Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 981) (1896 05 12)
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ts Tella lll lalate) © oS ‘ aa s , : Sa 7 | BP gpg, elalababalalalalalaalallelalaheZ \ NY | : a : : \ \ \ N ° SS =a aa A: DBRS 0/5 SS rte i VV Va! ll a i SS E Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 1896, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, May 12, 18%, -$ en ee $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price No, 981. a Year. No, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. Vol. XXXVI. } ) / —— : - — ope eS - | | Ny) * = NA Z } 4\ \ \ = > - J SS \ . \ \ \ \ ye QS We \* SSS : a LACK ],ARIAT’ BLOT-OUT. A STORY OF The THE COLORADO DESPERADOES, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BUFFALO BILL” NOVELS, ETC. CHAPTER I. A BOY’S VOW. 4 ‘‘ Every man of that band shall die, boy 3 . ‘ == tlough I am, J.swear tt!” oF pas ‘ UP WENT THE KEEN KNIFE OF BUFFALO BILL CUTTING THE LASSOES LIKE STRING, * This burst of passion over, the speaker pyite Ngo ‘ - i. ‘ft: Sade : ¢ ¥ ~e of : 4 P un : - ie ae o 4 ae r - . Bae ‘ + ee ae ° eS tw 1 7 <
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oy Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. ¢ ~ = Jooked about him upon a scene of death and ruin, and, throwing himself full length upon the ground, buried his face in his hands and wept bitter, scalding tears. Toward the spot where he lay, ungon- scious of all about him now save his over- whelming grief, came a horseman across the prairie at a rapid lope. Nearer and nearer he came, until his eyes, falling upon the scene of a ruined house, he drew rein suddenly and his face became white and stern as he mut- tered: “There has been red work here! Ah! there lies one of the victims still alive.” i Quickly he threw himself from his horse, and, bending over the form, said gently: “*“My poor fellow, are you—” The one he-addressed was upon his feet in an instant, his face stained with tears, his eyes inflamed and hi$ whole form quivering with emotion. Thée horseman saw a. youth of seven- teen, well grown, of athletic build, with a daring, handsome face, and clad in buckskin leggings, stuck in top boots, a gray hunting shirt and a slouch hat, while about his waist was a belt of arms | —his hand falling upon a revolver as he sprang to his feet. “No! no! You are not one of that ac- cursed band; you wouldn’t do a wrong!” And the youth looked into the face of the horseman-as ont might who was intui- tively reading his very soul. “ Some great wrong has been done you, my lad, if this is your home,” gently spoke the horseman. “Tt was my home, sir, and a happy one; but see it now! All gone, and those I loved lie dead over yonder in those bushes—dead, murdered! my poor father and mother and my little brother, and I alone am left! “See, sir! Look around you and see what they have done!” The youth pointed about him to the charred timbers of what had been a large cabin home and outhouse, the ranch of some prosperous settler, but all now a scene of desolation. The horseman did not speak, but walked quickly over to the bushes, where the youth had said the dead lay, and there beheld a man of forty, a woman several years his junior, and a lad of fourteen. All were dead, and bullet. wounds in their heads showed how they had died. The youth gazed upon the dead with white, stern face, for he had gained con- trol of himself now, and the horseman asked: “Who did this red deed, my lad?” “Indians, sir.” “Tt was done last night?” ‘Yes, sir.” “Where were you?” “Away on a hunt, sir, with several comrades from the other ranches.” “ Are other homes destroyed also, for I know there are ranches to the north of here?” “1 do not know, sir, for I left the boys to come on home—and this is what I find.’ And the lips quivered and eyes dimmed. The horseman made no reply, but be- gan to move about the grounds, his eyes taking in everything in a way that showed the experienced plainsman. The youth stood watching him, with in- tense interest noting all that he did. He even, in his great grief, observed that the stranger possessed a superb form, was over six feet in height; his” - dark, waving hair fell upon his broad shoulders, and he was dressed in a pict- uresque costume and broad sombrero, all of which was most becoming to him. About his waist was a sash and a belt of arms, and, glancing toward the strang- er’s horse, which had been allowed to roam at will and feed, he saw a splendid animal, handsomely equipped with bri- dle, saddle and camping outfit, while a | rifle hung to the horse upon one side | and a looped lariat upon the other. The youth was much impressed with the stranger, and his’ appearance, and muttered: “Who can he be, I wonder?” Having completed his survey of the surroundings of the ruined home, the stranger walked to where the bodies lay and bent over them. He seemed to try to read from their faces what he would know—to expect the dead lips to open and tell him the cruel story of their death, so intently did he scrutinize them. Bending over the body of the little lad, he took something from between his fin- gers; then he proceeded to fold the hands of all peacefully upon their breasts. “There are more, sir,’ faltered the youth. **More dead? ”’ * Yes; my old negro nurse, who came with us out here, and her husband. They lie over yonder, in the edge of the woods, and our two cowboys are further along, where they fell fighting. “Those are all, sir.’’ “All! and seven of them! one household! my brave lad.” “T am the last, sir; but I can avenge those who are gone, and I will! I will! I have sworn it, and I will take the trail of those Indians and—” “Boy, you are wrong; all wrong.” “Do you mean to say that I shall not avenge my dead?” fiercely demanded the youth. And his hand again dropped upon his revolver, for it flashed upon him that the stranger was not his friend after all, to make such a remark. “T did not say that you should not avenge, but I meant that you must not punish the innocent for the guilty, for Indians did not do this work of death!’ said the stranger, impressively. All from And you alone are left, CHAPTER II. TELL-TALE SIGNS. The youth looked at the stranger in a startled, doubtful way, as though he could not believe that he had heard him aright, when he told him that Indians had not done the atrocious deed there in evidence before them in all its horror. The stranger, as the youth had pointed out where the other bodies lay, had gone, first, to where the two negroes had fallen, then to where the cowboys had ended their lives. He had looked well at the bodies, then at the surroundings of each, and, appar- ently satisfied in his mind, he had told the youth that Indians were not the guilty ones. ‘ “You say that Indians did not do this deed, sir,’ almost gasped the youth. “Indians did not do it, my little friend.” * But, sir, we crossed the Indian trail going and coming this way.” “Who did? ? “My pards and I.” “Who are they?” “There are five of us, sir, and we are all boys. “Tam the captain, and we scout around to prevent the settlement from being sur- prised by redskins; but we did not be- lieve any were on the warpath, and so went on a hunt toward the Rio Grande. { “ Coming back, we crossed a fresh In- dian trail leading from the settlement, and it frightened us; but soon after we came upon the same trail going to the settlement. “This fairly scared us, arid we each rode toward our homes, and this is what I found.” And the youth very nearly gave way to his grief once more. The stranger had listened attentively to the boy’s story, and then asked: * How many ranches are in this valley?” “ Nine.” “How many people are on them?” “Cowboys and families all told, about sixty, sir.” “And you are one. of five scouts who patrol the country to guard against sur- prise by redskins? ” SY es: pir.” “When did you go on your hunt?” “Two days ago.” ‘ “How far-is it to the nearest ranch?” “Eight miles, it is called, sir.’ “And the other ranches lie up the val- ley beyond?” “ Yes,. sir.” “How far do you call it to the Indian country?” “Some sixty miles to the borderland, sir.”’ “Did wou notice the force in the trails you saw going and coming, my lad?” “ Abdut twenty in the one coming in, and twice that many going back,” “T see that your cattle and horses were not taken,’ And the stranger pointed to a large herd of cattle feeding a couple of miles away and a band of a hundred horses nearer. “Some of the horses appear to be miss- ing® sir.” “Did you notice whether the trails you saw were of shod or unshod hoofs?” “NO; six.” “They were of\unshod hoofs,” “How do you know, sir?” “All the tracks about here are of horses that are shod; and you'll find that the raiders rode hard in coming here and left their worn-out animals and took fresh ones from your drove, and as many as they could carry along at a good pace.” *Oh, sir, you seem to read the signs well,” “It is my business to do so; and let me show you this and ask if it is an Indian’s hair.” He held up a bunch of ‘hair of reddish hue, evidently torn from a human head. “No, sir; it is a white man’s hair.” “‘T got it from the hand of your little brother, for he tore it from the head of his murderer in the struggle.” “ Poor Sammy!” ‘“ Here is a spur I picked up. Is it yours, your father’s, or the cowboys’? ”’ “Tt belonged to none of us, sir.” “Indians don’t wear spurs nor ride iron-shod horses, and these are not po- nies’ tracks. Nor do they have hair like this. So, though those who were here did all they could to appear to be red- skins, being painted like them even, they were white men.” “How doe you know that they were painted?’’ asked,the boy, in some aston- ishment. “ You will find paint smeared on your father's clothes, rubbed off in the strug- gle with his foes, and also on the face and hands of your brother, and of the: negro man, too, proving that they all had a death grapple with their slayers. “No, white men, not Indians, did this fiendish deed.” “ But who can they have been?” “T am a stranger here, merely passing through with important dispatches from fort to fort, so I know nothing of your
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vi > ee et SE i people; but you should know if your fam- ily had bitter foes who would perpetrate such a hideous deed. " “Are there not outlaw bands in this part of the country?” “Yes, sir, there are the Red Rovers—a band of outlaws who rob and kill without mercy; but they have neyer been in Meadowland Valley.” “ Well, my poor lad, my duty calls me on my way; but I shall stop at the ranches as I pass and send you help at once,”’ “If they have not also been ruined, 1 a pid “ Ah, yes; but it can hardly be. “See, yonder come some horsemen now, so we will be ready for them if they prove to be foes.” “They are my pards!”’ shouted the boy as he turned his gaze upon the four horsemen whom the stranger had caught sight of, coming at a run up the valley. CHAPTER III. THE FIVE FERRETS. “Your pards?” asked the stranger quickly, at the words of the youth. “Yes, those four and I make the five I spoke of—the Fighting Five some in the valley call us, while others give us the name of the Five Ferrets, as we have always found out when a raid was to be made.” “They are coming rapidly, as though bearing news of importance.” ‘Perhaps they have the same story to tell of death and destruction.” ‘“No; 1 am confident those men did not go down the valley, for they doubtless struck your home just before daylight, and had they then gone on in their work of ruin we would now see the smoke of the burning ranches. “And besides, they were not in force enough to attack settlers of large num- ber in their own homes and by daylight. ‘No; for some purpose they came here, and, accomplishing their fatal mission, they have gone to seek safety and let the rekskins get the censure of their crime.” “You speak like one who knew, sir, and I believe you are right,” said the boy sadly, and he added: ‘I certainly will be glad to know that no one else has had to suffer as I do.” The stranger now had his eyes upon those rapidly approaching where he and the youth stood. He saw that there were four of them, and that they were mere boys, being about the same age, but, like the youth by his side, well grown, strongly built, and clad as he was; they were thorough- ly armed and well mounted, he noticed, also. They dashed up &@ moment after, four abreast, leaped from their saddles, and in silence ran up and grasped the hands of their comrade. At first the hard-stricken youth seemed about to break down utterly, but he was of stern courage and decision of charac- ter—the quality that controls the make- up of strong natures—and, mastering his emotion, he said in a low voice: » “ Pards, you see that I am left all alone, and homeless. “Here lie my parents and Sammy; over there is Maum Jinnie and Uncle Pe- ter, and yonder are the two. cowboys, Lige and Burt. “Did the human fiends go down the valley? ” “No, Bird, they went back to the » mountains. “We saw the smoke of your home soon after we left you, and gave the alarm in the valley, and then came here with all speed.” Buiialo Bill’s Fighting five. “Ts it too late to followed them?” asked Kane Noland. And his eyes as he spoke were dim with tears of heart- strung sympathy, while the rest of the brave band of boys seemed too full for utterance as they gazed about them upon the scene of desolation and suffering. “Tt is too late now, boys, to follow them, but’ they shall answer for this— every man of that band—for I know that you will help mein the work of avenging this act,” said the youth in a voice full of determination. At once came the reply, strangely stern and threatening, trom the lips of each one of the four youths: “We will stand by, you to the end, Bird—even to the death, if néeessary.” “IT know that well, pards.”’ “Yes, the redskins will suffer for this,” said Nick Walter, while Bird Bainbridge, who seemed to be the leader of the five, broke in with: * But redskins did not do it, boys.” “Who says so?”’ came in a chorus of voices. “This gentleman—I do not know his name.” “He turned to the stranger, who had been quietly observing the youths, as if reading each one of them through and through with his piercing gaze. They had also taken particular notice of him, in spite of the scene they had come upon, and their grief for their com- panion, wondering who he was. At the hint of Bird Bainbridge to ‘know who he was all eyes were. now upon the stranger, while Seth Saunders echoed incredulously: ‘“ Indians did not do it?” “That is my opinion, my young friend, though we are all liable to err.” “Why, who else could or would do such a deed but Indians?’’ Bud Rainey asked. “TI say that white men, disguised as Indians, did this red work, and I have seen as much cruelty among some of the palefaces on this frontier as ever the In- dians were guilty of,” said the stranger. “Then you uphold the Indians, sir, in their acts?” somewhat hotly intimated Seth Saunders. The stranger smiled, and replied with no show of anger: “Tam an old plainsman, though still a young man comparatively. I have seen the basest of acts committed by Indians upon this border; but I have seen their every act of cruelty and death equaled by the deeds of white outlaws and rene- gades, with this difference, that, where the redskins have been trained from in- fancy to fight in their own cruel way against women and children as well as men, and to reyard the. palefaces as their natural foes, driving them from their own homes, the outlaws, fleeing from jus- tice for crimes committed elsewhere, come here and act toward their own race with a degree of inhumanity that the savage cannot surpass.” The stranger spoke so impressively that all the boys felt the truth of his utter- ances, and Bird Bainbridge asked: “Will you tell us who you are, sir?” “My name is William F. Cody, but I am better known as Buffalo Bill, chief of army scouts in the Northwest.” CHAPTER IV. BUFFALO BILL. “ Buffalo Bill!” -The name was echoed by each one of the five under his breath—uttered in an almost incredulous tone. The “Five” seemed hardly to credit their hearing, Could it be that they stood face to face with.a man of whose daring deeds they had heard even before they came to find a home in New Mexico upon ranches,situated in the very midst of incessant danger?- They had read of him in their homes far from the scenes of his expioits; they had heard of him around the hearthstone of their new habitations; had listened to stories told of him by rancheros and hunters about the campfire. They knew him especially as the ideal hero of the cowboys, and even then two of the lads had in their saddle pockets romances of the great scout’s career. Buffalo Bill! The name had a wonderful charm. It was the open sesame of their hearts! Could it really be their hero? Was not the stranger deceiving them? No! It was he—the scout of scouts! They looked into his frank, fearless, handsome face—the face of a marvelous man! They regarded his splendid physique— it was the form of a hero. They scanned his picturesque frontier garb—it was just such as a hero should wear! é Then they glanced at his ‘splendid horse and complete outfit, the rifle and lariat hanging to the saddle Horn—all were just what the make-up-of a hero should be! No, there could be no mistake. - Buffalo Bill stood before the five young frontier fighters of Meadowland Valley. “You must pardon me, sir, for saying what I did,” said Seth Saunders, frankly retracting his words. “Don’t think of it again, my boy. Now, let me tell you that I have been try- ing to think how I can serve our young friend here, whom you have promised to aid in his determination to avenge this most foul crime against those he loved.” “Oh, sir, if you only would help us!” cried Bird Bainbridge, while the others chiméd in with: “Yes, sir, if you only would.” After a moment of thought, the Knight of the Plains addressed the youths: “Tam chief of scouts up at Fort Fetter- man, and am carrying important dis- patches, which of late have failed to get through, along the chain of forts to Fort McRae, in the Tule Rosa Range. “My orders for haste.are imperative, but when J return to Fetterman I am to have a leave of absence, and I promise you that, instead of going to my home in . Kansas to spend it, as was my intention, I will return here and aid you to hunt down the fiends who committed this atro- cious: deed.” The boys together broke out in a cheer, waved their hats and seemed to. feel as though the murderers were already run to earth! “It is so good of you, sir, to help me,” And Bird Bainbridge extended his hand, which the chief of scouts grasped warm- ly. The other lads, taking advantage of the situation, also offered their hands, proud to get a grip from the great plainsman. “Tt is not kind of me, but my duty, to help you,” continued Buffalo Bill. “TI have told you that the murderers were not redskins, in my opinion, but White men. I am more than ever con- vinced of it now; but let this belief be kept a secret between us. “You all understand? ” “ Yes, sir,” was the prompt reply from each one of the five. “Tf they learn that they, not the In- dians, are suspected, they will be fore- warned, hence forearmed, and thus have a chance to cover up their tracks or to leave the country. €
