Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 975) (1896 03 31)

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5 pullin - AY SCOTTY Aas et SC a Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 1896, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, |< $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price rv iT No. 975. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents. Vol. XXXVI. pulTlo gt SAS nas —— ae OR, THE — BRAYO’ LONE TRAIL. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BUFFALO BILL” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTER I. THE MAD SOLDIER, **] am looking for the dead /” “Well, 1 am rather much alive; soldier pard, so you don’t want me, I’m glad to say.” ~~ SURE SHOT LOWERED HIS RIFLE WITH THE EXCLAMATION. ‘‘I DO NOT BELIEVE ‘No, not you, not you! DIABLO DICK IS ONE OF THE ROAD-AGENTS.” ‘* But, tell me, where are they?” “a . -

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Bufialo Bill's Ss do-Shots “Who?” pecting a violent aitask, or ‘determined “The Dead.’ to act in self-defense. “In their graves, whar they oughter But the soldier; as soon as he had ut- be. tered his words, turned, and with great “Won't yer take a seat in ther coach, | bounds, went toward the timber on one pard, and go to the fort, fer it don’t! side of the trail, and the next moment strike me yer head is just right; it’s off | had leaped upon the back of a fine horse, “ That I is—very well fixed; an’ if yer — don’t think so jist look inside ther hearse and see ther soldiers thet hes got you covered.” With bounds like deer, the three road- raiders sprung to the shelter of the tim- ber, while Nate Nixon dexterously gave ther trail o’ reason: which Nate saw waiting for him, and in} his whip a swing, and the teams sprung “Come, git in, and ther post surgeon | another moment was fiying away at a | forward with frightened alacrity. will set yer on ther right trail.” breakneck speed. But the three men, not being fired ** Are they there? ” “ Well! thet about took ther narve out | upon as they had expected, sent two rifle “Who?” o’ me, I’m free ter admit. shots after the daring driver, who “The Dead.” ‘“ Now, who on ’arth is he, fer I hain’t } crouched below the seat and drove on, one of the bullets tearing along the top “See here, pard, I hain’t no spook | heerd o’ no lunatic asylum in these parts ros ta of the coach, the other shattering one ch hunter or comrade of stiffs; I’m flesh and | fer him ter git out of. 3 bone, and you give me ther creepin’ “Why, I’d ruther be held up by road- | of the lamps to atoms. ey Bt chills ter talk as yer does. agents than meet him again, ‘fore ther The robbers, however, unfortunately oe ae “T has a empty hearse, and you are! Lord I would! for Nate, had their horses near, and a", ; , welcome ter ride; so git in.” “Come, hosses, you must git along| within a minute all three were in hot age “No, no! I cannot, must not; I must | lively, fer he may take a notion ter | pursuit. oP find them.” come back,” and Nate drove swiftly on Still Nixon was not one to halt when . ie! he realized that they were gaining, and The scene was on a trail in New Mex- his way. the odds all against him. Not a hali! Nt ee ico, over which a stage coach made a weekly run from Santa Fe to the mines CHAPTER II. He coolly lifted the rifle which he al- and settlements on the way to the ter- PUT TO FLIGHT, ways had on the deck behind him, ready minus at Fort Comanche. Nate Nixon was not a man to flinch at | for emergencies, and taking aim as best he could, with the coach swaying wildly, he pulled the trigger. A wild yell broke from his lips as he saw the man at whom. he had aimed oti Se tumble headlong from his saddle, a But, not dismayed, the other two urged their horses on the faster, and as Naie Nixon had to guide his now flying team just then, from the nature of the trail, he dared not use his revolvers, and found himself covered by one on each side, as the two men dashed up beside the coach. . ely Fh “JT don’t wish to kill you, Nixon, but om 28 by will if you do not halt, and that quick- y.’ “You is very kind, and as I has about played my last trump I'll do as you say. His foot pressed hard on the brake; he drew in his horses, and the coach came to a standstill, while Nate said, with a sneer: “Ther soldier bluff scared yer bad; but, just look inter ther hearse and see what’s thar.” He was playing another game to get a chance to use his revolver, and. his words made the leader and his remain- ing man cautious. They did not know but what they The driver, Nate Nixon, was on his| any danger. Scores of times he had way to the fort when he discovered at | proven that. His very driving of that a point where the trail was very rough | long and perilous trail attested his daunt~ a man standing in his way, as though | less nerve, for none but a man of ex- to bring him to a halt. tremest bravery would dare that duty, Nate Nixon was’ utterly fearless, and | But he had a superstitious dread of what drove a deadly trail, for he had both In-| he was pleased to call “spooks,” and .dians and outlaws to waylay him; yet he | looked with awe upon any who had had no dread of the one he saw ahead | lost their sanity. in the trail, for he wore the uniform of As he drove on, and br iskly, he kept a cavairyman in the United States Army. | his head half turned, his eyes glancing f “Some courier whose horse has given} back to see if the mad soldier was pur- te out,” inferred Nate. suing him, still “ looking for the dead.” As he drew near, the soldier suddenly So intent was he in gazing behind rallied from the dejected mood in which | that he did not keep a weather eye out he had, seemingly, been plunged, brought | ahead, therefore did not see three men his carbine up, and in a threatening | quickly step out into the trail ahead. oe manner called out: .| Two of the three had rifles; the third. gaa * Halt! Who comes there?” only had revolvers. ¥ 3) The driver had intended to halt, but All-were masked, and while those with the words and looks of the man quick-| the rifles stood on either side of the ened that intention. He drew up at/| trail, with weapons ready, the third PG - once, and riveted his eyes scrutinizing- | quietly waited in the centre of the track. le ly upon the man who barred his way, That was the group Nate Nixon noted while he muttered: when he again turned his gaze ahead, “Ef he hain’t got °em then I’m sweetly | after a long look behind, the longer be- lying. He’s as crazy as a jack rabbit.” | cause he had heard a shout far back in Nixon saw a man of fine proportions, | the rear, he was certain. It might have dressed in a tattered uniform, with aj been the cry of a panther, or the yowl face almost concealed by a long, heavy | of a hungry wolf, but Nate was certain beard, and hair that hung upon his | that he was nearer right in deciding that shoulders. it was a human voice. might yet be caught in some kind of His face was darkly bronzed by ex- But nothing appeared back on the | a trap. posure, but his eyes were bright and/| trail; he was alone; yet, not alone, for To add io their fears, there came to very piercing. there were the three darken men ahead, | their hearing the rapid clatter of hoofs back on the trail, and in a moment more — a commanding voice shouted: “ Follow me, men! Charge!” The two road-agents saw a mounted soldier dash into view, his sabre in hand! Again they were scared frem their prey, ‘ and deep into. their horses’ flanks they drove their spurs in rapid flight, disap- pearing over a ridge just as Nate Nivon | sai sweep by him tie mad soldier! rik “Well, pard, I’ve halted; what does | to meet his vision when he again looked you want?” and Nate put, his hand upon | in that direction. his revolver, lying on the seat by his He did not wait for a command to halt; side, now confident that he had a mad- | no need for that; the attitude of the three man to deal with. was command enough; they were of the In answer the soldier passed his hand | “ Hands-up!” brigade, at a glance. wearily across his forehead, as though Nixon knew that-he carried a lot of to Clear his brain, and made the start- | money, greenbacks, which he was bear- _ *. jing reply: ing back to San Gabriel in return for “JT am looking for the dead.” gold sent in by the miners. Feeling a pity for the man, of whose He had always prided himself upon madness he was now assured, and wish- | his luck of having lost little by the ing to have him properly cared for, the | Hands-up toll-takers, but now it looked » @river said ina kindly tone:, very much as if he would pay big toll as “7 guess you'll find them you is look- | to make up for past good luck. ak ing) for at Fort Comanche, pard, ind He beheld but the three, and might ae Coo | have resisted; be why throw his life » Nate stopped suddenly, for his unre away, and then. ave the coach robbed, seemed to excite the man terribly. He | after all? em as though the driver had fired So he pulled his teams to a, halt, and upon him, instead pF having spoken | called out: . CHAPTER III. THE BUCKSKIN, BRAVO. “Well, I be blamed!” Such was the emphatic exclamation of Nate Nixon as he beheld the mad sol- ‘dier, whom he had feared even more than he had the road-raiders; fiy by him at full speed. a ‘The man was. standing up in his stir- rups, slashing right and left with his | kindly. “Well, what’s up?” aH it |sabre at imaginary foes, and did not | _ His face became livid, and he suddenly | “You carry money, and plenty. of it, | even appear to see the coach and the © ghonted: Nate Nixon,” answered the skal ‘Whe ap- much astonished driver, — 1g Fort, Comanche! Fort Comanche! My peared to be the leader, The mad rider looked straight ahead as his splendid horse bounded along al Go not there, not there!” “Who says 80?” d,: ey. | terrific speed; from his lips broke re led himself at the effect. on the| “TI do.” Heer which the name of the fort had “T don’t take your word fer it.” roduced, Nixon firmly grasped his weap- 4 ‘Come, no nonsense, for I happen to. os ah aaa to i Reps a madman, but ex- ‘know that you are well fixed this trip.” |. manding orders to an imaginary r ment of Pcdgiths and pita no aay YY

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the right in rapid flight, he swept on up - the trail and disappeared from sight. When he had first heard the voice of the mad soldier, had seen him dash into view, Nate Nixon believed that a scout- ing party of cavalry had come to his rescue. The next instant had revealed the truth. As the mad horseman dashed out of sight up the trail, Nate Nixon uttered again the expression that gave vent to his feelings: “Well, I be blamed!” He made no immediate effort to go on, & but sat on his box looking up the trail. mi, © The road-agents might still return. ae ets: So might the mad soldier. And Nate Nixon dreaded the latter the BY ae most, even though his coming had nee frightened off his foes. ane At last he seemed to realize that he ee must act, and he gathered up his reins. we Glancing back over the trail, he saw ae the body of the dead outlaw whom ee 4 Use had shot from his saddle. a rie He lay just at the bend of the death, es several hundred yards back. ans “JT guess I'd better pick up my game, eae _or ther boys won’t think I has been gun- a ning for folks,” he muttered. re ot With this, as he could not turn bis ho cyte coach just there, he dismounted from his pe ee box, reloaded his rifle, slung it at his etm back, and tramped back to were the body lay. Stooping, he raised the ane: “Waal, I declar’! “It’s one of them fellers I has seen at San Gabriel, one of Fandango Fred’s gang. “Tt’ll surprise the boys when they sees ‘him.” ut With this he shouldered the body, and hastening back to the coach, put it in- side and, mounting, was starting upon his way when he again heard hoofs. ap- proaching. “T hope it hain’t thet mad soldier, who’s made another turn and got behind me. “But he’s liable to do any thing,” mut- tered Nate. Then, as his keen ears told him there “was but one horse coming, he said: “TI guess I hain’t afeered ter tackle one, if it hain’t thet crazy cavalryman.” Another moment there dashed into view a horse and rider, coming along at a swinging pace. wk He reined up suddenly just where the dead outlaw had fallen, and gazing an instant at the spot, came on at the same swift pace. Nate Nixon had seen him the moment he appeared, and he cried in a tone ut exultation: “ Sure Shot, as sure as I lives. Yi “My! how quick he seen thet disturb- - ance in ther trail whar ther outlaw tuk a tumble. “Well, I’m right glad ‘of his comp’ny, and no mistake.” f The next moment the one whom he ¥ ‘had called Sure Shot, the Buckskin Brave, reined up alongside of the coach and called out: “Ho, Nate, what’s gone wrong with you? » a ‘sixteen or thereabout. a hardy, sinewy form, and he was Gressed" without any insignia of rank. He was clad in buckskin, wore top _ His face was a striking one, so hand- some was it, so fearless and determined gor one of his ead ‘uae ‘the hue to which It was a boy, or, rather, a youth of He was rather small for his age, but of | _ in a cavalry fatigue uniform, it was protized shawtid that he had passed his life out of doors. The horse that he rode was a spirited one, equipped with a Texas saddle and bridle, and his weapons were a sabre, revolvers, rifle, and lariat, with a blank- et and camping outfit, as though he was on a long trail. In answer to his questions Nate Nixon said: “I’m glad yer has come, Little Sure Shot, for with road-agents and a mad soldier, I’m all tuk aback!’ * You’ve got the material for a funeral in the old hearse I see,’ “Ves, I kilt. him.” “ Road-agent? ”’ “Yes, ome of three that held me up, and was run off by a mad soldier.” “A mad soldier?” “Yes, does yer know of any crazy cavalryman escaped from the fort.” “ There was no crazy cavalryman there to escape, Nate.” “Well, ther one I seen is dead crazy, an’ gittin’ more so.’ CHAPTER IV. A SURPRISE. At the words of Nate Nixon the youth laughed a merry, boyish laugh, and re- plied: “Any wheels in your head, Nate, for there is no soldier missing from the fort.” “Nary wheel. *“T’m all right in ther head; but EF tell yer I seen a mad soldier, as halted me, and jwas a-lookin’ fer dead men, he told me.’ “Who was he?” “A mad soldier.” “Did he rob you?” “Now, Little Sure Shot, don’t you know Nate Nixon hain’t ther man ter pan out onless odds is agin him?” “T know your record, Nate; but it must have been a road-agent playing soldier to get up close to you.” “No, he wa’n’t no road-agent.” ““What did he want, then?” “He were lookin’ fer dead folks, he told me, and then rid off when I tole him I didn’t have any stiffs on tap. just then. “But I e’u’d supply him now with one, and a dead agent to boot.” “And the road-agents attacked you after the mad soldier left? ” “ Yes. »” “They were in league with him.” ‘No, they warn’t, Little Sure Shot, for he were as crazy as a jack rabbit in a prairie fire.” “Tell me all about it, Nate. ” e Pil do. it.” And Nate Nixon told his story just as it had happened, the boy listening with great attention. “And he did not speak to you as ne went by?” “No, he didn’t. “He were thet. busy. commandin’. a reegement of | cavalry he were leading, in his mind, thet he didn’t see me; he looked right ahead, but went along at a full run, carving off heads and arms, first on one side, then on ‘t’other, until he got out of sight. “T tell yer it were awful, Sure Shot.” « But his coming stampeded the road-_ agents? 4) hey, been scared ter death. heel ther horse now of ther one I . kilt, r runnin’ loose.” boots, officers’, and a wide sombrero, and -‘Jooked like a dashing young cavalrymang “Tl just take him in out of the wet,” and the youth dashed off after the loose ‘horse, swung his lariat, and skillfully caught the animal, leading him back te the coach wil th ria unaice PW at “You bet he aid, and ef they’d hev stopped ter git better acquainted they'd “He’s yours, Nate, and a good one.” “ Thank yer, pard, but we'll go shares on him. “T’ll just fasten him to one of my leaders.” “No, Nate, I have no claim on him, and I only came after you because the sutler at the fort told me you carried big money for San Gabriel, and I was afraid you might he held up. “T. looked for Buffalo Bill to come along, too, but he’s been off for a couple of days, the scouts said, so I came alone, and I am glad I did, for though I did no good, I’ll continue on to San Gabriel with you.” “Tm mighty glad to have yer, Little Sure Shot, fer I knows what you is worth in treuble.” “Maybe we'll meet your mad soldier again, Nate.” “T just hopes not, fer I hain’t stuck on seeing him no more, not a little bit.’ The boy laughed and replied: “ Well, drive on, and I'll follow within earshot behind, to be on hand should you need aid. “Tl lead. the outlaw’s horse, too, for the sound of more hoofstrokes will have an effect if you get into trouble, and they hear me coming.” “ All right,” and, tossing the rein of the riderless horse to Little Sure Shot, Nate Nixon mounted his box and drove on once more. The youth waited until he had gotten a quarter of a mile ahead, and then roce on, leading the outlaw’s horse by tle stake rope. For several miles Nate Nixon went briskly along, and there being no further appearance of the road-agents or the mad soldier, he was beginning to cor- gratulate himself that he would reach San Gabriel with his treasure in safety. Drawing rein in a small stream to water his horses, he remarked to himsel?, as he had a score of times before, that that was the very place for a hold-up of the coach by outlaws, and yet none cf them had ever happened to select the spot for their lawless work. The trail led down from the range iy. a winding way, and there ascended the hills on the other side by the same steep |} and circuitous kind of path. The valley was narrow, heavily wood- ed, dotted with large bowlders, and was a dark-looking spot even at noonday. * Your horses are thirsty, Nate, but one hurry them, for we have plenty of time.” The words fell like a death-knell upon the ears of Nate Nixon. At last the outlaws had selected the spot he had dreaded, and were there to . bar his way. He looked up quickly at the sound of the voice, and beheld séveral rifies peer- ing at him over.a rock on a level with the top of the coach, and masked faces were peering along” the sights of the leveled rifles. CHAPTER V. A CRACK SHOT. Nate Nixon was painfully surprised |at the words of the outlaw and the . sight of the rifles covering him. His first thought of resistance he saw would be madness, and the cool remark ‘of the outlaw showed that he knew that he held the winning hand, and wouid take his time, foeriee no resistance -, ny rescue. Then Nate’s thoughts were of the Te youth, whom he knew was following. Would not he come up and run intoa ; deadly. trap, instead of aiding him? ¥ ; How could he warn him, he wondered. A amie: skh remeled to him three

