Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 901) (1894 10 30)
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AON ¥ WA Raa QU WY uy SR il ~. SRR Go Ta a as eT Tt Vf iV a in! i! a Fi i! nT G ee 1" 1 Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 1894, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, No 901 $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, . | ] bg r a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. Fi Ol. SSS ROS DIAMOND [)AYE, The Gilt-Edge Shooter; OR, DADDY GRIMES’ DEADLY GRIP. BY WM. R. EYSTER, AUTHOR OF “‘FARO FRANK,” ‘THE HUSTLER ROGUE-CATCHER,” ETC,, ETC, CHAPTER I. THE FIRST GUN OF THE STRIKE. ‘‘ ONE, two, three, four, five!” Two men resting under the shadow of @ bak rock looked along the line of shining rails, IN OF BEING A GILT-EDGE SHOOTER,” and one of them counted as they looked. ! i! foal NON NN WY . RW \ he a 1 *‘A SPORT AT LARGE, WITH A REPUTATIC
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the distance they saw a gang of men, who looked and acted as though they were a good crowd to avoid in that lonely spot. The speaker was a young man, with a fresh face, keen eyes, broad shoulders, and clad in a neatly-fitting suit, which seemed rather the wrong thing then and there. His companion wasa man older by a dozen years, and in almost everything a contrast, He was roughly clad, his long hair strag- gled out from under the much_ battered brim of his hat. His nose and chin were pointed, while his face had a sallow look. He was chewing tobacco nervously, while his long bony hands gripped the tripod of the theodolite which he had been carrying for the greater part of the day. ‘Five they be, an’ bigger imps 6v Satan never drew breath. What divelment are they up tew, now?” ‘‘Trying to make things comfortable for the Express, I should judge. Looks as though they meant to let it off the rails; but, I must say, they have chosen a decent spot for the operation. It can take the ditch without much danger of damage, be- yond delay.” “That's what, stop it,” 7 “Only one way, Sandy. Sail in! If they keep up that motion they will have half a mile of track up before we get half done resting. I think l’ll go down and talk to them right now. It’s a thousand pities you left your guns at home.” **T dunno ezit air my put in, er yourn; but ef so be yew intend tew go down, San- dy'llhev to go ‘long, No time tew waste. yo quick,” "he other rose up and stepped out from his late place of concealment, and before he had taken half a dozen steps Sandy was at his side, . They had not been in hiding at all, but the five evidently did not expect to find any one there, and never thought the huge rock which had hid them might cover lurkers. As the two walked swiftly, and the distance was not great, they were upon the raiders before their coming was noted, ‘**Tfold on, there! You’ve done more damage in five minutesthan you can fix in as many hours, Suppose you go a little slow till we can find out what it is all about.” That was the first intimation the five had of the presence of-the strangers, and every face was turned in their direction, while a savage scowl distorted! that of their leader. The latter was short and thick-set, with close-cropped hair, and bull-dog jaws. He held a pick in his hand, and had been us- ing it with as much vigor as skill. ** An’ who be yez, mon, to sthop the good worruck? Av yez wants to stand up phor the graspin’ minopoly say the worrud an’ down yez goes, Av yez wants to see honist min makin’ the sthruggle wid tyranny and _ ophression, an’ not take part in it, we won’t ‘force yez; but go’long wid ye afore ye git in- to throuble,” — “Why, you infernal scoundrels, do you think you five can fight the road with ‘the whole United States behind it to boot? You have been rustling around here pretty lively, but so far the damage is not so much that it can't be fixed. Tl give you just one chance, 2 Mike McKane, Get that track lined up in oe - Bimo for the Express, and swear off any more _ of this nonsense, and J’ll agree to keep mum. If not, I'll flag the train, and after that I’ll see that you have a chance to play checkers with your noses behind the grating.” ‘“Harrud worruds break no bones, Mis- ther Baker, an’ it wad be betther phor yez av vez spake fair an’ azy, Phat wor yez do- spoyin’ round here”? | ; . **¥ou know me, do you? You ought to _ be sure then that this outrage will .be stop- ; ed, one way or another. It was a lucky hing that to-day was chosen to run a line down from ‘‘ The Fair Isabel.” Come, Mike! r ~ An’I don’t see how tew - Listen to reason. again. You men are the last in the world I would have suspected of trying to wreck a train.” Baker had been cool enough from the out- set, but now that he had secured the atien- tion of the men he was willing to try the effect of argument. It was possible he could carry his point. Though it was the first time he had ever spoken directly to any of the men, he had from the outset recogniz- ed them as being the regular gang of the section, They, in turn, evidently recognized him as a civil engineer in the employ of the com- pany, but felt none the more friendly to- ward him on that account. The wonder was they had not rushed on him at first sight, and downed him for once and all. Men engaged in their present em- ployment are not apt to waste time in parley. ‘*Sure, Mr. Baker, we don’t want to do yez a harrum, but we’ve sthruck, an’ so hez livery mon wid a heart in him along the road. An’ there’s a car wid guns to the top comin’ for the dirty spalpeens they call deppity marshalls, Betther to sthop thim roight here than to lit them go on phor to do murdher,” ~ Baker looked keenly at the foreman, and decided he was telling the truth, or some- thing near to it. It was the first he had heard of the big strike, but he could believe something of the kind might have happened while he was practically out of the world. At the same.time, he did not propose to see the track torn up if he could help it, and he was a man who when he had once made up his mind could dare a great deal. Besides that, he did not trust Mike Mc- Kane. A strike there might be; but was there not something more than a desire to keep back the car of arms spoken of? Mike had the reputation of being a desperate man, in spite of the responsible position he had been filling. . If he had only been armed Baker would have felt easy on the subject; but by a most exasperating oversight he had left his pistols behind him; and the man he had called Sandy was in the same fix, — _ When it had cropped out some few hours before that both of them were unarmed he was inclined to treat it as a joke; but Sandy had looked serious, and repeated the old truism that a man may carry a gun for years and never use it; but just when he has not got it will he the time he will want it, and want it mighty bad, (: ‘‘There may be a strike; and perhaps, when I know the rights of the thing I will have as much sympathy for the strikers as anybody; but I will never consent to see the property of the company damaged. Goon with your striking if you want to, but straighten up the track to start with, and then leave it alone. If you don’t you may find yourself ina bad box before you are done with the matter.” Baker spoke with a tone of authority. Unarmed, and with the odds against him of five to two, he was uncertain what the re- sult might be if he precipitated matters to an engagement, yet he never thought of req ceding from the position he had taken, though he knew these men could be desper- ate asp Oa How desperate, he was yet to find out. Mike McKane had concealed his feclings well, though he was really boiling over with rage at the interruption, and at the man who made it. . ‘‘ Sure, an’ it’s to save loife, Misther Baker, that we’re here. Thim bluddy deppities are hvired ter shoot; an’ they always be af- ther thinkin’ they moust earn their money, Yez wouldn’t want ter say ther poor b’yes stritched out, joost phor insistin’ on their roights wid a bluddy corporashun ry if, orth 4 Leiria duh! Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. — Get this thing in shape, / as you can, and it will be all right unless [ | of that when they go into the fight, q >” hear of something of the kind being tried on | know as well asI that if they leavég | | | ‘““The boys will have to take their chg property of the company alone there Wig no shooting, if you strike from now tq day of judgment. Gradually, Baker was being deceived the manner of the men, and he was be; ning to think that they would listen to 1 son as he tingerstood it. Sandy was listening grimly, but withy a word. Baker knew the man of the ¢ low face would stand by him, and: that if had anything to suggest would not be bac ward about saying it. He gave a glar toward him now, and though Sandy nev turned his head he caught the look, a made a scarcely perceptible motion by wi ver laimed Sandy, in a lo fil ‘ of warning. And, it was none too soon. The two parties were drawing toward ea other, and Mike’s face suddenly changed expression, **Look eout!” exc tone, Then, the pick in Mike McKane's hand le: it, and it came hurtling forward. CHAPTER II. | THE DANDY FROM DEAD LATCH. i Tue warning given by Sandy was more i stinctive than for any practical purpose. From under the slouched rim of his b tered old hat he had been watching t section boss with unwinking gaze, and te two parties were so near he could cat the glint in the eyes of the Irishman, wh his knowledge of the man told him what w coming. As the hand of the Irishman swung fo ward Sandy gave a step ahead. Then, he gave a twirl of the staff he hel in his hand, caught the pick in mid air, an sent it to one side. One of the sharp points was buried deeply in the ground, — bs ad ‘Darn yez, take that!” yelled Mike as h¢ made his cast, with all the skill and vigor that lay in his brawny arm. } An instant later he shouted: “Down thim, b’yes! Down the dirthy © scabs! Thromp the loife out av thim! Breath their bones av yez don’t whant to suck ye ~ fingers behindt the bars.” And Mike, unarmed as he was, plunge{ forward to lead the rush, while his me), joined in, flourishing their picks and sh els, ’ et Two men = fra five-‘and the five et the two never flinché on murder! \ , Kent Baker threw himself together into § attitude best suited for attack or defense, and stood waiting to dodge, strike or party, while Sandy, handling his staff as though was arifle with a bayonet attached, dropped into the position of a soldier- on guardy and. waited for the attack. _ . Yet the charge never reached the two, for every man halted as though he had been shot. There was a brace of sharp clicks which reached every ear, and then a Jaughe (y0 Ut ing voice, which to them seemed somehow ~~ to have an echo of denth behind it: Tet ak ‘«Basy, Mike; easy! Sorry to do it, gents, but I'll have to call you down, - Reckon you i know me.” Sandy's eyes never for a second left the gang, which he watched with a cold, un- flinching stare; but Kent Baker cast a quic lance toward the new arrival,,who bad so suddenly appeared to the rescue. A young man wis standing a few paces away, and he had not left his tools at home, — On the contrary, he held a brace of shin- ing tubes, one of them covering Mike, while the other menaced the remaining four at — large. j ; y He had a bri
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, (TEs a ‘The new-comer was a stranger to Baker, who had never seen him befor’, but it scem- ed no idle boast when he saiu the foro:man knew him. Ali the repairmen evidently did know him, and they were not very likely t» pre- ‘sume on the acquaintance, if appearances went for anything. Mike surveyed him angrily, though his only answer was a Savage growl. ‘* That's right, old man,” continued the ‘Stranger, airily, ‘‘lt’s not worth while to keep the fun up any longer, for you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not ull going to be on one side, What’s going on here, anyway?’ “Cpurse ye, Diamond Dave! For why does ye mix in whin it’s not your game at all, at all? It’s a sthroike, av ye wad know it, an’ the spalpeens wor layin’ in wid the bluddy monipoly.” » ** Looked as though you meant them to be laying in with a wooden overcoat,” laughed the man addressed as Diamond Dave, iad “T’m not caring a copper about your strikes, or the bloody monopoly, as you call it; but I do object to seeing a fellow mortal _ dissected with picks and shovels. Reckon - you have done abs , ie out as much damage here *~ as you ought to, and I’d advise you to pack - your gripsacks and travel by the first. boat Before 1 take the notion to say something else, You hear me?” Fortunately, there seemed to be a dearth of fire-arms in the gang; and with those trim muzzles covering them, the men did not care to attempt to begin again the rush which had nce been checked, Mike looked along the track and his brow cleared a trifle as he saw » the damage which had already been done. . **There be toimes whin killin’s no mur- ther, Misther Diamond Dave, an’ this wor ‘wan av thim, perhaps, but we'll lit ye off wid a warnin’. : Look out phor the nixt toime _ ‘We mate, “But, b’yes, the fun are over, so come - along!” ' There was a savage warning in the tones of the section boss that might have aroused ' Some men to anger, but the smile never flick- »” ered on the face of Diamond Dave, and he / saw the gang turn away without a word by © way of retort. Le 4 _—s—s« Sandy, the silent, gave something like a sigh of relief as they went. . id ‘He had allowed the stranger to run things | aecording to his desire, without a word of encouragement or protest, but had kept a keen watch on the movements of Mike. and his men, and even now never ceased to fol- iow them with his eyes until they had fairly » passed beyond the limits of a throw of a pick, era shot from some hitherto-concealed gun. Evidently, he did not trast the Irishman. Baker ‘did not seem quite so well satisfied. ~ He took a step forward, as though about to ‘ollow, and then shook his head savagely as ‘a mechanical touch where his pistols should have been recalled again to him the fact that ab | om ie oF he was unarmed. Oh, come, pard, what you 4 4 do now?” laughed. the champion of “You just build a bridge.for them, if they | oing to the occa- need it, and let them go.” d _ *'That’s all well enough in theory, but in “practice it don’t seem always the best thing todo. We can't get.to Standback in time to - return with tools, and if 1 had held the drop }, On them as youdid I’d have scen they lett “things in trim for Number Twenty-five. “Strikes me you don’t think much of mall favors. Sooner or later you would have found Irish Mike a hard man to drive; and I’m not sure he would have gone away nite so peaceably if he had not thought he either finished his job, or could finish it to afford us but little room to = - at ee a Bese Se Oe ee Ee ee + ‘some respect for me and my sixes: ‘«Excuse me, I don’t claim more prudence than the most of men, but you don’t suppose I would undertake to drive five ruffians into Standback at the point of the pistol, and then be mobbed if I got there? They would have a shy at us somewhere along the road, unless we began by murdering the whole outfit, and 1 hope I’m. too wise for that, to say nothing of a trifle of the bowels of human nature I have in my make-up. I’m willing to stop here and flag the train, and if anyone comes monkeying around to give him or them the best in the shop, but that’s nbout the best we can do, I wouldn't do that. if I thought there was a reasonable chance of getting word to the Express. But there will be no chance to send a man here to-night unless he has a squadron of cavalry along with him.” ‘«'True,”’ said Baker, a good deal calmer, ‘‘ And I suppose there is no use to try to straighten up the track ourselves, Spikes and sledge are wanting, though, so far, they have done no damage to the rails. Looks as though they were going to make a fire of the ties, and give them a toasting, In another hour they would have been bent beyond straightening.” “That might be part of your circus, but I'll swear to it that it’s none of mine, Tlie road wouldn’t haul me a mile for good iuck, and I’m not working for fun, Best we can do is to camp out till the train comes. After that—I can pay my fare, if there’s a reason- able show to get on to-night, and if there’s not I can foot it to Standback along with the rest of the crowd that will be going that way.” “ He’s ’bout right, boss,” said Sandy who had been listening after his somewhat stolid way. ‘We cain’t do nothin’ else; an’ we've kim out a heap sight better than I looked fur when Mike swung his pick. He meant it tew kill. All I'm hopin’ fur air that there’s no other devilment behind it, Reckon the rest of the gang air half-way white, cr more, but I would like tew say ez much for Mike.” ‘‘f hardly know what it could be,” an- swered Baker, promptly, / ‘Tt was evident the ruffians were not arm- ed with anything but their tools, or they would have cleared us up, quick enough. If they had been going to do anything be- fue what they were at there would have een a sprinkling of firearms in the crowd.” ‘Don’t worry about that,” interposed Diamond Dave, his face becoming sober, as he considered the problem. ‘If there is anything further than what appears on the surface it is not likely these fellows will have a hand init, But they may send some interviewers who will not be so easy to dis- pose of. l’m not sure but what it would be a good plan to take to the brush until the Express is due.” ‘Or walk the track eastward until we meet it. You understand, of course, that I am in the employ of the railroad company, and feel like being Joyal to. the limit. I had heard nothing of a strike being on, though there were whispers that it was coming, Sandy and I have been locatirfg a line fora side track from the Fair Isabel, and so, are a couple days behind the age.” ‘“So am I, for that matter,” answered Dave, as they moved away. me). ‘* You heard Mike address me as Diamond Dave, It seems he recognized me, and be- ing asport at large, with a reputation of being a gilt-edge shooter, not apt to linger long on the trigger, he had a very a "ve been off in the mountains, too, though I -may not look like it, and had some crazy idea about flagging the train as she went | be due. by. and getting a lift into town. we'll get there yet!” The two looked around. Darkness was not far off, and in an hour the Express would Was the break they had just left Perhaps Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. —————— you may think go, engine had the only thing in the way? They talked the matter over, not as men who feared, but as men who were annoyed. The moments slipped away as they dropped tie after tie behind them, and at last, as they stood ona long stretch of straight track, they heard the rumble of the approaching train, ‘©Get your torch ready!” exclaimed Dia- mond Dave; and as Baker crushed wp a newspaper for a torch, and held a ready match, they heard the mad gallop of a dozen horsemen, CHAPTER III. .»A REMEMBERED FACE, Tuer erew of the ‘‘ Pacific Express” were not in the happiest of frames o! mind that evening, as the train dashed along. They were a trifle late, but that had noth- ing to do with the uneasiness which pos- sessed every one, from engineer to train-boy. They were aware that a strike had begun, and were uncertain just how far it was go- ing to extend—or who were to be included in its operations. One thing was pretty sure. No matter who it was went out it would be uncomfort- able for the rest; and it might be that all hands would be left high and dry somewhere in those lonesome wilds. The passengers also had heard something , of the labor difficulties, but with the indif- ference of Americans, who never borrow trouble, or seem to anticipate until the last minute that such things can affect them, In one of the Pullmans two ladies were seated, and though apparently. looking idly out of a window were conversing in a low tone, The two were evidently mother and — daughter, though the elder woman was by no means past the age of feminine attractive-— ness, Her face might even yet be called beautiful, though there was here and there a line suggestive of trouble and care, Were it not for the girl woman at her side it might have been hard for the casual ob- server to believe she had passed her fortieth ear, sd And so, you see, Vera,” she was saying. ‘*T have reason to he the mystery will be unraveled at last. For myself I do not care, since I have enough to satisfy my few wants; but it may mean a great deal to you, who are young, and with your course in life yet to fashion.” ' The young Vane smiled, her charming countenance be- came altogether beautiful, \ ‘‘My dear mother,” she said, softly, ‘ I have an idea you are not exactly Methusalah in his latter years; and certainly believe you have ages yet to live. Iam young a and, as you say, can make my destiny, It is for you I am interested. Your wants are simple, when they have to be so; but there is no one living knows better how to enjoy wealth, It is true, we are in no great dapper of starving, but think how much brighter life would look with half a million at your com- mand, You need not make any excuses to me. The end is worthy of the means in this case, and Tam sure I see nothing discredi- table about them.” ** Perhaps not; and yet, I cannot help but reproach myself with having ventured on what may be considered, were the facts known, as a wild goose chase, to say nothin; of the hardships and dangers it may entail,” “The hardships may be borne aisle of the luxurious car. “And, as for dangers, is not one place as _ safe as another so long as we are guarded — over by the cherubim of destiny?” you. can accept Emerson as gospel — But—what is that?’ > i bd She pressed her face against the p tried to look through the. window given a short, shar t 4 avples em as! i ie lady smilec—and when Vera I suspect,” — answered Vera, with another smile, as she looked away from the window, along the a az fi eee ee oF > EE ae —, Rs Set See a eee “eG * + 1 = ee 21 : = eres