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ty “Tf they know that Indians alone are suspected, they will be reckless, and can be the better tracked or identified. “That is true, sir,” assented Bird Bain- bridge, and all echoed his words, for the five would have endorsed anything Buf- falo Bill wished them to think or do. ““Now you must let no one into this secret of our suspicions, but proceed qui- etly to work to find out what you can. “You are to be, in fact, detectives, fer- rets, to trace and spot the guilty ones. “Get all the information you can, and I will meet you here in just six weeks from to-night. “Tf I do not come it will be because I am dead, or wounded, and I shall see to it that there is one to take my place should I fail you, for I have friends and assistant scouts at Fort McRae. “But I will be here if possible, and, should we meet meanwhile, elsewhere, do not appear to know me, unless I first rec- ognize you.” “We won't, sir; but you will know us , by the silver star you see we wear on our hats.” “Yes, I will not forget my Fighting Five, and let me warn you that you must: be ready for serious work when I return. ‘“‘Have your best horses and weapons; don’t neglect your lariats, for I look upon the lasso as a most effective and danger- ous weapon when skilfully handled. “ Have your supplies near to get at in a moment of time, for when I put in an appearance I will have done some ferret work on my own account, and when I want you it will be like the Texan and his gun—want you bad. “But I notice quite a party of horse- men coming up the valley, and, as I do not care to be seen by them, I must be off. i Remember, six weeks from to-night, if you do not hear from me sooner. ““Good-by, boys!” And, with a quick step, Buffalo Bill reached his horse, leaped into his saddle, turned into the timber, and disappeared at a gallop, leav- ing the Five Young Fighters speechless with admiration and joy at their good luck in having for their ally their hero of - heroes, j CHAPTER V. THE LAST OF HIS RACE. The scout had been gone five minutes . before any one of the five spoke. Each one was too deeply impressed by all that happened—the wiping out of the Bainbridge home and dwellers, and the meeting with Buffalo Bill; their food for reflection kept them silent. In the mean time the party of horsemen now coming up the valley had drawn nearer; they were a score in number, and were riding rapidly. The boys knew them as the paditicns and cowboys hastening to the scene after the warning spread by the four compan- - jons of Bird Bainbridge, for so the popu-| Jar youth was called by the cowboys, ip — though his real name was Burr. There were old men and young, ranch - owners and cowboys, in the cavalcade. _ They were coming to see what harm had been done, and if Indians were really raiding the upper end of the valley. All knew the Bainbridge home as the best in the valley. Mr. Bainbridge had : moved there from a Texas ranch. He was in fairly good circumstances when » came, so had made himself and family ‘ t comfortable. had a good band of ponies, a large tle, a hundred acres of land r cultivation; so there was ice of substantial aa pros- | Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. It was said that he had left a fine ranch in Texas, selling out at a sacrifice for cash to move up into New Mexico, though just why no one could tell, for little really was known of his actual his- tory. He was a handsome man of forty-five, and his wife was a beautiful woman, were bright, handsome, daring boys, who had been well brought up and well taught by their parents, both of whom were people of education and refinement. They had brought with them the old negro, Peter, and his wife, Jinnie, as also the two cowboys who worked upon the ranch in T When thine there, Mr. Bainbridge had employed a number of men to build his house and outbuildings, fence in his fields, clear the land and put it in grain, paying them liberally for their work, which few of the widely scattered settlers could do. If there was a skeleton in the closet of the Bainbridge home, as was hinted in Meadowland Valley, no one had been found to unearth it, nor to ascertain just what it was, All understood that there was some mystery in the lives of the Bainbridge family, some special. cause for their leay- ing Texas; but neither the two young sons, the negroes, or the cowboys had ever given the secret away, if there was one and they knew it. Still, the family was popular with all, and when Bird Bainbridge had organ- ized the small band of ranchers’ sons of about his own age, as the Silver Star Scouts, to protect the valley from a raid, all the settlers had been: glad of it, and €specially as the gallant lads had ren- dered most excellent service on more than one occasion. All the youths were dead shots, could throw a lasso with great skill, ride any- thing in the shape of a horse, and had the pluck of true border boys to back up their accomplishments, They never had given a false alarm— never cried “ Injun!’”’ when there was no “TInjun ’—and under their able young leader and trainer had become great favorites, and were most thoroughly trusted. The Bainbridge home was delightfully situated—the large cabin, encircled by piazzas, standing upon a hill, at the edge of some fine timber, and with a large creek running near. A grand view was obtainable down the valley, and of the lands where the cattle grazed. ’ . It was well furnished for a frontier home, and happiness seemed to dwell there in spite of the haunted, anxious look that ever seemed to rest in the eyes of Burr Bainbridge the senior. In one fell swoop this ideal frontier home had been wiped out. Not only had the dwelling, hut. the out- buildings, been left in’ashes, while, as narrated, the bodies of the ranchero, his wife, little son and four faithful servitors had been left dead amid the ruins. The boy who remained, as far as all others knew, was the last of his race, the sole survivor of Bonaventura Ranch, as Mr. Bainbridge had called his new home. Amid this scene of rapine and ruin, of deadly hate and vengeance, the Fighting Five stood as the settlers dashed up the valley. The horsemen, as they came in at a full gallop, drew their horses to a walk as they came first upon the two cowboys lying dead by the side of the trail. Then the bodies of the negroes were Frain and as. - men drew beige their while their two sons, Burr and Sammy,’ ‘trailer; you have been the sufferer; and, hunter. » Ny Aoi to call out: hats were doffed, their heads bar¢d inthe presence of the dead rancher, his wife and little Sammy. one Not a word was spoken as they drew bj rein and confronted the sole survivor of the once happy and prosperous home, until at last a white-haired settler cried with choking voice: uh “My God! All gone! “My boy, the red fiends have dealt you a cruel, a merciless blow. ea A “Heaven have mercy upon you, for § ~ human sympathy can not console for | such as this.” CHAPTER wae LASSO SOL’S ACCUSA “Where are the red honds “that did this? “You, Bird Bainbridge, are a good boy though you are, I for one will follow your lead to avenge those you loved.” The speaker, one of the settlers, spoke in quivering voice. His hair and beard were iron, gray; age was in his frame; yet he avowed his purpose to follow a boy’s lead. “And I will go, too,” cried another, and along the line ran the cries: “Count me with you, Bird, to the end!” Sd “Me, too, boy pard!” ry “Tam another.” n 4 “Not a man can back down with this ie sight before his eyes.” “ Hooray for our young captain!” So the offers of aid were volunteered. The brave boy was touched deeply, and his lips quivered with repressed emotion. But it was time now for action, not tears. The first terrible blow at the discovery of the dead was over. There could be nothing more to come to him then, he knew. Whatever he felt, no matter how his heart was torn, he would be a man. “ My friends, I thank you all, and if. some of those not so well able to stand a hard ride will remain to care for my dead, I will be glad to have those who will go with me to follow on the trail of those whose deed of death is before you,” and the youth spoke in a manly and firm tone, while his: four immediate pards . looked at him with surprise in the face of what Buffalo Bill had told them. Bird Bainbridge saw their looks, and * said in a low tone: fae! Fi “ We must know where this trail leads, oe for that is our first duty.” : % The justice of this the other boys saw, and it was decided that ten of the best mounted and hardiest of men should ac- © company the five youths on the trail, the half score others remaining behind to go. into camp there, send for aid to the other ranches, and prepare for the burial of the dead on the morrow. “But there was some one here with you, for we saw him ride off quick as we came up,” said one of the settlers, a man. who dwelt alone in his cabin and had a few cattle he herded. In the settlement he was known as Lasso Sol, and by no other name, while he was ‘said to have been a guide and He was a large man, quick in his ac- zm tions, had a stern, hard face, and was ad- mitted to be the best hand with a lariat on the border, and he had been the one — to give the Five Silver Star Scouts their lessons in throwing of the rope. - But all in the valley rather feared Lasso Sol than liked him, and his qu 1esti ‘as to who was the horseman n who den off as they approached
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oe. a deer trait Yes, v s spokesman for the Fighting Five, rd Bainbridge replied; “We was Buffalo Bill, chief of scouts ~ 4n the army, up in the Northwest, and he was bearing important dispatches to Fort McRae. “He was in a hurry or would have stopped longer.” “ All a lie, young pard, fer Buffalo Bill don’t come down into this country, and T’ll bet my guns and horse that he were a renegade white man who led them In- juns here, and then sneaked back ter see how well he had done ther biz. “He’s no more Buffalo Bill than is, and my guns and horse says so.’ “T’ll take you up at that bet, Lasso Sol,” hotly said Bird Bainbridge, to the surprise of all, while one cried: “There, Lasso Sol, it’s buck or back now. Prove he hain’t Buffalo Bill or pay up.” “T’ll win my bet. “Here, Reddy, I wants you, and you too, Barney, ter go with me and rope thet fine feller in, and show he’s what I says he is.” . * “Wouid you go and take men ‘with you, Lasso Sol, when every man is needed now to go on the trail or remain here, and do his duty to the dead?” said the elder settler reproachfully, and who, next to Mr. Bainbridge, had been looked upon as a leader in the valley, for the slain rancher was the acknowledged head of the settlement. “ Let them as wants ter go on ther trail on a fool’s errand and them as wants ter stay here do so; but I knows my business, and I says thet feller as ran away was a renegade white man who led them Injuns and I goes ter bring him back, and you, Reddy and Barney, goes with me, so git inter saddles and come right along.” And Lasso Sol turned toward his horse, the two men named doing likewise, while some of the settlers expressed their re- gret that the force should be divided. But Lasso Sol was determined to have his way, and he rode off on the_trail of Buffalo Bill, followed by Reddy and Bar-_ ney, who seemed to enjoy going after one> man much more than pursuing a band of Indians. And, with a glance at his dead, a sad, silent farewell, Bird Bainbridge also rode. away with his men, but not until he had -whispered to one of his Five, Seth Saun- ders: “You know how you can head Buffalo Bill off, so drop off after we start, take the short cut, and tell him that Lasso Sol 4s on his trail” CHAPTER VIL. BUFFALO BILL'S DISGUISE. “When Buffalo Bill rode away, at sight of the band of horsemen coming up the valley, he entered a thick belt. of timber and kept in its shadow, though the main ‘trail ran in the open as far as the eye could reach. The scout appeared anxious to avoid being seen by the horsemen, and he then made a wide flank movement by way of the timber and came out into a trail a couple of miles from the Bainbridge Ranch. In the Meadowland Valley the ranches were all on the north side close under ‘the mountain ranges, to protect them trom the cold northers when they blew. The main trail ran down the valley therefore, nearer the northern side, and across to the other range were miles of “open pasture land. Close in under the southern range ine of timber land, and through it ‘there was Bui! ‘Bill's Fig! Into this trail Buffalo Bill made his way, as though to avoid being ‘seen by asy of the cowboys minding cattle in this valley. He seemed anxious to avoid each and every ranch, and was going along at a slow canter, as though anxious to make up for his delay at the Bainbridge Ranch, when he saw ahead of him in the trail the tall form of a redskin. The Indian stood upright, his arms folded upon his broad breast, and his eyes. were fastened upon the scout, though not with hostile intent. He was almost devoid of clothing, *be- ing attired in only the breech-clout, moc- casins, and a Head dress of eagle plumes. His large arms and body were bare, and shone like bronze as the sunshine fell upon him where he stood. He wore a red sash about his waist and in it in front were stuck a knife and a revolver, the only weapons he seemed to possess. “Why, it is the Tonca*’.Chief, Lone Buffalo, and he has recognized me, or he would not stand there,’ said Buffalo Bill, as he recognized the waiting red- skin. Drawing nearer to him, the scout called out: “Ho, Lone Buffalo, I am glad to see my red brother.” “'Tonca Chief glad to meet great white chief, “Lone Buffalo see him come and wait —me got tell something.” _, The scout grasped the hand of the Indian, who seemed pleased at the meet- ing and said: “The Tonca is my friend, I know; but does he still live apart from his people, alone in the mountains, as he did when I met him a year ago?” —~ “Tonea Chief live all, alone; hide his face from his people. “ Where White Buffalo g0? “ “To the fort.” ~ “Me go too.” “Then I shall have company; where is your pony?” “He there, with rifle,’ and the Indian led the way through the timber for sev- eral hundred yards, to where a large roan mustang was staked out, and a saddle, bridle, and rifle lying near. “Me stop rest pony, see white chief way up trail, go to meet him.” ye oe but sure at meeting the Tonca Chief, for he knew well the true worth of the lone redskin. Once, a couple of years ago, when scout- ing with some cavalry, he had made a dash into a’ village of Comanches, and rescued the Tonca, just as his captors were going to torture him to death. The Tonca was released by the scout, and from that day became the devoted friend of the pale-faces. Learning that the Chief’s tribe had captured an officer and two troppers some months after, Buffalo Bill had boldly en- tered the Indian village at night, dis- guised as a redskin, and seeking the tent of the Tonca, had asked him to re- lease the pale-face prisoners. The Toncea at once went to the tepee where they were under the guard of | a brave, led them to where he had left the scout, and told him to take them with him, and that they would find ponies in the valley. This act made his people furious, eke he had been a great chief, had served them well, and after a council he was told to go to the mountains and dwell alone. we was his punishment and he was tins Pa Pies. told to hide his face from his weeplé, ‘ga: ot them. in the depths of the mountains, becom- ing known to whites and redskins as the Lone Buffalo. idle in his solitude, for, of the pale-faces, he had several times warned the settlement of danger from Apaches, had given his own people a warning of an attack by foes, and had taken news to the fort of hostile bands upon the warpath, and an intended raid by outlaws upon the stages. thing to tell,’ Buffalo Bill was anxious to learn what it was, knowing that the lone chief was his fast friend. resumed his way to the fort. ‘i indian nature too well to show any anxie- Again Buffalo Bill expressed his plea-_ | outlaws coming, had climbed a tree to — had waited to tell him. for a while his life was in danger, but | remain a redskin hermit until the chiefs 3 of his tribe sent for him to return to With a sad heart he obeyed the sen- tence put upon him, and sought, a home But the lone Indian hermit was not ae the friend still == Now, when he said that he had “ some- CHAPTER VIII. THE CHIEF'S STORY. Lone Buffalo, having bridled and sad- dled his horse, and mounted, he rode alongside of the scout as he once more “What has my-red brother to tell?” ee asked the scout, having ridden for near- fo ly a mile in silence, for he knew the ty regarding the communication he had ; to make. After a moment the Tonca said: “Heap bad pale-face, paint like In- dian, get ready make war on good pale- face in. valley “So many,” and he held up his Angers: until he told off twenty. “ Ah! the outlaws disguised as Indians : are to make a raid upon the settlement =» in this valley, chief?” st The Indian nodded. “ When?” “One sleep.” “To-night that means?” Again a nod. ? “ Where are they?” “Up mountain.” * Mountain robbers? ” Again a nod. . ae “How did the chief find out?” a “ Hide in tree, bad pale-face come and an camp and have pow-wow. “ Lone Buffalo stay in tree two sleeps, get heap tired, but bad pale-face camp and camp. “Then go, and tans Buffalo come to tepee, get pony, and ride to tell pale- faces and chief at fort, see great wilite y Buffalo come, was so glad. « ~% Buffalo Bill understood the broken oes story of the Indian perfectly. He read that he had seen a band of. f hide from them, and they had gone into — camp right there, remaining for two ; days, and he had been unable to come down off his perch. That he had heard the outlaws’ plan to disguise themselves as Indians and at- tack the settlement of Meadowland Val~ BF 2 ley. . When at last they had broken ‘camp the chief has hastened, as well as cramped limbs would allow’ him. to so, to his lone camp, gotten his p and was going first to warn the sett ment, then to inform the comme at the fort. Seeing him, Buffalo Bill, “coming, | he Thinking it over calmly th knew that the chief had seen he said he had, but he sesh wrong. He ovstionea the ton