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Buffalo Bill’s Rifle-Shots. rifles peering over the rocks, and the one who had spoken was on the other side of the trail. If these were all, four of them, that would be big odds against himself and the boy. So Nate decided to do the only thing he could, talk loud, and give the youth warning of his mishap, so that he could avoid running into the trap. “ And who ther, devil is you, thet takes sich an interest in my hosses?” said Nate in a loud tone he meant should be heard back on the trail. “Ah, you don’t know, eh?’ “Well, I’ll introduce myself, and you’ll know me better when we have you. “T am Diablo Dick, once of San Ga- briel, but now of the Road, finding it more profitable to get gold with the aid of a revolver than to work hard for it with shovel and pick. “T’ve got more men now then I had half a dozen miles back on the trail, when that crazy fool in uniform scared us off, and this time I shall get the big boodle I know you have along.” “Think so?” shouted Nate, his voice to its highest pitch. “Say, I’m not deaf, Nate; so you need not shout at me so.” “JT wants yer ter understand me.” “T do, and you must understand me. “IT want no nonsense, and will have none. “TI like you, Nate Nixon, and don’t wish to kill you, but I’ll do it if you force me to do so.” “ What fer? What has I done to harm you?” “Nothing, only hand out that boodle if you value your life!” “Yer is away off, for I didn’t get any.” “IT know that to be a lie. “T know that you carry a good sum in greenbacks, and I’ll stand no more trifling, so hand it out.” “Come get it,” and Nate reached un- der the seat for something. “Don’t be a fool, if you intend to use raising a gun.” “T hain’t no fool. “T says, come git ther boodle, for I knows when ther game goes dead agin me,” With this Nate Nixon drew from under the seat a tin box with an address on the top, and having two padlocks upon. it. “Here’s yer boodle, and ef it don’t be ther means o’ hangin’ yer, Diablo Dick, ef yer is who yer says yer is, then I’m mistaken. “Come git it, fer I don’t want ter throw it down.” : “One of you men go and get that box,” ordered the chief of the outlaws, ‘Nate saw that one of the three rifles was withdrawn, and this showed him that there were but three men besides the leader. A moment after the man appeared in the trail, walking down toward the stream in which the horses still stood. He was masked and dressed in front- ier garb. “Drive up here, fer I hain’t goin’ ter wade in ther water fer ther boodle,” called out the man. - Nate seized his reins, started up his team, and drove to a halting place near the man. Then he again took the box and said: “Now yer gits it, and I don’t want no more talk, for I’m behind time now.” The man held up both hands to get the box, when suddenly from across the val- ley there came a shot, and he dropped forward on his face, almost under the wheels of the coach. The shot was a surprise to Nate, as well as the outlaws, who at once sprung out of sight in the dense timber about them, while at the same instant the sound of hoofs was heard coming down the trail behind them. “Mount and ride for your lives, men! We are hemmed jin! “Tll even up for this another cay, Nate Nixon,” shouted the outlaw leader, and there was heard following his words rapid riding through the timber. A moment after there appeared coming across the valley Little Sure Shot, rifle in hand and leading his two horses, while he ealled out: “Tt was a long-range shot, Nate, but I got him.” “Yes, yer got him dead su@e, but look out, fer somebody’s coming down ther trail ahead of me, a-ridin’ like mad,” and Nate seized his rifle ready to greet whoever it should be. CHAPTER VI. BUFFALO BILL. The first thought of Nate Nixon was that the newcomer was the mad soldier, Who else but a madman would ride at that breakneck speed down that steep and rocky trail? Whoever it was had doubtless heard the shot fired by the youth, and was either a rescuers coming to aid the coach or another outlaw. The road-agents had taken the idea that he was a foe, and fled, leaving the body of their dead comrade lying by the coach wheels. The youth heard the sound of the hoofs and stood by his horses, his rifle, hasti- ly reloaded, in his hand. And he, too, looked for it to be Nate’s mad soldier. Louder and louder resounded the hoofs, as nearer and nearer came the horse, and seated upon his box, rifle in hand, Nate Nixon awaited for the man to dash into view. Across the stream stood Little Sure Shot, also waiting, and if a foe the horse- man would meet a warm reception. “Tt’s thet spooky, mad soldier, plame him,” muttered Nate. , Hardly had he uttered the words when the horseman dashed into view around a curve of the trail. It was not the mad soldier. But it was some one whom both Nate Nixon and Little Sure Shot recognized, as an exultant shout broke from the lips of both. , The man who dared dash at such a mad pace down that rugged trail held his reins firmly in his left hand, sat upright in his saddle, and with his right hand grasped his revolver. He was ready for action. _ And a splendid looking pair were horse and rider, the former jet black, large, and with points denoting the racer and ‘powers of great endurance. The rider was a man whom the whole world now knows as Buffalo Bill, though at that time he was making history for himself and the far frontier, building up by his daring deeds the record that has since made his name so renowned. He halted suddenly by the side of the coach, gave a quick glance at the dead outlaw, and then said, in a quiet manner, natural to him: ; * Been in trouble, I see, Nate.” “Yes, Mr. Cody, but between the boy and yourself I came out O. K.” “The boy? . “Ah! I see him now watering ‘his horses. “Ho, Sure Shot, glad to see you,” Cody, for I was wishing for you only a little while ago,” and Sure Shot spurred alongside the scout and grasped his hand in a way that showed that he had the warmest friendship for him. “ You’ve had deadly work here, I see, “T heard a shot when I was up on the ridge, and supposed that you were in trouble, Nate, so came to the rescue. “That was not all?” and he pointed to the dead outlaw. “Oh, no, I’ve got another inside ther hearse, and three of ’em got away, when Sure Shot dropped this one, and they heerd you coming down ther trail. “We've had a right lively time of it, Mr. Cody, as I'll tell yer about,” and Nate Nixon went on to tell his experi- ence of the last two hours. ’ Buffalo Bill had dismounted and looked at the masked outlaw, and then at the one inside the coach. Then he put the last one killed also into the coach, with the remark: “That was a fine shot, boy pard, and just like you. “But I don’t just understand about this mad soldier you tell me of, Nate.” i don’t understand about him my- self.” “Tell me. just where you last saw him © and I will go and pick un his trail, that 1s, aS soon as [ track the three outlaws who attacked you here.” : “You will find three of ’em, yer know.” “All right, and be careful to look out fer them, but I wish to see just where they go.” “And the leader says he is Diablo Dick ther Desperado of San Gabriel.” “He lies! “Diablo Dick would not be guilty of such an act, if he was a man-killer. “No, he is not Diablo Dick, but is using his name,” and Little Sure Shot spoke with a vehemence that surprised Nate Nixon, while Buffalo Bill said: “That’s right, Sure Shot, stick up for your old pard, for I, too, can hardly be- lieve it was Diablo Dick. “ But that is to be found out, as well as who this mad soldier is, and IJ’ll take the trail at once.” “And I’m with you.” “No, boy pard, you go on with Nate here, and wait in San Gabriel for me, for I’m on a trail I wish your help in. “Good-by,” and going into the tim- ber, Buffalo Bill picked up the trail of the three outlaws and started off on it — down the valley. CHAPTER VII. THE NAME ON THE SADDLE. “Well, I feel better, Sure Shot, now Buffalo Bill is atween me and them out- laws, for it’s a mighty ticklish thing ter - hey as much money along as I hey.” So said Nate Nixon when the scout had ridden off on the trail of the outlaws, . “Yes, and when I saw you. handing out the money box to them my heart. was in my mouth, for fear if I did kill that fellow who was reaching for it the Late others would get off with the boodle.” “Sure Shot, let me tell you somethin’. “Well, Nate?” “T hain’t sich a fool as I looks.” “It would be a fool only who would accuse you of being one, Nate.” “Yer know I has ter keep my wits about me, and I tries ter.” ee Yes,’’ “T has ter prepare fer all as turns up, and I has grit right smart, I kin tell — ‘ealled out the great scout, with a wave |@yer. ; of his hand to the youth, who now rode up on his horse, leading the animal of the dead outlaw. “Yer see, thet hain’t ther money box which I was indin’ out.’’ s “ No?’ “And mighty glad am I to see you, Mr. “i rt re z, * 7

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= “Tt hain’t.” y _“Tt’s just like it. “Sure, fer thet are part of my game. “JT hed it made so, and I has in it a lot of packages of green-painted paper, in imitation money, I got from a party as was advertising some kind o’ lot- tery. “These is all divided inter packages, and a paper pasted round each one with ther amount of money marked on it. “ Yer see they is then tied up together, and wedged in thet box, and it w’u’d take ee . a bank clerk ter know they wasn’t nice A new money, onless they was broke apart Be, ) ae and examined. ey “Now, ef they broke ther locks and * looked in ter ther box, ther outlaws w’u'd ; swear they hed got boodle; but they don’t wr . take ther time ter investigate, and so I’ was handin’ out ther bogus money, while ther ’tother box are restin’ up thar in a leetle hidin’ place under ther seat. “While they war happy at gittin’ ther snide money I’d hev been liftin’ things fer San Gabriel.” “It would have been a splendid trick on them, Nate; but they would have killed you for it next time they caught you.” ae “T’d hev saved ther boodle, boy pard, we anyhow, and have had to take ther i oad chances o’ gittin’ kilt next time.” “You’re a dandy, Nate, but now I’m going to look up that dead man’s horse, for these fellows were in too big a hurry a to take him with them.” “ Thet’s right. “Yer find him and we hes a horse apiece fer our trouble, and good animals they is.” a “ Well, I'll hitch this horse on behind, a and you drive on, for whether I get the A horse or not. I’ll soon overtake you, and nif then I’m going to tell you what I intend mio doing.” eae “What is it?” * ae “T’ll tell you soon,” and, mounting his ite jhorse, the boy rode into the timber in eps Soh search of the horse of the outlaw whom hy he had killed. ae He did not have a long search, for the bial horse was found hitched to a tree not far away, and he seemed to have been apart from’ the other animals of the out- jaws. The tracks of the others showed the three together, and their saddle and out- fit were like that of the animal then fol- lowing behind the coach, while the horse i just found was a fine one, and his whole f _* «equipments were of a much better kind ae, than the others. ‘Ah, I have it! “This was the horse of the outlaw leader, and being hitched so far away, he yan to the first animal he could reach, ynounted, and made his escape. “This is a mighty fine saddle, and— what is this? “Why, here is the name of Diablo Dick engraved on the horn, and—but no, Twill not yet believe that it is my cold pard, who has turned road agent. “Diablo Dick, I admit, was a man who had a bad name in San Gabriel, and he had a record as a man killer; but he had a great big heart, was a devoted friend to me, and if he did run off from Buf- falo Bill after the fight with the Co- manches it was because he did not wish _ the scout to arrest him for some crime he was accused of. ee See - masked road-agent chief comes up ane claims to be Diablo Dick. “But I'll have to see him as I knew thim, to be convinced.” So musing, Little Sure Shot mounted ca en een “Yes, he ran Cff then, and in the six. months that have passed since then I have not heard of him, until now this } Buffalo B Bill's Rifle Shots. his horse and, with the animal in Teaa, started on after the coach. He overtook it after an hour’s ride, for Nate Nixon was driving rapidly to make up for lost time, and he called out for the driver to halt., * Nate, here is the horse, and it is the chief’s without a doubt. ‘“You see the name of Diablo Dick here on the saddle, but that does not prove anything to me against my pard. “Now, Nate, take him to San Gabriel and ask Tom Totten to keep the horse and outfit for me, for I’m going back to follow the trail of Buffalo Bill, for that is what I was going to tell you,” and Lit- tle Sure Shot spoke in a decided way that showed his mind was made up on that point. ' CHAPTER VIII. SURE SHOT’S LONE TRAIL. Nate Nixon seemed to regret the de- cision of the youth, that he would go on the trail of Buffalo Bill, and to urge against it said: “He has got two hours’ lead of you now, boy pard, and night hain’t so very far off, while he said yer was ter meet him in San Gabriel, yer know.’ “Yes, I know.” “An then maybe yer trail, and—” “T wasn’t a captive for several years among the Comanches, Nate, not to learn how to follow a trail, and I can stick ean’t find his to Buffalo Bill’s, if he stuck to the trail |, of the outlaws. “Yes, I’m going back, for you are in no danger now, I feel certain.” “So does I, only I doesn’t want ter see yer go, boy pard.” “Well, I feel that it is my duty. “Pid you ever feel a presentiment of evil, Nate?” “J guess I have.” ‘ “Well, I have a dread of evil now. “J felt it come upon me the moment I saw Buffalo Bill ride away alone, and I determined to follow him. “He is about as able to take care of himself as any man I know, but, then, he may be in trouble, and I’jl feel better when I go to see. “I’m fitted cut with food and am- | murition for two days, anyhow. “Now I’m off,” and with a wave of the hand the brave boy started back on the stage trail, riding in a rapid gallop, to go in search of Buffalo Bill, who, he had a dread, might have fallen into some great trouble. Nate Nixon looked after the youth for a moment, and then muttered to him-~ self: “J don’t just know what ter of thet kid. “He are full white, fer he’s Aner colo-~ nel’s son; but he do know as much about Injuns as they does themselves, and he don’t scare at nothing. “When he were a nobody at San Ga- briel, only knowed as the Boy High- flyer, afore Buffalo Bill found out who he was, I tuk kindly to him, and what he hes done fer me terday makes him closer to me, and no mistake. “Wall, I must git along, but I does pray thet Pard Providence they tells me sits up aloft will take keer o’ ther kid; yes, and Buffalo Bill, too, and they make kin set this prayer down as coming | from my heart.” And so brave, ward’ San Gabriel, his thoughts busy with the adventures through which he had just’ passed. In the meanwhile Little’ Sure Shot noble-hearted Natg— Nixon sent his team rapidly along to- had reached the brook in the little val- ley; gone to the spot where the: horses. of the road-agents had been hitched and from where their trail led off down the valley. There were the tracks of four differ- ent horses, the fourth being that of Buffalo Bill’s big black, and the youth. read the signs as cleverly as an Indian could have done, and followed the trail even more rapidly. The valley narrowed after a few miles into a canyon, and there the stream spread over it, and, of course, the trails were obliterated. But passing through the canyon there was a plateau of large extent, Meavine timbered, and the boy at once began to search for the trails. They were soon found, and the tracks. showed that the horses were no longer at a run when they had passed there; | at least three of them were not. But the black of the scout showed that he was at full gallop. And Sure Shot kept his horse also at a rapid pace. After going a short distance the trails bore to the left and toward the foot- hills of the range, along which the stage trail ran, and Little Sure Shot felt cer- tain that the band must have a retreat somewhere in the mountains, and that Buffalo Bill would track them to it. That they had not anticipated pursuit, when not immediately pursued from the - stage coach, the trail showed, the horses of the outlaws going in a walk. But the black had still been going. at a gallop. Presently the boy halted. Something in the trail had caught his eye. The tracks showed that the three outlaw horses had been started off again, as though stariled, and had been pui . to a full run, The youth turned and glanced about im. “Yes, they saw Buffalo Bill from here, for they could see back a mile over their trail, and they started. at full speed, “And the black was going at a clip- ping pace, too, when he passed ‘along here. “Yes, and I’ll do the same, for night is near at hand. “Come, old horse, it strikes me there is work ahead for me to do, and yet here is night almost upon us.” : Dashing swiftly on for a couple of miles, the youth was compelled to look about for a camp, for night was clos- ing in, and he could no longer see the trail. But just as he halted he saw, far ahead, the glimmer of a camp-fire. He at once continued on, for he hed found now a beacon to guide him through the darkness. He knew that there was nd miner’ s cabin in that region, no lone ranch, and it must be the outlaws, the scout, or band of Indians. Approaching a8 near as he dared on horseback, he dismounted and. on foot =e his way closer and closer to the re. He even gained a position where he could see the little camp, and beheld three men seeted about the fire. But he saw a fourth also, and his heart almost stood still as he beheld the form of Buffalo Bill lying prone upon the ground, as though the scout was dead. , “My God! Mave. they killed Buffalo Bill?.” and with the words Little Sure Shot grasped his rifle firmly and crept... still nearer a the camp, R g)* me |