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4 already the speed of the train was beginning to slacken, while by the side of the track, at some little distance ahead a light like that of a torch was flaring a signal for a halt. They heard a party in the next seat say: “T hoped we could get through ahead of it, but I’m afraid the strike has hit us, right on the home run.” ) “Sounds more like train robbers!” exclaim- ed another voice. “Better hide your valuables till, we see. Listen!” They did listen, Mrs, Vane’s ears the most anxiously strained of all; and they heard the rattle of fire-arms, and a shouting, coming from somewhere near the front end of the train. The air had gone on with a jerk, and sparks were flying under the sliding wheels, Around them was confusion and _ bustle. Mrs. Vane gave a little cry of terror, and then gathered her nerves up as well as she could and put on a brave front, while Vera looked around, uncertain exactly what could be the meaning of all this. i The speaker who had first suggested train- robbers was looking out of the window, and dodged hastily back, just after Vera had heard a oe (Ae shori, sharp sound imme- diately outside. It was the hist of a bullet; and though hearing it for the first time the young lady recognized it instantly, and grew a trifle paler, though, save for that, and a nervous contraction of her slender, shapely hands, she gave no sign of alarm. ‘* We'll make it yet!” exclaimed the in- dividual who had dodged the already escaped bullet. ‘‘ They’re having some sort of a private circus among themselves, and the engineer is going to run back if he can get the start of them. He's getting it now, and if they don’t mount his cab—” He looked from the window again, with- out finishing his sentence. A stray bullet or two was not as hard to face as unsatisfied curiosity. at Vera had noted the gradual, yet com- aratively quick, stoppage of the train, See: she felt a slight impulse from the other end as it seemed. The wheels had re- versed their motion, the train was crawling re backward. ‘ Nothing could have raised such an agony Mi. of impatience as that slowly accelerating fe rate of speed. She glanced once into the i shining eyes of her mother to make sure she Was not overcome; then she threw up the window which an hour before they had Hj closed, and looked along the line of other : heads, trying to pierce the dimness of the j night, and read between the flashes which were lighting up the forward end of the train. “By the Lord of Israel!” exclaimed the man on the seat in front, ‘‘they’re getting a something they don’t often meet with. é. They’ve met a man that knows how to t handle himself—and them, too! I'll have a my hand in if it takes a leg off!” ix! And, with a pistol in his grasp, the in- ee dividual sprung from his seat avd hurried out. Had Vera been able to follow him with her eyes she would have seen that he * managed in some way to gain the roof of the car, and then run along until the baggage he car wig reached, when he began to fire at the dark figures which were already _be- gioning to drop away from the more swiftly moving engine. The crisis was about over, The man fired three shots, and then sudden- i platform of the car several men had dragged themselves up, and gained the deck of the met now swiftly moving train. Desperate villains they were, and had not yet given up a all hopes. From the tender came a huge chunk of coal, thrown by a powerful hand, which sent one of them reeling from the platform, while his companion fell toa shot fired from above, thd. ly bent forward, Below him, on the parrow, a - ————EEEEeEeEeEeEeEEEE——————E——eEEE For the present the victory was complete, | on with her questions until it began to seem and for once a swoop of the train-robbers had been foiled. The “conductor had taken a shot or so from the rear of the train with his Winches- ter, and seeing the chances of battle were in favor of the train, started forward. He drop- ped to the platform just as Diamond Dave swung himself over from the tender to. the baggage-car, and pounced on the wounded outlaw a trifle ahead of the conductor. ‘‘Hands up, you!” shouted the latter, sternly, while he tried to bring his Win- chester to bear. ‘* No use to resist; we got you foul!” “‘That’s all right, Cap!” yelled the man from the top of the car, who lay stretched at full length, peering down. ‘* He’s the Gilt-Edge Shooter that’s been doing all the fighting. Steady now! It’s Diamond Dave, from Dead Latche and as square a man as ever trod shoe leather.” ‘* Thanks, Mr. Gross,” said Dave, without turning his head. ‘* Tt’s been a lively little hustle, but I reck- on we got there with both feet. And say, Cap, one of your men who started into this thing with me is on the tender pretty badly hurt. Get acouple of the crew to help me carry him back where we can look him over, and then I’ll tell you bow the land lies.” All right, if Mr. Gross vouches for you, It won’t be so easy, perhaps, but we’li try it on. It won’t do tostop the train for another mile or so. Who is the man?” ‘* Baker is his name, and he has been locat- ing aside track to the Fair Isabel. If it hadn’t been for that you would have had a dead engine and a looted train on your hands.” ‘* Yes, ifTom hadn’t cracked on steam, and run through them. That’s what he ought to have tried, perhaps.” ** And Tom would have taken the ditch in the very sweetest style before he was many minutes older, _If.there had been a chance to get through do you suppose we would have been risking our brains crowding into this sort of work. Excuse me.” . The train .was now moving backward almost at schedule speed, and the passen- gers, who knew well enough what had hap- pened, were congratulating themselves on their escape, and beginning to yearn forthe particulars, Vera was perhaps as curious as the rest, and was wondering how soon they could learn the facts, and whether another effort would be made that night to pass the spot of danger, when there was a backward move- ment of those in the aisle and through the door came crowding four men who carried between them the limp form of Kent Baker. They paused under the hanging lamp, and Vera caught a glimpse of the face of the young engineer. It was white and hag- gard, save where it was splotched with blood, yet those who had ever known it could recognize it only too well. Vera remember- ed it, and crouched back with a low, tremu* lous cry. nents : CHAPTER IY, THE SECOND SWOOP. Mr. Gross came back to his seat after a while, and looked carelessly over his move- able property with the conscious air of a man who has done bis duty, ‘*Is he dead?” asked Miss Vera, leaning over, and nodding toward the now made up berth, which contaited Kent Baker, ‘‘Not yet, nor is he going to die for the present, Think he was just knocked sense- less about the end of the game. Dave says so, and he is as good as a doctor, Ought to be—he’s furnished enough subjects.” The last was said with a chuckle which had much of admiration in it. ‘“What was it? How did What is to be done next?” With a woman’s expansiveness she went it happen? Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. as though they would have no end. ‘‘Tam afraid I cannot answer atall. I & helped carry bim in, and so didn’t hear what ¢ — the men had to say; and Dave was too busy Py 4 to talk. Guess he’ll be this way shortiy, | 4 and if you have ears you can take Pe “ite particulars. Neither of us will ob? , Q having a listener.” 1 ; are ‘“‘ And whois the gentleman youcalli gy) jy Is he one of the postal «' “ks?” Cee © She had already six -% out the ye yg man, and something told her he was not a wy passenger, while she was a little puzzled to « think what position he could fill on the train. + Senge 53 was the dry response. ‘‘ He's, & sport, anc square man to tie to, as we say out West. Handy with the pasteboards and revolver, and probably could do some- thing at a pinch, with a knife. And mighty ©. i good it is for us all that he happens to be I:6 that sort of aman. As near as I can make out, he took the contract to whip the whole # outfit of train robbers pretty much alone. The other gent is game enough, but he left tig: his sixes at home. If he livestobeathou- * sand years old I don’t believe he will forget them again’” wes Is hea friend © 1 on « bs : t . { \ 3 an ‘“* You know him, do you? of the gentleman who was hurt?” ‘*T know him, of course, after a general sort of way, as we know everybody in the West who happens to. come our way.. Have: probably taken a hand’ with him half 2 dozem times, though I never expected to see him + here. As to the other gent, it is probably: the first time they ever met; he is in the em- ploy of the company, more or less, A civil engineer I think.” While they were talking the train came to a halt. It had been running slowly since it had fairly got beyond the reach of the out- laws, with a flagman preceding it. There was little danger of being run into, but in al? cases a conductor is expected to take the safe side. R ‘‘ Here we are, back again, at last. We may as well make up our mind to stay all © night,” continued Gross, and with a bow he turned away. i Like a good many other passengers he ~ wanted to stretch himself outside, and glean what intelligence was possible as to future prospects. Vera arose, after a while, and went to the water-cooler. Her mother had little to gay, and she was growing nervous with vn- « — certainty. DPS. The conductor had just come in, and —§ | was speaking to Diamond Dave, This an- swer came to her ears quite plainly asshe rp. “Thanks, Cap, but I’m not engaged in a I've told you just how things lay when I left there, but if you want to senda hand-car up to repair” | damages that’s allright, I'll stay here with anf my friend till I see how the case pans out, 7) — If the boys try to hold up the train, that’s 9 =~ different matter. Ill hold my cards right along with the rest of you, but I can’t say’ I’m gushing over the road, or that 1 wantto # |) turn an honest penny, shooting flow. sae mortals. I did rather more of it to- Qs hie than I cared to, but that was some .u¢ ssl else.” / ** Don’t stuy on my account,” said a rather, weak voice from the neighboring berth, and mee Kent Baker partly rose up. . . He made no very yr ‘some picture, for — there was a cloth bound around his head, — and several ugly-looking bandages of court.’ plaster could be seen. Me “Don’t worry, old man. I'll be staying ~ on my own, which is good enough for me,” You lie downand gotosleep.” + BS Kent Baker dropped back again, but it ~~ was not altogether from weakness, = He had caught a glimpse of Vera Vane’s bt ai ay 4 ‘ wi 2 eo. re
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TALS b9 a4 yar * “r.iust be confessed the presence of the hand- + - ‘ace, and the resemblance he saw in it to an- other face which he remembered fairly took his breath away. When he looked around again over his shoulder she had flitted down the aisle. and was no longer in sight. After that there was a little questioning from her mother, a brief consultation with everybody that came along, and who look- su,.*though they might know something “wer: ‘the possibili'tes of the night. Then, ano» ladies decided they would have to .¢ the best-of it, and Vera tried to think as she had fond no trouble going to pin the ca... .¢ile moving she ought much more to rest serencly when the car was lying peacefully on a side track, If she had been a young man she would doubt- less have tried to get a place on the hand-car - which went down the road on a tour of ex- ploration, As it was, she finally closed her eyes and fell to wondering how Kent Baker happened to be there. » The train was to remain until orders were received, and they would not be given until after the return of the hand-car, To the west the wires were down, but communica- ition was still open with the dispatcher’s office, Midnight came, and still there was noth- ang from the exploring expedition, The berths had long ago been made up, and the train lay on the siding, with the fire banked in the engine. Without orders to attempt it the conductor would not take the responsibility of moving forward; and it be- ‘gan to look as though his decision had been a wise one. Nothing had yet been heard from the hand-car. Unless something had happened to it or its human freight, some word shou!d bave come long before this. Tt had taken Vera a long while to fall asleep. The attack of the road-wreckers had been exciting cnough of itself, but when, in addition, she saw the face of one whom she had mourned as long ago dead, there vas another item to think of, scarcely less thrilling, if, indeed, it did not engage the greater part of her meditations. In the car the lights burned low, and the rest of the passcuzers appeared to be asleep. ~ Diamond Dave occupied the berth above - Kent Baker, and was making up for lost ‘time. The fact was, he had not slept much for three days and nights, and the present _ position of affairs could hardly have suited him better, He could sleep almost anywhere, but he was not above a few trifles of personal com- fort, and the Pullman berth presented a few advantages over the hard bunk at the Hotel Royal where he had originally hoped to spend the night. The Gilt-Edge Shooter had not taken upon ‘himself the contract for protecting the train, und having once assured himself of the fact - thatthe crew expected to remain alert for the night he resigned himself to the slumber ‘he so much yearned for, Nevertheless, he slept a both ears open, and his pistols convenient to his grasp. When he turned init was with his belt around him. He knew something of what it was to be suddenly awakened to find a weapon 4nan unusual position, and a friend of his ‘had had a revolver stolen from under his pillow before the intruder began to ransack ‘the room, Miss Vera could not know all this, but it was reassuring whenever the thought of him returned to her mind. She was thinking of him when the curtain in front of her berth was slightly agitated, - Some one was,moving along the aisle in his stocking feev. _ She thought nothin _ ment. 4 During her long journey across the con- tinent such a thing had happened a dozen times. And there were a dozen men within hearing, most of whom she knew were ‘some sport’ g of it at the mo- (LONG to ing ~ > armed, and all of them ready to spring at her call, Then, she recognized a sweet, sickening smell, and was ready to make that call, but it was too late. A heavy hand pressed what seemed to be a damp sponge over mouth and nose, while a strong arm, sud. oy winding around her, held her help- ess, It seemed like an age that, vainly striv- ing even to struggle, she was held thus. Then, her muscles relaxed, and she lay almost like a dead woman, Even Mrs, Vane was not roused as Vera was lifted from the berth, with the bed-clothiag wrapped about her, though an instant later she awoke sud- dely, and mechanically thrust her arm over to touch her daughter. The place by her side was empty, and with a premonition of trouble the elder lady sat bolt upright, in time to heara stumble, and then a curse, from the further end of the car. ‘*Vefa! Vera!” she cried, not knowing why, or what it was she feared. The lethargy which held the young iady- was not as complete as it had seemed, That cry reached her ears after a fashion, and urged her once more to 4 last effort to break the spell which had benumbed her. It was the fight of a pigmy with a giant, yet it had its measure of success, Hastily she turned her head, relieving her lips from the pressure of that carelessly held sponge, and uttered a faint shriek The sound was heard through the car, for nearly every one had been aroused by the frantic call of the mother. Immediately afterward was heard, too, the slam of a clos- ing door. Diamond Dave leaped from his perch with a bound, his pistols swinging out as_ he came, and a dozen other men were crowding into the aisle, when under the trucks at the end toward which all eyes were directed there was the sound of a fierce explosion, and the car seemed to be bodily lifted into the air.” “Dynamite!” whispered some one; and then, outside, they heard the clatter of horse’s hoofs stretching away in a mad gal- lop. CHAPTER V. HELD FOR RANSOM. Avr the alarming sounds, Kent Baker gathered himself up, and rolled out as good a man asever. He forgot the pounding he had received, and cuts and bruises pained him no longer. If most of the passengers were panic stricken, what wonder? They did not hear the shrieks of the wounded as they expected to hear them, and the car oP peared to have stood the shock reasonably well; but who could tell what was next to come? ‘ Diamond Dave was as cool as the coolest among them, and had he known exactly what had happened, would have perhaps seen something for the emergency. . He had ‘‘ strike ” on the brain, however, and his first. idea was that a reckless at. tempt had been made to wreck the car, without thought or care for its occupants. The hand of Kent Baker on his shoulder changed the current of his thoughts. ‘*For heaven's sake! What. was that scream? Who was the woman who gave it?” ‘‘ How should I know? ‘There was an in- fernally pretty girl cutty-eyed you when they brought you in. Did you know her?” ** Could it be?” exclaimed Kent. ‘* Let me go!’ It must have been her, and sheis indanger, Did you not hear? She was at the other end.of the car.” ‘* Bless your soul! Who is trying to hin- der? We'll gotogether. Don’t strain your- self. She has been frightened by the explo- sion, but she’s not the kind to die of a shock. ” Keep your head cool. As they pushed along through the men who were crowding toward them they heard the voice of Mrs. Vane: ‘Vera! Vera! Oh, my daughter!” It needed nothing more to convince Baker that it was no dream, and that the woman he had seen, and the woman ke had loved were one and the same. Yet, though the young men forced their way through and through, all the time making sure they were overlooking no one, not a trace did they find of a faint- ing girl. The end of the car had been lifted from the rails, and was more or less racked out of shape, and broken, but the doors were open, and now that the swarm of those seeking egress at the other end was passed there was nothing to hinder their going on out. If the trainmen had been slack in their watch they were on hand now, and Diamond Dave suspected the danger must be over from the way in which they crowded around, A question or two served to gain all the information that was to be had, and it told but little more than was already known. There was an explosion under the truck, which had first called attention to the spot. Then, several dark figures were seen, dart- ing away to join a body of horsemen, drawn up ata little distance, This was the very first thing known of their presence, and they did not linger an instant. Nothing had been seen of Vera, but Dia- mond Dave knew without telling she had gone with the horsemen as a prisoner, and for the present anything like pursuit was useless, ‘‘Looks as though I was elected to stay in the swim,” said the Gilt-Edge Shooter, cheerfully. ‘Don’t take it to heart, old man, You and I couldn’t imagine any such infernal nonsense was gcing to happen or we might have slept with both eyes open, and two fingers on the trigger. The first thing is to a out what it is jall about. Was she rich?” ‘Rich as you ¢all it, no. Her mother had a few thousands, enough to keep them in decency.” ‘‘ Perhaps there has been a mistake? She may look like some one who is rich, Cap- tain Curse might make a mistake, for you can chip up to the limit that this is his work, and that he wouldn’t have laid it out for less than twenty thousand. When he makes a haul he intends it shall count,” fe ‘Tf it was Curse, then, why did he not at- tempt to make a cleaner haul? With the whole train lying at his mercy he might have gone through it at his leisure.” * Guess all the wealth on board wouldn’t amount to enough to pay for the risk. He There is no use to try to follow on foot, but certainly, a party can be organized, is apt to know what he is doing. But, if you know that poor woman, you had better see what you can do to give her a little hope. She is ha going wild.” *‘T doubt if she has ever met me before, and I fancy you could do more to serve her, for you would know better what to promise, Tell her the truth, and say her daughter shall be saved.” ‘* Not much chance for a party of men who would be worth their salt until the gang gets back with the hand-car, or we go down the track to reach them, That man you call Sandy is made of good stuff, and we might roust him out and see what he has to say. — Then, there is Gross. He may want to go. along. He has nerve and dollars, and in a case of this kind might be willing to losea — few days. There may be a few others on the train who could help, but it’s asking a And I | good deal when you think of it. can be fitted out this side don’t see how they of. Standback.” , oa r Hastily Dave ran over all this, but mes
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before you got through, then. Sita Te ay while was keeping up a separate train of thought in bis own mind, and trying to lay out a plan which would fit to the emergen- cy. Baker was taking things coolly at last, and the words of the sport had suggested a pos- sible course to pursue. **Four cf us would be enough for a start. See Mrs. Vane and assure her that every ef- fort will be made to find her daughter. Then find Gross, if you can, and come back to me. We may be able to discover the direction taken bythe outlaws, and if it isisoward the Fair Isabel, we can get men there who will aid us, and men, too, who are fit for the work.” ‘* Right you are, my friend, but don’t for- get that little can be done before day- light. A start in the wrong direction might carry us a hundred miles out of the way be- fore we were done with it. steady a moment,and I'll be back, Fill in the time talking around, if you want to, but dont say too much, Captain Curse has friends where you don’t always think of looking for them.” The young sport glided away to re-enter the car, Mrs: Vane had fallen helplessly back, overpowered by the terrible feeling of helplessness which had mastered her when the truth had been blurted out in her hear- ing. Diamond Dave had not been the only one to recognize the handicraft of the notorious road-bandit, Captain Curse. There were other passengers in the car be- sides Mrs. Vane. Some few had remained, and others had come back. When they found the danger over they did not care to wander around outside in dishabille. ‘““One moment, Mrs. Vane,” said Dave, softly. ‘‘ Try and be cool for a bit, and see if you can give us»a pointer as to what all this means. You are, already aware of the situation, or I would not speak so openly, To reassure you, I will say, in the start, that some of us aro going to sct things straight, but if we knew the ins and outs on the start we could get down to the contract all the sooner.” ‘Thanks, thanks! But, what can I know more of it all than the rest of you? My daughter was i? my side when I went to _ sleep, and when [awoke she was gone. Now they say she has been carried off by Captain Curse. Oh, if you cansave her, for heaven's sake do it, and, poorly as I can reward the service I will doso to the utmost limit of my means.” | . ‘« That’s all right, madam, It sha’n’t cost youa cent, so far as money goes. What I am after is to know wrether you can give me ahint of any reason why Curse should’ ‘have _ chipped, beyond a ransom for his catch. He's not the kind to trouble himself for anything ‘under twenty thousand, and I understand from one who probably knows, that you are not in condition to pay that without a pretty severe strain on the treasure chest ” ‘* Not the half of it. It was to make an attempt to somewhat better my shattered for- tunes that I undertook this wretched jour- ‘Ah! Might make it warm for some one Who is it? That might be aclue,” ** No, no! Do not imagine it fora moment. This outrage could have no bearing on that, lt is the work of brigands who imagine they can extort a ransom, I have heard of such things. But, oh, my poor daughter!” ___‘*I don’t want to force your hand, Mrs, ' Vane, but just think it over, andif you can confide in us, better do it before morning. It will be a heap sight easier if we know just the sort of a hand we've got to buck against. _ It might make our play a sure thing.” __ “Thank you, thank you!” answered Mrs. Vane, wringing her hands; ‘ but, indeed, I y 7 ~ ' . } 4 1 4 _ Rave nothing to confide, It is only a wretch. i] | | | Hold yourself | Ss ee vista icaaied - ed game for gold, or so it seems now, to me.” And it looked as though the lady was not far wrong, for just then there was a shout outside, which suggested that intelligence of some kind had arrived. A man who had attempted to follow the course taken by the outlaws came stagger- ing back, He had been cleverly captured not a hundred yards away, and he brought with him a note addressed to Mrs. Vane which read: “Dear Mapam:—I have your daughter and hold her subject to your order, upon payment of twenty thousand dollars. Re- main where you are, but raise the money. So soon as we can see the way clear we wil! confer in regard to the payment. If we are followed or interfered with, it will be at peril of your daughter’s life. So don’t tamper with matters but come right up to business: “*CapTAIN CURSE.” CHAPTER VI. A BRAVE GIRL’S PERIL, Tux Fair Isabel Mine, on the mountain- side ten miles away from the railroad, was a property of unknown value, since none of its stock was on the market, and the com- pany which owned it kept their affairs as strictly to themselves as it was possible to do and yet make money. John Malloy had been identified with its fortunes from the time of its first discovery, and, though he had money in other direc- tions, this was, in the language of friends, ‘‘his best hold,” He held a controlling amount of the mine’s stock, and did pretty much as seemed to him best with the pro- perty. It was a little hard to tell whether John Malloy had risen from the ranks or not. He was Irish, every inch of him, and out here looked and talked like the men who slung picks and handled shovels in the drift. At least, he did when be was in public. There were rumors, though, that in the bosom of his family, or when off at Frisco, New York, or Denver, he was resplendent in broadcloth and fine munners. His family, by the way, was not large, but was remarkably good, what there was of it. He dweit in a building which he had erected at large cost, and vast trouble, and which, in comparison with anything else to be found in the district, had almost a palatial look, though elsewhere it might have seemed a rather roughly built farm-house. At times his daughter was with him—Belle Malloy— the young lady after whom the mine was named, ; When that occurred Belle was a very young lady, but since then she had had fine opportunity to grow, She was the living incarnation of the spirit of health and healthy beauty, and was full to the lips with rollick- ing Irish good-humor. Her eyes were a heavenly blue, her nose was Grecian, her cheeks had a delicate bloom which could defy sun and storm, and her lips at rest car- tied the double suggestion of a smile and a out. As to het figure, that was heavenly! On foot or -on horseback, the fair Isabel was more than a picture to look at. . While attending school she had several times spent vacations at the mine, attended by a companion, and found the hours did not hang heavy on her-hands, She had not yet reached that stage of age and experience when a matched companion of the other sex is absolutely necessary. come out for a more extended stay than usual. John Malloy thought a great deal of his daughter, and did not care tu let her out of his sight at present, yet was too busy iow / oe BS NMUULO SNe nae a eS ~ a EE a saw in the distance was really a prisoner,. She was done with school, now, and had to look after her elsewhere. Ina few months f ' dcpis row it dh j he hoped to have things in such shape they could go abroad. After that—well, he~ thought he might be able to make some ar- — rangements which would put her in her © proper sphere, So far, the young lady had not found © 5 tiie or desire to complain. She had a big box of new books, a pile of music, a piano. and violin, a couple of good saddle-horses, — _~ , and young Mrs. Trego—a widow, by the .~ way—to keep her company. In addition, ae Ss Patrick Bandy, a lad of all work, was ather — || disposal, and followed in her rides with all the sedateness and discretion he would have exercised had she been taking her constitu- tionals in the Central Park, on the other side: ° of the continent, So, Miss Belle was not bored more tham the average young lady out of employment, and generally came to her meals with a hearty appetite, and the consciousness that she had several secrets and aspirations which would make her father open his eyes if he knew of them! Miss Belle sometimes managed to escape from the surveillance of Pat Bandy, and took her rides alone. On those occasions she had a sort of arrangement with herself that she was not to go far, especially if Mrs, Maud Trego was not with her, She did not believe there was any especial danger, and did not know what fear meant, but had a wholesome regard for the feelings. of her father on the subject. It was the surprise of her life when, om that particular morning she caught a glimpse, in the distance, of half a dozen horsemen, who, half a mile below her, were aiming for the mountains, Perhaps their appearance would not have ee Ug attracted her attention had she not seen, or, 9). | imagined, that they had a young lady with » them, who was a prisoner, ‘Miss Belle had taken the early morning: ride for the purpose of clearing her head, and having a chance to consider some weighty problems she had been in vain trying to- satisfactorily arrange. \ She had saddled her own horse, and come: out without any special destination, For the sake of appearances she had brought. aiong a revolver, with the use of which she was well acquainted. At sight of the caval» is Ne? cade she was well satisfied that she had the’ * f— weapon. A It was not easy to guess what could be the» meaning of it, but she instantly made up her’ mind to learn more about it, ‘‘Looks as though Captain Curse might. be about. J’ll wager Nellie has the heels of anything in the shape of horseflesh the out law has there, so I'll have a closer view if L have a race for it afterward. This way, Nellie, if you please!” 5 ‘* Nellie ’ was stout yet supple, with velvety” skin, intelligent eyes, anda mouth which was) | reasonably hard. She threw up her bead as- her mistress gave a soft dig at her neck, which was intended to be a pat, and then: started off at an easy amble, in the way in-- dicated by a light tug at the off rein. Nel- lie knew the road, and so did her mistress, F It was done on the impulse of the mo. » 4 ¥ ment, though o little later Isabel was think- =| 9.9 ing it would have been better to ride back to the house at once, and give the alarm, Ry She would have done so bad it not been. = = Ye fora lingering doubt whether the girl she A She knew what it meant to come to close =» y quarters with these brigands, and that it. | i} would be a weary old joke if she should eS bring out the force at the mine to rescue. pf” one who was part and parcel of the odorous. t ont combination, ‘ po ae “Tl have a trifle nearer view ifIcanhead °° * them off and take a peep from the Black Rock, Tl have it between them and me, and if Iam seen there will be ne troublein. making my retreat good.” aig So she thought to’ herself, and without: hy salty ite ee at
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f , i ri ; ?) is ’ Uy ad { y * % he. MF Virly Hi * ~ some had faces so covered with bushy.whis- a bers | Yet, - Tifle in his 1 ae | Y ~ ~ feeling a particle of alarm rode quietly but | rapidly in the direction of the point in ques- , tion. Before long, Belle got to a part of the ~ mountain she had never before visited alone. There had been an expedition to the Black Rock, as it was called, the previous sum- mer, but her father and half a dozen more men were of the party. The thread of a trail she had been following became more indistinct, and for a moment Nellie herself hesitated to advance. “T can’t go far wrong,” thought Belle to herself; ‘‘and Nellie will always bring me home, if I turn her head loose. I remember well enough the track they must be aiming for, and the top of the rock will command. it. to decide what to do next.” There is sometimes practically no limit to the courage of a girl, especially when there is no blood in sight. The way to the Black Rock was somewhat rough, but presented no great obstacles, and it was not much over a mile from the _ point where she had been standing when the first glimpse of the party was obtained. Before very long she was fastening her horse a little distance from tho foot of the rock, Then she gathered up her short rid- ing-skirt and leisurely climbed over the bowlders, and up the great face of the rock itself, There, carefully keeping herself screened as much as possible, she gazed down into the gorge below. As she had. expected, the party was in sight; and it only took a glimpse to verify her late suspicions. At the head rode a man in a mask, and from the descriptions heard of him she had not a doubt about its being Captain Curse, Some of the other men were masked, and done? What could she herself do? She did not doubt but, that she knew the general direction in which the outlaws inten- ed to travel, so the only thing was to get back to the house as quickly as possible, and In less than an hour a ~ arouse her father. dozen or more men might be put on the trail. : f. wished now she had been less cau- tious, or ‘less curious in the outset, Had she given the alarm at once, It might have been ay possible to surprise these men before they - reached their fastness. Now, it might be they would stand a siege, with the advantages of position all on their mien ' She gavea last look, noting well the face the captive, who was now within a few hundred yards. a “ Motlier Mary, have mercy! It is Vera Vane!” she exclaimed, clasping her hands as he turned resolutely away. | Then, from the bottom of the rock, and be- tween her and her steed, a man rose Up, a and, exclaiming: ‘“ Han’s up, I reckon you're more 0’ our Ker Boo er ! “ Kent Baker made no answer, but swung himself away by a twist of the rein, and the others followed him, though Diamond Dave ha i lingered long enough to say a wordortwo in a low tone, ‘jay A ‘*He’s hardly up to the ways of Captain =| Curse or he would take more kindly tond- vice, I'll set him straight when he gets a little cooler.” Malloy nodded, and Dave went on. He was a handsome, resolute-looking fellow on horseback, and the mine-manager followed him approvingly with his eyes, An ‘Looks loike a shport,” he thought to himself; ‘‘ but he carries the sinse av the outfit, an’ mebbe he’ll bring thim to rayson, © i Av he don’t Oi’ll b’ate ye he stays wid thim Then, he once more looked uneasily around, and his glance fell on Pat Bandy, — who was coming along as fast asthe legs of his pony could carry him. an ** What’s up now, yelittle whilp? Where's — ee Belle?” mg ‘Sure. an’ she’s gone up the spout, an’ — Oi thought Oi'd be afther tillin’ av yez,” “What do ye mieney, era cls? ae John Malloy staggered back as tho onbz if