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é 6 Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. what the outlaws had done while in the camp, and when told that they were “making Indians of themselves,” the scout was certain that the band was the one that had attacked the Bainbridge Ranch. Hither the chief had misunderstood the time set for the raid, or the out- laws had attacked a night sooner than at first intended. If they had also intended raiding the valley they had contented themselves with the destruction of the Bonaventura Ranch, and the killing of all who dwelt there, save Bird Bainbridge, the young Silver Star scout. Finding just when the outlaws had camped, and kept him up a tree, the scout was convinced that the chief’s par- | and those who | ty of “ bad pale-faces,” had left death and ruin behind them at the Bainbridge home were one and the same. Coming down the mountain canyons from his lone tepee, the Indian hermit would not have discovered the burning | barns, and, striking Meadowland Valley miles below Bonaventura Ranch, he was going to give warning at the first cabin of what might be looked for, and then hasten on to the fort in the hope that a troop of rangers might head off the out- laws before they could escape with their plunder. “The Lone Buffalo is the brother of the pale-faces, and I will tell the great chief all he has done. “But the Lone Buffalo does not know that the bad pale-faces attacked the set- tlement one sleep sooner, and last night killed and destroyed the barns at the head of this valley. “Then the, bad pale-faces fled back toward the mountain, but the white braves of the valley will go om their trail.” The Indian was surprised at what he heard, but did not doubt the scout, who continued: . “T want the Lone Buffalo to tell me if he knows any one of the bad pale- faces? ”’ “Me know ——,” and he held up three fingers to denote that he knew that many of the outlaw band. “Good! “Now I wish the Lone Buffalo to do something for me.” The chief seemed pleased at this and nodded in the affirmative, showing that he was most willing. “The Lone Buffalo must take the trail of the bad pale-faces, and find out just where they go, and if-they have a re- treat. “When the chief knows let him meet me at the Deep Spring, on the Zuni Plateau six sleeps from now.” “Chief know—he be there,” “ All right. ‘I shall be returning by the Zuni trail, by way of Fort Tule Rosa and Fort Wingate, and will bring the Lone Buffalo heap things for himself.” “Lone Buffalo glad. *“ He take trail of bad pale-face now.” - But as he spoke a horse and rider sud- denly’ dashed out into the trail several hundred yard? ahead of them, and they came to a quick halt. . CHAPTER IX. THE WARNING UF THE SILVER STAR. The horseman, who so_ suddenly dashed into the trail ahead of Buffalo Bill’and the Indian Chief, drew rein as though to await the coming of the scout. His appearance did not indicate hos- tility until he saw the Indian with the scout. ‘ This he had not at first seen, evident- . _ dy, for he turned, as though to dash away and halfway made a motion.as though to bring his rifle round for use. The scout, however, recognized at a glance who it was that thus crossed his path. He saw that the horse was panting, as though hard ridden, and he recognized the rider as one of the Five he had part- ed from but a short while before. Seeing that the young scout of the Single Star did not seem to understand the presence of the Indian with him, and whom he doubtless did not know as a friend of the pale-faces, Buffalo Bill waved his hand and called out: “Hello, my Silver Star Pard. How did you manage to head me off so quick- ly??? The youth returned the wave of the scout’s hand, and as the latter drew up to where he was, said: “Does the redskin sir? ”’ “Yes, but ke is my friend, and yours. It is.the Tonca, known as the Redskin Hermit.” * Yes, I have heard of him, sir.” “TI met him a while since as I now do you, and we are old friends. “He was on his way to warn tie set- tlement in the valley of the raid of last night, but supposed it was to’ be made to-night, and he tells me they were all speak English, | white men disguised as redskins. “Lone Buffalo, this is my young friend Silver Star, and I want my red brother to know him.” “Lone Buffalo glad know young brave,” and he held out his hand, which Seth Saunders warmly grasped, after what he had been told by the scout of the Indian’s intention to warn the settlers of danger. Then he said: * But I must talk quick, sir, for I have no time to lose, “Bird Bainbridge, our “leader, you know, sir, told me to come on and warn you of danger.” “T thank him, and you also, my young friend, but what danger threatens me now ?”’ “Why, sir, the men who came were the settlers, and they saw you ride away, so Lasso So: said you were the Rene- gade Chief who led the attack last night on the Bainbridge Ranch, and were not Buffalo Bill, and he called upon two of the cowboys of his stripe to come after you and make you a prisoner.” “Indeed? ” “Yes, sir; but the other settlers urged him not to.do so, and a dozen went off with Bira and the rest of our Five, to follow the trail of the raiders. “Then Bird told\me to cut through the valley timber, head you off, and tell you what Lasso Sol said, and’ that he, Bar- ney and Reddy were on your trail, and they were very dangerous men.’ Not a muscle of Buffalo Bill's face changed as he listened to the youth, and when he had heard all that he had to tell he held forth his hand and said: “J thank you, and I wish you to avoid these men and return to your young leader. “Tell him. that I will heed his warn- ing to the extent that I will take good care of myself, and Lone Buffalo is with me to help me out. * Also tell him that I shall act only in self-defense not wishing to harm any set- tler in the valley. “Remember what I told you about meeting you at the appointed time, and let mé tell you that Lone Buffalo here is our friend and may be with me when I come to meet you. “Now hurry off the trail, so that Seade, these men will not see you, for it is hest that they should not.” The youth was of the same opinion, and with a wave of the hand to the scout and the Indian, he wheeled his horse and dashed away, soon disappearing in the timber. “Now, Lone Buffalo, we will go on our way quietly and decide what is best to do when they overtake us.” “Lone Buffalo know,” was the la- conic response of the Indian, and the two rode on their way once more. The warning of Seth Saunders, that Lasso Sol and two men of his stripe were coming after him, to capture him, set the scout to thinking, though it did not dis- turb him in the least. He did not believe the man thought he was a renegade, but, having heard his name, he was doubtless some old foe of his, who sought that opportunity to square any grudge he might have against. him, or think he had. If he could make him appear as a rene- the settlers, in the humor they would naturally be after the scenes they had come upon, would sdon make short work of them* “We must not kill them, Lone Buffalo, but beat them off in some way, and only, if it cannot be avoided, draw on them,” and the scout spoke rather to himself than to the Indian; but the latter under- stood that he must not kill a white man, save in defense of his own life. CHAPTER X. THE MESSENGER’S REPORT. It was with a feeling of almost de- spondency that Bird Bainbridge rode away upon the trail of the men who had murdered his family and left his home in ruins. He believed in Buffalo Bill implicitly and felt that it would do no good, as’ the raiders had been white men, to follow them. If Indians they might, loaded down. with plunder as they would be, possibly be overtaken and punished. But white men had planned for their escape beyond doubt before coming upon their fiendish errand. Then, too, the stand taken tir Lasso. Sol against Buffalo Bill had been such that all of the Five feared the result. They knew Lasso Sol as a man .whose past was not open for inspection, and he had the name of being in hiding in the valley. He was a dangerous man, too, and no one had ever doubted his bravery. The way he could handle his lasso was a marvel, and that it was a deadly weap-— _on in his hands all knew. The Five also were aware that both Barney and Reddy had been hard citi- zens before coming to Meadowland Val- ley. They had been under*the tuition of — Lasso Sol in the use of a rope, and were his partieular chums, With three such men going on the trail of Buffalo Bill, it was no wonder that the Five were anxious about him. Being accused of having been the man who led the Indians against the Bain- bridge home, this act stamping him as a renegade white man, each one of the Silver Stars could readily understand that the settlers would make short work of the scout if he could not prove he was., indeed Buffalo Bill. And could he prove it? That was the question that worried Bird Bainbridge and his pards. It was this also that added to the deep feeling of gloom resting upon the young rancher who had in a few short hours been left an orphan and homeless. f a
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a re ee a ee in oror.o(co HEC OC COcVO3OC—35oV—hvVlajVRl—0683] ClleeeNN—N—w—w——aoow—aowon Riding direet to where he could pick up the trail of the raiders Bird Bain- bridge did so, and the party pressed on at a canter. They wished to go as far as possible on their way before night came on. Bird was intent, his face stern, and he rode almost as though his whole thought Was upon the work in hand. All of the settlers who were following him had pitied him greatly, and would have fought to the death for him then and there. Bird Bainbridge did not have his thoughts on the pursuit, however. He followed the trail mechanically, for he seemed to feel its uselessness. His thoughts were on the dead, upon the once happy home, and then would turn to a scene he could readily imagine as happening far back down the valley— the attack of Lasso Sol upon Buffalo Bill. - He anxiously awaited for the coming after them of Seth Saunders, and hoped that he had not missed finding the scout. It soon began to grow too dark to fol- low the trail further, and a camping place was sought, The poor youth looked with terrible dread at what the night would be to him with all its bitter memories. If Seth Saunders would only come and assure him at least that Buffalo Bill was safe. If he did not come within the next half hour of light he would not be able to find them, for he would not be able to push on at night for fear of leaving the trail. At last a camping place was found, the horses were stripped of their saddles and staked out, fires were built, and supper was cooking, when suddenly through the darkness the rapid clatter of hoofs was heard. A moment after Seth Saunders dashed into the circle of firelight, his horse look- ing as though hard ridden. “T was just going into camp away over on the hill, when I saw your fire- light, and came on. - “ You pushed on at a good gait, Bird,” he said. - “Yes; but-I am so glad that you have come,” and leading his pard to one side, while Nick Walter, one of the Five, took eare of the tired horse, Bird asked quick- ly: “Did you find him, Seth?” “Yes; headed him off about ten miles down the valley.” “What did he say?” “ He thanked you and me, and did not seem in’ the least disturbed.’ *“ But I tell you, Bird, I had a scare; in fact two of them.” “How?” “ When I found him he had an Indian with him, and for a moment I thought Lasso Sol might be right; that he was not Buffalo Bill, but a renegade, and I would have to fight for life; but Lasso Sol is away off, for he is the great scout, and the one with him was the Indian Hermit, Lone Buffalo, and his friend.” And Seth went on to tell all that oc- curred at his meeting with the scout. CHAPTER XI. AN OATH OF REVENGE. A great load seemed lifted from the breast of Bird Bainbridge, when. he heard the report of his messenger, and how he had warned the scout and found the Lone Buffalo with him. “T don’t feel anxious about him now, Seth; but what was the other scare you said you had received?” “ Oh, yes. Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. 7 “Why, I rode intc a brook to water my horse, and it was so shallow he moved up the stream some fifty feet, among the bushes. “Well, I had hardly gotten into a pool for the horse to drink from, when I heard hoofs, and the next instant Lasso Sol and his two pards dashed by. “T heard him swear at his horse for wishing to stop to drink, and then call out that they dared not halt, or they would not head the scout off at the cliff.” “They intend to ambush him there?.” “Yes, they did intend to, but he was right near the cliff when I met him, so they came out behind him and failed.” **Good!” * And they. cannot head him off any- where else, but will pick up his trail there and follow him.” “That does not scare me, now, since you put him on his guard. “But it was a close shave for you, for had Lasso Sol suspected your errand I do believe he would have killed you.” “T am sure of it, and when I rode back to the ford ind looked up among the willows, I saw that only their not looking that way saved me. * But now you must get some supper and go to sleep, for you look haggard, pard.” : Bird. Bainbridge forced himself to eat something, and then retired to his blank- ets. But when the camp was in slumber he arose, went to where the sentinel was on duty, and told him to turn in, say- ing: ‘‘I can’t sleep, Mr. Denny, and you can,” At dawn the party were in the saddle, having been awakened by the young sentinel in time to have breakfast and get ready to start a3 soon as the trail could be seen. It was evident that the raiders ‘had been so loaded down with plunder from the ranch that they had been unable to travel rapidly. Just as the trail begun to look so fresh that even Bird had hope of coming up with them soon, a halt was ‘called, All eould see that there the pursuit must end, for the large trail branched off into a score or more. Not one of the trails showed more than four horses, and from that point all knew it was useless to go further. But Bird Bainbridge, though giving up all hope of overtaking the raiders, called his immediate pards about him, and said: ‘Boys, you know that I must return now to see my people buried this even- ing, but we must not give up this trail here, so I am going to ask you to each one take a trail and follow it. “Drop out as we turn back, so as not to attract attention, and follow your trails until night, and thén make toward a common centre and see if you have made any important discovery. “T will start back this way, as soon as the funeral is over, and will take a trail that you have not, for I will see your tracks, and [ will find you. “Tf not, I will go to our old camp in the Little Coicrado River, and you do the same, so that will be our meeting- place, “You remember, it is at Deep Spring, near the Arizona line.” With these instructions to his Silver Star Pards, Bird Bainbridge turned the settlers on the homeward trail. They had. not gone very far when he saw that his four young pards had dropped out, and then he said that the others could ride at their leisure, but that he would push ahead rapidly. Seth, 7 . —— es All knew his reason well, sought to keep up with his pace, to all be at the sad scene of the burial at Bona- ventura Ranch. But the anxious boy soon dropped each one behind him, and at last, just: after the sun had disappeared, he rode over the range and looked down into the val- ley. He saw camp-fires about the spot where his home had been, and knew that the settlers were there, and that they were waiting for him. As he rode down the trail into the val- ley the full moon peered over the mount- ain range and lighted up the scene in silvery beauty. Drawing near to the now sad scene for him he drew his tired-out horse to a walk, and slowly approached the spot. Still nearer he came, and slipping from his saddle he approached on foot, with head uncovered and bent, for the moon- light shown full upon a scene that then and there indelibly stamped itself in heart and brain. In a little grove of scattered cedars, upon the bank of the creek, was a group of nearly half a hundred people, men and women. They stood in a circle about some newly dug graves, three in number, and by the side of which stood rudely made coffins. There was one large grave for the ranchero, his wife and little Sam. Another was for the two cowboys, a third for the old negro man and woman. It was a pitiable. terrible scene. The kind settlers, with tear-stained faces, had waited until the last for the return of the stricken youth. But as he came not the last sad rites must be performed. A prayer fell from the lips of one set- tler, and as it ended the sweet-toned voices of women rose in music, the men joining in, and “Rock of Ages cleft forme” swelled upward in a volume of melody. Within the circle suddenly crept the youth, and dropping upon his knees by the side of his mother’s coffin he buried his face in his hands while the voices sang on. Then the melody was hushed, and all saw the boy’s right hand raised on high, his lips muttered as though in prayer, but one who stood nearest. to him said that it was an oath of vengeance. CHAPTER XII. THE MISSING ONES. In silent sympathy the kind-hearted | settlers joined around the brave. youth, as the last shovelful of earth was placed over the graves o: his dead, for words were useless then in consolation. But from one and all came the warm welcome to him if he would enter their homes and let it be his. “T thank you, oh, so much, one and all. “ But I shall remain right here. “The cattle are to be cared for, you know, and my Boy Pards will help build a cabin, and this will still be my home; | = | will not be alone, you know, for the dead will be here, the raves.” How every heart bled for the poor youth, and how they urged him to go with them. But he’ was firm in his deterniinkHow to remain, and told how the raiders would soon be back, and his four pards would remain for awhile with him, after the Five had come back from a scout © they intended making. . Most of the settlers then rode away for their homes down the valley, but some and a few, :