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CHAPTER IX. AT SAN GABRIEL. > Nate Nixon did not arrive in San Gabriel until a couple of hours after dark. He was always so promptly on time 4 that a great deal of uneasiness was be- Pe ing manifested by the miners and oth- | ers that made up the settlement of San Gabriel, for it had leaked out that he was to bring back a large sum in paper money. When two hours had passed and the ig : coach did not appear, Tom Totten, a ee good all-round fellow, and the “ big bug” ‘ of San Gabriel, called for a party to go Pe, with him to make a search for the coach, Tom Totten was the proprietor of cr the Win ard Lose Saloon, and held a q controlling interest in the inn, a gam- ] bling saloon, and a store. x Then he was captain of the Rangers, q the home guard of San Gabriel, a i frontier New Mexican settlement that could boast of as many hard citizens as other border camps with a much larger population, Before the Rangers could mount, how- ever, Nate Nixon’s stage horn was heard in the distance, and a wild cheer went up. There were ‘bets whether Nate had been held up or not, whether he had lost his money or saved it, and if it had or had not been an accident, a. break- down that had detained him. Only a few months before San Ga- briel had been visited by an Indian raid that would have been most disastrous 1o the place and its every interest had it Te rot been for a warning given by Buf- { sap falo Bill to the waif of the camp known ae as Little Sure Shot, the Highflyer. Since then, though, the Indians had ar} given little trouble, the camp stood in ate awe of them, while the road-agents had = become most to be feared, and had got- ten some rich hauls from the coaches, Nate Nixon having been the only driver who had escaped them. pais Now it would be seen if his good luck Fi had stuck to him in this run. ty The sound of the wheels was soon Sa ye heard) and all knew that Nate was driv- ing more rapidly than was his wont. te A few moments more and the coach iy dashed up to the door of the inn, hie: a great shout of welcome greeted it. “Thanks, pards, thanks,’ and Nate tossed his reins down, raised his hat politely, and then swung himself down Fa from the box. ; f “ae He faced the crowd, and all was a ‘eee ed dead silence until Tom Totten said: ' i A “We were just going to look you up, Beer are eS / INS, a ee) .“ What was wrong?” fedl “ Road-agents.” ® “Ah!” and a groan went up irom the crowd, for many had money at stake. “Then you ‘were, robbed?” “No I wasn’t.” “You beat them oft?” 1a “Thar is two dead stiff in the hearse _ thet you kin look at and see ef. yer ie recognize them.” open and the dead bodies of the outlaws light of the Win and Lose. The masks were torn off and a shout went up, and a chorus of voices spoke two names. ‘The dead outlaws were recognized as est men. | Buffalo Bill’s Rifle. Shots. while : The doors of the coach were thrown. pulled out and dragged into the bright him two men who were not down on the Black List. as a bad men from Bitter ~ Creek.” In fact, they were supposed to be hon- |. “T has ther horses along, and each hed a belt pretty well loaded with boo- dle, * said Nate. “You are tucky. “But how did you do it, Nate, and save your money, too?” asked Tom Tot- ten. ““T didn’t do it all, fer I had help.” Who?” “ Ther Boy Highflyer, who used ter live here, afore he were discovered ter be ther long lost son of Colonel Farrar of Fort Comanche.” “Good! the boy is a dandy for chipping in when help is needed,” Tom Totten remarked. *T hed more help, too, ” ae Who? ” é ** Buffalo Bill.” A cheer arose at the name, and all crowded more eagerly around Nate Nix- on, for each one felt that the driver had an interesting story to tell. “Tell us about it, Nate,” Totten, eagerly. “ As soon as I has got ther dust out of my throat, so as I kin talk, I will.” Tom Totten took the hint, and a glass of “the best’ was set before the driver, who dashed it off with the air of a man who, enjoyed it. Then, in his quaint way, Nate said: “Tl tell yer ther story, pards, but let me do it in my own way, and then yer kin catechize me much as yer like, fer I'll answer all questions. “Yer money is safe, and, save ther old coach got a little scraping with a bullet or two, no harm were done our side, and I has two dead men and ther horses and outfit ter show. “Ef it hedn’t been fer ther kid, Little Sure Shot, and Buffalo Bill, maybe you’d hev hed ter find ther story out, bein’ as I wouldn’t hev been here ter help yer. “Now, ef I is axed a question afore I gits to ther end of my trail I shuts up— so here goes, fer yer knows what ter ex- pect.” said Tom CHAPTER X. THE DRIVER'S STORY TOLD. The story of Nate Nixon was listened to with the deepest interest by one and all. Not a soul dared interrupt him, for they knew if they did he would shut up as close as a clam, while he was willing to answer any questions after he had had his say. Of his own deeds he spoke most mod- estly, took no credit for his having risked his life in dashing away from the out- laws or having killed one.» But of Little Sure Shot he spoke in the highest praise. He told how the boy had left the fort alone, after the sutler had informed him | that he, ‘Nate Nixon, was carrying thou- sands of dollars in greenbacks, and he had followed to protect the coach. Of the boy’s long-range, crack shot with his rifle Nate also told with enthusiasm, but did not consider that it was right to state that the box he was handing out was but a decoy, and not the one con- taining the money. Nate knew his crowd, and did not doubt might be in the saloon then, listening to Then he told of Buffalo Bill’s ride down the steep trail at breakneck speed, and that he had gone off on the trail of the his coming and the shot of the youth, whidh had been fatal to one of their num- m T. “Now, pards, yer has my story as ‘it were, and I wants ter just an yer — ; thet mad me eae 48,7? but that some one of the outlaw band lif he said so, and yet I never considered s road-agents, who had taken to flight at “Never heard of him, Nate,” said Tom Totten. This was the general response, for not one in San Gabriel seemed to know any- thing about the mad soldier. “Now, pards, I is open ter question- ing, when I says thet Sure Shot and Buf- falo Bill desarves ther thanks of this layout.” f This was the general opinion, and Tom. “EN Totten set up drinks for the crowd at ; his expense, and the health of the seout Regt cv and the youth was drunk with a cheer. J “Now, tell us what thet kid are doin’ out here, anyhow, since his daddy hev claimed him,’ asked a voice, and the question seemed to grate somewhat. harshly on the ears of all. As for Nate, he simply “spotted” the questioner as one he intended to keep am eye on, but answered quickly: i “Ther boy is at ther fort, studyin’ les- ia: On sons, I hev heerd, larnin’ ter be a soldier, and scouting round with Buffalo Bill. BN “When his father goes East, as he is 2 ter do, I has heerd, in a few months, ie ther boy will go, too, and try ter enter Pe ther Military Academy, ter be a officer, and a dandy one he’ll make.” “Ef he don’t git his chips called in afore he goes on ther hunt fer epau- i ee lettes,’ said the same speaker, and Nate pay bi saw that he was a surly miner py the + name of Nat Farley, a man who was i ig generally feared as possessing an ugly ban disposition, ever ready to pick a quar- ot rel, \ aga “He'll take his chances of bein’ Will, as any man does, and if he hes ter go, acy, cK few men will meet death as thet boy eae will,” said Nate, rather hotly, and, see- ts ing a breeze stirring, Tom Totten asked: “Well, Nate, what I wish to know is | about that mad soldier. “Did not Buffalo Bill or the young Highflyer know whether any soldier had. gone mad and escaped? ” “They said not.” “And how many outlaws did you see?” “Three ther fust time, and I kilt one, leavin’ two. Sod “Ther next time ther was four, and two of ’em was ther ones as fu’st held me up, and he got hold of a couple more’ pards. “Tt were ther same man as was chief, and did ther talkin’ all along, and who — do yer think he said he were?” and Nate turned so as to keep his eye on | Miner Nat Farley when he should men- tion the name of the road-agent leader. ye “Who, Nate?” asked Tom Totten, and every ear was anxious to catch the _ name. ; “Why, Diablo Dick.” a A loud murmur went the rounds of the — crowd. “ Diablo Dick, the Desperado?” ica ies, ge “The worst man in San Gabriel.” “A man-killer from way back. of “The man who kilt folks on account 0” bullyin’ thet boy; the Highflyer.” — ; “And made ther boy his pard fer life,” “Yes, Diablo Dick, who skipped the | camp, I heerd, ter keep Buffalo Bill from arrestin’ him fer forme crime he had f done.” nt And so the comments went the rounds, until Tom Totten said: “Well, Nate, it may be Diablo Dick, Bye). t him a bad man, save that he was awful — ready. with his gun; but, then, he never took any advantage, and, as I remember, those whose chips he called in were, as we all know, the worst characters in the camps.” ay “You. are right, ” Pard Totten, warn’t a half bad man, and yet ther agent chief said he were Diablo Dic “It isa’ Later gate’ sha’ oacaped

