Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 802) (1892 12 06)
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7 pm Oe ee a y sera _ alotatelolalalalallalalalalalely Ae PS : \ S SKK ww MORN ARAN WAL “ wy I; CT Orgy; —_ =e i s NN LEE EERE ee ee a RR Se AR TF x: y ues ‘y (amt iia au a Sai na met th a ee ee re OS » __Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 1892, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, December 6, 1892. x rr PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, Me. eie. ste pfeil ee 5 rece, Vol XXXT. = #1 Ly gS wwKWW/ (ANE TS The Cool Half - Dozen. The Romance of a Remarkable Raid, BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETO, CHAPTER I. STATES THE CASE, Five men were seated in the governor’s office, bold and determined-looking fellows, every one, That they were awaiting the coming of some one wasevident. Conversation had flagged, and the governor was busy with his papers, Presently the door opened and a sixth person- e entered, The new-comer was a man of medium height, THE IRISHMAN TURNED BACK THE LEFT LAPEL OF HIS SMUTTY VEST AND DISPLAYED— strong of limb and broad of shoulder, with a de- AGAIN THE DIAMOND DICE!
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2 termined face and keen, arresting eyes, 1: of age he looked to be not over thirty. ‘* Ab, you are here, Bristol!” the gov greetec, He rose and offered bis hand cordially, the new-comer taking it in a hearty and frier lly grasp. ** As you see, sir,” was the immediate response. ‘Is there some further service I can render yout I came as soon as your messenger found me,” * Wirst of all let me thank you for the ser- vices you bave rendered,” the governor rejoined, “This is my first opportunity to doso— Very well, I will waive that. Yes, you are wanted again.” ‘© W hat is it this time?” Their bands bad now parted, and the governor stepped back. ‘Let me introduce you to these gentlemen,” he now said. ‘Gentlemen, this is Mr, Richard Bristol, or Deadwood Dick, Junior, the man you are io search of, Mr. Bristol, Mr, Mansing Ma- son, of the United States Secret Service, and four assistants,” Deadwood int if not indeed packed away inside the various pieces, a | | | ; | | | | | Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. It was a clever scheme, but it was over- done. ** Well, we stuck to the trail, and the result has been that we have tracked the machinery to a new camp out here in the wilds, a place called Death’s-head Camp, and we have reason to be- lieve the gold is there. Their game is to lie low untii the case has grown cold, when they will probably ship the stuff away as the product of the mine, and so reap their reward, We want to nip that game in the bud, and we must; but, it will be a dangerous undertaking, and we risk our lives in engaging in it. There you have it, and now what do you say? Will you take the matter in hand and act as our captain, and so the better insure our success? I know you are jist the man for the post, and I hope you will né; refuse,” *)Jeadwood Dick had listened attentively. ‘*You seem to have a plain case,” he com- mented, ‘* You have not said, however, who this robber is, or is supposed to be,” ‘Ma! that is true, He is a man whose face ha¥4hver been seen, which renders the work the “Glad to meet you, Mr, Mason!” Dick greet- ) more difficult, He has been called the New ed, offering his hand, to me by reputation,” * This is a proud moment for me, Mr. Bristol, I assure you,” was the bearty response. ‘* Your name stands second to none, at Headquarters, and I have long desired to know you,” They shook bands warmly. ‘*What the case is, Mr. Mason will now in- form you,” spoke the governor, ‘“ That itis an important one I need not assure you. Mr. Mason came to me inquiring for you, and I sent for you at once, well knowing. that nothing would please you better than to take part in the matter.” Detective Mason introduced his assistants, and when all had taken seats he said: ‘* Yes, the case I have on hand is a highly im- rtant one, Mr. Bristol, and as the trail has ed us to this wild land I desire you to take the leadership and thus insure our success.” “T hardly know about that,” Dick made answer. ‘If anything, my reputation is second to yours, Mr, Mason, and—” ‘*Not so, sir, Moreover, you are at home here in these mountain fastnessess, where we are almost wholly unacquainted, and there is no manin the country so well qualified for the undertaking as you,” ‘* Well, give me an jdea what the case is,” ‘Tt issoon done. Some weeks ago the mint at New Orleans made a big shipment of gold, secretly, by a special train, It was thought that not a soul knew anything about it outside of those immediately concerned., That, how- ever, was a mistake, as the sequel proved, “The train was held up at a wild place not a reat distance from St. Louis, and plundered, t was done in the night, and before daylight the gold bad been transferred to some craft on the Mississippi, and there the trail was lost. It was kept secret, and not a word of it bas the press ever got hold of. I was put on the case, and have been on it since, ‘¢ My first work was to get a list, as nearly as possible, of every craft that was afloat on that portion of the river at the time. Not an easy task, but I accomplished it more or less thorough- ly, and in a short time, I had every one of these boats examined and searched, but without result so far as finding the gold was concerned, it did, however, lead to something else. We found one craft that had set out from St. Louis two days after the robbery—loaded with mining machiuery. ‘*This machinery, we ascertained, was des-: tined for some place out in this country, and there. was one suspicious thing about it—perbaps two: it kad been paid for in gold, new coin of the New Orleans Mint, and the machinery had been sent by water instead of by rail, by which move there did not appear to be anything to be gained, That, however, was explained by the statement that additional machinery was to be ‘taken aboard at a point further down the river, and all was to be sent by rail as one consignment from that point, “ia “This was not satisfactory, to my mind, and we set out to overhaul that boat, but we were led on a false scent, The boat bad gone up the river instead of down, and by the time we dis- covered where it had landed and unloaded, ae time had elapsed for the machinery to be almost if not quite to its destination here, This worked good in one way, however, for it made us sure,that our suspicion was correct. We were convinced the five millions in gcld bad been aboard that craft, and it is reasonable to helieve that it was shipped with the machinery, | ss esses ‘* You are not a stranger Jesse£ What his true name is, no one knows,” ‘* Bu, you have a description of the man who managed the shipment of the machinery you spoke about, of course?” “That is another point. I did not half tell the story, I see. The person who manged that was a woman, strange as it may seem, no doubt an accomplice, and she bas mysteriously dropped out of the case,” ‘* Have you been to Death’s-Head?” “No; wethought it better not to be seen there twice.” * A good plan, that. Well, if you are deter- mined to have me, I will help you the little I can, **Good! Success is ours now, boys, sure!” “Don’t be too sure of it,” Dick enjoined. ‘“*We may get the worst of it” - ‘You have never yet knéWn defeat, Dead- wood Dick.” _ % **Oh, yes, I-have!” ‘*Not final defeat,” corrected the governor, ** And, you will not meet it heres either, He is just the man you want, Mr. Ma‘on. Hang on to him, now that you have got his’ promise,” ** As I intend to do, sir.” ‘* Well, I take it you have told me all you can about the matter,” Dick now obsetved. ‘Yes, that is about all,” Mason responded. “The Government is out a cool five millions, but we think we know where to look for it now, There is danger ahead, bowever, f° this New Jesse is a desperate character, and ' need not tell you that we must look for a despe ite strug- gle, with such a sum at stake.” “That is to be expected,” Dick coolly an- swered. ‘‘I would not give a fig for otir profes- ‘air were it not for the spice of danger there is n it, ’ * Nor I, But, you have bad more than your share of the spice, as you call it, seems to'me,” ; $s My food has been well seasoned, “iat is rue, ‘* Well, when can you take hold?” ** At once,” was Dick’s answer to that, ‘I bave ceen a considerable time away from home, and my wife must be getting anxious about,me, but she knows well my character and that it is next to impossible for me to resist temptation in a matter of this sort; so she will understand, I will write to her before we set out,” ) _ “*T would say go and see her first,” supple- mented Mason, ‘* but the governor tells me your place is a considerable distance away, and wa are in a fever to be doing something, She will prize you all the more when you finally do re- turn to her.” The squad of thoroughbred detectives soon took leave to arrange the programme of their campaign, with Deadwood Dick their acknowl- edged captain. CHAPTER IL. | THE DIAMOND DICE DISPLAYED, HIGH, rugged and precipitous rose the time- seared cliffs and peaks, deep dismal and seem- ingly fathomless sunk the gulfs and gorges, The picture needs no further delineation; it portrays perfectly that wild portion of Arizona of which we write, Along one of the deep, narrow defiles, where even at noontide it was semi-darkness, rode s lone horseman, : He was a manof middle age, judging by his appearance in that uncertain light, and the al he bestrode was a gaunt, ungainly creature made up chiefly of hide and bones. The man rodein a lazy, listless fashion, his arms hanging and the | ein slack in his hand, He was clad in black—seedy, shiny black, and an old high bat adorned his head, His coat was of the frock variety, extra long in the tails; his trowsers were short, exposing several inches of the legs of a pair of *‘stogy” boots; and his sbirt was the common red such as miners wear, His hair, straight and sandy, hung some inches below his hat all around, a brush of whiskers graced his chin, and his nose supported spectacles of the old-fashioned bowed variety, With a single notable exception, he wore no jewelry or ornament. On the front of his red shirt, the more conspicuous for being so strange- ly out of place, was a diamond pin which sparkled even in that dim light, It consisted of six stones set toform a figure like the six spots on a dice, thus: x * x * x * This strange personage seemed to be paying no attention to his surroundings. and but little to his course until, preseutly, coming to ja place where the defile branched in two directions, he promptly drew rein, ** Whoa, January!” he cried to his bony steed, ‘Here is where we stop to consider which way is right before we goahead. That is prudence, and the pru lent man taketh care unto bis ways, But, here is a sign; this may guide us aright and save us all worry and trouble in the mat- ter. A sign there was, true enough, At the sharp point of rock where the defile divided had been planted a post, and on that post were two guide-boards, pointing different ways, like this: * deH shteD ot yaw sihT” “‘ This rode to ——— |” It was an art study. The sign on the right was plain enough, but the one pointing to the left required some thought, Whoever the authér of the idea, he had evidently been determined that no one should be led astray, and hence the arrangip of the letters in the direction it was intende the traveler should go. The defile on the right was narrow and dark, with a sharp descent, and was anything but in- viting. Tue other, the main thoroughfare, as it were, here seemed to broaden, and it took a slightly up- ward tendency from this point. For some moments’ the lone traveler on the bony steed studied the situation; then he re- marked, adressing the horse, as appeared to be his habit: ‘*As we don’t want to ‘rode’ to Dash, old horse, I guess we bad better keep to the left. It is better to be going up than to be going down, I make it out that this is the way to Death’s- head Camp, and that is our destination. G long!” Tie poor apology for a horse set itself in mo- tion once more, and the lone traveler went on his way as listless as ever. Gradually the defile led upward, until at last it came ont into a broad canyon where the light was stronger. Here was a well-worn trail, showing that teams and wagons were not unknown in that quarter, The lone traveler rode on, keeping the one gait, until be came toa point where a man was seated on a bowlder by the wayside. There he drew rein, with the same word of command to his bony steed: ‘* Whoa, January!” The man on the bowlder was a typical Dutch- man in typical Dutch attire, and at his feet la a _ that bespoke bis calling. He wasa pate pe er, “How d’e do!” the man on the rack-bones greated, ‘*Ver’ goot, mine fr’ent,” was the response. ‘Could I soldt you somedings mit mine pack out to-day?” “No, [ guess not, unless you have a gilt-edge biled shirt. I might be able to dicker with you for that, perhaps.” The Dutchman held up beth hands in borror, ‘*Mine Gott!” he cried, “ You t’ink I vant to be der wert of a neck-die barty? If Idry to beddle b’ilt shirts mit a mining-gamp in, diy vould hang me oop so gwick id vould make mine headt swim, you pet!” ‘© What do you peddle” **Oh, yust common dings; red an’ blue shirts,
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ant socks, unt bullets, unt dings like dot. But me biilt shirts,” ** And where are you going?” “T peen going to Deathbed Camp—” “‘Guess you mean Death’s-head Camp, don’t you?” ‘* Vell, id vas all der same, anyhow. Say, dot is a poody nice pin you vear, I got one | trade you mit dot.” As the man spoke he drew aside the lapel of his | coat and displayed.a diamond pin with tones about the size of those worn by the man on the bony horse. There were but thrree, however, set in a row from left to right, thus: * * “T don’t think we can trade,” the horseman declared. ‘‘ Yours is pretty nice, but there are only three to my six. By the way, what’s your name?” ‘*My name by der vay? My name by der vay is yust der same as it is in any Oder blaces; Hans Yager. Now, v’at is your own name, maybe?” “My name, sir?’ and the man in seedy black drew himself proudly up and laid his hand on his breast, ‘‘ My name is Eurastus Bungle, and Tam a Jawyer. I am going to this camp of Death’s-Head to hang out my shingle. I must bid you good-day, sir.” With a bow, then, the horseman went on, viding in the same lazy manner as before. _ Nota great distance further had he proceeded when he overtook another peculiar personage. This time it was a young Irishman, wearing a sheet-iron bigh hat and carrying a tinker’s kit and furnace. - “Good afternoon, friend,” Mr, Bungle greeted as he came up, and the wayfarer stopped. Dhe same to you, sor, whoever ye may be,” the tinker greeted. ‘* And where are you going?” ‘¢ Sure, it is fur Dead Head Oiam bound, or phwatever it is dhey call dhe same, But, be- orra, Oi do belave me legs will play out before ‘Oi get dbere.” “And I am in no position to ask you to ride.” ‘* Begob, an’ ye got down from dhat bunch av bones ye would be, fur dhen Oi could take your place.” ** What is your name?” ‘‘ Mickey McGee, your honor.” ‘* Well, Mickey, what would you give me for the horse?” ** Bad luck to me, sor, av he was up fur foive dollars Oi couldn’t buy his tail, no more Oi could. Oi have somet’ing Oi might trade wid ye fur him, dhougb.” ** Aud what is that?” For answer, the Irishman turned back the Jeft lapel of his smutty vest and displayed— again the Diamond Dice! ‘It contained four stones, about the size of those in the lawyer’s pin, and they were set separately to form a square, in this manner: 2 “Oi see ye wear dimings yersel’,” he said, “and it’s maybe we can strike up a swap. Phwat do ye say?” The lawyer smiled, “ T could not think of it,” he responded. ‘I could not part with my noble Arabian charger at any price, It is beneath my station to walk, and were I to accept your offer I should soon be offering a kingdom for a horse,” * Sure, it’s but a short span ye are from bein’ afoot as it is,” * Bling not your aspersions at my steed, sir. This noble beast has worn itself threadbare in my service, *** Tn youth he carried me, And I'l protect him now;’ m2 words to that effect, to. quote the poet, sir; thrusts in his sickle and severs the silver cord that binds—” ‘*Begorra, but Oi t?ought ye wur goin’ to say ye would carry him ; bless me soul av Oi didn’t!” Lifting his nose high in the air, as though in- sult had been added to injury, the lawyer rode on without another word, leaving the young Trishman looking after him and laughing to himself, Some distance further, and yet another char- acter was overtaken. . In oe apes the ult Daan was a gentie- man of color, rather smartly clad, carrying two sizable grips, . ‘ — Deadwood No, . January and I can never part till Deatin . He stopped as the horseman came up, and put- ting down his grips, proceeded to wipe the per- | spiration from his dusky brow with a ban- danna. He was a rather good-looking darky, genteel in appearance, and on the front of bis * b’iled” shirt bosom sparkled a singie diamond similar in size to those in Mr. Bungle’s pin, Truly, diamonds seemed to be trumps on this day. And, wasit acoincidence? Having liken- ed the others to the spot on a die, this one would certainly fill the place of the ace, representing as it did a single spot: , k “Hello!” greeted the lawyer. ‘‘ Whither bound, my sable friend?” ‘“*f's gwine ter Head o’ Death, sah, if I eb¢r getsdar. Seems ter me et’s aright smart ways, sure nuff.” ‘“‘Tam beginning to think the same myself, well-mounted as 1 am. What is your name? and what are you going todo at Death’s-head Camp? You did not have the name «.'te right,” “My nameis Pompey Sunflower, sah, a I’m a barber, I’m strikin’ out fo’ myself,j;an’ I ’spect to open a shop dar at—at— Whay you said.” ‘* Glad to hear that, Pompey ; I will certainly patronize you. <A barber is a luxury not always to be found in these wild camps, Well, I must hasten on, for the day is no longer young.” The darky responded, and they parted com- ny. Before the lawyer had covered another mile he overtook still another man oo foot, and this one was the chiefest chieftain of*them all, to judge