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wemained, and two cowboys were ap- pointed to remain at the ruined ranch and care for the cattle and horses, while others said the trailers would buitd -stockades and get things in shape again. h One by one the trailers aroppea in, all tired out, and when dawn came ail - were there, save the four young scouts "of the Silver Star. who had gone oif on the mission their leader had sent them. There were a dozen men ready to go to work when day came, in clearing away the ruin, rebuilding the stockades into whick to drive the horses and cat- tle, when there was danger of a raid, and to put up a small cabin for Bird i: Bainbridge, who was determined to still make his home there. But the youth was not to be found, and the store-keeper from down the val- ley, who had come up with his supply wagon, reported that he had bought a large quantity of provisions and ammu- nition from him, some extra blankets and other things, and had ridden away about dawn. The cowboy guarding the ponies re- ported that he had come to the herd before daybreak, and had taken two of the best animals there, saying that he was going off on a long trail. It was useless to go after him, for all knew that he would not return until he had accomplished the task he had set ‘himself to do, whatever that was, and so the kind settlers had their breakfast and then went to work with a will. Every piece of the charred timber of a: - the cabin and: outbuildings was burned up, and with a lot of lumber Mr. Bain- ~ gee ' provements on his ranch, a good two- ' room eabin was built for the lone youth. A stockade ‘was also. put up with newly cut timber, end contributions of household furniture were sent down by -. the settlers until Bird Bainbridge would find a comfortable, well-furnished cabin upon his return. _ After several days of hard work the _ task was completed, and the kind set- _tlers departed, leaving two volunteer cowboys in charge. But then arose a deep anxiety for _ Bird Bainbridge and his pards, for not - one of them had put in an appearance. Where had they gone, and where were they? was the question all asked. ‘Sol. and his two companions, who had _ gone after the scout, whom he denounced as a renegade, and the leader of the red- skin raiders whom all believed to have _ made the attack on Bonaventura Ranch? It seemed strange that neither Lasso ‘Sol nor either of his two comrades had eturned in the four days that had A assed since Bases! had gone on the trail and led them into an ambush? at just such a time aN persons a CHAPTER XIII. SO SOL FINDS HIS GAME. _ Sol and his comrades knew the Valley well, and if Buffalo t sure of - bridge had had alreacly cut for future im- | And more, what had become of Lasso | AP Ne discovered their pursuit of him | certainly looked most mysterious | ved a ar trail sg it | a overtaking him, Bufilo Bill's Fighting Five. They were in too great haste to catch him to take his trail and stick to it. Then, if he saw them coming, they felt sure he would take to flight and they might not be able to overtake him, well mounted though they were. So they determined to “cut corners” where they could, get ahead of him and ambush him at a point where there was a high cliff and the trail, through the nature of the country, ran through a narrow grove, the very Dlace for an am- bush. So on they dashed, as soon as they had seen the tracks left by the scout’s horse, to where they saw them elsewhere. They kept to the timber, through thickets and among foothills, in the val- ley, and at last came out in the trail where they wished to ambush the scout. They felt confident that they had got- ten ahead of him, and were pushing hard when they crossed the shallow stream where Seth Saunders had seén them. But, not suspecting that a messenger of warning had already gotten ahead of them, they knew not of his presence near them. But what was their surprise, and al- most dismay, to see that the hoof tracks showed that the scout had already passed their intended place of ambush. And there was another thing that they did not like, and that was the discovery that he was not alone, for they saw un- shod hoof tracks along with those of the scout’s horse. This, to their minds, was proof posi- tive that the scout was accompanied by an Indian. Whatever Lasso Sol really? believed as to the one he followed being Buffalo Bill, or a renegade, he did all he could to impress upon his companions that this finding of the tracks of an unshod horse with those of the animal ridden by the scout, was undeniable proof that he was in league with the redskins. As they had not been able to head him ‘off at the cliff, and there ambush him, there was nothing for them to do put pass him without being seen. There was no other place where they could ambush him, for they could not trace him without being seen. “There is one thing, pards, we must not do, and that is use our guns,” said Lasso Sol. “Why not?” growled Barney. “Well, ef he’s ther renegade chief shootin’ is too good fer him in ther first place, and then ag’in with him a pris- oner, I guesses we kin make tarms with him ‘that will make us three rich—see? ” “ How’s that?” asked Reddy. * Jist this way—that he’s a rich man, and will give up big money to go free, . and after we has got it, then we kin do ther killin’, if we wants ter.” “ Thet’s a good game,” “ “Tt is so. “But suppose ae hain’t a renegade, but Buffalo Bill, as ther kids said he wus?” Reddy asked. “We hain’t takin’ his word fer thet, with proof agin him.”. “What proof, Pard ‘$ol?” cautiously asked Reddy. “Why, ther murder of them people last night, plunderin’ ther homes and burnin’ of 'em, while he sets his Injun allies agoin’ back to ther village, and he hangs around to see what another raid is worth to him. “Then his runnin’ away when he sees | us coming, and more than that, bein’ jined on their’ trail by a Injun, fer thet ‘pony hain’t rid by any white man.” __ This alleged proof of the scout’s s$ guilt pins to be ene by ae with- tell you.” one, talked loudly to his. con be heard, out echastaes but Reddy agai. (0 ieee “Yes, but ef he should prove ter be Buffalo . Bill, Pard Sol?”. i “He can’t prove it ef I says he hain’ i fer I knows Buffalo Bill better than I does both of yer.” oe This seemed to be satisfactory evi- ; J dence even to Reddy, and he saia: nay setules it. “ But no guns is ter be used, yer say? o “se No.”’ “What then?” “You kin handle yer Jariats in pte shape, and you knows what I kin do.” “ We'll ride on after him, pertend ter be friends, sling our lassoes when up, and we’ve got him fast.” * But ther Injun? ” “One of us must rope him, too, so you do that, Barney, while me and Reddy throw for ther wan we is after. ae “We kin do it up prime, and you bet = we'll win this little game, and if it don’t pan out big mone’, then I’ll eat my lariat.” This seemed to settle all satisfactorily, and a short while after, upon going over Ry a rise Lasso Sol called out: A “Thar’s our game, pards! “s The- Injun. “Now play yer cards as I tells yer and ry we corral our game.” Sy is loping along, and one is a F rd aac XIV. E_LASSO. THROWERS. Buffalo Bill and the Indian rode quiet- ly along until they passed the cliff, and then the country was more open about a them. Mey The valley widened a great deal, and Bp ct now and then, on their left, far in the Pes distance and under the shelter of the northern range, could be seen a ranch. Occasionally a herd of cattle could be vate seen far away, being driven to corral by * a lone cowboy, as the rest had gone up “ae the valley to the Bonaventura Ranch. i See But the scout and the Indian rode re quietly along, only waiting for the com- om ing of those whom Seth Saunders. had : FF reported upon their trail. oe This affair disposed of, the Lone Buf- — fy falo would branch off over the range to~ fy seek his retreat in the mountains, and ee then pick up the trail the scout had. £9. asked him to follow, and find out what. aa he could regarding the raiders of the night before. ime. “Coming heap fast,” said Lone Buf- a falo, as he looked behind and saw the ae three horsemen coming over the ridge. “Don’t appear to see them, but look back and tell me how many.” The Indian nearly covered his eyes in obeying, and held up three fingers to show the number. “ Just what the young Silver Star said. “ Are they riding fast now?” “ Heap hurry.” { “ How far back?” “ Just come over hill.” “ About three-quarters of a mile, then. “Just ride right along, Lone Butfalo, and don’t appear to notice them, or even know of their coming. Ae “They will not fire upon us, I am sure, 5 but try to lasso us, especially as the | leader is Lasso Sol, for that is his WA se tA of taking a prisoner. ly “Keep your rifle in hand, and do as r “White Chief know. Lone Buffalo do Ca as he tell him,” was the answer. ae Buffalo Bill made no reply, and the ate. twa rode on in silence, : = Lasso Sol, not wishing to be considered, an enemy until he had pr they >
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_ But the scout and the Indian did not ook back. The loud talking of their pursuers, and the sound of the falling hoofs seemed to fall upon deaf ears. It took nerve in both the scout and the redskin, knowing that foes were upon their tracks, not to look behind them, but they had not done so since Lone Buffalo’s discovery of them when they ; Came over the ridge. Keeping his eye pon the scout, as the three men drew nearer, still talking loud- ly, and now and then breaking out into A a rude, boisterous laugh that was forced, re the Lone Buffalo saw him take from his saddle pocket something he did not un- derstand the nature of. Watching with deepest interest he saw the scout hold it up in such a way that it was a foot or more from his face, and seemed to point over his shoulder. Fog It was a smali looking glass. iv Having gotten the glass to reflect the bh three men, who were a hundred yards : away, Buffalo Bill said in a low tone: sae “They have no weapons drawn, but ‘di each man has his lariat ready to throw. hen I give the word, catch your rifle in the middle and throw your arm quick- ly upward and it will protect you from the coil.” “Me know all right,”” answered the In- dian, pleased with the clever way he was to protect himself, “T will use my big knife, which is as sharp as a razor, and will cut the coils. “Then we will wheel and cover those fellows with our guns, but don’t pull trigger, unless to save your life, for they may believe that I am a renegade.” ‘Lone Buffalo know,” was the laconic _ } rejoinder of the Indian, who understood just what the scout wished to do. “Ho, pard, is yer deaf, dumb and blind?” called out Lasso Sol, who had begun to be nervous as their coming up behind had attracted no attention what- ever. Neither the scout nor the Lone Buffalo paid the slightest attention to the ques- tion. biti es ae pet wre 2 Oa sees ~ Salle A tp “edt ae and raising it, the situation in his rear was at once revealed. The “hree men were vidi abreast, but were apart, so as to give the swing ,of their lassoes full play. Each man had the coil in hand, and, when Lasso Sol’s hail brought no reply had begun to twirl it around and around his head, preparatory to throwing it. But suddenly the scout let go the glass, his knife was now in hand, his spurs touched the flanks of his horse, and he called out to the Indian: “Now!” At that moment the coils were launched by the three pursuers, and up went the keen knife of Buffalo Bill, cutting the lassoes like strings, while Lone Buffalo caught the noose aimed at him on the length of his rifle and thus prevented it catching about his neck: CHAPTER XV. CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN TRAP. Lasso Sol had won his name by his skill with the lariat, and few men could equal him in throwing it to dead centre, He had a real talent that way. Barney and Reddy were experts shadow of a doubt but that they held Buffalo Bill and the Indian as already toils, “then. make ‘them prisoners, and ; pages Sol. ee ‘An: idea of "what he then But the scout had his glass in hand, | ut also, and the three men had not the in They toca to catch them in the | dians were ve by a renegade?” nn l’s face flushed, as cd ) ae on | Bwer ee ee wt * Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. The fact that Buffalo Bill and the red- skin had calmly ridden. on wunheeding their presence behind them, as though both men were deaf, caused a feeling of uneasiness to all three. Was there some trap set for them, and which they could not discover? With a desire to end the suspense Lasso Sol gave the word, the lassoes were thrown, and when the noose aimed at Lone Buffalo was guarded off by the rifle, and fell harmlessly to the ground, the two that circled over the head of the scout were cut clear in two. But while the three would-be captors were nonplussed by their failure, the scout and the panies had their wits about them. They ancien their horses about as though on a pivot, and Buffalo Bill, with a revolver in each hand, rode upon the two foes nearest him. The redskin had also whipped out his revolver and, grasping the rein of the weapon was thrust into the face of Bar- ney Buffalo Bill was the spokesman, and what he said was to the point. “Hands up, or go under, all of you!” . The horse; of the three lasso throw- ers had come to a sudden halt, as trained to do, when the circle was launched with unerring aim. The tightening of the rope would have dragged those in the toils from their sad- dles. This was what the three men expected. Instead, with their lassoes thrown and useless, their horses thrown back on their haunches, and revolvers covering them, while they had not time to grasp their own weapons, they were caught in the trap the scout had set for them. They fully realized just why their in- tended victims had appeared deaf. Lasso Sol set the example of obedi- ence to the scout’s order to hold up their hands, with a promptness that his fol- lowers were only too willing to follow. Riding alongside of Lasso Sol, Buffalo } Bill unbuckled his belt of arms, unslung -his rifle and dropped them upon the ground. Then he went to Reddy and did the game. Lone Buffalo tollowed the example of his leader with Barney, and the three men were disarmed. “ Well, Lasso Sol, you do not appear to recognize me?” said Buffalo Bill, quietly. “You is Lightning Eye, the renegade white man who is chief among ther red- skins,’”’ was the sullen reply. You know that you speak falsely, for Iam as well known to you as you are to “ Who are yer?” Buffalo Bill winked: in a peculiar way and replied: “As you might not believe ‘me if I in- troduced myself to you, I shall take you to Fort McRae with me, where the com- mandant can tell you who I am.” The three men turned pale, for they did not know what the result of their going there would be. “Say, pard, if I has made a mistake I is awful sorry, ’deed I is! But yer see thar were a Ingin raid on our settlement last night, and seven people kilt, and ther finest home in ther valley wiped out. “Ther was men led by a white man, and seeing you ride off as we come up we tuk after yer, fer you may know how bad we is feeling over ther raid.” ~* “Yes, but how did you know the In- Lasso Sol horse, he rushed upon them, and the. ‘then? ” face pale at the question asked | “Ther Five told us.” “Who do you mean by the Five?” “Them five Boy Scouts you Was talkin’ to when vou seen us coming.” : “Did not the Boy be heer tell you who I was?” “No, indeed they didn’ t, and when we seen you with this Ingin we, was sure you was a renegade,” “Why did you not kill us then, when you had every opportunity to?” rf ope see we wanted to take yer alive.” “T see. “Well, I turned the tables on you, and instead of killing you take you alive. “T shall take you to the fort with me. “Lone Buffalo, just hand me up those belts of arms, and I’ll tie them to my saddle,” ‘ The Indian did so. “Now, search those three gentlemen to see if they have any weapons con- cealed.” A revolver was taken from an inner pocket of Lasso Sol’s shirt, and handed to the scout, who said: “Now tie the hands of each man be- hind him, and make the rope fast to his saddle horn.” This the Indian did with skill and dis- patch. CHAPTER XVI. A BLOW FOR FREEDOM; Covering the three prisoners with his revolver, Buitalo Bill watched the red- skin secure them beyond all possibility | of escape. Then he took his lariat and ran it from bit to bit of their three horses and made the other end fast to his saddle, so that the animals would lead in single file be- hind him. This done, he dismounted and walked apart with Lone Buffalo, whom he thanked for his aid, told him to go back and take up the trail of the raiders and to meet him at the spot he had named within a certain time. ‘The scout then shook hands with the > faithful Indian, and going back to his horse mounted ‘and rode on his way, the three horses leading well. The three men looked anxious as they | saw the Indian turn back on the trail they had come, and wondered what it meant, ey were thoroughly awed by the cool manner of the man whom they had felt sure was their prey. “TI say, Pard Buffalo Bill,I—” “Who told you my name was Buffalo a Bill, Lasso Sol?” a - Nobody.’ es Fi “Why did you call me by that name, iy then? ” is AA at, 2 “Ah, I thought I heard you say Buf- oy falo Bill.” “No, but I did say ef Buffalo Bill were — here he wouldn’t allow us to be tuk to y ther Ingin camp and tortured.” - The scout laughed and said: “You are a sly one, Lasso Sol, but know you.” “ You don’t know no bad of me, then?” — “Not of Lasso Sol, as that is yo name now, save that you tried to run down under a false pretense, but pose I called you Black Lariat, Both Barney and Reddy glanced their companion, leaning well over their saddles to get a look at his face. They saw, as the scout did, Lass the start that he gave also. - But he answered: a Pe es ei beech of Black