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ee them to the bank. iNne for there was the camp not a hundred yards away, and the splashing could be last of the evouaw! horace. reins close of one of the other horses, _ the boy rode into the stream. — Sie) went to where he had left ty own ie has turned chia for he knows no ] fear; but we will soon know, if Buffalo | Bill ‘and Little Sure Shot are on the trail of the road-agents.” ‘““Thet don’t mean thet they’ll git ’*em,” growled Nat Farley, and Nate Nixon did . not allow the remark of the miner to es- cape him. | CHAPTER XI. SURE SHOT ON HIS. ME The sight that he beheld Shenk the lit- tle camp-fire on the creek banks was startling to Little Sure Shot. Instantly there swept before him the dread of evil he had had come over him. He recalled his fear that Buffalo Bill was in trouble and needed him. - But had he come too late? 3 ‘ Was the great scout cold in death? He lay motionless, and to the boy it seemed that he was dead. Somehow he had never connected Buf- falo Bill with death and adversity. The scout had seemed always to have a loophole of escape. But had the end come at last, like the pitcher carried once too often to the well? At first Little Sure Shot was so non- plussed that he could hardly set his mind upon what he saw. But soon he regained full control of senses and nerves and took in the whole situation. Finding that Buffalo Bill was following them, and alone, they being three against him, they had planned his death or cap- ture, and he had ridden into a trap. If a prisoner he must be rescued, If dead he must be avenged. Little Sure Shot was on his mettle. The odds against him he did not take into consideration, save to be more cau- tious. He would first find just where the horses of the men were. That they suspected no further pursuit was shown by their placing no guard, for the three men were in camp. And the three still wore their masks. Determined to find the horses first, Lit-, tle Sure Shot silently began the search. He crept as noiselessly as a snake through the timber, and at last found the horses in a bend of the creek, where there were no trees and good grass, . There was the scout’s horse with the rest. They were staked out to feed, sak their bridles and saddles lay near. First Little Sure Shot went up to the black, saddled and bridled him, and led him to the creek. The bank was shelving, so that he could ride down easily, and the water was not deep there, nor the distance across great, Fastening the black, he saddled and bridled the three other horses, and led ‘He could lead but one across at a time, easily heard by the outlaws. Mounting the black, and grasping the ‘ing a detour, once he got across, horse, There he left the led horse. Then he rode the black back for sel other, ‘The men could be seen, still peated _ Another horse was taken across in the ; same quiet way and left with the others. Then another was made for the Nt Oo re Ta Oe ity ty * ee ¥. on a i's Riflc-Shots Buffalo Bi This one, tes, was led across in safety, and when with the others, the boy tied the four together. bit and bit, and passed a stake line from each one on the end to his own saddle horse. Then he mounted his horse and nearer to the camp of the outlaws. Halting when several hundred yards distant, he went forward on foot to re- rode | connoitre. He saw that the men had finished their supper. But there lay the form of the scout, and they did not appear to have given him anything to-eat. So, again, the fear come over the boy that Buffalo Bill must be dead. “JT will avenge him,’ broke from be- tween his set teeth. More wood had been thrown upon the fire, and it was blazing brightly now. The three outlaws were plainly re- vealed, as also the prostrate form of the scout. It looked to the watching boy as though the outlaws did not intend to remain there all night. Had they a retreat near in the mount- ains; he argued, they would have gone to it and not halted there. So it looked to Little Sure Shot as though they intended to leave their camp before long. What he did, then, must be quickly done. Nearer and still nearer he crept to the camp. The timber was quite open just there, and he had to be very careful in making his way from tree to tree. At last he got in the position he de- sired, and brought his rifle around for use. Another moment and he was covering, with steady aim, the chief of the road- agents. 4 CHAPTER XII. THE UNERRING SHOT. Sure Shot had a deadly aim right at the head of the outlaw leader. Had he fired, the man would never have known what killed him. But he did not pull trigger. . The rifle was lowered, and the boy gave a slight exclamation. Just in time to save the man from death the thought had come to him that it was Diablo Dick, his friend, Thus he sat for a moment, undecided. “T do not believe he is my old pard Diablo Dick, but I will give him the ben- efit of a doubt. “T would not kill Dick, turned road-agent. “No, I could not do that; so, whoever he is that leads the band, his life is saved through the doubt in my mind. “T only wish that I could-see his face. “Now, to pick off one of the other if he had in ahh, Sy and the outlaw at whom he had aimed, | them. just rising to his feet, sank back in‘a heap upon the ground. , Like a deer the boy ran back to his : horses, not waiting to see the result of his shot, and nearing them, he halted, placed his hands to his lips and shouted hoarsely: ““Come on, captain; I got one of ’em!” Then, with rare skill, he imitated the notes of a bugle giving a call, and leap- ing into the saddle of his own horse, led the other four animals at a_ gallop straight toward the camp, as though cay- alrymen were charging in response to the bugle call. But the outlaw leader and his remain- ing man had not waited an instant after . that fatal shot, which laid low one of the trio. They had started in surprise and ter- ror at the shot, stood a second undecided, until the boy’s voice was heard, and then they bounded away like deer toward where their horses had been left. At first they feared they might have gone in the wrong direction in their haste and in the darkness. No horses were there. They gazed about them in amazement and terror. “Is this the place, captain?’ asked the man. 3 ae Wes,”? “But the horses are gone.” “What shall we do?” “ Hark!” It was the ringing peal of the notes made by the boy in ae eam of a bugle. “ Come! ” With this the leader ‘bounded into the stream, crossed, followed closely by. the other, and they then ran for their lives through the timber beyond. Each one believed that the scout and troop of cavalry had attacked their tem- porary camp. - They had merely had time to grasp their rifles before they fled. Now they found themselves on foot in the night, but two of their band, that had been five in the morning, left to tell the story, and the chances against them, they believed, of their escaping with their lives. Like deer they ran, and back toward the camp they heard loud voices shout- ing out orders, It seemed to them that there were “many men. Then came again the notes of the bu- gle, and this added to their speed. They believed that they were being pursued now. That the way they had gone had been discovered, and on they sped with all the speed and endurance that And back at the camp the one had fired the unerring and fatal shot, two, and then I believe I am master of | had shouted hoarse orders, imitated the this camp.” } bugle call, and ridden his horse furiously — The youth felt pretty sure that if he | about, leading the other animals, would killed one of the three outlaws the other two would break for their lives. Dropping his rifle then, he could use his revolvers and do what else he could to stampede the remaining two, and fing out if Buffalo Bill was dead or alive. \ If dead, then the boy made up his mind that he would keep hot on the trail ‘of those two men until he could kill a second one and capture the man who So the rifle was again raised, and just about the camp-fire, and near it lay the |as the leader called out: it motionless form of Buffalo Bill. — touched the faa of his rifle. The flash. an | he knew had called himself Diablo\Dick. , we must get out of this, men.” Har ily. had the last word been uttered when the finger of Little Sure Shot pepent came Mi cebapg ata | é have laughed outright at the outlaws’ stampede but for that motionless form lying there in the little camp. Having become convinced that the out- laws were far away, rode back te the camp, with dread at his heart at what he should disco er, TERXMI. _ HOW IT HAPPENED, _— When Sure Shot had hitched his horses — he approached ing that almos had the Pageant he would And, the eit s before, | ete an Ther he 1 tion! ay as mo on ess ed by the pert: of es in ; oy that flying for their | | lives, and not watching him, Sure Shot the camp-fire with a feel-_ 2 st unnerved him, for he | ise angsnanaes %

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But as the glow of the firelignt fell upon the boy, revealing him distinctly, there was heard the words: “ Well, boy pard, it is you, is it? “T half suspected it, when I heard all that racket.” With a bound the youth sprang to the side of the scout and cried: _« “Oh, Mr. Cody! ' “You are not dead, then?” *“Not very, boy pard, though I had a close call; for, see this wound in my head, ‘where the bullet tore along, glancing con the skull, and cutting its way out.” ““T see it, and it was very nearly fatal.” “Yes, for it knocked me out of my sed- dle and stunned me. “When I regained consciousness I was lying here, bound, and the road-agents supposed I was dead, and were discuss- ing what they would do with my body. “T am still a little dazed.” “I don’t wonder; but I'll soon have you all right.” While he spoke, the boy was vntying the lasso that bound the hands and feet of the scout, for the outlaws had vound him and made sure of him, be dead. “Who is with you, Sure Shot?” ““My horse.” “Well, I at first suspected you had a troop of cavalry with you; but then, as e no one showed up, I came to the con- 13" clusion that you had, as usual, disobeyed po orders, and come on alone after me. “ But right glad am I that you did.” “You see, I had a presentiment of evil, and as Nate Nixon was all right, I came on after you. * But I got one of the gang.” “So I see. “He never moved a muscle after your bullet struck him.” ‘And I've got their horses.” oof No! ” “Yes; I sneaked them across’ the stream first, so as to be sure of them, ard put the other two afoot.” “Then we ought to catch them.” _ “No; I guess not, as they are on foot, and it is night. “ Then, too, I’ve got to look after your ‘wound, and we'd better go away from ek here and camp for the night, as, if those ; fellows did suspect the trick I played on them and return, they might give us trouble.” ’ “You are right, but I don’t think they will comme back, for they went away from here like scared coyotes.” “There, now you are free, and if you can ride a short distance, we will find another camp.” “Oh, I can ride all right. “The wound has stopped bleeding, and when dressed will not trouble me.” As he spoke, Buffalo Bill arose to his feet, though he at first reeled as though dizzy from weakness. - But he soon rallied, and, when the camp outfit of the outlaws had been gath- i ered up, Little Sure Shot went over to _ the body of the dead man and wrapped it closely in a blanket. Then, with Buffalo Bill’s aid, it was strapped in the saddle of one of the horses, and, mounting, the youth and the scout whom he had so daringly rescued rode away, going back on the trail they had come. “We will camp in the valley near the last hold-up yesterday,” said Buffalo Bill. And as they rode along the scout told “how he had come to be ambushed. “You see, Sure Shot, they sighted me goon after I did them. “Then I lost sight of them, but fol- eS lowed at a swift run, maihe og to get with- “ee range of my rifle,’ should ne not ‘Rifle Shots. Buffalo Bill’s “ When nett I éavaht aaa of tier they were all of two-thirds of a mile ahead, and fast disappearing in some timber. “T remember now that I saw but two of them, but supposed the other was on ahead. “T was not cautious enough, for the third was lying in ambush for me. : “That was their little game, and I lost. “For I remember only a shot, then all was blank. “When I returned to consciousness 1 saw a fire, and heard voices. “Tt was night, and I found I was bound, and though my mind was dazed, I listened and discovered the situation. “T had been picked up, bound, and was now believed to be dead. “As they so regarded me, I decided to play dead until I got a chance to see what I could do to help myself. “What to do I was considering, when your shot suddenly startled me, and you know the rest.” CHAPTER XIV. THE NIGHT CAMP; After a couple of hours’ ride the val- ley was reached, and a good camping place found for the balance of the night, for it was now past twelve o’clock. Little Sure Shot insisted upon doing all the work, staking the horses out and building the fire, and as the scout’s head was painful and he felt dizzy, he had to allow him to do go. The body of the outlaw was first placed apart from the camp, the horses unsad- dled and staked out, and then wood gath- | ered and a camp-fire made. This done, Little Sure Shot looked at the wound in the scout’s head. As both he and Buffalo Bill always went prepared with arnica and band- ages, Sure Shot set about dressing the wound with a skill born of much expe- rience. me He saw that the bullet had struck just above the forehead, cut through the scalp, glanced on the skull, and, keeping along it for several inches, had come out, passed through the hat the scout wore, and gone on its way. Parting the long hair away from the two wounds, Little Sure Shot washed them well, bathed them with arnica, and then bandaged them. Then he got supper for both of them, spread their blankets, and the-two pards, the great scout and the boy, turned in for the night, with no dread of danger, for on foot the two outlaws, did they come that way, could not get there before morning, Anxious about the wounded scout, it was some time bofore Little Sure Shot went to sleep. But he awoke as the sun was rising, and found Buffalo Bill awake. “How do you feel, asked quickly. “Fine, save a sore head. “Tm all right, thanks to a hard head and your surgery.” ~ “T’m mighty glad. ** Now we'll have breakfast pretty soon, and then shall it be San Gabriel or the forty ** “San Gabriel, for our man yonder be- longs there, and we had better carry the body to Tom Totten.” . “So I think.” “And try and find out ‘who are the associates of this man, and the two whom Nate Nixon carried in last night, and by ‘that means discover the rest of the band, when, if I am not mistaken, there Mr. Cody?” he }: will be some hanging done in San Ga- i» briel.” “So I think,” and Little Sure Shot’s thoughts seemed busy. He went about his duties quietly, aided by the scout; the fire was built up, horses given a fresh grazing ground and water, and breakfast prepared. As the two pards were eating the meal the boy suddenly asked: “Mr. Cody, did you take notice partic- ularly of the leader of the outlaws?” “T cannot just say that I did, boy pard, as I was so confused in my mind from this wound.” “Tll dress it again before we leaye, and the doctor at San Gabriel can see to it then.” %Oh, it’s all right. “Don't give it another thought. “But why did you ask me about the leader of the outlaws?” “You heard what Nate Nixon said yes- terday? ” “That he was Diablo Dick?” “ Yes.” “Well, he may be, but I do not be- lieve it.” “Nor do I. “Why, I had him covered, intending to kill him, last night, when it flashed upon me what Nate had said, and I turned my zun and took a bead on the man I killed yesterday.” “TIT am glad that you did give him the benefit of a doubt, and I wish to oe Diablo Dick, if he it is, not kill m “ Well, I don’t wish to kill him, or see him killed. “Tf he has been again in San Gabriel we can find it out, and I will have to see him to believe he is the road-agent chief, for, bad as Diablo Dick may be in some ways, I cannot believe he is either a murderer or a thief.” “T feel the same way, boy pard, “but all the same I am anxious to capture Di- ablo Dick, and that is what took me to San Gabriel this time.” “But why do you wish to capture him, Mr. Cody? ” “I'll tell you when we return to the fort, Little Sure Shot, for I wish to have a talk with your father, and in your presence, and with Captain Fred Foster also present, “TI cannot say more now, boy pard, but will explain then. “Now let us take the trail for San Ga- briel and find out just who the live pards are of the three dead men we have. picked out of the road-agent band, for I am sure those outlaws are out of the camps, and not an organized road gang,” and half an hour after the two pards were on the trail to San Gabriel. CHAPTER XV. THE PARDS’ ARRIVAL, It was a strange cavaleade that the miners saw riding along the stage trail leading into San Gabriel. It was nearly noon, and as the men of the settlement were preparing to knock off work for dinner, those of them who were not idle, they saw Buffalo Bill and Little Sure Shot riding side by side. Both the scout and the youth were well known in the settlement. Close behind them was a led horse, and strapped to his saddle was the form of a dead man. In the rear were two other horses, saddled and bridled, but riderless. The men all turned curious glances upon the party, and saw them ride straight up to the old Mission Inn at San ei Gabriel. “There Tom Totten stood, talking 6 Driver Nate Nixon, who did not: a xi ns Le eeN rie 4, wr * fa” weer Jee SS ae ih en PES SEO PR a rt * ee a Se: 5 cars ak

