git more proof we'll go fer ye in ’arnest, you bet!” “That is all right; you are welcome to. And now [ll stick to what I said, If Deadwood Dick shows up here, and I get onto his disguise, P’ll point him out to you. Isn’t that fair, boys?” ‘*Et looks fair enough.” . And ll stand by it, too, It is putting in one lick for you and two for myself, as it were.” * All right; but ye don’t want ter think that ye hey disarmed all our s’pitions against ye, fer ye haven’t, if we gits ye dead to rights et is goin’ hard with ye,” “All right; Um ready to stand it, Mr. Duncan,” Weapons were put away. “ Hyar is all our fun spiled again,” com- plained the man who had raised the same objee- tion before, ‘‘ Seems Jike we don’t git no show. fer a little jollyfercation.” An’ it bits me that somebody’d orter treat ergain,” put in the fellow who had proposed that thing before, ‘* Al) right, boys, I'll stand that for you this time,” offered Dick. ‘‘ Here, landlord,” tossing a double-eagle to Tripham Marker, ‘ take the boys in and , poison them in good style, If that don’t cover it, charge the balance to my ac- count,” This was a stroke of business which the “* Irish Yankee” could not despise, so be invited the crowd to step rigbt up and sample his wares, Tbe Bang-up Hotel was a little out of the swim, witbits bar, the Howler Seloon, being in the center of the camp, catching the lion’s share of the trade; and this was a nugget. The crowd pushed in, and Dick and Water- stone passed through to the piazza, “‘They’seem to be trying to make it interest- ing for us,” Waterstone observed, with a smile, ** Decidedly so,” agreed Dick. ‘It won’t be their fault, either, if they don’t bang us yet. This is a deuce of a bad hole, Waterstone.” ‘*T agree with you in botu remarks,” was the rejoinder, ‘* What can be the reason they are so set against Deadwood Dick?” ‘‘Deadwood Dick ought to be best able to an- swer tbat,” was the quiet response, and the man looked Dick squarely in the eyes. ‘*Perbaps so,” returned Dick, ‘‘but I don’t care about bunting him uptoinquire. I mersly question out of curiosity.” ‘*Do you mean to insist to me that you are not Deadwood Dick?” inch Have you got thatin your head, ‘*T certainly have, sir.” “‘Then you bad better get it out again. What makes you think I am Deadtwood Dick?” ‘* About the same things in general that made the crowd think so, [am not in lack of nerve, . as perbaps you saw, but you have pounds tory ounces, so to say.” ' Dick smiled. You have a high opinion of me in that respect,” be said, **T have seen what youare, Why, I expected that mob would string you up before you could say a word,” ** Maybe they would, too, if I hadn’t bluffed them asI did, A mob has no bead to speak of, 9 ig ames will turn them if it is rightly ap- plied. **'You turned that one, But, since you do not seem inclined to take me into your confidence, will you allow me toinquire what business has brought you here to this wild hole?” ‘* And yet you invite me to take you into my confidence, sir. I must tell you as I told the crowd, that I am here for the purpose of making or breaking; and that is to say, [am going to gamble with anybody who has gota dollar to risk, Perbaps you will take a hand.” ‘““T don’t know about that. Since we are both here for about the same purpose, it would hardl pay for us to play at dog eat dog, do you thi $0 ** Maybe not.” “You asked me a question.”
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6 — Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. ““And you evaded an answer. What think | ace can’t beat a pair, nohow, but right hyar’s ou?” ** Well, I am of the opinion that this camp has reason to fear Deadwood Dick.” ‘* That is plain, right on the faceofit. That is why they would have hanged us, They have some reason to fear him,” “Evident enough. What do you say if we join hands and sift the thing as far as we can, and learn what sort of villainy is at work hers, anyhow. It might pay.” “T am with you in that, or anything that offers a little excitement. Since they accuse us of being Deadwood Dick, we may as well have the game as the name, as the saying has it.” They shook hands uponit. A little time later the crowd went off toward the Howler, when Dick and his unknown ally sought the dining- aiming where an early supper was ready for them, CHAPTER VI. DICK’S PLAN MISCARRIES. WHILE Deadwood Dick and Carlo Waterstone had joined issues for the occasion, they did not seem to get much of a hold upon each other’s confidence, Dick certainly did not tell the other who he was, and he doubted very much whether Wa- terstone had told him a straight story concern- ing himself. One seemed to be as cautious as the other. After supper they sat on the piazza of the Bang-up and smoked till night came on, and while they hal talked during all that time, neither was yet able to form much of an idea concerning the other’s true character and busi- ness, About the only thing they did fully un- understand was that each mighi depend on the other in case of need. Finally they left the hotel and sauntered up * in the direction of the Howler Saloon. The camp was now lighted up, and the busi- ness of the night was begun, Entering the saloon, the first face to catch their sight was the double face of the camp’s worthy mayor. He was standing at the bar with his back to- ward the door, and was the man the nearest to them as they stepped within, It would bave been easy for him to conceal his disfigured occiput by simply pulling bis hat down behind, but he did not do it, He wore bis hat about as high up behind as he did in front. Perhaps the double face had served him so well on one cccasion that he had faitn that it might answer the same purpose again. An exclamation by 30me one in the crowd, when the two stepped in, caused the mayor to turn immediately and face them. “Hello!” he exclaimed, ‘“‘hyar you aire, hey?” ‘ Here we are,” Dick responded, ‘And ye seem ter be as chummy as two pards of long standin’, too,” was the comment. “Circumstances threw us together and made us have a sort of fellow feeling for sach other, as it were,” explained Waterstone. “A feller feelin’, hey? Feller feelin’ is good, You want to carry yerselves mighty straight hyar in this camp, bhowsever, or you may find a feller feelin’ fer his gun.” “Thank you for the warning,” said Dick, “We don’t expect to run counter to any of the rules and regulations of your camp, mayor, 80 do not be uneasy. That is to say, I do not, I speak only for myself.” “And I can assure you of the same on my part,” Waterstone hastened to add, Just then there came upon their ears a some- thing that was like unto a commingled bellow, roar and howl. A big, rough, shock-headed giant of a fellow came pushing his way from the rear of the saloon, where was a partition shutting off an- other room, In that partition, to describe it in a moment, was a double green door, closed but not secured, and over it in plain letters was the name of the gambler queen whom Dick bad met that day in the woods— “NUGGET NELL,” But, to tell of the big bullwhacker, On he came, flourishing his arms wildly and bellowing loudly, though at first his intention was not quite plain, If not so at first, he soon made it plain, for, as » be came nearer, be thrust bis long arms up and out, spread bis legs wide apart, and shouted in a terrible voice: j ‘“‘Hyar’s ther chances fer Bleezer Googin ter exercise his muscle! Two strangers tergether, and two makes a pair, b’goshtum! Toney say a ther ace what kin beat this pair, and don’t ye forgit et! Whoop!” Then he bellowed, shook his head like a mad buffalo, and advanced, ‘““Ef ye vally yer lives, strangers,” warned the mayor, ‘“‘ ye bad better git right out o’ byar and dust back to ther hotel,” **Don’t let ’em do et,” cried the bullwhacker, ‘Don’t rob me of ther only good chance fer a leetle fun I have had in six months, Come right up, ye rascals, and see me stand ye on top of yer heads afore ye kin wink, D’ye hear me yaup? Whoop!” ** Are you talking to me?” asked Dick. ‘*That’s what I am, bubby,” was tbe retort. ** And you are spoiling for fight?” **Spilin’! Darn et, 1am wuss’n sp’ilt a’ready. Which one of you two is et they say is Dead- wood Dick?” ‘*T bappen to be the last one who had the honor to be suspected of being that gentleman,” was Dick’s composed reply. “Then you are the hairpin I am lookin’ fer, b’goshtum! I have heard tell a good deal about you, me hearty, and I’ve allus wanted ter have a go at ye.” ** But, ’'m not Deadwood Dick,” Dick declared, ** Not Deadwood Dick?” ‘* No; it was alla mistake, here.” “Was et a mistake, Double-face? the fellow demanded, ‘*We wasn’t able ter prove et, if that’s what ye mean,” was the mayor’s reply. “*Couldn’t prove et, hey? I’m glad ter hear that, I want ter have a go with bim, jest fer fun, Sonny, I’m goin’ ter spank ye!” Dead wood Dick thought he smelled a rat. It had been made plain that the general character of Deadwood Dick was not unknown here at Corduroy Crossing. Was not this a dodge to get him into a fight to prove his prowess? If he was able to floor this big bluffer, would it not be further proof that he was Deadwood Dick? ‘You don’t mean to say you are going to jump me, do you?” Dick asked, with a little showing of alarm, ‘Jump ye! Bless yer innercent heart, et has allus been my desire ter take a fall out of Dead- wood Dick, and if you’re ther man, why—” ‘* But I tell you t att not—” ‘Thar seems ter be a doubt, an’'asIm jest dyin’ ter lick somebody I’m goin’ ter take ther bennyfit of ther doubt. Come right out byar, now, and git chawed.” ‘ Dick knew he could whip this whacker. He had met dozens just like bim, but, if he wanted to give te to the impression that be was not Deadwood Dick, it would not do to show his ability as an athlete. ** But, my good man,” he protested, ‘‘I have Ask your mayor Was et?” no quarrel with you, and it is as plain as day - that you can whipme, You are bigger than [ am every way.” ‘No matter; [I’m goin’ ter do et jest ther same. If Ido you up easy, I'll then tackle both of yeatoncet, Whoop! I’m in fer fun an’ I’m goin’ ter have et, too! No holdin’ Bleezer Goo- gin when be gits his war-paint on,’ ‘“*T told ye ye had better git,” the mayor warned again, j **No; Pm not built that way,” averred Dick. “Tm not exactly a coward, even if I am sure of a whipping.” ‘‘Then ye owns up that I kin do it, do ye” eried the bullwhacker. ‘' That robs et of half ther fun, right at oncet, I don’t like ter go in on a sartain thing.” ‘* It will be a certain thing, sir, if size goes for anything. Come, now, let me stand treat, and so callit square, I don’t want to fight, and am vo fighter, anybow, Come, what do you say?” *Nary, sir, nary! I’m on ther rampage fer blud, and I must bave et! Put up yer bands an’ do ther best ye kin, I’m comin’ fer ye now, and I’m goin’ ter land ye on yer back ther very fu’st crack, Whoop! Clear ther track, now!” and with a wild flourish of his arms, then, in he sailed. Dick could have floored him with a single blow, as be well knew; but it would not do, He let the fellow come close to bim, parried one or two of the blows aimed at his face, and then let one strike him on the shoulder with considerable force, Over Dick went, on his back, and came almost turning a complete somerset backward, while the crowd jeered and hooted wildly, inviting him to get up and get the rest of it, and so on, Waterstone looked at Dick with something akin to disappointment in his face, ‘Git up byar,” roared the bullwhacker, ‘ Git up and git ther other piece, I have got some 4, more left, and ye may as well have ther hull lot at ther same price while ye are about et, Whoop! Come right to time, Sally. Ther band is playin’ now.” Jick got up slowly and shook bis head. ‘““That’s enougb,” be declared, ‘I know it’s no use,” ‘“‘Enough! Bless yer innercent heart, sonny, [ ain’t begun ter lick ye yet, 1 ain’t. I must have jest one more crack at ye, jest fer luck,” And with that he advanced, ‘**See here,” suddenly cried Waterstone, step- ing in his way, ‘‘if you want to tackleany- dy, tackle me, That man saved my life this afternoon, and I’m not going to stand by and see you thump him for nothing.” | **Ho-ho!” cried Mr, Googin, stopping short and making a terrible face at his new antago- nist; ‘*you want some of et, do ye? Wull, et makes no difference ter me, long as I git ther fun. Put up yer hands and git ready. Il’ll give ye a fair show fer yer money, anyhow.” Waterstone faced him, in the right attitude for business, Deadwood Dick did not like this state of af- fairs at all, It was just possible that Water- stone could whip the bravo, and what then? If Dick’s suspicion were true, would the crowd not set up the shout at once that he must be Deadwood Dick, in spite of all? then they would be taken and lynched at once, Perbaps, for Dick was ready to fight in earn- est, if it came to that, and it would be only by overpowering force of numbers that he and Waterstone could be overcome, after they had emptied their weapons, Then the thought, was it worth while to fight at all?” ** Are ye ready?” cried the bullwhacker, ‘** All ready,” was the cool response, in, if you must fight,” The fellow ‘‘ waded,” as invited, and the next he knew he was spinning toward the other end of the room, Had a mule kicked him fairly he could not have been knocked out more promptly, and it was something that made the crowd open their eyes with wonder, Dick wished be could have given his friend the warning tip, but it was too late now, aud what- ever was to come.of it he must be ready to face the storm and do the best he could under the cir- cumstances, Whoever this stranger was, he was a man of no mean caliber, as Dick now knew. How would it terminate? The crowd was shouting wildly, and ‘‘ Dead- bebe Dick” was heard on more than one man’s ips. Bleezer Googin speedily got upon his feet, glared around him in a dizzy way for a second, and then rushed to the attack again. ‘‘l’m comin’ fer yer life this byar time,” he bellowed. ‘‘No man kin do that ter Bleezer Googin andlive. Whoop! Speak fer yer ccflin, stranger, quick, Hyar’s death on a pale hoss right on yer track!” CHAPTER VII, IN A PRETTY TIGHT FIX. Mr, Gooain’s opponent did not seem to be badly frigatened, and Dick had to admire his courage, aud the manner in which he faced his oF. Dick doubted if he could have done any better himself, There the man stood, with arms up in the true fistic style, as cool as a March morning, On came the bullwhacker, regardless of con- sequences, And even a sounding thump on the proboscis did not stop him,so hard was he coming, Waterstone got in yet another, but had to fall back under the rush, and as he did so his heel caught agaiast something and be went down on his back, with the bowling giant on top of him and making for bis throat in a desperate way. lt was now Dick’s turn again, ‘“Cjome, none of that, you ruffian!” he cried. “Let the man up and fight bim fairly or not at, all,” “ Nary a let up!” cried Googin. ‘‘ Pve got him hyar, and hyar I mean ter keep him, I'll settle wi’ you when I’m done wi’ him, too, and don’t ye forget—” ' : Seeing that be was bent vpon choking Water- stone, Lick laid hold upon his collar and jerked him to his feet, ‘*You wouldn’t let up, eh?” he cried, ‘T’l) show you about that!” Mr. Googin made a brave struggle to get hold of Dick and overcome him, but be could not do it. No sooner was Waterstone freed than he was +8 Wade 7 : }
