Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 789) (1892 09 06)
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3 om —<— NN (ra “th \ al iL Beara Stee STE RE ieee li = AM \y —— (ea i UH Vl tH bes <4 ff ANS Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. H ——————— {HH} HW TT || a i ea mu Iii NT Ml] Till | } (ary we ' aay ih all Co \a | su SN Ul Up 7 qi San eS UEENTT a MM WI 1h a | My itt The Jamboree at Barly Bird Bar BY WILLIAM G. PATTEN, AUTHOR OF “ VIOLET VANE” , SERIES, “ DAISY DARE,” ‘‘OLD BOMBSHELL,” ‘“* WILD vuL- CAN,” “THE DIAMOND SPORT,” Ero, CHAPTER I. AN EARLY BIRD ‘' OPENING,” * Hox yourselufs righd in, mein frients! Shoost haf der pest dime v’at your cabacity vill allow, ‘You vas velcome ter drink shoost 48 Much as you vants, 80 long as you pays vor him. Dis vas some : free countries, und de visk va alvaye iver ‘s dot So SS man vat paysin advance, ond cost you ~ NSS SS somedings to dance here to-nighd, 80 you tat - SES SSS r take der advantage uf him, I pelief. Gif THE MAN FROM MAINE CALMLY SAT UPON THE PROSTRATE DENVERITE, MOPPING nigger annoder trink und tell him to stard HIS FACK WITH THE RED BANDANNA — —
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ub dot viddle acain, Kar-yoop! Dot vas der stoof!” Dutch Karl bad been indulging freely in liquid refreshments from bis own bar, and was getting slightly hilarious as the fun waxed faster and more furious. He was giving an ‘‘ opening,” having just moved into the new ‘‘ Palace Saloon,” his former establishment being destroyed by fire a few days before. The fire caused the shrewd saloonkeeper to lose very little business. He had made money in Early Bird Bar, and he did not propose to be knocked out so easily, therefore be secured a can- vas covering, and improvised a bar with the aid of a plank and two empty whisky barrels. Be- bind this rude bar be placed a fresh barrel of liquor on tap, and he kept right on attending to business while the new Palace Saloon was being erected on the site of the old building. Despite its name, the saloon was anything but a palace, having been hastily thrown together, It was composed of rough, unplaned boards, with the exception of a certain portion of the floor that was intended for dancing purposes, On moving into the new * Palace,” Dutch Karl secured the service of a negro violinist and had what he called an ‘‘ opening,” All the sports of Early Bird Bar were on hand’ to take part in the exercises, and things moved with a great deal of swiftness from the very start. During the evening many of the prominent citizens of the town dropped in to look on and pass a word of banter with the jolly Dutcbman, who greeted every one cordially and did his level best to induce the visitors to drink as much of the bad liquor as they could comfortably pay for. ‘* Peesness vas peesness,” he would say. ‘ All, der same, v’en &@ man can gombine peesness mid bleasure, he vas some pig vool eef he don’t do dot, I baf some bleasure here dis nighd v’at don’d gost noddings to mein gustomers, Efery- pody v’at tages some trinks at dot par haf der brivilege uf tancing mit der pest lookirg vee- males v’at he can vind to tance mit him, Yaw, dot vas so,” But, females were scarce in Early Bird, and although nearly every one of which the town could beast was present at the opening, there were not enough to goround, This compelled some of the hilarious dancers to goit “‘ stag fash- ion,” and it was not an unusual sight to see half- a-dozen couples on the floor, none of whom wore petticoats, Some of those couples were oddly matea, For instance, Sassafras Rack. six feet tall and built like a living skeleton, went whirling over the floor with Hogshead Harkins clasped in his em- brace, Harkins was about five feet tall and weighed two hundred and fifty, ifa pound. He was no fairy, but the “ardent” he bad absorbed seemed to make him feel very light and siry. Hunk Riley of Denver, the worst fire-ester and buily in that section, had dragged Peaceful Pil, the coward of the camp, onto the floor and was spinning the poor fellow aronnd till be was dizzy and nearly frightened out of his senses, Some of the women had evidently been in- dulging in ‘* corn cologne,” for they enjoyed the capers of the company, when tbe ‘* best” as well as the worst society of Early Bird Bar was represented, Major Selban Hunter dropped in during the evening, and he split a brand new pair of gloves cheering Chipper Kate, that ‘‘lady” having knocked the glossy silk bat from the head of Easy Ned Lester, the champion poker sharp of Early Bird, Ned secowled a bit as he picked up his hat, at the same time restoring to a convenient pocket the self-acting revolver that bad leaped like a flash to his hand, Had the offender been of the masculine gender, he would have stood an ex- cellent chance of digesting a bullet from that same revolver, for the card-sharp was ‘Old Electricity ” when it came to shooting, Ned’s scowl soon changed to a smile, and he laugbed with the others, knowing that it was the most graceful thing to do, under the circum- stances, Easy Ned was a handsome fellow, after a fashion—ulmost as handsome as Dapper Davy, his_most formidable rival for sporting hovors in Early Bird Bar. Not that there were not enough others who took a chance on anything doubtful whenever there was hope of making or losing a dollar by doing so; but, Ned and Davy were at the head among that elagss, In fact, there was a rivairy between them, although up to date it had not culminated in open warfare, Still it was universally known that the two did not love each other overly much, and it would have surprised no one had the rivalry brought 2 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. about at skort notice a ‘‘ shoot-on-sight ” condi- tion of things. Easy Ned was a tall, well-built, brown-beard- ed fellow, with the air and bearing of a society swell. He had the appearance of belonging to some athletic society and being an active mem- ber. He had the reputation of being quick as a cat and a bard mao to down, Dapper Davy presented quite a contrast to the Apollo-like sport, being below medium beigbt and having the gentle voice and retiring manner of a bashful boy. This was Davy in bis natural condition. Sometimes he indulged in stimulating drinks, and then be became changed from bis usual self. He would enter into the wildest carousals and be the leader of any dar- ing or reckless deed. In fact, it was said that when Davy began to drink a devil began to show in his eyes. He was a dangerous person to cross when in that condition, as two graves in Early Bird’s cemetery could attest. Both were ‘‘bad men;”? but they who “chipped in” made the mistake of ‘their lives when they tried to crowd the curly-haired sport. Yes, Davy’s hair was curly, and it was as black as the raven’s wing. His eyes were also black and piercing. Those eyes had made many a man quail, Davy’s bands were always concealed by kid gloves, It seemed strange he sbould constantly wear those gloves, but not a person in Early Bird remembered seeing them removed, No- body ventured to question him concerning this little ‘**fad” of his, and Davy volunteered no in- formation on the point, so the curiously-inelined citizens were left to their speculations, Davy had been drinking a little on this night of the *‘ opening,” and saton an empty barrel, keenly watching everything that was going on, while his gloved fingers carelessly caressed his delicate mustache and goatee. Mild and inno- fensive he looked, but those who knew bim best discerned that lurkirg devil was in bis eyes, and so advised their friends to steer clear of Davy, for the time being. Major Selban Hunter was the magnate of Early Bird and the owner of the Gloriana Mine, of which Eben Sutton was at one time foreman, Sattop had been discharged for reasons best known to the major and bls place filléd by a younger man, Harold Dustan, Having indulged freely in ‘*‘ benzine,” Sutton was watching for Dustan to appear at the saloon, declaring that he would “ lick bim tell he can’t see.” The ex-foreman’s eyes lighted up with rage as they fell on the comfortably cor- pulent figure of his former employer, the major having dropped into the new saloon in time to witness Chipper Kate’s assault on the hat, ** Why didn’t he brung round that new pup of his!” growled Eben, bis fingers working nerv- ously. ‘Id jest like ter pound old Hunter’s head, but it’d be all my life’s w’u’th, He owns most of ther men in this town nigh body an’ soul, I dunno jest why they bow down ter him an’ reverence him in secha way, it’s sutbin’ I never c’u’d understan’, “Et Dustan does durst show his nose hyer ter-nigbt Pli break it fer him! That is biz, He bain’t no right ter rob me of my job, an’ he’s nuthin’ but a tenderfut anyhow, I can’t under- stan’ why ther major sh’u’d fire a good man ter guv his place ter a gréeny.” So Satton skulked in a dark corner, and mut- tered and growled to himself, while he watched for the new foreman. There was another, as well as Sutton, whose eyes lighted up with batred when they rested on the solid figure of the major, This other was known around Early Bird as Injun Jim. He was a half-blood, and seemed a sort of outcast. No one knew anything real damaging about Jim, except that hé was part Indian; but, that was quiteenough, He was condemned. Itis the simple truth that Early Bird Bar was a hard town; but for all that it tried to keep up a semblance of law and order, Marder was considered a crime of high degrev, although not always punishable with death. Self-defense was a plea that carried a great deal of weight with the dispensers of ‘justice,’ in that town. Like Sutton, Injun Jim muttered to himself in a remote corner, bis eyes fastened vengefully on the major. **Good feed make much fat,” softly grunted the halt-blood. ** But Jim know you, just the same, He waits his time, and then—he will strike! The blood of the White Rose calls for vengeance, and the Black Wolf shall die! The time ig not very far away. I will know how the Wolf fattens on the feed he finds in a deserted hole, and tben I will leave him dead! Another moon will gee the end of the trail.” The magnate of Karly Bird bad, in trath, z deadly foe in the bhalf-blood. Major Hunter laughed indulgently at the anties of the mob of dancers and passed a little banter with Dutch Karl, us he dallied over the drink he had oraered. Meantime, a stranger in Early Bird drifted in at the door of the saloon and paused to stare at the scene of revelry in open-mouth astonish- ment, A tenderfovt! Yes, and a greenhorn of the most pronounced type. He appeared to be a Down-Exaster—a Yankee with plenty of hayseed in bis lung tow- colored hair. He was dressed in clothes that fitted him in a most outrageous fashion, or pro- perly, did not fit him at all. He was of medium beight, and his face was ruddy from expvsure, while from beneath his ehin grew a mass of beard slightly darker than his bair, In one hand he carried a carpet-bag,in the otber an umbrella of ample dimensions, From the side- pocket of his coat dangled a red bandanna hand- kerchief. Planting his feet some distance apart, yet teeing in in a most pronounced manner, he stared at the dancers for several moments, and then, with a combination of draw] and stammer, he exclaimed: “Waul, by th-th-th-thut?rashun! this jest nacherlly does bub-bub-bub-beat all nater! Fu’st ole-fasbioned kitchen dance I’ve seen sence [left ole Maine! This kinder rousts me up, an’ I guess I’ll have ter sus-sus-sus-sbake a hoof my- self. Wonder where I kin fuf-fuf-find a pup- pup-partner?” CHAPTER II. A TENDERFOOT IN TROUBLE. “TM your blushing tulip! Just gaze on me and let your heart flutter two or three fluts! I’m the gentle and gazelle-like damsel thet’s goin’? ter make ye sv hilariously happy you'll ketch another kink in your tongue w’en you tries ter talk. I’m the delicate maid who will accompany you through the giddy mazes of the graceful waltz, Come on, my gentle hayseed— come on!” The speaker was a big, round-shouldered, evil- appearing tough who had overheard the stut- terer’s soliloquy, It was Hunk Riley of Denver, the most aggressive bully in Early Bird, Riley bad made his name a terror during tbe short time be had resided in the little camp, and peaceably-inclined citizens were pretty careful to keep out of bis way. Almost as soon as the tenderfoot entered the door, the big ruffian had ‘‘spotted” him, and determined to have some ‘‘fun” at the green- horn’s expense, Straightway Riley meandered in the new- comer’s direction, arriving just in time to hear the stranger’s muttered words, Riley was nota bashful or backward individual, and he sm- mediately offered himself as a partner for the waltz. The new-comer was astonisked. His surprise was written all over bis countenance, as he surveyed the Man from Denver thoroughly as far as outward appearance was concerned, ‘* Hey?” lt was plain he did not fully comprebend the words of the round-sbouldered tough, His under jaw dropped and he stood staring, his face ex- pressing nothing but utter blankness, Hunk Riley laughed. ; It was not 4 pleasant or musical laugh; it was hoarse and discordant as the croak of a raven, “ Haw! haw! baw!” roared the big tough, thus attracting attention in that direction. ‘“‘ Waal, this is about the jim-diddiest Jay-jay I ever sot my eyes on! Say, pard, whar be ye frum, an’ wiat wuz ye ever born fer?” ‘¢ Dm fram Maine—the Pup-pup-pup-pine Tree State, Mebbe yeou never heard of ther place? I dunno as I know whut I was born fer, ’less it was ter answer foo] questions asked by sus-sus- such fellers as yeou be,” / It was Riley’s turn to be astonished, and he rapidly grew angry, for a suspicious sound came from several persons who beard the greenhorn’s reply. The sound was like @ repressed snicker, and that was enough to thoroughly start the Denver tough, : With one long stride Hunk went forward till he could grasp the tenderfoot’s sboulder, fasten- ing an iron grip on the shrinking stranger, ** Waal, you’re gol-derned peert! W’ot d’yer mean by sassin’ me?” Tho tenderfoot trembled. “* Sus-sus-say,” he stammered; “I never sassed you—never dud-dud-dud-doneit! Ouch! Leggo my sus-sus-shoulder! Yeou hurt like th-th- thunder!” an
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4 — ” Simp, staggering forward. ‘‘ Shake ther p’izep critter out of bis hide!» Jest lemme ’tend ter his case,” Simp—whose prover name was Simpson— Squared off at the tenderfoot and delivered a blow straight at the face of the Man from Maine. ae But, the stranger did not stand to receive it, He dodged with remarkable swiftness, at the game time rapping Simp sharply over the knuckles with the old umbrella, The short rascal gave a bowl of pain, and ** went for” the tenderfoot again. With a swinging left-hand blow, Hank Riley promptly knocked Simp down, and then be gave the intoxicated tough a kick that sent him slid- ing among the legs of the spectators, where he jay, groaning dismally. **T don’t "low no critter ter putt his spoon inter my “soup,” calmly observed Riley. ‘ Some of Simp’s pards better fish him out an’ take him whur they kin soke his head, Dm runnin’ this end of ther show arter my own fashion, This boy didu’t come in hyer ter be swiped by any derned little runt of that caliber.” “ Tut-tut-tut-thankee, mister?” chattered the apparently terrified tenderfoot: ‘* Vm much obleeged—I reely am! I did think, b’gosh! he was goin’ ter baste me ag’in, I hain’t no fuf-fuf-fut- figitter an’ 1 don’t want ter git inter a raow, W’en [ left hum, mum-mum-marm says ter ime, sez she: ‘Sus-sus-Sile, yoo’re gug-gug-goin’ aout inter a desprit kentry ’mongst Inojins an’ bub- bub-b’ars an’ snaiks an’ all manner of critters, You’ll be certun ter cuc-cuec-come back dead,’ she sez, sez she, ‘* Naow I’m a pup-pup-peaceful sort of fellow, an’ I don’t keer *baout havin’ marm’s words come trew. If folks ‘lJ let me ‘lone, I won't bother them much, but if wu’st comes to wu’st, Pm gug-gug-goin’ ter boe my Own row, sure’s ny name's Sile Stebbins,” The manner in which the words were spokeu was far more laughable than the words them- selves, and a burst of merriment came from the throng of spectators gatbered around Hunk Riley and his capture, ‘Wat do you call it, Hunk?” “ Whar did it grow?” “Oh, looker ther Rube!” **Mamma’s boy!” “* Whiskers, five a bag!” “ 72-2-Z-Z-22\" The final imitation of the wind whistling through the greenhorn’s yellow whiskers raised another laugh. The pilgrim from Maine seemed at a loss to understand the cause of all the merri- ment, for the look on his face grew still blanker, if possible, He looked anxicusly toward the door, and, but for Hunk’s detaining hand, he might have made a desperate bolt for the open air. “Gentlemen, gentlemen!” cried Riley, with pretended dignity, ** fall back! Don’t crowd too close! It’s dangerous w’en it’s started, an’ some of ye might git burt. Look out fer its heels! This, ladies an’ gents, is ther only an’ ’riginal biranger-hoodud. It was roped in ther desert heart of Afriky, an’ has been exhibited before all ther crowned heads of Yarrup. It is a great livin’ natteral feenomernon, ther like of which bas never afore fell under ther notiss of ther civilized nasbuns,” Of a sudden, Sile Stebbins seemed to com- preherid that he was being made sport of, and it started his temper, : **Lul-lul-look here!” he cried, wildly flourish- ing his umbrella and carpet-bag;* I didn’t cum here ter be picked on, an’ don’s ye fergit it! ain’t got no fuf-fuf-friends in this taown, but that won’t make a tarnal bit of difference. I'll - die fightin’ like a mMum-mMum-man!” But this outburst only aroused the risibilities of the crowd to a still greater extent, “ There, there!” came soothingly from Riley’s lips. “Don’t get excited, pard! It’s all right. These yere people don’t mean anythin’, You said you wanted ter dance, so come on an’ we'll hoe her down,” ** Bub-bub-but I want to dance with a lady,” ** Well, you won't git the chance, fer thar hain’t ernough ter go round. There goes ther fiddle. Come on!” Without more ado, Riley dragged the un- willing tenderfoot on the planed floor reserved for the dancers. Sile still held fast to his carpet-bag and umbrella; and he made one or two desperate attempts to break from the Denver tough; but he was not successful, and Riley was soon whirling the stranger Over the floor, The spectators looked on with amuse- ment, At first Riley lifted the greenborn 80 his feet : ! “ Shake him bim out, Hunk!” piped Sawed-off Sam Sheridan. the Secret Service Special. 3 ‘only touched the ground at high places,” and the Yankee’s legs waved wildly in theair, In holding tight the umbrella and carpet-bag, he managed to hit nearly every p-rson on the floor with them, giving Sassafras Jack a dig into the stomach that doubled the skeleton up like a jack- knife, It was but a very brief time before the dancers began to flee before the approach of Riley and his partner, as if the two carried a pestilence, and if was not long before they bad the entire floor to themselves, ‘* fold on here, b’gosh!” yelled the Down- Easter, making desperate struggles to break from Riley’s grasp. ‘‘ I’m dum-swizzled if l’m goin’ tew stand this! I like fun as well’s ther next feller, but ’'m gaul-danged if this hain’t too much!” The spectators were laughing at the sport, Major Hunter seeming to enjoy 1t as well as the others, Easy Ned Lester seemed the only one who did not perceive any sport in the affair, for his face was grave and unmoved by mirth, At lengtb, in some maaner, Sile Stebbins managed to twist his legs in with Riley’s so that worthy went crashing to the floor, the Yankee being upper:nost, The big tough was slightly stunned and, be- fore he could fully comprehend what had happened, the man from Maine calmly sat upon the prostrate Denverite, mopping bis face with the red banivlanna, ‘“ Th-th-ti-thut’rashun!” he stammered, ‘I didn’t spose J was gug-gug-goin’ ter run inter anything of this kind, though marm she tole me ld see strange sights, Tuis raised a reg’ler sweat, b’gosh!” Hunk Riley attempted to sit up. “ Watin blazes yer doin’ yere?” he demanded, ‘¢Takin’ me fer a stuffed chair, ur suthin’ of that sort? Geet up!” ** Whoa, Jinuwarry!” half-laughed Stuttering Sile. ‘*Don’t go ter buckin’ a feller off an’ breakin’ his neck, Stiddy, yeou onruly heast!” The Man from Denver gave @ howl of aston- ishment and rage, ‘*T be blowed ef ther varmint bain’t takin’ me fer a broncho!” be yelled, rearing up, to be promptly thrust back by the Yankee’s hand, ‘* Easy, [tell ye!” commanded Sile. ‘* Yeou’ve had pilesof fun aout of me, an’ naow it’s my tut-tut-turn,” The spectators were inclined to express their approval of this, although many of them ex- pected to see Hunk Riley add another victim to his already long list, Of a sudden, Riley whirled over and scrambled to his feet, but the Yankee was up first, stand- ing with a broad grin on bis ruddy, good- natured face, ‘+ Sus-sus-sus-say,” he stuttered, addressing Riley, as that worthy gained a perpendicular, “J kinder guess it’s yeour treat, by thutter!” ‘Treat! Howlin’ Injuns! Ill treat yer ter this !” With that, Riley jerked out a wicked-looking knife and flourished it before the tenderfoot’s face, causing Sile to stagger backward, uttering acryv of dismay, ‘¢ Oh, sus-Sus-say!” he gurgled. ‘“‘ Do be keer- ful with that thing! Yeou’ll cut somebody it!” “Tl cut yer heart out!” ranted the now thor- oughly enraged bully. “Pake me fer a hoss! Waugh! Say yer pra’rs, tenderfoot, fer I’m goin’ ter carve yer,” ‘© Yeou don’t mean it?” Waz-al, I jest dom At this moment, Easy Ned stepped forward. **Give the greenhorn a show, Riley,” he ad- Me, seg, quietly. ‘ You ought to be willing to do 1at, ““Pve -got_a record ter sustain,” was the retort; ‘so I’m goin’ ter carve him.” ‘*T wouldn’t,” The words came calmly from the lis of the brown-bearded sport, and he curelessly dropped his hands intu the ’side-pock- ets of bis coat. Riley knew what that movement meaut. “Look byer,” he snarled. ‘* Be you goin’ ter shove yerself inter this yere row?” ‘*[ don’t perceive any row.” ‘Wat d’yer call it?” “An imposition on good nature. But, it’s none of my funeral so long as you give this greeny fair play, Just the same, I don’t mean to sit around and see you do him up with the knife. A square deal has always been my motto.” ‘+¢ But ther onery cuss tried ter ride me fer a broncho!” ‘¢ After you had enjoyed yourself at his ex- pense.” ‘+ He’s got ter fight!” ° \ ‘Then give bim a square chance, Put up your knife and fight him with your fists,” “Great gug-gug-gosh!” stammered Bile, look- ing frightened. ‘1 can’t fight that feller! He kin lick me! I[ don’t want to fight, anyhow! IL want ter git aout doors!” He tried to back away, but the friends of Hunk Riley prevented his escape. Sawed-off Simp, whom the Denverite had knocked down a few minutes before, planted bimself in Sile’s path, crying: ‘* You don’t git out of here, critter! You've gotter fight Riley, ur we'll lynch yer! Hooray fer Hunk, ther chief of Early Bird!” “* Bub-bub-bub-but I cue-cuec-cuc-can’t fuf- fuf-fuf-fight!” blubbered