Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 77) (1879 01 14)
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nit \ ae iy : SME WAM” Ta, Ne /f Cx >. ai | Copyrighted in 1879, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. Single BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, Price, No 77 Vol. IIL. Number. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo; or, Deadwood Dick's Last Act. BY EDWARD L. WHEERLER, AUTHOR OF Nos, 1, 20, 26, 28, 32, 35, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 73 oF BEADLE’s HaLF-Dime LrBRaRy. vA
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2 Corduroy Charlie, THE BOY BRAVO; Deedwood Dick’s Last Act. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUYHOR OF NUMBERS 1, 20, 26, 28, 32, 35, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 73 OF BEADLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY. [Al] Dramatic Rights Reserved by the Author.] CHAPTER I. THE MASQUERADE—A LITTLE ILLUSTRATION OF WHAT COURAGE AMOUNTS TO. Nieut, with a wild storm eg? upon its bosom, was hovering over the entire Black Hills and Nation- 2} Park country—night, as black as the darkest hues of the raven’s wing, and a storm which had gathered “pon the heavens in giant force, and threatened ev- sey mi.uie to burst and dash its waters down in ? erents over the gold-veined hills and in the rugged 4.ve of Nature! The heaven w: 3 black to an intensity, with now .nd then only e faint blush of fire, to show that » iwh a place there was above all the Stygian gloom. .he autumnal thunder boomed low—seemingly nose to the murky mountain-tops, where a mist ever hung. tains were grim and restless, as they swayed to and eo in the breeze that found entrance into every acok and defile of the mountains, and sighed mourn- ‘tnlly weird melodies through their evergreen branch- es. A winding mountain dug-way or stage-road led i.wn into a pine-encircled gulch, where nestled | stores, over the door of which was the cheer ern which stood adjoining one of the met oods Ger- man sign, “THe Bia ScHooyer!” Several men who had been standing outside the | door as Corduroy Charlie came up, stepped forward Even the lonely pines on the moun- | aartz City—an infant colony and mining-tewn of | «+» particular repute or importance—a sort of way- station between the Hills proper and the National Vark or American Wonderland, where a few san- guine souls had dropped off. Some quartz rock had bwen found and a * pay-streak "’ of sand, which had iuduced the pioneers to stay in the little vale, where the evergreen pines furnished an emerald border +o the beds of flowers that grew and bloomed in wild {a.curiance. Quartz City was no Deadwood, no Whoop-Up, nor tHvyvard in size, but yet on a small scale represent- «i ali the attractions of the above towns, with its i.vong of peuple in the vale, and a few stores, sa- i» ons, dance-houses, and gambling-dens. Of this cuss of buildi there were, perhaps, a score, on t..> immediate banks of Castle Creek. The rest of \.19 town was scattered all over the valley in uncon- weeted confusion, with no regularity as to line or appearance—log and slab cabins predominating, Bat a short distance to the South-west rolled the fumous Park country, while to the North-west In- vaa Karas, 6,500 feet of altitude, loomed up above #Al its neighbor peaks; while to the East, North, and ath stretched the golden country of flowers and vorks, with its cascades and streams, and beautiful » Jleys, where encroaching civilization is fast set- *tiug a district which promises at no far distant iuy to be as fair a land as there is under the sun. But night over Quartz City and the placer-mines of Castle Creek lends no enchanting effect to the dwauties of nature—rather urges the wear. bagel trian, a youth lacking but one year of majo ty, to dsscend the rugged dug-way trail into the little town, where many lights are twinkling out of the . {9 n as if to welcome him. Close behind him comes Ghinaman, mounted upon an ugly pack-mule; ‘ om, still in the rear of that animal, follow two ro of a like species, harnessed to a ‘‘ schooner ”’ ».¢on, and driven by a large, greasy-looking red- akin. Waat the wagon contains aside from the red-skin ». aot apparent, because of the closely-shirred cur- *.uns of canvas; but the youth in advance occasion- a ly gives a glance of nang ps back in the direction . the joltiag wagon, as to assure himself that * 4.2 Indion bullwhacker had not fallen asleep. “.owly tho night caravan wound down into vale, » ad drew up before a row of brilliantly-lighted ' > ores, Where wares and all manner of goods were » fared for sale—some ornamented with placards, as, su instance: “Two biled shirts fer 5 dollers—spot of q Ea “cash” was the root of all evil in the placer- toad 18. f) «> in the light of several lamp-reflectors, the ree¢. alleader of the caravan was better seen for . teription. He was of medium stature, with *trvug, wiry limbs and massive chest; a figure for a )* wdiator was his, with a prominence in swelling muscles and tensely drawn cords. Clad from the «ain to his knee-boots in corduroy, he still showed L.° striking beauty of his muscular form. [a face he was prepossessing, if not, what the vvitie would call, really handsome. It was a full, intellectual face, shorn of all beard—a face with them, resolute mouth, and eyes that could flash fire w¢ enthusiasm or anger from their depths of brown; .« forehead high and clear, with clustering curls of «own as a border, which waved back over a fiie- svaped nead, and feil in a mass upon the broad, 4 ‘m shoulders. \ slouch hat, a belt of weapons, and a rifle com- ; ted the outfit or costume of the youth, whom it is 4» © purpo’e to take for a chief character in a ro- MAace m the peculiar life in the hills of the acontry of gold—a life which no pen can fitly por At . ‘fhe little caravan had halted almost before a tav- and peered sharply into the new-comer’stace. They were all swarthy, evil-looking fellows, attired in buck-skin, and armed to the teeth—men, evidently, whose motives were never of the best, and who would swoop upon their prey, even as the hawk darts upon its smaller game. “Hello, boys! w’at hev we here?” ejaculated one, a burly, bloated wretch, with heavy mustache and oatee. “Looks like a green ’un, eh?—a sort o’ ten- der-fut, ye see! Sayee, Johnny, w’ich way does yer compass pint?” **None o° yer big-headed galoot’s bizness!’’ re- plied Corduroy, stepping aside and attempting to pass. But the ruffians blockaded his path, with a series of horrible chuckles. “No yer don’t, sonny!” the former spokesman in- terposed, with a grin of evil delight. “Don’t ye go an’ git so fast, an’ I'll be merciful ter ye. Suppose ye nevyer heerd o’me, did ye?—old Jem McTurk, ther bullwhacker prince. A sort 0’ nabob, ye see, who kin lick his weight in stage-drivers or | pilgrim toughs, you chalk et!” “T care not who you are; get out of my path an’ let me pass, or’’—and the young stranger laid his right hand toward his belt—‘‘T’ll put a death-spot inter your anatomy so quick that ye can’t tell what struck ye.” “Ho! ho! D’ye heer the young billy-goat talk boyees? and McTurk rested his hands upon his large hips, his arms akimho. ‘“ Whoop-la! did ever any mortal pilgrim see the ekal?” . “T say, Corduroy, whar'd ye git them togs?” Steal ’em?”’ ag in the rough, whom MeTurk had address- ed as Monk Morgan. To these words Corduroy Charlie made no re- marks, but stepped back a few paces, with flashin, eyes. The light from the shop windows streamed back into the middle of the street where he stood; he took a heavy gold watch from his pocket, and glanced at it a moment, thoughtfully. “Ten o'clock!’ he muttered, with a glance up and down the street, ‘and no hope of getting a decent bunk in any of these dens, probably.” He stepped back to the wagon occupied by the In- dian driver, on the seat. “Drive on into the valley, Bad Medicine, to where the cabins are not thick, and onhitch the mules and let °em graze. Be sure ee and Clever Sam watch the wagon close, and if inquisitive visitors come, send them about their business. D’ye hear?” ‘“Ugh! Bad Medicine hear ebbery time. Fire-wa- ter big cure for deafness !”’ ‘**Get out with such a theory, you red skunk; and mind, don’t you go to guzzling while I am absent, but take good care of your mistress.” “Um!” the Indian grunted, as he gave the mules a prod with a long cactus stalk. ‘ Bad Medicine be berry careful of the fair maiden of the pale-faces.”’ Then the wagon moved along up the street into the heart of the valley, the Chinaman riding meekly in advance, and surveying the scene with wide-open almond-shaped eyes as he rode. When a bend in the street had hidden the wagon from his view, Cordu- roy Charlie turned once more toward the tavern where the roughs still stood, eying him, grimly. He | aware that for some unaccountable reason they had fixed upon him a grudge, or a desire to annoy him and excite a quarrel, but he determined not to be bluffed in the outset, coming, as he did, a stran- ger into the mines. Accordingly he advanced with a firm step, one hand resting near the belt, and the other carrying his rifle. Contrary to his expectation, the roughs step to one side, and allowed him to pass into the tave After he had gone, MeTurk turned to the one of his companions who went under the name of Monk sone ‘*Monk, did ye ever see that galoot?’’ he demand- | ed, as he pointed back over his shoulder, toward the interior of the “ Big Schooner,” ‘Ther boy?—no. Who ar’ he?” “Thet’s fer us ter find out, an’ report ter head- quarters. The boy’s no slouch, you chalk et, an’ ef he ain’t our game, ye may shute me. Sez ther boss ter me, t’other day, sez he—‘McTurk, ef ye see a young fellercum aroun’ as isin ther least suspicious, watch out fer him an’ report on bim. He be wanted.’ Wal, thet applies ter yonder gal as is inside, tho’ mebbe he ain’t ther one ther boss wants. Anyhow, thar’s meat fer us ter pick. Ye see’d ther wagon, w’at the red-skin driv?” ‘**You bet, an’ a quare looker ware thet same red- skin.” “Wal, the young feller’s got somethin’ precious in thar, mark et—a gal, I reckon, or gold, or sumthin’ else. o while I sail inside, you foller ther wagon an’ spook around.” Monk Morgan nodded, and, followed by his com- panions, set 0.t up the street, while McTurk entered the tavern. The Big Schooner, kept by a sturdy Dutchman, whom the miners had christened Pretzel Pete, was the only creditable concern in tne town, so far as size was concerned. It had been erected out of rough boards, sixty feet front, and ninety feet in de ea =the largest affair, of the kind, in the Black ills. Pretzel Pete had come to Quartz City direct from | Pittsburg, Pa., with a pocketful of money, and an open eye to business—had erected his tavern, and started into business, with music--for a German band played the good old airs of Rhineland in Peter’s D’ye heer him ba-a-a, old Monk Morgan?” | | establishment the whole of every afternoon and evening. But a little space was reserved for the bar and ambling-tables; the rest of the lower part of the ig Schooner was turned into a mammoth ball- room. And, here, to-night, a grand Masked Ball was to be | given; consequently the town, and especially Pret- | zel Pete’s place, were crowded with men and women from all parts of the Hills—for couriers had spread j : } the news far and wide, and the stages had and were still bringing in their crowds. After Corduroy Charlie entered the tavern, he urchased some cigars at the bar, and sauntered ack into the ball-room, where a great crowd had already assembled—men in red slives and stogy boots, some with hats, some without—women in costumes calculated not to impede their graceful motion inthe danée, with pink stockings and slip- pers; some of them wore-silks and jewels, while others were scantily dressed; it was a commingling 9 wealth and poverty, of the clean and the un- , Clean, | Corduroy Charlie sauntered around through the room, surveying each face with a sharp scrutiny. But in all the crowd he saw not one he knew, for masks were worn without exception, by both males and females. It was a strange sea of masked faces, some of them simple dominoes, while others were | grotesque and horrible—a carnival of strange char- acters, shapes and faces. At last the German band struck up a live ture, and the floor managers began | for the opening dance. | Standing aloof from the crowd, leaning idly | against the wall, Corduroy Charlie ran his eye over the crowd, curiously, as he puffed his cigar. over- to form the sets *‘Humph! a queer crowd,” he soliloquized, half aloud, a strange expression upon his young face— “a startling picture of allphases of life, Ha! ex- cuse me, ma’am—was it to me you were speaking?”’ and he turned at the sound of a voice, to a masked | person who had rg hed him—a young woman | evidently, judging from the shape, which was fitt to a trifle in a suit of gray clothing, while only a fair chin, neck, and a bit of the snowy shoulders were visible below the mask, and a wealth of dark brown hair upon the head and shoulders. “ Certainly I was my tenn 3 to you, sir!’ replied the merry, musical voice from beneath the mask. ‘‘ You seemed all alone, and a stranger here, and I wanted to ask youif you wouldn't honor me with the first dance?”’ ‘* Eh, dance?’ Charlie ejaculated, gazing down at the charming figure in surprise. ‘‘Why,1 hadn’t thought of such a thing, miss. Besides, dancing , ain’t one of my specialties, you see.” . * But that don’t signify that you can’t dance; so I Gaim you for the first; and before Charlie was scarcely aware of it, she had whirled him off into the waltz which the criers had announced. And the masked a found that the handsome rr hed was fully her equal, and as light as a fea- ther, When the waltz was over Corduroy Charlie offered her his arm, and led the way toward a row of seats which flanked the ballroom, but, ere he had crossed half of the great floor, he was dealt a blow beside the head which made him reel. But, quickly recovering, he discovered the ruffian bullwhacker, McTurk,stand- ng near. ‘Ha! ha!” the fellow laughed, “ thet’s what ye git fer appropriatin’ another galoot’s human property !"” “Did you strike me?’’ Charlie Senahded with a glance around which discovered nothing of late partner in the dance, ‘ Did you strike me?” “*T allow I hit ye one over ther ear, an’ ‘ll do ther i ican ef ye give me any back talk!’ McTurk re- ied. " “That's all I want to know!” Corduroy replied. | “You'll do me a favor by following me into the street, where a settlement can be made!” And the bullwhacker did follow, And likewise, did the crowd. A duel was impending! CHAPTER II, A STREET DUEL—THE YOUNG FRAVO MEETS A QUEER CUSTOMER—OLD AVALANCHE. Yes, a duel was to be, within the flowery little vale where nestled Quartz City, sheltered from the moun- tains’ wind—a duel between the acknowledged boss of the town, the valiant bullying McTurk and the young bravo, who was a stranger in the town. Understand me rightly, dear readers, for in calling Corduroy Charlie a bravo, Ido not use Webster’s definition of the word, which is a “ daring villain;’ instead, I use the term as it is frequently, in the far western frontier, applied to brave and fearless char- | acters, who have risked life and faced death— * And still lived on.” With a firm step, Corduroy led the way into the street, followed by the ruffian McTurk, and the whole of the crowd who had but lately tripped the light fantastic within Pretzel Pete’s place. Pete was tn- dignagt, too, and mounted his bar in high dudgeon to expéstulate with the out-going crowd, but it was no use, for they heeded not his cries when a duel was on the gall. F In less than five minutes the crowd lined both sides of the street, and the two men stood in the middle, | thirty paces apart, facing each other. Both chanced to be armed with the same pattern of revolvers—Smith & Wesson s. | Both men seemed confident of victory. MeTurk | appeared in his element, as he glared around, in tri- umph. : ' ‘oof ha!” he roared with a frisk, as he t in | his revolver-hand, and rubbed it up and down the leg
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aye of his buck-skin trowsers—‘‘ watch, ye assembled galoots, an’ ye'll see ther great pet bullwhacker o’ ther Tel phone line, teetotally scoop off ther top o° yonder banty’s head. Git reddy, over thar, ye leetle , fer I’m all abile wi’ anxiety ter cum see “Don’t get in a sweat, and you'll be accommodat- ed, shortly!’’ Corduroy Charlie replied, as he put fresh cartridges in his weapon. “T reckon ye wanter luk out fer thet bullwhacker, foung stranger !’’ spoke a deep bass veice, and Char- ie looked around to behold a masked man of power- ful build, standing close by. “He owes you no good-will, and will doubtless at- tempt to kill you, as he is no slouch of a shot.”’ “Thank you for your advice, but, then, I don’t think i need it. I’ve as good a chance as he, every bit.”’ And so it proved, when the result came to be known. A pair of seconds were chosen, and the two men toed the mark. Corduroy Charlie was perfectly composed, and held his revolver in a steady grasp, its aim not vary- ing the fiftieth part of an inch. McTurk, however, had no such an aim—liquor had upset the steadiness of his nerves, and he was greatly excited. At a given signal, the duelists fired, the reports of their weapons blending into one, so evenly had they ulled the trigger. ~~. Corduroy Charlie. { ‘ renress an éxclamation. Such a fair vision of loveli- | recovering ceTurk gave a yell of pain—a | ullet had torn through the fleshy part of his side, | making a painful but not dangerous wound. Corduroy Charlie had not been bit. ; A yell went up from the crowd—especially from the masked giant, who stood near the young bravo, and had warned him of the bullwhacker’s prowess. “You did well, young stranger,’’ he cried, approv- ingly, stroking the long silvery beard which tiowed | from in under his mask. “ Anot’ier such a shot a little nearer the heart, will kill the man,” “Which is not my aim!’’ Charlie replied, recock- ing his weapon. Again the white kerchief dropped from the hands | of the seconds, and the spiteful crack of the revolv- ers rung out upon the nigh’, accompanied by a vivid flash. This time both of the contestants flinched—Cordu- roy only a trifle, however, while MeTurk staggered back a few paces, ani fell to the ground, blood ooz- ing from a wound in his right side, opposite the left one, Charlie had been slightly wounded in the left arm near the shoulder, which rendered his pistol grip for the time useless. “Are you (done, gentlemen?” demanded the sec- onds, simultaneously. ‘‘ Are you satisfied, McTurk?” “ Bellerin’ pole-cats, yes!” the bullwhacker groan- ed, from his prostrate position on the ground, “ Ther leetle cuss plugged et to me fer more’n I’m wuth, durn my cats ef he didn’t. But, I'll git even wi’ him ou bet on’t; [ll git even wi’ the devil ef et takes till a’r grows on my eye-teeth, will I!” “ Are you satisfied, young fellow?’ “*T reckon so, for the present!"’ Corduroy Charlie replied, restoring his revolvers to his belt. _** But, allow me to remark, gentlemen, that though I come here a stranger, I will not be insulted or crowded on, | nary a time. Corduroy Charlie’s my handle, and so when you want anything of me, just sail in and get accommodated!” And with a cool laugh, the young bravo pushed his way through the crowd toward Pretzel Pete’s estab- lishment. Some of those who had come out to wit- ness the duel, followed him back into the tavern and among them were the silver-bearded giant and the sylph-formed maiden with whom he had danced. ‘““You are wounded, sefior,”’ she said) in soft kin lly tones, as she glided to his side. “You will come with me and let me dress your arm?” “Eh, where?” Charlic demanded, —s her suspiciously, for he could not read her to his satis- faction. “I reckon I can do it, ma’am—” * No! no! you must come with me,” was the re- ply. and laying a hand upon his uninjured arm, she ed the way through a side door, and then along a ath which pointed out into the Garden of Eden, as he beautiful vale had been appropriately named by the miners. Corduroy Charlie followed his strange guide, be- cause he did not know how to refuse with any rea- sonable excuse, He was in need of surgical attendance, and knew hardly where to look for his train, until day should once more break over the beautiful mountain vale. They kept along the path, and into the dark vale, ness he had never seen. lf the contour and graceful, willowy pose of the form had attracted his .dmiration in the ball-room, he beauty of the face now did equally as much. It s one face of a hundred for man to admire—a he- witchingly sweet fece, perfect in feature, with the deficate blush-tint of good health, and the expres- sion rising from # pure loving heart—a face combi- ning all the vivacity, sweet disposition and joility of an innocent givlish nature. The features were just round enough to be pretty, the mouth a trifie large but temptin-ly sweet, with pouting red lips, which needed no “rtificial coloring to make them natural; eyes seemingly of changeable shades to suit the moods, and a head which was more beautifui be- cause of the placid forehead and the wealth of hair. Such a vision was it that Corduroy Charlie saw, and gazed at in surprise and wonder—in admiration that for the moment knew no expression in words. ‘*You will excuse me!” the girl said, coming for- ward, “for neglecting you to attend to myself, but I really could scarcely breathe in that mask, and—” “ Certainly, you_are excusable,’’ Charlie reptied, iis self-possession by an effort. ‘“ My wound is not painful—only slightly inconvenient. It was lucky I got no worse.” “Tndeed it was; for McTurk is considered a crack shot;” and kneeling by his side the maiden bared his arm, and proceeded with a careful and skillful hand to dress the wound, which was little more than a furrow plowed through the flesh, causing it to bleed profusely. ‘“‘Why did the ruffian single you out for a quarrel?” “That Ido not know, miss, I had just arrived in this place, and he seemed desirous of rubbing against me. I trust he has got enough from his experi- ment,” “For a time, yes. But, as his wounds are not fatal, when he gets up you will need to watch him sharp, and look out for yourself, for Jem McTurk and his associates are generally feared, as bok. and des- perate characters who hesitate at nothing in the way of crime to attain their own vicious aims. At- tached to them thereis a mystery, which our towns- people have not been able to solve.”’ “I fear not!” said Corduroy Charlie. ‘‘ There! thanks; my arm feels much better. How much do you charge for your surgical services?” “Oh! nothing, at all. It gives me pleasure, al- ways, when I am enabled to do a suffering fellow- creature good. Your name is Corduroy Charlie, sir?’ ; és Yes—that is, my nom de plume. And yours s—)" *** Buster’, sir—at_least that’s what I am called, here in the mines. You can call me as others do.” * But, isn’t that rather an undignified appellation, miss, fora young lady—especially one of as charm- ing prem as yourself?” ‘Ha! ha! no. Ihave got fairly used to it and it seems like my own. You see, when I first came here, I let them all know that I had grit, a temper and a will to defend myself from bad treatment, and insult—so they took revenge by naming me after their own liking.” “And, are you all alone here, in this rough mining country ?”’ **Oh! no; I have a relative—and besides him, a firm friend and protector in the person of an old scout. Ha! that is his step now”’—and rising the beautiful eccentric hastened to unbar the door and admit a man to the room. “Great pestiferous ham-bone thet macademized ther larnyx uv old andediluvian Joner!” this indi- vidual gasped, as he strode into the firelight, and his eyes rested first upon Buster and then on Cordu- roy Charlie. ‘‘ Hev ye heerd ther news about Dead- wood Dick? Old Moses thet perambulated thru ther scriptural bull-rushes! They do say thet Deadwood Dickey ar’ ag’in abroad on ther road, at ther head o’ a gang o’ road-agents, Heerd it just a bit ago, down ther valley, an’ gol durn my old Fiovence Night-in-a- gale’s left hind huff, ef ther shock o' ther news warn’t wuss'n ary old yearthquake as evyer cavorted thru these consarned old lattytudes an’ longytoads!” “Deadwood Dick?” echoed Buster, in astonish- ment. ‘Not the young gentleman whom you point- ed out to meat the bail the other night?” “Yas, ther very same identical Dickey, wi’out an atomosiic deviation. I ked sw’ar et war not ther | truth, only thet suthin’ hes occurred thet makes me where here and there lights twinkled from many | a cabin window—no word being spoken for some time. The dark waters of Castle Creek were crossed by a foot-bridge; then they came to a cabin which was dark and silent. ‘‘ This is my place,’’ Corduroy’s guide said, as she unlocked the door, and led the way inside, closiny the door after them. procure a light.” She fu:nbled around a few moments, and then found and lita lamp, which threw a brilliant radi- ance through the cabin, which was divided by a semi-partition into two apartments, and furnished with a rude, but cat simplicity. A aed aa of husks ornamented the floor, pictures hung against the rude log-walls; the furniture consisted of a few chairs and a sofa, At a motion from the stringe girl, Charlie seated himself, while she vanishe) behind the partition for afew moments, When she returned she had re- moved the mask, and combed out her wealth of brown hair until in a great silken wave it fell a foot or more below her waist. At sight of her face, Corduroy Charlie, ased as he was to the etiquette of good society, could barely “Wait a moment and Iwill | think ther boy’s bin driven back ter ther old life.” “ And what isthat, friend?” “Ther unfaithfulness of his wife, Leone. Great modest ham-bone thet delivered old Joner frum jeopardy, arfter gittin’ him inter a consarned diffi- kilty, kt makes my old bones gret tergether w’en I thin!: o’ et; Lordy, yes. “Et ain’t menny yeers thes great circulatin’ me- dium o’ devastatin’ Injun disease hes got ter live, ye | See, an’ Id ruther screw down my etarnal throt- tle valve ter onc’t, than ter hev et cum ter my know- iy | ledge thet leetle red-haired Leone Harris hed sunk below par! Great ham-bone, yes.” And Old Avalanche, for the strange-looking indi- vidual was none other than the famous Annihilator, bowed his head in his hands and wept. But, as a matter of habit, he never allowed grief long to hold sway over his spirit, and he soon straightened up, with the old grim look upon his face. Shall we describe him? It seems to me useless, for he is no stranger to the thousands who regularly read this Lilrary, in which he has repeatedly figured as a chief character. He is little changed; the little wiry form, buckskin-clad is if anything, thinner but more irony than before, and the ferconets but good- expressioned countenance is the same, unless the 3S —$— ren stubble beard and hair be a trifle more grizzled, and the eyes more sunken and haggard. He straightens up now, wiping the moisture from his eyes with his shirt-sleeve, and, then gazing fires at one and then the other of his two companions. “Who is the younker, Buster? Great intellectuat ham-bone that guv old Jones the brain fever, but he do luk like a feller I once know’d up in Arizona. Bix name war Tom Fielding; but, alas! poor Tom‘ fingers war hooman magnets, war they; he couldn’t pick up a bit o’ iron ’cept et stuck to ‘em, an’ so ome day he accidentally tovehed a ring in ther bits & Vigilante Newton's horse, an’ as Tom war emimigra- tin’ ter another deestrict, an’ as thar war no one handy at ther time to relieve him of his dilem- ma, very natterly Tom hed ter teke ther hoss along. An’ now he’s up above, a-sittin’ afore the gress Regulator on ther charge o’ kieptomaniacally appre priatin’ Newton’s hoss.” j ** Indeed, Avalanche! Well, this isn’t the Thomas of whom you speak, but a young gentleman who has just bad a fight with McTurk, the bullwhacker, Hie name is Corduroy Charlie. Mr. Charlie, this gentie- man is Old Avalanche, popularly known as the Grea’ Annihilator. I trust you will be friends,” “Great ham-bone, yes!’ Avalanche ejaculated, pos, from his seat, and grasping Charlie’s hand, cordially. wy. course we'll be famuss friends, an’ no mis- take!’ And while they were shaking bands, there came 2 heavy rap on the door, followed by three more im quick succession ! CHAPTER IIL. LIEUTENANT CRESSLY—LILY—THE PROWLERS. Tne ruffian, McTurk, after the departure of Cordw roy Charlie, was lifted by a number of his associates, who chanced to come wp, and borne up the valley to a, rude log cabin, where he lived, when he lived any where in particular. Here he was placed upon a rude bed, and his wounds attended to in the best possible mam ner, after which he was left alone, and his attend- ants returned to participate in the masquerade at Pretzel Pete's. For well they might desire to escape from the abusive bujlwhacker’s cabin, where the at- mosphere seemed pregnant with the fumes of foul whisky anc the ring of more biting curses. For i was to the latter two evils that McTurk resorted te find vent for his feelings and blunt the pain of his two wounds. And a good hand was he at it, as an hour’s unceas ing torrent of oaths and guzzlin from a demijohm proved. At the end of that time, however, his stock of wind was pretty well exhausted, and the tarant’ler gone, whereupon there prevailed more quiet in the cabin. About this time a door was opened, and a mam stepped into the apartment, taking the precaution to bar the door after him, evidently to prevent a sur- prise. He then turned toward the cot where MeTurk lay and the lamp-light streaming full upon him, rev a striking form, clad in purple abe from head te foot—a man, whose face was masked and whose hair fell quite to the faultless masculine waist. The eyes that gleamed through the holesin the mask, however, were restless and fiery in their glances, and the fin- gers of the gloved bends worked convulsively as the stranger approached the bedside. McTurk rolled over with a groan, as he heard the footsteps, and swore en introductory oath when he saw who was his visitor. “The devil, lieutenant—is it you?” he growled, en deavoring to raise himself on his elbow, and tially succeeding. “I'm in a purty fix, ain't 17” “T should say so!"’ the lieutenant assented. “Who's been going through you, Mac?” “Thunderation! hain’t ye heerd o’ et, yit? Why, ye see, I got salted by a fone 0’ galoots, led by a fel- ler they cali Corduroy Charlie. Ten ter one, ye 866, an’ I hedn’t ther smell o’ a show. I dropped six o ‘em, howsumever, afore I caved in,” “ Humph! what's your idea in telling me such a lie, MeTurk, when I was present and witnessed the auel?”’ you, Lieutenant Cressly? The dogs, you ‘What? say!” “IT was present,” was the calm assurance, “ and saw the young bravo plug it to you solid!" “Yes, he did, an’ no mistake. Ther pet bull- whacker 0° the Telefone tine got basted, an’ don’ ye forgit et. But thar’s a better day a-comin’, whem old Jem McTurk ‘ll agin buckle on his armor, am’ sail in like an exasperated buffer bull. Whoop— ee] And the wounded “tough” gave a loud yell as he announced his premeditated action upon the enemy “You must take care of yourself!” Cressly said, glancing at his watch, ‘“‘and get on your pegs as soon as possible, for you'll he needed directly. I'M keep an eye on this Corduroy Charlie; and when ou get around, report, at once. Where is Monk Tocemas Grizzly George and the other boys?” “Oh! . sent ‘em off on a leetle private snap o’ my own!” -as the reply, with a chuckle. “Te 2 care you don’t get so many of those leette snap: 0’ yours, McTurk, that you neglect the boss's maf ers, or you'll git salted, first ye know. The old she ciger shot Mully Miller thr’u’ ther heart, yester- day, ona ag .. hate ON “Curse her,” McTurk gasped, a ish pallor stealing over his bloated A seat» she pw 4 werry okt fiendess, lieutenant. An’ I bet—but nevyer mind. Got any whisky about ye?” “Nary adrop. Be good ter yourself, and remem- ber there is work waitin’ fer you to do." “Yes! yes, an’ bloody work, too!” the bullwhacker
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_. muttered, as the door closed behind the departin; visitor. “It is but a few hours, comparatively, ’ti thet cnssed sacrifice takes place. An’ who’ll be ther victim—aha! who? Why not the cuss who put me here—the young whelp who calls himself Corduroy Charlie? By all the furies, I'd love to see him the victim—yes! and he shal be the victim, I swear it. The warriors of the Sun shall not go hungry for their sacrifice, this time.”’ And 2 sleam horrible to behold was in the gaze of the rofixn, as he lay helpless upon the cot and glared around the room. He was terribly excited as he recalled the duel and its result—all the evil in his nature seemed arouse]—his rage was more of the beastly furious than of the human. A man of stron, easily-aroused passions, with iron resolution —a man to whom love was a stranger and hatea - hi ma fire, he was truly an enemy to be ear Corduroy Charlie’s wazon-train, in the meantime, had moved on up the street, and turned off into the dark valley, lit as it was only by the faintly twink- ling stars of light from many a cabin window. When they were in a favorable spot, according to the judg- ment of Bad Medicine, a halt was made, and the weary mules unhitched, hoppled and turned out to 720. BWile Bad Medicine was engaged in this work Clever Sam Yung, the C>lestial, gathered fuel anc built a camp-fire near the wagon, and procee ‘ed to haul out provision and various culinary utensils from the rear end of the wazon. He was au odd-looking genius, this Chinama with the unmistakable Chinese face and almonc eyes, andform stumpy, fat and squatty. There was a sharp, cunning expression to his features, too, which ws saiiicient proof that he was not as dumb as he looked. At strong contrast was he with the brawny, big-bodied red-skin, with his uncut hair, and the grim expression of countenance—a face re- markable for its fatness, gleaming black eyes, large red nose—fiery red, too—and e huge mouth with lips out-generaling those of an African. After finishing caring for the mules, Bad Medicine drove some stakes around the camp and put up 4 sidinz of canvas, leaving the sky for a roofing. This kept off the flerce wind which was blowing down the valley, in advance of the storm that threatened to burst and descend in torrents at any minate. The sky was inky black, and the thunder growled in hoarse jarring notes its warning for the pedestrian to seek hastily for shelter. “Ugh! Pig-Tail man better much hurry, or rain put ou5 him fire!” Bad Medicine advised, as he finish- ed his work, and seated himself, wees hand, on a log before the crackling blaze. “ n berry hard, g00n |’ “ Reddee-skinee man no tellee Clever Sam muchee news!” the Celestial rsplied, hurrying about briskly. “Melican mance muciee smartee; Chinee man know t-vo, three, ten muchee as Melican man, you better!” ‘*Worh! Pig-Tail know heap like prairie buzzard!” Bad Medicine replied, expr -ssing his disgust in the uffs he took at his pipe. ‘* He no good—much heap at-nose, crook eyes—win /”’ * Reddee-skinee! reddee-skinee!” mocked Sam, dancins about, with a iudicrous grin on his flat, homely features. *Chinee lickee reddee-skinnee in fivee minnits, He! he! Reddee-skinee he no goodee. Muchee big shackassee—no goodee welly pidgin, he! he!” Bad Metcine only grinted at this. He had lon since learned to regard Clover Sam as the big masti regaris the little snarliag cur—with lofty con- tempt. ‘*Piz-Tail dog; no fight leetle baby,” he observed, after a taoughiful silence. “ He like Injun squaw, only gol to cook meat, an’ mind lodge. He no go hunt elk, or kill cinnamon bear.” * Redse-skinee muchee foolee!"® Sam chattered back. ‘“‘ Chinee man killee b’ar an’ elikee likee deb- bil. Melicau man muchee brag—no smartee pidgin like Chinee man,” And thus they had it, back and forth, while Clever Sam prepare. coffee and roasted meat over the eracking caip-fire, in a really creditable style. When the meal was ready Bad Medicine put aside his pips, and approaching the canvas-covered wagon, parted the curtaias and peered in. A lantern swung from the top of the frame-work, and di(fused a dim light through the interior. Among the ojlier contents of tLe vagon wasa couch made of skins, and on this, hah sting, half reclining, was a young girl. $hs3 was fair-haired ana -vir-faced, with brown eyes like to thosa of Cordur>, Charlie, and wuburn hair, which fell unconfined upot her shoulders. But the form, alas! Nature had no’ tone its work well. The lower liiabs were drawn ana ‘nrunken, and only the arms and trunk of the body wie left perfect. A handsome pair of crutches lay wear the crippled girl, and spoke of her only meavs of locomo- ‘ion. ** Will de Lily come?” Bad Medicine isked, as he peered into the wagon. We have suppe. ‘€ elk-meat and coffee to offer t»e pale-face maiden. With a weary sigh the girl nodded, and. If crawl- ed to the aperiure, where Bad Medicine rec ved her in his arms and carried her to the camp-fir vhere he seated her upon a camp-stool which Clev- Sam had been spry enough te procure. Then, whsa the firelight fell full upon her face, you could see voat was hidden from view in the ‘im light of the wazon —the wiliness of those duskish brown eyes, and the ained, piteous expression of the face, which would ve been of marked beauty but for it. An expression of peculiar tender 5 tied the features of the stolid red- thy man- n, bn he stood Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. with folded arms, and gazed a moment down into the face of the Lily, as he had ealled her. Even the flat, ludicrous countenance of Clever Sam was drawn into a sober cast, which made it all the more comical. “Charlie! where is he? Where are we, Bad Medicine?’ the cripple demanded, as her wild gaze took in the surroundings, and she made the discov- ery that Charlie was absent. ‘‘ Where is my brother? Has he killed Dion Avery yet?” ‘*No! the brother of the fair lily is now in search of the white devil. He will soon here, perlaps, wid white debbil’s scalp.” ** And where are we now?” “Tn de valley of Castse Creek, where flowers iw. Will the Lily eat now, that she get strength my white brudder come? “Yes-sy, Melican gallee muchee eatee now,” sug- oot ver Sam, making a dive for his carving- e. “De Chinee man gotee muchee finee meal for Melican gal—elkee meatee an’ coffee, he! he!” Lily Madison smiled faintly as she received the late of fragrant meat and cup of coffee from the lestial, and eat a few mouthfuls. “Ts this what they call Quartz City, Sam?” she asked, looking up froma thoughtful survey of the fire L-fore. “Is this the end of our journey?” “Yes-ee, mumee, dis Quartzee Cittee—muchee finee place. Pidgin place for Chinee man; git mennee Melican man’s shirtee to washee!”’ “Ugh! Pig-Tail talk fast an’ much like Injun pap- oe mca 3 wisdom in his words. He made to wash un’s shirt an’ cook—no much good.” * Reddee-skinee no goodee for centee!” replied Sam, with a grim wink, “Ohinee man h2 lickee redaee-skinee so quickee like lightning; den stealee shirtee an’ runnee muchee fast away likee debbil. He! he!” * Hello, boys! Darn my eyes of they ain't got a ew’r- osity in thar, jest as Jem Me Tur hinted. Cum up an’ take a peep !”’ These words came rolling distinctly down into the camp, and the astonished trio glanced quickl around, in surprise, to bebold the head and shoul- ders of four brawny men visible above the canvas siding, which Bad Medicine had put up around the camp. Evil and hairy were the faces, too, the fea- tures contorted by long dissipation, and the eyes gleaming and bloodshot. Tt was the ruffian, Monk Morgan, who had spoken, and the gaze of all four was leveled direct! suet the poor crippled girl, who shrunk away with a low ery of terror, which caused a hoarse laugh to esca the lips of Morgan as he leaned further over the canvas. “Don’t be afeard, gal!’ he said, in a low, mocking tone. ‘We ain’t a-goin’ ter hurt ye, nary a time. See’d a light down heer, an’ as we constitute a kind 0’ Peace-Patrol to the town, we thort we'd better look inter matters,” “Ugh! what pale-faces want?” Bad Medicine de- manded, as he reached for his rifle, which stood against the wagon. ‘“ De Lily much ’fraid ob stran- gers—you go on from de camp!” “ Hello! what d’ye say, Injun? We go away, be- ca’se you say so? Phew! d’ye ever heer ther ekal, boys? Isay, you red son of a gun, whay’d ye git yer manners?”’ “Hel he! Reddee-skinee no goodee—muchee sassy to Melican manee!’’ put in Clever Sam, seeing an opportunity to get in a shot at his comrade. ‘*Somee day he gitee muchee bouncee!” “ Hooray! oe heer thet, boys?’ exclaimed Morgan, with a loud guffaw. “Thet almund-eyed imp ain’t no slouch, after all. The red-skin is a sassy, imperdent brute, an’ deserves bein’ strung up!’ RS g»posin’ we give him a h’ist ter glory, jest fer | fun?’ suegested Grizzly George, maliciously. “Ugh! pale-faces better keep away!’ Bad Medi- cine said, resolutely raising and cocking his rifle. *“ Dey mean no‘good to the White Lily, an’ better go mind deir business, or Bad Medicine will shoot!” ‘*He! he! he! Reddee-skinee shootee!”’ assented Clever Sam, with a tickled smile. ‘*‘ He badee Meli- can man; gittee muchee on his muscle!” “Wal, ye kin put down yer shutin’ instrument, red-skin!”* Monk Morgan said, with a stare hard at | poor Lily. ‘‘ We'll make ourselves skeerce, ef we're sech horrid objects as frighten the gal, yander. We don’t want ter be mistook fer rough customers, us Peace Commissioners, oh! no. Adieu, red-skin; adieu, pig-tail! Come round ter Pretzel Pete’s an’ we'll git ye staven drunk, fer puttin’ in a good word ferus. Az revoir, young leddy—pleasant dreams ter ye! Ho! ho! ho! Come along, boys!” And off tramped the roughs, with shouts of laughter, which made the vale ring—mnuch to the re- lief of both Lily Madison and Bad Medicine, who could but interpret danger from their coming. Poor Lily! She little knew or guessed what those same rufflans were to be to her. CHAPTER IV. , “BIG SCHOONER ”—CLEVER SAM GOES OUT WITH MORGAN. “ Buster’ looked at Old Avalanche in alarm and | dismay, as she heard the raps. “Tt is he!’’ she gasped, glancing nervonsly around, Wha he must not see me to-night. Where can I ide?” “Great ham-bone! w’at’s ther yearthly use 0’ git- tin’ skeered. Git behind ther screen—no! I won't admit ‘im; that’s ther way ter fix ’im.” The beautiful girl arose quickly and glided behind the partition, while the veteran scout approached the door. To Charlie all this was an enigma, and he secretly IN THE ee who it was that ‘‘ Buster” was so afraid of. The raps were now repeated with greater force, until the old door trembled under them. * Hello! t ham-bone that fotygraffed ther larnyx of old Joner! who’s out thar, an’ w’at d’ye want this stormy night?’—for the patter of rain upon the roof bespoke the fact that the storm was beginning to descend. “Tis I, Lieutenant Cressly!” was the gruff rep. “Come! you cursed old wolf, let me in out o° the rain, before I kill you!” “Ken’t come in, hyar—great explorative Moses who s’arched out ther great natteral secrits o' ther bullrushes, no! Thes ar’ on 4 cabin, ar’ this same pile o’ logs, an’ you chalk et fine, An’ as fer yer hullsale slaughterin’ o’ thes £ equinoxyel gust o’ skurgin’ disease, ye mought as well attempt ter ary ter an Injun thet tarant’ler ar’ not fit fer a hoss ter drink. Once know’d 0’ a pil- im as thort he’d make a national sucksess by uckin’ ay’in’ yer ‘umble sarvent, but, alas! he now sleeps a sleep thet knows no wakin’, down in Hon- duras Guich. Ken’t cum in, ae Mr. Cressly fer ye see as how I am werry sleepy, an’ don’t wanter be distarbed.” ‘Curses on you!"’ was the fierce response. ‘ D’ye s’pose I’m — ter stand out here the soakin’ wet all night, waitin’ your motion? Come! come! open the door, I say.” “Great a’riferous ham-bone! I’m orful sorry, ]’u- tenant, but I reely ken’t accommodate ye, m™m some other time when Buster’s home.” ‘She is in there now.” “Bet ye a bunt frum ther oe °’ my old goat, Flor’nce Night-in-a-gale, durned ef I won't; or a ten-gallon bottle o’ 160 fire-test tarant’ler, by Jeru- salaam !”’ ** Where is she, then, curse yer” “Waal, now, thet’s askin’ me a purty fp’inted question, considerin’ their fac’ thet my scope o’ vision ain’t werry extended. ‘Spect ye better look fer her over at Pretzel Pete’s.”’ There was a curse from the outside again; a mo- ment’s pause, during which the rain poured down the heavier, and then the lieutenant was heard Sapir off, swearing like a trooper. “Thar!” Old Avaianche said, turning back toward the fire, with a chuckle. ‘‘One more galoot sent off ther trail. Ye kin cum out, Buster.” The girl accepted the invitation, but when she ap- pea it was in a short Spanish suit of velvet, liber- ally slashed with gold trinimings, the skirt reaching just high enough to expose a pretty pair of slippers and ankles to view. There was a pretty flush upon her cheeks, as she caught the admiring expression in Corduroy Char- lie’s eye. Could Charlie but have noticed it, there was a reciprocating light in her eyes, which sparkled like diamonds. “Aha! heer comes our beauty!’ Avalanche ex- claimed, with a giunt of approbation. ‘“‘ Purtiest gal that evyer buckied a buiton, boyee, an’ hayr’s w'at ‘llsw’ar teret. Great ham-bone thet evacuated ther ruins uv old Joner’s larynx! I doubt ef even old Mother Eve ked hold ther wick uv a candle ter our Buster!” “To which let me add my opinion that you are retty nearly right!’ put in Charlie, with a pleasant augh. ‘*But you must now excuse me, for I must necessarily be going.”’ “ Going! whar, fer lordy’s sake?” “To my wagon train, which I sent to camp some- where in this valley. I have there a sister and a pair of trusty servants, who have accompanied me into this country and I must look after them.” “Great ham-bone, yes; but w’at d’ye calkylate ye kin do in thes rain an’ darkness. Wait til old Sun shows his face, en’ then ye'll hev twice ther prospect o’ findin’ ‘em, aided asye’ll be by thes yere greatIn- jun eppydemic o’ destruction.” And so it was that Corduroy was induced to wait at the cabin, which was in no way or manner a disa- greeable duty, since Buster was there to make things radiant with her merry presence; and Old Avalanche, too,added to the pleasantness as only he in his eccen- | trie way could do. During the time, which passed slowly to Charlie, because of an anxiety to join his sister, ‘Buster made some excellent coffee over the fire which was so good that they all rank a couple of cups, around. Then Avalanche enlivened the intervening time with one of his quaint yarns, told in his own original way, making it exceedingly funny. Shortly after the departure of Monk Morgan and his ‘‘ peace commissioners,” the rain began to de- scend, and poor Lily Madison signified her readiness to be lifted back into the wagon, whose covering was waterproof, and had been her shelter for many a long day's ride through the wild west. So Bad Medicine accordingly lifted her back inte the vehicle, and followed her, himself, for the large drops were pattering down freely, Clever 5am still sat by the camp-fire, devouring what was lett of the evening’s repast, voraciously. , “Uh! Pig-Tail man get good wet if stay outside!” the red-skin observed, as he sat with his long buck- skin-clad lees dangling out of the front end of the wagon. ‘ Do him heap good.” < “‘Chinee man no ’fraidee muchee water!” Sam re- plied, finishing the last scrap with asigh, which could scarcely be interpreted as one of relief. “Melican man muchee fraidee water; muchee dirtee; no goodee. Chinee span cleanee: gittee muchee nice Melican girl for wifee. “ Wagh! Pig-Tail heap big lie! No white maiden notice man with frog eyes. Where goin’?” for the Celestial was evidently the camp. preparations to le#ve
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.e “°Sh!’? Clever Sam replied, with a crafty smile | «pon his flat visage, and a warning nod toward the wagon. “Chinee man muchee dry—go gittee whiskee—muchee finee whiskee. Reddee-skinnee keepee still. Chinee git whiskee of Melican man, an’ bringee to reddee-skinnee.”’ And then he made a dive and disappeared in the darkness. If Bad Medicine had any thought of not allowing the Celestial to leave camp, he made no at- tempt to stop him; but a strange, eager gleam shot | bigger Chinee man!” allowed Sam, casting his eyes | into his eyes, and his lips parted and shut almost | with a smack, “What is it, Bad Medicine?” Lily Madison asked, from her couch of furs. ‘ Didn't you speak?” “No! Injun no say anyt’ing!”’ was the grim re- sponse. ‘ He listen an’ hear de tears fall from sky. He no iike rain; like to see him fair an’ de sun shine. Injun feel white when sun shine; feel debbil w’en de aky "gel * Why don’t Charlie come, chief?” **Bad Medicine don’ know. Pale-face youth much bravo; he lick painter by dozen—take care of him- self. He come back all right, when sun shine in valley.”’ “Oh! I hope so!’ was the sad reply. ‘Oh! Lord, how long! how long! before my vengeance.” In the meantime, the shrewd and scheming Clever Sam was skurrying back onto the main street of the town. The Celestial was as sharp as a Bowery Jew in the art of cheating in business transactions; he was quick to know how t) make money and to save it, and that a chance was open to him for specula- tion with Monk Morgan, the rough, was his belief, for he had detected the fact that Morgan had taken a notion to possess Lily Madison, and the unscrupu- lous servitor was even now on a search for the rough, with a scheme in his mind. He waddled along up one of the main streets, cut- ting rather a queer figure, and attracting general at- tention, for as yet none of his almond-eyed brethren had grr the streets or society of Quartz City. But he took no notice of the jeering remarks of the crowds, but kept on until he came to Pretzel Pete's establishment, which he entered and ranged himself along the bar, where there were also a crowd of eA sap and miners, absorbing the moisture that big Pete served out at two bits a finger. ‘Hello! vat you say?” Pretzel Pete exclaimed, as he discovered the Celestial; ‘vat is dish you haff here? Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! Ish dot a monkey, or ish et a shackass mit his tail on his het?” ‘Haw! haw! don’ ye kno’, Pete? Thet’s a China- man! Ther very furst arrival in thes tropical latti- tude o’ Quartz City. A real live almond-eyed galoot!” cried one of the roughs, ‘‘I say, Pig-Tail, lay-out?” *Chinee man no havee layee-ont! Melican man muchee mistakee. He no knowee Chinee man. Chinee man washee-washee Melican man’s shirtee; Melican man payee Chinee man five bitsee. He! he! he!” “Hol! ho! washee right fvom the old school, eh? What d’ye think o’ him, Pretzel Peter the Great?” “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! Ish dot der kind off a veller vat you call a Chinaman? Wire gahts, China; how you vas? Vat'll you haff at your own exbense?” “Nixy! Chinee man no drinkee whiskee. Wantee man callee Monkee Morgan—wantee see Monkee Morgan welly much!” * Hoo-o-ray!”’ yelled the rough, with a bellow of laughter, as he danced up and down. “Hip! yip! hooray! Monkey Morgan! haw! haw! haw! thet’s too rich ter digest on an empty stomach. Set out thet lonz black-necked bottle o° p’isen, Pret- zel Peter ther Great—set her out, I say, an’ charwer ther contents ter Andy Adair, ther man wi’ ther coal-black hair, who kin make a preecher sware he’s neither fat ner spare. Hoo! hoo! hoo! kerwhoop! Monkey Morgan! haw! haw! thet beats last yeer’s almanack jokes all ter blazes, Fer instance, jest— w’at’s yer So thet’s yer lay-out, hey? A washee- ‘* Monkey Morgan played the organ, Hes father war a bum, His sister—” “Hello!” roared a stentorian voice, at this junc- | ture, the sound of which caused Mr. Andy Adair to | cease his rude vocal effort—‘‘ who’s ther galoot as durst take ther name o’ Monk Morgan in vain? Show me ther cuss w’ile I chaw off his ear!” “Who-a-r up, Morgan!’ Andy said, with a grin. “We war jest hevin’ a larf at ther Celestial, heer, — a inquirin’ fer Monkey Morgan—haw! “haw! aw “Ther devil! The Chinaman here!" Morgan cried, fastening his gaze upon the Celestial, whose time was a, divided between the copiouglunch on the bar and a watch on the door. The temptation to remain near the lunch seemed greater than to escape from the rough companion- ship into which he had fallen. “Hello! I say, ye _pig-tailed rascal!” Morgan re- ted, advancing closer, with one hand upon the ndle of a revolver. “ y don’t yer look up an’ salute ther king cock o’ ther roost, as ther rest 0’ ther b’yees do?’ “Nixy! nixy!’’ Clever Sam replied, with a shake of his head, and a gorgeous grin. “ Ghinee man no salute P Melican man—salutese lunchee —muchee | d! | ated, but further than this the houses and cabins of “Shimminy gracious, unt my wife, Katrina!” ex- claimed Pretzel Pete, in utter astonishment, as he saw his pretzels and sweitzer-case and sanor-kraut fast fading from view. ‘ Dot veller haff abbetite so rt oe several hogs. Vot—vot a capacity he must aff.’ “So he has, Pretzel Peter, but he is nowhere along- side of you, with your big circumference,” | tiefs!” Waal, waal! | | horizon, Corduroy Charlie announced that he must | and glanced searchingly around them, | shook hands, and Charlie and Avalanche sct forth Bo | Bravo’s arm had by this time ceased to be painft if | soberest possible expression. Corduroy Charlie **Melican man havee muchee big body—muchee at the blonde-haired German. ‘‘Chinee man no eatee so much as Melican man.” “Waal, let’s drop thet subject, an’ test our tank- age—my treat!’ proposed Andy Adair. ‘Pretzel Peter, where’s thet bottle I ordered?” “Yes; shimminy gracious unt my wife, Katrina! | vat hash pecome off it?” the German exclaimed, staring round in dismay. ‘I shoost sets dot pottle on der counter, so sure’s my name’s Peter Von Sechemmerhorn, ont now him gone—sdole! Tiefs! | “Search the Chinee! T'll bet he’s got et stowed away!’ cried Monk Morgan. And accordingly a rush was made at Clever Sam, with the result of producing the missing bottle from under the semi-gown which he wore. “There! cuss ye!’’ Morgan exclaimed—“ w’at ye got ter say fer yerself fer stealin’ Pretzel Pete’s tar- | ant’ler? hat d’ye steal the pizen fer?” “Chinee man no stealee pizen!’’ Sam chattered back, with his ludicrous face drawn down to its “Chinee man Lorrow pizen to killee rats wi’, fromee Melican. He no stealee—no stealee; muchee honest Chinee man; no drinkee; no stealee, nottee muchee!”’ “Waal, all right. Let ther galoot off, this time, boys,” Monk Morgan said, with a coarse laugh. “ Comez alongee, ye durned almond-eyed cuss, fer I’ve got a leetle bizness with ye. Drink all round at my expense till I rejoin ye, pilgrims. Come, Celes- tial; I want to talk turkey to you!” ‘*Chinee man muchee fondee turkey!’ the son of Confucius replied, as he followed the gambler out upon the street. “‘Melican man goodee; muchee oodee. Let Chinee man washee shirtee —fivee ittsee. He! he!” “Shimminy gracious, unt my vife, Katrina!’ breathed Pete, as the two men took their departure. ne. der kind off a veller vat you call a China- man?” ‘* Yes, Pretzel Peter,” responded Mr, Andy Adair. with a swagger; ‘“‘thet’s a real live Celestial, an’ t hev heerd et remarked thet them same galoots tly resemble ther Germans.” ““Vat/ vat you say? Dose flat-faced, shackass cuss look like der Shermans? Dunder an’ plitzen!” And Pretzel Pete looked wrathfully into the mir- | ror that graced his bar-shelf, to satisfy himself that his round, shiny face bore no resemblance to the lu- dicrous visage of Clever Sam. “IT know’d ash how et vas von shoke, shendlemen, unt you didn’t fool me so badder ash you t’ought. But shoost vait avile, ondil dot Chinaman pokes his head in dish place ag’in; den I giff him somedinks he don’t vant!” At this juncture the brawny scout, Silver Beard, came hurriedly out of the daince-hall, and went out into the street. CHAPTER V. A DISCOVERY OF TREACHERY—THE WARNING, As soon as day was hardly yet breaking upon the take his departure. ‘“*T hope, however, to have the pleasure of meeting you again, Miss -—,’’ he said, addressing the glo- riously beautiful girl. ‘“ Your name I do not really think becoming for so pretty a young lady, and I hesitate to address you by it.” “Then should you meet me again, you may call me Lena Vernon!’ was the reply, after which the into the early gloom of the morning. The : . . . and he was thanktful that he had received no worse injuries at the hands of the rough and villainously- | inclined McTurk. | After learning which way Corduroy had sent his wagon, Avalanche shaped his course as near as he could in the direction in which he calculated they | might have camped, and they set out. The rain had now ceased to fall, and, as the | clouds lifted, the roseate illumination of morning shone clear and porte: the sun peeped over the horizon, and the birds seemed to burst involun- | tarily into a wild, sweet concert of warbling song | which echoed and reéchoed all over the valiey. As the light became clearer, Charlie was enabled to discover that the vale in which this Quartz City | nestled was more beautiful than any of those which | he had yet visited in the Hills country, It comprised but a matter of five hundred acres from the base of the gigantic mountains that rose on the eastern and western sides, and the mouths of the two caiions which opened into the vale from the | north and southern extremities. The thus encom- passed pocket was divided in the center by the waters of Castle creek, and made of gently undulating ground, which grew green with an emerald carpet of grass, and was patched here and there with wild flowers, which were in bloom in the many hues of The quartz from which the little town derived its name, was mostly obtained from the eastern moun- tains, where several crushing mills had been erected | and many laborers were employed in blasting and mining. There were a couple of main streets, on which stores, saloons and various business places were situ- the “‘city”” were scattered about all over the vale be ag regard to regularity—about a hundred, all old. When the darkness had sufficiently rolled away, so | that an unobstructed view of the valley could be | had, both Avalanche avd Corduroy Charlie paused | on a little eminence not far from * Buster's” cabin, the rainbow. | 5 * Ah! I see them!” Snarlie exclaimed, pointing off to the’southeast; ‘“ yonder where there are but few shanties. See! a wagon surrounded by a siding of canvas. That’s the rig in which I’ve traveled inte every mining strike in the Black Hills country.” “Perzactly; an’ why’ve ye at last fetched uphyar, b’yee?’ the Annihilator asked, as they resume their tramping. ‘‘Reckon ye’re more fitted fer a down-east bandbox!” “Ha! ha! that’s where you mistake me. I’ve roughed it a good deal during my couple of years’ experience in this country, and seen about as many + toughs, sights and customers as any one of my age. You ask me why I come here to Quartz C.ty, 1can- not tell you why now. Itis on account of a “upled sister whom I have down yonder at the wagon. When you see her, and her condition, you may guess that ‘only some grievous wrong could induce me to fetch her here. It looks quiet about the camp yonder; maybe they’re all he yet.”’ : ‘Great aristocratic ham-bone! et kinder lukes thet way, as ef she war desarted.” Without further comment the two men hurried o} and soon Charlie pulled aside the canvas and peer into the front end of the wagon. “My God! gone /” he gasped, reeling back as if he had jcen cealt a blow. “She is not in there!” “Thunder! ye don’t tell us? Great Moses! thet war ther first mortal evyer ter populate ther historie bull-rushes. Sumthin’ hes worked in ther wrong roove, as old Sally Jenks used ter say when ther njun heathen got inter bis corn-crib. Sally war a hard old case, war Sally; thar warn’ta man on ther Pacific coast as ked chaw his ear, you bet. So ther gal’s gone, is she?”’ “Yes, gone! and also my servants!” Charlie groaned, staring about for an explanatior to the matter. The ve turned traitor and spirited ber nC Wat wa tne vetanes, ’ calibe rds? ‘at war ther gree, an’ caliber o’ yer Mebbe we kin trace ’em up an’ recover the eal” **One was a Chinaman, whom J have retained as a servant for over a year. I called him Clever Sam. The other was a red-skin chief called Bad Medicine, whom I could have sworn by, any time—which makes the mystery ter, now !”’ **A Chinaman an’ a red nigger! Great molestive ham-bone, w’at war a hell gate ter old Joner’s lar- ynx! an’ ye left yer sister in ther purtection o’ sech a blarsted crew?” “Yes, asI have repeatedly done so in the past. I would have trusted either of them to any amount.” “Waal, thet shows thet ye ain’t a pilgrim iv these boreal os ge an’ longytoads, Trust an Jnjunoor a Celestyal? Great ham-bone; I'd as soon trustmy old goat, Florence Night-in-a-gale in the presiden- tyal cheer. Onceshe got thar, she’d show ’em plenty o’ sarcus.”’ “Well, I cannot stand here talking when my poor sister may be needing me to defend her. I must hunt her up.” * Perzactly as old Samantha Pruggles sed ter Dea- con Jones, when he squeezed her hand an’ preposed they connect fer life. But how’re ye goin’ ter work w’en ye ain’t got no sign?” = : don’t know, but I must make a move somehow. Hark!” A groan just then wafted to their sort of grunt and groan combined, person were just wakening from a deep sleey ‘*What was that?’ Charlie demanded, with a start. “T shed reckon et war a kind o’ a hooman sound!” Avalanche replied, with 2 grim crpression in the corners of his mouth. ‘‘Leasiways, it @un from hearing—a as if some en | thet clump o’ bushes, over yender, au’ I cilow we'd better investigate.” Accordingly they hurried over to the spot, and in Lushes the brawny & moment had } ulled out of the figure of Bad Medicine, the chief. “Drunk as ary old beast!’ Avalanche exclaimed; here's his bottle, empty of every drop o ure. > must have had more than the contents of t one bottle, to stupefy him, for his capacity for W sy is marked for at least a gallon!” Charlie re- plied, with a smile, as he gazed at the red-skin, who appeared in a state of beastly intoxication. : ~ “ Mebbe he's bin drugged,” Avalanche suggested, “In that case, I've got a leetle xaccoon’s ic hayr, w'at'il fetch him ter limericks.” He produced a small vial from his pocket, and | forcing open the savage’s mouth, poured a fuw drops down his throat. fect was startling. The eyes suddenly began to unclose, and Bad edicine sprung to his feet with an ear-spiitting yell which rung out and echoed on the ¢lear morning air. “Ueh! fire! fire!’ he cried, clutching his head be- twe n his hands, and dancing frantice lly around, “Great ham-bone, no, red-skin!” the Annihilator snorted, as he himself stood half-douiled up with convulsive laughter. ‘You've got the ‘James’ ther wust sort. Don’t ye see them snakes in yer boots? Haw! haw! haw! talk about yer devastatin’ eppy- demics, will ye?—about yer rip-roarin’ decoctations o’ supervised exstinction, will ye? Ili bet ther pelt o’ my old Florence Cordeliar thet ye ken’t find a purtier subject this side 0° pureatory.” “What's the matter with him?” Cordrroy ask as the chief continued to rear and bellow cround a fearful rate. * Nuthin’ en S Prager raccoon’s fle ter settle anc | his brain!’ Ava 1e answered, “Fe’ll bc hetter soon—thar, didn’t I tell ye so?” as the ree mn sud- denly ceased his gyrations, to stare cround a be- wildered manner, ‘ Why, boyee, T thet same raccoon’s ile ter cure a man o' f! * in | quicker time then my old mare Prudence hods ; {
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| | | a man wi’ ther electricity o’ her hind feet. Fac’, by graci . “Ugh! fire burn berry much here!"’ Bad Medicine grunted, rubbing his cranium. ‘* Redman think he heap in hell-fire.” “Oh! thet war but a shuger-lump ter w’at ye’ll git w’en old Gabr’el blows his fish-horn, Injun. Great ee aan in ther baptismal rites uster know a feller who hed the ham-bone that uv old Joner! hull top 0’ his head scorched off by whisky-fire.”’ “Bad Medicine!’ Corduroy Charlie said, sternly, **how is it that Icome back to camp to find my sis- ter and Clever Sam gone, and you dead drunk! How can you explain the matter?’ The chie ward the deserted wagon. ‘“* De White — gone?’ he articulated, huskily, a ir “Bad Medicine strange fire shoo drunk?” “Just so. WhenI returned, a few moments ago, ng into his eyes. I found the camp deserted, and discovered you lying Now I want an expla- in these bushes, dead drunk. nation, or down goes your shanty, instanter!” “Ugh! Bad Medicine berry much fool, you see was the answer. ‘He let Pig-Tail man go out of camp. He come back and gib Bad Medicine bottle of whisky. Bad Medicine drink him, an’ dat’s all he know.” “Ha! then it was the rascally Chinaman, eh, who has done this deviltry in my camp?” “Yes. Pig-Tail mau heap no good. He treacher- ous like de painter; he steal like de debbil—ugh! bad man.” “Great demonstrative ham-bone thet thunder- bolted old Joner’s larnyx! Thet’s jest ther way wi’ one o’ them a galoots!” broke in the An- nihilator. ‘‘Nevyer know’d one yet as wouldn’t steai ther eye-winkers out 0’ a buzzard’s eyes an’ sell em fer tooth-picks. An’ fer drinkin’ whisky, ye ken’t beat ‘em. Thar war old -Wang up at Deadwood. A passel o’ missionaries, wi’ a bank de- posit o’ several thousand dollars, tried ter make an example o’ him, in startin’ an inebriate asylum. So they tuk him an’ began work. They made him drink nuthin’ but tarant’ler, which pleased ther old cock, mightily. Then they squirted et in his ears and eyes, scented his room wi’ et, an’ kept his togs soak- ed wi’ et. Then ogo. apie war P ead in his ele- ot, ary lark, war he. Then they went ter cookin’ his wittles wi’ ther stuff, an’ made him take a daily bath in et; but durin’ his bath he ab- sorbed so much thet they couldn’t afford et. Great ustrative ham-bone! ust spring the establish- ment failed, an’ ter-day old Chang-Wang kin stow away half a barl’ an’ nevyer wink.’ “Ugh! pale-face got long tongue!" Bad_ Medicine | eee on with an appreciative grin. ‘ His | heap big lies!" ' “Great ham-bone, no. Ef ye’d know’'d ther Hogg ry omg | spelt wi’ two g’s—as long as I hev, ye'd never doubt their veracity. But, come; if we're goin’ ter take ther war-path, et’s time we war startin’. Wat d'ye propose ter do, boyee?” “There seems no alternative but to make quiet inquiries for Clever Sam, and after we find him, force him to tell what has become of my sister,” Corduroy Charlie replied, thoughtfully. “ He it evi- dently was who had an agency in the abduction, and until we find him we have little hope of discovering rh “Bad Medicine take war-path!”’ said the chief, ereee . ‘No come back till he git White Lily an’ Pig- ail’s scalp. Ugh!” ‘Bully fer you, red-skin; but_mind, ef you play | any shenanigan on us, I'll annihilate ye like I bev thousands o’ yer tribe—teetotally become yer last sickness." : . Without deigning to notice the old scout’s threat, Bad Medicine strode away to the wagon for bis rifle, | and then across the vale toward the main streets of the “‘ city,” with long, swinging strides that counted | rapidly. ‘He isin a gloomy mood, and woe be to Clever Sam if he geis in the red-skin’s way!’ Corduroy said. ‘And as there is nothing here to detain us, except an old wagon and a few traps, I propose that we branch out, and work till we find a trail,” They accordingly separated, Avalanche first giving the young Bravo some iustructions in regard to cer- tain dens of iniquity and vice in the town which were dangerous to visit. The Annihilator went back in the diwection of Lena Vernon’s, while Charlie kept on toward the main part of the town, where Baa Medicine had gone. In nearing one of the many scattered cabins, he heard a vile string of oaths, and glancing in through a window, as he passed, he beheld Jim MeTurk sit- ting up in bed, attempting to use his arms, which was a painful operation, owing to the wounds, in | either side, elbow higb. “Ha! so 'tis in here that my enemy nurses his wrath, eh?” the young Bravo muttered as he ~ on, “Well, I don’t believe he has anything to do with the abduction of Lily, or I'd go in there and choke the breath out of him. Can it be that the enemies mentioned in the anonymous note | received a few days ago, have begun their deadly campaign ainst me?’ ; wer if impressed with the idea, he paused in, his walk, and drew a crumpled note from his pocket. With a perplexed knitting of the brows, he perused it several times over, without seeming to derive any satisfaction from it. It 1an as follows: “ Cusrer Crry. *“ Mr. Corpuroy CHARLIE: * Asa friend to your interests, let me advise you not to visit the mining strike, in or near the h ational Park section of the hills, known as Quartz Citv. For there are enemies there who know of your coming— bitter enemies whom you know not, but who have started violently, and gave a glance to- words | —_ 3143 2aAd.e's been your enemies since your birth. Your parent- age has ever been a matter of doubt to you; these foes know .much concerning it, and will attempt to smnite you, out of revenge’s sake. Keep clear of Quartz City lest you learn that which wo relish to you—lest ae are struck by enemies when least expected, and of whom you never dreamed. Your mission in this country is one of no Christian character. Let your object be consummated by One who has a higher cause than you. ** AN UNKNOWN FRIEND.” “No! no! I will let out the object to no other hands than mine!’ Corduroy Charlie gritted fiercely, as he kept on toward the town. CHAPTER VI. THE WARDVILLES—DEADWOOD DICK TELLS THE STORY OF LEONE’S FALL, AN incoming stage brought with it to Quartz City a Ohioan and his wife, whose names were Ward- ville. The man was a large, well-proportioned person, of forty-five years, with akindly expression of face and eyes, showing him to be of mild temper and exceed- ing honest, good-nature. He wore his beard crop- ped rather short; was dressed in plain but substan- tial clothing, and wore a cable-chain across his vest of solid gold. His wife was a fitting companion for the pleasant- ap ing Ohioan—a quiet little matronly woman with a placid face and plump form, and was dressex with the same taste yet plainness of raiment which characterized the husband. She too, however, wore expensive jewelry. he s deposited the Wardvilles in front of Pretzel Pete’s establishment, along with a pair of large Saratogas, and then rattled away down the street, leaving the Ohioan and his wife anne at the uninviting front of the “‘ Big Schooner,” which was pasted over with such flaring labels and signs as— “ Lager Bier, four bits; ‘‘ Sweitzer Kase unt Pret- zels;* ‘* 160 fire-test Tarant’ler, fifty cents a pint.” “Humph!" the Ohioan ejaculated, as he viewed things, generally. ‘It appears to me, Madge, that Quartz City can't boast of superior accommodations in the way of hotels, if this is the best. more or less than a lager beer saloon.”’ “True, Judson; but perhaps we cannot find better quarters,” replied Mrs. Wardville. “Look! there somes the a zel Pete, w before his door, had hastened out to investigate. “Good mornin how you vas?" he saluted, as he waddled down the steps. ‘I vas so happy to see you as never vas. Shimminy gracious unt my vife atrina—dot ish so!” ‘““We were just looking for the best hotel which our stage-driver assured us existed somewhere in this vicinity !"’ Wardville replied, shaking hands with the good-natured German. ‘“ Maybe you can tell us where it is, sir.” “Shimminy gracious, yes. Dot vas my blace ter a dot. Der ‘Big Schooner’ ish der Jeading hodel mit der city. Walk right in, for I haff swi’ rooms up- stairs vot tickle you right mitshoy. Dis vay, blease!” and the proprietor of the Big Schooner opened a side door which admitted them into a hallway. On ascending a stairs they soon found themselves domiciled in a suit of two rooms, directly over the saloon part of the building, which were tastefully furnished for being almost at the extreme limits of civilization, with warm-tinted wool carpets, sofa fur- niture and a luxurious bed in the smaller room, toge- ther with pictures on the walls, and other ornaments of an adorning nature. “ Wh? vat you say?” Pretzel Pete ejaculated, as the Wardvilles gave a sigh of relief. ‘‘ How vas dis for vatermellon, eh? Don’t got fooled; vas?” “The rooms are satisfactory,”’ said Judson Ward- ville, with a bow, “and as long as we sojourn in Quartz City we will keep them. You may now send us up a ;ood dinner, if you please.” | Pretzel Peter bowed graciously, and descended the stairs, full of glory over his success in capturing a pair of guests of the upper ten. As for the Wardvilles, they were only too glag to find themselves in such comfortable quarters, after their rongh tour through the Hills. Their trunks were soon brought up, and after them came a savory meal of roast game, rye bread d be of no | MalfDime Lib-ry. | | | } | —--- =~, | mau evil, in the great hereafter. Stetien Be. here, awhile, I think I will take a stroll about place.”” “Will you make inquiries?”’ “No, not at present. We had best wait, and bide our time. If we have come on a wild-goose-chase, it , does not appear worth while to apprise these deni- | \ by, for maybe an hour, or so; zens of the fact. If, on the contrary, it proves 1} at we have come here for any purpose, there is time enough to work. Things done in haste are not, as a rule, done weil.” “What a logician you are, to be sure, Judson,’ Mrs. Wardville said, Jaughingly. “* Logic is simply common sense, dear. Now, go: and kissing the + man who had ever been a faithful and loving wife ‘o him, Wardville descended to the barroom of 1! ‘“‘ Big Schooner,” where the usual gang of rough ard illiterate patrons were taking their morning “‘nip © dew.” There were miners, and stage-drivers, zam blers and desperadoes all mixed together, with nov ' and then a genteel speculator, or maybe now and then a military officer or private. After reviewing the crowd in the bar-room with a critical eye, Judson Wardville passed into the dance- hall, only to remain a few moments, for the females who were lounging on the side seats, smoking and drinking, or Sr a = in the mazy waltz, were not such as he could either respect or admire. He had been brought up to regard woman as something good and pure and loving and faithful: surely these giddy creatures could have but little in common with the mothers and sisters and daughters who could command all men’s respect. Judson Wardville shuddered when he ran in upon the riot- ous life in the great ball-room of Pretzel Pete’s place. That same afternoon, Old Avalanche was sitting upon a bowlder in the dark recesses of the Southern cation, which, like a deep, narrow fissure, ran through the mountains, its course declining, and bottom being hundreds of feet below the | cary mountain-peaks which rose and cast a solemn slad- | ow o’er its course. It’s nothing | now,’’ and she pointed to Pret- | 0, On seeing the disembarked strangers | Before the scout the clear bright waters of Castle Creek purled and sprayed through a rocky channel, and made strangely weird music echo along the gi- gantic walls that arose on every side. Far above, the peaks were crowned with spectral pines, and the wind wafted down the scent of them and mingled it with the fragrance of the flowers on a wild syringa bush which grew close at hand. Close at the Annihilator’s side crouched that speci- men of the genus capri, which was the old man’s ride—the vicious, ugly-looking goat, Florence Nightingale, which had been his boon companion on many a wilderness journey, and during many a c: m- paign against the hostile red-skins, The animal was showing an advance of years as well as the master, both in the wrinkles upon the countenance, and the lankness of the body. But there was still a fire in the eyes betraying belliger- ency, and a knotty, hard look to the head, suggestive of bucking. The goat was engaged in browsing away at a hem- lock limb, while the old scout sat with his chin rest- ing upon his two hands, gazing thoughtfully up and down the cafion, as the day drew toward a close, “Reckon thet sister 0° Corduroy Charlie’s ar’ a goner!" he soliloquized, as he took a bite from a plug of twist. ‘‘T've looked all overs, e’ena’most ter find her, Lut no crippled gal ner Chinee galoot kin I git news tv. Thet’s one deefikilty w’at’s cloggin’ ther path 0° thes yere devastatin’ eppydemic o’ ther peraries. Hayr in thes place they call me the ‘mountain king,’ an’ great ham-bone w'at were a perigrinashun p’int te) old Joner! Ef I ain’t got my hands fuller o° bizness | than a full-blow’d wassup, may this great disease o and coffee, with a small bottle of Rhine wine, which, | however, was left untouched. ‘* Well, we are here, and have taken our first meal in Quartz City, wife!” Mr. Wardville said, tipping back in his seat, and lighting a cigar, at the close of the repast. “‘The next question is—what a.e we here for?” “That question needs no answer, between us, Jud- son,” Mrs Wardville replied. ‘ You know whatfaint | clew brought us here, and how we have hoped and prayed for a giad realization.”’ ; “Yes! yes! but somehow, I have put rather an in- different sort of confidence in the matter, all along. it would not surprise me if our hopes should be real- ized—it would not surprise me to find them defeat- ed.” * You speak strangely, Judson!” “Dol? Well, then, it is because I have long since | deadened my faith in the matter. As long as we have been pursuing the faint hope, unsuccessfully, [ have constantly been losing interest in the chase I marvel that my hair and beard have not turned white, ere this.” “True, you have undergone much, dear hushand, as well as myself, but I am pressed with the belief | that our trusting faith in God, at all times, has in a | measure preserved us.” ‘“Well—wel, Madge, I cannot say as to that; but certainly pure faith in the All-wise Creator works no | ther boreal lattytudes an’ longytoads be everlast in’ly extirpated. Thar's Corduroy Charlie—a nic: sorto’ a galoot—I must help him out o° his rigs; then thar’s thet matter about. old Ugly Ann, an’ her,War riors o’ ther Sun God; ther citizens want me ter lay fer their stronghold. Then cums thet affair abor'r Deadwood Dick an” bis wife—thet report, wich don go down me easy. Great :hadder o’ old Moses who peregrinated thru ther Biblikal bull-rushes! I ruther swaller a dose o’ gin an’ cotton, then b’lie’» thet leetle red-haired, Leone Harris hed gone te ther dogs” “ Alas / yes ; but ‘tis only too true!” The latter words were not spoken by the scout, but by another. Another, who upon a powerful and glossy black horse, had ridden within a few feet of the Annihilat- or, without his knowledge, And as the latter wheel- ed around, he uttered an exclamation at sight of the black-clad, black-masked figure which sat so erect in the saddle. “ Deadwood Dick! he gasped, his old features contorting into an expression of recognition. “Can et be possyble et aire you?” y “Quite possible, old man!’ was the reply, in the road-agent and regulator's familiar voice. ‘*You behold Deadwood Dick again, as you first met him,’ “On ther road, b’yee?”’ “Yes, onthe road.” And as he spoke the young man slipped from his saddle and came nearer, the striking beauty of his perfeet form at strong con- trast with the grim mask that covered the upper sortion of his face. “You were just speaking of r one, Avalanche—she who has been the alternate blessing and curse of my life.” “Yes, I war speakin’ 0° her, boyee, fer sence 1 heerd o’ yer goin’ back onter ther road, an’ o’ her desartion, I've been in a rene deefikilty,”’ the old man replied, in a husky tone. U “Et sorter made me sick, ther news, ye see, fer i allus loved ther gal as ef she war my own darter.”