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i ’ ( : on his return ‘trip until the next ay, and was discussing the carrying ‘back of quite a lot of gold, which, how- ever, he was not anxious to take, until he saw Buffalo Bill and the boy coming up the trail, and then he said: “Tf Buffalo Bill and Little Sure Shot will go along to the fort with me this run, Pard Tom, I'll take back all the gold dust yer has in ther mines of San Gabriel, if ther rom Ns pull it.” “Well, ask. them; N “But they’ve got a =f body there, and some led horses.”” , “They has fer a tact! “You bet they’ve -been right in it with both feet, and glad I is ter see thet ther boy found Buffalo Bill, and no harm happened ther scout, afterall.” “He has his head bandaged up, I see.” ““So he has. “Been wounded, sure as shootin’; so ther kid wasn’t far wrong in sayin’ he hed a feeling of trouble ter happen ter Buffalo Bill.” As Nate Nixon spoke the scout and Little Sure Shot came within call, while behind them.a short distance half a hun- dred men were hurrying along to see what had been the racket, as they had a dead body along and were known tc have gone after the outlaws .who had held up Nate Nixon’s coach the day be- fore. “Ho, Cody, I’m glad to see you, and you, too, Highflyer. “What game have you there?” called out Tom Totten, as the two came with- in hail. “It’s some of Sure Shot’s shooting, not mine, and is one of Nate Nixon’s’ foes, who held him up yesterday,” said * Buffalo Bill. “You seem to have been in trouble, Cody,” said Tom Totten, as the scout dis- mounted. “JT have been, but Little Sure Shot got me out—no, it is nothing much, only -a scratch along the top of my head, fired from ambush. “Tll tell you about it, Totten, as soon as you have had some one put that body away until it can be buried. “By the way, see if you =r the man?” “T do. “It is Lem Hollis; but I would never have suspected him of being a road- agent, any more than I would the two men Nate Nixon brought in.” “ Just find out who were their partic- ular pards here, and you'll get at the rest of the band, only don’t let any one suspect your intention,” whispered Buf- falo Bill. The body having been placed with the ‘other two, for burial that afternoon, the seout and Little Sure Shot went with Tom Totten to his Own room to have a talk, Nate Nixon accompanying them, while a messenger had been sent off after the settlement doctor to see Buffalo Bill, and who had far more gunshot ‘wounds to look after than he did cases of illness. San Gabriel was a cmv place for health, though for cases of “sudden death ” it had few equals, and an under-~ taker was oftener employed there than Baie) doctor. Still, “ Drugs,” as the doctor was called for short, made a good living in the set- tlement, as he was also the undertaker, i.) “@Rd when he lost doctoring a patient | _ by sudden death, he made it up in bury- ing him. When “ Drugs” arrived he was glad 524 to find the great scout was his patient, and he soon had his wound in good shape, and told him that it would give __<e Buffalo Bill's Rifle-Shots him little troubJe, though it had been a most remarkably close call. When the doctor had left and dinner was over, the scout, Sure Shot, and Nate Nixon again went with Tom Totten to his room to have a talk, and try and find out just who were the road-agents that were from San Gabriel, living ap- parently honest lives, but in reality com- mitting crimes against: the community by their acts of lawlessness. CHAPTER XVL. : STILL UNKNOWN. The three dead outlaws were known in San Gabriel. There was no denying that. And more, not one of them had been looked upon as men who would lead law- less lives. They were all supposed to be honest miners. But they had been killed with masks upon their faces, and holding up the coach, At least two of them had been thus killed, and the other, Buffalo Bill said, was the man who had fired upon him from ambush, for while “ playing dead ” in the camp-he had heard the man seated at the camp-fire tell just how he, Buffalo Bill, had toppled from his saddle at the shot. But who were the leader and his com- rade? The former claimed to be Diablo Dick. If so, he did not then dwell in San Ga- briel. He had not been seen there, or at least reported having been seen by any one, since the great Indian battle, when Buffalo Bill had guided the troops there in time to save the settlement from death and destruction. Then Diablo Dick, after winn!ng golden opinions from all for his courage, and rendering most valuable service through- out, had quietly skipped away. It was said that he had feared recog- nition and arrest by Buffalo Bill, for a crime committed long before. Whether this report was true or not, Diablo Dick certainly cleared out silent- ly and quickly, and had not been seen until the leader of the road-agents had claimed to be him. And, strange to say, though Diablo Dick had been looked upen as a bad man, one whom most every one dreaded, that the road-agent chief should be the so- called Desperado many doubted. It would be next to impossible to find who was missing from the settlement, and then discover the two road-agents, if one was not Diablo Dick, for by the time all could be called together the missing ones could get in and be on hand to report. The fact that the three dead men were found to be unsuspected miners in their midst caused a very uneasy feeling to fall upon all. No one seemed to know Just whom to trust. “But who were the intimates of these three dead men?” Buffalo Bill had asked the question. It was for Tom Totten to answer, for he knew intimately every man in the settlement. : p Tle knew, too, just who they were, as far as iit was possible for them to find out, what they did, and who were their particular pards. After a moment of thought, he said; “There were seven men, I recall, who were close pards; seemed to form a kind of clan.” “Who were they? ” asked the scout. “Three of them are the dead ones brought Ae ey “ And the others?” “‘Were miners.” “What are their names?” “Luke Luly, Nat Farley, Mike Lem- ley, and Porter Payne,’ answered Tom Totten. “Where are they?” “TI saw Luke Luly and Nat Farley here - to-day, but Lemley and Payne I have not noticed for a day or two.” “Suppose you send for a couple of dozen men, one at a time, Mr. Totten, as though to question them as to who these other two road-agents could be, and among them have the four men you have named appear.” “All right, Mr. Cody; I will do it.” “T will go out myself and select those I wish to come, and who would cause no suspicion in doing so to fall upon them.” Going out, Tom Totten remained for half an hour or more, and when he came in he said that he had sent for as many as twenty men to come, among them the four whom he had mentioned. As sent for; one by one they came in, and they were questioned as to who they thought might be others of the road- agent band. Men were very cautious then in San Gabriel of denouncing any one, for it meant a fight, foot race, perhaps a funer- al, and few had suspicions to express. ‘Of the four named, Nat Farley ex- pressed himself very decidedly that it was Diablo Dick and some unknown pard, who had gotten the three others to join them, and that no one else was implicated. Though examined apart, Luke Luly expressed the same views exactly. By a coincidence, the two last called in were Mike Lemley and Porter Payne. They said about the same thing—that the three men who had been killed had doubtless been led away by Diablo Dick and the man with him, whoever he might be, and they would as soon have sus- pécted themselves as the trio of pards that had been proven road-agents. As for themselves, they said, they had, only heard of the hold-up and hour be- fore, having been working a _ distant mine they had in partnership, and just come in. This ended the examination, and Tom Totten said: “Well, we are about where we were before, Mr. Cody.” 5.08; 10;*’ “Why, what have you discovered? ” “ Much.” “Ditto me. “T can put my hands on four of the road-agent band, if not the two who es- caped us, and I'll bet big money on it,” said Little Sure Shot, and both Tom \ \ Totten and Nate Nixon looked at him - in surprise, while Buffalo Bill said: *He is right. “Let matters rest as they are, for we need search no further, only bide our time.” CHAPTER XVII. A CALL FOR HELP. Impressed with the words of Little Sure Shot and the utterances of the scout, ‘who, they saw, understood the youth, neither Tom Totten nor Nate Nix- on asked any more questions, for they saw that Buffalo Bill wished to let the matter drop for the present. That afternoon the three road-agents were buried, and the whole community ” turned out for the occasion. Buffalo Bill had been asked by Tom Totten if he and the youth would go as |an escort to the coach the next morn- . ing, as a large amount of gold was to be sent, and he frankly said:

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TMA ae Oe gage ress - eatches him.” _— ef tney isn’t they ha oF _ what’s more, I don’t want ter see ‘em.” RAE, "i ie Ks id No.” } +). “T must find them.” .. “T has some pards wt _ be along soon, and maybe they kin tell “J will go for a part of the way with Little Sure Shot, who can continue on to the fort with Nate, and Colonel Far- rar will allow an escort from there, “But I sent a score of my scouts to await me in a certain place, and I will have to branch off the trail to go after them. “ But Nate will get through all right.” This was guarantee enough for Tom Totten, and he decided to send the gold through the next morning. Bright ana early the coach came around before the inn, but the horses of Buffalo Bill and Little Sure Shot were aot to be seen, for the scout thought it best to start ahead, before daybreak, and then not be seen going with Nate as an es- cort. The horses of the outlaws Tom Totten had purchased from them, for none dis- puted their claim, as to the victor be- longed the spoils, so that the scout and Little Sure Shot rode off mounted upon ‘their own splendid animals. After passing the last miner’s cabin Nate Nixon saw them ahead in the trail, and as he came up called out: “I’m mighty glad you is along, pards, fer I feels shaky about this trip, being as I has so much dust aboard.” “ All right, Nate, we'll follow within hearing of a shot, so as to be near if wanted. %& “ At Red Range I'll leave you, for I am going after some of my men, to take them on to the fort, for I sent them to a ren- dezvous, expecting to make a scout with them. - “But things have turned out different since I left the fort; so I’ll go after them, but Sure Shot will hang on your trail, and you know what he is.” “You bet I does, and by the time we reach Red Range I guess I'll have passed , the danger points, this side of the fort at least. “ Now, I’ll push on, and if I want you bad I'll shout.” The coach soon disappeared ahead on the trail, and the two pards followed ‘some distance behind at a pace that would keep them within call, Several hours passed, and Nate Nixon was drawing near to the steep trail which led. down into the little valley where he had last met the road-agents, and Buffalo Bill’s coming, with Little Sure Shoi’s deadly aim, at long range had scared them off. In glancing well ahead Nate Nixon’s eyes fell upon a horseman in the trail. “It’s ther mad soldier, as I am a livin’ sinner. “ Jist what I shall do, I don’t know. “T don’t want ter skeer him by firing a shot thet will bring up my pards, so I'll jist palaver with him, ef he hain’t on the shoot, until they comes up and “So saying, he placed his revolver on the box by his ‘side, and drove on at a swifter pace. a There sat the mad soldier, looking the same as when last seen. _ He awaited the approach of the coach, and then called out in a commanding tone: * Halt!” be in their graves, but “They oughter hain’t been seen, and “You have not seen them?” a-coming who will did Buffalo Bill miss, and he thought i Buffalo Bill’s Rifie-Shots folks than I does,” * Are they dead?” “No, they are very much alive.” “T don’t wish to see them. *T talk only to the dead.” “Yer don’t call me dead, does yer? “Yes, you are dead, as I am. “We are lost spirits roaming upon earth, trying to do that which we left undone when in the body, and by which we will find eternal rest. ; “T seek the dead, like ourselves, and must find them. , “Spirit brother, we will meet again.” “Not if I see you first, I’m blamed ef we will,’ cried Nate, positively fright- ened by the words and looks of the mad soldier, who wheeled his horse and dart- ed away down the river, unheeding the driver’s call for him to halt. As he kept on, Nate grasped his re- volver and fired three shots rapidly. — CHAPTER XVIII. A SECOND APPEAL «OR AID. In five minutes after the three shots were fired Buffalo Bill and Little Sure Shot were alongside of the coach. “Ho, Nate, did you drive them off?” “ Pard Cody, I has been in close com- munion with a spirit.” “Nonsense, Nate.” “No, it were ther mad soldier.” “Ha! which way did he go?”’ “Down thet ridge.” “Well, I will follow in his trail; you go on with the coach, boy pard, and— hark! some one is coming.” All listened and heard some one com- ing rapidly toward the coach by a trail that came along the ridge and crossed the stage road. They sat with their re- volvers ready, and a moment after there. dashed into view a single horseman. He half reined up at sight of the ecach, but instantly spurred on and called out: “This trail will take me to Fort Co- manche, will it not?” His appearance indicated his national- ity as Mexican, and he spoke English with an accent, while he was dressed as a military scout, and carried a sabre. “Yes, senor, but may I ask what busi- ness carries you in such haste to the fort, for I am a Government officer?” re- sponded Buffalo: Bill. “A band of Comanches from the mountains of the Gila River crossed into Mexico at Fronteras and captured a num- ber of women and children from the ha- ciendas, along with much booty, and the Senor Major Fernando Hermanas, of the Mexican Lanceros, has pursued them to the foothills, and sent me on to report to the commandant of the fort that he would beg for aid to continue the pur- suit.” The man spoke rapidly, but not a word and acted promptly, for he said: “Little Sure Shot, you return with this courier, and on your way go to the ruined old Mexican Mission in the Red Range, and there you will find twenty of my scouts; take them with you. “You know the country where the Co- manches have gone better than any one else, and you can guide the Mexican major there, and have my scouts for val- uable allies. — “Nate, you are going on to the fort, and have heard what this courier says; so push ahead with all speed, and report it to Colonel Farrar, and just what I have told Little Sure Shot to do. “J will not give up — ' catching that mad soldier; so I follow his trail at once, and if I lose it will go on after Sure Shot. — the chance of | falo Bill, and the scout had acted prompt “Now you know just what to do. ant that this young man is the son, of Colonel Farrar, and the best guide in this’ part of the country, boy though he is in years, and that he thoroughly under- stands the Indians, having long been their captive in those very hills.” “T thank the senor, and I will at once follow where the young senor leads,” said the Mexican scout politely. ' “Well, Sure Shot, I leave the work to’ you, and there igs no need of telling you that time is pragious if you wish to res- cue those Mexic&h women before the Co- manches reach their strongholds.” “I’m off; but do you take care of your- self, Senor Cody, for I don’t half like your going after that mad soldier alone.’” “Don’t mind me, for Ill pan out all O. K.,” called out Buffalo Bill, as the youth and the Mexican scout started back on the trail by which the latter had come, “Now Nate, give me full particulars about this mad soldier, and then we'll part company, and don’t spare your horses in getting to the fort and reportirg all to Colonel Farrar, as you know it.” “T’ll do it, Pard Cody,” answered Nate, and he at once reported to Buffalo Bill just what had occurred at his meet- ing with the mad soldier. Buffalo Bill listened attentively, then waved a good-by to the driver; who drove rapidly on, and, dismounting, examined with great care the tracks of the horse ridden by the mad soldier. “T’ve got his trail down fine—now to follow him,” he muttered. Leaping into his saddle, he started off down the ridge, following the trail of the strange man who had so. startled Nate by telling him that he was a spirit. In the mean time Little Sure Shot and the Mexican scout were flying along at a rapid pace, for the youth was a good one to set a pace when help was needed. To the surprise of the scout, the youth spoke to him in fair Spanish, and began to question him all about the force of the ‘Comanches, the way they had retreated,. the number of Mexican soldiers under then were. “We'll head those Comanches off,” he said, quietly, after hearing the scout’s whole story. l _. CHAPTER XIX. | BUFFALO BILL'S RIFLE-SHOTS, The old mission on the Red Range, fortunately, lay almost in the trail that Little Sure Shot and the Mexican scout had to follow to reach the troop of lan- ceros. The latter were some score of miles distant from the old mission, where the scouts were encamped, and to reach Buf- falo Bill’s men was a ride of a dozen miles from the point where the Mexican had come into the stage trail. tle Sure Shot that he had left his com-— mand soon after daylight, and the lan-— or help, from the Mexican fort. The commander of the lanceros had Comanches until he returned with word, United States troops were near, as possible to the fort of what he was doing, and ask for aid. ‘ie, Mt Ret _ Fortunately, the courier had met Buf ly and as he deemed for. the best, for his scouts, under Sure Shot, ? tf i The Mexican scout explained to Lit- ceros were to push slowly on after the full knowledge that it was not his right — .to invade American territory, but as no d Sta the Co- | -manches were not far ahead of him, and many captives had been taken, he had wife decided to push on and send word as soon tr es jo the major’s command, and where they | ) { ‘ are | i ¥ tb | 20] fea Pon ist wa “Senor, you can tell your command- } } i i ie Ny e's { rae 19