of him at first blusb. . That be was a bummer was patent at sight. He was greasy, dirty, and ragged, and shuffled along as though tow lazy or too tired to lift his feet clear from the ground when he stepped. His flimsy hat vy 4s pulled low over his eyes, and his bands were in his pocket half-way to his eblows. As the lawver:came abreast with him he look- ed up, showing,a face that was covered with a stubby growth. beard,” ‘* Mister,” he said, ‘* stop a minnit, will ye?” ‘* Whoa, January!” cried Mr, Bungle, drawing rein, ‘‘ What’s wanted, my poor fellow?” ‘* You hev hif et right, mister; ’'m at present ther poorest feller ye ever seen in yer life, What want now, wuss’n anything else, is a drink, Hev ye got anything drinkable about ye?” “Sorry, ,,ut I haven’ta thing, Did you not see that spr ng a little distance back?” ‘* Water,, Would you have me commit sui- cide?” “Ah! Isee. way of: liquor.” ‘*Yes,, yes. I can’t pay ye, but here’s some- thin’ I’d give fer one taste of ther real thing,” As he,spoke he turned back the front lap of his woolen shirt and displayed a pin containing two sm!l diamonds set like this: ok k Again the lawyer smiled, as be had done when talking with the tinker. “*T will not question where you got such a thing? as that, sir,” he said, ‘t but I am obliged to dash your hopes hy telling you I have no liquor about me,” ‘Lhe bummer groaned. “SW hat is your name?” asked Bungle, then, "My name is Kennaka Kolt,” was the an- swer, ‘J am bound fer Death’s-head Camp, if I can hold, out to get there.” **And what are you going there for?” ** To get a drink,” | A few remarks more were exchanged, when the lawyer urged his steed forward again, leav- ing the bummer behind, He overtook no further travelers, but was ere long overtaken himself by a man on a spirited horse, a good-looking, well-dressed fellow, who had the appearance of being a sport. He drew rein as he came up with the lawyer, and Mr. Bungle taking a quick survey of him noted on his spotless shirt front a diamond pin in form like this: You mean something in the » . * * CHAPTER III, DEATH’S-HEAD CAMP, As Bungle looked at the pin worn by the stranger, the latter in turn looked at the one Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 3 dis, ..yed on the lawyer’s red shirt, and their eyer,.jseoting immediately after, both smiled, ‘swear I would not have known you, Bris- tol,” the sport declared, “ The same can’t be said of you, Mason,” was tlfe response, ‘* But, then, you did not set out tyslisguise yourself,” t\No; being a stranger here, it was not neces- sory. But, what did you think of the men? How did Coke, as the Dutch peddler, strike you? And Hardy, as the tinker?” ‘“‘Rxcellent, both of them,” Dick declared. “They are no better, though, than Martin as the bummer and Cooley asa barber, You said they were good at disguises, and I have seen proof of it.’ ‘‘ Well, what’s your name and business?” “Tam to be known as Eurastus Bungle, and ma lawyer. Dll hang out my shingle when I get to the camp.” ‘And my name you know, of course, s'nce my role was outlined before we parted company, I go to Death’s-bead Camp asone George White, asport, better known as ‘ White’ George, owing to my square dealing.” ** You are well fixed out for the character, too.” **Tflatter myself that I have done well,” ‘*You have, You bave plenty of money?” ** A load of it, thanks to you.” ‘*Spend it liberally. I bave a further supply for you if you run short, It is a cheap article with me, you know.” **] have beard that you are a millionaire,” “Yes, solam. I say it not boastfully; mere- ly as a matter of fact. When you come to know me you will fiud that Iam not given to bragging and boasting. My wealth is nothing to me, fur- ther than I can make use of it in my work, I am the same Teadwood Dick I was when I was oor. : “That is well known, sir. Well, is there any- thing further to be arranged before we part?” ‘*T guess not. We understand the plans as well as we can, since we shall have to be guided mainly by circumstances as we find them at the camp.” . * Yes, The diamond dice will beourcue, As often as we find it necessary to change our dis- guises, the display of the pin will reveal our identity to the otbers, and all will understand.” “That is the plan, I take it the distance is about ten miles further. You goon and I will arrive in due time, The others will straggle in one by one, The set of signals agreed upon will enable me to direct your movements. But, par- don me; I forget that I am talking to a vete- ran. ‘No matter; you are in commaud, Well, good-day, Mr, Bungle,” ‘*Good-day, Mr. White, We part to meet as strangers, as the summer girl says to her latest at the close of the season.” Both laughed, and the sport touched bis horse, and in a few minutes was carried out of sight, while the lawyer plodded on at an easy cauter, seemingly in po particular baste, The Cool Half-Dozen were, on their way to the scene of their dangerous undertaking. Death’s-head Camp was a hard place, It harbored a bard crowd, and among its citizens were some of the roughest of the rough and toughest of the tough, Yet there were, witbal, some gocd and worthy persons there, as is the case in almost every place, The good and the bad mingled together, as perforce they had to, but the bad were in the majority. Death’s-Head was a comparatively new camp, It had been established some time as a diggings, but of late it bad taken on a boom, There was a new mine in active operation, one that bad recently been fitted out with the best machinery that could be obtained, and which was said to be paying big returns. This mine was called the Sink Hole, and it was managed by one Milton Armstrong, a part owner iu the concern, The leading hotel at Death’s-head Camp was the ‘ Skull-and-X-bones,” of which one “ Pro- fessor ” Hinckman was proprietor. The professor was a man of learning, or had been, but one who had lent his talents to the wrong ends. He was past middle age now, and was commonly called ‘* Old Hink,” And the chief saloon—What would be, your mining-camp without that monument to ad- vanced civilization?—was called the ‘* Sarcopha- us,” a name that had been bestowed upon it by he professor mentioned, who evidently had a grain of grim humor in his capers 6 The citizens had confidence in the professor, and the name was taken up and ..&
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& Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, fixture at once, whether it was understood or not. Old Hink knew what it meant, if nobody else did, and that was enough. Anyhow, it was a name in keeping with the name of the camp itself, and that was one that everybody could understand. It wasa forbidding name, truly, but it had come to the camp in this wise: When the place was discovered, there was a stake standing in the middle of the gulch at a point which was vow about the center of the camp, and on that stake, relic of some Indian atrocity, perhaps, was a human skull, It was old and weather-worn when found, the stake was about ready to drop, and it was speedi- ly disposed of; but, it bad lasted long enough to suggest a name for the camp, and that name the camp still bore. Work at the camp bad ended for the day, and the day was drawing to a close. On the piazza of the hotel was a group of citi- zens, talking overan event that had been the occasion of much excitement some days before. ‘* Et’s a mystery that I don’t believe will ever be cleared up,” declared one Kent Corrigan, who, by the way, was mayor of the camp. ‘ Buck Banton had an enemy, and that enemy salted him, is my beliéf,” “ Tt looks that way,” agreed Old Hink, ‘ But, it’s strange who that enemy was. No stranger was seen here about that time, and there is no- body among us who can be accused of the deed. { think with you, mayor, that itll never be cleared up. ell, a man can’t die but oncet.” ‘* That’s so; but it’s ruther rough ter be taken off that way. There Buck was found, ye know, right out thar on ther ground, wi’ a hole jabbed into him, and his bleed spilt all around, and that was all, Ther weepin was gone, and no galoot in ther hull camp was ter be found who had a drop o’ bleed on him, And thar ther case stands, a big job fer some detective ter sift.” “Of which the camp can’t boast one,” put in Milt Armstrong, the mine-manager, ‘* Right you ar’, boss; unless this hyer is one marie this way now. He is bran’ new, whatever e is, : As the mayor spoke he jerked his thumb in the direction of up the gulch, and the others an that way, saw a horseman riding toward em, ; ** He’s a sport, I bet,” ventured the landlord. ‘*An’ he may be what I hinted, too,” the mayor urged. ‘““Maybe you ar’right, Et will be easy to settle that question when he gets hyer.” No more was said till the stranger drew up. He was a fine-looking man, with keen, cool eyes, and on his bosom sparkled a diamond pin containing five gems. * Well, I’m glad I’m here, citizens,” the new- comer cried, as he slipped out of the saddle, ‘I suppose I can get grub and lodging here, eh?” * See hyer, fu’st,” spoke up the mayor. ‘ Ar’ you a detective?” The stranger looked at the mayor keenly for a second before replying, but his face changed not its expression one iota, ** Well, that’s a blunt question but a fair one, T take it; Pll give you a fair answer: Lama detective, in one respect at any rate.” ‘*Hal what did I tell ye?” cried the mayor, looking at the others. ‘ Didn’t I make a close ¢ ‘It seems you did,” agreed the mine-mana- ger. ‘‘The gentleman says he is a detective in only one respect, however. He may not answer the purpose.” “ Wull, what kind of a detective ar’ you, then, stranger?” . “Tam a pretty good hand at detecting cheat- ing at cards,” was the suite reply. “ Tam something of an expert in that line.” Every one but the mayor laughed, at that, “Tt does not appear that he will fill the bill, mayor,” declared the mine-manager, triumpb- i ““No, not ef that is as fur as his detective "bility goes,” the mayor had to admit. ‘And that is I have any desire to lay claim to,” the stranger assured, ‘‘ What manner of detective are you on the lookout for? If you will permit me to ask the question.” “Why, Vil tell ye: Ye see, a murder was done here a week or so ago, and et ain’t been. sifted out yet. We was jest talkin’ et over, an’ wishin’ we had a detective hyer, when we seen you a-comin’, an’ I made ter guess that mebby you might be one,” ‘* Well, ’'m sorry your guess wasn’t nearer the truth, friends, for I would like to be of ser- vice to you if I could.” ! ‘¢ What is yer callin’, then, ef we might ask?” ‘** Well, I am a sport. pasteboards deftly, for pleasure.” ‘*A gambler, then,” suggested the mine-man- ager, bluntly. ‘** Vulgarly so called, sir,” The stranger was standing on the steps of the piazza, with the rein in his hand, and his first query bad not yet been answered, ‘Which of you gentlemen is landlord here?” he now inquired, ‘*T am, sir,” answered Old Hink. ‘* Can you give me the accommodation I seek?” ‘Yes, I reckon I can, sir. Dan, take the gent’s horse,” This last to a lackey who was near; and, re- lieved of bis animal, the sport passed up the I handle the magic profit as well as steps. ey understand you have something of a boom- ing town,” he remarked, as he stopped on the iazza and looked around, ‘If there is game ere, I may stay awhile,” ** You will find us game, clear to the gizzard,” boasted the mayor. ‘If you have anything to put up you ar’ welcome ter stay. What is your name? ef et ain’t goin’ ahead o’ p’liteness to ask that. ‘*My name, sir, is George White, though I am better known as ‘White’ George, owing to my fixed rule of fair and square dealing with all men, I am a friend to friends, and a foe to foes; a good fellow to tie to, but a tough snag to run up against, as those who know me best can testify.” Having so delivered himself, the sport entered the hotel to register. CHAPTER IV. NOTES SOME ARRIVALS. Ir was true that Death’s-Head bad a mystery; that a murder had been done that had not as yet been traced home to any one, The victim of the crime, as has been shown, was one Buck Banton, He wasa comparative new-comer in the camp, but a fellow who ina short time had come to be pretty well liked. One morning he was found dead on the camp's Plaza, having been stabbed with a huge bowie by some oue. He had received but one blow, but that had been effective, and the weapon was not found, thus putting the idea of suicide out of the question. The camp’s citizens took the matter in hand, to try ani find out the murderer, but without success, No suspicion fell anywhere, and no clue was to be found. Hence, a mystery. Banton’s most intimate friends, those with whom he had come to the camp, had offered a reward for the discovery of his murderer, and that reward was still in force, but nothing had come of it, and now the case had grown slightly old and cold. These mentioned friends of the murdered man were one Bob Keeler and one Ike Hokley, both gook fellows, and both in the employ of the Sink Hole Mine, the former as superintendent, though he had not held the office a great while, They were well liked, and made themselves boys with the ‘* boys.” Just after the sport had entered the hotel with Old Hink, these two came along and sapped. ‘* ‘Who was that dude, mayor?” asked Keeler, ‘*He’s a sport, and says his name is George White, called White George, for short.” * Card sharp?” ‘* That is about it, I reckon.” ‘¢ Where does he hail from?” inquired Hokley, ‘*Wull, now, I give et up, You'll have to ask him. I thought at first he might be a detec- tive, and could give you some help in findin’ out who killed your pard Banton.” ** Ha! is he one?” “No. Says cheatin’ at kyards is about all he could detect.” ““Too bad a professional couldn’t light down here, for Buck ought to be avenged somehow,” - But, I reckon it wouldn’t be any use,” said Hokley. ‘‘There isn’t any clue, and a de- tective couldn’t do much with the case without ‘*T opine that’s so, I’m afraid it will allus be a mystery, as 1 was sayin’ to O'd Hink and Mr. Armstrong byer when the sport kem along. mo hyer, boys, an’ you’)! see him,” 6 two men sat down, and presently the sport ‘one,” rs i eas out to the piazza, baving registered. ‘*Speakin’ ’bout that ’ar murder,” said the mayor, ‘‘ these hyar boys ar’ ther ones who was best friends to ther r cuss, an’ they bave offered a reward, chance to make a start, pard.” “It would be useless for me to undertake such a piece of work,” Mr. White declared, ‘I hardly know whether to take it as an bonor or not, that I have been taken to be a detective. Quite a joke, anybow.” ‘* Et would be a greater one ef a real detective wouid come along and onwind ther mystery.” “Say,” said the sport, thoughtfully, ‘* here is an idea, though it may not amount to anything: There is a lawyer on his way here, and as a lawyer is about the next thing to a detective, he may answer your purpose,” ‘* A lawyer?” “Yes; fellow named Snarl, or Tangle, or something like that. I overtook him on the road. He is mounted on the greacest rack of bones you ever saw. He told me his name, and said he was coming here to hang out a shingle. He may be just the man you are Jooking for— but, 1 doubt it.” .: t- Why do ye doubt et, sonce ye hey mentioved im? ‘* Well, I don’t believe he knows enough to make a detective. I set him down for a poor shyster. Still, I thought of him, and mentioned him to you.” ‘“ We'll see what he looks like when he gets here,” remarked Keeler. ‘‘ A poor dog is better than none, and he may be smarter than he looks,” ‘* He won’t have to be very smart to fill that condition,” declared the sport, laughiag. The landlord presently announced supper ready, and, with others, the sport went in, When they next made their appearance on the piazza it was growing dark, The group there had increased its member- ship, and, as it was about time for the stage to arrive, the street was filled. Just as the sport and the others appeared, a horseman was espied coming down the gulch, and at sight of him the sport declared it to be the lawyer he had mentioned, The horseman came on at an easy gait, and when bis bony steed rattled up to the hotel he sung out: ‘© Whoa, January!” And be drew rein “in a manner to give the impression that he was mounted upon a fiery charger. “Don’t pull too hard, stranger,” warned the mayor of the pars ‘““Ye might pull some of ther bones out o’ place. Don’t dislercate his neck.” ““Speak not slightingly of this noble beast, good sir!’ the lawyer admonished, ‘‘ He has beer my companion almost from boyhood, and I cannot tamely stand by and hear him as- persed.” ‘ ‘He looks as ef he might ’a’ been a kitten when yer granddad wasa boy. Why do ye call him January?” ‘* Because that is bis name, sir.” * Wull, say, ar’ you a detective?” ** Am I a—a—a—what, sir?” ** Detective; feller what noses around and finds: out secrets?” “ A spy? Dol look a spy? Does my appear- ance bespeak a contemptible sneak? em- phaticaily declare that Iam no spy, but a lawyer, sir; a lawyer!” and he laid his hand on his breast impressively. Oh! ye needn’t git r’iled over et,” the mayor said soothingly; ‘‘1 didn’t intend et fer no in- sult to ye; detectives is better’n lawyers, any day, I take et. You orter feel proud of ther mistake.” ‘*But, I do not, Tell me, though, why did = ask me such a question as that? I am at 08s. ‘Wal, we want a detective byer, that’s all,” ‘* Why, has some citizen been going contrary to lawful ways? If so, the sooner I get out my shingle the better, perhaps. If it is anything with which the law has to do, gentlemen, I am right at bome,” ‘Wal, ther law would like ter do with et, I reckon,” assured the mayor, ‘“*Then let me have the facts, I beg, I will weigh them, and if legal advice is wanted, you will find my rates as reasonable as the nature of the advice will admit of. Let us have the points, by all means. This is luck, to find a case awaiting me upon— “Oh, et ain’t law p’ints we want, ner yet any advice, uther,” declared the mayor. ‘ You show us ther murderer, an’ we'll do ther rest,” ‘* Murderer! Did you say murderer?” “That's what I did,” ‘*Ha! better than ever. By your leave, I will play thepart of attorney for the State, It will be my business to find out and Pee the base culprit as he justly deserves. d I wilt do it, if I bave to expend the midnight oi] in the interest of the case.”