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bs ad es | oa —~—-— “Of course you did; wt pet love was but a small insignificant item compa sion I had for her. Love was a weak word, I more than loved—I worshiped her. You know it: and that since our reunion after that affair of jealousy, which was settled up at Eureka, I have been a de- voted husband to her—she was my idol.” “Great ham-bone! yes, boyee; I never see’d but w'at ye war gude ter her, an’ I ken’t ascribe any mo tive for her leavin’ ye.” ° “Nor can I; but she is gone—hopelessly, and I shall never seek to restore her to my bosom!” Dead- wood Dick said, bitterly, as he paced to and fro in front of the bowlder where the Annihilator sat. “Are you sure, Dici!’’ the veteran scout asked, catching at the least possible hope, as the drowning man would catch at a fragment of bark on the fioat- ing tide. ed suspicion?” “None!”’ Deadwood Dick replied, fiercely, stopping dis impatient pacing—“ none, Avalanche. Listen to me, and then if you can put in even a word for her I will hear your defense or opinion. “I was up in Whoop-Up a few weeks ago, playing regulator. After the dispersing of my band, Leone went over to Hayward City to stay, as I supposed, with my sister, Mrs. McKenzie. When I went to Hayward I didn’t find Leone at Anita’s, but in a cabin, lying on the floor—dead drmk/ She had not been near McKenzie’s, but from all reports had been with a noted gamble: , called Handsome Hal. Tt wanted proof; I left the cabin to keep watch; I saw the gambler come—saw enough to drive many a stronger man than me insane with fury; I for- bore shooting them then and there, but went out into the mountains to cool off. There I met some men whom I knew to be trusty, and oa the impulse of a moment I reorganized my road-agent band, and Deadwood Dick's flag wus again unfurled in the face of the world. When I returned to Hayward, Leone and her evil geuius were gone. I am now hunting for her.” “What will you do, Dickey, boyee?” “Ti jind her!’ said Deadwood Pick, with that wild, terribie laugh of his: ** Iii find her, and remind her of the innocent babe she bore me, now dead, and then put bullets through her faiiliess heart till she is dead.” Then, as he ceased speaking, the wronged man turned, vaulted into his saddle, and dashed swiftly away up the cafion. ; CHAPTER VII. PEACE-COMMISSIONERS AND ROAD-AGENTS. ArrerR Deadwood Dick had zone, Avalanche arose from his seat on the bowlder, and started off for Quartz City, followed by his curious companion, the t. “Dickey means et,” he muttered, slowly. “He means et, cuss old Florence’s capacity fer fodder ef he don’t. Hear’ a hard customer w’en he's set on a subject, and I reckon I'd like ter find thet wife o° his’n an’ tell her ter skip, fer w’en Deadwood Rich- ard sez he’s goin’ ter shoot a person, ye ken bet he'll go do et." In hopes of running across Corduroy Charlie, the old Annihilator steered for Pretzel Pete's, but failed to find the Boy Bravo there, after which he visited several more of the dens which flanked the street. “Ken’t 'be they've knabbed the boyee, too,” he muttered. dubiously, when he could find or learn nothin of Charlie. “ P’r’aps Buster has seen some- thing of him.” He aimed his footsteps along toward Lena Vernon's cabin, followed closely by Florence Niz)!-in-a-gale, at whom the crowd stared or poked fun: but very few cared to further tackle the animal than with banterin, words, for Florence had built up a reputa- tion in Quartz City by knocking out the t of a notable bully in first-class style. Upon arriving at Buster’s cabin, Avalanche found the girl standing in the doorway, watching the set- ting sun with her dazzling, fascinating eyes. ‘*Hes Corduroy Charlie been here. since we left, this morning?” were the first words of the scout. “No! why, what has become of him?’ * Thet’s — w’at I’m anxious ter find out. Great somnambulistic ham-bone thet used ter pay nightly visitations ter old Joner’s larnyx! ef thet boyee war ter hev any harm happen to him, I'd never fergive myself.” Then the old_man further related about the abduction of young Madison's sister, and his in- terview with Deadwood Dick. “ Poor fellow!” the girl said, Sympathizingly. “TI hope he may find his lost sister, and I also hope that with the idolatrous pas- | } | | es ae ! “ Ain’t there sum mistake’—sum unfound- | | , Inare Prudence Cordeliar uster | ther time when T ront teeth | . Corduroy Charlie. In the ball-room, with a very few exceptions, all were masked, the exceptions being such as did not care to dance, or knew not how. Old Avalenche composed one of the exceptions, as he sat upon the top of a deal table at one side of the room, with his weapons and his faithful com- panion, Florence, by his side. “Great authentic ham-bone!” he was saying, ad- dressing his remarks to them around him who might | be listening—‘‘ef ther devil war ter see thes yere ang, he’d git skeered an’ turn his tail an’ skin, doly Moses, 0’ bull-rushin’ fame—wu'st—very wu’st gang o’ human critters Ievyer sot eyes on fer a fact. “Thar war old Sally Sluggins up at Cheyenne, who war sum on a kick, smoke or drink, but she warn’t one bristle on a hog’s back ter those angelikal de- scendants of old mother Evenin’.”’ If any one had the courage to dispute the Annihi- lator’s vieavs, they evidently had not the ambition or desire, and so the old man relapsed into silence. But he kept his eyes, old and growing they were, upon the whirling mass of dancers be- neath the brilliant chandelier light—especially upcn a certain couple, when they were in sieht. The man was tall and slim—elad in a ranger cos- tume, with a tall fur-beaver cap :pon his head. and a mask upon his face, which wholly enveloped th features. The woman was shorter in stature than her companion, with a plump form, and brick-red hair, which fell over her shoulders in an untangled mass. Her face was masked from eyebrows to chin; her costume was a short dress, cut low in the | | | child lived, I should n ver have come to ‘Lis. ; you said all you wish?” ? a (do not think I care in the least for > 2.dweort Dick, Avalanche. When a woman seis ivr soul to the devil, love has little power over ..cr Had p er “No! 4 wish ter warn ye—faithless t iough you have turned out—ter look ont fer Deady vod: Dick. ‘ou may have heard that hc has “ain to. en to the road. Itis so; I see’d ther boyee, ic ‘a), he sw’ars thet he now only lives ter ‘rill ye!” “What! Deadwood Dick #ill me! wa! ha! let him try it! Know ye, old man, that | '. ve power unsuspected by you orhim. Let him rut hun ior me, and he will fall into a trap which shall end in | death!” ' constitoochin uv old Jc ner! What hes x ' thet dim, though | neck, and a jaunty jockeyfied hat perched upon he» | head. Both she and her cavalier were graceful dancers, and floated gracefully through all the changes with- out the least apparent confusion. And this couple Old Avalanche watched sharply, his forehead contracted into a half-frown. Once he caught the glance of the woman, but it was only for a inoment, during which she seemed to halt, instinctively, and tremble; then she was whirk ed away into the mazes of the dance by her partner, and the scout lost track of them. “"Twere her!” he muttered, grimly—‘‘ her—Leone Harvis! Great ham-hone thet layed siege ter ther interior kentry ov old Joner’s constitution. Ill go an’ get a sip 0’ tarant’ler, and then lay fer her, durn me ef I don’t. Florence, ye beast, jest stay whar ye be, an’ keep yer weather eye out. Ye know them as ar’ my friends, an’ know w’en things w’at ain't Christyun-like aire goin’ on!” The goat wiggled the stump of its tail in an under- standing manner, and then Avalanche departed. When he returned he felt in a spirit more like to him- self, and gazed around in quest of hisgame. He soon found the red-haired masker sitting quite alone on one of the side seats; but she started vio- ayy when she saw him approaching. “Great Moses thet cavorted thru ther historic bull-rushes! don't git skeered, mum: I ain't goin’ ter harm ye, ef I am a contagious eppydemic o’ de- molishun, Jest ye foller me out o° thes yere ball- room, fer I wanter hev a leetle talk wi’ ye.” “ Great salubrious ham-bone thet demoralized ther vyer doLe e shed wish ter destroy him?” Nothing; but when he tracks a tigress to make ame of her, he will find his mistake. Please tell im so, if you see him, and that Leone Harris defies “im!” “i Then, without , nother word, the woman turned on her heel, and glided back toward the “i. .¢ Schoon- er,” foilowed a few moments later by t).. old Anni- hilator. He found that she had again joined the dancers, and was whirling away in the arms of the da: dy ranger, with whom Avalanche had first 1.oticed her. As he was standing idly at one side cf the great ha.l, there was an uproar in the bar-room, and a mo- ment later a of armed toughs, comprising Monk “iongens Gri’ George, Skunk’s Cabbajce Abe, and several others, among whom was the ‘heathen Chinee,’’ Clever Sam, and, headed by the lumbering b whacker, Jem MecTurk, burst into the ball-room with yells and whoops. As a conseanence the band ceased to play, and the a“ | dancers nuddled together, in alarm: fcr a “ raid,” headed by the notorious McTurk, had often been proved dangerous if not disastrous. Vell-meli into the apartment the gang waltved, with drawr re- volvers, and took their stand upon various artic‘es of furniture, commanding elevation. McTurk ha? , been drinking deeply, and as he stoce for a moment, Without a word Leone Harris, for it was she. in | | truth, followed the old man, and soon they were out | in the night shades of the vale, quite alone. Then Avalanche halted, and faced her, with a strange grimness on his rough, grizzled features: *“Ye see I know’'d ye!” he began, with one of his peculiar chuckles—* know’'d ye jes’ so well as my old cnow oats. A great animile fer fodder were thet Prudence, mum—a terrific despenser o° provender, But then, she warn’t one side o’ a slab fence ter my goat, Florence Night-in-a-gale. Hat? why, by ther etarnal ham- bone thet disfigured Joner, she kin eat more in less time than any beast extant. Thar war, fer instance. an’ Flor’nce went ter visit some senators in Washington. Nothin’ must do but thet | we let Florence sleep on ther sofa in ther parlor, an’ | o° Lordy, w’at a feast thet ‘ar animile hed! Salu- brious bone thet ruined Joner’s financial prospects! An inventory war taken in thet parlor next mornin’, | an’among ther things missin’ war a Brisiles carpet, ' plug hats belongin’ to ther senator's guests. Deadwood Dick may not execute his threatened | vengeance upon his wife.” “ hy?’ “ Because, it can do him no good to kill her who was the mother of his child.”* “Right, Buster, by ther great ham-bone, But he'll do et, an’ don’t ye fergit et. W'en Deadwood Dickey says he'll do a thing, he's a-goin’ ter git thar, an’ don’t ye ferget et.” . Then the Annihilator took his departure, striding back toward the “ Big Schooner.” That night, owing to the previous night's success, the masked ball at the establishment of Pretzel Pete was repeated, and the ballroom was crowded, and also the bar-room, where the Dutchman dealt out ‘pizen’ to as rough and ill-assorted a gang of humans as ever lined a counter, There were oaths in a plen- itude, and occasionally a knock-down, while in the ball-room males and females whirled under the bril- pete ec 4 chandeliers, to the onivouing — © German band whom Pretzel Pete had fetched cen Pittsburg. | sist. | we’d met on ther ferry-boat crossin’ a set 0’ soafy furniture, a peanner kiver, one statter o’ Abraham Lincoln, a file 0’ noosepapers, an’ ave e- sides, Florence hed rammed his head at an ugly- lukin’ goat, w’at he see’d in er pier glass. Total costs, $5,000!" The masked woman had listened with evident im- patience. “Well!” she said, ‘‘ what has this to do with your bringing me out here?” “Not much, thet’s a fac’. But I thort I'd give ye an’ idea o° ther digestive capabilities o’ my goat, Florence. As ter w'at I fetched ye heer fer, I want- ed ter give ye a leetle warning.” ** Warning, sir?” ‘Perzactly. You are Leone Harris. Thar! don't attempt to deny it, fer ’tis useless, fer I know et. Yer red hair gives ye away. Shed hev know'd ye ef Jordan!” “ You are right—I am, or was Leone Harris before the devil tempted me and I had not. the power to re- Don't think to lecture me—I will not listen.” ‘An’ Deadwood Dick, gal—?” “T have wronged deeply, and should be sorry, per- haps. But Iain’t. I scarcely can credit the change in me during a few weeks, myself, but such change there is, that I would not go back to the tame, retired life, for all the world. No! no! not for Deadwood Dick or the whole world!” She spoke in a nervous, excited way, emitting her speech by little jerks. It was quite évident she had indeed fallen into a depth from which there was no extrication. “Great ham-bone! ken et be thet ye no longer hey love fer Dickey, ter whom ye bare thet leetle son | high dudgeon. | I dells you.” glaring around upon the crowd, with a pair of heavy six-shootersin his grasp, nearly every one shrunk back asin dread of him, whose wellish face was a mirror of an evil nature. “Whar is he?” the bulhwhacker ot last bellowed, with a frightful oath—“ Whar is ther nasty leetle raloot they call Corduroy Charlie? I wanter sec het same cuss, an’ chaw off his nozzle. Show him terme! He's thar among ye maskcd fools—show him up, or gol dang yer ugly skis, li! sic my purps, hayr, onter ye, an’ ‘em scatier yer bones frum hayr ter Cheyenne!” “Yes! et’s Corduroy Charles we're arfter, or blood, an’ hev one or t’other we will, hit or miss!” cried Monk Morgan. “So haul him out, or down goes thes edifis ker~ slap, inside 0’ ten seconds by ther le: st calkylation. Whoop him out, I tell ye!” F “Yessee! yessee! muchee findee Corduroy Char- lee—gib himee up to peacee commiss'oners!” assert- ed Clever Sam, with a huge grin, as the others, a pair of formidable revolvers at the crowd. ‘“Melican manee muchee badee—Chixee man muchee cutee, likee debbil!” “ Holdt! stop!’ cried Pretzel Pete, rushing in upon the scene. ‘“ Vat ish all dis drouble apoud?’ Vat vor all dish pig nonsense in my saloons? Shimmipy acious unt my vife Katrina! I gets me mad, unt T Kicks you all out mit der sdreet!” ‘Hello! don’t get excited, Dutehv! howled Me- Turk. ‘ What’s ther use ©° perrigrinatin’ on yer ear, w’en ye ain‘t hurt? All we want ar’ a feller called Corduroy Charlie—thet same festive ‘coon who salivated me last eveuin’! Thet’s w’at’s our game, you bet. Peace Commissioners aire we, du appointed by Unkle Samule ter lick out fer jest sech *‘coons.”’ “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! don’t vou vas go find him!” expo: » © leveled, with den vy tulated Pete, in “Ve no keep Corduroy Shartie here, “Shet up, ye old blowhard! Leddies an’ gertie- men, ter av’ide trouble, yell please unmask?” “That's ther way ter tell ef Corduroy Charlie's heer. Off wi’ yer face kiverin’, every one o’ ye, or I'll make sum funerals a vital necessity ‘” With alacrity the masqueraders began to drop the coverings from their faces, for all were in awe of the bullwhacker, who held life so lightly in regar’. Soon the faces were all unmasked and turned ‘< «- ard the Peace Commissioners for inspection. It took but a glance from MeTurk to tell that (: r- duroy Charlie was not among them, and he leay x! to the floor with an oath. ‘“ Hurra! boys—ther galoot ain’t hayr, an’ we mi i s’arch till we find him. Kerwhoop! fifty dollars 11" ther galoot as fetches me ther skunk w’at salive: me out in ther gulch!” The roughs gave an assenting yell, and were ebhr: to rush out into the night, when there was a serra of wild, rollicking whoops, and a stream of horsemea came pouring into the ball-room. All were masked and armed to the teeth, and clad in mountain costume, and at their head rode cng whom all recognized with the single exclamation: ““DEapwoop Dick!” And so it was! CHAPTER VIM. IN THE BALL-ROOM—UGLY ANN AND HER TOOLS—M'TVEE a . DEFEAT. an instant the greatest consternatic= prey within the ball-room. Men chrunk sacl -~* valet
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i Beadle’s their weapons; women shrieked with terror, and at- tempted to fl,,, but were in most cases prevented by the walls of humanity which surrounded them. All this confusion and chaos of disorder was because of the appearance of one man and a dozen of his com- panions—the notorious Deadwood Dick & Co, **Hello! Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina; vot ish der meaning mit dish drouble?”’ Pretzel Pete demanded, as he mounted the barrel just vacated by the bullwhacker, McTurk. ‘** Vot vor you coome into mine saloon mit horses on your packs, you pig, un- mannerly loafers?” “Whoa-up, old man!” Deadwood Dick replied; ‘coolness should be your, motto on such an occasion sthis. You'll no doubt get it hot enough hereafter. is so happens that I have a deserting wife among this throng, and I have come for her. If you people will all remain quiet a moment, I will find her and take a quiet departure. Otherwise—well, you know sbout how Deadwood Dick’s raids turn out!’’ and there was a quiet smile beneath the mask, as the road-agent ceased speaking. “Ladies unt shentleman, you vill blease keep so still ash von mouse, ondil * dis roadt-agent takes his departure,” announced Pretzel Pete, from his barrel. ‘*Deadtwood Tick hash very much reputa- tion‘ay pein’ a pad cusdomer,.” There was a shout of laughter from the masked road-agents, and an equal volume of curses from the roughs under Jem McTurk. “You will find it to your advantage to follow your host’s direction, ladies and gentlemen,’’ Deadwood Dick sajd. ‘‘ Uudoubtedly, as he intimates, I am a bad customer when you get me r’iled. You all may have heard of me, and that my wife, Leone Harris, has deserted me for a doubl -dyed wretch, called Handsome Hal. That she and her pard are in this room, I am satisfied. You will please stand still, while I ride among you and scan each face.”’ It was a request and yet an order, and no one seemed desirous of disobeying it, for the road-agents sat like statues en saddle, with cocked revolvers. And Deadwood Dick rode carefully about among the crowd within the great ball-room, those magnet- 1c eagle eyes of his sweeping the sea of faces ina sharp, searching glance that required no second look for assurance. How many, male and female, shrunk back as they encountered the stern, unflinching gaze of the voad-prince! How many trembled lest he should smite them—he who was believed to fear neither ceath nor the devil! A strange hush pervaded; naught was heard ex- ceptthe tramp of the animal’s feet, which bore the road-agent through the room, Every one seemed to ‘tand with bated breath waiting the issue, whatever it might be. “Hal” The ejaculation now suddenly escapes Deadwood Dick’s lips, and he raises his revolver, and fires at two forms just disappearing through a rear door of the ball-room—the figures of red-haired Leone Har- vis and her cavalier. But he fired too late for the bullets to take effect, as was evidenced by a mock- ing laugh which came floating back into the room. “ Baffled this time!’’ he muttered, with a bitter chuckle, “ for she evidently was expecting me. An- other time I shall take her by surprise. Away, boys, ane , Remember we have astage to toll at mid- aight!’ Then, as suddenly as the lightning flash radiates the clouded heavens, there came a glare of vivid fiashes, a cannonade of sharp, spiteful reports, the t-ampling of iron-shod feet and vicious screams of l.orses, intermingled with oaths, wild yells of laugh- | ter, and stentorian orders. This pandemonium of sounds for a few seconds— ~hen it was discovered that the road-agents had | taken their departure from the ‘‘ Big Schooner,”’ Nobody had been hurt—the pistol shots and yells had been the finale overture of thé daring pirates of | the trail, previous to their departure. “ Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! if dish ish der sort off vatermellons you grow oud mit der Plack Hills, I sells oud my place, go pack mit Pittsburg unt fall three-cent lager, so helb me!”’ ‘*Oh! that’s only an interlude in ther active drama of mining life, Pretzel Peter the Great!’ assured Mr. Andy Adair. “ Ye must git used ter sech things, ye parseeve, an’ w’en ye’re wisited by sech shinin’ lights us Deadwood Dickey, not go a perigrinatin’ off on ‘or ear, as ye did ter-night. Atsech times ignorance ? ain’t bliss by er long chalk! An hour later four men were standing in the dark- ness which enveloped the vale—four burly, brawny men, and a creature which might have been taken for a@ woman, as the dress and hood which hung ack upon the narrow shoulders seemed to indicate that sex. The men were none others than the bullwhacker. Jem MeTurk, the ruffian and gambler, Morgan, and their confederates, Grizzly roe and a fellow sown as Bison Ben, from his sh appearance. “ie woman was, in every sense of the word, a hor- ‘ible looking old hag, with disheveled hair, shrunken eatures, and evilly-gleaming, coal-black eyes, while 1er mouth was large, and disclosed a few long, fang- iike teeth. The complexion of her skin was suggest- ive of jaundice; and her form was shriveled and pony, i few rags she wore being illy-sufficient to cover it, She carried a crooked staff in her hand, and would 2ave reminded one of a witch such as are told of in ancient fairy tales. * Buck over my durned equilibrium, ef ye ain’t a hoss!” Jim MeTurk was saying. ‘‘Hayr ye’re sur- roundin’.us wi’ bizness thet*ll rag 3 our hands bizzy. xe got ther crippled gal w’at, Monk, hayr, sent ye, eh.’ | “Yes!” the hag replied, in a harsh, squeaky voice. “T got her all right, and she languishes a captive in the dungeons of the Temple of the Sun-God. She will make a fine morsel for ther sacrifice!’ ‘‘No doubt,’’ and the bullwhacker shuddered at the hag’s coolness, though he well knew it was her way to be cool and calculating, when working devil- try, even though at other times she were afire with consuming flames of insanity. ‘* You ar’ sure 0’ one victim, mum!” ‘““Bah! only one/’’ cried the hag, fiercely, ‘“‘I must have more—more for the glorious quarterly sacrifice to Quoloro, the Sun-God. His warriors at the temple are hungry for the sacrifice! Five shall there be sacrificed. Quoloro has commanded it, and sent Ugly Ann, his agent, to search for fat victims. She has searched, when night has overshadowed the land. She has found plenty of victims. The red- haired wife of Deadwood Dick; the beauty of the vale whom the miners call ‘ Buster’; the Chinaman and the red chief, Bad Medicine, and the youth, Corduroy Charlie. All these must know the sacrifice to Quoloro, the Sun-God! Ugly Ann has said it, and you, her agents, must do her will!” The four ruffians stared at each other doubtingly, and then at the half-crazed hag, who had worked herself into savage excitement. **You need not hesitate!’ she shrieked, in a sud- den fury, as her sharp gaze caught their glances. ‘“What care you Pelee hands do, so long as you get gold? Havel not always paid you? Look!’ and she brought four pouches made of buck-skin from beneath her tattered shawl. ‘“ Here is gold for each of you, to do my bidding—more gold than you could mine in a month!” “Good enough! We're yours, truly, old gal!” McTurk eried, seizing his pouch. “S’pose ye'll hev yer kurrier cum ter ther old place fer ther ‘ stock’?” ‘““No! no! Dauldo was torn to pieces in the bear’s den this morning, and you all must bring yer vic- — ter ther Temple, an’ witness the glorious sacri- ce!” “But I reckon we won't, mum!’’ McTurk said, grimly. ‘‘ We ain’t partial ter seein’ hullsale butch- erin’ did, even ef we do drop our man oncet an’ aw’ile. Reckon ye’ll hev ter excuse us.” ‘““Excuse ye? No/” cried Ugly Ann, savagely. ‘Don’t dare to refuse to come! You know the fate of those who have refused to obey my orders. Well you shall follow them, if you refuse. Remember! i never make idle boasts!” And without another word the hag wheeled about and hurried away into the darkness. **Guss her!” McTurk growled, as he glared in the direction she had gone. “ W'at ye think o’ et, Monk?” ** Jest as I allus hev, thet she is a reg’ lar old fiend- ess!” the gambler replied, withashiver, ‘I reckon et’s no use fer us ter think o’ doin’ less than she hes ordered.”’ “On course not. Ye know w’at Clumsy Cal an’ a number others got fer playin’ shenannigun, an’ we ain’t no better’n them on ther dodge. *‘Druther give a nugget than go see thet ther sacrifuss, ca'se et al- lus goes ag’in’ my grain ter see any killin’ done, on- less i take a hand, myself. Then I’m all right, ye bet!’ ‘“ Wonder whar ther old rip gets the gold she gives us?”’ “Sh!” MeTurk cautioned with an evil grin—‘* not so loud. Thet’s fer us ter find out, w’en we wizzit ther Temple o’ ther Sun-God. We must solve ther mystery. Ther old woman is crazy, an’ them idol- atrous red-skins, w’ich aire pickings out o’ half-a- dozen different nations, all believe thet she hes more than mortal power, I suspect, an’ accordingly serve her, out o’ reverence an’ fear. Et must be our pur- puss ter find whar she keeps her gold, an’ help our- selves. Now, then, scatter, an’ lay fer ther game, lively!” Lena Vernon, or ‘‘ Buster” was sitting in her ca- bin, a short time after the events last recorded, mending a cut in the jacket of the suit of male attire she had worn on her first meeting with Corduroy Charlie. She was all alone, but this caused no thought of fear to enter her mind; she had lived long enough in the rough mining country of the West to have little thought of the danger which con- stantly surroynded her. She found much to think of as her deft fingers ylied the needle—for food for thought had come to har with the coming of Charley Madison. She was conscious that his comely appearance had impressed her and excited her enthusiastic admira- tion. She knew that he was the only one whose glance had ever thrilled her with that exquisite sensation of first love—well, it made her young heart beat wildly when she thought of him, short though had been their first meeting. The candle-light revealed the rosy coloring on her cheeks, as she sat sewing, and occasionally a soft — smile that came to and departed m her ps. So engaged were her thoughts, that her ears failed to detect the sound of the opening and closing door; she was ignorant that another person was in the room until she chanced to glance up, and beheld a man standing almost in front of her, and that man none other than Jem MeTurk. ‘Haw! haw!” he laughed, hoarsely, as she sprung to her feet in astonishment. ‘“ Didn‘t expect to see me, did ye, Buster?” “No, indeed. How did you gain entrance?” the girl demanded. ‘*Thru ther door, on course, daisy. Ye see, I hed a leetle bizness ter transact wi’ ye, an’ so I kim right Half-Dime Library. in wi’out ceremony. Thar! sit down, an’ I'll do ther same.”’ “No! I won't sit down!” Buster cried, a nervously toward an opposite corncr where ber wea- pons were, for she well knew the class of villain she had to deal with. McTurk caught her gaze, and took pains to put himself between her and them, at the same time drawing and cocking his formidable ad | > “No ye don’t!’ he said, with a triumphant leer; “reckon I know how ha sling lead, an’ ye ken't gri no ‘bull-purp’ while I’m around. Sit down, I te you, or Tli—” Lena obeyed without answering. Brave though she was, she dreaded this man, McTurk, more than any other ruffian in Quartz City. Why, she could scarcely have told, herself. “Thar! sit, now, an’ open yer ears!” the bull- whacker-that-had-been said, as he half-squatted upon a ays Po tins ‘‘Be reason’ble, an’ ye’ll git ter glory in short order, you bet!” “What do you mean, Jem McTurk?”’ “Hey? w’at do I mean? Waal, et ‘Il take a leetle story ter tell thet, an’ I mought as well tell ye. Ye'’ve heerd uv a tribe 0’ Injuns, no dcubt, who be- long in ther mountains, not more’n a dozen. miles from heer. They’re called the ‘Warriors o’ ther Sun-God ’*—a sort o’ idol they worship bein o’ thet name, Every season o’ ther yeer, they sacrifice some livin’ critter ter this god, humans bein’ their preference. This yeer “2 propose ter make more sacrifices than usual, and have elected me ter s’arch fer material.” “You, Jem McTurk! You searching for victims for these barbarous wretches to murder!"’ Lena e*- claimed, in horror. “Waal, yes, I reckon thet’s about et, an’, as they’re fond o’ pritty subjects, I thort you might an- s’er ter a dot.” “Great God! What do you mean, you brutal wretch?” “Jest w’at I sed, perzim/ Cld Ugly Ann sed you war her huckleberry, an’ so I've cum ter appropri- ate ye!’ and, with a gloating grin, the ruffian rose to his feet, and advanced a siep toward poor Lena! She, too, sprung from her chair, and leaped toward the door. “ Help! help!’ she screamed, just as McTurk shaceet a heavy hand upon her shoulder. And her cry was not unanswered. The door was suddenly flung open, and a man stepped into the room. It was Lieutenant Cressly; and the bullwhacker released Lena and stepped back as he saw him. “Hello! by the devils, what does this mean?” the lieutenant demanded. ‘‘What are youup to, Jem McTurk?”’ ‘““He was about attempting to carry me off, bro- ther!” Lena Vernon cried, indignantly. “He is a brutal wretch.” “T war jest playin’ a leetle joke, ye see !’? McTurk ventured, hesitatingly. “Bah! none of your lying to me!” Cressly said, sternly. ‘‘ Who sent you here?” “Ugly Ann!” the ex-buliwhacker grinned. “The devil! Who for?” “For Buster!” Cressly leaped back with a vile oath. ‘Curse her! what does she mean?” he growled. “You can go, sir; look out ye don’t showup here again. I'll see about this, directly; go!” The ruffian slunk from the cabin like a whipped cur; then Cressly turned upon Lena Vernon, who was his sister! CHAPTER IX. A BIT OF REVELATION, AND BUSTER'S PROMISE—IN THE CANYON—A RESCUE, Tue face of the so-called lieutenant was stern and pitiless as he faced the beautiful girl, Lena Ver- non. And she trembled, for in his savage moods he was fierce and ofttimes brutal. “Well?” he growled, inte.rogatively, as if he ex- pected her to speak—‘ well, what have you to say tor yourself?” ‘‘ What do you mean, Dion? I do not understand you, I am sure.” “You don’t, eh?” he replied, with a sarcastic sneer. ‘Well, I'll enlighten you. Last night I came here and was refused admittance by that old idiot whom you call Avalanche. He denied that you were here, but that was a lie,as I peeped in through a crack and saw you, previous to knocking. I also saw another—a beardless chap, whose arm you had just dressed in an affectionately skillful manner. Who was that, pray?” “Oh! that was Mr.—Mr.—Corduroy Charlie, bro ther. He was wounded in a street duel with vem MecTurk.”’ : “Exactly. I chanced to be a witness to the duel. He is my enemy !” “* Your enemy?” : “ Exactly, again, One of the bitterest’ in my cal | endar. Let me relate: : F “ A yearor soago, whenI took a trip to California, leaving you in Denver, I stopped off at Stockton, and as it happened, chanced to, engage board witb this Corduroy Charlie and his crippled sister, “In a moment of indiscretion, I thoughtlessly offended them, and it appears they have cherished a deep-set rancor for me, and followed me here for the urpose of a deadly revenge. And you had the itterest enemy of my life, ministering to his wants!”” ; “But how should I know of it, Dion, when you never told me?” é “ Well, you know it now, and let it be a warning to you. Moreover, you must tell me where the accurs- ed rascal is hiding, for you alone know?”
