Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 1048) (1901 05)
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Zz Z Corrricut, 1879, py Beapte & Apams. EwtTerep as Szconp C.iass MATTER AT THE New York, N. Y., Post Orrice. May, 1901. No 1048 Published Every M. J. EVERS & CO., Publishers, ® . 10 Cents a Copy. | LX (JAMES SULLIVAN, Proprietor), Month. 379 Pearl Street, New York, $1.00 a Year. 0 = 2 —————————————— THE FRESH OF FRISCO; or, THE HEIRESS OF BUENAVENTURA. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN. \ ‘ ; IEA Gabi ate f! HY i EN Va SYTH Foae WYO CHAR HEY PAARL JE ey WN) : NTS sel AT a eG Sid ae \ had, estes ate AVA % hh 1 “4 ‘ it ¥ > ch ¥ Ls ’ ’ ‘ a ST a nee < TGF Sa — Ny VN y N) pL: NN a a UPI Am 7
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The Fresh of Frisco; The Heiress of Buenaventura, A Story of Southern California, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, auTHoR o”- “THE NEW YorK ‘sHARP’,"’ “* OVERLAND xIT,” “ROCKY MOUNTAIN hos,” “‘ KENTUCK, THE apont,” “INJUN DICK,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER T, THE RISING OF THE VIGILANTES. “ Brrxc out the last prisoner,” commanded *‘ Judge ch,” a tall, brawny, determimed-looking miner, armed to the teeth. For the first time in the history of Kern Bar, the Les had risen. ern Bar was a little mining camp on the head- waters of the Southern fork of the Kern river, in Southern California, just a mile or two from the main trait which led from Bakersfield through the Tah-ee-chay-pah pass to Mohave city and the prin- cipal settlements on the Colorado river. @ write of the days of 1859, only a short time after the close of the Mexican war and the disband- ment of the forces of the victorious North American Republic, which in so short a time had vanquished Mexico. Kern Bar was a prosperous little mining. camp mustering about a bundred souls all told, men and boys, every one of them—not one of the weaker sex in the district. And as the festering carcass of the dead buffalo upon ths great sandy desert attracts from afar the snarling, sneaking wolf, and the carrion-loving vul- ture, so does the scent of gold attract the human birds of prey. And then, all of a sudden, the miners of the Bar rose up in their might, and with the first gray light of the morning, one day, without warning, the Vigil- antes laid violent hands upon the evil a ery ~ speci eas, no legal availe im this wild free court, 6 learned men who have written of the “law's delay," evidently were O- rant of, and referred not to, Judge Lynch's co The name of the prisoner was called out. “Make your charges!" the j exclaimed, and there were accusers enough, for in a little commu- nity like Kern Bar, if a man was a it was ery my htly, for “‘ gambler” or iy up above pines kno accused off a4 ae marae 8D was the extent of the offenses. “ Three hours to out of town!" was the judge's stern sentepce, and each man promised solemnly that three would see him “ shut " of Kern Bar, never to return. One by one they slunk away, and then came the judge's command, with which our story begins. e door of the cabin was opened and a well-built, imposing-loo fellow stepped forth—a man stand- ing about five feet eight inches, w hundred and fifty pounds, all bone an without an ounce of useless fat; well-fo ed, grees as a dancing- muscular as a bullwhacker, and as some as a broad shoulders, as ever a sculptor craved for a model; a rather boyish face, a mistake, and pow ees; wi The Fresh of Frisco. . I've no objection to take a drink with you and we'll call the matter square.” Judge Lynch frowned; there was a coolness and 7 ge: about the man that was not pleasing to im. ‘“ Why was this man arrested?” he cried, ““ We found him in the ‘ City of the Angels Saloon’ a-playin’ ecards with the rest of the gang and went for him on suspicion,” one of the miners replied. “ Quite correct,” and the stranger bowed politely to. the miner, “and didn't I come with you as quiet as a lamb, although I'm ‘heeled’ good enough for any dozen men in this crowd?” and holding up the skirts of his coat he showed two silver-mounted re- volvers securely fastened in secret pockets. The miners had never thought of searching a man’s coat- flaps for weapons. “Your name?” demanded the judge. “What business is that of yours?” was the cool rejoinder. ** Answer or you'll find out!"’ thundered the judge, enraged. “I'll bet you two to onein ponies that I won't,” was the deliberate reply. “Don’t get riled, judge; Lye done nothing in this hyer town to deserve, pun- ishment, whatever I may have done elsewhere! “T know him!” cried one of the bystanders, sud- a “TI thought that it was him— Blake / “Right you are, my honored friend!" ejaculated the man, still cold and calm, although there was a slight shade now on his face. “What Blake?” the judge asked. “J ck Blake!” And then three or four cried chorus: “ The Fresh of Frisco!” “Right again, my gentle friends!" exclaimed the stranger, a bit of defiance in his tone now. “ Jack- son Blake, the Fresh of Frisco, as some of my friends have seen fitto term me. Gambler, black- leg, card-sharp, desperado, road-agent, mail-robber, murderer,” horse-thief, everything that's bad; but, that’s no business of yours; I’ve done nothing to offend any one in (its camp.” “Oh, I’ve heard of you," Judge Lynch observed, and there was a visible degree of respect in his voice and manner as he spoke, rape the man curiously the while. ‘They say you've killed more men than you've got fingers and toes,” “The say a jeey many things in this world, judge, ides their prayers; but, one thing they can't say of me, and that is that mortal man ever saw my back when I was dared to hold my own in a quarrel, or that I ever took an unfair advantage of either friend or enemy. Why, I could have wiped out eight or ten of you this morning when this little difficulty began, but I hadnt been introduced to the town and I thought it would be rude.” ‘One hour to leave hyer,” said the judge, coldly. “But, judge, I haven't tread on the toes of a mortal man since I've been in the camp!"’ Blake a } ar; we dont want you here; we know out in a sort of : 2 SSS you by reputation; you've been warned out of every | mining camp between this and the Golden Gate; you’re too * fresh,’ so be off!” “Bring me my mule and I'll git. I'm too well- bred to stay if my company ain’t agreeable, although I reckon the Bar would be none the worse off if I re- mained, for I'd made up my mind to drop my old life and lead a new one; but since men won't have me among them, why then I'll try how the out- laws of the Sierra Nevada will like my company." “One hour to leave town,” ted the judge. “If this animal don't buck!” cried Blake, spring- ing upon the mule’s which one of the miners had sous “T'll be outside of your old camp in five minu I say, judge, can't you give me a let- ter of recommendation to-the next town?” And then amid a smile he rode away, but with the bitterness of death in his heart. CHAPTER I. THE SECRET TREASURE OF BUENAVENTURA. A pANGERovs and uncertain shore is the coast-li of Southern California; clear from the Golden Gus down to San Diego, elther ragged, rccky reefs or shifting, uncertain - render 1 avigation dif- fleult, The coast-line runs almost directly south until it reaches the projecting tongue of land known as Point oe 3 on; then it bends to the east almost at h for fifty or sixt Re *. y miles, and then channel takes its name, guardi passage from the fury of the south-westerly oe ; h noon of a certain bright May day year 1850 a small, sloop-ri craft rounded Point Jonception and began to beat up Santa Bar ——— “A strange presentiment of danger fills my mind,” “T havea dread that on yonder share mee - a welcome I = a a bs e skipper was a le given to superstition What Scotchman is there who does not yield some litle credence to the tales of second-sight or pre ae ty se common - “ ro 0’ cakes? “Oh, you mustn't thin t way, miss," he o served, reassuringly, “It’s a bonny forttions ns you are going to, and it’s your grandfather's ain man that’s waiting for you on the shore. You'll bo — ay of Buenaventura, as your grandfather weg the lord.” “But this merchant—this Stuart McKerr: whe on clos astedold f Now,” th * A close-fist ellow,” the sailor replied,“ an to tell the truth, I never thought meee of fiat but as far as you are concerned, miss, he has acted allright. He was your grandfather's agent, a lomr time ago. Your grandfather, miss, was a very ki in the old time, and had more diamonds and gok than any landed proprietor from San Francisco to Los Angelos. In 1 when the war broke out be- tween Mexico and the United States—this was alt Mexican territory then—the Americans, with a cat: alry force, pushed through the desert and oceupieh this coast. Dreading the pillage of the soldiers your grandfather collected all his jewels and together and fled with a few trusty servants to the mountains, and there, in a secure spot, he ‘ cached * his treasures and all his private papers, and hardly had he accomplished this task when he was ahem suddenly ill and died. Your grandfather always called himself Michael Buenaventura, andgno one had any idea what his real name was unti ntly. His property has been in the hands of the lawyers ever since, for a multitude of false heirs sprung up at once, and it was only lately, and in some myste- rious way, that Mr. McKerr discovered that the old cattle king’* right name was Scott, and that he had a married son living in New York. I was dispatched to learn the truth, and, as you know, found that your father, old Scott's son, was dead, and that you were the only remaining heir. I wrote all the - ticulars to Mr. McKerr and he answered, directing me to bring youon. Through the same mysterious sou by means of which he learned that your father was old Scott's son, he also discovered a clew to the hidden treasures ‘ cached' in the mountains, which have for so many years been buried from the world. He instructed me to b you to San Fran cisco, and then by water in this little craft of mine to Santa Barbara. You have a dangerous rival, miss, in your claim to your grandfather's estates—a man called Alexander Black, who is an alcalde of a small mining 7 on the Mohave river, known ag Tejon Camp. This Black used to be your grandfath- er’s overseer, and so afraid is Mr. err cf hi for he is a dark and unscrupulous man—one who, report speaks true, would not hesitate to stoop to any crime to serve his purpose—that I do not intend to land at Buenaventura, where Mr. McKerr lives, but I am to put in here at Santa Barbara, and in or- der that your enemies shall not even know that you are in the country, I shall not run in until after dark, and then not into the regular harbor, but into a little cove just around the point to the norh. Mr. Mc- Kerr is to ight a beacon-fire near the coveas a guide forme to steer by. So cheer up, lady; friends wait for you. . will aid you to the extent of pak ay ont ~ ~~ ee F pe will win the es- now, beyond a doubt, and of cou wants to be on the pw pe side.” a What sort of a man is this Mr. Black?” ghe “A great, red-bearded fellow, almost a ae in stature, and as strong as an ox: 'a man a terrt- ble temper, and reports do say that the town over which he rules as alcalde is little better than a nest of cutthroats,”’ “ A dreadful opponent, indeed, for @ poor orphan with, and so, like a Mexi- I must pray to my namesake, good Saint os certo eg entle, care- a apes for nie olden fleece yet, at times, despite her iron dauntless hidden’ over pit soul —.. k fore- vodme 0 dden danger lurking in near future, and with that Strange instinct, se Common to wo- stra’ white, with its smooth surface, hardly | channel, for the land breeze was blowing the man, 80 inexplicable to she felt that ey one of time’s deep lines, and yet the firm- | uvfavorable wind that the craft could fa —- “Mexican banker, McKerr, ont set, resolute mouth, the massive chin, and the cold, | The sloop might be reckoned at some thirty oF — to all the trouble of hunting her up jy the clear gray eyes, as deep in their depths as the | forty tons measurement—a rather ugly-built craft, oa city of the far whose money was fathomless waves of a bottomless plainly re- | something on the Dutch lugger order, but carrying a + her to the ne Of contest, s that she vealed that though the man’s face might be a bo. an immense spread of canvas for its size, al’ - mu i be able to make a fight for her rights, was nO one, fringed, gitlish-like by crispy curls of golden | dently capable, despite its awkward appearance, Of | friend to her, but rather @ : € enemy. hair, yet the owner of the was one of iron will | much better speed than one would have a Pe We have said, there WAS BO TEA8ON for Enis sus- and undaunted energy. She was a coasting craft, apparently, one at penn the circumstances Were @gaings it, and He was semi-Mexican fashion in complete | traded along the shore with the various hamlets et, 80 powerful was it that it pervaded all per be- dinck, but instead of the small jacket belonging to | dot the line of the coast. ,. | med her efforts to shake it off, - that costume he wore a velvet coat; his linen was € crew was extremely small, two men onl7; | He ig § our enemys he i you harm; no spotless—the only b’iled shirt that Kern Bar could | one, a tall, well-built fellow with a sandy beard and | friend waits for you upon this UAMOWN shore: when boast, and on his head he sported the broad-brimmed | long sandy hair brushed carelessly back behind his | you you fall at once into aittches of men atiff sombrero common to the Califurnian herdsmen, | ears—a man of thirty-five or f with @ wd | who will not scruple even t 5 Tht YOUF lige to re- rather an unusaal Ee this for an American, | face and rather a t air. Ler WEA 8 | ove you from path! ring Over Nyt, Recret, which the man evidently was. common, sailor-like chap. » Mysterious voi whiept ears, ‘As he stepped into the circle before Judge Lynch, | ‘There was a third person the sloop, evi: |“ And if rayers to’ the fair Saint who has elvan who was mounted upon a dry box, there was | dently a nger—a woman—® Young ——— i | her name bo this channel are pee, eve dene I m dead silence, and all surveyed him with eager | ful girl dark-haired, dark-eyed, tall -— 8 | Ought to invoke her assistance “NCP Me to a sate euriosity. very Diana in the perfectness of pay’ _ Jandin to-night, for there nick an nO Moon, and i He was a stranger to Kern ” charms, th e mht ha ns to.be T'may have Oy coms “What's the charge against this man?” quoth the | She was reclining upon @ coil of ropes near the mon at this time of the Year T May have a ticklish tiller, her eyes fixed th a longing expression upon job to make the for point which the blue line of the distant shore. | | Ship ona bar just off the For raft,” Maes The captain of the craft was at oe ae | the bones of “many # 84 CAlpine re. ** You loo sad, miss," he ° oo } Dey and marked. ” Scotch tly the face of t time will we t
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, to meet him. The Fresh of Frisco. The gtrl relapsed into a dreamy silence, her gaze | hand, and in that packet isa map of the mountain fixed ge the blue and distant land. | region where the hidden treasures of Buenaventura What held the future for her—an easy triumph | lie cached.” and quick possession of the hidden treasures of “She must wade in blood before she gains ,that Buenaventura, or a dark, damp grave in this un- | treasure!’’ the mountain-man cried, ferociously. known land? The sailor-adventurer—bold, reckless Sandy Mc- Alpine—watched her covertly, She all unconscious | ef the scrutiny. Many a beautiful girl had he seen in his time, but none to compare with this peerless maiden, and in his heart of hearts he vowed that he would be her friend, no matter how powerful her enemies. . CHAPTER III. | THE ALCALDE OF TEJON CAMP. Tas ht.came on dark and gloomy. As the sailor had predicted there was no moon, and great inky clouds covered the face of the sky. e restless surges of old ocean beat w'th a resist- | less force upon the sandy shore, and the breakers | were so high and fierce that it seemed almost impos- sible for a boat to live in them. As the sun sunk slowly to his couch that evening in the unquiet waves of the far Pacific a man in the dim twilight, mounted upon a spotted mustang, had ridden from the town of Santa Barbara, and, follow- ing the trend of the coast, proceeded northward. He had cut across the little point of land which juts out into the sea to the horth of the town, skirted along the shores of the cove-like indentation beyond the point, and then halting upon the little tongue of pat just beyond the cove, looked around him, A man of peculiarly striking’ appearance was the horseman. He was well on inyears; a t, gaunt person in stature, with a massive head and strongly marked features. His hair was iron gray and cropped quite | short; his beard, iron gray like the hair, descended from the chin and rested upon his breast like the tawny mane of a lion. He was well—richly dressed, and, as was common to the dwellers of lower Cali fornia, at the time of which we write, when travel- abroad, well armed. is man was the merchant banker of Buenaven- tura, Stuart McKerr. Behind him on the saddle a bundle was strapped, and now, as he halted and cast an anxious, sweeping lance seaward, from the bundle he drew a power- ul marine glass, and upplying it to his eye carefully surveyed the vast expanse of water before him. The sun had vanished from view and the night was coming rapidly on, but there was still light enough to serve his purpose, and he soon discovered, by the aid of his fine glass, the white sail—small al- anost apparently as the wing of a gull—of a little craft beating up the channel. “*Tis the Santa Maria!" he murmured. By this | high-sounding appellation the sloop of Sandy Mc- | Alpiné was known. ‘ The fellow calculated shrewd- ly; he will be in by night, b:t if the wind keeps on | fronbening it will be a brave boat to ride this surf, and the boat that comes from yonder craft to-night | oarries the heiress of Buenaventura and her for- tunes.”’ The eyes of the speaker sparkled strangely and a dark and ligen flag came over his h features. “And now, where is my man?” he murmured, dis- mounting from his steed, hoppling it with his lariat so that ft could not stray far away, and glancing carefully around aim. Then, from a cluster of bushes, some twenty paces distant, rose the figure of a tall and brawny man—a | huge, gaunt, red-bearded fellow, whose dress was a strange mixture of the herdsman and the miner. Armed to the teeth was he, and from his looks one would have quickly concluded that he would not scruple to use his weapons to back his game. It was a strange meeting, in the gloom of the eve- ning, between these two men, 80 like and yet so un- like each other. The man from the bushes cast a rapid glance | around him as if he ——— caps cand and then asif satisfied that the horseman was alone, advanced “You are Alexander Black, alcalde of Tejon | Camp, I take it,’’ the horseman said. “And you are Stuart McKerr, banker and mer- chant of Buenaventura,” the other replied. “Yes, the man who has stepped forward to fight ou on behalf of the orphan , Barbara, for the | den treasure of old Michael tt.” “ By all the fiends below! but you'll find that you have taken no easy task upon yourself!” cried the alcalde, coarsely, and he glared at the other with a menacing look. ; The banker laughed a hard and ringing laugh, which displayed his white, wolf-like teeth. ‘Oh, ho!” he cried, “do you threaten me with the wrath of your cutthroats of the Tejon Camp at once? Youand I, Alexander Black, have done much business together in the last ten years, and yet this is the first time that we have ever stood face to face ” “It is strange that we have never met, considering | teat you were old Scott’s right-hand man in the town, and I his second self in the mountains,” the | ether remarked. ; “Tsaw you yesterday, for the first time, in the | streets of ta Barbara; you were ted out to meas the man who was determined to obtain the treasures of Buenaventura,” “Why did you send for this girl?’ demanded | Black, abruptly. ‘I would have made a better bar- | gain with you.” o“ er! ps.” : ‘It is not too late; she has not arrived yet.’ “She is yonder,”’ and the s er pointed sea- | ward, : “Sandy McAlpine is bringing her in his . craft.’ : “The meddling foo]!’’ cried the alcalde, hoarsely, “his blood will be at my door yet!” 2 | iy ms here to-night to light a beacon to guide | nim. in.” * You are not wise to tell me this!’ the other ex- claimed, ominously; ‘‘you tempt me to do you a | mischief,” and this wo by, who was much more of | an outlaw than a magistrate, put his hand mean- mn ft the butt of one of his revolvers. | ou have reall ho chance at al trained’ Ss girl,” he ! “She is her err went on, unconcernedly, grandfather's bh , more—in her bosom she carries a ‘Sddireased to her father by her beyond the shadow of a doubt; sealed 6 own | terrible excitement. He threw | flickering flame spri Rs As full of passion as ever, eh, Donald Macdon- a ap? : The alcalde gasped in amazement, “As full of hot blood,” the other continued, ‘‘ as on the day when, on the Scottish hillside, ye struck down your rival, Geordie Buchan, and killed him on | the spot, and that crime made ye a wanderer forever from your native land.” “In God's name, who are you that know this?” the bloody-handed man exclaimed. “Your ain brother, Angus Macdonald, your elder by seven years, who left home long ago to seek his | fortune in a foreign land.” The two grasped hands, warmly. “Rut your name, man; why have ye changed it?”’ ‘*T have my reasons; ask me no questions and I'll tell ye no lies; but now to business. I recognized — yesterday, and that is why I summoned you ere to-night. agamst each other. to-night. Sandy McAlpine brings her in his craft. He is a shrewd rogue, and he knows a secret or two of mine that he should not know. This is a danger- | ous and uncertain coast; I am to light a torch to 1ide him in. “The torch.is to be displayed on yon- er point,” and he waved his hand to the eastward | where the long point projected into the water. | “ He will steer so as to ape Awe light upon his right hand, and that course will bring him safely into | the cove.” “Aha! but you will not — the light upon that point!” the alcalde exclaimed, jumping at once in thought to the scheme of the other. “No, the light will be displayed here. In the dark- ness he will sail straight in, fearing no danger. A mile out, at low water the billows play over a sunken ship on a sand-bar; at high tide there is a scant two feet of water above the timbers of the wreck. The Santa Maria, running straight in, decoyed by my | false light, will break her bones upon the obstruc- tion, and it will be a stout swimmer indeed that will make the shore alive from that sand-bar to- night.” “And should t e waves and cast her up, a single shot will end the matter,” suggested the alcalde, again tapping the butt of one of his revolvers. By this time almost total darkness had come, and the only evidence of the close proximity of the sea was the hoarse roar of the surf breaking with ter- | rible force upon the rock y beach. “It is too early yet to light the torch; let us sit down and wait,’’ suggested the elder brother. The two sat down side by side, and peered out into | the darkness of the night. Suddenly the features of the alealde began to work, and a low moan came from his lips; his body | | through you!” writhed in strange convulsions. “The spell—the spell is on me—do not speak!’ he cried, hoarsely, and evidently under the influence of himself at full 7 sage the earth and pulled his blanket over is head. Struck. with awe, despite his iron nature, the elder brother remained as motionless as a statue. A good half-hour the alcalde lay prone upon the earth, and the superstition of the other told him that his brother was holding communion with the | spirits of the other world, for Donald MacDonald was the seventh son of a seventh son—his father the seventh son of a seventh son, and the sight,” by means of which the dim and misty future plain, was the acknowledged portion of these seventh sons of seventh so:s. It came upon him, this terrible spell, unawares; he could not in- voke it, could not resist it; but when it came, to sub- mit and pass into the condition of “trance” was a matter of course, “Tt is time to light the torch,’’ McKerr said, at last, and rising, he prepared the beacon light, fixed it firmly in the ground, applied the match, and the nging at once into being, burnt a hole in the mantle of the inky night. The alcalde sat upright, pale and wan. ‘Well, what saw ye?” the other questioned, anx- iously; ‘* will we succeed?” “TY canna’ tell,”’ the alcalde replied; ‘it was a dim and ar on. One figure only saw I clearly.” “ e gir! 99 “No, a man, and that man destined to be our deadiy foe.” * Sandy McAlpine?” “Nay, a stranger—an American, dressed all in black, and yet € a Mexican, somewhat, with a strange, white face, and he bore a k of cards in his hands, and ever and anon he held up to me the jack of spades in warning, and spades signify a ave.” on There is no such man‘in this district, to my knowledge,’ observed McKerr, ae “He was a stranger, and he came from the north- ern passes, for he brought tue chill air of the moun- tains with him, and he seemed, too, to be enveloped | in the red smoke of battle.” ‘* And he threatened you?” “Yes, and laughed when he threatened, and his smile was like ice.” girl How know you that he was connected with the ad ** Pecause, when I first saw him he bore a senseless female in his arms, all dripping wet, as though she had just been plucked from the waves.” “We'll go on, though?’’ McKerr said, in a tone of question, “Yes, although I was sure that hell itself was gaping open to receive us!’ the alcalde replied. CHAPTER IV. THE WOLVES OF TEJON. Tue Tejon Pass is the gate by means of which en--; trance is gained from the upper valleys to the fertile plains of the San Barbara ct, but at the time of which we write the pass was haunted by a band of brigandly road-agents, who levied 4 ” on all who dared to come Way. a The broken, rugged coun pass afforded the outlaws "harborage, and from We must work together and not | The wealth of old Michael | , Seott—the hidden treasures of Buenaventura—are | for us and not for this Le, lassie. She is to land 3 sallied forth to their laira in the mountains th | plunder the inhabitants of the fertile plains below. | the eveni rove more kind than we, | Nearly all the landed proprietors were stock- raisers, and the outlaws swooping down upon the herds of fat beeves would drive them off, and then, through their comfederates in the upper valleys, easily dispose of them. , At the time of which we write these landed pro- prietors were nearly all Californians or Mex and as the ‘‘ Wolves of Tejon,’ as the brigands de- ligh#ed to term themselves, were mostly Americans or men of English-speaking nations, naturally t regarded the cattle-raisers as mortal eiemies, thought it no wrong to despoil them of tkeii' wealth. Few of-the inhabitants then, of the lower plains, cared to attempt the p eof the Tejon Pass un- less in company with a well-armed force. Seldom was it therefore that a single man rode alone through the pass. And yet, as the sun was sinking to its bed, and twilight was drawing on apace, the .- white-fa man, who had been hunted like a wild beast, and driven out from the mining-town of Kern Bar, rode into the gloomy, rocky defile. Little knew the man, the Fresh of Frisco, as he was so oddly termed, of the danger that awaited the solitary traveler in that lonely mountain trail. Like the Wandering Jew of the old-time story, a curse seemed upon him. The miner had spoken truly when he had said that every nine and every stock-ranch from San Francisco to Bakersfield had repudiated him. He was an outcast, and yet no worse, if no better, than the rest of the wandering fraternity to whom he belonged, the nien who claim- ed the fickle goddegs, Fortune, for a protector, end who often risked not only gold but hife itself upon the turn of a card. The North had driven him forth, through the of the Sierra Nevada: he would déscend upon e fertile plains of the South and try if fate would deal more kindly with him. Mounted upon a shang es gray mule, a ro vicious-looking animal, but a beast that, like a si cat, was much better than he looked, for he was un- tiring in limb, could keep fat upon nothing and was as sure-footed as a mountain — the outcast rode fearlessly into the dark and gloomy defile. And then, suddenly, a huge-bearded, muscular fel- low, armed tothe tee b, stepped out from behind a rock and leveled a pistol at the rider. ‘*Halt thar, stranger!’’ he cried. ‘‘ Light down, and pony up your wealth!” The rider checked his mule and, seemingly in no- | wise cowed by the hostile demonstration, burst into ift of “second } | ge a loud and ringing laugh. “Oh, ho, ho!’’ he eried, “this is the richest joke of the season! How much will you take, my bold npannapee, for all the wealth that you will get out of me?” **See hyer, you're entirely too smart!’’ growled the outlaw, annoyed by the manner of the other. | “And I don’t want no talk out of you! Jest you tumble off that mule and turn out your pockets, not forgetting your money-belt, or I'll let daylight right “Supposing there isn't anything in my pockets; supposing that I don’t own any such thing as a money-belt, what then?’ the rider ueried, coolly. “You talk too much, and do you know I’ve a mind to plug you, any way, ‘cos you're so sassy{”* cried the robber, savagely. ‘‘Do you know who J am?’ “I *pass* on that!" “I'm one of the Wolves of Tejon!"’ “One of the bears, more likely,” the rider re- “Why, then we strip him to his hide and let him go.” “ And you intend to strip me?” “That's the ‘lead’ I’m on, so ‘light or else I'll fit ye for a hole in the ground inside of two min- utes!’ And then, as if ape Fa by the threat, the rider bent forward in the dle and clutched the mane of the mule as if intending to spring to the sound. Deceived by the movement, the outlaw dropped the muzzle of his weapon; but, suddenly, in the twink- ms of an eye, the rider sat bolt u ht in the dle, a revolver clutched in his hand and vhe shin- ing tube leveled directly at the breast of the stran. ?. Never was there a man taken more completely at a disadvantage. “ And now, my gentile friend, your scalp is mine un- less you throw down your arms and beg for mercy!” the adventurer cried, “covering ” the outlaw with a deadly aim. But not alone with a single man had the outcast te contend, for in a second, half a dozen well-armed rose from their coverts in the bushes, fore, behind, and on either hand, and a single, w directed shot pierced the heart of the mule; the beast fell lifeless, but the rider ney Cee himself as the mule fell and lighted on feet. The Fresh of Frisco had fallen into a trap. Like the prairie wolves, from whom these. outlaws had borrowed a name, they never hunted singly, but al- ways in a pack. “Throw down your weapons, or we'll murder you | in cold blood!" one of the | | | gang shouted. “Let me go free or this man dies!” the adven- turer eee: for he still kept the first outlaw Ge f Ag boys!” cried the first ruffian, whe “Go for 3 hag was evidently the-leader of the gang. The command was answered by the short, quick bark of a revolver. A? CHAPTER V. THE WOLVES MEET A MASTER, Tue revolver-shot was followed by a cry of from a beinecerar sch Ptiatea bey ruffilans who so un the stranger's the Tejon Pass was down, flat on hin fae, with a bullet t his brain; thus abruptly” world been closed.