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* You mean to say you will hunt down the rascal who killed Buck Banton?” -‘*T will, if the power in me lies, and I believe it does, Give me the case, as a lawyer—not asa detective, and asa lawyer I willtwine a wreath of laurels for my brow. What say you?” ‘* Take et, an’ welcome,” ** And, sir,” spoke up Bob Keeler, ‘‘ if you are successful there is a reward of five hundred dol- lars awaiting you.” ‘‘Tam your man!” cried the lawyer, rubbing his hands briskly. ‘‘Give me the facts of the case, even before I dismount, and I will begin my task with this hour.” . Briefly but pointedly the mayor laid the case before him, ‘ se em he had done the lawyer scratched his ead. “You—you tell me,” he said, ‘‘ there is no— no—what a detective would call a clue?” “Not a ghost of a one,” **And—and the cruel knife has not been found?” ‘It has not,” assured Keeler, affair is a deep mystery.” *‘ Verily, I believe you are right. Neverthe- arf i bave said I would take it, and take it I will, * And good luck to ye,” cried the mayor. ** W bat’s yer handle?” ‘*My name, sir, is Eurastus Bungle. My name and my profession bave nothing in common, however,” **- You don’t look like no common slouch, that’s so,” the mayor observed. ‘*Give me a chance, is all I ask,” rejoined Mr. Bungle, ‘‘I have taken up this case in the name of the State. I will solve the riddJeor—orI will ingloriously give it up.” r. Bungle then inquired about board, and while he was being cared for the stage arrived. There was the nsual complement of passengers, but only one in whom we have more than pass- ing. interest, his one was a woman, rather sportishly dress- ed, and wearing a short vail that answered well the purpose of a half mask, She was well formed, graceful in carriage, and, it was naturally conclotat pretty, thouzh it conld be seen that she was very dark, She alighted without any help, and after one quick look around, as though to get her bearings, ares briskly forward and mounted the hotel steps. Naturally, every eye followed her, and when she had disappeared the driver remarked: “*She’s a beauty, you can bet! Thar’s a chance fer you sports,” ** Who is she?” ‘*Give et up; you'll have ter see what she puts down on ther book, But, pards of Death’s-head ‘Camp, thar’s a hull b’ildin’ o’ galoots comin’ hyer afoot. I passed’em on ther road, »Thar’s a nig, a bum, a tinker an’ a peddier that I know of, an’ mebby more fer all [ kin say. Your boom hyer is drawin’, sure pop,” CHAPTER V. _A NOVEL PROPOSAL, Nor pausing to note further what idle re- marks were exchanged between the driver and the crowd, let us follow the fair stranger. She had entered the bar-room of the hotel with a business air, showing that she was no *‘tenderfoot,” but well able to take care of Number One. Her manner was easy and confi- dent, , Mr. Bungle, the lawyer, was just in the act of registering as she stepped up to the desk, ‘Can 1 obtain board and a good room here, “The whole sir?” she asked of the landlord, ‘“*T guess ye can, lady,” was the response, “fT hava one room that will just suit you, I think.”! ‘“Very well, I want to stop here for a few days, and I will try it. I will register as soon as this gentleman has done.” The lawyer bad just finished, and he looked up. “Ha! pardon me,” be cried, stepping nimbly ‘back out of the way. ‘‘ Had I known I was de- taining a lady I would have made more haste,” He doffed his hat and made a profound bow, ** Do not mention it, sir,” was the return, as the young woman took up the pen. “I am ever willing to take even chances when I travel alone, No occasion for an apology, Fi*.” “It is exceeding gracious of you to say so,” rejoinea the lawyer, ‘but you must allow me to hold my own opinion,” To that the woman made no return. She registered, with a bold, easy stroke, and Jaying down the pen, said; . ‘There is the best I can do for you, Mr. Landlord. Now, if you will show me to my room I will prepare for something to eat,” “Certainly, lady,” said the obliging pro- fes or. ‘* You bave only to command and your lightest wish shall be gratified, if possible.” Calling a man to take his place for a moment, the landlord led the way and the fair stranger followed him out of the room, It was then that the lawyer stepped promptly forward to learn what name the young woman had registered under, There it was, bold and plain: ““ FEARLESS FAN, OF ’F'RISCO,” Mayor Corrigan, Bob Keeler, Ike Hokley, Manager Armstrong and others, bad entered the bar-room by this time, led by curiosity to learn more about the fair stranger. ‘* Who is she?” asked Keeler. This man, by the way, was something of a sport. ‘* She styles herself Fearless Fan, sir,” inform- ed Lawyer Bungle. ‘* Fearless Fan? ives?” *¢That’s all sir.” ‘* And she’s from ’Frisco, eh?” now looking on and reading for himself, ‘*She’s a plump little beauty, that I’m sure of,” ventured Armstrong. ‘' Wish that con- founded vail had been out of the way.” ** Are you inclined, to offer her the position of mamma-in-law to your charming daughter, Mr. Armstrong?” asked Hokley. ‘‘T am inclined to make her acquaintance, at any rate, if I can,” was the reply. ‘Which would be the first step, naturally.” ** As it would probably be the last,” here put in Keeler. ‘‘ You are too old to stand any chance, Mr. Armstrong. Better leave it to younger bloods like myself.” ‘‘An’ you would probably get left, too,” remarked the mayor, ‘* Why so?” ‘Why, this new sport, White George, kin dis- count you fer looks and dress, and them’s two er wimmen set store by,” ‘* Well, we'll see about that. Maybe not one of us will stand the ghost of a show, for she looks like a woman with a will, and she may give us all the cold shoulder the worst way.” The discussion soon ended, and presently the new arrivals were summoned to supper. While they were thus engaged, and while the others were on the piazza enjoying a quiet evening smoke, another new arrival entered camp. This time it was a personage on foot, a sbuf- fling, ragged figure, who, as he neared the hotel, broke into a run and blundered up the steps and tumbled into the bar-room, crying: ‘¢A drink! A drink! My life depends on a drink!” He hastened to the bar, and pen upon it with one arm, rattled the contents of his pocket with bis free band. He was dirty and travel-worn, and panted heavily as he reclined his weight against the bar, and it looked at first as though he needed the drink to reliave pain of some sort, Hearing the jingle of the fellow’s landlord made haste to set out a glass, Instead of filling it to running over, as was naturally looked for on the part of those present to witnéss the proceeding, the fellow poured out only a moderate ‘‘ dose” and downed that, “Saved! Saved!” ee he cried gratefully, as he rubbed his stom- ach, ** Was ye so near gone?” one man spoke up, ‘**] was all but famished,” was the reply, ‘I am not a heavy drinker, noramI often and early, but when I want it I want it bad,” The landlord was standing to receive his pay, since he gid not run his den of iniquity on chari- table principles, and now the. bummer drew his hand from his pocket and displayed its jingling contents. ’ x There were buttons, nails, an old brass check, a poker chip or two, and other odds and ends, but nothing in the shape of money, These were spread out on the bar, and the hand went down again. Another display of the same was made, but still no money. ‘See here,” cried the landlord, “‘you are a skin! You have no money, and you knowed ye hadn’t, too!” “Don’t jedge me too hastily, parduer,” the bummer entreated. ‘I vow I thought I had a bit somewhar hyer in my load o’ ballast, an’—” “ Tbat wouldn’t buy a drink, anyhow,” grow]l- ed Old Hink, And is that all the name she ket, the ttle and f Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 5 “Not a full drink, I know, but I only took half a one, I leave et to ther crowd ef et ain’t so.” There was a laugh, and the crowd upheld the bummer’s position. ‘* Yes, sir, only balf a drink,” he urged, ‘‘ Ye see, I was goin’ accordin’ to ther ’mount 0’ capital I bad, and no more.” ‘‘ Well, where is the capital, then?” ‘*T have lost it, sure. Landlord, you will have to kill me or trust me, and I leave it with you ter say which ye will do.” ° ‘“‘Pd orter kill ye, b’mighty,” the professor growled, ‘But, if I let ye live, will ye pay me some time?” ‘*] will, I vow I will, As soon as kind For- tune smiles upon me I will discharge the debt.” “ All right, keep your miserable life, then, but beware how you tempt me. Do not try an- other trick of this kind on with me, that is all,” ‘Sir, on my word of bonor, it was no—” ‘‘ All right, say no more,” ** And you will not trust me further than the bit I owe?” ’ ‘*Not another bit further, My rule here is cash or nothing, and there is no exception.” ‘Too bad, too bad, for you are likely ter lose a payin’ customer, Gentlemen, is thar another irrigatin’ mill in ther camp?” “Yas, ther Surcoffygus, over ther way,” one man informed. ‘‘Thanks, Since Iam debarred here till my debt is paid, I must transfer my custom else- where, Adieu,” And with that and an awkward bow, the bum- mer backed out of the bar-room and was gone, The Sarcophagus Saloon was the leading re- sort of the camp. It was a gaming lace as well as a saloon, and at night was always well filled with the camp’s citizens, And, as this was about the hour when the said citizens began to congregate there, many followed the bummer over to see the fun, for fun was looked for. The proprietor of the Sarcophagus was one Jim-jam Joe, He was a short, thickset fellow, with a bullet head avd fiery-red hair, and was held to be a bad” man, It the bummer entered his place and attempted the same trick he had played on eee re of the Sku!]-and-X-bones, there would be a case for the coroner, it was thought, The bummer entered boldly. ‘*Are you ther p’prietor hyer?” he asked of Jim-jam, $s that’s what I am,” was the brief answer, “My name, sir, is Kennaka Kolt, and I am dead broke, but I am—” ‘* You can’t get anything here,” ‘Not so fast. I want nothing. What did you think?” “That you wanted to hang me up for the price of a pail to your coffin,” ‘Not so, not so, I bave just had an ample supply at the place across the way. I have come here to ask you to lend me a nickel,” ** Well, that’s cool, by Goshen!” * And you won't do it?” ** Not by a big sight!” ** Cold, cruel world,” sighed the bummer, “We don’t run our places on ther charity plan, byer,” Jim-jam informed, ‘*Who is askin’ charity?’ the bummer de- manded, drawing himself proudly up. ‘J cer- tainly am not.” & Then what d’ye call et?” “*T asked fer a loan, that was all.” ‘*Ther same thing.” ‘No, sir; itis pot, Ican give ample security. But, | will suggest another plan to ye,” ** Well?” ** See this.” ; ‘ He displayed the diamond pin with the two stones. : Jim-jam saw it, and his eyes flashed enviously at the sight. *“T see it,” he said. ‘Tl buy it off ye, if ye “ce I are broke an’ want a stake,” ‘No, sir; I decline,” was the refusal, will, however, stake this pin against five dol- lars, and throw the dice with you to see which takes both,” ‘Pll do it!” cried the proprietor of the den, “ Here is the sugar.” The crowd gathered around eagerly, CHAPTER VI. THE BIG SIX ARRIVE, THIS was something new in the way of a wager, and everybody present was eager to see how it would terminate, The regular games had not commenced yet, so everybody was free to give attention to the
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6 matter, and those who knew any:hing about diamonds recognized that the pir’ was worth twenty times the amount put up against it, They argued, from this, that tlie bummer did not really know the value of the “irticle he bad staked. si All looked to see the proprietor win a fine pin with very little effort, for, even if he lost at first, or even half a dozen times, it was believed he could still tempt the fellow on till his object was gained, ** Pll take ther pin off ef you win et,” the bum- mer said. ‘‘ No need ter bother about doin’ et onless ye do,” “That's all right,” Jim-jam consented, ‘If you make a kick you will find that we can take it away from you in less time than you can think,’ ‘* You won’t have todo so, ef ye win et. Now, who first?” ‘* Just as you say.” ** Well, go ahead, then,” Jim-jam Joe took the box, and bis score was a high one. “Guess I'Jl have ter climb ter reach that lace,” the bummer observed, as he took the ox in turn, He threw thesame number of turns, and when he had done he bad one more to bis credit than the proprietor bad to his. ** Not bad fer a beginnin’,” he observed, as he took the five dollars and thrust it into a pocket, ** Pm much ’bliged to ye, I’m sure, sir.” **Hold on,” cried Jim-jam, ‘* We'll try that again, ef ye please. [Til put up ten dollars against the pin this time, and give you the same chance over again,” . Well, it’s only to oblige ye that I do et, ard,’ ‘“*That’s all right. See if you can best this, now,” The man had put up bis money, and now he tossed the wicked cubes once more, This time his score was less than before, and the bummer beat it by just one, as on the other occasion, Now the interest of the crowd was great, and the proprietor was getting warmed upto it. He would have that pin, if be had to pay its price, He insisted, and to oblige him the bummer played on, winning every time with the cer- tainty of fate. And at last he had sixty dollars in his pocket, and still the pin was his, ‘* Say, what will you take for the dasted thing, cash down?” So Jim-jam at last demanded, disgusted with his luck, “Ee ain’t fer sale, pardner,” the bummer made answer, ‘ This hyer pin is my good-luck token, an’ I wouldn’t part with et fer any price. If [ lose et fair, then of course et has ter go; but I'd never sell et.” ‘* But, you bave won all it is worth, and you migbt make a deal,” * Et was your fault, five, and was satisfied with that. the game.” ‘* Well, here, Pll throw ye ten to ten cash, We'll see how that will go.” . ‘*Seein’ that I’m abead, it’s no more’n fair to give ye a show,” the bummer admitted. The money was put up, the dice cast, and the proprietor won, ‘*Hal your luck has changed!” he cried. ** Will vou put the pin up oncet more, ’gainst a twenty?” ‘Well, yes, ef ye insist pon et; but, this must be the last time, IfI lose I’m done, and ther same ef I win.” And with that understanding the throws were made again, The bummer won, and the crowd cheered him wildly, while the proprietor muttered im- precations against his luck, **Do not blame me, sir,” spoke the bummer. “T would bave stopped at first, bot you drew me on. However, you shall have my trade while I am in town, and that will in a measure make up ther Joss,” ** To the deuce with you and your trade!” ** Just as you please. I hold no ill-will. Now I go back to the hotel to pay my honest debt, ut, byer, take this ana treat ther house. Once more I’m flush, and when flush I’m free.” He threw a bill down upon the counter, and while the crowd proceeded to make way with it in liquid form, the bummer recrossed the street to the hotel, ; ‘*Now, sir,” he said to the proprietor, on entering, and he slapped a bill down upon the bar, “Tl settle that ’ar little score wi’ you. Jest take et out of this, ef you please,” Old Hink looked at bim in amazement, I only staked et fer a You. pushed _~eadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. ‘*Can’t ye change et?’ the bummer asked. ‘* T’ve got somethin’ smaller hyer, ef ye can't.” ‘Ob! I can change et,” the landlord declared, **T was only considering where you could bave raised it in so short a time,” ‘““That does not matter, but I'll say that I picked et up across the street, as some of these gents who have followed me over can testify, Take out yer bit, ef ye please,” Mr. Hinckman had to do so, and while the crowd looked on, enjoying the situation, an- other new-comer entered the place, This time it was a colored individual, one wearing a ‘‘ biled” shirt, with a diamond pin, and carrying two good sized grips, It was Pompey Sunflower, the barber. ‘*Good-ebenin’, gents!” he greeted, putting down his bags. ‘* Hello!” cried the mayor. ‘‘ Hyer’s another of ther cusses the driver spoke about.” ** Yes, dat ’ar stage passed me on de road,” the dark y complained, turning upon the speaker, ‘*an’ when I axed him fo’ a lift he told me he wasn’t runnin’ a colored line an’ he wanted to git in ’fo’ dark, 1 tell yo’ I feel injured yet, ober dat,” The crowd laughed, and now all attention was given to the latest arrival, and the bummer was forgotten. The latter had drawn away from the bar, havicrg now received his change, and Lawyer Bungle was whispering to him in a cautious tone. **Good! first rate!” be was saying; ‘‘all but one thing. You must give more care to the dialect you have undertaken. Stick to it every time you speak, It will be strange if it hasn’t vlready been noticed.” The bummer did not turn bis head or reply, and the lawyer immediately passed behind him and took his station where he could see the new attraction, ‘* Yes, sah, I feel’injured yet,” the darky re- peated, ‘“‘ Might ’a’ been in ’fo’ dark m’se’f if he had been a Christian gen’m’n, But, land- lo’d, do yo’ hab a color line heab, too?” ‘I'm full, clear up,” Old Hink promptly de- clared. ‘* Dat settles et, boss, Can’t blame yo’. But, Ihab come heah to open a barber shop, an’ if dar is any place to rent I hab de money to plank right down an’ take ’mediate p’session. Dat’s all I want. Now yo’ talk, somebody.” His want was soon supplied, There was a vacant shanty not a stone’s throw from the hotel, and he secured that. “Tm in prime luck,” be declared, as he was about leaving the hotel to take possession of it, ‘* My nameis Pompey Sunflower, an’ when I open my senatorial parlor to-morrow Ill be ready to shave anyt’)ing dat comes along.” He was immediately voted to bea valuable acquisition to the camp. The darky had barely gone when wild singing ra heard, up the gulch, and all stepped out to isten, ‘*Oh-ho, Oi’m Mickey McGee, So happy and free A wild Irish lad from dhe county Mayo; Oi step whin Oi walk, * Oi spake whin Oi talk, And girls rave about me phwerever Oi go Oh-ho, a tinker am Oi As handy a b’y, As ever ye'd see in a day’s walk around; A yi or & pan, A kettle or can, Oi'll mend so complately dhe spot can’t be found, And there was a good deal more besides, but we have quoted enough for a fair sample of what citizens heard as another new-comer drew near, Presently the Irish tinker came in sight, and he kept up bis singing until be struck the hotel steps, when he stopped, not because his song was done, presumably, but because he had arrived, ‘*‘Begorra!” he cried, as he set down his kit and furnace, ‘but it’s glad Oi am to get here. Av ever Oi did a hard day’s tramp Oi have done it dhis same day, dhe which same is night, now. Oi am _ as hungry as a pig in dhe time av famine. Phwere can Oi get a bite to ate?” “You have struck the rigbt spot, if you have any tin,” one man made answer to his query, . * Dhen it is roight here Oi’ll be after stoppin’. Oi have dhe stuff to pay wid, and whin Oi am out av dhat Oi can take out dbe balance in trade, Who is dhe landlord av dhis shebang?” Old Hink was there to answer for himself. He could provide something to eat, but not . lodging, declaring that he was full, and could take in no more. ‘* Well, begob,” the young Irishman accepted ** since ‘atin’ is dhe main part av me livin’, Ovk ate here and let dhe slape take care ay itself,. Lead dhe way to dhe locker, and begorra av Oi don’t create a famine bere Oi will come mighty near it; dhat Oi state fur a fact.” He entered, and putting his things down in a corner of the room, followed the landlord to the kitchen of the establishment, where he was served. While be was thus engaged the Dutch peddler arrived, ‘Py shimminy!” he cried, as he dropped his pack at the foot of the steps, ‘‘ cot vas a valk! I peen so pooty vigh killed, ain’t id, dot I don’t know v’at vas der matter mit me, maybe. I nefer dake some more dramp like dot pooty soov, I bet you. Is dis blaces der hotel?” ‘* Yas, this byer is ther hotel,” answered the meayor, ‘Say, how many more of you fellers is. comin’?” ‘* How many more?” , “‘That’s what I said.” ‘* Vell, now, I am all here miueself, and dot is: all I know apoudt id. Maybe I don’t know v’at. you vas talking apoudt.” ** No, I guess you don’t, What’s yer name?” “Hans Yager, gentlemans. Maybe I could sold you somedings mit mine pack, ain’t id? Pessness before bleasures, you know,” “No, we hardly think you can,” declared the mine-manager, speaking up. ‘‘ And, if you want anything to eat, you hac better get in there before that wild Irishman makes a clean sweep of the board,” ‘*) vas like a famished volf! der vay.” Yust show me CHAPTER VII. TROUBLE IN THE CAMP, Ir was laughable to the crowd to see the way the peddler made a hasty scramble to get in for bis share of the grub, Ola Hink met him, and as soon as he had made known his wants be was conducted out to the kitchen where the tinker was doing more than justice to the viands that had been spread before bim, The arrivals by the stage, meantime, together with Lawyer Bungle, as shown in his case, had finished their supper, and the lawyer was again. on the piazza, talking with tbe citizens and making furiher inquiries about the murder case he bad taken hold of, The woman, Fearless Fan, had gone to her room, Some time had passed, when, suddenly a great. uproar was heard back in the botel in which were commingled Irish imprecations and Dutch. anathemas, Suddenly the inner door was flung open, and into the bar-room rolled Mickey McGee and. Hans Yager, each clinging to the other with de- termination, and both talked at once, ‘‘ O’ll choke ye, ye gossoon!” cried the tinker. ‘*T vill hunch your plamed headt mit you!” shouted the peddier, ‘Oil ate ye, ye thafe av dhe wurreld!” “a vill bite you like you vas a pulldog, may- ‘Oill tie ye up in a double bow-knot, be- gorra!” “Yas, unt I vil] make some gat-cut fiddle- strings mit you out, ven you vas not vatching out pooty gwick!” And tbey were pulling and hauling and drag- ging each other around at a great rate, the while, In upon them rusbed the proprietor of the hotel, however, backed up immediately by the mayor, and the belligerents were pulled apart, ‘““What’s the matter here?’ demanded Old Hink, ‘‘ What ar’ ye tryin’ ter claw each other fur?” added the mayor. ‘* Begorra, dhat lop-eared son-av-a-gun was afther going fur dhe last bit av m’ate dhere was: on dhe table,” explained the tinker, “ whin Oi wanted it mesel’!” : | ‘* Yaw, yaw, dot vas id,” cried the peddler, “He peen vanting to sad der whole plamed beesness unt let me go bungry; but I vas cop mit his game, you bet, Ven he jerk der meat mit mine mouth out, den I go vor his neck pooty gwick, maybe.” ‘Vis, begob! and purty quick ye was almost: standin’ on dhe top av yer pate, too, av Oi re- member anyt’ing about it, Ye had dhe last av dhe bread, and yet be hivvins ye wasn’t satis- fied but he wanted to ch’ate me out av dhe m’ate as well! Oi havea notion to—” ‘* What is this?” suddenly cried Lawyer Bun-