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— “T do not know. He left here with Avalanche, this morning, early, and I have not seen him since.” “Stop! girl! do not anger me with your lies. Tell me where he is, or by my life, 'll not remember that you are my sister, or a woman. ‘lell me, I say!” Lena rose to glowing, brightly. know where he is. I cannot say more, no matter what you do!” she said, coldly. “But ['ll make you! curse you, I'll make you tell. | Vl recall McTurk, and he shall take you oif to the sacrifice !—” Enough! Dion Avery! you are no brother of mine after that threat, and if I knew, I would not be- tray Corduroy Charlie’s never !” “Then, Mc@§urk shall obey Ugly Ann’s com- mands!’ the villain said, rising. ‘‘When death stares you in the face, you'll find it beyond my power to help you!” “Oh! Dion, how can you be so cruel, when I know nothing of the young man?” and Buster burst into a fit of weeping, which Cressly, otherwise Dion Avery, failed to notic? was wholly affected. “Orucal? Well, I'll give as one chance, this Corduroy Charlie an you do it?” ** Yes!” The girl spoke eagerly, but with a dark gleam in her beautiful eyes. “You promise?” ee ee ee k “Very well; your life epend upon your keep- i that romies, Don't think to tritle with me, or ateempt escape ous Sun-God worshipers shall constantly dog your footsteps, though you may not see him.’ Then the lieutenant turned and strode from the cabin, slamming the door after him. ‘Yes! yes!’ the brave girl muttered, going to the windo v and peering out into the darkness, ‘I will o in search of Corduroy Charlie, but not to betra im to you, my villainous brother—far from it. e shall find that brother and sister, even, can play at different games,” Go seek betray him tome, Will “Come along, boys; I reckon we've got ther game purty nigh cornered!’ The speaker was the ruffian gambler, Monk Mor- gan, and he was accompanied by half a dozen of his confederates, including Bison and Grizzly George. In the night’s densa gloom they were skulking through the deep northern caiion, which opened out of the vale, with revolvers drawn, and eyes peering forward with a manifest eagerness. For an hour they had been upon the trail of Cor- duroy Charlie, like human bloodhounds, and they meant to find him and capture him for the sacrifice. Stealthily forward they stole, their footsteps scarce- ly causing a sound, their breaths coming and going in concert. Nearer and nearer to the place of the supposed con- cealment of the young bravo—then all of asudden the cajion and the night became as light as day, as burning balls of fire were huried down by invisible hands from a hundred quarters, some of them fall- retreated with howls of rage. And while yet in this confusion, the clatter of hoofs was heard, and a horseman came dashing directly down through the storm of blazing balls. With yells fraught with terror, all of the ruffians, except Morgan, turned and fled toward Quartz City as fast as their feet would carry them. The gambler was not made of the kind of clay instilled with coward- | ice; he stood still in his tracks, waiting with a gleam of desperation ia his eyes, born of a controlled will. He saw the horsemaa and recognized him, but raised not a hand on the defensive. He believed that ther: were doubtless a score of weapons leveled at him from the cliffs above, and that he was virtually a prisoner. he horseman was Corduroy Charlie! He bore swifly down toward the spot where the gambler stood; thea drew rein by his side. Morgan met his stern glance unilinchinely: ; “Wuhuat d’ye want?’ i A spy chosen from the barbar- | er feet, her cheeks flushed, and eyes | 9 Corduroy Charlie. | Charlie reeled in his saddle, at the blow: it was a The further he went the plainer became the sound | contingency he had not thought of for a moment. | of his words; ‘‘ you weaken, I perceive. | relaxing. | + | he demanded, in a hoarse | voice. ‘Et ye’rea road-agent, ye won't get no haul | out o’ me!” _ “Tam no road-agent, and well ye know et,”’ Char- lie replied, fiercely. “You know why I stop to bandy worls with a man of your worthless stamp. I want my sister, you wretch!” “ What d’ye calkylate I kno’ about yer sister?” the ambler growled, flercely. ‘I hain'’t seen her, an’ on’t know anything about her!” “Stop, you dog! don’t lie to me. It was you that received her from the hands of my treacherous ser- vant, Clever Sam. You must—you shall tell me where she is;or LI will shoot you down without athought. Speak!’ : The gambler grew pale with apprehension, and made a movement suggestive of flight as the Boy Bravo's revolver-muzzle stared him in the face. “Hold up! don’t attempt _to escape, as that will only hasten your death, Tell me, and I'll spare MA eg for the present. Quick, or I'll surely drop ou “Stop! don’t fire!"? Morgan gasped, in alarm. ot Yt tell ro The girl is in the power of the Worshipers a Sun-God” What! dare you tell me this, you wretch—and you sent her there!’ Corduroy Charlie cried, fiercely. ‘Tl kill you—” J; “Stop! you will donothing of the kind, sir!” Mor- gan replied, grimly, “Remember your promise— rememoer that. only I have any power toward re- po | aad Sister. Shoot me, and her fate is 5 aman. t ing upon the sut pr ise l p ace Commissioners, Ww ho | plied. ‘“*Ha! ha!”’ Morgan laughed, as he noted the effect f y Mebbe ye ain’t quite so brave as ye war!” “Will you then give back my sister if I spare your | | life, you devil?” “T have told you once and for all that I do not | “Waal, I won’t promise fer certain, fer ye see life ar’ uncertain, an’ a feller hes ter be equally judishus in determinin’ his course. Mebbe so; mebbe not.” “Curse you!” thé young bravo gritted, his patience “You must either promise me, or die; so take your choice.” He spoke coolly, but there was a light of desperate | resolution in his eyes. whereabouts to you— | that the gambler was a treacherous villain, who nei- He was enough of a judge of character te perceive ther valued his word nor honor—a man hardened in the ways of a criminal life, who respected neither man or God.” He doubted not that the fellow had told the truth regarding poor Lily’s whereabouts; indeed, he had believed y Hs almost since the first, in the power of those unknown enemies whom the author of the anonymous note had mentioned as previously related. ‘**I must either promise or die, eh?’ Morgan sneer- ed. ‘‘ Waal, l reckon ye ken take my word then, as I ain’t in no mood fer takin’ my eternal leap to- night. Cum ter my ranch, two doors north o’ ther ‘Big Schooner,’ ter-morrer night at this time, an’ yell bit yer sister, sure’s my name’s Monk Mor- gan. “Correct! I will be on hand. Go, now, and follow the gang of cowardly dogs you were bringing to capture Corduroy Charlie. Hereafter, look in your — before ye pull ’em on. You'll find it the safest.” With a curse, Morgan turned and strode back down the gulch from whence he had come, followed by a mocking laugh that caused him to shiver—a laugh he had heard before, and to which a signifi- cance was attached, for it was the laugh of the noto- rious Deadwood Dick. And it was the road-agent, in person, who joined Corduroy Charlie, just as the gambler disappeared from view in the gloom; for the fire-balls on the cation bottom had nearly burned out, and the night- shades were again settling down thickly. “What ails you?’ Deadwood Dick demanded, in —z -'s y didn’t you shoot the devil in his racks?” “Because that would have been sealing the fate of my poor sister,’’ Charlie replied. ‘* Did you not hear what he said?’ “Certainly. And what better are you off by allow- ing the human wolf to escape? His promise is but a trap to get you in his power, and you will never see your sister through fis agency. You should have killed him on the spot, and then, having the knowledge of your sister’s whereabouts, come to me. “ But what right have I to expect more assistance from you than you kindly extended to-night?” “The right a brother has to expect succor from a brother!’ Deadwood Dick replied, grimly. ‘ Please remember that a man may be a road-agent and still If you calculate I or any of my boys will desert a fellow-mortal who is fighting in the behalf of women, you make a mistake. I take the same in- terest in helping you toward finding your sister as if she were my own, and you may be assured of my personal aid.” “Thank you; I thank you with all my heart!” Corduroy Charlie cried, warmly grasping the gloved hand of the prince of the road. ‘’Though our occu- pations ain’t quite the same, that should be no bar | to our friendshi ” “Good wate It is a pity you didn’t shoot that tough, as he may trouble your path yet.” “'There’s a chance to setile with him. I shall now return to town and brave my foes, if they lay for me.” “That would be my advice!’ Deadwood Dick re- “Sail in, and let ‘em know that ye ain’t afraid of the best of ’em. That’s the way I earned my reputation and notoriety in the Hills.” Then, after a few more words, Corduroy Charlie shook hands and parted with Deadwood Dick, after which he strode dos the cafion, and entered the vale where nestled Quartz City, as mapped out by a myriad of gleaming lights. ‘I wonder where I had best go?” he muttered, as he stood a few seconds at the mouth of the cajion, and gazed upon the scene which lay before him. “IT would like to see that fellow they call Old Ava- lanche, and also the girl, Lena Vernon. Why was it, I wonder, that I was so strangely impressed with her appearance? She seemed to remind me of some one, yet, for the life of me, I could not tell whom. Rather pretty and fascinating—no doubt would make an agreeable subject to make love to.” A faint glow of beauty shone in his eygs at thoughts of the belle of Quartz City, as ‘ Buste®” had often been called. “IT wonder who she is and where she came from? Does Avalanche know anything about her? As I ney) he is in no way related to her. Hello! what's uw Mie ceased soliloquizing and listened intently. From below him, in the depth of the valley, came the sound of mufiled cries—evidently of some per- son in distress. “Something gone wrong!’’ the young bravo mut- pons “Perhaps it might be well enough to investi- gate He drew one of his revolvers, and then stole away down the slope, through the dense gloom of the night. His footsteps were scarcely audible even to himself, and he was prepared for any emergency as he kept on. | strange scene. of harsh words. Before him loomed up a rrowth of stunted chaparral, and within its covert Charlie was satisfied was the person or persons from which the words emanated. So he creptstealthily along, and in five minutes had attained a I osition overlooking a peculiarly Within a little glade a man was lying prostrate upon the ground, bound hand end foot, while over him stood an old hag, with wrinkled, yel- lowish features, and tattered garb. In her hand she held a long, threatening knife which she occasionally flourished close to the face o: the man, who was evidently her prisoner. “Speak, Judson Wardville!” she exclaimed in a shrill, harsh voice; “speak! promise me what I de- mand, or Ill murd®r you where you lay, asI said. Your time is almost up!” “T have already counted five hundred, but a hun- dred remains to be counted. If you do not answer to my demands, your life shall pay the forfeit.” “On the contrary, if you don’t make yourself scarce, I'll put a bullet through your cranium in short order!* Charlie said, stepping from his con- cealment, with a pair of six-shooters bearing upon the would-be murderess. ‘‘ Come, start! oryou’rea gover, sure’s I know how to thread a needle!”’ The hag wheeled toward him with a fierce male- diction, but the moment she perceived that he was better armed than herself, she slunk away into the chaparral. Approaching the prisoner, Corduroy Charlie drew his knife, severed the bonds, and assisted Mr. Ward- ville to his feet. “You will excuse me!” the released man said, hur- riedly, ‘‘ but I have not time now, more than to thank you. But I shall not forget your face; yea eaiesos sir. I must pursue that old woman;” and abruptly he dashed off through the chaparral, much to the astonishment of Charlie. And the released prisoner had barely left the glade, when another man suddenly entered it and confronted our hero, CHAPTER X. OVERPOWERED—M'‘TURK 8. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. Ture man was the masked, silver-bearded individu- al who had once confidently advised Corduroy of McTurk’s prowess, and whom everybody had nick- named Silver Beard, for want of a better appella- tive. There was no — in his appearance now more than when Corduroy had first seen him, except that he carried a rifle, and his belt was tucked full of weapons. He seemed startled as he recognized the young bravo, and came to a halt directly in front of him. ‘* You?” he ejaculated. ‘* Excuse me, for 1thought it was some one else. But, since I have met you, I want to have a little talk with you.” “With me?” echoed Corduroy. “Exactly. Down here a bit is a respectable sa- loon, where we can sit in privacy and converse. Come!”’ ‘Yas; but, hold up! HowdoI know who youare, or what kind of a trap you want me to enter?” “Never fear; allisright. To assure you, Iam the Unknown from whom you received an anonymous warning some time ago. So you need not hesitate, as my intentions are food.” Corduroy Charlie did not reply, but followed after the stranger, with an eagerness not born of assur- ance but of curiosity. / The events of to-night, and the knowledge he had attained, had put him in a quandary—in a perplexit of doubt and assailing fears, and if this silver-beard- ed individual could throw any light upon a dark past, he meant to receive it. For the past—the early childhood and birth of himself and poor Lily—had been hidden in a cloud of obscurity: of their parentage, they knew literally nothing. From the age of ten dated their recollec- tion. They were then the foster-children of Dudley and Margaret Madison, whose name they bore, and with whom they lived until Charlie was fourteen when both Medison and his wife died of fever, and = Charlie their little farm outside of Stockton, ‘al. It was noteuntilgafter the death of Mr. and Mrs. Madison that these foster-children learned that they were not their own children by. birth, but parentless waifs who had been adopted. at a tender age. It was a hard blow, but Charlie bore up under it man- fully, resolving to never forget it, and some time to search out his poe He ever was haunted ya horrible face he had seen in his early boyhood—a face that menaced. He never forgot it; to-night he had seen the face bending over the prisoner in the chaparral. : How was the old hag connected with the mystery of his life? Could this stranger explain? These were the questions in consideration as | followed in the steps of: Silver Beard. And they were momentous questions to him. They descended into the valley, and soon came to a cabin somewhat isolated in location from the rest. A light shone through the windows, and over the door was hung a banner transparency with the words in attractive letters, “Tre Casino.” Without ceremony Silver Beard entered and Cor- duroy followed, to find himself in an ordinary bar- room, flanked on two sides by stalls for beer drink- ers, and occupied by a few miners who sat around smoking their pipes. Silver Beard led the way to a retired stall, order- ing cigars as he passed the bar. When they were ensconced in comfortable positions, and the cigars lit, the old man spoke.
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““I suppose you have much desire and curiosity to know what I want of you?" he said, in a low tone. “ One thing is to ask why you did not regard my ad- vice in my note of warning? Why did you come to this place, when I warned you to keep clear of it? Please tell me that.” “Well, I reckon’d et was none of your business where I went, and so I steered aes I had got upon the trailof my enemy, and nothing short of a superiority of force could have turned me back.” “ And by coming here you have put yourself in a | hornet’s nest. Your sister has turned up missing, and your own life is in imminent jeopardy!” **How do you know? What do you know about me, anyhow?” “Ah! young man, much more than you have the least idea of. Very much more, sir. are aware that a mystery enshrouds the early years of your life?” *'Yes! yes!”’ ‘Well, lam acquainted with the whole story, and well know your parents.” “What! can it 4 cae that they are still living, without my knowledge of who they are?” the young bravo exclaimed, starting to his feet. ‘‘Go on! tell me all! all! everything which I do not know!” * Alas! you ask what is impossible, young man. Though Iam the possessor of that knowledge you | would acquire, my lips are unfortunately sealed with an oath too horrible to be broken, until death breaks it;’’ and the man bowed his head low, with a groan. “What! cannot tell me? Then, why did you bring me here to torture me?” “Tt was to warn you, again, that I brought you— to warn you to fly from this place, where dwelleth your bitterest enemy. Think not of your sister, for she is beyond the power of your aid, were you to stay. Fly! while there is time, and save a life which may be a great blessing to the country.” ** Never! while poor Lily is calling in vain for me to come to her!’’ Corduroy Charlie replied, sternly. ** Crazed though she is, she is all that I have left to live for, and fightfor. Tell me one thing, sir, which I feel assured you know—who was the woman I saw in the glade, a moment before you came? an old hag with yellow skin and tattered garb? Tell me, who?” “That was Ugly Ann, the Prophetess of the Sun- God—your bitterest, deadliest foe. Beware of her, for if she fixes her eyes on you, your life is hardly worth speaking for. Take my advice, and let an- other nizht fall upon you far from this town.” “By no means!” Corduroy Charlie replied, rising. “Now that I have got the scent of my game,I sha pursue it until I getit in my power. I thank you for your warning, but I must disregard it.” ** Very well! [shall not warn you again. It may be that you will wish you had accepted my ad- v ice!"’ Charlie bowed, and left the saloon. He was at loss how to arrange mind. Silver Beard was ariddle fo lution. He felt that the man was a rascal, in spite of his vouchsafed warnings; aud he did not reject the idea that danger might be lying in wait for him. Some- thing seemed to tell him that it was, and a gleam of defiance entered his eyes. + matters in his him, without so- down across the valley toward the main street, ‘‘and they will probably try to make me trouble. But they shall find that I am alert and ready. I need but one thing more to complete my outfit—”’ ** An’ thet’s a pair o’ handcuffs!” cried a jubilant voice, and before he was hardly aware of hed had happened, he was lying upon the ground, securely bound, hand and foot. The surprise had been complete! At the least expected moment he had been taken, and by the very ones he had defied not an hour ago —Monk Morgan and his “ peace commissioners.” They had lain in waiting, and accomplished their object. avis About the same time of the capture of Corduroy Charlie, Old Avalanche was in the great bar-room of the Big Schooner, along with a motley assemblage of miners, adventurers and toughs, who were drink ing and smoking and making the night hideous with their carousal. The Great Annihilator was not engaged in the revelry, but stood on one side of the apartment, en- gaged in smoking his pipe, aud watching those around him. Florence Nightingale was sitting upon his haunches, dog fashion, and the two eccentrics seemed to attract considerable attention, as well as to excite numerous uncomplimentary remarks. Among the roughs present were the bullwhacker, McTurk, and a few of his ilk, who, in general esti- mation, bossed the town. The bullwhacker had already emptied two pint bottles of Pretzel Pete’s perspiration-starting taran- t’ler, and was feeling ingloriously tonguey and bois- terous, when by chance he discovered the Annihi- lator and his * bull-dorg,”’ as the goat was familiarly known in Quartz City. The two men were not the best friends, at any time, and to-night MeTurk had the disposition to raise a ‘“‘ muss" with everybody. “ Hello!" be bellowed, in his prance room, * w’at hev we heer, b’yees? A goat—a livin’ goat, asIlive! Whoop her up. Mary Ann! did ye evyer see sech an ornery goat and goatee as them ar’ two slouches thar ag’in’ ther wall? Regular wild-cat breed, an’ ugly as ary pair I ever see’d. I say, pilgrims, tell me w’at et is, an’ I'll give et ter e! z This caused a general gurgle of laughter from the crowd; Avalanche looked coolly at the giant bully, about the oubtless you | Beadle’s too, seemed to feel insulted, and curbed his hea’ , | and contracted his nostrils indignantly. Wr e Pretzel Pete, who had seen enou S alatarbanes one evening, mounted the bar, with a heavy pair of army-navy revolvers in his clutch. ‘Order! order! here, shentlemens!”’ he cried, in the tones of a Stentor. I vill haff no more fuss mit my establishments—not vone! I shood der fursd |} man vot says Shack unt Jill dwice, so helb me. Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! I vas never in such a blace in all mine life. Et ish vorser as a mad-house, mit all der lunaticks got drunk ash fools on Weiss beer!” “Oh! dry up, Dutchy!’ cried one of the roughs, a “right-bower” by the way, of the notorious McTurk. ‘Don’t shoot off yer mouth any more, thes way, or I'll send ye peregrinatin’ off on yer ear. Ef Honorable Mr. McTurk wants ter address thes heer meetin’, hayr's w’at’ll back i'm!" ** Hooray! hooray! an’ heer, too!*’ yelled a chcrus of voices. ‘‘ Death ter ther galoot as sez Jem MeTurk ain’t our next president! Fiooray i “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! did you ever heer der peed mit dose?” the astonished Teuton ejaculated, as he plunged abruptly back down behind his bar. ‘ Ef dot veller git der pe bresident mit der United States, I move back mit Shermany, so helb me!” McTurk seemed flattered by the universal assur- Half-Dime Library. j | | who was nearly twice his size and weight; Florence. | | or | | —— with a snort of laughter, as Florence Night-in-a-gale bounced away down the lane with an indignant baa- a-a, and his knotted head curved in proud disdain. “Great shaders 0’ ther peregrinations!”’ At the same juncture bounded McTurk away to | meet his combatant, maaking a ludicrous spectacle Co) as he bobbed along upon all fours toward the goat. The crowd gave a great hee of delight as the two heads came together, making a report audible in any portion of the room. F “Hooray! Three yoops fer my Florence Night-in- a-gale!”’ yelled Old Avalanche, with a roar of laugh- ter, as he saw the bullwhacker draw back and shake his tough head with a savage snar!. “Ef ye ken find ther ekal ter my oY rampageous jint, pilgrim, hyar’s w’at’ll give an Cagle fer ther boasts How d’ye like et’ Honor’ble McTurkey—how | did et feel about ther time ye felt et?” “ Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina!” cried | Pretzel Pete from his stand on the top of the bar, “Dose vas der toughest heads vot I never see’d pe- fore. I t’ink you no. knock ’em ober mit von proad-ax, so helb me.’ “Tl bet my pile on our next presydent, ther Hon- ' orable Mr. MeTurk!” allowed another miner, and the ance of support by his brethren, and it also made | him bolder. He pranced up and down before the Annihilator, | with folded arms, drawing his evil countenance into as many grotesque shapes as possible, winking and grinning, tantalizingly. Avalanche knew well enough that the bullwhacker was ripe for a quarrel, but he resolved to give him no satisfaction, He stood leaning against ttre wall, eying MeTurk in exasperating to the wild, untamed son of Colorado. ‘Yas! ther great pet bullwhacker o’ thes tele- bet was eagerly taken up. McTurk himself only muttered a curse, and the two drew back for the second round—crouched back like the cougar, eye meeting eye with sav inten- tion. Then came another collision, and Florence leaped back on guard. Not so with the bullwhacker. He keeled over kward, and then rose to his feet, rubbing his hand dolefully upon his bruised fore- head, , Roms which the blood oozed down over his | face and into the corners of his eyes and mouth, his cool, grim way, which was | phone line am I, Jem McTurk!” he roared, squatting | and peering with belligerent gaze into the vicious countenance of the goat. “Oh! ye needn't look vinegar ner git wrinkles on yer ear, durn ve! I’m thar every time, aire I! Yas, an’ I'll bet any galoot two ter one I ken butt harder than ary goat thet ev- ver see’d ther sun rise! Oh! whar art thou, ye soft- brained galoots, who wanter bet thet Jem MeTurk ken't butt ther brains out o° thet goat? Whar aire ye, Isay? Head ter head—two ter one I dash ther goat's head in!” This novel proposal caused a titter of laughter to | go around the room, and bets were made rapidly on the respective qualities of the coming game-cocks, if such they might be termed. There was no gainsaying the fact that McTurk had ahead of great proportions, and his skull was firm and hard as a aan While on the other band, Flor- ence Night-in-a-gale was blessed with as tough a forehead as ever graced the goat kind, backed with a temper like an enraged cat, and a stubbornness that was unnconquerable. “Great ham-bone thet bucked ther larynx of old | Joner!” Avalanche snorted, as his goat was seized by the horns and dragged out upon the floor. “Ye wanter be kinder keerful, pilgrims, onless ye’re par- | tial ter positive an’ teetotal annihilation. Ye heven’t “T have enemies!’ he muttered, as he trudged ther smallest ijeer 0’ w’at a magazine o° demolishun ar’ embraced wi'in ther constitoochinal dewellop- ments o° thet ar’ same Florence Night-in-a-gale. Lordy! Old Moses o’ ther explorin’ expedition thru ther Biblical bullrushes! T one’t see’d thet same un- ruly beast ram her head ag’in’ ther walls uv a meet- in’-house up in Yankton; ther terrific jar reverbe- rated ter ther telegraff offis, an’ ther frightened op erator sent a dispatch eastward, 0’ w’at a fearful clav 0° yearthquake they had in Yankton. Terrific? Why, ye jest bet et war!” A few smiled at the Annihilator’s yarn, but the most of the crowd were too much engaged in the coming butting match. A lane had been formed the whole length of the bar-room, flanked on both sides by the spectators, and in this lane the contest was to take place. Florence was placed at one end, held in check by a couple of roughs until the proper moment, while McTurk took his position at the opposite end, on all fours, ready for the combat. It was calculated that they would collide about midway in the lane. It was an amusing scene, and well worthy of .the brush of a Nast for illustration. McTurk on all fours, drawn back, ready for the start, and looking as bel- ligerent as possible, while it was all the two guards could do to restrain the impetuous Florence from rushing at his enemy. an actual hatred for the bullwhacker. as was evi denced by its eagerness to open the battle, and by | the shakife of its head. Perhaps, when he saw what was imminent, Mc- Turk might have drawn off, but he knew such a thing would brand him with cowardice, and he re- solved to back his bets, which were large. Avalanche had also had time to bet largely on his game, for he had great faith that no species of the goat race better knew the science of butting than | did Florence Night-in-a-gale. At last every thing was ready; the bar-room was crammed full; silence bad been established; then Pretzel Pete, from the top of the bar, cried: “Now, den, pring oud yer swi minnit horses. Hip! yip! led ‘em shlide!” And the fun began. CHAPTER XI. HEAD TO HEAD—WARDVILLE’S STORY. “GREAT rampageous ham-bone thet war ther fa- | tal ailment uv old Joner!” roared Old Avalanche, ‘ ““Whoop! Great antiquated ham-bone w’at war ther thorn o’ Joner’s rose-bush!”’ yelled Avalanche, dancing around with the ay ee kind of delight. “Did ye see how purty ther beast give ‘our next presydent’ a headache? Look at him, an’ tell thes old devastatin’ eppydemic wich won ther match!” “The goat! iree cheers for the goat!” proposed some one, and they were given with a zest that only further increased the anger of the bruised bully. “Devils! Il murder the ornery brute!’’ he bel- lowed, grabbing # pistol from a bystander’s belt and leveling it at the victorious Florence, who was sit- ting upon his haunches, dog-fashion, by the side of | his master. But he was not permitted to fire, for his weapon was knocked up, and the bullet _— ceilingward, | Then he saw who it was that had frustrated his de- signs, and the crowd gas : “Buster! by ion : ‘““Yes. Buster, back again on the stage of active life!’ was the girl’s reply, as she stepped fearlessly | into the ring so lately commanded by the belligerent | head-butters. “T reckon ye'd better git, Jem Mc- Turk, before I tell these natural guardians of mine something that will cause them to hang you upto a tree!" The bullwhacker uttered an invective, as he glared for a moment at the fearless and beautiful girl; then he turned and staggered out of the saloon, for he was dizzy and disconcerted by the severe butting he had experienced. ““There goes one of the worst wretches in the Hills, fellows!’ the girl cried, as she watched him out—“‘ a man who is a human ghoul at heart and in secret actions. For he is connected with those bar- | barous wretches whom you have known as the War- riors of the Sun-God. He is one of the agents of the devil-woman, Ugly Ann. and if you wish to know where so many of your fellows have disappeared to within the past year, perhaps he could best tell you, ” The miners and pilgrims stared around the bar. room into each other's faces, in surprise. This was news to them. Spying out Avalanche, Buster hastened over to him, with extended hands. She was looking won- drously fresh and beautiful, and every inch a young dandy, as she stood accoutered in her suit of gray, with a heavy gold chain strung across her vest, and | a jaunty soft hat upon her regal head. For the goat seemed to have | **Oh! Tam so glad that I have found you, Alva?” she exclaimed, eagerly. ‘I feelsure you have got the news I seek—concerning the whereabouts of your friend, Corduroy Charlie!” And a pretty blush stole upon the fair face as she spoke, and her gaze dropped under the quizzical stare of the grim scout. He lavghed before speak- ing—a peculiar little chuckle quite original with him- self. : “So ve're soft on ther b’yee, eh?” he questioned, meditatively— kinder tender an’ symperthetic, whar he’s got a finger ve ther pie, eh?” “Indeed, no,” BusteN replied, flushing with ember- rassment, for the scout’s eyes had read only 100 sharply. ‘Why should I take any interest in & stranger, further than feel anxious for his wel/are, as your friend?” ‘Waal, I kent say jest why, gal, fer ye, fen ales sire as hard ter decipher as ther hierogl hicks on old Cleopatra’s darnin’ needle. But, I recky ye hev a leetle admiration fer ther boyee, an’ I ken’t blame ye, as he’s purty nigh white, he is.” i “Be that as if may, 1 don't propose to discuss my likes and dislikes, here,’ Buster replied, with a smile. “Ispoke of Corduroy Charlie to find out if you had learned anything of his whereabouts.” “ “Wrich I ain't!” the Annihilator replied, grimly; “nary a learn. Reckon as how he’s gone kicked ther pail, or else bin captured an’ slain by old Ugly Ann's warriors." : “You don't really believe the latter, Alva, do ou?’ “Waal, I don’t believe much else, I’ve s’arched high ’n’ low fer ther lad, but nary a hide ner hair can I find of him, which ar’ a leetle suspicious.”
