Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 1100) (1905 09)
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BY BeavLe & ADAMS. 0) 18 CopYRicut, o> Publ (JAMES SULLIVAN, PROPRIETOR), 10 Cents a Copy. Vol. L XXXVI shers, co M. J. IVERS & Published Every No. 1100 $1.00 a Year. New York. 379 Pearl Street, KING OF FRAUDS AND PRINCE 0’ MOUNTAINEEEA” “‘] HOPE I MAY EXPIRE If IT ISN'T THAT OLD BUCCANEER KIT BANDY,
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2 The Border Detectives, Kit Bandy and Co., THE BORDER DETECTIVES; OR, The Big Wipe Out at Hermit-Dome, BY OLL COOMES, CHAPTER I. THE MOUNTAIN FAIRY. SOUTHWARD through a deep, narrow canyon } of the great mountains two men were leisurely | riding and discussing the topics incident to their | surroundings. The midday sun shone down with unusual splendor into the grim defile, dispelling the murky shadows that were wont to lurk there at ali hours, save when the god of day stood upon the zenith, warming into new life both animate and inanimate nature. Birds ot bright phimage | and sweetest song disported themselves on airy wing and sung or whistled in frolicksome glee as though they were having a merry-making or giving a concert for the benefit of the two horse- men. from the crevices of rocks, and the acres of vines that festooned the rocky walls on either side the | pass or swept downward like green and scarlet drapety, glowed and rustled in a silvery skeen of quivering light. e horsemen were not indifferent to this transitory beauty of the defile, for they had been | following it when the twilight shadows hung deep around them and wolfish forms flitted be- fore and behind them, and owlish wings rustled ominously in the rocky crevices overhead. As their general appearance indicated, both horsemen were men 0 - troduction will be needed when we say that he was the redoubtable Old Tom Rattler—self- styled the Red River Epidemic. He was mount- ) ed upon his famous horse Comet, whose ‘‘ wea- ther-beaten ” appearance, like his master’s thin, sharp face, belied the mettle that was in him. | me cut that top button off your tunic.” Rattler’s companion was known in Deadwood | and the ap Oe camps as Philip, the Miner, or One-Armed Phil. He was a man of perhaps six- and-twenty, a little above the mailiiin fight, slender and straight asan Indian. His face was covered with a full beard. He had a pleasant | f blue eye from which shone the light of a resolute and determined spirit. As his name indicated, he had but one ar.i, his left being off between ‘the elbow and the shoulder. He was dressed in a new suit of buckskin and armed with a pair of revolvers. As they rode along and the sun swung square- ly over the pass before them, Old Rattler said: “That's the first I've see’d the face of old Sol to-day, and he beams down upon.us in genial smiles.” ** Yes,” replied One-Armed Phil, ‘‘ and Ishould like to take dinner before the sun gets out of the canyon, for I never did like to eat*’shadows.” ‘* Sunshine onto a feller’s b does make it a leetle more palatable, I confess, Philip,” replied Rattler; ‘‘and £ think your wish can be grati- fied, for yander hes the crystal spring we've been endeavorin’ to reach glowin’ in the sunlight like a big silver dollar in a nigger’s palm. Whoa, Comet, my old Pegasus! here we slake our thirst, rest our wearied bones, and Wine.” The two horsemen drew rein by the little spring that boiled out from urider a great rock and dismounted. They watered their horses and then turned them out to graze on the grass that grew here and there in bunches. Then seating themselves the bordermen took from their packs some food and began their din- ner. They ate and conversed with the leisure and apparent satisfaction of men who were in no h and who relished their plain, cold vi- ands. ey also manifested an indifference to their surroundi that was evidence of a per- fect ease of mind so far, at least, as dangers were concerned, ‘ When their was at length finished, One- Armed Phil took a small tin cup from his eer antl, reaching out, filled it with cold, sparkling water from the spring. ‘*Have a drink, Rattler?” he asked, handing’ the cup out toward his companion, “Tf ye please, Philip,” answered Rattler, and reaching out he took the cup; but jmst as he did so, something struck the vessel with a “ click,” the water burst from either side of 1, and simul- taneously the clear report of a rifle came to their ears. ‘* Great Rosycrusians!” burst from the lips of Olid Tom Rattler, as the two sprung to their feet, drew their revolvers and ¢ them for the unknown foe who had sertt_a bullet through the cup within a few inches of Kattler’s Befcre they had discovered the source of the shot, a ringing outburst of musical laughter fell ba, Me ears, and looking in the direction | Ww. it came they were completely startied and eorfused to see a slender female figure stand- oe eC Sey sl we , The foliage of the few trees that grew | be along the way, and of the bushes that sprung | the border. The elder of | the twain we have met before, and no further in- | ced around | ing on a ledge of rocks high up on the opposite | side of the valley looking toward them, her face i aglow with rippling smiles. In her hand she | held a small rifle, which she proceeded to reload | as she stood regarding the two puzzled.and con- | fused men. This strange being was a young girl—a mere child, of not over fourteen years of age, with a petite and graceful figure. Her sun-browned | face was decidedly handsome, and her laughing | black eyes told of a tight heart and the merry, blithesome spirit of a mischievous little madcap. Her dark hair, that lay low upon her temples was gathered back and hung in one long braic } down her back, She was dressed in a frock of green that corresponded well with the color of the foliage around. below her knees, Her limbs and feet were in- cased in buckskin tastily ornamented with va- rious-colored beads. At her side, by means of a ep passing over her shoulder, hung a little beaded pouch, from which she took amnmunition to reload her rifle. ‘* A female!—a girl!—a child!” exclaimed One- | Armed Phil, who had first recovered his power of spéech. ** And a lily-lipped hummer she is, too!” de- | clared Rattler. “The murderous little wretch! who can she Q” ‘‘T'll ax her,” said Rattler, and then to the un- | known girl he shouted: “You owdacious little rascal, whar on earth did you drop from?” [isa vain the girl broke into a peal of merry | laughter, and the echoes caught up the sound | and repeated it until a- hundred hidden wood- | nymphs seemed laughing in glee at the astound- ed bordermen. Oid Rattler wiped the perspiration from his | brow, glanced at his companion, and then at the provoking little figure.on the ledge. | **Did I scare you, old rebbers?’ the girl finally | called out, in a clear, musical voice. ‘*No, you young scamp,” ‘replied Old Rattler, the heart. Don’t you fling lead ’round kind o’ reckless, gal?” ‘ “T generally know where I’m shooting,” the | girl responded, “‘and if you don’t believe I can | shoot right where I want to, stand still and see ““Go’long! Tlldo nosuch a thing, you little | wild-eyed heifer! I believe you're a bloody out- lawess,” ‘‘ Tt’s not so—I’m not an outlaw!” the girl de- | clared indignantly, with a stamp of her little oot. ‘* Well, who are you, then?” ‘* My name’s Gypsy,” she answered, f Ms —what a Wild Gypsy, some folks call me, but I’m not wild—-I’m tame as cay are.” ‘Whar the thunder d’ye live?” ** At home, to be,sure,” was the curt and eva- sive reply. | “By Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rattler in a | low tone to his friend, ‘that gal’s sharp as a cactus-burr, consarn her; but I do wonder if we | can’t get her down here?” ‘Try a conciliatory tone,” suggested Phil. “Say, Gypsy,” called out Rattler, ‘‘ won’t you , come here, my little mess ‘ } “Little lady!” repeai the girl in a voice | tinged with no little irony; ‘‘you talk nice, old | | stranger; but what do you want me to come | down for?” “To make love to you,” was Rattler’s absurd reply; ‘‘ I’m a real old honey-puddle on the love- 'make, and you jist ought to come down and ' hear me.” “Tve got a lover,” the girl eeees with a | merry laugh, ‘‘ and he’s more’n a hundred years | younger than you are, and he’s not ugly, either,” |” The two bordermen could not help laughing outright. “ Rosycrusians!” Rattler exclaimed int an un- | ' dertone, ‘‘isn’t she a clipper, Phil?/—an ox-eyed . daisy ?~a little velvet-throated tempest?” | (“She's a bright child, Rattler,” replied One- | Armed Phil, ‘and as handsome and fearless as | she is smart. I would give anything to know who she is, and where she belongs.” : “Maybe by talkin’ nice we can coax the in- formation Gab of the little minx.” | tle cap, whose keen ears had caught the bor- derman’s remark. , Plague take it, gal,” remonstrated the old man, ‘‘don’t be so all-Keillin’ aggrevatin’. I hemes fy hatm a hair o’ your head. I’m Old ‘om— Further words were here cut short by the girl raising her rifle and firing into the tree-top di- | rectly over the bordermen’s heads. A demoniac | scream coming from the tree, immediately fol- lowed the crack of the gun. | Glancing up, the two men saw a huge cata- | mount release its feeble hold on a limb and come crashing to the earth, Old Rattler haying to leap aside to prevent it falling upon him. | Wild Gypsy broke into a peal of iperty laugh- | ter as she saw the two men retreat hastily from near the floundering animal. Again the two bordermen exchanged signifi- cant glances. 4 1 woigler how much longer that little wench It was short, reaching just | ‘but you come mortal nigh shootin’ me through | ‘No, you can’t, old sinner,” exclaimed the lit- . ’s goin’ to keep us dancin’ ’round here like a pair o’ wall-eyed insane asylums?” ‘* She’s a fine shot,” was Phil’s only answer. ‘‘Great Rosycrusians!” the old man cried, ‘gal, you paralyze me! I’m gittin’ dizzy!” ** Bathe your head in thespring then,” was the maiden’s reply. “Darn you, gal, you're a Gypsy, sure enough, | and if I could only get up there I’a have a kiss pif it killed me. Sich sass I never heard from a gal—, There! by Rosycrusians! she’s skipped out; Phil—vanished like the little sunbeam: that she is, and we're no wiser than we were, but feel a darned sight foolisher—I do at any rate.” ‘She was rather provoking, Rattler, Dll ad- mit,” replied Phil, “‘ but I would give my supper to know who she is and where she belongs.” “So’d I,” declared Rattler, ‘‘ and if we’d the time I’d find where she. belongs before the sun sets. If we return this way, Phil, we'll have | to call on Miss Gypsy.” ‘* That’s so, Rattler,” replied Phil; ‘‘ but now I'm going to have the drinkishe has kept me out of, at any rate.” Deprived of his cup by the maiden’s bullet, One-Armed Phil advanced to the spring, and dropping upon his hands and knees, leaned for- | ward todrink from the spring; but as he did so, | he started back with a startled cry, keeping his ) eyes fixed upon the water as if held there by / some horrible fascination, Old Rattler stood at his side, and hearing his exclamation, and seeing his queer actions, leaned | forward and gazed down into the spring, when | he, too, started, for up out of the limpid pool | they saw the white startled face of a woman | gazing upon them! | Fora moment both were speechless, breath- | less. Rattler was the first to speak. ‘*My God, Phil!” he exclaimed; but at the peo of his voice the vision vanished from the spring. ‘*Tt’s gone, Rattler!” said Phil, his white face betraying no little emotion. Rattler had the presence of mind to look up. It occurred to him that the vision was the re- flection of some one looking from the rock over- | head, but if such was true, that person’ had dis- appeared, for he saw nothing. ‘* What do you make of it, Phil?” the old man | asked. ‘Tt was nothing but a vision,” said Phil. “Of a beautiful woman’s face,” added Rat- tler; ‘*‘ but, wlpap: it has given you a shock, You're pale as a ghost.” ‘*Tt startled me, Rattler, I must confess; but it was surely the reflection of some one on the rock overhead,” ‘+ T saw no one, fot I looked.” “Tt can’t be this spot is haunted—that the | maiden we saw on yonder ledge was a vision.” ‘** Nary vision, Phil, for visions don’t go ’round shootin’ cups oOuten men’s hands and pluggin’ catamounts. No, sir, it war a real, live flesh- ; and-blood gal, and a toy-tempest one at that.” ** Say, men!” , Tt was the voice of Wild G that thus ad- them, and, looking. they saw the girl | standing on the ledge from which she had so re- cently vanished; but she now appeared to be ex- cited. “Well, what is it, Gypsy?’ asked Rattler. ‘“Who are you?” the girl asked, ‘* Well; my name is Tom Rattler, and this other—” ‘Then you'd better be rattling out of there,” she broke in, ‘‘ for there’s a lot of outlaws—Red Vultures—coming down the canyon tight as they can pelt it down! As she concluded her warning words, the girl again disa’ red among the rocxs and bushes. Like statues of stone the two men stood mo- tionless. They heard the clatter and ring of hoofed feet in the canyon above them, ‘**By heavens!” exclaimed Rattler, ‘‘ horsemen are comin’! perhaps the girl war right. - Let us ei? and be ready to fly if they should be out- aws.’ They took up thei cks, fastened them their saddles oad ther incase nor were tose a moment too soon in doing so, for just then the horsemen came in sight. Saad are outlaws!” exclaimed One-Armec ‘“Then our salvation lays in the heels 0’ our horses,” said Old Rattler; ‘* go, Comet, like the wild winds!” Away the old hunter dashed, his companion at his side. | A wild yell, the reportof pistols and the whist- ling of bullets told the two bordermen that they were indeed pursued by a part, at least, of the band of outlaws whom One-Armed Ph: queer c2 “Rattler,” said One-Armed Phil, “ we're in for a lively race of it, for those fellows are the Vultures, and they are noted for the fast horses they ride.” “Let them swoop down upon us, Philip, if they cam,” was the cool reply of Rattler: ¢ ig they take us for tender lambs or dead critters sich as vultares like, they'll be the wu’st startled a long, hooked peaks, in imitation of the heads and’ eas * AS ws Seat et = ‘ 2 “a Dyess mec tpt. m= - TON —_ =. < Ss 3 ate in Pa ens mS tert DS 5 = . ) . J ie i’ = F
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np birds that ever eat carrion ‘bout the time I un- . limber Old Epidemic and begin swattin’ them in the digestion. This is my way o’ fightin’, boy— onthe run. I furst fascinate the foe so’s theyll foller up, then I let loose, and if ever you see’d a thundergust—an untamed tempest frolic around in a hay-field, then you can have some idea 0’ my capacity and Comet’s to devastate and dee- stroy. Come, Comet, pat ‘er down, old hoss— | make this old mountain hum—tramp the fire right outen the earth. Now, Philip, don’t he scatter distance behind him nobly, for an old | hoss? Don’t he reech out greedily for the miles | before him By the Rosycrusians! that’s a like- ly critter you ride, Philip; he holds alongside o’ | Comet like a star o’ the fu’st magnitood; but will his wind last?” ‘* He’s good for a twenty-mile race, Rattler,” declared Phil. ‘“Then come on, you red-necked varlets!” and Rattler deliberately turned his head and waved his cap in tne air in defiance to the pursuers, his | voice ringing in stentorian notes above the thou- sand rebounding echoes that went crashing like thunders through the mountains. CHAPTER IL. A CAMP-FIRE STORY, In a narrow sirip of timber on the banks of the Moreau river, at a point not far from where that stream debouched from the foot-hills of the Rocky mountains into the great plains, a oe fire was burning, its genial rays of light dispe ing the gloom of night from under a cluster of somber pines. Before the fire, in attitudes of ease, reposed three men. Two of these were Old Tom Rattler and One-Armed Phil who, in their race with the Red Vultures two days pre- vious, had not only escaped from the outlaws, but had slain two of their number. The third person was a young man in years, though a giant in stature. It was Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan of the Great Range, and more than this it is scarcely necessary for us to say tothe reader who with us has followed the ad- | venturous footsteps of this brave, gallant and kind-hearted young plainsman before. It was by appointment that the three had met there under the pines by the Moreau at sunset that evening, and since that time they had passed the hours in telling of the adventures they had had in their journey there. Old Rattler first narrated the story of their adventures at the mountain spring with the girl, Wild Gypsy, and their pursuit by the outlaws, in which case Rattler and his horse, Comet, had iven One-Armed Phil an exhibition of his ‘cyclone-frolic ’ fighting. The old borderman was in a happy vein of humor that evening. This enabled him to tell his story in his original style of narrative, which made it highly en (a able to the Boy Trojan, and, so profusely did he ‘‘naint” the whole story from beginning to the end, that One-Armed Phil himself became inter- ested in the old man’s vivid powers of exagger- ation and skill in word-painting. After he had finished his story, Stonewall Bob said; ‘‘ Well, now I have a story to tell you of an adventure I had in coming here, every ord of which is true.” ‘“Tbh be sure,” said Rattler, ‘we pminsmen never tell anything but the plain, naked truth. But go on, lad, and tell it; nothin’ kills time so humanely asa good camp-fire story that has the ringin’ truth o’ the Book o’ Revelations in it.” “Well,” said Stonewall Bob, “I started for this point two weeks ago. I knew it wouldn’t take me all that time to reach here, but I want- ed to visit some friends on the way and thought Td start in — of time. Just one week ago in crossing the plains north of the Big Cheyenne Iecame across a wagon-train consisting of four wagons and seven persons. They were on their way to the gold mines at Deadwood by the Cheyenne river trail, or rather they were an- ling off in a course to reach that route, they faving been deceived into leaving it some days previous by an ignorant guide. “The train was in charge of a Mr. Mahlon Graves, who had along with him his daughter, Ruth, a young lady of eighteen, and a fairer and more ladylike woman I have never met.” ‘*Oh-ho!” exclaimed Old Rattler, ‘‘and Pll bet you got all broke up on her beauty.” “Pl eclare,” Bob went on, with a smile on his broad, expansive face, “‘I had a notion to turn outlaw and run off with her to the moun- tains. 1 told her father that his daughter's face would bring him trouble if an outlaw or Indian should see her, and even while I was speaking I discovered a aiserst'0 of crag ce on & tant hill apparently Watching us. spy-glass in sotaeuuicns of the train revealed the fact that they were all Indians but two, and these we re- cognized as Red Vulture: by the red collars around their necks and the ugly caps on their heads. Altogether there were fifteen of them, and by their actions it was apparent that they were intent upon robbery or murcer, or both. ‘“'The gold-seekers became alarmed and they be; me to stay with them that day and night, and as their course was not much out of nay es and it was not long until night, I de- ided to do so, more on account of —” The Border Detectives. ‘The geal—your doom,” breke in Rattler, with a pleasant chuckle. ‘*T must confess,” the Boy Trojan continued, “that Lam an admirer of the ladies and would sooner lay down my life in defense of innocent womanhood than any other cause under the heavens.” ‘* Bravo!” shouted One-Armed Phil, his blue | eyes sparkling with genuine enthusiasin and ad- | miration. ‘We encamped a short distance,” Bob con- tinued, ‘‘from the Cheyenne river, about two | hours before sunset. That was the night the rreat storm swept over the plains of Dakota. ‘he clouds were already piling up against the western sky, black and ominous, so that we had | to prepare for the storm as well as the foe. I tell you things looked blue around that camp about sunset. There was not an experienced nlainsman'in the party, except myself. Mr. Beare had been across the plains once to Pike’s Peak, but for all that he knew nothing of prairie- craft. Lhe guide that had started with them from Fort Sully, and led them astray, had been | discharged several days before. We ate a cold supper, or rather those did that had any appe- tite at all. Miss Graves watched the gathering clouds and the shadowy forms on the distant hills with an uneasy, troubled look upon her fait face. Weall worked like Turks, but before we had things as we wished them we heard the moan of the storm in the distance, succeeded by a strange roaring noise thaf proved to be a mighty torrent of water that finally came roll- ing down the river, filling the stream bahk-full. We knew that a water-spout had burst and poured its flood into the river, and yet not a drop of rain had falien where we were. ‘* Soon the sky to the west. of us became over- cast with black, purple clouds, the lightning and thunder became terrific, and then we knew the rain would soon begin to fall. So busy had we been in securing the stock that not a tent had yet been erected, so Miss Ruth was placed in one of the wagons and the tilt securely closed all around, Never did men work as we worked, and between our watching out for the Indians and labor preparing for the storm—with dark- ness over and around us—we progressed slowly. To make the situation all the more appalling, we suddenly heard a niggre o roaring sound—a sound I had heard, once before in my life—and knew what it was. ‘-*Men, it’s a hurricane!’ I shouted; ‘ throw yourselves flat on the earth, face down—quick!’ ** As I spoke, I threw myself on the ground and the emigrants did likewise. Wed scarcely done so when the storm broke over us wild and furious. I heard a crash and, as I thought, a cry mingled with the roar of the storm. I raised my head slightly and saw that two of the wag- ons had been blown over and with their con- tents were being scattered over the plain. The other two wagons—one of which sheltered Ruth —I saw in motion sweeping like mad toward the river. In ‘ parking’ the vehicles these two were placed fronting toward the river and in line with the storm, and they had been set in motion and were driven before the wind. ‘**T realized the maiden’s awful danger and at- tempted to rise and go to her assistance, but the storm flung me back to the earth as violently as though I had been a child. I tried to speak, but the wind took my breath.” ‘ Rosycrusians!” broke in Rattler, with impa- tience, ‘‘talk fast, boy—trot along—what came 0’ the gal?” ‘*Be patient, Rattler,” Stonewall said, ‘‘ and Ill get to that in due time. You see the storm was a young prairie-hurricane—quick and furi- ous. It swept by like a mad giant. Ina few moments it was gone, and we sprung to our feet confused and terrified. A dead calm almost in- stantly succeeded the wild dash of the hurricane whose receding, shriek could still be heard in the distance. The change was like that from a how]l- ing mob of madmen to the chamber of death. Not even the faintest rumble of thunder could be heard, but the whole heavens were ablaze with sheet-lightning that lit up the scene with a lurid glare. *** My God! my child! where is she? Mahlon Graves cried, when he saw the wagons had been swept away. ‘“*T told him the wind had driven the wagons away, and that I would go at once in search of her. I did not tell him that it had been carried toward the river, and of the fears that filled my breast. I started off at once, though to tell you the truth I never expected to find her alive, if at all, for I was satisfied the wagon had been rolled into the mad, roaring river. ‘‘ Just as I started the rain began to fall ina rfect torrent out of the blazing, thunder-rent eavens, but I stopped not for this. I went ‘down to the river and found it bank full and in places creeping out into the grass. Such a con- fusion of rushing, roaring, falling waters I nev- er heard. “‘In the lightning’s glare I looked for some vestige of the wagon, but in vain. I then started off on a run down the river through the pelting rain, If any one had seen me they would have declared I was crazy. I had no hopes of finding the girl dead or alive, and yet I was impelled onward as if by some unknown in- | fluence, and that there was an unseen power | guiding my footsteps I now have every reason to believe. Perhaps some would call it fate, and | others animal instinct, but whatever it was, it | hurried me on until 1 suddenly came in sight of | the wagon-box with its canvas tilt intact, float ing down the mad, roaring river. “The question with me now was whether the maiden was in it, and, if so, whether she was dead or alive? At first I was tempted to shout to her, but then I knew I could not make myself heard above the roaring storm and waters, and without a moment's delay I ran down the river | ahead of the floating box, plunged into the stream, and struck out like a walrus for an ice- floe. I intercepted the box in the middle of the river, and I was pretty well blowed when I laid hands upon it. faia not try to enter it, nor did I make my presence known. So ‘fraid was I that the maiden was not there or dead that I hesitated about learning the truth. But hang- ing to the rear of the box I listened, and to my heavenly joy I heard the girl's voice— heard her praying with all the fervency of a true Christian soul. Still I said nothing, but at once began to work myself like a rudder toa boat, and in obedience to my efforts the box be- | , ; : ; : gan to edge slowly off toward the north skore. ‘You see the box had floated clear of the running- gear of the wagon when it plunged into the river, and it had weight enough inside to ballast it and keep it in an upright, or natural position. I was nearly half an hour in getting the craft ashore, and as soon as it touched the bank I swam around and climbing out of the water ulled the box ashore, which was not difficult, or the water was just gems to, creep over the bank at that point. now spoke, calling Miss Graves by name, and a wild, joyful cry an- swered me. But, would you believe it? as I assed around to the other end of the wagon- ox to open the closed. tilt; what was my sur- prise and horror to be confronted by a little weazen-faced Indian warrior that—” “Oh, crucifixion!’ burst from Old Rattler’s lips; ‘‘ whar did the red-rinded varmint come from, anyhow?” - *T don’t know,” replied Stonewall, ‘‘ but I do know where the malignant imp went to, for that same power that had led me on to the maiden’s rescue was still at work within me, and, quicker than you could bat your eye, I shoved my fist into the varlet’s face, and the iast I saw of him his carcass was bobbing up und down on the waves of the rushing river iikea log. At the same instant Miss Ruth sprung from Ker priso and in her wild joy she threw her arms abou my neck and breathed out words of heartfelt thanks that are still ringing in my ears. “T tell you, Tom Rattler, that was a raptur- ous moment for me, when, with her arms about my neck, I felt her warm breath on my cheek and her wildly fluttering heart beating against my own tumultuous breast, and as I led her back to her father I was the proudest boy that ever walked Dakota soil; and F thought her fa- ther would never get erry a thanking me. ““Of course we were all drenched to the skin, and if ever a camp presented the sorry spectacle of having been ‘cycloned,’ it was ours. Not a horse was to be seen, and: the wagons and their contents were scattered from there to the Gulf of Mexico, and about all we could do was to sit down and await the coming of morning. The night being quite warm we did not suffer any- thing but disagreeableness from our drenched clothes. ‘* Everybody tried to accept the situation in good grace, and notea few stories were told and jokes cracked before daylight came; and when it did, finally, our joy knew no bounds. But what a sight was before us! Ruin and desola- tion, almost, seemed to stare us in the face, We were all day in Nore - our strayed horses, getting our clothing dried and gathering up the scattered effects of the party. Of the four wagons but three were ever gathered to- gether again. Our ammunition was found in rood condition, for this was the first thing we secured when we saw a big storm was brew- ing. 3 The next day we again gotstarted mountain- ward, I had agreed to accompany the train two days, and it was well, perhaps, that I did, for the very first day, along in the afternoon, we were attacked by that same band of Indians and Vultures that ’d been hanging off on the hills before the storm. I had espied them long be- fore they reached us, and when they came up we were ready for them, and in two minutes and ten seconds we flaxed them out in fine style killing wounding half of their number; bat we did not escape without loss. One man was killed, two wounded, and three horses were killed. ‘* After this fight we had no further. troubie, and the next day we reached the Cheyenne Crossing and there came upon a large party bound for Deadwood.’ This afforded me an op- rtunity to leave my friends without any fears foe their safety, for they had decided to travel together to the city of decayed timbers. But for this you would, in all probability, not have seen me here inside of the next two weeks.” * “ Reckon ay were sorry you struck the >tker train,” suid Rattler. at ce Rae es Deeps: eae ae
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‘¢T must confess that I hated to be separated I was about to take leave of them, Miss Ruth came to me, her face suffused with embarrass- ment and her soulful eyes filled with tears, and, in a voice tremulous with emotion, said: ‘Mr, Comstock, I am sorry that we are to | lose your company, for we fully realize that but for you we would now all be dead. As a token of my regard for your heroic service and gal- lantry, I ¢ esire to decorate you with this badg ge of honor.’ ‘* She then, with her own hands, fastened upon my breast this little gold pin or badge, which bears the word ‘ Honor’ engraved upon it. I thanked her for her kindness, and was about to acm my horse, when she again said: ‘¢* Mr, Comstock, that jewel I prize most hi; glly —not for its intrinsic value, but asa keep- Sake, ‘*¢ Why part with it then? I asked; ‘I will take your word for the deed.® ‘¢* No, that will not satisfy me,’ she said, ‘TI give it to you in hopes that w. ithin the year you will return it to me in person, “ Ah! that war woman’s wit sae cunnin’,” de-: clarsd Rattler. ‘I see that gal had fallen in love with you, boy, and she took that means of lacin? you upon your honor to have you visit er. /. clever trick—a lovely little snare to eatcl big’ Bobby Comstock, the Boy Trojan. But of course you promised to return the jevel?” ** Indeed I did,” replied Stonewall, “‘and just as soon as I get back from this trip I’m going to keep my word,” **Poor boy!” said Rattler, with a sigh, ad- dressing One-Armed Phil, ‘‘he’s a goner. He’s no longer Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, for he who has faced and fought a dozen red-skins suc- ‘cessfully goes down before the eyes of a pretty gal; but then his story has been a good one, and now it devolves on you, One-Arm, to spin us off @ yarn, for it’s quite a while yit till snoozin’- time. You intimated to me t other day*that that empty sleeve o’ yours had a history—s’pose you give us that?” ‘Yes, pard,” added Stonewall Bob, ‘‘ come, tell us the story.” ‘Indeed this empty sleeve has a_ history, friends,” said “Phil, and the muscles of his face quiver ed as with a ‘twinge of pain, and his mild blue eyes began to blaze as if a smolderi ing fire had been stirred up in his breast by some bitter recollection, ‘‘but I seldom ormit myself to think about it, much less talk about it, for to brood over it makes a Aaisoer of me at heart. But now since we are on the subject I will tell you about it. Years ago—” But here he was interru wie ee by the sound of approaching “footsteps, and looking up he and his friends saw two men—both strangers—enter the radius of the light and advance toward them addressing them in the friendl familiarity so characteristic of men of the border. CHAPTER III. A CAMP-FIRE TRAGEDY, THE new-comers that had so suddenly cut One-Armed Phil's story short were dressed in citizens’ suits of dark-gray material, high- topped boots, and light felt hats with. ” yather narrow brims. The oldest of the two was a man of perhaps fifty years. He was rather tall, had dark-gray eyes Air wore a full, brown beard. His long straight nose was bestridden with a blood-re scar. The other was short, and stoutly built—some ears younger than his friend, but far less intel- Tovmaat 3 in general appearance. Neither of them carried any weapons that were visible. “Ffullo! gi evening, folks!” the bearded stranger exclaimed; "hope you will pardon beer unceremonious intrusion of nocturnal no- mads. ‘‘No need o’ formality on the prairies, stran- gers,” ee Old Rattler, scrutinizing the men closely, ‘ ur fireside are free to all sed to let its light janine on their mugs if they be hon- est, pine seein’ you are strangers, what are we to call e y name,” said the tall man, ‘is Raney Bradsteect, and my stout chum here is Jim Noe By Stir soon or calling, or whatever you're a mind to term it, we're a we of confounded serene be tty hard 1 folks,” ou pre on. A =e ves, fo. ‘said Rattler; “ why is this thus *‘‘T am almost ashamed to cell you,” replied Bradstreet, as he and Noe] seated themselves be- fore the fire, ‘‘ but the fact is, we've begn lost on the plain for two days and have been following this stream up supposing it was the Belle ir som * And how do you know but what it is?” asked er, “‘ We came to the conclusion this evening that jes was not, for according to our map it makes Wo cided as we & h the mountains. We deci ins Sw the Owl, or Moreau.” ree sigs »’ said Stonewall Bob; non: but arn re en traveling afoot, are you?” 0; we eo our horses down the river aways, ‘ra almost to death, and we're but little bet from Mr Graves’s party,” Bob said; ‘‘ but when : «6 Gents. make yerselves to home here,” said Old Rattler; “we've Plenty room, plenty 0 | ground for ‘beds, and al yundance o’ sky and | darkness for kiver, and if ye’re hungry eat yer | fill from our larder, and drink long and dee from the murmuring Moreau. We're a ect 0’ as free-hearted buccaneers as ever swatted a | buf’la, trailed a red- rind to death, or winged a Vulture. We a'w make 9 speeciality 0” doin’ the "way -up thing by ladies, and tenderfeet, and— the latter class we claim your hospitality,” said | Bradstreet, with a soft laugh. Thus the conversation rau on for some time. The two men declined food, having already had their supper out of their ‘own supplies. They discussed the topics incident to the ee surround- ings, and finally, when all subjects of interest seemed about exhausted, Old Rattler turned to One-Armed Phil and said: ‘‘ Well, Phil, spose you go on with your story,” and then to Bradstreet and Noel he con- tinued: ‘He had just begun a camp- -fire story when you folks came up——the story o’ how he lost that arm. ? “Tell it, by all means,” said Jim Noel, ‘‘for I'm tired of talkin’ and ready to listen.” *‘T think you'd better excuse me, aphetrang said Phil, the color all seeming to fade from his face, while his friends noticed a peculiar and un- natural light in his eyes. ne we won't excuse you, Phil,” said Stone- wa ‘*Go ahead, boss,” said Bradstreet, leaning back against a tree and looking up into the darkness with a contented expression upon his face, “By your desire I will,” said One-Armed Phil, turning toward Bradstreet, as if compli- mented by that gentleman’s request, at the same time adjusting his pistol-belt as if to relieve him of some undue pressure. ‘‘ Many years ago,” he again commenced, ‘‘when I was a boy of tourteen, I lived with my parents in a prairie home—no difference to any of you where it was located—and alongside of us lived a neighbor and his family. There were two ciiildren - us—myself and a baby. sister of nearly three ears, Of our neighbor’s family there were thr ee—the father and mother and one child, a daughter about my age. At the time we set- tled there we were exposed to some dangers ol the Indians and so were kept in great ‘Sus- pense. But instead of Indians harming us we were visited one day by a band of outlaws or horse-thieves, who deliberately demanded our horses, of which father and our neighbor had six. In endeay oring father was shot down dean as was also our neighbor and his wife. When the came to the cabin to plunder it, mother and I endeavored to defend it. with our lives, and mother did shoot one of the villains dead, but the next moment she, poor, brave woman, was killed, and I seized and dragged out into the yard and after some par levying a big villain raised his pistol’and fired at me. I remember that well, and his blazing eye as it glanced along the murderous tube will hever be effaced from my memory as long as I live. I fell within a few feet of our door and, of course, I remem- bered nothing more until "hours afterward. It seems that the thieves and murderers fired bot cabins after piiidiggs S them, and the smoke of the burning buildin attracted the attention of some cattle-men returning southward from the hills, — they had been in search of stolen stock. They rode down to the burning cabins, which were a mass of red ruins wheu they reached them. At the edge of the pile that re akg the place of our home, they found me lying with my left hand burned to a or by the hat had rolied outward, they sai the cabin fell, ““Pinding that I was not dead, the stockmen removed me to a little, stream hard by, bathed my brow, dressed my wounded head where the outiaw's 3 bullet had done its bungling work, and restored me to consciousness, “ But when I realized my condition—that my hand was burned off, that my parents, baby-sis- ter and neighbors were all dead’ and burned to ashes—along with my untold suffering, I prayed for death to relieve me.” ~ ** Great (cf eared it must *a’ been awful!” ‘exclaimed Old Rattl “Dreadful! dr eadful!” added Raney Brad- street Sy itis a miracle you survived the awfu! to protect his property when ock set did, however,” Phil went on, ‘‘ but what I suffered no tongue can tell. The stockmen took me to the nearest settlement, which was thirty odd miles away, where, to save my life, I had to undergo the ee pen of my arm, After ‘ot so that I couid travel, the s en sent me my friends in the East, There I recovered, and I was sent to school that I might obtain such an education as would enable me to make a living with my single hand. But all the time I was restless., I could not forget my mi friends—I could not efface from m papal that murderous eye blazin: along ‘Something seemed to be crying ou to phy day aud ae ight t, to fy enge the death of he tag nee n me untill was no longer — able to resist the power that was urging me on, and so I returned to the West, a Nemesis at heart. Ilanded in Deadwood, and while lying in wait there for my victims *y engaged in min- ing, and now have a rich-paying claim there; and yet { care naught for gold. Sy heart cries out for revenge! revenge! vige. have been there nearly three years, and—” * How many of the bloody devils have you swatted?” asked Old Rattler, becoming some- ‘* Then we've struck the right camp, for under | what excited. £ i / ‘‘Not one,” Phil continued; ‘‘the fates have seemed against me all along. I may have met . some of the murderers, but failed to recognize them, although I felt certain I would never for- get the faces ‘of some of the villains no difference when or where I should meet them. There was another face, however, that has ever been be- fore my mental vision, "and that was the face of Margery Ashton, our neighbor’s daughter. She was a Sy 3 and comely girl who had won a warm place in iny boyish heart, but I have never en- tertained any other thought than that she was murdered with the rest. A thousand times, as I have sat alone tracing out forms in the flying clouds or in the dancing flames of my camp-fire, the sweet, fair face of Margery always comes up before me; but never did it seem so plain as the day I stooped to drink from that mountain- spring—” ‘“‘ Ay!” exclaimed. Rattler, ‘‘then the vision you saw in that spring was the face of Margery Ashton?” ‘* Yes, Rattler,” he answered. ae saw the vision, too, Philip!” declared Rat- tler, ‘‘and, my boy, if that was Margery’s vision then Margery is livin’, for I'am sure it was a re- flection of a livin’ bein’.” ‘“‘T cannot think so, Rattler. If I could see her face in the clouds of Heaven, why not in the limpid pool?” “Bat why should I see the same, Philip?” ‘*T do not know,” be answered, with a_nerv- ous movement of his whole Lody. “I have brooded over the matter so often and so long that sometimes I think I am ce my reason, for my mind becomes confused and everything seems swimming before me, That is why Lhave refused to talk on the subject. But I have no doubt but Margery was Kcifled with all the others but myself, and even me they left for dead.” “Then you really think you would recognize the outlaws if you should meet the murderous wretches?” observed Bradstreet. ‘* As I have said,” replied Phil, ‘I would re- cognize some of them, if not ali. The man who fired at me I would know among a million.” ‘They may all be gone from 1 this countr y, or killed off before this,” said Bradstreet, ‘‘ for the life of an outlaw. is a very uncertain one, I should say.” “Tf any of them are dead, they are doubtless undergoin the punishment that ee has prom- to all evil-doers,” answered Phil; “but whenever, or wherever—i ever, I meet any of them on ‘this earth I w avenge Iny wrongs. Wouldn’t you, Mr. Bradstreet?” “T certainly should,” answered Bradstreet, shifting his position. Scarcely were the words out of the man’s lips ere One-Armed Phil sprung to his feet, whi out his revolver and sent a bullet’ crashing” | | 2 through Raney Bradstreet’s brain. of There !” cried the SvEDE, with the ferocity of a madman, ‘vengeance is mine! 1 took him at his word, and he is my first victim of that murderous band!” CHAPTER IV, CHAINED FUGITIVES, paral e senses of those who witnessed it, so sudden and unexpected was the blow of the avenger given, and fora moment they sat like men in a stupor of horror. Old Rattler was the first to move and to “My God! Phil, what have Oy done?” =e radstreet, who. cried, ring to the side of had fallen over u his face, Before Phil could answer, and while Stonewall Bob was ne his feet, the friend of the dead ae Jim Noel, hoy to his feet with the quickn: ess of a pan ah and, seizing a stout club as he did so, dealt the Boy Trojan a blow upon the head that sent him back to the earth, stun- ned and bleeding, and with almost the same mo- tion the fearful ih 1dgeon swung around, the hand of One-Armed Phil and knocking } revolver from his grasp out into the darkness. | “t Ka-lee! ka-lee!. kn-lee!” my from. ety lips, even as he plied the elub, in the clear, shrill notes ae abird of the night, ee dai ee os) transactions, et wail was stricken down TP had been dis- armed, occupied but the fraction of a minute, as Noel’s cry was instantly answered the surrounding darkness by similar bn Old Rattler sprung to his feet with the ex : mation X Wier “ Red Vultures! = tbh gre t Rosyorusians!— t’s ; s water! a SE ‘aldose to Jim im Noel who ‘wt u derer, put wath v , “THE THE tragic death of Raney Bradstreet fairly — 700,