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ee ee 10 man up in Colorado, but I don’t know him.” “T have the advantage of you, then, for I think that I do,” and the scout rode on in silence, while the face of Lasso Sol was full of anxiety. After awhile he said: “Say, pard, we hain’t had no chance to talk together, we three, since we were captured, so jist take us one av a time and ask us who and what we is.” “TI know.” * What? ” “Settlers in Meadowland Valley, and who hoped to make capital, or get rid of me by capturing me under the pretended belief that I was a renegade. “This is why I am taking you to the fort, to prove that I am not.” ! { - “We'll take yer word for it now.” “T do not ask you to. *T intend to convince you.” “You wants ter hang us?” “What for?” “For revenge, ‘cause we thought you Was a renegade.” “That is not my nature, but, as I may ride through your valley again sometime, I wish to have proof of my identity.” *S’pose ther valley is attacked while we is away, fer there hain’t any too many men there?” “You should have thought of that be- fore,’ and the scout again lapsed into si- lence, and miles were gone over without a word being spoken. When the end of the valley was reached a halt was mate for dinner, the scout dismounting his prisoners and looking to their horses with his own, but leaving the men still bound. He cooked dinner for all, while the three men lay all. huddled together, as though asleep. When the meal was ready he said: “T shall release one of you at a time, to eat your dinner, but, look out if you attempt any nonsense, for I noticed that you were plotting something.” As he spoke, Buffalo Bill approached Lasso Sol, to suddenly see his hands come around from behind him, and his right hand keld a revolver, while the command came sharply and with tri- umph in the voice: “Now, Buffalo Bill, it is my time. “ Hands up, or you are a dead man!” Buffalo Bill saw the muzzle of the re- volver not five feet from his face, and there was no tremor in the hand that held it. ' But to the utter amazement of the three men he said in the lightest vein: “Fire away, Lasso Sol, and see if you can hit me. “T’ll bet you can’t in the six shots!” Lasso Sol was ‘astounded, but uttered an oath and pulled trigger. The cap snapped. Then in rapid succession he ‘pulled trigger five times more. But each time there was no report, only the snapping of the cap. Driven to frenzy by his failure, Lasso Sol hurled the weapon at the scout, strik- ing him squarely on the chest, the se- verity of the blow felling Buffalo Bill as though a bullet had pierced his heart! CHAPTER XVII. BROUGHT TO BAY. , So sudden and unexpected had been the act of Lasso Sol that the scout was for once caught off his guard. i He had expected a quick surrender of the prisoner, when he found his weapon Was unloaded. _ Instead, in his dismay and frenzy com- bined, the man had hurled the weapon with telling aim, Buffalo Bill’s Fighting’ Five. Buffalo Bill was vulnerable, like any other man, and the blow was a telling one, for it knocked the breath from his body and felled him as though he had been struck with a battering ram. For a few seconds he was unable to move, to collect his senses, though he saw the man spring toward him, while a yell broke from his lips in triumph at his success. Another instant and he would have had one of the weapons from the scout’s belt, but there came a shout of alarm from Barney and Reddy, and down went Lasso Sol with a weight upon his back. The weight was the form of Lone Buf- falo, who had bounded from a thicket near and lighted upon the back of the prisoner. “Me kill quick, pale face move!’ So said the Indian, and his warning was heeded, for the blow on his back had been a severe one, and he was half dazed by the shock. In fact, all fight had been knocked out of him. Springing to his feet, though with an effort, Buffalo Bill said: “Well, Lasso Sol, you are a good one! “But for the coming of Lone Buffalo you would have had me all right.” “1 didn’t know yer hed told ther Injun ter trail us,” growled Lasso Sol, while Barney and Reddy were willing to weep with disappointment. “T did not tell him to follow us, and had no idea that he was within less than fifty miles of us. “T put up that little game on you to try you, for I saw Barney gnawing your rope loose while pretending to lie there asleep. So I. dropped that revolver, after drawing out the loads, pretending not to see it. “You bit at the bait only too quick, and my little joke very nearly cost me my life.” Then turning to Lone Buffalo, who stood silently by, he thanked him warm- ly and asked how it was that he hap- pened to be on hand when so much needed, “Three bad pale face; White Buffalo all alone. “Lone Buffalo think bad pale face might kill big white chief, and follow him all right.” “Yes, and it was all right, but I shall see that there is no other chance to bet- ter me, for I will not halt again, when I start, until I reach the fort.” The three prisoners at this looked ter- ribly crestfallen. But Buffalo Bill told the Indian to give them their dinner, one at a time, while he bathed his badly-bruised chest with arnica. Lone Buffalo seemed to enjoy his din- ner, and then aiding the scout to mount his prisoners and tie them to their horses, he again said good-by and took the back trail. Buffalo ‘Bill rode on his way in no very pleasant mood, for the blow of the revolver in the chest pained him, and he answered’ shortly when addtessed by Lasso Sol. Crossing the Rio Grande at a ford, late in the afternoon, Buffalo Bill came out upon a mesa to suddenly ride upon a couple of wagons and a half dozen horse- men, There was no time for retreat, and yet he did not know just what the party would prove, friends or foes. The cries of his prisoners, however, at once told him that they knew them, and Lasso Sol called out: “Ho, pards, to the rescue! This man is| SN geesonpae oe enend oon a renegade thief among the redskins, and has us foul.” There were five horsemen in the party, and two drivers, one to each wagon, and they all quickly surrounded the scout and his prisoners. A glance into the faces of the men showed Buffalo Bill that he did not know one of them. This appeared bad for him. ; But he smiled complacently at the. words of Lasso Sol, and said politely: “Good afternoon, gentlemen.” Ail eyes were upon him,\and the leader of the party said: “What did yer say, Lasso Sol, and what is you three doing prisoners to one man?” “Tl tell yer, and quick, pards. “Ther Injuns raided the Bainbridge Ranch last night, and was led by a white man. “They burned the cabins; kilt Bain- bridge, his pretty wife, Little Tommy, ther two niggers, and ther two cowboys, and carried off all ther plunder, “We, Barney, Reddy, and me, got onter ther trail of this man, but he had a Injun with him, and was too flip fer us, fer yer see how he has got us foul.” The eyes of the seven men were glit- tering now malignantly as they heard Lasso Sol’s story, and their hands were upon the butts of their revolvers. It looked very black for Buffalo Bill just then, CHAPTER XVIII. AT THE MUZZLE OF A REVOLVER. Buffalo Bill did not change counte- nance at the looks turned upon him, and the threatening attitude of the men. He looked upon the men as just what they_were, a party of settlers from the valley going down to Fort McRae to purchase supplies, for there was a trad- ing post there. Wholly unknown to them, they would naturally take the word of their com- rades against his. But he made up his mind not to yield, in spite of the odds, for he was not a man to give up when he knew he was right. “Gentlemen, there are two sides to every. story; you have heard one, now listen to mine.” 7 Several demurred at this, and the three prisoners cried out against their friends listening to the accused, while one man sprung forward, knife in hand, to cut the bonds of Lasso Sol. But quick as a flash Buffalo Bill's re- volvers were in his hands, and one coy- ering the man who held the knife. ‘* You, attempr to free that Man and TI will kill you.. “T have a right to be heard, for I am a Government army officer, and have a right to be here.” The last words checked the hostile act of the men, while the one covered by the scout’s revolver sneaked back into the crowd again. “T say, men, he has a right to tell his story—let him talk,’’ called out the lead- er. There were voices against this, but one called out: “He’s a Government officer, he says, pards, so don’t make no mistake.” “Yes, go slow,’ cried another. Then the leader again spoke up. “Yes, say your say, mister.” “Tt’s a lie; he haint no Government officer, but a renegade.” “Why, he claims ter be Buffalo Bill,’”” shouted Lasso Sol. It was a mistake of Lasso Sol to utter , ee ee ee OR ed Gr Sok
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SA Feng ee teh Pag 2 Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. VE the name of the great scout, and he realized as much the moment he had spoken. He saw each one of the party he looked to to rescue him take their hands quick- ly off their guns and gaze at the scout with something like awe. “Yes, gentlemen, Lasso Sol has said aright, for I am Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts at Fort Laramie, and I am going to Fort McRae under orders. “JT rode into your valley, as I take you for settlers of Meadowland, to dis- cover a youth standing by the ashes of his own happy home, and about him were the dead bodies of his loved ones. “Other youths came up, and I left them, being in a hurry to reach the fort. * Some miles down the valley I met the Indian chief whom you may know as Lone Buffalo the Redskin Hermit, and the friend of the whites. “He was on his way to warn your settlement of the intended raid, but had mistaken the time. “ As I rede away, settlers were coming to the scene of the ruined home, and then three men followed me to take me a prisoner. “JT was the fortunate one, with the Indian’s aid, and am carrying them to the fort to be sure that they will take my word for it next time that I am Buffalo Bill. * Allow me to pass, please.” “All a lie!” shouted Lasso Sol. “He’s taking us to his retreat to hang us. “Don’t let him do it, pards!”’ Several hands again fell upon their revolvers, and one of the men said: “You've got to give these pards of ours up, for we know them as horiest settlers. * Hain’t I talking right, boys?” Several answered in the affirmative. “T shall not give my prisoners up, for they must understand that they can- not attack a Government officer and call him a renegade to suit their humor, “Stand back, there, sir, for I mean what I say—these men go with me!” Buffalo Bill’s story and manner had impressed some of the party. But there wer others acheing for trouble, and they were going to get it if the scout had his way. He saw how great were the odds against him; but he was not a man to be driven from his purpose. He had his revolvers ready for use, and sat upon his horse unflinchingly. That the first act of one to rescue the prisoners would bring one man to his death, the older heads: knew when they looked at the scout, and. the leader of the party said quickly: “ Have you anything to prove that you are who you say?” “No, he haint. “‘He’s a fraud,’ shouted Lasso Sol. “T have, sir, my name upon my weap- ons, my saddle, my sealed dispatches for Fort McRae, and several letters as well from my home and addressed to me at my headquarters post. “Draw off your men and I will show you my proof.” “Men, we have made a mistake. “This gentleman goes on his way,” said the leader sternly, and yet there were several who dissented, and Lasso Sol shouted to be rescued. CHAPTER XIX. THE DUEL ON THE TRAIL “You are wise, sir; but I thank you for coming to my aid,” said Buffalo Bill to the leader of the party, who re- turned: eyes “Tt is not our wish to do awwrong, sir} but you have three of our men of the valley as prisoners, and it is a charge and countercharge, and so we were in a quandary as to which to believe; but I am sure you are who you say you are, for I have heard much of Buffalo Bill, and few men other than he would show the pluck you have just done.” re. man in the right, sir, will take big chances to go through; but let me show you my authority.” Still holding one of his revolvers in hand, thé scout drew out a paper and handed it to the leader, who, with sev- eral others, glanced at it, while three of the party were whispering apart, as though not willing to be beaten out of their intention. re This paper is satisfactory to me, sir, ‘and all of us, I Suppose,” and he looked toward the whispering trio, while Lasso Sol called out: hy That paper is forged to help him in his devil’s work. - Any man kiu have a paper.” This Save those who seemed deter- mined to stand by him renewed cour- eu one of them said: “What does y i : i RTE ie gy you intend to do with “Take them to the fort.” “And then?” “Turn them over to the k i uate ss e keeping of the “And then?” Nettled by the manner of the man the scout replied: “I Shall tell my story, and it will be believed without a word, while, if I am right that this man calling himself Lasso Sol is the one I once knew as Black Lariat up in Colorado, he. will doubtless be hanged, while the other two go free.” All started at this, and Lasso Sol turned livid. Several of the party had heard of Black Lariat, a noted desperado of the Colorado mines, and of his crimes, “Yer don’t take him with my con- sent,” said the leader of those who wanted to free the prisoners. “Gentlemen, if I free your settlement from such a man as I know Black La- riat to. “be, you will all have cause to thank me, for he is biding there in your valley for no good, as you would have found, _ “It is seldom that I mistake a face; but I may be wrong if this instance; yet there are men at the fort who know Black Lariat well. “If this man proves not to be that villain, he will. go free with his pards, I having no apologies to offer after his attack on me,” “T say you don’t take him,” shouted the one who stood Lasso Sol’s. friend, and the latter gave a cheer and shouted: “Stand by me, pards!” “You stand alone, Burnett, if you take issue with the scout,” said Mr. Co]- vin, the leader of the party. “Well, I'll stand by a friend if you all do back down from one man,’ cried Burnett, and Buffalo Bill, glancing over the crowd, asked calmly: “Do you make this a personal issue with me, sir? ’ oe 7 do.” “That means that you will take these men from me?” “Yes; it means just that.” “Good for you, pard! I'll never for- get you,” yelled Lasso Sol, and the other two prisoners faintly cheered, “ Begin work at your will,” said Buffa- lo Bill. “You've got your gun drawed. Why don’t yer git down and fight it out like a man.” Several of the men answered this with a cheer. Buffalo Bill said with the utmost cool- ness, addressing Mr. Colvin: “T trust you, sir, will see fair play.” “I will, sir; but, Burnett, you are wrong in what you are doing.” “T am of age, and judge of my actions.” “All right. “What is your will?” “Step off tweniy paces, put us at each end, back to back, and you give the word to turn and advance, empty- ing our guns as we go. “Does that suit you, renegade?” Several laughed at the man’s calling Buffalo Bill renegade, and Lasso Sol just gave a whoop. Buffalo Bill’s face was as serene as moonlight, and he showed no anger ‘at the insult, but said: “It would be better for you to come on to the fort and find out your. mistake than challenge me to: this duel, for I do not want to kill you.” “Yes, that would be better,” cried sev- eral. But Lasso Sol cried out against it, and Burnett said: “TI am fighting to free my pards, and it goes that if I kill you that settles it.” “Yes, and if I kill you then you have: brought your death upon yourself.” “You hain’t got ther nerve, for I don’t. go under fer any man,” and Mr. Colvin said in a low tone: “He's the deadest of dead shots, sir, and quick as a flash.” “So am I,” was the rejoinder, without the slightest show of boasting. Mr. Colvin then stepped off the twenty paces, the settler took the end quickly that he deemed the best, and Buffalo Bill walked to the other stand. Their revolvers were to remain un- drawn from their belts until the word was given: ““ Wheel and fire!” Then they were to obey, wheeling, drawing their weapons as they did so, and firing as rapidly as they pleased. Never did man look more confident. than did Burnett, and never did man look so utterly indifferent of conse- quences as did Buffalo’ Bill, who said to Mr. Colvin: “IT will not kill him, but wing him in, the hand.” All were silent now, and anxious, Lasse Sol painfully so. Then came the words: fire!” Two revolvers were heard, one fol- “Wheel and lowing the other quickly, but the bullet. of the latter flew wild, for the hand: that held it had been shattered by Buffalo: Bill’s shot. “T hope it will not prove serious, sir.” “Good day, gentlemen,” and. mount- ing his horse, the scout rode on with his prisoners, leaving his wounded foe groaning with agony and disappoint- ment commingled. CHAPTER XX. THE ARRIVAL. -- Buffalo Bill rode off as calmly from the group of settlers as though he had not just. won a great victery with tre- mendous odds against him. He passed the two six-mule wagons, ~ turned’ out in the direction of the fort, and left behind him the band of mem gathered around their wounded com- rade, and doing what they could for him.. “We waked up the wrong passenger’ that time,” said one. a,