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a = ope ae ere ie OER uueicaell y ‘ nt Ri ge “st as) erase _ Buffalo Bill’s Rifle-Shots, Die with the Mexican commander a day be- ; ip ‘fore the United States cavalry from the Ree fort could reach there, and then, too, “| the young guide would be master of the { situation, knowing the country as he did and the Indians, bélieving that they could not be pressed hard on American soil by the Mexicans. In just an hour and a half Little Sure Shot and the Mexican scout made the ride to the old ruin, for the trail was a good one. The scout on duty reported their com- ing, and as they drew rein there stood just a score of splendid fellows, known as “ Buffalo Bill’s Rifle-Shots,” at the fort. They were a daring, noble-hearted lot of men, picturesque in their dress, armed with rifles, belt of arms, lariat, and a sabre, splendidly mounted all of them, and ready for any call that might be made upon them. Crude they might be, wild-looking, blunt-spoken, but every inch men to tie to in distress. They greeted the youth with a shout of warm welcome, and listened to what he had to say, when the scout in charge, Ben Willis, said: “Put on your soldier cap and lead us, Little Sure Shot, and in the absence of our chief you will be captain. “Give the word and we follow, if it’s ter tackle the Mexicans instead of help- ing them.” “ All right; we’ll push on as soon as our horses have had a short rest.” “Boys, see to them two _ horses, strip them of their rig, and get us an early dinner, and by that means we'll be in the saddle within an hour, Captain Sure Shot,” said Ben Willis. The two horses were soon stripped of bridles and saddles, and staked out, and dinner was put on, while the scouts be- - gan to pack up for a long ride. In addition to the horses they each rode they had half a dozen led animals in case of accidents, and two of these carried the - camp outfit. Dinner was soon ready, and a good, square meal it was, and then, to relieve the horses ridden by Little Sure Shot and the Mexican scout, Ben Willis or- dered two of the extra animals saddled for them, allowing theirs to run loose without weight. Rus It was just one hour after their arrival at the old ruin, when Little Sure Shot } rode to the front with the Mexican scout close by his side, and the others follow- ing. bo “You are. the captain; so set the pace, and* we'll keep with you, Little Sure +> SROt,” called out Ben Willis, calling the { youth by the name he was known by to all at the fort, for there were no airs about | i the youth, if he was the colonel’s son, } and ever since he had been restored to t his father and mother his greatest de- . light had been to go on scouts with Buf- nt ite - falo Bill and be ready for any work or Att in ALES ‘Knowing what his life had been since he had parted with him a little boy of seven, nearly ten years before, and hop- _ing to see him enter West Point and be- | _ come a soldier, Colonel Farrar encour- aged him in all his wild career on the plains, knowing that it would serve him well in his profession, and thinking it hard study when he should go East, - So it was that Little Sure Shot was | building up knowledge that would be in- valuable to him as an officer of the army in coming years, for he would know the - Indian and border life from the very - foundation, and have learned all from Lie ly at aes ic and bitter cee apiehi “CHAPTER Xx. THE BOY. GUIDE. Little Sure Shot did “set the pace,” and it was one that kept the horses in a sweeping gailop. He was anxious to overtake the Mex- ican lanceros, find out just how far ahead the Comanches were, and then he knew, with his knowledge of the country, he could move by night and give the Indians a surprise. So he rode hard, feeling that the horses could rest going at the slow pace the Mexican lanceros would be reveling in pursuit. Having learned from the scout the di- rection the lanceros were traveling, Lit- tle Sure Shot said: * Good! We can save a dozen miles and head them off. “T will leave the trail and strike across country. “Should we come out ahead of the Indians, why, we will fight them, that’s all. “Anyway, we will head off the lance- ros, I know.” With this he turned squarely off from the trail, and one and all of the scouts were delighted to see how unerringly he went on his way, with no hesitation, no uncertainty in his movements. Suddenly, after having gone a dozen miles, he was seen to halt, place his hand to his ear, and listen. “We will just reach them, and they are the lanceros, not the Comanches,” he ealled out. Keen scouts though they were, not an- other one had heard a sound. The acute ear of the youth had heard the clash of steel, and as all, after a few moments of listening, caught the rumble of hooffalls and clashing of met- al, they knew that the young guide had gone true and had made no mistake as to whom they were to meet. “Come, pards, follow me, for ates come the Mexican lanceros,”’ suddenly shouted Little Sure Shot, and, drawing his sabre, he dashed forward, followed by Buffalo Bill's swordsmen scouts. The Mexican lanceros were just filing out of a thick growth of timber, and, startled by the sight of the charging scoyts, with their swords drawn, quickly |; wheeled from column into line to meet, as they believed, a foe. But on the left of the young guide the Mexican commander suddenly recognized his own scout, Pedro, and called to his men that they were friends. _ Another moment and the scouts had drawn rein, and the Mexican scout said: “Senor Major Hermanas, this young senor is sent by the great scout Buffalo Bill to guide you in pursuit of the Co- manches. “| met the senors on the trail, and the Senor Buffalo Bill also sent word to the fort for troopers to come to your aid. “The young senor is the son of the American commandant Colonel Farrar, ‘and he knows this country perfectly.” ““T am glad to meet the Senor Farrar, and have his services as guide, for, through a friend at your fort I have heard of you and your strange life,” re- plied Major Hermanas, a handsome young officer, daring and resolute in time ‘of need, as he had shown in invading American territory rather than let the would be time for him to buckle down to | Comanches escape him. Sure Shot took his proffered hand, thanked him for what he had Raid; and ae remarked: You must pardon me, senor, if I ask many uestions, but I wish to know 10M what to do. | “By knowing the country, I left trail and saved a : ORO miles, headt ie you off here, and I can do as much for the Indians.” pi Bueno! Ask what you please, se- nor,’ “How many men have you, please? és ** Ninety.” “How far do you think the Indians, are ahead?” “Ten miles at least.” “And their number?” “Not less than a couple of hundred, if not a few more,” “How many captives have they?” “ All of forty—women and children.” “Jt is now three hours before sunset, and if you will continue to follow on this trail, which they have left plainly marked, keeping half a hundred of. your men with you and lending me the bal- ance, I will push through a pass I know well, and head the Comanches off by sunset.” ae Good! ”? “They know you are in pursuit?” : “Yes, we have seen their scouts watch- ing us.” “Very well; push them as hard as. you please, only do not ride into an am- bush, and one of my men will remain with you. “T can head them off within two hours, by the pass I spoke of, and they will find us waiting for them, and the surprise we give them will be worth a hundred troop- ers to us at least. “T am ready to start when you are, senor.” “JT am also ready,’ and after a few words of further instruction to the Mex- ican officer, and being introduced to a lieutenant who was to accompany him with thirty-five of the Mexican lanceros, Little Sure Shot rode straight across the: redskin trail, and disappeared in the timber, Buffalo Bill’s scouts bringing up the rear. In a few minutes the two commands were out of sight of each other, and both. pushing on their separate ways, the Mex- ican officer and his men glad to have such brave allies come to their aid. CHAPTER XXI. LITTLE SURE SHOT’S SWOOP. There was no doubt in the minds of the scouts and Mexican lanceros who ™ were following him that the young guide knew just what he was about. He rode ahead at a canter, the Mexican. officer by his side, and followed no trail. He seemed to be anxious to get in under the shadow of the mountains, where the timber was heavy. After a canter of half an hour, he reached the base of the mountain, which. there rose abruptly in a bluff, and could not be scaled. It appeared to have the same look all along, and yet the boy guide did not hes- itate, keeping up the same steady gait. At last he turned abruptly off to the right, toward the bold bluff. The scouts knew that he was in a land new to them and where the Co- manches held full sway. But they did not hesitate to follow the youth unquestioned. They knew that he had been a captive to these same Comanches, and as a boy — had led a band of Indian youths all F through those very hills and mountains, dite It seemed to the scouts and lanceros,. however, that there was no break in the ss bold ohiffs. : But Little Sure Shot soon came to a small stream and rode into it. y “ Where Indian ponies can come down — our horses can go up,” was the only com- _ | ment he made, and so kept on in the ~ | bed of the stream. the others: isheier cs" a ries file.

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Fa ts hy Re Fe F ae ie & <_ ta ". Ser ee =a o per 4. 4 i a es Sey spec a oe Seah aig bee ia oo Steers 18 It was soon seen that the stream came down through the cliff by a winding and steep course. But the leader held on, and the horses of the others followed. It was a climb of a couple of miles, but when at last the boy turned out of ‘the stream he was on the top of the ‘mountain range and among a group of ‘rocks that completely concealed men and horses. “The Indian trail to the village was not a quarter of a mile from here, senor. “It is certain the band has not passed, and the village is a dozen miles away; so they will continue on to it in the night—at least such is their intention— and try to lead the lanceros into a trap some distance from here. “But we will head them off in that intention, and if Major Hamanas has pushed them hard we won’t have long to wait. *T will go ahead on foot and recon- noitre.” So saying, Little Sure Shot walked on ahead, leaving men and horses to rest where they were. ' He had not been gone half an hour before he was seen returning at a run, so that the men were mounted and ready for action when-he arrived. “They are coming; but we have time to get into position,” he said to the Mex- ican major. Then he mounted his horse and again led the way. A ledge of rocks running along the ridge hid them from view from any one coming up the trail, and here they halted. All saw the well-traveled trail not a hundred yards away. “Tf no redskin comes fiom the village and discovers us, we are all right for a surprise; but in two hours’ time they could bring a thousand warriors from ihe village upon us,” said Little Sure Shot, and all realized the chances he had taken to get into position to head off and surprise the raiders. “They will be driving their captives ahead of them, as they are being pur- sued, so our plan will be not to fire until the head of the march gets where they can discover us. “Then all fire from on foot into the ‘band of braves, and then charge them, save a few of your men, senor, whom you appoint to go at once to the captives and start them back. “Tf the major is close up, all pursuit from this force we can readily beat off, and we can have a long start of the braves from the village, for they will have to send there for them. “By morning we will be supported by troops from the fort, for my father is a rapid mover in sending men to.a res- cue. “You hear them now; so they will be along within fifteen minutes.” ,; All waited patiently, afid the Indians soon came in sight, wholly unsuspecting danger ahead of them. ‘AS Little Sure Shot had said, the cap- tives were in front, mounted upon ponies, while many more animals were laden down with booty. A score of braves were driving them on as fast as they could, while the rest of the band, a couple of hundred in num- | ber, were keeping close up. of7 Fire! ” The order was given just as the head of the column got even with the ledge, the men rising and firing over it, and sixty rifles flashed together. GH Charge! i The men had sprung into their saddles and, with revolver in left hand, sabre in | . Tight, they were ‘upon ‘the startled Co- J Buffalo Bill’s Rifle-Shots. manches, many of whom had gone down under the first fire. ' It was a mad rush, and the Comanches fled in dismay, while a number of Mex- icans swept around the captives and pack animals, turned them to the right about, and the retreat was begun. It was a complete swoop for the young guide. CHAPTER XXII. THE RETREAT BY NIGHT. It was apparently a scene of wild con- fusion, and yet all went well and with the system of perfectly disciplined men. The. first volley, the charge, the stampede of the Indians, the getting the captives faced about, the pack animals also, and the rally of the soldiers and scouts about them, to prevent recapture and resist he attack of the Coman- ches, who quickly saw the force of their foes, that they were four braves. to one paleface, and so determined to make a fight for prisoners and booty, all hap- pened within, less than a quarter of an hour. But even as the braves rallied, the notes of a bugle were heard on the trail, and then came the Mexican lanceros, un- der Major Hermanas, into view. They came in line of battle, their lances in rest, and half a hundred strong. With one wild cheer they rode down upon the Indians, who, caught between two fires, stood bravely, almost within sight of their homes, to fight it out. But the terrible yell of Buffalo Bill’s scouts sent a chill to their hearts, and with revolvers in each hand they, too, led by Little Sure Shot, went upon the redskins like an avalanche. Again the redskins broke, and the sec- ond short, decisive battle was won. The scouts then formed as a rear guard, a few wounded among them, end the lanceros were taken along, the dead were thrown upon horses, not left to be mutilated, and the retreat was begun. All knew that the firing had been heard at the village, that there would be a thousand braves in the saddle and in pursuit, and a rapid retreat therefore must be made. So it was begun, just as darkness fell. With the heavy timber adding to the darkness, all was black, and Little Sure Shot rode to the front to guide the way, no one else knowing the trail. How he followed the trail through the impenetrable gloom no one knew, but unswervingly he held on, while the In- dians, taking advantage of their knowl- edge of the country, appeared here and there upon the flanks, and ahead, and shot after shot was sent into the gallant Bane. 5, Here a soldier was killed, there a scout; next it would be a captive woman or child, and now and then a horse. But they pushed on, sending volleys whenever they saw a flash, as Little Sure Shot requested the major to do, and find- ing the chances of death thus made so great, the red marksmen dared not take the risk unless wholly sheltered by rocks. Slowly down the mountain they went, all feeling that he reinforcements from the village were rapidly gaining. At last Little Sure Shot sent for Ma- jor Hermanas and Ben Willis, the scout lieutenant, to come to the front. They were soon there. “We will reach the lowlands in a short | while, and then, by a hard ride of four you to a little hill, miles, I can carr where: we can make a stand and await help from the fort, for if the force from the village catches us upon the piaing they can wipe us out. “You, Ben, can send two of your men by different trails, one to the fort, the other to look up a force I know my father has sent, and which will doubtless come by the stage trail, and we can hold out for a day or two at least.” “Tf our ammunition holds out,” was the significant reply of the Mexican ma- jor. “ Then let no other shot be fired unless it is to kill. “No more firing at random, senor. “We can fill canteens, and water our horses at the stream this side of the hill I speak of, and that must last us until help comes. “The lowlands are just ahead, where you see the light, and we’ll go at a rapid trot from there, to be able to get into position and ready by the time the main force comes up, for they will come with a rush, you may be certain, to wipe us out before help comes.” The plan of the youth was at once de- cided upon, and two of the scouts, *ount- ed upon the best horses in the outfit, at once started upon their errands, for they knew that once out of the mount- ain timber they would be surrounded and cut off. The party then was closed up in close order, and the rapid ride begun. Once they had left the mountain trail, the Indians circled around them, and harrowing shots were fired into the crowded ranks. But on they pressed, caring for dead and wounded, as it happened to be, and never halting long until the stream was reached. There the horses were allowed to drink all they cared fer, the canteens of sol- diers and scouts were filled, and the start was made for the little wooded hill. “They know our intention, senor, and have gone there ahead of us. “We will fire a volley and then charge in,” said Sure Shot. The volley did deadly work, and re- vealed how well the youth had predict- ed, for there were a number of Indians there before them. But the fire stampeded them, and a few minutes after the tired band were on the hill and at bay, to fight for their lives. CHAPTER XXIII. BUFFALO BILL ON HAND. Fires were built in the timber, to show the advantages and disadavantages of their position, and a line of scouts was thrown out to keep the Indians at a safe distance, The captives were placed among the rocks, the horses grouped together and sheltered as much as possible, supper was prepared, and then the men were placed in position to fight it out. Then the fires were put out, all save the one where the captives were, and in darkness the devoted band awaited the result. The Indians seemed to have given up the attack, so silent were they, but Lit- tle Sure Shot and others, who knew the redskin nature, were well aware that the reinforcements had come up from the village, and their numbers were steadily increasing, . while they were waiting un- til the peep of day to make their grand charge, which they were determined should sweep all before them.. Slowly the night’ passed away, and half an hovr before dawn Little Sure Shot, Major Harmanas, and Ben Willis went the rounds, waking up the men and preparing for the attack. Just as they were expecting to see the Indians moving omere Repaid hin,