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saree se = : “Indeed! yes, and I shall make it my business to find him!” : : “Reckon thy hev yer pains fer nix, gal. Besides, e wanter luk sharp fer thet same McTurk. He ain’t purticklarly in love fer ye.” “Yes, lam well aware of the fact. But if he gets me in his power, it will be much more than I expect now.” roy Cubarlie, thes great riotous eppydemic o’ de- molishun, ain’t goin’ ter be fur behind!” “Good enough!” Buster replied, and shaking hands for the last time, she turned and left the saloon, Avalanche waited awhile; then he too quitted the place, returning to Buster's cabin. But she was not there. ‘ Early the following morning Judson Wardville en- tered the Big Schooner, and ascending to the hall- way, above, knocked at the door of his suit of rooms. His wife, attired in an airy wrapper, ad- mitted him, voy rag but started back with an excla- mation of astonishment and alarm, as she viewed him, for he looked anything but the same man who had left her the previous evening with the assurance of a speedy return. His face was scratched, and the blood had coagu- lated on it from the wounds; his eyes had a wild look, and his face was deathly pale; his beard had been torn out by handfuls, and his hat was gone, and clothing splashed and daubed with mud. Alto- ther he the appearance of a man who had nm upon a week's spree; and that he was fatigued was evident, tor he sunk into a chair with a sigh of relief, “ Well—Judson— Wardville!”’ his wife ejacu- lated, half between tears and laughter—‘ you're in e, have you been ever since Jast night?” “ Brandy! get me brandy!” Mr. Wardville gasped, excitedly—‘‘ [ must have it to strengthen me!” 8a. Unidoountoused to such an exhibition of excite- ment and coarmand on the part of her husband, Mrs. Wardville hastened from the room in terror, and de- scended to the bar-room below, where she purchased the largest bottle to be had of brandy, and hurriedly returned to her rooms. Wardville seized the brandy, as a drowning man catches at a straw, and dashing off the neck of the bottle, proceeded to gulp down the ardent as if his future salvation depended upon it. Nor did he set the bottle upon the table until fully tialf of its contents had disappeared as if by magic. “Ah! that’s heaven!” he exclaimed, with a smile. “T suppose you are dying to know what is the mat- =e ott te", Madge? “Not exactly dying, but wondering greatly!’ re- pliel Mrs. Wardville, sadly, ‘Last night I bid you goo.l-by—for an hour, at the longest, you said—and here you come to me ina horrible state of disorder, and \vill not give a word of explanation until you have swallowed half a quart of the nasty stuff you call brandy. Really, I cannot understand, sir.” “'W..'l, to tell the truth, I’ve been on the war-path, my dear!” “On the war-path, Judson? Surely you have not allied yourself with the horrible Sioux?” * Well, hardly, as I don’t believe, those savage ma- rawlers would accept of so sorry a-looking object as T must be. Though I am pretty well used up with exhaustion, if you will listen, [ll try and tell you waat has hvppened.” As an assvrance that she was not unwilling, Mrs. Wardville d-opped into a chair; and then after clearing his throat her husband spoke. “After leaving you last evening, my dear, I de- scended to the street, proposing to Have a quiet smoke. Without thinking what I was doing,I got quite away from the main street of the town, out into the valley, before I discovered the fact. In turning to retrace my footsteps I received a hard blow, which"must have stunned me, for I knew nothing more uotil I awoke to consciousness in a sort of vhaparral glade, and found a frightful-look- ing hag bending over me. She was wild-eyed and yellow-skinned—. repulsive-looking object in the extreme; yet [cou d but secogntes her features.” “You recognize hor, Judson. Who could she have been?” “Our enemy, Mad *e—she who was the curse of our early life—the viper that sought to slay us, then struck us even a hard or blow—Alecia Madronna!”’ “What! she here, Judson?” “Exactly; and if was she whom I found bending over me. The moment [ awoke to consciousness she began scratching and clawing me, and, being bound, I was powerless to resist. She recognized me, called me by name, and demanded to know in a mad fren- zy why I had come—tried to force me to promise that I would go back to the States. This I would not romise, and I think she would eventually have Hed me, but for the interference of a young ranger who drove her off, an’ xed me. Scarcely paus- @ to thank hima, | plunged « ff in pursuit of the hag. I ohased hor out of the val! 7, through gulches and Over ruge=? monntain peth*, with the zest of a hound. Twqs maddene’—inf: tiated more than ever before, and Twas bent on ove-taking her, and fore- ing her to tell me where my children are. But the ie Nee eeued against roe, 2d I finally lost sight er in the mountai and wa “1 to give 1 theehaee Intains, and v forced to give up “Ah! then onr lost bone is loct!” Mrs, Wardvitle moaned, p'teour’y, “Sha will hasten to put our darlings out of our reach—to kill { hem, perhaps!” “Great ham-bone! ye’re a glorious trump, Buster. | “Only to thank him, for his resemblance to you An’ since ye’re goin’ ter lay fer ther resky o’ Cordu- | | | | Corduroy Charlie. * Do not despair, dear wife. My hopes are higher now than ever, for I believe the young man who res- cued me to-night was our son!” “Oh! God be praised! Did you speak to him?” did not occur to ine until a short time ago. I made inquiries for him on my return, but no one seemed to possess the least knowledge of his whereabouts.”’ “What will ypu do, dear husband?” “What? Wh , 1 li get into some better clothing arm myself, hire a guide, and set out in search of Alecia Madronna. Once she is captured, half the work is done. We can then pursue the search for our children with more safety. And God giving us his aid, I feel that we shall find them, whom we have so faithfully hunted during the past sixteen years.”’ ‘* Amen!” responded Mrs. Wardville, fervently. CHAPTER Xil. AMERICAN WONDERLAND—IN THE DUNGEON. Tue captors of Corduroy Charlie were the gam- bler, Monk Morgan, and his associates, Grizzly George and several others. They had stolen a mare upon him, and now stood leaning over him, grinning out their triumph. “Haw! haw!’ Monk Morgan laughed, hoarsely. “Thet’s ther time we got ye, I reckon, young feller. | Ye war a leetle ter smart fer us up we've triumphed, at last!”’ Corduroy Charlie replied. capture going to work you, I cannot see.’ Beca’se yer eyesight ain’t good, ye see!"’ laughed the ruffian. ‘‘ Ef ye know’d w’at heeps o’ gold yer | body an’ soul’d bring in ther temple o' ther Sun- | Worshipers, ye ked see plainenough. Ye’re goin’ ter take a ride up thar, an’ then git | a golden idol. aw! haw! haw!” Charlie did not reply. He resolved to keep his thoughts, his doubts, his fears all to himself, under a mask, and await the issue. He doubted not that the gambler had spoken truly concerning his fate, for he bad learned enough since his coming to Quartz City, to apprise him that he need expect no mercy should he fall into the hands of Ugly Ann. And that she had recognized him when he had driven her off and released Judson Wardville, he felt almost certain, for at the time he had noted a sud- -- 1 Charlie also discovered the fact that there were several baying bloodhounds within the shanty. A general dismount was made here, and the horses given over to the care of the savage, after which the | ruffians set out to pursue the continuance of the mountain trail, forcing Corduroy along with them. His feet had been released, but his hands were still confined, so that he had no show for escape, espe- | cially when Grizzly George and bison Bill kept close- ' some twenty acres of meg wit ly on either side of him. The path up the mountain side was steep and dif- ficult of ascent for the first hundred feet, and only one accustomed to hunting trails would have dream- ed of its existence. But, after ihe first hundred feet of ascent, Charlie was greatly surprised to find him: self ascending steps of stone, which had been skill- fully hewn or placed. This rocky staircase continued for perhaps two or three hundred feet more, when they suddenly gain- ed the summit of the mountain. It was level, and fringed around its entire border with a row of tall spectral pines, grown so closely together, as to make a hedge in many places impos- sible. Within this hedge was a space comprising grass growing luxuriantly here and there, and a few young deer trotting tamely about. In the center of the space was an open stone edi- | fice, with a roof of the same material, supported by in the canon yon- | der, w'en ye fetched Deadwood Dick ter yer aid, but | massive granite columns. A sort of dais or throne rose up in the center, and on this was a massive | stone chair. “Yes, you've triumphed in one sense of the word,”’ | “But, what good my | utchered afore | den searching glare in her eyes before she turned | and fied. Indeed, he felt in a small degree rejoiced that he | had fallen into the hands of Ugly Ann's agents, for | they would doubtless convey him to the mountain _ temple, where r Lily had gone before him, end he might be able to turn a hand toward her rescue. Monk Morgan and his villainous followers d'd net pause long for conversation, but soon led a stad < fine horses from a neighboring corral, and mounted. Corduroy Charlie was bound upon a spirited nani- mal, and rode between Grizzly George and Bison | Bill, while Morgan and his gang led the way. They rode due southwest across the vale, taking care to fight shy of the cabins, which were scattered around, and entered arugged path along the moun- _ base, where it was necessary to ride in single file. After following this in its winding course for some time, they descended into a deep, narrow fissure be- tween two towering walls of rock, where they still had to ride in single file. Corduroy Charlie kept his eyes wide epen as he | rode between his guards, and noted each and every feature of the route over which they were traveling. He knew that they were advancing into the very | heart of a wild mountainous country, and that should he ever be granted a chance to escape from it, he must needs know which way to go. A few points taken now might be the means of his salva- tion then. After following the narrow fissure for several At either corner of the temple leaning against the colums was an Indian warrior, armed with a long lance, and looking as solemn as though carved from the rock against which they leaned. Beyond this temple was a stone wall, which divided the summit park into two parts. Immediately on emerging on top of the mountain, Monk Morgan ordered a halt, and, bidding his fol- lowers remain behind, he advanced toward the tem- ple with uncovered head. He addressed a few words to one of the ’ then was suddenly scen to descend through the floor of the temple, as if going into the bowels of the mountain. He was gone for perhaps an hour, during which interval neither Chailie nor his captors moved from where he had left them. , At last, however, Morgan made his appearance, and approached with a grim smile. “This is ther place, younker,” he said, addressing Corduroy. “I s*pose yere already delighted wi’ ther prospect?” “Not in the least. I see nothing to admire in this desolate region, unless I take into consideration the beautiful faces of my captors!’ was the sarcastic re- ply. *~ “Look out, ye galoot. Don't ram none 0’ yer sharp-edged barbs at our beauty!” the gambler frowled. ‘Grizzly, you and Bison hold the rat while I blindfold him. Once we git him in the subter- ranean labyrinths of this mountain, you bet your life he won't see day ag’in ‘til ther rezzereckshun!” neato gf the two ruffians seized hold of their victim, and hela Lim in a firm grasp, while Monk | Morgan pomets bandage over his eyes, and secured | his his h miles, seemingly, they came into more open coun- | try, where there was an abundance of rocks and trees, and the earth was sandy and barren. Cross- | ing this, they fairly entered the National Park, with | its thousands of wonders of nature; its towering peaks and volcanic evidences of the past: its boiling springs and spouting geysers; its long, gloomy can- | ons and pine forests. " Day came sooner than Charlie had expected, and found them riding furiously along over lava table lands thousands of feet above the sea level, leaping terrible chasms and avoiding treacherous sinks, A prisoner though he was, the ride was one that Charlie enjoyed wonderfully; for there was some- thing novelin dashing over the tops of mountains so’far above the abode of humanity, where the Cre- ator had evidently piled up his surplus material after finishing the world. in an incongruous mass. It seemed that they rode miles over this desolate waste of country, with its steaming springs and spouting geysers, and erystal streams. ere they came in sight of anything higher to break the mon- otony. During the whole ride not a word was spoken by the young bravo’s captors, except it was a curse at the wearied animals. They kept along a trail which had evidently heen much worn, and made no halt until the noonday sun shone down fiercely upon their heads tain, whose whole sides, up to within a hundred feet of the top, were densely timbered with the evergreen pine. At the foot of the mountain was a rude shanty, part of which was used as a stable, and the | rest tenanted by an Indian and his squaw. it behi ead. Charlie made no attempt to prevent this work—in- deed, what could he do, bound as he wes? But he closed his teeth together with a snap, and registered, mentally, an oath of vengeance on the heads of these men who, for a little gold, were bearing him to a horrible death. When he was blindfolded he was led forward, and soon found himself descending afiight of stone steps, accompanied by Morgan, the two guards, and the rest of the gang that had come from Quartz City. At one tinge he had some doubts if they should ever reach the bottom of the staircase, so continu: ous seemed their descent. But finally the last ste resulted in finding footing on the bottom of a hard, rocky passage, along which they marched with sharp, ringing tread. The air was close and chilling, and occasionally Charlie heard water splash beneath their feet. And it seemed to him that their route was the most angular and crooked he had ever traveled. For at the endof half an hour's steady march, he was completely mystified in regard to the direction of his entrance to the subterranean depths. _ it was then that a halt was made; he heard a grat- ing sound, and was pushed forward. He was fol- lowed by one of the guards, who removed the bonds from his arms, after which he quickly retreated, and there was a repetition of the grating sound and a ring of iron. Now that his arms were free, Charlie quickly tore the bandage away from before his eyes, and gazed around him. What met his eyes was no more than he had an- ticipated. He was locked within a strong, r dunreon. whose entrance was guarded by a stout, iron-siatted door. This was secured by chains and bars on the oppo- site side, so that for one imprisoned within the dun- geon, there was no possible escape. The grim, evil faces of his captors he could see looking through the iron lattice-work, and it mad- dened him, but he withheld his anger by a strong controlling effort. “Haw! haw! haw!” roared Monk Morgan, jubi- | lantiy, ‘thar ye aire, younker, as nice as a bug in 4 Then they halted at the foot of an abrupt monn- | rug. How d’ye like yer quarters? Neat an’ snug enuff fer a prince; ain’t they?” “Tf you admire them, I'll exchange with you!” Corduroy replied, with a glance around. “Git out! I wouldn't be so gol-durned mean’s ter rob ye o’ yer comfortable roost, nohow!” retorted
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Bead le’s Half-Dime Libra y. the ruffian, with a guffaw. ‘‘Couldn’t nevyer fer- give myself o’ deprivin’ ye o’ yer nest, my gay robin!” “ How long am I to be kept here?” “Waal, thet depends. Ye see, ther old gal, Ugly Ann, hain’t got back yet, an’ we hev ter wait her no- tion. Most likely yell git a furst-class send-off as soon as she comes.” “Thank you. You may go now. When IT want you I'll whistle!” Charlie said, with mock dignity, which elicited a yell of laughter from the ruffians. They now turned away, however, and Charlie lis- tened to them tramp ng along the dismal, rocky- hewn passage, until the sound of their footsteps was but a faint echo. Then, with a sigh of relief, he began to inspect his surroundings. He was fortunately not left in total darkness, A torch was thrust in a niche in the wall of the passage just opposite his door, and by the glare of it his dun- geon was quite well lighted. The dungeon he found to be furnished with a ence cot, covered with wolf-skins, and a table and chair. Aside from these articles, there was nothing but gray rock and tiie iron door. The passage and the dungeon had evidently been chiseled out by the hand of man, and showed a taste of architectural sculpture quite surprising to find so far beyond the bounds of civilization. But the wonderful explorative discoveries of Professor Hay- den, warn us not to be surprised at anything in the National Park, as still more wonderful discoveries of the systematic engineering of savages of pes generations and ages are being brought to light weekly, in the stlll more north-western territories. Look at the remnants of underground cities that have been unearthed, suggesting new ideas, original with prehistoric man—almost as wonderful as the excavations at Pompeii and its surroundings! Hay- den has truly remarked, that the ancient races of the National Park and far North-west, aided by sub- lime nature, turned out some of the greatest won- ders of the world. The passage leading past the dungeon, Charlie could see, by peering through the grates, ran but a few yards in either direction, when it turned an abrupt angle. “T wonder, in fact, where I am!’ he muttered, shaking the door, with a vain hope that he might be able to get it open. ‘It seems to me that I must be m the very bowels of the mountain; and it would puzzle me to find my way out, should I succeed in escaping from this dungeon. That I mean to do if it is within human power, for I have not the least desire to shuffle off this mortal coil yet awhile!” His hands were free, and this was a great advan- tage. And, furthermore, he was not unarmed, as his captors had supposed, after relieving him of his beit-weapons and jearching his pockets. On pulling off his boots, he drew out of the first a knife, and then a little seven-shooter, carrying a 22 cartridge, ** Hal ha! they didn’t quite leave me helpless, af- ter all!’ the prisoner muttered, as he examined his treasures. “The ristol counts seven stiffs, and the knife, at least, a couple, if I can only get out of this cell. Rather a grim sel/, too,I take it. I wonder how soon any of that gang will be back here? I want to get out of this befcre long, in order to find something to.eat. Must be pretty near dark out o’ doors.” A glance at his watch, which the ruffians had not molested, showed him that it was six o’clock P. M. As ha stood gazing around him, meditating on how to act first and best, his eye rested upon the rough pine deal-table, to which he had given but a casual Jance before. Now, however, he gave an exclama- Slax of surprise, and approached it curiously! CHAPTER Xiil. SEEKING ESCAPE UNDER DIFFICULTI@S. Ir was a common affair, unvarnished, and illy- made, evidently having some day served its purpose as card-table in some mining strike. But what called Corduroy’s attention to it was the fact that it had a little drawer, perhaps two feet wide, as many long, and half a foot es affixed in its bed. This was singular, as none of the common deal tables sported such accommodations; and moreover, the drawer had a key-hole, suggestive of an inside lock. “T wonder what secrets this old concern has for me!” Charlie muttered, with a chuckle, as he drop- d his weapons into his boot-legs, and then gave The table a good shaking. ‘Hello! there’s some- thing in that drawer, too!” He seized hold of the knobs, but the drawer re- fused to open. It was locked!” “Pastened, eh? and I haven’t a key. Wonder if it’s worth my while to bu’st the old thing open? If I was sure of finding tools, or victuals, ’d make short work of it, I reckon. Ah! The top of the table is fastened on with screws, and I can work them out with my knife.” He set to work at once, keeping an eye, however, out in the passage, to prevent being surprised. The screws were old and rusty, and turned hard. But ‘he finally had them all loosened, and then hesitated, before lifting the top. What mystery was to dhs ya to him? What secret did the drawer contain He glanced around—no one wasin view. Then,.a trifle nervously, he raised the wide pine board, and gave a glance into the space disclosed. He gave a yell of surprise,-and dropped the board upon the rocky floor. The drawer was half full of yellow nuggets of gold, varying from the size of a bean upto a robbin’s erg, and in several cases as large as a hen’s egg. Yes! pure shining gold, free from rock or ‘dirt—the genu- ine Simon-pure article. Corduroy Charlie gave a gasp of astonishment, as he gazed upon the gleaming treasure, But as the echo of approaching footsteps smote | os _ hearing, his quick presence of mind assert- ed itself. He seized the board, whose noise in falling had evidently attracted the attention of a guard, and geeky returned it to its place on the bed piece of the table, slipped the screws into his pocket and the knife into his boot-leg, after which he threw himself in a lounging position upon the cot. And just in time! A moment later a horribly painted savage and a Morgan presented themselves before the grated door, “ Hello! in hyar! W’at war thet racket in thes direction, a little while ago?” the gambler demand- ed, with a curse. ‘‘ Sounded like as if a hull lumber pile hed tumbled down.” “Hal ha! can’t a felow turn his bedstead upside down, to see if it is inhabited by bugs?’ replied Charlie with a laugh. ‘‘ Guess you must be nervous, if you get frightened at a little noise.” ** Didn't know but ye war playin’ fer ter escape!” Morgan replied, grimly. “'Thet wouldn’t do, ye see, beca’se ther b’ars an’ beasts’d be cheated out 0’ a first-class dinner on ye.” “Oh! they would, eh? Well, tell ’em not to git too eager fer their meat. And, by the way, what is your lunch hour down hear?” ‘* What! ain’t gittin’ hungry, aire ye?” * Waal, not exactly hungry, but my stumache is inclining slightly toward my back bone, and it struck me that a little provender might remedy the diffi- culty. “Haw! haw! thort ye’d git vorashious after a ~vhile. Waal, we'll see w’at kin be did fer ye during the next twenty-four hours.”’ And the ruffian turned away with a chuckle, fol- lowed by the savage guard. Charlie listened until they were out of hearing, then sat up on the edge of the rickety old cot. “A narrow escape!”? he muttered, with a smile. ‘“*T calculate I shut the pilgrim’s eye up so far as the cause of the-noise was concerned. onder if he knows of the existence of that gold? I daresay not; probably it belongs to that old hag, ugly Ann, and she placed it in that drawer, believing it a secure hiding place. Theoldturk! fIdon’t fill my pock- ets out of that drawer, may I be kicked to death by a jack mule, as old California Bill used to say. But leaving aside the question of gold for the present, my next business is to make a break for liberty. And how am I going to do it without tools? That’s the question before the debating court. How am I going to get out?” It was a knotty question, and he spent many hours in meditation, without any definite result. Without the aid of tools, which he did not possess, he saw no way of escaping from the dungeon. In ancient historical romances, he remembered of having read of prisoners escaping from dungeons by converting a common clasp knife into a saw, wit which they would eventually work their way out through gateways of iron and barricades of rock. Such an idea, now, seemed to him out of the ques tion. He would wear out several knives ere he could cut out of his present dungeon. So he sat upon the cot, and gazed about, with very little hope, upon his surroundings. The hands of his watch pointed to the hour of six, and he judged that it must be morning in the out- side world, when once more footsteps echoed in the passage outside his dungeon, and Morgan and the guard put in a second appearance, “Oh! ye’re here, are ye?” the gambler leered through the grates, as he hurled several pieces of cooked meat in upon the floor of the cell. ‘* Didn't know but you'd taken leave of us in the same mys- terious manner that a brother victim did a year ago. There’s some grub fer ye, so’t ye ken’t say I starved re)” “ © T thank you for the meat, and the delicate man- ner in which you served it up,’’ Charlie replied, sar- castically. ‘Small favors are appreciated accord- ing to their scope. Did you have the meat well cooked?” “Waal, I be durned ef ye ain’t got a hard cheek ter ask thet! O’ course et’s well done, ye cuss. An’ by ther way, let me drap ye a word 0’ good cheer. Ye ain’t a-goin’ ter perigrinate fer Jordan alone, as two other passeugers hev won tickets in ther lot- tery!” “ Tlow do you mean?” “Simple enough. Jem MeTurk jest arrived wi’ a couple o’ prisoners, who’re goin’ ter be sacrificed along wi’ ye. Their names aire, respectively, Dead- wood Dick an’ Clever Sam, the Gelestyal.”” * What! Deadwood Dick, here?” “Exactly. Reckon thar’ll be sum fun when et cums his turn ter surrender his speerit ter ther Sun- “He will not falter, you bet!” Corduroy replied, enthusiastically. ‘‘Where is my sister, you devil?’ “Oh! she’s safe, but crazy as a lunatic, Bet she’d outscreech old Ann, in one o’ her tantrums!”’ “ Curse you; and you and another have brought her to this!” the young captive gritted flercely. “God help you, Monk Morgan, if I ever get my hands at your throat.” “Oh! I ain’t afeard o’ ye!” the ruffian replied, with a loud laugh. “Puta gee ag in his cage, an’ all he kin do is talk and claw the bars.” And the villain turned away, followed by the guard, chuckling at his attempt to be facetious. “So the poll-parrot is caged!’ Charlie gritted, biting his lips, ‘ but, maybe it won’t be so forever. T wonder how long before they expect to sacrifice me? Evidently, Ugly Ann’has not yet returued, and the interesting ceremony will be postponed until her arrival. In the meantime—”’ The first thing to occupy his attention was the meat that Morgan had friried in upon the floor. He picked it up and laid it upon the table, after which 1e scraped the dirt from it with his knife. He next cut it up into small pieces and proceeded to devour it, in a ravenous manner, for his appetite was keen, It was rare done, as he liked it, and pro- perly seasoned. After satisfying his appetite, he stored the meat left in the drawer along with Ugly Ann's gold, taking care to replace the table-top in its customary place. He then sat down upon the cot again and gave himself up to a study of his surroundings. Each crevice of the masonry of nature was scanned eager- ly, over and over again. Some old and wise writer, whose name I now forget, says: “Persevering watchfulness never fails to bring a discovery !” And thus it was in Charlie’s case. He had gone over the wall, perhaps, for the hundredth time, searchingly, when he noticed for the first that in places the rear walls of the dungeon had been ma- soned by human hands. Large blocks of stone had been putin, here and there, to fill up crevices and gaps. Phe discovery gave him a joyful start. Was there not another passage on the Mg ope side of this wall? And by some effort could he not break through and escape? Monk Morgan had spoken of the mysterious escape of a prisoner a year before. How had he done it? Perhaps through this very masoned wall. Over and over again Corduroy Charlie scanned the wall with an intense eagerness; but it was no use! The longer he looked the more hopeless seemed his quest, and at last he was forced to give up and sink upon the cot in sheer despair. At noon, Morgan came and glanced in again. ‘“Here yet, I see!’ he said, tauntingly. ‘ Find it kinder monotonous, eh?”’ ‘Extremely so,’’ Charlie replied. ‘If I had some- thing to read and a light to read it by, it would be a great relief.” The gambler went off with a grim “humph” and was absent a few moments, when he returned with a book and a tin candlestick, with a candle in it. “Here’s a Bible an’ a candle,” he said, shoving both through the grating. ‘‘Mebbe ye feel sorter ey on account 0 P nd approachin’ death, an’ dese ayr ‘ll give ye cumfort.” “TI am very thankful,” Charlie replied, with as much cordiality of tone as he could create for the occasion; ‘‘and if I ever get a chance to repay you I shall doubtless do so. Has Ugly Ann arriv ret?” ‘*No, but she is hourly expected. Her right bow- er, Lieutenant Cressly, ‘ins arrived, however, accom- panied by his bride that is to be as soon as Dead- wood Dick is dead.” ** What! the faithless Leone Harris?” “You bet! An’ she’s a clipper, too, or ther lieu- tenant wouldn't ’a’ took no stock in her. Oh, no!” And to Charlie's relief the gambler went off again, out of hearing. Then the young prisoner laid the Bible upon the table, and took the lighted candle in his hand. It was the very thing he had been wishing for. The toré@h in the yassage did not reflect its illumi- nation on the upper portion of the back wall of the dungeon, and this wes the very portion that Charlie desired to examine minutely. So taking the light in cone hand and mounting the chair, he began a closer scrutiny than he had-been able to make before. He had scarcely begun when he heard footsteps, and, with an impatient exclamation, he dropy ed into the chair, placed the candle upon the table, and seized and cpened the Bible. He was to all ap- pearances Ceeply engaged in poring over the Scrip- ture, when tie new-comer paused at the giated door; but he looked up imn eh ately afterward. As he did so, and beheld the face peering between the grates, he uttered a startled exclamation. “By heaven! you, Dion Avery!’’ he gas} ed, drop- ping the Bible and springing to his feet. ‘ You!” “Yes, 1!” was the cool reply of the man outside. * Evidently Mba, are surprised !”’ “Yes, and no, at the same time!” the boy bra- vo replied, fiercely, nearing the door, his hands clenched until the nails cut into the flesh, and his face stern and flushed with aroused passion. “Iam surprised to find you here, after you have been so successful in eluding my pursuit; but not surprised to find you connected with the devil and his min- ions!” “Oh!” and there was a laconic laugh—“ so you are bitter, eh? Well, I don’t know as your fury affects me pevticularly. You are where you will never do me any harm—in fact, I have you in my power, as I ama sort of prime minister to the old hellion they call Ugly Ann.” “Curse you! Ihave a mind—” : “To burst from the dungeon and choke the life out of me, I dare say. Ha! ha! ha! but that is quite out of the question. You can’t get out, or you would have done so long ago.” “T don’t expect to get out, luckily for you, Dion Avery. But, fear not; your day will come, as that of every dog of your ilk must come. You ruined my sister’s young life—my poor, crippled sister, and thereby drove her into madness, from which she can never recover in this world. Surely God will avenge her, if I cannot!” “ Heroically spoken, my dear Madison; but, real- ly, I cannot agrée with you that our great Master