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12 — ~~ - an ene eee wa Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. Bes “You bet, and there’s no doubt as to his being Buffalo Bill after what we a saw him do,’ another added, while a if f third remarked: ‘ “Well, I never saw a man face what . he did, and I don’t want to see another, if ’'m one of them he’s facing.”’ In the meantime the scout had noth- ing to say in response to the questions put to him by Lasso Sol. f The latter rode first of the prisoners, ; just behind the scout, the length of a : _ horse from him. He was very pale, for the color had not returned to his face since he saw the fate of his champion, and realized that it all had been for nothing. He was still a prisoner, and with more against him than before he had met the wagons. Now, there was for him to consider that the scout intended to bring the / ‘charge against him that he was Black Lariat, the Desperado of the Colorado mines. The chances were that there were men at Fort McRae who would recognize him as the Desperado, : “You men will have to put up with some hard riding, for we were detained back yonder an hour, and I intend to keep right on to the fort,” said the scout, and he urged the horses on. It was just sunset when he stopped at a stream to water the animals. “T will tighten up the girths, relieve the horses of your weight for awhile, and see how nearly free some of you have gotten your’ hands,” said Buffalo Bill. Lasso Sol groaned, for had the scout ridden on a few miles further before stopping he would have been free. One of his defenders had slipped a ‘knife into his hands, he supposed un- seen, and bound though he was, Lasso Sol had been working at his bonds and ’ ; freed one hand. é When darkness came on that knife would have been passed back to one and then the other of the prisoners follow- ing, and at some unguarded moment, the three men would have dashed upon the scout and tried conclusions with him. But Buffalo Bill had seen the knife slipped to Lasso Sol, and knew that he ‘was working hard as he rode along to free himself. The man was again bound, the girths “were cinched up, and just at dark the q way was resumed, the scout pressing on .at a good pace. The moon lighted their way, and true to his word the scout pressed on along the now. well-marked trail until the . lights of Fort McRae came into view ; just before dawn. Answering the challenge, the reply ; was: vias “ Scout with dispatches and three pris- ~oners.” ; He was soon admitted into the fron- ' tier post, and his prisoners put in the rat. -guardhouse, while his dispatches, not ee being urgent for quick delivery, he was nA ae given quarters and told to await to see ‘the colonel in the morning. toilet when the arrival of the scout was reported, bringing both dispatches and Lohr prisoners. : > Ae Ras “Why, Cody, is it you? spel “T am indeed glad to see you, while “you being the dispatch bearer indicates ‘that they are important,” said Colonel “Tipton, greeting the scout warmly, for “Buffalo Bill had served with him in the ennai _Northwest. : f “They were dispatches, sir, for the Rene chain of posts, and General Birney sent ‘me, sir, as I am on the search for a Colonel Tipton had just finished his | mysterious individual who has been rob- bing the officers of half a dozen posts, and who is supposed to be either at Mc- Rae cr Tule Rosa, colonel.” “T hope you may catch him; but what prisoners are those you brought in?” and Colonel Tipton was opening his dis- patches while he talked. In a calm way Buffalo Bill told the story of the destruction of the Bain- bridge home and murder of the people, his meeting with the young Silver Stars, and being pursued by Lasso Sol and his, two comrades, with what had fol- lowed. “Well, Cody, you are a wonder, for you do escape death most miraculously, and what you undertake you accomplish. “You certainly have done well; but I am pained to hear about this massacre, and will send a.troop up the valley at once,” ‘““May I ask, sir, that you do not, for there is a mystery about that raid that I wish to solve, and by going quietly about it I believe I can do so, while sending the soldiers would drive the villains into hiding. “T have the Fighting Five for aides, one of them, as I told you, the last of the Bainbridge family, and they will aid me greatly, while the Lone Buffalo I can depend on, and he is now on the trail of the raiders.” “T guess you are right, Cody, and I will leave all to you. “ But now about these prisoners? ” “ There are scouts here, sir, and troop- ers who know Black Lariat, and I wish to have them see the man Lasso Sol, and ask them who he is and where they saw him,” “I shall have them looked up at once.” But the very scouts Buffalo Bill had in mind were then off scouting with a troop of cavairy, in which were the sol- diers who also knew Black Lariat. Thus several days passed away before Lasso Sol was brought to confront those whom the scout felt sure would recog- nize him as the Desperado of the Colo- rado mines two years before, for he had mysteriously disappeared from his old haunts when he learned the military were to arrest him for his crimes. CHAPTER XXI. FACING THE MUSIC. The settlers came in the next evening with their wagons, and went iato camp near the post traders. Almost the first man that greeted them was Buffalo Bill, and he was accompa- nied by the surgeon of the post, whom he had asked to go with him and do what he could for the man he had wound- ed in the duel, Mr. Colvin received them cordially, and said: “The boys hardly need the proof of seeing you here, sir, to be convinced that you are Buffalo Bill, and Burnett will be ashamed of himself when, he hears you have brought the surgeon to see him. “He is in the far wagon, and I will call him out,” Burnett crawled out of the wagon with assistance, and his face was pale and haggard, showing that he had suf- fered. He looked sullenly at Buffalo Bill, but unheeding, the scout said pleasantly: “Glad you have gotten in, pard, and the post surgeon is with me to put your hand in the best shape possible.” The man’s face changed instantly, and he said: “Thank you, sir. “Ther cap’n drove faster to have me cared fer, as my hand is in a bad way. “It was my fault, though, so I; don’t blame you, and Lasso Sol has been a good friend to me more ‘than once.” “You were right to wish to help him then, for stick to one who helps you in a time of need. “But the surgeon. will see ‘to your hand.” He did, and the forefinger was so tered it had to be taken off at the , joint. Burnett stood the amputation bravely, and was much relieved when the broken bone was gotten rid of, remarking coolly: “It was my trigger finger, sir, and [’ll have to train the next one now; but you are the quickest and best shot I ever saw, for Mr. Colvin told me you said you intended to wound me in the hand and not kill me, ne: owe you my life, sir, and I rather think I have got something to keep you in remembrance,” and the man held up his bandaged hand. “Come over to-morrow and see if I am not right about Lasso Sol being Black Lariat the Desperado,” and Buffalo Bill returned with the surgeon to the post. The next day at noon the troop re- turned, and after they had rested awhile Colonel Tipton called out the men des- ignated by Buffalo Billy scouts and sol- diers, and one at a titne- had them led down to where the three prisoners had been drawn up to face the music, The first man, a sergeant, was told to look well at the three men and say if he recognized any of them. fie glanced at Reddy and Barney, fas. ened his eyes upon the face of Lasso S and said: “This man I have seen before, and he’s the one I think he is there is noi worse, sir.’”’ ) “Who do you think he is, sergeant? “He has cut off his long hair, and l¢ his beard grow; but if he is not the Col- orado Desperado, Black Lariat, | am very much mistaken, sir.” : Lasso Sol turned to the hue of a corpse and Mr. Colvin said to. Burnett, who stood next to him: “ That settles it.” “See what the others say.” A scout then was called, three men and said: “If I knows any, thet pilgrim are the one, and he oughter hey been hanged long ago, if it’s who I thinks.” “Who do you say he is?” “ Black Lariat, sir, a Colorado Wad ’un.” One soldier said he had seen Lasso Sol before, but could not say where. Anotrer of the soldiers said at once: “That one is Black Lariat, sir.” Another soldier,failed to recognize him until asked the name of a desperado ot the Colorado mines, and called out quickly: “Black Lariat, sir, and this is the man,” A scout then called: “Cut his beard ou, give him a wig of long hair, take that seared look off his face, and if he ain’t a man I thought dead I’ll give my gun to him.” “Who?” “A man by the nickname of Black Lariat, si... “Tf Buffalo Bill, our chief at Fort Lyon, was here, he’d know him, for he never forgot a face, sir, knew the dif- ference between one Chinese and an- other,” said the scout. “ Buffalo Bill is here, and he brought this man into the fort a prisoner, for he said that he was the desperado known as Black Lariat,” said Colonel Tipton, SSA. | eyed the
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d Buffalo Bill was called, and the “ommandant continued. _ “The two men unrecognized, Cody, and whom you asked to have released, ~ are free to go; but this man I shall hold.” Barney and Reddy were only too glad to join the other settlers and go with them to their camp, to start on the re- turn to the valley the mext day; bur ‘*° Sol was sent back to the guard ige to await an opportunity to send ium, under guard, to Colorado to stand trial for his crimes. “I’m not dead yet, Buffalo Bill, and some day we may meet again,” called out the desperado, as they led him away to the guardhouse, where Mr. Colvin } Was allowed to visit him to arrange aa about his ranch and cattle in Meadow- ere land Valley. Buffalo Bill then began his prepara- tions for his departure; and his first _ duty was to purchase a fine horse with -provisions and ammunition, and a lot of useful presents, as he had promised, for Lone Buffalo, the Tonca Chief. As he rode off on the trail the next . day, leading his well-laden packhorse, f he passed the settlers’ outfit on its way ; home, and Mr. Colvin called out: i “Luck to you, Buffalo Bill, and re- fie} member you have many friends in Mead- ke! owland Valley, for Lasso Sol, we all Rey know now, was there to: one day deal sus a cruel’ blow,” and the settlers gave ef cel three cheers for the gallant scout, who raised his broad sombrero in recogni- tion. ‘CHAPTER XXII. ene UP THE SCATTERED TRAILS. The young Silver Stars, when the set- tiers turned back after ‘discovering the °¢rail of the raiders to have branched off into a dozen, obeyed the instructions: “of the leader of the Fighting Five, and ro: ed out one by oné. rire ich youth was well mounted and armed, and supplied with his own haver- sack and food. -No one knew the country better than they, for they had roved over every mile of it for far about the settlement in carrying out their duty as a Ranger Guard of the valley. So, one by one, the five started upon their separate ways, to follow the trails / they deemed best.” Bach one wisely made a sign off the trail, to show the others that he had { taken that one, and not have two take the same way. , They were soon all four marching off from each other, and eagerly watching ss every sign they came upon to give them any clue/regarding those they followed. a .. The scattered trails would indicate Ds ‘that Indians were the raiders, but the at young rangers had such confidence in ‘|. Buffalo Bill’s assertion to the contrary Pe that nothing could make them believe he was wrong. While the four men were trailing, Bird Bainbridge was dashing back to his burned home to attend the funeral of his parents, little brother Sammy, and the others so ruthlessly slain. with packhorse of supplies, will be re- _ ealied, while the kind settlers remained to build his home, as he had determined _ to live at the old place. At a quick pace, Bird Bainbridge pressed on after his confrades, and, com- ing to the spot where the raiders had seattered, he found first one, then the “ins of the trails marked, showing _ whic s had taken. (He aaa eee a fifth trail to - |and the more he had seen, ‘His disappearance the next morning; It was se nightfall with he was com- pelled to give up trailing, and halt until the morrow. But he had made one important. dis- covery only a few minutes before halt- ing, and that was the fact that no less than three of the scattered trails had come together again. On one of them that merged into the one he had been following he found a stake, which he at once recognized. It simply showed that one of the Five was on one of the trails leading back into that he followed, and which seemed to be the principal one. This told him that one of his rangers was now on the trail he was following, and had passed that point about noon of that day, so was half a dozen hours ahead of him. Utterly prostrated for want of sleep, rest, and food, for he had eaten nothing when he had staked his horses out, he threw himself down upon his blankets, not caring for any supper. He expected to have another night of sorrow like the past. But his eyes closed In spite of him, ‘and so deep was, the slumber he sunk into that he did not awagxen until dawn. He was utterly amazed at himself, and he quickly rolled up his blankets, and wholly rested now, was hungry, so built a fire and had a good breakfast. — Saddling up, he pressed on his way once more, and at a good gait, to sud- denly come upon the spot where the raiders had halted for the night. He knew that, having scattered, they would not expect to be followed, and he did not doubt, as another trail joined the large one he was following, that he would find all of them come togethy again during the day. This belief was carried out by scahas another trail merge into the one he was on soon after, and here he found an- other stake. - This told him that two of his Ferret Pards were then ahead of him on that very trail. At noon another trail merged into the main one, and here again was another stake, so three of the five were now ahead ef him, he knew, and his face brightened at the thought. As the trail he had taken seemed to have been the main one, and taken a more direct course, he saw that the others of the five had traveled miles more than he had, and he had conse- quently gained upon them. During the afternoon three more trails had joined the main one, and on one of them was another stake where it came in, This told him that his four guards were now ahead of him, and having counted the trails where they had first scattered, Bird Bainbridge knew that when he found the spot where another came into the one he was on it would be the last one. All had united now save one. As he had come along he had picked up every clue, especially at the camps, the more he was convinced that Buffalo Bill had made no mistake “when he said that white men, not Indians, had been the raiders of Bonaventura Ranch, CHAPTER XXIII. As Bird Bainbridge progressed upon his way, picking up the scattered trails, he pushed his horses to a good pace, hoping to catch up with his pards by nightfall. — He saw that the nature of the country easy to follow. ful. was “anging; he was coming to sare? plateaus, and where the trail was not. This told him that the boys ahead had had slower work of it than had fallen to his lot, for they had in many ways left what signs they couid for him. J to more rapidly follow them. aa One thing, however, worried him—the ae missing trail had not yet*merged into the — ¥ main one. He had made no miscount, he knew; - Sh one trail was missing! a Whoever had taken it had not yet ; ee come back to the main one. ie The country he was now in was strange to the young trailer. He had once, with - his pards, penetrated northward, by an- ; other trail, to the Arizona line, just where the Little Colorado River crossed it, and the boys had hunted and fished there for a week, for game was plenti- This was the old camp which had ae been made the rendezvous for the Fight- “* ing Five, for Bird had an idea that the: raiders had their haunts. in the Little. Colorado country. That the Five darenot attempt tofight | the raiders when found the young lead- (am er well knew. He merely wished to track. 3a them to their haunt, and then be able to: zie a lead Buffalo Bill there, leaving the rest. oa for the scout. oe With the night Bird camped on the- id shore of a tiny lake, surrounded by ce-- a dars, and where there was fairly good. , a grass for the horses. | Again tired nature demanded rest, and. once more he slept soundly, thus regain- y ing his strength through the “ sweet re-- ‘ storer,” sleep. He ate a good supper and enjoyed his. breakfast, for the tax upon his energies’ demanded it. / His grief was just as poignant, but he had settled into the determination not to yield to it, tq be a man, and one day strike the blow to avenge that he had sworn to. Bright and early he was again in the- ‘ saddle. The trail, which he had followed = near the Rio Grande thus far, branching as off to the westward toward . the Little Colorado. f - Through a barren country it now led, and when the tracks of the horses of his. pards were visible, he could see that they were going very slow, for it was. | difficult, except here and there, to fol- low the trail of the raiders. ‘ When plainly seen there were the: tracks of all the animals, as far as could be judged, that the raiders had left the on Meadowland Valley with. . Whether the missing trail had yet | come into the other Bird Bainbridge. _ was not sure, for it might have done so where the soil was too barren to leave — ‘ a trace. i On he went, fecling pretty certain that. he would at least come up with the fon pards by noon, and they could tell abo how far ahead the raiders were. He grew a little anxious, fea the youngsters might have p raiders too close, and he kn would follow, for the Five to by superior numbers thus far Proves, ; and help. The more he thought of this the it troubled him; so he increased | his and moved on at a canter, only here ‘there able to detect any trail ‘in rocky soil. . A short halt was made at” noon the sake of the horses, not himself, © |the ride was renewed and the rap’ ‘pace kept up by the resolute a