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. upon his feet, and demanded to be allowed to finish the job be had begun, “Never mind it now!” rejoined Dick, with- out effort. ‘I will finish him up, now that I have got hold of him, It won’t take me long.” | “Et won’t take ye long, won’t et!” cried the bullwhacker, ‘‘Tll show ye about that ’ar! Ill chaw ye all up afore I am done with ye, and yer—” ‘That will do,” interposed Richard, givin himashake, ‘Will you bebave yourself if f let up on you? If not, which window do you | | | | most superhuman strength, and having the van- tage hoki. of Mr, Googin, that geutleman was helpless in his bands, aterstone looked on inamazement, For the first time it occurred to him that perhaps his friend had not tried before to overcome the big ruffian, “Yas; Dll behave myself when I have laid you out,” the whacker howled, ‘I ain’t done with ye yet. Let up an’ give mea fair show, and see if I don’t put ye on yer back in jest about ther shortest—” “Ob! you are blowing,” returned Dick. | *“You bad a chance to do that when I first tackled you. Why didn’t you do it then? Come, nave you made your choice of the win- dows? If not, I'll pitch you out the nearest one,, Say quick, if you have any preferences,” “Yer can’s do et, blast ye!” ‘*}1l try and convince you otherwise, Here you go!” With a wonderful showing of muscular power, Dick whirled him around, swung him clear, and the next instant burled him forward, The man struck the window with a crash; the sash and glass flew into a thousand frag- ments, and oat went Bleezer Googin into the darkness on the other side, The crowd gave a wild shout, and as Dick turved to look for his frienc aad ally, a sur- prise met him, There stood the mayor, with half a dozen or so of bis followers, with their revolvers presented at his, Dick’s, head. “Up with yer hands!” commanded the mayor. ** Tf ye don’t, by the ’tarnal goshness ef we don’t make mincemeat of ye! We mean et this time, and no foolin’.” There was no doubting fit, and there was no chance to get out, Already es many more had Waterstone a pris- oner, and he was standing with his arms held by two men on each side of bim. In the same moment Dick was in the same fix, and both were belpless in the bands of that wild mob of Corduroy Crossing, the worst place in all the wild and woolly West. ‘“What do ye think of et now, Deadwood Dick?” the mayor demanded. ‘ Ye can’t fool us no more after that, Ha! ba! Et was a nice lit- tle trick, and et worked toacharm. Ha! ha!” ‘‘ Well, what’s on the programme now?” de- manded Dick, still as cool as ever. ¢ “We rather think a leetle hangin’-bee will be about ther proper caper now,” spoke up one man, And the mayor agreed that that would be about the right thing, under the circumstances, and suggested that the sooner it came cff the better. Long ere this the players and lookers-on in the gambling room had come out into the saloon, and among them was Nugget Nell, the gambler queen. Her face was slightly pale, She gave no attention to Waterstone, but her gaze seemed fixed upon Dead wood Dick, and her manner was slightly nervous, The bands of both men had now been bound, and they were prisoners indeed, “Hello, there, stranger!” Nugget Nell called out to Dick, Dick glanced around, and seeing who it was, responded, : ** Hello!” he exclaimed, “ You are the lady I met in vbe woods,” “You bet,” was the rejoinder. ‘* You made your boast that you weve coming here to skin the place. You don’t seem to be ina fair way for doing it just now.” “That is the way it looks, certainly,” Dick aq- mitted, ‘‘ Fate seems to be against me just now, I am sorry, too, for I wanted to tackle your gaine, after I learned that you bad a game here,” , ‘“* And I am sorry I cannot have the honor of accommodating you and relieving you of your | surplus wealth, But, the camp will pr. fit by it | when youhave been swung up. By the way, have you any last word to leave to anybody?” “Are you bonest in that?’ Dick asked, | prefer to make your exit at?” Dick Bristol], as we know, was a man of al- ; a aa a 4 a ** Honest in what, sir?’ ‘** Your offer to accept a message from me,” “To be sure Lam. If you have anything to say, the boys will let you step bere and say it, seeing that your bands are tied and you can’t get away.” Somehow Dick felt that there was an object back of ail this, so he made the request, ‘*What do you say, mayor?’ he demanded, *“*May Isay something to this young woman, since it seems pretty certain that you mean busi- ness with me?” ‘“*Yas; yer kin say what ye pleases to her, in- side of two minutes,” the mayor gave leave, ‘Let him go, boyees, and keep yer eye on bim ter see that he don’t git no chance ter break fer ther door.” ‘*No fear of my trying that,” assured the pris- oner. He was set free, except his hands, In the mean time Bleezer Googin had come back into the room, all cut and bleeding, and was loudly demanding the privilege of shooting Dick on the spot, Some of his comrades were trying to urge him out of that, since it would bea good deal more fun to hang him, but Bleezer was hard to per- suade, so as a last resort his weapons were taken from him, Dick stepped forward boldly to the gambler queen, and in whisper said: “TI believe you peune’ this thing in order to speak to me. Am I not right in my guess?” ‘“* You are,” was the low, tremulous response. “‘T am going to save you.if I can, but it may be impossible,” “T shall deem it a great favor if you can do that,” answered Dick. “Yes; [I should think you would, Life is sweet, and no doubt you want to hang on as you can, You make your lips move, now, as though you are telling me considerable of a story, while I talk to you.” Dick took the bint and acted accordingly. **T will post twoor three men whom I can trust,” the woman went on, ina rapid manner, “They will clamor for a trial before you are hanged, and it is just barely possible they will lock you up to give you the trial to-morrow. If they do that I can probably save you.” ** T understand.” ‘* Well, I will do all I can, and that is all any one can do, [ am not doing ‘it without an object, as of course you must be aware.” * Can’t you save my friend, too?” asked Dick, **T can’t promise anything for him,” answer- ed the woman, ‘It will all depend on bow we are able to work. I will do the best I can,” ** And no one can do better than that,” Dick declared. ‘If you can only manage it so that I can get free and have the use of my hands, I can take care of myself and perbaps get my pard out of the trouble.” “Tl do the best [can. There, now, no more said, or they may suspect. Go, now,” in loud tone, ‘and let them fit you with a hemp collar }” ‘You are as cruel as you are beautiful,” spoke Dick, also aloud, “ But, I am not going to quarrel with you about that, if you will only deliver the message I have given into your keeping.” ‘* Pll do the best I can, believe me,” was the response, ‘** Have you any last word tosay?” Dick asked, turning to Waterstore. ‘*No; not one,” was the sharp reply. ‘If I swing [ am going to die ga.ne, My folks will find out some time or other how I died,” By this tirne the room was in an uproar, Some of the men bad brought ropes, and they were put around the necks of the victims, ‘**Are you going to string us up without any trial?’ demanded Dick. “Ther case is dead against ye this time,” answered the mayor. ‘‘ What is ther use of a trial? You don’t need no trial, cept a trial at stretchin’ bemp.” ‘* But, this is treating us too much like com- mon horse-thieves,” Dick complained, | ‘* We have done nothing to warrant it, and I for one ohject to it. Give us a fair chance to bring proof.” ‘“-Yer objections don’t amount ter nothin’,” was the coarse retort, ‘‘ We bas got al) ther proof we wants now. We happen ter know enough about Deadwood Dick ter know that one or t’otber of ye is ther man, an’ we'll make sure by bangin’ both.” ‘We have to admit that it is inconsiderate of us to try tospoil your fun again,” said Water- stone, with grim humor, ‘‘but we are the ones with the most at stake. I propose another treat allaround. You will get more satisfaction out of that, if you only look at it in the right light.” ‘*No more foolin’ about et,” cried the mayor. ‘“‘ Bring lights, boyees, an’ we'll soon settle ther bull business.” ‘It looks pretty dubious this time, eh?” said Waterstone to Dick. ‘* Yes; it certainly does,” agreed Dick. But, Richard Bristol had been in tight places too many times to give up in despair. bile there was life there was hope, CHAPTER VIII. CAPTAIN CRIMSON AND HER MEN, BLEEZER GooaGIn, disarmed as said, was wildly urging the crowd to the lynching they proposed. All cut and bleeding, a picture of -distress generally, he had the sympathy of his admir- ers and the voice of a good many who feared him. The crowd was all of one mind, seemingly, and the mayor was not slow to take advan- tage of the general feeling. Lights having been provided, be ordered the procession to form and start. Out of the saloon poured the crowd, those with the lights leading the way and those with the prisoners, following close behind, while the mob poured after them in eager and excited haste. Little mercy might the prisoners expect here, Catching step, the crowd headed for the tree under which Waterstone had come so near to ending his eartuly career that afternoon, some of the leaders whistling a di~mal deatk-march air. Just then it looked as though there would be a banging, certainly. Meantime, no sooner bad they Jeft the saloon than Nugget Nell dashed out by a rear door. and darted off in the darkness toward the tree, Previously, sbe had spoken burriedly to two or three men, ones whom, evidently, she could trust. Under the tree was a box, as mentioned be- fore, and when the crowd reached the spot, on that box stood Nugget Nell. * Hillo!” cried the mayor, at sight of her, “‘ what ar’ you doin’ byer, Nugget Nell?” ‘““T’m here because [ have gut a word to say about this thing,” was the bold answer, “What has yer got ter say? Lev’s hear et mighty quick.” **T bave proof that ove of these men is, not Deadwood Dick,” the girl assured. “Proof! How bave you got proof?” “You all know Nugget Nell, dou’t you?” * You bet!” ** And you know there is no fooli-hness about her, don’t you?” “Yas! Yast” ** And if I chip in here you can rely on it that I know what Iam doing,sure. As I said, I have proof,” ‘“What is et? How did yer git et?” “Let me wag my china lhttle, and then I'll give you the whole plot.” ‘* All right, gal; wag ahead! ‘We knows Nug- get Nell well enough ter know that she is true blue to Corduroy Crossin’; eb, boyees?” ; Py And the boys, every one, shouted that they id, ‘*In the first place, then,” the gambler queen began, ‘‘ I bate to see two such noble fellows as these hanged witbout a fair chance for their side of the case, What if they are just our sort, and bave a mind to take hold with us bere as good and useful citizens?” ‘* We dou’t want ter trust strangers,” objected the maycr. ‘**Sides,” spoke up another fellow, “it isabout time fer us ter expect another find of ther yaller, and we don’t want strange eyes around then.” ‘* Thavs what’s the matter,” the mayor added, shaking bis head, and his two faces seemed to express strongly his objection to any such pro- ceeding as the girl had proposed. ** Well, then, if you don’t want to risk both of them, suppose you bold one of them prisonerand bang the otber? And yet that would hardly be a fair dea), Still, I have the proof that one is not Deadwood Dick.” , ‘“What’s yer proof? Ye have afore.” ‘* My proof is in the message this man,” point- ing at Dick, ‘‘ left with me, It did not strike me till you had started for the tree.” ‘*What was ther message?” **T will tell you. It was to his mother, whcse name he gave me. He said: ‘My mother’s name is Susan Douglas, and she lives at Nesbit, Ohio. Tell her that Iam dead, but do not tell her how I died, Send ber my money, if the boys will let you.’” said that
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q q q q 8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. Deadwood Dick was amazed, Here was a falsehood right out of the whole cloth, What object had this stranger in lying to save his neck from the rope? He could not under- stand, ‘‘ Nugget Nell, ar’ you tellin’ us ther gospel truth?” the mayor cried. ‘* Did you ever know me to deal in any other kind of truth?” the girl demanded, with spirit. ‘What do ye think on’t boyees?” asked the | mayor, ‘ This hyer puts a new look onto ther case, I sh’u’d opine, don’t et?’ Said one man: **T am in favor of holdin’ this feller over, anyhow, and seein’ how he will pan, Thar’s no danger that he will escape, and maybe we'll be able ter make use of him.” This was one of the men to whom the girl had spoken in the saloon. , “ Yas; and so be I,” cried another. Fer ther matter of that, et hits me that we might goa | leetle slow, anyhow. Hyar we ar’, a hull camp o’ men, ’gainst theso two, and et would bea howlin’ pity ef we couldn’t hold them prisoners,” And this speaker, too, was one to whom the girl bad spoken. It was clear sbe had influence with them. And there was yet another who voiced the sume sentiment, while the crowd as «a whole waited to see what the outcome was going to be. ‘* Let me chip in a word,” spoke up Dick, ** Waal, let’s bear from ye,” invited the mayor, ‘¢]7 don’t ask any favor of you that you can’t extend to Mr, Waterstone as well, He is a stranger to me, but during the few hours I have been in his company I have learned that be is a decent sort of fellow,” Nugget Nell frowned at this, Just here Bleezer Googin let his bazoo be heard. **Et ar’ jest as I told ye,” hecried. ‘ Et’s jest asI thort. These byar two fellers is in ca- hvots, and one is bound ter stand up fer t’otber. Mebby one ain’t Deadwood Dick, but they ar’ birds of a feather, and I’m fer seein’ ’em both stringed up jest as high as we kin b’ist ’em,” ‘* That’s ther talk!” immediatzly cried his fol- lowers, Waterstone was next to make his vuice heard, _“*T don’t want any favors at all,” he declared. ‘“‘Tf you are willing to let Mr, Douglas be held over, do it, and let me furnish amusement for you on this occasion, One dead man ought to satisfy you pretty well for one vight’s work, anyhow, boys.” This was said with all firmness and boldness, ‘“That’s about an even way ter fix et up, I opine,” observed the mayor, seeming anxious to pues all parties concerned. ‘' That's ther way order et. Take this hyar feller and lock him up fer keepin’, and lift this other one right up to ther limb. No more palaver about et,” ‘I object!” cried Dick, ‘* Make it both or neither!” ‘* Make et both and be darn to Nugget Nell!” cried Bleezer Googin. ‘* You hold your tongue, Bleezer,” ordered the spirited girl, as she took aim at him, “If you chip 1n again I'll drop you out of the race,” This, for the moment, silenced Mr. Googin, It was plain enough that Nugget Nell had power over these rough rascals. And turning immediately to Deadwood Dick, the gambler queen added, in a tone that meant business: ‘* And you, sir, if you bave got any hoss-sense in that good-looking head of yours, take the chance that’s offered you.. Nugget Nell has no more to say.” With that she sprung down from the box, and Carlo Waterstone was speedily put upon it, iu the same dangerous fix he had been in onee be- abe? It looked now as though the end’ was at and, Dead wood Dick was burried away a few yards by the meu who bad him in keeping, and the rope removed from his neck. he other rope, that to which Waterstone was looped, was at the same time cast over a limb. Just then was heard the thunder of horses’ hoofs, Everybody looked in the direction from which the sounds came, and several animals, with riders, were seen speeding toward the treé, Before anything could be said or done they were at hand, and the leader, a masked woman in crimsonys had the crowd covered with a pair of revolvers, and