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le. ‘‘ What is this? A case? A case it may e,asllive, Tinker, have him arrested! Ped- dler, prefer charges! I'll handle the case for both of you!” “Get out, blatherskite!” cried the mayor. ‘*T guess I am Solomon enough to settle this hyer difficulty out o’ court,” ‘* Begorra, nothing but his blood will satisfy—” ‘*Yust let me seddle mit him in mine own vay—” *Shat up, both of you!” cried the mayor, ** Hink, go and get that piece of meat thoy ar’ fightin’ about.” With a grin the landlord hastened off, while the crowd laughed, all being quick to apprehend what plan the rugged mayor had in view. _ Ina moment Old Hink was back again, bear- ing @ piece of tough meat about half as big as his hand, and the mayor ordered him to cut itin half, which he did, and the mayor said: ** Now, you fellers, each take half and chaw. Baer fer all ye’re wu’th, too, or ther wuss fer ye!’ The meat, by the way, had been on the floor, had been stepped on and otherwise maltreated, and was in anything but a palatable con- dition, This both the belligerents saw at once, and each began to make his excuses in order to get out of eating it, as the mayor had ordered. It was not worth the fight they had made for it, now, “Py shimminy, I vill not ead it, less I can have it all!” cried Yager. ‘‘Der plame Turk had der last sticka brodt der vas on der blate.” “ But, begorra,” cried McGee, ‘* ye was such a hog dhat Oi couldn’t begin to hold a candle to ye at ’atin’, no more Oi could, I bad dhe right to dhe bread and the m’ate both!” ““T vant half der brodt, if I dake half der meat,” set would ye have me #’row itup fur r) “Take itand eat, or I’m blamed if I don’t take ye both in hand!” the mayor ordered. ** Let him have it all,” the Irishman waived, suddenly. ‘‘ He had his dirthy mout’ on it any- how.” “And you ground id mit your nasty schoen, unt I vouldn’t dake itin mine hand any more, maybe, you bet.” he mayor whipped out a revolver. ‘* Take it and chaw!” he ordered. * And if you don’t, mighty quick, there will be a job for the undertaker hyer,” The two quailed at once, and each taking his share of the meat, they began eating it as though with the keenest relish, while the crowd laughed heartyly at their performance. Lawyer Bungle looked on disconsolately, see- ia case dwindle to nothing, ut, was it lost? He was thinking as he watched, or seemed to be, for he held his chin in a meditative way. ‘‘ There,” cried themayor, when the meat had disappeared, ‘‘ that’s the way we settle sech diffi- kilties hyer. Let me find you two fightin’ again, an’ ye won't get off half as easy next time.” ‘* The case is not wholly lost!” cried the law- yer, as though the thought had suddenly struck him. 2 ‘*You two can jointly sue the mayor for— i The mayor’s revolver swept suddenly around and took a bead on the lawyer's nose, With a yell, Mr. Bungle jumped back and sought safety behind some of the crowd at the same time bellowing wildly; *“Ton’t shoot, mayor! Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I take it all back! It was only a joke, anyhow, for how could such fellows bring suit against the highest oflicer of the cam,? Prepos- terous! Only a joke, sir, I assure you.” ** Be more careful how you joke, then, that’s all, or you may come ter grief in a suddent fash- ion.” The Irishman and the Dutchman were glaring daggers at each other. , “Begorra, Oi hate dhe soight av ye!” the tinker cried, vengefully, ‘‘Oi would nof mend a pot fur ye, an ye had to cook your grubina dish-pan, no more I would!” “ Unt py beavens I vouldn’t sold you von bair socks if you vent bungry midout your preakfast, unt don’t you forgot id!” declared the peddler, warmly. ‘* Vor two cents I vould—” _ ‘Plug right up!” ordered the mayor. ‘ Plug right up and git out, and if I hear any more of this byer, I'll hang ye both.” The belligerents each gave a look of hatred at the other, and then each slunk away to his corner, gathered up his effects, and they left the room by different doors, he crowd that followed them out, watcb- ing them from the piazza till each bad disap- peared in the darkness in opposite directions, suddenly had its attention drawn to wild cries from the direction of the barber’s shanty. ‘*Come out ob dar, yo’ low-down pusson!” Pompey Sunflower was heard to shout. ‘‘ Come right out ob dar, I tol’ yo’! If yo’ don’t I’s gwine terkyarve ye, an’ I'll kyarve ye deep!” A half-smothered retort was heard, and the crowd set forth on a run to learn what was tbe trouble there. When they came up to the shanty they found the darky standing outside the door, wildly flourishing a badly nicked razor, and savagely inviting somebudy to come out and get ‘* kyarv- ed, ‘““Ef I come in dar to yo’, I'll make a c'ean job of yo’, yo’ bet on’t! I hab yo’ to onder- stan’ dat dis yere shanty is mine; I hab bought an’ paid fo’ hit; an’ now I am gwine ter hab hit or I’s gwine ter shed blood! Come out ob dar, I say, or Vl make yo’ sick!” **] reckon persession is ther best holt, nig,” answered the voice of Kennaka Kolt, the bum- mer, ‘‘an’ that’s what I’ve got, bard. A man must have a place ter Sleep, an’ vou wasn’t ter home when I sneaked in hyer. If you want me out bad you will have ter come an’ put me out, ther which same et won’t be healthy fer you to ondertake, an’ don’t ye forgot et.” ‘Hello!’ What’s the trouble byer?” demanded the mayvur. “Pll tol’ yo’ what’s de matter, sah,” cried the darky. ‘‘ Dis yere bum hab gone an’ dis- supped dis yere shanty, an’ ha won’t come out, dat’s de matter; but dar will be wuss’n dat de matter, if I has to kyarvehim, yo’ kin bet on’t!” “Come out of there, you rascal!” cried the mayor, ‘*This nig bought this hyer shanty an’ paid good money fer et, an’ I'll see that he bas his rights. Come out, or Pll let drive a bullet right in your direction!” There was a hasty scramble at that, and the bummer hastily appeared. ** Don’t shoot,” be pleaded, humbly. ‘‘ I guess I have made a mistake, that is what’s ther matter, I thort ther nig was maybe bluffin’, and I wanted ter show him that I could bluff jest as hard as he could. I'll slope, ef ye won't shoot.” ; ‘* Yo’ had better slope, yo’ low-down nobody !” cried Sunflower, ‘‘ Au’ you want to bear in yo’ recollection dat I carry a razor inmy boot, an’ if yo’ come foolin’ ’round heah any more I'll kyarve ye so’s yo’ won’t bea fit subjeck fo’ a decent inqnest.. Dat’s de kind ob a man I am.” ‘* Beg yer pardon, nig,” the bum apologized, under cover of the mayor’s revolver, ‘You wasn’t at home when I kem in, an’ I had a right ter think et was only askin game ter git me out, ** Well, see dat yo’ don’t make no mo’ mistakes ob de kind, dat’s all.” ‘““ And see here, too,” added the mayor. ** And I’m talkin’ to both of ye, This hyer camp is under my rule, an’ I don’t low notbin’ out of order byer. Ther deuce has been ter pay ever gence you strangers struck camp, an’ ef there is any more of et, you will have ter git.” “But, sah, { was only defendin’ my rights, sah,” argued the darky. ‘* Vis, begorra.” suddenly put iu the voice of the tinker, ‘‘an’? Oi was only defendin’ me appetite against furren thavery. Roight is roight, begob!” ‘Unt dot vas all right v’at vasn’t all wrong,” chipped in the voice of the peddler, who bad somehow got around to that querter in a short time. “Der pest dings oer could do, Mister Mans, vas to hang dot Lrishman.” ‘““Whatever ye do, mayor,” the bummer called back, as he was making off, ‘‘ don’t class me with fellers sech as these, I’m ther only one -of my kind; a gem of—” ‘Slide, dast ye, every one!” the mayor storm- ed, flourishing hisrevolver. ‘If ye don’t, quick, Pll spill blood byer! Git!” . And they ‘‘ got,” the peddler, the bummer, the tinker, and the darky; the latter seeking shelter in his shanty. And having scattered ems the mayor led the way to the Sarcophagus aioon, CHAPTER VIII. SOME DESPERATE PLAYING. “MIGHT jest as well let such fellers know at ther start who is boss in this byer camp,” the mayor muttered. ‘Et’s fer their own good, Confound rantankerous tramps! they ain’t no business hyer, anyhow,” ““T guess they are harmless, mayor,” observed the mine superintendent, Keeler, ‘If they want to wrangle among themselves, why, let em, ** Don’t. know but you ar’ right, Bob.” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice | 7 ‘‘The th yght struck me that mebby they was in caboots,” remarked Hokley, ‘‘ but their fightin’ was too earnest to give that idea a hold. I tell you wh it, Irish and Dutchy did go into it fer all they v as worth,” “There was no shamming there, that’s sure,” agreed Keeler, And that had been the object in view with the wearers of the diamond dice: to disarm any suspicion that they were working togéther. __ When they entered the Sarcopbagus the place was found to be all alive, the various games of the evening having gotten under way, The chief attraction of the place was the faro lay-out, which was run by a man named Bon- dell, better know as ‘‘ Sportive Sport.” He was a tall fellow, good-looking, with wo- manish bands and features that were greatly de- ceptive, for he was an athlete of, no mean ability, as many an unruly cit bad discovered to his chagrin. The newly arrived sport, White George, was present, having recently come in, and he was looking idly at the game from a distance, Lawyer Bungle, too, was there, nearer the table and players, acting as though be was longing to risk a small sum, When the mayor entered, in company with Manager Armstrong, Superintendent Keeler, Ike Hokley, and others, these advanced at once to the table, The mayor looked around to note who were present, His eyes rested upon the sport, ‘Not hangin’ back, are ye, stranger?” he greeted.’ “No, not particularly so,” was the easy re- sponse, ‘‘I am merely looking ou while I finish my cigar.” “Then you'll try a turn presently?” **f guess so, Mr, Corrigan,” ‘*Let me introduce you, then, Mr, Bondell, hyer is a stranger sport, George White, by name, said to be better known as White George. Mr, White, this hyer gent is our prince of ther paste- boards, Sportiv. Sport.” White George had sauntered forward while the mayor was speaking. “* Glad to know you, sir,” be said, ** Ditto,” greeted the king of the green table, They allowed their hands to meet in a formal way, and the Sportive Sport was immediately attentive to business again, “Make your play, gentlemen,” he called, The table was not filled, but the few players placed their-chips and the deal was made, The bank won, but the amount was trifling. ‘This small playing is killing,” the dealer ob- served, witha yawn, ‘“‘Therisk is not enough to keep a fellow awake.” “Try your hand, sport,” the mayor urged, speaking to White George, ‘* You say that is right in your line, I believe,” * Perbaps the proprietor would object to it,” the sport observed, ‘*Why so?” asked Sportive Sport. ‘Pm a professional,” ‘So much the better, It will make it inter- esting. Iam dying here by inches, of pure and and simple stagnation,” ‘© Well, I may be able to bring you out of that state,” White George sat down. ** What is the limit?’ he asked. ‘¢ The bank’s limit, do you mean?” * Certainly.” * T thought perhaps gan referred to the game, It has been practically unlimited to he The limit of the bank is an even fifty t dollars.” <f All right, that is enough to make it interest- ing. The sport took a bill-book from an inner pocket, and opening it, displaved a stack of bills, the one on top indicating $1 000, Counting out five of these bills, all being of the same denomination, the new-comer Taid them on the deuce, A slight paleness had for an instant appear- ed on the face of the proprietor of the game, but it disappeared immediately and he coolly dealt the cards, There was a little delay, but presently the right card appeared, and the bank won, ‘* Better luck next time, perhaps,” observed White George, coolly. “You make a pretty bold beginning,” ob- served the winner, “And it is only a beginning. I will do better after awhile, if I don’t go broke too soon,” y He had counted out ten of the bills, now, and he laid them on the same card, — Sportive Sport’s fingers were slightly nervous, ousand
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8 now, and it was clearly no troub-.e for him to keep awake, Tbe small players, who had eagerly followed ‘the new-cower’s first bold stroke, hesitated be- fore they followed bim a second time, but finally they did so, The cards were drawn, and—the bank won. ‘“‘ Ha!” the dealer cried, with a breath of re- lief. ‘‘ You are not in luck to-night, it seems,” “The game is young yet,” was the quiet re- sponse, Thirty of the bright, new beauties, at which more than one man present looked longingly, were now laid on a card, this time the tray. The dealer was regaining bis nervo, and dealt with a cool, steady band. Now the small players had deserted the bold leader, and were playing against his play, to win when the bank won, Again there was some delay, but at last the card came, and, yet again the bank had won. The excitement was now intense, and every man in the room was pressing around the tabie, every one eager to see and hear, ‘* Well, well, luck does seem to be dead against me,” White George remarked, as coolly and quietly as ever. ‘I can’t back out now; I'll have to double again, to protect myself if I win. If I lose— Well, that will floor me for this time.” ‘** Hold on, sir,” Sportive Sport ordered, push- ing back the sixty bills which the new-comer was about to place. ‘ The limit is fifty thou- sand, as I told you.” ' White George looked at him keenly. “But,” he said, ‘‘your bank has been strengthened by the thirty thousand you have just won from me, If I win now, your loss will be but twenty thousand,” “Can’t help it, sir; you understood the limit when you began.” “‘Then you refuse to accept my double?” *‘“T-do.” ** And you call this a square game?” “Perfectly so, sir. ‘The limit is what I stated.” **Ttis not a white game, at all events, such as I am used to playing.” ‘*You understood what the limit was when you began. You made inquiry about it at the start. Make your play, gentlemen.” Sportive Sport was now icily cool, and master of the situation. White George was as cool as he had been at ne and bad spoken quietly and dispassion- ately. “You had better take bis bet, Sportive Sport,” spoke out the mayor. ‘‘It’s an even chance that you'll win, anyhow. If you lose, then ye can't kick.” “My decision bas been stated,” was the re- sponse. ‘ Make your play, gentlemen.” ** Well, here is fifty thousand, then,” the new- comer stated, having taken up ten of the bills, *“T will go your full limit, at any rate.” ““You may do that as often as you like,” The cards were dealt, and a pin could have been beard to drop anywhere in the room, One by one they came out, for and against, for and against, and at last came the one so eagerly looked for, he bank had won again! ‘*T am done for,” said White George, quietly, and he showed not the least degree of excite- ment, ‘*I can make but one more effort to- nigbt,” He counted his money, and found that he had only forty of the bills left. **Ye had better try it in small lots.” advised the mayor, ‘‘ Yer luck may change and put ye on yer feet again.” “No; I hate to dabble. I like to play big or not at all. Were I better fixed I would stand more of a chance. But, easy come easy go, ’tis said, and so here it goes, More than half the cards had been dealt by this time, yet there was one card on the table that bad not been represented, and over that the small players were hovering like hawks, They had some knowledge of the chances of the game, evidently, and knew that their best chance lay there. Contrary to that plan, however, the newly arrived sport placed his last stake upon a card thet bad three times appeared; and of which there was only one more in the box. Perbaps he had been studying the run, and bad made bis calculations accordingly. Be that as it might, the dealer looked at him keenly for a second before he drew the cards from the metal box, On the first draw the small players won. They were jubilant, and immediately doubled Deadwood Dick, Jx.’s. Diamond Dice. their plays, taking the risk of anotber favorable turn, Another draw, and they had won again, But, this time they deserted the favorite and scattered their bets, not caring to trust further to the run. Better had they remained there, for again that card won for the players, The card most wished-for, however, was tardy toappear. But, it came at last, aud a shout went up, White George had won! “TI thought the tide would turn,” he coolly observed. ‘* Now, Mr. Bondell, I am able to take you at your limit.” ‘Very well, sir, the game is open to you, of course. Make your play, gentlemen.” Again and yet again did the sport win, heavy sums each time, and at last the dealer had to de- clare the bank broken, Such a run of luck had never been seen in the Sarcophagus, and scarcely aman there bad ever seen s0 much money dis- played at one time, CHAPTER IX, THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS, Sportive Sport rose from his seat, white to the lips. “You have spoiled me,” he_ said. cleaned out as clean as a whistle.” ‘“‘T bave been there myself,” declared the new sport. ‘*I know how you feel, I will buy your game,” ‘* How much will you give me?” ** Name your price.” ‘* Well, ten thousand dollars for the fixtures and good will,” “‘Here is your money! Let these gentlemen witness the bargain, I will take your place.” ‘** And [ will take yours,” ; ‘Not to-night. I will not allow you to risk your little nest-egg while your nerves are un- steady, as they are. Come to-morrow night, and you shall have all the opportunity you want,” ‘No, sir; [ refuse to accept it that way. If you open the game lam going to play against you. , ‘* Very well, if you insist, If you go broke, don’t blame me,” **T will not, if you play a fair game.” ‘‘tam known as White George, for my fair dealing. I say it myself because there is no one here to say it for me,” Under these altered circumstances the game was renewed, and when it was well under way it was seen that the new proprietor was gradually losing what he had won, and that Sportive Sport was gaining. The small players had nearly all dropped out, now, having ‘‘ dropped” about everything else they had to drop, and their places had been taken by men who had more capital to risk. Among these were Milton Armstrong, Bob Keeler, Ike Hokley and others, About this time a new-comer entered the saloon. , This personage was the young woman who had arrived by the stage, and who had register- ed as Fearless Fan, Way was made for her, and she advanced un- concernedly to the table, every eye in the room fixed upon her, to which she gave no heed or notice, Her vail had been removed. She was a young woman, about twenty-five at a guess, and ber dark skin made it evident that she was a child of some sunny clime, That she had been beautiful was not to be denied, but now there appeared a white scar across her face from one side to~the other, diayonally, which marred her looks greatly. She wore large earrings, making it appear that she might claim Italy for ber fatherland, There was not the slightest indication of a foreign accent in her speech, however, and she was a mystery to the close observers, Among these was Lawyer Bungle. He looked at the woman with close scrutiny, but evidently gave it up. When she reached the table, she asked: ‘¢Gentlemen, will you allow me to interrupt your play with a question?” White George, Sportive Sport, and the others, looked up instantly, and the first mentioned re- sponded; , ‘* Certainly, lady, Ask a dozen if you like.” ‘*[ will sk but one or two. Does any one here know of a man by name of Brink Kennst?” It was evident that no one did. ‘Well, be may be here under an name,” the young woman went on, ‘* You may be able to recognize him by this likeness, Take it, and let it be passed around, if you please,” “T am other \ "Tm m The mayor was nearest to her, and she banded a card photograph to him, ; It was the likeness of a young man, rather good-looking, but one who was a stranger to the mayor. .