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“f = vi feline ee ff aay ~ across the open plain, half a mile distant, toward the mountain, there suddenly burst forth one long line of flame, and fully three hundred rifles flashed, and as many bullets were sent into the mass of red humanity then moving against the hill. The deep roar and red blaze of one, two, three cannon shots followed, and the bursting of shells was heard and seen, followed by wild bugle calls, a roar of many voices in a cheer, a wild war- cry, and a hundred gallant troopers went charging into the Indian ranks. “Phat warery came from Buffalo Bill’s lips,” cried Little Sure Shot. “ Right you are, boy pard. ‘He has led the force between the In- dians and the mountains,” said Ben Wil- lis. “ And, senors, we will go to the attack also,” called out the Mexican major, There was mounting in hot haste, of lanceros and scouts, and out from behind the timbered hill rode fifty lanceros and a dozen scouts. The dawn had come now, and, the charge of the besieged party caught the Indians between two fires, and though there were over a thousand warriors, they fought for awhile only and broke in a wild stampede, the cavalry following them in hot pursuit. At the head of the command from the fort was a gallant officer by the name of Frank Foster, a captain of cavalry. It was through this officer and Buffalo Bill that Little Sure Shot had his iden- tity discovered and been restored to his parents. Allied with Buffalo Bill in secret seryv- ice work to track down certain crim- inals, Captain Foster had gone to San Gabriel as a sport, had played his cards well, and in the end had been, through Buffalo Bill, Little Sure Shot, and Diablo Dick, the means of saving the settle- ment from the Comanches. Returning to his duties at the fort, Captain Frank Foster had watched the career of Little Sure Shot with great in- terest, and when Nate Nixon had driven into the post, a couple of hours ahead of his time, and delivered Buffalo Bill’s. message, Colonel Farrar had ordered Fes- ter to take a force to the rescue of the Mexican captives and the support of the daring major and his lanceros. Frank Foster could get more out of men and horses, it was said, than any other officer, and certainly he was not jong in getting three hundred infantry troopers and three guns on the march. But when they left the stage trail, a couple of hours before midnight, it was found that they had pushed ahead so rapidly it was not known just which way to go from there, and instantly a halt was called until morning. But just then there was a cheer heard, and into the midst of the command dashed Buffalo Bill. He had just come from a lone trail, he said, but told no more. He recalled just where the Mexican scout had said the lanceros were, the trail the Comanches were on, and he at once offered to lead the command to the base of the mountain before dawn. Captain Frank Foster as promptly ac- éepted, and the march was begun, Buffa- ‘lo Bill riding to the front with a dozen of his scouts, To man like Buffalo Bill all was plain sailing in a country he had scouted over, and he set a good pace, and more, | meditated as he went, and the idea came _ to him that if the lanceros had pressed on in pursuit of the Comanches they would be well up in the mountains by dawn. : f Buffalo Bill’s Rifico-Shots. 13 to reconnoitre, and thus. made the dis- covery of the retreat of the lanceros, the position they had taken up, and that a large force of Indians was in pursuit, and assembling for an attack. : Thus discovering the situation, he went back to Captain Foster, and guided the command to a point between the red- skins and the mountains, and the first the Comanches knew of their presence was the deadly volley the infantry poured into their midst. Thus had the Indians met with an- other crushing defeat and severe pun- ishment within half a year. Leaving the cavairy to press the pur- suit, Captain Foster, with Buffalo Bill, rode forward to meet Major Hermanas, who was seen at the head of his lanceros, and with Little Sure Shot by his side. CHAPTER XXIV. BUFFALO BLLL HAS SOMETHING TO TELL. The meeting between Captain Foster and the Mexican major was a most cor- dial. one, Little Sure Shot introducing them, and making a few words of ex- planation as to what had been done by the lanceros. The victory over the Comanches being a complete one, the Mexicans were in- vited to camp with the Boys in Blue, and the captives were most kindly cared for by the United States officers. “That young senor is a most remarka- ble person, senor captain. “He led the pursuit; was our guide, and won the victory in the mountains, afterward guiding the way through im- penetrable darkness to the hill where we stood at bay. “You should be proud of him, senor captain.” So he pushed ahead with several men “T saw that, but as it has turned out, we all acted for the best. *“ Now, I picked up the trail of the mad soldier’s horse, and followed it for miles, “ At last I lost it, where it entered a small strerm. “While trying to find it my horse started, and glancing behind me, I saw, to my amazement, that I was being shad- owed myself, and by nothing less than the mad soldier. “T wheeled and started in pursuit at once. : “But my horse was tired, his as fresh and fleet as a deer, and he dropped me out of sight. “But I still stuck to his trail, and again lost it. “While looking for it my horse gave another violent start, and once more [I beheld the mad soldier. “He was shadowing me as before. “T believe I was a little upset at this, for he had certainly doubled on me most. strangely. “But again I started in pursuit, and as before he kept easily ahead of me. “Night was near at hand, and, de- termined to get within range to bring down his horse by a shot, I spurred on hard. “I urged my horse cruelly, but to no use, and to my sorrow I found, for I had driven the noble animal so hard that. he fell with me, to rise no more. “With very unpleasant feelings, I as- sure you, I took off my saddle and the rest of my outfit, hung it in a tree, and, with regret at the death of my brave horse, started on foot back to the stage trail. “T had not gone two hundred yards. from where my horse fell, when right in my path I found the splendid black horse So said Major Harmanas, and’ Captain | of the mad soldier. ‘Foster replied: “T recognized him at a glance, and he “We are, for he is the admiration of | had been hitched there,’ as though his all at the post, and this but adds another | rider had seen my horse fall, and had left laurel for his brow. “T predict a gallant career for him, senor major.” During their conversation Captain Fos- ter’s men had been preparing breakfast, the animal there for my use. “ At least so I felt, and I at once un- hitched the animal and mounted him. “As I did so, afar off on a cliff, be~— yond which the sun was setting, I saw and the Mexican lieutenants, Little Sure | the mad soldier standing and calmly re- Shot, and Buffalo Bill were also invited | garding me. to the megs. “T started for him, and he at once dis- After the meal was dispensed with the | appeared. Mexicans prepared for their return into their country, with the captives they had retaken, and warm thanks were bestowed upon the Americans, while three rous- ing cheers were given for Little Sure Shot, others then following for Captain Foster, Buffalo Bill, and the American soldiers, all of which the Boys in Blue returned with a will. As they moved away Buffalo Bill said: “Now, Captain Foster, I wish to have’ “But I determined to still: pursue him, if I could reach the cliff before darkness set in, and so I started after the mad sol- dier once more.” ; CHAPTER XXV. FOUND AT THE LONE GRAVE. With deepest attention both Captain Frank Foster and Little Sure Shot had listened to what Buffalo Bill had to tell. When he paused they made no com- a private talk with you and Little Sure | ment. Shot.” * They were sure that he had more to “ Certainly, Cody, I have felt sure you | tell. had something on your mind since you joined us last night. After a minute the scout continued: “T flanked the cliff, found a trail, and “Come, Sure Shot, and we’ll hear what | was riding along it when it grew too Buffalo Bill has to say.” Orders had been given for the care of the wounded, and that the command | the horse free rein, dark to see, . “But I continued to press on, giving: until suddenly I would remain in camp where they were | reined him back with a force that threw for a couple of days, as though intending | him upon his haunches. : a march up into the mountains against the Indians. So the three friends, for such the offi- “ And any other man would have done the’ same at what I saw. “In the darkening twilight I. beheld,. | cer, the scout, and the boy were, sat|on my right, not ten feet from me, a down on a serape off to themselves, and | white cross at the head of a grave, and. Buffalo Bill began his story. “T left you yesterday, Little Sure Shot, to go on the trail of the mad soldier, whom Nate Nixon told us of, you remem- ber,” began the scout. standing by it a man clad, it seemed, in a fatigue cavalry uniform, yet of white. “One hand was pointing upward, the other down at the grave. “admit I was startled for an instant, “Yes, and I was mighty anxious to go | but I quickly collected myself and called. out: with you.”

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“He is never violent; he has done no - “harm—in fact, good, for he gave Mr. Cody - his horse when he saw his fall with him, and then ran off to hide. “ He talks rationally at times, but then all becomes a blank again to him, andj} he goes off to search for his dead com- rades, muster them, find the gold, and carry it in safety to the fort. “Come, we will go to the camp,” and Sergeant Leroy Lester ied the way to the retreat of the mad soldier, a small cabin he had built in a tiny valley. CHAPTER XXYVII. CONCLUSION. The retreat was found, the sergeant going in first, and after a long talk with the mad soldier, he called in Little Sure Shot. Then half an hour) passed away, Buffa- lo Bill and Frank Foster listening to the conversation, now low, now excited. ‘ Then out came the sergeant, and he beckoned to Captain Foster. The officer entered the little cabin, and soon after Buffalo Bill heard the start- ling words: “Great God! am [ no Jonger dreaming? ““Have I at last awakened from a long sleep of madness? “Thank Heaven. 1 believe now I under- stand it all, how this wound in my head has kept my brain in thrall for long years. “Yes, I see it all now. — “Sergeant Lester, did you’say that the scout Buffalo Bill was also with you?” “ Yes, sir,” and Sergeant Lester called for Buffalo Bill. Instantly the captain recognized him, and as he grasped his hand said: aps “T am glad to see you, Cody, glad in- ‘ deed. a Ae “T see all now as it is, and that I have been mad for long years, for this boy has almost grown to manhood since we “went on the search for that gold. “ At last, at last, all is as clear as noon- day, and my mind looks back*into the past as upon a frightful dream.” It was a pleasant party that camped that night in the little cabin, and bright and early the next morning Buffalo Bill started for the stage trail to head off the returning force under Cap.ain Nevins. They came along at noon, and the cap- tain at once sent an ambulance and squad of cavalry with the scout to the retreat of the mad captain. The next day the grave was opened, the two bodies removed, and heneath was found the long-hidden gold. Safely the gold was taken to the fort, and the welcome Captain Leffingwell and - / Sergeant Lester met with gladdened their hearts. As for the outlaws who had held up - Nate Nixon, Buffalo Bill had‘ spotted _ them, as has been seen, and he and Lit- tle Sure Shot captured Nat Farley and the others, one of whom, the leader, had pretended to be Diablo Dick. Retiring from the army, Colonel Farrar - went Hast, and after half a year spent in study, Sure Shot, the Buckskin Brave, received an apopintment as cadet at West Point. | i That was the beginning of a new ca- reer; for, going there, he graduated with | 884 Farrel Buffalo Bill’s Rifle-Shots. laws who even yet infest portions of the wilderness, the two “hearts of oak” have made many an exciting chapter in the true romance of the Wild West. THE END. NEXT HALF-DIME LIBRARY, No. 976 THE BOY SPY-DETECTIVE; | OR, THE GREENHORN ON GUARD. — BY NED ST. MEYER. Beadle's Half-Dime Library. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 7% Bol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 268 Joe buck of Angels and His Boy Para. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taoe Ted, tae Arizonn Sport. %10 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective 618 Cool Colorado in New Vork: or, The Cowboy's Fight. BY JOSEPH EF. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Juck; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Ayent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustan Dams ee, The King ot the Plains. 186 pees uwk Kits or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Pratlers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmaske. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Rarranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. $19 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thievea’ League. 885 Old Double Fist t or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trall. 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Dan, the Roy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 Chineapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, TOR Licht-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Lieht-leart Lute’s Last Trail. ° 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone, : 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood: or, The Border Beagle at Bay. 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beag!e’s Trail. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY COLONEL DELLE SARA. 108 The Lion of the Sen; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond: or, The Gambler's Biz Game, BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledee. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Dendholi, the Kid Detective. BS1 Double-Curve Dan, (he Pitcher Detective. BON Flutes the Stover Detective; or, Owney ina New Role, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Folly or, Dan's Double Play, ee 2 eee ee oe eee a 816 The Ocean Detective: or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, | 187 xt The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle, 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. 779 Iron Hand, the Charmed Detective 852 Unele Sam’s Detective in Chicago. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major fam, 8, Mall.) 284 Old Rocky # ** Boyees: or, fenito, the Horse-Breaker 846 Glant George; or, The Ang’l of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Part. ’ 297 The Tarantula of Taos: or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807? The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 812 erswheop. Berwness or, The Tarantula of Taos. Cat, 82v Creeping the Daddo; or, The Red and White Pardes, 882 Frio Fred or, The fonkaway’s Trust. a) 814 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Frent. ; Ses P kee Rap eager { or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. nap-Sho e Bey Kanger. : RTS Chiota, ne Tecokt or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Randera Rill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 892 | 404 Tittle Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Datay from Denver. T The Three Trallers: or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. oie] Tins. Billy or, The Lynx of the Leona. a: 35 JAtile Lone Star? or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl the Chico Glar arl the Chieo Glant. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Yung Hard-Shell Detective. a If. the Foothills Guide. ‘the Mount:in Mail-Line. _ BY DAN PUNNING. TAK Qulet Jack, the Secret Service Spy. _ TET Mace and Jack, the Invincibles: or, The Diabolical Three, RTS Petective Dave's Close Call : 0 Ava © Jaguar Joe, of Fox and Wis Girl “erret. 898 Parrel Fox’s Sweep-Stakes, -~- Oa re 3. Pt aks or ee ee >| TO9 The Curbstone Petectty; BY OLL COOMES. Bandy, Detective’ or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. Bandy in ‘Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, Bundy’s Cateh; or, The Boy Hercules. Kbundy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Saw ,the Boy Gisnt Ksandy’s Swoop; or, Littie Buckskin, tue Centaur. - Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Ton. Rattler. i 146 Kit 168 Kit 208 Kit 422 hit 444 kit 478 isit 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance: or, Banver Bsn. 680 Kit Bandy’s Para; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. - 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, Tie Intant Giant, TY¥5S Kit Bandy in Red Ruiny or, ) he Young Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle: or, Saddle King Sam. 804 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Motutain Guide. 927 Kid Bandy’s Brigade in Arizona, 2 9839 hit Bandy’s_Star Engagement. 955 The Dandy DBead-Shot; or, Old Kit Bandy’s Compromise. 158 Jack Drew, the Neinesis. or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon. 182 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, a 81 Keen-Knitfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jow. 18 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso ek, the Young Mustanger. vd 58 The B er King; or, The Secret Foe. , : + nae T1 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Nawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Bo Rangers or, The Heiress. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson De tective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Diaguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 41T Webfeot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. { 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or. Old Polar Saul. ; | ek amt ee er ae 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Roy Troan, 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Bov Mountaineer. 77S Wighland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 823 Poker Jack, the Detective Sport, BY WM. G. PATTEN, 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubiiee ot Jacktown J 665 Vlelet Vane’a Victory; or, The Jasper City Cleaa Out. ; ie 698 Violet and Daltsy, the ny Pards. 705 Violet Vane’s Vows: or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. 724 Violet Vane’« Vengennce; or, The Wipe-Out. . 780 Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Game at Coffin City. F T41 Violet Vane, the yeniprenees Vidoeg; or, Sport vs, Sport. 23 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished. or, The Lite Strugg'e. a4 768 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 489 The Biamoad sporti or, The Doubl+ tace ot Bed Rock, a &19 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. i 7S O31 Da Mare the Sport from Denver. SST Old isombahell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire: or, Among the Vultures. 619 The Boy Trawp Detective: or, The Donbie Grip Witness 641 Diamal Pave’s Pandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt, Claw ely 651 Bound Boy F rank, the Young Amateur Detective ty 682 oe eee” the Lone-Range Rider, a 714 Old Misery the Mav tron Missenri. 774 Clear-Grit Cal, th NeverSav-Die Detective. — TRY Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 806 Cowboy Steve the Rench Maseot. é 820 Nobby Nat, the Tendertcot Detective. 836 Sharper Stoke’s Donble Deal. 857 Spotter Bob in New ¥ ork. 866 Spotter Bob's Bowery Racket. ‘ ee” RY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WI! Somers, the Bo, Detective. [hot yo ane tee ecayune Pete 3 or, Nicodemus, rhe Do tective. 180 Detective Dick ; or, The Haeo ty wet 142 Mandsome Harry, the Rovrblack Detect ve, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroeghbred, 152 Black Beas, Wi!) Wildtire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildtire in the Woods, 165 Billy Baggage. the Railroad Bry. 170 A Tromp Card; or. Will Wiléfire Wine and Luses 174 Bob Rockett: or, Mysteries ot New York. : 179 Bob Rockett, the Benk Runner. PS 188 The Hidden None H or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 4 Malyard, t'» Lite Beat Box; or, The Smuggiers. 7 ETAT EM —e tw 189 Bob Rockett; or Driven te the Wall. : ¢4 196 Shadowed; or, Bb Kochett’s Fight fortafe. » set” 206 Dark Paul, the " iver King. AY 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Netrctive. S + 220 Tom Tanner; or. The Bleck Sheep of the Flock. { Pog 225 Sam Charcoal tie Premium Darky. “2 the Messenger Boy 285 Shadow Sam. Boy. 242 The Two * Blooda: or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. . 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, Vs 262 The Young Sharpe: o. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, até Jolly Jim, ‘th- Detective Apprentice. $e 89 Jolly Jim’ Job; or. The Young Detective. re 298 The Water-Heound: or. The Young Thorougnored, set 805 Dashaway. of Prak« tas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, hae 824 Ralph Keady, the Hote! Boy Detestive. bears 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Petective ; or, Fred Flyers Blizrard, ‘ = B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, : ye 879 Larry. the Leveler; or. The Bloors of the Boulevard. ae ta Pe 4 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. es : 428 The Lost Finger: or. The Entrapped Cachier. 428 Fred Fiver. the Reporter Detective. 4382 Invineible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Rilly Brick, the Jolly Vaganond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. age Detective Dodge? or. The Mystery of Frank Hearty. & Wild Dick Racket: or, How He Fought for Honor. ; 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman : or, Teo Sharp for the Sharper, 586 The Secret Feryice Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. + ort a Brece id Arkamanst pe ot Volfin the Fold. A ie | ‘lucky Paul, the Ro vulator. ; 667 Rob and Sam, the Dairy Devectives. tor, Harry Hale's Big Beat, eres? Th? Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes. yas) 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker uns S81 Turkey Billy, the § ine-em-up_ Detective. 917 Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot, . A New Insane Every y Tuesday. : The Half-Dime Library 1s tor snie oy all Newsdealers, five conte per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents ener. ‘ 1 BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, | 98 William Street, New York.