her voice rung out)in com- mand, ‘* Hands off that rope!” she ordered. Immediately behind her were several horse- men, each wearing a crimson hat, and each with weapons to the fore, i The woman’s order was obeyed promptly enough, for there was that in her tone which went to prove that it would be dangerous to dis- obey. ‘* Lieutenant,” the woman ordered, immediate- ly after, ‘‘ dismount and release this man, If any one offers to binder or molest you, that one will die in his tracks,” One of her men dismounted to obey the com- mand, and did obey it, without delay and with- out bindrance. He was back again in his saddle in a moment, and Carlo Waterstone was free. To this time, a period of some seconds, no dne had spoken, That is, no one in the crowd about the tree. “*Saay,” the mayor suddenly blurted oat, ‘‘ who aire you, anyhow?” ‘* am Captain Crimson,” was the prompt re- sponse, ‘ Bring that other prisoner of yours to t.e front bere!” ® One of her weapons was covering the mayor, and the other now took a threatening survey in the direction of the men who were holding | Deadwood Dick, Tt was not necessary for the captain to order, for these men brought Dick to the front at ouce, and let go of him, He was left still bound, however, but not for long. ; The woman in crimson ordered the mayor him- self to release him, and the mayor did not hesi- tate about obeying. The fact of the business was, the mayor and all his men were too surprised to do anything else than obey. Whence had come these mys- terious horsemen? What meant their presence? ‘* Now,” said the woman in crimson, further, ‘¢ restore their weapons to these men at once, or it will be the worse for all of you. Don’t delay, if you set any value on your lives, for if I order my men to fire they will shoot to kill.” ‘* What business hev you ter come hyar and interfere with what don’t consarn ye, is what I want ter know?” cried the mayor, ‘¢ Ask vo questions, but do as you are ordered, and be quick, too,” was the further command. The weapons were handed over, and Dead- wood Dick and Carlo Waterstone were,once more free and armed, though still in the midst ofa howling mob hungry for their lives, CHAPTER IX. DEADWOOD DICK RECOGNIZED, DEADWOOD Dick was puzzled, Events had crowded upon events since bis coming to the camp, Who was this woman in crimson? What her interest ‘in ‘him and the man who had come so near to hanging? If he was puzzled, no less so was everybody else in the crowd. Nugget Nell, whohad turned back when the horsemen rode up, looked the surprise she felt, ' “There!” said the woman in crimson, when her orders had been carried out to the full, ‘“*now my business with you is done for the present, men of Corduroy Crossing, It is well that you have obeyed me.” ‘‘But who in blazes are ye?” demanded the mayor. ‘ What right have ye to chip in hyar where nothin’ consarns ye? It will be bealthy fer ye to git out of byar; that is what I tell yeas a gentle hint. You bad better git right up and git, You ar’ not wanted byar.” ‘It makes little difference whether I am wanted or not,” was the retort. ‘‘I come and go as I please, Now, I am going to take your prisoners from*you, citizens, and the less kick- ing there is about it, the better for you. It will mean death for the man who iuterferes, you may depend on it.” “And what do you intend doing witb us?” queried Dick, ‘*We may be going from bad to worse, in ac- companying you,” declared Waterstone, “You can fare no worse than you would have fared bere, but for the arrival of myself and my men,” was the woman’s response, ‘A word witu you, masked woman,” spoke up Nogget Nell, alvancing fearlessly. ‘We'll bear you ” was the response, “Tt is to you alone; I have nothing to say to your mep.” “No matter, it is all the same. Speak out, or not at all,” ‘* What are these prisoners to you?” ‘‘T found them in trouble and have helped themfout, Isn’t that suflicient answer? I might ask what they are to you?” “And I must answer the same, You say you are going to take them with you, I de- mand the right to object to that regarding one of them.” : **Do you, indeed! May I inquire which one?” ‘‘ This one,” indicating Dick. ‘* Well, you cannot bave either. I know their lives are in danger here, and so shall take the men with me.” ‘Have we no voice in that matter ourselves?” asked Dick, ‘*T should think you would be only too glad to get away,” was the crimson woman’s response. “Not so. My life has beerf spared, here, and I am going to remain. I do not believe these citizens will try further violence with me.” “ You do not know them, You are risking your head in the lion’s mouth by remaining here another hour.” ** But, I do not know you.” ‘‘Tgit not enough that L tell you we are your friends?” ‘That is not so,” Dick declared. ‘‘I have no friends within miles of this section of country.” ‘You mistake, sir. Captaia Crimson and her men are your friends—the friends of any worthy person whom they may find in trouble as they found you.” ‘* Well, I will take your word for it, then, Still, you do not know that I am a worthy per- son, Not to impose upon you, [ want to tell you just what Iam. Iam a gambler, and perbaps worse, ‘* Novertheless, you are a man in danger here, and I am offering to get you safely away.” ‘On the other hand,” spoke up Nugget Nell, ‘‘T think I am able to promise him safety if he remains, What do you say, mayor?” * ‘¢ Br hits me bard that ther galoot hev showed bis true colors all along,” was tbe mayor’s com- ment. ** And you'll promise him his life if be desires to stay here?’ ‘Yas; I promise him his life, darn et.” It was, to say the least, a strange complication of matters, Dick was thoughtful for a’ few seconds, He was trying to decide what to do in the case, He had come to the camp with a fixed purpose in view. To go away would be to leave that purpose unaccomplished, He was free and arm- ed again, and had faced worse dangers, he be- lieved, than what threatened him here, ‘‘What about you?” he asked, turning to Waterstone. “Tam going to take my chances by going away with this woman and her men,” was the reply. ‘t Which shows your good sense,” the woman in crimson observed. ‘* Perhaps,” the man added, ‘‘How came you toarrive here at so opportune a moment?” he demanded, ‘Only by mere chance,” was the reply. ‘Then what brought ye here, anyhow?” the mayor wished to know. ; ‘Curiosity, sir,” was the answer to that, “‘We followed the trail, and it led us bere.” ‘“* Waal, et’s a darn good ways from nowhere to be led by chance, that’s all 1 have got ter say,” the mayor commented. ; By this time the shock of surprise the coming of the horsemen had occasioned, was beginning to wear off, and the crowd was pressing forward with familiar curiosity. “Keep your distance, men!” the woman in crimson suddenly ordered, ‘‘ You are quite near enough as it is, For the last time, stranger,” to Dick, * will you accompany us?” “To tell you the truth,” answered Dick, “TI feel a good deal safer here than I should feel with you, The citizens here are beginning to know me for what [ am, and I prefer to remain, Thanking you for your favor, nevertheless,” “You have the promise of Nugget Nell that he shall not be harmed,” the gambler queen spoke up. The woman in crimson favored the gambler queen with a hard stare; then she suddenly drew ber horse around and was ready to go, “Mount, you, bebind one of my men,” she or- dered Waterstone. ‘* And you,” to Nugget Nell, “ see to it that your word is kept. If you fail, your death will follow.” Lifting ber hand, then, she dashed away, and her men after her at full gallop, all soon to be swallowed up by the darkness, “By the ‘tarnel goshness, ef Tain’t jiggered!” ‘exclaimed the mayor. “Cant yer see through et?’ cried Bleezer Googin, ‘* They is all in cahoots, that’s what’s ther matter, and they’re all pizer death on this byar camp, or I’m a liar, and you hear me,” * And another lot of ther yaller expected at a’most any time, too,” put in the fellow who had spoken about that thing before, Deadwood Dick wondered what was meant by that odd expression, He meant to know, if life was spared him, He
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ee 4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 9 had come to this wild camp with the intention of playing a lone band, and it looked now as though he would have td play that way or not at all, since his chance ally had deserted bim, He congratulated himself again and again, in mind, upon the fact of his having left bis wife behind on setting out upon this campaign, A worse bole than Dixon's Deposit, was this, and there he had vowed that he uever would take her into another sucb place, Brave, bonny Kate had objected, of course, but, Dick’s mind made up, nothing could turn him, and so he was able to think of her as safely lodged in a hotel in a civilized town during his absence, “‘T don’t believe anything of the kind,” cried Nugget Nell, in retort to what Bleezer Googin bad said. “If that were so, this man would have gone with them, that is plain, It is possi- ble that the other fellow and the woman in crim- son were known to each other,” ** Anyhow, | know what I’m goin’ ter do,” spoke the mayor.” *» And what’s that?” asked Nell. ““T’'m goin’ ter put down ther bars, and block- ade ther camp, Nary a galoot is goiv’ out or comin’ in till after ther next yaller cloud bas passed, Thar’s too much at stake.” Again mention of the ‘‘ yellow ” something. What did it mean? Dick was puzzled for au explanation, Naturally, his mind reverted to gold, since that was often spoken of in that way. ‘* A good idea,” said the gambler queen, ‘‘ Do you hear that, Mr, Douglas? You are to be a prisoner bere for some days at least.” ‘IT care nothing for tiat, so long as I have the freedom of the camp,” was. the return, ** As I told you at first, L consider myself better off here than anywhere else, just now.” ‘* Yas; but yer hasn’t told us why,” ‘“*T beg your pardon, but I think I have ex- plained.” “ Jest do et again, then, ef yer please.” “] find that you are all against Deadwood Dick, for some reason or other, and I do not care to fallin with that gentleman.” ‘* That don’t go down,” cried Bleezer Googin. * And why not?” ‘Cause, from what we bevseen of ye, Dead- - svood Dick wouldn't bave no show in your hands, onless he’s wore’n human,” “That's jest what I can’t get out of my crop,” declared the mayor, ‘‘ Et wassimply amazin’, ther way you did boost Bleezer hyar. Et war amazin’, and that’s what I’m shoutin’.” “And ther more so, when he allowed me to knock him about like he did at ther fu’st,” Bleezer reminded, ‘* You ought to bave had sense enough to leave him alone,” said Nugget Nell, “We ain’t talkin’ about that, not er tall,” cried Bleezer. ‘* Ev’s ther facts of ther case we’re considerin’,” ‘““All simple enough, perhaps,” said Dick, speaking up. ‘'I am rather strong, I admit, but strong men are not always well posted in the fistic art. I had no desire to tackle you.” Hoofs were heard again, this time made by one horse aloue, The sound came from the direction in which the crimson woman and her men had disappear- ed, Every eye was turned in the direction of the sound, every eye except the mayor's rear pair, and in a few seconds a horseman loomed up. A few strides more by bis panting borse, and be drew rein under the tree in the circle of light made byjthe torches, and the moment be stopped his eyes seemed to fix upon Dick. ‘Deadwood Dick, by all that’s great!” he cried, CHAPTER X. A SURPRISING CONFESSION, Drapwoop Dick glared at the new-comer. It was a personage he had seen somewhere, some time. : He was recognized, beyond a doubt, now, and his plans foiled. zd byt Just when events were playing into his bands nicely, this was rough. In an instant the crowd was in a wild up- roar, and Bleezer Googin was the wildest of them all, ’ But, to keep events in order. The new-comer bad been tbe first tospeak, for his keen look at Deadwood Dick had foretold that he recognized the man. it was only a point of time, however, that the silence was maintained. ‘“‘Tiger Bill!” exclaimed the others. Deadwood Dick knew him now. mayor and A merci- less rascal who had once evaded his grip, and who was ‘* wanted.” “Yas, Tiger Bill, you bet!” the fellow ac- knowledged, ‘“What did I tell yer?” cried Bleezer Goo- gin. ‘'Didn’t I say it was Deadwood Dick? Whoop! Now we has got him, and now fer a hapgin’!” And then it was his followers whooped it up for all they were worth, to put it in that home- ly way, aud that the crowd fairly let itself loose. Dick was in danger again. Leaping upon the box, Dick brought bis re- volvers into play, and shouted: ‘Keep your shirts on, gentlemen; don’t get crazy! I am not going to fly away. What proof does this man offer for what he charges?” ‘* What proof!” cried Bleezer, ‘‘ He don’t need no proof, he don’t; we all know Tiger Bill, I reckon,” ‘* That’s the fact,” approved ** Deadwood Dick, the jig is up.” ‘You bet your life it’s up!” cried the new- comer, ‘*I know ye, Dickey, and you know me, too. I’ve got yeina4 trap this time, and if ye git out it won’t be any fault o’ mine,” ‘Hang him! Hang bim right here and now!” shouted Bleezer, ‘* That’s ther talk!” echoed the crowd, ‘* We don’t want no blamed detectives around hyar!” ** And jest now least of all,” Tiger Bill put in. ** Thar’s a yaller cloud comin’ this way, aud ivi be hyar before midnight, or orter be,” Again mention of that mysterious— What? ‘* Hang bim!” cried the crowd. * Yank him!” * String bim right up!” Nugget Nell sprung upon the box beside Dick. She, too, had a brace of fivers in her shapely hands, and her expression of face was grim and determined, “Go a little slow with this funeral!” she ordered, coolly. ‘‘ You have got to keep your word, men of Corduroy, or Nugget Nell throws up the sponge and drops out of your game,” ‘** But, durn et, gal, we bas ther proof, now!” urged Bleezer, ““And ye know what Deadwood Dick’s pres- enc3 hyar means, don’t ye?’ demanded the mayor. ** It will probably mean death to the first man who attempts to lay a hand on bim, the way he is armed and ready for business,” the girl re- winded, ‘*And do you mean ter stand up fer him, Nugget Nell?’ cried Tiger Bill, ‘* T intend to be as good as my word,” was the curt response, ‘*And what was yer word, then?” ““T bave promised him that his life shall be spared, and so has the mayor, and we are going to stick to it,” **'You’re a fool, and the mayor is anotber! Double-face, is this your say-so, too? Are ye sech a foo] as ter Jet a man like Deadwocd Dick git out of yer bands when ye hey got him?” ‘*No, et ain’t my say-so at all!” avowed the mayor. ‘*When I promised Nell that he shouldn’t be harmed, I had made up my mind that he couldn’t be Deadwood Dick; but now we have got it straight from you that he is.” ** And will ye let him break up our game here? I'tell ye ther yaller is comin’ right soon, and he pone be put out of ther way afore ther cloud gits yar. ** Nell, ye see how et ar’,”the mayor urged, ‘**T can see just how it is,” was the response. **] have given this man my word that he shall not be hanged to-night, and I’m going to stick to it, If this camp can’t hold him prisoner for one night, you had better close shop and go out of business, thet is all about that,” ‘* Besides,” remarked Dick, ‘* before you can do any hanging, there will be a terrible ruction here, and just about ten good men will bite the dust, Here are ten pills, and each one is good for a life, Think twice before you act. Besides, there may be danger from other quarters,” ‘* What do ye mean by that?” ‘Well, you hold that 1 am Deadwood Dick, Suppose I am; can you imagine that Deadwood Dick would come here to play a lone hand against a whole camp? Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to suppose that he would come with plenty of backin,z?” , “Just chew on that for a second, and make up your minds,” added Nell. ‘I am either Me you or against you, just as you will have t. «Tye hear that?” cried Bleezer Googin. ‘‘ He ‘mits that be is Deadwood Dick now, an’ he peony defies us, Ar’ we goin’ ter stand that? ae I should surrender my gall ef J think so / the mayor, “But, et ain’t only ther galoot now,” remind- ed the mayor; “ hyar’s Nugget Nell backin’ bim. Say, Nell, what has come over ye? Don’t ye know that ther safety of this camp *pends on ther death of Deadwood Dick?” “* Don’t it look rather as though the safety of a good many of you depends 9n 4is life?” Nell demanded, ‘* But, why ar’ you backin’ him, that’s what J want ter know.” ‘“*And you do know, Double-face; because I have given my word, and Nugget Nell’s word is her bond, every time,” ‘““Wull, what’s ther odds?” cried Tiger Bill. “ Hyar’s yer hull camp ter keep him prisoner, and et would bea howlin’ pity ef you couldn’t hold onto one man, even 2f 3b is Deadwood Dick, Lock him up, and so save a fuss,” ‘) think Pll have something to say about that myself,” spoke up Dick. ‘*I don’t propose to be either banged or locked up. What are you going to do about it?” ‘Dye hear that?” cried Bleezer. what he’s sayin’ to us?’ ‘ Pernaps you would like to take him in hand and teach him a lesson,” suggested Nugget Nell. ‘‘ Not any, ef yer pletise, Miss Nelly.” “Then don’t be shooting off your mouth so much, Ill propose something to you, boys.” ‘*Wull, what ar’ et?” inquired the puzzled mayor. ‘* You know what we have promised the :nan, that he shall not be hanged.” ee eas ** Well, there’s nothing against our holding him prisoner ln the camp,. You can puta guard so strong that he can’t get away, and let him have the freedom of the island.” ‘“*You may safely do that, gentlemen,” said Dick, in his quiet way. ‘‘I assure you that I bave no inteation of going away. What is more, you may appoint a committee of ten or a dozen to wateb me, If I am Deadwood Dick, as this fellow bas declared, you will have me here just as safely as though ycu were to lock me up.” Me Ef ye ar’ Deadwood Dick!” cried Tiger Bill, ‘‘ Thar’s no ef about et; et’sa dead sure thing. I know ye, me noble Richard, Ef ye git away from byar et won’t be no fault o’ mine.” ‘: What do ye say, boyees?” asked the mayor. ‘* Ef et wasn’t fer Nell, we know what we’d do, migbty qaick; but as et ar’—” ‘“ Does ther gal forget that ther yaller is com- in’?’ cried Tiger Bill. ‘*T forget nothing,” said the « bler queen. ‘* Before we let him go we can nate nim swear not to reveal what he knows. Deadwood Dick is not the man to break a pledge, if what we have heard of bim is true.” “All right,” the new-comer agreed, ‘‘ I’m satisfied with et that way ef ther mayor is, We'll take keer that he don’t git away with no secrets, anyhow; leastways I will meself.” With tbat be turned his ‘horse in the direction of the Howler Saloon avd went cff, This act on his part decided the matter, and weapons were pu@ away and the crowd began to disperse. ‘* This hyar settles et fer ther time bein’,” said the mayor. ‘“]’m goin’ ter keep an eye on you, thougb, stranger, and you don’t want ter try no trick." ‘“*That’s what I would call a clean bluff,” cried Nugget Nell, as she sprung lightly down from the box. ‘Come on to the Howler, pard, | and I'll see to it that this.crowd don’t harm you,” : “Much obliged for your interest and help,” acknowledged Dick, ‘‘ but I would have made a lively circus for them,"even if you badn’'t backed me, Well, now it seems settled that I am Dead- wood Dick. All rigbt: since they have torced the title upon me I will play in that role.” “Then you do admit it?” “Have you any doubt about it, after that fel- | low recognized me?” ** Well, no: but then it’s something further to hear it from your own lips. Do you mean it?’ ‘“‘T mean it in the way I indicated, It is forced upon me; I accept it, and will strive to do justice to Deadwood Dick's reputation, that’s al]. You hear what I say, men of Corduroy.” The crowd was moving off, but enough bad heard his words to spread it around that the man admitted his identity. Dick walked toward the saloon in company witb the queen, ‘*Do you know what I have risked in be- friending you to the last?” the young woman asked, in low tones, ~ ‘*Considerable, I can well imagine,” was Dick’s answer, f ‘Pye hear ie +)
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10 after I close my game.” ‘you see I am idle,” Deadwood Dick, “Everything,” was the assurance. ‘‘ Even my life. If you get away from here, and barm comes to the c. mp, it will be all up with Nugget Nell.” ¥ ‘‘Then you were foolish to risk so much, that’s all,” asserted Dick, “Tt is said that woman is foolish in a good many things,” was Nell’s rejoinder. “ Why did you do it?” Dick inquired, nothing to you.” ‘Tam going to tell you why I did it, if you will tell me candidly one thiag.” ** What is that?” “ Are you, truly, Deadwood Dick?” ‘Well, yes, I am! Tiger Bull spoke the truth,” ‘* Then listen to my confession: Ihave often heard of you, and you have been my hero for many aday. Call me foolish if you will, Dick, but I love you, and would like to join my fate to yours, What do you say?” CHAPTER XI. RICHARD IN LIMBO, DEaDWoop Dick was amazad, Here was something that was morethan a sur- prise. He said nothing at first, but gave vent to his feelings in a low whistle, ‘ T have surprised you?” the girl asked. “‘ Well, rather,” was Dick’s admission. ‘* You can’t mean it.” “But I do mean it, though. you see me, aud you have seen that [ have some nerve.” *“T should say you have. But, I know nothing about you, and you know nothing about me save what you bave heard at second-hand, This is rather sudden,” ** Yes, [ admit all that, and you will say that it is wrong for me to act as [ have in the mat- ter. Very well, I can stand that, A woman ought to have the same right as a man to make love.” “There is something in that, certainly. As it is now, woman has to take a back seat in such matters, and ber choice cannot be expressed, She is the creature of chance, as it were, era e rating patiently to be drawn by some- “Tam Lam just what y. “Thav’s it, exactly, Well, no more now: Here we are at the Howler, You are putting up ate Bang-up, are you not?” * Yes, “So am I, I will manage to see you there ‘All right, if 1 am alive by that time, I expect nothing else than a grand ruction here,” **[ don’t think so, They know that I am for ou, and they have a wholesome respect for ugget Nell, even if I am little.” They entered the Howler together, and Nell proceeded at once to her room, Dick paused for a few minutes in the saloon proper, where be braved the hard looks and sco wls of the crowd, Finally he went on into the gambler queen’s domain, where Nugget Nel] was now seated at her table, ready to resume the business that had been interrupted, Dick’s entrance brought in the crowd, ** Well, sir, you have said you came here for the purpose of skinning the camp,” the young woman reminded, “Ts that an invitation to begin right here?” asked Dick. **You may take it that way if you want to; ** What is your limit?” ** One thousand dollars, for the balance of this evening.” ** That is rather light.” **You may find it heavy enough, before you are done,” * Well, I'll risk it, anyhow.” Dick made a purchase of chips, and the game commenced, There was a crowd around the table, and no one else offered to play, wanting to see how this test of skill would turn, Little need to describe the playing at length. Dick lost at every turn, no matter bow well be calculated the chances in his favor on different plays, and was unable to detect anything like cheating. At the end of an hour he arose from the table minus his thousadd dollars, ** Well, what do you think about it now?” asked Nugget Nell, smiling. *“*] think you are the most expert hand with the erence I ever saw,” Dick answered, ** You did not detect any cheating, did you?” * Not a bit.” ** And you played your best.” i ‘Yes, I certainly did, You are best man, so to say,” “Very well, take it as areminder of what you may expect if you play further. You stand po chance with Nugget Nell.” ‘*] believe you, though I do not understand how it is, Anybow, I bave had enough for to- night, and I’ll go over to the hotel and enjoy a smoke and then to bed.” “Don’t forget.” **T won't,” This lust, as Dick well knew, referred to some- thing else, 1t was to remind him of what the girl bad said about seeing him at the hotel after she closed her game, Making sure that his weapons were in position for instaut use, Dick passed out into the saloon proper, where he loitered for a few minutes, In an idle way he took note of who was pres- ent and who was nof, so far as his memory of faces would serve 41m, and be was speedily made aware that Bleezer Googin, Tiger Bill, and some others, were not there, Richard exchanged some civil words with one or two men, including the proprietor, and went out into the night, It was dark, and many of the lights were now out, He knew the way well enough, however, for itdid not take Dick long to get the locations in a new place, Stepping out boldly in the direction of the Bang-up Hotel, he got away from the vicinity of the Howler as soon as he could, keeping a wary eye for danger. He saw no one, as he advanced, and had cov- ered half the distance to the hotel before any- thing happened. Something did happen, then, and in a way so unexpected that he was taken altogether at a disadvantage. The first alarm he had was when he heard a “swish!” right at his feet, and then it was too late for him to profit by it, for somethirg struck his feet with great force and be was sent forward upon his face on the ground, So heavily was he thrown, too, that for a second he was dazed, and before he could recover, several men pounced upon him and he was quick- ly gagged and bound, Not aword had been spoken, and as soon as they had made him secure bis captors picked him OP and bore him away, y this tiine Dick had recovered from the shock, but it was now too Jate, and he was a prisoner in the hands of bis worst foes, He could not see them to recogniz3 them, but had no doubt that Bleezer Googin and Tiger Bill were in the party. He was taken off at right angles from the trail that led around to the hotel by the lake, and car- ried off into the woods. Just how far he was taken, he could not tell, but judged it to be about half a mile. When the men stopped they laid him on the ground, and one made a light. The light revealed Googin and Tiger Bill as the leaders, ‘‘ Waal, hvar ye be,” observed Bleezer, with a grin. ‘* Yas, and hyar ye will stay, fer some time, I’m thinkin’,” added Tiger. “Ens a pity not ter hang bim right up ter oncet,” declared one man. ‘‘ Et’s ther safest.” “You ar’ right,” agreed Tiger Bill, ‘* With ther yaller expected at avy hour, we don’t want no outside eyes and ears around byar.” ‘* Nobody is more fer hangin’ him than I am,” cried Googin. ‘*Say ther word, wld man, and we'll yank him right up jest as high as ever he will go, I’m teHin’ ye: What yer say? Said one man: “T can’t gree to et, pards, fer Nugget Nell would be after us like grim death hot-shod.” ‘* That’s the fack,” another supported, ‘‘ Bet- ter stick to ther fu’st plan, an’ let ’em take chances afterwards, That’s ther-safest,” ‘* And,” put in-another, ‘‘ef et comes to ther pinch, darn me ef I wouldn’t ruther have Deadwood Dick, after me than Nugget Nell, A woman is a scorcher when she gits after a fel- ler’s blood,” To settieit, it was put to vote then and there, and one in the majority gave Dick the benefit of imprisonment, By the light of the torch he was able to take in the surroundings. He was in a sortof gully, deep in the woods, and at the right was what had the appearance of being a cavern, Such it’ was, in fact, and after the vote he was picked up again and carried into it and taken to thefrear, wberejbe was laid down on the hard floor, The cavern was a small one, not more than thirty feet deep, but it answered the purpose on | this occasion, | “Thar!” exclaiméd Tiger Bill, savagely, ‘‘I guess ye wull keep byar till you ar’ needed,” “ And | wheu yer is wanted, my opine is that et wull t ‘‘ Yer kin bet on’t,” added Bleezer, | be to tend yer own hangin’, We'll talk Nell | into et by that time.” Dick could not make response, of course, he- ing gagged, end after some further tauuts the rascals went off and left bim there alone with his thoughts, Aud they were not of a cheering nature. “Tf I could only have been free, with my weapons in hand,” be said to bimself, “I would have made a place of mourning of this cavern, if these fellows have any one to mourn for them at all. But, they have got the bulge on me, and bad. I guess my lone band game is all up.” His thoughts went over the whole ground, ; and there was one thing that puzzled bim greatly. That was, concerning what could be meant by the mention of *‘ yellow” that had been made so mavy times, What could it be that was expected? Of what nature, that it must be kept so secret? What, besides gold, was commonly called ‘* yellow?” Dick was, as said, puzzled, Just here it may not be out of place to state what business had brought him to this berder town of Corduroy Crossing. First, however, a word about the place itself. It was near the Canada line, and the lake, the northern end of it, laved the shore of the Do- minion, Tbe Line was only a few miles distant from the camp, and it had been suspected for some time that smuggling was going on by way of this lake and the camp that occupied the island. One reason, it was known that the mines at Corduroy Crossing bad long since played out, so that the camp could no longer draw its support from them. Then, too, it had no other visible means of support. These facts had been noticed by the Government men. Finally, Deadwood Dick, he being selected as the most expert and daring of all the Westerm detectives, had been requested to go to the place, get at the secrets it might hold, and proceed ac- cording to his own judgment against the deni- zens of the‘hard bole, calling for help if needed. Anyhow, to report, | i As stated further back, he bad not allowed his wife to accompany bim on this trip. Knowing the place by repute, he considered if altogether unfit for her, and so had left her at a hotel in a little city miles away, It looked now as though his mission was going to prove a failure, He believed that smuggled goods would pass through the camp that night, and here he was, a belpless prisoner, ‘* Little wonder that he felt sour end disgusted. CHAPTER XII. CAPTAIN CRIMSON AGAIN, LEAVING Dick fora moment, let us learn what became of Carlo Waterstone, Mounted behind ene of Captain Crimeon’s men, he was taken rapidly out of one danger, but he could not be sure that he was not going straight into another, He knew not who this woman in crimson was, and her men were certainly equal to overcoming bim, That, however, did not trouble bim, for it had been certain déath to remain at the camp. Captain Crimson led the way up the trail and over the corduroy road to the woods on the north side, Once over the bridge, she touched ber borse aod went forward ata lively pace, and paused not until something more than half a mile had been covered, Finally she called a halt, and when all had stopped, ordered one of her men to produce a light, which was quickly done, ; seven of the men, the woman and the prisoncr making nine all told, Taking the pocket torch from the hand of the man who had lighted it, the woman in crimson rode up to Waterstone and looked searchingly at bis face, ‘ “ You will’admit that I have saved your life, I suppose,” she observed, when evidently satisfied with her scrutiny. “T admit it willingly,” was the prompt re- sponse, *‘ and must thank you for it.’ ‘““No thanks are necessary. Are you willing to prove that you are insome measure tuank- ful?’ ““Why, certainly, madam, If there is any way in which I can repay the favor, you have only tocommand me, Try me and see,” There were . ee ee eee