“*T have never seen him, ma’am,” that worthy declared, He passed the card on, And so it was passed, from hand to hand, un- til it had made the round of the room, but no one knew the face. The young woman had stood, meantime, pa- tiently awaiting its return, At last it came back to her, ‘*It appears thatno one here recognizes the face, lady,” said George White, as it fell to him to return the card to its owner, ‘“‘Then I am doomed to disappointment again,” she sighed. ** Mought we ask what that man was to you? the mayor inquired. ‘* What he was to me?’ the woman repeated, bitterly. ‘‘ You see this scar on my face?” ‘* Yes, sartain,” ‘* Well, he was that to me! him to return the compliment.” “ And by ther ternal, et’s ter be hoped ye will find him!” the mayor cried, ‘* Ef ye do, jest pint bim out to us, that’s all.” ‘Thank you. I understand your offer, but I will deal with the man myself, if I ever can find him, DoI mistake in taking you to be the mayor of this camp, sir?” ‘* Not a bit, ma’m.” ‘Then there is a favor I would ask,” ‘* Yo hev only ter name et, an’ et’s granted,” ** Will you allow me to earn a little money by telling fortunes bere in your camp?” ‘* Bless yer beart, Jady, ther hull darn camp is yourn, ef that is all ye have ter ask, And ther galoot what don’t put up a fiver fer bis for- tune has got ter answer to me.” “‘Thank you, sir; but there must be no com- pulsion about it.” ‘You leave that ar’ to me, Jady. Do you hear, you galoots of Death’s-Head? I want every man of ye ter have his fortun’ took while this lady is hyer to do et.” ‘ Not to-night, sir,” the woman said. ‘ To- morrow I will begin.” She bowed, and was about to turn to retire from the saloon when there came suddenly the tread of hasty hoofs without, and the next mo- ment a horseman thundered into the room, Jim-jam Joe, behind the bar, raisec his hands in horror at the sight, but the next instant he disappeared when the stranger drew a revolver and flourished it, while at the same time he shouted: ‘*Men of Death’s-bead Camp, do ye know that ye hev got that infernal detective, Dead- wood Dick, Junior, here in your camp?” ‘* Deadwood Dick!” So many a one exclaimed, for it was a name they bad beard mentioned in connection with many a deed of daring. ‘*-Yes, Deadwood Dick,” the horseman em- phasized, ‘'Curse bim! only point bim out to me, and I’ll mighty soon relieve ye of all trou- ble on bis account,” The rough mayor was now upon his feet. ** Don’t ye go off too soon, stranger,” he ad- vised, ‘*Whoan’ what ar’ you, an’ what has sent ye byerso red-hot?” ‘Who am I?” ‘That's wot I said,” ‘* Well, I am known as Wild Ward, where [ am known at all, I’ma stranger hyer, but I’m at home just the same, I am out on a man- hunt, and it has led me this way. I guess that’s enough.” P ‘*And ther man ye ar’ huntin’ is Deadwood Dick?” aa “Yes, by Goshen! He sent me down for a dozen years, when he was only akid, and [ have bad it in fer him all this time, Show him to me, and that’s all I ask yetodo, Ill do ther rest,” ‘‘ My friend,” here chipped in Lawyer Bungle, ‘‘you are going contrary to law, and the man that goes contrary to law never comes to any good end. Now, to-morrow I am going to swing my shingle to the breeze here, as a lawyer, and Pil take this case of yours and carry it through for you on terms the most reason—” “Take nothin’! was the savage interruption. own law in this matter, and judge and jury besides. Has that man been seen here? : *“ You will have to ask somebody else, sir,” answered the lawyer, ‘I’m only a stranger bere myself.” I am seeking ‘‘ A stranger here, are ye? I'll take a closter — look at you, I’m thinkin’,”
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eK ter come out, an’ I’m one of ’em, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 9 He touched his horse, and forced the animal forward into the crowd, until he made his way to where the lawyer was standing, ‘* My goodness!” Bungle cried, as the fellow presented his revolver athim. ‘‘I don’t want ter die, my good man,I don’t want todie! I won’t say another word to you, honor bright!” “Bab! youare genuine, I thought you might be the man I’m after, in disguise; for they tell me he is the devil at that.” The lawyer drew a breath of relief and his handkerchief, mopping his face with the latter. ‘*Heavens! what a shock!” he: gasped, * Verily, Iam all but undone,” The crowd laughed at his fright. ‘But, Wild Ward, ef that’s yer handle,” the mayor demanded, ‘‘ how do ye happen ter know that this man Daadwood Dick ishyer? And ef he is, do ye suppose we ar’ goin’ ter stand by an’ see him salted?” ** How do I know et? I'll tell ye that in short meter: I was at his home base, Bristol City, layin’ low fer him, and thar I got holt of a letter what he’d sent to bis botter-half, sayin’ he was goin’ ter Death’s-head Camp to work out a case, and that he would be home to hislovey-dovey as soon as he had done et,” ** And how long ago was that?” “‘Not much more’n long enough fer me to git byer on hossflesh. As ter saltin’ him, ef I git a bead on him nothin’ is goin’ ter save him, an’ don’t ye forget et. His long-termers is beginnin’ P’m goin’ ter take et out of him fer every hour I was below, you bet, Imight’a’ waited thar at Bristol City, but [ was too impatient fer that,” ‘** Besides, you wanted to ketch him where he wouldn’t have so many friends on hand, eh?” ** Well, I didn’t ferget that part of et, boss.” This was interesting, interesting to more than one person present. *Wull, we haven’t seen him hyer, to our knowledge,” declared the mayor. ‘ We have a good many strangers in town, though, What fer a looker is he?” ‘**Darn good-Jookin’, they tell me, and as rich asaking, He isa millionaire, now, and don’t think nothin’ of carryin’ a cool hundred thousand around in his clothes.” Many eyes naturally turned upon White George, . He rose quietly in his place, his hand clutching & revolver, and as quietly he said: “The last part of that description turns at- tention to me, I see. I want to assure every- body present, bowever, that 7 am not Deadwood Dick. Make up your mind about it, sir, at once,” This last to the horseman. CHAPIrER X, MYSTERY DOUBLED. Witp WARD, as the horseman had styled himself, glared at the cool sport with keen in- terest. So did nearly everybody else, with no less in- terest, and trouble was looked for, Many be- lieved the man was really Deadwood Dick, “Ther shoe seems ter pinch yer foot, any- how,” fired the horseman. ‘‘ What need bad ye ter take et up, ef you ain’s Deadwood Dick? gio aie somethin’ fer ye ter answer, ef ye kin.” he fellow fingered his weapon threatening- ly. Vi You have already heard my reason,” re- sponded the cool sport, ‘T had a large sum of money about me to-night when I came here, as these citizens know, and when you mentioned the fact that Deadwood Dick thought nothing of carrying a bundred thousand around with m, attention turned to me,” 5p. An’ you took et right up, soon, Yo jumped fore ye was hurt, so ter say. I think et looks mighty like you ar’ Deadwood Dick,” “I have given you my word that I am not.” ~ 3 Wull, kin ye prove et?” x a you prove ny pieepenee false?” ev got a bullet hyer that is hun find ve.” : sages “You had betrer not risk firing it this way, for | am handy on the draw.” _ “80 is Deadwood Dick, 80 they say, See hyer, sport, [ believe you ar’ that cuss, Ef ye ’P him, yer life is mine!” «Let me put in a word here, please.” It was a woMan’s voice, and every eye turned upon the speaker, ; Fearless Fan had made her way quietly to the horseman’s side, and now she held a glitter- ing revolver aimed at his head. “Say yer say, gal,” the man growled. — “T once knew Deadwood Dick, and this man is not he, Will you take my word for it?” “ Whar did you know him?” ‘*No matter where; he once did me a service that I cannot forget, and even were he here I[ would defend him with my life,” ‘“*Haw!lhaw! That’sruther pooty, gal, but et’s allwash, I know Dick has a good many admirers ‘mongst ther fair sax, an’ a good many of ’em would die fer him, an’ all that; but when et kem to ther pinch I reckon they wouldn’t,” Lawyer Bungle was looking keenly at this wo- man again, He had seen her before; but, where? Hecould not recall that scar, nor was her dark skin a re- minder, ‘You make a mistake in your estimate of me, as I will show you, sir,” the woman firmly re- joined, ‘ This man is not Deadwood Dick; but, sineo you seem inclined to believe he is, [ will take the same stand that I would were he that noble and generous man,” ‘* And what stand is that ar ef I may ax ye that?” ** 11] defend him.” ‘Haw! haw! haw! sound!” ‘* Lady,” spoke up White George, now, ‘I cannot permit this, You are running a risk, I am well able to take care of myself,” ‘* Fearless Fan never backs out when she has turned her hand toa task, sir,” the young wo- man made response to that. ‘* You, sir, turn and leave the room at once,” This order was to Wild Ward, and her wea- pon camo up yet more threateningly as she ut- tered it. Tho fellow turned a sickly yellow, and at- tempted a grin, but it wasafailure. Hoe was at the business end of a bad fix, and knew it. ‘* Yer, yer don’t mean et,” he parleyed. “I ain’t dove nothin’ ter you, an’ yer ain’t got no call ter do nothin’ ter me, Jest p’int that ’ar thing another way, gal, ’fore thar’s trouble hyer.” “There is going to be trouble here, and that in short order, if you do not obey me.’ ** Do ye mean ter shoot me?” ‘* Just as sure as you are here, if you do not obey quickly. You have shown by your words what you are, and I would be justified in drop- ping you, after the threat you have made — aman who is not here to speak for hims- elf. The fellow was trying toedge away, and was fingering his revolverin an anxious manner, ‘Keep that arm straight down,” the woman ordered, ‘for Pll drill you. And now, go, or Vl drop you off that horse in one second.” There was a ring to her command this time that was not to be doubted, and with a curse the fellow started for the door. “Tl pay ye fer this hyer,” he growled, ‘Ye think ye ar’ darn smart, but I will square ther Xcount with ye, even ef yebeawoman, You had ther drop, but you won’t have et next time,” ‘* Take care, sir, for you are not out of range yet. I could drop you even yet. Some one near the door there please see to it that he does not turn and fire at me after he has passed out. He is evil enough for such a deed.” Said one man: ‘Pll make et my business ter see ter that, lady. Let him try et on, an’ thar will be a job fer ther crowner,” The horseman went on and out, still growling, and the woman put away her weapon. ‘“You have made an enemy for yourself, Fearless Fan,” spoke White George. *“My enemies are harmiess, for I am not afraid of them, My name is not a misnomer, sir. ‘* We are well aware of that.” ‘*T want to assure these gentlemen once more that I know Deadwood Dick by sight, and that you are not the man, sir,” ‘I think they will be willing to take my word for that.” ‘Maybe so, Well, I now return to the hotel. I will bid you good-night.” “Hold on,” cried the sport. ‘ You must not venture cut alone, I will go with you and—” “No, no, sir; it isnot necessary. I prefer to go alone. I can take care of myself against such rascals as the fellow I just turned out from here,” With a smile, then, she was gone, ‘* Goodness bless me!” cried Lawyer Bungle, then, ‘ Did anybody ever see such a woman ag that? Really, she did the very thing 7 was thinking about doing. Sbe got ahead of me,” ‘You tho’rt about doin’,” cried the mayor, ‘“* You was too skart ter tell whether ye stood on yer head or yer feet, But, boyees, did any- How pooty that ’ar do body ever see narve ter come up ter that, in a woman?” The ‘‘ boyees” admitted that they never had, Interest in the sens was now at an end, ex- cept in the case of Sportive Sport, and the men dropped away from the table to discuss the re- cent events, Sportive Sport insisted upon being allowed to play out the balance of the hour, and White George agreed to keep the game open that long, showing his willingness to give the former owner all the chance possible to recover his losses, When the end of the hour came, though, the bank was ths winner, and Sportive Sport had ‘* gone broke,” as it was expressed. ‘*You have done for me,” be said, bitterly. ‘*T will try you again to-morrow night, though, if I can raise money to start with, I will have back what you have wrested from me, or—” He stopped, however, and uttered no threats, The excitement of the night was over, gradu- ally the citizens retired, and finally the camp slept. ‘ On the following morning the early risers made a terrible discovery. During the night another crime had been com- mitted, one which recalled vividly the tragic fate of Buck Banton, Outin the street, between the Sarcophagus and the Skull-and-X-bones, the body of a man was found, cold in death, with a terrible knife-~ wound in his breast, The man was Ike Hokley! The discoverer gave the alarm at once, and speedily the camp was astir, Men came running from everywhere, and the excitement was great. Who could the mur- derer be? That was the question, ‘This hyer thing has gone too fur,” cried the mayor of the camp. ‘‘ Hyer is another poor cuss checked in, as good a feller as ther camp could show.” ‘Td vas a poody goot blaces to move out mif, ain’d id?” observed Hans Yager, the Dutch ped- dler, ‘*Id vouldn’t peen nice to vake oop some mornings unt found a hole like dot in your pody, maype.” And everybody else had some remark to make, all talking at once, Lawyer Bungle did not reach the spot till the crowd bad grown large. In fact, nearly the whole camp was there ahead of him, ‘* What terrible thing is this?” he asked, aghast as he came up, ‘* Bt’s another murder, that’s what,” cried the mayor. ‘ And it’s as great a mystery as t’other one was, too.” ‘*My goodness! Another murder! What are we coming to? Now I have adouble case on hand, Gentlemen, let the law take its course, Do nothing rash, I beg of you.” ‘* What in hot are ye talkin’ about?” demanded the mayor. ‘*T mean to say, sir, do not go to lynching promiscuously, but let me have time to bring the crime home to the right man,” “Do you think you can doit this century, sir?” asked Manager Armstrong, ‘Or at all?” asked Bob Keeler, The latter, who had been the dead man’s bosom friend, was taking on like a madman about the terrible affair, “Give me time, gentlemen, give me time,” the lawyer begged, ‘‘ Time worketh all things, We must make haste slowly in this matter, A proper inquest is in order, when a proper ex- amination must be mace, and so the law—the law, I say—can be brought to bear upon—” ‘Wind!’ cried Keeler, ‘‘ Here is my pard, dead, and I want him avenged! I'll give one thousand dollars to the man who will point out his murderer to me!” ““[’m your man,” cried Bungle, ‘I’m after that reward, hot. All ask is time, sir, time.” ‘“« Well, take time, but don’t make it Eternity.” The case made a great sensation, as can be imagined. The camp stopped work, and the citizens thronged the Square all the forenoon, An inquest was beld, after a fashion, and an examination of Mr body was made, The deed had been done with the same weapon, evidently, with which Banton had been killed, But, no weapon was to be found, and there was no clew, same as in the other case, The citizens—bard citizens as most of them were, were made afraid, Whose turn would it be next? CHAPTER XI. BUNGLE’S BUNGLE, ‘Tae forenoon baving been passed in idleness, as said, the citizens were in no mood for work during the afternoon, and they did none, The murdered man was buried, for your wild camp has no use for dead mea around, they being neither useful nor ornamental; and after \
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. ie er 10 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, that duty had been performed the crowd set about taking on appropriate jags of jig-water. Lawyer Bungle was going from place to place about the camp, like a tireless bloodhound, try- ing to ferret out the murderer, but so far with- out much success. By this time nearly everybody was making fun of his efforts, for he had shown himself a thoroughly incompetent shyster. The [risb tinker, the Dutch peddler, and the colored barber, were plying their trades in peace, ‘ The bummer, Mr, Kolt, was idling his time away basking in the sun, On the piazza of the hotel, toward the close of the day, the mayor, with a group around him, was holding forth again concerning the murder. ““[ tell ye what,” he observed, ‘if that ’ar Deadwood Dick isin town, as that feller said last night, I wish he’d show himself an take charge of this hyer case and make somethin’ out of et.” ‘* What do you imagine his business here can be?” questioned White George. “That’s what gits me, pard, Thar ain’t no- thin’ ter draw him hyer, that [ know of, onless et was the other murder,” “Tf be is here, he must bein disguise,” said Bob Keeler, ** And it’s pretty certain we have none of that sort in town,” spoke up Manager Armstrong. ‘‘Are ye right sure, Keeler, that Hokley hadn’t no enemy?’ The mayor had asked the same thing at least a dozen times before. ‘“‘T am sure he had none,” was the auswer. ‘*That is, as sure as I can be, and I don’t think he had many secrets from me.” “Then et’s mighty queer who killed him. Men don’t kill other men like that without some powerful reason ter back et up. What that reason was in this case is more than I kin cipher out. At that moment Lawyer Bungle came out from the hall. ‘*Gentlemen,” he said, *‘ see here,” All looked, and in the lawyer’s hand was seen a long, broad knife, * Thunder!” ejaculated Old Hink, the propri- etor, ‘That's our kitchen carver, Mr. Bungle.” “T know it is, sir,” was the important an- swer. ‘‘It is also the weapon with which that man was killed Jast night,” Everybody looked amazed. “How do ye know et was?’ demanded the mayor, ** Because it is the only weapon in the camp as wide as the wound in the dead man’s breast.” ‘That is slim proof,” said Mr. Armstrong. “It might be, alone,” was the lawyer’s very important rejoinder. ‘‘I happen to have now the knowledge of a motive for the deed.” ‘* Ha! what was it?” ** Who done et?” ‘*The motive, gentlemen of the jur—I mean simple gentlemen—er—a—that is, gentlemen simply; the motive was, revenge, and the mur- derer is the cook of this establishment, one Ned Nooks,” ; The lawyer swelled up importantly as be made the charge, and looked around for some one to challenge bis position, ** Ned Nooks!” cried the mayor, ** My cook!” chimed the landlord. ** Absurd,” sneered Mr, Armstrong. ** But, I have the motive—the motive, gentle- men of—er—sim—that is, gentlemen; I have a reasonable motive for the crime, ani Ned Nooks | isthe men. I have solved the mystery; 1 claim the rewards,” ‘See here,” cried Keeler, anything, spit it out.” “Tf I know anything! I tell you I havea clear case, gen—that is, a clear case, Hokley had insulted Nooks, and Nooks had vowed to fix him, He has done it, and here is the weapon he did it with.” ; He brandished the knife, “You're a fool!” cried Keeler, ‘ Hokley never ivsulted Nooks, and Nooks is not the sort of feliow to do a deed like this, anyhow.” **Of course he ain’t,” agreed the mayor, ** He wouldn’t harm a cat; would he, Hink?” ‘‘ No, ner half a cat; not even a quarter,” ** Wrong, ali wrong,” persisted the lawyer, shaking his heal, ‘I will lay my case before ou, when your calm judgment must decide it. esterday yo aha Mr. Hokley found fault with his meat, 8 called Nooks, and in the presence of all told him he was not worthy the owder to blow him up, or words to that effect. ooks responded tbat Hokley was hard to please, and retreated to his domain muttering “Tf you know threats, All thisI learned, and upee going to the kitchen to interview Nooks, I espied this knife. You see the blade is just the width of the wound. Ergo; Nooks is the man!” ** Waal, you darn fool!” exploded the mayor, **' You howling idiot!” cried Keeler. ‘* Hal ba! ba!” laughed Armstrong. ‘‘ That is the richest I ever beard,” ‘* You don’t agree with me!” queried the law- yer, greatly amazed. ‘‘ Don’t you see the evi- dence is perfect?” ‘‘] see an infernal jassack,” retorted the mayor, ‘‘and that’s yourself, Why, Nooks wouldn’t kill a baby, let alone a full-grown man. He don’t even kill ther bugs in ther kitchen,” é ‘* Call him here,” suggested White George. The landlord went to bring the suspected man to the