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4 Wiebe Sy. ie ie i SY 4 welt mal | %22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s BEADLE’S* H ALF-DIMEs LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by ail Newsdealers.. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. = hee palo | cea Pesaneet or, Double Daggers. end woo ek in Disguise; or, Bullaj. Ben. 85 Deadwood Dick in luie Cuntle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Konunza; o-, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dhol in Danger; or, Omana Ol, bf Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards ot Flood Bar. ph peaewere eee rieagy ats persed é br? va Heroine ‘ end woo c¢k’s Last Aets or, Cordurvy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, ¥ he iend weed Sens na ice; or, The Double Cross Sign. endwoo ck a6 Detective. = er ha eke eg or, The Goraon’s see Ghost, end woo ¢k’s Tome Tasec; or, Blonds Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of ea: 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, T icked Party. 195 Deadwood Diek’s Dream 3 or, The RivM® of the Rond, sen Deadwood Dick's Ward; or, The Black Hill's Jezebel. ret | peg eae rr vom 1% oma Jane's Adventure, ’ ‘k's Des : 221 Deadwood Dick's Neath-Diant. se heh ac Dick, A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Bes pastes pes eee oe 4 Hh? enth Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Veal: or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. +t) mead weed Dick's Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flata Sai peat sess per . Ducatas or, Daye in the Diggings. ses + ee helper | Mieke Tgneeds or, The Terrible Vendetta, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’« Dinmonide. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Vork;s or, A “Cute Case.” 430 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Ss peitet bee de pee 458% Deadwood Dick. Jr’ Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Bie Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s Racket at Claim 10 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Corral; or, Bozeman Bill 476 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dog Detective. : 451 Deadwood Pick, Jr., In Deady eod. 491 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’«, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick Jri’s, Inheritance, 600 Dendwood Dick, tre Diggings. 608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deliverance, 615 Deadwood Dick Jr.« Protegee, 622 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'s, Three. 629 Veadwood Dick, Jdr.’a, Danger Ducka 534 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 639 Beadwood Dick, Jr., In Texas. 614 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeg 5649 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle. #54 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 5931 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick. Fr... Afloat, B82 Deadwooe Dick. wr.. in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree, Gob feetwecd pee es Soe tae ase Jdr., 2 n rl ° 806 Deadwood Dick. Irn, Lendsille Las. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Cincinnatl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Nevada. 30 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Maws« Land, $86 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick Jr... in Buffalo. 94 poereee) Dick, dra, Chase Across the Continent i hetdresd tae Shee 666 Deadwood Dick; Jr, Rack in the Mines. 672 Dendwood Pick, Jr., tn Durangot or, “ Gathered In.” itera cea! “J HK, FT.’ nz e 690 Dendwool Dick, rvs. Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Dendwoot Mick, Jr’, Drop. TOL Deadwood Wick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick Jr., In San Francisco, T16 Deadwood Pick, Irs met rent ominoe 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr’, Dt nie, 784 Deadwood Dick. Jrs, Double Deal, 740 Deadwoot Bick Jr.’s, Denathwateh, T4T Deadwood Pick, Jr.'s, Noublet. T52 Deadwood Pick, Jr.'s, Deathblow. THR Deadwood Mick, Jr.'s, Resperate Strait, Biel 4 reTMy jowterten4. « ra Defent. T6 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Econrreetion, 82 Deadwooa Dick. Jr’« Dark Days. ST Deadwood Bick Jr., Defled. 92 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Nouble Deyice. T9T Deadwood Bick, Jr’.a, Desperate Venture.) 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Dinmond Dice, #07 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Royal Flush, 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Vend-off. B16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Bival. 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Boom, 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Scoop. 884 Dendwoot Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Mick, Jr, Clutch, 845 Deadwoot! Dick, Jr.’s, MW h Worse. 852 Deadwood Dick’ Jr. nt Devils Gulch. 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Reath-iHole Mustle. 868 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell. 870 Deadwood “pn Jr.. In Mexteo. 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. B82 Deadwood Dick, Jr. tn Silver Pocket, KYL Deadwood Dick. Jr.’«, Dead. Sure Game, 898 Deadwood Dick, Jrs, onble Drive, 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr/’a, Trade-Mark. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tin-Toov. 916 Deadwood Dick, Ir.%a Double-Decker, 7 P28 Deadwood Pick, Jr., at Dollarville. 934 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Flush Flat. 940 Deadwood Mek, Ir.Pa, Shake-up. 946 Deadwood Dick, tr.’e, Double Drop. YL Deadwood Pick, Jra, Right Bower. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Gold-Dust. : BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 40 Pandy Darke; or. The Tigers of High Pine. 10 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards. 818 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. Lit ey Ae Double Dodge, 888 Monte Saul, the Sport. 901 Diamond Ya ye, the Clit-Edge Shooter, 1% Orack-Shot Dat«y’« Drop, Sh pbk icone cc ee i onan A - 362 Filp'Flap Fred at ard Pan’ Ne eres | Other Novela by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. $4 Rosebud Kob on Mand; or, Idy), the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob's Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip, 277 Denver Doll, tie Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’s Victory; or, Skul! and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. LitUle Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Doll's Drift ; or. The Road Queen. BER Yreka Jim, the Gold-tiathererg or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or. The Wolves of Wake-Up. 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nese, 889 Yreka dJim’s New Kole; or, Bicycle Hen. 694 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective: or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Fronts or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 2414 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A sister's Devotion, 248 Sierra Sams Recret; or, The Bloody Footprints 258 Sierra Sane’s Pard ys or, The Ange! of Big Vista. 258 Slerra Sam’s Seven 3 or, The Stolen Bride. B84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 669 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Guid Kifle, the Sharpshooter, 96 Watch-Eyc, the Detective; or, Aribs and Angels, AIT GUit-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Cuptaln Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 226 The Arab Deteetive ¢ or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. $25 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, tlie Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Wat Marry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabalides, the Peggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 20 Cloven Hoof, the Buffiulo Demon: or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, dr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn BHI or. The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet ¢ or, Ol Anaconda tn Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jacek Moyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bowe Bob the King of Bootblacks. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Ronad-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevadas or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Loy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Sir! Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. B80 Little Qu'ek-Shot; or, Vhe Dead Face of Daggeraville. BH5S Firat-Clase Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher. BTS Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Sinh City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King ef Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 488 Sauta Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeunce. 484 Senlakin Sam, the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten. 918 Kit Keith, t ¢ Reve: ue Spotter. 922 Sol Sharpe, the New York Night-Hawk. 948 Old Mayxeed Among Bunco Men BY J. ©, COWDRIOK 490 Broudway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 5614 Broadway Billy’« Boodle; or, Cleming a Strange Case, 686 Broadway Billy’«_ ‘Diiiktiity.” bb7 Broadway Isilty’s Peath Kackct. 579 Broadway Billy's Surprise Party, 605 Broadway Billy; or, he Boy Detective’s Big Inning. G28 Broadway Billy's Dead Acts or, The League of Seven, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Broadway Billy’s« Beat; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy to Clover. 696 Broadway Billy itn Texas; or, The River Rustlers. 708 Broadway Billy's Brand. Z1L Brondway Billy at Fanta Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway BIlly’s Full Wands or, The Gamin Detective, 785 Broadway Billy’« Rusiness, 788 Broadway Billy’a Curious Case, 758 Broadway Billy tn Denver. : 762 Broadway Billy's Iargaing or, The Three Detective, 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. 775 Broadway Rilly’« Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Rul’. Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Brondway Billy’« Teamy; or, The Combine’s Big Pall. 790 Broadway Billy’a Brigade: or, The Dead Alive. 796 Broadway Hilly « Queer Bequest. 800 Broadway Billy Hafted, \ 805 Broadway Billy’« Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Billy’ Wipe Out. 41h Broadway Billy’ Bank Racket. pd prendwey wae ( xe +h rondway Hily Amon, erre u S88 Hrondway Willy? Nald. tes 889 Broadway B 844 Broadway Billy’« Ble Bulge. 849 Broadway Hilly’ £100,000 Snap. 856 Broadway Pilly’s Blind; or, Fhe Bootblack Stowaway. 862 Broadway Billy tn London, 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Sluma. 874 Broadway Hilly’s French Game, S80 Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. B60 Milver-Mask, the Man o! Mystery; or, The Golden Keys. B69 Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without » Name, Cibuta Jonny cr, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the get Dude 506 Redlight Ralph. the Prince of the Road, 524 The Gaginecr Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective, B71 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 he Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Rareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tynewr'lter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, 659 Woonlaht Mormnn_ the * Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bac, SST Battery Rob. the Dock Detective. 894 Arizona Dick's W ipe-aer- 900 Jumping Jack's Jubilee. 906 Satety Samy the Cyele Sport, 912 Train Boy Trist’s Wot IMustle, 918 The Trumpy Dock-Boy. Roots BD N 941 The Row! Green Detective’s Dro whee Sneisien Pantie? sid 960 The Broad 96T 81000 BY HAROLD PAYNE. 848 Dan, the River Spert; or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp. 892 Rowery Ten in Uitnntewn, 2 911 Rowery Rob, the Fast-side Detective, 952 The Circus Detective, BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 964 Buffalo Bill's Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Sh 955 Buffalo Bill's Mazeppa-Chase. 948 Buffalo Mill’s Snap-Shot ; or, Wild Kia’s Texan Tally 942 Buifale Bill's Tough Tussle. - 936 Buffalo BIL’s Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Butfalo Bis Crack-shot Pard, 650 Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard; or, butterfly Billy. 216 Kison Bill, the Prince ot the Reims. , 222 Bison Bill’« Clue: or. Grit, the Bravo Sport BY BUFFALO BILL. 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. ’ BS beadly-Eye, the Unknown Sccut, or, The Banded Brotherhoo® ‘68% Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. S, A, 191 Buffalo Rilly, the Loy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Billa Bet: or. ‘ihe Gambler Guide, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 982 New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game 926 New York Nat and the ‘Lraitor Ferret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. 914 New York Navs ‘Lhree of a Kind. 908 New York Nat's Double. 902 New York Nat's in Oolorado. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp, SSY New York Nat’s Deadly beal. S88 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase, 877 New York Nat’s Trump Curd. STL New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. j S65 New York Nat's Masked ¥ necot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, 858 Dick Doom’s kidnapper hunoch-Out, $47 Dick Poom’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom's Vlush Mand, ¥ Z72 Dick Doom’s Leath-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, @7Z Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. - @S4 Dick Doom or, the Sharpe and Sharks ot New York. 78S Dick Doom In Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 7938 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 2098 Dick Doom In the Wild Vi eet. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Bweep; or, Five Links ina Clue, 4 808 Dick Doom’s Peath Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s Viamord Deal. 819 Dick Doom’a Girl Mascot, 829 Dick Doom’s« Shadow Hunt, 885 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali- 756 Dashing CWarlic’« Pestinys or, The Renegade’s Captives 760 Dashing Charlies Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Re-cuer. 497 Ruck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 7B Buck ‘Taylor, the (omanche’s Copciiss 748 Ruck Taylors Boyat ‘1, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 718 Pawnee Billy or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy, 719 Pawnee Bis Pledwe; or, ‘1 he Cowboy's Doom, 725 Pawnee Bille or, Daring Dick, 692 Redfern’« Curtous Caset o, The Rival Sharpe. 697 Kedtern at Ve vil’s Ranch; or, The Sharp from Toxas, 702 Redfern’s High Handy cr, Blue Jacket, 707 Redfern’s Last Trath: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. And Titty Others. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, ‘be Affuir at Tombatone, 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Oat’a Triumph3 or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. | 5646 Cantal Cactus, the Chaparral Coch; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions, 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peppermint’s Jubilee. 688 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 661 Happy Mans, the Dutch Videcg; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. é 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Stenal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy%_or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Staple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Mecamertiat Sport: or, The Mystified Detective, %B8 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Ruatler_of Rolling Stone. ; 785 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee oi One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck, 2 The Doctor Dete etive in Texas. 872 Two Showmen Petectives In Colorado, 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Brazos Billy’s SnapShots 961 The Tramp’s Trump-T BY T. J. FLANAGAN. ore Pidretpman eres the ¥tente Catcher. 4 d ne 8 Ths Deo Midshipmen to; The Corsair-Chaser’s First Crolse. 949 The Three Lieutenants? : 959 The Maarcot Middy ¢ or. The Four Commanders, | 966 Fighting Jack Shubrick, NEW ISSUES, 975 Buffalo Bis Nile Sbota; or, The Buckskin Bravo's _ Love Truil, By Col. P, Ingraham. 976 The Boy-Spy Detective, By Ned St. Meyer. 977 Deadwood (Dick, Jr.’* Death-Doom, By Edward L. Wheeler. JUST ISSUED, 968 Ruffalo Rill’s R th Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer.. D bam. - rick, By Col. Prentiss Ing | 969 Phe Girl Sport-Shadower ; or, Clark’s Close Shave. By Wm. R_ Eyster, + 970 Ahoy ‘Abe the Dock-Sharps or, The Parson Sport's Mys- terious Mission. By Jo Pierce. 9T1 Deadwood Dick, Jr,'s, Oath; or, The Clown of Paradise- C mp. Py Edward L. Wheeler. 972 Fighting Jack's Middles; or, Dandy Dick’s Dash. By T. J. Flanaga! . Flanagan : . the Corker-Ferret; or, Dunk Duncan’s. rh Tanta 8 y J, C. Cowdrick. * 974 Old Sant’s Dark Deal; or, Miner Mat’s tron Grip. By Wm, Perry Brown, A New lIesue Every Tuesday. < The Half-Di Library is for sale by all newadealers, fv outs per sopy, er sent by matt ob receipt on siz conte each. pi BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 4 J 4 ‘ ' 98 William Street, New York