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struck hard, and glared at the freckled young face beaming down upon him with an expression that might easily have been taken for one of mischievous delight. If Diamond Dave had been watching just then he would have been apt to imagine the mine-manager already suspected what had happened. **Av me oyes didn’t decave me, sure an’ she’s been kerried off.” “Carried off, ye spalpeen? Who would Ne ee carried her off, and how could they do tf ) vy da ‘‘Et’s men wid masks, an’ Oi think the fee) fourst litter av the chafe’s name wad be Captain Course.” Malloy was on foot, while the boy was on horseback, so, there was not much danger of anything like immediate punishment. Pat could afford to be a little impudent, and take his time to his revelations, ** An’ what wor ye a-doin’ at the toime? m An’ how did ye come to lit her run into the dangher? You're a shmall b'ye, but 1 thought ye wor to be tristed. What wor yer oyes for?” 5 ““To see wid; an’ be the same tokin it’s i not magic lantherns, nor yit photygraffs they be. she's did, saddled her own horse, an’ lit out whoile Oi wor shlapin’, it wor more be loock than be good jidgment Oi could folly her at il » ‘*But you did follow her?” ** Oi did; an’ Oi caught a glimp’ av her, j *way ahead, an’ afther Oi got ez close ez Oi Ev thought she wad want meto kim Oi toied him i toight, an’ cript up clester, an’ saw the min wid the masks, an’ the chafe av thim wor tippin’ his bat az foine a jontieman az iver drew brith, It’s a heart-breaker he might am be av he worn’t a road-agent.” pA" “* Sthop yer infernal babber, Wes enough to hear phat he said?” y, *“T wor too clost to be azy in me moind, Hk _ an’ afore they moved off Oi listhened to the tii convorsation, ; ‘¢* Good. mornin’, Miss Malloy, Oi hope we see yez well;’ an’ then to hissilf, sort a loike: ‘An’ by the rowlin whales, it’s a double cinch Oi have on yer father.’ ” ‘“The scoundril!’ exclaimed Malloy. Wor ye clost Fate x Se “ te 4 — ** Av she’s not back here, safe and sound, be sundown, Oi’ll break hisoogly jaw. An’, Patsey !” fe ae, BOP.” “‘Kape quoiet for the prisint. It may be all a misthake.” .* Yis, sor, An’ manetoime Oi’ll be afther sayin’ avit’s a mishtake did a pourpose or itherwoise.” Patsey wheeled his pony before Malloy could stop him, and was off ata galop. He nf had caught a glimpse of Diamond Dave, and wanted to whisper a w<rd or two in his ear, before he was lost to h’m a together. me! CHAPTER VIII. : THE SPRINGING OF A TRAP, exclaimed a youthful + oe - ee ee + Felon tee x $ a Bt +" Mistuer DAve!” ey voice, that was as full of brogue as an egg i, 5 is of meat. ie The sport turned quickly at the sound. &. He had halted his companions, and was mak- ing some suggestions to Kent Baker, which were not being received after a very enthu- siastic fashion. 5 Seeing Pat Bandy, he made a motion to tell his companions to remain where they were, and rode back a trifle to meet the boy. ‘* Speak low, Pat,” was his salutation. «No use to post the world up. What is it?” ‘* Niver fear; it’sa long head Oi have over me tongue. Sure an’ all the worrld ey. moight hear what Oi have{to say. It’s Miss Belle that wor a missin’, an’ - Oim»afther thinkin’ she’s gone off wid - Capt’in Course. More be tokin she wint - » whither she wor willin’ or not, It’s druv the owld mon crazy, an’ Oi wor wondherin’ v it would knock you woild.” bg ae owe An’ av Miss Belle, rist her sow] av | ‘* You sure of what you are saying?” **Didn’t Oi say it mesilf?” ‘*Steady, then! Be quiet for a moment and let me think it out.” He held up his hand ina continued token | for silence, and sat gazing into vaci#ncy | which was over. the boy’s left shoulder, | while his thoughts ran over the points sug- gested by the intelligence. | ‘* There’s more in it than I thought, and it imay be all for the best. Looks as though the outlaw was a gentleman, and did not care to entertain his company alone, If any | Woman can take care’of herself it is the wild ‘ little Irish girl; and I’m not sure but what she could take care of a friend or two be- ) sides. But where does John come in at? It | struck me he was mighty lukewarm. Won- ' der how he takes it now?” Dave’s scattering reflections were inter. rupted by 4 call from Kent Baker, who was (already growing impatient. ‘* All right, I’m with you!” was the an- swer, | ‘‘And there’s a bit of intelligence that puts a new face on the matter. Patsey, here, tells me that the same gang have car- ried off Miss Malloy. If that is the case we will have John on the trail fast enough; and if he goes for one he’ll save both,” ‘‘Serves him right!” answered Kent, ‘* He will know how it feels himself. But he will hardly counsel delay now, Perhaps we had better find him again. .What we wanted was his help, and it don’t matter how we get it so he gives it.” ‘*T think -you are a little out,” responded the young sport, reflectively. ‘‘ John Mal- | loy will not need our help to carry out | things his way; and like as not he won't want to run them ours, I guess we had bet- ter go off, into the woods all by ourselves alone, and get up a little game on private account, If we should happen to win— well, | won’t say that it won’t be feathers in our caps that I would like to put there, If Malloy fairly gets to going, like as not he will be too rash even for us, I think we can afford to drop him and his men out of sight altogether. ‘Sure, an’ av yez have room for a shmall b’ye, it’s mesilf wad loike to go along wid ye. Oi know a thing or two that John Malloy wa‘d shtare over, an’ av yez wants to foind it all out Oi'll show yez the ropes.” forte ‘*Come, then. If you can show us which way Captain Curse went I would sooner anf you with us than John Malloy him- self.” ‘**Oican do betther, for I can show you where they got to,”’ replied the boy; and without further effort to gain aid from the Fair Isabel the little party turned aside, and headed in the direction of the Black Rock. Kent Baker, as he had been all along, was impatient over the pace, which he would have forced into a bard gallop had it not been for the coo]-headed sport, **Take it easy, Baker. Things have been a coming our way a good deal better than we could have hoped for, and there’s no hurry aboutit. Weare more an army of observation than anything else, until we see how Malloy is going to stand up to his work. What do you think about it, Sandy?” _-The silent man shrugged his shoulders, and delayed his answer for a moment while he looked around. Then, he sent a stream of yellow tobacco juice over his shoulder, and slowly re ced ‘Tt looks queer, But I’m with yew,” At first, caution was not necessary, and they rode along at as fast a gait us they chose until the Black Rock was reached. Here, Pat told what he had scen, and pointed out what bad taken place. They noted where Miss Belle fastened her horse Dave; it looks queer. | and Pat explained how she had been held i rush. Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. up as she was descending, and how the man he fancied was Captain Curse himself came around the rock, and accepted her sur- render, Then, he piloted them around the rock and showed the route taken. He pointed out, too, another route, which he declared would bring them near to the eyrie of the bandits. He. knew, because there were times when he had nothing particular to do during the absence of the young lady, and had made explorations which no one but a boy, and that a very reckless one, would have thought of undertaking. The advantage of that was, it might be possible to flank the outlaws, and they could follow at a pace which would be dangerous so long as they did not know how soon they might stumble upon a sentry, ora rear guard, ‘ All hands had breakfasted long ago, after a fashion—the boy having caught up a hasty morsel before striking out in search of his mistress—and under the excitement of the affair would not be apt to care to halt for rest or refreshment until they had run the outlaws to their lair. And they did not re- flect that after that there might not be much time or opportunity for regular meals. Patsey was a good guide, He pushed his sure-footed little pony along in front, and never once seemed to be at fault. Before very long even Kent Baker was satisfied with their rate of progress, They galloped on the very verge of a deep fissure, with a wall to the other side which every moment threatened to push them off into the abyss. They scrambled up what might have been the parapet of a fortification, and yet stum- bled down a yet steeper declivity. ‘Sure, an’ we have thim now!” he ex- claimed. ‘‘ Here’s wan av their own bridges, an’ they niver thinkin’ to guarrd it. Folly yer l’ader av yez wants ter be in at the dith,” And scarcely slackening his pace he plunged bheouel the crevice of the wall of rock which had suddenly loomed up before them. The footsteps of his pony sounded, for an instant, strangely duil and leaden, but a low, encouraging chuckle brought the men along in his wake. They could see nothin that was before them save their leader, sutt as long as he was going straight no one doubted to follow. In fact, it might not have been altogether safe to pull in—certainly not for any one ex- cept Sandy, inthe rear. A little blunderand a trifle of crowding, and a horse would go pitching off a hundred fect or more down into the barranca they were skirting. Before he knew how he had done it, Kent Baker had passed safely over the danger, and was drawing a little to one side to be out of the way of those who were to foliow, and Diamond Dave was holding the head of his skittish mustang very straight, while in a quiet way he gave warning: , ‘Down brakes if you can, Sandy, and hold your head level! If you crowd me—” There was a dull creak below him, and a slight giving of the footing. If his gripe on the reins had not been like iron his mustang woul have given a leap to one side, or tried | to wheel at the very least. ¢ Dave's heels sought the sides of his mount, 'and the animal had nothing to do but to go forward, Fortunately he lost no time about it, for Sandy was coming, and he came with a For an instant, at the crash, bis mus- | tang stood still, quivering all over, his head ! { downward a trifle in spite of the hard band Which held it. ’ That instant gave Diamond Dave a chance to get out of the way, and the next, gather- - ing himself together he gave a mighty spring—and landed with his forefeet on the 7 ~~ . - a) ee sz eee a ¢ + eet oe oS . : when she was preparing to climb the rock, | brink of a side shoot to the barranca, over 4 q x
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which had spanned the rotten trunk of a huge tree, the upper side of which had long ago been blazed off to afford surer footing ( for man or beast. | ae As he landed the tree dropped away from ; a under him, not to fall altogether, but to hang “2 in a way’horribly suggestive of danger! Over his head pitched Sandy, the reins still in his grasp, to land on his feet, all crouched up. The horse gave a struggle, and one hind foot was planted on the verge of the rock, by the side of the two front hoofs. Sandy gave a tug, and the other followed. Before Diamond Dave had swung himself out of the saddle the horse was safely land- ed, and stood trembling a yard away from the abyss. : *‘Looks as though this. young scallywag had brought us into a nice trap,” said Dave, as he looked keenly around. ‘We can't get back, that is pretty cer- tain; and I’m not so sure we can go ahead, on foot, at least. The outlaws knew what _ they were about when they abandoned this trail.” ‘‘Qit a move on yez!” exclaimed Patsey, unmoved by the late danger. ‘* We can Yave the horses here an’ crape down the rocks. Av we're ahead av the spalpeens we can get the chance av the sayson to slaughter them to our heart’s contint,” ‘«And if we don’t get ahead of them?” “Then,” continued Patsey, speaking with a grin, ‘‘ we'll have the ch’ice to stay here an’ stharve, or go out there an’ be shot; an’ wan av the two will be illegant sure to hap- den, ‘Pears they be coming now.” CHAPTER IX. THE PRISONERS OF CAPTAIN CURSE. VERA VANE did not recover consciousness tor some time after she had been stolen from the Pullman’ The little cry she had succeeded in giving had caused her to receive an extra dose of chloroform. Fortunately, she was young and healthy, and no evil results ensued. When she came _ to herself, she had a slight headache and felt a nervous trembling,which was not caus- ed altogether by excitement and suspense. She knew nothing of the capture of the man who had promptly followed on the trail of the bandits, nor of the note sent by him to her mother, A masterly silence was observ- ed, andthe men rode sullenly. The one who held her in his arms did indeed seem to try to touch herlightly, but she was too indig- “nant just then to notice that symptom of re- spect. Everything was uncertain, and very terrible. When they had got well away from the vicinity of the station there was a halt, ‘Vera had come to her senses, and that fact had been observed. ‘*Can you ride a horse?” was the question asked her in a matter-of-fact way; which was followed by: ‘Do you want to, or would you sooner be held on?” when she had an- a swered in the affirmative j ’ lee She decidedly preferred to ride by herself, Ny though the chances of making her escape were ‘not thereby increased. When they started 4 again sbe was unable to slide from the back baiias) ‘of the easy-going mount which had been given her, nor was she able to turn it aside ¥ and test the fleetness of its heels, There rf was nothing to do but to accept the situation { and travel on in the way fate had marked out for her. é ; Toward morning, nosymptoms of pursuit having been observed, there was a_ brief halt, when she obtained a little rest, a slight -—- Fepast, and a drink from the spring where the party haddrawnup, © a) Shortly after starting again they were seen by Belle Malloy, though, of that, of course, Vera was ignorant, She was taking but lit- tle note of things at a distance, and only * _ knew they were drifting through an inclin- | Diamond Dick, the Gilt-Edg a a ing pass which seemed to lead on into th® heart of the :nountains, By this time she had found out which was the leader of the outfit, and noted that he was a young man, if his figure and bearing went foranything, though the mask over his face effectually hid his countenance. So far, he held his men well in hand, and had treated her with all the respect the situa- tion admitted of. After a time he made a motion of the hand, and said a few words to one of the men, who tossed his reins to 2 companion, threw himself from his horse, and glided off, mak- ing his way swiftly and silently. What followed has already been explained. Belle Malloy was captured by the scout, and almost at the same time Captain Curse made his appearance, and. Isabe® saw the futility of resistance, She did not evince any alarm, however. Her eyes searched through the eyelets of Captain Curse’s mask until she caught his gaze, and then she spoke with a smile: ‘« There is no use of trying to make a mys- tery. I am the daughter of John Malloy, who can bring forty men on your trail in half an hour; and they will come without any nonsense when they once start, If you are wise you will treat me wilh respect. It may go easier with you when father be- gins the process of evening up.” ‘With the very greatest respect, my child,” answered the outlaw, lifting his som- brero with a graceful flourish, and bowing with it in his hand until it nearly swept the ground, ‘ ‘“We could have spared ourselves this visit without a murmur, but since you are here your stay shall be made profitable as well as agreeable, if it be in our power. Your father will be under no apprehension on account of your absence, since we will take means to apprise him of your where- abouts, and I do not doubt but he will reccive you safely back again in a short time, highly pleased with your tour of ob- servation in the mountains,” “‘T suspect the pleasure will all be on the one side then,” was the crisp answer, ‘‘If he is once forced to come out in search of me he will be in no good humor with the compan he finds me in, and it will be well for you if you have a friend in court to plead your case. For the present I am in your hands; but I warn youto move with care.” ‘J shall; and see that you follow right behind me, Nononsense! I meanit.” — Brusque and stern was the warning, and Belle followed him without further words, The scout who had captured her was in the rear, and though she migh. have shot the captain down she knew well enough that be- fore she could do more the other outlaw would have disposed of her. Besides that, since she had gone: this far in the adventure, she was not alto- gether ready to drop it. If it was Vera Vane whom she had seen she intended to see her again, In regard to that she was not suspense, cys tae There was a tolerably practical path around the mass ofvheaped up bowlders, and before long she leaped lightly into the narrow track which served for a trail. ‘* And so, Vera, it is really you?” she said coolly, as she stepped to her side, 4 teach it was, but I wanted to be sure, What in the world are you doing here?” Belle came like an apparition, and Vera could scarcely believe the evidence of her own senses, She stared first at Miss Malloy, and then at the outlaws. The latter seemed as much surprised as herself. ** Don’t Belle, . ‘‘These gentlemen of the road are just about as much my friends as they are yours, long kept in get excited, my dear!” continued - e Shooter ———— eee ee eee a I suspect they are after coin in both cases- —and will be more apt to get hot iead. But, where in the world did you come from? a what do they mean, treating you like this?” She had caught sight again of the vari- ous thongs which were acting as a restrain- 1 ing force, and her indignation rose once ~ more, Vera doubted no longer, and however much the cause of the meeting was to be regretted, she did not hesitave to express her delight at the unexpected appearance of a friend, ‘“My dear Belle! Ieam sure it is alla mystery; but if it was to bring us together it isa very charming one, If I could reach you I would kiss you on both cheeks. AsI can't, consider it done. If an angel had dropped down from the clouds I would not have been half so much bewildered. _ ‘‘ Just save that bewilderment fora more \ convenient season. There is no greatmys- — tery about it, after all. I live over there, p. and started off for a morning ride. Then, I saw you in the distance, and turned aside to explore—to ascertain what it meant—and fell among thieves. The gentlemen will al- low me to take off these ropes or I will know the reason why.” i She turned angrily toward the captain, — and actually was surprised at the low bow with which her vailed threat was received, Before Vera could fairly digest what was happening, she was unbound, and Belle was mounting her own horse, which had been discovered, and led forward. By this Captain Curse was ready with a suggestion: ‘Sorry,’ ladies, that at present we have not time to allow you the customary greet- ings, but we must move on. I am_ glad, ‘however, to see you are old friends. Either of you would be a prize worth the holding, but together it will.be hard indeed if our coffers are not twenty thousand richer’ through your visit. Of course, Miss Vane « will consider herself under parole for the a present. Be careful, both of you, for the route is none too easy. Forward all!” aM Away went the gang, and this time they a es had two prisoners in their midst, thougha casual spectator might not at once have. — guessed the fact. ot The girls chattered together without a seeming shadow on their minds, and were full of questions and answers, They had gone to the same school but a few months ago, and yet, it seemed as though ages had intervened since their last meeting. There was much of interest to explain, and besides that, when they talked they kept up their — courage. They had as much of thatasthe most, yet it was hardly to be expected a brace of girls would find themselves in such an unpleasant position, to say nothing ofits positive dangers, without being troubled by k: ; certain fears, Sree them as they might. ‘4 It did not take long for Isabel to make her — explanations; but Vera had a rather longer | story to tell, we a She had to explain the cause of her jour- ney, and how she and her mother were on their way to attend a law-suit which bid fair to give them an interest in some prop- erty which had once belonged to her de- ceased father. So far, almost, the journey had been made ° | without incident; then came the attack of | the train-robbers, which seemed to have . been beaten off largely by one man, thopgh — a couple of friends had done what teva could ih their unarmed condition. a ‘* And that one man?” asked Belle, breath- | mae glint of suspicion iver eye... la ‘(Did you hear his name?” Se Notin full, my dear, but they called him Diamond Dave, and for all the terrible repu np a tation they gave him he seemed the mildest | mannered, handsomest dear of a hero ye La could imagine.” . “iis