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leaped aside and avoided the blow intended for kim, At the same instant halfa score of men rushed ! frorn the darkness with a yell that too plainly | told Rattler and his friend Phil that the Vul- | tures were upon them, and that their only safe- | ty lay in flight. But this was not to be thought of by the brave friend, Stonewall Bob, had uot recovered sut- ficiently from Noel’s blow to be able to rise to his reet, and they at once prepared to battle in hisdefense. The odds, however, were too great for them. One-Armed Phil now possessed no weapon but hissingle hand, but with this he dealt terrific blows before he was overpowered and borne to the earth. Rattler got in but a single, yet deadly shot before he was seized from behind end also borne down, disarmed and bound hand and foot, Curses loud and deep fell from the lips of the Vultures as they gazed upon the lifeless form of Bradstreet and the victim of One-Armed Phil's | revolver, and it required some effort on the part cf Noel to prevent the villains from shooting Phil down in cold blood. It seemed that Brad- street was a great favorite with the outlaws, and his death fired them with a spirit of frenzy, but in face of all their threats and menac- ing acts the one-armed avenger stood unmoved and defiant as if courting death. ‘¢@mite a haul of roustabouts,” one of the Vul- tures finally exclaimed, ‘but it has been rather expensive, giving the life of Bradstreet for three such plungers. Say, Noel, who is that big a there, and what’s the matter with him? He seems confused,” These questions referred to Stonewall Bob, who reclined upon one elbow on’ the earth, gaz- ing around him in a listless, confused way, feel- ing about him on the ground with his free hand like a blind person. His face was covered with blood that trickled from the wound on his head. Heseemed to notice no one nor heed the outlaws’ threats or brutal jests. “That's the biggest haul of the kit, Bramble,” replied Noei; ‘' it’s the famous Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, who won such notoriety last Tall in cleaning out Black Bluford’s band almost to a man.” “« Indeed?” replied Bramble; “‘ well, if Captain Vulture was only here now, I’m of the opinion he’d order a general hanging-bee. But whatails the Trojan? a gropes and glares around like he was slightly confused by our presence.” ‘“‘T cave him a salter on his head that’s set his brilliant brain in a whirl,” replied Noel; ‘‘ but as he’s gradually getting around to his senses I cuegs we'd better halter him up and save trou- ble. Will some one bring an extra lariat?—be quick! the kid’s trying to git up now.” A man hurried off after a rope, and while gone Stonewall Bob, with a great effort, rose to his feet and reached out his hands like a blind man feeling his way—muttered incoherently, and staggering backward would have fallen had No- el not sprung forward and grasped him by the arn 1. ‘‘He’s crazy as a blind bed-bug—kind 0’ groggy,” said the outlaw, ‘‘and’s a little weak in his pegs. Perhapsa bullet through his car- cass would be the least trouble for us and the aa, trip for the Trojan outlaw-demolisher and— The outlaw’s remarks were suddenly cut short by the Boy Trojan jerking away from him— turning as he did so, and driving his fist into the villain’s face with such terrific violence as to lift him clear off his feet and land him prostrate on the earth twenty feet away, while, with a yell of defiance, the young giant bounded away into the darkness. So quickly was this done that the Boy Trojan was out of sight before Noel’s friends could com- prehend the situation and act accordingly. A few random shets were quickly fired in the di- reetion the youth had gone, and two of the Vul- tures started in pursuit of him, but they soon re tumed, cursing with impotent rage. As to the facetious Jim Noel, he scrambled to his feet in a much worse condition than he had pronounced Stonewall Bob a few moments be- fore. His nose was mashed flat upon his face, and a great gash cut on his cheek from which the blood was pouring in torrents. The fellow could not speak. He was compelled to hold his lips closed to keep the blood out of his mouth, and it was only with a great effort that he was enabled to breathe through his broken nose—at every breath the blood spurting out in. hot jets. ‘Gods, man!” exclaimed Bramble, “he’s mashed your whole face—the big hound played it on you fine.” ’ Noel blubbered out an oath, at the same time motioning for help, His frigates did an they could to stop the flow of blood and alleviate his pain. ater was brought and his face bathed, and when at length the bleeding had ceased, his agony e all the more a His face began to swell up e. i angel td Jim,” Bramble finally ob- served, “your face ’s beginnin’ to look worse’n a ham of spoiled meat. You're a horror—a a ee oel groaned out a curse, Despite his periloussituation Old Rattler could Neinsmen, for their young | maintain his silence no longer, and yentured to remark: “That boy-giant’s a lily-lipped hummer, folks, sure as the devi} *"l) git you all. When he swats a feller with that fist he swats to smash—spoil— deemolish.” ‘¢ Silence, you old vagrent!” thundered Bram- ble, ‘‘or you'll be swinging to a limb first thing you know.” : “Give me a pistol till I shoot him!” muttered Noel, his blazing eyes just visible between the two slits in his swelling face. ‘*Aullo!” It was a strange voice that thus accosted the Vultures in the midst of their anger and excite- ment. Looking in the direction whence it came the outlaws were somewhat startled by the sight of a man standing just within the radius of light. He was a most wretched specimen of humanity, He was rather tall and slender, though his age was uncertain. He was covered with rags and dirt, and but for the contour of his features no one could have told his color. He was hatiless and his scraggy hair hung in muddy “‘rat-tails’ about his head. He had a thin short beard that was burdened with dirt and clay. He had a wild, hunted look about him, which was in a measure accounted for when the outlaws saw that his hands were fastened together with a pair of iron handcuffs. ‘By the Wandering Jew!” exclaimed Bram- ble, ‘‘ what on earth appears before us#—a man, or an escaped chimpanzee?” “You tell, for I can’t,” was the response of another astonished Vulture. ‘Men, I'm a poor, miserable, hunted devil, chased almost to death,” said the wretched- looking man, ‘‘and I’ve a pard, too, that’s nigh- ly gone. For days and nights we’ve been fol- lered and hounded from wood to water, ki-yote den to mud-hole, without restor food. We seed your light and crept up, and findin’ you were Vultures made bold to seek rest by your fire. You've nothin’ to fear from us.” “*T should say not,” replied Bramble; “‘ but where’s your pard?” ‘Here, behind me,” replied the wretch, and as he spoke his “‘ pard” stepped into view. He was a short, stout, smooth-faced man, but full as ragged and dirty as the other. His han were free, yet around each wrist the outlaws saw an iron bracelet from which dangled a few links of a broken chain. “By Jupiter!” exclaimed Bramble, ‘‘ you're a pretty hard-looking pair of sports.” *¢ And you’d be, too, pards, if ye’d been chained ee days and had to hunt yer holes as we've to ‘Who put them darbies on you?” “Ther detectives did it.” ‘« What detectives?” ‘*Didn’t hear ther name o’ but one, and his name war Kit Bandy.” ‘*The deuce you say!” retorted Bramble, man- ifesting no little surprise, which was also shared by his friends; ‘‘ where did they nab you?” **Tn ther hills northeast 0’ Deadwood.” ‘*What’d you been doing *—robbing some one’s tillt—or hen-roost?”’ ‘They ’cused us 0’ robbin’ the Deadwood stage, they did.” “Well, did ye?” queried Bramble. ‘*Seein’ as what you’re a Red Vulture, I’m not afeard to say that you’re no better’n we be,” was the fugitive’s evasive reply, with an attempt at a facetious smile. ‘¢ Well, that’s a roundabout way of answering astraight question, but since you don’t deny the robbery, I guess you’re somewhat guilty. But I'd never take you fellows for road-agents.” ‘“‘Reckon we don’t look f'rocious, but if you'll ive us somethin’ to eat we'll show ye we're no inty ki-yotes.” ‘* Well, who are you anyhow!” “T'm Bill Sherk—that’s my Christian name, but in the hills ther blamed fools named me Mus- ket-Mouth, and pard thar, ke answers to ther beautiful name o’ Slickchop Mose.” : ‘¢ Never heard of either one of you before,” said Bramble; ‘‘ I reckon you’ve not been in business long?” ‘Not in these diggin’s,” replied Musket-Mouth, “though we used to be quite numerous down *bout Denver afore society got so dumbed stuck- up as to want us to wear neckties.” While this desultory conversation was going on, the two fugitives ually worked them- selves up to the camp-fire, though they seemed uneasy and restless, and started at every sound, as if it were the tread of a pursuer. Finally Musket-Mouth’s restless eyes fell upon the dead bodies of the two outlaws and also upon the bound forms of Old Rattler and One-Armed Phil, when he observed: “Got some stiffs, I see, and two ‘ phingers.’ Been havin’ a racket, have you?” “Yes,” answered Bramble; ‘but how did you escape from the officers? We want to know more about you.” ‘*Slickchop, butted one o’ them over a cliff when he wasnt Jookin’, and I kicked the other in the bowels and ke curled up like a bear and begun to vemit, and then we mulled out. But the sick feller soon gat rid 0’ his cramp and give the ‘larm to his friends that * » 2 i Ns ae | war comin’ behind, and we've had it ever since. . Last night we hid in a hole in the rocks, and pard there sawed all night on the edge 0’ @ | sharp stone and wore his chain in two, but I had no rock to saw on, and ever sense then I’ve been busy trying to keep outen the ‘ plungers’’ way, as we cali ther detectives,” The outlaws examined the irons on the fugi- tives’ wrists, and Bramble even tried to pull Musket-Mouth’s off over his hands, but ee signal failure except to cause the fugitive to roar ; and how] with pain. ‘*Old dandy, you're elected to carry your bracelets awhile longer, at least,” said Bramble, ““though“they would come good just now if we could get them off to put on that pilgrim there.” ** Well, never mind the irons now,” said the gaunt, wild-eyed fugitive, “but if you’ve an stuffin’-fodder for us, mention it—bring it fort. like a royal diadem.” ‘** Hav n’tany here,” said Bramble, ‘‘ but we've lenty at our own camp “bout two miles from ere, It may be you can find some ’mong them ‘plungers’’ outfit there.” ‘“* Plenty of it,” broke in Old Rattler; ‘tin my ack you'll find bread and butter, and roast ump 0’ buf’lo, and br’iled venison, and baked fish, whisky-pickles, canned peaches, baked beans, punkin pie, coffee, cream, and anything and everything dainty and stout. Help your- selves, for I reckon we won't need it any more.” : ** No, indeed, you will not!” retorted an out- aw. The two beggarly fugitives went through the borderman’s effects like jackals, and brought to light some bread and meat, which they devoured like rapacious wolves. Old Musket-Mouth was compelled to carry both hands together when- ever he took a bite, but he took advantage of this by keeping both hands full and taking a double bite, thereby keeping his mouth so full that his attempt at conversation was like the growl of a dog over a piece of tough meat. The outlaws watched the hungry beggars gorge themselves, not a little amused at their performances, for a!l attempts to keep up a con- versation with them was very unsatisfactory. _Finally the two roac-agents finished their re- past. usket-Mouth arose and grunted with an ao ® of satisfaction, then seating himself, he said: ‘“*T feel better now that a long-felt want has been filled, and if that’are critter thar ”—refer- ring to Old Rattler—‘‘ war that ganglin’-legged Old Kit Bandy, ’'d show you Vultures how to cut up and carve a ‘plunger.’ I’m feerocious when [ve a full stomach, but tame and gentle as a suckin’ dove when chained down and holler from skull to boots.” In the course of an hour or so two men were dispatched to bring up the Vultures’ horses. They were afraid that Stonewall Bob might run them off, as they had already discovered that the indomitable youth had got away, unseen, with his own horse and those belonging to Rat- tler and One-Armed Phil. When the men came back with the horses the animals were tied close by, under saddle and bridle, ready for instant use. The news that Musket-Mouth brought of the presence of Kit Bandy and a party of followers in the country was sufficient cause for them to be on the alert. Tt was late in the night when the party laid down to rest, leaving a man on guard, Musket-Mouth and Slickchops were given a blanket to share between them and the two fu- gitives laid down on the ground and drew tke cover over them, Tired and worn the two fel- lows soon fell asleep, but much to the annoy- ance of his bed-fellow and. the Vultures that were trying to sleep, Musket-Mouth talked in his slumber and occasionally started up striking Png with his fettered hands at an imaginary oe. “The man on guard was not a little amused at the old fellow’s ravings at first, but it finally became monotonous and so he concluded to rout him out and make him sit up or seek other uarters. Walking across the now dimly- lighted area he gave the old man a vigorous kick, saying: “Git up here, you old deal and get out of this or keep your mouth shut. You'll wake them dead men up a-snorin’,” “Tl git up,” the old man said, and with the suppleness of youth he bounded to his feet, his shackles failing from his hands as he did so; then, with the quickness that the hawk drops from the air upon its prey, he drove his bony fist into the face of the unsuspecting outlaw, who fell to the earth, ten feet away. A yell from the prostrated Vulture’s lips awoke his companions from their slumber. In an instant Slickchops was upon his feet, knife in hand, and at Rattler’s side. In another moment the old borderman’s bonds had been severed, and he was uponhis feet, a free man} Almost simultaneously ewall Bob came lunging out of the darkness with a yell that would have put to shame a Comanche warrior. In each hand he clutched a revolver. The Vultures, thus suddenly startled from their sleep, were for a moment confused, but the first thing they discovered was that they had been entrappe , 2nd, withoutattempting to raise a hand or fire a shot, they endeavored to seek _ | at earls Tr si apa ieee:
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6 safety by flight into the darkness of the woods. But of the ten only five escaped the deadly wea- ns of the Boy Trojan, Musket-Month and | | their convictions of Christian duty. lickchops. The victors did not attempt to pursue the out- laws. through the intricate darkness of the woods, but the moment victory was assured them, the fugitive Musket-Mouth turned, and grasping both of Old Rattler’s hands, said, in a changed voice: “Rattler. by the horn o’ old Joshua! I’m ex- | pirin’ glad to cross palms with you, you darlin’ old scamp!” ; ; ‘‘ By the great Rosycrusians, and confusion 0’ ’ Babel!” exclaimed Old Rattler, in wild astonish- ment, as he glanced into the eyes of Musket- Mouth, ‘‘ I hope I may expire if it isn’t that old buceaneer, Kit Bandy, king of frauds and prince o’ mountaineers!” CHAPTER V. STORY OF KIT’S ADOPTED. For several moments Kit Bandy and Old Rat- | tler stood mute with surprise gazing into each other’s eyes, their hands clasped and their faces radiant with joy. Bandy was the first to speak, | and in reply to the old hunter’s exclamation, he ‘‘- Yes, Rattler it are I, Ka-ristopher Ko-lum- bus Bandy, nomad and martyr—a fugitive from the perils o’ domestic infeelicity; but right down glad to meet you, Rat. Let me see; if has been two years since we parted at Laramie, and I don’t see as age has added even a wrinkle or a gray hair to your beauty, you old bushranger.” | “As for you, Kitsie,” Rattler responded, * I | can’t say what time has done for you, for the dirt on your profile has so completely concealed you from view that there’s nothin’ recognizable "bout you ‘cept your Adonis-tike figure; and then your classic voice—the belechin’s of a musket-mouth, sure enough, war a mixture 0’ Choctaw. and ki- | yote; but, bless your deceptive old soul, Pm glad | to meet ye ‘for a’ that, for a’ that.’” ‘¢ This ‘ere rooster, Kattler,” said Kit, turning | to the man Slickchops. ‘‘ are a pard o’ mine, and he rambles to the name o’ Zeke Ruble. He's not | much on mouth-work, but just turn a grizzly loose 6u him or a dozen Ingins, if ye want to see | how a buzz-saw works up timber.” “T are very glad to meet you, Ruble,” said Rattler, shaking hands with the mountaineer; ‘and now I’m goin’ to introduce you to my chums. This ’ere gentleman are One-Armed Phil, and this bit o’ humanity with a lamp on bis head are Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan.” Glad to grasp your hand, Phil,” said Bandy ; “but as to Bob, Rattler, we met him awhile | aro.” ** When—where?” ” “ Before we came here—that is, a few minutes after he erected a Chinese pagoda on that out- law’s mug and then lunged into the wilderness | of night. We had a long chat with him, and | there and then arranged our disguises, put on our handcuffs, named each other with appro- priate handles and sailed into camp, and the rest you know.” “Then you carry your disguises with you?” observed One-Armed Phil, ‘Our clothing and handeuffs we carry,” an- swered Bandy; ‘* but as for this dirt on our faces we secured that down by the river and thar’s plenty more thar yit.” ‘¢ And these revolvers Bandy and Ruble loan- ed me,” said Stonewall, displaying the weapons with which he had done such fearful execution ror the Vultures. ‘Oh, by the way, Bandy,” remarked Rattler, ‘for the Lord’s sake, when did you fellows have | anything to eat last?” “*Bout an hour ago,” responded Kit, with a | bland smile; ‘‘I tell you, Rat, we war hungry, for we hadn’t had a bite since mornin’ and then only had a little, half-grown fawn baked on hot conta.” ‘¢ Dainty fellers, you be,” said Old Rattler; ‘you've lost your appetites, I know,” and in the mornin’ I'll make ye some hummin’-bird broth. But look here, I’m a little nervous, and if you’d step down to the river and soak your- selves and git the dirt off your mugs, you would- n't frighten me so—but then, mebby water’l! | hydraphobia you, Kit.” ‘“‘Téareno greater stranger to my face than our stomach, my festive old friend,” retorted it. ‘‘I’ll bet a coonskin you don’t know how Dakota water tastes.” “« Kitsie, I see you are the same old lilly-lipped hummer as of yore, the same meetin’-house 0” piety, rooral district 0’ simplicity and State’s prison full o’ arbitrary prop’iety.” ‘‘T wish, Rattler,” said Kit, ‘‘that you had some virtues I could extole, but you hav’n’t, and never will have until some parson preaches your e hid y After some furt rring between the old bordermen, Bandy Ruble went down to the river and washed the dirt and mud from their hair, faces and hands, then they proceeded to where they had left their horses and outfit and removed them down to camp. Meanwhile Stonewall Bob and Old Rattler searched the dead outlaws and took possession of their revolvers, knivesandammunition. Then they carried the bodies to one side and covered The Border Detectives. | them over with boughs. Had they possessed the tools with which to open the earth the would have buried them in compliance wit | Among the lifeless forms there was that of the desperate Jim Noel. His face was swollen and purple from the blow dealt him by the Boy Tro- jan. As Old Rattler threw a bough over him he said: “ Bradstreet and Noel, poor, miserable, lyin’ devils, are both gone over the dark river, Their deception didn’t work like the classic _per- formance 0’ that luscious Musket-Mouth and his pard, Slickchops. But the death o’ Bradstreet was a wild-eyed stunner—that reminds me— | | little \dark-eyed,; meek-faced girl was helpin’ | tend bar. where’s Phil?” ‘“*He left several minutes since,’ 5 answered Stonewall; ‘‘ he said he’d run outand reconnoiter | the situation.” “Pye been so full o’ business I hadn’t missed him,” said Rattler, ‘‘ but isn’t he a terror on the shoot? Didn’t he, play his story fine on that bearded outlaw? Ah! that man Phil is a strange critter, but true as steel and brave as a lion. I met him a month ago for the fu’st, and we naterally froze together, and when I told him that I could manufacture, and we went to work again like two kittens. beg swum alorg love- iy and a few months later Sabina suggested that if in my ramblin’s around I should run across a nice little orphan child without a home, to try and git it and we would adopt it as our own, and raise it up and we would come to love it as our own flesh and blood, and thus loving it, it woud be a kind o’ a link to bind us closer to- gether. To this proposition I quickly consented for I knew exactly whar I could lay my finger on the ‘link.’ ‘‘ Wal, in a few days I went over to camp and made straight. for the ‘ Foamin’ Mug,’ the lead- in’ saloon in the place, whara orphan, a swect f course, "Bina said nothin’ as to whether the orphan should be a gal ora boy, and so I made up my mind to try and git little Azelia away fromthe contaminatin’ inflooence of | that bad place. The saloon-keeper was an old pot- | bellied Dutchman that hadn’t any more feelin’ for an orphan or ’preciation o’ the beautiful than Old | Tom Rattler has for pure, unadulterated water. ' I talked with old sour-kraut about the child, and o’ my goin’ on this gy he. asked to pigs i ''me, and, of course, I couldn’t refuse, and I’m lad now I didn’t, tor he’s a hull team if he has yut one hand.” ‘He'll make it hot for the murderers of his friends,” said Stonewall, ‘‘and I hope he may | meet every one of them for they will not recog- nize their supposed boy-victim now grown to manhood, and this gives him an advantage of the murderous scoundrels.” Kit Bandy and his friend, Zeke Ruble) pre- sented quite an improved appearance when they returned to camp. Rattler was now enabled to see that the lapse of time had made little if any change in the old mountain detective. He was just ebout the same in looks, in his jolly and rollicking spirit, physical powers and undaunted } courage, But no one would ever have taken Zeke Ruble, _as he now appeared, for the slouchy, dirty-faced Slickchops, and it was only the presence of he said her pretty face drawed him much cus- tom, and he didn't want to let her go. But I coaxed and entreated, and finally agreed to give him so much money if he’d give her UP: he money fetched him a-flukin’, but before handin’ it over I went and talked with little Azelia about changin’ her home. The little thing said she’d like to be adopted into a good, Christian family. and I told her that war we, and then she talk with old mash-tub awhile, and canmie back and told me she would go home with me. So she packed up her goods, and I paid old Limburger— give him my note payable in one year with in- terest aud other trimmin’s—and started for the | Bandy clearin’s the happiest. man on earth, If | she’d been my own child I couldn’t have felt Bandy with bim that convinced the others. that | | man made in himself. He was a man of perhaps such was the case, sb grea. a change had the | forty-five years of age, of about medium hight, | | and rather inclined tocorpulency. His smoothly- shaven face possesset a frank, open look, al- | though it bore severa ugly scars that somewhat | marred its symmetry. His forehead was broad | | and intellectual, and his mouth rather large yet expressive of firmness and decision. His eyes | were of a dark-blue, and the only feature of his face not altogether in harmony with the others —not but what they were bright enough, but | they had a quicis, restless and furtive movement | of one accustomed to being, on his guard. No one noticed this quicker than did Old Rattler, perament. and force of habit from living in the midst of constant dangers. ag ga and then, turning to Stonewall | bus Bandy, and tellme if you don’t think he’s an Ambrosial god? a star-eyed buccaneer?” The Boy Trojan smiled in a perplexed way, for, boing a stranger to Bandy, he could hardly enter into the full spirit of Old Rattler’s humor- ous satire. | Bandy, however, at once came to the young | plainsman’s relief, saying: ‘* Stonewall, that old bushranger’s compli- ments don’t disturb me at all, even if they are fun-pokers. If he’d gonethrough all that I have, the enamel *d be off his bright, brassy face, If he’d weathered the storms 0’ ten years o’ mar- ried life as I have, he’d know more’n he does, I confess that ’'m but a relic of my former self, for I carry the mementoes of every year o’ my connubial alliance somewhar about me. This | Catskill range here down my cheekis where my | wife, Sabina Bandy, fetched me one little love- | swipe with a hatchet, and this Smoky Hollow | gutter on my head here is whar she emphasized a wifely command with the poker. This sun- | flower here on my brow is not a birthmark, oh, no! it is whar my loving spouse kissed me by | proxy with a sizzlin’-hot sad-iron. Do you won- | der that I’m disfiggered?—that I’m not so ex- ; arn beautiful as Mir. Rattler? Do you won- jer that I'm a Ruins of Alhambra? a downfall | o’ the Roman Empire? a Deestruction of Hercu- | laneum? a magnificent monument, chipped and defaced by!the ruthless hand of woman?’ | Old Raftler roared with laughter, and the oth- | ers could not suppress a smile. “‘ How like the Psalms o’ David and the La- mentations 0’ the Martyrs that sounds,” said | Rattler’ ‘ but say, Kitsie, kave you been mar- ried ary time since I see’d you last?” *“One’t,” replied Kit, with comic gravity; “that is, me and Sabina met, and arter talkin’ | things over in a rational way we concluded to make up, quit bein’ a pack o’ fools, settle down, and live together again; and so I employed an architect and workmen and proceeded to erect ) one of the finest sod-houses in all the big rowdy \ but he naturally attributed ittoa hervous tem- | Rattler complimented him upon his improved | é L ! ‘rolled me into the Yuba river, jist because I prouder as I Jed her into the parlor whar Sabina war fryin’ some corn biscuits and interduced her to her new ma. The little thing, herself, seemed all joy and happiness. She war just twenty year's old, but I Cae to smother with a falsehood in my mouth if she looked a day or an hour over —say fourteen or fifteen.” ‘You ras¢ally old fraud!” exclaimed Rattler, with a chuckle. “Silence, man!” commanded Kit, with a frown, ‘this is a serious matter to me, and you don't want to be flingin’ in your insinuations to harrow up my feelin’s.” “Tf I'd been Sabina I'd harrowed up your hair for yé,” Rattler again put in, “{f thought Pd done a splendid thing,” Kit went on, ‘‘ in selectin’ the desired link, but when I'd interduced her to her mother, and I see’d ’*Bina’s under lip begin to hump up in the mid- dle. I knew to onc’t that she wer'’n’t satisfied with my selection o’ an orphan, and as soon as |-we waralone she told me she’d ruther had a little boy-link 0’ five or six than a girl 0’ uncer- | tain years. Thar’s whar we differed, but then I | didn't tell her so—I knew better, I hadn’t for- Bob, he waved his hand toward Old Kit and | said: “ Look there, Robert Comstock, at Kris. “Lum- | g | stick got the time she sewed me upina blanket and danced a few times and then drank a bumper— a modest little bumper—with Hagar Ann For- ot. ‘Things ran along quietly for several days, but all the while I could see a little cloud gather- in’ in the domestic sky—that the link that war to bind ug closer together was actin’ like a jockey- ovo wdin’ us furder apart. _ “One day Sabina took me aside, and with a triumphant gleam in her eyes, axed me if I knew that my link—my little Azelia, was a wid- der of ewsety Sw, whose husband had been killed in a saloon racket in Cheyenne, I was horror-struck by the news, and almost broke down under it; but then and thar, I had to promise that I'd waltz the orphan back to the Cen of the next three days. “That same day I managed to get a private talk with the child, and I toid ber Mrs. Bandy wanted her to go away jist because I thought 0 much of her, and thatif she had to go, I'd g9, too. I then axed her if she wouldn’t go away— *way Off with me where [I could be a father to her, and not be tormented to death by a jealous mother. She said she would, and my heart was exceedingly happy. Then we made arrange- ments to go that night. We were to start at midnight. I had to go over to the eamp oa was not to be home in the night, and 1 w to meet Azelia with two horses all rigged ata certain pine tree. The night was dark-—most | darned dari, but at the appointed time I was at n the appointed place, and by and by my little orphan came tripping down to me all bundled up in her jaunty ttle hat, vai] and coat, with Fiano on her hands. I greeted her in a whisper, and she answered me in thesame way._ Tenderly | T lifted her into the Saddle, nimbly I mounted my own hoss, and then away we went down the fete valley into the darter canyon. Td taken the precaution to mufile the horses’ feet 8° their | hoofs made no sound. ‘‘Qecasionally I leaned over and tenderly whispered to my timid, silent child, and softly she would whisper me ‘ yes sir,’ or ‘0, Sir. “Oh, how. exceedin'ly happy war I! The moon shone down into the canyon at times, and West. I stocked it up with the finest furniture ' as we glided along it seemed to ™¢ that
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Tt war floatin’ in a gondola on a sea 0’ moonshine. birds’ wings seemed. like sounds emitted from harp-strin night-wind. resolve itself into music in symphony with my tuneful heart. The stars actually seemed to scrouge over before me in the sky, as if each one was serambling to be the guide that war to lead me and my child to the happy land o’ ‘Canaan, while the man in the moon seemed laughing with joy and winkin’ coyly with his bias eye.” ‘* OF all fools, they say an old fool is the wu’st,” observed Rattler, sententiously. | ‘“ Well,” Bandy went on, without appearing to notice the interruption, ‘‘ the purple shadows of night began to thin up after hours and hours of riding in heart-throbbing silence. Mornin’ was comin’, and I war really glad, for I wanted to look upon little Azelia’s fair, sweet face. I watched the eastern sky growin’ redand redder, and daylight was just about upon us when I was ‘startled by a click. very much Jike that of a pistol. The sound was at my side, and lookin’ around, what was my speechless horror to be- '‘ hold my child with a derringer leveled upon my heart! “** Azelia! my child!’ I cried, ‘ what does that mean?’ ‘““* Stop!’ she fairly shrieked, and we quickly drew rein. Thenshe lifted her vail, or rather snatched it away with a snarl, and if there, in- stead o’ my little Azelia, didn’t set Old Sabina Bandy, I hope to smother for want of breath! Yes, there she sot, Rattler, with Azelia’s jaunty little hat, and coat and vail and gloves all on nice as you pleaser The demon o’ fury was ‘blazin’ in her eyes, and if looks ’d.’a’ done it she’d ‘a’ shivered me to dtist then and thar. I was terribly taken back—I felt sickish, and I longed for an avalanche to come down the mountain-side and bury me sixteen million feet under it. But instead of an avalanche, Sabina’s voice ag’in rung forth. “Kit Bandy!’ she fairly screamed, ‘ climb down off o’ that hoss at once or you’ll fall off dead!’ ‘* Boys, I got, for I knew Sabina could handle -a pistol as gracefully as I can handle Old Tom ‘mirth died awa Rattler, and when I was off the hoss she rattled nm! ‘+ Kit Bandy, I have a notion to eend your career anyhow, yolr base, ungrateful wretch. But Lre*kon you'll not undertake to elope with another widder — orphan child — soon ag’in. Thank the great and adorable mercy! Azelia Boggs had honor enough to give you away to me ant help me in, thwartin’ your heartless de- signs, you prince o’ oid fools, as the widder called you! Now go or come as yop please, and go or come the best you can!’ ‘¢ And with these remarks she took both horses, turned and departed homeward. Confound her ld picters! she had ridden all o’ thirty miles jist to git to play that miserable little trick on e. “ Wal, I was left standin’ right there feelin’ a little muttonish, and after while I'sot down by the wayside under a pine, and begun to: cogi- tate. I now diskivered why it was that the man in the moon had laughed so broadly and had winked so coyly with his bevel eye, and while I was ponderin’ over the sudden changes in life— how I was dumped out o’ my visionary gondola 0’ biiss onto a barren island o’ humiliation, the stage from Deadwood came tearin’ down the road like mad. Irizto my feet and sprung out before it to hail the conductor fora ride. The express Taessenger in the seat alongside the driver took me for a road-agent, and let fly with his revolver. The motion o’ the stage probably saved my life, for his bullet just grazed the tip of my ear—a close call for Kit Bandy.” re Humph!” ejaculated Old Rattler, ‘‘ the tip 0’ a jackass’s ear isa long ways from any vital spot. It wasn’t no close call at all, you infamous old buccaneer!” Unable to hold in longer, Stonewall Bob and Zeke Ruble burst out into a roar of hearty laughter, but scarcely had the sound of their ere the spiteful crack of a rifle came crashing through the night. CHAPTER VI. THE HUNTED CRIMINAL, TN an instant every man was upon his feet, nis rifie or revolver in hand, for he felt satisfied that the shot that had startled them had been fired by One-Armed Phil, who was, perhaps, in peril. “ By the horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Ol Kit, dubionsly, ‘‘ that report tears through the night as though it war a death-knell.” ‘* Tm afeard One-Armed Phil has run into an ambushed outlaw,” said Old Rattler. “Tf there’s any more fighting to be done to- might I propose to have my share of it,” declared ‘Stonewall Bob, and he turned and glided away in the direction whence the report had come. ‘He had gone but a short ways, however, when he met One-Armed Phil returning to camp. ‘+ What's up, Phil/’*he asked. © “Nothing now, but a sikulking red-skin is down,” was Phil's facetious reply. “A red-skin! do you mean to tel] me that The rip and rustle o’ the night- | swept by the fairy fingers o” the | Every sound, in fact, seemed to | we've got to have a round with them varmints, too?” ; | I cannot tell you.as to that, Bob, but there | must be others around and in league with the out- laws. | that they may prepare for the worst, I will con- tinue on the watch down hereaways.” ** All right, Phil,” replied Stonewall, and he | hurried back to camp and delivered his message. ‘By Rosycrusians! Ingins!” exclaimed Old Rattler, rubbing his hands together excitedly; ‘are it possible we're to have some red-rind fightin’?” ‘Don’t git skeered, Rat,” said Bandy. ‘* Skeered, Kitsie? Ingin-fightin’s my holts. I war raised on it for recreation from the time I could hoe beans till 1 wara man grown. Bring on your red-rinds if ye want to see me let loose like a thundergust at a picnic, or a cyclone in a hay-field.” Bandy, ‘‘and I reckon we can be found here till mornin’ if they have any desire to interview us.” the war-path,” observed Zeke Ruble. ‘* As a tribe they’re not,” replied Bandy, ‘‘ but then these hills are full o’ outlaw Ingins o’ the different tribes just the same as there are out- law white men; and you generally find the red and white plunderers and murderers pullin’ to- ether. In fact, I’ve never undertaken to run down an outlaw in these mountains but what there’s more or less Ingin blood to be spilt. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to be met on this trip by not only the white outlaws, but a hund- | red*red ones.” ; ‘*By the way, Bandy,” said Stonewall Bob o 7? - 9 “what kind of a trip are we going on, and where | When Rattler sent me an invitation to meet | to? you here and accompany the party he promised me fun, excitement and adventure, this respect bas already been pretty well filled, but the particulars of the trip I really haven't heard more than it was to be a search for acrim- inal of some kind.” ‘* That’s it exactly,” replied Old Kit, ‘“‘ our ob- jective point is the very spot, valley, canyon or cavern where we can clap our hands on John Rossgrove, an escaped criminal who’s under sen- tence of death for nmurder and for whom there’s a handsome little reward offered. is what makes the thing interestin’ for the dee- tectives. The State in which the lullin’ occurred offers one thousand, and then a man—the one who employed, me—named Israel Danbaugh, offers ten thousand more.” m 2S ic quite a pot!” declared Stonewall ob, ‘*Yes, but I don’t keer a cent for the money myself, more’n to pay expenses, but it’s the fun and glory I’m arter. You see the murder was done thirteen years ago, and ever since that time the most famous city deetectives have been tryin’ to catch the criminal, and for me, an old mountain plunger, to beat them fine-haired fel- lows, would do me more good than to hear my esteemed friend, Rattler, there, tell two suc- cessive truths.” ‘‘ What object can that man Danbaugh have | - — such a big private reward?" questioned ob. ‘TI don’t know, and as I told my pard, Ruble, I didn’t care so that I catched the murderer. In fact, it wasn’t any o’ my business to ask him: but then I had my opinion, and that war that with Rossgrove dead Danbaugh wouid profit by it insome way. He told me right out that he wasn’t a relative of the murdered man, and I knew then it was business with Mr. Danbaugh.” ‘* But what makes you think Rossgrove is in these hills?” ‘* Well, [ll tell you: Rossgrove, they say, is a shrewd, sharp fellow, and ever since his escape the booger has been deliberately writin’ letters back to the sheriff of the county where the deed was done, in every one protestin’ his innocence of the murder of Henry Endicott, I believe his name was. Of course the writer gave no ad- dress, but the post-mark showed they were mailed fu’st one place and then another. Once one came from Cuba, then one from Montreal, then from the Sandwich Islands, New Orleans, City of Mexico, St. Paul, Walla-Walla, and the last two from Deadwood. Of course every time a letter was received it war given the dee- tectives, and in this way it kept the fellers skip- pin’ round all over God's creation. But when two letters in succession had been received from Deadwood, Danbaugh made up his mind his man was there or thereabouts, and he came on in person, leavin’ the city deetectives at home, concludin’ to trust his case to men of the West. Well, he struck me at Cheyenne and told his story and wanted me to work up the case, and I agreed to tryiton. Wecomeon to Deadwood, and thar [ spent two months lookin’ out for my man, but he wer’n’t among the miners, nor gamblers, nor thags, so I concluded be must be among the outlaws. The fu’st clew I struck was some weeks ago. An outlaw belongin’ to Captain Vulture’s band was nabbed and taken in charge by the Vigilantes. Before he was h T had an interview with him, and I eureka | of him the information thet there was a man an- swerin’ the discription o’ Rossgrove to a dot be- longin’to the band, Hoe said the man was known If you'll return and report to our friends | “Pye did a little Ingin-fightin’, too,” said | ‘‘T was not aware that the Indians were on | The bill in | The reward | 7 ! | as The Minister, but what his true name was he didn’t know. He/‘also said The Minister never went out with the band, but was the real head and brains of the gang. The poor devil told me this, thinkin’ perhaps he might save his neck by givin’ his friends away, but he had to hang. This now is all I know about it, and as soon as I heard this much I set about organizing a picnic- party to hunt the criminal down if he’s in these hills or yonder mountain. I fu’st saw Rattler and Ruble, and they were in for the hunt, and then Rattler suggested that we have you, Bob, in the party, and glad am I that you are. Now, boys, if we can clap the darbies onto Rossgrove and waft him back to where he’s wanted, alive, | you fellers can take the reward and Ill take mine in glory over downin’ them city man- hunters.” ‘* What's the description of Rossgrove?” asked || Zeke Ruble. ‘‘ Medium hight, slender as a garter-snake, | long brown beard when he left home, blue eyes, fair complexion, a small scar over his right eye- brow—prepossessin’ and intelligent in general pf we ogc This was his description twelve or thirteen years ago, and of course he’s that much older now and may be changed considerably.” ‘* Rather a good description for a man guilty of murder,” said Bob. ‘* Rather,” added Ruble. ‘* Well, indeed,” said Stonewall, ‘‘ it is not so aggravated a case as One-Armed Phil’s.” ** Well, what about his case?’ asked Old Kit; ‘‘vou see he’s a stranger to me, and you haven’t told me the particulars of the tragedy enacted here by him.” Old Rattler narrated the story of the death of Phil’s family and neighbors at the hands of a band of outlaws, as told by Phil hiniself a few | hours before, including the story of the killing of the man Bradstreet.” “Then he really thinks some o’ his folks might ’a’ escaped after all?’ observed Bandy. ‘“No he doesn’t, and yet he’s haunted with some kind o’ a presentiment, that he can’t ex- plain. It makes him silent and thoughtful at times, and then he'll fire up with a revengeful spirit, and again finally subside into a pleasant and jolly companion. He are brave as they make them, and I, find he is no slouch in the knowledge of prairie-craft.” watching,” Zeke Ruble suddenly remarked, and taking up his rifle the hunter at once departed. “ Thar, Kitsie Ban.,” said Old Rattler, nod- ding his head in the direction Ruble had gone, ‘‘is an enigma to me.” ‘“Who? Zeke Ruble?’ exclaimed Kit. ‘* Yes; his eyes area study for an eye-ologist —they’re so quick and furtive, and when I war tellin’ the story of One-Armed Phil’s vengeance he betrayed emotions that war not entirely all surprise.” “*T noticed that myself,” said Stonewall, ‘‘ but itamust be a kind of a nervous habit, for he act- ed just the same when Kit was telling. about Rossgrove.”’ “T think a great deal o’ Zeke,” said Bandy, ‘and at Deadwood he stands high as a man, hunter and scout. He’s been. right in with me ever since I undertook to ran Rossgrove down, and if he’d turn his attention to it he’d makea rattlin’ detective.” “Oh, well,” exclaimed Old Rattler, ‘‘ this world are madé up with queer people. For in- stance, there’s you, Bandy, I defy the tribes o’ earth to duplicate.” ‘‘Thar’s whar we differ, Rat, for I.can find haydoogin’s o’ counterparts o’ yourself over amongst the Digger Ingins.” “ Pour old Bandy!” sighed Rattler, ‘‘ the she- bears are liable to come for youany time— Hul- lo! here comes One-Armed Phil, What's up now, Philip?” “There's something going wrong, men!” the bearded avenger replied, betraying some excite- ment. ‘‘A canvas-covered wagon drawn b four horses is moving northward across the val- ley escorted by no less than thirty or forty mounted Vultures and Indians.” ** Horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, ‘‘ that is a little suspicious. How far are they away, Phil?” ‘* All of two miles when they passed near where I was concealed. I heard the noise of the wheels, and unable at first to make out the cause of it, I advanced in the direction from whence it came, and made thédiscovery I have reported.” “* Didn’t see what war in the wagon, did you?” asked Rattler. “No: thecanvas cover was fastened down at the sides and ends, and two Vultures were mounted upon the near horses. .1 am satisfied, however, that that wagon contains something that should not be there. : ‘“‘ Did you notice anything peculiar about the on or team different from the general run of ) emigrant-wagons?” asked Stone Bob, betray - ing no little excitement. _ | “Nothing,” replied Phil, ‘‘except that there | was a big red star painted on the canvas and under it was the word ‘ Empire.’” : ; ‘Great Heaven! are you sure of this, Phil?” cried Stonewall, starting to his feet. : ‘*T saw it piain enough, Bob,” replied Phil. ‘Then it was one of the wagons belonging fr. ‘‘T believe that I'll go out and help him in his’
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_ it ceased and i. Shae ; pees Joke 2 Las ele The Hons | Mr. Mahlon Graves’s train!” the Boy Trojan de- | Kit, ‘‘ but Iam goin’ toshin cut down the river, clared; ‘‘they had such devices painted, on | aud if I can find Stonewall, put him on his them.” ‘‘- You mean the party that had the gal, Ruth, whom, you rescued from the ficod?” said Rattler. “The same, Rattler,’ Stonewall answered, ‘‘end I am afraid they have got into trouble after all. In fact, there seems to be no doubt of it now, else that wagon would not be here, and friends,-I must know what isin that wagon. I am afraid that Ruth—but, heavens! that cannot be!” ‘Now, boy, don’t be rash,” admonished Old Kit Bandy; ‘ you act for all the world as though you'd a gal in your mind, if not in your heart.” ‘‘ He to whom the wagon belongs, Kit, had a fair and lovely girl with him. Who knows but she may be in that wagon in the power of those demons? I shall not sleep till I know.” The young plainsman examined his revolvers, and then, as he was about to take his departure, Rattler said to him: ‘Look out that you don’t collide with Zeke — in the dark, and report to usif you need elp.’ * All right, Rattler,” replied the young giant as he disappeared in the darkness. After a few moments’ conversation with Kit and Rattler, One-Armed Phil again left the camp. He could not be still. The spirit of re- venge, that he had so long nursed in bis breast, seemed to burn with greater intensity since he had slain the villain, Raney Bradstreet. In the course of half an hour Zeke Ruble came in. He had been off up the river, but found no trace of an enemy in that direction. Bandy informed him of the discovery made by One-Armed Phil and of the departure of Stonewall Bob to investigate the same, and as they now awaited the return of the young scout, Ruble said: oy Sane qa and Rattler lay down and take anap. Phil and I will keep watch until morn- ing, or until Stonewall returns. You old coons, I dhosld think, needed rest and sleep.” ‘* Horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Kit; ‘‘ Zeke, we're tougher’n b’ilt owls, but since there’s no need 0’ us ail sittin’ up, s’pose we try a little snooze, Rattler?” “ Seein’ you're not to stand guard, Ill risk it,” said Rattler, and so the two bordermen wrapped themselves in their blankets and laid down, Bandy soon fell asleep, as his heavy respira- tions indicated, but Old Rattler was not so for- tunate. The excitements of the night seemed to have banished the goddess from him. How- ever, he lay quiet, and in the course of an hour when Ruble threw a pene stick on the bed of red coals and a blaze flared up and relieved the camp of its gloom, he was ahout to get up, but a movement on the part of Ruble caused him to change bis mind. He saw the hunter glance around him, then advance to where the dead outlaws lay, and removing the boughs from the bodies, bend over and search each face closely as if he was searching for one that heknew. In this movement of the guard there was some- thing that Rattler couldnot fully understand,and when at length he saw Ruble manifest a decided surprise, an ym searching the ground beyond the bodies as if for a trail, he arose to a sitting re, and rubbing his eyes as if he had been asleep, he yawned out: ‘** How is it, Ruble? ‘Most mornin’?” Ruble started, and advancing toward him stooped over and said in a lew tone: ‘Tt can’t be long: but, Rattler, one of them dead outlaws has disappeared assure as I live,” _ ¥ mage) fay amr gy exclaimed Rattler, spring- ing to his feet, ‘‘ ye don’t tell me!” 4 nba the darkness that prevailed after ‘ou and Kit laid down,” Ruble said, ‘‘ I thought | heard a creeping noise in the bushes, and when made sure it wasn’t an enemy crawling toward us, I threw a stick on the fire and made a light and by it made the discovery of the body being gone.” ‘‘ What’s wrong now, boys?” asked Old Kit, starting up out of his slumber, and seeing the two men together knew by their very looks and attitude that something was wrong. ‘‘One o’ our dead outlaws has crawled off,” answered Old Rattler. Bandy threw aside his blanket, and rising t his feet advanced with Rattler and examin the faces of the dead outlaws, ‘By Rosycrusiens!” exclaimed Rattler, ‘‘ the one that’s gone is that 5 , Jim Noel, under whose eye Stonewall Bob eré@€ted a cathedral.” ‘Horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, 1 bet the scoundrel was feignin’ death ail the time!” ‘Tf so, he’s played it on us in a way that beats Musket-Mouth and Slickchops all up.” ‘“ And has doubtless overheard every word that we said,” Ruble added, ‘tin relation to our future movements.” ‘“And furthermore,” exclaimed Bandy, ‘‘if he should git to his friends that have that tilted wagon, a re teh Stonewall Bob on their trail, they might make it hot for the Boy Trojan.” “Tt’sa