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¢ boon to be had for the asking. t for the first time since they had commenced their wild career—since they had set themselves up as lords of the rocky, desolate mountain range through which the pass raa, these savage, reckless men encountered a foe AS #avaze, when his blood was up, and as reckless, in band. Their master he was, too, in the use of the revolver, as he quickly proved, for hardly had his ape. unerring aim sent the leaden ball straight to ‘the brain of the giant ruffian, than, suddenly wheel- ing, apparently without taking aim at all, he drop- ped another outlaw with a snap-shot! His weapon was a self-cocker; a single pull at the r, both raised the hammer and released it. A third shot followed the second and another man was down; a fourth and the nearest fellow on the other side suffered. Five shots the pale-faced sharp-shoot- er had fired, and each bullet had reached its billet, before the amazed outlaws made a reply in kind, and then, their nerves unstrung by the murderous effects of the stra their bullets flew wide of the mark, and when their ——— } held their lives as lichtly as ey = life was a simple | vanced a ste the face of danger as any one of their ruffianly | , and this simple movement acted upon the outlaws like.magic. As nimbly as squirrels they omineet away and flat- tened themselves down behind the giant bowlders that cropped out of the rocky surface of the pass, so that only the tops of their heads were visible. Blake burst into a loud laugh. “What! three to one, and you hide behind rocks!" he cried, in contempt. ‘And you call yourselves the Wolves of Tejon, eh? Go ‘long with you! The Jack-rabbits of Tejon would be a better name, and decidedly more appropriate.” “Say! Whothe devil are you, anyway? asked the | colonel, dextrously elevating his eyes above the edge er’s attack, their aim was wild, | foeman plucked forth another revolver—another | silver-plated, toy-like weapon—the courage was not in them to longer tarry and wage battle. Incontinently they fled, until they got beyond re- volver-range, and then, like sulky, half-tamed wild a, who had provoked the master’s whip, longed torend and tear, yet dared not, they stood, grouped ee, an amazed, an; lot of outlaws. ven men had essayed to stop the stranger’s way; four of them had fallen in the attempt, each and ev- ery man shot in exactly the same place, in the cen- ter of cas forehead, : it above the line of the eyes. Was it 4 wonder, then, that the remaining three, feed upon.” “We humans will be more merciless than the waves and the rock!” the alcalde cried, with a s‘w age laugh. Again the lightning flamed forth, not the fierce fire which accompanies the thunder-gust, but 1a mild heat-lightning of the summer skies. It was quite strong enough, though, to reveal te the lonely watchers upon the shore the sight whivh they so much desired to witness upon the sea, isled by the false light the Santa Maria had \id- den full upon the bones of the stranded ship and these sharp ee ghee: had beaten in the sides of e sloop as thoug’ ey were composed of past OS ea poy beg sabers. : 3 m upon these te @ spears the sl i to the eyes of the dark plotters, revenind 5A the glare of the lightning. The sea ran high, and huge combing waves were sweeping over the craft from stem to stern. No human could live on board the sloop and withstand that terrible sea un- less ‘ashed to the Meging. and, clearly, as the vessel had struck and filled without warning, the unfortu- nate souls on board could have had no opportunity to avail themselves of any such method of with- Standing the attack of old ocean’s merciless billows, The light faded and darkness again vailed the scene, “She must have just struck!” the alelde cried: "now, we must to the beach, prepared te receive all that escape.” The two, in their excitement at the scene revealed by the lightning, had risen to their feet, and stood with straining eyes glaring out to sea. **Come, then!” Stuart McKerr responded, and with the words, he snatched up the torch and drew a heavy revolver from his belt. The merchant-banker of Buenaventura evidently was determined to stop at nothing to attain the end that he desired. And as the two men started to descend from the bluff to the beach below, again the lightning illumin- ated both sea and shore, Eagerly the two gazed seaward. The sloop was two-thirds under water, and the sea was making a clean sweep over her. Not a soul could be discerned clinging to the rigging. _“ They are all in the water struggling for their lives!" McKerr cried, with hoarse joy, as he led the way to the beach.” *“ Which way does the tide set—up or down?” “Down, at this stage of the water, so we must patrol the beach down by the town. Away on their ill-omened mission the two sped but success did not crown their efforts, although, they did not relax the search until the morning light came clear and strong. Apparently not a soul haa escaped from the wreck. Tiring at last of the fruitless quest, the two pro ceeded to the town. Repairing to the inn they breakfasted, and after the meal was finished, ag they drew their chairs together to discuss their plans for the future, a little knot of idlers, gathered outside, attracted their attention, A fisherman was in the center of the group, and he was relating to the throng how he and a compan- ion, early that morning, had discovered the wreck of Sandy McAlpine's craft. “ And he had a female passenger aboard,” the man said, in conclusion, “for on the beach, a mile or so north of the wreck, we saw a woman’s body high on the shore. It was too rough for us to make a Jand- ing, so we thought we'd run in to the town and bring the news.” The.alcalde of Santa Barbara was at once sum- moned, but Stuart McKerr and his companion in crime did not wait to accompany that dilatory indi- vidual, but hurried away at once to the spot which the fisherman had described. The banker had made a mistake the previous night in oe 7 yt = =e set north instead of south, and so the ad come on shi “—_ — of down, gs Boe De e erman’s statement was te correct, the two pletters discovered upon paced! the spot where he had said the tide had de body, but as they came within view of the place a bas pets er vee up on the air from both throats. e rie wolves, the sneaking co’ been before them! os phe! 99 rae A pack of snarling, snapping brutes were over the body, and shreds of clothing whi eager jaws had rended from the co were not only scattered up and down the beach but were also borne by the breeze, now blowing fresh from the land—arid rode on the crest of the billows beyond 4; mn pd surf, : 4 forward: wah rawing their revolvers, an os 0 1 ive the brutes from their pre The stretched a couple of the wolves over on their backs with two Oa oie od shots and the rest of the pack took to their heels, trotting off with an angry yelp, altho’ in truth there WAs little of the banquet left to at eg they had picked the bones almost clean. No’ ing but a few rem- nants of clothing scattered about were left to indi- cate Soames = om eye one m4 or Woman Even the 8) on been Y th . and famish d brutes. © flerce the But the clothing fully proved to the sa; both of the beholders fant it was ane we which had disappeared in the hungry mawe of oe ravenous
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od INLAY i i ee ee eres — a . ‘galoon and ee The Fresh of Frisco, “ ¥here is no doubt that this is the mortal remains @ Burbara Buenaventura!’’ McKerr exclaimed, oon was no other woman on board the craft?” “ ‘O. ’ “It is certain, then,” and ashe spoke the alcalde vtooped and oe up a little strip of white cloth that the wind brought to his feet. Upon the cloth a name was written inindelible ink. ‘* Barbara,’’’ he said, showing McKerr the name. “But the sealed — packet which con- tains the secret of the hidden treasure!’’ cried Mc- Kerr, his eager syes roam up and down the beach in search of the precious article. Vainly the two plotters looked for the treasure that they sought; it was not to be found; and at last they came to the reluctant conclusion that it had either become saturated with blood when the beasts commenced to rend their prey and so had been de- youred by them, or else thr", in the'r struggles, they had torn it rs and the w nds had carried it to the billows and then becoming aturated with water it had sunk. Their scheme had removed from their path the unfortunate girl who had crossed a continent to grasp a fortune but found a grave instead. CHAPTER VII. TEJON CAMP, Qn the upper waters of the Mohave river in the éoot-hills of the San Gabriel mountain range the lit- fle mining town known as Tejon Camp was situated. It was quite a prosperous little place of seventy- five or a hun ise all told; pretty rough cus- tomers, too, nearly a of them, for Tejon Camp was the “jum ing-off place” of civilization. When a man had n driven out of all the other mining- towns, Tejon pepe always opened her arms to re- ceive ,no matter how great were the fellow’s erimes. It was away up in the mountains, fifty miles, fully, from the nearest town, surrounded by a wilderness of rocky crags and ravines wherein a tugttive from justice could ge | bid defiance to pursuit: but to do Tejon Camp full justice it was a eafe sanctuary for the felon fleeing from an outraged It was the proud boast of this odd mining-camp m3 no man, no matter how great his crimes, ever sought shelter there and had been either re- tused shelter or given up to the officers of justice. Quite a rich little bit of mining country surrounded the Camp, and as the ‘diggings’ was nearly all “ surface-dirt,” even the most indolent worker with — most primitive * tools *’ could contrive to pick up a living. But even this peeuliar “town,” reputed to be the est camp south of Frisco, had its laws and its officers to enforce them. Iron-fisted, broad-shouldered Alex Black was the alcalde of the town, for, following the example of the Mexican towns, their neighbors on the south, they called their chief magistrate by the old Spanish title. The code of justice which prevailed in the camp was extremely simple. <A trial by battle gen- erally settled all quarrels and to the victor went the spoil. Black ruled the town with a rod of iron, des- perate and reckless as were the inhabitants, but he owned about half the town and had a strong body- guard at his back able to put down all opposition. A single street only the camp boasted, running along the river's bank, and the shanties, which com- the town, faced the stream. As usual in all mining camps the largest house in the town was the hotel, and on this occasion the building was hotel, eneral store all in one, and bore on its front a rudely-executed sign which announced that its name was ALCALDE’S Ranon, kept by Alex It was about a month from the time that the Santa Maria left her bones on the inhospitable coast of Southern California that we convey the reader, in ae to the little mining camp in the San Gabri ‘oot-hills, Night has fallen, and the usual motley crowd as- sem , as they re; ly did night after night, in “he barroom of the hotel to gamble, drink ane geet. The camp had received quite a noticeable addition to its inhabitants that day—a fat, long-haired bum- mer-sort-of-chap who had announced himself as Major Jake Smith, of Arkansaw, and upon being taken before the alcalde and questioned as to who he was, as was the custom toward all strangers seek- ing the hospitality of the camp, and ed what trime he had committed to force him to seek refuge there, had coolly announced that he had poisoned a whole mining town by putting arsenic in the river that flowed by it and from which the inhabitants got their drinking water, and upon being questioned as to the particulars of the deed, still further astonish- sd the alcalde by telling another big yarn so utterly ‘wncoherent that Black finally dismissed him with the remark that he was the biggest liar that he had ever geen, an observation which the fat vagabond evi- dent took as a compliment. But if he was the champion liar, as he proudly an- nounced himself, he very soon made it evident to some sharps of the hotel who tried his metal, that he knew a thing or two about cards, and that he was as skillful a cheat as ever had honored the camp with a visit. The major sat in front of the bar, stretching out his long legs in the most comfortable manner, and astonishing the crowd with lie after lie, and all of them so monstrous that it seemed almost incredible that the mind of man could conceive such things. The clock upon the wall had just struck nine when the door of the saloon opened and a second stranger red, so different in appearance from the usual & — ” that, instantly, every eye within the room ed upon him. He was a slender mer. un- der the medium hight, dressed like a native for- nian, with a clear-cut, olive-tinged face, so dark as to gest a thought of Indian blood. Without paying any attention to the scrutiny of the crowd, the young man walked he § to the monte table, over which the alcalde presided in persan, and, a chair just left vacant by the abrupt depart- ure of a “cleaned-out’’ miner, drew a buckskin bag of -dust from bis pocket and began to A aren alcalde smiled grimly as he noted the ‘fat’ appearance of the bag, for he noth doubted that he should soon be masier of the wealth it contained on this occasion th dess, Fortune, seemed Aeeained to favor tne Californias, = ‘won steadily; the aloalde began to frown; the pile of gold before the stranger ingreased in size, as bas oH as the dealer’s decreased. lack looked glum; it was no joke to lose a thou- sand dollars in a night; but finding that luck per- sistently favored the young man, the alcalde put in practice the thieving device by which he had so often robbed the stranger of his gold. He made an almost imperceptible sign to a huge, brawny ruffian who had stationed himself behind the stranger's chair, and was apparently deeply interest- ed in watching his game. The moment the ruffian received the signal he was quick to act. “Durned if I didn’t think so!” he cried, driving his knife through the buckskin bag and pinioning it to the table. ‘ Ye’re the man that robbed my cabin t’other day, and this yere is my ye The stranger started to his feet in alarm, a revol- ver gleaming in his hand, but before he could make a movement a strong arm seized the bully by the throat and forced him to his knees and at the same ne arn the cold muzzle of a revolver to his emple. “You are a thief anda liar!’’ cried the new-comer, Jack Blake the Fresh of Frisco. HAPTER VIII. THE TRIAL BY BATTLE. Tue alcalde fairly pasped for breath as he ed me the features of the cool and determined man who had thus boldly bearded the lion in his den, for the face of Jack Blake was the face of the man whom he had seen in his vision, and who had shown him the ominous card signifying a grave! Here was the man in living life, bold and hardy en- ough to take sides agianst him in a quarrel not his own. “A liar and a thief!’ repeated Blake, emphatical- ly. ‘“* You know that this money isn’t yours; you are only taking advantaze of your brute size to try < rnd this gentleman out of it, you big scoun- re. hg ‘What concern is this of yours, young man?” cried the alcalde, rising, having in a measure recov- ered from his confusion, ‘It is not your quarrel; why, then, do you interfere?’ “Because I choose to,’”’ replied Blake, coolly. **That is my little gait in this world; mebbe it would be better for me to mind my own business many a time, but I can’t; it’s a failing I’ve got whenever I see anybody imposed upon to put in my oar,”’ “You are a stranger here—what do you want?” demanded the alcalde, sternly. a be ae that to you, anyway?” replied Blake, de- antly. “I’m the alcalde of this town, and I’ve a right to know,” Black retorted. ‘““Oh, you’re the alcalde, are you—the man that owns and runs Tejon Camp? Well, you've got one man in it now that you can neither own nor run, and just as soon as I settle with this fellow, I'll be read to give you all the sat sfaction that you want. Pick up your money, young man,”’ he said to the Cali- fornian. “Don’t be afraid! If any man-jack here attempts to prevent you, T'll bore a hole through him on the spot!” The threat had due effect and the young man was rmitted to gather up his gains without molesta- ion, for the bystanders saw that the alcalde himself was somewhat puzzled by the stranger's boldness and uncertain how to deal with him. “You don’t dare to give me a chance!”’ growled the bully, on his knees. “Oh! you want a chance, do you?”’ ‘Release the man!’’ commanded the alcalde, and to enforce the threat he drew a revolver from his belt, but in a twinkling another silver-mounted pis: tol glistened in the hand of the bold amd reckless Fresh, and the alcalde saw that he was covered by a ee ae weapon which only required a single pull upon the trigger to discharge the ball “Tf you attempt to cock that weapon obliged to bore you!”’ Blake cried, in a tone which orn clearly betrayed that he was not to be trifled with. The alcalde set his teeth together in a rage; never before since he had led his followers into the little valley and founded the mining town of Tejon Camp had mortal man dared to brave him. “You have grossly insulted this man and accord- ing to our law he is entitled to a trial by battle if he demands it.”’ “Tdo! Blazes! am I to be handled this hyer wa: — getting satisfaction for it?’’ the giant growl- “A fair fight, eh?’ fea the alealde — 45 age “Put up your weapon then, and I’m agreeable.’ The alcalde did not mifich relish the tone of com- mand which this bold Ag man used, but he re- solved to quietly bide his time, and so he shoved back the revolver into his belt. Blake released the giant and he rose sulkily to his feet, shaking himself like a huge dog just emerged from the water. “See hyer, my little cock-sparrow, I ain't used to bein’ handled in this hyer way, an’ I’m jes’ a-goin’ to make you pay fur it. Do you know who I am?” “I hain’t the pleasure,’ Blake responded, with an extremely polite bow, which only seemed to inflame the wrath of the big ruffian. ‘“Wal, my name is Dave Mendoza, and 1’m the giant of the Mohave,l am! Now, who are you?” “ Jackson Blake.” And then a solitary voice cried out: “The Fresh of Frisco!” Even in this remote mining-camp the evil fame of the man had preceded him, for a hum of astonishment followed the announcement of the name, “Oh, yes, that’s my handle; i see that I’m no stranger by reputation, at least to some of you, Oh, it’s pleasant for a a des to fall among friends!’ there was an air of bitter sarcasm in the speaker's voice as he spoke, which gave the lie to his words, “Wal, f or no fresh, you’re my mutton!” re- sponded the giant. ‘I reckon that I don’t ‘low no man to take me by the throat and choke the wind out of me, like as if I war a yaller of no ’count.”” The bully had never heard of the well-known sport and little guessed what an encounter wi h him implied. Nor had the alcalde of Tejon Camp any knowledge of the man. For some years he re- sided in the wilderness, first as a master for oki Michael Scott, and then, when the gold éx- I shall be | 5 citement broke out, as the master-spirit and founder of the mining town. But, Alex Black was no fool, and he guessed from the sensation that the name of the bold tian, whe had dared to brave him in his own saloon, had created- when he announced it, as well as from the strangeness of the designation, that he had to deal with no common man. Mendoza, the Mohave giant, was a noted bu 7, on excellent pistol shot, and the alcalde had very little doubt that he would be able to give a good account of the stranger. “To the open air!’ Black cried; ‘‘ there is a bright moon, and this quarrel might as well be settled now as at any other time.” “Oh, I'm eeable,” Blake responded, and then the crowd within the saloon surged forth into the open air, “Why should you enter upon this quarrel for my sake?” the Californian youth cried quickly in the ear of Blake as they passed through the door. “It’s a habit I have,” he replied, lightly, ‘I can’t keep out of mischief to save me! sides, you are no match for this big bully. Itis alla game to rob ou of your dust. I saw the alcalde signal to this: ellow when he saw that the re was going heavily against him. This town is all a den of thieves; may- be it will be cleaned out some time. And your face,. too, I like the looks of it. Isaw that you were to be imposed upon and I made up my mind to take a hand in the matter, like a fool, too, as I always am, for my game at present is to lay low, keep my eyes open, and say nothing.” “ But you must not fight for mei” the Californian urged, his voice deep, musical and clear; the lad was evidently of no common blood. “Oh, don’t worry your head about thav! luk a pleasure to me; besides, this quarrel with the bully of Tejon Camp has got to come some time if I stay here, and I might as well make a beginning.” “But this man may kill you!” the pec reg, Rang bern * Alive or dead, it’s all one to me and to of the world, too, I guess,” Blake replied, carelessly. “But, don’t you worry about me, fore this cam is an hour older I'll show them a trick or two wi the revolver that I'll bet a trifle the Mohave region never saw before, or I’m a Dutchman.” ‘Let me fight this man!” the youth demanded, with kindling eyes. ** All right—after J get through with him.” And Blake laughed as he spoke. It was a simple speech, but the tone made it full of fearful meaning. “After he got through with him!” If the Fresh of Frisco's 2h pe was not unjustly gained, the giant would be of very little use to any one in this world after Blake had finished with him. In the open air the crowd gathered in little knots, ongee to witness the ae fight. he big, round moon, riding full in the heavens, looked down in silent majesty upon the scene; many a bloody fight had Madam Luna witnessed in that little valley through which ran-the Mohave stream. ‘Now, stranger, listen to the conditions,” the al- calde said. “ orty paces apart ge will be placed; your pistols in your hands. I will give the signal; you will draw, advance and fire, and after you've emptied your revolvers you can fall back on your bowie-knives. Is that satisfactory?” “ As fair as fair can be!” Blake exclaimed, sen- tentiously. “Cor-eck!” yelled the giant. ‘“ Pick out your grave, young feller, for you'll need it afore you’re ten minutes older !’’ Blake smiled contemptuously, but did not deign to 4 to the vaunt. ‘Stranger, you pace off down the street twenty ; Mendoza, you goup. Halt at the word and hen turn, and at the word, begin,” the alcalde said, “ Go ahead /” And then the two started. Each and every man in the crowd counted the paces. The twenty were paced off, and then the alcalda cried: ‘Halt! Are you ready? Turn and fire.” The fun was about to n. CHAPTER IX. SOME SHARP SHOOTING. Boru of the men turned prompely af the m,uwal, the bright moonlight distinctly illuminated the scene They advanced with measured steps, each keeping a wary eye upon the other. The spectators held their breath in anxious sus- pense. Then, all of a sudden, the giant raised his arm and leveled his revolver; he was taking deliberate aim; pny io as a flash up came the arm 6f Blake, not to the level of his arse but merely to his breast, and the sharp report of the revolver instantly followed; the giant was slowly cocking his piece at the e, but he did not wait to fire, he simply threw the pis- tol down as though it had suddenly become red-hot in his gripe, and then commenced dancing about as if a whole nest of bees were stinging him. “Ow, ow!” he howled, to the intense amazement of the crowd, the alealde included. “Oh, murder! oh, blazes! ow, ow!”’ Such a war-dance hadn’t been witnessed in the streets of Tejon Camp for some time. ‘What's the matter?” cried the alcalde ina rages “is the fool mad?” And as for Blake, with a quiet smile upon his face he stood still and watched the antics of the giant. “This man’s life is at my mercy,” he said, ‘but } hate to interfere with any man’s enjoyment,” and he laughed quietly to himself. Perhaps it was cmpepens: the giant was dancing briskly enough; still, from the expression upon bis face as well as from the vigorous way in which he was swearing, it would seem to indicate that, al though a man mere dance, yet. he might not be hig entertained t yf t the blazes is the matter with you?” the alcalde cried, losing patience at last and striding up to the apparently crazy man, ‘**Oh, my funny-bone! ow! murder! oh!” cried the fellow, recovering in from the shock, and then he stripped up his shirt-sleeve—he wore no coat, a dirty red shirt being the only garment over the per part of his body—and on the elbow showed red crease where ball had just the For.a moment the e was ‘ounded, was the mest that he had ever seem,
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Set Og ae OG eS) op 6 but he could not bring himself to believe that it was the result of design. Surely no living man could be | 20 excellent a shot. “* See hyer, Black, I’ve got about enough of this!’ prot the bully. “ Wot kind of chance do Istand with this hyer cuss wot kin bark a feller’s elbow and not half try? Blamed ef I see’d him take any aim at all!” “Th was only an accident!” the alcalde replied. “Ttis not possible that.any man in the world could make such a shot.” “ But, see hyer, Mister Black; I want to quit, I do! Durned ef this feller hain’t taken the steel all outen me.” ** Going to show the white feather, eh, Mendoza?” the alcalde sneered. “No man ever sed that of me!’’ the bully blus- red. “But the whole town will say it, if you give this thing up,”’ “But a man wot kin tickle you on the funny-bone with a revolver bullet,” the giant persisted, ruefully. “An accident; it’s a hund to one that he couldn't do it again.” “Do you think so?” The bully was leth to renew the struggle. ** No doubt about it at all!” “Oh, well, I s’pose I'll have to tackle him ag’in then,” but from the look on the face of the man it ‘was plain that he had no relish for the contest, “Take your places again,” commanded the al- ealde, as he strode back to his former position. * Hold on!” cried Blake; “‘ Treckon that this man’s life belongs to me now, and I don’t see as I am call- ed upon to risk mine against his again, I appeal to the crowd! I could have shot the fellow a dozen times when he was dancing uy and down with his revolver on the ground, only I scorn to murder an unarmed man in cold blood. It was my aim to de- rive him of his weapon and I fired on purpose to isarm him,” “ An accidental shot; you can’t do it again!’’ the alealde declared. “Oh, can’t 1?” Blake retorted, scornfully. ‘ Well, go on with your bird's egging, and I'll show you an- other shot Jast as good,” Tne giant stared at the words, and an uneasy ex- pression ge upon his face. In truth he had already had taste enough of the ee of the stranger, and was not “‘ hankering” after any more; but, urzed on by the taunting words of Black, he re- solved to do the best he could, although he feared for the result; but, then, if he backed out now, that would end his career as the bully of the camp for- ever, and he feared the snecrs and jeers of the mi- ners almost as much as he did the weapon of the stranger. ‘Now, then, are you ready?’ Black cried. “Ready,” responded Blake, prompuy. “ Ready,” answered the bully, but not at all prompt- ly, and, from the manner in which he uttered the word, it was plain that he bad no‘heart in the con- “ Fire, then!” the alcalde cried. At the word, Blake advanced rapidly upon his an- fgonist, the revolver gleaming in his hand, but the ‘weapon carrie low down at his side, The giant had also advanced at the word, but not particularly quick, and the rapid movement of his antagonist so confused him that he halted irresolute cont tegen to take aim. Hehad a presentiment that asingle shot would be all that would be allowed him, and that if he did not succeed in disabling the stranger at the first fire, he would not get another rtunity. 6 extreme pains that the bully took defeated the purpose. He waited until the stranger came within range: he waited until he was certain of the aim, and then, just as he was about to pull the trigger, Blake anticipated him with the same rapid move- ment that had proven so effective before, and appa- rently again without taking aim. The sharp erack of the revolver was followed by a how! of 4 from tbe giant and he tumbled over feckystt apparently done for, Four or five of the lookers-on rushed to his assist- ance as he rolled over and over on the ground, howl- ing with pain. ‘Wat's the matter? Whar has he plugged you?” cried a sympathizing friend. “Ow, ow! I dunno!’ roared the giant. ** Here's blood on his shoulder!” cried a keen-eyed observer. It was true; the Fresh of Frisco had “ plugged"’ his man this time, but he had not aimed at the shoul- der as one of the bystanders sence discovered, for this inquisitive Dick had picked up the giant’s revol- ver and made the astounding discovery that the stranger had s/ot the hammer away so that the wea- pon was rendered harmless. A ery of amazement went up from the crowd when this fact was made known and even the red- bearded, iron-faced alcalde seemed amazed, Never before had Tejon Camp seen such marks- tmanship. The bullet had glanced after Menai am away the hammer and had entered the bully’s shoulder, inflict- ing a slight flesh-wound only, which fact was speedi- ly discovered and made public, much to the ef of e giant. But, the bully of the Mohave rose from the ground an altered man. He was whips, and henceforth life in Tejon Camp had for him no charms, so he slunk away and disappeared. Blake turned to the alcalde, * Well, is there anybody else that wants satisfac- tion?” heasked. ‘ Now that I’ve got my hand in, I might as well accommodate all that care to be ac- eommodated.”’ There was many a dark look on the faces of the bystanders, but after the display of skill that Blake had exhibited there wasn’t one of the bullies of the town that cared to take up the bold challenge. “ Well, as no one speaks, I conclude that you're all eh?” And as hespoke Blake looked around him with a scornful smile upon his clear-cut, hand- some face. It was something of a triumph for him, alone and single-handed, to walk into the roughest 5 ears Beles hat was in all California, ard make the fighting-men of the camp acknowledge his PeTYou have held your own sh oung man, and no Aint against you,” the gracious, He had — =. ———SS eee * what I tell you, The Fresh of Frisco. reflected upon the matter during the last few mo- ments. Yhy should he wage war against this strariger who was so well able to protect himself? Why not make an ally of this bold and skillful fel- low, turn him from an enemy into a friend? It was a capital idea, the shrewd Mr. Black thought, and he determined to act upon it as soon as possible. Blake bowed gracefully. “Tf everybody else is satisfied, so am I,” he said. “Tnever yet went round this world trying to tread wpon anybody’s toes,” ‘* Have you ever visited this camp before?” “Never,” ‘““We have some rules here which we require all new-comers to abide by, and if they do not like them, and do not care to live under them, why, then we expect they will depart, seek some other abiding- place, and yet take no offense.”’ “That seems fair enough,” Blake remarked, and he looked inquiringly at the young Californian. “T can see no objection,” the stripling said. ‘At eight to-morow, then, call upon me in my office and I will explain matters. And now, boys, let’s all take a social drink.” The alacrity with which this invitation was ac- cepted clearly proved that the alcaldewas a popular man, or else that the crowd was extremely dry, ® CHAPTER X. A STRANGE REQUEST, Tur crowd slowly dispersed, the most of them re- turning to the saloon, while the remainder sauntered off to their cabins to retire for the night. The Californian approached the man who had so pluckily taken up his quarrel—and so successfully proaeren it—and grasped him warmly by the nd, The contact of the slender, womanly fingers sent a strange thrill through the stalwart frame of Blake, for the hand was as cold as ice. - “Towe you a thousand thanks for this service,” the young man exclaimed, “ but, alas! I fear that it _ never be in my power to repay you for the avor.” “Oh, don’t speak of it,’ Blake replied, walking slowly up the street, the Californian keeping him company so as to get out of earshot of the loungers who were loitering about. * Ah! but I should speak of it!” the other replied, es “The weight of obligation will press me own unless I can find some way to cancel it.” ‘It is a foolish habit I have of thrust myself into quarrels that do not concern me in the least, but, ever since I can remember, I could never bear to stand tamely by and see any one im upon. This town, you know, is nothing but a den of thieves. I don’t beliave that there are ten decent, honest men in the place. This is the Alsatia of the Pacific slope. If you are anything of a scholar you may remember that, in the olden time, there was a certain part of London where thieves and criminals of all kinds found a safe harborage, and it was the boast of the inhabitants of the district that the officers of the law never dared to seize their prey within its bounds, That was the old Alsatia, this is the new. No sheriff ever chased his man into this valley and attempted to take him out. Why? The inhabitants would rise en masse to resist the outrage.” “And what brings you here, among the wretched criminals?” cried the Californian, abruptly. Blake laughed. “Suppose I put the same be rwrne to you, eh?” “You are not a criminal—you are not a thief— your hands are not red with blood!’ the young man cried with astonishing earnestness. “Tam a criminal and yet 1am not one; Iam nota thief, eo many a time I have taken money for which I did not work! There’s a riddle for you.” “Tn this wild, strange land, men sometimes stain their hands with bl and yet are innocent of any actual crime; for, amid these rude scenes each man is a law unto himself. You have taken life, per- haps, in self-defense; who then can blame you? You have won money at the gaming-table; it can hardly be called a crime when every one does it,” the Californian replied, slowly and deliberately, ** Ah, Isee, my young friend, that you are deter- mined to make a hero out of me,’’ Blake observed, banteringly. ‘But you never got hold of worse material for that purpose in all your life. Believe for I am a man of my word what- ever else my faults may be—when I say to you that I'm as big a rascal, in certain ways, as ever went unhung. Heaven gave me wonderful strength and skill, and I have sadly misused both, I am no boy world I ought to amount to something, instead of being the wretched outcast that I am.” ‘You an outcast? No, I will not believe it!’ the outh exclaimed, vehemently. No, you are too no- le—too generous!" “Oh, you've got the wee. idea entirely!” Blake cried, laughing at the warmth of the other. “I see that you don’t know me. Why, I’m the biggest devil that ever escaped a white jail! If there's a quarrel going on anywhere around me it seems an utter impossibility for me to keep out of it.” “ And you always take the weaker side, eh? as you did to-night?’ “Now don’t you let this feeling of gratitude run away with you,” Blake said, soberly. ‘ Probably the best advice that I can give you is to warn you to keep away from me. I am an outcast from the civili ed world; only in some wretched spot like this cutthroat town would my sojourn be permitted, I’m telling you the honest truth when I say that I've been warned b, Pais Hege- Sadk mining camp clear ere 20. ou will, up and down this Pacific slope, anh i find the —_ - of Jack a. _ Fresh of Frisco, is retty well known—as it was here to-nicht. , reputation wearols Dist." 6 An evil nd why do these men persecute ” youth persisted. your" the * Petsecute!’’ and Blake laughed again; “ oh, but ; y | al alarm whic now, and with the advantages that I've had in this | v | other door to the room which led into | the room was closely sow hundred fener Peer uted - ~ | tain chain was quite near, W whed on the little valley and forced the waters ti @ i. de the vigilantes out of nearly every | furnished ; & ru | ehairs, evidently | that placed high in the wall looked into the saloon against a The youth evidently was determined to make a | hero out of the man who had befriended him, “Oh, but I knock men down in the dark an through their pockets; I waylay drunken on Bs and ease them of their gold-dust; I carry three or four packs of cards up my sleeves and s0 ring in a cold deal’ on my opponents; in fact, I’m just ag bad as they make ’em!"’ The Californian regarded his companion for a moment with an incredulous Jook upon his face, and then he slowly shook his head. They had strolled on until they had got away from the loungers in front of the saloon, and then halt- ing, continued their conversation, the moonlight being so bright that they could see each other's faces as plainly as by day, “You are not so bloodthirsty as you wish to make out,” the youth said. “You could easily have killed that rough fellow to-night if you had wished. Twice his life was at your mercy and yet you spared him.” ‘The overgrown fool!” Blake cried, in contempt, ‘* He was but the tool of this precious seoundre!l of an alcalde, I scorn to wreak my vengeance upon the servant when I can easily reach the master.’ “This alealde is yonr foe?’ and the eyes of the youth sparkled, strangely, as he put the question, Blake was somewhat astonished, not so much at rd question as by the look upon the face of the er, “My foe—well, that’s a hard question to answer. I never saw the man before to-night, and never of- fended him in any way except by Blocking his game ou. our foe!" the boy asseverated with a earnestness; *‘ you know That he is your foe, and that he will do you a harm if he can, and you are not the man to tamely submit to any wrong Vidi ae aaa though he is the alcalde of the wn?” “s Fo, not if he were a thousand alcaldes,” Blake rep He is my enemy!” the youth continued, h - ly, and with excited speech, ‘‘ but he dose 2 orioee me. Undera false name I come, but if he was to discover who and what I am, he would instantly at- tempt my life—he would set his cutthroats at me— he would hunt me down as the gaunt wolves on the rairie pull dowft the wounded | buffalo. I need a riend, for alone I cannot cope with this man. Will you be that friend? Will you dare to back my quar- rel against this bloody-minded alcaide as you did my quarrel with his ruffianly tool? I cannot pay you now; Lhave some money, but only enough to enable ee ee Pag snagged came hither to execute, bu é future, I sha rich, will I share with you all that I gain!” ee Blake gazed with wonder at the youth, s as he did, like one inspired, and, strange mixture To ete eg —_ impetuous recklessness as he was, he became fired with somethin - panion’s spirit. oS ee «cv att’s a bargain!” he cried, extending his hand: I'll back your quarrel even to the death!” A warm grasp of hands closed the compact, then the two sauntered slowly back to the hotel, secured pre tran and eee the night, for, by the ime the conversation en as we have it was near a ’ a Blake, ever cautious, secured the door with its lit- tle wooden bar, for locks and bolts were scarce arti: cles in Tejon a and threw himself, all dressed upon the rude bunk and drew the blanket over him’ It was some time before slumber came, for many strange thoughts were in his mind, ye‘, when he did nloeps he — anny, ; _ from his sleep he was rudely aw F rong hands w — strong cords bound him<he know ay nn Black Men of Tejon had seized him for eee tees Fagen ER XI. N OF MICHAEL SCOTT. Tue alcalde sat in his private room in the Alcalde’g Ranch. It was a small apartment built out at the extreme end of the building just bebind the bar, communicating with the room by astout door, which was evidently constructed with a view to detense against an unwelcome visitor, for bold and reckless as was the red-bearded alealde of this wild and lawless town, he had in his time encountered men as bold and reckless as himself, and on two or three occasions he had been hunted hotly to pis dep and closely imprisoned there by infuriateg desper adoes and only released by the Cenak of a gener- had rou e town to is rescue Bullet-proof, therefore, was the door leading fr: the saloon into the private room, as wag and from this second door, if the oocy way in by the saloon en ae wows soon oe ay in e saloo! 4 e8ca) made to the shelter of the wooded foot. soe ur of the moun Mohave stream from wide Pacific, into the great sandy desert parched earth large streams are SW’ ders of the far Western plains. The alcalde’s apartment was yee 4 Seantily a rude table and } the work of some Hohaee eS of carpenter, and not the product of civilization acy t all. é a los dower only a single window in the er method of precaution, this, a tile peng PO midnight and the alcalde sat m The appearance of the that’s not the word, you know. It isn't ; ‘ul. it is justice it’s the law reaching with Saar ated and thought troubled him. After the duel, in for the man who has dared to disobey its rules.” which Blake had so omg bay vanquished his ‘an- “They hunt you from their town because you are | tagonist, upon his return to the saloon the alealde more skillful and braver than the rest of the people | had taken to question some of the miners in mamesranchk goiter fot, Noun re ode tain 9 OPN ha e ul you @ mone did . men who banter you to play! is it's crime to do "tumor with her hundred tongues bad done even ad er | more than full justice to the outcast, for she made }