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a é bs het Ee Be - aero the real article. shooters courting ‘Hush! I am very serious about it. has been a wild boy, and I to reform all mt “Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Ba; es edihe Pics oy ete ANE ‘ y e Shooter, “That ishe!” exclaimed Belle. ‘*I might | miles of them, Once together and _ their have known it. He intended to try and get on that train, and what he intends he gene- rally succeeds in doing. But, if you ever ' dare to more than look at him—why, Diamond Dave is my own particular hero! What do you suppose Iam living out here in these wild woods for?” ‘* Don't be alarmed about your own pecu- liar property. Kent Baker was with him; and you remember who he was?” ‘* Oh, dear, what a beautiful complication! And after they whipped Mr, Curse?” ‘Oh, then we crawled back to a switch, and they sent outa party to see if they could find out if the road was passable. And the outlaws came and stole meaway while we all slept.” ** Rest easy, then. If papa fails us, Dave will save us, and betweea us, I believe I | comfortable. would rather have it that last;way!” Then, with a little start, that was almost imperceptible, she added: ‘‘ Good heavens! I believe there he jis now!” ——— . CHAPTER X. THE RECORD OF DIAMOND DAVE. spirits and: courage rose to the pitch of per- fection. There is no telling to what confidences they would have risen had they not dis- covered suddenly that they were come about to the present end of their journey, ‘The leader of the cavalcade turned abruptly to one side, and piloted the way up a steep and narrow acclivity, and then entered through a frowning portal of overhanging rock. They had reached the headquarters of Cap- tain Curse. ‘*Sorry, ladies, that our accommodations are not more in fitness with our distinguished guests, but these are our every-day quarters, and we had no time to order furniture from Paris. Such as they are, we welcome you to them, and hofie you can make yourselves I will have to leave you here for atime, to attend to our business interests, but in my absence Daddy Grimes will do everything to make your stay as agreeable as possible.” The captain made a low bow at the begin- ning of his speech, and another one at its close, He was politeness itself. Isabel Malloy would have asked him some questions, and perhaps tried to give him Tim words were scarcely uttered before | Some orders, for she was equal to almost they were regretted, and so swiftly did she turn her gaze that Vera, who looked up almost instantly was thoroughly mystified. There was nothing in the direction Belle’s glances seemed to indicate but a bare wall of rock, ** Not a word!” continued Belle, ina still lower tone. ‘‘I was mad to speak, but, wait a little and I will explain. pray no one else saw what | observed.” em could be discernment itself. had shown herself so fara girl of vast dis- cretion and true courage, and she now acted ! the part of indifference to a charm. Without. | a sign of excitement or curiosity, she went | back to the subject of their conversation. ‘‘IT can believe you, my dear, if I am not wrong in my guess, Mr. Dave is a hero,a demi-god, but—papa hardly sees him in that light.” ; And in spite of the position, she gave a mocking little laugh which had the ring of She was amused at the idea of Diamond Dave, with his deck and his an alliance with the mil- 8 captivating and spirited He don’t know that he is worth a cent, but I’m half in the mind that. My father’s only daughter will have enough for both of us, and, oh, but he’s a darling!” rf The line of danger was passed, and in lionaire magnate spite of her enthusiasm Belle gave alittle sigh of relief. It had been the merest chance in the world, but, through a little rift, she had caught a fleeting glimpse of the face of _ her admirer, and knew that he was not far away. ; ; ‘ How he was to make his presence known _ to the outlaws, or if he had a force with him, | were questions she could not answer; but it | was wisdom for her to allow him to remain - undiscovered at least until she knew more. Al: she knew was that the distance be- tween them was not so great as to be impas- sable; and it was not likely he had any great force in attendance, she surmised; so all the | say in the advertisements, mors was “on the tip-toe of expectancy.” ' Both young ladies were skilled in the con- _versationalist art, and consequently had been able to carry on this rather lengthy con- ference without the outlaws being any the | - wiser.. When they were side by side they | in’ ter set up a ’public, could overheard, speak in a low tone, without being When they separated a trifle they were silent. t Yet, all the while, they managed to con- py the impression that they were unaware , re being a bandit within a hundred de mailer dial en RM ate ! i YF At 4 a ea date .good luck, any emergency, but the captain allowed her no chance. He turned away, and the man he had introduced as Daddy Grimes slipped in between him and the girls, as if to pre- vent the possibility of their following him, ‘““Ef you please—jest don’t. Ther Cap are too busy ter bother, an’ ef yer knows what’s good fur him an’ you, better spend I can only | yer time a-prayin’ fur him, ’stead ov to him, Thar’s a heap sight ‘pends on his gittin’ She | back safe,” Daddy had a villainous looking face in spite of his gray hairs, and the idea of his suggesting such a thing as actual prayer was so ridiculous it was almost infernal. He was one of the few who did not think it necessary to wear a mask when he was out on a raid, That might have been bravado, or, per- haps, he thought himself so well known it woulda be useless. “‘ Don't be excited, Father Grimes,” purred Belle, with a courtesy. ‘‘ We shall not at- tempt to interfere with your commander in the discharge of his duties, As I shall cer- tainly one Say have the pleasure of seeing yon both hung, I would not be soselfish as to interfere with his oceupations during the short time he has left to himself. You can show usto our rooms, and after that take yourselves off just as soon as possible, and see to getting our dinner ordered, My morning ride has given me the appetite of a wolf.” Daddy Grimes’s grizzled mustache curled up over the sudden snarl her words evoked. “Bf yer knowed what wor good fur ye you'd be tryin’ ter make frien’s ’stead ov ene- mies This hyar job-are one we kicked ag’in’, an’ I doubt ef it are goin’ ter bring us We'd ’a’ sooner went through the ’spress car an’ stood our chances, We've figgered it up this byar way. It ain’t goin’ ter bring us no luck, an’ther sooner we git outen it the better.” “Well, that is easily done. My friend and I ask for no escort of honor, Turn us loose and I will vouch for it that we cap find our way to the Fair Isabel, and, as they no questions will be asked.” ; ‘‘S'kassly, me little lady; s’kassly. Ef tharis gold a goin’ we may ez well git our sheer ov it; an’ ther captain hez gone ter see about that, Ef he Pi 4 failure we’re g0- an’ try ther game We kin work ther over on our own account. n’t so infernal kid- trick, ef he can’t, We ai loved Ne { ; \ “You wouldn’t dare to say that to his face,” answered the girl in some indignation, ‘If what I have heard of him be true Cap- ‘ Uo? A ol bi pi howls a eh Rd ’ ; 1 Ae és } ai tain Curse does not consider his actions opem to criticism. If I mistake not, he extermi- nated one gang for attempting something of the kind,” ‘So he did, an’ tharfore we're a- watchin’ ovhim. An’ ef it looks ez though he war able ter make ther riffle I ain’t sure but what we hed better git rid ov him, aryhow. He’s kinder sot on hevin’ ther lion’s sheer, an’ would make it mighty oncomfortable ef he didn’t git it. Ther fack are, ye’r’ in a ugly sorter a perdicament, an’ | wouldn't advize yer ter put on too imuch style till yer gilts outen it.” Daddy tried to be impressive; but Isabel was a young lady it was hard to impress when she once set her head against it, and she looked at him as though she was grcw- ing amused rather than indignant. ‘¢Come, Daddy, we don’t scare for a cent, and if you don’t hop off lively and see about that dinner, we will smother you with that blanket, and lead this little insurrecvion our- selves, though, beswecn us all, 1 would sooner trust Curse than you, any day. don’t think you can understand how ridicu- lously villainous you look.” The old man looked as though he would like to wring Belle’s neck, but as _the insur- rection he had hinted at had not become am established fact, and he found she would not. frighten, he moved off, muttering. “And do you really think he is in earn- est in what he says?” asked Vera, in some anxiety. ‘He means it very much, the old villain, and if they actually start in on the lines he has laid out it will be awfully uncomfort- able, But thereis nothing like keeping your courage up; and that’s the reason [ am glad Lam with you,” eae nat \ ‘But are you sure you really saw the gentleman we have been calling Diamond Dave, and what is his real name? It seems. odd that I never heard it.” ‘Why neither have I!” exclaimed Belle, seemingly astonished at the thought. ‘He is about, though; and that is enough to know for the present. He will turn up at the right time. He always does, Do you know, Vera, he has absolutely saved my life two or three times over, and the lear, modest creature wouldn’t allow me to say a word of it to papa?” ** Are you in earnest, or isthat only one of your delightful exaggerations?” ‘* Surely is it a fact. He saved me once from going under the wheels of the train. That was a year ago, When I tried to thank him he said if I didn’t want my father to be taking all sorts of precautions I had better say nothing more about it, and coolly walked away.” - ; ‘And never told his name, or—or—any~ thing?” : ‘Never; but of course I inquired, and some one said it was Diamond Dave.” ‘ And the next time?” «That time he pulled me out of the water —and a lovely drip of it 1 was.” « And the next?” . ‘Oh, after that I got used to having him around, and didn’t take muck account of such little things, I ought to look it up in my diary, I suppose, but I really don’t have time.” . “ Well, 1 won’t trouble you to go over the record; but I only hope he will be able to “ Never fear, caught a glimpse of him, competent for the occasion, 1t’s not a very ecmfortable sort of a contract, either, [| judge he was trying to head off these out- laws and got here a trifle too late. But it’s. just as well. : of it it would never do to begin promiscuous. Sy ee Way.” ei a They wondered for , Brinal j ‘ M4 Re AA 4 - - ¥ ta hie eee ae, mds ~s tes ta repeat the operation, and include meinhis saving—claws,” zy andd haven’t a doubt but what he will be — With youand me inthe thick shooting. He will have to try some other | some time what that a y e ea
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‘way would be, and examined the quarters in which they found themselves installed with a great deal of curiosity, The lamp by which-they made their limited explorations showed them a small cell, from which there appeared to be but the one way of exit, and that leading to the larger room where the main force of the outlaws had their headquarters, ‘Tt looks as though two or three of them could hold the path we came by against a hundred, but I’m not going to trouble my- self about it—that’s Master Dave’s business. We can’t get out so he must get in.” Then, Miss Belle pursed her lips up and threw herself down on the couch by the side of Vera, just as Daddy Grimes en- tered with the dinner, CHAPTER XI. A CHECK FOR THE RANSOM, Caprain Cursk went off to look after his affairs without any apparent misgivings, but his mind was not as much at ease as he would have it appear. He knew the, soldiers of fortune who were fighting under his orders, and he did not trust them further than his lead could reach them. . 7 ‘The infernal wretches are just as apt to play me foul as if I was another man. Since Carter got taken in there’s not a soul there who wouldn’t sell me for a hundred dollars if he thought he could do it and save his _ own hide in the bargain. If Malloy knows what is good for him and his daughter he won't waste much time in coming to terms. If he don’t turn up promptly I swear 1 won’t answer for the consequences.” This was about the way the thoughts of Captain Curse were running as he made his way from the cave. _ Had he known the danger which menaced him as he went down the trail he might have _ recognized that it was the very uncertainties he was considering which saved his life. _ Kent Baker had him lined, and it took some argument, and a good deal of firmness, on the part of Diamond Dave to induce him to let down the hammer without bursting a cartridge, ; But Dave was not yet ready for an ex- _ plosion, since he had discovered there was but one possible route toward the robbers, and that was commanded by a sentinel, who could pay overlook them as they came. Though they had a position almost as im- pregnable, it would be an awkward place to stand a siege; and were their presence once known there would be nothing to hinder the spiriting away of the young ladies while ‘their attention was fully occupied protecting themselves. So far, they had been hunting a Tartar; their ultimate success depended on not giv- ing the Tartar any occasion for hunting them, Time enough for a desperate move - when the outlaws were more off their guard, They had unfortunately come upon the scene a trifle too late, and could not now pick off their men in the narrow defile with- out any great danger to themselves or their prisoners. ; So, Captain Curse went on his way un- challenged, leaving behind him the hidden four todiscuss in a low tone the plans for thecampaign. | pd : First, the captain retraced his steps until he reached the spot where the party had been when Belle Malloy first caught sight of mi em; «i eS; IP ete biliked there, but did not have long to ’ wait. One of hig men came gallopiug up. _. ** The train are tied up thar, tight enough,” was the intelligence he brought. ara ey It don’tlook ez though they war goin ter move it ferquite a while. Track are tore up, an’ no one ter fix it. No train comin’ 7 ' from ther ‘Other end ov ther road, either. a Those fellers hev got in the’r work good,” ** And the passengers? What are they ‘do- ing?” ** Some ov ’em takin’ it easy, an’ swearin’ they don’t keer ez long ez ther grnb don’t run out, em, _ ‘Some ov ’em are tryin’ ter get on ter Stan’back, but they ain’t so clear how they’re goin’ ter do it, ‘less they try it foot-back. An’ one ov ’em hez stopped off fur good, I reckon. Some’un come fur her, an’ she’s struck off in ther d’rection ov ther ‘ Belle.’ Looked ez though it might be ther female ez lost her lamb, She war a-bleatin’ at a great rate,” Ther company are bound ter keep put his hand under his mask to stroke his dark mustache, ‘‘Is Jack going to play us foul, or is this part of the game he hasn’t thought it worth while to let me into? I'll talk to him about it when J see him, By the time we get through I'll have him so deep in the mire he’]1 want a partner of just about my size to get him out.” He kept that portion of his thoughts to himself, however, and asked with some show of heat whether itwould not have been possi- ble to stop her long enough, at least, to find out what was her destination and why she went. ‘*Might ’a’ did it boss, ef all us boys hed bin together; but thar would been heap /better chance fur us to hev stopped lead than ter hev got a halt on her, Thar war a guard with her ez looked ez though they might be riddy fur fun, an’ they lit out fur keeps. Reckon they be about ter ther house by this time.” “You did right to run so great risks with- out further orders. Let the spies keep to their work, and we will have a man here at sundown to hear the news.” The scout departed, and Captain Curse threw himself down. carelessly, and rested his head on his hand, He was tired with the labors of the previous night, and this was as good a place to rest as any. It did not seem likely any great force had been sent out from the train, in search of the missing» passenger; and if there had been he thought the trail had been too well blind- ed for it to reach him there, *‘Malloy has had my note, and time enough, also, to cool off. As it is all pure business he ought to accept the situation; and he ought, to know that he can only do harm by kicking over the traces, I think I can trust him.” The captain was a very good judge of human nature, so that he made no mistake in regard to John Malloy. From the instant the latter had heard of the capture of his daughter he began expect- ing a communication and an appointment, and understood it would be useless. to at- tempt anything against the man who made it. “T am the restraining power,” the latter wrote; ‘‘and if anything happened to me they would just clect a new captain, and go on with their business, And the new cap- tain might not be as comfortable or as re- liable to do business with.” ie ““Ah, you have come at last!” Curse ex- claimed as a footstep near at band caused him to turn slightly and look over his shoulder, ‘Yes, you infernal thraitor, Oi have come to see what it wor you wor plannin’ now; an’ av Oi don’t shoot ye down afore Oi have done wid you it will be the won- dher av the world.” ( ‘Yes, I see you have your hand in your | | pocket, all ready for me; but, I wouldn’t if I were you. It would be a costly bit of sat- isfaction, which couldn’t help you a particle, and wouldn't be sucha bad thing for me. If I could have done it I would have resigned long ago, and that way would be as good a Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. — ‘* Looks suspicious,” thought Curse, as he -wiil be paid fair and honest, an ladies back safe inside of twenty solution of the troyble as any, Under pres- | ent circumstances I am not sure life is at all’ worth living.” ne lind Malloy almost forgot his indignation, If this was the truth he had a hard deal to 4 make. The captain never made a move- — ment toward the weapons in his belt, and — smiled as though the prospect of death was. something delightful. ‘* Av ye had treated me white, John Malloy would have kipt his conthrack to the last pinny, and thried to do ye good, besides. What have ye done wid me daughter?” ‘*Easy, John, Isee you are still some- what excited, Iam keeping my share of the contract as well as I know how. The’ ~— young lady is at present under my protec- tion, and as long asI can take care of my- self I will see that she comes to no harm. Your daughter is onlyan incidental figure in the game,” ‘*But what businiss had she cuttin’ any figure at all, at all?” ‘Tn the first place, I don’t,know that we- could have kept her out. She caught sight. of the outfit at a distance, and joined it of her ownaccord, Itseemsshe and the young lady are old schoolmates, and they were so- happy at meeting they did not take much. note of surroundings, I left them as happy in each other's company as Clams at low water.” Us John Malloy gave a low whistle of sur- ° — prise. ea ‘‘Of course, we didn’t object to the addi-. tion. It made it that much the more certaim that John Malloy would not forget his con- tract,’ ‘‘Niver f’are for that, An’ av Oi had known it Oi moiglft have saved me tin thou-. sand, The thrane won't move for a wake, an’ that wor all the toime Oi wanted. An” the madam is up at me house now, But you’ve earned the money, an’ whin ye bring : the young leddies back, safe an’ sound, it’s, riddy an’ waitin’ for yez Oi'll be.” : ‘“‘T’m afraid that scheme will hardly wash, In our business we are forced to call for cash in advance. Life is very uncertain, and our standing ina law court, were we to try to have a contract enforced, would be pre- — carious.” Y fag a - Malloy glared at the cool speaker as though ho would like to rendhim,. His pistols were: ; at hig hand and he could shoot the outlaw down—wh’rein would be the profit? se ish “Just so, John. If I were removed IT | would not answer for the safety of the pris. | oners. In case you came out in force to —- take them, the first move of Daddy Grimes. _ eat would be to cut their throats and throw then, over the rocks. Then, he and the restot — them would fight as men ry whoknow their necks are ina noose, If I wasthere myself ~ Tcould hardly prevent it without shooting down three or four of the Worst. But, mate course, | would arrange it that Way; andthe tigers know it, so they only snarl behind my > on 4 back, or show their teeth when they think [ _ P am not looking,” ve i ““An’ av Ol pay yez fourst where is my Cae saycurity ?” a ‘‘T'm not sure Iecan give you any. The — word of Captain Curse has so far,been con- sidered a good deal better than his bond. As long as xm bound in honor I never fail my | friends.” a “Av Oi worsure av yer b'yes Oi wouldn't ch fear, But wid the money ‘wanst in their a at fists—” bes ‘**Give me your check, John, and swear d I'll get tl : “I know that when you once set} atint* ; head of yours man nor ‘angel can turn it. h, blow up the pass so you can’t follow, ant skip through the mountain, I never sa’ and the next time yousee your only darlin she will be the wife of Captain Cd 8 ““ An’ av Oi don’t?” -four how Try that game and I'll just do thi man I would sooner have for a father-in- mae