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ee - — _—' Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 12Z **T would suggest that you do not go into danger at the island at all, but let me and my men do the work for you.” ‘it is useless to suggest that, I must be where danger is.” ‘“So 1 knew you would say. I have noth- ing to offer further, then, but you may depend op us when you need us.” All the men echoed this promise, ‘‘ Before I dosoI must know who and what you are,” ‘That is asking a good dea], when I do not know jou,” **You ought to know me to be a friend, at least.” ** Such I believe you are, but perhaps your re- gard might change were you to know just who and what I am.” ‘It is quite possible; but I give you my prom- ise not to harm you, no matter in what regard I may be led to hold you when [ know all.” “Suppose you learn that I am an outlaw, red- handed and merciless.” “That I cannot believe.” ** You do not answer.” “‘ Well, even in that case I promise you your freedom if you will help me in a certain work I have to do,’ ‘* That is fair enough, certainly. But, on the other hand, what if I prove to be a detective, and perhaps your worst enemy, if you are not honest?” **T only wish you were a detective, that is to say—a Government detective, for then I could depend on you.” ‘* What is the business you have for me to do, if I may ask?’ ‘*T want you to assist me in rescuing Dead- wood Dick from tbe bands of the bad men of the camp we just left,” “Ha! Perhaps you want to get hold of him to bang him?” ** Not so; but to save his life, which I know is in danger there, Will you aid me?” , ‘‘One question first: Are you sure that man is Deadwood Dick?” ‘‘Tam, There is no doubt about that. Why tain Crimson declared. ** Now, Mr. West,” the woman added, turning to him, “‘ what manner of disguise are you able to assume?’ **] will dismount and show you in a few mo- ments,” was the response; and with his words the man slipped down from the horse he was LD. ‘*You will allow me to step out of sight for a moment?” he asked. ‘‘One of my men will accompany you,” was the response. ** Very well; I have no objection.” He walked a little distance up the trail, one of the horsemen with him, and was gone per- haps five minutes, When he returned, the transformation in his appearance was wonderful, He was a rough- looking miner, with red shirt and slouch bat, and with hair and beard of a rusty red. The woman looked at him in surprise, * Are you thesame man?” she asked. ‘““No, marm;” wasthbe response. “I’m now Ben West, a miner, sort o’ prospectin’ ’round in these byar diggin’s,” The disguise was complete, and by it the man proved his claim to being a detective, He looked larger than he had before, but that was owing to the fact tbat be bud the shirton over his other clothes, Captain Crimson laughed. ‘You are a good one,” she declared, ‘ Re- main here fora minute and I will show you what J can do.” Going up the trail a little distance, the woman dismounted, and when she came back, leading her horse, she was bardly to be recog- nized, In fact, she could not be recognized as the same person. She wore rough, common clothes, and looked a worthy life-partner to the detec- tive now in the garb of a rough miner, ‘*T selected, this.from amoung three.or four disguises I have rolled up in my blanket,” she said, “thinking it the most fitting one to go with yours, I can go into the camp with you as your wife, if you think that will do,” “*T have no doubt about it. But, are we to go now, or wait till morning?” ‘““We will go as soon as possible, Great danger may tbreaten Deadwood Dick even now do you ask?” ** Perbaps Iam more a foe than friend to him.” “If I thought that, you would not escape us to do him harm,” ‘Then you do not believe it.” **T do not.” ‘*One question more,” 6 Ask it, sir.” ‘If the man is Deadwood Dick, he has come here with a purpose, Are you willing to lend him the aid of yourself aud men in carrying out that purpose?” “Tam. To tell you the truth, that is what has brought us here,” “Well, I can believe you. Anyhow, I am go- ing to trust my secret to you. Iam a detective, and my business here, or at the camp, was to learn what I could and report to my superiors,” ‘* Your name is—” “ My name here is Carlo Waterstone.” “‘T am asking you for your true name, sir,” “ Well, having told you so much I see ho harm in telling you more, <A fellow may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb, I suppose. My true name is Ben West,” _ “T have heard of you. Now I believe you are telling me the truth, It is your duty to rescue Deadwood Dick from his enemies if you can, Why did you desert him and leave bim there?’ “Now, Lady Crimson, that is ratber rough,” the man asserted, “ Did you not force me to ac- company you? But, that was my plan, anyhow, when the chance offered. To remain there meant death, E:caping, I meant to go back at once, in disguise, and so be ready to help Dick. He stood by me like @ man and id sball do all I can to serve him.” ; ‘Good, We now understand each other, I want you to go back there with me, this very night, and see that Dick comes to no harm,” “7 am willing, if you can disguise yourself,” ‘* Have no doubt about that, for I can do it. Ihave asked this of you, because you ought to know the camp better than I or my men,” ‘“* Very well; be it as you say.” The woman now had no mask on, but a coarse wig, and a horribly dirty and badly wrinkled face hid ber identity completely. She looked a toothless hag, almost, but her form gave the lie to that, to the close observer, The detective knew that she was not what she appeared, A consultation followed, in which all the men were allowed to express opinions and offer suggestions, and fivally everything was ar- ranged as far as could be, and they set out upon the back trail, At the beginning of the corduroy road they parted company, the lieutenant taking the men and horses around to the shore of the lake, where he was to enter the water with them and swim to the island at the point to which the detective had directedgoim; while the woman and the detective went across the corduroy on “ Perhaps I do; but, what of your men while | foot. we are there?” The night was dark, as it bas been described “JT had thought to leave them on this side, | already. within calling distance.” “Too faraway. They must be on the isiand, If wanted, they wil] be wanted inabhurry.” . ““ Have you a plan, then?” ST have,” ** What is it?” “Have the men swim their horses to the island, landing behind the bluff on the other side of the hotel, and there remain.” * But, will they not be in danger there?” “ Undoubtedly ; but not in so much danger as you will be there without them to back you,” Perhaps you are right, Lieutenant, what do you think about it?” ’ bis to one of the men, ‘It is all right,” was the response. “ You have only to order us, lady, and we obey.” ** Have you nothing else to offer? No sugges- tion to make?” iD When they reached the island, they walked silently aad carefully, and stepped upon the oo without attracting the attention of the guar . Proceeding along the edge of the marsh, they soon came to the lake, and continuing on, passed the hotel and proceeded on around to the point where the horsemen were expected. In due time the lieutenant and men, with every horse, emerged from the water and entered under the sheltered nook at the foot of the bluff, Here, final plans were laid, and the old miner ann ae pretending wife made their way to the otel, What would be the outcome of their strange undertaking remained to be seen. haba first business was to find Deadwood ick, Se ‘Very well; tbat will be the plan, then,” Cap- ! CHAPTER XIII. ” DICK IN THE CRUCIBLE. To Deadwood Dick the time passed slowly ° enough, It seemed that his mission to the island samp had been a dead failure. There was little pros- pect that he would be ableto accomplish any- thing. Still, he kad come there to play a lone band, and Dick was a fellow who generally carried out what he undertook, if it was possible to do so; and he had a way of overcoming seeming impossibilities, The fix he was in now, however, was one that he could not get out of without some outside help. Tiger Bill and Bleezer Googin had made a good job of securing him, and try as he would he could not loosen bis bonds to any degree, And to look for help was like hoping against hope, But, was it so hc peless? He remembered Nugget Nell and the strange confession she bad made to him, Not finding him at the hotel, would she not be likely to bunt for him? And if she knew the island well, as she must, would she not find him? There was certainly something in this to give him hope, for bis foes could not know of the confession the girl had made, and would not think of watching her very closely, Dick was not far away from the truth in his calculations, A cousiderable time had passed, when he im- agined he heard some one moving at the en- trance to the cavern, He listened attentively. Yes, sure enough, he was not mistaken, Was it friend orfoe? He waited for some demonstration from the in- truder, It came, Dick?” So a woman’s voice spoke, in cautious tone, Dick gave a start. The voice was not unlike that of his wife, brave Kodak Kate’s, he thought, Could it be that it was she? No; impossible? It must be Nugget Nell, and it was certain enough that she was not Kate, * Dick?” So the voice called again, the person having advanced into the cavern a little distance, Being gagged, Dick could only utter a groan in response, ‘ ‘* Dick, is 1t you?” the woman asked. Dick responded with a sound that was as near a ** Yes” as he could utter, In a moment more the person was at his side, ber hands caressed bis head, and she whispered: ‘*l am so glad I have found you. It was a rascally trick they played you, but I will make them sorry for it, you bet, Til strike a light,” Se had brought a piece of candle with her, in her pocket, and lighting that she was able to see and be seen by the man she hl come to rescue, It was Nugget Nell, as Dick had guessed, / ‘*They left you gagged, did they? she cried. ‘*[ was sure of it, the way you answered me, I'l soon relieve you of that fix.” Findiug a place where she could stand the candle, she quickly removed the gag and gave Dick the liber ty of speech, so to say. ‘* You have done me a grent favor, Nell,” Dick hastened to say. ‘But, do not stop at this, but free me altogether,” **T am going to do that,” was the response, ** but only on condition.” ‘“* da! then you are not so much my friend as [ had hoped.” ‘Tl am more’ your friend than any one else in the world, Deadwood Dick.” ‘*“Now is your time to prove it,” Dick re- minded. ‘* Have you so soon forgotten what I told you?” *‘No; and am not likely to forget it.” “T must have your answer before I release you.” “You must not forget that you are a stranger to me.” **T do not overlook that. Iam willing to tell you all about myself, and then receive your de- cision.” : “ And what if [ cannot comply with your re- quest?” “‘T only hope it will not be that, Dick. That will mean death for me—death for both of us.”’ Dick felt that he was in a delicate dilemma here, He did not know what to think of this Nugget Nell; it looked es though sbe must be a trifle un- balanced in mind. She had declared that she loved him. bad pro- posed that they join hands :n the work he was
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12 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. doirig—that was, he understood her, that he make her bis wife, . That was simply impossible, He could not do anything of that sort, ncr could he promise any- thing of the kind. And yet bis life, it seemed, hung in the balance. He knew not what to do for the best. * You will agree,” he remarked, ‘‘that I ought to know all about you before I come to any agreement with you. Also that I must un- derstand fully just what you mean, Do not hesitate about speaking rigbt out plainly, since ‘you seem so much in earnest,” ‘That is what I mean to do—speak plainly. I have told you that [have long admired you as my hero, for your name has long been known tome. And now having met youl love you fondly and dearly. I am taking the right to speak my mind boldly. Will you make me your wife?” ‘That is asking a good deal, Nugget Nell.” ‘*T know it is, butLam willing to give you my love and life.” ** How do you know that I am worthy of so much, every other consideration aside in the matter?” ** Because you are Deadwood Dick.” ‘* You seem to think that is everything to be considered.” ‘it is enough for me, I ask nothing, only that you will let me be with you, your slave if you will,” ** The wife of Deadwood Dick could be nothing but bis equal, Nugget Nell, You had better take more time to consider about this. Wait till you know me better.” ‘*T know you well enough. I must bave your answer this hour, or it will be too late forever, Can you not see and believe that I am true and earnest in what I propose? But, you would know more about me,” **T must know all about you.” ‘*T will tell you, holding nothing back. I will lay the truth before you, and then await your decision.” **Go ahead. I do not pledge myself to any- thing, bowever, so if you have anything to with- hold, do not speak it.” ‘* Would I keep anything back, after the great request I have made? Could I bold anything untold? Would it be rigbt to do so?’ ** You are the best judge of that, perhaps,” ‘Yes; I am the best judge of that. My name is Nellie Fenton, and I was born and reared at a village in Washington. Of my early life there is nothing to tell. I am of good family, and my parents are respected people. At the age of sev- enteen I loved—loved too well, and have suffered the penalty. But { have bave had my revenge, for Thaniad down my destroyer and killed him in a duel. Before that time, and since that time, no reproach can be laid against me, You bave heard all.” For a moment Dick was silent, ah woman’s story, so evideutly true, touched im, ** Nugget Nell,” he presently spoke, ‘‘ your sad story reminds me of what One has said,—some- thing about the man without guilt throwing the 4 first stone. Itisnot for metvu condemn you, [| am sorry for you, and were I free to love and wed, your story should be nothing in the way, provided it is true in every particular.” And true it is, I swear it.” ** Will you take a word of advice from me?” “ What is it?’ ‘Give up this wild lifeand return to your home,” The young woman laughed in a hollow, scorn- ful way. ‘Do you think I would creep back to the arents who thrust me from them like some foul eper? NotI! Nugget Nell has morespirit than that.” ** The poor fools!” Dick grated, ‘‘It woulddo ‘ me good to read them a lecture. But, have you takeu in what I said? If 1 were free tolove and wed— Do you not comprehend—” “Heavens! Then you are not free?” i “JT am not. Listen, and if you are a true 4 woman you will respect mein what I say, and accept the situation,” The girl’s face became hard in it’s lines, ‘Tell me,” she said, ‘Well, let me ask, first, what is your inten- tion if I tell you what you propose is impos- sible?” You have told me that already. I have told you that I love you, andl meanit. If 2 cannot re _ bave your love, no other woman shall,” Pye. ett ‘*Then you will leave me here, to be dealt with 2 ne ~ according to the pleasure of my foes? I cannot ee the believe that you would take my life with your re own hand, for that would be poor satisfaction.” Oa, Rh Miah», Lang Se _— : 2 : —— = “We will die together, Deadwood Dick.” Dick read in her eyes that she meant it, and also that her mind was not right, Whatever her trouble bad been, and it was evidently just as she had explained, 1t had turned her brain, “ How much time will you give me to decide?” he asked, “Five minutes,” was the answer. ‘' You can decide one way or the other in that time.” ‘** Will you not give metwenty-four hours?” ““That would be too late, They will bang you at daylight, if you are here and alive then,” Then, by accepting your offer, proving false to myself and to everything else in the world, you would save my life?” “*T would—I will,’ was the answer, ‘‘ We will get away from here together, and no one here wil] ever hear of us agaiv. We _ live to- gether, Dick, or together we die.” ‘*But, can you not understand from what I have said that it is impossible for me to make you my wife ?” ‘*Then you have a wife?” **T have.” “That settles it. Icould be nothing to you, if not your lawful wife, so we must die together, 1 will not allow another to possess you.” ‘** Listen, Nell: Deadwood Dick is no coward, and bas faced death too many times to be afraid of it now, I have the best, the truest wife man ever had, and under no consideration would 1 be false to her, not even to save my life. On the other band, I am not so mean acur as to gain my freedom by making false promises to you. What you bave proposed is simply impos- sible, Do you not see that it is?” The young woman’s fair head had dropped forward upou her breast, and she was for a mo- ment silent. When she looked up, tears were in her eyes, and she said: gwen that it is impossible, I am done with ife, CHAPTER XIV. DICK’S TIMELY DELIVERANCE, DEapDWwoop Dick was in an unpleasant situa- tion, truly. Not only was he powerless to prevent the girl from doing the rash act she contemplated, but his own life was in danger, Even as she spoke, Nell took a revolver frem a pocket in a fold of ber dress and toyed with it, cocking it and rubbing her hand along its st.ooth and polished barrel, Dick did not long delay speaking, If possible, he must dissuade the girl from the deed she intended doing, ‘* Before you put an end to things, Nellie,” he said, ‘let us consider the matter further. After you shoot it will be too late.” She was seated on the ground beside him, and at this she laid down the weapon and leaned for- ward as if hoping that her threat bad led him to change bis mind, or as if a new hope had been born. ‘What have you to say?” she sadly asked. ‘‘Thave always held,” Dick made response, ‘that the person who commits suicide does both a foolish thing, and a cowardly act,” ‘On that point we do not agree, Whatif the future has no hope in it, isit worth while to live on in dark despair? I think not.” “The future,” rejoined Dick, ‘is something that we cannot see, Persons bave, in a dark hour, killed themselves, when, bad they lived a day longer—in some cases even an hour longer —everytbing would have been bright again in their lives,” “They could no& worry about what they never knew, that is certaip.” ‘*Nor could they recall the rash ect, no mat- ter bow necessary it might be for them to do so were it possible.” “But, what reason have J to live longer?” asked the girl, ‘“‘For the very reason,” answered Dick, “that you do not know what the future has for you,” ra Cav you see anything bright in the pros- ct? **T cannot see one way or the other, A day may bring you more happiness than you have ever dreamed of,” ‘““My dream of happiness ends. here, Dead- wood Dick. I have loved you long, and had long hoped to meet you and win your love in return, Now that we have met, it is to learn that you bavea wife.” “That dream is folly,” said Dick. ‘ You will soon forget me in the love of some more worthy man, Nugget Nell. However, and be the outcome what it may, I must be true to the woman who is my wife, and whom I love with all the force of my nature. You would be—” Dick saw a shadowy form creeping toward them, the form of a woman. Not’a sound did the moving figure’ make, but came on like a shadow in fact, and straight to- ward Nugget Nell. | **T would be—what?” the girl asked. “ You would he foolish to kill yourself for so hopeless a cause,” ‘ Because it is hopeless is the strongest rea- son why I should kill myself,” was the ar- gument, ‘I sball only change my mind in one particular.” ‘* And in what is that?” | ‘*T shall let you live. That will be proof that I loved you.” } ‘*'You love me, and yet would leave me here bound and helpless, to be hanged to-morrow? A | strange love that is,” ‘‘T dare not free you, for I know you would balk my purpose, But, stay; I wiil free your feet, and you will be able to help yourself more then. I must not delay.” ‘*T wanted to talk with you further, Nell,” Dick still parleyed, to gain time, The woman was stealing nearer and nearer, step by step, and Dick was moving about rest- lessly, in order to disguise any noise she might make, He knew not who she was, but she had lifted her finger in warning to him, and he believec that her intention was to rescue the misguided young woman before she could do herself harm, ‘* What more would you say to me?” the girl asked, ‘1 wanted to question you about this camp of Corduroy Crossing.” ** There would be littie use in that, for I would not disclose the secrets of the island to you.” “Not even had I been able to grant your wish?” ‘* In that case I would have done your bidding ‘ no matter what the risk or cost, Dick.” ‘* What was meant by what Tiger Bill said to- night, about the coming of tue yellow? What did he refer to that he called the ‘ yellow’?” “‘T cannot tell you. You will never know, for by the time you get out of bere the cloud, as they called it, will have passed, But, enough, for wy mind is fully ade up. Think of me as one—’’ Sbe had taken up the revolver, and was turn- ing it toward herself, when the woman behind ber sprung forward and seized her, The weapon was discharged, but the bullet did no harm, and the next moment Nugget Neil was lying on her back with the other woman holding her there by sheer force. At the same time beavy steps were heard run- ning toward the spot. In a moment a rough-looking man, evidently aminer, was on hand, and Nugget Nell was | quickly bound, — on That done, Dick’s rescuers, as they may be called, and certainly the rescuers of the infatu- ated girl, rose to their feet and looked at Dick. Dick was now able to geta good view of them, and he took them to be a miver and bis wife, The reader, of course, will guess who they were, hy this impression they made upon Dick, “Et do look ez ef you was in somethin’ of a fix, friend,” the woman spoke, in a cracked voice, ‘ That’s what et do, fer dust,” agreed the man, *“T opine we'll have ter help ye out of et, won't we? Seems like we was jest in time, too,” ‘*You were just in time to cheat me out of a happy ending to a miserable existence,” cried Nugget Nell, ‘ Free me, just for one moment, and Jet me finish my career bere and now.” “‘No; it must not be!” said Dick, sternly, “Tf you are friends, release me, and we will care for this misguided girl. Whoare you, any- how?” ; “ Wull, I hail to ther name of Ben West,” an- | swered the man, ‘and this byar is my better half, Bet-y Jane. Sheis a whooper-up, is Betsy Jane, and you owe this rescue to her,” “ Jest like you ter say so, Benjamin,” the wo- > man modestly retorted. yl ae “Well, allow me to extend a vote of thanks to both of you, anyhow,” said Dick. “Will you free me?” “‘ Sartainly,” answered the man, He made no delay about it, but severed Dick’s bonds at once, and the Prince of the West was once more upon his feet and ready for action, “ Pm greatly obliged to you,” hejsaid, ‘* Now, will you take care of this young woman and see that she does not come toany harm? You must — is ,
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guard against her doing harm to herself, you know.” ‘Yes, we know,” observed the woman. “You overheard our talk, then?” ‘* A good deal of et, anyhow; enough ter show that you ar’ true to an absent wife.” “You heard enough, then, to have pity for the young woman, Do what you can for her till I can have her taken care of somehow.” “ And what ar’ you goin’ ter do?” asked the man, ‘*T have further business at the camp of Cor- duroy Crossing,” replied Dick, ** Don’t you know that it would be death for you to go there?” demanded the woman. ‘* No, I do not know that it would,” responded the detective, ‘I have been in tight places too often to be afraid, But, tell me something about yourselves, Do you belong at this camp!” ‘*No,” answered the woman, ‘‘ we don’t. But, come with us, and perhaps wecan be of some help to you. We stand ready to offer our serv- ices, and you won't miss anything by knowing , more of us, anyhow,” ' _ , Diek noted that her manner had changed. * T know pineedy that you are not what you seem,” he declared, ‘“‘Then,” cried the woman, ‘know me for i whatIam, I have no further need for this dis- f guise,” t With a few quick movements her outer dress fell off, showing another of rich crimson under ; it, and putting on her mask and a hat on her head, there stood Captain Crimson, ta Deadwood Dick looked the surprise he felt, ‘* Whoever you are,” be declared, “ you are no slouch at that business.” : ‘* And would you know who I am, too?” asked theman. “I will show you ina few brief mo- ments,” He stepped away afew pacesinto the shad- ows, and when he returned Dick recognizad at once the man whose life he had saved, Water- stons! “This is an agreeable surprise,” Dick cried, extending his band, ‘* Now I can fully under- stand why you accepted the chance to get away from our enemies,” ‘*Tt was to come back and try another shy at them,” was the response, ‘But, I must ask you to give all the credit to thislady,sir. It was she whe tracked you here. Instinct seemed to lead her.” ‘* How did you strike my trail here?” “We called at the hotel,” was the woman’s response, ‘‘ and learned that you were not there, We next made acircuit of the camp, but with no result, When we returned toward the hotel I observed this young woman leave it and having noticed her manner toward you before, told myself that she was looking for you, or \ else knew where you were, and was going to . a ee you, ‘** And by following her you found me.” “You are right. But, come; this is a poor place to remain in.” “T beg you leave me here,” cried Nugget Nell, ‘Leave me here to die, I do not want to live.” ‘“You are wrong,” npok Captain Crimson, **T am a woman, and [ am your friend. You must go with me, willingly or not, fur your own good,” _ Weeping and protesting, the girl would have remained, but ber struggles were of no avail, and she was forced to accompany the trio out and off in the direction of the shore, When the shore of the lake \7as reached, a short walk brongbt them to the spot under tho bluff whore Captain Crimson’s men were wait- ing, and there, as soon as Nugget Nell had been made as comfortable as possible, 1 consul- tation was held. Said Captain Crimson: ‘** Now, Deadwood Dick, we happen to know something about your business here, and want to help you, This gentleman, Mr. Waterstone, is really Ben West, the noted detective of whom you have heard—” * Ben West!” cried Dick. ‘‘ Is it possible?” —_—— CHAPTER XV. DISCOVERING THE MYSTERY, 1" \ Bay two detectives grasped hands fora hearty e They were not unknown to each other by rep- utation, for West was a man who had done some remarkably clever work, for Deadwood Dick, his name was known from ocean to ocean, and from border to berder, It was a househ , rogues’ terror, old word everywhere, and the é De as! BS ae AP eta: Eto ee bl at ane eh ee ee NS OEE RF chats, Fe ha eae “4 ‘* We may as well have an understanding be- fore we proceed further,” suggested Dick, after some remarks had been exchanged, derstand that you are here on business, West, and that Captain Crimson and her men are your allies—” ‘*You make a mistake there,” West inter- rupted, ‘I never saw eee Crimson or her men before in my life, till they came into the camp to our rescue, She will tell you this is so. We are however, allies now, for the purpose of helping you out in whatever you bave on hand,” “Ts it possible? Then, Captain Crimson, may Tinquire who and what you are? Since we are to. work together you can have no good reason for withholding the truth concerning yourself.” ‘*T must remain unknown for the present,” was the response. ‘‘ And, if you will excuse me, I will retire a few minutes while you talk.” With that she walked away along the shore of the lake, presently stopping and bathing ber face in the cool water. ‘*What business brought you here?’ asked Dick of his fellow-detective. ‘*T was sent here to learn something about this wild hole,” was the response, ‘ I haven’t learned much yet, however. What brought you here?” ‘¢ The same errand,” Dick answered. ‘‘I came to play a lone hand, so to say, and would have carried it out, too, if I could have persuaded Nug- get Nell to release me, [ might have got down- ed, however.” ‘*T believe you would; in fact, there is a pros- pect that we sball all get downed, as you call it, This is as bad a hole as I ever set foot into. Well, have you been able to learn anything?” ‘““No; but I expect to learn something this night.” ** And what is that?” ‘You heard Tiger Bill speak about the ‘ yel- low,’ did you not?” ‘* Yes; and I wondered what he meant by it, too. What do you imagine he referred to?” ‘“‘T have been puzzling my head to guess, Naturally, one would think be means gold, but that does not seem to be it, all things con- sidered.” “Tagree with you. Well, it is our business to learn, anyhow. It must be high time the mys- tery arrived, I should think, What is to be our plan of action? We must have it understocd.” Nugget Nell here spoke up. ‘¢ Deadwood Dick,” she said, “‘ if you will allow me to go free I will explain this mystery to ou. “What use will you make of your freedom, Nell, if I grant it to you on that condition?” Dick asked. 