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The Fresh of Frisco. te — thim out to be a second Hercules in strength, a rival ef an opera-dancer in lightness of foot, a very ‘‘ Non- pareil ” in boxing, a better man than a_ Cornish “champion in wrestling, as sure a shot as any Kentucky rifleman who had ever brought weapon to shoulder, a Beau Brummell in manner, and a wizard for luck at the gaming table. And the alcalde, with these wondrous tales in his gars, retired to his ped apartment to meditate {iow he should deal with this remarkable man, whose wandering footsteps had chanced to stray into the dawn of Tejon Camp. A ee man for an enemy, perhaps also *qually dangerous as a friend. And as the alcalde sat and mused upon the subject there camean odd, peculiar knock at the outer ¥oor. The nalcalde lifted his head and listened,for he auld hardly believe that he had heard aright. he peculiar knock was repeated. * It is he, sure enough!’’ he exclaimed, and rising he hastened to the door. His old cautious habits Zid not desert him though, for before he opened the oor he made sure of bis visitor. “Who is there?” he asked. “Open; itis I, Buenaventura!” was the pate I'he alcalde undid the fastenings, for this door too was barricaded as though it was the entrance to a 4ortress, opened the door, admitted the applicant, and then securely fastened the portal again. The visitor was Stuart McKerr,. ‘The merchant was booted to the thigh and armed 40 the teeth; a broad sombrero upon his head, and a gostly Mexican blanket, worn like a horseman’s #vak, concealed his person. Upon their parting in Santa Barbara the alcalde had arranged with the merchant in regard to a visit to Tejon mp, should circumstances demand it, but he had not expected him so soon. “Sit down, man; I’m giad to see you, although your coming is unexpected, and I suppose that means that you bring bad news.” “Well, you’re right this time!" replied the mer- chant, flinging aside his hat and blanket, and seating bimself by the table. ‘“‘ Have you a ce of whis hardy? I’m as stiff as a ramrod, and chilled by this keen mountain air. I tell you, man, it is no joke for me to ride post-haste from Buenaventura up to this chole without hardly drawing bridle-rein.”’ The alcalde hastened to place refreslments before “is guest. * Well,” he said, after the merchant had taken a ood pull at the whisky, ‘‘ what is it? Did the seal- 1 packet which you say the girl carried concealed about her person escape the perils of wind and wave, and has it fallen into the hands of a foe? or thas the girl herself come to life again?” **Oh, no, both packet and girl have vanished from this world forever; there is no danger of either one of the two ever coming to life again, but a new dan- ger menaces us and threatens, unless we use prompt and violent measures, to totally defeat our plans." ar Aha! well, that is bad news; but explain the particulars at once.” “The son of old Michael Scott has come!”’ “The-son of Michael Scott!” the alcalde exclaim- ed, in amazement. “Yes, his sou! Now don’t look at me as if you thought that I was dreaming or had lost the use of my wits. I know what I am talking about well enough.”’ “ But I never knew that old Michael Scott had a son, that is unless you mean the father of this girl, whom we lured to death with the false beacon-light, and you told me that he was dead.” “ Oh, it is not that party at all; this is a son of his old age, the child of a Californian girl, who was the daughter of the herdsman in the old man’s employ. The old man fell in love with the girl, and induced der to run away from her home and take up her abode M4 a friend of his just outside Buenaven- tara, and there lo secretly visited her. I knew of wais at the time, but I had no idea that the minx had persuaded the old man to marry her. In time a child was born—a boy, and shortly after the birth of the child the mother fell in love with a Mexican of- dicer, whose acquaintance she chanced to make, and veing a fickle jade, and, woman-like, tired of her old lover, she ran off with the new, carrying the boy with her. Nothing was ever heard of her, and the affair had utterly passed out of my mind, when I tiade my calculations in regard to the estate, but now, all of a sudden, the boy has appeared, a bright «tripling and a bold one; he proclaims himself the son of his father; swears that his mother was legal- ly married by one of the priests of the mission to vld Scott, and announces his intention to lay claim at once to all his father left, including the secret cache in the mountains, in regard to which he seems to be pretty well informed.” * How did you happen to learn all these particu- dars?” asked the alcalde, astonished at the extent of he other's information. ‘* Did you ever hear of the half-breed named Jose, {1 Embustero?”’ * Jose, the Liar! oh, yes; he used to be old Scott’s body-servant, and since his death he has become a worthless, drunken sot; Idoubt if he draws a sober breath a month, El Embustero, or to freely trans- date it, the liar, that’s his title, and he’s as well tnown from here to Buenaventura as any man that can be named.” “T take a very great interest in that drunken vag- abond,”’ McKerr observed, quietly. “You do?” the alcalde cried, in astonishment. “Oh, yes, so much so that I keep a constant watch ‘mpon him so that he shall not come to harm. Some eone of my spies keeps him in sight day and night.” “But why?” asked the alcalde. “Ido not under- stand; what do you care about the fellow?” “T am convinced that that worthless, drunken old Indian carries within his head the seeret of Michael Scott's treasure cache in these mountains,”’ The alcalde started in surprise. “Ts it possible?’’ he cried. “It is more than possible; the half-breed was with the old man when he died; he closed his eyes, and I am satisfied from certain things which have come to eae eanrsetee that Jose possesses the secret of the “The secret is ours then!”’ * Oh, no, the old rascal is as tight as a drum; he ts faithful to the trust reposed in him, far I have an idea that old Scott, with his dying breath, charged him never to reveal the secret of the cache but to one of his blood.”’ “*Kither the son or daughter of Scott would an- swer then?” “Yes, and this young man called upon the half- breed, held a long interview with him and then de- parted for this place.” . “Oho! he is here then, and I guess that I know im!” “Yes, by my spies I was informed of the affair, and when my watcher, who had plied his trade so well as to overhear part of the conversation, inform- ed me that old Jose “alled the youth Miguel Scott, I instantly comprehended the danger that threatened our plans, and at at once took horse and followed in | pursuit,”’ ‘He is a voung stripling, and now that I take note of it, he does bear a great resemblance to old Michael Scott, for I have seen the bird and hold him now se- curely caged!” the alcalde cried. CHAPTER XII. THE BLACK MEN OF TEJON. No weak child or timid coward was Jackson Blake, | te tamely submit to this midnight attack without a | struggle, and he could resist, too, for the vast strength which dwelt within his muscular frame would never have been judged correctly by the out- ward seeming. It was a peculiarity of the man that he always awoke with all his senses on the alert, a habit forced upon him by the wild life of adventure which he had led for so many years. A single instant, then, and Blake at once compre- hended what had occurred; no thought as to who | his assailants were, or why he was assailed, crossed | his mind; it was enough for him that he was in danger, and he acted _— tly. With one mighty effort he essayed to burst the cords which bound his limbs. The Black Men of Tejon bad fettered many ¢ pris- oner since the time when they had first commenced their midnight excursions, and therefore no bunglers were they in the art of noosing an unconscious and helpless sleeper as tightly as a turkey trussed for roasting; but on this occasion the mighty strength of the man, whom they had so mysteriously attacked, set at naught all their rope-tying skill, thanks to the weakness of the cords that they had used, although each and every one seemed strong enough to hang a | man. The cords snapped like so many cotton strings and Blake reached for his revolver. If he had ever got that trusty tool in his hand, the disguised band, who called themselves the Black Men of EN ee would have suffered severely, for six lives at least the Fresh of Frisco carried in the weapon; but the midnight marauders were prompt to act. One threw a heavy blanket over Blake's head as he sat upright in the bed, after the violent effort | which had burst the cords, and esseyved to grasp his revolver; three or four more—there were six in all— | flung themselves upon him and by main force at- | tempted to overpower him. The bunk, never having been calculated to with- | stand such weight, gave way with a crash and came tumbling to the ground, and amid the ruins the des- | perate men struggled. The heavy blanket wound around Blake's head prevented him from making an outcry, if he had thought of attempting such a thing, which in truth he did not, for with men of the sh of Friseo's stamp, they are much more likely to endeavor to fight their own battles than to call upon others to help them, In any civilized locality the crash of the falling | bunk and noise of the desperate struggle would have been certain to excite attention and provoke inquiry; | but such commotions were far too common in the Alcalde’s Ranch to arrest attention. Hardly a night yassed without some drunken miner breaking down is bed, and then sitting amid the ruins, like Marius of Carthage, swore loudly enough to awake the Seven Sleepers, or else some unfortunate wretch in the clutches of the vivacious ** Man-with-the-poker ”’ made night hideous with his flendish yells and his frantic endeavors to kill the snakes and rats which hé imagined were attacking him. Therefore, as the noise of the struggle in the | apartment of Blake was but trifling compared to the usual racket when any of the lodgers got on a ram- | page, it excited absolutely no attention at all. The struggle was a desperate one, although brief, for even Blake, with all his wonderful stre th, was no match for the six stalwart fellows, particu- | e at the | im in folds of the heavy | larly as they gained quite an advan beginning by muffling blanket. The moon shining into the room afforded plenty of light for the assailants to see whiat they were about, and in — of Blake’s desperate ees, sa they | succeeded in overpowering and binding him anew; not with cords this time, made of untanned leather, strong enough to holda wild bull on the prairie. The job was fairly completed this time; Blake was bound hand and foot, his head muftled in a second blanket in addition to the first, in order to avoid the possibility of his giving an alarm; and then, lifting a trap-door in the floor, by means of which the ruffians had evidently gained access to the room, they raised their prisoner in their arms and descended the —_ which led from the room below up to the trap- oor, The last man down closed the trap and fastened it by a heavy wooden button upon the under side so that it would be impossible for any one to open the i 4 in the room above. e trap-door was a cunningly contrived plan to either rob or murder, without detection, the unsus- pecting occupant of the sleeping-room, As Blake had truly said, Tejon Camp was a cen of thieves, and the very head-quarters of the gang was in the Alcalde’s Ranch. The room into which the men descended was a narrow cubby-hole of a place, totally unfurnished, and, when the trap above was closed, as dark as Egypt. It was evidently built ee to afford a secret way to the sleeping-room ve. It was — enough when a man sought accommo- dations at the Alcalde’s Ranch to him to this room, and then he could be pl and yet no owever, but with lariats | | | traces left of the manner in which the robbery was perpetrated. As we have said, when the trap-door closed the gang found themselves in utter darkness, but they were provided against this, for one of them drew a candle from his pocket, lighted it and then, stooping, lifted a trap-door in the floor which revealed another flight of steps, similar to the one which led to the room above, and as this second apartment was on the ground floor it was evident that there was scme | sort of a cellar underneath into which the steps led. | The cellar under the Alcalde’s Ranch would have rather astonished most of the people of Tejon Camp, for only the members of the Black Men knew of it. “Three of you carry him to the Judgment Hall, disarm him and prepare for trial; the rest come with me,’’ said one of the masked men who seemed to be the leader of the gang. Two of the men carried the helpless prisoner bodily _— the stairs, the third lighting the way with the candle. lt was a dark, inky gulf into which they descended, not a cellar, but merely a narrow underground pas- sage winding through the bowels of the earth. fter the party with the prisoner disappeared from sight, the rest quitted the room by a door w led from the secret chamber directly into the | saloon. The room was deserted now. The gang had en- Jered it at the lower. end at cne corner: they went straight across to the other corner and a secret door | there admitted! them into just suck another room | as the one which had the trap-door in it leading to | the underground passage. This too had the trap-door in the ceiling leading to the room above, with the convenient steps for _— ing access to it. Also a trap-door in the floar a which the underground passage could be gained. Cautiously groping his way in the dark to th steps the leader of the party ascended and, i | his ear against the trap-door, listened attentively. | Itwas plain that, two of these cunningly devised rooms, so that robbery or murder could easily perpetrated, the Alcalde’s Ranch — Not asound could the listerer hear, and, satisfied that the occupant of the chamber was wrap in slumber's chain, the masked man, slowly and cau- tiously, lifted up the trap-door, first twisting the but- ton around, Thanks to the rays of the moon the room was suf- Pairs 3: peapes to enable objects to be clearly dis- ingu’ é — the rude bunk the Californian was stretched, | his blanket drawn over him, his senses securely wrapped in sleep. Many a long mile had his good horse covered that day and it was only naturs] that the rider, sorely fatigued by the journey, should sleep soundly. Besides, too, the Californian had no thought of danger; why should he have when even the wily and quick-witted Fresh of Frisco, deceived by the really strong bar upon the door, and believing that it was utterly impossible for any one to force an entrance | without making considerable noise, had retired to | rest perfectly satisfied that there was no danger, | and that even if foes threatened, the stout bar would be asure protection against a surprise? | But the Black Men of Tejon were scientific cut- | throats, and they worked by craft and cunning more than by open force. The Californian slept, unconscious of danger, while the outlaws gathered in force around the bed. | CHAPTER XII. THE CAVE OF JUDGMENT. BLAKE, bound and gagged by the blanket, was borne onward by the men who had assailed him: so securely was he fettered that he was incapable ef | moving, much less of offering resistance. He kept | his wits about him, though, so as to be able to die | cover whither he was being borne.. He was sorely at a loss to understand the meaning of this 9 ptosodiog. When he had been first attacked he ad supposed that the intent of the assailants was robbery, for he fully understood all about the delu- sion that the majority of men entertained in re- gard to him; they believed that he was rolling in wealth and generally carried large sums of money upon his person; therefore when the un and ferocious attack was made upon him, na ly he believed that the assailants sought his hiddem stores, and when he was_overpow by the supe- rior numbers and securely bound, he laughed ia hie sleeve at the disappointment that was in store for his capvors when they “‘ went for ” his wealth. Great was Blake’s astonishment then, when after binding him hand and foot, so as to render him } incapable of any resistance, instead of immediately proceeding to relieve him of his valuables, as he had expected, they raised him in their arms and carried him down the steps. | And then when the descent into the lower regions was accomplished and the passage through the | unde: und pathway was begun. Blake knew at once m the chilly dampness 0 the air that they were beneath the surface of the earth, and his won- der increased. What was the meaning of this son tees ling and what did they intend to do m On went the a the guide ahead with the mat mend candle, which struggled manfully against the damp currents of air that swelled through the passage, the two men following close on his heels carrying the captive, and no easy task was it for them either, although both of them were big, pow- erful, brawny men, but Blake with his hundred and fifty pounds of solid flesh was no light burden, and before they had got half-way through the the bearers n to grunt and swear, while the sweat poured off their faces. But all things must come to an end at last, and so did this journey whi_h was no exception to the alplake felt that he was be e felt that he was being deposited na soft surface, a skin couch he sup : aod, and then for half an hour or 80 no one touched him, no one came near him, although to his acute seuses, gagged as he was, it was perceptible that he was aot alone, aud, in some mysterious way, he got the idea that he was in an underground apartment of consideraule extent, About a half-hour elapsed, as we have said, thus
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+ * glaimed 8 allowing Blake considerable time to late in regard to the strange things that had transpired, and then rude hands were snddenly laid upon him; the blanket was removed from his head; his weapons lucked from his person; the lariat removed from s feet, and a hoarse voice bade him get up. He rose to his feet, somewhat slowly, for his limbs were rather stiff from the long and irksome confinement, and looxed around him. He was in a vaulted cavern fifty feet or more in diameter, one of th se peculiar chambers due to volcanic action in a far-off age. The apartment was dimly lighted by candles clustered in bunches around circular sticks, each thus forming a sort of a torch. Here and there in the walls of the vaulted cham- | r were great black cavities, evidently the en- trances to other caves. At one enc of the apartment, upon a sart of rude stone throne, a tall, black figure was ensconced, | Six other ficures were in the room. All tall, all clad in long, black robes covering them completely, and through the head of each robe shone gleaming eyes. a man was armed with a cocked revolver. the chief alone excepted, and each and every revolver was leveled full at the breast of the prisoner, al- though his arms were tied, his weapons gone, thus destroying all hope f a successful resistance. And as Blake looked upon the scene for the first time there flashed across his mentory the remem- brance of some wild tales which he had heard in re- rd to certain mysterious men who were supposed infest the town of Tejon Camp, a silent band who worked by night in the dark like the old-time bravos, and with knife or pistol “removed” the men who were not wanted in the mining valley. Blake had always regarded these stories as mere idle tales, the brain-coinage of boastful pilgrims who wanted to ‘stuff the world with wondrous lies. But here was the secret band and no mistake; there was no doubting the evidence of his own eyes. And he was their prisoner; what fate did they in- tend for him? **Do you. know where you are, Jackson Blake?” asked the chief of the gang, who sat upon the throne- like rock. The speaker spoke slowly and solemnly, evidently endeavoring to disguise his voice and im- rt a tinge of awe to the scene, but the ears of the | of Frisco had always been noted for their keen- | ness, and so he felt sure that he recognized the speaker upon the instant. ¢ y “I do not,” be replied to the question, betraying no sign of either surprise or recognition. “Do you know who these men are that surround you?’ the chief questioned again. “A pane of amiable cutthroats, I should judge,” Blake answered, as cool as a cucumber, and with not atrace of agitation upon his handsome face. A sort of a hoarse, subdued growl came from under the black hoods. It was ein that these gentlemen | of the night did not relish the plain speaking of the captive. “Keep °. civil tongue in your head gr it may,be the worse for you!” the chief exclaimed, steruly, and evidently annoyed by both the manner and matter of the speech. ‘‘ You stand in the presence of the Black Men of Tejon. Few men ever look upon this scene and then live to tell of it.” A pecuiiar, ominous sound foilowed the warning. Each and every man lowered the hammer of his | revolver down upon the cap, then clicked the cylin- der round as if to make sure that the tool was in working order, and then raised the striker to full cock again. But Blake, to use the old expression, didn’t scare worth a cent; his clear, calm eyes glanced quietly around upon the masked men and a slight smile eg upon ips. e had ce cocked and leveled revolvers before in his life, more of them too than his eye could take in now, and yet lived to tell of it. *“We rule this town—this valley, we Black Men of Tejon,” the chief continued, “and all who dwell within our lines must obey our will or die—die a death of horrid torture, a hundred times more fearfol than the instant death that knife or bullet can give. Blake nodded; he —- that he was expected to say something, but at present he preferred to pl a “waiting ” game; it was not his policy to force his adversary’s hand. “Those who rebel against our eve perish miser- ably,’’ the chief continued; ‘and now that you un- derstand who and what we are, we desire to ask you a few questions.” 7 “ Go ahead; I’m quite ready to answer.” } “Your name is Jackson Blake, and sometimes you are called the Fresh of Frisco?” ng er is quite ae aoa : ‘What brings you to Tejon Camp?” “A roving eiizposition, rood my lord,” replied Blake with an extremely polite bow. : ‘But you came here for some definite purpose? “Not a purpose!” . “You had better tell the truth, for if we catch ‘ou in a lie, heaven have mercy on your soul!” cried tne masked leader in a hoarse voice. “Oh, spar. your vhreats; you can but kill!” ex- lake, impatiently, “and I'm too old a gambler to worry mucli about my life at this late in the game.”’ “Reveal to us instantly the pu which brought u into this camp or prepare to suffer! Remem- or that you are utterly in our power; we can either kill or torture, and the torture which we inflict is sometimes worse than death. Answer, I say: why do you come here?” ; “To get my living,” replied Blake, bluntly. “To get your living in what way?” : “Why, in any way that lies open to me; I'll take a pan and try for gold, or I'll wield — for any man ng at fair wages. I’m open for anv that offers, and after the day’s is done, I'll flip a card in an saloon, and with any man in the camp, for as muc. money as I can raise to back my game.” “But why did you seek this camp—why did you ) aot go too and richer diggings?’ + this was the first camp that came in my way, and as for the older towns at the north, I've been warned out of nearly every one of them, be- cause I’m rather toc quick with my pistol and alto- | too lucky at cards to be permitted to hang | f x ‘The Fresh of Frise De aes sf ya did you make the acquaintance of Miguel ott?’ *T don’t know such a man.” “Oh, don’t you? Bring out the red-hot irons; we'll apply them to your. eyes, and as we burn out the sight perhaps oar memory will be improved,” the chief cried, with flend-like savageness. CHAPTER XIV. THE TRIAL. Tue command was been By at once, for all had, a? anger yf been prepared. Two of the disguised men retreated from the main cave and disappeared in one of the dark passages which seemed to be, in sober reality, entrances to the infernal region itself. Blake had faced many perils in the course of his life of adventure and lived to tell of them, but now eee likely to come nearer to death than ever Lore, No avenue of escape appeared open to him; he was helpless in the power of these men, and yet he did not despair, although few in this world have faced such danger with upright head. But while there was life there was hope. There was no yeason why these masked men should kill him. e had offended no one since coming to the Camp, with the exception of the bully whom he had defeated in a fair fight, and the disguised man had not referred to that quarrel at all; as for this Miguel Scott, about whom the outlaw leader seemed so anxious, to the best of his knowledge he had never met any such man, and the belief of the judge that he had, puzzled him greatly. In a few moments the two men returned, bringing & small furnace, full to the brim with glowing coals, wherein a stout iron rod was stuck. ‘ Bring in the plank!’ commanded the judge. Two more men disappeared in one of the dark cavities and then immediately returned, bringing with them a heavy piece of plank about- ten feet long. This they braced in an upright position against the rocky side of the cave. ** Now bind him to it!’ the masked leader ordered The work was performed at once and with a skill which showed that the men were old hands at the business. Blake did not attempt to resist; indeed; bound and helptess as he was, resistance would have been the hight of folly. “ Let hit smell the iron,’* commanded the outlaw chet, after Blake was securely fastened to the plank. A hoarse, smothered chuckle came from under the hooded mask of one of the band as he took the iron rod—the end of which was heated red-hot—from the furnace, and with a flourish, poked it near enough to Blake’s face to allow him to fully feel the heat, Securely pinioned as he was, the prisoncr could not resent the movement, although his blood fairly boiled in his veins, and he would willingly have giv- en ten years of his life to have stood a free man, with his revolvers ready for use, in the center of the cave, “ You see that we are in dead earnest!’ the judge exclaimed, grimly. ‘‘ We mean business évery time! Now, don't allow yourself to be deluded with the | idea that this red-hot iron business is only a threat, and that we don’t mean to carry through the whole operation, for we do. You never saw men more earnest in your life. You're a plucky fellow, but we've got the dead wood on you this time, and you might as well eave in and acknowledge the corn. Now, then, for the last time—we give you fair warn- ing—will you answer the questions which I put to et, or shall I have you tickled with this red- ot plaything? And, mind you, if that thing ever fools around your eyes, they'll never be much good to you after it. Will you answer?” : irene responded Blake, very promptly; “I have'n’t refused to answer.” “Yes, you have!” cried the judge, tartly. ‘‘ When Iasked you about Miguel Scott you said that you did not know such a man.” ‘ ““No more do I.” “Why you came to town with him to-night!” “Nary afime!” replied Blake, tersely. ‘You came into the Alcalde’s Ranch together,” “Oh!” cried Blake, a light Spee breaking in upon him—* you mean the young Californian whose part I took this evening?” ‘“ Exactlyg Miguel Scott.” ** Well, that may be his name for all I know.” “ Are yownot acquainted with him?” “Never $@w him in my life before to-night.” The masked outlaw leader bent an earnest, search- ing u Blake, but he bore the scrutiny with- out flinching. He was speaking the truth, for there was no object in deception. “You never saw him before to-night?” repeated the judge, slowly and deliberately. “ } Vaver 1 “Take care! We Black Men of Tejon have ways and means.for ascertaining the truth that you lit dream of."* “Tam speaking nothing but the truth,” Blake re- plied, army. Lhe chief seemed puzzled. He hesitated for a few moments béfore he spoke. ‘Blake,’ “he said, at last, “you speak like a man who is telling the truth, but it seems incredible to me that you should involve yourself in a quarrel, wherein you put your life in peril, on account of a boy whom you now say is a total stranger to you.” “Well, judge, that’s the hind of a man I am. Don't all the men that know me call me the Fresh of Frisco? and why should I bear such a name? Simply because I can’t mind my own business. Too eshte eager to back other men’s quarrels when I think that they have the right on their side and are being imposed upon, IL saw that it was all a plan to rob the boy of bis gold-dust. Luck had favored him and he hac won largely; the monte-dealer called in force to take back what he had —s lost."” ““Why do you say the monte-dealer?” questioned the judge, harshly. ‘*‘ What had he to do with the uarrel? It.was big Dave Mendoza who seized the ust and claimed it as his property.” “Well, jud e,1 reckoned that it was all in the family,’ Blake replied, shrewdly. “Tt was no business of yours.” “No; but I tell you I can’t help interfering when I see, such goings on; the boy was alone, friendless in a den of ves—" ‘ { | P.O ee eee “Take care! take care!” cried the masked judge, sternly. ‘Yon had better be careful what you are saying. We don’t allow any such talk as that im this hyer Camp.” “Oh, this ain’t a free country, eh?” “Tf you stay in Tejon Camp you've got to keep your mouth shut.” ** Well, I reckon that I won't stay in Tejon Camp, then!" Blake responded, dryly. * We're all brothers re fa and we stand shoulder to shoulder against outsiders. This young man was a stranger; he hadn't even got permission to stay in the Camp, and it’s no part of our game to allow any strangers to come in and beat us at our own game.’” And a man has got to get permission, then, before he can locate here?” “Correct! this hyer Camp is the refuge for the oppressed. No matter what a man has done, he’s. welcome here so long as he agrees to abide by our laws; it don’t matter a fig if his hands are red with the blood of a dozen men, he’s welcome here, and once he is received within our Camp, we defy the wer of all the sheriffs in California to take him out. ye know no laws here except the ones we make our- selves, and whoever pitches his camp in this valle has got to yield obedience to those laws or we’ h’ist him out, mighty sudden. Alexander Black, the alcalde, rules the town, and we rule the alcalde Alexander Black. We are the agents of death and destruction, When we get ready to put our mark on a man he might as well order his grave dug and pay for his tomb-stone. Now then we want to know where you stand; are you for or against ust” “Judge, you are really too much for me. l'lk have to give it up; give me an easier conundrum,” Blake open: not at all abashed by the threaten- ech. “Oh, you know what I mean, well enough, and we don’t want any nonsense!” cried the judge, sternly. ““We need just such mep as you are. You're a bold fellow—too bold to stay in Tejon Camp unless you join us Black Men, for, if you are not one of ‘us, this peculiar disposition ot yours will most surely lead you to work against us; and we reckon that we ain't a-going to give you a chance to kick up any trouble. e’ve got you foul, now, and we don’t propose to lose our grip. We thought that. you were a pal of this Miguel Scott and we were going to settle your hash in short order, but since you ain’t why we'll give you a good show. Come, what is it to be?” “But, judge, this thing is so sudden,” protested Blake, his shrewd wits perceiving a chance of es- cape. ; Oh, nonsense! You don’t need a week to think t over.” “But give me some little time, though—until to- morrow say.” ‘Until to-morrow?” asked the judge, reflectively, “Yes, and then if I can’t see my way clear to jo you, why I'll get out like a gentleman.” “Weil, that will be as we shall decide,” remarked the judge, in an extremely suggestive manner, ‘We don’t generally give much choice to such menas you are; it’s either join us or die.” “Phat ain't much choice, is it?” the prisoner ob- served, a quiet smile upon his face. ‘You shall have until to-morrow morning, and then it’s either join us Black Men of Tejon or die. Take him away! Two of the men stepped forward, unbound Blake from the plank and then led him away through one- of the dark cavities. . CHAPTER XV. THE CALIFORNIAN. Harpty had the figure of Blake disappeared when. the judge made a signal to another brace of his: masked cuttbroats. “ Bring out the other one,” he said. The men obeyed the command at once, and from one of the dark passages they brought the young: Cahfornian, his arms securely bound and his weap- ons removed, ‘The second prisoner did not show the composure: of the first, for bis face was ashy pes and he trem: bled visibly as he was brought into the judgment cave. The eyes of the masked judge sparkled. Blake with his devil-may-care assurance had in a measure baffied him, but at the first glance he saw that the young Californian was no such man of ice and iron as the renowned sport; therefore he calculated that, though he had completely failed in impressing the soul of the Fresh of Frisco, he would have much less trouble with this white-faced, nervous boy. “Well, young man, do you know where you are?’ the = e questioned, in his gruffest tones. “No, Ido not,” replied the youth, with an anxious: glance around bim. * You are in the judgment cave of the Black Men of Tejon. We run this town, we do, and it’s our business to question all strangers and learn what business brings them into our valley. Now we are oing to question you, and I give ycu fair warning that you had better answer truthfully or else it may cost you dear. We have our spies abroad, and mighty few men get into this hy, r camp without our knowing all about them and their business pe- tore they ever step foot in our streets.’ Again the youth cast anxious giances around him, and his lips visibly trembled—signs of uneasines#) which the judge noted with great satisfaction, “We rule this camp with an iron hand,” he cow tinued, ‘No one within the limits of the Mohave valley dares to dispute our power, Were a man tv even lift his little finger in resistance to our will, we'd give him to a death co sudden an@ terrible that men would talk with Lated breath when they told of his untimely taking-off. And now, young man, that I have explained fully who and what we are, ycu will of course perceive that it is to your interest to answer our questions without reservecr conceal- ment. Maybe you have some im portent Lusiness ine this seetion of country—some ‘ee ef eflair which you think concerns yourself alone? Now con't allow yourself to be misled on that peirt, for it is just pee that we know your Lusincss as well as you now it yourself, and perhaps better; so make a. clean breast of it. We can give you valuable aid if we ove that you are inclined to trust us; but if, of the pacar Seta ou pe gg ogee our will, one our chances are soe teat We ohn baie your plans.” ae 3 : t 4 " i
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The Fresh of Frisco. 9 cords had been loosened, he was enabled to move Again the Sy oxen cast restless, nervous glances around, and ‘iis lips trembled. ; The jud laughed in his sleeve; his threats had | had due offect and the boy was cowedalready; but a | ‘* Now, then, for the other!’ the judge cried, when the two men returned. ‘Bring out Jose, the Liar, | about with tolerable ease. and give that furnace fire a poke some of you; we The two men conducted him into the central cave may have ,to try the hot-iron argument on this | and placed him before the judge who had now re- ee ee pale face and trembling lips in some organizations | are not always indicative of a weak or oy rd nature. The heart may be stout, although the fles may not bestrong. ms Now, then, your name is Miguel Scott?” “No!” replied ‘the youth, promptly, and a pecu- ‘ly strange expression appeared upon his pallid “Your name is not Miguel Scott?” cried the judge, @ accents of amazement, astonished indeed at the plump denial. 4 Ho, it is noi/”’ “Young man, we'll put you through a course of sprouts, before jong!” threatened the masked man, “tean't help it, sie I ly speaking th ean't help it, sir; am only ng the trut a the youth, earnestly. not Scott, and I should be uttering a false- 4 Oh, 9 vse faite ti their? per my information was wrong, My spies bly made a mistake are oe very correct. you here, young man?” “No cular business at all.’’ aa —_ you must have some motive in ceming to’this ™ , “To seek my fortune only; I understood thata man might do well here, that is all.”’ “ Are you sure that that is all?” queried the judge, | in an extremely sarcastic tone. “T seek my fortune, nothing more, nothing less.’’ The youth’s stout heart and powerful will over- eame the trembling flesh, and although the lips quivered, yet the words came out firmly. “Ah, your fortune! and what may be your name, my young friend?’’ 6 youth hesitated. “Oho! trying to think of one, eh?” cried the judge. “There may he reasons why I should not give my own,” the boy replied, quietly, but evidently deeply excited. em eseergag for denying that you are Miguel Scott, e Lal “But I am not Miguel Scott!’’ “Your name, then!’’ cried the judge, harshly. “Never mind what you have done; a confession here won't hut you nor endanger your liberty. If you have killed a man or two, it don't matter; or robbed a bank, or a church; it’s all one to us and we'll think the better of you for it, but for the last time I warn you not to attempt to deceive us or we'll take the most terrible vengeance that the mind of man can conceive or-the hand of man execute. Be frank with usand we will aid you; treat us as foes and you. had better never been born.” Again the slight figure of the youth, shook as though he had been seized by an ague fit, but the will—the indomitable will, remained firm. ‘*My name is James Blake,” he said. ‘““Oh! a brother of our renowned friend, the Fresh of Frisco, eh?’ ** No, no relation at all; I never even saw or heard of him uniil to-night.” And your business here is simply te seek your fortune?” the judge said, in a Dh amiable tone, “Yes.” The youth began to believe that his story was received as truth, but he was soon undeceived. “Why then, young James Blake, did you visit the cabin of the drunken half-breed, Jose E] Embustero? Why did he call you Miguel Scott and promise to aid ou in your search for ‘ather, old Michael Scott, the cattle king?” exclaim- ed the judge, in a tone of thunder, and shak- ing his finger threateningly in the face of the youth. «Fou are a villainous liar and must die the death of a dog for having attempted to deceive us after we hac fairly warned you, Brothers he is yours!” Kach and every one of the masked men raised the hammer of his revolver and leveled the weapon full at the person of the young man. No word was spoken, but the ominous click of the locks rung t ugh the vaulted cavern like the knell of doom. The boy sunk upon his knees; the flesh ided but the iron will which dwelt within the delicate frame, was still strong. “Spare me!’ he cried. above I swear that I am not Miguel Scott; such @ person in this world—I never even heard the name until the half-breed pronounced it when I en- tered his cabin—the cabin of a stranger to me—to | Inquire my way.” ‘ nr hea accepted the title; you accepted a bag of gold-dust from him to help you on your way.” Because he forced it upon me and I sorely need- ed it,” the ary replied, earnestly. ‘‘I told him I was not Miguel Scott—that I knew no one by that name, but he, like you, did not believe, He spoke at random about some treasures in the moun- tains, told_me that I was the heir, and that I should have it, I believe that the man was raving, for he was deeply under the influence of liquor. I took his old-dust because he forced it upon me, and I told Fim that I would repay the loan soon as 1 could. What would one do in such an extremity as I was placed in? Upon my life Tam peaking whe truth and though your bullets tear my breast the moment my 8 is done, still, with my dying breath I do declare that I am not Miguel Scott—nor do I know him?” nest itself, if ever truth dwelt in human being, was in the voice and face of the speaker. For a moment the judge was puzzled and then 4 brilliant i ea flashed upon him. “Take the prisoner back to his cave!’ he cried. ne »nt you are spared, but your trial will sock tauk conto. We havetaid this half-breed Jose, the I by the heels; and theask il é50n discover the truth. If you are Miguel Scott, beware! for you shall die a fearful Yr’ JOS", THE LIAR. Is Obedience to the commands of the chief of the Moaked and hooléd men ths young Califorman was moved trom the center cave to one of the pur- W-like holes that served as places of confins‘uent # the prisouers of the secret is “My name is | | bly although. they | What business brings e buried treasures of your | we'll bring you face to face, | drunken red-man, for he’s as cunning as a fox and | suméd his seat. as obstinate as a mule.” The twomen at once departed to obey the com- mand. Along the right-hand side of the cavern, at irregu- lar intervals, the dark mouths of three lesser a - ments appeared, In the first, Blake had n ylaced, the second held the young Californian, and into the third the two men now went, A special excursion had these Black Men of Tejon made to the abode of the peon Indian, and seizi him in his lonely hut in the mountains had boun him hand and foot, and then, placing him upon the back of a mule, had borne him, a captive to the se- cret cavern, which was so near to the heart of Tejon Camp. : The old Indian had not attempted to resist the at- tack, but had submitted with a good ce. Possi- thought that resistance would be fruitless and would only provoke harsher treatment. The captors had laced the old.peon in one of the cavern cells, slightly releasing the bonds which fet- tered his limbs, so that he could move about a little, and thus render his confinement less irksome. “The Indian must speak,” the masked judge ob- served, addressing the disguised man who stood close to him on his right hand, and who, evidently, was one of the prineipal men of the band. ‘He must speak,’’ he repeated, fiercely, and with’ de- termined accent, ‘‘or else we will not only burn out his eyes but his tongue as well.” “ There is no doubt in my mind that this boy is the son of Michael Scott," the other replfed. , “Very little in xine, and yet he denies it strong- y. ‘**Perhaps he fancies that not , his fortune. but his life depends upon his denial of his identity,” the other observed, his voice full of threatening mean- ing. “ He’s not far wrong, eh?”’ ‘Perhaps not.” The conversation at this point was suddenly inter- rupted by the return of the two men who had been sent to bring the Indian. They came rushing back to the main cavern, wav- ing their torches in wild confusion, and before they had opened their mouths one and all within the cave guessed at once that some untoward accident had occurred, “Well, well?” cried the masked judge, in hoarse accents of command, as the two men paused breath- lessly before him. “The Injun !"* shouted one. ‘ “Clean gone!"’ ejaculated the other. “Gone!” cried the chief, spripging to his feet in utter ainazement. **Gone!”’ the band re-echoed, in vast astonishment. ‘**Durned ef he ain’t!"’ the first ruffian answered. ““Nary piece of him left, hide nor ha’r,” the second one chimed in. **It is impossible!” the leader cried. ‘‘ Mortal man could not escape from any one of the cells. There is no way of either getting into or out of them ex- cept by the single passage which leads into this cen- | ter cave. **Can’t help it, Cap; the buck is clean gone!” the ruffian replied, with a dubious shake of the head. “He was thar all right at dark, for I took him in his fodder.” “Yes, I'll sw’ar to that, for I see’d him, too!” the other masked officer exclaimed. “Come with me, you two, and we'll examine the cell!” the chief exclaimed, hastily, ‘I cannot un- derstand it at all. An escape under such cireum- stances seems like a miracle,”’ With hasty steps the three rushed into the narrow cave where the peon Indian had been placed. The torches carried peas two gu fully ilum- inated the cavern, which was small in extent, not fer ‘age or twelve — wide = about twent in length, very irregular in outline, more oval bee aad the walls broken into all sorts of curious pes. But the masked men noted not the peculiar beauty | of this underground apartment, old nature's ‘*As there is a heaven | k nothing but the truth. I | never knew that there was | work, for they had eyes only for one t ‘ At the extreme end of the apartment, curled all in a heap, apparently asleep, was a man, e masked leader uttered an exclamation of rage as he looked upon the sleeper, and the two guides were so ——— astonished that they could only stare open-mout at the unexpected sight. The sleeper was the Indian whom they had just declared had escaped, “Why, you stupid dunderheads!”’ the judge eried, in a rage, ‘“‘ what did you mean by say that you were not able to find him? Are you blind or so drunk that you can’t see?” “T'll take my oath he wasn’t thar a min'te ago!" the first ruffian declared. “I wish that 1 may be kicked to death by cripples ef he war thar!” the second one asserted. * Bah! you couldn't have looked very carefully!” the judge retorted; ‘‘ but, since you see that he is here, suppose you bring him along with you. The two ruffians proceeded to roure the sleeper from his slumber; and they were not particular as to the meaas they used, either, for while one laid a heavy hand upon the shoulder of the Indian and roceeded to shake him roughly, the other booted fim in a most vigorous manner, and as a natural consequence the Indian sat ap and proceeded to swenr in an extremely tluent way. “Hush yer yawp!” cried one ofthe men. “* Shet up, yer copper-colored nigger, you!" yelled the ocher, ‘How ar’ you use g Christian cuss- words, you ’tarnel red heathen?” — up and come along; the cap’n wants to see “Me no want see capitun!” the Indian cried, in an aggrieved tone. Who the biazes cares whether you want to or not, yer red imp of mischief?’ the first rufflan ex- ~ ae toe e emphasized the remark with a hearty kick which made the red-man swear with bb errors ease, ut the Indian scrambled to his feet, evidenUy anxious to a. oid another att He was which ae ack, ? still hampered with the stout lariats with had been so securely bouud, bat, 2s the In the full glare of the torches the person of the Indian could be plainly marge, ay tg Jose, El Embustero—Jose, the Liar, to freely trans- late the title which local gossip had fixed upon the red chief—was a mar of at least fifty years; a little, withered, dried-up sort of a man, strongly reseme bling an Egyptian mummy. He was a n—a tame Indian—one of the red-men whom the holy Catholig fatbors had converted in the early days when, with weapons both spiritual and carnal, the mission monks had exercised almost despotic sway over California, As a general rule in this world when we civilize a barbarian he is much more apt to learn oir vices than our virtues, and in the case of Jose, un re- port grossly belied him, he had learned not but _ vices of the white man who had essayed to tame im. “Jose, we want a word or two of truth out of you!” cried the judge, sternly. “ Me tell truth all time,” the n ee with a curious glance around at the ed men by whom he was surrounded. “We intend that you shall tell us the truth or suf- pes on judge replied. “Bring the furnace for- war ” In obedience to the command the fiery furnace with its mass of glowing red-hot coals was placed ight at the peon’s side. “Now we mean business, Jose, every time," the judge remarked, ‘‘and we don't want any fooling. im going to ask you a few questions and the very first time you es torfool us with a lie we apply one of these hot irons ag tg? eyes. Lie No, 1 we'll burn out the ce eye; lie No, 2 we'll operate on the left one; lie No. 3 we'll give you a chance to taste it on your to: e,"’ The Indian trembled visibly as he listened to the terrible threat. He was a coward at heart: ev one knew that, and it was not a wonder that he trembled when threatened with such a fearful ordeal. “Me no lie,” he murmured, humbly. “You had better not!” the judge cried, harshly; “and now we want to know about this boy—this, | Miguel Scott.” The Indian took a single step forward, opened his mouth to eg and then—fell suddenly forward on his face, and at the same instant up from the fur- nace rolled a cloud of pungent, breath-stifling smoke which, in a second, almost filled every nook and corner of the apartment. The men gasped, choked and Leap . ois ‘ninge , ** Down on your faces!” the ju roared, “or we will all stifle ® CHAPTER XVII. THE ESCAPE. Tue timely suggestion of the masked chief proved the salvation of the disguised men, for, by throwi themselves flat upon their faces, they were enabl to breathe with comparat ve ease, for the strange vapor which had arisen so suddenly, and in such a mysterious way, from the furnace, obeyed the strin- gent law of nature and floated tow. the roof of the cavern. So dense was the vapor-like smoke, that even the i) torches failed to make an impression upon it, and like lights burning in a fog, were walled in by leaden gloom. “What is the meaning of this!" asked the disguis- ed man, who. had stood by the side of the masked and who, in throwing himself upon the floor. ui eee ae ie the ¢ - pas satbal é fiend only knows!" the ju re » angrily. 7 Fe suppose that the Indian had anything oO bal “Perhaps,” dnd then a sudden tho flashed over the speaker’s mind. ‘“ Why, it is a thousand to one that he produced it.” * Produ it! How?” “Cast some drug into the furnace; these peons are skilled in herbs and roots, and I have often heard that this Jose was a mighty medicine-man; the cun rascal bas over ed us.” = re BA o not understand—what can he gain by this “Liberty; he saw that we were dis to him to the ck, and as he was not able to force he tried what cunning would effect. This is an old cave, you know; it was here when the town was first. settled; it is evidently an old mine, for it bears marks of having been worked; no white men though ever had a hand in it; it is one of the secret mines of the Indians, for the very entrance to it even is care- fully hidden, and it was only by accident that I stumbled upon it, and I have kept the knowledge of the mountain passage within my own breast. caused the un ound way to the Alcalde's Ranch ~ to be constructed, for Isaw how the cavern would prove. Now it is just possible that this lying scamp of a red-skin knows all the ins and outs of the they had ¢ essly overlooked him, although I could not very well understand how the cout do sach a og. They protested stoutly had Used their eyes as well as they knew how, that when they had gone the first time the cell was empty. Of course I cursed them for a couple of careless rascals, but I am satisfied pow that spoke the truth. The peon was not Tears. He knows et were constructed. Each and every one had som secret outlet skillfully constructed, and so ngs 2 arranged as to baffle the most searching eyes. You have followed me in this?" ‘Yes, and you think the Indian thas you lutended to force the secret of Hipost s Sms ' him, resolved te escape rather than betray the son. | his.old master?’ “Tizactly; be hes taken advamtage of the Guz > : ~~ a hs Fn iia 3