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' seen. 7 oe you will be handing over the coin to take us abroad.” ** You divil! 1 bel’ave ye wa'd troy it on. Here’s your check, an’ Oi'll keep me min away av Oi can, but Oi won’t answer for ; undertake it even then. thim av yez wait too iong. Av they foind out the truth they’ll folly ye to the death, ’ Malloy had evidently been prepared for this result to the interview, and took outa eheck which had already been filled up. The bandit had brought Jolin Malloy to his terms, so there was no need to waste more time, or run further risks of being With a few parting cautions he with- drew, and as he went he thought: ‘*The Irishman is no fool, anyway; and yet, if he knew what a bold, big bluff I was making he might have hesitated over sign- ing that check.” ‘ CHAPTER XII. Le age oe NR ie Diamond ors compres 1 teed 4 ee ee ee re Dave, the | anything to complain of. You have to have gloves on when you undertake to handle John Malloy, and if luck had not been in our favor I would not bave cared to ll be all-fired glad when we get safely out of the mix with our little ten thousand ahead,” | ‘*Ten thousand ain’t much fur a man like | him. We ain’t gen’rally makin’ a strike ov less than twice that, an’ ther boys—well, mebbe they won’t kick, but they’ll do a heap ov thinkin’ ef it ain’t up to ther | av'rige.” | ‘* Let them think, Daddy; but beware ‘how you talk, It might lead some of them into trouble. I’m running this outfit, and I | know just about what ought to be the limit of the game. And I know that when you wolves once begin to growl it’s not long be- fore you follow it up with a bite.” ‘* Better not ter make ‘em growl, then, — we hee Gilt-Edge Shooter. think he was much more of a gentleman than they had thought a train robber and an outlaw could be. Vera looked straight into his eyes, which met her gaze without ever flinching. This was all business, and as such was something the captain tried not to be ashamed of. ‘*And mother—does she know?’ gasped the young lady. ‘“Probably she does by this time. Malloy knows he can trust me, just a8 I have trusted him, and doubtless has informed her, since he would be sure he would be raising no false hopes. I know the meeting will be an affecting one, and I am only too sorry that I will not be able to witness it; but John would hardly care to bring her to the trysting-place. If you are ready we may as well set out.” ‘*We have been ready all the time,” qua- vered Vera, more and more overcome with } Cap. £f you’d jest run’em a leetle keer- | delight; but Belle Malloy was watching * $I DADDY GRIMES GOES INTO BUSINESS, ful like, thar would be neither growlin’ ner | Daddy Grimes, and she suddenly threw Bette Maxxoy knew that joking with | bitin’.” her hand to her bosom, as she did so ex- . Daddy Grimes was very much like plaguing | There was a shade of slinking insolence in | claiming: iy a tiger when the tiger is loose. At the same | the words, and the manner in which they ** Look out!” - time, she had been rather an imperious bit | were spoken; but the captain seemed not to| ‘Strange as it might seem, the caution was * __ of mischief all her life, and hardly knew what | notice it as he answered: intended for Captain Curse. . fearmeant. Duddy did not have a very com- ** An angel from heaven couldn’t run such It came too late. There was the sharp re- F fortable time, while waiting on the ladies. a gang to suit all parties concerned, and I’d | port of a’pistol, and the captain fell, drilled Pe He took it all without more than an occa- | hardly be likely to try it. Right between | through and through, while Daddy Grimes, Fe sional snarl, and finally left them once more | the bark and the bite I prefer to shoot. | leaping forward, stood over his body with a hi to their own resources, having fed them well, | Take care, old man, that I don’t have to be- | smoking revolver in his hand. and defeated their efforts to gain any infor- | gin with you.” i ; The shot acted like a signal. Ry mation which might show how the land lay. He turned away toward the inner room, Half a dozen of the masked marauders We ‘The future remained as uncertain as ever. and Daddy followed, looking up from un- | rushed into the room, flourishing weapons, ie Had they been able to follow Daddy | der his grizzly eyebrows with a steady stare, | but stopped near the threshold when they ‘Grimes, and could they have heard his re- | He knew, or thought he knew, that his life | saw what had been the meaning of the re- marks made to his companions shortly after | was hanging in the balance, yet he never | port. y Jeaving them, they might not have settled } flinched or gave token that he was suspect- ‘* All over an’ done fur,” said Grimes, down to the business of waiting with quite so | ed. composedly. ‘‘Only tuok narve an’ good t- good a grace. ‘* What's ther next move on ther program?” | shootin’. He ain’t more ner ary other man Time wore on, however, ‘and at last the | he asked é ef yer hits him whar he lives. He’ll never ae guard outside halted the returning Captain ‘Orders are orders, an’ when I git ’em | slaughter any more ov the boys, an’ I reckon fst long enough to make sure of his iden- | I foller’em, but ef I don’t git ’em how kin | we're jest ther half ov ten thousand in, an’ tity—and to put those inside on their guard, | 1?” ; : ef yer’ game ter try ther racket, thar ain’t h It was intended the gang should carry on ‘‘Lay low and keep your eyes open—all. | no reason why John Malloy shouldn't bleed Pay | - business on military lines, but when the cap- | There is only one danger—that some blun- | ten thousand more.” _ R ‘ tain was away discipline frequently relaxed. | dering fools may track us over from therail- | ‘‘ We're game ter try it ef yer thinks ivll 2 If Curse could have dropped down upon his | road, and try to drive us out of here before | work,” said one of the men, though he i men unheralded there would, perhaps, have | we are ready to go. If they wait till I | turned his eyes away from the still quiver- ' been something darker than a frown under | get back it won’t make so much differ- | ing heap on tbe floor. e his mask. fence. It is about time to skip this ranch “In course it’ll work. It’s got ter work. 4 Daddy Grimes came forward to meet him, | anyhow.” ° Thar's ther capital fur our business, an’ ez }: and gave the customary military salute with ‘“ An’ ther gals—what’s ter be did with | long ez we hold on ter it we kin git ary per. all his usual exactness. them?” centage we ax,” and he pointed at the shiver- Wend ““AN right here, eh, Daddy?” was the care- “Don’t worry about them. I can run | ing girls. Pg { less question of the captain, as he halted in | the rest of the affair, and I’m taking them front of his lieutenant. along with me, Don’t make me tell it over CHAPTER XIII. ie ‘Right ez usu’l, They don’t ’pear ter be | again.” THE TEST OF THE TORTURE, no ways ’larmed, sofur. They stuffed their- The captain spoke irritably, yet without Jonn Maizoy kept his own counsel, und __ .gelves jest too full, an’ if they stayed hyar | any actual anger; and before Daddy Grimes ! amused Mrs, Vane with a fairy story which . | much longer, thar would be a famine in ther | could answer he had passed into the presence | fitted the case a6 wellas he knew how to : Jand.” of the young ladies, make it. f ; “aay ‘Glad to hear it. Didn’t want to break ‘‘Thope [ come as a messenger of good She was half dead with fear and anxiety if ¥ _ their nerves up, or scare them a bit more | tidings,” was his salutation, given with a low | and he could have been pardoned for trying 4 ; ‘than was necessary. Such valuable goods | bow. any scheme to allay her nervous dread. He ought to be delivered in good order ifwe| ‘‘In the line of business we have put | really stretched the truth less than he knew ~want to make money in a trade.” you to some unavoidable inconvenience, but | when he told her that a band of resolute men fi ‘¢ Val’lyble they orter be, fur they treat a! I hope you will consider it in the light of an | were on the trail, and that they would follow ‘man ez though he warn’t good enough ter | adventure; and be none the worse for it, | the outlaws, on whose trail they had thrown \ a wh wipe the’r old shoes on. Ef 1 war axed my | All the arrangements have been satisfacto- | themselves, and make a rescue if it was with- ie _ -way I’d say they oughter be brungdown a| rily made, and I have come to escort you to | in the bounds of possibility. ae rma. wit,” what you will probably consider a place of | If they failed there was still every reason Mf Be “Tt’s the old man who wants to be | safety.” é . to hope, as he had taken means to open coms yf ne lis - brought down; and he is going to come Vera gave a little cry of delight, and | munication from another side, and stood. o R} ' down, too, with a vengeance. I’ve seen him, | clasped her hands. Belle Malloy drew her- | ready to pay the ransom to the last cent, ie. |. and the deal has been made. All that is ne- | self up into as stately a position as she if it should be needful. : , so | _ gessary to do now is to deliver the goods.” | knew how to assume, and stood waiting to At the same time, he told nothing of his ae A ~ ** Good, hard cash are ther way we wants | hear more. own bereavement, and concealed the loss of Me him ter come, an’ ef he throws that out toa | ~“‘‘ Your mother, Miss Vane, has been taken | his only child with a Spartan firmness. ’ MS big figger ther boys will swear by him, We | to the residence of Mr. Malloy, with whom I As the day waned awa he went off to of be bin lettin’ him slip erlong ez though we | have concluded negotiations; and in the | again mect the outlaw chie , full of the hope ' ifs didn’t know he war a big, fat angel, an’ I | course of a couple hours you will doubtless | that his daughter would soon be in bis arms, | a: war feared he war goin’ ter slip through, | be in herarms, You are not required to He reached the spot where the meeting a) E alltergether. Et’s bin kinder workin’ us | thank me, though I flatter myself I have | was to take place, and found no one there, oe a a up.” looked after your welfare as wellas youcould | When he had grown impatient, and nervous, yj % Which all came from wanting to meddle | have done it yourself.” and was altogether off his guard,—swish! Mi es with matters that didn’t concern you. I! His tone was bantering, yet it was not | A rope came hurtling through the air, and. a a have been running the intellectual part of likely the young ladies would take offense. | before he could realize how it was done he © : found himself a prisoner, “y Pe ‘this circus, and so far I don’tthink you have Just at that moment they actually began to i Y hy | 4 7 ¥ rc , ‘ . / 7 iG * : / ° 4 : io yf :
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Diamond Dick, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. wicked voice, as a man crept forward; and then Daddy Grimes was leoring down at him with a vicious grin on his battered fea- tures, | At first the mine magnate was too badly choked to speak. He only glared up at the lowering faces which gathered near, By the time his throat had straightened it- self, and his breath should have come regu- larly, he was about choked with wrath. He made more than one effort before he spluttered out: ; “This is the way ye kape faith, is it? Sure, an’ Oi’ll have yez driv off the face av ‘the earth, av it costs a million, It’s the wrong man ye chose for a foight whin ye wint forme. Ye are just cowardly, tricher- ous thaves, an’ Oi’ll say yez all hung av Oi have to howld the rope mesilf.” “Go slow, Malloy. It’s coin we want, an’ / it’s coin we'll hev, When you get ter rantih’ ’round that way ye’r’ only makin’ things harder fur yourself an’ ther young ladies. You an’ ther Captain war settin’ up a half-price game that wouldn’t work on us, nohow. Come to Limerick an’ we’ll treat you white.” : “ Lightnin’ blast yez, Oi came there wanst, an’ this wor the way ye kipt faith. Do yez think Oi’m all fool, to trust yez ag’in?” “Thar’s not goin’ ter be much trustin’ a-goin’ from this time on. It’s got ter be all solid cash, and we’ll hold on ter all we hev till we git it. Roust yerself up an’ come along. This hyar deal can’t jest be finished up io a twinklin’,” ‘Take me to your captain, want to till him what Oi thin put mesilf in his hands, an’ he’s played m dhirt.” ‘Don't guess yer ez anxious ter see him ez yer lets on; an’it'd be a dog-goned sight lon- Ap hounds! Oi 1B | ger journey than you keer "bout takin’ with- | av him. Oi out achange ov linen. Captain Curse are dead, an’it war I thot shothim, Git a russel on er we'll put it on fur ye.” ‘ Malloy did not doubt the intelligence, and - it came back to him with a shock. He ave knew, or had known, Curse as a man of his oe oy word, whether he had any other good quali- 7 va ties or not. But of these men there was not At one he could trust. And as for his daughter —he dared not think of her. * He said not another word, and only made ; one vain effort to break the cords which Daddy Grimes had deftly knotted around his wrists, Then he arose to his feet, and.nodded to let them know he was ready. He tancied that if he was moved from this spot he would be taken to hig daughter. After that, he would speak, or act, as the case might be. Though Malloy did not know the exact | spot where the den of the outlaws was lo- cated, he was pretty sure it was not at any : great distance, and still maintaining his silence, he suffered himself to be taken away. Tnwardly, he was none the less anxious; | and the way seemed interminable, though in : reality it did not take long to reach the eyrie in the mountato. “Will yer have it out now, er will yer wait till mornin’?” questioned Daddy Grimes | when they had reached the end of the lh i ney, and, save those who were out on picket duty, or acting as sentinels, all the outlaws i: y - * had been gathered around him. in Mee “Now!” he said firmly, but looking around ae in search of a missing 1ace. John Malloy is not the mon to put off the bad hourav it must come. But Oi must | gay Belle foorst. Ontil Oi do, divil a word i. a will Oi spake av yez troi me from now till ‘te y S doomsday.” - The suspicion darted into his mind that rhaps this gang was working a game of heir own, and that Captain Curse was real- ly in the possession of the prisoners, and per- F : | ‘‘Stiddy be jerks, John Malloy!” said a | haps even now was taking them to a place of safety. ** Oh, we'll trot her out, fast enough, if that is what you want. But I reckon you and she would be a heap sight happier if we'd fix up our leetle ’rangement ‘thout bringin’ ther women in, It won’t make ’em feel good when they see yer drawed up Va ther rack, an’ ther fodder mighty ry.” Daddy waved his hand, however, and one of the men left the circle, returning in a mo- ment, bringing with him thetwo girls. Belle was there, and looking none the worse for her visit, but her companion could scarcely say as much. Vera looked very pale and very weak. There were blood-splotcheson her dress, and a bandage arouud her arm. She clung to Isabel, who, in turn, supported her with one arm around her waist. “Is that the way yez kape faith wid me?” asked Malloy, sternly, pointing at the droop- ing girl. ** Do yez think Oi’d dale wid scoundrils ez wad barrum a girl?” ‘* Accidents will happen, an’ it war her fault. WhenI sent Curse over ther range she put herself in line. Ther ball went through an’ through him an’ lodged in her arm, She’sa little staggered with ther shock, but it’s more skeer than hurt, an’ she’ll be all right by mornin’—’specially if she gits away frum hyar,.” ‘‘What do yez pripose?” asked Malloy, looking at his daughter, who had thorough- ly contained herself even at the sight of her father, ‘* You tried to make a deal with Captain Curse that wur, and he sold us out, but he couldn’t d'liver ther goods. We ain’t none. ov yer two-cent gangs. Sence we took to ther road there ain't no record ov a haul less ner twenty thousand dollars, an’ that’s our limit on ther lower end.” ** Av yez don't sthick to yer bargains ye’ll foind no wan’ll do business with yez. A mon may as will be did an’ done wid it. Av ye raises proice wanst what's to hindher raisin’ av itagain? Tin thousand have Oi paid, an’ tin thousand will it stay.” ‘‘An that’s another thing. Checks don’t go with us, Curse could handle such things, but he’s skipped for the summer land. It’s got ter be hard, cold cash or a hard, cold corpse. Two or three ov ’em mebhe. You wrige a letter to your friends and tell’em to git it ready—twenty