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a Corduroy Charlie. will punish so very L way, | was just searching out your sister's dungeon that I might offer her my consolation. I guess must have wandered into the wrong passage.” “And with a low, malicious laugh, the arch-villain turned and retraced his steps along the corridor. Oorduroy stood gazing after him, until he had dis- appeared, He was enraged more than he remem- bered of ever having been before; but it did not ‘burst into a tempest, this stirred passion of his. Finally he turned back to the work he had left | upon the approach of Dion Avery, or, as he is better | known to our readers, Lieutenant Cressly. He seized the candle, and began a careful inspec- tion of the rear wall. Ha! what is this? A very small thing to attract attention—yet, a hope! It was a single almost indistinct scratch, yet a word—“* Push!’ What didit mean? Push / Would the wall give way, and give him liberty? Was this, at last, the avenue of escape? CHAPTER XIV. THE BOWELS OF AN OLD VOLCANO—PROWLERS. Tar finding of the gold in the secret compartment of a table was in one sense a pleasing discovery, but it amounted to a simple nothingness, compared with the discovery made by Corduroy Charlie on the wall of the dungeon. , * Push” to him had a significance akin to liberty, and he set the candle down upon the table, with a sigh of satisfaction at having found out even this much. “Hore’s where the victim escaped from, whom Monk Morgan mentioned!’’ he muttered, standing for a moment in doubt. ‘The next thing is—did he succeel in escaping from tie mountain, or did he simply get clear of the dungeon, to find himself in another and worse prison from which there was no avenus3 of escape. This mountain, evidently, has some day been the home of a voleano. Where I en- tered was the crater, and these passages were the original flues, but have been carved and sculptured out by the Indians. In fact, the whole machinery of a volcanic mountain has been remodeled into an outlaw’s retreat. What then lies beyond the secret wall? Perhaps death by starvation; but I shall make the attempt, and trust to luck. I have generally been pretty lucky.” There was no time to spare. He must work at once, and swiftly. The guards might return at any moment and catch him at his little game, when he would be transferred te another dungeon, from which there could be no possibility of a Placing the table against the wall and the chair upon it, he mounted. Then began the test! Scone after stone he tried, pushing with all his | At last he came to the | concentrated strength. slight a misdemeanor. By the square block of granite, upon which was scratched | the single word, “ push.” An he did push! Glory !—the stone yields and glides back into a re- | cess, disclosing a dark aperture, barely sufficient to admit the passage of a human body. A secon] after the block had disappeared from view, it came gliding gracefully back into its origi- nal pe sition, and the aperture was closed. “T see!” Charlie muttered. ‘The business is worked with weights, or a spring, closing automatic- ally. The next question is, how deep down is the floor on the opposite side. {haven't the least relish for dropping any great distance before stopping. Ha! the deuce!—curse the luck, anyhow!” It was a more extravagant word than the young was great, when he heard a scratching and rattling of the gratings on the door of nis dungeon. He wheeled around, his heart al:nost in his mouth —but the next moment he leap2Jd to the floor witha joyful exclamation: ** Lily! Lily!’ For he recognized in the pale, deathly face peering throuzh the gratings, the features of his sister. , But, ah! how changed in a few days—what a terrible fire shon?in the eyes! She was supported upon her crutches, and her face was presse | between the bars, making it have a distorted appearance, “Lily!” Corduroy Charlie repeated, advancing to- ward thedoor, ‘Lily! don’t you know me?” The deranged cripple shrunk back, as if frighten- ed, the same wild, terrible stare in her eyes. “Lily! don’t you know me? I am Chatlie, your brother!” Her face lighted a for a moment; then she gave vent to a low, crafty laugh, and pulling a knife from the foils of her skirt, she brandished it aloft; then hobbled abruptly away in the direction she had come. ‘Alas! hopelessly mad!” Charlie muttered, half savagely, “and Dion Avery, as I know him to m eost, is responsible before God for her terrible Gunde tion, Curse him! May his torture in the future be as keen as has been poor Lily’s in the past. He could not bear to dwell upon the subject in thought, and so he turned his attention to the work he had left off. “There's the gold—a good fortune, too—in_ that table,”’ he mused, gazing at the piece of furniture, doubtfully.. * Idon’t reckon I've got any business to touch it, fer ‘tain’t mine; though it would do me more good than that old hag, anyhow. Guess I'll leave it, bees until some future time.” Once more he mounted the table, candle in hand, and everything in readiness. Assuring himself by a glance that there was no one : Shean Serie ‘ | Only I vish I bravo was in the habit of using, but his provocation | at the door, he pushed against the block, and it glided away out of view. The next instant he had drawn himself up into the aperture, candle in hand, and — d out of sight in the darkness, after which the block glided back and filled the aperture. Charlie was out of the dungeon, at least. Three days later three persons were standing in the deep pine forest that covered the declivitous mountain side. All around them rose the grim forest monarchs, while overhead the wind sighed through the wilderness of evergreen branches, The men were Judson Wardvilie, Pretzel Pete, the big-bodied proprietor of the notorious Big Schooner saloon at Quartz City, and the veteran of a thousand battles and scrimmages, Old Avalanche, the Annihi- lator, accompanied, as ever, by his faithful com- panion, Florence Night-in-a-gale. Judson Wardville was the leader of the quartette, counting the goat. He had secured the services of Pretzel Pete and Avalanche, to assist him in his hunt for the old devil-cat, Ugly Ann, and thus far they had been four days on the trail. “Great everlastin’ m-bone thet bucked ergin ther constitoochin uv old Joner!’' the Annihilator was saying, as he gazed into the faces of his com- panions. ‘“Irecky we've lost ther trail ag’in, in spite uv ther Old Harry. Thes yere mouutain ar’ as full o’ footpaths as my Florence’s skull-plate aire full o’ veins an’ arteries. Fact, by gracious!” Judson Wardville gave vent to an impatient ex- clamation, “Then the old hag has certainly eluded us, and escaped to the mountain top, wuere, you say, is lo- cated the Temple of the Sun-God and all her barba- rian forces?’’ he said, interrogatively, ‘Waal, now, I reckon thet’s about ther grand sta- tus uv ther matter. We've tuk ther wrong trail, whar we orter hev took ther right, an’ thet’s w’at’s ther matter with our skientific engineering. Pro- bably ther old ripscallion hes escaped, an’ will be cavortin’ down on us wi’ a gang o’ her Tartars!”” “Shimminy Uses: unt my vife Katrina!” ejacu- lated Pretzel Pete, with an ned glance around. “Den I dink ash how I goes pack mit my Pig Schoo- ner immediately. I vas never mit sech a guntry in der ‘hole of mine life, so helb me.” “Haw! haw! Old Moses o’ bull-rush peregrina- tions! ye ain’t actooally gittin’ skeer’d, Dutchy? Lordy! thar’s my goat Florence, and my late mare, Prudence Cordeliar! hooray! they nevyer got skeered, not they. “Twarn’t their grain o’ timber. Thar’s Florence alone who has held his own ag’in’ er milyun Injuns, an’ entranced ‘em by ther simple magnetism o’ ther eye. Great ham-bone! don’t be afeard, Dutchy! no one’d hurt you!” “T scarcely know which way to move now,”’ Jud- son Wardville said, gloomily. ‘What is your opin- ion, Avalanche? I do not want to give up until I have got possession of the old she-devil, Ugly Ann. As I have told you before, I believe that the two waifs who came to Quartz City—Corduroy Charlie and his on oe sister—a week ago are my long-lost children, We have obtained sufficient evidence to convince us that both have been captured by and are in the possession of Ugly Ann, Shall we turn back and leave them to perish, or shall we go on and work faithfully until we are able to rescue them from the confinement, which is but a foretaste of a horrible death?” ee ham-bone! we'll go on!” replied Ava- anche, “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! ve go | on mit der hill up!’ vociferated Pretzel Pete, stirred | into a state of enthusiasm. “Ve lick sevendeen kinds off plue pees oud of der enemy, so helb me! iad swi glass lager, unt I veel ash if I lick der bull army.” “Thet's right, Germany! Ster up yer anymation, | put yer right fut for’a’d, an’ march. Shoulder arms, | all hands, and form in battle array—an’ away we go!” It was with some misgivings as to his personal safety that Corduroy Charlie let go the ledge and dropped into the darted beyond the dungeon. He knew not but what he would fetch up in some awful depth, a crushed and bleeding piece of humanity. But most any condition he considered better than the fate that would be his should he be sacri- ficed by the barbarous Indians, who controlled the mountain fastness. Down—down he went, for perhaps his length, then struck upon a hard rocky footing. In his de- scent his candle had gone out, but luckily he had a few matches left, and soon had a light. On flaring the light about, he found that he was in | & narrow, low, and rugged pesenae, which seemed to 1 | grow more contracted the irther it advanced, Before tracing it, Charlie concluded to examine the machinery which worked the trap stone. He found that it was managed by a skillful and ingeni- ous arrangement of pulleys and pivots; also that he could ascend upon the projections of rock, and pull back the block and reinter the dungeon at his own pleasure, by a very little exertion. This was a welcome discovery, as he might be able _ to work his escape by it, into another part of the crater, After satisfying himself concerning the mechan- ism of the sliding block, he turned, and with the can dl» held above his head, began to thread the rugged flue, which had not been chiseled out by Indian sculptors, but burned in the depths of the rock by | Some ancient voleanic fire. | of the eompass Iam moving, anyhow? “What a place this would be for a robber den!” the young bravo muttered, as he moved along. ‘It isn’t much else, as it is. I wonder which direction South, I 13 should guess. If I don't find a way out directly, my candle will burn out, and then I shall be in a deuce of a fix. Hello!” He tripped, and nearly fell over some object which lay in his path. / Stepping back a pace, he lowered his light to ex- amine it. As he did so, he gave vent to an ejacula- tion of horror. Before him lay the bones of a human skeleton, ‘ene = ghastly enough as revealed by the candle- ight, “* Jerusalem!*’ was Charlie’s first expression, in words. “I reckon this is a cemetery instead of an avenue of escape. I wonder who these bones originally belonged to?” ; As he ye a long, squirming object crept out of the skeleton, and darted away into a crevice. With a shudder, the young bravo stepped over the ghastly object, and continued on through the pas- e. “he air was damp and foul smelling, and difficult to breathe. But, with a firm resolution, Charlie kepton. He was resolved not to give up while he had strength to move. His candle burned lower and lower. There was no draught through the passage, which wound on with the sinuosity of a serpent, and the zig-zag irregularity of a flash of lightning. And this fact seemed to argue that the pug had no adjacent outlet into the outside world. Snakes and creeping vermin were to be seen in plenty along the route, where the floor of the pas- e was covered with water. I wish I could bid this mountain resume its fiery eruption,” Charlie muttered. ‘‘Wouldn’t there be some frightened red niggers up above. Guess I'd be apt to catch the worst part of the fun, though.” After trampin oer for perhaps an _ hour, he paused, where a e bowlder offered a place for a seat. “I guess I may as well sit down here and rest, as long as I've got plenty of spare time, for I’m pretty well fagged out. Six p. m., eh?” with a glance at the face of his watch. ‘‘ Guess I'll eat the remainder of my venison, then take a nap. I feel as if I could sleep a dog’s age away!” He produced what meat he had left from his first meal in the dungeon, and began to devour it raven- ously. si tr wonder if they have discovered my escape from the dungeon pa & muttered between his mouth- fuls. “If they have, there’ll be more war in the camp. They'll see the chair upon the table close to the wall. Will that lead them to examine the stones, and will they discover this passage? If so, I reckon I'l) hear from them after a while. I don’t knowas I — incur any danger by lying down, as I’m easy to waken.’ After finishing the venison to the last scrap, he felt somewhat relieved, and prepared tosleep. Blow- ing out the candle, he stretched himself out in as comfortable a position as possible, and closed his eyes. But for a long time no slumber came as a relief to his weariness. His mind was too active. His thoughts went first with pity to his sister, and then with hatred to him who called himself Dion Avery. Then they reverted far away to Quartz City, and then to dashing, pretty Lena Vernon, and a pleased flush came to his cheek, and a strange sensation thrilled his heart. “That girl’s a trump!"’ he muttered, half dream- ingly,” and from what little I saw of her, I like her. It I were ever to choose a wife, it would be such a vivacious creature as she. But, ha! ha! the idea of my thinking of a wife, when here’s grim death grin- ning at me maliciously. Sleep and escape are the first two considerations before thinking of matr? mony.” He finally fell asleep, and it was such a sleep as he had seldom known before—a complete oblivion. For hours he slumbered on peacefully, and in his dreams he saw bright visions of Lena Vernon, or ‘** Buster.” And while he was thus sleeping, without a thought of danger, footsteps echoed aleng the passage; then the light of a bull’s-eye lantern shot with mellow radiance between the rugged walls, and streamed upon the face of the sleeper. ““Come erlong, feller-citizens!” ‘cried a voice; “here he is now!” And several men crowded up around the young bravo. Who were they—friends or foes? CHAPYER XV. DOOM PRONOUNCED—BAD MEDICINE KEEPS HIS OATH, ““Grapg him, b’yees, afore he wakes up, or thar'll be cause fer several funerals, fer he’s a double- bar’led leetle episode, w’en ye don’t take him at fault!" The command was guickly obeyed, and the first that Corduroy Charlie knew of his situation, he was bound hand and foot, and the band of evil-faced ruf- fians bending over him. For it was Jem MeTurk and Monk Morgan, and their “‘peace commission- ers,” who had surprised him while he lay asleep. It was a vexatjous discovery, to him, but he con- cealed his real feelings under a mask of cool indif- ference, “So, you've got me again, eh?’ he observed, calmly, gazing up into the ruffians’ faces; “ and I neg 3 te you calculate you've scored a victory.” “Waal, we do recky we've did sumthin’ o’ thet sort!’ replied MeTurk, with a leer. ‘* lreckon we nevyer do_ things by halves ner three-quarters, an’ consekently, we ginerally get in on ther hum-stretch in good shape.” And all the toughs laughed at the bullwhacker’s attempted logic.
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14 He was looking even more repulsive than ever be- fore, for his forehead was bruised, and black and | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. . blue, fom the battle with Florence the goat, and | one eye was closed effectually, tor ‘‘ repairs.” “‘ How did you come to find the passage?’ Charlie questioned. “Oh! thet war easy ernuff, from ther posish in wich ye left ther chair on ther table. We s’arched ther wall, an’ found ther word ‘ Push,’ an’ as a natteral consekence we pushed, you bet, and hayr we aire. Reckon ye warn't lookin’ fer us, warye?”’ ‘No, I can’t say as I was exactly expecting you, or I shouldn’t have yielded to Morpheus so easily.” ‘Haw! haw!—it’s just as well that ye did, fer ye iedn’t never hev got out by this route. Mebbe ye stumbled overa skeleton back hayr, a piece? Waal, thet war the framework uv a human 0’ yer sex, who tried this yere avenue 0’ escape Over 2 year ago. Ye see how he succeeded. I ‘spect ye’re willin’ ter go back ter ther dungeon, eh?” “Certainly !’’ Charlie replied, sarcastically. “TI am not that hard-hearted that I could refuse your magnificent accommodations for guests.” There was a general chuckle among the ruffians, and Charlie was raised to his feet, and the thongs cut away. He was then forced along the passage, between the captors, back toward the dungeon from which he had studied so long and patiently to make his es- cape. fait an hour later, the whole party were in the dungeon. “ Hayr ye aire, my posey!”’ McTurk said, with a diabolical grin. “‘ Boys, tie his feet again, and lay him on that cot. We ken’t hev any more o’ these runaway escapades, not much. Ho! ho! thar ye aire, Mr. Corduroy Charlie, an’ ye'll stay thar ‘til old Ugly Ann gits ready to cook yer goose. Oh! ye needn't look cool at me. I don’t fergit ye, ner ther leetle holes ye perferated in my sides; ner I don’t . luv ye y nh nuther, I reckon.”’ “Kither your love or hate amounts to very little in my estimation, you devil!’’ Charlie replied. “Oh! you'll see, when ye git sacrificed, me lad. Let me announce thet ther first act in ther cumin’ progrum wull be a leetle blood-lettin’ fer pastime.” Then, with horrible laughs, the ruffians left the dungeon, locking the door securely behind them. Corduroy Charlie was left bound and _ helpless e753 the cot, to reflect upon his approaching fate. e was well aware that he was beyond helping himself now, and that if “grow, extraordinary should not happen, he would soon be consigned to the merciless Indian worshipers for torture. By following winding passages and on flights of stone steps, the principal chamber of olc Uely Ann’s quarters was reached from Charlie's ze It was a large cavernous apartment in the heart of the mountain, with lofty ceilings, from which pended stalactites of grotesque shape. The floor had been chiseled off to a smoothness of pol- ished marble, and in the center was a raised dais ef stone, surmounted by a stone chair, similar to the one on the mountain top. Here Ugly Ann was seated, attired in a flowing “obe of bear-skin, with the fur side out, and with a strangely-shaped palm-leaf hat upon her head. She probably intended to represent an enthroned queen, out it was rather an amusing picture. Upon each side of her throne were four stone posts, with a bowl chiseled in the top of each, where vurned fat fires, which gave a weird illumination to the scene; also, on each side of the throne, four savages in hideous war-paint stood guard, with long lances, looking like so many bronzed statues. Otherwise, the great chamber was deserted, and the least sound caused a weirdly detonating echo. For a long time Ugly Ann sat in silence, her wild eyes fixed upon space, with a vacant stare. She seemed to be buried in a deep oblivion. At last, however, the muscles in her face began to twitch, and her eyes assumed an expression in which were cunning, malicious intent, and triumph, b ended, “Ha! ha! what a feast for the Sun-God, Quoloro— what a gracious offering to his majesty! And, at the same time, while I am striking for his pleasure, Iam inflicting torture upon my enemies. Ho! ho! ho! how much would Judson Wardville not give to got possession of his children, who have been under my watchful eye since they were mere babes! Ah! I'd give all mygold to have him here, so that he could see me torturethem. But Ihave him not, and cannot well adjourn the sacrifice. Already my war- riors have waited past the usual day, and are grow- ing impatient. Let me see—the boy, Corduroy Char- lie shall go first. Iam eager to torture him, because of his apes to escape. Then the cripple shall fol low suit, and next the Chinaman and the road-agent, Deadwood Dick. tim, and I shall enjoy his torture. Aine’ d says I shall not have the road-agent’s red-haired wife to torture, and he must be obeyed for he hath served me faithfully. The red-haired wife of Deadwood Dick shall not die!” As she ceased speaking, the old hag gazed around ee ee Ho!*ho! he will be my best vic- , her sharply; then seizing a horn which hung at her | side, she blew a shrill blast—the trumpeter’s call. A few moments later there an answering blast in the distance,and then through a_ broad archway in a distant corner of the room, filed, three abreast, a motley gang of fierce-looking red-men, horribly bedaubed with paint, and attired in the re- | galia of the war-path. They were armed either with spears or rifles, and presented an imposing ap- pearance. In the lead was a tall, brawny man, by whose may have no difficulty in recognizing as .Silver Beard. Justin his rear, and between him and the warriors of the Sun-God, Jem MeTurk and his rough associ- ates fill in the line. And thus the whole band, numbering in the neigh- borhood of three score, marched up and came to a halt in front of Ugly Ann’s throne. : As they came to a halt, the hag arose and waved her hand, and all except Silver Beard dropped upon ~ bended knee and bowed their heads. “Silver Beard, I am pleased with the turnout. | | scalpee!” Clever Sam yelled, sinking back in horror. But where is your aide, Lieutenant Cressly? “T kow not, your grace. He was not in the assem- bly-room when you signaled, and I took no pains to hunt for him!’ was the reply. “That is where thou didst wrong. But let that pass. Is allin readiness, so that the sacrifice—the morrow ?”’ “TIT believe so, according to the report of the guards.” “Very well. At sunrise to-morrow you will hear my call Then assemble your command and the prisoners before me here, tor the ceremonies. Let not aman be absent, for this shall be a great occa- sion, when Quoloro shall smile benignly down upon his worshipers. Have you the beasts in the pit in readiness?”’ ““Quite ready!’’ Silver Beard replied, with a little shiver. ‘* The two cinnamon bears have been excited by the taste of warm blood, and the same with the blood-hounds and the three wolves, which have not been fed to any amount for a week!” “Good! ing. Remember! every man to be present on my call. You may now retire!” Silver Beard bowed, and then turned away with- outa word, The kneeling subjects of the Mountain Queen then arose and marched after him, until the council chamber was again deserted, except by the hag and her body-guard. Alas! The morrow had an ill-look for the prison- ers in the volcanic retreat. Ina cell several passages distant from that occu- pied by Corduroy Charlie, Deadwood Dick paced to and fro, with manifest impatience. His brow was clouded, and his hands clenched tightly together, while his lips were compressed firmly. Jem McTurk had just passed the door of the dun- geon, and hurled in the unwelcome announcement that the morrow was to be the day for the prisoners to die. But itwas not this news which caused Deadwood Dick’s emotion. He had faced death a hundred times, and in a score of shapes before; he scarcely gave a thought upon its terrors now. What were gall and wormwood to him now, were the thoughts that he was doomed to leave behind him a faithless wife. “T swore that she should die, but yet have not kept my oath!’ he gritted, fiercely. “‘ Would that God would see fit to punish her faithlessness, ere I am sent off—it would make my trip pleasanter. Poor little Dick! how thankful I am that he never lived to feel the tainted sting of a mother’s shame and dishonor. He is an angel now!” ‘Ha! ha! and there is where you will be, ere long!’’ cried a mocking voice. ‘‘ Ycu are nearly a saint on earth as it is!” Deadwood Dick wheeled about with a smothered curse. Leone Harris stood outside the grated door, smil- ing like a flendess. “ You /” the imprisoned Prince of the road ex- claimed—*“ rou—/faithless, shameless viper |” “ Exactly—l!” the girl-woman replied, triumph- antly—‘“I, who am the means of your unpleasant incarceration, Edward. I learned that you proposed to kill me, and so I took the precaution to cage you.” ‘*Qurses on you. From a woman you have turned to a she-devil.” “Perhaps you are right. The devil tempted me, and like mother Eve, I yielded!” “And you intend to allow these barbarians to butcher me, Leone?” **T am powerless to help myself. Ugly Ann, even, would like me for a victim, but my gracious Cressly prevents her.” ‘Leone!’ and here the road-agent’s voice was hoarse and choked—“ Leone, turn back from this shameful life—come back to me! ‘Tis not yet too late, when I will open my arms to receive you!” ‘“No! Ned Harris; you ask in vain. I have fallen down a precipice, and have not the strength or in- clination to turn back. You are doomed, and must meet your fate without expecting pity from me!” **Pity from you!’ Deadwood Dick murmured, as she turned away—‘'no! I will not expect it. Your heavt is vurned to stone!”’ In still another cell was confined the Chinaman, Clever Sam. Afterall, it had not benefited him to break faith with his master, Corduroy Charlie, for when Ugly Anu had pointed him out as a victim the ruffians forgot his service in their behalf, and poor Samuel was doomed to lie in captivity. He said very little—kept silent and was moody. He had been allowed a pipe and tobaceo, and conse- | quently spent most of his time in smoking. ' About night of this same day of the last narrated occurrence, Clever Sam wis engaged as usual at his pipe, when his ear detected a stealthy footstep com- | ing along the passage, and in a moment a brawny | form paused in tront of the grated door. The Celestial gave a violent start, for he recog- nized no less a personage than his former brother- beard, which sweeps below his mask, the reader | servant, the redoubtable Bad Medicine, The sport on the morrow shall be excit- | | glorious offering to Quoloro, may take place on the | “Yah! he! he! hi! hi!’ Clever Sam cried, joyfully. ““Redee skinee muchee goodee Injun—comee muchee to lettee out Chinee man. Muchee finee redee skinee, alle samee!”’ ‘*“Wagh!” Bad Medicine replied, grinly, as he fingered the fastenings of the door, ‘ Pig-Tail man no good. He like de prairie dog an’ de coyote. He attack his foes at a weak point, but run when dey PAN strong. He help white dogs sieal away ce uily, and Bad Medicine come for his scalp. Ugh! much big skulp, ha! ha!” ‘““Whatee? goodee Injun no takee poor Chinec mar ‘“*Chinee man den no go back to Chinee.” “You go to happy hunting-grounds, you dog of a pale-face!” was the grim response; then the fasten- ings gave way, the door was flung open, and the red-skin sprung into the dungeon, knife in hand. There was a fierce, revengful fire in his eye, and a | grimness in the expression of his features that were terrible. He arung upon the cowering traitor, and there was a sharp, deadly struggle; then— But we pass by without giving the sickening de- tails. Enough to say, that soon the Celestial lay upon the floor dead and scalpless, while Bad Medi- cine turned and Jeft the cell with his terrible trophy swung to his belt. Hehad given his word to Cor- duroy Charlie, and with the result the reader has seen, he had kept it. CHAPTER XVI. THE SACRIFICE—CONCLUSION. Ware Deadwood Dick and Corduroy Charlie were languishing in their respective prisons, awaiting the sunrise of the morrow, which was to be the signal of their doom, and which was but a few hours away, | another scene was transpiring which it will be neces- sary to chronicle before we merge into the curtain act of our drama of Western life. In a volcanic cavern of the wonderful mountain we would take the reader. Itis not so large as the council-chamber of the Mountain Queen, but is withal an apartment of considerable size. Through acrevice at one side leaps a sheet of flame, suffi- cient to brilliantly illuminate the scene, and at the | same time emit a steady heat. | | | Originally there was but a vein of gas from the bowels of the mountain; but once a spark of fire came in contact, and the flame burst forth never to’ be quenched by mortal power. The rocky floor was covered with mats of fur- bearing skins, and a rude couch was upholstered with the same material. The rest of the furniture consisted of a few ill-made chairs and a table, upon which was a decanter of liquor, and a long-tubed Turkish pipe. Seated in a chair by the table, with his feet ele- vated wpon the back of a second chair, was Lieuten- ant Cressly. He was occupied in drawing dense clouds of smoke from the pipe, and in watching the woman who was half reclining upon the rugs, a couple of paces away. She was attired in a loosely-fitting wrapper, which showed off the shape cf her form to advantage, and was none other than Leone, the wife of Deadwood ick. As she lay there, her attention was divided be- tween a glass of spirits in one hand and a paper which lay within eyeshot. The lieutenant gazed at her sharply, a half frown upon his brow. “Tt apeears to me that you have got more of an eye for that paper than for me!” he growled, at last, iving an extra puff to his eae “T didn’t bring you ere to amuse yourself, but to cater to my whims,” “Oh! is that possible?” was the sarcastic reply, ‘Well, what would you have of me now?” “Nothing in particular, only please stop reading, and devote your time to entertaining me. It annoys me a see you look at any thing or anybody but myself.’’ “Indeed! You are the most selfish mortal.I ever / met. I don’t know as Iam particularly your slave, Lieutenant Cressly.” ** And why not, pray?” ““And why, pray? I’m in no way bound to you, except that you have chosen to protect me.” “Humph! One would say that your infattation for me was on the decline since a short month ago.” “Well, perhaps it is,’ was the reply, with a cool laugh. “I have in a measure Ake tired of you, and have been contemplating a change of base. You are so different from most men, Deadwood Dick was never jealous of me.” “Hang Deadwood Dick! And you shall not leave me. I will kill you first!’ “Ha! ha! let me have a hand in that, Dion Avery!” cried a shrill, peculiar voice, the sound of which caused a shudder of horror to creep over the villain- ous lieutenant. ‘ Let me co what slaughtering is to be done!” And there in the arched entrance of the room, Lily Madison strode into view, ‘eaning upon her crutches, and at the same time holding a pair of leveled re- volvers in her grasp. Cressly, alias Dion Avery, muttered a savage oath when he beheld the girl; then reached for a revolver | in his belt. But it was not there. z And just then the cripple laughed wildly, es she hobbled further into the room. “Ha! ha! Dion Avery, you have ro weapons: you left them in another room. Iwas watching and saw ou, else I should not have ventured here, You are poet literally weapouless and in my power. Hal ! “Cnrses on you, girl! Leave the room, or ’i—” an¢ the lieutenant arose with a threatening gesture ¥ - 4, od