the greenhorn, “ It’s ag’inst my pup-pup-principles! I pup-promised mum-mum-marm [ wouldn’t fight!” Easy Ned gave the stammerer a look of min- gled pity and contempt. ‘Stand up and take your medicine like a man!” he advised. ‘‘If you can’t fight your way, you bave no business on earth!” “Ob, gug-gug-great Jehossipbat!” wailed the tenderfoot! ‘‘ I dew wish I’d never Jeft Maine! I’m afraid I'll be aead when I sus-sus-see the old State agin!” eet CHAPTER ITI. DAPPER DAVY PULLS TRIGGER, STUTTERING SILE seemed utterly unconscious that he lad made a genuine Irish ‘ bull,” at which not a few were laughing, and there seem- ed very little make-believe in the fear and alarm he exhibited, Hunk Riley laughed, as be put up his knife. “PIL jest etarnally knozk ther bay out of ther critter,” chuckled the hbalf-intoxicated tough, rolling up bis sleeves and expectorating on his hands, ‘To be course, I hate ter take this yere kind of a chicken fer knockin’, but I hev ter do it arter w’at’s passed,” **'To be course!” chorused the ruffian’s par‘ds, ‘“*T hain’t fit sence the last time I got licked at skule!” groaned the greenhorn, ‘It hain’t no use fer me ter try. Say, Plldo anything rutber then hev trouble,” “Oh, you can’t squawk!” chuckled the Man from Deaver. “It hain’t nary bit o’ use ter squirm?” Easy Ned had fallen back into the crowd, but, at this juncture, another person advanced to the stammerer’s side, [t was Harold Dustan, foreman of the Giori- ana Mine, a young man with a pleasant face and steady eye. Dustan was a tenderfoot, and to more than one it wasa wonder that Major Hunt- er had engaged him as foreman, + Took here,” spoke out Harold, his manner being bold and easy; ‘‘I am free to confess I do pot like this business atall. It does not seem right that this unfortunate fellow, whois plainly of peaceable nature, should be jumped on by the acknowledged ‘bad man’? of Barly Bird,” Riley gave a whoop of amazement, ““Wha-ut!” he bellowed, ‘*Do you durst putt in your nose, critter? Why, you hain’t northin’ but a greeny! Ef it wurn’t fer yer bein’ in ther major’s employ, Vd—Pd—” ““ What would you do?” coolly asked the young foreman, as ho quietly faced the bully. The Man from Denver flourished his fists in the air, but could only gasp; ‘“[Pq knock yer derned head off, but I hain’t buttin’ ’gainst ther major, so—” “Til hev ter cdo ther knockin!” roared the voice of Eben Sutton; the foreman who had been displaced by Hunter, and, as we bave seen, held a grudge against the man who had filled the va- eancy. ‘I’ve jest bin waitin’ fer you |” Then be came lunging toward Dustan, some- what blindad by passion and the liquor he had imbibed, ‘Holt on! holt on!” yelled the voice of Dutch Karl, ‘Von fighd ata dime is apoud enough in dis skaloon! Holt ab your hosses a leedle pit! Shimminy dunder! who vas runnin’ dis blaceno- how?” He attempted to force his way to the center, hut somebody tripped him up, and he fell to the floor with a shock that shook the saloon. Dapper Davy Was now standing on the head ofa barrel which had served bim asaseat a short time before, and, although bis Manner wag cool and unconcerned, tie glitter in bis eyes told of the fire within, That fire was smoldering buta breath would cause it to burst forth in fury. The liquor he bad swallowed flung a flam- ing flush into his cheeks, and those who knew him well regarded this as & danger signal, Major Hunter had moucted to the top of the bar, from which point he could witness all that occurred, and, although he was a bit startled by the sppearance of Dustan, he made no moye to
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\ 4 ® 4 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. interfere. He was not a man to needlessly thrust himself into brawls, but when he did take a hand, his play counted. If his foreman saw fit to get into a row and stop a bullet, so much the worse for Dustan. Another man would fill the place, if it was made vacant, Harold Dustan turned to meet the assault of the enraged Sutton just in time to parry a savage blow. Sutton was a powerful fellow, bat he knew nothing of scientific fighting, de- pending entirely on brute strength, On the other hand, Dustan had been an amateur boxer of no little repute. Still, he knew he would be in a bad fix if too closely hemmed in or hampered in his movements by the throng. The young foreman had been warned con- cerning Sutton’s anger, and so he knew just what was meant by the sudden assault. ‘‘ Give us room!” he cried, leaping to one side. *‘ Don’t crowd!” He knew he must fight, and he was ready to do so, if he had a fair show. Easy Ned promptly stepped in once more, and swept the throng back with his long, strong arms, ‘*Give’em a show!” he commanded. ‘ You can see the fun all the better if you get back. Make room!” Hunk Riley now uttered his war-cry. ‘* Whoop!” he roared, ‘‘ This here’s a double bill—two scrubs in one ring! Look out, greeny! I’m goin’ ter knock ther hayseed out of yer!” Then he Junged at Stuttering Bile. There was a sudden spat, and the Yankee went down with a flop. It seemed asif Riley had knocked him off his feet, but the ‘‘ chief” knew bis clinched fist bad encountered nothing but empty air, The tenderfoot had made the spatting sound by striking his hands together at the very instant be fell. Up flew Stuttering Sile’s feet, and, hurled forward by the force of his own unresisted blow, Riley landed on the Yankee’s boots, which struck the bully fairly in the pit of the stomach. Then the stammerer gave a kick that sent the heavy body of the Man from Denver into the air, causing it to turn almost completely over, so Hunk came down upon the floor fairly on the flut of his back. He was stunned for an instant. ** Gug-gug-gug-great gosh |” gurgled the green- horn, sitting up and looking around in evident wonder, ‘* Wh-wh-wh-what’s happened?” He could have answered the question much better than the astounded spectators, for but a few of them understood how the trick bad been worked. It was done so swiftly and neatly it had the appearance of having been thoroughly rebearsed beforehand. Meantime, Dustan had again met arush made by the discharged foreman of the Gloriana, and been able to give Sutton a blow that staggered him. ‘‘Cuss yer!” gritted Eben, his eyes glowing redly as he ground his yellow teeth together. mh like ter git my han’s on yer woozle! I’d— He reached out bis arms, his horny fingers working convulsively, as he sought to get a grip on the new foreman, / Harold knew it would be folly to try to reason with Sutton, so he did not hesitate in taking ad- vantage of an opportunity to plant another tell- ing blow. Blinded, more furious than ever, Eben re- covered himself in a measure and again hurled himself at the young man, striking savagely at Harold's grave face. The young foreman ducked and dodged, entire- ly escapiug injury, but giving Sutton a crack on the jaw that knocked the infuriated man off bis feet. Then he quietly waited for the miner to arise. ‘¢ Th-th-thutterasbun!” came from Stuttering Bile’s lips. ‘* I jast wish I could fight like that!” “Look out for Riley!” yelled somebody in the crowd. The bully had struggled to his feet and was making for the Yankee, Sile cast a frightened look over his shoulder and then dodged around behind Eben Sutton, who was just getting up, Swiftly catching the former foreman of the Gloriana by the collar and the seat of bis panta- loons, the queer tenderfoot lifted the man ily and burled him straight at Hunk Riley. Sutton’s head struck Riley in the stomach, and both men went crashing to the floor, while a shout of com- bined merriment and wonder burst from the spectators, “T want to go hum ter my marm!” wailed Sile, in apparent terror, as he stared at the re- sult of his surprising feat of strength, ‘I don’t know haow ter fuf-fuf-fof- fight!” ‘* Well, you are learning mighty fast!” sus- piciously retorted Easy Ned, who was regarding the Yankee closely. ‘Keep right on as you bet begun, and you will come out top of the eap. ‘But, neither Sile nor Harold were ‘in it,” after this, Both Riley and Sutton were so in- furiated that they entirely lost their heads, speaking figuratively, of course, and began to punch each other in a most unmerciful manner, The spectators fully appreciated the ridiculous side of the affair, and now literally roared with laughter. ‘Looker ther blamed fools!” screamed one hilarious fellow, climbing on the shoulders of a comrade. ‘They hain’t ther least derned ijee w’at in blazes they’re doin’.” ** Hoe in, Riley!” ‘Baste him, Sutton!” ** [ll bet on the best man!” ** Holy Moses! hain’t this a picnic!” “ Gug-gug-gug-goshfry!” gurgled Stuttering Sile, edging toward Harold Dustan. ‘ This ere beats my time all hoHer! [il agree I don’t jest understand whut hes happened. Hev you au’ I got ter fight it aout, mister?” ‘*T hardly think so,” smiled the young fore- man, who was not a Jittle surprised by the wa things were turning. ‘‘ We are out of the af- fair. All we have to do is stand back and let those two blooming ninnies pommel each other till they get sick of it,” ‘* Wal, if this is whut you call fightin’ aout in this part of the kentry, Pll go inter ther busi- ness. I thought a man’d got ter git up an’ show haow he war built, I dunno what marm’ll say when she hears haow I’ve been inter a raow, hain’t much ter lul-iul-lul-look at; but [ kinder guess all ther saime [ hain’t such a gaul-dern sus- sus-slouch arter all,” For all the fact that Riley had held the repu- tation of being the ‘‘ chief of Early Bird,” he found his equal in Sutton, The men had been drinking enough to dull their wits, and, after getting fairly started, neither had a thought of pausing until one of them was reaipped. ‘* By dunder!” howled the Dutch saloonkeep- er. ‘Dot sness vas goin’ to stob right avay queek! Wd sboils all mein trate ad der par,” ‘‘ Let em’ have it out, Dutcbhy,” cried one of the throng ; ‘*then we'll drink your old saloon dry.” With a few exveptions, the attention of nearly every one seemed drawn toward the fighters. One of the exceptions was Major Hunter. There was a scowl on the magnate’s face, He was closely watching Stuttering Sile, who stood be- side Harold Dustan, pulling at his corn-colored whiskers and grinning serenely, Dapper Davy was also watching the tender- foot, the fire in his eyes fiercer than ever, and oe right hand resting near the revolver on his ip. but he, also, seemed to take a singular interest in the Yankee. Riley aad Sutton fought until both sunk to the floor, battered, bleeding and exhausted, neither proving the victor. A few words, unheard by the throng, had assed between Stuttering Sile- and Harold ustan, The Yankee secured his carpet-bag. and umbrella, and, et the foreman’s side, attempted to pass through the crowd. Suddenly the sharp crack of a pistol rung out, ong the Man from Maine fell heavily to the oor, Dapper Davy stood on the empty barrel, a smoking revolver in his gloved hand and a devil- ish smile on his flushed face. —_——- CHAPTER IV, Is HE CAPTAIN BLOOD? THE action of the little sport created some con- sternation and amazement in the saloon, al- though tragic scenes aud sudden deaths were not unfamiliar there, : Davy looked around inacool manner, as if searching for any of the tenderfoot’s friends who might feel it their duty to find out the manner in which Silas had been shotdown without a show. “Ther Old Boy’s ter pay now!” gasped Hogs- head Harkins, as he endeavored to conceal his bulky and cumbersome form behind the skeleton- like figure of Sassafras Jack. ‘* Davy’son a holy howl, an’ ther moon’ll be decorated with blood direc'ly Li : With a how] of terror, Peaceful Pil made a break for the door, his first thought being to reach the open air and a piece of safety far be- yond the reach of flying bullets, Stubbing his toe, he went heavily to the floor, sliding between: the feet of Sawed-off Simpson, upsetting that in-- dividual in a most effective manner. Hunk Riley and Eben Sutton were too badly used up to take the least interest in the shooting. Easy Ned nad instantly whirled toward Davy, but he took good care not to let his hands stray toward his weapons, for he knew the little sharp: was flash-lightning when it came to shooting and would be only too glad of an excuse to plant a. bullet in his rival. At first Harold Dustan did not seem to com- prehend what had happened, for he stared in as- tonishment at the fallen figure of the Yankee, But, it all seemed to came to him like a flash, and he wheeled to look for the one who bad done the sees hot anger portrayed on his handsome ace, Dutch Karl shouted out something that was drowned by the chorus of screams that came from the females huddling in a distant part of the saloon. Major Hunter, like others, seemed astounded by Dapper Davy’s sudden and unexpected act, but he still retained his position on the top of the- bar, The most stoical and indifferent person in the) room was,the half-blood, Injun Jim, Not a sound came from his lips and no change passed. over his immobile face, but his black eyés had a strange glitter as they shifted from the figure of’ Major Hunter to that of Dapper Davy and back again. ‘“‘Keep your clothes on, gentlemen!” called: the clear and musical voice of the curly-haired sport, as the pressure of a kid-covered finger on the trigger of his smoking revolver caused the bammer to rise a bit. ‘ Don’t chip in unless did the little trick, and Davy is ready to back his act from start to finisb,” ‘* What does this mean, sir?’ sternly demand- ed the magnate of Early Bird, ye shifting: his position onthe bar. ‘* This looks likea clean ease of— ‘* Hold bard, major!” cut in the little gambler, bis voice losing much of its music, ‘t Don’t. drive too fast till you know the road! If you speak too swiftly, you may say some nasty words, and [I do not swallow them from any one. All the same, Iam not scrubbing around in search of a row with you, for I respect you too highly.” Something like a sneering smile passed over’ the face of Easy Ned, as he beard his rival’s concluding words, and beneath his breath he: muttered a single word: “ Taff ”n But, De same, as the manner of the major immediately showed, — “That is all very well, sir,” he said, some- what less harshly. ‘*But you must explain your reasons for adding to our already over- flowing cemetery, Iam afraid the town will have to enlarge the limits of our burying- ground; and already the ledge is cropping out so it is hard to find dirt enough to cover a re- spectable corpse,” “That is all right, major,” fell easily froux the gambler’s lips. “If that fellow is planted, it will not be my bullet that placed him toes up to the turf.” “* How’s that?” : “T simply creased him. If you don’t helieve it, make an examination,” The fallen man was instantly examined, and a cry of astonishment went up when a _ wig of. false hair was removed from his head. Then it was discovered Davy had told the truth, having sent a bullet so closely to the Yankee’s head that Stuttering Sile was stunned, but not killed or even dangerously wounded, ‘“‘ The critter’s in disguise!” shouted some one. Dapper Davy smiled again. ‘*T knew it,” he declared; “‘ and that’s why L dropped him.” “That is scarcely good reason for shooting a man down in such a manuer,” asserted Major Hunter, “IT had a good reason, sir,” affirmed Davy.. ‘*T knew him, for all of bis clever disguises,” “ Knew him?” “* So I said,” ‘“* Who is he?” _ “He is Oaptain Blood, the coiner, toll-. collector and cut-throat !” Bareley bad this declaration left the dapper sport’s lips when a perfect roar aroge in that: saloon, and it see as ifa pack of howling imps had been let loose. On every hand the crowd surged forward toward the alg the wounded man lay, and had not y Net and Harold Dustan fought them back, the you are ready for arockytime, It is Davy who ! avy had made a good play, just the a -
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on the bar. fnconscious fellow would have been trampled to death. ‘* Back, back!” thundered the brown-bearded -card-sharp, as he brought the strength of his muscular arms into use. ‘Go a trifle slow, epards! Get back, Isay! The man is down and cannot escape!” ** But, be’s Cap’n Blood!” squealed Sassafras Jack, his head rising above the surging sea of caputs around him. ‘Let us git at ther critter!” “He may be Captain Blood,” returned Ned; ‘but that remains to be proven, Get back, or lll be forced to use my guus!” Dustan proved himself worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with a natural athlete like Ned, for be fully did his part in keeping the mob from stamping the life out of Stuttering ‘Sile, . ** Py crasush!” howled Dutch Karl, vow fully aroused by the row in his place of business, ‘Dis raget vas got to stob, 1 pelief! I don’d vant some row v’at staves ubeferyding! Sboost -ged a leedle more gwied!” But the saloonkeeper’s words would have had l‘ttle effect on the surzing throng had not Major Hunter jvined inand urged them to quiet down, Dapper Davy looked as if quite uucon- cerned by what was happening, but ready to -defend himself in an instant, should occasion arise, ‘Order, order!” rung out the trumpet-like -yoice of the magnate, as he thumped his heels ‘Citizens of Early Bird, I am ashamed of you! The man is belpless and in your Give hima chance to speak for him- -one of the crowd, ‘‘He cannot get away,” assured the major. ** And itis only right that he should bave an opportunity to disprove—if possible—Davy’s charge that be is the outlaw who has caused this and other towns so much trouble, We don’t care to make a mistake and lynch the wrong man,” At this Dapper Davy scowled a little, ’ “Tam not in the habit of making mistakes, major,” he claimed, rather sharply, bis red li being drawn for an instant over his neonly ‘teeth, ‘** But there is a possibility—” ‘There may be, but I do not think,so,” Then Davy deliberately attempted to incite ‘the throng to the point of lynching the belpless man, but Major Hunter’s cool words restrained them. “Give bim a show!” urged the magnate, “‘Surely it is no more thanfair, Apply restora- tives, and let’s bear what he has to say for him- self,” But, restoratives were not needed, as Stutter- ing Sile came around of his own accord and sat upon the floor, looking blankly around him at first and putting a band to bis throbbing head, “Was it a brick that struck me?” he mutter- ed, the tone of bis voice being quite changed and not a sign of hesitation appearing in his speech, *‘1t was something that made me see more stars than a little, and—” He paused, lowering bis band and discovering the blood upon it. Then he looked at the watch- ing crowd, a queer expression passed like a flash across his face, as he comprehended he had be- trayed himself fully in that unguarded moment. “You are all right, sir,” assured Harold Dustan, ‘That is, you are all right for the present, but I will not vouch for the future.” “What's the row, anyway!” questionad Sile, discovering his false wig on the floor, ‘*I seem to have been scalped. Point out the big chief «who lifted my hair, please.” “1t bas been discovered you are in disguise,” explained Harold; ‘‘and a serious charge has deen made against pl Easy Ned bad fallen into the background, not that there seemed no danger of immediate barm befalling the wounded man; but he was ready to take active part if] anything arose to demand such a course, ; Sile insisted on being aided to his feet, and ‘then he asked to know the charge against him and who was his accuser. He was told all, and Dapper Davy was pointed out to him, Immediate} he removed the beard from beneath his chin, which betrayed the fact that, Like his wig, it was false, Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 5 **T do not deny I was in disguise,” he calmly said; ‘‘and that was for a purpose. But, I do deny being Captain Blood, and defy this villi- fying card-sharp to prove his charge!” ‘That’s all right,’ nodded Davy, although there was a black look on his face. ‘‘I reckon you will have to explain why you were dis- guised before you bring the boys to accept you as on the level, and that is something I fancy you will not be abletodo. Youare ina tight box, my friend, and your chance of stretching hemp is first class.” There was a strange light in the wounded man’s eyes as he listened to the words of the little sport, and he surveyed Davy so closely that the gambler actually seemed to shrink be- fore the scrutiny, , ‘I believe I have seen you before,” observed Sile, ‘‘ Acknowledged!” assented Davy. ‘I was once unfortunate enough to be a captive in your bands, You intended to keep your face con- cealed behind a mask, but one day it fell off by accident, and I had a fair view of your features, However much you may deny it, you are Cap- tain Blood!” Witbout a word, but with a look that could not be mistaken, and which caused the hot blood to flush Davy’s cheeks more redly, Sile turned away. - Mon of Early Bird,” he calmly spoke, facing the scowling throng, “I am ready to stand m trial, All 1 ask of you is a white show, and know the most of you must be men who love fair lay. ‘* You shall have an honest show, or my name is not Hunter,” assured the major, who had leaped down from the bar and forced his way to the center of the throng. ‘Ido not believe in jumping on a man unless I know [ am right.” As be passed through the crowd, his shoulder brushed against that of Injun Jim, whose eyes glittered with deadly hatred and whose hand rested on the haft of a keen knife. But, tha major was unharmed, although Death stood close, CHAPTER V. THE MAJOR’S ASSERTION, THE wounded man was taken to the little jail of the town and left there under guard, Althong’ be made no pretense of acting as an escort, Easy Ned kept at the prisoner’s side until the jail door was reached, Harold Dustan also went along, baving taken a great interest in the unfortunate fellow who had been exposed by the dapper card-sharp, Harold gave such encouragement as he could, and Sile—he bad acknowledged no otber name— expressed his appreciation and thanks, Finding Major Hunter was ip earnest to give the captive a fair show, Dapper Davy desisted in his purpose of urging the excited mob to im- mediately lynch the one he had accused. He went to the jail with the others, and when the door bad closed on Sile, he warned the throng against allowing the man to escape. , ‘You kuow the record of Captain Blood, pards,” be cried, loud enough for all to hear, ‘Tt is his boast that no jail can bold him, and be has slipped out of many atight corner. If he tricks you this time, it will be through no fault of mine.” With this, seeming to consider his duty done, he turned back toward the Palace Saloon, leav- ing the others to arrange the guard to suit them- 8elves, It was finally decided two men should remain close at band outside the jail, while Hogshead Harkins watched the captive from within, This was a position Harkins craved, as be was thirst- ing for notoriety, The prisoner seemed to take things quite coolly, and he immediately attempted to make himself agreeable to Mr, Harkins, At