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10 ness which he produced by casting some drug into the furnace fire, to escape, and the chances are a thous nd to one that ahrendy he is far beyond our reach.” “The vapor is losing its force; soon we will know the truth.’ Such was the fact; the pee smoke, so pungent in its character, was slowly fading away, and breath- ing wag no longer oppressive. “ Buppose that the Indian has escaped?” “We hold the boy, though; and this desperate sharp, who is so handy with both his tongue and his weapons,” the judge replied, and there was a men- his tone which boded no good to either the Californian, or to the outspoken Fresh of Frisco. The vapor grew thinner and thinner, the light of the torches began’to again illuminate the dark re- cesses of the cavern, and like so many dark and horrid reptiles the prostrate Black Men of Tejon lifted up their heads and glared around them. The Judge was right; no Indian was to be seen; the peon had taken advan of the vapor to wriggle ite plain that El away in the darkness. It was e secrets of the Embustero was no stranger to cavern. ain the sed men stood upon their feet and blinked in each other’s faces like so many owls, brought suddenly from darkness into light. These bold, rough men, desperadoes of the worst Wee bs ged reckless of their Own lives and of the ves of others, suddenly comprehended that they had spoapeds as it were, from the very shadow of death. ey understood that, if the Indian had used double the quantity of powder that he had cast upon the furnace fire, not a man in the room would have escaped to tell the tale, but that one and all would have perished cf suffocation. There were white faces then under the black hoods, and drunken Jose, the Liar, suddenly became exalted into a foe of no mean ability, The judge resumed his place upon the rocky throne. ** Bring out both the boy and the man,” he com- manded. “We have no time to spare now, for morning is not far off, and we must get to the bot- tom of this business before day breaks.” The officers departed to carry out the orders, but in a few seconds they came rus back in amaze- ment, **Both are gone!” ie! cried, ® “Gone!” exclaimed the chief, and the rest of the re-echoed the words. It was plain that this was destined to be a night of ae? clnr urriedly the chief proceeded to examine,the cave cells in person, trusting to find the pair asleep in some corner, as, but a short time previous, he had discovered the peon, But the search was a fruitless one, this time. Not the wos Soom trace of either one could be found, Both the Californian and the adventurer had dis- appeared, and as mysteriously as though they had melted into the solid rock. The masked men searched high and they searched low; every hollow e in the cells, big enough to allow a rabbit to go through, they tried, but if there was a secret outlet, and there was very little doubt that one did exist somewhere, it was too cunningly contrived to be. discovered by mortal eyes. Baffled in their search the masked men returned to the main cavern and there held a consultation, the result of which the reader will see anon. And now we will return to the two prisoners and relate the mauner of their escape from their prison- immedia an to prepare himself to the night in comfort, for a true son of the border was he, and no matter how rough the accommodations he always endeavored to make the best of them. Hardly had he camped himself down in a snug eorner of the cave when he was suddeniy astonish by hearing a slight noise as though a heavy body had jumped lightly to the ground from some con- siderable hight, but, whether animal or human, he knew not. His doubts were soon solved, though, for with a stealthy step the thing approached him, evident Black Men be being conducted to his cell again, able. to see in the dark, and Blake braced himse for a st le. “No hurt white man—me friend!"’ In a hoarse whis ly reassuring was the sentence, too, “ Well, I want friends just now, if ever a man did,” Blake replied. “You friend—Miguel Scott, eh?” questioned the came the words, and extreme- mysteri pode pS *If by el Scott you mean that young Califor- nian, I t I can answer safely that I am his friend, for I like the lad, and I would go out of my way to do him a service.” You no want to stay here, eh?” “Not much!” replied Blake, emphatically. wy a I gette you ont, you pa oe for Miguel Scott, eh?’ questioned the voice, anxiously, * Yes, that’e a bargain; you get me out and I'll stand up for the boy like a brother.” . ! Me gette you out!” ** But, who are you?” “ Jose, the Liar! Wait, me come back soon." And then Blake heard the sound of retreatiu foot steps, follow y a pecutiar sound as though the man were scrambling up the side of the wall. Then all was still. “ Jose, the Liar, eh?’ Blake muttered. ‘“T ho on this occasion, though, my gentle friend will be his name,” Blake waited in patience, and at last his vigil was As the chief of the masked men had conjectured, the Indian did throw a powdered drug upon the furnace fire, thus producing the vapor; them under | cover of the gloom, he had glided away, entered the cave-cell where Blake was confined, réleased him from the ns which baend him and instruc- ted him how to scale th | e-snie of the cave, to the | secret passage, the entrance to which was some | sight feet from the floor. Then he conducted him straight to the cave where the Californian was contin- | the lariats which bound him ) afar down in the valley. CHAPTER XVIII. THE COMPACT. For the first timé the escaped prisoners looked upon the face of their rescuer, Jose, the peon—Jose, the Liar—who possessed such a wonderful know- ledge of the secret paceage of the underground judgment-hall of the k Men of Tejon. e old Indian, scantily clad, with his long black hair streaming down upon his shoulders from under his ragged d sembrero, looked like anything but a hero, but there was no disputing the fact that the peon, with his cunning trick, aided by his won- derful knowledge of the underground passages, had saved the lives of the two captives. “Well, old fellow, you have done us a good turn, to-night!’ Blake exclaimed. “TIT say us,’’ he .con- tinued, turning to the Californian, ‘for I presume that you were in a tight place, too?” “Indeed I was,” the youth replied, frankly, “ and T trust that it will be many a long day before I come so near to death as I have been this night.” “T for one won't forget it, my red friend,”’ Blake observed, ‘and the day may come when I can repay the service. If it ever does, rest assured you May command me, even to the shedding of the last drop of blood within my veins.” ; No heedless speech or empty boast was this. The Fresh of Friseo meant every word of it, and he was | one of that kind of men who made good their word with their blood, “And I, sir, owe you a debt of gratitude no less en than this gentleman!” the youth cried; “and too, am willing at any time to risk my life to pay the debt.” The old Indian wagged his head in a very peculiar way. Me no want nothing, nohow,” he replied. ‘“‘ Me, long time ago, Michael Scott man—no forget cattle- king of Buenaventura. See! his face live again here!” and the Indian pointed to the youth. And this was really a wonderful stretch of the imagina- tion, for there could be but very little resemblance between the young, smooth-faced boy and the grim, old, bearded cattle-king of Buenaventura. The dark eyes of the youth glistened and he made | an impatient gesture. The Indian misunderstood the youth. “Be no ’fraid!” he cried; ‘he friend,” and he pointed to Blake. “ Big chief—fight for you; you need heap friend to fight ladrones dere,” and with his skinny fore-finger the red-man pointed down the mountain-side to where the Xo town of Tejon ee sleeping in the moonlight. “This gentleman is a stranger to me,” the Califor- nian remarked, a peculiar expression upon the olive- tinged, resolute face. ‘* Already he has ventured his life in my quarrel, and to ask him to do more would be to place myself under a weight of obligation en the future might crush me to the very ground.” ** Your life Jose save!” the Indian exclaimed, for- cibly, shaking his skinny fore-finger at Blake. “What for you do for dat, eh?” * Anything you like!” the Fresh replied, on the instant. “You — for him if I say so, eh?’ and Jose pointed to the Californian. **To the death!’ Blake answered, promptly. “Tt is good; your fadder was my master,” said the Indian, addressing the youth, ** Old Joselive to be a t’ousand years he nebber forget old cattle- king.”’ “But my name is not Miguel Scott; Iam not the son of the cattle-king of Buenaventura; you are laboring under a delusion!’ the youth exclaimed, evidently the prey of strong excitement. The Indian w his head sagely. It was quite plain that the denial of the youth had no more effect upon him than the whisper of the breeze sigh- ing thro h the pines of the mountain side. ‘That is right,” he muttered, with a cunning leer; “ your secret—hide it tight—tell it not even to the winds, for who knows when it may be betrayed? Old Jose know it—this North American, he know it —no one else. Good! You need money, Jose know where the gold lies hid in the mountain pocket. He know, too, where, in the heart of the mountain, the old cattle-king cached his treasures. When old red- beard die Jose will s , and the peon. pointed down into the valley, thus plainly indicating that by old red-beard he meant Alexander Black, the alcalde of Tejon Camp. ‘*What has his death to do with the secret?’’ the Californian demanded, in wonder. The Indian shook his head, put his r upon his lips as if to entreat silence, and then with a guttural ¥ eee eeg shook both their hands and glided away into the forest, vanishing amid the like a specter. Blake and the Californian looked at each other in amazement. “ Well this n ht, and I will not forget it if the chance ever comes I've learned a thing or two in the last few hours. These Tejon Camp cutthroats have caught me napping once but they will never get a second opportunity. “And so say I!"’ exclaimed the youth; “ and yet I must brave their power whetier I will orno, forI have business in yonder Camp, and I must pursue it even at the risk of life.”’ “Well, my friend, what say you now: shall we on together or separate here and say good-by?” Blake asked, regarding the youth with an earnest, inquiring look. “That is as you say.”* ’ ‘““As I say, eh?’ Blake repeated, reflectively. “You know the Californian custom, I suppose?” “Tam not sure that I understand to which one you refer.” “Why, in this wild, rude land two men come to- gether, by accident or by design; they become com- ae sable form, brothers; and oftentimes the tie us formed is as enduring a one as that ce. “Oh! but it is not right to dr ‘ou into m ar rel!" the youth exclaimed. “ pg Bass on a deagurete mission, and in attempting to gain the end I seek I shall undoubtedly rouse against me all the ruffianly villains. of this camp of outlaws!” and as he spoke the Californian shook his clenched fist at the slee ing town below. “ Alreatly you have put your lif¢ in — on my account; why, then, should I seek te embroil you further? Why not attempt to tread ry own dangerous life-path alone, and then, if f fail in my design, and perish by the hands of these wild and desperate men, no life but my own will be sacrificed?” . “You are, then, Miguel Scott, the son of this old cattle-king of Buenaventura, and you seek thesecret treasure hidden in the mountains, in regard to which the old Ind an spoke; and, if I guess the situation rightly, this alcalde of Tejon Camp is also after the treasure, and that is the reason why the attack wag made upon us to-night in the Alcalde’s Ranch, ' Blake slow'y. » **Tam not Miguel Scott, but I do seek the hidden treasure, and I have as one!” the Californian replied, firmly. “Well, partner, I might as well taken hand in the fun, for I am — mixed up in the affair, and I shall probably have to do my share of the fighting, an ‘ | “Since you will take my quarrel upon your back, in me, then!’ and the youth extended his hand, ulsively, as he spoke. ; e two clasped hands and the big, round moon, high above in the heavens, witnessed the compact, ‘And now, if you choose, I can bring to your as- sistance some , Stout fellows who will more than a match for double their number of these Tejon Cam bullies,”’ Blake remarked. “You can?” and the Californian opened his eyes in oe sa “They are black sheep, every one of them, but we — a = fire.’ ’ ie 8: ““No matter who or what they are, so long as the | will back my quarrel-and_ help me to fight these vik lains of this robber town!” |. ‘*The men I speak of have a haunt in the moun- tains only a few miles from here,” Blake explained. “They are outlaws, every man of them; no®a livi soul In the band but for whom an outraged law — : “TI care not-so long as they fight my battles for | me, and if I succeed I will make — maa of them pha se dee pad Hm es dreams.” * But one thing I had forgotten,” Blake added. “Well, whatisitt’ “It will be necessary for you to join the outlaw band, or otherwise I cannot trust you with the secret of their mountain retreat.” “IT will join them,” the Californian answered romptly. ‘‘ What care i? If I win my fight, I shall » rich enough to give them a fortune apiece, and if I understand human nature aright, the ban | dissolve immediately when each member has money | enough to seek a civilized home, either in this land | or another; and if I fail, I shall probably meet my | death at the hands of my brutal foes, and then what me oaths as — to me?” > ‘*You reason shrewdly; and with the aid of m Wolves I think the chances are ten to one that on | will win!’ Blake cried, impressed with the spirit of the youth. “And now, let’s be off, for we have some miles to cover, You have faced the Black Men of Tejon to-night; now try the Wolves, and see if | they won't treat you better!” CHAPTER XIX. THE STORY OF THE FRESH. | THE two set out on their way; oddly-mated com —— a stripling om ie a his ser | effe manners, a the u! | Fresh of Frisco, man of ice and iron. en Well was it for the youth, though, if he sought the hidden treasures of Buenaventura, the buried wealth of old Michael Scott, the cattle-king, that he had secured so strong an ally as Jackson Blake. Along the mountain-side, following a trail, almost imperceptible except to the eyes of a man well versed in woodcraft, the pair proceeded. “Tam tolerably familiar with this mountain-side,” Blake explained, as they walked “ for this | Indian trail leads directly from the Mohave valley, | where hg pears is situated ht past the en- | trance to the lair of the Wolves, but I had no idea of | the existence of this vast underground passage | through which we have passed to-night.” | “Is this o n of which you are a mem’ | and which you term The Wolves, a& band similar . Lp of the Black Men of Tejon?” a:ked the Califor- . “Somewhat, and yet altogether different in this t: these fellows, from whom we escaped to- night. Pte ood a right to it as any | night, are evidently the tools of the alcald Camp, Alexander while the W: on axe-fae | the old freebooters of ancient ‘i are gen ou,I am not excusing the crimes of these men; thar exe wild, desperate, lawless fellows, quick | to handle the knife or pistol, determined to live and | live well, no matter who pays the cost. I, too, lilte | these men, am an outcast; no eager ne esd reaches | for me, though. I have merely d the ro | rude customs of the border camps. I am a gainbler | by Dig ee simply because I have marvelous skill in t line, and I can make money easier in that ) way than by any other." “But do me like such a life?” cried the Califor | nian, abrup z: “Is it not a mean, miserable way of a living? Would it not be better to toil ae a miner, getting your bread 4 honest labor, wres!- ~ ie govien grains — ‘. . = and the rocks, r than by fleecing simple foo. means ie a © speech was a strange one, rapid v | and with extraordinary Loe ag fees 7 at coenes frag ores in proaweineny: He eard pretty plain s es du D yet, when he had so rapadly pr eased tontal id m the Golden Gate, “ ” from town ns
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\ - been an expert with cards and I knew that I could with the outlaws of Tejon Camp. a= - 2 = from camp to camp, by terse-spoken vigilance gommittees, whose parting words Were wonderfull alike: “* You’ve been hyer too long—you’re too fres t up and dust!” d the sport had never attempted to argue the ‘pint’: he had “‘ got up and dusted” at once: “Well, you're putting your side of the case pretty strongly,” Blake remarked, placed upon the vivre by the attack. “ Have I not stated the truth?” “The truth as it appears to you.” ‘Yes, as it appears to me, and must appear to any | honest person,” the youth replied. Blake winced; the words cut home. *“ And yet, bad as I‘am—bad as my companions are, you are willing to accept our aid to help you @gbt your battles.” «One must use such tools as one can find,” the Californian replied. ‘ Besides, if I am to judge the rest by you, I could find far worse men in this world. You are-a brave and generous man, or else you would not take my part and offer to assist me against foes whom few men in this world would care to brave if the ‘ask could be avoided; but this life that you lead is unworthy of such a mai we; am I, then, wrong in advising you to a Blake was considerably astonished at the youth, | whose words went as ——- to the point as an | wrow to the mark discharged’by a skillful archer. “Yes, but listen to my side of the case!” he ex- | thaimed. ‘‘There can be°more than one aspect to tome th in this world, for it on sometimes very much how you look at a thing. Do you re- | niember the old story of the shield about which the | knights fought? ‘One declared that it was black, the other that it was white, and after the battle was ended, and they had fought until they could tght no more, they examined the article, and lo} it tras black on one sidé and white on the other.” “TI e¢annot see how there can be two sides to the ‘ife which you pursue.” ‘*Because you don't know anything about it,” replied Blake, bluntly. ‘‘ Let me show you what my life has been, from my standpoint. I had trouble in the East and was forced to fly to the West. Now, | fon’t misunderstand me,” he added, quickly, per- | ceiving a peculiar expression hering upon the features of his companion. I don’t want fo make a hero of myself, but truth is truth, and since I am going to just iy my deeds I must tell of the good as | well as of the bad. I must tell you all or nothing. “T was left an orphan at an early age and from | the time that I was eight years old [have fonght the world on my ownaccount. I got along very well, too, consideing that I had no one to aid me, or to speak a gooQword for me. When I was about | twénty-five I had a good position in a bank—was | trusted and respected by all. One day the president, just. as we were closing up business for the day, | called me-into his private office and informed me | that there was something wrong in the affairs of the bank, and that, in brief, he was afraid some one of the officers had proved recreant to the trust reposed in him; his faith in my honesty and capabilities ng strong he requested me, in company with the oldest officer of the bank—a gentleman with whom | I boarded—to remain after hours and carefully ex- amine the books so as to detect, if it was possible, the culprit. The old gentleman—I will call him Mr. Smith, names matter not—and myself, after the bank closed, set about our task. I had been a mem- ber of Smith's family about five years; he had quite | B large family, and there had sprung up a love-affair between his eldest daughter and myself—not a very zerious one, but 9 enough to justify the belief that | in time we would be married. “Smith and I commenced our examination and I noticed that hé seemed strangely nervous and agi- tated, but I had no idea, even when I saw how ur- | erved he was, that he was the man who had rob- | the bank. But it was so, and in a short half- our I detected the false entries by means of which | ie had covered = crime. The old man went | #own on his knees before me and begged me for the sxke of his family, as well as for the many acts of | indness which he had shown to me, not toe im, The story of his crime was the old, old tale. He had been tempted to speculate—had become in- volved beyond his means and had taken the bank’s funds -to aid him»to retrieve his losses, but when a man once gets involved in the whirl of speculation it Is pretty sure to end by swallowing him up. He had on ‘Pe en a small sum, too, a couple of thousand tlollars, but he was utterly unable to make it up and | 1 only had about five hundred dollars of my own. | There was but one way out of the difficulty. It was useless to attempt to cover the matter up, for if I had repdérted that I could not discover who the thief Was, an expert would have been called in, and, inside of igs minutes, he would have traced the guilt home. The matter lay between Smith and myself; i was either he or I. Now, what was to be done?” You took the old man's Seon on your shoulders!” the Californian exclaimed, nary ae strange, pe- euliar light shining in his brilliant black eyes. Blake laughed. “Well, you’re right for-once in your life if you ever were before. Idid} I saved the old man at the expense of my own reputation. LI altered the | figurés in the books so that it would appear as | if the false entries were my work. I k two hundred dollars out of the petty cash to help me on my way, turned over my bank-book to the bank wrote the president a brief note, stating that I had | fallen into temptation, but that I would make the | money pe as soon as I could, tied Smith hand and | efen- as you don oot and gagged him, so that it would be plain that | © was sok my confederate, and then fled like a thief | n the night. “Tn truth, I was not sorry to get reo for the | wild demon of unrest possessed me and I hungered for the wild, free life of the ‘frontier. I had always make a living even among the sharps of the gold- land. I came out here, but an evil fortune seemed to follow me. Fate willed that I should become involved in quarrels—fate willed, thanks to my quick es and ready hands, that I should kill the men wo sought to kill me. Soon I acquired an evil name. The Fresh of Frisco was politely passed from | camp to camp until I found = uced et ama = B card-sharp, but I defy any man to say I ever ) you to your 2 | quickly, the olive-hued face lighting up with a gla | belt of pines. | steps sounded behind him; The Fresh of Frisco. 1 bantered a greenhorn to play! Oh, no! the sh who live on the se oop are my mutton, and if I fleece them is it anything more than dog eat dog?” ‘*No, you are right; you are not as bad as I thought; but still it is a miserable life!’’ the youth replied, slowly. ‘show me the way to a better one and see how quickly I'll grasp the chance.” ‘*T will, some day, if I live, and mind, I shall hold romise!’? the Californian exclaimed; expression, ; * Halt!’ cried Blake, pausing in front of a massive “We are near our journey’s enti, and you must submit to be blindfolded, for until you pass through the ordeal which the Wolves exact, I cannot trust you with the seeret of the stronghold.” CHAYTER XX. THE HAUNT OF THE WOLVES. ‘* BLINDFOLD me?”’ “ Yes,’ Blake replied, ‘‘and I must give you fair warhing that the ordeal through which you will have to pass is no light one, but if you seek the aid of the Wolves it will be necessary to join the band. Of course, as far as I am concerned, there is no com- pulsion about the matter. 1 will aid you—will do anything in my power for you, but I cannot bring the band to your assistance without you join their ranks. “Let me fully understand the. matter,” the Cali- fornian observed, after a moment's thought. “Who commands this band, do you? Are you the master of the Wolves?” “To reveal that fact to you would be to betray one of the secrets of the band,” Blake declared. ‘* But, how then, if you’are not the master of the Wolves can you at them to aid me in my fight with the wretches of Tejon Camp?” “You are as. inquisitive as a woman!’? the sport exclaimed, with alaugh. ‘TI cannot very well satis- fy your curiosity now, but when you have become better acquainted with me, you will besable to say, with perfect confidence, that Jack Blake never yet broke faith with either friend or foe.”’ “I will trust you!” the Californian announced, with a kindling eye; “I will trust you with both my life and fortunes.” * And if I prove false te my trust, shoot me on sight the next time you meet me, and I ’ semargen you I will not raise a finger to defend myself.” Me cee yee me, at onee; I am eager to enter upon my !” the youth cried, impetuously. “It will be a terrible ordeal!” “7 do not shrink from it.” The face 6f Blake plainly Showed that he was im- pressed with the courage of the stripling. From his waist Blake unwound the gaudy sash which belted in his sinewy frame, and then careful bound it over the eyes of the youth. No cobwe bandage was this through*’which the wearer could distinguish the objects that surrounded him, but a muffling that effectually shut out the world. ‘““Now give me your hand; follow and fear not,” the Fresh ‘said, and as he ke he grasped , the slender paim of the youth, the little brown hand, small enough, and dainty enough, to be a woman's pride and boast. ; There was a wonderful difference between the strong, muscular hand of Blake, firm as iron, almost in its texture, and as chilly to the touch asa piece of liteless metal, and the warm, pulsating palm of the Californian; and as the hands touched, a thrill pass- ed through the slight form of the youth. Instinctively, almost, Blake felt the sensation. “Does my hand chill you?” he asked. “ Folks generally say that it is like a lump of ice.” “Yes, it is cold.” “Tt is an honest tool, though, and has served its owner well in many a desperate soe ag ; “A cold hand betokens a warm heart, they say,” the Californian observed, “Faith! if the rule be true, and works as true by contraries, then you must have a deuced cold heart, for your fingers are as warm as toast.” *T have a warm heart io my friends, as you shall find one of these days, but a bitter cold one to my enemies.”’ With steady steps the Californian followed in the footsteps of Blake! Bereft of the use of one sense, the others seemed bn pi on the alert. Po outh could distin- at he was passin, rough a narrow e in the shrubbery, then tus feet commenced fo tread a rocky pathway, and from the damp and confined nature of the surrounding air, he became sensible that he was proceeding through some underground pores the entrance, no doubt, to the cavern of the olves. A few minutes more and then 'the smell of smok- ing torches greeted the Californian’s nostrils; the main hall of the cavern evidently was reached. **Remain here a few moments,” said Blake, in a loud tone, and then he added, hurriedly, in the ear of the youth: ‘Keep up a bold heart and fear not!” And then, relinquishing his grasp of the Califor- nian’s hand, Blake hastened away. The youth remained motionless; cool and collect- ed, though; fully prepared to undergo the ordeal before him. About five minutes he waited and then heavy foot- the bandage which covered his eyes was suddenly removed and again he had free use of his vision. The youth looked around him. He was inacircular shaped cavern of t size; | in the center a huge fire burned, and this it was that gave out the smoke which the youth had imagined ad come from ‘torches. The blaze from the fire amply lighted up the cave. A huge table, roughly constructed from hewn logs and ake occu ied one end of the cavern, and on this table @ hunter’s banquet was spread: a haunch of venison, ribs of bear; a bifd-pie, cooked in a big | tin pan, like an English wild-wood dish of the ol Robin Hood time; e platters of pan-cakes, the Miner’s stand-by; and for wine the tables boasted a fine array, from the slender flasked vintage of the Rhine to the beakers of champagne. Avd for drinking vessels, cups of solid gold had these mountain outlaws, evidently piss wrested from some gold-burdened ranchero of the Mexican berder, . And the lords of this caverr—of this ba this strange scene, something akin tc the legend of the Norse gods feasting in Walhalla? Seven muscular, well-armed men, nearly allof then huge-bearded fellows dressed in true mountain fash- ion, and with the upper of their faces covered, by a little black mask, ugh which shone their glittering eyes. Five of the men sat in a circle around the fire, which blazed in the center of the cavern; and the sixth man was the one who had removed the band- age, and he was evidently the officer who attended to the initiation of new members, for, after removing the scarf, he took a position by the side of the can- didate. The seventh man was plainly the captain of the band, for he occupied a seat apart from the rest, mounted upon a rocky throne. e too, like nearly all the rest, wore a flowing beard, jet black in color, as was also the long hair which streamed down over his shoulders. The chief was fully armed, and before him on the rocky ledge behind which he sat was a pair of re- volvers. He also wore a mask, The youth looked around with an eager gaze; he pee ag that he would be able to recognize Biake despite the mask, but his scrutiny was in vain; nota le one of the men seemed to resemble the Fresh of Frisco in the least. ————~ join the Wolves?’ need the aid of strong, bold men.” “ And why should we join in your quarrels?” “ Because you stand to win ag round sum in gold if I su Phe The Wolv ricked up their ears at this. fs Suppose you fail in your undertaking, what shal) we gain?” ‘Nothing but hard knocks.” “Do you understand what the conditions of join: ing our band are? -Do you know. that we re quire you to aid us in cur schemes, no matter whether-you like it or not?” “Yes, | understand all that.” “And you are willing to comply?” ‘Yes, or 1 would not be here,” ““Who vouches for you?” “Jackson Blake.” ** Let Blake step forward.” Not a man moved. * Aha!” cried the chief, caarply, “your voucher does not seem anxious to appear.’ “He vouches for me all the same, though.” “Young man!” exclaimed the chief, suddenly and roughly, “*we know you and the object that brin you here.’ -We have our spies in Tejon Camp as we as elsewhere. Alex. Black, the alcalde of Tejon Camp, has hired you to come here and join our band so as to betray our secret haunt in the mountains to him. You have played a bold game but it. won't work; I'll give you just five minutes to confess, say our, prayers, if you care to, and then may Heaven ve mercy on your soul!” The chief took up one of the revolvers, cocked it and took deliberate aim at the unprotected breast of the youth. The Californian merely smiled. “If this is one of your tests, you maysave yourself the trouble,” he observed, quietly, “for I know that it is not the truth, and so do you.” “Confess! .The five minutes are nearly up,” cried the outlaw chief, threateningly. “have nothing to confess.” “Perhaps J have been misinformed,’ said the chief, slowly, dropping the muzzle of the revolver. “and since you seem to be true blue, why, we'll ve youa chance. - Briag out the goblet and admin- ster the oath te him!” CHAPTER: XXI. THE OATH. One of the men by the fire arose and as he ad- vanced toward the Californian, drew from his girdle the broad-bladed, keen-edged hunting-knife which he wore. “Now then, young man, remember that this oath which you are about to take—the oath of the Wolves —must be sealed by bi ; but as we always act fairly and squarely witlf all who wish to join our ranks, we now give you to understand that once this oath is taken, from that moment you become one of the Wolves of Tejon, and ay to obedi- ence to orders given even thoug to ca out the commands wo’ render certain the death of your own brother.” “IT have none,” said the youth, grimly, “neither brother nor sister, father nor mother, nor any oter relative! Iam utterly alone in the world.” _ “The oath once taken you are ours forever, but it is not yet too late to retrace your steps," the chief continued, ‘‘ You have entered our stronghold, but as yet you know nothing of our secrets; you are at liberty to retreat now if you wish to, merely giving us your solemn promise that —~ will never betray to mortal soul what your eyes have witnessed here. Do not decide hastily—take time to reflect; remem- ber that it is no idle thing that you are about to do, and that the word once given can never be recalled." “I do not desire time,” the Californian replied at once, and without a moments hesitation. ‘I have fully considered the matter and am ready to join your band immediately. Do not waste time but pro- ceed to the oath. I am about to give each one of you a chance to make a small fortune for himsei and if I fail in the attempt, why then, the quicker go into my grave the better.” ** Administer tiie oath,’’ the chief commanded. The outlaw tendered the youth the broad-bladed e. “Take the knife in your right hand. and elevate the blade,” he said. ‘Repeat the oath after me!— T hereby swear by all that I hold sacred in this world —by ali my hopes of a hereafter, or my fears of an eternal home in everlasting flames—never to betray the secrets of the band of brothers known as the Wolves of Tejon—one of whom by taking this oath1 now become. I swear to humbly and religicusly oe any and all orders given me by the Master Wolf; to stand by my brothers to the death in the hour of danger; to risk life and limb to save a brother from peril, and if I prove craven-bearted im the hour of need—if I show ee eee fight—if I fly and leave my brothers when \ r ~*~ a OS FP ates OP ft eS ee .
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12 The Fresh of Frisco. if I do not carry out the orders given me--if I betray the seorets of the Wolves, then may swift and terri- ble death be me Big Beas ws may I be rent, limb from limb, by the’ wild beasts of the woods: may the @neaking, snarling coyotes of the prairie gnaw my bones as they bleach in the sun; the earth refuse to receive m body and all things conspire together to ery aloud to the world—‘ Behold the remains of a traitor ’’!’ > in a firm, distinct voice the Californian repeated the oath, sentence by séntence, as it fell from the lips of the brawny outlaw. If there was any trace of fear or apprehension in his heart it didnot appear upon his face. ‘Kiss the blade of the knife and remember that | either cold steel, hot lead, or the hangman’s rope will be your fate, if you betray your brother Wolves!” exclaimed the administerer of the oath, Coolly and deliberately the youth touched his lips to the blade of the knife. “Now bfing forth the goblet of blood—the warm and living blood, and let him drink success to the Wolves!” the chief commanded, Despite his firm nerves an expression of disgust rapidly over the face of the youth; it was = plain that he did not relish this test: but, in a , resolute way he shut his lips i together, as though he was determined not to shrink from this last ordeal. From the banquet table the outlaw, who had acted as master of ceremonies, broughtone of the massive golden goblets, and as he ap shed, the ae epee saw that it was filled to the brim with It was not a pleasant sight, and even the firm- nerved, resolute seeker-after-fortune felt that his face was growing white, and that a strange sensa- tion_of nausea was ng within his frame, and it required the use of all his wonderful nervé to-enable him to grasp the goblet. “Turn ‘routid sideway, so that I can have a good look at you!” the chief exclaimed, The Californian obeyed, but he felt that his head was in a whirl, and he doubted whether he should be able to accomplish the feat, for to his delicate senses or ge something terribly repugnant about the orde: **Now then, drink!" the chief commanded. ears before. The old map sought a secure place to ide his treasures, and there is no doubt that the »eon Indian, Jose, confided to him the secret of the | idden mine-of his tribe, which long ago had ceased to be worked. often happen in this life of ours, this Alexander Black, wD ever since the hiding of the treasure has been eager in the search for it, pitched his cam near the very spot where the old mine was located, and, by another odd coincidence, discovered the ex- By one of those odd ahances which | istence of the mine and used it for his own evil de- | signs,"never suspecting that the treasure which he | had toiled so hard to gain was at his fingers’ ends.” * Aha!” cried Blake, who had listened attentively to the recital, “‘ you are quite right. in the game, as matters stand now, is to lay the bold alcalde by the heels!”’ CHAPTER XXII. BACK FROM DEATH. Tue alcalde sat in the saloon of. the Alcalde’s The first point | Ranch. The little clock, ticking on the shelf behind | | the bar, marked the hour of nine, and it was the morning of the.day which succeeded the night which had witnessed the advent of the young Californian and the cool and off-handed sharp who bore the op Nation of the Fresh of Frisco, into the town of | ejo | close n Camp. Alex Black, the stern and heavy-handed alcalde of the mining camp, was not @ man much given to meditation, but on the present occasion he had ample reason for reflection. e sat by the window near the bar, which looked upon the one street of the mining town. The saloon | was deserted very little business indeed the Al- Setting his teeth prise 4 together and bending | he every nerve to the effort, youth raised the gob- | let, while the outlaws looked on with curious eyes; | many a one of the stout fellows there had shrunk from the test. c Half-way up the youth carried the goblet, his face deathly white, when, suddenly through the apart- ment, rung the quick, sharp bark of a revolver, and the goblet went whirling out of the Californian’s hand, but the youth never even started at the shock —merely turning his head and glaring at the chief {who had fired the wonderfully-aimed shot) with eyes widely distended. The Wolves roared.in applause as they beheld the result of the shot—the practical joke of their chief—-and they applauded, too, the nerve of the new-comer who had allowed the goblet to be shot eut of his hand without moving a muscle, “You are accepted!” cried the Master Wolf. “Henceforth you are one of the Wolves of Tejon! Rise, ail of you, and salute a brother!” And then the outlaws got upon their feet and howl- ed in an extrernelweffective if not melodious chorus. “ Aad now, boys. | some potent, unknown calde’s Ranch enjoyed during the daylight hours, for then its customers, the miners, were all busy working their respective claims along the stream or in the mountain guiches near the town. Even the bartender had deserted his post, and, fast asleep undér .the counter on a rude bunk, was reveling in the delights of dreamland. As we have said, the iron-handed alcalde was deep in moody reflections; for about the first time since he had swayed the destinies of iy a Camp, his prey had escaped him; and escaped in so mysterious a manner, too! Black was both angry and puzzled; power seemed to work aga st 7. ae was re ee ey ge youth ae so abruptly appeared, prepa to dispute wit him for the hid and what malicious demon had urged the keen-eyed, quick-handed, ready-witted Jack Blake through the northern into the Mohave valley? One thing, though, was pretty ‘certain now: the summary measures adopted by the Black Mén of Tejon had undoubtedly rid the town of the pair. “That infernal Indian is at the bottom of it all, I am sure,’’ he nruttered, in wrath. ‘* The next time I got be Sorte oy on him, though, I'll box him ip so safely that he'll never get out until he walks into his | grave, I failed at every point last night, and only tackle your fodder, while I have | a little talk. with this young man in regard to the | enterprise in which he predicts that we shall al) ac- curuulate a small fortune. FolloW me.” The chief descended from his throne-like seat and led the way into asmall cavern situated immediately in the rear of the rocky ridge which, cropping out of the earth, served him for’a seat. The inner cave was a-Smaill, circular one, lighted by a few candies stuck*upon projecting portions of the walls; some buffalo, bear and wolf tered about were the only ‘“‘furniture.’’ A little Scotch terrier dog lying at the entrance to the cave kept watch and ward. The small cave was separa- from the large cayern by a passage just about skins scat- | big enough to allow a man to pass through and that | was all, and some ten feet in length The moment that the d steps in the e-way, he commenced to bark furiously, and did not cease until the voice of his master bade him be quiet. * A vigilant sentry,” observed the Californian, af- ter they had entered the smaller cave. ‘‘It would be difficult tor any of the band to surprise you un- awares if any desperate man took it into his head that he vena) rathor be captain of the Wolves than to longer serve under you.” The chief turned in considerable surprise and gaz- ed at the youth; he was astonished, for thé Cali- heard the sound of foot- | fornian had guessed only too well why the dog kept | watch and ward at the passage-way. “ You have shrewd wits,” he remarked, slowly. * Yes, and quite shrewd enough to penetrate your disguise, Mr. Blake, so you may as well remove your mask and beard and then we can talk face to face; and allow me now to thank you most sincerely for the well-aimed g that Rape: Som my lips pene most disgusting draugnt. ani as firm-nerved as the most of mortals, but inexpressibly horrid is such a drink to me.” The chief removed his black mask, his long-haired wig and false beard, and, sure enough, Jackson Blake stood revealed. **You stood the test well, and now you can com- mand the power of myself and all the band to aid | | entered the town, and from the way he looked about you in — designs.” a “Wit ur aid I shall be sure to succeed,"’ the youth repliéd, confidently. “What is the first move that you propose to make?” Blake asked. “Tt will be necessary for us to get.the alcalde of the Tejon Camp into our power.” * Yes, and wherefore?’ * Because the hidden treasure that I seek, the old buried riches of Michael Scott, the cattle king of Buenaventura, are conceal into which we were casi Bdake looked amazed. ** I is the truth,” the Californian continued. ‘In > tion be old Michael Scott, the town of Tejon p not exist, but the old Indian cave in the mountains was there, by the Black men of Te- y within that very cavern | i tg as it bad been for years and superstitious; the gift of second-sight—if such a | little from his surprise. here; we only set out the regular meals at regular | | hours; but at French Jobn’s down the street you accomplished one thing, and that I was not trying for—I drove the meddlers out.of town.” And just as the alcalde finished the muttered h, down the stairs from the upper regions of the “hotel” came the stalwart figure of Jack Blake! The alcalde bad turned his head just out of mere curiosity in order|t6.see who it was that had slept so late, thinking that it was some customer who had drank overmuch the night before and had lain late so as to sleep off the effects of the debauch. Wonderful, then, was the astonishment of the al- calde when his eyes fell upon the manly form of the Fresh of Frisco. Blake came carelessly down the stairs just as if ee unusual had happened during the ‘night, nod clock, and ‘remarked in su “Hallo! nine o’clock! w was so late. I reckoned that I had overslept myself, but I had no idea that it had got to be nine, rise: here, I suppose?” ‘‘No, not now,” the alealde replied, recovering a ‘* We don’t run a restaurant et something to eat; he cooks to order,” 1ank you; I will patronize him; by-the-by, I believe that it’s the rule here for me, as a yom, ph to call upon you. You're the alcalde, ar’n’t you?” “Yes; my office is next door; office hours ten to twelve,” “All right; that will just give me time to get my breakfast; I'll see you later,” and Blake passed out of the door, as easy and unconcerned as possible. The alcalde was perplexed; he hardly knew what to make of the matter; but one thing he felt sure of: Blake did not suspect that he had aught to do with the cave ‘proceedings. Then the idea of securing Blake upon his side came into the mind of this plot- ting ‘fen leman. “By blazes!’ he muttered, ‘‘I believe that the fel- low spoke the truth when he said that he knew noth- ing whatever about that Miguel Scott, and that he tock his part merely because he ene ay that he was being imposed upon. I cannot see why he shouldn't be willing to serve me, provided he is well d for it, as anybody else. U'll try him; it will do no harm.” A horseman—a stranger—riding up the street at- tracted the alcalde’s attention, just then. He was a tall, well-built man, with a massive face and a big ellow beard. He was dressed roughly, but more ike a cattle-man!than a miner, and was well armed. He rode slowly up the street, evidently having just can “ him it was plain that he was in search of some par- ticular spot. Black kept his eyes fixed. upon the man, for the den treasures of old Michael Scott, | I had no idea that it | How | | about breakfast? not much chance for a breakfast : ; ; , / ! : | } ; _ = ; ne acer eso thing could be rightfully cewed a pift—tended te make him so. In his vision he had bien forewarned of the advent of the white-faced Fresh of Frisco, for in the person of Blake he liad recognized the man whose figure had appeared to him when on the Sante Barbara, hights he had waited for the craft of Sandy McAlpine to break her boues on the sunken wreck but in the vision Blake had appeared, bearing iv hiv arms the heiress of Buenaventura, all ee wet, as though at the risk ef his life he had plucked her from the breaking wavs; but, so far, nothing had appeared to connect the careless and Carine nner in any way whatever with the girl who perished op the rock-ribbed Californian coast. As a general thing, too, the moody alealde’s pre- sentiments Seemed to come tolerably true, and so he yielded almost implicitly to them. Therefore, as the stranger rode up to the door dismounted and tied his horse pee: to enter ing, the alealde quickiy drew his revolvers from their holsters and examined them; caps and charges all were correct and ready for use; his knife, too, was loose in its sheath and played easily up and down; he was ready to receive his visitor, whethe: he was friend or foe. The man came stalking into the room, for he war a long-legged, gaunt sort of a fellow, and after he the d:“r behind him, he took a good look around the room, as if to satisfy himself that he and the alcalde alone ocoasted the apartment; then he nodded familiarly to Blake, helped himself to a stooA —chairs were few and far between in the Mohave valley—drew itup near to where the alcalde was, sat down, and gazing in an inquiring sort of way inte the face of Black, said: “You are Alex Black, the Alcalde of Tejon Camp I take it?’ “Yes, sir, that is my name,’ replied Black, sur veying the stranger with an earnest look, and the impression gaining ground that the man was ne stranger to him, although for the life of him he couldn't tell when or where he had met him. “Well, = and I ought to be old acquaintances, although I really believe that this is the first time that we ever met face to face, though we may have —_— so in the old time when Michael Scott was ve,” The name of the old cattle king sent a chil] through the htart of the stern, lawless alcalde. Who wag this man who talked so familiarly of Michael Scottf “Your face seems familiar to me, although I can- not a you, just at present,’’ Black observed. ‘*Perhaps we have met, although 1, don’t recall the instance just now, but i'm sure you'll know my name the moment you hear it.”’ **Yes, and what your name?” “ Sandy McAlpine!” If the man had risen and stricken the alcalde in the face he could not have astonished him mare than he did.by the utterance of the name, “Sandy McAlpine!’ the alcalde cried, in utte amazement, The sea had given up its dead; th Santa Maria had broken her bones on the doomed ship and her timbers had lined the beach, but the Santa Maria’s master lived to tell of the danger from which he had escaped! Here he was in the flesh, literally back from the grave, a living, breath- ing man, worth a dozen dead fellows, all ready to make a bold fight if he had cause for quarrel! “You seem astonished," quoth Sandy, maliciously. “Oh, no; why should I aston shed? I know | nothing of you except that I have heard your name carelessly to the alealde, glanced at the | idea had entered his head that the man was in search | of him. And it really seemed as if such was the ease, for the moment his eyes fell upon the ~ of the Al- calde’s. Ranch, his face lightened up and he directed his course straight toward the house. “Now, who is this fellow, and what does he want?” the alcalde muttered, a frown on his face. A pre- sentiment of danger had suddenly seized upon him— Ginget, and from this stranger, a man whom he had never seen before, No child was this stern son of the old Scotch land yield to idle fears; but by nature he was deeply mentioned, and so know that there is such a man in existence,” replied the alcalde, with an effort recov- bay his composure, * Oh, you know nothing of me of course!’ cried McAlpine, in contempt. “You and Stuart McKerr did not plan my death—did not wreck my. craft with the false beacon-light; but both myself and Barbara Buenaventura escaped to tell the tale." CHA: TER XXIII. A NEW CLAIMANT. 3 AGAIN, despite the firm nerves, the alealde could not repress a lock of amazement. Barbara, the heiress, then, had escaped as well as this adventur- er, but why in the name of all that was wonderful did McAlpine suspect that there was any connection between himself and Stuart McKerr? “What are you talking about?” cried Black. It was his game always, in this dife, to play a bold . “ hat have I to do with you, or with Stuart cKerr “Oh, your bluff game, won't work this time!” McAlpine replied, with a sneer of contempt. “I’m no rool, and I ean see as far into a millstone as the man that pecked it. There was a contest between you and McKerr for the hidden treasures of the old cattle-king. He dispatched me East to secure the girl and promised me a share of the spoils, but while I was gone you and he mayaged to come to an understanding, and the first result of that under- standing was to sacrifice my craft, myself and the girl, Oh! it was a brave trick! McKerr was so much afraid that some of your spies would discover that I had the girl on board my craft that he de- clared I must not land at Buenaventura but at Santa Barbara instead; -and then, too, 1 must come in under the shadow of the night and cast anchor in the cove to the north of the town, and he, on the headland with a light, would guide me in. Eternal fool that I was! I might have suspected that if he care to any arrangement with you he would be certain to sacrifice both myself and the girl. I know an ugly secret or two about Stuart ficKerr also, and that was another reason why it was to bis inter est that I should find a watery grave; but, some men in this world, like cats, have nine lives, and the Great Master, who rules all things, did not see fit to call me to my long réckoning just yet. You wrecked my craft, thanks to your infernal scheme, and the : oF moment I rode onto the old wreck omthe bar, and f elt er stranded bones break in the timbers o my craft, I knew exactly where I was, and realized oe nature and extent of the trap into which I had en,.”’ - “What utter nonsense is this!” cried the alcalde, impatiently, ‘‘ What on earth have I to do with you or with Stuart McKerr?” m Oho! you were not with him, then, in Santa ‘bara? a point was well put, and the alealde winced for a moment, and then showed his teeth like a wo’ at bay. ——— - —~F Ea re ——— 4 4 ty