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\ ' ' But he did not advance in the face of the pair of steel tubes that were leveled at his heart. “Hold up, you wretch!”’ the cripple said, deliber- ately. ‘* Don’t be rash, but listen to me. They say Iam insane, crazy, mad/ Perhaps lam, at times; but Iam sane enough now to know that I have come here for a purpose. Iescaped from my cell some time ago, since when I have been hiding around watching you—you, Dion Avery, who came to my home in Stockton, and lured a poor cripple girl away from maiden honor—intimidated her when she was alone and unable to defend herself. Ah! you in- human monster, I never forgot nor forgave you, and Troused my brother to follow you. Icametoo! I was mad—mad—mad/ but still knew that I was coming to avenge my wrongs. At last the hour of my vengeance has come! Ha! ha! Kneel down, you wretch, and beg my forgiveness, but that will not suffice; I must have your life!” “Great God! you would not commit murder, girl?” Avery gasped, blanching white, and trem- bling like an aspen. “No! it is not murder to avenge one’s wrongs like mine. Prepare to die, for I am ready to be your executioner. Lam a dead shot, thanks to the training my brother gave me. I shall not miss you; nor your other victim, that faithless wife. 1 know her—Deadwood Dick, her husband, told me of her. She shall die, too. Ha! ha! yes, die as she would have her husband die! You need not beg; ’tis use- less, for my decision cannot be altered. I will count fifty—then, you both die!” She spoke calmly, yet sternly, as if every word was meant, She began counting aloud, in a slow, deliberate way. In terror Dion wt ib og ed upon his knees, and began to plead and beg. ne stood with pale, averted face, and trembled. “Forty-eight, forty-nine / rurty !’’ There were then five reports within as many sec- onds; then three figures lay upon the floor—dead / They were Dion Avery, Leone Harris, and poor Lil adison! ‘oor Lily! She had found her vengeance, and ended her «wn misery with the same deadly instrument whicn tocx the lives of the two beings, who each had play7d ar. unholy part in the great Life Drama. The morning dawned in the cuter war), but with- in the cavernous recesses of the mountain no light of day ever penetrated. Nevertheless, Ugly Ann was upon her throne at the hour of sunrise, attired in a flowing robe of furry skins, and looking as savage as some wild beast of prey instead of a human being. “Tis the hour of my triumph!” she muttered, with a gieeful chuckle, which seemed almost fiend- ish; ‘‘the time when I can hear my in rs beg and ray me to cease my persecutions. ha! I am fren the Queen, and have the power. t, *tis time! I will blow my call, and summon the hosts before me!” She blew a shrill blast upon the horn, which served her as a call. © In answer, a savage entered the council-chamber, and bowed on bended knee before the throne of the mountain queen. “Ah! isit you, Benito? Why do you come alone?” was the eager demand of the hag. ‘* Where are Sil- ver Beard and all the others?” “They will be here soon, your majesty!’ was the reply, in English, too clear to come from other than a white man—which the age was, in disguise. “TI was sent to announce their coming.” And, as he spoke, a long procession filed into the chamber; the same as had responded to the queen’s call the day previous, with the exception of seven or eight more savages, and the prisoners, who headed the procession, marching at the points of spears, in the hands of McTurk and his gang. But there were only two prisoners—Corduroy Charlie and Deadwood Dick, the road-agent. “Ha! what means this ?”” Ugly Ann demanded, fiercely, as_ she glanced upon each face in the crowd. ‘‘ You, Silver Beard? where is your Aide, again, and the red-haired girl, and the cripple, and the Chinaman? Where? Speak!” “They're all four dead, your majesty!” “What! dare you tell me this—all dead? By heaven! explain before I—” “Be calm, queen, and you shall know all. Lieu- tenant Cressly we just found in his section of the caverns, lying upon the floor—dead: as was his red- haired companion and the crippled girl. All three had been shot through the heart.” “Ob, heaven!’’ Corduroy Charlie groaned, stag- gering back, while tears started from his eyes. *My poor sister dead, and in this den? Would to God d never see this country at all!’ “Don’t take it hard, partner!’ Deadwood Dick replied huskily, ‘‘for she is now out of her misery. I, too, have lost one by this blow, but, God forgive me, JT mourn not her loss.” “Qurses on the luck! what of the Chinaman, Sil- ver Beard?” Ugly Ann cried. “We found him dead and scalpless, too, in his cell. Doubtiess it was all the work of the crazy cripple, as she was armed, and at liberty. After wreaking vengeance she probably ended her life by suicide.’ “* But, how did she escape from the cavern?” “That I am unable to tell you. The door was found still fastened. There must be some other se- cret, od the dungeon where Corduroy Charlie was co ‘“Ay! so there must!” Ugly Ann replied, fiercely. “Tt must be looked to »j ome but, now, other business demands our attention. The sacrifice to Corduroy Charlie. Quoloro must take place immediately. Let Cordu- roy Charlie first be led forward.” he order was obeyed, and the young bravo was led in front of the mountain hag, who regarded him with a keen, scrutinizing glance. “Young man, you have been chosen as a victim of sacrifice to Quoloro, the great Sun-God. Around me you behold his worshipers, whose numbers are mul- tiplying each year. They demand that a life each quarter be sacrificed to their supreme king, in pay- ment for all the past favors he has shown them. So largely has he favored them of late, that I have resolved to sacrifice as many victims as possible. Therefore, you shall go first. You and your crip- ple sister have ever been in under my watchful eye, ripening for this sacrifice. I would not have you longer left in doubt concerning your birth—you were the children of Judson and Madge Wardville. | Your | own father it was whom you rescued from me, a | few nights since!” to me, woman!’’ Corduroy Charlie cried. ‘*Ha! ha! no, Iam not lying; but you shall never see your father. It is my revenge upon him. Ha! ha! sweet revenge.. Years ago, when I cast my love and wealth at his feet, he refused me—refused me, as if I were some scorpion, instead of a reigning belle. After that, Ilived only for revenge, 1 stole away his babes when he was married three years and he never saw them again. I early indentured you to Joel Madison, a wealthy trapper, with whom ou remained until his death. A so all this while I Ha! ha! ha! “But, I must not tarry for narration of the past. The delights of this torture-hour are too great to be jut aside, Young man, here is your programme: irst, you shall bleed half an ounce of crimson from each arm, and then, blindfolded, you will be cast into a den of savage beasts, among which will be un- fed bears, wolves, and bloodhounds. Here you will be given the freedom of your limbs, and a knife to defend yourself with. 1ave been treasuring up revenge. bours; then a guard will be sent to gather up your vsenes, which will be burned before thi you will step forward and perform your part!” A dreadful silence pervaded the cavern! The old hag wore a gloating expression of features, Charlie Madison stood in the vise-like sp of half a score of painted savages, his face e, but a flash of brave determination in his eyes. No matter how great the pain, he was resolved not to betray his fear, if any should arise. His arms were held out partly, and bared to the shoulder. Silver Beard then stepped forward, and with a hand which trembled, punctured the skin above the elbow in each arm, with a razor-pointed knife. Im- mediately the crimson began to flow in little streams, and small glass cups were held to catch the blood. At first, a shudder and a sickening sensation went paged Charlie, but he bit his lips fiercely and kept off. It took but a few seconds to fill the tiny vessels; then salt was forced into the punctures to preven the flow of blood. The young bravo was a trifle whiter and somewhat di as this part of his torture was concluded, but he did not betray much emo- tion. ‘“Ha!l ha! You stood your part of the torture so far, well!’’ Ugly Ann ejaculated, with ill-concealed disappointment, that she had not been able to catch ere you will be left for two | s throne, and | “he ashes used for scrubbing purposes. Silver Beard! “Great. heaven! can this be true? You are lying | | open Just in time! A glance discovered a huge cinna- mon rushing down fen upon him, followed by the snarling wolves and yelping hounds. With a cry, he leaped aside, and ran swiftly to the opposite side of the pit. The bear followed with a savage growl Charlie paused a moment, and glanced toward the heavens, He gave a sigh of relief at one thing. None of his persecutors were in sight to mock at him in his peril. p The bear and his companions were approachin closer—something must be done. Charlie was we. | satisfied that he could not kill the bear with his small revolver, and therefore his knife must do the work. Nearer came the huge brute, reared upon its hind legs, its mouth open and tongue lolling out, and for- ward paws extended, Then Charlie sprung aside quickly, and struck the bear a terrible blow with the knife in the back of the neck. The following instant however, he was fiercely set upon by the wolves and blood-hounds. They leaped upon him and bit him, and clawed is clothing and flesh furiously. The blood began to spurt in a score of places, and though he fought with desperate determination, he began to see that his hopes were futile. He grew faint and weak and dizzy—he lost the abide of sight—his already weakened arms refused longer to do service—he staggered and fell—there was a vague andemonium of wild sounds in his ears—then he ainted. In the cavernous chamber of Ugly Ann, other events were transpiring which we must chronicle. — Eagerly the old hag waited for the return of Sil- ver Beard with the warriors, for she was hoping to extract shrieks and groans from Deadwood Dick, when he came to lose his sacrificial blood, But she knew not the young man as well as the world of the | Black Hills country knew him; he had lost blood on more than one occasion without wincing—he had | plenty more to spare. | | | | | ' a@ groan or even a sound. ‘But wait till you are cast | into the den—that will test your iron nerve. Away with him, Silver Beard, and feed him to the brutes; then come quickly back, for there is other work for you to do.” by heading the savages who bore Corduroy Charlie out of the council-chamber. Through long, dank passages they went, then u flight after flight of stone-steps, hewn out of soli rock, until finally they emerged in the open temple on the mountain top. From here they crossed toward the masoned stone wall which Charlie had noticed when he first had been brought to the volcanic prison. By stone-steps they ascended to the ie: of this wall, which was wide enough to admit of three standing abreast. Then it was that Charlie knew what chances he had for life. Below him lay a pit, quarried out to the depth of thirty feet, with the smooth, unscalable wall all around him, making the pit a prison from which there was no possible chance of escape. Just within the pit were stout pens, in which were contained two cinnamon bears, a pair of wolves and a ee’ of bloodhounds, all of which seemed to give a de — how] as they beheld their victim come up- on the — **Let loose the animals!” Silver Beard command- ed, “and then retire to your queen; I will follow!” Then the doors to the kennel-pens were lifted b means of an arrangement of ropes, and the ani plunged out into the arena of the pit. Immediately a wide sash was wound repeated! eg Charlie’s oe, = tied beers his head; en he was seized and dro to the pit, and a knife hurled after him. ir 53 He struck the ground with a force that almost stun- ned him, but he pag dl recovered himself, and reach- ing into his bootleg, he drew his own trusty knife. e heard a series of low, wrangling cries, and a pat- ter of feet, and knew that the animals were rushing toward him. In a moment they would be on his per- son, tearing at his flesh. He shuddered at the thought, and inserting the blade of his knife alongside his face he cut away the bandage e & pow stroke, and it dropped to The prime minister obeyed, with a courteous bow, | ( di H the | After a lapse of ten minutes the Prime Minister returned with his guard. “Ha! Silver Beard, did you cast the victim into the den?” the hag demanded, with fierce eagerness, “Yes, your majesty!” ‘ : “Good! ere this, his bones are stripped of their flesh. Bring forward the next victim.’ Deadw Dick was led forward, but there was no trace of fear or hesitation upon his calm, cynical countenance, as he faced his torturers. At a motion from Ugly Ann his arms were bared and punctured 5 sharp knife of Silver Beard, until the blood began to flow into the tiny glass re- ceptacles. ; i ot a muscle in the road-agent’s composition moved to betray that he was experiencing pain. He stood like a statue, a grim, half-sarcastic expression. a his face, that worked upon the partions of gly Ann as oil does upon a bed of live coals. ‘Halt! this butchery has gone far enough. Surren- der / every dog, or you die as only dogs are fit to die!” Clear and distinct the words echoed through the council chamber, in detonating reverberations. The savages started, and glared about, in alarm— Ugly Ann rose upon her throne with a frenzied curse. “Great conquorious ham-bone thet bu’sted ther barricades uv old Joner! surrender, xe red hellions, or we'll discombobberate yer yearthly views o’ ther great hereafter!” ‘ “Yaw! yaw! surrender, or ve shoot you ober mit our guns, so helb me! Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! vat a crowd ish dis!” In an instant, all was confusion—there were fierce yells from Ugly Ann and her savages—roaring re- orts and flashes of firearms—a struggle, a battle in he smoke that enveloped the room in a cloud. Then came a silence, which was at length broken, as the smoke rose above the scene. “Hurra! great boreal destructive ham-bone thet war ther takin’ off eppydemic uv old Joner! We've killed every durned galoot, red niggers, ther white niggers, an’ all—fac’, by gracious! Everywhar’ hes a wave o’ teetotal annihilation sweept like ther ran- tankerous simoon o° Sarah’s Deserts. Cum for’a’d, b’yees, an’ view ther *reck.” ‘Is the devil-woman dead?” cried Judson Ward- ville, pushing forwa among a crowd of masked men who swarmed in the rear of Old Avalanche. “Yas, deader than ary old spider thet an elerfant stepped on. Thar’s nary a thing but maccademized stiffs layin’ all around us—fac’, by gracious!” “Yes! there is one who isn’t dead!” cried a ring- ing voice, and up from among the dead bodies that were strewn around rose a form. ‘ Deadwood Dick still lives /” A cheer went up from three score of throats, a welcome to the chief from his followers, who had come to his rescue, and, in company with Judson Wardville’s party, had found an entrance to the mysterious mountain honeycomb from the moun- | tain side. “But my son—Corduroy Charlie—where is he?’ Wardville cried, rushing about among the bodies, and searching for the face he had grown to love. ‘Where is he?” “Alas! the young man you name has been con- signed to the beast-pit, sir!’’ Deadwood Dick re- lied, sadly. ‘You arrived a little too late to save “But others were not too late to save him, gentle- men!”’ cried a voice, and Lena Vernon and Bad Med- icine entered the cavern, bearing between them the mangled form of Corduroy Charlie, ‘‘Cheer up, Mr. Wardville, fer your son still lives!" There was a cheer then in good earnest, and ready hands set to work in dressing the wounds and re- storing Corduroy Charlie back to consciousness. “Buster ’’ consented to relate how she had joimed
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Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. how they had seen Corduroy Charlie cast into the pit, and how they had at the last moment succeeded in rescuing him from being torn to pieces, by shoot- the animals. his and much more, which space forbids us to re- te, Corduroy Charlie, though torn and lacerated in nearly avery becnon of his body, except his face. was not fatally injured, aud was soon_recovere enough to be reunited to his long-lost father, and to thank and receive the congratulations from all his friends. determined by all to remain a few days in the moun- tain caverns. All the bodies were removed to another section, where they were left in their final tomb, among them being the hag, Ugly Ann, Silver Beard (whom Judson Wardville recognized as her own brother), Jem McTurk, Monk Morgan, and his associates. Later the bodies of poor Lily Madison, the unfaith- ful Leone Harris, and Dion Avery, alias Vernon, were brought inte the council-chamber, and a solemn and impressive funeral service offered over the eemane ty Deadwood Dick, who was capable of turning a ready hand at most anything. Then, the bodies were laid away, foe their final rest in the dungeons that had lately contained the prisoners of sacrifice. Later still they all returned to Quartz City, where Corduroy Charlie was presented to his new-found mother, and there was a joyful reunion. Old U cavern, and all voted that it was rightly Charlie’s. Avalanche, Pretzel Pete, Lena Vernon and Dead- | wood Dick (disguised), were all present at the re- | union, which was a joyous one, although the recent losses by death to five of the party, prevented any aes t was more of a scene of congratulation to he parents, who fervently thanked God that they were er to be restored to even one of their | lost children. After bidding them all his best wishes for the future, Deadwood Dick took his departure. A little yet in closing, and I am through. The Wardvilles are yet in the Black Hills country but in a section where the pioneer is fast settling and improving, what will some day be a charming coun- try of homes. as any home can be made by a liberal expenditure of wealth. Lena Vernon is with them, and at no distant day | there will poate be a Mrs. Charlie Wardville. Bad Medicine still livesywith Charlie, whom he | seems to love in his wild, untutored way. Pretzel Pete is in Quartz City. Old Avalanche and his eccentric goat may be found | * in *most any excitement where “ varmints require annihilatin’.”’ Of Deadwood Dick I have no data at hand. He has disappeared from the scenes of his late operations, and perhaps retired from Western life altogether. THE END. The GREAT NOVELS of the day! The Drapwoop Dick Stories have excited more interest and attained a greater circulation than any series of novels EVER PUBLISHED IN AMERICA. Nothing like them in cheap literature. The career of this King of the Road and Prince of the Pistol, tem- rarily ends with this story, *‘ Corduroy Charlie;”’ But we trust to hear from him again, in some guise. In the new hero, here brought on the stage, the au- thor has struck another splendid character, from | 47 whom readers have much to expect, seeing that he | , DEADWOOD DICK’S SUOCESSOR! =P Oe Deadwood Dick Outdone! Another Rival! ROSEBUD ROB, THE DANDY SPOTTER; | OR, Nugget Ned, theiKnight of the Gulch. WY THE AUTHOR OF “ DEADWOOD DICK.” Soon to follow, But he was very weak and sore, and it was | gly Ann’s gold had been fetched from the BEADLE’S Half-Dime Library. 3 Kansas Kina. By Buffalo Bill 4 a ab adn ocg Hunters. By Capt. Mayne i 5 VaGABonp Jor. By Oll Coomes..... ... .. \ 6 Brut Brppon, Trapper. By Edward &. Ellis. 5c. 7 Tae Fiyina YANKEE, By Col. Prentiss In- graham ..... 8 Sern Jones. By Edward §S. Ellis 9 THe ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN.... 10 Nat Topp. By Edward S. Ellis. . She 11 Tae Two Derectives. By Albert W. Aiken. 12 GULLIVER'’S TRAVELS, . 2.2.00 0s cee tec eees 13 THe Dums Spy. By Oll Comes Ve NA ts Meee NS Pee Pe ree Cn Fe aes ger 15 Tue Sea Car, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 19 Toe PHantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill 20 Toe Dovsite Daacers. By Edward L. Here the father and son are negotiat- | ing for atract, which they mean to make as beautiful | ; | 88 Nep WyLpe. Daa ead | 59 Deatru-F ace, THE Detective. By Edward L. An Original! | 3 Nick o’ THe Nicur. By T. C. Harbaugh ... DramonD Dirk. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. . 5 Tae Boy Caprary. By Rover Starbuck 9 Tue Dumps Pace. By Capt. Frederick Whit- Roartnc Rapa Rockwoop. By Harry St. George ey" KEEN-KNIFE. B 32 Bos Woo.r, THE BORDER ward L. Wheeler 33 THe OcEAN BLoopHounD. By Samuel W. Pierce ani OrEGON Sou. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams ... Witp Ivan, Tue Boy Ciaupg DuvaL. No.4 of the Deadwood Dick Romances. By Edward L. Wheeler ’ jae, 34 abil. Tur Boy Crown. By FrankS, Finn THe Hippen Lopez. By T.C. Harbaugh By Texas Jack Rorrian. By Ea- WVEIDGUOR | Fiwad ot *F<% , : Foxe Rovina Ben. By John J. Marshall..... .... LAsSso JACK. By Oll Coomes a AE 2 Tne PHanrom Miver. By Ed. L. Wheeler Dick DARLING, THE Pony Express Riper. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker RatrLine Ruse. By Harry St. George 5 OLtp AVALANCHE, THE GREAT ANNIHILATOR. By Edward L, Wheeler } GLASS-Eyr, THE Great SHor or THE WEST. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. i ae vs NIGHTINGALE Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh..... 3LACK JOHN, THE Roap-AGEenT. By Jos. E. Badger, 9 OMAHA OLL. By Edward L. Wheeler. 50 Bort Bunker. By Charles E. Lasaile......... t 51 Tar Boy Rirtes. By Archie C. Tron 52 Tae Wurre Burrato.” By Charles E. Lasalle.. ! 53 Jmx Brvpsoz. Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler.... ! 54 Nep Hazen, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams 55 DeapLy-Eye. By Buffalo Bill................-. 56 Nick Wurrr.es’s Per, By J. F. C. Adams.... 57 Deapwoop Dick’s Eaaies. By E. L.Wheeler.. 58 Tar Borper Kine. By Oll Coomes 59 Op Hickory. By Harry St. George 60 Tae Wuarre Inpian. By J. F. C. Adams 61 BuckHorn Bru, By Edward L. Wheeler..... 62 Tae SHapow Sup. By Col. P. Ingraham 63 Tue Rep Broturrnoop. By W. J. Hamilton. 64 Danny Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh 65 Hurricane Buu. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr .... 66 StncLE Hann. By W. J. Hamilton 67 Parent-LEATHER Jor. By Philip S. Warne.. 68 THz BorpEeR Rosin Hoop. By Buffalo Bill... 69 Gop Ririz, THe YounG SHARPSHOOTER. By Edward L. Wheeler........ 70 Oup Zrp’s Canin. By J. F. C. Adams......... 5¢. 32 B’Hoys or YALE. - | 48 Ipano Tom. | 49 Tar Wour Demon. See 71 DELAWARE Dick, THE YouNnG RANGER SPY. By Oll Coomes. 72 Map Tom WesTERN. By W. %3 Deapwoop Dick on Deck. By Edward L. GER. By Oll Coomes .*., 60, % Tae Boy Duruist. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- 76 Ape CoLt, THE Crow Kitier. By Albert WV. Aiken 77 Corpuroy CHaruin, By Edward L. Wheck ir 5e, %8 Biue Dick; or, THE YELLOW Crigr’s \in- GEANCE. A Romance of the Rocky Moun\fi» By Captain Mayne Reid A new issue every week. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library is for sac all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by on receint of six cents each, BEADLE & Ai Publishers, 98 William Street, N. Y. 5e 5e, 5c 5e, Beadle’s Dime Library. 10¢, 10¢, 10¢, 10¢, 10e, i0e, 10¢, 10¢. 10¢, 1 A Harp Crown. By Philip S. Warne.......... 2 Tue Dare-Devi. By Col. P. Ingraham 8 Krr Carson, Jr. By Buckskin Sam ......... 4 Tue Kipnaprer. By Philip S. Warne 5 Tue Fire Fienps. By A. P. Morris, Jr 6 Wixpcat Bos, By Edward L. Wheeler 7 Deatu-Notcu, THE DestroyeR. Oll Coomes. 8 Tue HeApLess Horseman. By Mayne Keid .. 9 Hanpy Anpy. By Samuel Lover , 10 Vinoce, THE FreNcH Police Spy. Written by himself. 11 Mipsutpman Easy. By Capt. Maryatt 12 Tue Deatu-SHot. By Capt. Mayne Reid 13 Parnaway: or, Nick WHIFFLES, THE OLD TRAPPER OF THE NortHweEstT. By Dr. J. Li. Robinson ...... .. / 14 THAYENDANEGEA, THE ScouRGE.. By Ned Bunt- line 15 Tue Ticer Stayer. By Gustave Aimard.... 16 THE wae Wizarp. By Ned Buntline 17 NigutsHADE. By Dr. J. H. Robinson...... 18 THe Sea Banvir. By Ned Buntline 19 Rep Cepar. By Gustave Aimard 20 Tue Banprr aT Bay. By Gustave Aimard... 21 Tue TRAPPER’s DaveHTEeR. By Gustave Aim- ard 22 WHITBLAW; OR, NATTIE By Dr. J. H. Robinson 23 Tae Rep Warrior. By Ned Buntline THE PRAIRIE FLower. By Gustave Aimard 25 THE GoLp Guipg. By Francis Johnson. 26 THE DeatH Track. By Francis Johnson THe Sportrer Detective. By Albert W.Aiken. THREE-FINGERED JACK, THE Roan-AGENT OF THE Rockies. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr 29 Tiaer Dick, THe Faro Kine. By Philip 5. Warne GospeL Grorce. By Joseph FE. Badger, Jr Tue New York SHarp, By Albert W. Aiken. By John D. Vose By Albert W. Aiken. Rocky Mountar Ros. By Albert W. Aiken. Kentuck, THE Sport. By Alhert W. Aiken } Insun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken Hiru, tHe Huncusack. By J. i. Robinson. 88 Vexvet Hann. By Albert W. Aiken. 89 THe Russtan Spy. Ey Frederick Whittaker. Tar Lona Harrep ‘Parps.’ J. £. Badger, Jr. Gorp Dan. By Albert W. 2 Tue CALIFORNIA DETECTIVE, Aiken, = 48 Daxota Dan. By Oll Coomes ae 44 Oty Dan Rackxpack. By Oll Coomes.. ... 45 Oty Buin’s Eye. By Jos, EB. Badger, Jr.,.. 46 Bowrr-Knire Ben. By Ol!) Coomes une 47 Pactric Pere. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr......... By Oli Coomes. enc? By Albert W. Aiken.... 50 Jack Ragert. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr 51 Rev Ros, tHe Boy Roab-AGENT. Coomes.... ..:. 52 DeatH TRAILER. 58 Sruver Sam. By Col . . 54 Atways on Hann. By Philip 8S. Warne..... 55 THe Scape Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid 56 THe INDIAN Mazeppa. By Albert W, Aiken... 57 Tur Scent Hunter. By Percy B. St. John.. 58 Sruver KniFe; or, WICKLIFFE, THE Rocky Mountain Ranoer. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 59 Toe Man From Texas; _or, THE OUTLAW OF ArKansas. By Albert W. Aiken... . 60 Wink AWAKE; or, THE IDIOT OF THE Hiss. By Frank Dumont....-...... 10¢, 10¢, OF THE LAKE SHORE. 33 OverRLAND Kit. BLAck A new icne every two weeks. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by ah Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMm& Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.