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Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five It was near sunset when Bird Bain- bridge ascended a rocky ridge covered with scattered cedars. * When I get up there I can see far ahead,” he concluded, and he urged the horses into a gallop. As he neared the hill he suddenly saw horsemen appear upon the summit, and ‘gave a cheer as he recognized his four — . comrades. i But they neither heard him nor saw him; they appeared to be bewildered, riding about in a most unmethodic way, which Bird could not understand. At last one of them gave a shout; whereupon the others dashed toward him and were seen to quickly dismount. Then the young: leader realized what the trouble was; they were being pur- sued, and had been scattering to find an advantageous. position in which to en- trench themselves. The’ spot found was on the highest point of the ridge, right where there was a pile of rocks thrown up like a fort. They rode into or behind the rocks and their horses were not visible. Spurring up the ridge toward the spot, Bird Bainbridge was seen by his com- rades and a wild cheer greeted him. The next moment he, too, dashed into the little fort, and then he knew’ the truth, for pressing back over the trail, in hot pursuit, were a score of horsemen, and not half a mile away. They were the Red-handed Raiders of Bonaventura Ranch! CHAPTER XXIV. UNDER SIEGE. The sight that met the brave young leader of the Five was not reassuring. The position had once been a place of ‘defense, not long before. Big stones had been thrown together and put in posi- tion, forming a breastwork six feet in height and the space behind large enough to conceal the horses of. the boy braves and themselves. That those who had fought there be- fore had met a sad fate was shown by a dozen bleached skeletons lying within the enclosure—a mute witness but a sad one. . There was one opening to the aisle of stones through which the horses could enter, where the rocks had been pulled down or had fallen. This gap the alert boys quickly closed up. That the Five had halted there the raiders did not seem to believe, for they were pressing rapidly on up the hill, evidently expecting to catch them on the open plain beyond. The young Captain was welcomed with a joy which made his heart glad, but there was no time then for questions to be asked and answered. “ Boys, I have plenty to eat; ammuni- tion enough also,@and three canteens of water. We must stand them off as best we can and shoot to kill every time. “Be ready to give it to them just as soon as they come within range. Each one should get his man; that is the only ‘way to cut down the number against us. “ Are you ready?” “All ready,’ was the answer, and ‘Jeaving their horses saddled as_ they were, the boy braves quickly had their rifles on the ready. The trail, such as it was, led over the at ridge a hundred yards from the little tone fortress. Along this the raiders were riding, their horses on the run. Reaching the top of the ridge, and seeing nothing of those they pursued flying along the plain, as they had ex- pected, they drew rein in surprise. At that moment Bird Bainbridge said: “ They are those who raided my home, for I see several of our horses yonder, and one man is riding my father’s sad- dle. “T will take him—Fire! ” The five rifles flashed almost as one. The man whom the young leader had picked out fell dead from the saddle and one other dropped from his horse. One man was wounded badly, as could be ‘seen, and one horse dropped dead, another being hit hard, for he dashed off with his rider. Every one of the shots of the Five had told, though not as well as could have been wished, owing to the excite- | raiders | ment of the marksmen. The had just suspected that their foes were in hiding in the rock fort, and were turning to charge it when the volley came. The shots, as was expected, threw the raiders into disorder, and for a moment they hardly knew what to do, but one called out to charge the fort, and this they did. But the defenders opened with their revolvers, and the raiders, with the loss of one man killed, another wounded, and .|a@ couple of horses struck hard, turned and rode rapidly out of range. Watching them, the Five saw them talking excitedly for a few minutes; then the whole band went into camp in a ce- dar thicket, while one man led their horses down into the valley beyond, the Little Colorado flowing only a short dis- tance away. The raiders were seen to divide in two columns, one going one side of the little fortress, the other rounding it so as to completely encompass it. The men, counted now to be thirteen in number, sought rocks for refuge to take positions around the fort and be- siege it. They seemed to be sure of their: game now, the idea being to simply starve them out for water. One other man, down with the horses in the valley, made the number four- teen, but a fifteenth -was discerned in the cedars apparently their leader. Three dead bodies lay upon the field, and several wounded men reclined upon blankets in the cedars, ““They are easily three to one against us, boys, but we hold the position on ‘them. “It is simply a case of siege, and we'll see how long we can stand it,” remarked Bird Bainbridge, quite at his ease. Then the boys each told how they had followed the respective trails they were on, and thus had all come together again. They had gone over the ridge intend- ing to camp on the river for the night, when; suddenly, they had discovered the raiders already encamped below on the river; so, there was nothing to do but to skip, which they had done, making for the hill crest, where their leader had found them. : Thus beleaguered, the boys made the best of their situation, and first strength- ened it by filling up crevices in rocks, and so making their fortress as secure as hands could make ft. The horses were unsaddled and kept in one corner, the blankets were spread for beds, and the supplies were pro- duced. Food they had in plenty, but no fire to cook it with. Fortunately, each of the Five had his canteen filled, and this water might have. | to last them for a long time, but their | poor horses must be the sufferers. “We can turn them out when they can stand it no longer, and if those wretches take this fort, our bones will be here with these around us, to show that we fought to! the last,” said Bird Bainbridge; there was no blanching of faces or tremors of heart among his com- rades; they would live or die together, CHAPTER XXYV. THE UNSEEN ALLY. Supper was eaten by the Fighting Five; then all went on watch for awhile, it being decided that two must be on guard all night. It would be moonlight soon, but until it was, the darkness might tempt the raiders to make an advance quietly, and then a rush. That this was attempted a shot soon revealed, for Seth Saunders had. dis- cerned a moving object and had prompt- ly fired upon it. A yell of agony followed; rushing feet were heard; then another shot, that time by Bird Bainbridge, a moan following, and after that utter silence. There was another shot in the night late, when One of the raiders attempted to remove the-dead. Rud Rainey fired the shot, and another raider remained on the field with the dead. The night finally passed, but day- break revealed that the raiders were still in position around the stone strong- hold of the dauntless Five. They were seen to go by twos to breakfast in the camp in the cedars, and their horses were visible grazing in the valley beyond, a guard with them. So the whole day passed in perfect quietness, the boys on incessant watch, ready for any demonstration. But the enemy made no move, up to nightfall. In the darkness which came before moonrise, a feint of attack was made by the raiders, but not carried out. The moon was’ well up when, to the surprise of the beleaguered boys, a shot flashed out in the valley, and there was heard the sound of troops ata gallop. Had some one fired upon the guard and run off with the horses? The raiders were heard calling to each other excitedly, and soon after, in the still, rarified air, a distant voice shouted: ” “They have killed Buster and stam- peded all the horses! They’ve got some pards outside the fort!” The Fighting Five cheered lustily, and were joyous over what they heard. But, who could be their friend? ' “Tt must be Buffalo Bill,” cried one. But the others shook their heads. “Tt is probably true; for if he left the fort soon after his arrival and was going by Fort Tule Rosa Wingate his trail would lead near here,” said Bird Bain- bridge. ; Soon after midnight the watchers in the fort were startled by another shot. Nick Walters and Kane Noland, who were on guard, reported that they had seen a rifle’s flash a couple of hundred yards from the camp in the cedars. That the shot had told on some one in the camp the excitement there suffi- ciently showed. Who could be this unknown friend? The rest of the night was a most un- easy one for the besiegers, but one of in- tense expectancy to the boys in the fort. Morning came at last, and the Fight- ing Five then discovered that the raid- ers’ horses were not in the yalley. Had they been stampeded by the lone shot? /
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* 5 . . - €ome again, to the raiders’ dismay? Sn ‘Their foes still surrounded the posi- tion; they at least had not been stam- peded. Would the solitary marksman So the brave boys fondly hoped, and kept on the watch for every movement; but nothing transpired all that day; the | ‘enemy was not disturbed. The plunder seen in the camp in the cedars Bird Bainbridge knew to have been taken from his home, and he felt all the more merciless toward the men he had to fight. Another night came, and in the dark- ness preceding the rising of the moon another flash was seen, another shot Was heard. : Their unseen ally was still at work! A dozen shots quickly followed, fired from the camp, evidently aimed toward the spot where the unseen ally of the boys had been. “T do hope none of those bullets hit him,” said Bird, anxiously. Then they began to count. If the three shots fired by their solitary friend had each killed a raider, the band had been reduced. by seven killed and several wounded. . At midnight another shot rang out, sharply, on the clear night air, now still nearer to the camp in the cedars. The delighted lads responded with a cheer, which told their unseen friend that all was yet well with. them! “It must be Buffalo Bill,” Bird, and all agreed with him. Thus another night passed away. The water was by that time almost gone from the canteens, and the horses were intensely suffering of thirst and decided . hunger. No food or water had they had, and the Five decided that the next morning they would turn the animals loose, to go to the valley for grass and to the river to quench their thirst. As the besiegers kept themselves out of sight, the lads could not tell wheth- er any more had been killed or wound- ed until the march to their camp kitch- en, by twos, for their meals was ob- served. “Yes, our invisible pard is cutting them off,” announced Bird, after a care- - ful watch and count; “he is killing them ~~ off one by one.” All then were inspired with the hope that the raiders would soon have left the siege. and depart. So the Five kept in their horses and waited. Again night fell, and hardly had it done so when both the Besieged Five and the raiders were startled by a dozen shots ringing out in rapid succession! And the shots were turned upon’ the raiders’ camp in the cedars! “That is Buffalo Bill! It is his terri- ble repeating rifle!”’ shouted Bird Bain- bridge, and the Five screamed them- selyes hoarse with their welcome. CHAPTER faces IGED AT. LAST. When Buttalo Bill left Fort McRae he held on his way along the trail leading to Meadowland Valley until: he came to where it branched off toward Fort Tule Rosa. This fort was reached without incident and only a short halt made there. Then the scout pulled out almost due north to cross the Zugi Plateau and reach. Deep Spring, the rendezvous ap- pointed with the Lone Buffalo. He did not doubt but that the Indian would be there with some information of the raiders. Expecting to halt at Deep Spring for a good rest, he pushed on rapidly for that point, and as he drew near it, late one afternoon, he was surprised to see some horses grazing ahead in a little meadow, not far from the Little Colorado. | Almost instantly he noticed a horse- | man coming toward him. “It is the Lone Buffalo, and he has got | a big drove of horses in some way,” said the scout. Soon after the two met, and the In- dian’s face was all aglow at what he had to tell. Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. He had followed a trail of the raiders, | and had discovered, several days before, that they were encamped on the Little Colorado. He had hardly made this discovery, watching them from a ridge, when he saw a party of four horsemen ascending the ridge, and far back over the plain was a single horseman with an animal | in lead. He could not warn the party from where h?2 was, though he had recognized the young Silver Star who had come to Buffalo Bill and himself upon the trail. He saw -them going right upon the outlaw camp. Then followed the discovery, the flight to the fort, the coming up of the single horseman and the pursuit of the raid- ers. “ How many?” The Indian held up his hand four times to indicate twenty. “Rather a large force, but what did you do then?” “Me help,” was the reply. Encouraged to talk by the scout, Lone Buffalo went on to tell how the Five had stood the raiders off, and he, hay- ing fully reconnoitred the position, de- cided to pick the raiders off as he could. Then he re'ated about the killing of the guard over the horses and stamped- ing all the animals, bringing them to where they were them grazing. He told of his Continued good work, and added how glad he was to see the scout, for together they could ‘stampede the outlaws. : “We must do better than that, Lone Buffalo; we must wipe them out! “Such cutthroats as they deserve no mercy, and that brave boy will be avenged sooner than we thought. “He has already done good work to- ward it himself, “from your account, though he was reckless to push on so far after so large a band, “But he is here now with his brave pards; the raiders of his home, the slay- ers of his people, are all here, and so, too, are we, Lone Buffalo! “Let us do our best to wipe out that band of outlaws, and now decide upon our plan to do it,” and the scout’s words and manner showed that he was moved to the quick and in deadly earnest. The result of the powwow with Lone Buffalo was that half a dozen effigies to represent men, were made and put on the horses and fastened there, Buffalo Bill finding that the Indian had bridled and saddled every outlaw’s horse before killing the guard and. stampeding the animals! When they moved toward the camp in the cedars, after dark, it certainly ap- peared to be half a dozen horsemen fol- lowing the scout and the redskin. Leaving the “dummy” horsemen to be brought up by the Lone Buffalo, the scout crept to a spot near the camp in the cedars, and opened with his repeat- ing rifle. The effect was startling, and when the Indian came dashing up with*his horse- men the rising moon revealing them, the scout shouted in commanding tones: aC, 15 “Troopers, charge! ” The outlaws were panic-stricken and fled, while the Fighting Five dashed out of their fort, mounted upon their ponies, weak though they were, and joined the pursuit. Driven to bay in the plain below, the ranch terrors fired a veHey, that wound- ed Bird Bainbridge and the Indian slight- ly, and killed two ponies; but the an- swering fire caused them to shriek for mercy. Five of the desperadoes were made prisoners, and were. quickly led toward | the camp on the Little Colorado, where wood, water and grass could be had in abundance. It was midnight before the other horses were brought up and the camp fires built, when supper was prepared and the Five went at it as they had fought—with a vengeance. The next day and night were spent in camp for rest, and the next morning the Fighting Five parted company ‘with the gallant scout and Lone Buffalo, Bird Bainbridge saying with deep emotion: “Through you, Mr. Cody,.I have avenged my dead. God bless you and preserve you for other good work!” CHAPTER XXVII. CONCLUSION. Buffalo Bill held on his way to Fort Wingate, to continue on in his remark- able career as the King of the Border. The Lone Buffalo, loaded down with the presents Buffalo Bill had brought him, among them a repeating rifle, and things given him by Bird Bainbridge from the booty recaptured from the out- laws, started for his retreat in the mountains, four ponies carrying his out- fit. There he continued to live, and was known as the Hermit Redskin. The Fighting Five, with their prison- ers, equaling them in number, and the booty packed on the recaptured and captured ponies, started for home. The dead outlaws had been buried, and the five prisoners almost wished that they had shared the fate of their evil comrades—that it was all over with be- fore the settlers could wreak their vengeance. It was a slow ride back to Meadow- land Valley, but one day at noon the cavalcade reached the ranch, and Bird saw what his kind and sympathetic friends had done for him. On their ar- rival word was sent down the valley to summon the settlers, who speedily as- sembled. A judge and jury were quickly found; the trial of the five prisoners fol- lowed, then their execution, for. their sentence was to be hanged. From that day Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five became known as the patrol of the valley, and from one end to the other the settlers revered the name of Col, William F, Cody, the Chief of Scouts, THE END. NEXT HALF-DIME LIBRARY, No. 983 THE GIRL PILOT; The Death-Bell of the Reefs, BY G. WALDO BROWNE. - SP Oe. wah pe ne tO