first the corpulent guard was surly, but Sile worked upon bis vanity by declaring he knew he must be a ‘‘ man with a record,” else he would not have been selected as guard over such a dangerous chap as Captain Blood, even though Blood was disarmed and bound. Hawkins had kept a cocked and ready revol- ver in his hand, even though the prisoner was helpless to aic himself, and at every restless mo- tion of Sile, the weapon would be held ready for instant use, + Wal, I don’t mind lowin’ I hev downed m man more nor one time,” bea :tfully nodded the corpulent tongh. ‘I’m a pretty bad man w’en I’m started, an’ it don’t take much ter start me,” ‘7 knew it.” Sile made the assertion with a soberness that was very convincing—to Harkins, The big fel- a low produced a plug of tobacco and bit off a huge ‘*chaw.” Thedim light of a swinging lantern fell full on his face, while that of the man he was guarding was eny in shadow. Once having the ice broken, the prisoner was not long in getting Hawkins to talking, and skill- fully led the tough to speak of Early Bird and its inhabitants, Sile asked scores of questions, and Harkins was flattered into answering them all, telling all he knew concerning Dapper Davy, Major Hunter and Easy Ned. The prisoner seemed singularly interested in the last, ‘“*Him an’ Davy’s rivals in more ways than one,” asserted the corpulent guard. ‘* They’re ther two leadin’ sports of ther camp, an’ they’re both over head an’ heels stuck on Harvy Klaw’s ** Who is Harvey Klaw?” ** Now don’t yer go fer ter ask me too much *bout him, fer thar don’t anybody seem ter know much who he is ur w'at he is.” ‘* Then be is something of a mystery?” ‘* Thet’s it! thet’s it! He’s a mystery as they ean’t solve. He lives in a leetle cabin up on ther Shelf, an’ his darter lives thar with him, Poorty —wal, you bet she is! I hain’t much on describ- in’ gals, soI can’t tell yer how she looks, but she’s a daisy!” ‘* Where does the mystery come in?” ‘¢ Wal, it’s how ole Klaw gits his livin’. He allus bes money enough, an’ he bain’t been never knowed ter do a stroke of work,” ** That’s queer.” ‘Tt jest is/ An’ thar is them as hev bin bold ernough ter hint as how it bain’t his gal as stays with him, though 1 w’u’dn’t keer ter be tellin’ sech a thing.” ‘* What makes them think she is not bis girl?” “JT dunno jest what; but I must ‘low she don’t look nary smitch like him, He’s ugly as sin, an’ she’s purty as a posy—she jest is /”’ ‘* You are interesting me inher. By Jove! I will have to callon her when I get out of this meh 6 ‘Wen yedo git out,” came half-sneeringly from the guard’s lips, ‘* Wal, ef yer ever has ther luck ter git out of it, I’d ’dvise yer ter keep clear of Vira Kiaw.” Why?” ‘‘Tt hain’t healthy ter go nosin’ round ther Shelf,” ‘‘Tbis Easy Ned and this Dapper Davy—don’ they go up there?” \ “Not very often, though they does sometimes. Ther old man’s swore ter shoot Davy more ner oncet, but thet leetle devil don’t keer a hoot fer nuthin’,” Thus they talked on for some time until there came a peculiar knock on the door, at which Harkins quickly started up, as if it were a signal understood rf him, ** What is it?’ asked the prisoner. ** Oaly ther bose,” “The boss?” ‘ Major Hunter.” Harkins undid the fastenings of the door, and the magnate of Early Bird entered. ‘*TLeave us alone together for a short time,” be said to the guard. ‘I will take care the prisoner does not make a break, and I will call you when you are wanted,” “ AW riabt,” mumbled Harkins, and he imme- diately retired. Major Huoter promptly approached Sile, who was regarding him curiously, : ‘* Well, young man,” said the leading citizen of the town, ““you bave fallen into a pretty scrape! “It may look that way to you,” retorted Sile, witha grim smile; ‘t but I will confess I fail to detect the agreeable features of it.” **- You take it coolly.” / ‘* What's the use of taking it any other way!” “Are you aware amob of armed men may come down on this jail before morning and drag you out to be lynched?” _ “T have thought it possible I might be treated in such a manner, but your assurance that you would do all you could forme gave me some relief.” ; The major shifted his weight from one foot to another, ; ‘“T have some influence in this town,” he acknowledged; “‘ but I am not all-powerful, by any means. If the mob should be thoroughly aroused, they might lynch you for all of my efforts to prevent.” “Then I trust they will not become aroused,” ‘‘T hope so, for your sake; but I should desire to get out of this position as 800n as possible, if I were you. “‘ That is about the way I feel,” ‘* Perhaps I van aid you.” “ I hope so,”
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6 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. AT-GOs” ** And you are not one of his men?” ‘* Nixey, major; I am not in that line of busi- ness,” Be But there is something mysterious about ? ou. ** Really?” “*T am in earnest, You were in disguise to- night, playing a part. What was your object?” ‘* 1 trust you will not feel offended, major, if I decline to answer that question, I had a rea- son for visiting the Palace Saloon in disguise, and my artifice would not haye been detected but for Dapper Davy.” ‘That isall very true, but now it has been de- tected, you will bave to explain in order to save your own skin,’ I trust you will not be foolish about this matter, forit is more serious, possibly, than you imagine, If you will tell me the truth —the whole truth—I will see what can be done for you to-night, It is not safe for you to re- main here, and I will see if my friends will not take you away to a place of safety,” “You seem very kind, major, and I hate to offend you in the slightest manner; but my business is such that it would be folly to talk.” The major allowed himself to scowl somewhat, and then he squatted on his heels close at the prisoner’s side, ‘* Very well,” he said, grimly, “if you will not talk, I shall have to tell you who and what you are, for I know.” ** Drive ahead, major.” ** You are Sam Sheridan—Secret Service Sam, the Government Detective, and you are in Early Bird on a private mission of great import- ance: CHAPTER VI. INJUN JIM BEFRIENDS THE PRISONER, Mason HUNTER made the assertion in the most positive manner, as if he was fully con- vinced on the point, not a doubt concerning the identity of the prisoner remaining in his mind, The helpless man did not betray any emotion atall. If the magnate of Early Bird bad ex- pected him to start or utter an exclamation of surprise, he was disappointed. If any change of expression passed over Sile’s face, the wretched light failed to reveal it, “This is getting interesting,” he calmly ob- served. ‘‘Only a short time ago [ was accused of being a desperate and dangerous outlaw, and now lam charged with being a detective. Yes, it is getting very interesting!” ** But you do not deny it,” bastily swept in the major. ‘“‘ You did deny being the outlaw, but you do not deny being Secret Service Sam.” “You have scarcely given me time to deny it, if I wished todv so. Perhaps I do not intend to deny it.” ‘Then you confess—you acknowledge you are the detective?” “ Do 1” * Don’t you?? ** Not yet, 1am considering.” ‘* What are you considering?” * ‘* W bether it is the more healthy thing in this town to be a detective or an outlaw.” For an instant, Hunter seemed silenced; but he soon recovered. “Your experience ought to show you it is not at alla healthy thing to be taken for Captain Blood. Had [ not stood by you in the saloon, you would have been lynched by the mob. As it is, I fancy they intend taking you out of this before morning.” ‘** For the purpose of hanging me?” ‘That is about the size of it.” *“*Well, that is agreeable information, It tends to make one feel rea! jolly and pleasant.” ** Toat is why [ am here,” asserted the major, nervously, “I came with the view of getting at the truth. If you are Captain Blood, that lets me out; I shall bave no further interest in defending you from the mob.” ‘You would not wish me to have a fair trial?” , “Were it certain you are the outlaw, a trial would be superfluous, for it could only have one termination,” ‘* And if I tell you I am Secret Service Sam— what then?” ‘* I will see what I can do for you.” ‘* How could you know I was telling you the truth? How could you know I was not lying to you in order to save my neck?” The major hesitated, as if perplexed bv the question, while something like a smile played “Of course you still deny being Captain lood ?” about the beardless lipsof the prisoner. Indeed, the captive seemed to actually enjuy the situa- tion. ‘¢*T should have to take my chances on that,” the magnate finally confessed; ‘‘but there is something about you that makes me think you are honest—that you would not deliberately tell a lie even to save your neck,” ‘Tf I am honest, I cannot be this outlaw.” ‘© Of course not.” ‘* And if I am the outlaw, you are deceived in thinking me honest. Major, is it not plain to you that you should do whatever you can for me, regardless of what I may say concern- ing myself, as anything I say will not change the situation? If I am Captain Blood, and I think I can save my neck by claiming to be a detective, what is more natural than that I should make such a claim? You must see how the land lays, major?” It was evident Hunter did not like this man- ner of placing the situation, for he nestled un- easily and cleared his throat before saying any- thing further. Then he observed: ‘‘T will feel better in my own mind if I have your assurance you are the detective.” “You already have my assurance I am not Captain Blood.” ae Yes.” ‘*T give you my word of honor I am an hon- est man.” se Good had ‘“*Is that not enough? Are you not one who will do all be can for an bouest man in peril, whether he is a detective or not?” "Ob, yes—yes—of course—certainly!” stam- mered the magnate, somewhat taken aback, ‘Then that settles it, major. {I kndw you will keep the mob from lyuching me without giving me a show.” ** But—but, I wished to know this detective; I think I can give him some tips,” “In case I were the detective, this would scarcely be the place to give me t'ps, while my life is in constant danger. From what you have inferred, J have surmised the mob might come down on me auy time, A dead detective can extract very little comfort from tips, dear sir. Major Hunter was baffled in his purpose, and he drew tack somewhat sullenly, arising to his fect. At first, it seemed as if he would leave the prisoner without any further words, but, if he had thought of such a thing, heq uickly changed his mind, ‘“*T am sorry you have not seen fit to take me into your confidence,” be said, regretfully ; * for [am certain it would have been to your advan- tage. However, I suppose you believe you know your own business best. I must leave you now, but T will see what can be done for you.” “ You might do something now.” * What?” ‘* Loosen these cords somewhat, so I can free my hands, If the mob comes down on the jail, I do not wish to die like a dog, without being able to make a single struggle for life.” ‘*T do not dare do so,” asserted the major. ** The boys know I am in here alone with you, and they would accuse me of treachery, were I to fix your bonds so you could break free. You might overpower Harkins and force him to signal the outer guards to remove the door fastenings. Then you could leap out and make a breek for liberty, No,” and he soberly shook his head, ‘* I cannot do that; but within the hour I may beable toraisea band of masked men who will come here and release you, If I am with them, my disguise will be such that to-morrow no man in Early Bird can accuse me of taking a hard in the affair. Keep up hope, young man,” With this final admonition, the major departed, ae Hogshead Harkins returned to his post of uty. The prisoner lay and reflected on all that bad occurred, and he was Jed to decide there was sometbing very queer about the major’s visit. The more he thought about it, the greater be- came his uneasiness, Within thirty minutes after Hunter's exit, there come, once more, a singular rap on the door. Harkins seemed to understand it, for he immediately hastened forward and undid the fastenings. Immediately a form, cloaked in a huge blank- et, strode into the jai]. Out from beneath the blankes sbot an uplifted arm, the hand of which rasped 1 knotted club, and a moment later, arkins was tumbled over on the ground, killed or stunned by the heavy blow, Then the blanket was thrown back, revealing a dark, swarthy face, from which peered two eyes of midnight blackness. It was the half-blood, Injun Jim, ) At first the prisoner fancied the lynchers H¥ come, and be utterly helpless! But, Jim lifted his haud, making a gesture of caution, ‘* White pard must not be afraid,” he said, in alow tone. ‘‘I am not here to do him hurt; but out in the town of the whites many wolves thirst for bis blood. The moon is a rainbow in the west, but when it bas fallen behind the mountains, the white wolves will be here, led by the double-face. If they find my white pard, they will drink his blood, concealed by the dark- ness they love,” “That migbt be fun for them,” grimly ob- served the captive; ** but I don’t reckon I would a great amount of hilarity in the little pic- nic. ** Would my white pard escape?” ** Would I? Well, I should’ smile!” ‘ST am a half-blood—my mother was a Ute, The pale-faces despise me. Would the white captive despise me, should I help him to avoid the treachery of the double-face?” ‘* Not to any great extent! Iam not the kind of a galoot that despises any one who save: my life, it don’t make a tinker’s bit of difference what his color may be.” ‘*T came here to save the white captive. Out- side the door two of the white wolves lay dead. I had to kill them, forI am Jim! They were the tools of the double-face, and he destroyed the Red Rose, Histimeisnear! Another moon will see the work finished, and the Rose will rest in her soft bed down under the moss.” *T don’t know what in thunder you are talk- ing about, old man,” observed the prisoner; “but Ido know Iam just a trifle anxious about getting my hands and feet free and taking a sneak, Iam afraid the lynchers may drop down this way before shortly.” ‘** Not till the moon is lost behind the moun- tains, and that will be yet a little time,” However, the half-blood immediately cut the prisoner’s bonds, and Sile hastily arose to his feet, a sigh of relief coming from his lips, After this they lost little time in getting out of the jail, closing and fastening the door behind them. **T only wish I had my revolvers,” muttered the released cuptive, Without a word the half-blood placed the weapons in his companion’s hands. “Where did you find them?” asked Sile, in astonishment, ** One of the guards bad them,” ‘Well, you’rea brick! I’m ready to swear by you, pard!” But Injon Jim only said: ** Come,” The liberated prisoner followed his strange benefactor, Half an hour later they halted on a shelf-like ledge some distance up the mountain-side, from which point they could look down on the town beneath,i ‘* See!” exclaimed the half-breed, catching the other by the arm and pointing downward with his other band. ‘*The moonligbt bas made room for the shadows down there, and the white wolves are starting for the feast, They will be disappointed, Great will be the fury of the wolves when they find their cage empty.” The white man looked down, and along the main street of the town he saw a procession of dark forms moving. They would have been hidden by the darkness had they not carried torches, which they waved above their heads, As this mob approached the jail, the men of which it was composed quickened their steps, loud shouts and yells breaking from their lips, Gradually these sounds mingled and blended, till they became one steady, terrible cry-—the ai for blood! he white man shuddered, but something al- most like a laugh came from the lips of the red- skin, ‘* Wait—wait till they find the cage empty,” he said; ‘‘ then you wil] bear their fury,” ‘*Partner,” soberly spoke the white, as his hand sought that of the half-blood, ‘‘] owe you a heavy debt. How can J reward you?” ‘¢ Jim’s reward will be the fury and dismay of the double-face,” was the reply. ‘He asks no more.” CHAPTER VII. MORE EXCITEMENT. EARLY BrrD BAR passed a feverish night, Great was the commotion caused by the escape of the prisoner and the death of the two guards who had been stationed on the outside of the jail. The little town fairly seethed, Now there seemed no doubt but the prisoner was really Captain Blood, the outlaw. Many bere heel a | | i e —— - *
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; j Phe’ cakes times before had the deaperado been captured or cornered, but he had always escaped, , It was a singular thing that no one seemed to know exactly what the famous outlaw looked like. There were a dozen descriptions of him afloat, for it was said he was an adept at as- suming disguises. , Major Hunoter kept well in the background until after it was discovered the prisoner had escaped, and then he made bimself prominent once more, being inclined to coincide with the general opinion that the captive had really been the outlaw, Some hot words passed between Dapper Davy and the major, for the little sport accused the magnate of being the real cause of the cutlaw’s es rent not questioning your intentions, major,” came swiftly from Davy’s lips; ‘* but you made a mistake in not allowing the boys to string the wretch up when we first caught bim, 1 winged him fairly and exposed his trick to the crowd. He woe: have been hanging to the limb of a tree ten minutes later, if you had not thrust in your oar.” ‘*T did what I believed for the best,” retorted the major, stiffly; ‘and Iam ready to defend my action in any manner, sir!” For a moment, it seemed that Davy would accept the challenge, but he decided to turn it off with a laugh, Easy Ned and Harold Dustan kept in the background, Dustan was a man with a strong antipathy toward gamblers, but something seemed to draw him toward the brown-bearded sport. Pe There is something queer about this whole affair,” asserted Ned, speaking to Harold. ‘TI am more than half-inclined to think Major Hunter insincere from the beginning, although l am free to confess 1 do not comprehend his object, Of course you would stand by the major, being im his employ?” “T shall not be in his employ after to- morrow,” ‘*No? How is that?” **T have decided to leave him,” ‘¢ What is the cause?” *T do not think it would be right for me to tell. [shall not betray any of his secrets I may have suspected,” ** Well, I like that!" ‘* Yes?” “Surely. It is a point of honor, and I do admire a square man,” With that, the maiter was dropped between them. Of course a search was made for the escaped prisoner, but he was not found. ‘It will be a long day before we get our hands on him again.” said Dapper Davy, regretfully, Hogshead Harkins bad been found fastened within the jail, butso dazed by the terrific blow he bad received he could give no coherent ac- count of anything, When he was told the other guards were dead, he utterly collapsed. That night a Vigilance Committee was organ- ized in Early Bird and a reward offered for the capture of Captain Blood, n the early morning, Harvey Klaw came rushing into town, hatless, coatless and wildly excited, - ay daughter—my girl Vira—she’s gone!” he uted, A dozen men questioned him at once. “J found her gone this morning. Her bed wa: slept in last night, but things were scatter- ed around the room and it looked like there had been a struggle, though 1 never heard a sound in the night. Some devil was there and carried her off! I'll have bis life when I find him!” ** Captain Blood!” That was the name which passed from lip to lip, and, men freely expressed their belief that this was some of the outlaw’s work, He had probably perpetrated the deed after escaping from the jail. P Vira Klaw was a favorite in Early Bird, Gespite the close watch kept over ber by her father. Many of the miners had seen and ad- mired her, and she bad always spoken kindly to every one she happened to meet, therefore the news of her probable abduction aroused a perfect whirlwind of popular fury. What was to be done? , That was a question that received a great deal of discussion, Up to the home of Harvey Klaw, on the shelf overlooking the town, went the most of the citi- zens, and the signs of a struggle within the gir)’s room at th: cabin were viewed by them all. They were universal in agreeing that Vira had been abducted. ‘ Business was suspended in Early Bird for the — Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. day, and an indignation meeting was held. The result was that the reward for the capture of Captain Blood was doubled, Meantime, Dapper Davy had drawn Harvey Klaw aside where no one could overhear what passed between them, ‘* What’s this you say?’ hotly demanded tho little sport. ‘‘ The girl been carried away?” Klaw nodded, rubbing his bony hands to- gether nervously. ‘“*She’s gone,” he mumbled. ‘* Of course she was carried away. There is no other explana- tion.” ** Are yon sure?” Davy looked at the other in a way that made Klaw tremble, ‘*Of course I am sure,” “You bave not been listening to any of her foolishness and decided to trick me?” ** No.” ‘* Do you swear it?” “ST doi” ‘*T supposs you know you lose your income when you lose her?” *“ Yes—yes; but it is not my fault. I have told you the truth—nothing but the truth,” *¢ Who could have carried her off?” ** Ob, don’t ask me!” ‘* Tt could not have been Dustan, the new fore- map of tbe Gloriana,” ** He only met her once—by accident,” ‘* And he was in town during all the excite- ment last night,” ‘¢ But Captain Blood—” ‘*Bab! Don’t talk like a fool, man!” And with that, Davy abruptly left the other, It was shortly afterward that Easy Ned found an opportunity to speak with Klaw, The brown- bearded gambler looked decidedly angry, and he caught the Other savagely by the sboulder, de- manding: “ What is this bluff you are giving the town, anyway? Don’t try to fool me, for you should know better. Give it to me straight.” ‘** There is 00 bluff about it, Ned; it’s all right,” whined Harvey Klaw, his eyes failing to meet those of the sport, ‘“‘All right! I shonld say all wrong! I’m afraid you have not been treating the girl white.” ‘* Yes, I have,” vi Sy bave not driven her to any desperate ac “No, no!” “You have not attempted to force her into mgt to that little reprobate, Dapper Davy?” ‘No ** Do you swear it?” “Yes, I swear it,” ‘* Davy is in love with her, you have confessed, She told me so in the first place, and then [ forced an acknowledgment from her lips. She was afraid of him, and she declared she would kill herself rather than become his wife.” ** She talked too much!” growled Klaw, with a sudden show of anger. ‘She bad no right to think Davy wanted to marry her, for he never intimated as much,” 5 ‘¢ Perhaps not by words; but she is a shrewd girl, and she could read his looks and acts, I am going to ye this matter to the bottom, old man, and if I find you bave been playing me, it will be the worse for you—and Dapper Davy, I have it in forhim, anyway, The only thing that has saved bim is his size, It seemed to me likea man jumping ona voy, and | have been ashamed to climb him, You bad better think it Over, uncle, and, if you have not given me a square spread, the sooner you do 80, the better it will be. Ta, ta.” Easy Ned drifted toward another part of the town, catching a glimpse of Harold Dustan, who was just entering the private office of Major Hunter, “* He is going to put in his resignation, I'll yen- ture,” thougbt the sport. Ned was right. : Great was the major’s surprise and indigna- tion when Dustan expressed a determination to withdraw from his service. ‘You can’t mean it, young man?” he cried, ‘*¢T certainly do,” was the firm retert, ‘ But, sir, this is unexpected—it is astounding, I do not understand it!” “T trust you will not ask me to make any ex- planations, Major Hunter.” — : “Then you put your trast in_ vanity, for I demand an explanation. Have I not used you well?” ‘6 You have.’ “Then what are your reasons for leaving me?” ‘‘T am nota fool, major, even though you may have taken me for one,” 7 ‘“‘Egad! this is astounding! Took you for a foolt Why, I took you for an uncommonly smart young man, If I had not, why should I bave given you the responsible position you hold?” “You bad a purpose, major,” was the cool reply, ‘‘ Perhaps vou fancied I was quite green about mining matters and would not know you are working a played-out shaft,” The magnate of Karly Bird gasped. ‘** Played out?” “That is what I seid, sir. You keep a lar force of men at work on the Gloriana, and the ore does not return twenty-five cents on a dol- lar’s expense,” Tbe major almost danced up and down the little office, ‘““What is this to you, sir—what is this to you? I may have a purpose—I may wish to sell this mine,” *“ You do not wish to sell it,” ‘““Eb? Blow me! You say that?” “1 do, for you have thrust aside two oppor- tunities since I entered your employ. Ido not pretend to fathom your secrets, Major Hunter— I do not wish to do so, That is why I am leay- ing you. There isa certain part of that mine [bave never been permitted to visit—a part that is constantly guarded by armed men. You have a secret, sir, and—” ** You mean to leave my employ and then blow, Curse you, if—” Harold checked the angry man with a gea- ture, “S:op, Major Hunter!” came coldly from his lips, ‘*T am a man of honor; I blow on no one who has used me white. Whatever I may have discovered while in your employ will not be mentioned by me after [leaveit, Pride, as much as anything else, bas caused my withdrawal, for I have discovered myself a figurehead—noth- ing more,” The mine-owrer almost fell into a chair. ** Well,” he said, faintly, ‘this knocks me! I must say you are sharper than I gave you credit,” Harold flushed at this, ‘* | have no desire to continue playing the fool, sir,” “You need not, Remain in my employ and your salary shall be doubled,” ‘* What shall I do to earn it?” ‘* As you can keep a secret so well, I will see that you bave employment,” replied the major, cautiously and mysteriously. The young man looked at him in silence for a full minute, ‘“ No,” he finally said, ‘‘ I do not care to do it. Consider the matter settled, major.” Then he withdrew from the office, leaving an angry and uneasy man bebind, CHAPTER VIII. LOST AND FOUND, “Wr, it strikes me 1 am lost! I must confess J] do not know which way from the other!” The speaker was a young and beautifvl girl, not over seventeen years of age, graceful as a fawn. Her supple, slender figure was adorned by a garment that certainly would not have been considered fashionable in the * effete East,” but which, nevertheless, seemed charmingly adapted to her surroundings, Those surroundings were the grand old mount- ains towering on either hand, wooded and barren, cut, notched, ribbed and seamed after a manner that made the scenery wild, picturesque and awesome, The girl was sitting on a bowlder, her hat on the ground at her feet, a look of dejection on her piquant face. Still, she did not seem go ver downcast for one who had just declared herself lost amid the mountain wilds, Around the girl’s trim Waist was a sash into which was thrust a smal! silver-mounted revolver, “ Yes, it strikes me Iam lost,” she repeated, as she looked around her, ‘‘ This running away may prove a decidedly serious: thing. I am liable to be devoured by wijd beasts, fall into the bands of outla ws, or something terrible and romantic may befall me. If I only might get into some awful scrape and then have 4 gallant lover to rush to my rescue, as they do In stories! On, my! Wouldn’t it,be jolly!” Sbe ended with a merry little laugh that cleared her face of the deeper shadows and made her look like some light-hearted nymph of the mountain wilds. : This was Harvey Klaw’s daughter, who was missing from her father’s cabin, and whom the reater portion of Early Bird believed Captain lood guilty of abducting. 7
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{ ; ) y ; . et RT LI I ee 8 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. Frcm the girl’s soliloquy it was evident she had not been kidnapped at all, but bad run away of her own accord. And now she was lost! The position was one that might have caused & man no little dismay and uneasiness, but her distress seemed no more than momentary. ‘“T had rather remain lost and starvo here amid the glorious old mountains than go back there!” she resolutely cried, giving her dark head a toss, ‘“‘Harvey Klaw may be my father, but I am sure I do not feel toward him as a daughter should, and I don’t believe I am so very much to blame, either. He is not an affectionate father, by any means, and then what | heard yesterday—my !” She pressed her lips tightly together and her eyes flashed angrily. Plainly, whatever she had heard had not pleased her at all. “To think of his selling me to that miserable little gambler, Dapper Davy!” Vira exclaimed, almost savagely. ‘‘ That must be what he did, for I saw Davy pay him money, and I heard Davy say he would take me away when he got and ready. And more than one of father’s hints has ‘made me think he intended for me to “ig Marry him! I’d sooner marry a snake! hy, ’d marry Ned Lester first, and tage knows I wouldn’t do that if I could elp it! te have never yet seen the fellow I cared enough about to marry—unless—unless—” She paused, and a soft blush stole over her ‘ace. **T don’t know anything about him,” she final- ly murmured, “I only saw him once, when we met by accident, and then father was 80 angry when he discovered us. He said his name was Harold Dustan and he was employed in the Gloriana Mine, He was a perfect gentleman, and so handsome! Why, we became acquainted in less than five minutes. ‘“ But father never allowed me to see him afterward,” she continued, with a sigh and a look of sadness. ‘‘I did dream of him, Isup- pose it was foolish of me, for he probably never pd me a second thought after we parted, and doutt if 1 ever see him again, Father says all girls are foolish, and I don’t kaow but he is right.” For awhile she was silent, then she suddenly slipped down from the rock, picked up her hat, and exclaimed: “ Well, I am hungry, and it does not pay to be romantic when one is hungry. I feel like I could eat anything! I wonder if I can’t knock over something with my revolver,” Then she set out in search for some kind of game, and within ashort time was fortunate enough to kill some birds with her revolver. “T hated to»shoot you, my beauties,” Vira murmured, asshe smoothed their g'ossy feathers, a tear in hereye. ‘* But it was a case of neces- sity. he found a place in a secluded hollow where she could build a fire, near a cool spring, from which a tiny brook trickled away into the shad- ows. There she dressed her game, an prepared the birds for roasting. The delicious aroma of cooking fowl was fill- ing the glade, when the maiden was startled by the sound of a cautious footfall. Sie wheeled swiftly, her tiny revolver ready for use, and confronted a man who stepped out of the shad- ows, “Halt, sir!” cried Vira, ‘‘Who are— My gracious!” It was Harold Dustan! It is impossible to describe the girl’s astonish- ment at the appearance of the young man whom she had met once before, and of whom she had been thinking within the hour. ** Miss Klaw !” ** Mr. Dustan!” **T have found you!” ** Tt looks that way.” **' You don’t know what a pretty picture you make! This little glade—that fire—the rising smoke—and you—” He paused, plainly unable to express his feel- ings, but there was a look of deep and sincere miration on his face—a look she could not fail to understand, It brought still more color to her already rosy cheeks, “But how does it happen you are here, Mr, Dustan?” she asked. _ “T was searching for you and—and— Where is he?’ Looking around, as his hand fell on the butt of a revolver. * He?—who?’ * Captain’ Blood,” “What of him?” ““ Why, all Early Bird believes P hs kidnapped by the outlaw known as Captain Blood,” her Z OE ~ tert OCT ee ‘“‘Then all Early Bird is very much mis- taken.” ‘You were not kidnapped?” “‘Not any! 1 just took a notion toskip. You know I told you how tired I wasof being kept so close, and watched so snugly, Well, I just made up my mind I wouldn't stand it any longer, and I dusted.” Harold laughed heartily. ‘*T must say I admire your grit,” he declared, as he advanced; ‘*‘ but I cannot say as much for your judgment, Why, it was fearfully rash of you todo sucb a thing! You might have fallen into the hands of tha outlaws, or been killed by wild animals, or been lost and—” ‘‘ Lost! That’s just what I was, and it is jolly fun! I really enjoy being lost by my lone- oe But now you've found me and spoiled it all! ‘Oh, is that the way you look at it?” he ex- claimed, in dismay. ‘‘ Then I must be an ip- truder?”’ ** Oh, no, no! I did not mean that—honestly I didn’t! You have spoiled my being lost, but I really believe 1am glad you found me to dine with me,” ‘“*T am sure I shall be delighted,” and he lifted his hat, ‘* Anything prepared by those little hands—” ‘There, there, there! that will do! The first time I saw you I told you I did not like flattery. You must have forgotten.” ‘*Not that, I was telling the simple truth, and the truth cannot be flattery.” ‘* But the truth should not be spoken at all times, you know,” ‘* Well, this is one of the times that is not in- cluded in the list of ‘all.’” And then they both laughed merrily. In a very short time they were 3njoying the birds, which were delicious, despite the fact that they had not been seasoned at all. Both were hungry, and it seemed sucb jolly sport to eat in such an unconventional fashion that al- most anything might have tasted agreeable. **T should think you would have to be attend- ing to business in the mine at this hour of the day,” observed Vira. * Business is utterly suspended in Early Bird to-day.” ** How is that?” Then he told her of the happenings which occurred the previous night and how the fact that she was supposed to be abducted by the escaped outlaw had caused the citizens of the town to give over business for the time. Vira laughed. ‘* Well, I bad not the least idea I would create such a sensation in the town. I suppose armed parties of would-be rescuers are searching for these outlaws now?” “You are right. I took a fancy to look for you all by my lonesome, and luck led me to the right spot. It was all a matter of chance—it must have been.” ‘* Why not call it fate, Mr. Dustan?” He observed the queer look on her face, and her eyes fell before his searching glance, ‘¢ Very well,” be replied, speaking with sudden gravity; ‘‘ we will call it fate, Miss Klaw. Per- haps that is what it really was, Won’t you tell me something about yourself? I am interested in you, and I fancy you must have a story.” “ A story? Oh, I don’t know, What do you mean?” ‘‘There seems to besome mystery about you— something I do not understand. What was your object in running away? and what are your plans?” ““My object was to escape from a hateful bondage. As for my plans, 1 really donot know as I have any.” ‘*- Your father—pardon me—misuses you?” “I think so, He says I am too high-spirited. He never beats|me, or anything like that. would not endure it! But be keeps me so close and watches over me so snugly! I have become tired of it.” ‘* Your mother, of course, is dead?” A look of uncertainty came over her face, and she lifted a hand to her forebead, ‘¢ Yes,” she said, slowly, “I think so; but—I am—not certain. I do not seem to remember, and father will not talk of her. Do you know” —with sudden confidence—‘I have sometimes thought Harvey Klaw is not my father.” ‘“‘ Tt is possible you are right,” said Harold, ‘*T have thought sucb a thing might be, for you do not resemble him in the least, There really is a mystery concerning your past!” “T am a mystery to myself. Cousin Ned sometimes calls me the Enigma,” “ Cousin Wea?” ** Yes; Ned Lester. Do you know him?” o Pee ’ 7 oe aa 4 anh ht4 > Ce er : ST PR SD: "8 aed Sa ‘“ Well—slightly! And is he really yor cousin?” ‘*T suppose so. Anyway, Harvey Klaw is his uncle, though they do not publicly acknowledge the relationship,” * Why is that?” **T don’t know, unless it is because Ned is a gambler, like Dapper Davy. Ob, there is a creature I bate and despise!” ‘* Why should you bate him?” Ske hesitated, and then, all of a sudden, re- solved to give him her full confidence. “I fear him, as well as bate him. I believe he possesses some claim on me,” * A claim on you?” “ Yes,” **[ can’t tell-just when I first suspected he had a claim on me, but yesterday Isaw him pay father some money, and I heard bim say ke would take me away when he got ready.” A look of amazement and rage passed over the young man’s face. ‘Take you away? Great Scott! Has your father entered into some villainous bargain with that despicable little card-sharp?” ‘¢ That is what I feared, and that is why I ran way.” ‘Well, I do not blame you. I believe Dapper Davy is a snake in the grass, and the sooner his head is crushed the better it will be for the country.” ; They talked on in this manner for some time, Suddenly, Vira uttered a cry of terror and sprung up, Atthesame moment, four masked men sprung out of the shadows, two of whom flung themselves on Harold. Although taken by surprise, the young man was not to be easily overpowered, and he at once made a desperate resistance, ‘Keep still, young feller!” snarled one of the men, flashing a knife before Aarold’s eyes, ‘Ef yer don’t, we'll cut yer woozle!” But the ex-foreman caught the man’s wrist and gave it such a wrench that the knife was dropped. Then Harold succeeded in giving one of the masked men a swinging blow that knock- ed him down. He clinched with the other, and a desperate battle began. CHAPTER IX, THE WOMAN OF THE CRIMSON HANDS, Harvey KiLaAw sat alone in his cabin. The night shadows had fallen, and the fate of Vira was still unsolved, cate ‘‘ What could have become of the girl?” mut- tered the man, a heavy scow] on his face, ‘‘She has threatened to run away more than once, but I scarcely believe she had the courage to do so, She was kidnapped, but who could have done the work. It is certain Davy knew nothing of it, for his anger was genuine.” Tbere came a knock on the door. Klaw drew and cocked a revolver, “ Come in!” he called, The door swung open, and a woman entered, At sight of ber, Harvey Klaw leaped to his feet, dropping the revolver on the floor, *¢ Delva Murella!” “That is my name,” bowed the woman, who was beautiful, although far from being young. ‘*Tt is plain you were not expecting me,” Klaw dropped back in the chair, “¢ Expecting you! I would as soon have thought of seeing—the—the—” Her black eyes flashed. * Don’t stammer over it. You would have as soon expected to see the devil, eh?” He nodded, ‘‘ Well, it doesn’t make much difference,” she declared, showing her teeth in a cold smile, ‘¢ Give us your hand, old man!” But Harvey Klaw made no offer to comply with the request. Instead of that, he drew back staring in a half-horrified manner at the small hand she extended to him. No wonder! It was blood red in color ! The woman’s other hand was also crimson to the wrist! She dropped the red hand by her side, a harsh laugh breaking from her lips. ‘Oh, well!” she said; ‘‘I suppose you are afraid of it, likea fool! It is a simple birth- mark, but it makes people shudder when they see those bands,” i ‘¢ It seems like they had been dipped in blood!” came from the man’s white lips. At this, the woman paled somewhat, and her lips closed tightly, for the moment. ‘Perhaps they do look fike that,” she con- fessed; ‘but that is no sign blood has ever drenched them. Don’t be a fool, Klaw, and ruf- fle my temper! Iam not in the best of moods,
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— ios BS it is, for Davy tells me the girl has disap- peared,” ‘* It is true.” ‘‘ What has become of her?” *¢- You know as well as I,” The Woman of the Crimson Hands. sat down On a chair. : “* Well, this isa pretty scrape!” she cried, ber eyes flashing, ‘‘ What do we pay you for? You were to keep a close watch over her.” *‘ And I wonder if I have not done so for ears!” resentfully retorted the hermit of the helf, “I fancy that is the trouble—I have watched her too closely.” ‘+ What do you mean?” ‘‘ She is getting too old to endure such surveil- lance,” ‘‘Ho, ho! Showing spirit, is she?” ‘¢ What would you think of herif she did not?” ‘It’s all the better—all the better! I will break her!” *¢ You will have to find her before you do,” ‘*T do not worry about that, Harvey Klaw, I shall surely find her, If she has run away—” * But her room looked as if she had been kid- napped. There were indications of a struggle.” “And yet you heard nothing of it? ell, I do not take any stock in that. Sbe was cunning enough to arrange things in that fashion, so that you would be deceived.” __ ‘* Tf she ran away, she will surely perish amid the mountains,” ; The woman reniained silent for a time, and then she muttered, speaking to herself; ‘*‘ Have I kept ber all these years for nothing? No, no! Fate will not have itso! She was his child, and yet I hate her for her mother’s sake, She is my hold upon the man who put this crim- son curse upon me, I fear him, for I believe he is still searching for me, He has not forgiven or forgotten.” ‘What are you talking about?” asked Harvey Klaw, a puzzled look on his face, “She started. ‘‘Was I talking? I did not knowit. Never mind; it was nothing—nothing.” But, be was not deceived; be knew that a se- cret—perhaps a terrible secret—lay deep in the heart of the Woman with the Crimson Hends. ‘““Davy told me everything,” she asserted: ** but I felt that I must come to see you. In the morning the search will becontinued, We shall find her.” ‘Perhaps not,” *‘T have no doubt about it. Sam Sheridan must not see her,” ‘* Who?” ‘*Sam Sheridan, Last night he was in Early Bird; but to night—” ‘* He is here!” %& The door was flung open, and a tall, handsome, stern-faced man strode into the room, The woman uttered a shriek of fear, and fell back, while Harvey Klaw tried to snatch his revolver from the floor, The commanding voice of the new-comer prevented him from do- ing so. : “Lift it at your peril! I will send a bullet through your head the moment your fingers close on the butt!” Like a flash, a cocked weapon bad found its way tothe speaker’s band, and the muzzle was turned toward the hermit of the Shelf. Klaw straightened up and glared at the in- truder. ‘* Who are you?” he demanded. ‘Tam Sam Sheridan—Secret Service Sam, a map in the employ of the United States Govern- ment!” ‘‘ What do you want here?” *¢ Ask that woman!” But, Delva Murella was in no condition to answer questions just then, With one crimson hand pressed to her heaving breast, she stood glaring at Sam Sheridan, mingled hatred, and ear pictured on her countenance, Something like a smile flashed across the stern face of the detective, but it did not light up his countenance with the kind of mirth that is pleasant to contemplate. ‘‘ My regular duties brought me to this place,” he said, coldly, ‘‘and I had little thought of finding you here, Delva Murella,” “You lie!” gasped the woman, her lips quiver- ‘ing and her black eyes glowing. “You are hounding me!” “| Why should I be?” God knows!” And then, suddenly holding up ber crimson hands, she shrieked: ‘* Look— look at your work, you devil! Those hands were white a8 snow until you stained them with some coloring that nothing will remove » ‘Those hands were white till you stained them with the blood of an innocent man!” was wt me Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 9 the stern retort. ‘‘ You lured Dallas Sheridan from the wife of his bosom! How you did it is more than I can tell; but it must be you hypno- tized him—bewitched—bedeviled him! I have fancied a strange power lies hidden in those black eyes of yours, You cannot deny you jured him from her and home!” ‘+ do deny it! He deserted her of his own free will and fled with me,” ‘¢ Had he done so, death at your hands would have been a just reward for bis folly, But, I knew my brother better than any one else, and I know he was true as steel. It was your accursed influence tbat led him astray!” ‘* And it was her influence that robbed me of him! He loved me before he ever saw ber, and yet she stole him from me. Were it true that I lured him away, it would have simply been a just revenge on her, who once claimed to be my friend!” ** You have two lives to answer for—perhaps three. Deserted by her husband, robbed of her only child, ker heart was broken, and she found rest in the grave. And then,when Dallas repent- ed and would have left you, you stabbed him to the beart!” ‘¢ Where is your proof?” ‘‘) baveit, woman! I had not, seven years ago, but I marked you so you could not escape me. I believed your hands were stained with his blood, and I caused them to become crimson, so that I might know you wherever you were. Since then I have been seeking to find the proof.” ** And you have it?” ‘Yes, I have it, now!” ‘*Bah! Do not seek to frighten me into a con- fession, for the trick will not work!” ‘¢T need no confession from your lips, With Dallas Sheridan you made your home amid the mountain wilds of Cajifornia. Your neighbors were savages and wild beasts, Of the former, one—a balf-blood—saw the quarrel, He looked calmly on and saw you stab to the heart the man you had ruined and deceived, You knew he saw you, but you bribed him to be silent.” The woman’s face was pale as death, ‘Lies, lies—all lies!” she panted. ‘* Where is this half-blood?” ‘¢ He is at the door!” They turned toward the open doorway, and there stood Injun Jim, bis arms folded across bis breast, With a gasping moan, Delva Murella recoiled, her hands trembling, her eyes fastened on the form of the Indian, ? Harvey Klaw looked on in breathless excite- ment. ‘You see the evidence is complete,” came cold- ly from Sam Sheridan’s lips. ‘‘I bave all the proof that can be asked for.” é “What do you propose to do?” she faintly asked. i “Bring you to justice! I did think of avenging my brother with my own hands, but I bave changed my mind, You sball be tried legally.” A flush of hope returned to ber. ‘You will never find a jury to convict me,” she declared. “Then I will do the work of vengeance! I searcely look on you as a woman—you are a devil in buman form! I have you fast, and you shall not escape me!” ‘€ Don’t be so sure of that!” she cried, and like a flash, she sprung forward and dashed out the light, The detective made a move to prevent her act, but was too late, A cry of mortal agony was heard in the dark- ness, and a dark figure brushed like a shadow past the Indian near the doorway' CHAPTER X. THE HERMIT’S LAST WORDS, Waar had happened? Sam Sheridan asked himself the question, He had heard the ery of pain, after which there was a heavy fall. He stood still fora moment, and when he stepped forward, be nearly fell over a figure that lay on the floor. The chimney of the lamp had been smashed, but the lamp itself was not damaged, This he found and lighted, The flaring, unsteady light showed him a form on the floor—the form of Harvey Klaw! The hermit groaned as Sam bent over him, lamp in hand, ‘‘What’s the matter?” asked the detective, ‘‘I’m done for!” was the faint reply. ‘She stabbed me in the darkness! Where has she gone?” Delva Murella, the Woman_of the Crimson Hands, was not in the room. She had vanished, and the half-blood, Injun Jim, was gone from the door! ‘She has escaped from the room,” said Sam; “but the Indian is on her track. Where are you cut?” He dropped on his knees by the wounded man’s side and made a hasty examination, A glance was sufficient to show him Harvey Klaw was re- ally wounded unto death. ** It is bad,” came soberly from the Govern- ment Detective’s lips, as his nimble fingers tore sbreds from Klaw’s clothing and stanched the flow of blood. ‘* Why did she do this?” ‘*T don’t know,” huskily moaned the unfortu- nate wretch. ** What did you do when she extinguished the light?” ‘* Sprung to my feet.” ‘That explains it.” * How?” ‘She expected I would attempt to capture her, and When you leaped up, you were taken for me, She intended to finish me with the stroke of the knife,” ‘*My God!” groaned Klaw. ‘‘I am not ready to die! Do yon think there is no hope for me?’ ‘‘T should say your minutes were numbered.” “T feel it!” ‘+Still, there may I will go to Earl But this cau in alarm, crying: “No, no: do not leave me! I would be dead when you return! I cannot die here all alone! Ihave much to say beforeI die! Oh, I must talk!” ‘* Tf you bave a great deal to say, you bad not better lose any time about it.” ‘“*Y understand you,” came huskily from Klaw’s lips, ‘It isa terrible thing to face death so suddenly—a horrible thing! I have thought I did not fear to die; but I do—I do!” Someries like a shudder ran over Sam Sheridan. It was the same old story. He had seen balf a score of men die who in life had re- garded death with utter disdain; but when they cume to face the grim monster, their nerve de- serted them and they pleaded that they were not ready to die, ‘““What were your relations with this wo- man?” asked the detective. ‘* She was nothing to me outside of business, She brought the child—Vira—to me, and I took charge of the girl. I was to make Vira believe I was her father. I knew she had kidnapped the girl, but long years ago I commit a crime that caused me to change my name, and I did not pry into the affairs of Delva, It would not be healthy for any man to do that,” A strange look bad settled on Sam Sberidan’s face, and there was a light of eagerness in his eyes, Evidently he believed the revelation of the dying man would be of interest. “Go on!” he commanded, bolding bimself in restraint, ‘* My real name is John Pixton, and—” ‘Then you are the man I have been looking for for years!” The wounded hermit started and looked search- ingly at the ferret, * Looking for me? Why?” ‘“‘T knew my brother’s child had been placed in your charge—in the charge of John Pixton,” “From what you said to-night—what passed between you and Delva Murella—I learned for the first time the name of the child and who was her father. The Woman of the Crimson Hands did not tell me that part of the secret—she did not trust me fully.” ‘‘Treacherous asa snake herself, she feared treachery in others!” “J suppose so, She made“ me promise to pring the child up aright, and I have done so. Hermit though I have become, I am a man of education, and Vira bas received the benefit of such instruction as ber mind was ready to re- ceive. “But she chafed under my restraint. She longed for greater freedom, and she feared Dave Murella.” ; ‘‘Dave Murella? Who is he?” ‘“‘ Dapper Davy, sport and desperado.” “Yes” came grimly from Sam’s lips; “I think [ owe him something, But what relation is he to the Woman of the Crimson Hands?” ‘‘ Her own brother,” “Trapossible! She had no brother, to my knowledge.” ‘¢' This man passes as ber brother. If he is not that, be must be her husband.” ‘| begin to understand why his bullet knocked me over last night, But, go on.” Sam saw the man’s strength was failing, and he brought John Pixton some water, which was eagerly swallowed. ibly be’a chance for you. ird for a physician,” the wounded man to start up
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: / + 4 10 ‘Dapper Davy bas done most of the business for Delva Murella,” continued the wounded man. ‘“‘He it was who usually made the payments which came from her, and he kept watch of me while she was far away. I think he meant to marry the girl, some day. Delva often spoke of a sweet revenge, and it must bave been that she meant.” “Tt is like her!” and the detective showed his white teeth. ‘She is one of Satan’s choice tools!” ‘‘ My nephew, who is known in Early Bird as Easy Ned, loved Vira—still loves her, He wished to marry her—wanted to ask ber to have him; but when I spoke of it to Dapper Davy, the little imp laughed and said he would strangle the girl with bis own hands before Ned should have her. “TI could not tell this to Ned, but I held him in check—I would not allow him to speak of love to Vira. He could not understand it, and there have been hard feelings between us, He held the secret of my crime, acd once he tried to terrify me by threatened disclosure; but he did not mean it, for Ned is at heart a really good boy—a good boy. My God! I shall never see him agaiv!” Sam had placed a rolled coat under Pixton’s head, and made the dying man as comfortable as possible, Pixton covered his face with his hands, and a tear trickled down between his fingers, to fall and mingle with his blood on the floor. ‘* Don’t think of that now,” urged the detec- tive, ‘‘ Hurry on with what you bave to say,” ** All right,” agreed the stricken wretch, busk- ly. ‘After all, it’s not so very much. If Vira is ever found—” ‘¢ Ever found? What do you mean?” ‘* Don’t y6u know she has been taken away, or bas left me of her own accord?” ‘*T know nothing of it. Tell me all.” Pixton did so, **Too bad!” muttered Sam, when the explana- tion was made, ‘‘ You do not think she was kid- napped?” “T don’t know. I have thought it possible she ran away to escape Dapper Davy, whom she hated. I want you to promise me something.” “ What?” * That you will try to find her.” **T readily promise that.” ** And that, if you find her alive, you will tell her I really loved her. Itis true, sir; I learned to love the girl, and ber disappearance has wrung my heart. She was almost like my own child. If I was ever harsh to her, 1 was simply obeying orders from Delva Murella, or was doing what I considered for the best. You will tell her all this?” “if I find ber—yes.” ** Don’t forget.” Then Pixton closed his eyes and lay panting and breathless, while bis life swiftly slipped away. After giving him time to rest, Sam asked: “Tf the girl was kidnapped, who could have done the job?’ % Something like a smile passed over Pixton’s ace, ** Down in Early Bird they say it was Captain Blvod,” was his reply. “And Dapper Davy accused me of being Captain Blood, I have the mark (of his bullet along the side of my head,” ‘Then you are the one of whom [ heard so Been t0-83 You escaped from the jail last pi ‘I was assisted to escape,” **Do you swear you are a detective?” ‘I give you my word of honor, You should have no doubts of me after hearing what passed while the Woman of the Crimson Hands was here.” “That is true—tbat is true! But, my mind seems Clouded, and it js getting hard for me to think. How fearfully dark it is in this room! And it is durker in Vira’s room beyond that door! Poor little Vira! She is gone, and the room is empty! I used to hear her singing there, after she bad kissed me good-night. She did kiss me, though I never compelled ber to do go, She was good and gentle, I wish she were here that I might ask her forgiveness,” “Do you think Captain Blood really had any- thing to do with the abduction?” Again that queer look passed over Pixton’s face, but when he tried tospeak, his voice had sunk to an inarticulate murmur, SecretService Sam saw his span of life had all but reached the very end, and he hastened to reviye him with a few drops from a flask of whisky, “Pm going!” whispered Pixton, bis fingers srasping aimlessly at the empty air, * Tell me if you think Captain Blood had any- | | thing to do with the disappearance of my broth- er’s child?” ‘* He did not.” ‘You are sure?” “c Yes,” ‘* How can you besure? Man, can you tell me anything of Blood?” |“ What do you wish to know?” “ Almost anything may be of importance to me. Younre dying, and I donot mind telling you 1t was Captain Blood’s capture that caused the United States Government to send me as a special cetective into this section, You know he isa counterfeiter, oris at the head of a gang that manufactures the ‘queer,’ There isa lot of bogus stuff afloat in this section, and I believe the retreat of the coiners must be near at band.” ** And you are pretty—near right. I can tell —you—” ‘“*Phis Dapper Davy isnot Captain Blood?” asked Sam, as the dying hermit paused for want of breath, **'No; but he knows thechief—I am sure, 1 have hearJ—enough to—know that, I think I can—tell you—who—Captain Blood—is.” ‘¢ Then tell me quickly !— What is that?” The detective leaped to his feet and wheeled toward the door, As he did so, a number of faces were revealed by the dim light of a lamp, and he saw several men crowding to the door. At the head of the party was Dapper Davy, and the little sport cried triumphantly: ** There he is!|—that’s the dog! Seize him!” A brace of revolvers appeared in Sam Sheri- dan’s hands, and they were turned on the men. “Chain upa bit!” he commande, ‘If you hurry this seizure toorapidly, I shall have tocall a few of youdown, What do you want?” “We want you.” ‘* For what?” ‘s Well, say for your latest murder. There is your victim on the floor, and we have captured you red-handed, Whether you are Captain Blood or not, this job is enough to swing you, You have killed Harvey Klaw!” “I fancy you know you are lying. But, as Mr. Klaw is able, I will let him inform you whether I did the job or not,” ** He is dead!” cried Dapper Davy. ‘That is where you are mistaken,” declared Sam, turning toward the prostrate hermit, But Jobn Pixton was dead! | CHAPTER XI. ESCAPE —JIMS STORY. THE hermit of the Shelf had breathed his last just as the crowd appeared at the cabin door, and Secret Service Sam realized he was in a tight corner, Still, bis nerve did not desert him iu the least, Major Selban Hunter pressed his way forward from the crowd, ‘“Tf the man is not dead, he can easily settle this point,” said the magnate, ‘“*T was mistaken,” confessed the cool detec- tive; “‘ he is dead.” At this, Dapper Davy uttered en exclamation of triumph, “T knew it!" cried the little sport, ‘‘ This whelp was only giving usa stiff bluff. He knew Klaw was dead «]I the time,” A sound that was like a laugh and yet was not a langb came from Sam Sheridan’s lips. ‘*T would like to ask you a question, my spor- tive friend,” he said, ** We have no time to waste with you,” sneer- ed Davy. * Ob, yes you have!” contradicted the detec- tive, as be handled his revolvers in a very signi- ene manner. ‘* You have lotsof time—lots of it. The gambler’s eyes flashed. ‘*There area score of us,” was his assertion; ** while you are but one man,” “If there were a hundred of you, it would make no difference,” Sam retorted, ‘I am here, and I have my guns ready, You cannot come through that door £0 very fast— that is, not so very much faster than I can pull the trigger. I am very handy when it comes to shooting, and I do not waste more than three- thirds of my bullets,” At this moment, there was a stir on the outer edge of the throng, and Easy Ned came elbow- ing tis way to the front, a hard look on his usually handsome face. ‘¢ What is this I hear?” he demanded. ‘‘ Harvey Klaw dead?” ** And there is the man who killed him!” as- serted Dapper Davy, pointing accusingly at Secret Service Sam. : The eyes of the detective and the tall sport met, Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. “Did you do this?” asked Ned, pointing to tE body of the dead man, ‘*T did not,” was the quiet but firm assertion, Still Easy Ned eyed Sam, as if to read the whole truth in his face, ‘*If you did,” said the brown-bearded sport, ‘*you are my meat! Although I have never ac- knowledged it before, this man is my uncle, That makes me bis avenger.” Dapper Davy gave vent to his surprise and disgust at the turn of »ffairs. ‘*This is an outrage in which all Early Bird is concerned,” the Jittle gambler snapped; * and therefore we are all the avengers of Harvey Klaw. How do we know he is your uncle?” There was a dangerous look on Ned’s face, as he turned on the speaker, **Do you think it healthy to call me a liar?” he asked, his manner being extremely frigid. “Who is calling you a liar?” *“* You are doing as much! than I, but—” ‘¢ Never mind that!” was flashed in return. ‘*Tf you want a quarrel, wade rightin! I will give you a very interesting time, and you can shove up your wealth on that! I have known for some time that you bad a grudge against me, and right now is your occasion to do your pretty !” ‘* Gentlemen, gentlemen!” cried Major Hun- ter, stepping forward; ‘‘ you must not quarrel now! ave alittle judgment! Thereis another affair that demands our attention.” ‘** That’s so!” shouted several of the crowd, Sam had improved the few moments during which attention had been turned from him, and be had carefully taken in the entire room.. A few steps to one side brought bim close to the table on which sat the lamp, and a window wat near at bis left. “ ‘* He’s tryin’ ter sneak!” yelled one, ‘* Lei’ all make a rush!” ‘*Tt will be the sorriest rush of your life,’ assured the detective, bis revolvers staring al them. ‘Come right in, if you fee) like havin; a great burying cay in Early Bird to-morrow,” ** This is all bluff!” sneered Dapper Davy. ** You shall be the first man I shaJl spot, Dave Murella.” The small sport fell back. ‘* Dave Murella!” be echoed, “By that I mean you!” assured Sam. “TI am getting your record down, and I think you will soon be on the list of much- wanted men,” ** Well, this is rich stuff to come from the lips of Captain Blood, the outlaw!” ‘*T »m no friend of yours, and Captain Blood is your friend, Iam a stranger in Early Bird, but if the town knew the whole truth, they would stand in with me, You are the man who should be lynched to the nearest tree!” ‘* Kusy, easy!” broke In Major Hunter, who felt it was high time for him to show his author- Lg “This has been carried quite far enough! hat does all this bandying of words amount to, may I ask? Sir, we know Dapper Davy, and we do not know you, That makes a great deal of difference—a large amount. If you will quietly give yourself up—” ‘“*Which you may rest assured I will not. I wonder if I look like the big fool you seem to You are smaller ‘take mefor? I know enough about the average run of mining-camps not to get myself into the bands of a mob of men who are thirsting for a sensation in the way of a lynching,” ‘*T assure you of my protection.” ‘That does not go a little distance with me, major, 1 bad your assurance last night, but had I not escaped from the jail as I did, 1 would bea dead man to-day.” “You have the lives of the two guards to an- swer for. That is enough, even though you had pot killed Harvey Klaw,” ‘Major, I must have the pleasure of telling you just what I think of you, I believe you are an unmitigated bypocrite—a double-faced das- tard!” The major was aghast, ‘“You cursed impudent whelp!” he finally stammered. ‘That shall cost you dear! At him, boys!” ? And then came a commotion on the outskirts of the mob, Men were sent right and left by sturdy arms, and, yelling like-a madman, Injup Jim came plunging toward the magnate of Ee~'y Bird. “The time has come!” screamed the half- blood. ‘The Red Rose shall be avenged! Jim will have the blood of the double-face!” Just as the pompous major recoiled with a ory of fear, Sam Sheridan dashed out the ht. ON He cannot get out of the room!” cried Dapper Davy. ‘‘ We bave him trapped!” ©
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2, \- 4 A crash of glass followed, and a human figare went through the cabin window! Davy knew the detective was escaping, and he took two snap-shots in the direction of the window, hoping to hit and disable Sam, He was not successful, The detective alighted on his feet and imme- diately vanished in tbe darkness, A_ short distance away, be suddenly turned back, re- membering the man who had befriended him, Injun Jim. “TI must not leave the half-breed,” he said. * Jim befriended me, and now I must stand by him. I wil! go back.” ‘‘ White pard need not go back,” said a famil- iar vcice, and a dark form appeared beforo him, ‘* Jirn is here.” “Good!” exclaimed the Government Detec- tive, grasping the hand of his friend. ‘‘It sud- denly occurred to me you were in a tight placo, Did you down Major Hunter?” “The double-face escaped. I did not find him in the dark. But for him the end is at hand,” ** Your hatred for him is intense,” “It is like the hatred of light toward dark- ness, But come, white pard; the wolves are howling.” ‘* Hear them!” laughed Sam, ly feel very bad.” The yells of the baffled mob made the night air hideous, The men of Early Bird were wild with ‘* They evident- ury. “They will scatter and search,” said Jim, ‘¢ We must not remain here,” He led the way into the darkness, and Sam Sheridan followed, trusting everything to the half-blood, An hour later they were reclining at the mouth of a small cave far up the side of the mountain that towered above the little min- ‘ng-town, Within the cave the remains of a fire ‘vill smoldered, This was Injun Jim’s retreat. ‘* Why is it you hate Major Hunter so intense- ly?” asked the detective, as he filled and lighted his pipe. Jim was silent so long that Sam felt constrain- ed to say: ** You need not unbosom your secret, if you do not wish, partner. 1 have no desire to pry into affairs that you may desire to keep secret; but your antipathy toward the man has aroused my curiosity.” ‘* Jim has never talked of it much. In his heart there is a grave, and the Red Rose is buried there. To speak of this seems like lifting the sods from the grave.” ‘**Then do not speak of it, my friend, I re- gret I reverted to the subject.” For balf an hour they were silent. From bis sition, Sam could look down on the-town far bolow and see the twinkling lights which seemed winking at him, The wind was moaning in the gorges, and there was a feeling of dampness in the air. Suddenly Jim, who had been lying at full length on the ground, sat up. ‘“Do you hear how the wind cries out away down there?” he asked, ‘‘ That is like her voice —like the dying moans of the Red Rose! You are a pale-face, and I am of your race, as well as of the red-men, I wonderif you can understand me? Sometimes [ think there was neverin all the space of time another like Jim. 1 do not un- derstand myself, There are days when I fee) I am a red-man; then comes times when all in me is of the pale-faves, It is strange. _ "The Red Rose was an Indian maiden—the daughter of a chief, Jim loved her, and she loved Jim. But the white man came. The chief, father of the Red Rose, loved horses and weapons and bright trinkets, He was a fool! He sold the Rose for them, and the double-face bought her! “Jim was poor, and he was looked upon with scorn, for he was neither red nor white. But he loved the Red Rose, and bis heart was hot when the white man robbed him of her. What could he do?” The half-blood paused, as if waiting for an answer to the question, but Sam remained si- a He did not cboose to say anything just then. After a time, Jim resumed: * Perhaps it was evil; but Jim could not see it 80. He followed the white double-face, and he found that after a time, the one who had bought the Red Rose made her his slave—his dog! He kicked her, he cursed her, he beat ber!. Now I do not seem to you like a red-skin, for you know many red-men treat their squaws thus. Well, now itis that I may be more like the whites, for my heart was burning with fury, [| thougbt to kill the double-face, but my band was held by 8 power I could not see. I waited, Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. a I learned he had more wives than the Red ose. ‘‘ Then I went to her, and I tried to take her from him, She would not go. It was impossible to bring her to go with me, At last, I carried her away against her will! ‘‘In the heart of the mountains, we lived as happy as the birds, for the Rose soon forgot him, She only cared for me all the time. But the double-face had not forgotten ber, and the black day came,” Again the balf-blood paused, and Sam could hear him breathing hoarsely in the darkness. When he went on again, his voice was full of suppressed passion, ‘*He found her when I was far away, Ho came with a band of coyotes liko bimself., He tried to drag her away, She fought them all, and sho killed one of the dogs. Then the double-face shot her down, and they loft her lying for dead, She was not- dead. When I came back in the night, I heard her moaning like the wind down there. There was life enough in her to tell me the story, and then she was dead in my rms! ‘“‘Did I take the trail? Yes! But the wolf was cunning, and he covered bis tracks. I lost him, but.I never gave over the bunt. Now I have found him, [| will not lose bim again! He dies when next we meet!” CHAPTER XII. PRISONERS. OVERPOWERED, bound, gagged, blindfolded and dragged down into the dark recesses of an underground retreat, Suchwwas the fate that befell Harold Dustan and Vira Sheridan, to call the girl by her right pbame, The young man made a brave and desperate fight, bat he was outnumbered and over- powered, When the bonds and blindfold was removed, he found himself in a cavern-like place, which was lighted by a lamp that swung from the rocks above his bead. He heard the clang of a door and the sliding of rusty bolts, and then