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~ pe Pe ie ‘ Supposing I was, what of it?” he demanded. ‘ Do you tale me for a fool?’* McAJpine retorted. Be sant Heaven the perils of wind and wave did not 4ok 3 away my senses! I knew, the moment Istruck cn the old ship, that I had been betrayed into a sure, and I at once set my wits to work to guess why I had been so betrayed. I struck the shore sutely a mile or two north of the sand-bar, then tmade my way to the town, and, upon inquiring, fearned that you and McKerr had taken breakfast torether there that very morning and had ridden pw ay incompany. Of course then the whole matter was plain tome. I understood that you and McKerr had patched up your quarrel and resolved to work in company rathcr than against each other, and as the first result I had been cast overboard; but, here I am, you see—turnéd up again like a bad penny and I can tell you, Iam resolved to have my share.o the gains of that. speculation.” “Tf reckon that you won't get anything out of @e.”’ the alcalde exclaimed, hens ar “Oh, wont 1?” soeipine rejoined. ‘ Well, that remains to be seen. I hold the heiress in my pos- session, and she holds.the secret of the hidden treas- mres of old Michael Scott.’ “You are playing a bluff game, Pandy McAdpine!”’ the alcalde eaied, ‘but you'll find that I am as good at that asyouare. The heiress is not alive; she is tlead. 1, myself, saw her mortal remains on the beach, whither she had been washed by the wayes, id as I came yp I drove away a pack of wolves who had polish bones so neatly that not an sunce of flesh remained.” ““And how did you know that it was the mortal re- mains of the heiress, Barbara, that you saw?” de- nanded McAlpine, shrewdly. “The bones were there, and plenty of fragments of awoman’s dress, and if more proof was wanted that this body was the body of Barbara, I picked up a shred of linen with her name on it,’ and as he completed the speech, the alcalde laid back in his vhair and smiled rrimly in the face of the adventur- er, as much as to,say, “ upset this now, if you can!” ‘You were deceived, my canny. alcalde!” cried McAlpine, instantly. “ wish was father to the though’, The bones you saw belonged to the sailor oy who sailed on board the Santa a with me, end the womanly attire that you saw on the beach was wrested hy the waves from the person of the heiress—by the waves in ler desperate struggle to fain the shozc.” . For a moment the alealde was puzzled; was there any truth in this story? Had the heiress escaped from the eunningly-devised séheme of destruction tvhich the banker-merchant of Buenaventura had so pleverly devised? . “Well, supposing that this is all true,’ Black re- marked at Jast, “ wiy do you com@and tell it to me? if Stuart McKerr and myself are in Teague together, well be pretty apt to make it hot for ee if you - dare to interfere and attempt to protect the heiress from our schenics.” “That is exactly the point Iam comi Alpine replied. ‘I am quite willing to sell out my share in the Matter if a tur price be given me,” ** Oh, you prefer to sell rather than-to fight?” Ycs, very much prefer it.” “You're a sensible man, and you've come to the wight shop to do business; but first, before we begin to talk about terms I want to be assured that your “oy true.”’ : Re ou want to assure yourself that the heiress is slive and that she is uyder my protection?” : Yos, that’s the idea, exactly.” Ou, that is easy enough. You will have to see WeKerr ane matter, I presume?” to,’’ Mc- OW soon can im ?"” Lapa away,” eel eapen 7 Bone looked astonished. : Wn now; come to see me especially sLout Cg business,” the alcalde added. ; Despite the adroit address and cool nerves of the venturer, he could not prevent a sudden flash of " ger per flushing his cheeks, Z . ee noticed it and laughed heartily. A la @ cried, “you bear my merchant friend af Buenaventura no ‘great amount of good will, I gee. ) “No, curse him1” oried McAlpine, fiercely. “I vo to Nags Stuart. McKerr for the loss of my p, and’ the Santa Maria was as good a craft as r plowed the ocean,” ae well, Stuart must make it up to you, you ab re by Yes, he or some ” * jorted. |“ Little body else,” the adventurer ré money comes, So long as I get my hands upon it.” “if eae is as you say. if you here the girl ga a, ns are wg Co betray her 10 G Y; there is no use in beating yout the bush in Such matters—why you can de- pent upon our pédyi ou liberally for the service. will ni a tuk with MeKerr about the matter, and if you will drop in here, say to-night, I've no ubt that we can « % Cowen ight; aH ge to aspee salutation McAlpine departed. He sed through the door, unti comme Inting Pode off down he sone oe his. beast, and mounting, ; aicalde was not idle while this operation was pre Soro pll hed. He struck his foot cnartly upon &@ cer Sor eee in the floor near his chair, evident ya were e S, ring operating a bell in an adjoining apartment, for almost instantly the door at the tower end of the room opened, and a rather small, swarthy-faced fellow came hurrying into the apart- ivent. His dress was an odd mixture of miner and herdsman. He was fully armed, and his face be- ‘ wed the rascal in every line, ‘Mollow yonder horseman!” the alcalde cried, po nting through the window to MeAlpine, just then climbing into the saddle; keep out of his sight, but track him to his lair, no matter how far he goes; as- certain beyond the shadow of a doubt who and what he is, where he has taken up his quarters, his busi- ness in this section, and see, particularly, if he has omg m bod companions with him, or whether he is “All right!” the ruffian exclaimed. “I'll track “ though he was a fox and I a hound scent." y understanding.” on the “ wee care I where or from whom the | on hand; so long!” and with | ‘the greater the in‘ormation, the better | ; The Fresh of Frisco. | *You don't want him settled, though?” asked the | Mexican, for such he was, tapping the long knife in } Mr. Blake,” the alcalde suggested. his girdle significantly. *“Well—no, not at, present, Lope,” the alcalde re- | plied, slowly, *‘ come in time. here aJone or not. He says that he has a certain companion, but I doubt it, and,in fact, as I think the matter over, Iam not sure that he said she was here—this companion is a woman,” ; ‘‘Suppose he should diseover that I was playing the spy upon him, and attempt to be ugly about the matter?’ the ruffian asked, with a sinister grin upon his ugly yellow face. “Oh, well, in such a case I suppose you would have to protect yourself,” the alealde replied, re- flectively. ‘‘ We've got about all the men in town now who can make a living here, and if any aecident should happen to this stranger, why, I reckon the Camp would be able to get along without him.”’ “You wouldn’t blame me, then?” * Oh. no; but I would rather that you should find out all about him first, if you can.” “Tl attend to it,’’ and the Mexican hurried back through the saloon to the back door, soas to gain the street without being observed. by the man he was about to track. A sly, wily dog was this same Lope Domas—Lope, the Mexican, as he was generally called, and as big a cutthrcat as ever put a knife into a fellow-being. It was currently ——— and commonly believed thatthe Mexican scored a lifefor every finger and toe he possessed, and few men were there in Tejon Camp. dold. enough to cross this little, wily, yellow devil when his blood was up and he was on the war- pati; no better tool than he could the alcalfe boast n all the Mohave valley. “He'll give a the alealde muttered, rising and stretching his gaunt limbs lazily; ‘“‘ and now for this bold-spoken sport— this Jackson Blake; he must yield to my will, or else D’llset Lope after him, too.” CHAPTER XXIV. A “FRESH ’’ PROPOSITION, BLAcK sauntered out of the saloon and foceeded to the door of the little shanty which oined the Alcalde’s Ranch, and over the door of which an ex- | tremely modest sign bore the words: ALCALDE’S OFFICE. furnished; in. fact, furni- ture was pretty expensive in the Mohave valley, as | it had to be all transported on mule-back over the | mountains, and the very plainest article almost cost | its weight in gold for frcight, to say nothing of the original cost, beforeit could be. set,down in the —s town, Tie * office ” held arude, home-made desk, three stools, two large dry-goods boxes, with the top and one side knock ~l out, so as to serve for prisoner and witness boxes, and that was all. The desk was quite peculiar in one respect; it had the usual slanting top, and a place for a drawer, but no drawer was there, nor had there ever been ‘one, but. in its place was a shelf where the alcalde, when holding trials, always placed a brace of ready-cock- | ed revolvers and a long, keen-edged hunting-knife, stout and true enough in its blade; when wielded by a vigorous hand, to split an inch board in twain. In this way the Camp always had his weapons handy to his grasp, | prepared for any emergencies, and on more than oue occasion the articles had been of great service, for, as ae Richelieu once wisely said: ‘ Despair sometimes turns captives into conquerors,’ and more than one bold soul when rudely forced to the bar of justice and asked why he had to disturb the peace of the mining town by wild and unseemly | acts, had attempted jto answer the accusation by slaying the alcalde*in cold blood; but the cocked re- volver, backed by the iron face of Black, had awed the culprit to abject submission, although’ twice the alcalde had been obliged to shoot the man down in cold blood, and thus pega end the trial, | - Black seated himself at the table and then deposit- ed his weapons in their usual p not that he feared trouble with Blake, for he intended to talk | sweetly and mildly to him, understanding that in this case he hada party to deal with upon whom | bent brows and loud-words would have little effect. | The alcalde had made up his mind to attach Blake | to his side if such a thing was possible, and he had | very little doubt that he would succeed in the at- tempt, for he reasoned that Blake was too sharp a fellow not to know upon what side his bread was buttered. ; **Well, one thing is certain in my mind," the al- ealde muttered; ‘‘he either joins my forces or else | [ll make this town so hot for him that he'll find it mighty uncomfortable to stay here.” And, just as Black gave utterance to this resolu- tion, the door opened, and the bold face and manly figure of the Fresh of Frisco page a ‘How are ye?’’ he said, with a familiar nod, clos- ing the door behind him, and eo quiet survey | of the apartment. “ Ready for business, q sup- pose?” . sir; sit down and make yourself comfort- “ Yes, ableé."’ | Blake nelpet himself to the stool, and drawing it | up to the desk sat down upon it, then rested his elbow upon the judicial piece of furniture in an ex- tremely comfortable, but decidedly free and easy | manner. | ‘The alealde didn’t relish this sort of thing at all; it was his habit to awe people and keep them at a dis- | tance, but this cool and easy son of fortune evidently | wasn’t that kind of chap at all. Touse the common Westernism, he didn’t “ awe "’ worth a cent. Black e a grimace and showed his teeth, as | was usual with him when annoyed, but with a great effort he roncenees his temper and endeavored to ar able. arp Well, here I am, on hand,” Blake remarked, | breaking the silence, “although I don't exactly | wnderstand the little came. ihave been accustomed /to have formal meetings with mayors, alcaldes, shanty. It was scantily Judge Lynchs and other distinguished officers of ; the nies ar towns that I have visited, but these interviews to which I refer were always. held before I /¢/t, not immediately upon my a 4 : AAAS a A good account of my bold Sandy,” | spenser of justice for Tejon. | although I’ve no doubt that may | I desire to see first whether he is | —— a ~ leave town,” and 13 “Well, we are a sort of a peculiar community here, “Yes, so I have heard, and I may add, so I have seen, during my brief sojourn in your town; but towns and camps are about all alike to me,” he add- ed. “It don’t make much difference as long as the general business is good and the dust is panning out well; if there’s any money in circulation I reckon I stand a chance to get my share of it as well.as the next man,” ‘*Flow do you propose to acquire that dust?” asked the alcalde, in an extremely bland way. ‘Play poker with the men who have got it,” re. plied Blake, in the most matter-of-fact way. “Oh, you don’t intend then to open a store here or to invest in any mining speculation?” ‘* No, sir; store-keeping is tco confining; it would. n't suit me at all; and then there isn’t the least bit of excitement about it; and, as for mining, why that’. alla lottery. When I do business I want a sure thing, like poker, for instance; put me at a poker table with the chips going up lively, and I know exactly where I am.”’ * Well, it seems to me, Mr. Blake, that you ain’, a-going to be much benefit to this hyer Camp,” thy alcalde observed. * Oh, yes, 'll be a heap! J'll just belp to circu late the money more than any other man yov’ve goy in the burg!”’ ‘* No, sir!’’ Black cried, decidedly, ‘“‘ we ain't bit of use for card-sharps of your caliber, in this town at all.” ‘“* Ain’t you a little hasty in your decision?” “No, sir; we've got fellows enough of your style ity — y. ; os but you don’t know what my style is, yet,* Blake responded, sweetly and smilingly.. ‘‘ Just give me a chance, you know. I'll break three or four ot, your first-class card-sharps before I’ve been in tows a week; then they'll have to clear out and go some where else, and that will leave plenty. of room fo. mile, cir, 20 n0&* replied.the soak de, sharply ‘No, sir, 1 do not,” rep! the arp * There’s only one hanes that Ican see for a man like yourself to remain in town and make a thing of it, but perhaps you wouldn’t like to accept it,” and Black shot @ quick glance from under hy heavy brows at the placid face of tle other. “Well, I don't know,” Blake remarked, with q sort ofa drawl. ‘It depends a good deal, I suppose, upon what it is. I’m deuced hard up, just now, an& er beggars mustn't be choosers, you know.” Unlocking the door, the ruler of Tejon Campen-| ‘* tered the single apartment contained within the | | ae understand that I rule this town just about as e.”” “Yes, ve heard so,” and there was a fearles. expression about the mouth of Blake which did not please the alcalde at all, and yet, it was nothing at ier, <= Be com take =o We d lei dh “The Camp is growing er and larger all t time, and I have trouble sometimes with men whe, yr and fancy they can run the town as well as 0.’ “Yes, I see.” ae Well, now, it is necessary for me to have foow men at my back in the time cf trouble, and what I have seen of you I fancy that you would fil the bill exactly. I don’t mean, you know, to put you in the ranks, but give ou a commanud—mak¢ ou a sort of chief of police—in fact, the second me 4, n the town after myself.” . “* Exactly.” * You get my idea?” “ oO es.”’ h, y “Welll what do you say?"’ asked Black, just’a by tle anxiously. “ Oh, I ain’t the man at all!”’ The alcaide looked disgusted. *“T never could fight a Pi battles except m own, and the free fights into which any stranger welcome. If you were to put a collar on me and make me anybody’s dog, I'd be no good.” “Tm sorry to hear it!’ Black exclaimed, “but, hadn't you better take time to think the matter over?” “Oh, I shouldn't change a bit if I was to think the mae over for a month!” “Well, I suppose yon understand how we run things up in this region,” and the alcalde to show his teeth a little; ‘‘any one that is not for me is ag’in’ me, and I'm a*right-up-and-down man, I help my friends and strike my foes.” r t's natural, and as for me, I play a lone band, alcalde, but every time I back it with my life!’ Blake rose slowly to his feet as he spoke and there was a light in his clear blue eyes which made the alcalde quail, master thovgh he was of Tejon Camp. At this point the door of the shanty was thrown violently open and an excited man rushed in. “Whar are ye, Black?’ he cried. ‘‘There’s a woman arrived—a regular critter, and she’s a play- actress too, and is gwine to gi’n us a show!” ; CHAPTER XXV. THE STRANGE WOMAN. BuaKe took advantage of the interruption to, escape further conversation with the alcalde, “Well, so-long, alcalde! See you again before I then he sauntered out through the open door into the street, Black glared after him with an angry face; he realized that he had utterly failed; he could not use the Fresh of Frisco asa ““Well, well,” he muttered, betweef his firm-set teeth, “‘since you want war you shall have it, and I will take care to make it -hot, too. Before you are many days older you will find that it was rather a foolish act to come right into Tejon Camp and at bet to brave Alex Black!” “Say, alcalde!* cried the impatient messenger, astonished that bis communication had not ex more attention, for women were few and far be- tween in the Mohave valley, “how about the she- critter, eh?” : ‘* What did you say—a woman?” a, sir-ee, hoss-fly! and, oh! qin't-she a rip- r “What does she want heré?” cried the alcalde. to fighting about them; the last two = ** Oh, this i ad Bo nig mt : veto a alcah ae iin pats : ws A \ ee ca ee i eee . ele tle
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14 ussertion. He was pretty well aware of the kind of women that the miners in the mountains looked on as angels. This new-cOmer was probably a hie better-looking—a little better dressed than the rest of the wandering sisterhood of vultures, who, for the sake of the golden dust that the patient miners wrested from the bosom of old mother nature, dared the perils of the mountaih region and the wild life of the frontier. “The better-looking she is, and the smarter, the more dangerous,’’ Black observed, sourly. It was no easy matter, as it was, to keep the turbulent irits who dwelt in the valley under control, and these fair frail ones brought disorder in their train. * Oh, alcalde, this one is a cut above the common rin ef ‘em, I tell ye!” the miner declared with fluent force. ‘‘ Oh, she’s a hull team with a big dog under the wagon! I met her as she rode into the Camp and she smiled at me as pert and as chippy as a bull row of squirrels. *This is Tejon Camp?’ ‘she said, ‘Yes, marm, it are,’ I ‘lowed. ‘What is the best hotel in the Camp?’ ‘The Alcalde’s Ranch, right down the street, thar,’ and I pointed out your shanty to her. And then she said, ‘Won't you have the kindness to show me thar?’ Wal, I ‘lowed (could; and so we come up the street together, and on the way she axed me if thar had ever beena theater show in the town, and I told her that thar never had, nor any theater-actors either, although I had seen ‘some once at Los Angeles when I were over thar. And then shé up and told me as how she was a theater-actress and she had been advised by her friends to come over the mountains and give the boys a few shows in the mining-camps. Wal—I told her how in my opinion, this hyer Camp war jest ripe for sich a thing and that she could make big mauey if she.got the thing started right.” * She’s in the hotel, now?’ Black asked, his curi osify rather excited by the recital. “Oh, yes; your tumbler-juggler laid himself out to do the handsome thing by her, and I reckon that he’s stowed her away in the best room that you've got in. the reavyy Bh ‘*} suppose that I had better go and see the. wo- man—” “Oh, she ain’t no common woman—she’s a lady, she is, evéry inch of her!" the miner declared. Black looked a little ineredulous, but he contented simself with simply nodding; then he locked up the office and proceeded at once to the hotel. The bar-keeper—the tumbler-juggler, as the m‘ner pad termed him, Black found to be equally impress- ad with the new-comer, and he described her charm; in glowing terms; and the alcalde really an to be anxious. If she was going to play the mischief with the men in this way and had a mind to be troublesome, there was no telling into what an uproar she might set the Camp. Black og it that he had better see her at once and satisfy himself in regard to the danger to be an- tici . So he made his way to her room and knocked at the door. 4 A clear, full, Sonny voice, rich in music, bade him enter, and at once he obeyed the command, to find himself in the -presénce of a-tall, finely-formed irl, with a wonderfully beautiful, olive-hued face. Rie was dressed very plainly in a traveling costume which showed evident traces of the long and fatigu- ing journey over the mountains. the girl had risen to receive her visitor, and Black, for onee in his life, taken completely yy Saag) spam felt a little ill at ease in the presence of s charm- ing creature. He had not expected to behold anything of this kind at all. He had looked to see a middle-aged woman, somewhat the worse for wear, and had not calculated upon being received by a young and beautiful girl, hardly out of her teens, and as fresh in her fair young beauty as a newly-plucked moss- rose, No wonder that the miner was astonished—no vonder that the level-headed bar-keeper, whom long experience in dealing with all sorts of men, on bibulous refreshment intent, both with money and without, had rendered unnaturally shrewd and suspi- cious, was at once “ taken into camp” by the charms ett woman. The girl fixed inquiring eyes upon the alcalde, and he, in a measure recovering from his surprise, saw that he was called upon to explain the reason of his visit. . ‘Beg your pardon, miss,’’ he said, “ but learning of your arrival here I felt that it was my duty to mall upon you, seeing that you are a stranger to our town. My name is Black—Alexander Black—and I em the alcalde of this town.” ‘“‘T am glad to meet you, Mr. Black,” she respond- ed, and in a most charming manner she brought a chair to him; * please be seated." “Thank you, miss,’’ he said, accepting the chair, yeating himself, and all the while easting his eyes on the fresh young beauty of her almost matchless ‘ace, ‘As the alcalde of the town,’ he continued, ‘I came to bid you welcome to our Camp, and to see if there was anything that I could do to make your y pleasant while you remained with us,” ‘Tam very much obliged, indeed, and feel really yrateful for this kind interest in a stranger.” “Oh, don’t mention it, miss!’’ the alealde hastened to reply. ““A stranger and a lady are two strong claims upon my attention.” “TI have come to your town partly on a_profes- sional tour and partly on private business. Iam an ress.’ act “So I have been informed.” ‘*I was obliged to cross the mountains on private business, and some of my friends sugges that I might as well make my trip a profitable one by wi a series. of entertainments at the principal mining camps.” : * A very excellent idea, and I’ve no doubt that you will find at a very profitable one; at least I feel sure that I can answer for this town. Eve no doubt that ‘ou can pack the largest room that we have in the Samp at a dollar a head.”’ . The Fresh of Frisco. e ot I couidn’t think of troubling you /"’ she pro- tested. “Oh, it’s no trouble at all.” ‘Tm sure I-ghall never be able to repay you, nor to forget your kindness.” - “Don’t mention it, I beg.” The alcalde was wonderfully gallant for a man of his stern and iron-like nature, but, to relate the ex- act truth, the alealde had become infatuated at the first glance with this lovely creature; his was not a nature to yield idly to sudden ion, but when such @ man does allow the wild impulses of his heart to have full sway, then, as a general rule, he yields to absolute gti 2 “And you have private business in this region, you gay, ran the alealde queried. “Yes, sir.” x Perhaps I can be of service to you there, also?” “Oh, I don’t doubt that you can, sir, if you would care to take the trouble.” “No trouble at all!” “It is connected with mining matters; if you are an old resident of this region perhaps you will know something about it. I suppose of course that roe pete heard of the old cattle king, Michael J ot sh For a moment the alcalde stared in utter amaze- ment; strange how for the past few years the memory of his old master was brought back to him. **Oh, yes,” he said, after quite a pause, “I knew old Michael Scott very well indeed. Iwas in his em- ploy once.” “Well, ILought to be acquainted with him, too, although I never saw ‘him,’ she remarked:: “ He was a sort of relative of mine.” : “Indeed!” and Black fully looked: the astonish- ment he felt. kL ob, yes, I married his son.”’ . “What?” cried the alcalde, in utter amazement, vou married his son ?*’ “Yes,” and the girl looked surprised that the ap- parently innocent remark should have such an effect upon ber visitor. : “His son!” the alcalde repeated. “Yes, his son—Miguel Scott:” * Miguel. Scott! oh yes; I’ve. heard of him,’*and the alcalde, although in a fever of .impatience, strove to appear calm, “And where is your hus- band now?’ ** Oh, he’s dead, sir.” * Dead?’ Here was another surprise. “ Yes; he died in San Francisco about a year ago, and as he left me totally unprovided for I was obliged to go on the stage in order to'support my- self ; but my husband, just’ before his death, told me that there was a large amount of money ib this region belonging to him, coming from his father the old cattle king, and. that. if anything happened to him I must come din search of it.” CHAPTER XXYVI. THE ADVENTURER'S PLAN. Tue alcalde was decidedly x nyt this dis- closure was entirely unexpected. He had felt con- viriced that the young Californian was Miguel Scott in disguise, and now, lo, arid behold! up starts this strange. girl who declares that she was the wife of Miguel Scott and that Miguel Scott is dead. Rapidly Black reflected upon the situation; was this new event in his favor or otherwise? “Most cer- tainly it would be more apt to advance his chance of securing the buried treasures than retard it; but, was the girl well informed of all the circumstances? A series of skillfully-put questions no doubt would put him in possession of all the facts in the case. ““No doubt you have noticed that I seemed sur- prised when I learned your name,” Black observed. ‘* Yes, sir; I noticed the faet.” “T was your grandfather's right-hand man, in the old time, and pretty well informed in regard to all his affairs; your husband, his son, I never saw: but a youth, a Californian, appeared in the Camp yester- day; he took pains to conceal his name, and from the mysterious way in which he acted it was gener- ally eved that it was young Miguel Scott.’’ “Oh no, sir,” the girl declared, eee Ye “ Mig- uel Scott is dead; there is not the least doubt in the world in regard to it, and when my trunk comes—it is on its way, by express—I will show you a or cut from one of the San Francisco newspapers wit the date of his death and the notice of the funeral.” The tone of the er carried conviction with it, but, if the Mi Jalifornian was not Miguel Scott, and he strongly declared that he was not, who then, in the name of wonder, was he? and what was he doing in Tejon Camp? So reflected the alcalde, and the more he thought about the matter the greater he was puzzled. But, one thing was certain, though —affairs now looked much better for him than they had. Thise.girl was the undoubted heir to old Scott's hidden treasure; true, the other girl, Barbara, wa in the land of the living—that is, if any réliance could be placed upon Sandy McAlpine’s statement, but. what of that? the adventurer and his protegee could be éasily removed from the path; the road to fortime was open. Why should he not tread it in company with this beautiful girl who had so sudden- ly and unexpectedly appeared upon the scene? The schéMe was worth the trial an ting alcalde determined to win the girlif he could and the hidden treasures aloug with her. “T think I know something about the matter to which your husband referred,’ he said. “It was commonly reported, and readily believed, that old Michael Scott, just before his death, hid away in some secure nook in the mountains quite a large sum in gold and precious stones.”’ “Yes, a secret cache.” “Many have searched for it and without avail.” “Ah, that was because they did not possess the clew to.the hiding-place of the treasure.” “And you have a clew?” exclaimed the alcalde, eagerly. ee | think that Lhave, but I am not “You can easily ascertain, though “Oh, yes.” “Well, you shall have all the aid that I can give you, and, although I say it, who, perhaps, should not, yet there’s not a man in this valley can aid you as well as I.”’ ;: “T can readii For a hai an the rest of tho > a sure,”’ believe that, sir.” our lo , the interview continued; conv ion was of little importance, not worth detailing; and the alcalde the dark and plot- | withdrew, feeling sute that af Jast he was on the right road to prosperity. And now, for a while, we will leave the alealde and his plAns, and follow the progress of the adventurer, Sandy McAlpine. After the interview with Black, Sandy mounted his beast and'rode away, his heart filled with bitter e. Banta had pla a bold game and so far he had been successful. -He had deceived Black when he had declared the girl, Barbara, had escaped from the wreck. In reality he did not know of his own knowledge whether she had escaped or not. On the night of the wreck the moment the Santa Maria impaled herself on the sharp bones of the stranded ship, McAlpine, at the helm, was thrown violently forward by the shock and a huge wave, sweeping over the véssel attliat moment, swept him away like an idle straw on its crest; but the teh adventurer was an excellent swimmagr, and being well acquainted with the set of the currents on that coast, allowed the tide to bear him onward at its own sweet will, merely using his hands and feet sufficiently to keep his head above water; and, so, in time the waves landed him on the shore, some two miles north of where the ship had struck. McAlpine’s story of the escape of the girl was merely a bold and clever device to learn why he had been decoyed into the very jaws of death by the de- struction of the Santa Maria, lured on by the false beacon light. In Santa Barbara, the day after the wreck, he had learned that Stuart McKerr had been seen in the town, in company with a tall, raw-boned, red-hearded man; this answered the description of Alex Black, the alcalde of Tejon Camp, exactly, and McAlpine suspected at once that in. some mysterious way the two men had come together, and that~he had been sarcificed to seal the bond of union between them. Hence his visit to Tejon Camp and _ the cy ning device by means of which he learned the truth. He had sought the merchant, McKerr, at his place of business in Buenaventura, determined to force him to a reckoning; and there had learned that McKerr had gone to the mountain mines on business. The adventurer suspected instantly that he had gone to Tejon Camp, to see Black, and had followed in pur- suit. ; > “Tt is as I thought,’ he muttered, as he rode down the street; ‘that infernal scoundrel, McKerr, havin come to an understanding with Black, coolly plann the death of both mysel. and’the girl. Poor child! her forebodings were correct enough; she said that, instead of a welcome, she expected to find a grave in this strange land, and so Sele: but L escaped, and now, if I don’t make McKetr pay well for hig treachery, them my name is not Sandy McAlpine.” The Scotchman had laid his pete well, MeKerr had departed. that morning to visit a new discovery in one of the mountain a just-above the town, where the nature of the ore rendered machinery necessary, and the owners of the claim were anxious to get the merchant to take an ay i in the “ strike,” and advance -the necessary funds to put up the ‘stamps ’’ to work the ore. Asthe mine was only a little way from the town the merchant. haé mounted his horse and rede off unattended. McAl- pine knew that he would probably return to the town about noon, and s0, after satisfying himself that his surmise in me ie to the merchant's treachery was correct, he resolved to waylay McKerr as he returned. ~ ——— was one of those many-sided men who are fully at home almost everywhere, and he was equally as good a mountaineer as he was.a sailor; so he selected an ambush with the eye of a brigand. He concealed his horse in the neigboring thicket and then he crouched down behind a pine tree, revolver in hand. And so it happened that when Stuart McKerr came Hcp, Sorgen the reins loose upon the horn of his saddle, his note-book and pencil in hand, and he busy in tp we the prospective profits of the mill which he thought of putting up in the mountain Ich, he was most wonderfully and woefully aston- shed by McAlpine, darting out upon him from behind the pine tree, like a hawk pouncing upon a hel vee nr a ‘volver in McAlpine pocheren: =| fited tomb. a this case Davy Jones’s locker had not held its. victim, The very Jast man in all this world that Stuart McKerr expected to see was Sandy McAlpine. ‘Come, dismount, partner; we've a little business to talk over, and we couldn't havé a better opportu- nity !’’ the assailant cried. “Sandy McAlpine!’ McKerr exclaimed. ae Yes, or else his ghost from the bosom of the Pacific,” the other responded; “* but, whether Iam ghost or human, it matters not; you'll find me a pretty hard customer to deal with.’ “What do you want with me?” * Light down and then you'll learn. Come, h up! for I'm in no mood for loitering. I give youf: warning that I am in dead earnest, and if you at- tempt to trifle with me in any way, I'll put a bullet through you with as little ceremony as though you were a prairie wolf.” McAlpine meant it, and the merchant understood from the determined look in the eyes of bis assailant that, if he provoked him, he would be as good as hie wore so, slowly and reluctantly McKerr dismount- ea, “Tie your horse!”’ McAlpine commanded. The merchant obeyed. “Now, then, here's a draft for five thousand dol- lar; ees at your banking-house to my order,” and McAlpine tossed the draft down at err’s. feet. ‘“‘Have the kindness to write your name at the bottom of it!” And from one of bis pockets the adventurer-took a pen and a little bottle of ink. He was amply prepared for every emergency. “Five thousand dollars!’ oried McKerr, aghast at the sum. “Yes, five thousand!”’ “But to give you such a sum as that!—for this draft with my name at the bottom of it will be cash- ed immedia ely if you present it at my store Buenaventura.” “That is exactly what I expect,” McAlpine replied, the weapon cocked and leveled, before the amazed and discom- nker like an unquiet spirit from the silent = , 7 Ss a a ay ee ee Tee ee eel
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sere tee? ree anseo te a F The Fresh of Frisco. “But this is sheer robbery; it is an outrage!” McKerr exclaimed, trembling with excitement and i Oh, and when you lured me to death and wreck- ed my little craft, about all that I had in the world, ‘that was not an outrage, eh?” “Tam in your p wer now, but some day my turn will eome!” the merchant declared, purple with e. ay am quite willing to let the future take care of itself so long as the present works well forme. Come, n he. And then came a sudden change in the scene; a dark form bounded from the underbrush and flung Atself upon McAlpine. CHAPTER XXVIII. TURNING THE TABLES. Wrru the spring of a tiger the unknown assailant thad leapéd upon the adventurer, and stout Sandy McAlpine, despite his great strength, was taken at a fearful vantage. The merchant of Buenaventura, too, was also prompt to act, and béing a man of large and muscu- r frame, almost.a match for McAlpine at any time, he proved to be of no mean assistance to the other. In a second after the new-comer attacked the ad- venturer in the rear, McKerr grep Jed with him in front, and between the effo the two, despite Sandy’s desperate struggles, he was quickly brought to the ground, and then, when this feat was accom- lished: with a dexterity due tolong and constant practice, the new-comer whipped out a lariat and skillfully trussed McAlpine hand and foot, and so tightly and artistically was this job performed, that, when it was concluded, the adventurer was practi- cally as helpless as a child in the hands of h foes, exposed toa terrible fate indeed if they chose to push their advantage. ' McAlpine conquered, the two ‘victors stood up- right, drew a long breath and looked down in tri- umph upon their prey. © merchant had at once recognized the Mexican, for it was the cutthroat bully of Rs Ne va 4 who come so opportunely to his assistance, e al- calde had not neglected to introduce his best bravo to the merchant. ‘ “Now then, Sandy McAlpine, I fancy that the sit- — is Somewhat changed!” McKerr exclaimed, in umph, ner.’ od foolish to have given you asingle chance for your life!’ the adventurer retorted, bitterly. “TI ought to have settled my account with you witha well-aimed bullet the moment I saw you.” “Oho!” McKerr cried, “is that what you think? By the faith that is in me, Sandy’McAlpine, I think that with your own lips, you have sealed your doom!” And then he turned to the Mexican. ‘How did it happen that you came as you did? Was it’ accident or design? By all that is lucky but you came at the : ht moment, for the fellow had me foul!” _, Orders,” replied the cutthroat, laconically. «Oh, yes, orders!” cried the adventurer, in anger orders from your ally, the black-hearted alcalde o Tejon Camp, and, like a fool, I neyer suspected that he would puta watch upon me, although I might have known that he would.” “You are not a wise man to walk into the lion’s den, take him by the beard and then think no evil con- sequences would follow the’rash act,"’ the merchant remarked. ‘‘What were the orders regarding this fellow?" he asked, again addressing the Mexican. To follow him—find out where he went and who he had with him, for he said that a woman accom- panied him.” Aha!” cried McKerr, abruptly, “that was your game, ech?” The merchant, a shrewd and crafty plotter himself, at once jum to the other’s plan. You pretended that Barbara Scott had escaped m the wreck, and you came here to see how much money you could extort out of us. Oh, it was a bold game; but it has failed, and now I am master of ep ee: Come, what have you to say for your- The adventurer scowled, but would not gratify his enemy with a reply. x mercy !"’ the merchant continued, in tri- an =. of dy bah why I should spare you, now that I hold you “To kill him if he was ugly,” the cutthroat an- Swered, ng as carelessly as though he referred toa rabbit rather than to ashuman being. Well, then A a might as well settle him at 6nce and so save all further trouble,” McKerr remarked, — reflecting\for a moment in regard to the mat- The Mexican took his revolver from his pocket bend gee 2 fae Gar ann and cee = approac © helpless man in order to make his ah Gorter. * te his icon will and his cool nerves the sweat- drops to ooze out on the forehead of the adven- ttirer. ndy ra ny had seen the dark angel of death pretty close him quite a number of times during his life of adventure, but never nearer than now, “All ready,’’ said the bravo, taking deliberate aim at the h of the prostrate man, the muzzle not a yard from him, “Pull, then, and good-by, Sandy McAlpine!” cried merchant. Mexican obeyed on the word, but there were rts instead of one, the first a moment quick- er then the second. Wonderful was the result. A new-comer had turned the bend in the trail, a hundred feet off, just at the moment when the mer- chant had given the command to fire, and, unobserv- ed by all the actors in the Pas scene, had immedi- ately taken a hand in the affair. He perceived that murder was in the air and at once: took action. He was resolved at all hazards and at all risks, if he could, to prevent the perpetra- tion of the bloody deed. His the first shot; ~~ poe the hagegre ie Lope had aimed loody esign, 6 the Mfe of the adventurer, and the new-comer, witha : ality of aim being taken at all, had struck the revol- uick, snap shot, fired apparently without the form- ver from the hand of the cutthroat, the shock acting | upon the Mexican like a shock from a galvanic bat- tery, almost rendering helpless his strong, cunning right arm. The timely bullet saved the life of the bound and | helpless man, for the bullet of the bravo, diverted | from its course by the wonderful shot, sped away harmless through the air. **Hallo! what are you about?” the new-comer cried, the moment he fired; advancing rapidly with | outstretched weapon, fully master of the situation. ‘*Help! help!” exclaimed McAlpine; ‘‘these men intend to murder me in cold blood.” By this time the Mexican had reeovered from the effects of the.sudden shock which the stranger had so unceremoniously bestowed upon him, and, with a muttered curse, he sprung toward his revolver, but the stranger was on the alert and with a warning word he halted the cutthroat. ** Hold on!’ he cried, imperiously, ‘don’t touch that we'pon or I shall be compelled to bore you!” The tone of the stranger’s voice perfectly satisfied the Mexican that the speaker would be as good as his word; and then, too, the new-comer was no stranger to bim, although he was to the merchant who had never had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, he new-comer was Jackson Blake, the Fresh of Fris ca. With that remarkable spirit of interference which was so strong in his nature, Blake no sooner looked upon the scené than he was impelled to come to.the rescue of the man, who, bound and helpless upon the ground, was at the mercy of the others. The merchant glared in anger when he saw the Mexican halt so promptly at the call of the new- comer. He knew nothing of Blake—nothing what. ever of the Fresh of Frisco’s wonderful skill with all ; he had no idea that it was the | sorts Of weapons stranger’s ckillfully-aimed ball which had stricken the revolver from the hand of the Mexican; on the | contrary, he had fancied that Lope had carelessl missed the almost certain shot and had dropped his weapon in disgust, and so the wily MecKeérr, loth to give up his prey, now so secure in his yower, showed a brave front to the stranger. His revolver was out and so he instantly “ the bold intruder with it, an operation which did not seem to trouble Blake in the least, for he held his | any,” Blake retorted. weapon at the level of his waist and made no attempt | to repeat the other's threatening gesture. “Be off with you and mind your own business!” the merchant cried, loudly, ‘“ y do you thrust yourself into a quarrel which can have no possible interest to you?” “Oh, it’s a way I have,” Blake replied, in his easy, careless manner, which was so deceptive, and which so generally led strangers into a wrong impression. “ Well, it’s a way that you had better get out of!” cried McKerr, ponte aang He fancied that he had measured his man, and that, awed by his bold front, the stranger was, to use the mountain phrase, beginn to ‘‘take water.” “Oh, but I ain’t, you know,” Blake retorted, rather enjoying the joke. Yo better; you may interfere in a quarrel that will cost you dear!” “This one, perhaps, eh?” asked Blake, in a ban- tering tone. “Yes, this one, and if you'll take my advice you'll travel out of this about as fast as your legs can ca ou. “And supposing I don’t choose to travel, what 9” “What then?” cried McKerr, angrily; “why then I'll give your friends, if you have any. a first-class chance to provide a tip-top funeral for you.” “Ha! ha!” Blake laughed, merrily, for the idea struck him as being a comical one, ‘‘ you'll provide a funeral for me, eh? I hope that you'll give me time to get ready.”’ “Come, be off with you; Iam tired of talking!” McKerr commanded. ‘Well, stop talking then and act a little.” * You fool! do you want me to murder you in cold blood?” ‘““You murder me? Oh, nonsense!’ was Blake’s | cool rejoinder. CHAPTER XXVIII. A FAIR PROPOSAL. For a moment McKerr stared in amazement; to be thus defied by a man completely in his power and at his mercy was really wonderful. “Why, you impudent scoundrel!” he cried, in a e, “haven't you got eyes? Can't you see ata gies that I hold your life in the very hollow of my rand ?”’ “No, Ican’t see it, and Ivery much doubt that such is the case.” “Why I have you now ‘covered’ by my weap- on—”’ 18 partial and upright judge that ever heard a ease in this hyar golden land,” **T am satisfied to abide by your decision!"/the ad- venturer cried, quickly. “If after hearing \he case you decide that I ought to meet death at the hands of this man, I will surrender my life, without a single appeal for mercy!” ‘He talks fair enough :” declared Blake, address- ing the merchant; ‘‘ what bave you to say in regard = Why ohould I submi 1s judg. ¥ shou submit my quarrels to r ju ment?” McKerr demanded, - angrily. his man and myself are bitter enemies; the fortune of war has given him into my hands; I have overpowered and bound him—his life is mine; why then should'I give him another chance simply at your bidding?” Set you a — —— and that ain’t fair play!” é respon “Tf you were man to man, Ha | you had overcome him in a fair fight, why then it would be a different matter; to slay a man in the heat of passion, with the red riot of rage hot in your brain, is one thing; but to kill a foe in cold blood and he disarmed, bound and helpless at your feet, is o- another. A brave man will kill bis enemy in a air and open fight, but none” but a cow eur will murder a man with cool deliberation, as you two were about to do when chance brought me upov the scene; but, we’ going to have a fair trial now. Untie that man!” command was addressed te the Mexican, and was enforced by an extrem ly sig nificant motion with the revolver. The cutthroat glanced at the speaker for a momen his countenance dark with rage; then he looked the merchant as if to ask his advice, but McKerr, astounded at the cool bravado of Blake, was unwill ing to bring on a conflict with him. “Come, come, hurry up; I’m not a particular atient man, and it worries me to be kept waiting! lake commanded. ‘ Release that man at once, of Ill be obliged to let wont right through yout” “ But I protest against this interference!’ the mer chant cried. “Protest all you like, if it will ease your mind “Tl give you about one minute—just about the time it takes me to count tem to release that man, and if he is not free at the end of that time I shall consider that the war has be; | and I shall goin to *salivate’ both of you to the “covered "’ | of my ability." The mere and the’Mexican exchanged glance? —glances full of baffied hate and impotent rage. “ Now — fair warning — one—two — three — four-- five—” Unconsciously the voice of the speaker began to deepen and the peculiar glitter, so ominous of danger, to appear in his eyes, The cutthroat hesitated no longer; he knelt by the side of the prostrate man and with his long, glitter- ing knife cut the strong lariat that so securely fet- tered his limbs, “ Ten ye Clear and distinct came the word from Blake's lips, but with the utterance, up to his feet rose Sandy McAlpine, a free man once again. ° * “ Pick up your weapon, stranger,” Blake ordered: “there's no telling but what it may come handy afore you get through with this hyer matter.” The revolver had been fo from McAlpine’s grasp during his desperate struggle with his assail- ants, but he was quick to obey the command. “And now, gentlemen, since we are going to have a trial mn of a fight—although the fight may come afterward - I suggest that we all put up our weapons, and then no one of us will have an advan- | tage over the other,’ Blake remarked. lowly and sullenly McKerr thrust his pistol a into its pocket, then Blake replaced his revolver it his belt, as he announced: “The court is open, and the judge is ready to Ws his duty without fear or favor, so spit out yout stories. First and foremost, I want all to under stand that I'm going to Le just as impartial a man it this hyet case as you could scare up clean from thé Mexican line to the Golden Gate. I don’t know any- thing about any of you—never set eyes on you twe principal parties, although I have had the pleasure of see this gentleman before,” and he bowed to the Mexican with as much ceremony as tho he had been the greatest man in the land. “I'll give ou a good, square judgment, for of course I've not e slightest possible interest in your quarrel.” “This man attempted my life!’ McKerr cried, an “He hid himself behind a tree and then jumped out into the trail with drawn revolver and took me at a disadvantage. He swore that he'd take my life unless I signed a check in his favor for five thousand dollars.” “Well, he did strike you pretty heavy,” Blake commented, **He had me in his power, and it was either money or my life when my friend yonder hap to arrive, and he at once:came to my assistance, and | between us we overpowered this scoundrel] and, but “And the hammer down,” Blake eee: uickly, ‘‘ while my revolvers are self-cockers an they only uire a single pull to both raise the ham- mer and let bose the charge. Now calculate how many shots I can fire while you are cocking your pistol and see how much chance you have. hy, you — I could put three balls at least into you before you could cock your pistol!” For the first time the merchant comprehended that he had mistaken the man, and that the stranger | really held him at a terrible disadvantage. “Now, then,” Blake continued, “I propose to sit | in judgment in this case. Idon’t know anything about the merits of this quarrel at all, and sol am well qualified to give a most impartial opinion. At resent you've got this man foul, and, if I’m any udge of signs, you were going to send him either to neaven orto the other place, with a mighty short shrift, when I appeared upon the scene.” “He attempted my life!’ cried McKerr, hastily, “and swore that he would kill me if I didn’t sign a check for five thousand dollars!’’ “ Stranger, I call upon you to give me a fair show for m fe!’ McAlpine exclaimed, eager, like a drowning man, to clutch at any straw that promised Lope. “You shall have it, sir,’ Blake replied, with a courteous bow, ‘‘ I give you my word for that: You shall find, all of you, that I make the most im- | like a revelation to him. for your interference, his soul would be roasting in the flames below, by this time.” “The old gentleman down-stairs will hold a spite nst me, then, I presume, for interfering,”’ B observed jocosely, “Now hear my side of the story!’ McAlpine inter . “I did waylay and assault this man, exa as he has stated; to explain the reason it will be agi} rag en me to relate quite a story,” “Go ahead, sir,” Blake said, with a polite bow; * = hyer court has got gobs of time at its dis- posal,” “To n at the ———— : this man and Tare old acquaintances, and have done much business to- gether. He is Stuart McKerr, the merchant-banker of Buenaven ura, and I am Sandy McAlpine, former ly master of the sloop Santa Maria. man em. ployed me and my craft in sm ling operations for which the law would gripe him smartly if ? chose to play the informer; that is one reason why he wants me out of the way; as long as Ilivelama standing menace to him, Lately 5 employed me on a peculiar mission. 1 was dispatched by bign in my sloop to San Francisco to bring a girl to Banta Barbara, This girl, by name Barbara Scott, was the heiress to old Michael Scott’s hidden treasures secreted somewhere in these mountains. Possibly yor have heard of old Michael Scott the | Blake nodded: he was very much interested jus? now and still more astonished, for this story was ~——
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16 “There are two men who hungered for the treas- ure that the old cattle-ki concealed—this man, Stuart McKerr, and the alcalde of Tejon Camp, Alexander Black. In the old time, McKerr was Scott’s principal man in Buenaventura, as Black was in the mountain region. These two men, each searching for the treasure, naturally had little liking for each other, and so fearful was McKerr that - Black would discover he had sent for the girl that I oem ro was instructed to land at Santa Barbara instead of | Buenaventura, and McKerr, with a beacon-light, was to guide me in. During my absence these two men came together, and the result of their alliance was a n for the destruction of the heiress and myself. © beacon-lig craft straight onto a bar where a stranded wreck broke in the sides of my vessel, and left us all to the | mercies of the roaring waves. The girl, the ill-fated heiress, Barvara, was drowned, but, by a miracle | Barbara that | aimost, I escaped. I heard in Santa Stuart McKerr and the alcalde of Tejon Camp had been seen there together,and so I soon jumpes to the conclusion that.the two had joined hands and éacrificed me, and I determined to be even with this man who had acted so treacherously, and that was the reason why I attacked him:”’ “* See are gentlemen!” cried Blake, suddenly; “‘T guess I'll have to 4 my position of judge in this business, for I’ve a big interest in this hidden treasure myself,” os CHAPTER XXIX, THE FRESH IDEA. Tuis intelligence excited universal astonishment, and ali three of the men looked at Blake in amaze- | ment, ‘*Oh, I mean it, gentlemen,”’ he continued; “it’s a sure enough fact; there’s no mistake about it. I’ve got a finger in this pie, and I find that I ain’t so un- prejudiced asI thought. Oh, no; it is utterly im- ible for me to sit in judgment, for the way I ‘eel about the matter I couldn't decide with an jun- biased mind. I reckon that my interference has got us all into a heap of trouble, and how we are going to get out of it Is a puzzle.” And Blake shook his head gravely. “T can suggest an extremely easy way!’ exclaim- ed McKerr. ‘Let us put affairs back as they were when you first Supesred and then you go on your big & without troubling your head about matter at all.” Sandy McAlpine’s gripe was ce is his weapon inan instant, bold defiance plainly written upon his face. This idea didn’t suit him at all, so he suggested an- other plan: * ire if you like, sir, and ll engage to fight both of ag single-handed and ask no better chance!” he cried, “Well, now, that is as fair as fair can be!” Blake declared, a wager § “That is fair for you to pro- ed to Sandy, “ but utterly unfair ” and he nod for these gentlemen to accept, for two to one is not | the square thing at all, and of course you refuse,” and now he-nodded to the merchant and the Mexican. * You wouldn't take a mean advantage for the world, and the easiest way I know of to fix things ,apis for you twoto decide which one of you will ficht this gentleman, and so settle the difference in a straight-forward, honest way.” ‘* Yes, but we had him foul, and why should we, having got the better of him once, be compelled to do our work over again?”’ “Well, that point is not badly put,” Blake admit- ted, slowly and reflectively, in reply to McKerr, “You did have him foul, and my arrival changed thi somewhat. Now suppose | place him bound _ elpless as he was before—that would suit you, e ) he “Oh, yes!’ McKerr responded. “But go a little further back!” Sandy put in, ‘““When this man arrived,’’ and he pointed to the Mexican, ‘‘I held you at the muzzle of my revolver, utterly helpless!" “That point is well taken, too!’ Blake gazely de- cided, much to the disgust of the two coutederates. “So you see, Mr. McKerr, if it is right for me to go back and replace things as they were when I appegar- ed, it is of fair that ae should be retraced a little | matters fixed as they were when he ap- | further an peared,” and Blake pointed to the Mexican, of course, you object to that.” ‘* Yes, most decidedly !”’ “There's o one way then, that I can see to straighten out tangled snarl, and that is for you and this gentleman ’’—he indicated Sandy as he i ee to fight out your u to “ But, xg 2 in a good square and this gentleman ’—and he bowed politely e Mexican—‘‘and myself will stand by to see lay and bury the man that’s killed. Or, as will be rather tame work, and this hull the nature of a free fight we can have a little tussle together just for the fun of the thing.” The face of the Mexican strongly exp his repugnance to this proposal. He hadn't the slightest wise to encounter in single fight the nameless shot who had so easily discomfited the giant bully of the Mohave Valley. “Well, what. do you say, gentlemen?’ Blake asked after a moment's silence. *‘ How does the proposal Biche Is it a go?” “T have no quarrel with you,” replied the Mexican, fair stan b thing is o doggediy. Re bless you! we can easily arrange that!” | erfed the F , quite cheerfully. “if you are one of the kind of men that has to get mad to fight, [ | reckon that I can stir you up in shortorder. Just ee as you get ready say so, and I'll call you a | rse-thief and a liar, and say that you’re no gentle- man, and that you can’t drink, and if that ain't enough, why, I'll slap dagaet face two or three times, | and pull your nose, or knock you down and tread on ou, oa say so}”’ The Mexican did not appear at all teful for {iisse icind offers; his yellow face assumed a strange, unearthly lue as he ground his teeth together in hupotent anger. BMekKorr saty chat he was in a trap; he had no mind fo measure wreugih and weapons with Sandy MeAitpiae in a fair ond open fight, and a presenti- nent Warned Lin tart this bold stranger, who had €0 Unceremouio isly uiteifered,-was far mo cely to favor McAipine thar to take his side quarrel, ht was displayed so as to guidé my | You bet I'll wake you right up just as soon as | the | The Fresh of Frisco. | ‘Let the matter go as it is,"’ he remarked with an | ill-grace. “You and this man can go om your way | and we'll go ours. I seek no quarrel with this fellow; it was he that attacked me, and since I have baffled that attack I do not care to pursue the matter | further; but I warn you, Sandy McAlpine, that if ete dare to interfere in my projects I will have you 2unted down and slain like a dog if it costs me every cent that I have in the world,” ‘““Ah! see what it is to be rich!’’ suggested Blake, mockingly. ‘‘ He that hath the ducats can buy his vengeance, but we, poor devils, uot rich even in shekels, are obliged to redress our own wrongs or suffer in silence and with patience.” “Go your ways, and we'll go ours!”’ cried McKerr, imperiously, and with a lordly wave of his arm. “Oh no; not so fast,’ Blake returned, an intona- tion in his voice that made the merchant feel un- easy. ‘For the present, your way, Stuart McKerr, | ies with me!” | “With you?” exclaimed the merchant, in aston- ishment, | ‘*Oh yes; I've taken a great fancy to your com- | pany, and I am going to crave the pleasure of a ) ae from you to me at my home in the mountains yonder,”’ . | “What do you mean?” and McKerr’s hand sought | the butt of his revolver, but what match was the slow and cautious merchant for the impetuous, | quick-acting sport? ) | In atwinkling Blake had him ‘covered’ by the | hee agai tool, so true a weapon in its master’s nd, ‘*None-of that!’ he cried, “or I'll send you to your long home so quick that your master, the fiend, | will not have time to pre to receive you in a fitting manner. I told you that I had an interest in the hidden treasure of Buenaventura, and as you are one of the principal men who stand in my way I am going to carry you off with me fora while, until 1 can perfect May arrangements to get my hands on the valuables.”’ “T will not surrender with life!’ McKerr cried, and in desperation he plucked forth his revolver. ‘* The first attempt you make to cock that weapon —the first click of the lock is the knell of your | doom!” Blake replied in his cold,icy way, and a glitter in his eyes plainly betrayed that he had given utterance to no idle threat. For a moment McKerr stood irresolute, and then, cowed by the manner of the other, he thrust his re- volver back in into its pocket, “That's right; you act like a man of sense, for to resist me would be the hight of folly,’ Blake assur- ed him. ‘“ Do not be alar med; your life is safe; I do not intend to strike at that.’ Then he turned to McAlpine. “I am sorry to interfere in your vén- eance, but in this world you know it is each for imself, and the fiend for us all.”’ “You saved me, sir, and I should be ungrateful in- deed if I complained,’ McAlpine replied, with real feeling. ** You are free to depart,’ Blake announced, “ but if you have nothing better on hand, I can offer you a chance in my little speculation, for I need just such blades as yourself, “I’m your man,” Sandy answered, glad of the chance. “All right; and, as for you, Senor Greaser,” and Blake fixed his keen eyes on the Mexican, “ get back to Tejon Camp as soon as you can, and tell your cutthroat alcalde that I have.taken this Buena- ventura e up into the mountains to have an in- terview with the lad whom he called Miguel Scott and that, if he is anxious to see either one or the | other, to follow on the trail, for it will not be a hid- den one; but warn him.to bring a good force at his back or else he may be handled more roughly than will be pleasant. Vamose!”’ The Mexican did not wait for a second bidding | but took to his heels and soon disappeared aroun the bend of the trail. ‘Do you understand what my plan is?’ Blake in- quired, addressing the merchant after the bravo had taken flight. ‘‘I take you with me to the mountains on purpose to draw the alealde from Tejon Camp, / pont I hold out the bait, too, that the young Califor- nian is with me. I want to meet this bulldog alcalde and his cutthroats in a g od square fight, and if my Wolves and I can’t whip him and his men, why then, my sports ain't the boys I take them to be. i calculate to draw the alcalde and his forces into an ambush; then I’m go to cut his body-guard all to pieces, and either kill’him or take him prisoner. I want him out of the way, for this hidden treasure that the old cattle-king left is right in Alex Black’s clutches if he only knew where to look for it.”’ McKerr listened in perfect amazement; the knowl- edge of Blake astounded him. It seemed like magic. “And now, sir,’ Blake continued, ‘I trust that you will excuse me if I take the precaution of dis- arming you. Mr. McAlpine, will you have the kind- ness to relieve this gentleman of his weapons?” Sandy was quick to obey the request, and McKerr was obliged to submit to be disarmed, which he did with a very ill-grace indeed, but he was completely | inthe power of his captor, and fully realized that | resistance was useless. . “Take care of his weapons; I rather think that | you will find them all useful before you are a day | older, unless the alcalde of Tejon Camp is a differ- | ent sort of man from what I take him to be, for I fancy the moment. he hears that I have carried this gentleman off to the mountains, he will follow on the trail immediately with all the force he can mus- ter, but he'll meet with a warm reception, for we Wolves of the mountains know what is due to such a | distinguished cutthroat as Alex Black. And now we'll be off.” Blake led the way; the prisoner followed, while McAlpine brought up the rear, and up into the wild mountain region they went. CHAPTER XXX. THE MESSAGE. | THe strange woman who had so astounded the | alcalde with the disclosure of her name.and business, | sat by the window in her room gazing out upon the quiet street of the imiuing camp, and ever and anon , sue drummed listlessiy upon thle dimgy wiadow-pane, Wild and random faucies were passing rapidly across heranind, She bad dared as fuw women SSS | for the first time doubt bad seized Would she succeed? would she, a weak woman gain the prize, the hidden treasures of Buenaven tura, for which strong, wily and unserupulous mes were toiling?” Wrestling with busy thoughts her eyes were wam dering vacantly out ip a the aliost streets, for Tejon Canrp during the wore a Sum- day-like stillness, when the figure of an odd, un- ag —_ retgeter an, gaze. is fellow, a m e-aged, long-legged one. ere tremely seedily attired, was Fates Bo up the street, and upon preceiving the female face at the window, he halted, indul ina most elabc rate bow, them made a bee-line for the door of the saloon of the Ak calde’s Ranch. The girl paid no attention to the fellow, for, since her coming to the mountain region, ste Wear grown: used to the homage almost invariably patd her by the rough miners. The man, who was no other than the new arrival Major Jake S ith, of Arkansas, whom Alex Blach. 80 aptly termed the champion. Har, entered the saloon, nodded in the most friendly manner te the. barkeeper, who, truth to tell, looked upon the major in quite a suspicious way,.for since the Arkansian’s val in Tejon Camp he had not been favored with a sight. of the color of Smith’s money, although the ey ey had taken)quite a number of social drinks at the expense of the open-hearted Tejon Campites. The major was not at all abashed at the Sonus er's rather unfriendly looks, for his o nature scorned the idea of belng on bad would dare, to venture in this rou region, and now 4 hee its prey; & 8 with the man who présided over the mystic bagtier be- trenched, “ T see she’s arrived!”’ he exclaimed, and he nodded skyward as he spoke. ‘ No, nothing fut me . thank ye,” he added, with a polite bow, just as if he fancied that the active barkeeper was about to “ set ‘em up.” “No, I jest see’d her at the winser asl came up the street, and I reck’d that I'd call in and ‘see how she was arter her journey. Oh, me and het is old rds, you know; I use to kee 7 rind up ys Ag vod whar argh agent ig’ t y. An ye what it t's & nttatae lucky thing for me that she’s put in am pearance in this hyer Camp tat as she has, fur I’m about down to bed rock and nary chance kin [ see in this yi region to make a rich strike. I reekonw that if she’s flush she won’t mind ‘staking’ an olg pard, what’s had a rough time of it lately. “T reckon that if she ‘stakes’ you she’ll never see the color of her mon ain!’ the young man ex- claimed, contemptuously. * Oh, I'm square, 1 am—the clean, white article, in a tone which clearly betrayed that gs were injured by the doubt. The barkeeper sniffed, suspiciously, “Wal, I'll go up and try my luck, anyway; and Bb say, seeing as how you are so mighty unsgartin in your opinion of me, I'll jest go you ten dollars for greens that I make a stake outen her!’’ the major exclaimed, proudly. “Put up your money, old man!” cried the bar- keeper, hg A He felt Le gf sing e dollar would bluff the major, le .“ Ain’t my word good?” ‘* Your money is better.” ‘*Oh, well, we can’t bet then, since but I’m going to try the riffle anyway.” ‘**No hurt to try, but she’s no flat,” replied the other, sententiously. ‘*Mebbe not, but for the sake of old times, [reckon she won’tgo back on a feller she knows!” And them the aged vagabond betook himself up-stairs, No fool was Major Jake Smith, but possessed of 4 great deal more brains than most people gave him credit for. The lady was an utter st to him; he had 6nly seen her once before in his life and that was when she rode into the Camp, but of course who and what she was, and why she sought the mining aay soon became noised abroad. ma, : : and no mistake,’ the major replied, his fee sure that 2 alone ten, you doubt me The or had been intrusted with a m e to deliver to the lady, but he was sorely he would not be permitted to see her, for he knew ve well that he did not stand in very good repute wi the Alcalde’s Ranch people, and so he devised the innocent fiction that he and the strange were old uaintances, trusting that, as an old friend, he would be allowed to see her. The device had succeeded excellently, for he was permitted to Chuckii he knock lad freely up-stairs. in his sleeve at the success of his ruse, at the door of the room occupied by the ° => She came at once in answer to his knock. “TI beg your pardon, marm, for intrudin’, but I’ve got a message for you, which I was told to give to you privately.” The girl had passed through so many stramge ex- periences during the last few days of ) Fes life that rised at anything now, so she invit- © enter, and courteously placed a she was not s ed the major es"! oe him. 4k +e r’s a party wants to see you, marm, and he's a-waiting for you jest outside the Camp, on the trail that leads down the river, and he says that he's got some important business, and he’ to have you come right away, if you kin make it convenient,’ “Who is the person?” the girl asked. “He's an Injun, marm—says he’s called the Buster, or something of that sort.” ** Jose El Embustero?”’ “ That's it, marm, that’s it, to a hair}"’ “Very well; I will go at once.” The girl rose to her feet, and then she cast a glance atthe m ey trust you to keep this matter a secret?” * Kin you trust me!" the major exclaimed. ‘Wal now, you kin bet a heap of money on that, Oh, ’m jest the man to tie to.’ J The lady had her own ideas in regard to this state- ment, but she took out her purse and puta glitter- ing golden eagle into the hand of the major, a pro confine which caused the faded eyes of the old abond to sparkle with an unnatural light, don’t want all an idea having evidently occurred to her. vag- “Keep this inatter to yourself, for | the people in the Camp to know my business,” she | said; ‘‘and if Ido well here, perhaps I may be. abie to put some more money in your way.” a ‘Oh, I'll be as dumb as an oyster!" the major ds eo azenr2z =m RB Pd42 > -_s. 7 ea
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——SSSS__ §fared, and then he backed out of the room, assuring jie rl as he departed that he was “just the right “ind of man to tie to.” The mejor went straight down to the saloon, as- fenished the barkeeper by flipping the gold coin on We counter, and requested him to ‘set em up, just | ynee for greens.” And while the major was ocoupied in disposing of the social glass, a proceeding in which he had invit- ed the fluid-dispenser to join, the lady passed out in- to the street and walked rapidly away toward the epic spot. we have said, the street was almost deserted, and so there were few persons to watch the girl's footsteps. Soon she passed beyond the limits of the little Cainp, following the trail which led down the river, turned the slight bend, pene around which the view of the town was lost to the wayfarer, and just a short distance beyond the angle saw the old Indian a on a stone by the side of the trail. Che girl advanced directly to him, and the Indian grinned in the most friendly manner. “‘ How!’ he exclaimed, as the girl came up to him, leoking into her face in a very inquisitive way. “T received your message and have come as: requested," the girl said, looking the old man right In the eye, but with a face that was as incapable of revealing her thoughts as the face of a marble ‘atue. “The fool white man tell you all right, eh?” In po uncomplimentary way the Indian referred to the Major. * Yes; what do you wish of me?” “You have heart like big mountain bear!'’ Jose oper erg in admiring tones; ‘‘ too bold !—too bold!” e added, slowly. “* How too bold?” ““When I drunk I not know you—I not know you ww, but the face of the cattle-king has come again when I see you. Take care! This beast alcalde—he Vill like you was a dog he find out.” “ind out what?” - ‘“Who you are,” ye the Indian, impressively. ‘Have no fear that / tell. Alcalde kill you or you kill alcalde; no get dden treasure without.” A dark shade passed rapidly over the girl's face. Was the hidden eache of the old cattle-king after pil worth the trouble which must be taken to gain t? It is either your life or | Such was the question that the girl put to herself, | and, indeed, it was an extremely difficult one to Answer, “ Trust me,” the old Indian continued, ‘ trust me, anl trust no one else. The white men call me the liacp but to you I will speak nothing but the truth.” P % ace do not know who lam,” the girl observed, owly. ‘I know what you say you are,” the peon replied imwediately. ‘i saw you when you come to town; t ¢erawl into ranch and hear what you say to alcalde— — fool him—hé no think that you are what you are; Sut take care that he no finds it out; he will kill you an the spot!" ‘The eyes of the girl flashed fire at the words. “He is a miserable wretch! she cried; “but tetribution is much nearer than he thinks..”’ “He ought to die!’ the Indian exclaimed; “so ‘much blood on his hands, all the wat -rs of the river yonder could not wash them clean.” ‘Very true,” the girl replied, with a face cold and tigid, for an awful thought had arisen in her mind. Oould not the hidden treasure be gained except by bloodshed? Did the life of the dark alcalde indeed vtand between bar and the prize s :e sought? Small chance was there for her to think the matter over, for just then, with a whoop and a yell, ‘cound the bend jn the trail came Alex Blaek and a dang of his cutthroats. CHAPTER XXXI. AGAIN A PRISONER. ‘uw sudden and unexpected spenerence of the rcalde and his men is easily exolained. The bummer, with that spirit of boasting so com- mon to certain men, must needs display the gold | given him by the girlasa bribe to keep his | i seer shut, and brag to the barkeeper of thein- {uence which he possessed over her. The alcalde. chancing to enter overheard his boasts, and when he understood that the lady had ven him the money, he at once concluded that the low, by some ingenious device had extorted the gle from the girl; so he immediately accused him. ught fairly to bay, for Alex Black was not the nan to be trifled with, the old vagabond was forced 4) confess the truth, and very much puzzled indeed vas the alcalde when he learned that not only had ne old Indian sent a‘message to the girl but that | ‘ie at once had set forth to meet the peon. Here was an unexpected move in the game; what 49 earth had the Indian to do with her or she with iim? Were they in league, and was her story buta tanning trick to mislead him? It was a difficult problem but the alcalde set bout solving it atonce, He called his mons Sere together, and away they started—his design ing sateen rise the two together, and he succeeded ad- \nirably. 1 “We are lost!’ cried the girl, as the alcalde and his men came round the bend in the There was a look of apprehension visible upon the stolid face of the Indian, for in truth he had quite a taste of the alcalde and his methods, but the rulin oo strong éven in this hour of danger impell to say: ; “ Lie peck of it—I know not you, nor you me!” A very simple and ingenious plan indeed. The aicalde and his men came on, weapons shin- ing in their hands as though they expected to en- counter a band of armed and desperate men instead of one poor old Indian and a single woman. “Put up your we’pons, boys!” the alcalde ex- claimed, as they came up close to thetwo. ‘The lady ain’t hurt!” the ‘ormance possessed no interest at all for him, “You really must excuse us," the sonlesaad, Witdva wery polite bow to the girl, “but I heard you had ventured outside the town, and as it ain't te at ali todo such a thing, I raised a crowd amd came after you as fast as I coud.” i 4 eur Sas r oe cy | he exclaim The Fresh of Frisco. ‘*T was not aware that there was any danger,” the girl replied. “Oh, thar is, miss, heaps of it! the country round about here is infested with a lot of worthless vaga- bonds, and this old copper-skin hyer is as big a ras- cal as kin be scared up in a hundred miles in any direction; but, mebbe, he's a friend of yours?”’ ‘*He sent me a message that he desire to see me, that’s all,’ the girl said, in her quiet way. ‘I pre- sume that it was wrong for me to come, but the m » excited my curiosity and that, you know, is gene all-powerful with a woman.” . “Oh, it’s right, miss, of course, as long as you have escaped harm, but I was very much afraid that you had n decoyed into a trap, for this fellow is none too good for such work.”’ ‘“Me tell white squaw where to find what she wants in the mountains, mebbe she pay good—how!”’ exclaimed the Indian, ‘Oh, that’s the game, is it?’’ observed the alcalde in an eateonely amiable way. ‘“ Well, you shall come along with us and you can téli me, for the lady is under my protection just now, and if your information is valuable you can rest assured that you shall be omy rewarded.” A sickly sort smile came over the dark face of the Indian and there was a restless glitter in his eyes, as pa poset from one to another in the throng and look wistfully at the distant foot-hills. Jose, the Liar, would have given about all that he pemenct just then to have escaped to the shelter of he big pines that reared their nodding green plumes on the mountain side. But both resistance and flight were out of the question; the alcalde and his band had him as sufe as a rat ina trap, and the alealde nodded significantly to a couple of the band who at once proceeded to take charge of the Indian, while Black escorted the lady. “ “TI tell you, miss, you gave me a terrible fright!" “ the town. of games, and I had an idea that it was.all a deep- laid scheme to kidnap you.” “But who wuuld wish to kidnap, me?” The question bothered the alecalde, for he was only trying to finda phanstine excuse for his pursuit and interruption of her interview with the red-skin. “Oh, I can’t say exactly, but there’s all sorts of scalawags round, you know.” ‘* But why should any one wish to interfere with me?” 17 to be the wife of Miguel Scott you determined te strike her for a stake.”’ *“Why not?’’ * Oh, it’s all —— each man to his game; I'm sorry that I was o liged to spoil yours, but it could- n'‘ be helped; and now, to talk right to the point, Jose. I believe that you do know where the treasure is cached in the mountains and that you could lead | me right direct to the spot if you choose.” ) aye compel you to tell.”’ ; } } | Earnestly the peon protested that it was not so. ‘*Oh, you can deny it all you like,”’ the alealde re- plied, positively, ‘‘I am satisfied that you do know, and all that bothers me is to decide which is the best ose can no tell what he does not know,” the In dian asserted, yn ge ay: 5 : “That's very true, but the bird that can sing and | won't sing must be made to sing!" and Black knitted his brows and looked at the Indian in a particularly threatening way. , i red-skin folded his arms with true Indian. ignity. ac Mebbe you kill Jose; he no tell then more than | now.” The eyes of the alcalde glistened; he closed - his teeth tightly, and then shook his clenched fist menacingly in the face of the red-skin. “Tl have yeu blood, drop by drop, but you shalt tell before 1 get through with you!” the alealde cried, his face dark with rage. CHAPTER XXXII, STARTLING NEWS. At this point the conversation was suddenly and rudely interrupted. Into the office rushed the Mexi- can, breathless with haste. The alcalde at once guessed what had happened, for he knew the nature of Lope Dumas only too | well; impatient to dip his hands in blood he had as they proceeded up the trail toward | hese heathen bucks are up to all sorts | | ) replied, and then glanced at the Indian. “ They might get the idea in their heads that you | had a lot. of money, or they might carry you off into | the mountains,’thinking that your friends would pay | motive for this the alcalde could not | smiled grimly as he reflected that he | self upon the rud@esik ee one 2 — a good, big ransom for you; these mountain outlaws are all up to just such games.”’ And in this ingenious manner did the alcalde be- uile the homeward path, and he felt quite satisfied y the time they reached the Ranch, that he had succeeded in completely ‘‘ pulling the wool over the eyes "’ of the girl. to tricky, deceitful men who are forever enyaged in a, a conceal their own purposes and to un- mask the designs of others, the alcalde deceived himself in trying to deceive the girl, for he entered the Ranch with the full conviction that the girl had indeed spoken the truth in regard-to her going forth to meet the Indian, and that she really had no pre- vious acquaintance with the red-skin. But why had the peon desired to see the girl? What was the rea- son that impelled him to seek an interview? The ess, but he eld the red- skin securely in his power, and that he would have to answer the questions propounded to him or else suffer. Black gallantly escorted the lady to her room, and then hurried to the alcalde’s o skin had been conveyed, The guards were nua by the door, but keep- ing a vigilant eye nevertheless upon the peon who was seated upon one of the empty boxes by the table, looking as placid and contented as though he was not in the power of aman cruel and unscrupu- lous enough to commit any crume provided the end to be attained was of importance enough to sanction t. The alealde entered the room and addressing the uards bade them wait without as he desired to 1ave some private talk with the prscnesy The two men withdrew, and the Indian and the alcalde were left alone together. ‘‘Now then, Jose,” said the alcalde, anasing him- and surveying the Indian with a piercing glance, ‘‘do you think that you could tell the truth if you tried very hard?” | ‘Tne red-skin grinned; he rasnrded this question as a sort of a compliment. “Mebbe,”’ he replied, Aetna ‘“Well, all there is to it is, that if you don’t tell the truth you'll suffer,’ and Black tapped the butt of his revolver significantly, and the red-skin at once looked sober and sad, ‘*You’re a smart customer, I know,” Black con- tinued, * Lon I want you ey cape ne this time that ou can’t p any sha cks upon me,” 4 The peon iitted up his hands and rolled up the whites of his eyes as much as to say that he would- n’t dream of doing such a thing, “Now, then—don’t try any What did you want with this girl, and why did you send for her?” ‘To make money,” replied Jose, laconically, “How make money?” “‘ Make b’lieve tell her where the hidden treasure is cached.” ‘“‘Aha!” cried. the alcalde, starting, *‘ where the treasure is cached?” “Oh, no; how should I know?” replied the peon, stolidly. ‘‘Me say, me make b’lieve know where treasure is, so make plenty money.” “Who is this girl, anyway?” cried Black, abrupt- y- “She tell you she wife of Miguel Scott,” observed the red-skin, shrewdly. ““Why, how did you know that!” “Jose got long ears—listen at the door when she first come.” “Well, old fellow, you’re more knave than fool, ” claim you know atter all!” Black ex ed. ne diner ountitnans. . : epic Lite} ce where the red- | provoked McAlpine to an encounter and slain him. * Did you settle him?" he asked, speaking as care- lessly as though the question did not relate to the death of a fellow mortal. * Coramba! no! the fellow escaped!" the Mexican The alealde understood that affairs had not progressed favor. ably, pod that Lope desired to speak with him ix private. “T will return in a moment,” he said to the peon. and then passed out of the office, followed by thé Mexican. Black did not h sitate to leave the Indian alone within, for the single window, which afforded light to the office, and which was the only means of egress from the room besides the door, was situated in the front of the building, and therefore it was impossible for the Indian to escape without being observed. “Blazes is to pay, alcalde!’’ cried the Mexican, the moment that he and his superior were outside of the office, and then timidly he related what had | occurred. But in this ona, as it often happens in this world | | league, then, as I ex m games, mind! | | | The alcalde listened in astonishment, and for a moment hardly knew what to make of the matter. “The dare-devil s and the Californian are in ted,’’ he said, at last. “The young man is Migue ott, beyond the shadow of adoubt! And the sport. defies me, does he?”’ ‘He does indeed !’ vet And he has carried off the banker to the moun: ns?” 4 ‘Yes, and dares you to follow!” ‘I have heard of these mountain outlaws and it is about time that some one gave them a lesson, Go, get the men together, fifteen or twenty of the best that ay can muster; see that they are well armed, and that every man takes a good supply of ammuni- tion with him. If I once get on ibe trail I'll hunt these Wolves out of their holes if it takes the better part of a month.” “* Ob, there will not be much difficulty about finding them, for this sport means fight, every time!" “We'll give him all he wants,” the alcalde ex- claimed, grimly. ‘ But, hurry up the men; we want to strike on the trail while it is fresh and before it grows cold.” *‘Tll have ’em ready in half an hour!"’ “Pack up a good supply of provisions, too, on the back of a mule, so that we won't be obliged to eome back to the camp until we hunt these fellows to their holes!” The alcalde was terribly in earnest. The Mexican hurried off and then with brows com- pressed and a sober, thoughtful face, the alcalde re- entered the office, prepared to bring the examina- tion to a close. But that was destined not to be, for— The r.om was empty. The alcalde glared around him in amazement, but keen and excellent as were his eyes still they were not good enough to discover the person of the old peon. In cunning craft Jose, the Liar, was fully a matcb for any white man whe ever stepped foot on Califor nian soil, The manner of the Indian's escape was quite ap arent. He had simply, by means of some sharr instrument which he had concealed about his son—a knife, evidently—tunneled a passage ht under the back wall of the office; there was no floof <e: ae building other than the ground upon which i¢ 8 F An exclamation of anger came from the lips of the dark alcalde at thus easily tricked. Twice ha@ the old peon slip through his fingers after being: securely caught. Rapidly, indeed, bad the Indian worked, tor BlacB had not been absent over ten minutes, and it wae lain that in order to accomplish the t Jose must ve at once set to work the v moment that the door had closed behind the alcalde. From the rear of the office it was an easy matter. to gabe the wooded foot-hills, only a htmndred yarda, distant, and once this shelter was reached, no easy | task would it have been for a dozen of the fleetest- and the best men in Tejon Camp to overtake the red buck, for Jcse was as good on his legs as a wild: deer, Yala and knew, too, every t of the. country. “The deuce take that fellow!" the alcalde cried wrath; “the next time I get my hands upon him and 80 that he can 1 ‘t move: 2. —_ Ae a AB a a ella Fe ate ~ ~ : ea eee