thou- gand, mind you—an’ we'll let ’em know where tosend it to, It’ll take a week ef yer gets @ move on, an’ ef ye don't we'll be chargin’ interest,” ‘‘ Divil a cint more will yez get. Ye have me check for tin thousand, an’ av that won’t do, chrack yer whip!” The mine-magnate had made up his mind, and taken his stand. If anything could be told from his tone he meant every word he was saying, Daddy gavea cruel laugh. ‘““Ye’r most too fresh ter skin, eh? Meb- be that scheme will work, an’ mebbe it won't, Ef we begins ter crack that whip we'll keep it up tell somethin’ breaks, An ef ye don’t give in I'll bet high yer execky ter won't be so hard-hearted. How kin ye? Iv’ll be ther gal’s money, an’ bet yer sweet life she'll be glad ernuff ter buy herself outen ther hobble.” Malloy grew a trifle redder in the face, and bit his lips, but remained silent, He had made up his mind, and kept his gaze away front the two girls. He was more afraid of being tnoved by their entreaties than by anything the outlaws could do or say. He was glad they had kept silent. Daddy Grimes grew impressive. You ain’t a fool, John Malloy, an’ yer orter know when ye’r’ beat. We want that letter, an’ we want it now. We're goin’ ter blow up ther path hyar, an’ skip fur other quarters. Afore we go we want ter send word to yer frien’s, Last time of askin’, Are ye goin’ ter come down?” ‘Last time av answering, no!” “Then, by the living blazes, we'll begin cracking that same whip. Get the fire ready, boys; and a couple of yousee the gals don’t chip. When it gets too funny they may want a hand in.” Malloy’s hands were already bound, and to knot a rope around his ankles was but the work of amoment. While two of the men held their Winchesters horizontally across their breasts, barring the way for Belle Mal-« | % loy and her friend, others brought forward the fagots, and laid up the torture pile. ‘Et looks like rushin’ matters, but I’ve. told yer why we're doin’ it. Will yer give in now, er wait ten minnits longer, till ye’r’ all one blister? I know what I’m talkin’ of. I’ve tried it more ner once, an’ she never fails,” He waited a moment for an answer, but none came, and Malloy set his square jaws still more firmly. ‘Then strike ther match! We'll hev a. leetle, twenty-thousand dollar blaze.” The match was struck, and soon the fire — began to crackle merrily. CHAPTER XIV. ALIVE FOR VENGEANCE, Ir the genteel bandit who answered to the: name of Captain Curse was not dead there was small blame to be attached to Daddy Grimes, who had shot to kill, and with nine -men out of ten his work would have been finished a second after he had pulled the trigger. Fortunately for him, if not for the world at large, Captain Curse was a tenth man, and terribly hard to kill, If tere is such a thing as a charmed life he seemed to have it. : The bullet pierced him through and | through, and he fell to its stroke; but he was not by any means dead. For a little he was senseless, and that fact served him well. Dadd and felt no further fear of the future. Cool- ly he rifled the pockets of the late com-_ Grimes bent over him, marked the dreadful nature of his — wound, thought he saw his expiring quiver, — mander, saw to a surety that he had the © check which had been received from the manager of the Fair Isabel, and then turned - the body over to a couple of the subordinate — outlaws, ‘Drag him off an’ pitch him out ov sight somewhar, over ther rocks, Out ov sight. out ov mind, an’ we don't want ter leave him lyin’ ’round hyar,” ‘Curse seemed to be dead; and if he was not, the treatment received certainly should — have been enough to insure that end, The two men who had the body in charge carried it on along the cave-like ledge, and finally dumped it over where they thought it would take a clear fall of some fifty feet, . and be forever out of sight, or danger of resurrection, When the object left their hands the dark- ness of the gulch swallowed it up, and the rocks hid it. They turned and went back to their brothers in crime. wy , Daddy Grimes saw them return, and under- stood from a satisfied nod given by the leader that his commands had been obeyed. That — was suflicient. He asked no questions. There might be some there who would not care to hear the a particulars in a matter of which they hadnot _ altogether approved. of John Malloy was next in order, and was | ‘ P Besides, there were — other things more important. The trapping | v the chief thing to be discussed. - Daddy had | played his cords so well that every man un- _ derstood it meant ten thousand ollars for Le the gang; and it was that belief which cost Captain Curse his chieftainship, { nate’s capture succeeded the reade How well their plans for the mine-mag- — r
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already seen; and it is now in order to fol- low the fortunes of the deposed captain, Dead or alive his influence was still to be ‘felt, When the two recreants had cast him from the ledge he was still insensible, and he ‘dropped with no more sense of motion than a log. It was fortunate for him that it was ‘so. Fate took his case in its own hands, «ind managed things a great deal better without his assistance than it could have *adone with at. 4 j _ visk, but Sandy knew something had hap- | had the courage to smile. _ pened which might be of more service than | ai ie | i | ae | ie A aes | 7 { i Py fara sob and a gasp, He was bruised a little, wounded a trifle more, but went sliding down where a living yman would have fallen, and his descent was checked instead of broken. Though their forms were invisible from above, yet there were tenants to tie gorge, .and one of them, gazing upward in a vain effort to solve the question of what caused ‘the noise he had heard above him, received Captain Curse in his-arms. This skulker who so fortunately was there ‘answered to the name of Sandy, and he was the individual who had been en seat Kent Baker to locate a line for the proposed track from the Fair Isabel. - His hand swung around to the back of the Outlaw, and there fell upon a spot where it was wet and warm. _ Sandy had been staggered by the shock, but his wits were all about him, and he gave -a low whistle. The call was immediately answered by an- ther from a point not far distant, and then, several figures, thoroughly indistinct in the darkness, crept toward him. The noise had not been made without hours of blind exploration. They were try- ing to flank the position of the bandits, but | days when John Malloy and I were friends. so far had failed to discover the route which Pat Bandy was certain existed, and which -tbey had tried to trace out from a distance while the daylight was with them. This mar whom he held in his arms had been wounded and cast out for dead, /but | captain had occasion for adding up many already there were certain tremors through | such scores in his past life, and so far as he his body which told that life was not extinct, and if he could be revived he might speak, . 5 ha leetle rum anl kin plaster him up long | forward again. “enough tew talk.” ‘*Good enough, if that is the way it is go- We'll have both in a minute, but Kiang for. If it is the spot we hoped it was | vits. Help us to get those two young ladies a show to ask him the catechism without | safely turned over to their parents or guardi- rom observation, and thitherward the out- Jaw wascarried. . Then, Diamond lit the little lantern which | Sandy examined the body. ife had begun to’ return. sm, and wh ahs ae dig ats I Er Sey Diamond’ Dave, the Gilt- e had not until now dared to use, and he | a hard hand, I would have been there hours There was a/ my heart out with your delay. I'll swear to The throat received the | anything so we can goahead. If we can re- few drops of aso poured into it without a | lease the young Indies, what do Icare for a e Sandy was plugging the | train-robber more or less? Take him and be MOREE SIN nee Biel pete > Shem INS es A asa ead cs Rice haere wich as wound with skillful fingers consciousness as? serted itself. By the time the amateur sur- geon Was through with his limited appli ances Captain Curse was looking at him with eyes that were dull indeed, but not without their fair share of light and reason. The mask had been torn from the face of the outlaw, but so far the features revealed had not been read for the purpose of recog- nition, Now, Sandy gave something of a start. ‘«Jewhilikins, Bill! Kin it be yew?” The exclamation left his lips before he had time to think, or he might have kept the fact of his recognition to himself. Yet that exclamation appeared to have been for the best. At the sound the bandit captain seemed to pull himself together, and the dull stare changed into a keen, searching look, while the pale lips moved faintly, though the sound they uttered was inaudible. ‘*Dyin’? Not a but ov it!” said Sandy, cheerfully, interpreting the whisper by the movement of the lips. ‘*You have caught it hot, but it might be wu’ss. With a few more drops ov Jamaicky ew kin read yewr title clear to a consid’ rable smart lease ov life. Sorry tew see yew have been in sich ’tarnal bad company, an’ if yew would like to git even now’s yewr chaince. My friends, hyer, would just ad- mire tew glory in the dewin’ ov it.” With Sandy everything was rum which | was entitled to the name of spirits, and he moistened’ the lips of the wounded man with afew drops more from the flask of whisky which Diamond Dave had supplied. . Captain Curse gathered strength; and even ‘‘T remember you,” he whispered. ‘‘I can’t call you pard now, but I used to in the old The villain held straight enough, but I be- lieve myself I’m not going to die, And if I don’t!” There was no trouble in understanding what he meant by that exclamation, The knew had left not one of them unsettled. play. ' .** Whatare you all Waiting for?” exclaim- ed the young surveyor. * If you hadn’t clapped the breaks.on with ago, and shot or been shot. You are eating Witt ! s Hdee Sh ooter. happy. But you want to move soon or I'll go myself, I'll fool time no longer.” ‘‘ Easy, Baker! Easy, good lord!” drawled Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter, not a particle moved by the outbreak. ‘T can shoot a little bit myself, but these men are all past masters with the pistol. They are just as desperate as we are, just-as sure shots, and it may be they can pull trig- ger a trifle faster, It may be I have asmuch at stake as you, and that is the reason I want to go slow and sure. But, if we can’t take them at a disadvantage, if there’s only a bit of a show fur success I'll engage to be just as desperate as yourself, Now, Sandy, make your bargain.” Captain Curse had retained a hold on Dia- mond Dave’s flask, and had gathered strength as its contents decreased. There was a flush on his face now, and a fierce fire in his eyes. ‘‘Bargain, is it? Do you think Captain Curse would sell out the men with whgm he took the oath? Never. Like you, Diamond for!” An angry exclamation arose to the lips of Kent Baker, and as the wounded man de- clared his name the fingers of the young man twitched as though they were already on the trigger. If he could have had his own way he would have shot the outlaw, and gone on. Dave made a warning gesture. He knew that it might be hours before, unaided, they could find a way to go, and he felt there was more to come. maintains discipline, or works revenge. Give me a few seconds more to be myself again in, and then—the way will be open be- hind me, and you can follow.” CHAPTER XV. AT THE LAST MOMENT. Tue bandit had solved the riddle after his own way, though not altogether to the sat- isfaction of Kent Baker, who muttered: ‘- And if you dare attempt treachery to us I’ll know better where to aim. You'll never walk further with a bullet in the base of your brain.” Diamond Dave understood better, and an- swered heartily: think it worth while you can swear me in as a special, for this nignt only—though, I con- fess, as yet, I am not as bloodthirsty as I might be. "Don’t you doubt it that we'll be close behind you, though we'll let you have the first shot.” , All this had taken time, and Curse was not even yet ready to move, though he had gained strength in what was certainly a marvelous manner. When, at last, he did rise up it was with a spasm of pain on his features. ; He mastered that, however, and atone: for a time supported by Sandy, began pick- ing his way along the base of the canyon wall. The little alcove had nothing to do with the paih to the cave above. ; It seemed to be a blind trail which he followed, but it was one which he knew well. nie There was a way of reaching the head- quarters of the gang, and slowly, but wit unflinching nerve, he won his way upward —alwaysinthe advance. | Bie He might have been outstripped had it not been for the revolver he carried in his hand, and his oft-repeated caution that there was plenty of time, There was nothing like a threat in the words, but even impatient Kent Baker knew that if he wanted to lead he must first pass over a dead body; and he was also horribly aware that In a game of the outlaw. _~ ledge which was reatly the rear cor Dave, my word is good for all it was given | ‘But I'll let you see how Captain Curse ** Good enough, old man. And if you. snap shooting the chances were in favor of When, however, they were gathered on a
Page 15
his rifle her hand flew Ch. 2 compeiled to admit that without the skillful guidance of the man whom he looked upon as half dead, they could never have reached that post of advantage in the darkness; nor, having reached it, would they have known which way to turn. Captain Curse crept away without a word, while they followed closely and in silence, Overhead and to one side was the bare rock, and on the other side the open canyon They were hidden in shadows, yet they could catch faintly the outlines of their leader, and they moved as he moved, while his halt was the signal for them to stand still, Suddenly, he crouched, and then rose up as he leaped forward. There was the low, craunching sound, as of a heavy blow, and a sentinel, whose eyes unfortunately for him had been peering in the wrong direction, fell with a low moan, And then, in the hidden recesses beyond, there pealed out the report of a pistol, and the long drawn, shrill shriek of a woman, Daddy Grimes when he set out to torture the mine-magnate into coming to his terms had nointention of carrying the work to a fatal termination. ; He had counted a good deal on certain twinges of pain which without doubt would have to be inflicted; but much more on the moral effect of the presence of his daughter. Belle had shut her lips firmly when ehe was brought forward, and though her one arm was around the waist of her companion it was to encourage Vera rather than _be- cause she needed anything to*cling to her- self, Just how far this thing was to go on, or what she could or would do to bring it to an end was more than she had as yet decided, For the present, she could only watch and wait. This was her father’s business, and with that she had seldom interfered. It was more than likely she looked upon the preparations as a gigantic bit of bluff, and she even felt a curiosity to know which was going to win, Daddy Grimes or her father. | wi? 1 Her mind was still open for cool reflection, and a very little of it showed her this torture which was about to begin would be the real thing. There was no danger of immediate death, but everything was arranged to pro- duce intense agony. In spite of herself she shivered, and grew cold, When the match was applied the crisis seemed reached; and yet she waited. Until now she could not see distinctly her father’s features. She studied them, and as yet saw ‘nothing but resistance there. It was too soon yet to speak, Once the flood-gate of words opened and there would be a break- down somewhere, But as the fire crept toward her father’s bared feet she cou:d endure it no longer, and ve a bound which carried her toward him, “ Hold!” she cried. This must stop!” Her thought was to scatter the fire, and deal with these fiends at any price. The) man with the Winchester barred her way. | “@it back, lady bird. This thing hez gone too fur not to go furder. Ef we stop- ped now you'd think we war ony foolin’, He's got ter squirm ® leetle.” He thrust her back with his crossed gun, and she staggered from the shock, which maddened more thanit hurt, Single-handed she could not hope toeven effect a diversion, “pnt she thought no longer of that. RE The weapon which so far she had kept concealed was handy to ber grasp and its presence unsvspected. She came again. and eae ete act barred her way with t again era ae toni te up and she fired full - 4n his face, while Vera, tottering and weak _. from her wound, gave the cry which had / yeached the ears without. Ta AM a wowed ; Past Sa | Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. ao A TE | bi. leading tothe hold of the bandits, he was | The movement was so sudden that it had a certain success, The man threw up his hands and toppled over; but as he fell there came, without ordersand without delay, a rush, in the midst of which Belle found her- self a plaything, and her weapon a toy. The pistol was torn from her grasp, and several hands fell roughly on her shoulders, with a gripe which hurt. ‘“*Stiddy, boys!” rung out the voice of Daddy Grimes, “Tie ther wild-cat, an’ fetch her for’rads. We'll give her a dose ov ther same kind, an’ see which’ll squeal fu'st. When ther one yells ther uther’ll give in.” A roar of brutal voices chorused their assent, and forward the panting girl was drawn. Then— ** Attention!” The harsh order fell on their ears like a thunder-clap, and too much surprised to raise a weapon, the men wheeled toward the voice. Captain Curse stood there, erect, and with revolver leveled, not a sign of wound or weakness to be seen. Rapid though his motions were ‘it felt an age as the muzzle of the deposed captain’s revolver turned toward Daddy Grimes, It seemed as though he was giving them all a chance to defend themselves, Had it not been for the thought there must be something supernatural about. the appearance, there might have been an effort to take advantage of it, but that fear par- alyzed them, and with a cold sneer on his lips Curse quietly pulled trigger. Then, as if by instinct, and with the speed of thought, he singled out the two men who had flung him over the rocks. The three, almost as one man, fell in a heap, while from behind Captain Curse four armed intruders sprung into view, ‘* Away with you!” shouted Curse, ‘‘ Lin- ger a moment and Lopen my guns on you. There’s a force behind me you can’t resist, Among you I’m done for, but I’ve had my revenge!” ; As he spoke he toppled over, his fictitious strength utterly exhausted, while the out- laws, in a panic which there was no com- bating, had rushed headlong through the other entrance, in the very wildest of routs, CHAPTER XVI. THE PAYMENT OF THE RANSOM, THovucH the outlaws were in full retreat there was no certainty the panic would last, and Sandy was wiso enough to keep them going. These men actually feared Captain Curse as though he was Satan himself, and per- haps a little worse, becnuse there may be some chance to bargain with the arch-fiend, but after such a trick as* they had played their captain there could be none at all. They had not seen his fall; his words had meant nothing, and they imagined they were his shots which came hurtling after