1 ** Toat I will not tell you; but set me free and let nie go and I will tell you all.” ** You would be free now, were it not for your own good,” said Dick, kindly. be I promise not to take my life will you let me gor ‘** Would you keep that promise?” “Yes, I will.” “T am afraid to trust you, in your present state of mind,” ** You need have no fears, for the word of Nug- get Nell is never broken,” the girl assured, “* What is this about?” asked Captain Crimson, now returning, ? Dick told her what bad been said, “Tt must not’ be,” she immediately decided. “For her own good we must bold the young wo- man witb us. We are her best friends. She is not her own friend now, and is not responsible for ber acts.” - aah with you, Lady Crimson,” spoke up es “‘ And T am inclined the same way myself,” as- sented Dick. ‘* We cannot let you go, Nellie.” The girl captive turned away her face, with tears in her eyes plainly seen in the light of the one torch the group beld, A comfortable pare had been arranged for her, as said, with blankets, close under the edge of the bluff, and she could not escape without help. The two detectives, with Captain Crimson and ber men, held a conference, and arranged their plans as far as was possible, ignorant as they were of what work was before them. They had about come to the conclusion to re- main where they were until] morning, with men on guard watcbing for anything that might oc- cur at the camp, when some peculiar sounds out upon the waters of the lake claimed their atten- tion, Immediately all looked in the direction of the sounds, and listened, “What do you make out of itf” asked Detec- ee ‘* It bas the sound of a small army crossing the lake in boats,” suggested Dick. ' Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Lone Hand. 13 ‘‘ There are certe nly boats,” Captain Crimson agreed, ‘*This must be the arrival of the ex- ‘1 can un- | pected mystery.” “T believe you,” agreed Dick. ‘* Now is the time for action, 1 think, or at any rate, of pre- aration for action. Am I to have command?” ‘*- Yes: that is understood.” ** Well, then, men, mount and hold yourselves in readiness. Captain Crimson, I think you had better remain with your men while West and E go forward to learn what we can.” “No, sir; I do not agree to that,” was the firm reply. ‘‘My lieutenant will take charge of the men, and I will go with you. You wilk understand better my reason for this later on. Those boats are beading for the hotel,” “You are right; and, bark! the camp is awake and making for the shore, Whatever the mystery is, it is at hand now.” A few hurried words all around, and the trio, Dick, West and Captain Crimson, left the shel- ter * the bluff and moved forward toward the hotel. When they passed out from under the bluff they saw the citizens of Corduroy Crossing hast-~ ening toward the lake-shore, with many torches, and all was excitement and uproar. By the reflection their lights cast upon the lake, the outlines of the coming boats could be seen, There appeared to be at least six of them, and ar one was full of persons. “A strange thing to calla yellow cloud,” re- marked Ben West. “*T don’t know about it,” r nded Dick, ~ ““You suspect what it is? asked Captain Crimson. ‘* Yes; listen.” Voices came to them from the boats, in a strange tongue. “Chinamen!” the woman in crimson ex- claimed. “That is it,” returned Dick, ‘* They are what was termed the ‘ yellow,’” * And what does it mean?” asked West. ‘“‘ Smuggling,” was Dick’s decisive answer. a the stars!” cried West, ‘‘ you have hit it! Why could we not think of that before?” “ Because it is a new thing,” assumed Dick. ‘*T see through it now. The Celestials are land- edon Canadian soil, and then they are smug- gled over the border into the States,”’ * And there is big money in it, I’ll bet,” West dded, ‘Undoubtedly. Somebody will be here to pay for them, and we must bag the lot of them,” “It is going to be a dangerous bit of work,” declared Captain Crimson. ‘*‘ Had we not bet- ter put it off until daylight” ‘¢ You are right about the danger of it,” agreed Dick. ‘As to putting it off till morning, that will depend on what is done with the China- men.’ “If they attempt to get them away to-night, then we must go for them,” added West. ‘‘If not, if they camp down bere, then we may let it rest over till we have daylight.” By this time the several boats had reached the shore, and the Chinamen, for such they were, were landing. Each boat-load, consisting of half a dozen, was taken off by itself, and men put in charge of the ‘‘ yellow ” contraband, TDouble-face Duncan, Bleezer Googin, Tiger Bill and others were prominent in the work and their voices were heard giving orders an directions. Finally, when the last boat had been unloaded, the boats were pulled up on the shore far enough to be out of danger of getting away, and all set off in the direction of the camp center. The Chinamen were fresh from their own flowery land, as was plain to be seen, and were as helpless as so many geese, When they had gone some distance, Dick ask~ ed Captain Crimson to signal to the horsemen to come up. This was done, and the seven horsemen were soon at hand, when Dick gave them instruc- tions what to do. Dick, West and the woman in crimson went up the dark street, then, in the direction the crowd had gone, and the horsemen followed them cautiously. By this time the crowd had reached the Howler Saloon, and the lights disappearing showed that they were entering that establish- ment, and by the time Dick and his helpers reached the p’ everybody was within. The saloon was lighted uP, and by looking in at the windows Dick and his friends were able to see what was gZ on. The Chinamen were buddled like sheep in one corner, while at the bar were the boatmen in-
Page 14
14 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. dulging in poison after their exertions on the lake, Tiger Bill, the mayor, and some strangers were engage ina business transaction at one of the tables. Money was exchanging hands, and the mayor and Bill were getting if. ‘* What better chance to bag them than here and now?” whispered Deadwood Dick to those ywith him, ‘* As well now as any other time,” assented West, ‘* And dangerous at any time,” warned the woman incrimson, ‘‘ But, count me in it if you decide to go for them,” *“T do not think we can have a better chance to gather them all,” said Dick. ‘‘ We can goin front and rear at the same time, and the man ~who offers resistance will have to drop.” ** All right!” agreed Captain Crimson. “I will inform the men and bring them up. There is only one favor I have to ask, Deadwood Dick,” ** And what is that?” Dick inquired. ‘‘That I may fight by your side, if fight we oust,” ‘* Why do you make that request?” ‘*For the same reason Nugget Nell gave for her strange conduct toward you. Because I dove you!” CHAPTER XVI. DEADWOOD DICK SURPRISED, THE woman in crimson was gone in an in- stant, and Deadwood Dick could ouly gaze after her in amazement. Had all the women suddenly gone mad? "What did it mean, anyhow? What was he to this woman in crimson? Tbe last a question he could not answer, ‘*She seems hard hit,” remarked Detective West. **T don’t know what to make of her,” respond- ed Dick, ‘*She is a mystery to me.” “A good chance for you to exercise your detective skill,” was the suggestion offered. * And I'll doit, too, when we get this matter off our hands,” Dick declared. ‘‘ ll know who and what our Captain Crimson is,” Interest being centered within the saloon, there was nobody outside to take note of what was going on, and Captain Crimson came back, with ber, horsemen without baving been dis- covered, Dick and West met her a little distance from tbe door, * Now,” Dick directed, “‘ you, West, take three of these men and goto the rear door and be ready to enter us soon as you hear me order their hands up.” ** All right,” was the response, ‘‘ Take care to send no bullets into us, however.” “Tl see to that; you use the same precau- tion.” ** You bet.” Other details having been considered, they parted, and Dick waited until tke others were ehind the saloon before be advanced, When they had disappeared, then he and Captain Crimson went to the frout door, and when all were there and ready, Dick threw open the door and sprung iv, with the woman in crim- son at his side, , And immediately after them thundered the horsemen, with rifles all ready for action, taking the crowd completely by surprise, amas up, you rascals!” cried Deadwood ick, There was a moment of confusion, and many made a dash for the rear door. Before they reached it, however, in sprung West and his men, and the order was repeated from that direction. ‘* Surrender!” Deadwood Dick ordered, sternly, ** or the worse for you! We will stand no foolish- mess, be sure of that, Hands up, now!” There stood Dick and Captain Crimson, side by side, each with a brace of revolvers in hand, and on each side of them were two horsemen with their rifles to the fore. The sudden surprise, and the prompt action, had rendered it impossible for the crowd to think about defense, and now it was too late, as every man of them realized, and the majority of hands went promptly up. The Chinamen looked on, from their corner, with their almond eyes dilated to the utmost extent. **Deadwood Dick, by ther great b’goshtum!” cried Bleezer Googin, ‘‘ What did I tell ye, Double-face? Ain’t ye sorry ye didn’t string . bim?’ “ By the ’tarnel goshness!” cried the weg nt “et may not be too late yet, ef we git half a chance, They ain’t got us yet, me boyees, and it’s our business ter see that they don’t.” ‘Don’t flatter yourselves that way,” cau- tioned Dick. ‘‘ We have got you hard and fast enough, If any maninu the crowd attempts to escape, or to draw a weapon, he will drop in his tracks. Don’t make any mistake on that point.” ‘*And death is just as certain from this quar- ter as it is from in front,” added Detective West. ‘*‘Hadn’t we better order them to form in lines, Bristol, and then disarm them?” ‘* A good idea,” Dick agreed. ‘‘ Range your- selves into four lines, citizens, and be as quick aboutit as youcan, And don’t forget the warn- ing that has been given you. We hold the life of evecy man of you in our hands, and upon your own behavior will depend your fate.” Growling and cursing among themselves, yet with hands obediently aloft, the rascals obeyed the command, and were soon standing in four ranks, ‘* Now,” ordered West, ‘‘ two of you men pass through and disarm them, If they make a move to harm you, down they’ll go.” ‘Hold on,” cried Captain Crimson; “ that won’t do,” ** Why not?” asked Dick, **Tt won’t do to put one of our men in danger of our bullets, for they might hold him and begin fight, thinking we wouldn’t fire for fear of bit- ting bim.” ‘** Cusses on you !” grated the mayor. ** That’s so,” cried West, ‘‘ and I am too hasty with my directions. I must weigh matters more carefully, Ill make them advance, one at a time, and lay down their weapons here on the oor. ‘*That is a good deal better,” assented the woman, And that, accordingly, was done, and the men were soon disarmed, ** And now make them secure,” Captain Crim- son ordered, “ Bind them every one, and with care. “Tt seems to meI am taking a back seat in this matter,” observed Dick, witha smile, ‘I am still near enougb to the front to attend to business, however,” He directed the men to bind tbe principal rascals in the crowd, and all the others having been thorougbly disarmed, there was little to be feared from any of them now. ‘*Tbhere you are!” cried Dick, when the last one had been attended to. ‘* We Lave caught you dead to rights, my fine fellows, and I think you will go below for a little while. Uncle Sam has had his eye on you for a considerable time, and at last he has got hold of you.” “Td like ter settle wi’ you, man ter man!” grated Tiger Bill. “Your case is settled already, Tiger,” re- sponded Dick, ** And I'd hke ter have jest a quiet baff-hour wi’ ye,” chimed in the mayor. ‘“*T am wary bow I deal with double-faced persons,” was Dick’s remark, with a laugh, ‘You will get no mercy, and no chance to es- cape, be sure of that,” was the verdict of Cap- tain Crimson, ‘* You are in the power of Dead- wood Dick, if you know what that means,” ‘* Thanks to you, lady,” said Dick, ‘‘ Are you ieee to tell me who you are?” ‘*] want ter chip in a word hyar!” broke out Bleezer Googin, ‘*‘ How did ye git out of ther fix we left ye in, Dickey?” “That will be something for you to ponder over,” was the retort. ‘* Whar is Nugget Nell?’ demanded the mayor. ‘Yas, whar is that gal?” echoed Tiger, ‘*She is where harm cannot come to her,” Captain Crimson answered. ‘ We are guing to see her through.” ‘Then you haye taken her prisoner, hey?” the mayor cried. ‘I want ter say right hyar that that ’ar gal is as innercent as a posey, she aire, and you ain’t got nothin’ erg’inst ber.” ‘“*That’s wiat’s ther matter!” cried the crowd. A sudden idea came to Dick, an idea how to learn more about that mysterious girl, ‘*She deserves the same fate as the rest of you, beyond doubt,” he declared, ‘‘and that is what she will get, you bet!” **T tell ye et ain’t so!” cried the mayor, ‘‘She is an angel, that gal is, and curses on ther man that does her harm, She hadn't nothin’ ter do with our doin’s, and ther boyees will say so,” ‘*That’s so,” cried the crowd, ‘ That’s ther truth.” ‘* Sho will bave to prove that,” Dick rejoined, The others understood what he was after, and were silent while he had it out with the mayor. ‘** An’ she can do that, by ther hull lot of us, the mayor hastened tosay. ‘I kin swear to et, fer one. She was bere as our good-luck mascot, so ter say, and we was under her thumb, every manof us, Tharain’t a bad hairin that gal’s head, and ef you ar’a man you won't barm her,” ‘*’m glad to leainso much about her,” said Dick, now, ‘ We have no intention of doing anything but good for the poor girl. Am I not right, Captain Crimson?” ‘* You are right, Dick,” was the answer. This was said ina changed voice, and Dick started and stared hard at the masked woman. ‘“ Who and what are you, Captain Crimson?” be demanded. ‘‘T think the time is ripe for me to make my- self known to you, Dick,” was the response. **Behold!” and with that she tore away her mask, Captain Crimsoa was his own wife—the matchless Kodak Kate. é Deadwood Dick’s face was a study, for that one second, and he exclaimed almost wildly: “Kate! My wife!” She it was indeed, and she laughed at his amaze- ment, ‘It is I, my brave Richard,” sbe responded, ‘* Maybe you will not insist upon leaving me be- hind again.” Dick now caught her in bis arms, and after a moment said: ‘*But, Kate, think of the danger you have run, Think of the risk you took in coming here, It might bave been fatal for you.” “Think of your own risk,” was the return, me introduce you to Kodak Kate’s Secret Seven.” **T would not have believed it of you, Kate,” was all Dick could say. ‘‘ You are more and more of a wonder tome every hour, After this you shall suit yourself about sharing my dan- gers. I will never force you out of an adven- ture again, You are a second self to me, and where I am, there it seems to me is your natural ria You seem to fit in that way, my better alf, Ben West now came forward, and Dick intro- duced him, ‘*] could never have suspected such a thing,” he declared. ‘* Why, Bristol, | confess to you that I was half in love with Captain Crimson myself, I congratulate you upon the possessing of so noble and brave a wife,” “This has been a surprise which Ishall re- member for Many a day,” assured Dick, ‘I came bere to play a Jone hand, as Kate said, thinking ber safely at the botel where I had left her, and congratulating myself upon the fact of my not bringing her to so wild a hole as this, Little I dreamed that sbe was near me all the time, Kate, you area wonder. You are a de- tective born, When you could deceive me like that, what are you not capable of?” During the ensuing twenty minutes Dick and his brave wife were the center of attraction, while they were engaged in conversation, While they were talking, nothing further was done with the prisoners, though the mer kept them carefully under guard. CHAPTER XVII. CONCLUSION, FINALLY the prisoners were given into the yim of some of the men, others taking charge of the Chinamen, and Dick and his helpers began to consider the business of removing them on the morrow, Plans were laid, and after that a short sleep was sought. At anearly hour all were astir, and preparations were begun for departure, The whole camp having been disarmed and most of the weapons destroyed, men were willing enough to lend their aid in getting away, on promise of freedom, Nugget Nell had been cared for, of course, and Kodak Kate had ber in keeping, treating her with all the gentleness a sister could bestow, And the girl was not insensible to it, but return- . ed the evidence of affection strongly, the truth of Kate’s relationship to Dick having been made known to her, She lent great aid in getting the men to help Dick in every way he required their | services. All the provisions of the camp had been col- lected and packed, and by noon the big company moved, leaving Corduroy Crossing a deserted place save for Tripbam Marker, proprietor of the Bang-up Hotel, who had insisted upon re- maining in charge of his property, since Dick had nothing against him,and Nugget Nell had vouched for his innocence in all the evil work the othershad been engaged in, By night agood / | ) i