front, Presently he returned, followed by a lean, lanky youth, one who did not seem to have spirit enough to speak for his dinner, ‘*See hyer, Nooks,” the mayor turned upon him, ‘* did you kill Ike Hokley?” The poor fellow almost fainted then and there, He turned ghastly white, his knees gimbled un- der him, and be had to grab the railing for sup- ort. . ‘*N—n—n—no!” he gasped. ‘‘ Ha!” cried the Jawyer. See his paleness! See him tremble! Sir, didn’t you kill Isaac Hokley with this knife?” ‘¢ [—I—didn’t do it, I didn’t do it,” the fellow declared. ‘*I wouldn’t do a thing like that; I couldn’t doit.” ‘*O’ course ye didn’t,” the mayor said, much to his relief. ‘‘ Lawyer, you ar’ no good. ‘!’Low me ter pint out one little difikiity in ther way o’ your theory, will ye?” ‘ Yes, sir; if you can.” ‘* Wal, do ye obsarve ther length of this hyer knife? Ef it had been used, and ther blow struck as bard as we know poor Hokley was struck, wouldn’t it ’a’ gone clean through him, and more?” Mr, Bungle hadn't thought of that, evidently. ‘¢ Possibly it might,” he admitted, ‘‘ but—” ‘‘No but about et, You ar’ a howlin’ idiot, Nooks, go back to yer kitchen an’ take yer bread-slicer with ye, Lawyer, git out o’ my sight.” Those around laughed, and the lawyer went off, muttering to himself. He had succeeded in making an/’ass of bimself, which, had they known it, bad been his object from the first. Now little attention would be paid to him and his movements, By night a good portion of the camp was pretty thoroughly drunk, and the whole place was in an uproar. Supper was over, the stage had arrived with- out anything of importance attending, and now there was nothing to be done but. for the rabble to get up some excitement on their own account, Little had been seen of Fearless Fan during the day. The excitement of the forenoon had made it impossible, or neavly so, for her to exercise the privilege the mayor bad granted her. And, too, little had been seen of the man whom she had’so thoroughly subdued on the previous evening, He was around now, how- ever, and was one of the leaders with the drunk- en rabble. About the usual hour White George opened his game in thé Sarcophagus, The former proprietor, Sportive Sport, was on hand, and was one of the first to take his seat, As he did so, he deposited two bags of gold coin upon the table in front of him, emptying out a part of the contents of one, remarking: ““Now, it is either make or break with me, What is the limit of your game, Mr. Dealer?” ‘* Five million dollars,” was the quiet answer, Sportive Sport was seen to start, and others looked at the cool dealer intently. “You can’t mean it,” the ex-proprietor asped. ‘*If not, I would not have said so,” the cool sport declared, ‘* Then, by hash, you ar’ Deadwood Dick!” So cried a voice, and Wild Ward, balf drunk or more, pushed his way to the front, ** You here again?” demanded the sport, “Yas, ’m byer agnin,” was the retort, ‘an’ I’m hyer on business this time, too, you het!” He reached for a weavon, but before he could draw it the sport had him covered with bis own. And, not only so, but Fearless Fan, just bebind him, placed the nose of a cold tube behind his ar, ** Go slow,” the young wonian said softly. ee ee ee eee ee eS eee ‘*He had better,” warned the sport. ‘‘ You seem bent upon protecting me, lady. I can only thank you.” ‘*T do so because I know you are mistaken for another,” was the answer, .“* Yer lie!” cried the baffled rascal, in cahoots! his wife!” The crowd seemed to awaken to the truth, now, ‘“*That’s et,” cried one man. ‘ Haven't we heard about that darin’ wife pard of his?” ‘*See here, White George,” demanded the mayor, ‘‘is this hyer so, or ain’tet? What's ther use of bein’ in disguise in a friendly camp?” ‘*T have told you, gentlemen, that I am not Deadwood Dick,” was the reply, ‘‘Ican do no more than that, Besides, this lady bas said so, and she has told you she is acquainted with Deadwood Dick.” ‘* Wull, what ar’ ye goin’ ter do wi’ me?” growled the prisoner. ‘‘ Ye had better make cold meat of me while ye kin, fer I’m on ther war- path now, ferfair, I know ye, and I’m goin’ ter settle my ’count with ye, ef I git half a show ter do et, you bet!” ** Ye ar® He is Deadwood Dick an’ you ar® CHAPTER XII. SOME PASSING EVENTS, : THAT the crowd looked upon White George as Deadwood Dick, there was now no denying, The mention of Fearless Fan as his wife seemed to have settled that opinion in the minds of all, for wherever the fame of Deadwood Dick was known, in that country, his wife shared it, ‘Nevertheless, you do not know me,” the sport urged, ‘‘for I am not Deadwood Dick, As to what we will do with you, I think the mayor can take care of you. Mayor, I look to you for protection from this crazy fellow, since you have assured me that Iam ina friendly camp.” ‘* An’ ye shall have et, too!” the maver cried. ‘ Boys, jest take this byer galoot an’ tie bim up some'rs, I'll have et known th: t Jam mayor of this burg, an’ that I won’t have no sech work goin’ on ef I know et. Away with him!” ‘‘Tet mo fight him!” cried the prisoner. ‘* Tet me stand up to him, man to man, an’ see ef [can’t drop him. Et’s his life or mine, fer this kentry ain’t big nuff ter bold us both,” ‘* You are crazy drunk,” said the sport, ‘I wish the genuine Deadwood Dick would sbow himself and give you what you are itching for.” ‘‘Then you come out an’ do et, fer you ay’ ther man.” “*T declare again that I am not.” Three or four men had now laid hold upor Wild Ward, at the mayor’s bidding, and he was hustled out of the saloon in short order, ‘That settles. him,” the mayor observed, “ Now, let this byer game begin, fer 1 am anxious ter see ther ’citement.” ** Very well, sir, you shall see it, if there is any to be seen,” the sport made reply. There was but one point of attraction in the saloon, now, The game commenced, and Sportive Sport was the only player. No one else entered with him. His first stake was one of five hundred dollars, playing the glittering gold coins in lieu of chips. He was pale, but his hands were steady, * The cards were drawn, and the player lost. We will not follow step by step the progress of the game. The final result is all we care for. For two hours or thereabouts it progressed, and at the end of that time all of Sportive Sport’s gold had passed over to the keeping of White George. And it was no small sum, “Luck is against you,” the dealer quietly remarked, “Yes, by Harry, so it is,” was the enarl in re- sponse. “But, I am not done yet, all the same,’ ‘¢ You bave more capital, then?’ “If I haven't I know where to get it. I'll pe back in two minutes.” He rose and went out, and in less time than he had named he .was back again with two more bags of the precious coins, He resumed his seat, and the play began anew, The ex-profrietor was cool, but his face was red, the veins standing out vpon bis fcrehead showing thet he was in a rage of suppressed passion. As before, he lost steadily, While the play was going on this time, and while the whole camp, almost, was looking on with intense interest, two men without were in earnest conversation, standing in the shadow at the side of the saloon,
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— i= Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 11 One of these had handed Sport the gold. ‘There don’t seem to be any doubt about it,” one was saying. “So I think,” agreed the other. ‘The man is undoubtedly Deadwood Dick, as that fellow declared, ‘“* And if it is he—” ‘* We know what he wants here,” - Sure, His words at the table there proved it. ‘* Saying that the limit of the game was five millions, Yes; that was all the proof we needed.” ‘“ Well, what is to be done?” ‘There is only one thing to be done, and that is—” He did not finish in words, but by a sign which the other understood. ‘*You are right, and it shall be done, too, But, what about the womar? Rough on her,” ‘* She is as bad as the man, if she is really his wife, and as much to be feared, too. She must be disposed of, somehow. An accidental shot would do it.” “It’s the only way, I guess. It is a case that means one thing or the other, for us, and the sooner we take it in hand and do the fellow up, the better. Whatis the plan?” They talked in low tones, then, and for a con- siderable time, when they parted, After that, men were seen to leave the saloon, singly and by twos, until a goodly force of them had gone out, the worst characters the camp could show, It was seen, but whether any particular atten- tion was paid to it or not did not appear. The game was still in progress, and now Sportive Sport was winning, Some other players bad dropped in by this time, too, strangers to the camp, it appeared. One of these was a rough-looking teamster in rough attire, whose face indicated that he had been recently under the hands of the camp’s new barber. He was a quiet man, and was risking only small sums in a quiet way, and little attention was given to him. Low down on the front of his red shirt, where his vest almost hid it, was a diamond pin with two stones. Bebind him stood Lawyer Bungle, evidently deeply interested in the game; or, it might have been, simply feasting his eyes upon the display of wealth. : The others of the players, fellows of ordinary dress, wore diamond pins, one having a pin with four stones and the other a single one, Had any one noted it, the pins represented the spots of a die, the only missing one being the tray. But, it was something that was not noticed, save by those concerned, The woman, Fearless Fan, wasstill there. She was not playing, but was standing near the table, almost opposite to the dealer and not far from Lawyer Bungle. ; Presently there came au excited stir near the front of the room, and there was a call for Mil- ton Armstrong, “Here I am,” the mine manager responded, from his place near the table. He bad only recently come in, after having been out for some time, and was watching the game closely, incompany with his superintend- ent, Keeler. - ‘*Hyer’s yer darter wants ter see ye,” a man called out. A young woman was pushing her way through the crowd, and presently she came to where the manager sat. 3 She was not bad-looking, but had a hard, ‘steed look that did not by any means suit her Station, “ What is it, Eva?” the manager asked, “Oh! papal” she exclaimed, with excitement that seemed forced, “that horrid Duteh ped- r has broken into our house, and he must he Tobbing us, I think.” ' “The Dutch peddler!” cried the manager, @ exchanged a quick look with Keeler, and the latter cried: , n, Lil Dutch peddle him, if he is there yet, Pll go back with your daughter, Mr. Armstrong, alfa dozen of you men come with me, and catch the rascalif you can, He won’t be hard ba : declared ll go with you,” the manager declared. % Ana so will I,” cried the mayor of the camp, ‘ We'll hang the cuss, if we git him to ig bea hese three, with half a dozen or more of the employees of the mine from out the crowd, set pouty once, the young woman returning with The play had stopped for the moment, but it was resumed as soon as the momentary interrup- tion had ended. Sportive Sport’s luck seemed to change, short- ly,and again he was on the losing side, His face was clouded, and a desperate expression seemed to come into his eyes as be played. It was some time after the going out of the mine-inanager and those with him, that another stranger entered the saloon. He was a keen-eyed man, with smooth face, clad in ordinary attire, and he seemed to saunter in as thougb with no especial interest further than to see what might he going on, He made bis way to the faro-table, where he looked idly on at the game, Like some of the others, he wore a diamond pin. It bad three stones in it, in a row from left to right. The Dutch peddler was not likely to be found by those who had gone out in quest of him, as more than one man present could have pre- dicted, after the coming in of this man, The Sportive Sport lost steadily, and the hour was growing late. ‘* Jn balf an hour more [ shall close the game for the night,” the dealer made announcement, ‘* Make your play, gentlemen.” ‘* Tt will be closed sooner, if I lose this turn,” grated Sportive Sport. His face bad settled into a hard, white expres- sion of desperation, and he made his last play, with cold calculation. He had been watching the run of the cards closely, and had been playing where calculation bad shown the player’s best chance to lie, but he had lost steadily. This was his last effort, and he staked all he had, A turn of a card, and he had—lost! With a lightning move he drew a revolver from under the table, and— But, it did not happen, White George might have died then and there, but a friendly hand interposed, It was Lawyer Bungle who grasped the fellow’s wrist, with a grip of steel, and in a show of greatest excitement and consternation, he gasped: ae, goodness, Mister Sport, don’t do any- thing like that. You must not kill yourself! Fortune may be ready to smile upon you again eo as has been the case many a time be- ore. With a quick movement the lawyer bad dis- armed him, = Feeling that his real intention had not been discovered, the Sportive Sport smiled and ac- cepted the situation. **T don’t know whether I ought to thank you or not, lawyer,” he remarked, ‘‘ but you have saved my life. Well, the game is ended, all the same, so far as [ am concerned,” He rose from the table, ‘“* ’m sorry for your bad run of luck, friend,” said White George. ‘‘ If you will accept it, Pll give you a stake of afew thousands.” “No, by great!” was the refusal, ‘ Dll try you once more, to-morrow night, and then if my luck is the same lll take care that I carry out what I tried to do a moment ago,” Just then the mayor, Armstrong, Keeler and the others returned, CHAPTER XIII. THRILLING MOMENTS. “HELLO! did you get the peddler?” asked Sportive Sport, turning at once to them and seem- ing glad of the chance to change the subject. ‘** No; he ain’t ter be found nowhere,” answered the mayor, ‘‘ Have you gone broke, Scorty?” ‘*That’s what’s the matter with me.” ‘The deuce!” exclaimed Armstrong. ‘You are in hard luck, Bondel. If you require an- other stake, I'll back you.” “Not to-night, thank you. I have had enougb,” ? ‘¢ See here,” demanded Keeler, ** has this been a square game, boys?” ‘* Have you seen anything crooked about it?” immediately challenged White George, wino was taking up his winnings, ‘*No, I have not,” Keeler admitted, ‘ but it seems strange that a player like Sportive Sport should be on the losing side so long. We don’t know you, further than we have had from your Own lips,” ““Thatis true; but if any one has seen cheat- g, let him step forward and say so. If it can ® proved, I'll surrender every cent I have won,” “So far as that is concerned,” said Sportive Sport, “I think the zame has been a square one, Tam no child at it, and I have watched closely.” ““As you bad the right to do, sir,” observed the dealer, ‘When I play, whether as banker or player, the game has got to be a square one. It hes certainly been all in my favor, though.” He had now taken up his winnings, and rose from the table, The other players had already left their places, and were standing near Lawyer Bungle, What should have happened, then, did not take place according to programme, for just at. the critical moment there was a wild whoop at the door, and a crowd of men, with weapons flourishing, bounded into the room, At their bead was Wild Ward, who bad some- how escaped. ‘““Thar he is,” he cried, George. ‘‘ Take him, and w of him.” Forward they rushed, their weapons to the front, and the way was cleared for them as they came on, 1 ‘“‘Up with yer hands, this hyer time,” cried Wild Ward, ‘Ther jig is up wi’ you now, an” thar’s no gettin’? out of et. Ther man what draws a pop gits a dose o’ lead.” White George had been caught with the bags of gold in his hands, and before he could drop them and draw his revolver, it was too late. There were some thirty or more of the in- truders, and each was armed, Most of them were more or less drunk, and it could be seen at a glance that they would hold life cheap. “Well, what do you want?” the cool sport asked, ‘* We want you, that’s what,” was the arswer. “Up with yer bands, or you'll git a pull right. hyer!” “The sport obeyed, raising hie hands with the bags of coin in his grasp. ‘“Oh! ye kin hold on to ther boodle, ef ye want to,” was sneered, ‘‘ We'll take keer of that after we have tooken keer of you. Lay onto him, fellers.” Wild Ward advanced a step himself, and two or three others stepped forward with him to earry out his order, ‘¢ Let me out of here!” suddenly cried Lawyer pointing at White: e’ll make short work Bungle. ‘* Let me out of here!” With his words he madea dash to get past the armed men, evidently, and in his mad haste be ran against Wild Ward with force enough to knock him almost off bis balance, Tt was all that was needed; it was something to give White George a chance to act, and the sport did act, promptly. With sudden energy he dashed the bags of coin at the head of Wild Ward and the man nearest him, and the next instant bis revolvers were out and be was ready, ‘Now, curse you, try it again!” he cried, savagely, a *“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!” cried Lawyer Bungle. ‘Let me get out of here before the shooting begins!” : He was dashing this way and that, asif try- ing to find a way out, while all the time men were going down before him like ninepins, sent to the floor by the force of his quiet blows, White George had now bis weapons against the head of Wild Ward, and the latter wae somewhat subdued, : The others, by this time, were acting. THe men of the DiamondDice, except the six- spot, had their weapons in hand, and the mayor of the camp was with them. ‘ It looked as though Wild Ward and his gang had run up against a snag. Fearless Fan, too, was one who stool ready for the fray,a pair of glittering five-shooters held in her firm hands, “© Hold on, lawyer, hold on!” cried the mayor, “Don’t kill’em al! What ar’ye doin’, any- how?” “T want to get out and 1 must get out,” the lawyer cried, ‘' Please don’t begin to shoot, good gentlemen, till I bave got outside,” ‘¢ There will be no shooting, I guess, sir.” This from the sport, “Eh? What's that” The lawyer stopped suddenly and looked around, ‘‘ Bless me,” he observed, ‘‘I thought every- body was going to begin at once, and I was quite alarmed.” : hs Those whom he had downed were up again, more or less dazed by whnt had bappened. They looked at the lawyer in am#z-ment. “TI thought ye was goin’ ter clear out ther hull dara ranch,” said the mayor, ‘‘ You seem ter be a snorter, when ye let yerself loose, Didn’t know but a whirlwind bad got in hyer.” ‘Really, I was not aware what I was doing,” the lawyer assured, “If I have pushed any~ body rudely, 1’m sure I beg pardon,” At that there was a laugh,