them as they plunged downthe narrow passage lead- ing to the trail, Master Pat was better engaged. As the outlaws disappeared Diamond Dave sprung to the side of Isabel. When the, hands had dropped away from her, upon the appearance of the captain, she had reeled toward her father, and then measured her length on the floor. At the turn of the tide her strength had forsaken her; and on her brow there was slight cut froin which the oozing blood had given to her white face a ghastly stain. Kent Baker had eyes only for Vera. It did not matter to him that once upon a time there had been certain misunderstandings which had wrenched him and this girl apart. Just now he saw nothing else, and was by her side in\a minute, though with his weap- daughter. ———— ee — -- -———_- OOOOrn——.’20 0— NNN NN oned hand he was pointing toward the spot where the train robbers had disappeared. gk Had it not been for Patsey the mine mage nate might have had a roasting time of itin = the next few minutes. There would, per- ; haps, have been little danger of his life, but q in another sixty seconds it would have been vi doubtful if he could have walked fer a ; month. The boy seattered the brands, cut oe the bands, and pulled John Molloy to one La side. Then, the man of several millions was a raised to his feet; and, as Patsey pushed the as fagots together, and nursed them into a cheerful blaze, the magnate stared around him. te Miss Vera was not badly hurt, and she ~~ and Kent Buker were already nearly through —s J with a brief but thoroughly satisfactory ex- _ planation. Captain Curse, having exhausted himself in that last tierce struggle for ven- geance, lay dead where he fell; while, by the flaming light of the now roaring fire, . Malloy saw his own daughter, none_ the worse for her late experiences, actually kiss- — ing Diamond Dave! ; For a moment his feelings were too deep for utterance, and in that moment Belle had come to his side and was laughing over him a little, and crying a good deal. J He was a man of hard, practical sense,and knew that this could not be the first time they had met, and that it was nota good op- portunity to make the observations which i) ae naturally rose to his lips, , ‘*There! There! That’s enough of this . nonsinse. Give mea pistol, some wan. Those bes are not dead yet, and they may be ack.” ‘*Let them come.” said Diamond Dave, once more his cool, insouciant self. ‘‘ We’re between them and the young ladies now, and nothing could please me better than a meeting.” ee “‘Andif my eyes went foranything, you're between the young ladies and me,” grumbled Malloy, holding out his arms toward his At the same time Sandy came in, chuck- ve ling softly, his almost empty revolver in his | hand, ; ; The mine magnate caught a glimpse of him, and saw the face as he had not seen it when the three men rode up to urge him to aid them, and this time he recogniz- ed a Its. ) ei ‘“Howly Moses!” he exclaimed; Sandy Martin himsilf!” eli ee i4 Sandy Martin was the brother of Mrs. | Vane, and the one-time pard of John Malloy = in the mine which was now known as the Fair Isabel. | ‘ He had wandered away when the fortunes of the find had seemed at a lowebb, and had been having a rather disastrous time down | in old Mexico. He had lately returned | from the regions beyond Chihuahua, poor in pocket and health, and was scouting around to take stock in the property in | which he suspected he had more than q | little interest, As for the lawsuit which his sister had Ps Wer Br Ot, end of this very week he would be legally — Bis? BS m } ie i ¥ and they had befriended him in such a way
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: + ' } Diamond Dave, the Gilt-Edge Shooter. tions, for John Malloy could be a square pard, however tricky he might prove as a legal adversary; and the affairs of the Fair Isabel went on from that date in a manner that was eminently satisfactory to Sandy Vane and his sister, As to the meeting which took place, a few hours after things had quieted down, at the cave of the outlaws, it is hardly the correct thing to describe it. Mother and daughter were too happy to make much wail; and as the eyes of the rest were on them they kissed, and were happy. Shortly afterward Kent Baker received a tacit assurance thut be was considered quite one of the family; Diamond Dave was over- whelmed with an enthusiasm of thanks; and even Patsey would have had a similar ava- lanche to endure had he not been away with a lot of men from the mine, burying the dead, and getting the horses out of the scrape into which he, with the best of intentions, had led them. Poor brutes! They had had a bad time of it, but they came out none the worse, and went batk to their owner, the following day, along with a little bundle of notes which was fuily worth their value. Diamond Dave, having once come fairly face to face with the father of Belle Malloy, was forever after done with stolen inter- views, and stealthy maneuvers. There were worse fellows in the world than the Gilt- Edge Shooter, and at an important crisis in the lives of them all he had posed as the man for the occasion. He came and went after his and Belle’s own free wills, and it is now an open secret that when the mine-owner and his daughter go abroad, he will go with them as one of the family. The band of Captain Curse operated in that section no more, and the supposition is that it scattered its remnants over half a dozen States and Territories to evade the righteous vengeance of John Malloy, who had openly sworn, on the very first discovery of their trail to hunt them to its other end and hang them all without judge or jury, As he had the wealth and nerve to carr out what he meant, the threat was more ef- fectual than dozens of deputy marshals, backed by all the terrors of the law—which were not, in fact, terrors at all for such har- dened men. . During the excitement of the strike Mike McKane had a limb broken, and received other damages which unfitted him for active life, while his men scattered out, and handled picks and shovels on other sections where their record was unknown, They had done their share in the great strike, and their work had proved a failure. THE END. Next Haur-Dime Lisrary, No. 902! New York Nat's Star Combine; OR, Gentleman Jack’s Resurrection BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. An enigma to solve:—a man to be slow-poisoned; a harum-scarum young fellow in the Wild West to be “done for;”’ a sick woman and pronounced in- valid who is wholly shamming; a young girl who fathoms this she devil’s scheme yet dares not openly oppose it. hese are the incentives that send Nat and Keno and Freckles back into the Colorado wilderness and make the Mascot Queen of the Boy Secret Police a waiting girl spy in the New York residence. _ The story of it allisa rush of surprises—a kineto- scope that keeps the reader on a gallop of excite- ment, particularly with the adventures and remark- able work of the “ Kids ” in Colorado, that leadsto Gentleman Jack’s Resurrection! andthe unmasking by The Mascot Queen, of the ma‘ign gouine ofit aji:—the whole leading up to a splendid climax that is like an eagle’s swoop upon . birds of prey, and makes New York Nat's Star Combination ' the event of the season in detective circles. Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. ae peng woed ad enres or, ee Daggers. 8 Dead woo ek in Disguise; or, Buffal, Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. = pesawens aba PaRBNEAs or, The — Miner. end woot c n anger; or, Omana Oll, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Decks or, Calamity ¢ ‘ne, the Heroine 105 | et ae ee mapas net or, Cordurey Charlie. eadwoo ek in Leadville, / 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, ‘the Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Kase; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick's Big Strike}; or, A Game ot Gold. 166 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivuls of the Rond. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. +34 penned ere yaa : or, Weed Jane's Adventure. 7 Deadwoot ckh’s Dead Decal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick, A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Bo pendoes Micke cite gz ores toms tae 2 , ek Pa rall, B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducata; or, Daye in the Diggings. aon ee pale tek Sentences § or, The Terrible Vendetta, d endwoo ck’a Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonda, 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. yrs pene weed pei or ; he 4 Crimson Crescent Sign, Jeadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Deflunce. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Full Wand. 459 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*s. Racket at Claim 10, y ie pena wons peek, ores erred oF, Eun Bill. eadwoo ck, Jr.’* Dog Detective. 481 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Dendwood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, DI nga. 608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegee, 622 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’«, Three, 629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducka 5634 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, 5389 Peadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidocg 649 Deadwood Diek, Jr., on Hi« Mettle, 5654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Chicago, 578 Deadwood Dick. Jr., Afloat. &S4 Dendwood Dick, Jr., In Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree. +94 tet ebb Sa 5 es Pacsahe he Basis, end woo ck, Jr., at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnuatl. 624 Deadwood Dick. Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In No Man’a Land. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick Jr.. In Buffalo. rea a at tleKs bs Shag eons Aero the Cention end wood ek, Jr., Among the Smugglers, 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s Tuanrance Cake. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Rack in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” pi | porate mee grees peeevekas or, Found a Fortune, end woo ek, Jr.’s, Dazzle, 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwoot Dick Jr., In San Francisco, 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Still Munt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Disguise, 784 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Denthwatch. TAT Deadwood Bick, Jr.’, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’x, Deathblow. 758 Dendwood Wick, Jr.’s, Deaperate Strait, 764 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Lone Hand. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deteat. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jrs, Resurrection, TS2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Dark Days. 7ST Dendwood Dick Jr., Defied. 792 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Device. 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr’.«, Desperate Venture. ' 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Diamond Dice, ' $07 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Royal Flush, 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, HNead-off, 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom, 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. 84 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’#, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. 845 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’#, High Horse, 852 Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devil’e Gulch, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Meath-Hole Hustle. 868 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell, f 870 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Mexico. 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Decoy Duck. 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Silver Pocket. 891 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dead-Sure Game, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’s Trine pes or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 546 Captain Cactun, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 568 The Dandy ef Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. | Satron gel, arog wits a Shadow aR app ana, the Dutch Vidoeq; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 61 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Gorbey Gid, the Cittle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypay Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Rimple Sim, the Rroncho Buster; or. For Big Stakes. 712 The Meameriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 785 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, 882 The Doctor Detective in Texas, 872 Two Showmen Detectives In Colorado, | | } | | KL BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke} or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Franky; or, Dandy Darke'’s Go-Down Pards_ 818 The Huatler Rogue-Catcher. S88 Poker Pete’s Double Dodge, 851 The Tie-To Sport; or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat, SSS Monte Saul, the Sport. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRATIAM, 889 New York Nat’s Deadly Beal. S88 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. ST? New York Nat’s Trump Card, S7L New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, 865 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot. 850 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. 858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out, S47 Dick Doow’s Ten Strike. $42 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand, 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The, Detective by Destiny, 77 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, 784 Dick Doomy or, ‘Ihe Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, 798 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West. : ; 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Linke in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. S18 Dick Doowmw’s Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot, 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. a 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Traii, 756 Dashing Charlle’s« Testiny; or, The Renegade’s Captives 760 Dashing Charlic’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 787? Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive, 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower, 718 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. | 719 Pawnee Bills Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom, 725 Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick. 692 Redfern’s Curtous Case; , The Rival Sharps. 697 Redfern at Devil’s Ranch; or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Redferw’s Wigh Mand; or, Blue Jacket. 707 Redfern’s Last ‘Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. 668 Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccunces Miusislpman. 674 Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailor. 679 Red Ralphy? the Shadower,; or, The Freebvoter’s Legacy, 644 Butterfly Billy's Disguise. = 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Express Rider. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. } 662 Lutterlly Billy’s Bonanza, j 565 Kent Kingdon; o ,'ihe Owls of the Overland. 570 Kent Kingdon’s Shadower ; or, the Card Queen, 575 Kent Kingdon’s Vucl; «5, The Surgeon Scout, 65S6 Kent Kingdon’s Doom ; er, The Buckekin Avenger, 545 Lafitte Run Down; or, The luc aneers of Barrataria, 550 Lalitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 Lalitte’s Contession; o, ‘ihe Creole Corsair, 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow. 5625 The Buckskin Krothers in Texas, 580 The Buckskl: Bowers; or. The Cowboy Pirates, 585 The Buckskin Lovernt or, ine Prairie Fugitive, 540 The Buckskin 3 ards’ Gucets or, Captain Ku-Klux, 608 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck s or, lhe Hantea Midshipmap, 511 The Royal Middy’s Foe. 4560 Wizard Will; or, Ihe Boy Ferret 01 New York, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 474 Wizard Will’s 1 arcs or, bern, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard WIll’s Laat Care: or, ‘Ibe Ferrets Afloat, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. ; 488 Dunean Dare’s Plots or, A Cably Boy’s Luck, 487 Duncan Dare’s J rized or, The Sea Kaider, 441 Dunean Dare’s t ecret: (7. The Ocenn Firefly, 402 Isodor, the Y oung Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 Isodor’s Double Chares or, The Boy Insurgent, A412 Isoddr’s War-Cloud Cruiec? or. The Wild Yachtsman, 216 Lisen Bill, the lrince of the Reins, 222 Bison Bis Clucy or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, 804 Dead Shot Pandy’s Pilemma, “ss 808 Dead Shot andy» Pouble; +r, Kero Kit, 814 Dead Shot Bandy’s Beflance: or, The bey Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’s (hic ty ot, The River Detective. 245 Merle Monte’s lap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny ¢ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 Merle Monte’s ‘Ircasure Island, 269 Merle Monte the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Crul#e; or, “The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Mente’s Fate; or, The Pirate's Pride, Merle Monte’s Pledge: or, The Sea Marauder. ) 197 The Kid Glove Sport or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove pervs Doom; or, Buffalo Bin, thé: Pony Express Rider. ‘ eS 885 Dead-Shot Ralph's Ten-Strike, ' 867 Dead Shot, Kalph’s Drop, , 4 878 Deck-Hawk Roy’s Big Scoop. + ee 825 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, $ f TBI Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flay, 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout, 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines, bY? The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. 591 Delmontes the Young Sea Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor. 5680 The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective. A495 Arizona doe or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack. A487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 468 Neptune Ned, the Roy Coaster; er, Pirnte In Spite. 462 The Sailor Boy Wanderer; or, The Burn Guide. 446 Waphazard Harry ; or, The Sea Scapegrace. 898 The Red Clasped Wands; or, The Boy Lieutenant, ndfjan Pilot ¢ or, The Search for Pirate Island, Bonodel, the Roy eer or, The Flagless Schooner, Itio Grande. he Cruise of the Vixen, 75 The Boy Duellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 896 New York Nat In Gold Nugget Camp; or, The Wild All*Around Sport. By Col. P. Ingrabam, 897 Davy Doon’s Big Bounce; or, Nickel Nell, the Boy Spotter’s Mascot. By. C. Harbaugh. 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Double Drive; or, The Rival Mayors of Hardecrabble. By Edward L. Wheeler, 899 Basement Bert, the Boy Cobbler Detective, By Jo Pierce. 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee; or, The Circus Queen’s Shadower. By J. C. Cowdrick. 901 Diamond Daye, the Gilt-Edge Shooter; or, Daddy Grimes’ Dead} Grip. By Wm. R. Eyster, 902 New York Wat a Star Combine}; or, Gentleman Jack’s Resurrection, By Col. P, Ingraham. A New lasue Every Tuesday. f Lib: is for sale by all ‘ PRB ore by ak oe soteigh ot six Ainte re pepe, Fem BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pu 98 W Birect, ve ork, ~ * - =~