bunglin’ piece o’ work,” said Rattler, ** but suppose we take a look for the fellow; he may be wounded and just crawled off and con- cealed himself hereabouts. ° ; “*] will leave that for you and Ruble,” said guard, for fear the outlaw has escaped us and ot to his friends. And now you men mousin’t orgit that those villains that did escape might be lurkin’ around and seein’ you two alone un- dertake to paralyze you.” ‘‘T think we’d better extinguish our fire,” said Ruble. ‘A good idea, but look out that you don’t fire into iriends returnin’ to camp,” cautioned Bandy. “ All right, Kitsie,” replied Old Rattler; ‘‘I don’t think I can be catched ag’in to-night by a gang ©’ them infernals; and as for you, Kit, be keerful, old. pard. You know that if you git killed there'll be a cog outen the universe and the old thing’ll go bumpin’ around until its jarred into chaos.” But Kit heard not this caution, for the old de- tective had glided away into the darkness, Ruble and Rattler, instead of putting out the fire, retired into-tthe shadows, and, revolvers in hand, seated themselves to await further devel- opments, the réturn of their friends and the coming of day. CHAPTER VII WHAT WAS IN THE WAGON, STonNEWALL Bos, atter leaving camp, moved directly down the river with the avowed pur- pose of following its course until he struck the trail where the Vultures had crossed the Moreau or found their camp. He was satisfied that they intended Crossing the river, for they must do su . to reach the fastnesses of the nearest hills, yet he did not think that they would undertake to cross with the wagon that night, and therefore had hopes of finding them in camp on the banks of the stream. He soon emerged from the grove into an open valley. This opening he crossed and finally came to where the plain was covered with a dense growth of willows, wild-plham bushes and cottonwood shrubbery By this tiine the moon, which did not rise un- til nearly morping, was pp. Objects could be seen quite a distance, so the young plainsman was compelled to move with extreme caution and keep under cover of the thicket as much as ossible. He knew not but that Bramble and is four friends might be lurking by the way. Finally he struck a deer-path following close along the river, yet well in the shadow of the bushes, Into this he turned and followed along, his revolver clutched in his ready hand. Large as he was, the movements of the tiger through his native jungle were not more stealthy. In this way he had stolen along for nearly a mile, when there suddenly rose up before him in bold outlines a conical-shaped hill. During the previous day Stonewall had noticed this on ac- count of its peculiar formation. It was there alone, and was a landmark known among the hunters as ‘* The Hermit Dome” and ‘* The Her- mit Butte.” Viewed from the south it resem- bled a dome, but viewed from the north where the river had washed away the hase until that side was high and almost perpendicular, it had more the appearance of a butte. The land side of this emmence was covered with a dense owth of pine bushes not over three or four eet high, but there was a little spot on its very summit entirely devoid of vegetation. The very moment Stonewall swept his eyes across this Hermit Dome he discovered an object on its top that he knew did not belong there and which a second glance told him was a canvas- covered wagon! Of this he had no doubt, for it was distinctly outlined against the eastern sky, now bright almost as day with the rising moon. This discovery satisfied him that the out- laws and Indians had halted there for the night. And there was not a doubt in his mind but that the wagon contained something of value to them, else they would never have gone to the trouble of climbing the hill with the vehicle. It was plain enough that the position was a good one for a night defense, for the Dome being situated in a sharp bend of the river, was fiank- ed half-way around by perpendicular banks and also by the stream itself. There was another thing the thoughtful young plainsman took into consideration, and that was that the outlaws must have had some knowledge of the immediate presence of pursuers or dangers, else they would never have taken the pains they did to secure the wagon and its contents against invasion. He could see no signs of life about the vehicle, yet he was satisfied it was there, and the next ques- tion with him was as to bow he was to accom- plish the object of his mission in finding out what the wagon contained. As he could settle upon no definite plan until he had ascertained the strength and disposition of the enemy, he moved on toward the Dome. He had almost reached its base when he caught the sound of voices that seemed to come from the thicket before him and to bis right. Stepping from the deer-path into the denser shadows of the bushes, be listened. He could hear a Babel of voices, Indians and white men, in conversation. He could also hear horses cropping the bushes and tramp- ing about, and presently he scented the odor of burning tobacco. This discovery was a disap- ee a ee ee ee ne ee ee ee r Detectives. pointment to the youth. -He was satisfied now that a line of sentinels, reaching, no doubt, from the river below the Dome to the river above, guarded the appreaches on the land side, and that he was just about as close to the wagon - as he was likely to get that night. For once in his eventful life Stonewall Bob was at his wits’ ends, and while trying to study out. some course to pursue without having to deliberately beat a retreat, his keen ear caught a slight sound near him. It was very faint and appeared to be in the path from which he.had just stepped. aside, It was a sound made by something crawling, but whether human or beast the young scout could not determine. For fear, however, that his presence in the vicinity had been detected, and that the sound was made by an Indian in search of him, be re- mained motionless and silent until the sound could no longer be heard. But scarcely was his. mind free of one fear before he was startled by another+the sound of heavy footsteps coming along the deer-path from up tke river. A few moments later he saw a man whose head and shoulders rose above the bushes in the moonlight pass near him. The fellow was hatless, and his face—a hid- eous-looking ohject—was covered with blood, Stonewall would have sworn the man was the outlaw, Jim Noel, from whom he had received and to whom he had given blows that night, had be not seen that villain’s body dragged aside lifeless and laid alongside his slain comrades. But whoever the fellow was, Bob sew that he advanced with the boldness of one who seemed to have the assurance of friendship in the out- laws and Indians near, and he listened for the result of the fellow’s approach tothem. A few moments later he heard the sentinel call out: ** Who comes there?” And then to his surprise and consternation, he heerd the answer: ‘t Me, Jim Noel!” Still Bob would not have believed the man. had his eyes not borne stronger evidence of the startling fact. But how the villain had ever got way alive, even if he had been feigning death, was a question that vexed the young scout’s mind, and created in his breast a fear for the safety of his friends at camp. The arrival of Noel among his associates creat- ed a oe of surprise; but the discovery of his condition produced an outburst of wild ex- citement. % Instantly an idea flashed through the mind of Stonewall Bob, and that was to take advantage of the outlaws’ excitement and endeavor to pass the sentinel; and it was no sooner conceived than he proceeded to carry it into execution. Stepping beck into the deer-vath he crept for- ward on hands and knees. He passed within twenty feet of the excited. mob that would have torn him to pieces in a minute had he been discovered, But even before he was aware of it the adven- turesome young scout had passed the guard— that individual, as he had anticipated, being so deeply absorbed in the tale of horror that the battered Jim Noel was entertaining his friends. with that he, for the time being, forgot his duty. Stonewall gained a point in the thicket a few rods up the steep side of the dome from whence he could get a partial vew of the enemy’s camp below. He was surprised at the large number he saw, but Ke was not discouraged. In fact, he was rather encouraged, for he realized that their great excitement and f would blind them to the real situation and throw them off their guard. He could hear Jim Noel’s voice from his hid- ing-place, but with the exception of a word, now and then, he could not understand what he said, for Jim’s mouth and facial muscles were not in a condition for distinct articulation. When the-villain had finished his story, curses: loud and deep were uttered by the outlaws. Especial blessings of this kind were called down. upon the head of Kit aig hg voluble Mus-. ket-Mouth, and Stonewall , the-boy-with- the-battering-rams, Never did a man under- stand more thoroughly what his enemies thought of him than did the Boy Trojan, and yet anathemas heaped upon : se bagi to those devoted to Ki ile listening to the villains Bob saw five: more men come from upthe river and join them, and no sooner had one of them spoken than he recognized the voice as that of the villain Bram- ble, who had figured so conspicuously at our friends’ camp that night. The arrival of this five and the gp? Fos had. to communicate created another excite-. ment, which terminated in a decision to go al- most en masse and raid Kit Bandy’s camp, as. they termed our friends’ rendezvous. ut while they were busy meee prere. tions to go, Stonewall left nis hiding-place and began to ascend the hill, creeping on all-fours igh the bushes, He had no fear for his friends’ safety now that he knew they were alive, although he had been unable to ascertain. how Jim Noel had ever turned up there alive, The young scout crept along rapidly ak half-way up the side of the ie, wHen | suddenly brought to a halt b lacing his hang upon something warm and w is oe mild in: - he was. etupon ti poste a
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5 ce He held his hand up so that he could see it in the moonlight, and to his surprise and horror saw that there was blood upon if. Dropping back into the darkness, he peered out before him for the source of the blood. He ‘ saw the outlines of a dark object lying upon the iz earth, He drew his revolver, and reaching for- a -ward touched it, The contact gave no sound. The object was soft, yielding and motionless. The boy scout touched it with his hand and found it was a human body. But life was ex- ty tinct, although the body was still so warm that the blood had not ceased to flow from a wound | a in the breast—evidence that the fellow had been fy quite recently slain. 1 Further examination revealed the fact that », a the man was an outlaw—a Red Vulture, but Br who had slain him? This was the question that now presented itself to the Boy Trojan’s mind, ee. passed on up the steep hillside. eet tae Finally the determined youth reaclied the edge of the bald spot on the very summit of the Dome in the center of which, silent as the grave, stood A the covered wagon which he readily recognized, , by the device painted upon the canvas, as one of ' those belonging to Mahlon Graves’s train. The boy listened intently, but mot a sound | cor heel could he hear in or around the wagon, and he | pos ie had begun to think that he had had all his a trouble for his pains when he espied a motionless me Ty form stretched on the ground at the edge of the , aia barren on his right. He erept softly toward it, . -st#l keeping under cover, and soon discovered. it B vas an Indian, but what was the most startling pes eke to hina was to discover the savage was dead, What this second death meant was a most io perplexing mystery to the Boy Trojan. The in- ‘i dian had undoubtedly been jeft there to guard Beat? the wagon which now seemed deserted on the ~~). ~outside, but what might be under that canvas - | __ , cover the youth shuddered to think. as I For fear a guard might be concealed in the “} bushes, or perchance in the wagon, Stonewall |} made a circuit of the barren and found nothing Ve": in the shadows, but discovered that the wagon- tilt was closed all around. +) Stopping where the shadow of the wagon | “Sere $eachen out to the edge of the thicket, Stonewall | Te stepped trom the bushes into the opening amd advanced along the line of darkness toward the _.) wagon, which he reached unchallenged. In Re. breathless | @anvas and listened. He heard subdued voices and without its solution he left the body and , mse he placed his ear against the | | ‘The next moment the face and form of a fair and beautiful girl Mh oh in the opening in | the canvas, ped 3 ata glance Stonewall saw that his worst fears were realized—that Ruth Graves was a prisoner in the wagon—that the fair girl v work pulling that wagon up here, and the out laws camping at the foot of the hill,” Stonewall | remarked. “*T can tell you one reason why that was done, Robert,” replied Ruth. . ‘*I heard Captain Vul- whom he had rescued less than a fortnight be- | ture tell the guard that shouid soldiers, of whom fore from the raging flood—she who had deco- rated him with a badge of honor, was a helpless captive in the power of the Red Vultures and the outlaw savages! “My God! Ruth—Miss Graves!’ the young plainsman cried, *‘ l was afraid of this!” he seems to be in constant fear, come upon them | suddeniy in force, to start the wagon down the acelivzty on the river-side, and hurl the ‘ outfit,’ ashe called us, into eternity. If you noticed, the wagon was left so that with but little effort | it could be started toward the river.” : ‘Oh, Stonewall!” cried the girl, in an excited | ‘The tempestuous hellyons!” exclaimed Old whisper, reaching her hands out toward the | Kit; “‘ why on earth did they want to murder young Trojan, as if in him she placed her bopes of deliverance, ‘“‘I never supposed we would meet thus! Oh, the terrors that I have suffered you innocent gals?” ‘$i do not know,certain, but I heard enough said by our captors to make me think that I was since those evil wretches attacked our camp and | to be killed it they could not escape with me. carried me away!” ‘ And your father*-where is he?” ** do not know—I do not know whether he ‘sr Captain Vulture talked as though my capture was a business transaction that he wanted to get threagh with as soon as possible.” dead or alive,’ the maiden responded. ‘Oh, “Ther there may be some one else besides this will drive me mad!” ‘*Cheer up; Miss Graves,” said the brave Vulture that is interested in your capture,” said Stonewalli—‘*some one that’s got sight of your i : young plainsman, ‘‘I have seen you in peril be- | fair face in crossing the plains.” | fore and know you have courage, and with the ‘I know you are strong and brave, Bob,” the over her distressed and iaraeteceite ype face, “but there are so many of ‘“Ob, my! isn’t he a big fellow, though?” an- other person was suddenly heard to say, in a | girlish voice, from the shadows 4% the tilted wagon, ) Ruth's lips, and then she broke the momentary silence that followed the speech of the other by saying: ‘You see J am not alone in my captivity here, Stonewall, At the time I was taken this brave little girl was taken also,” and as she con- cluded she drew the subject of her remarks into the opening wheré Bob could see her. | account 0’ the high “ve heard of you, Stonewall Bob,” the maiden said, without the least embarrassment or apparent depression of spirit over her situa- | tion, ‘“ Well, indeed! who are you anyhow?” asked | Stonewall, completely surprised by the pres- | ence of the girl, whose face was one of bewitch- ing beauty. : “Tt might be the very man we are huntin’ help of Heaven we ~vill cheat them villains out | down, Bobby, that notorious Rossgrove,” said of the prey they think is so secure here.” | Old Kit. ‘* Who?” exclaimed Ruth, with a sudden maiden replied, a faint glimmer of hope flitting | Start, ‘*An old crim’nal,” replied Kit, ‘*the head e outlaws and In- | and brains o’ the outlaw band. But I wonder if ans,” | the soldiers are in the field?’ ‘*T do not know,” replied Ruth, ‘‘ but the out- laws are uneasy and made a forced march to this place. They had expected to have got across thé river to-night, but the sheer exhaus- A confused smile played for a monrmnt around | tion of the wagon-horses compelled them to halt here,” ‘* Well, as to our escape, Kit,” said Stonewall, impatiently. “We've got to get apast the cordon o7 guards,” Kit said, ‘‘that, I presume, are sta- tioned cl’ar ‘round the land side o’ this Dome. Of course, escape af the river are impossible on anks and deep water.” Can’t we jump over into the river and swim no goats?’ was the astonishing suggestion of typsy. ‘“Oh, you wild little breakneck!” replied Bandy, ‘you'll be for fightin’ your way out next, won’t you? What kind o’ gal be you, any- how? You'd make a mate for my wife, Sabina Bandy.” a ae inside-—voices that undoubtedly belonged to fe-| *‘My name’s Gypsy, and I live in the moun- “Oh, mercy! he’s married!” exclaimed the bat Bg males, but they were so low that ne was unable | tains,” was the unsatisfactory response of the | precocious little madcap; “isn’t he ugly, Ruth, Bie to settle in his mind, one way or another, the child, for such she really was in apperrance, | to have a wife?” . dread fear that had seized upon him the minute | that One-Armed Phil had reported the *‘ Star of ; a a ” wagon in the possession ot the allied oes, whe After listening a few moments longer the |. ‘Youth tapped gently upon the canvas with the .. end of his seer: crntiheg | ___ Instantly all became silent within t:e wagon, |. then tne long, murderous blade of a knife was nae ee thrust through the tilt from the insidy—swept upward with aetaina auicaners onan a Jong tin the cover from the wagon-box to the ridge- pole. ‘ poy Maen Leigh opening thus made there wae in- | stantly thrust from within a hand clutching a cocked revolve:’, whose murderous appearance i hr " ss Was accompanied with the command: ak ee ‘Silence or death!” Aa SY i nae _ CHA TER VIIL ieee Sa STONEWALL’S WORST FEARS REALIZED. Stonewall Bob flew up seizing that of the un- : 2 ‘| __-ver, while he thrust his right hand into the sha | dows of the wagon, and seizing the fellow by to eee ar f° the canvas. ae. 3! nd then it was that the Boy Trojan was al- for, as the moonbeams fell upon the face of the sup) outlaw |, it revealed aed quaint y! | the throat dragged him half through the open. a . ee ag , ‘most struck dumb with surpriso and chag an aatid-Gonale YaRantE Old Kit Ban «Hold, Bob— Y Old Kit Bandy man- ngu upon his throat. Instantly the young scout released his hold, ‘fat as he did 80 with no little ; “ old villain! Dd ought to choke you in- - gensible!” face, and by the tone of his voice that he had. carried his love for a practical joke, even in the ey eee of danger, a little too far with mind was not in a condition for fun Tie bob grade and after rubbing his throat and ie working his jaws to get his vocal — in or- der , he said in an apologetical abe ing eh: wall, I’ve been waitin’ for you here half an hour, How did you get through the lines?” " “By following your trail strewn with dead outlaws and Tosi, you bloody old pirate,” re- sponded Bob, with a grim smile; ‘but, Kit, hator whoisinthis wagon? |. “They can speak for theirselves,” said Bandy. “to the ground with the nimbleness o ‘wv mown and knocking up the muzzle of the revol- | had come to life before I left aeatip, and ie war to put) you. on your gu . The old detective saw by the look on the boy’s | sniff ‘““That?s rather an indefinite answer,” said | , Bob, feasting his gaze upon her big, sparkling | eyes. ‘ / ‘* That’s all I could get outen the little rascal,” Said Old Kit, ‘Sand if she wants me for a beau sor ‘agen rie oe wee Me to by jhe ‘Oh, you horrid, ugly old man!” the girl plied, in a petulant tone, though a Mvandl 4 sie | that threatenea to burst into.a peal of lenghter | dimpled her brown cheeks. “Friends,” suddenly dclared Stonewall, ““we're wasting precious time, and the sooner we get away from here the better. Most of the outlaws and their red allies have gone off up the river to our camp to avenge the death of their friends, and if we ever get away from this Her- mit Dome now’s our chance.” **Do you know what caused the commotion among the outlaws down there awhile ago?” ai asked. ‘*The arrival of Jim Noel among them with ; ; h, ___ Quick as the lightning’s flash the left hand of | tke first news of our presence and work.” ‘* Just so,” said Kit. ‘‘ I knew that Jim Noel that I came down here. But when see’d this wagon reared up here on this Pis- gah ag’inst the sky, and discovered the most o’ the outlaws at the foot o’ the hill, I couldn't resist the tenrptation to crawl past the sentinel and ascend the Hermit. AndasI came} to up I met a Vulture that war goin’ down to see what the racket was that had so suddenly broke out ‘mong his friends. At ‘east I supposed that war what he war goin’ down for, for he come ulture cay and coat—they’re in the. thar now—and come on up here and ever ‘ly de- motished the Ingin guard afore ‘he had time to a rodent. Now? these tells me that they heard Captain Vulture’ lf tell one o’ iy a ee fe ow > - made?” ied Bob. “Tt ne I ‘To this there was no Objection, and 80 o Boy ste But for the prompt admonition of Ruth the girl, would have followed up her question with an outburst of laughter. ’ ** Child, you must not so loud,” Ruth said in mild reproval, ‘‘ or all these brave men have risked for us will have been in vain, und their lives, as well as our own again, will be en- ered, ooiaatts so, Ruth,” the child said, demurely; “my friend Margery always said my tongue was so rattle-tee-bang that it would get me into trouble. I'll not speak again tél you tell me to.” “‘T must say Gypsy is a brave little soul,” Ruth said, as if to apologize for the child’s words; ‘for at tne time of the outlws’ attack on our train in the mountain canyon she was concealed near, and with her rifle shot an out- law dead, and it was this that got her into trou- ble, for her shot revealed her hiding-piace, and an Indian dashed into the thicket and captured her. But pardon me, friends, for consuming our time in “*That’s all right, little gal,” replied Kit, “I like to hear ye talk; but now to work. Bobby, I-war jist itatin’ over a plan to git awa trom here. at is, for you to take the mn A and move around to the up-stream side o’ the Dome, and there endeavor to pass the guards. To help you in this, I will stay here till you'ro half-way down the hill, then Ill push the wagon the edge o’ the slope and start it off down | the way down the hill, ping low to keep un- over half the distance to the river before the ‘| heard the low rumble of the wagon-wheels, an glancing back, Stonewall saw the white top— '| moving against the sky down the hill—slowly at __ lake men’ g as it gathered ‘m0- “ Now let us hurry on faster, girls,” the youth said, pleasea with the way their plans were the nto Z so a cry burst from his lips. ‘*In God's name, what oes that mean!” he ax.