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| | | 12, fellow?” asked the sport. ‘We orter hang him, cuss him!” was the angry response. “May I suggest something?” asked Fearless Fan, é ’ ‘*Sartain you may.” ‘* Well, let the sport say what shall be done with him.” ‘*D’ye hear that?” cried the prisoner, ‘Say they ain’t workin’ together? It is Deadwood Dick an’ his wife, an’ I know et!” ‘*T assure you youare wrong; but, even were it so, what would this camp have against us?” the cool sport declared and demanded, “Tl tell ye what,” the prisoner retorted, ‘I have told ye ’bout a letter I seen at Bristol City. Deadwood Dick has come hyer to gobble up jive million doliars that’s s’posed to be hyer, that’s what!” The cat was out! *Do you think Deadwood Dick is an outlaw? a robber?” cried Fearless Fan, “Et ain’t that; this money is s’posed ter be stolen, an’ he has come hyer ter find et. Boys, ar’ ye goin’ ter iet him do et? Think of ther sum!” “But, this hyer must bea mistake,” cried the mayor. ‘J never heerd nothin’ of et, He must be barkiu’ up ther wrong tree, or else you be.” The crowd, the evil portion of it—and that meant fully four-fifths of the menin the room, was wild, If there was such a sum of money as that about, they all wanted a share of it, The six detectives saw that their case was lost, unless something was done at once to change the tide in their favor, Should the leaders take advantage of this mo- ment, if they saw the chance, they could com- mand the aid of nearly every man in the camp. Would they see and recognize this as their op- portunity? The detectives had already worked out their case, aud were on the point of making their arrests when their plans were upset by the attack of Wild Ward and his backers. Deadwood Dick himself was for the moment at loss, He did not know of a single man in the camp he could trust, unless possibly it was the mayor, From what he had been able to learn of him, ‘by close observation, he believe] that be was an honest man who somehow had got into the office by mistake, That he was not in the secret of the great. rob- bery was almost certain, ‘* Hang ther detective!” the crowd yelled. “Tf thar’s that much money hyer, we kin take keer of et!”* **- You bet we kin!” These, and a bundred other cries, were heard on every side, and the evil crowd was pressing forward, White George, the sport, sprung upon the ‘table. ‘* Silence!” he shouted, waving his revolvers, ** Let me have a word with you before you go too far with this business,” The crowd became still ina moment, all eager to hear what he had to say. “IT want to tell you again that I am not Deadwood Dick,” he spoke. ‘If you do away with me, thinking you have got bim, you will make a big mistake. That is all T have to say; een? if you are bound to have me, come on Armstrong and Keeler had been whispering together, and now Keeler sprung upon the other end of the same table with White. ‘*Men of Death’s-head Camp!” he shouted, “the time has come for us to take you into our confidence and let you into our secrets, There ds five millions of gold in this camp, and we re- ly on you to help us defend it. You heard this man say the limit of his game to-night was five anillions, didn’t you?” ‘“* That's sol” “Swing bim up!” “‘ Then bring out the swag and divvy!” What Deadwood Dick had dreaded, had come to pass. The ringleaders were going to take the whole wild horde of the camp for their backing. ** And it is proof enough that he is Deadwood Dick, in spite of all he says,” Keeler went on. *‘ We must hang him, and his backers, if any can be found; and then the gold will be brought out and you shall all havea share of it. It will ‘make this camp more than rich, and every man of you will be a prince, Rid your camp of these detectives, and—”’ ** And begip right bere,” cried Armstrong, as he aimed bis revolver squarely at White George, White George had been on the point of open- Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, him. With a single leap Lawyer Bungle was upon the sclid faro table, between White and tbe Sportive Sport, with a revolver placed at the head of the latter. ‘Men of Death’s-Head,” he cried, ‘‘ just goa little slow. This is the only man in the camp who knows the hiding-place of that gold, and if you make another move I will blow his brains out, Iam Deadwood Dick!” CHAPTER XIV.’ COOL-HEADED DICK! For the moment Deadwood Dick held the van- e. i ad there been a majority of honest men for him to bave appeal to, he could have carried his point from that moment. Well he knew, though, that appeal was use- less, for the most of the citizens were all that has been said of them, and more, He bad but one hope, to work upon their cupidity. For the moment they were at a standstill, filled with surprise at the unexpected revelation. ** And,” Fearless Fan had immediately added, ‘ifI have the nameI may as well claim the game, too. At thesign of an attack, off goes this rascal’s roof!” She bad clapped a revolver tothe ear of Mana- ger Armstrong. The brief hesitation was more than Dick had hoped to gain, and it gave him a chance for a quick decision of ection. At a signal from him, Detective Mason and the others of the diamond dice instantly laid hands upon the men they had intended arrest- ing, and handcuffs were upon their wrists be- fore they knew it, This was a further surprise that held the ees sai in check still longer, and time was ained, ¥ Mason had handcuffed Keeler, Hardy had done the same for Armstrong, Cooley bad per- formed the same office for the Sportive Sport, while Martin, who had been the bummer, Ken- naka Kolt, had served Wild Ward in a similar fashion, And there the four were, beautifully helpless for the time being. They had not submitted silently, however, for they had been uttering all manner of threats and curses, at the same time calling upon the crowd to defend them, There were shouts, now, on every hand, im- possible to quote, And if there was asurprised man in the camp, that man was Mayor Corrigan, who had to this time looked on with wide-open mouth, ‘‘ What in ther name o’ disasters does all this hyer mean, anyhow?’ be now demanded, ‘* Lawyer Bungle, you infarnel jassack, do you mean ter lay claim ter bein’ ther great detec- tive, Deadwood Dick?” ‘*T certainly do, mayor,” Dick answered. And in proof of it, he took off bis bat and with a sweep of his band removed wig, beard and spectacles at once, The redoubtable Richard stood forth! ** By *fernal! I know ye!” cried Wild Ward, hotly. ‘* Why couldn’t I ’a’ knowed et was you before? You would now be a deader, I swear et. ‘*Maybe so,” spoke Fearless Fan, coolly. ‘I have been around, you rascal, and perhaps J would have had something to say about that, And it would have been the same on the part of these gentlemen. You could not have barmed a hair of Deadwood Dick’s head.” ** Woman, who are you?” asked Detective Ma- son. ** One who is on your side in this case, is all I will say now.” There was no time to say more, for, the fran- tic urgings made by Keeler and Armstrong were arousing the crowd. The rascals were pushing forward, growling like wild beasts, and it would require but an- other touch of the lash to make them rend their natural prey—if they could, ‘* Hold!” commanded Deadwood Dick, in sten- torian tone, ‘‘The man among you who ad- vances another step, dies. ‘You have the ad- vantage of numbers, but we bold the drop, and I am good for the lives of a dozen or so of you, myself.” That che¢ked and cowed them, for the mo- ment, The detective at the same time gagged their prisoners, to stil] them so that Dick could make himself heard. The tube of a threatening re- volver had been thrust into the mouth of each, ““Men of Death’s-Head,” Dick immediately went on, taking advantage of the moment of = Se ee a ee “‘ Well, mayor, what is to be done with this | ing fire, but a signal from Dick had deterred | respite, ‘‘ 1 want you to listen to what I have to tell you. We are here on business, as you can see, and we will stand no trifling. You hold your lives in your own hands, for every man of us is a sure shot with the pistol.” There was a bum of mutterings, at that. “The story this rasca},” indicating Wild Ward, ‘‘has told you, istrue in the main, I will give you the facts of the cease, briefly. There bas been a robbery, and a large sum of money stolen from the Government, It bas been tracked to this camp, and we are here to reclaim it, We bave found it, and we will take it with usif we have to wade in blood to do it. Now, Lhave.a proposition to make to you. Are you willing to listen to it?” The bum abated a little, showing tbat they were willing to lear, : “Very well; but, first, I want every man in this room who is willing to aid usin our work, to step over to our side here. I want to know just how many friends we bave among you.” Jim-jam Joe was busy among the men, whispering bere ard there, and his words were being passed frcm lip to lip. At Dick’s ca}l, tke first man to respond was the mayor, He faced the crowd boldly, with weapons drawn, and called out: ‘‘ Hyer is one ye kin count on, anyhow; en’ I sh’v’d think thar orter |e some more besides me, White men of this hyer camp, whar ar’ ye?” At that, some tbree or four otbers stepped ou6 from the crowd and cast their lot with the deter- mined few, ‘“T am glad to find so many honest men among you,’ said Dick, then, ‘ Now, the rest of you, listen tome: df you will sell your help to us, we will psy you a fair price for it. If not, it is war! Now, make up your minds which you will have.” aS a? ‘‘How much will it pay?’ asked Jim-jam HY | ’ ‘* Five dollars to each and every map.” There was a shout of derision, at that. an offer was not to be thought of, ‘‘ We jest won’t do et,” Jim-jam announced. ‘¢ Ther’ is five millions Jayin’’round byer scom’ers, an’ we’re goin’ ter bave ther bull of et. You hev showed yer teetb, an’ we ar’ goin’ ter show ours, Besides, that pard o’ yours thar bas gta cool couple o’ hundred thousand in his clothes, and you must take us for fools ef ye think we ar’ goin’ ter let ye git away with that, when we ar’ ten to one ’gainst ye.” ; The horde of them roared like tigers, at at. ‘* Hold!” Dick shouted again, “If youadvance one step, this man dies!” ! ‘Kill bim an’ be darn!” retorted Jim-jam. ‘Ye would only bave ter do et, anyhow, ter git rid of him.” Dick removed his weapon from the mouth of the chief of the rascals, and covered Jim-jam himself, “Pll kill you, then,” be declared, ‘Stop where you are, men, till you hear all I have to ” say. His backers now ranged themselves in line, and their weapons covered the crowd, ‘¢ And the first men of you who lifts bis arm shoulier high, drops!” So added Detective Mason. ““They dare not kill one of you!” shouted Keeler. ‘Go for them, and the whole boodle sbajl be yours.” ; Witb a sweep of his arm Dick knocked him off the table, and with a weapon in each band, faced the crowd like the tiger be was. ‘ ‘““You will bave war, will you?” he cried, ‘Very well, war let it be. bave been in worse holes than this and have come out alive, Vil risk it here, Just count your chances before you are too basty. Here area ood dozen of us against you, and every one with a brace of re- volvers covering you. Tbat means a hundred and twenty bullets ready to be poured into you the moment you move. Do you want them?” Putting it in that light, the crowd recoiled a little. “But, what will we be doin’ all that time?” cried Jim-jam, ‘* You won't fire a dozen shots "fore every one of ye will be laid out stiff.” ‘“* Every one of that dozen will count, though,” Dick retorted, And then, in bis grim tone of command, he suddenly ordered: _ “Form yourselves in double line, every man of vou. The one to refuse dies in bis tracks.” Before aware of it, fully two-thirds of the crowd bad obeyed. b : It was their fatal move, and Dick immediately took advantage of it, He leaped from the table, facing those nearest him, and cried again: “ Fall in, tnere, or I'll drop you!” Such '
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The cowards slunk back before him, and in less than half a minute they were in two double lines the length of room, ** Now, hands up! every mother’s son of you!” Dick further ordered, ‘t Hands up, weapons in plain sight! And the man who steps out of bis place in line dies!” ‘* He’s trapped us!” cried Jim-jam Joe, ‘‘ Now is our time ter wipe—” He sprung from, his place in line, as he spoke, and would have opened the battle, but a bullet from Dick’s revolver laid him low, The situation was a desperate one, and des- perate means had to be employed. It was a matter of life on death for the Big Six and their few friends, and there could bea no trifling. “Next!” Dick grated. “If any other man wants it, let him step out!” No one accepted the invitation, however. Master of the situation, now, Deadwood Dick was prompt to act. He directe1 two of his men to pass along the lines and take away the weapons from the ruffianly crew, and the work was begun im- mediately. : Barely had it been begun, however, when some thoughtful rascal in the crowd whispere:l to his neighbor, word was quickly passed to the rear, and the moment it reached the last man, action was taken. The last men in the line turned suddenly, and. making a dash for the doors, were out in a second, And after them went the others, in mad haste, and before the stampede could be checked fully & third of the rascals had made good their escape, It was checked, though, for the weapons of the detective spoke sharply and deadly, and the doorway was blocked with wounded men, It had to be a game of shoot, there was no avoiding it. “Hands up!” Deadwood Dick commanded again, and the cowed wretches obeyed. hey were now 8 ily disarmed, and the doors were closed and secured against attack from without, The windows were fitted with heavy wooden shutters, and the few of these that were open were dily closed in, and so ended the trouble for ® time, _ Those who had been disarmed were cowering in one corner of the room, under the guard of a couple of detectives clustered around Dead- wood Dick, ** You are well named the Prince of the West,” said Mason, offering his hand, ‘‘I thought we were in a death-trap that time, and so it would have proved, but for you.” Dick smiled. “It was pretty hot, that’s the fact,” he ad- mitted. ‘‘ And, it is not done with yet, by a ood deal, Before we go another step, owever, am determined to know one thiag. Lady,’ ae upon Fearless Fan, “‘ who and what are you For answer, the woman caught Dick’s right hand in both of hers, crying: . . ‘* Dick! Dear, brave, noble Dick! Did you se ea me, ‘truly? It is I, Kate, your CHAPTER XV. IN A DESPERATE FIX, 4 DEADWOOD Dick had) caught his wife to his breast before her words were ended. “No, Kate, I did not know you,” he said, “T balf suspected, but you disarmed my sus- picions, Truly, you are the Queen of Dis- guise, “It was because you did not look for me, mainly,” Kodak Kate rejoined, ‘* You thought me at Bristol City, with our dear baby boy in my arms, Do you imagine 1 could remain there longer, and you facing such fearful dangers?” ** Not even for little Dick?” ‘Not even for him! But, you may be sure I left him in good hands, It was my assumed change of voice that deceived you, together with this Carkened skin and this hideous scar across my face. You may be sure I took care with my make-up.” ‘ <i ugbed the merry laugh Dick knew so well. “You deceived me, I admit it,” Dick confess- ed. ‘' Your pretended search for a man named Kennet, too, was a piece of work that disarmed me “It was done for that purpose. I wanted to test my disguise thoroughly, and so I came here with that story, where I could be face to face with you and so see if you would know me.” “You did well, Kate; but, dear, think of the “risk you have run! I can never trust you alone again,” ‘*- You need not do so. My place is by your side, and where you are, there will I be found, We «ill face dangers together.” ‘* Mason,” and Dick turned to his fellow de- tective, ‘let me introduce you to the best, the bravest, the truest wife a man ever had, This is Kodak Kate of whom you have heard,” The introduction was acknowledged, suitably, and some minutes more were spent in conversa- tion, in which all took part, Dick soon came again to the business in hand, ‘We are in a dangerous trap here,” he said, ‘* We are not out of the woods by any means, We must look well to our safety.” ‘* Will we leave the saloon?” asked Mason, ‘* Not by any means, Some of us would sure- ly be shot down, and I will not allow my wife to take further risks—” “See, I have hampered you already,” cried Kate, regretfully. ‘* Why will you not forget what lam to you, Dick, and look upon me as only your pard in danger? Iam willing—” ‘*T know you are, too willing. But, I would act the came in this instance, even were you not here. No; we must keep under the shelter of the saloon till daylight, at least, and then we will try in some manner to overcome these ras- cals and make good our escape.” All this time the handcuffed men, Keeler, Armstrong, Sportive Sport and Wild Ward, had been talking together. Keeler now spoke to Dick. ** Deadwood Dick,” he said, ‘t you have got us dead to rights, and there is no way out of it for us. You have not got the money, however, and never can find it without our help, Let us go, and we will show you where it is.” ‘Did you ever hear of Deadwood Dick sell- ing out like that?” Dick asked. ‘* But, you want the money.” ‘* And we know where to put our hands on it, too, New Jesse. Hal you give a start because I know you? I might surprise. you more than that, I think.” **T don’t see how,” The outlaw spoke with that cold daring for which he had become noted in so short a time. “Well, I will tell you, then: My by-play about accusing the cook at the hotel of the mur- der of Banton and Moxley was all a farce, as you can now understand. It was done to add strength to my assumed character. I coulc have laid my hand on the actual murderer at that time,” : The man had grown more pale than before, ‘*T don’t believe it,” he cai ‘Don’t you? Well, that murderer was your- self, You—” ‘You he!” fiercely, “[ speak the truth. Banton and Hokley were both concerned with you in this great ro ci and by putting them out of the way you wou d have all the more for your own share, In fact, it was your plan to have it all.” “You lie! You lie!” “*Oh, no; I have the facts straight enough. It was your intention to do away with Arm- strong and Bordell in the same fashion—” “What!” cried Arnistrongs “Had you that thought in your mind, Tom Horsehead? “Tom Horsehead ?” exclaimed Dick. “ By heavens, Mason, we have made a richer haul than we thought!” ‘You are right, Mr, Armstrong, if that is your name, and I very much doubt it now, you have the thanks of the Government, through me, ‘* And if this is Horsehead, were not the other two, Banton and Hokley, his confederates—Bill Radlay and Hank Mander? This is growing in- teresting, truly.” ‘¢- Yes, that’s just who they were,” declared Armstrong. ‘Give me a chance, and J’!] peach on them all, that is, all that’s left of the gang. [ll fix you, Horsehead, for your intention to murder me!” ‘* Well think about that,” said Dick, ‘For the peveensy enough. We have something else to think about.” The handcuffed prisofers were then seats in a corner, and Dick turned to the of men in the other corner, ‘* You fellows need not huddle together there like sbeep,” he said. ‘There is the bar; go in and help ye ee to what you want. treat you better than you would have treated me, ‘** Hooray!” yelled one man. ‘I'll be ther barkeeper, an’ I’ll drink with ye every time, pards! Come on!” - ven orde They made a mad rush for the bar, and in an- other moment were filling themselves with the poisens there on tap, | Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 13 “Are you not afraid of that move?” asked Mason, rather apprehensively. ‘* Why?” asked Dick. . “They may give us trouble when they get crazy.” ““T expect they will, but they are disarmed, and we can quell them. After they pass thar stage they will sleep like logs.” ‘*That’s true; but it’s an unpleasant place for your wife,” “T admit it, but there isno help forit, Better to have somany the less to deal with.” “Think not of me,” Kate spoke up.‘ Con~ duct the case justas you would were I aman and a fellow detective with you. I can bear my part, never fear,” ‘* We have no fearon that score, Mrs, Bristol.’” Dick then held a whispered consultation with his men and their allies, The result of it was, that Detectives Coke, yma and Cooley left the saloon by the rear oor. Outside, in front of the saloon, was now am angry, bowling mob, and trouble from that quarter was momentarily expected, Dick had hoped that this trouble might be averted long enough for the rascals within to drink themselves stupid, but in that be was dis- appointed. Barely had the detectives gone out by the rear way, when there came a crash against the front doors, ‘* Now we are in for it,” Dick cried, ** A few more blows like that,” said Mason, “and they will be in upon us.” “The door will be blocked again with their bodies, if they do break in,” was Dick’s grim. rejoinder, ; ‘And this end of the room will be strewn with ours,” Dick looked at his wife. There she was, as fearless as himself, with her weapons ready, The crowd at the bar had stopped their drinking for the moment, and were talking to- gether, ‘“*The man who makes @ move to open that door, dies,” Dick warned. ** We ain’t goin’ ter do that,” was the response from one man, ‘ We aivu’t got ne more of this hyer stuff than we want ourselves,” Dick caught at the straw. “Then you will have to defend it,” he cried, “Tay hold upon that bar, every man who can, and place it before the door. If you don t, they’ll have it away from you in no time! It was enough. With only that single idea in their addled minds, they barricaded the door in haste, and for the time being the danger was held off, ‘*T must speak to them,” cried Dick. ‘Ill do it from the loft. Hold the fort till we see what. effect that will have on them, I will be back. again in a few minutes,” ‘* May I go with you, Dick?” asked Kate, ‘* No; remain here,” The answer was kindly yet authoritative, ** But, + will not expose yourself, Dick?” ““No, I promise you that. I will safely re- turn.” The Sarcophagus was a one-story building, with a false front. A rude stairs led from with- in to theloft overhead, the space left vacant by the incline of the roof, and which had been used. as sleeping quarters, At the front end of the loft, and also at the rear, was a window. Dick sprung vp the ladder, and was soon at the front window, where be could see the crowd in the street below. “ Hello, out there!” he called. “Ther same ter you!” came back the re- nse, Pe What ee ou qotne fo do? It will be death to you to break in bere, ; aWe are goin’ ter burn ye out, that’s what!” ‘You will burn half a hundred of your own men if you do that. We have that many prisoners.” ‘Let ’em burn! That will be all ther less ter divide ther boodle ’mongst! We ar’ goin’ ter roast ye alive, cuss yer!” That's all right, but money at the same time, saloon with us. Now, I proposition to you.” Just then there was another crash against the door below. ‘* We don’t want ter hear et! We know what we ar’ about, you bet! You stay in thar an’ roast, fer we know ye can’t git out, We don’t believe ther gold is thar, an’ we'll take chances!” Dick withdrew at once, knowing it was useless. ou will burn the or it is herein the am going to make a.