he felt he was a prisoner, alone in that dismal place. However, it was some time before he gathered energy enough to sit up and look around him, His jaws ached, and his freed fingers soon re- moved the gag. ‘* Well, this is a pretty bhowdy-do!” he mutter- ed, when he was able to speak. ‘‘! don’t know as I am particularly delighted with the out- come of my little adventure! Iam feeling very brilliant, 1 don’t think!” Having relieved himself in a measure by giving utterance to this bit of slang, he pro- ceeded to fospect his surroundings, aided by tie light of the swinging lamp. ‘This Jooks like part ofa mine,” he said, ‘TI am sure it is not a natural cave.” After making a further survey, be came to the conclusion that he was really in an old mine, ‘* T wonder how far they brought us after we were secured and blindfolded?” he muttered, ‘tanding with his hand to his head, ‘lt seems to me as if it were a long distance, but I am not sure, The blows which I received on my head dazed me, and I cannot be sure of anything, except that I am ina bad scrape. ‘¢T wonder where Miss Vira is. If they harm that girl, I will—” He paused, one hand being uplifted and clinched and a fierce look resting on his hand- some face. ‘What can I do? finally fell from his lips. *T am helpless! Of course those devils left me no chance of escape. They bave made everything secure, { know that well enough without making an examination, but still I will inspect the place thorougbly. I could not rest easy if I didn’t.” He first examined the heavy iron-bound door, but it did not take lorg to convince him that it was doubly secured, In the door was an open ing, which he imagined was for the purpose of admitting food to any unfortunate who might happen to be a captive within the dungeon chamber, Then he passed all around the walls. Cn three sides lay the solid rock; but when he came to the fourth, he found a grated opening, He peered through the apertures between the stout iron bars, and a soft exclamation of sur- prise broke from bis lips when be found himself Jooking into another chamber that was almost the exact counterpart of {hé one he was in, What was that? 1i On a low couch lay a form, at sight o. which his heart leaped into his throat. Could it be—Vira? It was a female—that was certain; but her face was turned away, and she seemed sleeping, Harold scarcely breathed, as he continued to watch the figure on the couch. The light was not very strong within the adjoining chamber, — so he waited for the unknown to turn her ead, At length, a low moan came to his ears, A few seconds later, the very thing for which he waited occurred. “* Vira—Miss Klaw!” He could not repress the cry. She started and looked around, “Who called my name?” she faintly asked. “i did, Miss Klaw,” replied the captive be- yond the iron bars. * But I cannot see any one,” “Still, 1 am bere,” ‘¢Tbe voice sounds like that of Mr, Dustan.” ‘¢ Dustan is my name.” Witb an evident effort, she sat up, pressing ber bands to her head, “Oh, my poor head!” she cried. ‘‘ It feels so strangely! Whatisthe matter? It is whizzing like a railroad train and I can scarcely see.” ‘*T passed through the same experience a few moments ago,” assured Harold. ‘* You will be all right presently.” ‘But where are you?” she asked, starting to her feet, ‘©Come this way, aud you will be able to see me,” She did as instructed, and they were soon face to face, with only the iron bars between them, ‘So near, and yet so far!” murmured Harold, ‘* What has bappened tous?” asked Vira, in a dazed manner, “I do not understand it! Where are we?” ‘* We are captives,” ** Where?” “Somewhere underground, That is as much as I cau tell you, for those fellows nearly knock- ed the lining out of my head. I am still dazed.” “ And II must have fainted.” ** Probably.” ‘¢But who are these men?” *¢ Outlaws, without a doubt.” ‘*My goodness! what an adventure! really getting serioue—very much so!” “ Distressingly so!” ‘Ts there no way of escape?” ‘Tam not able to answer for you, but I must confess, as far as I am concerned, I am here tight and fast, I have examined the entire place, and I am sure I cannot get out by any effort of my own.” ‘Oh, Mr. Dustan! It is too bad that I should get you into such trouble!” “ You—you get me into the trouble?” “ Yes,” ‘Great Scott! Has this unfortunate affair really turned your head! How did you get me into the trouble?” * By running away.” Harold whistled, ‘*Is that the way you look at it?” ‘‘Yes, 1f I had remained at home, you would not bave searched for me; and if you had not searched for me, you would not have fallen into the hands of these horrid, horrid men!” “Tt you had remained at home, I would not have experienced the pleasure of that little feast ip the forest glade. That more than repaid me for anything that may come of it.” ‘‘ Now that is simply a gallant speech. it does not come from your heart.” ‘And Lassure you solemnly on my honor, it does come from my heart. My greatest regret is that you shonld have been thus unfortunate in falling into the hands of wicked and unprincipled men. **T thank you,” she said, simply, thrusting her hand through the bars. Her fingers were warmly clasped by Harold, and he gave them a gentle pressure that brought some of the color back to her wan face, ** Miss Klaw.” “Mr, Dustan.” “There is something I wish tosay to you. I trust you will pardon me for taking such an oc- casion to express myself, The first time I saw you I wasimpressed by your face and your charmingly natural and unaffected manner, It was almost a case of love at first sight, but—” “Not quite! Oh, Mr, Dustan, how do you think a girl can accept sucb a declaration as that! You started in first-rate, but you have made a bad turn.” And she laughed in order to cover the sudden emotion tbat had seized upon her. In her bosom her heart was fluttering like a caged wild-bird, It is I fear
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= ~"s =F —_— oe Sg eerie ae 3. = ee. os eee Pa “where we are, ‘made a captive, It was for the IP ged ai of -closing my mouth, although I h - 12 Harold remained sober, “You must not think I am trifling, Miss ‘Klaw,” he said. ‘I am in earnest, and I love you. I am sure of it, for what we bave passed ‘through bas revealed to me the secret of my heart. I wonder if you care anything for me in return?” : She was silent, Her head drooped till her face was vailed by ashadow. He felt her hand ‘trembling in his grasp, and she sougbt to with- -draw it, but he still beld it secure, “Please tell me!” he entreated. ‘‘ Let me know the truth! Speak, Vira! What shall it be?” She lifted her head, “Tam afraid it will be a broken arm, if you do not release my hand,” she laughed. ‘See what a fearfully awkward position you are ‘keeping me in!” “T beg your pardon!” and he was forced to Telinqnish those soft fingers, while be joined in her laughter. ‘tI did not realize what I was Siac 9 “AndI fear you did not realiza what you ‘were saying. Wait—think it over. We are «captives here, and we may not be able to escape —we may not be reseued.” ‘tT fear there is little chance of that; but I have a hope that the outlaws will release me. know not why they should keep mea prisoner, If I am set free, then I will find a way to save ou. I swear it!” **T believe and trust you.” ‘*That is alll ask. Don’t get down-hearted, for fortune will not entirely desert us, I am sure.” **Oh, I will be brave.” “Taat is right. I think I know pretty well If so, I understand why J was promised secrecy. lf I am right, and if I ever do get free, something will drop with a dull and sicken- ing thud!” He was very much in earnest, ‘*If we were only armed—” began Vira, “Hush! I will tell you a secret. In m sleeve there is concealed a small derringer. It is true the weapon holds but a single shot, but that bullet may open the way toliberty. The -outlaws did not find it when they relieved me of my other weapons, In case of emergency— Hark! Some one is coming!’ 4 ‘Footsteps sounded just beyond the iron-bound oor, CEAPTER XIII. CHECKED BY A BULLET. THE steps they heard were those of a guard who was making a round of inspection. He glanced into the chambers where the captives were confined, and then went away. Later, food was brought to both of the un- fortunates, and, despite their unpleasant situa- tion, they ate heartily. They spent a great deal of time conversing “through the bars that separated them, Time prssed slowly, and they had no means of keeping count of the hours, At length the bolts of the door of Harold’s chamber were thrown back, the door swung open, and a man entered, He was ‘dressed in black from hat to boots, and his features were concealed by a black cloth, through which eye- holes had been cut, The door closed behind this man, and the risoner heard some one on the outer side make t secure, ‘““Tam Captain Blood,” declared the mask, in @ hoarse and muffled voice, “‘] can’t say I am delighted to see you,” coolly retorted the young man. **IT did not expect you to be, sol am not dis- appointed,” ‘“Why have you made me your prisoner?” asked Harold. ‘*T had a good reason for doing so.” ** What reason.” ‘*T must decline to answer the question,” *¢ You dare not answer it!” was the bold asser- tion. ‘ Well, that is rather brash, young fellow!” exclaimed the counterfeiter chief. ‘* You do not seem to realize your position. You had better ‘restrain your tongue!’ At this, Harold laughed shortly. “Do you want me to bow down before you? If you do, you will be disappointed, Iam not that kind of a chicken, Captain Blood. What is more natural than that I should resent the indig- nity heaped upon me? 1 bavenever barmed you in any way, and yet your tools make me a cap- tive and shut me up in this wretched hole. 1 don't like it, sir!” —— EE It was the outlaw’s turn to laugh. ‘* Well,” he confessed, ‘* I did not really expect ou would like it, and I can’t say I blame you. ut you should remember the old saw,‘ what can’t be cured must be endured,’ That is the best ad- vice I can give you.” ** And’ that is the most agreeable! What do you A eg to do with me?” ‘* Well, I have not decided that point. I will see you again and let you know about it.” ‘““When will you see me again?” ‘Ou, it may be to-morrow, or it may bea week from now.” ** And meanwhile I must remain a captive in this wretched hole?’ ‘* That is about the size of it,” ** What have I done to deserve this?” ‘*It is not so much what you have done as what you might do.” Harold pretended not to understand this, and the outlaw declined to explain. ‘But the young lady in the other chamber,” said the ex-foreman, ‘* What of her?” ‘*T am about to see her.” ** Do you intend to keep her a captive?” “That 1s none of your business, young man.” “So? Well, now, I do not agree with you.” ** What is she to you?” “* A friend.” ‘*You must have made rapid way in your friendship, for you only met her once before my men found you in her company.” ‘*-You seem to be well posted, captain.” “That is all right. There is not much that goes on without my knowledge.” ‘* Are you the fellow they had locked in the jail at Early Bird, last night?” ; * You ask too many questions, young man, I did not come here to be questioned.” “Then I’m hanged if I can see what you did come here fur!” “‘T wished to take a look at you to see if my men had made no mistake.” **Then they were instructed to make me a prisoner?” ‘There you go with your questions! Give your tongue a rest, and see if it will not surprise it “You should not object to my talk, Captain Blood, for you see I get very little chance to converse with such an agreeable gentleman as yourself since I have been incarcerated in this old mine.” ** Mine?” ‘Yes, Isn't this a mine?” “Tt is a natural cavern,” “This portion of it is not natural, by any means.” ‘‘This portion I had excavated for the pur- pose itis now serving. The rest of the place is just as it was made by the hand of nature.” Harold did not contradict the chief, but he felt sure Blood was deliberately lying, However, he saw no reason why be should bring on a quar- rel, and he thought it might be best if the out- law thought him deceived, ““T see you are all right,” said the mask; ‘‘ so I will leave you.” He retreated to the door, and for a moment, Harold was tempted to make a break for liberty. He felt sure he could overpower the chief, but when he remembered the unseen per- son or persons who had fastened the door bebind Captain Blood, he restrained himself, ‘* Another time!” he thought. ‘‘It would be folly now.” He was right, Captain Blood left the chamber, and the door was closed and made secure behind him, A minute later, be entered the chamber where the girl was confined, ; 7 ‘* Ah, my dear,” ho said, approaching Vira, who had risen and was standing before him; * how are yon feeling?” The girl’s eyes flashed and her hands were clinched, ‘* Who are you?” she demanded. ‘**T am Captain Blood,” ‘ **T thought as much!” What an unlimited amount of scorn there was in that simple exclamation. The outlaw seemed to feel it, and he visibly recoiled a bit, flashing: ‘You have a cutting tongue, girl!” ‘* Indeed!’ ‘‘ [ have come to bring you sad news,” She did pot question him, therefore he added: ‘* Harvey Klaw is dead.” She started toward him, clasping her bands over her heart and crying: ‘““My father—dead? No, no, no! It is not true—it cannot be!* You are not telling the truth! Why should you tell me this?” ee SS SSeS s/s Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. stabbed last night—for it is now morving—. has been buried, You will never see Harve, Klaw again.” Her grief was overwhelming. ‘*Great Heaven!” she groaned, nearly sinkin to the rocky floor. ‘* What a wicked creature am! I deserted him—ran away and left him! And now heis dead! He was always kind— almost always! I am sure be loved me, and I— I believe I-cared for bim more than I knew! Dead, dead! Never see him again! My poor, poor father!” ** Do not take on so, girl,” fell from the hidden lips of Captain Blood, ‘‘ Harvey Klaw was not your fatber.” She started back and stared at him in wild- eyed amazament, ‘* What is that you say?’ she almost shrieked, ‘*Not my father? You must be mad!” ‘*It is true,” he assured. ‘‘ He was simply hired to take care of you. Have you never sus- pected he might not be your father?” **-Yes, yes! Bat are you sure there is no mis- id he confess he was not my father? Tell me—tell me all!” ** There is no need of a confession. Dapper Davy?” A look of fear fell on her face, “Yes. What of him? Do not tell me that ereature has any claim on me! I will not be- lieve it!” ‘** Then I will not tell you so; but Davy knew all along that Harvey Klaw was not your father.” Vira staggered to the couch and sunk down, bursting into a sudden flood of tears, ‘‘ This is so terrible!” she moaned. Captain Blood came close to her side. ** Do not take on so!” he entreated, ‘‘I know you feelasif you were alone in the world, but in me you bave a friend—a true friend,” She fell back and stared at him through her tears. ‘* You my friend! No, no!” ‘*T speak the truth, Iam ready and willing to protect you, I have loved you for some time, and, nemeless though you are, I will make you my wife,” : She leaped to her feet and sprung from him. ‘** Your wife!” she echoed. ‘ You must think me a fool! Why, I would sooner wed a serpent! I would as soon become the wife of rig 3 Davy. and I hate him with all my heart, o, I will never hecome that!” He laughed, triumphantly, “By Jove!” be cried; “you are a beauty! Never before in all your life have you looked so beautiful as at this moment! You certainly shall become Mrs, Blood!” ‘* Never!” “You forget you are in my power.” That seemed to stagger her; but again she declared: ‘“*T will be nothing to you—never your wife!” “*If you do not cmsent to become my wife in a respectable ‘manner, you sball become some- thing worse, You shall be mine anyway, and I leave you to choose whether you will have my name or not!” ** Devil!” ‘“*] like your spirit, but you will come round, I am sorry { am not able to kiss you without re- moving this covering for my face, Asit is, I will have to content myself with an embrace,” A shriek broke from her lips, as he leaped for- ward to cateb her in bis arms, ‘* Harold!” she screamed, old!” ‘ Through the grating between the two cham- bers spurted a spout of flame, A _pistol-shot echoed along the underground corridors, and, flinging up his arms, Captain Blood fell heavily to the ground, ‘ CHAPTER XIV. FACING DEATH. HAROLD DustTaN bad used the derringer which the outlaws had overlooked, and, with the single shot at his command, bad dropped the desperado chief, ira stood staring down at the fallen man seeming like one turned to stone, She could scarcely understand what had happened. “Vira—Vira!” called the young man beyond the grating. ‘You _are saved from him, the You know “Save me, Har- miserable wretch! Come here, darling!—come . to these bars! JI°want you near me! Qh, ifI might getin there to you! They should never lay a hand on ‘you so long asl could drawa breath!” ‘ Weak and blind, sick at heart, the girl stag- gered toward the grating. “Oh, Harold!” she gasped; “‘ what bave you' ‘“‘Ttis true Harvey Klaw is dead. He was! done!” 2 a pee apt i ee yang ae TREO OL RN oe mts s oS errs
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“Killed that vile dog!” was his reply. ‘It was an easier death than he merited!” “* But—you—you have no other shots!” ** Unfortunately not.” ‘Great Heaven! Think what you have done! He is Captain Blood, chief of the outlaws! The fury of his followers will know no bounds! They willrend you! They will be like so many wild beasts! Oh, Harold, Harold! that you should do this—for me!” “ For you I am ready to do anything! Don’t ou believe me now when I tell you I love you? vou must believe!” **T do! Ido!” ““ My precious darling! And you love me in return?” ‘¢ With all my heart, Harold, my king!” He had reached through the bars and clasped her hand with one of his—her small trembling hand. He held it tight, almost crushing the slender fingers, but she minded not the pain—she was not conscious of pain, ‘¢How happy [ am!” he breathed, his eyes fixed upon her pale face. ‘‘Oh, if I only had a show, I could defend you against a score!” ; A harsh laugh startled them. Vira wheeled, and Harold turned his eyes toward the spot from whence the sound came. Then a shriek broke from the girl’s lips, and she leaned weakly against the wall, Captain Blood was not dead. He had partially arisen, and was glaring’ to- ward them, his eyes gleaming through the twin holes in the sable mask. ‘* Well, this is fine!’ he snarled. ‘I see the claws of my captives were not property clipped. ike think I will attend to the clipping next time, Then he struggled to his feet, getting up with some difficulty, : At the same instant, excited voices were heard outside the underground cells, and some one at the door cried out: ‘¢ What has happened, captain? What was the meaning of that shot?” “It came from the prisoner in cell 3,” an- swered Blood. ‘‘He was not properly dis- armed. Go in there and take away his weapons at once.” The order was promptly obeyed, the heavy door of Harold’s cell swinging open and four men springing in. The young man knew it was folly to resist, for, should he overpower all four of his fues, without doubt others were close at hand to answer a call, ** What do you want?” be calmly asked, ‘** Any weapon you may have,” was the reply. He held out the derringer, “ Here it is.” It was taken from him, then he was seized and searched with the utmost care, No other weapon was found. “That is all,” he assured. * And you will be sorry you had that, or I’m a fool,” declared one of the men, With that they retired from the cell, closing and securing the iron-bound door, Meantime, holding his hand to his side, Cap- tain Blood had approached the girl-captive, who shrunk away before him, horror depicted on her face, * You little fool!” came harshly from the lips of the counterfeiter chief. ‘‘ What are you afraid of? You make me angry by your silly fear! I will not barm you. Yon are far too pretty for me to think of injuring you. I mean to keep you to become a pleasant companion for m 2. She flung herself on her knees at his feet, her hands outstretched in despair and appeal, “Kill me!” she begged—*kill me, rather than make methat! I choose death a thousand times!” “I have always said pretty heads contained the least brains, and this proves it, You don't know what you are talking about! Do you fancy you love that worthless devil in the other cell? Well, you may as well forget he ever ex- isted, for he has sealed bis owndoom! [ did not think of cutting him off in the blush of aon but he tried to kill me. I think I[ have Pens ek yous bad 1 b ou a B your heart!” to you y lack The mask actually laughed. ** Now you are showing your spirit, my pretty} By Jove! you are simply delicious! Those fair chee ose round, plump arms, those velvet ec ‘b-a! they make you a prize tobe trea- She leaped to her feet, panting with sudden oy Oh, you miserable cur!” she cried, facing \ Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 1s What a low I loathe you! you will be able to make me any- thing to you, for I will find a way to take my own life, and thus [ shall escape you!” ‘“*That sounds fine,” he said; “but you will him, ‘‘ You disgrace to manhood! and contemptible thing you are! Do not thin change your mind, I fancy. Meanwhile, 1 shall have you closely watched, and I don’t believe you will fiad means to carry out your desperate and silly purpose, I will see you again, by and b ” Ve With no other parting words he retired from the cell, greatly to her relief, As soon as Captain Blood’s wound was ex- amined and pronounced of slight consequence, the chief ordered Harold Dustan ironed and brought before him, The wound had been bandaged when the young man was dragged into the presence of the famous counterfeiter, There were irons on the captive’s wrists, but he showed no signs of fear, boldly facing the leader of the lawless men, Captain Blood gazed in silence at Harold for some time, and then he said: ‘““You pvever made a bigger fool of yourself than when you fired that shot, young man. I had no desire to take your life, and you would have been set at liberty in time; but you have done something that cooks your goose, ‘‘Do your worst\” was the defiant retort, “I simply tried to save a most unfortunate girl from the insults of a most dastardly cur!” Blood started. ** You are rash!” came hoarsely from beneath the mask, ‘ Well, it makes little difference, for you are to die anyway.” Harold said nothing in return, but he showed not a sign of quailing, ‘I think you will cringe a little when it ag time to face your doom,” spoke Captain Blood, “If you think so, you are mistaken,” “You raised your band against my life, and so I shall kill you myself,” ‘Then my death will be a shameful one, in one respect. Ushall.perish at the band of a coward!” {nvoluntarily, the chief took a step forward, bis hands clinched, as if to strike the indiscreet captive. Harold did