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The wagon had turned in its course, from | zome cause'or other, and was coming thundering | down the hill, almost directly toward them! . | And the excited voices of the outlaw guards | in the valley could now be heard shouting to each other, and Stonewall could see several of | them hurrying through the bushes to get in ahead of the fiying wagon. The young plainsman paused, atia loss to know | what to do. eleoked for Old Kit. He sawa | form gliding down the hill toward him. He | recognized it.as Bandy’s and he raised up to his | full hight that he might be seen by his friend. The next moment the old man had rejoined them, ‘* Cuss the tempestuous wagon!” he exclaimed, excitedly. ‘I started it straight t’other way, but one o’ the front wheels struck a stone which | caused it to turn off on a tangent and in this di- rection. Come, quick, or— Horn o’ Joshua! hear that hellish howl! Stonewall, we're discov- | ered ‘* Yes, but we are not caught, Kit,” replied | tho Boy Trojan, a stern look of desperate deter- | mination upon his face, and an unnatural light blazing in his hitherto pleasant blue eyes. CHAPTER IX. KIT BANDY IN TROUBLE. Banpy and his friends turned their faces to- ward the summit of The Hermit Dome, for their | footsteps to that place must be retraced if they | would elude the advancing foe. | th ** Allow me to assist you, Miss Graves,” said | Stonewall, whosaw that Ruth was almost par- | alyzed with fear, and taking the maiden’s | hand drew her arm within his own and hurried | away. ‘‘ And let me help you, Old Mr. Bandy,” said | Wild Gypsy, with artless innocence that would | have provoked Kit to laughter under ’most any other circumstances. Taking her little hand in his the old man glid- | ed up the steep»hillside with the celerity of | youth, the brave little girl keeping pace with lim, while close behind them came. a’ savage yelling like a demon to direct the course of his friends in the pursuit. “«Biends take that howlin’ savage!” Old Kit | suddenly exclaimed; ‘‘ i would shoot the lungs | out o’ him if I wer’n’t afraid the tone 0’ my iron | *d complicate affairs!” ‘“T1 stop him!” declared Stonewall Bob; and bidding Ruth move on he stopped, and snatch- ing up a great stone that lay at his feet the young athlete raised it aloft, and like Jove hurl- ing a thunderbolt from Olympus, he sent the terrible missile at the savage, who was but a few — away, striking him full on the naked reast and crushing him to earth as though he had been a tender reed. A dull thud anda sti- fled enp were the only sounds that followed the dreadfu blow. ‘* A Boy Trojan you be Stonewall,” said Old | Kit, with surprise and admiration ; ‘but now, | Bob, you go on with the gals and strike for the | river east of the Dome and Ill j’ine you there. | I'm goin’ to act bushranger and lead them var- | mints on a false trail—go, boy! they are com- | ing.” Anticipating the old detective’s intentions | Stonewall hurried on with the two girls—all | three bending low to keep under cover of the bushes. Suddenly the report of a pistol was: heard to: come from the hillside toward the west, and it | was immediately succeeded by a series of pecu- liar yells and shouts that Bob knew emanated from the lips of the redoubtable Old Kit Bandy. These were answered by Indian war-whoopsand | outlaw cries, and ina few moments the excite- ment of the chase seemed tending off in another - direction. “ Brave Old Kit!” exclaimed Stonewall, ‘‘ he’s succeeded in drawing the foeoffour trail!” ‘* And may lose his own life by doing sv,” said Ruth. “Kit Bandy is a most wonderful man, Miss Graves, and let us trust that a kind Providence, who has protected him for so many years, will bring him back to us unharmed.” bf ohh ' Without further words the three hurried on: around the Dome and down toward the river. ‘bey had almost reached the level valley. Wild Gypsy, who was asnimble-footed as a fawn, was. a few paces in advance.. A little opening lay before them. \ Across this they were moving when suddenly an outlaw sprung from the: shadows «n the opposite side of the glade, and leveling his rifle over Gypsy’s head at Stonewall Bob, commanded: gta " “ Haltthere!? The three ‘Rom prea: Soa Gypsy was not over four feet from the outlaw, and scarcely had | ere i 1 the word of command fallen from his the child, upon the impulse of the moment, and ||. ‘with the quickness that a cat springs upon its, y, sprung at the villain and both ds into his face with such violence as to stag- ger him backward. This act caused the muzzle. ef his rifle to tip out of range of Stonewall’s | by the hand of man, thou breast, and before he could again gather himself | cations of anything but wiid beasts na ynto. position, the Boy Trojan had _ throatina death-grip! «+ “the villain struggled and gasped | face,” the girl declared, as she grasped Stone- the it for breath, ' yet not over two teot in width, Detectives. grasp of the young giant. $ 1 5 : fis’ ‘*Ohoke him, Stonewall, choke him parple!” | exclaimed the reckless, fearless little Gypsy, ex- citedly. d **Go on, girls, go on,” said the Boy Trojan, a little impetuously, as he bore the outlaw to the | | earth. ; “Come, Gypsy,” said the almost terrified Ruth, grasping the child by the arm and moving on; but they had gone but a few paces when Stonewall Bob was at their side again. Not a sound had the maidens heard in his struggle with the outlaw, and the thoughiless, impuisive Gypsy asked: “Stonewall Bob, where’s the old robber?” “Back there,” was the young borderman’s laconic reply. ‘*Oh! but I did give him a good scratch in the wall’s big hand in both her own. ‘Gypsy, we must keep quiet now,” the youth said, “for we are in great danger.” The fugitives reached the valley without fur- ther trouble. They now turned to the left and moved along until they stood on the river-bank at the lower side of the Hermit Dome. Here they stopped to await the coming of Old Kit. The bushes at this point were taller. In fact, a few of them grew to the proportions of saplings and even trees, thus affording deeper shadows for the fugitives’ retreat. Stonewall glanced toward the east and saw e sky was growing red with morning dawn. He listened. He could hear the enemy on the opposite side of the Dome. ‘‘Now if Kit were only here we might elude the foe before it grows light,” Stonewall said, in an anxious tone. “Oh, dear! just listen to those horrible yells!” cried Ruth, as a sudden outburst of savage howls rent the air. Stonewall Bob turned his head like a startled deer, for the first time betraying a decided un- oe He stood for a moment listening, then said: ‘¢ Girls, we will havé to mova along.” ‘And not wait for Old Mr, Bandy?’ exclaimed Gypsy. ‘** No, I’m afraid he’s in trouble,” replied the Boy Trojan; then he led the way along the river for some distance, Presently a series of hbiils rose up on their right, and as they moved on these grew more precipitous, and, trending in toward the Moreau, crowded the fugitives close to the edge of the stream. Stonewall finally be- gan to entertain fears of their progress being stopped altogether, but with hopes, at the same time, that the frowning bluffs: might soon be found receding from their encroachment.on the river, he moved on. : In his hopes, however, the young plainsman was doomed to disappoimtment. ‘Their progress grew more difficult at each step, and finally they were stopped altogether by the perpendicular bluffs reaching out to the river’s brink. By this time it was almost broad daylight, and to get out of their predicament it would be necessary for the fugitives to retrace their steps fully a quarter of a mile, and this would, in all probability, be atteuded with the greatest dan- _ Had they possessed means to have crossed ‘a e river, escape would have been an easy mat- r. Serious, however, as the situation was, the Boy Trojan did not become discouraged, but with a determination to meet the worst with a: manly heart, he remained calm and apparently unmoved. The sun coming up, the pale, beautiful face of Ruth Graves, and that of the brave little Gypsy, showed signs of weakness and fatigue, for their courage and endurance had been taxed to their utmost. It was a wonder to Stonewall, how- ever, that they had borne their trials as well as they seemed to have done, but he knew they could notstand the strain much longer without: rest of mind and body. The prospect for this was not very rg erm! yet the youth resolved to do the best he could, realizing that on him now depended their safety and their lives, Turning, they began eda, Saegees footsteps up the river; but they had gone but a few when Stonewall’s attention was attracted by the sight of a little thread-like stream of water that came c ing from among the bushes on the left and glided softly into the Morean river. Calling a halt, he left the maidens to follow the stream, Fragen that Maer it flowed through a cut in the bluffs that would admit of their es- cape from the valley.. But.a few monsents’ in- vestigation proved that he was mistaken as to the source of the m. Not four rods from where he had left the girls concealed he found the head of the tiny rivulet, and what was most surprising of all, it was in a great hole or cavern in the steep bluff. This cavern was reached. through a straight narrow cut or pas-. e, which, as it ran back into the hill, a of fifteen feet. Both the cave and the outlet had the appearance of having been made h there were no indi- been him by the | about there for years, From the cave to the | end of fully thirty feet, and ‘The walls were grew to. | Na cee tc a nh ds ela niet et hc ag ptt ic mn i eer ee a gt greeenpro enemas —— in a good state of preservation. The bottom of the cut was smooth and hard, the little rill of ay water flowing from the spring inside the cave if having kept it clear of crumbling dirt and : debris. Upon reflection it suddenly occurred to Stone- wall Bob that there was a hermit’s dugout or cave in the vicinity of the Hermit Dome. He had heard his friend, Old Pegleg Sol, speak of i+ as having once been the home of a hermit hunter for years, and now felt certain that.the place he had found was the deserted dugout of that hunter. . But whether it was or not, the youth saw that the place would be, as one of defense, a perfect Gibraltar, and as the maidens were tired. and weary, and the chances of escape from the valley against them, he resolved to take refuge therein until the coming of another night or 2 friends to their relief, or until hunger forced. ae them to abandon it. : = | Returning to the girls he told them of his dis- covery and his plans, and at once started for the dug-out. They entered the cut, one before the. other, Stonewall taking the lead. The water flowing from the cave had worn itself a track in. the bottom of the cut, so that the maidens were enabled to reach the cave dry-shod, Notwithstanding the rise of the spring in one: corner of the dug-out, thefugitives tound the air light and pleasant, and light enough was ad- = § mitted through the open approach to enable them to distinguish each other’s features. “Now, girls,” said Stonewall, ‘‘you can siti down and rest with the assurance that we are safe as long as weare in this dug-cut. If an outlaw or a savage attempts to reach us here through that passage, or a dozen of them for that matter, they will meet certain death.” The young plainsman seated himself where he: could command a view of the cut. He had three revolvers, two heavy navies, and a smaller’ one that he had taken from the outlaw he had encountered awhile before day. These weapons he laid on the ground at his side. Ruth Graves seated herself near him and en- gaged him in conversation, while the impulsive: Gypsy proceeded to explore the darker corners. © of the dug-out. Half an hour had passed when Ruth suddenly~ saw her companion start and grasp a revolver. ‘* What is it, Robert?’ the maiden asked. ** An Indian—two of them, and an outlaw,” he answered, calmly; ‘‘ they are searching the ground for our tracks, but have no fears.” The savages and the outlaw had stopped near the entrance'to the cut leading into the cave. They were searching the ground closely, and. when Bob saw one of the Eelens point down-. ward end then turn toward the cave with a quick, excited movement, he knew that his and the maidens’ tracks had been discovered leading: into the dug-out. But Stonewall Bob was not altogether sur- rised. He was too much of a borderman not: to have considered the possibility of their being” tracked by the tynx-eyed: sayeges, but in taking~ the risk he felt sure it would be. far less dangor— ! ous than to attempt to go back upthe riverin sf © daylight. : The red-skins and outlaw stood. and conversed together in low tones for several minutes, ever and anon glancing up the passage toward the cave. They seemed to he undecided as to what to do. Itseemed that they fully realized the ad- vantage that one. in the cave would have over them, and hesitated about advancing. Stonewall was sorely tempted to drop one of° them, but coos discretion the better part of valor he kept quiet. is iS , Presently the three foes d ed, and then =—s Bob made up his mind that they had gone off’ for assistance, or else tolay inambush for those = in the dug-out to come out. It proved tobethe = § | former, for in the course of an hour a large number of outlaws and savages returned to the entrance to the passage, and what was) the most. startling to the Boy Trojan, was the presence of Kit Bandy among them, a bound and fettered captive! i i ea x : CHAPTER X. IN THE SADDLE AGAIN. ee We will now return to the er ourfriends on the Moreau, for around those left there inci-~ dents of an exciting character have been accu~_ He, mutating. , aoe Cogent _ Assoon as Kit Bandy had departed in hopesofy intercepting Jim Noel or to aid Stonewall Bob | should the wily ontlaw’s escape involve him in danger, Old Rattler | to realizothat their position’ was not the safest with but three of - them left to defend it agaimstan unknown num- | | ber of lurking foes. He conferred with Zeke =| Ruble and suggested that’ their fire be » pees 3 ; oa lished and thoir horses all brought in frome grass, saddled and bridled and IP Sk po E feniy for any emergency'be it fight or flights: To this Rubie was agreed, and the horses, in-» j cluding Kit and Stonewall’s, were ail brought» — up and saddled and bridied: Then Rattler took the dead outlaws’ belts with their revolvers in — e the holsters and buc three of ther 4 oe | * his horse’s neck, and around the neck of = | Bandy’s horse, sayingashedidso; = == | | | eed them tools afore * : “We may nD
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The Border Detectives. away.” 5 Their blankets, provision, ammunition sup- plies, and in fact everything belonging to them through with our blunder in lettin’ Jim Noel get [ it makes me sad and sorr’ful to know thar’s so much wickedness and deeception in this bad old world; and as I lay to-night thinkin’ it over, my | eyes filled with tears—for the wind blowed the | were securely packed on the back of one of the | smoke of our camp-fire into my face, and I made | outlaws’ horses; and to Zeke Ruble it seemed | up my mind that— Bythe great Rosycrusians! that these pre suggested to = forewarning, for scarcely were they completed aes before One-Armed Phil came hurrying into camp . oo ' with the startling information thatalarge force . so of outlaws and red-skins had dismountéd from . ae their ponies about half a mile down the river and were then advancing, no doubt to over- . whelm and slay them. “‘ Boys, let’s mount and amble,” said Old Rat- a Her, ‘‘ for they’re a little too frequent m_num- ‘ bers for us with Kit and the Boy Trojan tions for departure had been ld Rattier’s mind by an intuitive = oe away.” “aes as But what about them?” asked One-Armed , Phil; ‘suppose they should return here expect- oe ing to find us where they left us?” . Soe ‘We'll drift’ back here,” replied Rattler, ‘‘and i en if the boys don’t git into trouble they'll loiter *round here somewhar, if eng 4 find us away, till we githack. Wecan takea little gallop out in- to the open plain, and if our enemies want us let oe, ine ‘em come after us hard. But fu’st let’s turn aan them outlaws’ hosses all loose ’cept the one we’ve a got for a pack-nag, and cut up their bridles and ee saddle-girts, and if they do catch the animals again, they’Ilhave no harness for ’em.” 4 It required but a few moments to turn the mit horses loose and destroy the usefulness of the ae oa bridles and saddles. This done, the three mount- ee Pe ed and rode out of the belt of timber into the % re broad, moonlit valley. They were scarcely forty aN rods from the grove when the crash of firearms behind them, and the whistling of bullets through 3 the air around them, told that they were not a aCe momer.t too soon in their departure for a moon- > Hie light ride over the plain. aes a ** Ho! ho! ye red-rinded varmints,” exclaimed mea Lie Old Rattler, glancing back over his shoulder, ay ‘vou war a leetile too late!” cr ‘* But, by gracious! we were not too soon,” de- “a clared Ruble.“ Whatever possessed you, Rat- OO hie tler, to prepare for this ‘ride? Did you have a |. +warning—a presentiment of coming danger— Seen that is, any more than might naturally be ex- ei pected? + tar “Whole scads 0’ presentiments, Ruble,” re- =. plied Rattler. ‘‘ You see I’ve rummaged around a ‘mong Ingins, death and deestruction so long oY that I can tell when danger’s comin’ by the state ol © the atmosphere. Ever since Kit and Stun- wall left, the darkness has smelt and tasted sour A? and even the moonlight seemed a little frowy. {| And then besides— Zip! I tell ye that bullet ee cut close; some feller in that gang must have a aa. * long-ranger like my Old Epidemic, and now if— Cir 4 Suppose we move a little faster,” suggested ae Ruble, “ and get out of range of their guns?” * SS “We can do that, Zeke,” replied the old bor- derman ’ 0 they dashed on at a gallop, The foe soon ceased firing and all became kia vai ir Do_you think ig attempt to follow us?” asked One-Armed Phil. ‘Most assuredly they will,” answered Old Rattler ; ‘‘ and jist as soon as they can gitastride their hosses they'll come for us hike ki-yotes for _ & wounded buf’lo, But I’m not afeard o’ them, and if your hosses can hold their wind and shuf- fle their feet like Old Comet here, and the foe’ll only foller till daylight, Pl give you an exhibi- tion o? the Red River Epidemic’s way of fightin’ om the vetreat. If P've room to spread myself in ~- to inancuver in—I don’t keer for the hull red- iiwled nation, Td ‘a? deestroyed the hull fra- ‘nity anyhow afore this, if tweren’t for throw- ‘Y 8Q many missionaries, soldiers and Ingin _ s-onts outen empk t onto a sufferin’ world _ iv become politicians, thieves and beggars. Oh! : I've a big heart in me, and I feel for the unfor- -) —— tanate and distressed, but I love better ’n all to Ds ee ivel for an Ingin’s vitals with this ’ere old rifle. -- |} ‘J tell you she’s a nailer, and when she sin -4 . . ‘goructhin's got to come—somethin’ goin’ to be | —_—s hyeard tear like ole buckskin. But not ¢ in’ \ ~—__ the subject, boys, I want to say that o’ all the «tupenduous, lily-lipped hummers that ever sot - w number-sixteen moccasin on Dakota soil, that -. $iamwall Bob takes the corn-pone.” “Yes, but the brave young giant came mighty near passin’ in his checks oe peg When Jim . Noel belted him over the bead with that club,” t wip. ange war a Villainous blow, but he soon paid Noel back with compound interest and fees vor collection, by dispersin’ the scamp’s nose all over his battered face. But honest, now, did you f ever hear o’ more deeception since ‘Adam did eat o’the apple, than’s bese payee on the banks o’ the Morean tonight? Fu'st come Ra Lag Pind and Jimimy Noel as befogged a: tenvelern ‘aud we took. them in, and then One- Mouth and the angelic Slick- ‘the dead Jim Noel. Oh! Armed Phil took in Brad with a bullet, abd r. Ruble—got in their work with with the escape of ~ Noe I ook ob over the head withaclub. Then ~ Gollored Bob layin’ the stupor, and aan the pee fancy trimmin’s—the whole thing end- ’ . there they come hilleteescoot! Now, boys, you can put on a little more speed, and you, Comet, can show Mr. Ruble, how frolicky you can pad- dle the sod. Look, Ruble, how superbly he stretches out—how greedily he reaches for the | miles before him. Do you know why I call him Comet? It’s a fact, that he can run so all-fired fast that the electricity ginerated by friction is | emitted in sparks from the énd 0’ the hairs on his tail, and it’s a beaucheful sicht to behold on a dark night to see him go streamin’ across the | plain like a metepr*across the sky.” The pursuing foe could not only be heard, but seen, but after a couple miles’ racing it was plain enough to the fugitives that the distance was widening between them. rE wy The course of our friends was toward the southwest, and after riding some five miles they came to a creck whose shores were fringed wit willows and wild-plum bushes; and occasionall a little motte of some pretensions raised its dar crown against the sky. Along the right shore of this stream the fugi- tives pursued their way, and when at length they had left their enemy behind out of sight and hearing, they slackened their speed some- what to husband the strength of their horses. Old Rattler at once opened a conversation with his friends, but to the amusement of the latter the old borderman did most of the talking in his inimitable way interlarded with bits of whirnsical humor; and while he was thus rat- tling away in his happiest vein, a voice from the ) depths of a little motte near which they were | peeing called out: ‘“ Who goes there?” The voice was clear and sharp, and sounded | like that of a boy or woman, It was couched more in the spirit of an inquiry than a com- | The three fugitives quickly drew rein. ‘*Tll declare I believe that’s the voice of Ram- | bling Dan, the Boy Mountaineer!” exclaimed Zeke Ruble. Old Rattler did not know who Rambling Dan was, but he bawled out as soon as Zeke had spoken the name: “That you, Dan?” ‘* Yes; but who are you?” again inquired the oice. **T’m Old Thomas Rattler, thundergust and epidemic, and by my side ride Zeke Ruble, the hunter, and One-Armed Phil, the avenger. Now, do you want any truck of us?” : } ‘“Ride this way, gentlemen,’ requested an- other voice from the motte, ‘‘ you are some of the men we seek more than all others.” ‘That was Rambling Dan’s voice, I know,” said Ruble, ‘‘and I should say the party was right—Dan I know is.” ith this assurance the three rode toward the grove though Rattler kept his hand on his re- | volver. When several paces from it the lithe form of a boy of perhaps seventeen years of age step from the bushes and advanced toward them. He was clad in buckskin and armed with rifle and pistols. He had an open, manly countenance, | a big hazel eye with the expression of a girl’s, and a voice soft ‘and pleasant. To Ruble the youth was known as Rambling Dan, the Boy Mountaineer. He was the son of a Deadwood miner, and his love for a rifle and the hills wherein the deer abounded had him a noted hunter, and there was scarcely a foot of the great _mountain-hills within a circle of fifty miles of Deadwood but what was known to this Boy Mountaineer. __ Zeke Rublesprung from his saddle and grasped | the boy warmly by the hand, saying as he did so, in an excited voice: u Dan, Iam glad to meet you; but I hope you bring no bad news.” ‘*Mr. Ruble,” replied the boy, his voice half- choked, ‘‘ we're in pursuit of some outlaws and Indians that carried off some girls, but here pam eg d friends, and I wii! interduce~you to em. Two men came from the motte, and approach- ed the three fugitives, all of whom had dis- | mounted. One of them was a short, stout man of Lepenig thirty years, with his head tied up in a red silk handkerchief. The other was a . straight man, with a fine, robust physique, a Roman cast of features, a full, iron-gray beard, and a noble head set u neck, He wore a blue m a stout, muscular nel shirt, the collar | | villainous marauders. 