Page 14
14 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, ‘to parley further, As he did so there was an- other crash against the door. ' He ran totbe rear window and looked out, ‘There all was darkness, and not a sound was to be heard below. The whole crowd appeared to be in the front, Hastening down the stairs again, Dick hur- riedly consulted with the others, and their plan was soon laid, Gagging the prisoners, they slipped out from the place by the rear door, taking the prisoners with them. CHAPTER XVI. ROUNDING UP TH HORDE, In giving the rascals in the saluon free license at the bar, Deadwood Dick had done a wise thing, though it had not resulted in just the manner he had had in view at the time of doing 80. The men were getting crazy drunk as fast as they could, and were so oecupied with their drinking and their ghouts of defiance to their brethren without, that they did not notice this retreat by the rear door on the part of the detec- ‘tives and their prisoners, Once out from the saloon, Dick kept well in ‘the shadows and away from the street, making his way up the gulch with all haste, On coming out, the prisoners bad refused to walk, evidently thinking that by this means they would delay their captors and bring about their discovery, but there were enough of the pi bc to carry them, and that was done, hey had not gone far when they were met by a perty coming from the opposite direction, ‘There were three men and a woman, and Dick challenged them at once, ** Coke—Hardy?” he spoke, Me Yes,” was the response, ‘' with the pris- ‘All right, but turn with us. We have had to desert the saloon,” The prisoner was a woman, being none other than Eva Armstrong, the supposed daughter of the manager. The others turned, and all made haste to get to the cottage that had been occupied by Arm- strong, where they disposed of the prisoners for the time being, ‘* We have not won the case yet, by a good deal, remarked Dick. ‘No, but we have won a good deal of it,” Mason made play upon his words, ‘‘ We have et the men, and we know where the money is { . ** And they have got us, like rats in a trap or they would have, had they a competent Jeader,” Dick rejoined, ‘Not with you in command, Deadwood Dick.” ‘* You may see me outdone, this time.” ‘No fear of it.” , **1 only wish we had a Gatlin’ gun,” cried the mayor. ‘We'd wade in an’ mow’em down, Ter think that I have been boss over sech a pizen gang! I knowed they was bad, but I mever dreamed they was ez bad as this,” There was a good deal of debate, then, in which it was decided to remain there till morn- ‘ing, unless disturbed. he weapons that had been taken from the men at the saloon had been rendered ‘useless, so, even though the men opposed them again, weapons would be fewer. As Dick had said, they were still in a desper- ate situation, and one that might have been ren- dered desperate indeed, had the borde of ruffians had a leader to direct their movements intelli- gently. For hours the uproar at the saloon was kept up, but at last it died out, and finally the camp became still, It lacked then but an hour or two of dayligfit. “The rum has done it,” said Dick, ‘We must take them early, if we take them at all!” * And we'll do it,” declared Mason; and the mayor and the others agreed in that. Hardy and Cooley were the only ones who could resume the disguises they had worn before, all the others having been now exposed, They were out first of all, before daylight but not a great deal ahead of Dick, Mason, an the others, 3 Kodak Kate, now in another disguise, was close by Dick’s side, She was attired now as a handsome young sport, a disguise which was as perfect as the one she had laid aside. Drunken mén were found lying everywhore about the camp, and every one was relieved of his weapons as soon as discovered, and the wea- pons were as promptly thrown away or made When morning dawned, not more than a quar- ter of the population of the camp was astir. Up the street from the direction of the gulch came the Irish tinker, at an early hour, singing as merrily as a lark: **Oh-ho, whin Oi’m at a wake, A ruction Oi make, Oi am boss av dhe ranch or Oi’m nothing ait all; Oi take me best gurrel, And a-dancin’ we whirl, And dhe spalpeen dhat gets inme way takes afall! Oh-ho, wid whisky galore, No less and no more, Me loife is contint when dhey l’ave me alone; But *tis me deloight, To get in a foight, And dhen wid a shtic< Oi’m a terror, ochone!”’ At the same time, down the street from the op- posite direction came Pompey Sunflower, the camp’s colored barber, his face expanded into a broad smile of good will for everybody. ‘‘Hallo, naygur!” greeted the young Irish- man, as they met. ‘‘Dhe top av dhe marning to ye.” Tho smile on Pompey’s face bad vanished in- stantly, and turning upon the tinker in a rage, he hotly demanded: ‘““Who yo’ call niggur, hey? yo’ low-down, good-for-nothing !” ‘‘Phwat are ye, dhen? Ye are no blonde, dbat Oi’ll be bound.” “Ds a gentleman ob color, sab; dhat’s what I am, ‘‘Oi agree wid ye, begorra! It’s a fast-black brunette ye are,” “ Took heah, yo’ low-down pot-tinker! I hab yo’ to know yo’ can’t ’sult me! Yo’ take dat back, or Vll kyarve ye, an’ kyarve yedeep. I has a razor right heah in my boot,” ‘‘ Begob, ye bad better have a care how ye are talkin’, naygur, or Oi’ll take me iron and be af- ther breakin’ dhe pate av ye wid it,” “ Yo’ call me nigger gain! I’s gwine to cut ye, now, and cut ye deep!” With that warning, Pompey reached toward his boot to get his weapon, when the tinker, dropping his kit and furnace, sprung upon him, And then at it they went, tooth and nail, so to say; each shouting and yelling ina way that was calculated to arouse the whole camp, and men came running from every direction, ‘¢ Oi’ll chew ye, begob!” cried the tinker. ‘‘ Ts gwine bite yo’ nose off!” yelled the bar- ' ber, ‘“‘O7ll twist yer neck fur ye, ye thafeara naygur, ye!” Yo’ jes’ mind out, or yo’ get yo’ blame’ ol’ punkun bu’sted!” So their cries were commingled, as they fought hard and furiously, each trying to gain the mas- tery. Tt did not take long to draw a crowd, and ina few minutes there was a ring around the com- batants, every man in the camp who was sober enough to get there being in it. This was fun for them, and they were yelling themselves hoarse, urging the two belligerents on to barder work, ‘* Go fer him, Irish! **Do him up, barber!” ‘* Solder him, tinker!” ‘¢Cut bim, nigger!” It was lively, and they were bound to make it more so, if possible, The crowd did not observe the men who were surrounding them, each with a rifloin bis hands, In fact, the tinker and the barter were making it so lively and interesting that there was little ee for the crowd to take note of anything else, Presently a voice from the outside of the circle shouted: ‘“‘ Cut his Irish throat, Sunflower! Poke your soldering iron down his neck, McGee! You are not half fighting!” The fighters seemed to act upon that suggestion at once, for they pulled apart from each other immocdiately, and while tue tinker sprung for his iron the darky drew a razor from his boot, ‘¢ O7'll fix ye now, begorra!” panted the tinker. “Yes, an’ I'll fix yo’, too,if yo’ come near me!” puffed the barber. Tho young [Irishman flourished his iron menac- ingly, and the gentleman of color brandished bis nicked razor, Instead of advancing, however, they made the distance between them wider as they moved around, each keeping his eyes upon the other. * OP ll plunk ye!” ‘lg gwine kyarve ye!” Suddenly, and at the same instant, each made a move as if to spring upon the other, and thea as suddenly both dropped their weapons, turfed, and with yells of fright broke out of the ring in opposite directions and ran, The roar of laughter that went up from the crowd was speedily checked. ‘*Throw up your hands, every man of you!” was the stern order. Tbere they were, like a flock of sheep, sur- rounded by ten or a dozen grim. rifles, and Deadwood Dick, mounted upon a box with a brace of revolvers in hand, had given the com- mand, One look was enough, and as one man the crowd obeyed, ‘Horm in line!” Dick further ordered, in- stantly, taking advantage of their momentary consternation. ‘“* This, too, was obeyed. The trick that had trapped them had been a neat one, No sooner in line than the men with the rifles closed in upon them, and every man was uncer cover. Not a hand could be lowered in the whole line without inviting a shot, and the crowd realized how cleverly they had been bunched there and overcome, By this time the Irish tinker and the carky barber had run back again, and they now passed along the line, disarming each man in turn, while Deadwood Dick reminded the rascals that it would be death for any man to resist, The work was speedily done, and the weapons had been made useless as fast as taken, ‘ What ar’ ye goin’ ter do with us?” asked ono an. ‘*T could take you prisoners, and make you suffer for what you have done in opposing officers in the discharge of their duty,” was Dick’s answer. ‘But, lam willing to give you another chance.” ‘‘ What kind of er chance?” asked another fellow. ‘* A chance to become orderly and law-abiding citizens,” responded Dick, ‘*I have made your mayor here a deputy marshal, and he and his assistants are going to enforce his rule in this camp., They are armed, while you are not, and you must obey them, That is the chance for you to redeem yourselves,” “But, we ain’t no darn hyenas, Deadwood Dick, ter be treated like this hyer,” yet another growled, ‘*Yonr conduct of last night was not such as to assure me that you are very far different from hyenas,” Dick returned. ‘‘ You have heard my decision, and as the present head of this camp, I shall enforce it.” CHAPTER XVII, IN CONCLUSION, Wirtn the camp disarmed, the backbone of the uprising was broken, and Deadwood Dick was master of the situation. He then and there addressed the crowd at length, giving them due warning of what to ex- pect if they interfered further with him and bis men in their duty, and that done, be bade them disperse. This they did, sullenly, and Dick and his men, keeping together, returned to the house where the prisoners had been left. Here Detectives Hardy and Cooley laid off their disguises, to put them on no more in the present case. The hiding-place of the stolen gold had al- ready been found. The work of each of the detectives has not been followed in detail, since lack of space made such a record impossible, Let it suffice to say that each had done his part, and had done it well. The gold, as Detective Mason had rightly sus- pected, bad been brought to the camp in the machinery intended for the mine, and it had been unpacked and buried under the floor of the stamp-mill, where it still remained, the secret being known only to the few concerned, The robbery had been committed by Keeler, the ‘* New Jesse,” so called; and the men with him—-Banton, Hokley, and others, The murder of Banton and Hokley was brought home to Keeler in a way that was not to be doubted, 1t had been his intention to kill every one of the others, when he would have the wealth to himself, to do with as he pleased. His game had been nipped. The stage that morning was delayed, by order of Deadwood Dick, and was not allowed to de- part until he had arranged his plans thoroughly. When, finally, it did set out, it had the prisoners aboard, with two of the detectives to
Page 15
guard them to a temporary destination, where they were to await the arrival of Dick and Mason. After they bad gone, a freight wagon was made ready, and tiie gold was taken frem its hidioz-place and loaded upon it. While this was being done, that part of the camp’s population who were in condition to be about, looked on wistfully, but being disarmed they could do nothing to carry out their hearts’ desire. The mayor of the camp, with his few backers, stood with cocked rifles; in the defense of the detectives in their work, and finally that work was accomplished, Atl the gold had been pack- edon the heavy wagon, and was ready for trans- portation. It was, in truth, a valuable freight. The detectives bought horses at the camp, such as they were able to get, and at length were ready to set ont. Dick then tarned the camp over to the care of its mayor, and with alast word of warning to its citizens, set forth upon the home trail, his wife riding by his side, It had been a most daring and desperate raid, but a successful one, The gold finally reached its destination, less the comparatively small sum the robbers had squandered, The robbers were dealt with according to law as it applied to their cases, and received such punishment as they deserved, The scheme had been a well-laid one, and but for over-care in tie matter it might have been successful, It had been their extreme care that had given the detectives their clue. At the bottom of it had been Milton Arm- strong, and that name, needless to say, Was an assumed one, Ho had been a Government employee in a high station, but had fallen from grace Owing to his evil ways,. Knowing of the intended shipment, he hid resolved to capture it. | @ was in communication with Horsehead, Radlay, Mander and others, who had also beea in Government employ, and he knew that Horse- head, or ‘‘ Keeler,” as we have known him, was at the head of an outlaw band ani had made for himself a reputation as the ‘ New Jesse.” Letting him into his scheme, he had at Once the hearty co-operation of the band. Every detail had been provided for. After the gold had been put aboard the boat, then the men dropped out of sight and the woman, Who has been known as fva Armstrong anc who passed for the manager’s daughter at Death’s-Head, took charge of the shipment of the machinery, under the directions of the men, That she was not Amstrong’s daughter has been plainly enough hinted before, Sportive port, too, was one of the same rascally band. Keeler, a3 we have best known him, was not content to play second fiddle. to Armstrong, And, had he been allowed enough time, the mys terious deaths at Death’s-Head would have kept On till he would have been left alone with the. Secret and the golden treasure, Wild Ward was dealt with by Dick, and was sent back to prison, Where he soon afterward took his own life. Of the other rascals, nothing need be said in con- clusion, except that they were punished as they justly deserved. At Death’s-Head, Mayor Cor- rigan held the master hand, and finally that ’ - Camp became a decent place, Dick and Kate returned to Bristol City for a brief seasen. Both were anxious to see their boy, young Dick, There, in the Jove of her bus- band, and with her precious boy close to her heart, Kate could have settled down to the peace and quiet of domestic happiness; but for Dick such repose would never do, Not that he did not enjoy it, not that it did not give him pleas- ure, but bis oath was registered, and only a brief respite could he give evil and evi!-doers. And that being so, Kate, whose will was almost as firm as his own, and whose place was by his side, stood ready to face dangers with bim in whatever form they might appear. The other detectives, who, with Deadwood Dick, had in this case made up the Big Six, had parted with Dick and his wife with feelings of keenest admiration and friendship, Each cf them retained his diamond pin, a present from Dick and a souvenir of the case in which they had taken part as the Diamond Dice. THE END. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, WHI Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, Black Beas, Will Wildtire’s Racer, Ne Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. WILL W tldire in the Woods, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, A ‘Trump Oards or, Will Wildfire Wins and Lusea Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, Bob Rockett, the Bank Kunner, The Hidden Wands or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. Pred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, Rob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. +} 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 Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadew Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. R52 Wick 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 Jtm’s Jobs; or, Tho Young Detective. 298 The Water-HMound; or, The Young Thoroughbred, 805 Dashaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. $24 Rulph Keady, tho Hotel Boy Detective. B41 Tony Thorne, tho Vagabond Detective. ; 858 The Reporter-Detective, or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, W ide«Awake Joey or, A Boy of the Times. B79 Larry, the Leveler: or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, Firetly Jnck, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. Billy Brilek, the Jolly Vagapond. Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. Detective Dodges or, Tho Mystery of Frank Hearty, s Wild Dick Racket. Koots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 666 The Secret service Boy Detective. ; 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanansy or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 299 The Curbsatone Detectives or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, T5T Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes, ek eral el ered et lh ral el LBANNAASHKH Nee oORe BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Juck; or, The Trapper 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retro 65 Murrleane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-tlawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Ginnt; or, Dainty Lance In Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 181 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 ‘The Boy Parday or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooke< Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olt’; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Biack Rider}; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Dane! Boone’s Last Trall, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trafler. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 OChincapin Dan's Home Stretch, GYS Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, wn Licht-Heart Lute’s Legney. 18 Light-Heart Lute’s Last Trail. 28 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 29 Kilverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, HAB-Silverblade, the Hostile, T48 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick; or, Tho Yellow Chief's Vengeance. S? The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Islan 187 The Melpless fiands or, Backwoods Retribution, 2839 The Gold-secker Guide} or, The Lost Mountain, peters! BY ARTHUK ©, GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kidy 558 The Sure-Shot Pards, 621 Truthtul James the “ Pecooliar” Man. GY WILLIAM R, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Paro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards_ BY OLL COOMES, & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 ‘The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 1 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. TA Wawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Rangers 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Engle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger ~ 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy’Ceptain, 202 Prospect Pete: or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Roy Hercules: or, Tho Prairie Tramps, 18 Viger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom's Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Diseulsed Gulde; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, RT® Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 Th Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hereules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. AIT Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Ginnt of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 1d Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojnn. 562 Blundering Basll, the Hermit Boy Trapper, 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. +44 porway Hele, the By Bey Mecalainesr, auntiess Dan the Freelance, or Old Kit Band Arcadia, %78 Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman, ye 15 BY PHILIP 8, W4 RNE, OT Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattleanake, the Charmer. 175 Oaprain Arizomay; or, Patent-Lenther Joo's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Defeat. 219 Desapard, the Duellat; cr, The Moantain Vompires, 888 A Tougk Boy}; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. B68 Little Tous ¢ or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BTS Little Jingos or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Ok-my ¢ or, Caught in Mls Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-Ly 3 or, A Race fora Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches ¢ or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 431 Little Al Sing or, The Curse of Blood. 451 Colorado Kate. A ‘Tale of the olines. 4380 Three Jolly Parda SLT Jliw Gladden’s Deputy. 5B2T The Jolly Purds to the Rescue, &47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 656 Larlat Lily or, The Cast fora Life, 574 Old Weascl-top, the Man with the Dogs, 593 Keon Clem, tho Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Naine Sport. , 618 Billy Blazes: or, The Skeleton’s Legacy, G85 Oklahoma Mit the Blue-Coat Scout, 648 Uappy Marry'’s Big Find, 664 Cheeky Charley the Special. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam, S, Mall.) 284 O14 Rocky « ** Royoes; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker. 246 Glaut George; or, The Ang’) of the Range. 5 Arizoua Jack; or, Giant George’s Pard, 2097 Tho Tarantula of Taox; or, Giant Goorge’s Revenge. 80T The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. lLor-whoop, Ker-whooj or, The Tarantula of Taos. 7 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred: or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. B44 Tho Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Welt; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 Tho Ranch Ralders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 861 Snap-Shot, the Roy Kauger, TS Clilota, the Creek; or, The Three Thunderbolts, 881 Bandera Billy or. ¥rio I’rank to the Front. BYR Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalsy from Denver, 427 The Three Trallers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bally or, The Lynx of the Leona, 455 Little Lene Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Glant BY CAPT. J, F. ©. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles'’s Boy Spy, 46 Glass-Eye, the Groat Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whillles’s Pets; or, In The Lend of Death. 60 The White Indlan; or, The Scovt of the Yeilowstona 20 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Groenhorn in the Wooda, 81 Lightaing Jo, thy Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Bnekranmi} or, Bess, the Female Trapper, Q47 Old Grizzly avd Mis Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-houss Ligest or, Osceola, the Firebrand, 257 The Lost Muntera: or, The Underground Camp, 288 The Sealp King; or, The Human Thunderbolt, RY ROGER STARBUCK, 25 The Boy Captatns or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 Tho Biack Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 25 The Golden Marpoon ¢ or, Lost Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Meelay or, Old Skinfllnt, the Death-Shadow, 254 Rig Iorn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom LUrht-house, 870 Breaker Len, the Reef-Runner. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, 89 Island Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Markaway in New York. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 The Wild-lMorse Muntera, By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Roblusaon Orusoe, (27 [lustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor, His Seven Voyages. 22 4 Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribevs. By 8, W. Pierce, 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By F 8, Finn. BH Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Riftesy; or. The Underground Camp. By A.C, lrona, 95 The Rival Rovera; or, The Freebooters of the Missisalppy. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Mood, the Outlawed Earl; or Tha Merry Men of Groon- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, | heCave or Death, By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texan or, The Young Champion. By George Glopson. 128 The Young Privateer} or, The Pirate's Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish. ; 148 Sharp Samet or, The Adventures ofa Friendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Greon Ranger of the Yel- lowatone, By Edward Emorson. 261 Ferun Foaruaught the Now ¥ rk Boy. By @. Ls Alken, 266 Kiar, the Guides or, Davy Crockott's Crooked ‘Trail, By Ensign ©. D. Warren.) 298 Bed Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff, °C ‘omatock. 817 Bereta. che Lively Lad from Leadville, By Liev- tenant Alfred Thorne. B28 The Sky Detectives or 4 Boy's Fight for Life and Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. B50 Ked Ralph, the jtiver Rover 3 or, The Brother’s Re- By Ned Buntline, veo Ten the Bootblack Detective. By A. P, Morris, a4 Gamer pee or, Ben’s Double Match. By@ H. Morse, 876 Callfornia Joc’s First Trail. By Colone) Thomas ver Monatery. 418 Tsilty Rombahcll, the Clif Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop, AvS The Black Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Ick and Hix Three Invinclblea, By Henry J. Thomas. q B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. G52 Artel the Athlete, By David Druld. B85 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By 11, Enton. 682 The Dead Petective’a Double. By Gerald Carlton, 721 Maverick Mose, tae Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard ot Urko» Pass, By Will Lisenbee. A New issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Pime Library 1 tor anie ny all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six conte each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, venge,
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Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. at, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double Daggers, 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, 85 Deadwoo! Dick in his Castle;or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Clrude Duval, 42. Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger, or, Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Rover. Deadwood Dick in Leadville. Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 9 Deadwood Dick as Detective, Deadwood Dick’s Double. 3 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, § Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, 5 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, cy un Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills ezebel. 5 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure, Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam, 232 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of EKagle Bar. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: From Ocean to Ocean, Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 7 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days’in the Diggings. Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. Deadwood Dick in Dead City. or, 405 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. Deadwood Dick in New York. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 3} Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent, 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferret, Dea‘iwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, Deaiwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the Hurricaue. Dea iwood Lick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Mystery. Dea iwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Pripce Pistol, the King of the West. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 534 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator. : 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cow]l, the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein. 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, Th ) 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom, 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville, 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s Last Green Game, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue, 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers, 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, or, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ** Gathered In,” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery. in Durango; or, The The: 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or,, Developing the Dead Secret, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- jouyn at Satan’s Spring. %04 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight, 710 Desa Dick, ee in de Francisco; or,, odak Kate, the Snap-Shot. 716 Deadwood. Dick, ike dae Hunt; or, The con und in San Francisco. 922 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 Deadwood i Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron, 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise, 740 megane Dick, Jr.’s, Piet a or, The oving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. [47 gprs nse Diet, his OREN or, The andem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, 752 Pangaea’ Dick, Ane ‘eathblow; or, The ittle Circus at Last Chance. %58 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. %64 Deadwood. Dick, Jr,’s, Lone Hand, 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat, 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. 787 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device, 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Desperate Venture, 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamord Dice, or, Issues to Follow: 803 Dick Doom in Washington. By Col, Pren~ tiss Ingraham, Ready December 6tb, 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade, By Oll Coomes, Ready For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, . ecember 13th, 98 William Street, New York,