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— BY 1 Deadwacd 20 Deadwood 28 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deadwood 49 Dendwood 5&7 Deadwood 78 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Deadwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood 156 Deadwood 195 Deadwood 201 Deadwood 205 Deadwood 217 Deadwood 221 Deadwood 282 Gold-Duat 268 Deadwood 263 Deadwood 809 Deadwood 821 Deadwood soy Deadwood 1 Deadwood $62 Deadwood 4231 Deadwood 480 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 448 Deadwood 458 Deadwood 471 Deadwood 476 Peadwood I 451 Deadwood 491 Deadwood 496 Deadwood 600 Deaawooa 508 Deadwood 615 Deadwood 622 Deadwood 529 Veadwooa 534 Deadwood 539 Deadwova 544 Deadwood 549 Deadwooa 554 Deadwood 561 Deadwooa 567 Deadwood 572 Deadwood 578 Deadwood &84 Deadwood I 590 Deadwood 595 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deatwood 624 Deadwood 680 Deadwo 6836 Deadwoo 642 Deadwood 648 Deadwood 654 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 684 Deadwood 690 Dendwood 695 VDeudwood 700 Deadwood 04 Deadwood 10 Deadwood Dead wood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 40 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 812 Deadwood $16 Deadwood D 822 Dendwood 828 Deadwood 884 Deadwood 840 Deadwood 845 Deadwood 852 Deadwood 858 Deadwood 863 Deadwood 870 Deadwood S76 Deadwood 882 Dend wood S9L Dendwond SYS Deadwood 904 Deadwood 910 Deadwood 916 Deadwood 9258 Deadwood 984 Deadwood 940 Deadwood 946 Deadwooil 951 Deadwood 957 Deadwood RPeadwood D ood Dick BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME [_ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadweod Dick Novels. Herkes the Pringe ot the Road, dick*s Detiance; or, Vouble Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Buffad, Ben. Dick in bils Castle. Dick’s Bonanzay o:, ‘The Phantom Miner. Dick in Danger; or, Omana Ol), Dieck’s Eagles; or, The Pardy ot Flood Bar. Dick on brecks or, Calamity 4 me, the Heroine Dick’s Last Aets or, Cordurvy Charlie. Dick in Leadville, Dick’a Device; or, ‘The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective, Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Baae; or, Blonds Bill. Dick's Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, Diek of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, Dick’s Dreams or, The Rivals of the Road, Dick’a Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’a Doom? or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Deal. Diek’s Death-Plant. Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, Dick’s Divide: or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Dick’s Deatn Tralt. Dick’s Veal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, Dick’s Dozens or, Tre Fakir of Phantom Fiate ick’a Duecata; or, Days in the Diggings. Diek Sentenced; or. The Terrible Vendetta. Dick’s Claim. Dick In Vena City. Dick’s Dinmonde, Dick In New York} or, A “ Cute Case.” Diek’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Diek, drs or, The Crimaon Crescent Sign. Diek, Jr.’, Defiance. Dick, Jr’s Full Hand. Dick, Jr.’a, Big Round-Up, Wek Jr. Racket at Clalm 10, Dick, Jr.’s Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Nek, Jr.’a, Dog Detective, Dick, Jr., In Deadwood, Bick, Jr.%, Compact, Dick dr.’s, Inheritance, Dick, dre Diggings. Bin 5A ae verance, ¢ r.’# rotegee. Dick. dr.’«, Three. Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks Diek, Jr.’s» Death Hunt, Dick, Jr, In Texas, Dick, dr., the Wild West Vidocg Inek, Jr., on Mla Mettle. Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Dick, Jr., in Boaton, Diek, Jr., in Philadetphia, Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Dick. Jr.. Afloat. Dick, Jr.’«, Chase Acrosa the Continent Dick, Jr.. Among the Smugglers. Diek, Jr.’a, Insurance Case, Dick,"Jr., Back in the Mines. Dick, dr., tn Durangor or, “ Gathered In.” Dek, Jr.’« Dixcovery; or, Found a Fortune, Dick, Jr.’«. Dazzle. Dick, Jdr.’«. Dollara, Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide. Dick, Jr.’*, Drop. Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dick Jr., in San Francisco, Dick, Jrs Still Wunt. Mek, Jr.’s Dominoes, WHek, Jr.'s, Diagulye. Pick, drvs, Double Peal, Diek Jr.’s. Deathwatch, Dick, JF.’s, Poublet. Viek, Jr.'s, Deathblow. Pick, Jr.’s, Peaperate Strait, Welk, Jr.’«, Lone Hand, Diek, Jr.'s Defeat. Dick, dr.’s, Resurrection, Diek. Jr’e Dark Days. Dick Jr., Defied. Dick,. Jr.’a, Double Device, » dr’.s, Desperate Venture, } Dick, Jr.'s, Diamond Dice, Dick Jr.’*, Royal Flush, Mek, Jr.’a Head-off, Ick, Jr.’a, Rival. Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. Dick, Jr.’, Scoop. Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. Pick, Jrva, Clutch, Wick, Jr.'s, High Itorse. Dick Jr., at Pevil’a Gulch, Dick, Jr.'s, Reath-Hole Hustle. Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell. Dick r., In Mexteo, Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. Dick, Jr. in Silver Pocket. Diek. Jr.’«, Dead. Sure Game, Diek, dr’«, Double Drive. Rick, dr’a, Trade-Mark, Pick, .Jr.5 at Tip-Ton. IMek, Jr.’s “Double-Decker. Mick, dr., ant Dollarviice. Wick, Jr.. at Flush Flata. ck, Jr.ts, Shoke-up, Dick, Jr.’«, Dor b «¢ Drops Mek, Jr.'s. Right Bower. Dieks Jr.'s, Ten-strike. 965 Veadwood Diek, Jr.’«, Gold-Dust. 9T1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Oath, BY WILLIA’ KR. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or. The Tigers of High Pine. 249 Faro Frank? or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pardes S18 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. S88 Poker Pete’s Double Dodge, 851 The Tie-To Sport ; or, High Hustling at Sinnérs’ Flat, O01 Diamond Iha.ver the Cilt-Bdge Sh amon AVE, e Gilt- ec ooter. LY” Crack-Shot Dalay’« Drop, s : 981 The weer in Velvet; or, Big Burk’s Blof. y, 945 Bil 1962 Flip 969 The rd’s Ronanza: or, The Rock-Ravens’ Root-Out, Eiep Fred at Hard Pan ' Girl Sport-Shadower}; or, Clark’s Close Shave, + ia . Other ™ svel« by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob}; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand or, Idyl, the Girl Miner, 88 Rosebud Reb’s Keer ance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Chaile:spe; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yaukee's Surround 281 Denver Dolls Victory; or, Skul! and Crosobones, 255 Denver Polls Devoy ; or, Little Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Poill’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 86s Yreku dim, the told-Gntherery or, The Ufe Lottery, 872 Yreka Jdim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. 885 Yreka 3}m’s 3 ey or, The Rivals of Red Nise. £389 Yreka Jim’s New Kole; or, Bicycle tien. °4 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, a9 F rita, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, S15 . vitz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 2 t+ sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret: or, A Sister’s Devotion, 248 Sicrra Sams Seeret; or, The Bloody Footprinta, 258 Sierra Sum’s Pard; or, The Ange! of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Saim’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 6834 Kangaroe Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, B89 Raueespe Kit'« srgekets or; The Pride of Played-Oat. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 69 The Roy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Bye, the Detective; or, Ambs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Cuptuin Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 91 Turk the Boy Ferret. Lelley, egg & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. High Harry, the Base Ball Detective, Sam Slabaides, the t-Boy Detective, Jim Beak and Pal, Private tives, Cleven Moof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures. B2 Rob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet; or, Ol Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild rank 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 Boy Patrvl: or, The Rival Heirs, 209 A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, 808 ’Liza Jane, the Fir] Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little Qui:ck-Shoty; or, Vhe Dead Face of Daggeraville. B58 Firat-Clase Fred, the Gent tram Gopher, 87S Nabob Nedt or, The Sroret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son's Vengeance, 456 Sealsakio Sam. the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Kelth, t ¢ Reverue Spotter, ° 922 Sol Sharpe. the New York Night-Hawk, 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunce Men, BY J. ©. COWDRIOR, 490 igroadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 514 Broadway HBilly’« Boodle; + a Strange Case 586 Brondway Billy's _‘ Ditikilty.” 5ST Broadway Billy's Peath Racket 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Hey or, The Boy Dutective’s Sig Innine, 628 Broadway Hilly’s Denad Aectr ior, Tic League of Seven. 669 Broudway Billy rod; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Broadway Billy’s Beaty or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, 687 Broadway Billy tn ver. 696 Brondway Billy in Xan; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Ur y 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. 720 Broadway 785 Broadway R 788 Broadway 758 Broadway 762 Broadway 769 Broadway 775 Broadway 738 786 Billy In Venver. Bitly’s Kargaing or, The Three Detective, Teilly, the Rethever Detective. Billy's Sh w Chase. Billy’s Beaglen; or, The Trio’s Quest, Billy’s Venn: or, The Combine’s Big Pull. Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive, Billy's Queer Bequest. Billy Baled, Billy’« wee Scoop. Billy's Wipe Out. Billy’s Bank Racket. pivy's luff. 3 Th tly Ameo ersey ugs. Ril v's Teatt Rilly’« Big Room, Billy « Big Bulge. Leiiy’s £100,000 Snap. Pi y's Wltmd: or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Tiitly im London, Rilly Shadows London Sluma. rondway Filly’s French Game. Broadway Billy and the Bomb-Throwers, Silver-Mask, the Man of Diystery; or, The Golden Keys, Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Duad, 420 The Delective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Oibuta Jonny; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 9 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Paley Dade B06 Redlight Ralph the Prince of the Road, ; 524 The Enginecr Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Repos Detective. B71 Alr-Line Duke the Young En ‘ineer; or, The Double Caso 592 rhe Boy Pinkerton; or, ' wining the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Marry the Chie! of Clalned Cyclone. 0 Bareback Theth, the Centaur of the Circle, A? Tyvewrtter Tilly, the Merchnant’s Ward. 659 Woonlight Morgan the“ Pizenest’’ Man of Ante Baz. S87 Battery Rob. the Deck Detective, S94 Arizona Dick's Wipe-Out, 900 Jumping dack’s Jubilee, 906 Satety Mamy the Cycle Sport. 912 Train Boy Trixt’*s Wot Hustle, 918 The Trump Dock-Boy. 924 Bir Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddtle. 980 Kuatler Ralph, the Roy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newshoy Petective’s Chum, 941 The Bowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Chartle’« Double, 947 The Bowery W reatier; or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer, 958 Paddy’« Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport, 960 The Broadway Sport: or, Fiver Fred's Clear Unse, OCF 81000 Rewnrd: or, Te Tivol Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. 978 Bantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. @Y UAROLD PAYNE, 848 Dan, the River &portys or, Foiling the Frisco Sharp. 892 Bowery Ben in Chinatown, 444 Rewery Bob, the Faxt-side Detective, Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway The Circus Detective. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 975 Buffalo Bill's Rifle Shots, . 968 Buffalo Bill's Kush Rides or, Sure-Shbot, the High-Flyers 964 Bultfalo Bills Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot, 955 Buffalo Bill's Mazeppa-Chase. i) 948 Buffalo Bill’s Snap-Shot ¢ or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally ~ 942 Butialo Bill’« Tough Tussle, 986 Buffalo Bill’s Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Bulfalo Bill's Crack-shot Pard, 650 Buffalo BUl’s Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Kinon Bill, the Prince of the Reis, 222 Bisew Bill's Cluc; or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. Dendly-Eye. the Oiitevws Sccut; or, The Banded Brotherhood, Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. Faney Frank of Colorado: or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY CAPT, ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet: or, The Gambler Guide. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 982 New York Nat’s Drops or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game wee ew York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. 914 New York Nat's Three of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’s Double. 902, New York Nat’« in Colorade, 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. 88Y New York Nuat’« Deadly Beal, S88 New York 8 19 55 a] 1 Nat’s Crook-Chase, S77 New York Nat’s Trump Card. 871 New York Nut and the Grave Ghouls. 865 New York Nat’s Masked Mascot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. 858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out, 847 Dick Doow’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom’x Flush Hand, 772 Dick Doom’s Beath-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, Z77 Dick Doom’s Destinys or, The River Bilackleg’s Terror, 784 Dick Doom; or. 'he Sharps and Sharke of New York. 88 Dick Doom In Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 98 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild West. 808 Dick Doom’sa Cleun Sweep} or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. $19 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Poom’« Shadow Munt. 885 Dick Doo:n’sa Big Heunl. : D 749 Dashing Charlie: or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Firet Trais. 756 Dashing, Charlie’« Destiny: or, The Renegate’s Captive 760 Dashing Charile’s Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashtew Charlie, the Rescuer. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 787 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylors Boys «r. The Red Riders ot the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Sha lower. 718 Pawnee Bills or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. , 719 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, the Cowboy's Doom, 725 Pawnee Bills or, Daring Dick. 692 Redfern’s Curtous Cases ©, The Rival Sharps. 697 Kedtern at De vil’ Ranch; or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Redfern’a High Hand; or, Blue Jxcket. 70? Redfern’s Last ‘Trail: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, And Fifty Others. BY LIEUCT. A. K. SIMS. 689 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 622 Tom-Ont’s Triads or, The Affairat Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’ Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’* Triumphy or, Black Dan's Great Combine. 546 Captain Cactus. the Chapereal Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peypermint’s Jubilee, 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Videcg; or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bil nd Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 646 Cowboy Gtd, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling Wiliam the Mountain Mountebabk. 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective, th out Scout. o76 Sienat aves Naat A or, The Mystery of Two Lives. ncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes, Mystified Detective. BY T. 3. FLANAGAN. +44 Miishipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher, ) c¢ Young Cowhoy Captain. oss ane Two Midshipmen; or, ‘The Corsdir-Chaser’s First truise. 949 The Three Lieutenants 959 The Mascot Middy ¢ cr, The Four Commanders. 966 Fichting Jack Shubrick , 972 Fighting Jack's Middtess or, Dandy Dick’s Dash, NEW ISSUES. 980 Three Petectlve Pards; or, Nobby Nick’s Big Game. by T. C. Harbaugh, 981 Ruffalo Pil« Fighting Five, By Col, P. Ingrabam, 982 The Girl Pilot; or, The ‘Death-Bell of the Reefs, By G, Waldo Browne, JUST ISSUED. 9%7F Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Doom, By Edward L. Wheeler. 978 Plucky Pat, tl® Strect-Boy Detective: or, The Chin man’a Cireus. By 3, C, Cowdrick, 979 Jack, the Girl Shot; or, Sol Bunker. the Cowboy. @y Maj. Dan Browne, A New leaue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library {s for sale by all newsdealers, five gonts per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ' £2 William Strect, New York. a