not recoil a bair. * Strike!” he cried, ‘It will prove my words true!” Captain Blood laughed and fell back. ‘You have some nerve,” he confessed. ‘ You made an utter failure of your attempt to be- friend Miss Klaw, When you are dead and rotting, sbe will be my wife or—my mistress!” That cut the captive to the quick. Likea flash, he tried to break from the outlaws who held him. Let me get at the cursed dog!” he grated, his face white as that of a corpse. ‘I will brain him witb these irons!” Blood simply rested one hand on the butt of a revolver, awaiting the result of the struggle, Harold bad little show, and he was subdued, ‘‘Tf you bad broken away,” said the chief ‘© vou would simply have compelled me to snu you out a little sooner than Ts intend doing, I will give you twelve hours to live and oh erg for death, At the expiration of that time, I in- tend to perform a little pistol practice on you. Take bim away.” Harold was not returned to the cell where he could look in upon Vira, but was placed in a damp, dark hole and made fast with heavy chains, Twelve hours later a dozen masked men had gathering in what seemed to be a portion of an old mine, Flaming torches thrust into a score of crevices illumined the strange scene, Captain Blood was there, and the others were his chosen followers, At a signal, Harold Dustan was led forth, still ah 3 ironed, ‘*Make him fast to that wall there,” com- manded the counterfeiter chief. Harold was locked to some staples in the black wall, and be stood defiantly facing the man who had elected himself as the prisoner’s executor. Captain Blood drew and examined a revolver, “* Have you anything to say?” asked the chief, ‘ Nothing,” was the firm reply, with no tremor of the voice. ‘I would be wasting my breath, Do your worst!” i Deliberately Blood lifted the revolver, taking careful aim at the breast of the helpless young man. He intended to send his first bullet straight through Harold’s heart! CHAPTER XV. CULPEPPER BOB OF CUT-THROAT. THE sun was well up inthe beavens when a solidly-built, red-headed and red-bearded man rode a disreputable-appearing mule into the town: of Early Bird, The man was a tough-looking: customer, armed to the teeth. ‘* Whoa, Beduzer!” be roared, as he checked the mule in front of the Palace Saloon and glar-- ed around at the throng of men, who were stil} discussing the recent excitement. ‘* W’ot th’ hill-roarin’ bedizzilum is all this congregatherin’ erbout? ‘Thar seems ter be somethin’ o’a flut- teration in this yere burgh. Guv us a tip as ter ther meanin’ o’ ther racket, my roosters,” The throng surveyed the stranger, but no one offered him the information he sought. ‘* Wow!” he yelled, Jeaping from the mule and standing with his hands on his hips, while his gaze roved from one to the other of the crowd, “i'm Culpepper Bob o’ Cut-throat Bend, an’ I’m a he-howlin’ horror on bot skids! Glance at me —then shiver!” ’ ‘* Wal, we hain’t inclined to shiver nary sbiv,” declared Hunk Riley, pushing his way forward.. ‘¢ W’ot ther blazes are you yowlin’ round yere fer? Do you 1eckon on comin’ inter this town an’ gettin’ up fera chief? Ef so, you’ve gotter climb me!” Culpepper Bob laughed. ‘*-You look like somebody’d bin climbin’ yer’ with spikes in their shoes,” he said, Riley really did present a sorry appearance, his face being cutand bruised from bis encounter’ in the saloon, and bis eyes were red with the ef- fect of indulgence in liquor. Eben Sutton, the former foreman of the Glori-. ana, now pushed his way forward, and bis ap- ance was not one whit less battered than. tbat of his companion. , ‘*Whut’s ther critter sayin’?” asked Sutton, “Climb him, ef he gives yer any of his jaw,, Riley!” The two had become boon companions since- the battle, which terminated in their punching and gouging each other till both were exhausted. You bet I will!” growled the Man from Den-+ ver. Culpepper Bob laughed bhoarsely, slapping his. thigh with one hand, “ Ker. woof!” be snorted, ‘* Heur that thar, will yer! Hyer’s a pair o’ twins, an’ [ kin knock~ ther packin’ out o’ all two both o’ ’em!” ** W’at’s that?’ yelled Sutton. ‘* Wot yer say!” shouted Riley. ‘*Go dig ther cotton out o’ yer ears,” advised: Bob, a broad grin on hig face. “I say I kin climb all over you two stiffs,” Both Riley.and Sutton sprung forward, and the man from Cut-throat Bend was ready to: meet them, Riley made a savage stroke at Bob’s face, but the red-headed fellow dodged and countered, The delighted spectators heard the spat of a hard fist, as it landed on the neck of the bully. It was a fearful plow, and Hunk Riley was fairly lifted off his feet and sent headlong to the ground, ? Culpepper Bob was just in time to wheel on Sutton and parry ablow. Then he gave the ex- foreman bis right, following it swiftly with a sledge-hammer left-hander, Down went Sutton! “Haw! baw! haw!” roared the red-bead. ‘That's jest like knockin’ over chips! Ef ye’ve got enny more o’ this yere kind, send ‘em. on,” A burst of applause came from the crowd, for never had any one present witnessed so neat oD, But the affair was not over, by any means, Riley and Sutton struggled to their feet, both looking dazed but savage. ‘Some cuss hit me from behind!” snarled the Man from Denver, ‘ Jt was no fair shake!” “Ther critter hed a billy in his sleeve!” gur- gled Sutton. ‘He guve mea belt with it!” “*You’re both blamed beazly liars from clean up ther creek!” promptly declared Culpepper Bob, ‘I done ther job single-handed, an’ Ein do it jest as fast as you kin walk up! Thet’s w’at’s ther matter with ole Hannah!” That wasenough. Again the two bullies made a dash for the stranger. Bob met them squarely, ‘“‘ Whoopee!” he screamed, as by some rapidly- rformed tricked he kick’the feet from beneath th of his foes. ‘‘ See them chaw dust!” Planting a heavy boot against that portion of Riley’s pantaloons on which the Denverite usually sat, he sent the “ chief” sprawling, his nose plowing in the dirt, Then the fighting stranger caught Sutton by’ the waist, lifted him easily and flucg him over: the mule’s back. Eben struck the ground heavily and lay stunned, Just as Riley was rising to his hands and. knees, Bob’s boot again struck him on the same.
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14 place, and be went sprawling on his face once more, And then, as fast as Riley would attempt to arise, he would receive a kick that would send him down, while the crowd fairly roared with laughter. Culpepper Bob followed bis victim until Riley managed to scramble to bis feet and fly, asif for his life. Then the man from Cut-throat Bend snatched out a revolver and sent some bullets whistling past the fugitive’s ears, which greatly accelerated the speed of the downfallen ‘* chief.” The spectators rushed forward as one man, all eager to grasp the hand of the stranger, ‘*Tbunder an’ tar!” squealed Sassafras Jack, reaching over the head of Sawed-off Simp and getting hold of Bob’s hand first, ‘‘ You’re ther dandiest fighter I ever suaw—you jest be!” **That’s so!” agreed Poaceful Pil, who had crept out from behind a box, where he had sought concealment at the beginning of the affray. ‘‘ He kin lick the world!” “You vas a Shim Dandy!” asserted Dutch Kar], ‘‘ Come youreseluf mein skaloon in und I dreat you mit der pest I baf. No lonker dot Riley prances aroundt dis blace und calls oudt vor der pest man in der town to knock der chip bis shoulter off, I pelief !’’ Culpepper Bob was fairly dragged into the saloon, every man insisting on standing treat, ‘*Come right into this place an’ settle, pard,” entreated Sassafras Jack, ‘We need sech as you. Others added their appeals, and none of them noticed all the stranger’s drinks were emptied into’a sawdust-filled spittoon, instead of passing down his throat. Culpepper Bob found it difficult to get away from the mob, but he fiually succeeded in doing so. After that, he was seen talking earnestly with Easy Ned Lester, Among those whom the man from Cut-throat sought in Early Bird was Major Selban Hunter; but the owner of the Gloriana Mine was not to be found, and no one seemed to know anything concerning his whereabouts, There seemed to be something mysterious about Culpepper Bob’s moves, and Dapper Davy re- garded the man suspiciously, ‘*T wonder what kind of a lay he is on,” mut- tered the little sport, to himself. ‘I feel like there was something in the air. I think Vl sbadow the fellow.” He did so, but with poor success, being unable to find out the purpose of the red-head, Meantime, Easy Ned was passing from one to another of the solid men of Early Bird, and with them all he had a few words to say in private. Dapper Davy was not mistaken in thinking there was ‘something in the air;” but, whatever that ‘‘something ” was, it was kept secret so far as the rabble was concerned, The day wore away, and the excitement sub- sided gradually. From time to time, small searching parties came in and reported them- selves unsuccessful in finding a trace of the miss- ing Vira Klaw, ‘oward night Dapper Davy disappeared. No one seemed to know whither the little gambler had gone, Darkness came, A little party of men gathered by a riven bowlder on the outskirts of Early Bird, There were between fifteen and twenty in all, and they moved and spoke with caution. Later, ‘there would be a moon; but now the valley rested ‘in deepest shadow, For some time the small band of men waited by the bowlder. They were all armed to the teeth, and some of them carried unlighted torches, At length: the figure of a man approached, and there was an exchange of signals, The man came boldly forward, ““Wa-al,” he said, cautiously, ‘you're all liyer, be yer? Thet’s ther kind! Ef we don’t root out old Cap’n Blood before ther moon crawls over the peaks ter ther east, call me ther bloominest liar in these yere parts!” The speaker was Culpepper Bob! ‘* We shall be sure to do something worse than that to you,” declared the guarded voice of Easy Ned. “It 729 play us crooked, we'll fill ag full of lead that a balloon wouldn’t float ou “‘ Thet’s ther kind o’ pards I like! No foolin’ is a mighty good motter,” ““Where is your man who was to lead us to ae retreat of Captain oe. ob gave a low iar whistle. ** He’s on oa Apparently from out of the ground, a dark figure seemed to rise up in the very midst of rr sss *‘Tnjun Jim is bere!” It was the balf-blood! After a few moments more of low conversa- tion the men followed the red-skin, who took the lead without hesitation, Straight to the mouth of the Gloriana Mine be went, taking care to come up behind the buildings. “Two men are on guard,” he explained. ‘‘ Jim will bave to give them the signal and knock them over. Otherwise they would giye the signal, and the double-face would expect us, Then he would fight like a cornered tiger.” Jim boldly advanced, He was soon chal- lenged, but he retorted readily. Then he weut on toward the dark mouth of the mine. At the same time there was a whispered ex- pression of wonderment among the men behind the buildings. They could not understand why they had heen brought to the Gloriana Mine but Hasy Ned assured them everything was all right. After a short space of time, the half-blood re- turned. ** Allis well,” he said. ‘‘ Follow,” ‘* Hev yer fixed ther guards?” anxiously asked Culpepper Bob. ‘* They are quieted,” was, the significant re- ly. ’ They followed him into the dark mouth of the shaft, passing two silent bodies which lay close by some rocks. Cautiously they descended the slope tiil a low biss brought them to a halt in the blank darkness, ‘Give one light,” softly commanded the voice | of Injun Jim, ‘‘ Must see some where to go,” A single torch was lighted, and then they went on again, They could see very little of their surroundings, but the most of them knew they passed through the portion of the mine that was being worked regularly and, by means | of a narrow passage, entered a section that was supposed to be abandoned, On they went until they were deep down in the distance, In an instant, the torch was ex- tinguished, Still they crept cautiously for- ward, Before long, they found themselves looking in- to a chamber where a singular scene was being enacted, In the crevices around the stony walls were thrust a score of lighted torches, which illumined the place, casting a fitful, uncertain glare over the forms of a cozen masked men. There was one who did not wear a mask, and he was standing with his back to therocky wall, boldly facing a man who held a cocked revolver in his hand, The unmasked one was recognized as Harold Dustan, the foreman of the mine! Tbe mask lifted bisarm and took deliberate aim at Harold’s heart. Then followed the loud report of a pistol! CHAPTER XVI. UNMASKED, Ir was not Captain Blood who fired, for the weapon fell from his fingers and hisarm dropped helplessly by his side, shattered by a bullet. from Early Bird, taking the outlaws completely by surprise. Injun Jim rushed furiously upon the leader of the masks, screaming wildly: “Death to: the double-face! slayer ofthe Red Rose!” A savage but brief battle took place within Death to the were, the masks were soon overcome, killed, wounded or captured. “ Captain Blood fought fiercely for his life, in- jured though he was, for he saw no mercy in the eyes of the half-blood. However, he was no match for the enraged Indian, who drove a knife into the neck of the counterfeiter chief, just as Culpepper Bob tried to tear them apart. ** Jim’s work is done!” cried the balf-blood. “The Red Rose will now, rest easy in her grave!” ** And you have robbed me of the very man I was after, Jim,” declared the man from Cut- throat Bend, after tearing the mask from the face of the fallen cbief and revealing the features of Major Selban Hunter. ‘‘He has played a shrewd double game iv Early Bird, but death has cashed his checks,” Hunter was not quite dead. He opened his eyes and faintly gurgled: ‘Knew it—all the time, Tried to—fool you —same as others, Wanted you to—think me— yout tans till { could—get you--into—trap, anted to—be sure—you were—” The terrible rattle sounded in his throat, and he fell back dead! Never-sleeping Justice had brougbt him to his merited deserts at last, and his career of infamy and crime was closed. Into the ligbted chamber poured the men | the cbamber, but, taken by surprise as they | Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. ‘*Who in blazes are you?” demanded Easy Ned, of Culpepper Bob, for he bad detected a ‘With Major Hunter turned out to be Captain Blood, you may prove to be—” ** Secret Service Sam, at your service!” bowed the other, as te deftly removed his disguise, “*T originally played the part of Stuttering Sile, on appearing in Early Bird, but Dapper Davy’s exposure made it necessary for me to assume another role—hence Culpepper Bob ap- peared,” ‘Curse you!” screamed a shrill voice, as one of the masks, who had fallen early in the struggle, arose upon an elbow, tearing away the face-covering, ‘* You have hounded me down, at last, Sam Sheridan!” ‘* Delva Murella!” exclaimed the detective. ** Dapper Davy!” chorused the others, * Tam both!” was the amazing assertion. ‘I have viayed both parts so skillfully that none suspectei! If this cursed detective bad left me in peace, all would have been well! I failed | once in ending bis life; but this time J will not fail!” The desperate woman lifted a revolver, but, like a flash, Injun Jim leaped forward and, with a skillful kick, sent the weapon flying from her hand, She fell back, a cry of fury and pain escaping her white lips, Sam was quickly bending over her. ‘So you were really Dupper Davy?” he asked, ‘*T more than half suspected it, for I noticed the little sport always kept his hands gloved, and I knew nothirg of your baving a brother, Your life of wickedness has brought you here. Where are you wounded?” “It can make no difference to you,” she faintly replied. ‘‘I feel that my life is slip- ping away, and the end is close at hand. I would not care so very much, if you were dead, for there bas been little joy in life for me since— since—” ‘Since you foully murdered Dallas Sheri- dan!” ‘““Yes, I bave kept his child—I know not why. Harvey Klaw did not know the truth— he thougbt Dapper Davy was a man—be thought | Davy wished to make the girl his wife. Only | Casper Feldan knew all,” ‘* Who is Casper Feldan?” ‘* He was Captain Blood,” ‘« What was the connection between you and him?” **T became bis wife three years ago.” **But you seemed arrayed against him in Early Bird.” ‘* That was part of our game.” “‘And do you know nothing of Vira—of her fate? Was she really kidnapped?” *“*T would not answer, only I know you will find her. She ran away from Klaw, but, at my command, when she was found, she was brougbt bere to tie mine, An hour ago I quarreled with "Casper, for I learned: he had been making love to her in the cell where she is confined,” ‘* Did the dog do her any insult or harm?” hot- ly demanded the Secret Service Detective, ‘““No; though be might, had not Harold Dustan possessed a derringer, with the single shot of which he wounded my husband slight- ] A ‘© Thank God for that!” By this time, Harold had been released from Re: in the red-bead’s speech and manner, | | his iron fetters, and be immediately led a party in searcb for Vira, Sam Sheridan was eager to see the daughter of his dead brother, and £0 he deserted the Woman of the Crimson Hands for a time, Vira was found, although she was nearly pros- trated with prief and horror. Her delight and amazement can be better imagined than de- scribed. It was only thought best to tell her that Sam Sheridan was ber uncle; other in- formation and explanations were reserved for another time. ; When the party returned to the chamber where the battle had taken place, it was found that Delva Murella had expired during their absence. It is not necessary to tell the reader of the punishment that overtook the captured ° outlaws and counterfeiters. They fell into the hands of Western men who believed in metin out justice swiftly and surely, and not one o them escaped. In the abandoned portion of the Gloriana Mire were found all the utensils with which Captain Blood carried on his unlawful business. As Ma- jor Hunter he had worked the worn-out mine, even though the ore did not makea paying re « a ee ; : | | ‘i ‘ er tte ee Qe a —- 2 eS Ee et a ng Se a we <
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j : ) we wa turn, and he had steadily refused to sell the pro perty. The working of the mine was a shrewd ruse which concealed the true business that was being carried on down there under the ground, Among Hunter’s men were several who were honest and who knew nothing of the illegal pro- ceedings of their employer. It was the counter- feiter’s idea to have an honest foreman, but it was necessary to have one who knew so little about the business that be would vot ‘‘smell a rat.” Thus it happened that Harold Dustan was employed, But Harold never regretted fortune had brought him to Early Bird, for there be found Vira, who afterward became his wife, Easy Ned Lester was also an open suitor for Vira’s hand, but be took his defeat like a man, **T don’t know of another man in all the world I bad rather see win her—myself excepted,” he frankly said, as he took Harold’s hand and ex- pressed his congratulations. ‘Iam willing to admit you may be the better man of us two, for I have been a sporting character, although I have forsworn such a life from this on, I mean to go into business of some square sort and see if I cannot be a man,” “*Good for you!” retorted Harold. ‘*T like the sound of that, and I shall pick you for a winner in the game of life.” In after years, Ned indeed became ‘a winner.” Hunk Riley, Eben Sutton, Sassafras Jack and others of their ilkk,pursued the course they had chosen, nearly all of them meeting violent deaths, Delva Murella and her husband rest side by side in the dark depths of the deserted Gloriana pg their cupidity and scheming forever end- ed, Injun Jim disappeared on the night of the raid, his work of vengeance being ended, and I am un- able to say whet became of him. Sam Sheridan had been detached to break up ‘Captain Blood’s” band of coiners and bring the chief to justice, if possible. He did not suc- ceed in putting the irons on the foxy manufac- turer of the “queer,” but hedid break up the band for all time, for which service he was high- ly commended and remunerated, He is still in the Government employ, and the name of Secret Service Sam is a terror to evil- cloers. THE END, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wanderi - 18 The Dumb Spy. . apes, tow 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Princé of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger, 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe, 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. @4 MNawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face San], the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. Sos Toe ect Pete: or, The Young Outlaw Aonters. The Boy Wercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the tess. erpurs 224 Dashing Dick; or, Urapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 243 The Diseuised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger, A1? Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant ofthe Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. AB? Wingedtoot Fred or, Old Polar Sau), 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy, 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River epidemic, 482 Stonewull Bob, the Boy Troan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance, Sie Norway Nels, ene ms 4 Mountalneer. Pauntiess Dan the Freelance, or Old Kit Ba Tits Highiand Harry, tue Wizard Rifleman. ndy in Arcadia. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 81 tedtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 858 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, . ‘ombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of Sand,” 59 Durange Day e, the Young Champion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Ohris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, ofthe Mountuin Mail-Line. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Biddon, ‘tra 4 aed Jonesy. or, The Captives of tne Frontier. or, Th Saptive. 3s Tne Frontier ne pe of the Sioux Captive e hoy nera i Island. 182 The ilunted Hunter; Deane seep o Horseman, ~ BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Mandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildlire, the Thoroughbred. Black Reas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A ‘Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Lusea Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Tiana; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom ‘Tanner; or, The Binck Sheep ot the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 2 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 ‘The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, $24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Levelers; or, Thé Bloods ot the Boulevard, 408 Firetly Juck, the River-Rat Detective. 