11 ) rushing river; but God knows it would have _ been better, perhaps, had she died in the flood.” The man spoke in a tone of bitter anguish, and all could see that he was deeply moved by some distressing weight upon his mind and heart. And knowing what he did of the canvas- covered wagon he bad seen that night, One- Armed Phil readily divined his troubles, and said: ‘““Then your daughter is a captive in the hands of the Red Vultures and the savages?” ** Yes, sir; but how did you learn the fact?” replied Graves. “IT saw a wagon that Stonewall said waa yours moving over the plain escorted by those he tilt of the wagon was closed all around, and I knew by that t something precious was in the vehicle.” ‘Yes, that is the pathy that. captured: m child,” said Graves. ‘‘When Stonewall Bo left us a few days ago on the Cheyenne river we had joined a large party of gold-seekers bound for Deadwood, and we had_ made arrangements to travel with them through to the hills, at any rate. But their teams ‘were almost worn out, while ours were comparatively fresh, and so, as we neared the mountains we bid them good-by, and pushed on alone, having all assurances that we were past every danger from outlaw or Indian. But in this we were doomed to bitter disappointment. We were one day’s journey in the hills when we were surprised a band of Red Vultures and Indians, and after a hard- fought battle we were overpowered. All of the men were killed but myself and friend Jackson here, and it was just.a miracle that we escaped. My daughter was taken prisoner, placed in one of the wagons, and driven off. in this direction. And what was mostsurprising, during the attack upon usa shot was fired by some one concealed in the bushes oP the side of the canyon, and an Indian was killed. Another savage scaled the side of the acclivity, and a few moments later came dragging from the bushes down into the valley a young girl—a mere child of not over fourteen or fifteen years. Her, too, the murder- ous demons carried off in the wagon.” “Tt was Wild Gypsy,” said Rambling Dan. “Great heavens!” exclaimed Ruble, with a start, ‘‘ is that true, Dan?” P. t is the gal to you, ole feller?” asked Rattler of the excited hunter; ‘‘do you know Wild Gypsy?” ‘“‘T have seen her—she’s a bright and lo child—the daughter of some old hermit trapper, replied Ruble in a tone that was not entirely sa‘ ‘olaciory to Rattler. ‘** Did you three fellows expect to rescue the captives from thirty or forty outlaws and In. dians?” asked One-Armed Phil. ‘““We did not know what we could do,” re. plied Mahlon Graves, ‘After the attack we chanced to meet this brave boy, and he at once volunteerea to go with us in pursuit of the foe which we peiiiadsA to follow until they devi-- ated from a line with a certain point where Kit Bandy, the detective scout, and a party of friends were to meet at a certain time on the Moreau river.” Rattler started, and advancing to the Boy Mountaineer, asked: “Boy, I'd like to know how you found out *bout the meetin’ o’ Kit Bandy and hisfriends on the Moreau, when the hull expedition war to be a secret?” : ‘Rattler, old pard,” said Zeke Ruble, before the boy could reply, ‘‘ yonder comes our pur- suers, and we'd better be goin’ or prepare to re- ceive them.” “Exactly so, Zeke,” replied Rattler, glancing over the moonlit plain; ‘but, boys, we’ve been chased ‘round "bout enough to-night, and seein’ we're six, now, and got a paired pega I per- we drap back into the shadders and give he varmints a reeception—turn loose an epi- demic among them.” To this quickly consented, and retreating into the motte, our three friends secured their horses, and then, rifles in hand, took their posi- tion to receive the allied foe who came thunder- ing over the plain screaming and howling like demons of the night. CHAPTER XI. A STARTLING REVELATION, . . In silence the six whites in the motte awaited the approach of the foe. A look of desperate determination was upon the noble face of Mahlon Graves, and his eyes glowed with a fire that told of the spirit of re- venge burning in his breast. Rambling of which lay open, revealing a deep, massive approaching foe with an eager gaze, yet main- chest. ) “taining The first of these two men Rambling Dan in- ' troduced as Jackson, and the last as Mr Mahlon Graves, and at mention of the last name, Old pe eee mar ** By the great Rosycrusians! I’ve heard your | name before, Mr. Graves—heard Stunwall Bob . speak o! you just to-night.” vig Adee “Tt _is very likely i you have seen him,” re- | me ‘that ale a in pete be ean weeks tha t young plainsman res ™m | daughter from death by drowning in a m ing the coolness and patience of a eran. almost instantly the six rifles spoke as one, that they nfs a purpose whe evident from the cries of dismay and. yells and curses of the foe who, when they saw the red tongues of flame burst from the shadows of the grove and heard the deadly bullets among them, became panic- stricken and like a flock of birds scattered and fled in every directi an, the Boy Mountaineer, stood _ with his rifle at a trail, his big eyes fixed on the. old vet- Finally Old Rattler gave the word to fire, and 7 i anc on. Our friends heard the shouts and cursesof& _
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ing you, m4 darin’ to listen to your conversa- 12 | white man endeavoring to rally his terror- | stricken crowd, and who succeeded in stopping three or four outlaws, but the deadly rifle of Ol Rattler kept playin Then it was that Old Rattler leaped out into the moonlight, and, swinging his cap in the air, shouted forth at the top of his brazen lungs: ** Hoo-rah for victory and the Untamed Tem- pest! Go it, you red-rinded heathens and white cowards!” Owing to the state of the atmosphere his voice could be heard a long ways off, and it having reached the ears of the foe they replied with a | sickly shout of defiance. ‘*Durn their eyes, that yell comes out a little | smothery,” the old bordermansaid. ‘‘ But didn’t they run plump up ag’inst a sleepin’ hurricane | that time? By the great Rosycrusians! it wer’n’t no fight at all, and ['d fixed myself for a buzz- on’ them so lively that | even they were forced to seek safety in the dis- | tance. { saw-and-bear fight, and it leaves my blood in a bad condition, for thar’s one 0’ my spells comin’ on me, boys, and I must—” | * What kind of spells? Do you have fits?’ asked Rambling Dan. ‘*Nary fit,” replied Rattler, with a laugh, ‘but volcanic spells o’ hot flushes that fairly fries my moccasins and crimps my hair, but Pll go out and pull up a tree or two and maybe Tl rekiver. But say, boys, now many saddles did we empty that whirl? ‘* Four or five anyhow,” answered Ruble. ‘* A miserable poor haul!” said Rattler, con- temptuously; ‘if the varmints had had sand enough to come up and mingled with us we'd ’a’ made it fraternally hot for’em, But if the gang is the one, or a parto’ the one, that’s carryin’ them gals off, maybe Old Kit and Stunwall Bob'll git in their work and rescue the feminines while so many are away from the wagons.” “That Robert Comstock, or Stonewall Bob, is truly a brave and gallant youth,” said Mahlon Graves. ‘TI have seen him tried; and I daresay that there are few old bordermen to possess a better knowledge of prairie craft than he.” ‘Brave and gallant!” exclaimed Old Rattler; ‘‘ that don’t express it, Mr. Graves. Heis a hull multitude in one—a a young Ajax, a lily-lipped hummer. When Philip thar reeport- ed a wagon with certain marks on its kiver movin’ over the plain, he said at once it war one o’ yours, Mr. Graves, and in fourteen seconds he war swallered up in the egies ir to in- uire into the cause 0’ the wagon bein’ there. And a few minutes later Old Kitsie Bandy, the shambangest old goggled-eyed deetective that ever ladled out lies to a lovin’ friend like hot honey, or trailed down a criminal, follered the Boy Trojan. When we hear from them two— that ceelicious pair—we’ll hear somethin’ wu’th listenin’ to if it’s nothin’ but one o’ Bandy’s wild- eyed whoppers.” ; By this time it was almost day, and after a short conference the party concluded to remain there until morning, and then advance together tothe old camp on the Moreau, where they hoped to meet Kit and Stonewall. ‘Noone attempted to sleep. Zeke Ruble and Mahlon Graves kept constantly on the move, pacing the circuit of the grove and watching the surr mpoine: 3 plain with feverish impatience. Zeke manifested as much uneasiness and trouble of mind as Graves, and this did not escape the notice of Old Rattler, who, when alone with One-Armed Phil, said: “Philip, that man Ruble puzzles me. [ tell you thar’s somethin’ more on his mind than a share o’ the reward offered for the capture of John Rossgrove, the murderer,” ““T know it—I have noticed it myself,” respond- ed One-Armed Phil, ‘‘ and since our meeting with Mr. Graves and party his uneasiness has been quitemarked. Itmay all comefrom his knowledge of our surrounding danger and his determin- ation to ia roe it. And another thing: I heard him and that dashing boy, Rambling Dan, in a low conversation awhile ago when off heat What they eed: but they happened to’ stop ear W e ey happen p near where r Sook I only caught a of their conversation, but enough me that the captive girl, Wild G , is known to him and the boy. And since eard that fragmentary talk, [ have been wondering what relation the face of Wild Gypsy bears to the face I saw reflected in the mountain yer: and what relation Zeke Ruble bears to each of them.” “Oh, I reckon it’s all fancy, Phil,” replied Old Rattler, ‘‘ though P'l swear by the cru- sians that I saw that face in the water myself. But since then we’ve passed through so much excitement, and had no sleep, and see’d so much bloodshed and deestruction, that we're iin’ into such a condition o’ mind that we can imag- ine anything. Why, if we don’t find Kit and Stonewall when we git back to, our old camp, jist like as any way I'll figger out in my roarin’ tempestuous old head, that the Boy Trojan an that old buccaneer have rescued the gals and runaway with ’em themselves.” At this juncture a footstep sounded near, and a voice said: t + our pardon, friends, for interrupt- convince The Border Detectives. Rattler and One-Armed Phil started. It was | outlaws and death may claim her before her bro- the voice of Zeke Ruble. A faint look of resent- | ment swept over the faces of the two men, but Rattler, with a forced laugh, said: “ They say listeners seldom hear any good 0’ themselves.” ther.” ‘** Trust in Heaven, boy,” said Ruble, with true Christian earnestness and grace. “And Old Kit Bandy and Stonewall Bob,” , added Rattler, ‘‘ for while the Lord kindly pro- “That will not hold good in my case,” said | Ruble, seeing that the old hunter was inclined to reproach him for his silence; ‘‘I heard noth- | ing bad about myself, if I did hear you express yourselves as to my being an enigma and a puz- zie. Vl confess now that there is something else in my mind than a share of the reward. offered for the capture of John Rossgrove, and I am go- in’ to free my mind and heart of the burden, and this moment, too, Phil, you say you saw that girl Wild Gypsy as you came through the mountains?” ‘*- Yes, sir; that is what she said her name was,” answered Phil. “Well, she is your sister, Phil—your sister Mary!” ‘What? my sister?” cried Phil, grasping the | hunter’s arm, ‘‘ Ruble, you are jesting! do not trifle with my feelings.” **T am not, sir,” declared Ruble, in a tone that indicated a great relief of mind and conscience; ‘**let me tell you: the evening of the same day of the massacre of your parents I passed b the smoldering embers of the burnt cabin. mile from there I found, hiding in the brush on Willow Creek, Margery Ashton and your little baby sister, Mary. The child was asleep at the time, but Margery was almost crazed with ter- ror. She told me thatshe had taken little Mary out to take care of herthat day for your mother, and that she was gathering flowers along the creek when the outlaws came and killed her friends and fired the house. She spoke of an- other party that she saw come to the ruins after- ward, but supposing they were outlaws, also, she remained in concealment.” 4*They were the stockmen that rescued me,” said Phil. ‘Yes, but Margery knew nothing of your es- cape. On thecontrary I have often heard her tell ( Gypsy, as we call Mary, about her handsome phat ac but I believe she always called him ack.’ “That was the nickname I went by,” said Philip, his breast throbbing with emotion. ‘‘ Well, she always told Gypsy that you had been killed,” Ruble went on, ‘‘and they know no better to this day. I took the children when I found them, placed them upon my horse and carried them to my mountain home near where you first saw Gypsy. There have we dwelt all these years. But 1 offered to send the girls to a settlement that they might find their way to friends, but to my surprise and infinite joy they did not want to leave me to make their home among singers, even though relatives. Noone knows what loving companions those girls have been to me in my lonely hunter’s home. It is true, I had a friend in an old Scotchman that lived with me many years after I adopted the girls. Poor old Sandy! he died only a year ago, and was a true and noble friend, but was not to me what those dear girls have been. Had they been my own children I could not have thought more of them, and I believe they will bear me witness that I have been a father to them, As hot, grew older I er gv bt to get ie My some , magazines and papers, and, in fact, every- thing I could to amuse and instruct them. I taught them to read and write, and—” ‘* Great Rosycrusians!” broke in Old Rattler. ‘“‘who ever hearn o’ a borderman like you and me, Ruble, teachin’ school. It war a good joke ye parse on ther gals.” ‘Why, blame it, Rattler, I can read and write a little, and what I didn’t know old Sandy did. At any rate, Margery has grown to a noble wo- manhood, and Mary, or my Gypsy, is one of the most lovely, bright and vivacious little souls on earth. She has no fear of danger and is a won- derful huntress for a girl, and as a rifle-shot she is remarkable.” ‘*We know what she can do with a rifle,” said Rattler, as his mind reverted to the perforated. cup and the dead catamount. And you tell me, Ruble,” said One-Armed Phil, “ that that lovely little savage is my sister? and that she whose face I saw reflected in the spring is Margery Ashton?” 4 ** Yes, beyond all doubt, Philip,” replied Ru- ble; ‘but I did not discover the fact until this evening when I heard of the story you told of your empty sleeve and of the killing of the man Bradstreet. I should have told you the truth then, but I concluded to wait until a more favor- abletime The news that Graves’s party brings of & ’s capture has hastened this revelation. As to ery, I FS scoop hope she is safe, but the capture cf G@ ‘will almost kill her. saw you, lip, she probably did not reco in the bearded, one-armed man of five-and-twenty her boy lover of thirteen.” “Yes, but by Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rat- tler, “‘ he seemed to recognize her, for he almost grabbed at the visior i the water.” | “Tl confess,” said Phil, ‘that in the vision I saw in the spring the face of the one I had loved as a boy was before me as [aap life. t af ter all, this revelation brings grief as well as Oy to learn that my sister is in the power of i / eee Faas ES vides ways and means, we’ve got to buckle right down to work or we're goin’ to git left. The source 0’ all is God, but if we hunters git a deer- skin, or beaver-pelt, or buf’lo-hump, we’ve got to dust around and find it, for noone’s goin’ to bring it up to our door; and then if an ea gits arter our scalps, we've got to tramp or fight like darn- ation. ‘*@uite a philosophical view of the matter,” said Ruble, in doubt as to whether the lecture was intended for him or Phil; ‘‘and there is no doubt in my mind but that Bandy and the Boy Trojan will give a good account of themselves. But, friends, we’ve talked here quite awhile. It’s broad daylight.” True enough itwas. Several bright-yed birds were twittering in the trees overhead where the first beams of the rising sun were gilding the emerald foliage with a sheen of burnished gold. The three were about to rejoin their friends when Rambling Dan came hurrying up to where they were and said: ‘Say, folks, a rabber that got wounded in the peat ng last night, has crawled into the grove and Mr. Graves wants you to come atonce. He don’t know whether to wind up the feller’s busi- ness with a pistol, or bind up his wounds with a bandage!” eee CHAPTER XII. THE ‘‘ PRAIRIZ DOLPHINS” AND THE INDIAN IN WHITE. RATTLER and his friends soon reached Graves and Jackson's side, and found them standing by the wounded outlaw, who sat leaning inst a tree-trunk in dreadful a ony. The fellow was deathly pale, and his clothes saturated with his life-blood. When Old Rattler spoke he looked up. His eyes and One-Armed Phil’s met, and in one instant a change swept over the avenger’s face, and grasping his revolver he drew it from his belt, fairly hissing through his set teeth: ‘‘ He is one of the murderers of my friends!” ‘Hold on, young man,” gasped the outlaw, throwing up his hand as if to ward off the shot. ‘I’m "bout gone—don’t waste your ammunition —you’ll need it.” \ placing his weapon Phil turned away, say- a dying man even though he is a murderer.” ‘Old feller,” said Rattler, addressing the out- law, ‘‘ you’ve got a bad dose, hav’n’t ye?” “Yes,” replied the villain, with but little ap- ahr compunction of conscience, “but if my riends hadn’t deserted me like cowards I might "a? lived. My veins have run dry and I’m ’bout one. en And isn’t it "bout time you war goin’? You’ve been a robber and murderer many years,” said Ruble. “ How do you know I have?” ‘Tt has been thirteen years since you ra =f murder the Noble and Ashton families on Wil- low Creek in Nebraska. That one-armed man Sisk, Sma you as one of the murderers.” ‘*'Yes, Jim Noel told us about him killin’ Bradstreet. But that was a wicked job killin’ them families. It was more the work of spite m the last one of them, boys, and I'll soon be gone.” * You fellers ought to ’a’ known more than to fool round an emic last night,” said Rattler; ‘* but seein’ you have got to die, don’t you want to make a confession—clean out your heart and a proach your God with as light a load as pos- sible? ‘‘T have no fears of the future,” replied the outlaw; ‘‘I don’t believe there is a God or he’d never made so much wickedness.” Wee ** Old Infidel, thar’s wha: Won lui to cork yourself,” said Rattler. ‘‘It’s all to talk bout thar bein’ no God, and you'll find it out afore long. He's not 7 ble for your sins, but will hold you to account for it, and when youre writhin’ in torturin’ flames reemember Epidemic give you.” — f “You're consolin’, old man, I sw'ar you be,” said the outlaw, writhing inhispain ui You don’t desarve pity when you deny your aker ’ ; “Be you a preacher, ole man?’ the outlaw asked. va A NO:” eet seamed demurely; “ it Tam, converter of sinners into quiet, peaceable men, iP d has been the angyment Ihave used. And yit I bate to see a man go into eternity as you are oin’?” ‘You needn't worry yourself ae, the bef * diet ttl all in ore you di er R rarer “hs Ki = i stran or,” tho ott iin’ to ak | oe can do the livin’ any good as I please but Pll answer sich questions b’long to the Red Vulture ban ot ‘afr’ g: * Friends, pardon me for threatening to shoot else,” admitted the — che warnin’ Old Tom Rattler, the Red River ge ae wretch said, in a t tone, ou answer me a few questions “You're | old | ler,” said £12 “but what 1a like to know is how many men — See