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a — iis Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. many miles had been covered, and a few days’ travel brought them to their destination. The case was the sensation of the day, and Dick’s work on it was highly praised, the praises béing shared among his brave helpers, e had broken up a business that might bave grown to alarming proportions, and his first theory in re- gard to the Chinamen was proven to have been correct, They had been landed on British soil and then brought across the border into the States, where certain men paid so much per bead for them and made them virtually slaves. These men met their just reward, and those at the camp who had been actively concerned in the business were given their just deserts, When Dick had wiped his bands of the busi- ness and he and Kate had taken farewell leave of Detective West, the ‘‘ tandem team,” as Dick and Kate were called—a name tbat had been given them before, and which seemed likely to stick to them—went with the gambler girl, Nug- get Nell, to her native place. There Dick called upon her parents, to induce them to take the girl back again, and found them only too willing to do so, They were in sorrow at having turned her away, and received ber with open arms. It was a happy reunion, and the past was wiped out with happy tears, When Dick and Kate took their leave Nell pressed their hands in gratitude, and said she should ever remember them as the truest frionds she had ever found, And so, that accomplished, Dick and Kate went forth once more on tbeir mission of combined adventure, duty and the ac- cumulation of the wealth necessary to ease when the day for enforced rest came, THE END, Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl* Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 2 Joe Buck of Angels and His Buy Pard. 417 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince, 4938 T'nos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York. | z z= By i econ zn BY J, C. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The vetective’s Appre» tice; or, A Boy Without a Name. 421 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road, 514 Broadway Billy’« Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 536 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Dimkilty.” 548 Mart, the Nicht Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Enginee. 579 The Chimney. Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 628 Broadway Biliy’s Dead Act. 640 Barebse¢ Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgun, the *‘ Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bas, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 87 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy tn Texas. 08 Broadway Billy’s Brand. Til Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand, 785 Broadway Billy’s Business. 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer 175 Gapwin Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 98 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leether Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; cz, The Mountain Vompires, 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado 3 or, The Outcasts of the Glen, BIR Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 8: or, Caught in His Own Trap, or, A Race for a Ranch, 4; 480 T +t Oklahoma Hi, ie Bee Scout. ap Narry’s “ind. 664 Cheeky Charley, tle Special. f _ BY GEORGE C, JENKS, 485 Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 eit Thar @uner’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Ourve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. aoe Flute, the Sinver Detective, 608 The her Detective’s Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detective: or. The Last Cruise of the Black Bear, Sot © Pitcher Patective’s Toughest Tuseel. 786 the T oroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side, BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Littie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. 628 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator. 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective. 691 Headlight Iuarry’s Haul. 727 Meadlight Marry’s Siren. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Mans, the Dutch, Vidocq. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’« Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Blrck Dan’s Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range wetective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy. the Gy pay Spy. 699 Straple St the Bronco Buster. le } 712 The Mesameris«t Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, BY FREDERICK DEWEY 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Pards, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky « ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taonr; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. 827 Oreeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. $44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Ralders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shet, the Boy Kanger. 875 Chiota, the Creek ; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Randera Bll; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Tratlers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giart BY J. W. OSBON,. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck, 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little Li noo ag: League; or, The Mystery of tne Is.and 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY JO PIERCE. 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom. 452 Motapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Pointa Phil. 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tims or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Niek Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ren, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, O08 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 625 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hammer. 944 Gaurise Baul, the Express-Train Ferret. Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a SII Set, 658 Sky-Rocket Roh, the Life-Saver. pink ppery 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator, 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of His Kind 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective, Z17 Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 726 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid, BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. $38 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” 859 Durango Dave, the Young Champion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Y»ung Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 BUl Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of tne Frontier, 106 Nat Todd; or, Tne Fate of the Sioux Captive, 2: ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 162 The Munted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Fearless Phil; or. The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the ‘Detective: or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 840 Clip the Contortionist: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout. 806 Neck-Tie Ned: or, The Dug-Out Pards. 846 opler Raphael; or. The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891. Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies. pies Rie niere Ke ena Pard: on, The Gola cise. i e Mad Man-HMunter: or. The Golden Gu ste 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. wrested BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge's Deughier. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coftin’s Cruise. 200 The Bey Bedouins; or, The Brotiers ot the Plumed Lance, 214 Woifgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King: or, Round the Werld, 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Bilnck Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trall. BY JOSEPH E. BARGER, JR, 2 Yellowatone Jack 3 or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat 65 Hurricane Bll; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of tho Plains. 186 Night-tinwk Kit; or, The Daughter of tho Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parday; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wood«: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan’« Second Trall, 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOS Light-Heurt Lute’s Legacy. zis Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Ha)f-blood; ur, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile. BY OLL COOMES. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb 8py. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye ome J the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 134 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurrienne, the Boy Captain. 202 ee eg Pete: or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Diaguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. R72 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spv. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. A1T? Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or. Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Kattler, the Red River Epidemic. 482 Stonewall Beb, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappér, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 680 Dauntless Dan the Freelance, or Old Kit Bandy in Arcadia, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wlild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reto and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wondertu! Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusee. (27 Iilostrations,) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 T3 Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribecs. By S. W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown: or, The Arena Queen, By £ 8. Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rif'es: or. The Underground Camp. By A. C. Lrons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Vutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. } 112 The Mad Hunter; or, 'heCave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion, By George ' Gleeson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures or « Friendiess Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By G, L. Aiken. 266 Kilib’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign ©. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. B28 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Ked Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother's Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. — 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P M 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match. By@ H. Morse, 876 Cailfornia Joe’s Firat Trail. By Colonel Thomas 418 Billy Hombehell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winth ybom oll, the mber, By F. 5. Win’ 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. ‘ a! Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles, By enry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 lel_the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Petective’s Donble. By Gerald Carlton. 721 Maverick Mose, toe Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By Will Lisenbee. A New insane Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ‘» for sale by att newsdenlers, five cents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt o! six cents each. | [BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York
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« 14 = _ it 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, 35 Deadwood Dick in his Castle;or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards ef Flood Bar, %3 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the ‘Heroine of Whoop-up, 7 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Rover. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 138 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwoel; or, The Picked Partv. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure, 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam, 232 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Eagle Bar. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ocean to Ocean. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal: or, The Gold Brick of Gregon. 321 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Poantom Flats, 347 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. 351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, bs Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A Cute Case. 430 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the _ _ Crimson Crescent, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned. 453 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferret, 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10; or; Philo Fly, of Phenix, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humbolit Harry, the Hurricane. 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Mysterv. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of the West. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr. 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Fatal Footsteps, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner, 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three; or The ‘ Bel- lerin’ Bull” of Bismark, Deliverance; or, 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, 5384 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cow], the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Case, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island; or, The “ Piping” of Polly Pilgrim. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville, or, 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s Last Green Game, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 411-44. 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, § } Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon's Double Game, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango; or, ** Gathered In,” § Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle, 5 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing the Dead Secret. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Suap-Shot. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or, The Second Round in San Francisco, Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. 7384 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise, %40 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. %47 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, %52 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance. %58 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, Issues to Follow: 765 Flipper Flynn, the Street Patrol; or, Knock- ing Out the Kidnappers, By Jo Pierce, %66 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer; or, The White Sioux Queen. By Col. P. Ingraham, Ready March 30, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAmMs, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.