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] The Fresh of Frisco. EE A A TL A SSSI eT. @ eee -— — get hold of bim n some time, and if he slips out of my fingers a third time, why, then I am a bigger foolthanIthinkIam! The fellow evidently knows something or else he would not be so anxious to escape.” Black now sought the hotel to prepare for the expedition. He went straight to his private room and armed himself, carefully examining each and every weapon, for he fully realized that if the Fresh of Frisco was properly backed, it would be no child’s play to hunt him down in his mountain fastness; but he dark-browed alcalde had been used to having kis own way so long, and had been so completely taaster of th: Mohave valley and the mountain region adjoiuing, that it did not seem possible to him that any one could succeed in offering success- ful resistance to his power. In just about thirty minutes from the time that he had departed the Mexican returned with the intelli- gence that everything was in readiness for the expedition. The men, all carefully picked and armed, were in the saloon, and the mule, laden with #rovisions, was at the door. The alcalde sallied forth at once, The members of the band were indeed well pre- gared for rough service, Each and every man had ® couple of revolvers belted to his waist, a keen- edged, broad-bladed knife thrust through his girdle, 4.ad a rifle slung on his back. The fierce alcalde’s eyes glistened as he looked on the warlike array; good judge as he was of men j2id matters in this wild Pacific land, it did not seem qv issible to him that such a band could be beaten by io y skulking mountain outlaws, “Take a parting drink, boys,” he said, ‘and fill our flasks up, for we may have a long tramp of it Afre we return to the Camp.”’ The men eagerly accepted the offer, and after they had satisfied themselves, filed out into the street, The alcalde lingered behind to say a parting word to the barkeeper, who was one of his most trusted men. our eyes open in regard to the girl,’’ he if any one comes to see her, watch and overhear the conversation if you can, and if she goes out have her followed, for she must not stir without my knowing the why and the wherefore.” “ Alright, ‘sir; how soon will she come back?” **Come back!” cried Black, in amazement. * Yes, sir; didn’t you know she had gone out?”’ “Indeed, I did not." ** Yes, sir, she has.” “ How long since?” “About ten minuteg, I thought she was going with you, for she came down, went round to the stable, got her horse and rode slowly up the street just as if she was gown, Meee till you got ready.” ‘* By the eternal fires below! she has tricked me!” ried the alcalde, bringing his clenched fist down with a bang upon the bar. “It is a hundred dollars ‘+o a cent that she is in league with that young Cali- fornian and that dare-devil sport; but, I'll follow ‘hard upon her track for I’ve/no doubt that she has one to join the others in thé mountains. She came k here to play the spy upon me, but my interrup- Sion of the interview betwegn her and the old Indian Alarmed her; she knew tHatI held the red-skin in my power And she was affaid that I would frighten him into a confession, an@ that was the reason why she got out. Cursed fogl that I was not to suspect that there was something wrong!”’ *T could have stop her, but I thought that it was all right.”’ “Tt isnot your fault; Ido not blame you; I only blame myself for allowing her to pull the wool over my eyes; but I had no idea-that she was smart enough to do anything of the kind. I'll have her, though, before the sun sets this day unless she is smarter than I think sheis!’”? And then, with rage rankling in his heart, the alcalde strode out into the street and took command of his men. The Mexican took the lead, placing himself in the «dvance, and the alcalde, followed by the band, came hard after. Lope led directly to the spot where the interview between the four men had taken place as described ina Be Magn chapter. ve arted with them,” the Mexi- was here that I van said, as he reached the place, ‘and they struck off up the trail.” at § = were bound for the mountains they pro- bably took the old Indian trail which branches off to ¢he right about a quarter of a mile further on,” The alcalde’s guess was correct, as the party dis- vovered upon reaching the a of the two trails, for the bold sport, in derision and defiance, and to snake good his word that he would not seek to hide iuis trail, had torn a pine branch away from the par- «mt tree and cast it down to serve as a guide to the qvursuers. The brows of the alealde knitted as he beheld this plain token that the Fresh not only did not fear but courted pursuit. He kept his thoughts to himself, though, and spoke ao word as he led on his band, but, for the first time ho began to realize that he had taken no easy task | pon his shoulders when he had undertaken to hunt 40 his lair the man who claimed the rough ** Wolves ” of Tejon Pass as his friends. Fast on the trail the band Jlainly indicated every here an Avanches cast upon the groune. Up—up into the heavily-wooded mountain region the Ph went, the way growing wilder and more desolate at every —_ The band kepta firm gripe upon their weapons, and cast goood a wary glance about them, for they anger. y en upon a rocky, elevated plateau, when, sudd , from behind a massive rock, rose the well- knewn figure of the daring sport, the Fresh of Frisco, Jromvetet, the way there by the broken CHAPTER XXXII. A BATTLE ROYAL. So suddenly did the sport arise from his place of econcealment that for a moment the astonished men gazed upon him with wonder-stricken eyes, just as he had been an airy spirit from another world ‘tather than the bold mortal of solid flesh and blood which Le was. Blake was dressed exactly the same as he had ‘been when he first made his appearance in the min- ing camp, no sign of arms or traces of hostile intent, but he rose as quietly and faced the well-armed band, who were evidently on blood and slaughter bent, as calmly as though there were no bad blood between himself and the desperate men of Tejon Camp. No sign of arms the sport displayed, we say, and each and every member of the invading band noted this fact at the first glance, but Blake was no stran- ger to them’ now, and they all understood that the man of ice and iron never was more dangerous than when he smiled and appeared ha mless. “Halt!” he eried, as he rose in view. And the promptitude with which the advancing band stopped, rooted as it were in their places, when the command reached their ears, was some- thing wonderful. ‘How are ye, alcalde!” Blake continued. “I feel quite delighted at seeing you so near my hunting- rounds. You extended to me the hospitalities of ejon Camp only a little while ago, and now it is my turn.” “You are a bold, impudent blade!” the alcalde ex- claimed, scowling darkly, ‘‘ but I give you fair warn- ing that I am in no mood for joking to-day and that I'm here on business.” “So I suppose, judging from the looks of your escort."’ “You and Sandy McAlpine have been riding a pretty high horse and it 4 about time that you, and all like you, understood that I don’t allow any such going on in my neighborhood. I’ve come after tuart McKerr, and if you know when you are well off you will surrender bim at once and give yourself up at the same time; otherwise I may be obliged to make an example of you so as to deter other rash men from attempts to dispute my power in this hyer region."’ Oho! you think that you are supreme master here, then?’’ retorted Blake, in a tone which was ex- tremely exas ge “You will find, before you are an hour older, that I am master hyer!’’ the alealde angril responded. “I'll go you ten to one on that!” the Fresh cried. “I’m master hyer, my man! Did you ever hear of the Wolves of Tejon?—”’ “A band of cutthroats that I'll string up to the pines on these hillsides one of these days like onions 2 — as a warning!’ the alcalde exclaimed, de- ntly. “Asa ae that you don’t want any cutthroats around except the scoundrels that follow your lead?” Blake st ted, and at this home-thrust there came up, like an echo from amid the rocks and stunted pines, a sortof chorus of deep ‘ Haw-haws!’ an ominous, specter-like sound that caused the al- calde and his men to p their weapons and glare earnestly and anxiously around them. Blake smiled as he beheld the astonishment and alarm of the invaders. “Oh, don’t be alarmed, gentlemen !” he cried in his ight and airy way. ‘It’s only one of our odd ‘mountain echoes, We have very strange echoes up here inthe mountains, sometimes.”’ From the alcalde downward there wasn’t a man in the band but understood that the cool but desper- ate sport was making game of them. His confident manner puzzled them. Had they been led into a trap? Had the trail poems been made plain and easy SO as to entice them up into this wild and deso- late spot and into an ambuscade? It looked like it, for, to the fevered imaginations of the astonished band, the chorus of invisible ‘“* haw- haws!’’ seemed to come from a score of throats, and . Bi encircle the little glade wherein they § q Anxious then were the looks that the band cast around them, and dark the angry scowl upon their r ee features. 1ey were all bold and careless men, reckless of their own lives and of the lives of others, yet, bold and reckless as they were, and as cheap as they held their lives, it was not agreeable to think that they had walked blindly into an ambuscade, and that they were at the mercy of a concealed foe who only waited for a given signal to pour in a deadly fire upon them. “And now, my bold alcalde,’’ continued Blake “since you have delivered your ultimatum, just listen to mine. You are all utterly at my mercy. You have walked into a trap from whence, for the agony part of you, there is no deliverance except a descent into the valley of death, and how many rs) = bold, rough scoundrels are ready to die?”’ If the question had been put to them in the town of Tejon Camp, not a man in the band but would have proteste. stoutly that he held his life no dearer thana pin’s fee, and was ready at all times to risk it, and would at once have fought unto the death any rash man who dared to say tothe contrary; but in this wild spot, this bit of unknown ground, confront- ed by &@ man whose equal for cool hardihood had never Pe stepped foot in the Mohave valley, these men of bloody, reckless lives felt the warm courage oozing out at their finger-ends, and the cold taint of fear beginning to sap their stout hearts. “That is a question that you had better ask your- self and prepare at once to answer it!" the alealde eried, roughly. **And why should I prepare to answer it?” Blake asked, with that arrogant coolness which in him was so exasperating. “Why? the alealde fairly shouted. ‘“ Why? Don't you understand, my bold buck, that we have come after you and the boy whose quarrel you have so rashly taken upon your shoulders, and now that we have run you to earth, all that you can do is to surrender at once or else, inside of five minutes, there'll be one bold sport the less in California?’ Blake laughed in contempt. “You pig-headed fool!’ he exclaimed; ‘do you suppose that if I was helpless and without backing, I would have allowed you to track mé so easily? On, no! It was my game to lead you on, to lure you into a trap, from whence with life you will never escape. You are completely surrounded by my men, not one of your force but is covered by trusty weapons in the hands of sharp-shooters whose superiors ain’t to be found on all this hyer Pacific slope. I just rose out of my ambush to sive you fair warning—to save | the shedding of blood, if you are at all inclined to | listen to reason. I've no quarrel with all of you men, but this gentleman, my bold alcalde, is my mutton; and now I’ve got him just where I want ‘him. The rest of you ean git /" For answer the alcalde deliberately raised nis riffe and pulled back the hammer. 8. it war?” Blake cried; “‘look out for yoursetf en!” The alcalde pulled the trigger, but at the ve moment that the piece was discharged, Blake dedg: down behind the rock which had previously shelter- ed him and the bullet whistled harmlessly over his ) head, Sharply rung the crack of the alcalde’s rifle on the still mountain air, and a dozen echoes, each one as strong as the original report, repeated the sound. No empty, harmless echoes, these phantom-like “cracks” either, for the leaden bullets came whist ling from the stubby clumps of pines and from the cover of the bowlders, behind which the secret fog was ambushed. No foolish boast had the Fresh of Frisco made when he had declared that he had the invaders in 9 trap. The effect of the volley was terrible—six of the aL — men were down, either slain outright or bad. y hurt. And the deadly fire continued, too, dropping, ir regular shots, the fire of the skirmish line, for th ambushed men were so near to the entra alcal, de and his force that they were using their six-shoot ers now. No matter how brave the men were, individually— it was not in human nature to stand and give battle against such overwhelming advan r A few wild, random shots the alcalde’s men fired and then they broke and fled! ‘Each man for him- b- | | | } { | self and the devil take the hindmost,” was their — motto. Even the alcalde followed n the flight, carried away by the sudden rush, and then from their cov- 9 rose Blake and his band, and followed in pur- suit. Fast raced the fugitives over the rude and broken ground, and fast the pursuers followed. Blake and Sandy McAlpine had marked thealcalde for their prey, and untiringly as the ac gd prairie wolf on the trail of the wounded buffalo, they fol- sabe the desperate, defeated master of Tejon Jamp. Ten times at least Bluke, with his wonderful marks- manship, could have “‘ dropped’ the fugitive with a snap-shot, as he caught sight of his broad back as he raced through the scrubby pines, or clambered over the jagged rocks, but the bh refrained. He wished to take alive the bold 1 who had so long with an iron hand ruled over the Mohave valley; he hungered to put him through some of the ‘sprouts "’ a the Black men of Tejon had practiced upon The two pursuers began to gain upon the fleeing man, and he, understanding that he could e jet from either one, determined. .to,sell: his life ~ early. The alcalde the hands of the men whom he had wronged. He felt that his strength was failing, and that he could } continue his flight but a little while longer, and though he had doubled and twisted around like a ct no © referred to die rather than fall into | hunted hare yet he could not throw his eager pur- | suers off the track. ] A desperate man indeed, he determined to turn | - fight for his life although the odds were against m. Crafty was the move he made, Coming to a little open space he raced across it for | dear life and plunged into the moment he was sheltered by the timber he turned. and taking deliberate aim at Biake, as he advanced into the opening, fired, but the Fresh was on his guard, and the moment he noticed that the hunted man had stopped he flung himself upon his face. CHAPTER XXXIV. AN UNEXPECTED EVENT. Not a whit too soon was Blake’s action, for the well-aimed bullet of the desperate alcalde whizzed by him not a foot above his head. If the wonderful ~ instinct of the Fresh had not warned him that danger threatened the instant he discovered from the sudden stoppage of the ncise made by the fugi- tive in his flight, that the alcalde had halted, this brief, but exact, chronicle would have come to @ sudden end, for the death of the hero should always end the tale. But, Blake was well up in frontier tricks, and the moment he discovered that the alcalde had halted in his headlong flight he understood that the desper- ate man, determined to sell his life dearly, resolved upon resistance. McAJpine seeing Blake dodge down, followed his example. Although they were two to one yet the pursuers did not think it ss to attempt to advance, for the alcalde, intrenched behind the rocks, was ben certain to hit one or both of them. The ae hing to be done was to flank the fugitive in his well-chosen position. Neither McAlpine nor the Fresh were the kind of men to let the grass grow under their feet in an ad- venture of this kind, and so immediately, and with- out consultation, they began to work round in @ half circle to attack the alcalde in the rear, | All was still as death; the quiet of the great) primeval forest reigned, for the two men skulked; along, stealing forward to their design with all the cautious stealth of the red son of the wilderness from whom they had learned the cunning trick. But their craft and skill alike were set at naught; the alcalde was no novice in wooderaft, and he té#ken advantage of the stoppage of the hot pursuit to steal away. He had halted only long enough to fire the sho¥ and force his opponents to take cover, and then, silently as a snake, had retreated. McAlpine and Blake came face to face right behind the bowlder which had served the alcalde so well. An angry exclamation cam# from the lips of the adventurer, but Blake only laughed; the trick, being shrewdly played, only served to amuse him, tor the Fresh was one of those peculiar natures who are as quick to admire uw cunning device in a foe as to praise it in a friend. “He has escaped us,” McAlpine cried. “Yes, and [underrated the man, for I had no idea that he was up to such ad . 1 took him to be a bull-headed bravo who would, when cornered, put his back ag arock and die like a gentleman, selling his as dearly as possible. ines beyond, but the | ; :
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i] 33 &o = SR ouoRne Ferre The Fresh of Frisco. 19 “*He who fights and runs away—’” quoted | flaxed us; and mind, keep a still tongue in your | attracted by the bold and ringing defiance which he dy. was Win _live to fight another day;’ eh?” cried Réake, finishing the quotation. ‘ Let us pursue him at.once!”’ ! What, after the start that he has got?” ‘I think mail” that I am woodman enough to lift the aril. “Do you think you ean over these bare rocks that 4eave no mark of human footsteps?” *'Yes,”’ replied Sandy, confidently. Y- “ Well go ahead; that sort of thing is out of my ine,’ McAlpine in truth was a pretty good tracker, and almost as good on the trailof a flying foe as any red devil that ever lifted hair, and the alealde in his headlong ht had not taken any pains to disguise his trail; infact, he had no time to accomplish this if he had wished to; and gso,in spite of the bad nature of the ground which rendered the taska difficult one indeed, McAlpine soon “lifted the trail,” in mountain lance, and fast he and Blake £ lowed in the footsteps of the flying man. Little hope had the Fresh, though, of overtaking rhe tive, for he reasoned shrewdly that with the #'art that the alcalde had gained, such a thing would be almost impossible. fwllowing the trail clear down to the foothills, where it struck the regular old Indian path, and was lost wnid a dozen other footprints, the pursuers were tc reed to give up the chase. “Satan himself protects this man!" McAlpine ex- elaimed, in anger, as he came to an unwilling halt. “No doubt, no doubt!"’ Blake replied, in a tone of perfect. conviction, “and the big chief with horns and tail has no better servant than the alcalde of Fijon Camp..’ “T had achance at the scoundrel three or four fimes, but I waited until I could be sure of my game,” Sandy remarked, in a regretful tone. “ And so missed it altogether!’’ Blake cried, laugh- mg. “Now, in future take pattern by me—always » ge! * on a man if you think you have half a chance ef hitting him; that’s my rule always, and it’s these a#nap-shots—nearly all of which are more luck than jnarksmanship—that have given me the reputation vf being one of the best men at the trigger on the foast.”’ “T’ll crack at him the next time, whether I think dhat I can hit him or not!” “ And that next time will come ve femarked, ds they struck back into gain. “The sooner the better !’’ Sandy replied. * 1 reckon that in this little affair to-day we have gid out one-half or two-thirds of the best fighting- tnen the alcalde eould muster in his cutthroat camp, nd now I think that the man who takes Alex Black by the beard won't have to be backed by an army.” Significant words when coming from the lips of Jackson Blake. soon,’’ Blake e upper trail Tearing the two to retrace their way to the strong- | hold of the Wolves, in the mountain, we will follow the footateps of the defeated ruler of the Mohave alley. Black had quite a reputation for a-great many ait among the Tejon Campites; but, as @ runner, > had never been counted much, yet it is quite foubtful if there existed a man in all the Mohave valley, white or red, who could have beaten his * time” that day. Winded and weary, full of rage at his defeat, and Bwearing great schemes of vengeance upon the man who had so completely beaten him at bis own bold Fame, the al the foothills, came other breathless and haggard nen, one and all bearing evident marks of the terri- le exertion which they had made. : The alcalde halted and surveyed them with eyes lamed with rage—not wit. rage toward them, but parara the eun foe who had so roughly handled m, It was the first time since the founding of Tejon Vamp that the alcalde and his bold fighting-men had tver been compelled to skulk home like beaten curs. The men gave ample proof of the desperate na- are of the atugele through which they had passed, or one and all were bleeding from ugly wounds. ‘he flight and the hot pursuit had been as bad as the battle, terrible as had been the surprise of the Ambuscade. The alcalde had been the only man on nad been fortunate enough to escape without a und. Five men straggled forth from the pines of the lis and came doggedly forward to meet their | oothi Feder, and each and every man shook his head as © came up to the alcalde, as much as to say: “It wasn't my fault; Sought like a tiger! ‘And are you all that is left? cried the alcalde, with blazing eyes, as he looked upon the faces of the | gs stout men “ Caramba!” exclaimed the Mexican, who had pos tears of the fortunate ones, and succeeded in es- there is not many more. What would you have? They slaughtered us like sheep in that trap, and then ehased us through the mountains like so many devils. By the bones of all the saints! I never ran 80 fast before since I was born!” “Five—only five left!" the alcalde cried, seemingly ats to convince himself that the massacre could ve been so terrible. bbe f half of us went down at the first fire before | we had ach ance to return a shot!” another one of the band exclaimed. “ And then they followed us as we fled as fast and }5 close as our shadows!” the Mexican ejaculated. | Caramba |’ if I live to be a thousand years old, I shall never forget this day’s work!” “Nor I—nor I,” the alcalde repeated, slowly. “Well, it’s done now and can't be undone, but our n will come, boys, and then we'll pay back what we owe for this day’s work with double interest.” The members of the gang*made wr other; they were quite satisfied to let the matter J ' @tand as it was; they had not the slightest desire to ever face the dare-devil sport and his followers You had better enter Lt ack by the tae a. Black suggested. “I don’t care @ ev the town knowing that these fellows have = ant ‘ = : ard ng he ~ a P a STS eg tee + ~- ? Sree . ~ oe And so it proved; for, after : de approached the mining town, | und, just at the same moment, from different points | my blood and wounds show that I who had so often backed his quar- | with only a slight flesh wound, ‘I think that | faces at each | heads; about what has transpired to-day.” Of course they swore that they wouldn’t breathe a word to mortal, and then they all proceeded to the hotel. The alcalde went at once to his private apartment and washed off the stains of the battle and flight, then proceeded to recharge his weapons. Hardly | had this been done when the door opened, and Stuart | McKerr, pale and agitated, walked into the room, The alcaide started to his feet in surprise. “ Aha! you have escaped!”’ he cried. ‘‘ No; I was released to bring you a message.” ‘““ A message?”’ ‘* Yes, a challenge to morta) combat.”’ And before the alcalde could ery aloud his aston- ishment atthis, the loud, bold voice of Jackson Blake rung out, clear as the tone of the herald’s trumpet, in the street of the mining camp! CHAPTER XXXvV, A BOLD DEFIANCE. ‘Were is this man, Alexander Black, the alcalde of this hyar Camp?” Blake cried. “Where is he? He’s the man 1 want; bring him out that I may spit in his face and tell him to his teeth that heisa cowardly cutthroat—a villain—a murderer of the deepest dye!” The alcalde grasped his weapons and started to his feet, his face inflamed with anger, and no wonder, for it was not pleasant to be thus bearded and defied right in his own town. “He followed mv quicker than I thought!’ the merchant exclaimed. ‘He released me and told me to go st ht to Tejon Camp and inform you that he was coming in person to seek satisfaction.” “The cu idiot!’ Black muttered; ‘‘ his success in the mountains has intoxicated him, and now he has placed himself in m wer.” “Don’t be too sure of that,’ McKerr warned. ‘I think you will find he hasn’t come alone, but has a good strong force at his back.” ‘He'll find that he has walked into a hornet’s nest before he gets out of this town!”’ the alcalde retorted, although as he spoke the thought flashed across his mind of how many good, bold ruffians had been laid low that day in the fearful fight in the mountains, the very picked men of the town, and he began to count over in his mind the number ef fighting-men whom he could depend upon to assist him in driving this bold invader from the Camp. If he could only succeed in raising the whole Camp, the destruction of the Fresh and his cohorts was undoubted, but it was a question whether he could succeed in doing so. Already the daring sport had won a name for him- self in the annals of Tejon Camp, and the alcalde | felt that it would be no easy task to rouse the miners to take action a-ainst him in a merely personal quarrel, and whether he was strong enough to give battle to the bold challenger, assisted only by his own men, was a question that could only be decided | by actual trial. Andif he failed— -Ah! the alealde did not want to think of that, for he fully realized that, in this struggle, it was either victory or death—there could be no half-way about it. “This cock is ret aidag prey loud, but ifI get a bead on him I reckon put a leaden pill into him that will be mighty apt to cha ge his note,”’ cried the alcalde, as he marched out into the saloon, revolver in hand. It was his intention to fire at the bold invader through the. window, for the alcalde was a dark Bnd tricky scoundrel who scorned a fair and open fight when he could take a mean advan- e he saloon was deserted, with the exception of the presiding genius behind the bar, who looked sober and shook his head dubiously when ks chief appeared. “Where are the boys?’ the alcalde asked, per- ceiving that none of the gang were around. “ All up-stairs.”’ ‘Call them, for I reckon that there is going to be trouble.”’ ‘*Oh, this cuss means business, every time,’’ the other remarked, as he departed on his mission. The alcalde cautiously approached the window and looked out, His revolver, ready cocked, was in his hand, and he was fully prepared to fire if he could get a favuratle chance; but Black had to deal with a man fully as crafty as himself, although the | Fresh would have scorned to use his craft to gain an | unfair ny ofafoe. After promulgating his bold defiance, Blake had retired up the street to a safe distance, and, pees himself behind the angle of a house, waited for the coming forth of his foe. The Fresh was accompanied by eight men, in- | cluding Sandy McAlpine and the young Californian. The entire party were on foot, but armed to the | teeth, and as Black from the window looked forth upon and counted the party, he fully realized that | unless he succeeded in rousing the miners of the | town and induced them to join him, he stood very little chance of driving the assailants from the Camp. / The gang headed by the barkeeper came slowly down into the saloon; they had bound up their | wounds and recharged their weapons, but they evidently had no wish at all to encounter the men who had previously handled them so roughly. A single glance the alcalde took at the faces of his men, and then felt satisfied that he would never be able to induce them to stand against Blake and his force. But could he rouse the town? Doubtful, even if he had the chance, which at present seemed denied him, for the Camp was almost deserted now, the men being at work in the mountain gulches, more or less distant from the town, and with Blake in full pos- session. of the Camp while he was shut up in the house, the Fresh had a much better chance of pre- | senting his side of the question than was afforded | to his enemy. The face of the alcalde was fairly black with - sion; never before in the whole course of his life of | adventure had he been so fairly brought to bay, and breil little chance of escaping from the perilous osition. are while the alcalde, chafing with eagerly seeking some escape from ie reps . took advantage of the chance to explain t gathered ! was lake situa- tion to the few townsmen who around him, . 7 ai — > : Shea pe at had uttered. “ This thief of an alealde has carried matters with a high hand too long in this valley!’’ he declared. ‘I came here, a stranger, bearing malice te no map within the limits of this Camp, and willing to abide by the laws which are in force to govern you all here, But that didn’t suit the alcalde. He asked what business I followed, andI told him honest} and frankly thatI never bothered my head muc about business but depended upon my skill in card: playing to get a living, and then he coolly informed me that he didn’t think there was any opening in Te- jon Camp fora man about my size, but that the quick: er I got out the better, unless I would X ps his gang, for he needed just such a man as myself. And then at night he had a gang of masked men—the Black Men of Tejon, as they called themselves—seize me as I lay asleep, and they carried me down into a cave where they were going to burn out my eyes with red-hot irons and indulge in a few other pleasantries of a like nature, but I managed to slip out of their fingers, and now I’ve come back, fellow-citizens, to square the account with this great mogul who thinks that he owns all this hyer valley; but he don’t own me, and while I stand in my boots I will not allow any man to tread on me without ooling. him to an account. And that’s why I’m hyer, backed by these few friends, who kindly came along to see fair play or, if the alealde’s gang were willing, to take a d in the fuss themselves, I bear no ill-will to Tejon Camp or to the men of Tejon Camp; in fact I put myself forward to deliver you from the tyranny of this Alex Black who has lorded it over the Mohave valley long enough. He don’t own this land, fellow- citizens, not an inch of it, although he has set upa claim to it; it belongs to the estate of the old cattle- king, Michael Scott Buenaventura, end I represent the heir to that estate.” “Well, stranger, it’s no quarrel of ours,” said a gray-bearded miner, one of the representative men of the town. “Of course the alcalde ain’t any more than any other man, and if he has got any private quarrels, why he ought to settle them, same as any other gentleman.” “Exactly! that is all I want!’ Blake exclaimed. “And as far as I am concerned, I’ve done all that I ought to, in the : Penns. I've walked up to the man’s door, called him a thier and a liar and dared him out to meet me: what more can I dof” “Nothing, that’s a fact,’ the miner admitted; “but I say, stranger, s’pose’n J go and see the al- calde, and tell him that you’re hyer for a fight, and see what he’s going to do about it?” ‘That's a good idea; go it! I’m ready to meet him with any weapon he chooses, rifle, revolver or knife; and if he wants to make the thing interesting, and his gang are anxious to take a hand in the fun, why, my friends hyer will accommodate them.” “ All right, I'll carry the message.” The old miner departed, The alcalde had noticed the interview and guessed when he saw the miner approach the nature of the message which he brought. The miner, old Captain Bull, as he was engi ae related the particulars of his interview wit e. The -alealde gave an indignant snort when ho finished his recital. *‘And am I to risk my life against that of any ruffianly fool who chooses to think that I have wrongei him?” he demanded. “But it’s our law, you know, aicalde; every man has =~ ight . trial by battle. * “Yes, when the man proves that I have wron him, which I hay’n’t done, and as for his fot ae bull story about the Black Men of Tejon, why that is all utter nonsense; the fellow must have got drunk and dreamed it; but I say, captain, is the Camp going to stand this sort of thing! Am I, the alcalde of the town, to be besieged in my own house and compelled to fight whether I want to or not? Why don’t you sound an alarm—raise the boys and drive these fellows from the town)’ demanded Black, im- eb ‘* Well, really, alcalde, I don’t believe that any of the Lm fg are hankering after sich a job,” the miner replied, “These cusses meuxn business, alealde; they intend to force rm to fight or know the reason why, and as far as I see, it’s all a private quarrel, anyway.’ “Oh, is it?’ sneered Black, fearfully angry that his words had no influence; “and the town is going to let this ruffianly gambler rule it and do exactly “2 likes?”’ os hail * But you can’t expect the hull camp to fight your private battles for you!" the veteran ex = lated. “Well, you can go back to this fellow and tell Bim that I am intrenche¢ byer and I defy him and all his force to pet me out of this Ranch!"’ the alcalde cried, defiantly. “All right; T'lldo just as you say, but they'll go for you, sure as shootin’!”’ “And if awd do I'll lay some of them on their aoe in mighty short order,’ Black retorted fero- ciously. The miner returned and delivered the defiance to Blake, Inside of an hour, I'll give him all the t he wan’ Fthe Frosh declarer ts, or I’m a Dutchman!’ CHAPTER XXXVI. STORMING THE CASTLE, Wir an ugly look upon his dark face the alcalde watched the miner return to the invaders with dean message hic eo cama wate “Do you thin e dare to 4 McKerr asked, suxibonty, The merchant of bok: ventura had little relish for this sort of thing; years of luxury and of ease had unfitted him for partic’ re believe that we will be able to hold m?” McKerr was evidently doubtful int. “With five determined men, well armed and good shots, just_ such fellows as I have hyer, I feel confi- dent t I could hold the Ranch against fifty, and tis infernal scoundrel hasn't got more than ten with him, if he has that Sy The two Standicg together out of ear-shot of the mes whe were 5 . ag halite at the r i . ; —
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20 _ ’ by the other window, the nearest one to the This fellow is a desperate and determined man,” the merchant remarked, evidently ill at ease, “‘ and wonderfully expert, too, with his weapons.” ‘*Oh, don’t be alarmed!”’ cried the alcalde, abrupt- ty; ‘although he did whip me pretty bad up in the mountains, he can’t repeat the operation hyer in the town. You must take into consideration the fact that he had all the advantage of position, and that | he took me entirely by surprise, for. I had no idea that he had eight ar ten men at his back; but the tables are turned now. I am intrenched and he must attack. Thereis no way of gaining an entrance , to the house except through the door or windows in the front, unless they take an ax and chop a hole in the side or back of the shanty, and as the Ranch is | enrrounded by open und on all sides, they can’t possibly approach without our seeing them. I'll | post a man at one of the upper windows in the rear, and that will prevent a surprise in that quarter,” and the alcalde at once proceeded to carry out this enaney measure, then returned to his former posi- tion. 4 Bie fara has not been so easy a one for us as we anticipated,” the merchant sugges “No, .on the contrary, we have only gained a single point. The girl who came so far to seek her fi ne we destroyed, but her death seems only to ave brought other claimants into the fleld, people | Wat I never dreamed to exist.” “Tt is sttxage,”’ the merchant admitted; ‘‘ and, by the way, now that you recall the destruction of | Sandy McAlpine’s craft, do you remember the vision that you experienced that night when we kept watch upon the bluff?’’ The face of the alcalde darkened and he shut kis teeth firmly together for a moment, but an- ywered: “Yes, I remember it very well indeed.” * And that vision has come true, hasn't it? The tan with the pale face dressed entirely in black, and who seemed to brig the chill airs of the north with hiim, was this dare-devil Fresh of Frisco?” “Yes; and do you remember further that in my tision I connected him with the girl because when ke first appeared to me, he bore a senseless female fo his arms, and she was all dripping wet, just as if the had been plucked from the waves?” The merchant was quick to catch the idea. “You think, then, that as one part of the vision \as come true the other may be correct also?” ‘* Why not?” the alcalde questioned; ‘‘ we believed that Sandy McAlpine perished on that night, but he sscaped to tell the story of the wreck, and why not she?” ‘“‘ Ha is a strong man; she a weak woman—” “They stand a terrible amount of hardship some- times, and like a cat they seem to have nine lives. The strange girl, of whom I’ve told you—who came here and said she was the wife of Miguel Scott, who @sappeared so suddenly and yay and apparently without any reason—do you know I begin ta believe that she was this Barbara!” Tt seems almost impossible!’ McKerr exclaimed. ‘*The most impossible things happen sometimes,”’ Be alealde reptied, “and in this matter wherein all | e advantage appeared to be upon our side, fate | itself seems ta have worked for the other.” ; ‘Has the marvelous gift which you possess warned you at all of what is in store, in the future?” “Yes, but only dimly and uncertain; never since garly childhood and the spell began to grow upon me, the sight been as clouded and uncertain; tut the visions presage death—whether to myself or to another £ keow not; shrouded in a misty vapor a tal\ figure a to me, wearing a plaid reversed an | that always signifies death, you know, according to our Highland creed; but whether it is myself or another who is fated I cannot tell, for the gloom which enshrouds the figure is so dense that lam waoable to discover by the checks of the plaid whether fis ours or another's.” The face of McKerr assumed a gloomy expres- ‘on. wr the re wore the pe. then it is pretty lain that it is either you or I,”’ he observed. “Oh, no; it may be this man Blake; he may be a Scotchman and entitled to wear the plaid, for all we tnow,” the alcalde — “ Blake, you know, is a ‘ood oki Scotch-Irish name. : “Tf it is his own, which is doubtful,’ McKerr ob- ferved. “T never thought of that." While this conversation had been going on, aei- ther one of the two had neglected to keep a watchful | ey? upon the movements of the Fresh and his men, | who were congregated a jittle way up the street, | right at the corner of a house which, in a measure, sh altered them from the observation of the men in th » Ranch; and they had been busily engaged in con- versation until now, evidently debati the best m de of attacking the Ranch; but now the confer- pice apparently came to an end, for there was a de cided movement; Blake and his men abru yr re- treated behind the house and disappeares rom ht, he alcalde and his gang grasped their weapons; they felt that the tug of war was near at hand. “They are coming for us, sure enovgh!’’ Stuart MecKerr exclaimed, nervously. In truth, the mer- chant had little relish for this sort of thing, and a hundred times since the trouble commenced he had | wisbod that he was safely back again in Buenaven- | tura, and inwardly he swore to himself that, if he ouce got safely out of the scrape, not even the hid- den treasures of old Michael Scott would tempt him to venture his precious person iu the wild and law- ‘eas mountain on again. * But‘ the alcalde was made of sterner stuff, and, | although he had serious misgivings as to the issue of the fcht, yet, man of blood and desperate deeds as | he was, he did not shrink from the contest, but rath- | er invited it; for he had fully determined that the | end would only be reached when he or Blake had fallen, and, with the bulldog courage which was so co ous a part of his nature, he really cared very tittle whether he lived or died, if he could only | suceeed in compassing the death of the man who had had the boldness to brave his power and defy him to his ve th right in his own stronghold. really mean business!’ the | | calde threw up the window, and as } | aimed bullet whistled by him, passing within an | yards from the Alcalde’s Ranch. | distances, were | though, and at once opened a | attackers and fora few minutes there was a lively | | exchange of shots, but very little damage done and | | delvers in the earth had concealed so carefully. | vales. agro eagerly accepting the offer, proceeded to put the ig | the alcalde and his The O. Fresh of Frise en the thing up as a bad jo, or else they are going to try some cunnin® trick upon us. I reckon that you and I had better go up-stairs,’’ he observed, ad- dressing McKerr. ‘‘ And you,”’ and he addressed the Mexican, ‘take command down hyer. Bar the door and plug ‘em if they attempt to break in through the windows; but before they can do that they'll have to run the gantlet of our fire from the upper windows, and I reckon that we will drop a few of ’em on the way.” Then the two men proceeded up-stairs. The al- | inch of his head. Despite his firm nerves and well-tried courage, he dodged back; it had been a narrow miss. The shot came from the interior of a small shanty, | | store and saloon combined, which was situated on | e did so, a well- | the attacking the opposite side of the street, about a hundred | It was plain that the | attacking force had selected the shanty as a cover for their operations. ** Are you hit?’’ questioned McKerr, in alarm, **No, but it was a narrow squeak,” Black replied; “but a miss is as good as a mile, you know!” Then the alcalde took the rude bunk in the room | ae braced it up, mattress and all, against the win- | ow. “ There, it will take a good ey of tobe cal and | a fine rifle to drive a ball through that,” he observed, | with a dark smile upon his stern features. The bunk also afforded the beleaguered men a cover from whence they could look out and note, al- | most unobserved, the movements of the foe. We say almost unobserved, for the alcalde was not wholly so, as was quickly proven, for he had perce occupied his look-out five minutes before the quic crack of a rifle again rung out on the air, and the ex- pert marksman put a ball in the window casement | so near to the head of Black that one of the splinters displaced by the ball struck him on the cheek, n angry oath came from the lips of the alcalde; his rifle, cocked and ready, was in his hand, an eagerly he sought to gain a sight of the unknown who was ie graben such excellent marksmanship. “Tf 1 draw a bead on him once, I'll send him to blazes, kiting!" the enraged man cried. | But the expert rifleman was so skillfully ambushed that, with all his keenness of vision, Black could not get a sight of him. For some fifteen or twenty minutes nothing was done on either side, and the bystanders, who, at safe erly watching the fight, were just | beginning to ventilate the opinion that, notwith- | standing the threatening preparations, it wasn’t go- ing to be “much of a shower after all,” when, all of | a sudden, the attacking force opene a most terrific fire upon the Alcalde’s Ranch, and dancing-out from behind the shelter of the shanty seemed upon the point of charging Black’s stronghold, pell-mell. CHAPTER XXXVII. — LIAR'S AID. were fully TH Tue alcalde’s gang repared for action risk fire upon the the = op yee adi 5 “ They do not dare to charge across the opening!” the alcalde exclaimed, in triumph. * I knew that I | could hold the Ranch against them, and if they don’t | do better than this, T can hold it until the infernal | on freezes over!’ ut, hardly had the boast escaped his lips when | there was a terrible commotion down-stairs. There came a yell of triumph, a few quick shots, a — of heavy footsteps and the sound of a struggle ow. It was plain, no‘7, that the attack in front had been but a clever device to mask an advance in the rear, and while the besieged men had had their at- tention occupied by the marksmen, covered by the old shanty, another party had contrived, despite the sentinel posted to keep watch in the rear, to gain an entrance into the house. And in order to explain how this had been accom- plished we must go back a little. The moment that Blake received the defiant mes- sage of the alcalde he prepared to attack the master of Tejon Camp in his very stronghold. He well realized that this would be no easy task, for, forced to the wall, Black would make a desperate fight. It was while debating how to wage the war that a new-comer appeared upon the scene—none other than the peon, Indian Jose, the Liar. The old savage wandered about like an unquiet irit, and his comings and goings could not be at all depended upon. He'grinned at Blake after the usual fashion of his | race, ejaculated, ‘‘How?”’ then beckoned Blake apart from the rest, and in his peculiar way pro- tested against an open attack upon the Alcalde’s Ranch—which of course meant that the savage had | out vith tt, red-skin, if | “ Out w red-skin, if ye’ve got an idea in yer nodter ened take ee F Jose again nned as he suggested that by using the secret underground passage leading from the | old Indian mine in the mountains to the Alcalde’s | Ranch an entrance could be faaces to the very heart of the stronghold and the defenders taken entirely by surprise. Blake at once declared the plan to be a most ex- | cellent one, and the only thing difficult about it was to procure a guide who knew how to find the en- trance to the old mountain mine, which the original Jose immediately declared his willingness to act as a guide and significantly remarked that there was not a foot of the mine but was as well known to him, | either in the dark or in the light, as his own hand, as the district and the mine had been the property of his tribe for a great number of years before the con- quering white man had ever set foot in the Mohave plan at once to the practical test. Four of his band he placed under the command of | andy McAlpine, and they were instructed to keep ang busy by threatening | attack from the front, keeping themselves well | covered outs the operation so as not to expose the weakness of their force; and as the Indian stated that withia twenty or thirty minutes at the latest | in a ve 4 | that it wasa good thing. y would arrive at the Ra: McAlpine was instructed that at that time he and his party were to inake a strong demonstration, s@ as to fully occupy the attention of the besieged and) thus render the surprise complete. ’ The orders were carried out to the letter. McA pine himself Was the skillful marksman who so" excited the rage of the alcalde by his well-aime shots, and if ever a man threw his heart into hig work, the adventurer most surely did, for he wag after revenge for his wrongs and panted for satise faction for the crafty trick which strewed the bone@ of the Santa Maria along the Pacific strand and se the street; at the same moment, too, the alcalde comprehending that all chance of holding the Ranck was gone, and that safety could only be found ix flight pulled the bed away from the window and jumping through the casement leaped to ground, It was a device that deserved success, but as th alealde leaped through the air, sharp and clear : out a single rifle-shot, Full of life and strength, areckless, desperate mam was the alcalde when he bs ie through the window ¢ but the mass that came heavily tumbling to the ground, was but flesh molded in the image of @ man—carrion clay, fit only for the worms or the funeral are. Alex Black, the Alcalde of ES sa the er man who had ruled the rough and turb’ lent spirits of the Mohave valley with a rod of irom had, by the agency of a little bit of lead, propelie¢ by a few grains of es and directed by the hand of a man whom he, in his imperious way, had rudely trod upon, yielded up, in a second, the life s strong within his veins. ; With the death of the alcalde the fight ceased, for® Blake and his band disdained to strike at the pani stricken ruffians fleeing in hot haste for their les. It had been an almost bloodless victory, thanks te the clever plan of Jose, the Liar. The merchant, unnerved and affrighted, descended’ to the saloon, expecting to be harshly dealt with, but, to his serps. he was quietly rece me by Blake, © who referred him to the young Californian. “You can settle with this gentleman,” he ree marked; ‘if he chooses to call you to an account w¢ shall be obliged to take up the quarrel; otherwise: you are free to depart as far as I am concerned.” “Step one side, please,” said the young man, and when the merchant eager! amg ace trusting that he was going to get out of the obble in which he eve himself, the Californian made known his con- tions. “Trepresent Barbara Scott,’’ he declared, much to the amazement of the merchant, “the irl whor you dooméd to a most cruel death; now what do you propose to do to atone for that act?” ht, and that, in h ch cKerr saw that he was fairly cau order to escape from the trap in w he had. un- wittingly — himself, it would be necessary to make a liberal offer. The alcalde was dead; upon | the alcalde’s shoulders, then, he could place all the blame, for the dead man could not very well deny it. It was an ingenious idea, and the merchant put it a ——— form as he related how the ) alcalde had tempted him and how weakly he had 7” ielded to the temptation, but he kept ia his own | reast the secret that he and the dead man were | kindred. ; He made an extremely fair offer; if the past was blotted out and his conduct ee ee in the future he would do all in his power to aid the young heiress, - not only to find the hidden treasure of the ‘ld cattle~ king, but to recover the estates of her grandfather, which so many eager, lawless hands had clutched. — As the merchant tersely explained, nearly every foot of Tejon Comp belon to her, and the dead. alealde, in truth, had not the shadow of a claim to it. In fine, he would work for her interests to the” best of his ability, and would accept for his service® whatever recompense the heiress chuse to bestow. | To this offer certainly no one could object, and the young Californian at once signified that he would ac” cept t on behalf of Barbara Scott. rk ay where is Miss Barbara?” the merchant ip quired. “She will be here to-night,” was the roy. : McKerr refrained from asking any further ques tions, although he was eager to learn how the g i managed to escape the terrible death to which s had been consigned; but, situated as he was, thought that it would hardly do to expose his Pd 4 ° Ww + { a { é miners came ually flocking into town, a tracted by thé sound of the firing, naturally surmi ing from the frequent discharges that a free fight @ the “ tallest ’’ kind must be going on, Great was the general astonishment when they bé held the dead body of the alcalde and learned wha had tramspired, And then there was a mystery, tod, about the alcalde’s death; no one seemed to kno’ who had fired the shot which had laid low the once iron-willed master of Tejon Camp. So great had been the excitement and confusie® : attending the struggle that the slayer had unnoticed. Sandy McAlpine, though, had come forward ané taken a good look at the fallen man, who had onct dealt him so terrible a blow, then turned away witlt ” a flerce but satisfied look “pon his bronzed face, and } the chances are great that the adventurer could have iy the name of the alcalde’s slayer had he s¢ * To Blake, the Californian made known the ment which had been entered into with the me ‘ of Buenaventura, and the Fresh at once declared ‘““He can render aid in this matter that no othe man can, for he is well uainted with the affair from the ‘beginning, and a the lesson which he has received, there is borsity a doubt that he will i» honest now,”’ he remarked. why he had attage secret trap-doors To the miners Blake explained op epg a re e t, e and although the dead man was not without friemia,