423 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket. 601 Roots, the Boy Fireman: or, Teo Sharp for the Sharper, b66 The Secret service Boy Detective. 596 Jimniy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce ot Arkanaiixt or, The Wolfin the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 57 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes. ELAAITAH HR NESHOCHENS er BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 7OR Light-Weart Lute’s Legacy. TiS Licht-Heart Lute’s Taat ‘Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile, r 748 Silverblade, tie Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. BY LIEUT, A. K. SIMS. 646 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 668 The Dandy of Dodge, 6576 The Silver Sport. 5S8 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 5689 Tom-Cat and Pardy; or, The Dead Set at SNver City. 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidocg 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Tritumphy or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gidy the CattioRange vetective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jereminhy the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Samy, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy &py, 699 Staple Sim, the Broncio Buster. 712 The Mesmertst Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jian, the Cross-Cut Detective. T6L Marmaduke, the Mostanger Detective. t78 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone. 785 Lone Mand Joe, the Committee of One. 2 ? BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 581 Dats) ware the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranver Detective. 604 Tron Fern, the Myy of Fire 619 The Boy Tramp Detec 629 Violet_Vane, the Velvet Spon. 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory + 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone Range Rider, or, The Doubie Grip Witness ic} - T14 Old Misery, the Man from Missourl. ; 724 Violet Vane’s Vengeance. 780 Violet Vane’s Verdict. TAL Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeq. 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished. 768 Violet Vane’s Vision, 774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never-Say-Die Detective. BY COL, A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin: or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon, 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King, 485 Littie Lighttoot, the Pilot of the Woods. B28 The Dandy Sporty; ov, The King Pin Pen para 678 Headlight Harry’s Wazard; or, The Lightning Express Detective 691 Headlight Warry’s Maul. T2T Meadlight Warry’s Siren. 759 Headlight Marry’s Heritage. RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 8? The Land Pirates: or, The League of Devil’s Island, 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution, 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 15 BY J0 PIEROE, 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ¢ or, The Prince of Mulberry Street, 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, 452 Hotapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Dawyerss Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young ferrynian Derective, 604 Five Points Phil, 509 Jack Jagygers, the Butcher Boy Detective, 616 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 5626 North River Nat, the Pier Detective, ent Pe the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o-Lantern, tle Under-Sea Prospector, KOR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling dacob, the Detevtive’s Aid, 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hanmer, 6309 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set. G58 Skhy-Rockei Rob, the Lite-Saver. 6S5 walipeter Sot, Uie New York Navigator, 694 Spicy Sims the Only One of Hin Kind. | 706 Tom Thistle, the Rond-Housr Detectives TIT Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin, 726 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport's Kid, 44 Dick of the Docka, the Night-W atch, 65 Fupper Flynny the Sueet Fatrol. 71 Foxy Fred's Odd Pard; ov, The Keener’s Huge Hustle. Si Cast-O1F Cale, the Scapegoat Detective, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Danen. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge's Deugnrer. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso 3 or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunteray; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, B00 The Boy Bedoutnes; or, the Brot! era ot the Plamed Lance 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King; or, Round the World, 265 The Viger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. $81 Black Nek, the Demon Rider, BVS6 VCalifornin Jooe’s War Trafl. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM, 440 Little Poxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid, 558 The Sure-Shot Parda. 621 Truthful James the © Pecooliar’”? Man, RY CAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glusa-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 5&6 Nick Whitlles’s Pets or, In The Valley of Death, 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yeilowstone, 70 Old Zip’a Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buekram 3 or, Beas, the Female 7 ty dod 247 Old Grizzly and Mis Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, 51 Light-houae Ligest or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Lost Huntera; or, The Underground Camp. 283 The Scalp King: or, The Human Thundervolt, BY ROGER STARBUOK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Rlack Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon: or, Lost Among the Floes, BAS Fire-Heelas or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Vig Norn Ike, the TUL Tramp; or, The Odd Pards. 861 The Phantom Light-house, $70 lirenker Ken, the Reef-Runner. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Worse Wuntera. By Capt. Mayne Reia and . Frederick Whittaker. # Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladding or, The Wondertul Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Ulustrations,) 18 Stndbad the Sailor, His Seven Voyages. 22 ee Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. sew. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribers, By S, W. Pierce. £6 The Boy Clowns: or, The Arena Queen. By & S. Finn, BM Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifles; or. The Underground Camp. By A.C. Troms. 95 The Rival Roveray or, The Freebooters of the oTississipple By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Wobin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gilderaleeve. 105 td Rube, the Hunter; or, The row Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 132 The Mad Uuntery; or, 124 Tigoy, the Texans: or, The Young Champion. Glepaon. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. : 148 Sharp Sams; or, The Adventures or # Friendieas Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Duaky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the fel. lowatone. By Edward aren: 261 Fergus Fearnanught the New Y wk Hoy. By G, 1. Alken. 266 Killb’ar. the Guide; or, Davy Crockett's Crooked snail. By Ensign ©. D. Warren. . 208 Red Claw, the One-Eved Trapper; or, The Mald ot che Clif, By Captain Comatock. - B1T Peacock Pete, the Lively oad from Leadville, By ileu- tenant Alfred Thorne. : B28 The Sky Detectives % 4 Boy's Tight for Lifeand Honole By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Ked Ralph, the River over} or, The Brother's Ree venge, By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ren the Boothlack Detective, By A, P. Morlks. B74. Gold-Dust Toms or, Ben's Double Match. By @ H. Morse. 876 Callfornta Joe’* First Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hover Monstery. 418 Billy Bowbahell, the Clif climber, by F. 0. Winthrop, 475 The Rinck Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Vick and Hix Three Invinelbles. By Henry J. Thomas. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Drnid. BS Wy Waters, the Bov Ferret, By H. Enton. 682 Tha Doad Matective’a Double. By Gerald -arlton, %21 Maverick Mose, tne Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urko» Pass. By Wi | Lisenbee. A New tssne Everv Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library i» for sale oy ats .ewadealers, five cents per Copy, or #ent by mail on receipt of alx cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorks By Juan he Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, By George s x ce - 1
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- BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME*] IBRARY. . Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Read. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. b+ egy ba ta ee _ proaraiacs Buffal» Ben eadwoo ek in « Castle. 42 Deadwood Bick’s Konauza; or, The .«antom Miner. 49 Deadwoed Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ¢ ‘ne, the Heroine, 13 penewsee ae ont Pen or, Cordurvy Charlie. “ Woo ck In Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, ‘the Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Diek’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dtck’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 Deadwood Bick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, +64 Peesweed pk poms oe “eleeingeed Jane’s Adventure. eadw ck’s Dea eal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tonghs, ane paneused picks mite por ihe Spirit of Swamp Lake. ead woo: ek’s Dea ra 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, 821 Deadwoed Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. asi peaqweed ne Ping a gata or, The Terrible Vendetta, eadwoo ek’s Clan. , 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds.” 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” et a hela Peon e Duets or, The Chained Hand, woo ek, Jr. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance. 458 Deadwoed Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, 434 ay ele Riek, ia ees Poseainal Bill. ead wo ¢ r.’#, Dog Detective. yo! earese Dick. ores in Deadwood, ¢ endwoo ek r.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance, pt pemawees +t $ Psy Fe ene ead woo: ek, Jr.'s, ree. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Danger Ducka, aut meee eee are? gr er Hunt. eadwoo ek, Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog 44 cornet Disk, 5 me - Gils Mottin, 5 eadwoo: ¢ r., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. eee ay salpae | Dick os a OMLORR ead woo: ck, Jr. out. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr.,; in Beelzebub’s Basin, $36 Besteesd pee gre scisiae woe ek, Jr.’a, adville . 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwoed Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. on4 pana vous pteks are hase ——— the Gensinent 4 Deadwood Dick, Jr. mong the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jeo Lugurance Cane. endwo ek, Jr. ack in the nes, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr. {n Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Sea pena rese Diek, 5 Rg “nape gala or, Found a Fortune. endwood eK, dr.’s. Dazzle, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, dr., at Danger Divide. fas esdnted Eine Shay endwo ck, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Pick, Jr.; in San Francisco. 24 poadweed prexe oe Still Hunt. end woo ck, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Disguise, 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Deal, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch, TAZ Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow, TH Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, Ls, eee a | miek, ito ene eee Zz end woe ek r.’a, Defeat. 76 Deadwood Dick, Tr.%«, Resurrection, 82 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. BY J. ©. COWDRIOCKE, Broadway Billy Novela 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootbiack Bravo. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 586 Broadway Bully’s ‘ DIMKilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Best; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy*in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’s Full Hand. 785 Broadway Billy’s Business. 788 Broadway Billy’s Curlous Case. 7538 Broadway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain. 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 775 Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles. Other Novels by J. ©. Cowdrick. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. ose ratte ra Geld King ca For waves von er ie DeLective’s Apprentice; or, 0 out a Name, 424 Cibuta Jonn; or, thed- Hot Timea at Ante Bat. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road. 624 The Engineer Detective. 548 Mart, the sient Eaycess Detective. 571 Air-Lime Luke the Young Engineer, 592 Boy Pinkerton. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chatned Cyclone. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizencst ”’ Man of Ante Bar. ale tas ee atl "* AEC POTS STIRS Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Fuce, Detoctive; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud mag t or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Mosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye; pr, Arabs und Angelo of a Great City. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Gir! Sport, 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Oaptain lerret, the New York Detective. 16! New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Seamps. 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front}; or, The Ventrilequist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Buy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator, 244 Slerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. Slerra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprinta, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 255 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro); or. The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen, 281 Denver Doll’s Victory. 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Bey Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift ; or, The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Tol)-Taker. $08 ’Liza Jane, the irl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kits or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’a Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, 858 First-Class Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher, 868 Yreka Jim, the Golé-Guatherer; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 78 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City, 82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 2° Sam Slabsidea, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 4 Jim Benk and Pal, Private Detectives, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 456 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dand nek ¢ or, The Outlaws of the Oraxon Trail. 82 Kit Wareteus the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper, 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queens 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.z or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Tr ger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, [njun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy, 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 281 Plueky Phil; or. Kosa, the Rej Jezebel. 241 Rill Bravo; or, Tie Koughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli:» tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective, 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Degperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. ; 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Buily. 816 Old Eclipae, Trump Curd of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards: »t, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Ble Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitileas Matt; o7, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret. B56 Cool Sam und Par’; or The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, 886 Captain Cutlass; or, ' he Beccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The } win Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Stlken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox, 445 The City Vampires; oT, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret, 512 Dedger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case, 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. S78 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’« Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 616 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Shsrp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pards. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagte. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Daisy Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping B g Game- 742 Billy Winks, the Bell Boy Detective, 754 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard. 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm. F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, 68 Border Robin Hood} or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, i. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRANAM, 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. = Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht,. 4 Diamond Dirk i The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 4 fp; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 75 The Boy Bnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf. 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinugyier. i The Sea-Devil 97 Little Grit, the Wild Rider; or, The Stock-Tender’s Daughter) 04 Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pluck» 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. £29 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain; or, The Mysterious Ranchero} 245 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, The Heir of an Ocean Freelance. 250 The Midshipman Mutineers or, Brandt, the Buccaneer,, 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure, 265 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’s Fate ; or, The Pirate’a Pride, 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge; or, The Sea Marauder. 287 Billy Bluc-Eyes, the Boy Rover. 804 The Dead Bhot Dandy ; er, Benito, the Boy Bugler. ” 808 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Trail.) 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover}; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath Will, the Truitor Guide; or, The Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant; or, The Red Clasped Hands. 402 Isvdor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Bor Insurgent; or, Tho Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Yachtewany; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Lvy Refugee. | 488 Captain Carl, the Corsair; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck, 487 The Sea Ralder; or, The Hawks of the Hook, 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Veugeance. 446 Iaphazard Harrys or, The Scapograce of the Sea, 450 Wizard WIIl, the Wonder-Worker. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouta. 462 The Born Gulde; or, The Sailor Loy Wanderer. 468 Reptaes Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Wizard Will's Last Cases or, Ferrets Afloat. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe, the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat 507 The Hunted Midshipman; or, The Young Sea Ranger, 511 The Outlaw Middy; or, The Young Patriot Sea Ranger, 520 Backskin BAll, the Comanche Shadow. \ 525 Brothers in Buckskin; or, The Tangled Trails in Texas, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 535 The Bue skin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder o1 the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’« Legacy; or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair; or, The Golden Wings of the Gulf, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Curd King. 570 Camille, the Card Quoen; or, The Skeleton Trail. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 5680 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avenger; or, .'awnee bil’s ledge. 591, Delmontes the Young Sea-Rover; er, Toe Aveuging Sailor. 597 The Young Texan Detectives 01, The Black Bravos, 602 The Vagabond of the Mincs. A 607 ‘the Rover Detectives or, Keno *'s Championa, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, Lue ii t.widers, 644 Rutterfly Billy’s Debut. ‘ 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Pard, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. ew 668 The Buccancer Midshipman; or, The Sea Kover’s Rose. © 674 The Wizard faflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racked 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trajl, 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy; or, The Lariat Queen, 719 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper’s Doome %25 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill’s Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. ; 787 Buck Taylor, tle Comancho’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail! 756 Dashing Charlic’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captives, 760 Dashing Charile’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destinys! 277 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terrors LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 784 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective; or, The Sharps an@ Sharks of New York. By Col. Prentiss In;-raham. 785 Lone Hand Joe, tho Commitice of One; or, The Spook Steed of the Stone Corral. Dy Lieut. A. K, Sims. 786 Broadway Billy’s Team} or, The Detective Combine’, Big Pull. By J. C. Cowdrick. 78ST Deadwoud Dick, Ir., Detied; or, The Prince of Pistol Pocket. By Eaward L. Wheeler. ‘ 788 Dick Doom in Boatons or, A Man of Many Maske, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special; or, The Jamboree At nurly Bird Bar, By Wm, G, Patten. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade} or, The Case of the Dead Alive, By J. C. Cowdriek. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giant. By Oll Coomea, 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4 Double Devices or, The Tus sel with Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler, Ready September 27, : 798 Dick Doom in Chiengo; or, The Ferret of the Golden Fetters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, ’ Ready October 4. 794 Headlight HWarry’s Treasure Hunts or, The Quest for the eolieh! Gold. By Col. A. F, Helt. Ready October 11. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The MNalf- Dime Library is for ssle by all nor~dearers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cots each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98s William Strect, New Yorks f Bey