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— prowess of the Fresh and his backers had 1 50 great that nothing openly was said. The alcalde had ruled by virtue of the strong arm; by astrong arm had he fallen: it was his fate, and : now that he was dead the town of Tejon Cam by breathed more freely, four a stern ruler the dead chief, : CHAPTER XXXVIIL } THE LIAR’S FAITH. Tux Fresh at once took possession of the hotel in the name of Miss Barbara Scott, and as he was so well backed nv one dared to say nay. When the shades of Sm began to gather around the Camp, the young Californian came'to Blake and nounced that he must ride forth to meet Miss Bar- ara and conduct her to the town. Blake merely assented with a nod of the head, and : the young man departed; but there was a curious P smue upon his face as he looked after the mysteri- ous mec nee who had succeeded in kicking up such # row in the mining town. iy The throng that night in the saloon of the Alcalde's ’ Ranch was great, for like wild-fire the news of the ; fight and the t and one and all flocked in to take a look at the scene of the encounter, and to hear from eyewitnesses the full particulars of the tragic affray. The saloon looked the same as usual; everything was in full blast as on the night when we first intro- duced the reader to its mysteries, with the excep- r tion that the stalwart form of the alcalde no longer rs presided over the monte table. The clock behind the bar pointed to the hour of nine and the hum of conversation mingled with the pins J of glasses resounded through the room when the front door of the saloon opened sudden! and a tall female figure, completely clad in blac : and heavily vailed, entered the a; ment. A The conversation ceased; the clink of glass touch- . ing glass was heard no more; instead, a loud ** hush!” 1 sounded through the room and every eye was fixed : upon the stranger. It had been generally rumored around that the heiress would arrive that night, but few expected to see her alone and unattended. Then one rough fellow near the door took it upon himself to do the honors. He pulled off his weather-beaten hat, cleared his voice with a husky “ ahem,”’ and said: “Miss Barbara Scott, of Buenaventura, I take it, marm?”’ real- been but strong and resolute voice. And it was Barbara Scott, the orphan heiress, who had journeyed so far to grasp a fortune, but had $0 nearly found a grave instead. “We're glad to see that you're alive, miss, and oe: to claim your own!” the rough fellow contin- ucd. And then another, not to be outdone by the first, | Bere: off his hat and swung it over his head, crying “ Vhree cheers for Miss Scott, of Buenaventura!” The cheers were given with a roar that made the d'1 shanty ring; then Blake coming forward, i. rodwed himself and informed the lady that. the Sesh apartment that the Ranch could boast had been assigned to her, Not sorry to escape from the demonstrations of the miners, although they were prompted by the most ‘kindly feeling, the lady followed Blake, who conducted 1er at once to her room. Where is the gentleman who went to bring you?” the Fresh naturally asked, after they had entered the apartment The lady turned and quietly removed her vail, Blake was struck by the marvelous resemblance to the young Californian. Ah, ay bold young friend is your drother, then?” he observed, in the most innocent manner possible. She smiled and fixed her brilliant black eyes full upon his face, “Why do you attempt to deceive me?’’ she ex- claimed, “You knaw full well who and what the Age Californian was, Although I did not believe my disguise the very first time that we met in the room below.” Oh, no; not quite so bad as that! Be and what you were until from the lips of Sandy cape T heard the story of Barbara Scott.” © recognized me at once; but then, of course, he had previously known me, but he had wit enough keep my secret.” You played your part so well that I would have Si. 629: = x 2 Dt AOR B A Oe ESS LT. SR EP SL thor nad been acquainted with you.” ortune willed that I shoetl nature and by circumstances, so thatI could success- — assume such a disguise,’ she replied. ‘ All my early life was spent at sea, My father was the Mexico, Weathers and to almost every paraship, for in my reckless way I learned to take my ‘trick’ at the wheel as well as any sailor that ever took a tiller in hand; I could swim like a fish, and therefore, when the little craft of McAlpine was wrecked, J] found myself in an eiement almost as natural to me as the land. It was a long swim and a dangerous one, for the surf beat on the coast with terrible fury, but made the shore at last. I understood at once that Thad been the victim of a terrible plot wished to baffle my enemies, I must let them believe their scheme had succeeded, and that I had Perishod. When the light came I found some asti- from the wreck. I discarded my womanly garments | and attired myself in these, casiing my clothes upon of the young sailor which I hens high and upon the strand. I knew that the birds and . ts would soon make havoc of the remains, and if my enemies came toJook for my body, when they -feund the bones of the sailor, with pieces of my gar- _ ments near, they would be misled into believing that ZI had surely perished,” ; “a.nd so it all happened, it a " a “ ves; then, God tolnceg to wy Uikidine, ¥ ack put to beg my way to this place, but the very first nut at whish I implored assistance was’the home of ne old nm. He was deeply steeped in liquor, but saw co pascenece 6 Sais a ae oe a@ son whom wer heard of" a Ftold bina th rs BEES S055 Bet FOOR me vic death of the alealde had spread, | “Yes, sir,’ responded the lady, in a clear, sweet, | ed almost any one to have discovered you unless | master of a trading craft that plied in the Guif of | » and so it happened that I was used to all | and that, if I\ | small fragment of The Fresh of Frisco. ¥ * not Miguel Scott, but he insisted that I was, and so at last 1 resolved to humor the delusion, since it would do no harm. He supplied me with clothes, weapons, a horse, money, everything. Then I went | to San Barbara, procured what articles I needed, | and then came on here; you know the rest.” * At last you have trinmphed.”’ “Yes; the secret, hidden treasure is mine; I have a clew to the hiding-place; the wealth is concealed in -that very cavern where, with hot iroms, the alcalde threatened to burn out our eyes.”’ ‘He was hot on the scent yet never guessed it Blake declared. “Let us go at once and see if the treasure is still there; I am in a fever of impatience!” “*T will get a lantern.” hh the work which they had in hand, and at once they cy ie to the underground region, whither they 1a | volumes, viz. : Blake soon returned with this necessary tool for | d been carried on that memorable night when the | Black Men of Tejon had seized them for a prey. Rapidly they threaded the narrow, subterranean way, and in a very short time arrived in the main cavern, “There; it is concealed behind the rocky throne where the masked judge sat; the rock moves on a pivot—it is a natur exerted in one particular place else it will defy rocky stone, but the force must | the strength of a hundred men to move it a par- | ticle.” As they advanced eagerly to the stone a dark | figure oy out from the shadow of the wall and confron’ them. Strong of will and resolute as were both these seekers after fortune, yet the sudden apparition startled them, “How?” came in guttural tones from the lips of the unknown, and they saw at once that it was the Indian, José El Embustero. The Liar was faithful to his trust, and well it was that he was there, for, witb that artfulness so natural to his race, he had blocked the rocking-stone with a te, so that it was impossible for any one, even though acquainted with the secret, to cause the stone to move. With one of his stolid grins the sav: told of his trick, and removing the obstacle ca the stone to rock aside, revealing a cavity wherein the hidden treasures of the old cattle-king were snugly bestowed ia exactly as he had placed them long years be- ore. The wealth was there; and, more than the wealth —an old and yellow parchment which, at Barbara’s request, Blake examined. The parchment told a wonderful tale of a Lost City in Upper Arizona, somewhere near the Great | Canyon of the Colorado, where golden nuggets lay | ly; “ask even rst yet now I am satisfied that you penetrated | I did not guess | d be well favored by | sles}of male attire that had been washed ashore | ’ P 5 fe: oe a es me “ rf eg a a Mec eS | will undertake the quest, but if Ireturn alive, one saw, was to be had for the mere taking, provided a man had wit enough to find the Lost City, strength enough to cope with the wild red Apache warriors whose territory must be entered, and worldly know- ledge sufficient to laugh to scorn the vagne, unsub- stantial stories of the horrid shapes, demon shadows, the unquiet souls of, the old-time denizens of the Lost City who were said to still haunt their former abode, and whose wrath was éxcited if strange foot- steps trod aw their hallowed ground. ‘You wished a chance to lead another and a bet- | ter life!” the girl exclaimed. ‘‘ Take this parchment, find the Lost City, and its treasure will make you independent forever, unless you prefer to stay and share my fortunes!” “No, not a penny!’ Blake replied, decidedly. ‘TI favor T will ask at your hands.”’ “You have but to name it and it is yours!” she cried, greene 3 her hand, which he grasped, ardent- or my life and it is yours!” The treasure found and Barbara mistress of her own, our tale is told. We lay aside the pen, but not for long, for in a new field we must trace the for- tunes of Jackson Blake, the “ Fresh of Frisco," THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 30 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu- Jar dialogues and dramas in each book, Each vol- ume 100 pages 12mo, : Speakers, Nos 1 to %4 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Book of Dreams. ' Dime Fortune Teller. Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion. Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Chess Instructor. Dime Book of Beauty everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ead dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each. Brapiy. anv Apams, Publishers, 98 William s’. N Y, . - oat nee > . Were: ees) eae oe Fest sp en Le, eg | niture of a stage, and introduce a range of charac- : een 7 | offered to schools, at any price, contain so many viled in solid heaps, and wealth equal to the wildest | ,,, an. ! “her Treats of the greatest miser that the world ever | available and useful dialogues and dramas, serious BEADLE & ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. BEADLE AND ApAmMs have now on their lists the tor lowing highly desirable and attractive pregag s| prepared expressly for schools, families, etc. volume contains 100 large pages, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collection of Dias logues, Dramas and titations, (burlesque, comie@ and otherwise.) The Dime Speakers for the season of 1879—as far as now issued—embrace twenty-one 1, American Speaker. 12, Exhibition S er. 2. National Speaker, 13. School Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. 14, Ludicrous Speaker. 4. Comic Speaker. 15. Komikal Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. 16. Youth’s 8 er, 6. Humorous Speaker, 17. Eloquent er. 7. Standard Speaker. 18, Columbia Speake 8. Stump Speaker. ; 9, Juvenile Speaker. | 19. Serio-Comic Speakem 10. Spread-Eagle Speaker 20. Select 5 er. 11. Dime Debater. 21. Funny Speaker, peaker. These books are replete with choice pieces for t School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete, e are drawn from FRESH sources, and contain some the choicest oratory of the times. 75 to 100 Declama- tions and Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em: brace twenty-three sees Dialogues No. One, logues No. Thirteen. Dialogues No, Two. Dialogues No. Fourteen. Dialogues No. Three. Dialogues No. Fifteen. Dialogues No, Four. | Dialogues No. Sixteen. Dialogues No, Five, | Dialogues No. Seventeen. Dialogues No. Six. | Dialogues No. Bighteen Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No, Nineteen. Dialogues No, Eight. Dialogues No. Twenty. — Dialogues No, Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-one Dialogues No. Ten | Dialogues No. Twenty-two, Dialogues No. Eleven, Dialogues No. Twenty-three Dialogues No. Twelve. : Dialogues. No. Twenty-four. 15 to 2% Dialogues and Dramas in each book. These volumes have been pre with especial reference to their availability in all school-rooms. They are adapted to schools with or without the fur- ters suited to scholars of every grade, both male and female. It is fair to assume that no volumes yet and comic. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo “Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minos Comedy, Faree, Dress Pieces, Humorot and Burlesque, by noted writers; and ] and Readings, new and standard, of tie, celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof, A. KR. _ DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series, Brapie’s Dias Hanp-Booxs ror Youne cover a wide range of subjects, and are especially adapted to their end. They constitute at once the cheapest and most useful works yet put into the market for popular circulation. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games. Gents’ Letter-Writer. Fortune-Teller. Book of Etiquette. Lovers’ Casket. Book of Verses, Ball-room Companion, Book of Dreams. Book of Beauty, Hand-Books of Games. Bravie’s Diwe Hanp-Bookrs or Games anp Popuar HAnD-BooKs cover a variety of subjects, and are ea jally adapted to their end. k of Croquet. Chess Instructor, Cricket and Football. Guide te Swimming. Yachting and Rowing. Riding and Deining. Book of Pedestrianism. Base-Ball Player for 1879, Manuals for Housewives. Beapie’s Disk Famity Serres aims to su ply class of text-books and manuals fitted for overs pees son’s use—the old and the you the learned and the unlearned. They are of Zonioetied value. £ fcdpe Sark, | Dhamma . pe ‘ . Dress 8. Housekeeper’s Guide. linery, = Lives of Great Americans. Are ted te and ogra) of inter oF the Mth hb ea et ne iy ed oe le by their lives and deeds. The series em- I.—Geo Washington. | VII.— Crockett. 1.—John Paul Jones. Vill ens Putnam. Ill.—Mad Anthony Wayne | IX.—Kit Carso IV.—Ethan ‘Allen. - jn on a de Lafay- Abraham Linoota, e .—Pontiae VI.—Daniel Boone. | hy : SONG BOOKS, BEADLE’s Dias Sone Boors, Nos. 1 to $8 containing the only war collecti fc ‘ found in : market. Sg ee mee eee n ; Jim Crow Book Pocket Joke Book. | Paddy Whack Jove ook. 5 ong, tbove publications for sale by all newsdealerg, &. : te: Seine: Teal uy rea = : 7 > p> a Be y Re eT So
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BIG JOKE BOOK SERIES. ‘OH! STories. MAMMA, BUY ME THAT!” Illustrated. 64 pages. GRIN’S CATECHISM OF FUN. Illustrated. 64 pages. THE TROUBLES OF MR. AND MRS. BOWSER. Illustrated. 64 pages McGINTY'S JOKE BOOK. Illustrated. 64 pages. WIT AND HUMOR OF THE BENCH AND BAR. 48 pages. * el £ <a Ps ROARING WIDE-AWAKE SKETCHES. SOME SCREAMING YARNS. OKES FOR FUNNY FOLKS. Illustrated. 64 pages, Illustrated. 80 pages. Illustrated, 64 pages. ‘““ JOLLY JOKES FOR JOLLY PEOPLE.” Illustrated. 64 pages. “THE BUTTON BURSTER; or, FUN ON THE RAMPAGE.” Illustrated. 64 pagem LAUGHING GAS; or, DRIVE DULL CARE AWAY. Illustrated. 64 pages. PUT THROUGH; or, FREEMASONRY AND ODD FELLOWSHIE | EXPOSED. ‘By “ Bricxropr.” Illustrated. 64 pages. “FUN ON THE ROAD.” A Recorp or American Wit AND Humor. 48 pages. PRICE 12 CENTS EACH BY MAIL. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN. HUMOROUS PUBLICATIONS. THE CELEBRATED LAUGHING SERIES. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW. By “Brickror.” Hopkins. 88 pp., Paper, 8vo. . This is one of the most humorous stories of the day. Every man and Yoman in the country should read this serio-comic experience of a man with tis mother-in-law, who made home torrid for him, and how he succeeded, after pany attempts and failures, in getting rid of her. JOR FIRST BABY; or; Tae Ivreticrrms or Our Honey- moon. By the author of ‘‘ My Mother-in-Law,” etc. Illus- trated. Paper, 8vo, This is a witty and charming narration of a young married las. It pre- gents vividly the first attempts of a young husband at housekeeping. MITH IN SEARCH OF A WIFE. By the author of “Our First Baby,” etc. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. This story is not founded on fact, but. there is so much comical human mature in it that truth couldn't make it any better. It should be read by every: body contemplating the great lottery of marriage. Laughably illustrated by ‘Thomas Worth. — lmARMING FOR FUN; or, Backyarp Granorrs, By ‘ Brick- top.” Illustrated by Thomas Worth. Paper, large 8vo. A laughable story. The experience of Timothy Budd and his wife at city gardening is brimful of fun ; and thousands who read it will exclaim: “I've been there!” _|PARSON BEECHER AND HIS HORSE. By “ Brrckror.” Tilustrated by Thomas Worth 96 pp., Paper, large 12mo. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, brimful of fresh, brilliant humor and yaughable situations, the author claiming it to be the best of his many humor- ous productions. FRED DOUGLAS AND HIS MULE. Companion to “ Parson _ Beecher and His Horse.” By the same author. Dlustrated. 96 pp., large 12mo. As a story of the iate war it deals with people who “‘ were there,” and will bedoubly popular with the “ Vets,” many of whom enjoyed the very fun that ie here depicted. Tustrations by BOUNCED; or, THe ADVENTURES oF AN Untucky Man. B Br ‘ Joun Carsoy, Illustrated. Paper, 8vo. THE QUIET YOUTH; or, Just Like Hw Uncus. By “Brecg top.” Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. BEANWHACKER'S TROUBLE; or, Nor a Brr Like Hw Uncrte. A sequel to ‘‘ Just Like His Uncle.” By Jonm Carpoy. Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. DEACON BOGGLES AND HIS LIVER PAD. By Ww’ Wanver. Illustrated. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. This book is a humorous record of the Deacon’s frantic struggles with thas malignant enemy of the human race—the dreaded Liver Pap, THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS eas UP. By “Brrcg- ror.” Illustrated. Paper, 8vo. ‘Don’t make any mis take. ” JOINING THE GRANGERS; or, Experrence or 8 Doverr. By the author of ‘‘ My Mother-in-Law.” pp., 16mo. DRY GOODS DRUMMER. By Tom Wonver. 88 pp., 16mo. — This is one of the funniest of all the Laughing Series, and its glimpsesof the trials, scrapes, and troubles of a Drummer on his travels are precisely medicine to cure the blues and make the reader happy. TRIP OF THE SARDINE CLUB. By “ Bricxror,” 16mo. Profusely Illustrated by Thomas Worth. ~ This book is full of fun and sentiment, giving personal observations historical reminiscences of places on the Hudson between New York Albany. SCRAPES OF FARMER SKOOPENDYKE. Illustrated, He 7 buys a Billy Goat. He Gives Widow Snugg a Sleigh-ride His Experience with Dr. Bungle. etc., etc. Paper, 8vo. 80 pages. 3 Any of the above books sent by mail on receipt ef 12 cents, Postage stamps taken. A CoL.ection or JoLtLy JOKES AND Founye — ~ FAS Ae. PIII I-99 - pe ae nn -o, i tnt tek tek sd ts 8 8 BD 20 2D OD BO 2D COCO CO OS OS COCO KOOP ao crm A BAAD D ABO OF ree ee eee neem aenmmmnmmnnns.....
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BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 928 Old Sobersides, the Detective of St. Louis. 925-White-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective. 918 The Double Edged Detective. 907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere. 898 Silky steele, the Stay-in Sport. 884 T .e Spotter-Sport’s Neck-Tie Party. 870 High-Water Mark; or, Silver-Tip Sid. 362 Riata Rob, the Range Champion, 855 The C .whoy Chief's Sure-Shot. 848 The Rival Red-Hat Sports. 837 Curly Kid, the Cheyenne Sport. 824 The Sof Hand Detictive. 815 The Soft Hund’s Clutch. 809 Dan Duan the Soft-Hand Sport. 796 Tne Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle. «89 Sam Cary, the River Sport. ‘80 The Dead Sport’s Double. (7t Prince John, Detective Special. hy Lp a ag he = Detective. e Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield, the 744 § takes Bast he Sil ’ ‘ weepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport. "\ 720 The ret Six; or, Old Haleyon, 712 The Man of Silk. Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte. 693 Kent Kasson, the Preacher Sport, 683.Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective, 675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunris¢, 668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak 4 ane tet pore Sharp. ilvestip St-~ve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou. 645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective, . 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback Mos, the Mountaineer. 617 The Grip Sack Sbarp’s Even up. 597 Big Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte. 588 Sandy sands, the Sharp from Snap City. 576 Siiver-Tongued Sid; or, Grip Sack$ rp’s Sweep, 564 The Grip-Sack Sharp; or, The Seraphs of Sodom, 655 Grip-Sack Sid, the Sample Sport. 547 The Buried Detective; or, Sail's Six Sensations. 541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve. 585 Dandy Dutch, the Decorator from Dead-Lift 527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective. 514 Gabe Gun:, the Grizzly from Ginseng, 504 Solemn Saul. the Sad Man from San Saba, 495 Rattiepate Rob; or, The Roundhead’s Reprisal 488 The Thorc ugnbred Sport. 474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Desvot of Dew Drop. 2 Old Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown Duteb Dan, the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny's Picnic. 438 Oklahoma Nick. 433 Laughing Leo; or, Sain’s Dandy Pard. 426 The Ghost Detective; or. The Secret Service Spy. 416 Monte Jim, the Black Sheep of Bismarck. 09 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle, 403 The Nameless Sport. 895 Derdly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. Durk Darg, the Ishmae) of the Hills, ‘ Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record. 867 A Royal Fiusi; or, Dan Brown's hig Game. 860 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 855 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete, 851 Nor’ West Nick, the Border Detective. 345 Maskea Mark, the Mounted Detective. 839 Spread Eagie Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter. 831 Chispa Charley, the Gold Nugget Sport. 817 Krank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. 292 Moke Horner, the Roustabout. 286 Pistol Jonnny; or, One Man in a Thousand, } 2883 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines. 257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Man Way Back 249 Elephant Tom. of Durango, 241 Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers, The Old oy of Tombstone, 20) Pirate of the Placers; or, Joaquin’s Death Hunt 180 Old °49; or, The Amazon of Arizona. 170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective, 165 Joaquin. the Terrible 154 Joaquin, the Saddaie King, 141 Equinox Tom, the Bully of Red Rock. 119 Alabama Joe; or, The Yazoo Man-Hunters, 105 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective. 88 Big rar or. The Five Outlaw Brothers, 71 Captain Cooi Blade; or, Mississippi Man Shark, 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness. 50 Jack Rabbit, tne Prairie Sport. BY WM. G. PATTEN. $10 Fire-Eye, the Thug’s Terror. 795 Old Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower. 768 The Prin e of New York Crooks, 756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective, 747 Double-voice Dan s Doubic Disguise. 715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck. 702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective 396 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective, 689 The Sparkler Sharp. 676 Hurricaue Hal, the Cowboy Hotspur. 669 Old True Blue, the Trusty. : The Giant Sport: or, Sold to Satan. 56 Old Piug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. bMS Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit. b41 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad. 631 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp, B02 Reptain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery. “1 Old Dismal, the Range ive. . Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. BY GEORGE C, JENKS. eee ae pete Pete Birc. - ver Sam. the asta Sport. <4 The Silver Sport’s Double. t The Race-Course Detective. 856 The Hayseed Detective, 772 n Corden, the Twister Detective, 755 Wild Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective. 726 Fearless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective, 719 Boston Bob, the Sport Detective. 08, + tf ed nace the eckey Detective, Pp, the Rustler BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER. 916 Two Dead-Square Sports, 902 Soft Velvet, the Man from Sandrock. 891 Genteel Jim, Sport-at-Large. 881 The Clubman-Crook’s Cat’s-paw. 867 The Frisco Sport. 852 The Stranger Sport's ge 828 Kirk King, the Man from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport 783 The King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of tilver Bend. 718 Une'e Bedrock’s Big Bounce, 707 The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm. 677 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird. 659 Gilt-Edge Yate or, Roldan and His Rovers, 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 634 Old Handcart’s Big Dump. 622 The All Around ae. 608 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile. 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport Witha Sear, 503 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back. 459 Major Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives, 429 Hair er ‘om of Red Rend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels’ Flat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 375 Royal George, the Three in One. 356 Thr e Handsome og gt or, The Combination, 833 Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop. 268 Magic Miks, ~he Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cu‘siceve; or, The Little Sport, 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch, 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand, Sharp: or, The Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar BY NED BUNTLINE, 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 ‘The Sea Spy. 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover, 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King, 517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail. 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot, 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. BY JACKSON KNOX—‘ Old Hawk,” 838 Old Grips Still Hunt. 827 Detective Walden’s Web. 778 Tbe Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip 770 The Showman Dete tive. 762 Old Grip, the Detective. 740 Captsin Clew, the Fighting Detective. 732 The Hurricane Detective. 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. 616 Magnus, the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. 595 Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram, the Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. 5861 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective. 586 Old Falcon’s Foe; or, The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Maje, tbe Diamond Field Detective, 509 Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective, 501 Springsteel Steve, the Retired Detective, 494 The Detective'’s Spy. 485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective, 477 Dead-arm Brandt, 487 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Ciscus Detective. 451 Griplock, the Rocket Detective. 444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand, 424 Hawk Heron’s Deputy. 886 Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective. BY J. ©. COWDRICK, 752 The Suspect Sport of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sheriff Stillw ood, the Regulator of Raspberry. 598 The Dominie Detective. 591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective. 557 The Mountain Graybeards; or, Riddles’ Riddle, 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger 499 Twilight Charlie, the Sport. 472 Gi'bert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective. 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas, 436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pine. 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gold Star Detective. 390 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 483 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 368 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head, 348 Dan Dillon, ae of Crosscut. 337 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp. 327 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective. $15 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League 808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True, 298 Logger Lem; or, Life in the Pine Woods. 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 274 Flush Fred, the reyes Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 222 Bill the Blizzard: or, Red Jack's Crime. 209 Butk Farley, the Bonanza Prince. 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man's Sacrifice. BY CAPTAIN MIAYNE REID. MW? The White Squaw, The Hunter's Feast. Wild Huntress; The ile Rangers ‘The Captain of the we scalp Hu esis BEADLE’ )IME*|IBRARY. Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound. i 906 The Cuban Cruiser, 854 Tne Ocean Gipsy. 834 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Terrors, 8 The Rival Monte Cristos. 805 The Last of che Pirates; or, Doom Driven. 801 The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapping the Grave Ghouls. 791 The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase, 748 Arizona Chariie, the Crack-shot Detective. hk 704 Invisible Ivan, the Wizard Detective, 685 The Red-skin Sea Rover. 679 Revello, the Pirate Cruiser; or, The Rival Rovers 672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride, 662 The Jew Detective; or, The Beautiful Convict, 640 Tre Rover’s Ret ibution. 635 The Ex Buccanerr: or, The Stigma of Sin. 625 Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas, 10 The Red Flag Rover on White Wings of the Deep, he over; or, e Wings of the 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of "76, 59% The Sea Rebel; or. Red Rovers of the Revolution, 587 Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or, True Hearts of '76, 581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner, 560 The Man from Mexico. 553 Ma. Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig. 546 TFs Doomed Whaler: or, The Life Wreck, ” 530 The Savages of the Sea. 524 The Sea Chaser; or, Fhe Pirate Noble. 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore, 493 The Scouts of the Sea. 457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator Son, 446 Ucean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair, 435 The One-Armed Buccaneer. 430 The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wan, 899 The New Monte Cristo, 893 The Convict Captian. 377 Afloat and Ashore; or. The Corsair Conspirator, 369 The Coast Corsair: or, The Siren of the Sea. 364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of tne Coast, 341 The Sea Desperado, 336 ‘Tne Magic Ship; or, Sandy Hook Freebooters. 325 The Gentleman Pirate ; or, Tne Casco Hermits, 318 The Indian isuccaneer: or, The Red Rovers. 807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves, 255 The Pirate Priest; or, The Gambler's Daughter. 246 Qn Helen, the Amazon of the Overland. 235 Ligntning tbe Man of Chance. 224 Black Beard, the Buccaneer. 220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother’s Crime, 210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea. 205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon, 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or, The Skimmer. ‘ 184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis. ’ 104 Montezuma, the Merciless. 103 Merle, the Mutineer; or, The Red Anchor Brané. RY PHILIP S. WARNE, 802 Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s Land. 583 Captain Adair, the Cattle King, 567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft. 544 The Back to Back 8. 622 The Champion Three. 502 Bareback ck, the Centaur of the Plains, 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.” 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. 404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy ” Bluff. 880 Tiger Dick's Pledge: or, Tne Golden Serpent, 359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo. 338 Jack Sands, the Boss of the Tewn. 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport, 251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head; or, irlwind and his Mare, 171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport, 29 Tiger Dick, Faro King; or, The Cashier’s Crime, 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghat, BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON, $23 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers, 311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men, 305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 291 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck, 285 Lightning Bolt, the Canyon Terror. 276 Texa : Chick. the Southwest Detective. 271 Stonefist, of Big N t Bend. 266 Leopard Luke. the ng of Horse-Thieves 263 Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. 237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black League. 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idaho, 223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain, 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom's Mission. 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. 194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent, 176 Lady Jaguar, the Robber Queen. BY OLL COOMES,. 619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives. 148 One-Armed Alf, the Giant Hunter, 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life. 43 Dakota Dan, the Reckless Ranger, RY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY, 236 Champion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the Show 150 El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen, BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR, 919 The Sea Scout; or, The Patriot Privateen 886 The King of Crooks. 858 Number One, the Dead-set Detective. 850 The Planter Detective. 730 Duke Despard, the Gembler Duelist, 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadowap, 500 The True-Heart Pards. a new issue every Wednesday Beadle’s Dime Library is for Newsdealers, ten cents ©
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Each Number i Complete. aa © @ - i tl ee BUrTHL BILL Novels Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle; or, The Doomed ———— 822 Buffalo Bill's Best Bower; or, Montebello the | 653 PPP DP Let HE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per @opy, or sent by mail, pre-paid, on re- ceipt of price. Ten Cents a Copy. The \ The Lasso King’s League; or, The Tigers of Three. By Col. P. Ingraham. Gold King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Releatless Trail. By Colone! | 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt; or, The Miner) 649 Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's Prentiss Ingraham. ‘ Marauder’s Death-Track, By Buffalo Bill. ; Chief, of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham, a CG : 816 Buffalo Bill’s Red Trail; or, The Road-Rider}| 644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, The Knights of p S Bar bane suffa sill’s lanza; ; A gies “od a ges ea Pards of the Renegade’s Run Down. By Col. P. Ingraham. : the Silver Circle. 3y Col. P. Ingraham. ) suffalo Bill's Invincibles: on The Sable Shad- 12 Buffalo Bill's Death Knell OF The Red Hand! 639 The Gola King; or, Montebello, the Magniti- | ower’s Sublime Sacrifice. By Col. P. Ingra- Riders of the Rockies, By Col. P. Ingraham. | cent.. By Buffalo Bill, ' ham, : 07 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl) g29 Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath } Buffalo .Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade; or, Sun-! Mascot of Moonlight Mine, By Buffalo Bill. Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis. flower Sam of Shasta. By Col. P. Ingraham, |807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl| 599 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the | Buffalo Bill's Volunteer Vigilantes: or. The Grande, Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. By But- Plains. By, Buffalo Bill, ) Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingra- ” falo Bill ‘ ' Buffalo Bill’s Block Game; or, The Mounted hc ve rt Pc f oe ‘ol "peacting navahata | 402 The One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution in /{ Miners of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingra 781 Br fral ANT “Br nd’ r. The Brimstone] Borderland, By Buffalo Bill. one srotherhood “By Co} * prefitias. Ingrabam, | 897 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver's Buffalo Bill's Black Pard; or, The Gold! 777 Rurraio Bil!'s Spy-Shadower: or, The Masked| Trail. By Buffalo Bill. Boomers of) the Big Hern. By Col, P, Ingra-|‘"* Tenge 7 nile My ib By Col. P. Ingraham. | 994 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or, ham, oe > a ‘ part 5. Petrdso we i the a race A Wronged Man's Red Trail. By Buffalo Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or, Dusky Dick, the| ” let op oy dicen eaves Bill. | Sport. By Col. P. Ingraham. aa = Liat f & oat : mn 362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or, Oath-bound to Custer. } Buffalo Bull's Quandary fe Velvet Bill's 769 Buffalo Bill s Sweepstake; or, The Ww ipe-out By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Vow. By Col. Srentinn. tierce § at Last ( hance By Col, eTentiee Ingraham. | 399 Buffalo Bill's Pledge: or, The League of Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or, Go-| 65 Buffalo Bill's Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam. Three. By Col. P,. Ingraham. Aaa > anc e F geo Sco 3 Yr, 10- 3 1 a iss ris f J é . ae v = wan-go, the Redskin Rider. By:Col, BP. In-|e./ 2% Cee Prentiss Ingraham , 819 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By graham, 2 : | TOL BuffaJo Bill’s Mascot; or, The Death Valley Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterfly. By|,., Victim No. 18. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahat®. '|904 Texas Jack, the Prairle Rattler; or, The Col. Prentiss Ingraham. | ; * | 797 Buffalo Bill's Double; or, t he sg se De-| Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill, Ae o ete tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. lose r a "1 MERE ee an B ’s Tangled Trail: te sme — ~ ¥ : ¢ a oe | 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweet- Penk ther tea on ae Make’ SP ‘Co FI 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow. | heart, By Buffalo Bill, Government Scout Ingraham, s.r y 4 "a By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ; and Guide. 3uffalo Bill’s Rough Riders; or, Texas Tack’s| @4% Buffalo Bill's Flush Hand; or, Texas Jack's! 189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Sharp-Shooters By Col Prentiss Ingtaham. | Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Dozen, By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Sécre Miiy Piha oxdn's 739 Buffalo Bill’s. Blind; or, The Masked Driver) 175 Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian / Double By Col, Prentiss EER mtg a of Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-| Heiress. By Col, Prentiss. Ingraham, , ‘ Set, TES i Bt ham. 168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot; or, Dagger Eade Pepe gag ease Ae or, The Pledged 735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men; or, The Don's Double, 3y Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Be. 5 1, . rrahs - ‘ > le " % Saal n co easing a : ; le as y BRE te 1g es : i Robin Hood Rivals. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-| 459 purrato Bill, Chief of Scouts: or, The Doomed : 0 Rpm vag moeae Bill, W — a ee ham. - Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell. sand-Box Bill; or e Brave ¢ : .| 78 ee a ee ee at ~ x , By Col > Tae tee ravo in roaaeiotn 731 suffalo Bill's Seagie 8; yr, Silk Lasso Sam. 117 Buffalo Bill's Strange Pard: or, Dashing Per cypher grahe ‘ By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. : Dandy, the Hotspur of the Hills. By Major Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Braves; or, The Card) 727 Buffalo Bili’s Body Guard; or, The Still Hunt D. Burr. Queen's Last Game, By Col, P. Ingraham. of the Hills. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buekskin King:, orf The Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The} 722 Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or, Silk Lasso} Amazon of the West. By Major Dangerfield Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col. | Sam, the Will-o’-the-Wisp. By Col, P. In- Burr. P. Ingraham. e graham. : | 88 Gold Bullet Sport; or, The Knights of the Buffalo Bill's Death-Charm; or, The Man|716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers; or, Emer-| Overland. By Buffalo Bill. With the Scar. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. | _ ald Ed of Devil’s Acre. By Col, P. Ingraham.) 59 peath Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; cr, Life Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri-|710 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des-| and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo der’s Death-Run. By ~Col. Prentiss Ingra-| perado’s Defiance. By Col. P. Ingraham. ) Bill. ham. 1697 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood; or ab EF, oe - age * ., , : NEW ISSUES I . Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma; or, The Great| Opening Up a Lost Trail. By Col. P. In-| UE TO COME Scout’s Big Three. By Col. P. Ingraham. ; graham. 985 The Long-Haired Pards: or, The Tartars of Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack’s| 691 Buffalo Bill's Blind Trail; or, The Daughter| the Plains. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Death Shot, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. of the 5 a oe . ur a eae Ber 986 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. By Col. Thos. The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack's | 682 Bae : Secret Service Trail. By recone Hoyer Monstery. Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. ; angerfield Burr. 987 Shadrach, the S re* . . . ri 4 ¢ Shadrach, Sport Detective; or, The Secret Buffalo Bill's Boys in Blue; or, The Brimstone/ 667 Buffalo Bill's Swoop; or, the King of the| Seven. By John W. Osbon. Band’s Blot-out. By Col. P. Ingraham, Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Sharp-Shooters:; or, The Surgeon) 658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas,/988 Rocky Mountain Rob, the California Outlaw. Scout to the Rescue. By Col. P. Ingraham. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. By Albert W. Aiken. 00000000 OO0G0000004 th OO fl Ot 0000000080 0o0ne@C@COCO0B00 O9@O0O0Ce0000 O9aAaDZO000000 i IME) | LIOTAM. | 7 » of