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** Not as many as thar did,” the outlaw replied with ghastly facetiousness: ‘‘ but thar’s still enuff left to send you fellers all over the range. The outlaw-Ingins are helpin’ the Vultures.” “Tm aware of that, but is Captain Vulture your real leader, or isn’t there another feller that | Goesn’t take to the saddle, that lords itover your band?’ “ Yes, there is,” was the reply. ** Would you object to give me his true name, if you knew it?” “* He’s called the Devil,” with grim humor. “True, very true,” declared Rube, witha faint smile. “ But say, old man,” Rattler repeated, ‘* isn’t there a fellow in your band named Rossgrove? John Rossgrove?” ** There may be, but none o’ the boys ever give | their true name when they join the Red Vul- tures. It’s ag’mst the rules o’ the band to do so, Ali they want to know is what a man willdo and can do—not what he’s done to send him into the bills, for nobody ever becomes a outlaw till he’s done su’thin’ stout.” : “‘ Thisman Rossgrove,” continued Rattler, ‘‘ is a rather slender man with blue eyes, and used to wear a full beard, and has a little scar above his right eye—any sich a feller there answerin’ that | ceescription? “Yes, sir; there is,” answered the outlaw; | ‘*he’s called Blne Beard, and he’s a bad man. You want to git the army out if you ever git | him, But, say, won't you give me a drink of water?” ‘Yes; you shall have water,” replied Rat- tl er. Rambling Dan was sent down to the creek with a canteen for water, which was given the eying man, Ruble holding it to his parched and | bleeding lips. E Inflammation had set in and our friends saw that it was a mere question of time until his death. They could do nothing for him except to give him water, and after lingering along for three hours he died, game to the last. Our friends now turned their attention to | their own needs, the first of which was break- fast. But it required but a few minutes to pe. pare and eat this meal, then they mounted their horses and started back toward the Moreau riv- er, the coming of day having disclosed the field of vision clear of enemies. ‘ They reached their old camp on the river to find it entirely deserted. Even the bodies of the dead outlaws had been removed. — J After looking around the place awhile Rattler | said: ore Neither Kit nor Stunwall are about, that’s sure; nor are there anything that indi- | cates they have been. Now, I’m a leetle oneasy folks, "bout them boys, and I'm a-goin’ to make | a reconnoissance down the stream, If I find that | gang o’ red-rinds and outlaws down thar, [ll think the boys are somwhars about, but if they- ’re gone, I don’t know wae vn think "bout it, | Now, keep your eyes peeled. With this injunction the old borderman took . his departure, and in the course of an hour he returned, bringing the information that the foe were not only in camp down the river, but that | they had been reinforced while he was in sight | of them by mot less than forty cutlaw-Indians that came down Sand Creek valley from their haunts in the mountains. But not one word of information could he give in regard to Stone- wall Bob, Old Kit Bandy or the captive girls. A look of hopeless despondency clouded the face of One-Armed Phil and Zeke Ruble, whose interest now in the welfare of Gypsy had_be- come mutual, while Mahlon Graves seemed al- most prostrated by the discouraging news the hunter brought. He bit his lip to keep back an outburst of grief, yet despite his efforts tears glistened in his eyes. ** And now what’smore, friends,” Rattler final- ly went on, ‘‘it will never do for us to stop here in this grove. That great horde o’ red-rinds end outlaws might pounce upon us at any time and they are too many for us in the woods where they can fight their own way. We'd be far safer on the open plain where we could fight or run as we deemed best.. I know we've got the hosses that can do the clean thing runnin’, and that we're the concentrated cyclone that can do the fightin’.” * That’s very true, Rattler,” affirmed Ru- ble, ‘‘ and the sooner we get out of here the bet- ter itll be for us, I presume.” The matter being thus settled, the six again mounted their horses and rode back into the open valley, still keeping in charge the horses belonging to Bandy and Stonewall, as well as the outlaw’s ani upon which their effects were packed. , They shaped their course toward the southeast and finally drew rein_in the open valley two miles from the river. North of them the crest of the Hermit Dome rose up clear and distinct, and over it and up and down its sides they could see the foe on horseback and on foot mov- ing. Phil took from among his effects a Sne-Armed P he had brought with him. With scanned the Hermit Dome and cotta cb beet dintin ish the features of the bearded, booted outlaws, but- nowhere could The Border Detectives. 13 + they see Kit or Stonewall, or either of the cap- tive girls. There seemed to be, however, quite a commotion among the enemy, but this was doubtless created by the presence of our friends on the plain. The latter had dismounted in a long, gentle depression in the valley where the grass was tall, thick and luxuriant, and, without removing the | bits from their horses’ mouths, per:nitted them | to graze about, though at no time allowing them | to get beyond the end of the reins away. | Throwing himself upon the ground, Old Rat- ' tler exclaimed: ‘‘ By ther great Rosycrusians! I don’t know | whenever I had to camp in view o’ the enemy | afore and dasn’t advance or wouldn’t retreat, | but hang around like a pack o’ Bedouins watch- in’a caravan. Think o’ it, boys, here we lay under the warm sun in ther steamy grass, kick- —prairie dolphins.” tler, by this time, about the prolonged absence of Kit and Bob?” asked Ruble. ** Ruble, ve run clear outen opinions, but I still trust in that old heliotrope and that big sun- flower bloomin’ out into view yit. But look, you can see now with the naked eye them red- rinds and the outlaws grouped Dome. I reckon they’re takin’ in the landsca: like Moses o’ old, and punchin’ each other in the ribs as they contemplate the spectacle o’ we about on the | folks loungin’ out here like a bevy o’ mermaids | wallerin’ in the sand. But— Ohoi do you see that? There comes ridin’ this way from the foot 0’ the Dome a few bold crusaders, I wonder if | they venture forth to do battle?” ‘* To draw us into a trap, in all probability,” | said One-Armed Phil, scanning the horsemen with his glass; ‘‘ they are all Indians,” in’ up our heels like a shoal o’ sportive dolphins | Well, what is your opinion, anyway, Rat- | gust. But they had not gone far when all dis- covered another horseman galloping out from the direction of the Hermit Dome toward them, and they drew rein to await his coming. Our friends had discovered the horseman also,, and after gazing at him a moment, Rattler said: ‘*That critter seems to be dressed in white. don’t he? Philip, pull it up with yer glass and. see what it is,” ‘*It is a woman!” declared Phil, glancing at the horsemen through his glass. ‘Ther Rosycrusians! it surely can’t be one o° the gals!” ‘* it’s a woman dressed in white,” One-Armed Phil went on’ “‘she has ona hat gay with flut- tering ribbons. Here, take the glass and look for yourself, Rattler.” After scanning the horseman through the glass a few moments the old borderman exclaimed: ‘* By the great Rosycrusians! it are an Ingin dressed up in a white dress, with a jaunty little hat and hull oceans 0’ red and blue ribbons flut- terin’ behind. Mr. Graves, did the devils git your darter’s wardrobe when they captured her?” “Yes, a large trunk filled with her clothing, among which was a white muslin dress,” an- swered Mr. Graves. ‘“‘ Then that red-rinded devil has got that dress on, and a hat with a long white plume is upon his apish head; a red sash is around his waist, and muititudes o’ gay ribbons are flutterin’ about him—some 0’ them tied to his hoss’smaneand tail.” ““My God! is my child’s captivity—perhaps living death—to be thus flaunted in devilish mockery in my face?” cried Mahlon Graves, his face growing white with passion. ‘Men, I can- | not stand it!—I will not stand it! I must do ‘* T shouldn't think Red Vultures war as plen- | tiful to-day as.they war yesterday, since an epi- demic broke out ’mongst ’em,” said Rattler, **and I reckon Cap. Vult on his fellers and let the red-skins buck ther ture’s goin’ to ’conomize | tempest awhile. Thar’s jist six o’ them Arabs | comin’ this way, and so I’m o’ the opinion that they’re puttin’ up a job to draw us into a dead- fall. But then we're no mess 0’ fools to be draw- ed into danger like an antelope with a red rag. If they want to fight theyll have to come over here and we can’ odate ’em,” The six Indians boldly advanced over the val- _ ley as if they intended to dash right down upon | them, but this gave the whites no uneasiness, and with their hands on their rifles they calmly awaited their coming. When about five hundred yards away Old Rattler arose to his feet and swinging aloft his ss * uttered a yell of defiance. But instead of his actions inciting the red- skins to renewed speed as he had lapel it would, si immediately reined in their ponies to a walk, ‘‘Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Rattler, in disap- pointment, *‘I’m afeard I skeered ’em out in- stead ©’ incitin’ em on, and now we'll be cheat- ed out a little rifle exercise.” The warriors continued to advance at a walk, but age drew rein when about eighty rods away. Old Rattler quickly raised his rifle as if to fire but, quick as a marmot drops into its hole, every Savage threw himself to the opposite side of his pony out of sight. “Ther damasked cowards!” exclaimed Rat- tler in disgust, as he lowered his and agai seated himself on the grass; ‘‘I’d ought to bore pony and red-skin both es ag but then I don’t want to waste a shot, and when Epidemic speaks I intend somethin’ shall respond.’ ‘Td like to pop one of ’em myse. ,»’ said Ram- bling Dan, the Boy Mountaineer, a look of ea- gerness upon his brown boyish face, ‘and if they'll edge this way a little closer I will show Mr. Rattler how a tp ge handle a rifle,” ‘*That’s the talk, boy,” replied Rattler ap- provingly. ‘‘I love to look upon a brave boy for it makes me think thar’s a ante 0’ some one comin’ on to step into the shoes, so to speak, 0” Old Tom Rattler. I can see by the flicker o’ yer eyes, Daniel, that you're a lily-lip hummer. ut I don’t think ’em red-rinds ‘ll come close enough for us to wing ’em. Moses! how their wild, tempestuous start from the Dome did sim- mer down to a sumioer zephyr. They thought we prairie dolphins were green critters, but I reckon they begin to realize that they are the sappy bulbs by this time, and can’t ‘draw’ us old. Blisters any more’n a poultice o’ skunk-cab- e ll draw the solidity outen a stone,” ing the whites remained perfectly inactive the six red-skins finally maneuvering about. They galloped to and froacross the plain yelling like demons and geetéculating in a defiant and excited manner. s they kept up for fully an hour, going through every performance their savage minds could conceive, in hopes of pro- voking the whites into pursuit of them. Finally four of them dismounted and the other two tak- ing all the ponies started off toward the Hermit Dome, but even this ruse @id not tempt the | whites to even rise to their feet, and the ponies were brought back and all again mounted. Finally their stock of expedients seemed ex- hausted, and after a consultation they turned and rode away toward the Dome in evident dis- something though I die in the attempt.” He sprung to his feet and snatched up his rifle. Rattler gently laid his hand upon his shoulder, andin calm yet sympathetic tone, said: ‘Easy, my dear friend. Don’t ‘low yourself to become excited, for that is exactly what them demons have been tryin’ to provoke in us. I’m an old borderman, and scores of times have been in difficulties from which thar seemed no escape. but by possessin’ my soul in patience I allers found my way out. You see we can do nothin’ ag’inst sich odds as lay in ambush for us ‘round yander Dome, and you also see they are afraid to come out after us in anopen field: We've got to rely on our wits, and whenever Bandy and Stonewall reports, if they ever do at all, we'll know better how to act. Just let that varmint caper and monkeyshine all he wants to, and if he dares to come within four hundred yards I'll wing him, now mind.” ‘* Rattler, I know your advice is right, but I'll declare it is hard to submit to having insult add- ed to injury,” said Mr. Graves, in tones of bitter anguish, as he again sea himself on the ground, Rattler following his example. The six mounted Indians returned with the one in white, but as before they drew rein at a safe distance from our friends and dismounted. The savage in female apparel now began a rformance to arouse the whites which would ve done credit to a daring rider of the circus ring. He stood upon the a bare back and galloped swiftly back and forth across the plain. hen he would balance himself upon first one foot and then the other, his pony still going at a swinging gallop, while his dress-skirts flapped in the air and his ribbons fluttered about him like bright-winged birds, Finally he dropped him- self astride his animal and went through other performances, such as riding beckward, lying across his pony—all the while yelling like a de- mon, and eyer and anon making some insulting gestures. Our friends, however, seemed to regard his capers with stolid indifference which finally in- cited the cunning red-skin to bolder ventures. He galloped out in a circle as if he were going to around the whites, but he would go a few , then turn and gallop around to the other side. In this way he kept going, first to the right and then the left, each time venturing a little further, until Old Rattler was led to remark: ‘“* Now then, that awful cute red-rind has fool- ished around just about enough, and I b’lieve ['ll try him a swat when he ambles back toour right. It’s a big, long shot, but then Old Epidemic has a long reach, and we’ve got in our work that fur skads o’ times.” ‘“Where’s Rambling Dan?’ Zeke Ruble sud- denly exclaimed, looking around for the boy. But no one answered, for no one knew. ile the men had been so intent in watching the sav- age’s performances the boy had ge away; nor could he be seen anywhere upon the plain. ‘* The little scamp’s crawled off into the tall grass somewheres,” said Old Rattler; ‘‘ but there comes that frolicsome, red-rinded ape agin, and now I’m goin’ to oe Bey a swat jist "bout the time he goes to turn back.” The red-skin galloped along until almost due east of the whites and fully four hundred yards aig then, as he turned to ride back Old Rat- tler brought his rifle to his shoulder; but even as he did so, all saw a cloud of smoke burst from the grass behind the savage, and as the report of a pistol rung out u e air the daring red- skin was seen to tumble from his horse, while up from the grass hard by popped the lithe figure of Rambling Dan, a smoking pistol in his hand! se
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pore SVT TL TES PN aT Pere a Se ee eee a oo 7 be eae CHAPTER XIV. KIT BANDY A LA ARNOLD WINKLERIED. STONEWALL Bos, from his seat in the Her- mit’s Dug-out, could only see such objects as ap- outside in line with his range of vision, or in the narrow passage leading to the cave. But with this limited view he was enabled to see no less than a dozen savages and outlaws at the entrance to the cut with Kit Bandy a prisoner, and kept in ¢ront so that his form would bea partial protection to them. The old detective’s hands were tied at his back, and his face and garb showed that he had been roughly handled by his captors; and when Stone- wall saw the end of a lariat jaced around the old man’s neck, he mistrus that the foe in- tended to march him in front of them into the cave, and thereby shield themselves from bullets from within theretreat. And in this he was cor- rect, for soon the old detective was crowded for- ward, a dozen outlaws and savages forming in re file behind, and the advance upon the dug- out, be; denly to the ground and there been put around his neck was taken to the top of the channel and tied to the center of a stout pole, which was carried by two men, one of whom walked on one side, and the other on the | opposite side of the cut. The rope was kept so | taut that at times Old Kit was compelied to gasp for breath or walk on fip-toe to keep from strangling. In this way the old man was forced along the passage, the outlaws and their red allies follow- | ing with drawn pistols and tomahawks. With a revolver in each hand, and resting upon one knee, Stonewall Bob awaited the dread ordeal with a look of resolute determination | upon his face. He could get glimpses of the foe behind Kit, yet no vital spot was ever exposed. By slaying Bandy he could stop the advance of the enemy, but rather than do this he resolved to take his chances with the whole band. “Girls,” the youth said, in a whisper, to his two fair companions, “‘ take this knife, and if a chance is offered when Kit reaches the cave, sever his bonds,” “*T will,” said brave little Gypsy, taking the knife, “‘ and ll carve up an old outlaw, too, if I get a half a chance.” Keeping his eyes upon his approaching friend that was shielding his foes, a thought suddenly flashed through the young plainsman’s mind and, raising his revolver, he took a steady aim and fired, and the rope that held the old man erect wasscut in two with the bullet as smooth as if done with a keen-edged knife. Oaths and exclamations from those outside, and threats and curses from those behind Ban- dy filled the air. ‘The fellow next to Kit seized the end of the rope still left around the old man’s neck and holding the muzzle of a revolver ‘at his ear, threatened to shoot him down unless he walked slow and upright: ‘$s Boy—Stonewall!” suddenly burst from Ban- dy’s lips, ‘shoot me, down—take no risk! I’m old and ready to die—ready to receive the Aus- trian spears for your salvation and—” A vigorous jerk on the rope cut short his speech, but the next instant Stonewall’s big navy rung out, a bullet tore through the air, a groan escaped Bandy’s lips, he straightened up with a convulsive shudder, rattled in the throat and then dropped like a bullet to the earth at the feet of the outlaw. Searcely was the Red Vulture’s head exposed by the fall of Bandy before the revolver of Stonewall again rung out and the villain fell forward over Bandy, shot through the brain. And then; as fast almost as one could count, the deadly weapons of the Boy Trojan began to sing out—first the right and then the left al- ternating with each other with almost rhythmic precision. The line of foes melted down before the dead- iy ine # eo the passage with their bodies. error and confnsion reigued. Some ofthe enemy crowded toward the cave -asif drawn in that direction by some hornbie fascination; but finally those in the rear broke and fled and soon the passage was clear of_all but those that were down dead or dying. Cries of mercy, oaths of vengeance, upbraid- ing curses and yells of dismay rose from the lips of those that lay wounded in the cut, and those that could not be seen outside. Not an outlaw or savage had ever passed over Kit Bandy’s body. 7. : Two wounded Indians and one outlaw Stone- wall permitted. to crawl from the cut and join their friends outside. With terror Ruth Graves crouched in the darkest corner of the cave her white lips mov- ing ih prayer; but all the while the fearless little Gypsy, apparently fascinated by the horror of the conflict, ated near Bob clapping her hands and shouting: 3 Pop away, Bob! Pop away, you brave big f ‘ Preece the firing of the shot that bad cut the rope around Kit’s neck mntil the last of the foe had ag but a few brief moments had elapsed, The ordeal was as short as it was dead- k Tab eae gun. To prevent Bandy from pe 9 himself sud- | y expose the out- | law following next to to him, the lariat that had | sa tape raceme mee BN TORE ? Pi - o The Border Detectives | ly, and when it had ended Stonewall turned to ! the girls and said, in a calm voice: “There, girls, we’re safe again for iio time being.” ‘But poor Old Mr. Bandy!” sobbed Ruth, ‘*has given his life to save us!” ** Do you think so Ruth?” replied Bob, with a grim smile; ‘‘look out here, quick, and see if he is The maidens glanced down the passage, and to their utmost surprise and infinite joy they saw Bandy drag himself out from under a dead out- law, spring to his feet and glide into the dug- out, calling out: ‘* Hullo, Bob, you and the gals in here?” “Yes, Kit, God bless you, we are here!” ex- claimed the Boy Trojan, grasping the old man by the arm and severing the cords that fettered his wrists. **Oh, dear, old grandpa Bandy!” cried Gypsy, | grasping his hand and kissing it, ‘‘oh! I’m so ' glad you’re not killed, you dear old folks!” ‘See here, Gypsy,” exclaimed Kit, stooping | forward, ‘‘ don’t waste kisses onto that old hand. Before the words were scarcely out of his mouth, the maiden, in her childish joy, threw her arms about the old man’s neck and kissed his hard, wrinkled cheek. “There, by heavens!” the old fellow exclaim- ed, ‘‘ that serves me right, gal, and lifts my old heart up with joy. But how glad Lam to meet you three ag’in.’ “‘T see you have been in rough hands since we parted last night, Kit?” ‘¢ Yes, I should say so,” replied the old detec- tive, rubbing his hands together to restore the circulation that his bonds had impeded; ‘‘I fail- ed to get around last night as I agreed to; but it war my own fault and not the foes’ so much that I didn’t. After leadin’ the varmints off your trail I kept dodgin’ around in the bushes at the | foot o’ the hill til I come towbar some ponies | war tied, and I concluded I'd take a few o’ them | fur us to ride. If I'd been content with two I'd got away allright, but in tryin’ to steal four I got nabbed, and, oh! ram’shorn o’ Joshua! how the Satonians didtbump me around. But, boy, ' you are a daisy pistol-shot. The way you cut that rope that held me up so majestic-like war a superbum prize shot; and then thé way you caught on when I invited death runs you wp to the head 0’ your class in mind-readin’. But, say, didn’t I tumble nicély, though? didn’t I do the convulsive act tragically? Didn't I git off that death-rattle in mosaic style? didn’t I—” ‘Gracious! exclaimed Gypsy, “arn't you oing to stop for breath? You'll smother if you } ont.” P Bob laughed outright at the child’s remark, nor could Ruth repress a smile. “Gal,” said Old Kit, himself amused at Gypsy’s heedless words, ‘‘ you're bad as Old Tom Rattler to fire into me. But speakin’ o’ Rattler: don’t I wish he conid ‘a’ see’d me marchin’ u thar a livin’ breastwork for them varmints, an see how nicely [ threw myself on the Austrian spears, so to speak, like that brave Switzer we read about?” ‘Did you learn how those fellows fared that visited our camp up the river?’ Bob asked. ‘They come back a-cussin’ and pawiw’ the air, bringin’ two o’ their crowd in blankets, ond several with holes in their systems that made ’em sick. I guess Rattler and his chums give ’em an informal reception.” ‘What had Jim Noel to say to you?” ‘Not very much, for that pagoda you ’rected on his right cheek and Hindu temple on tother, continued to grow, and at last accounts bis peep- ers were closed and bombardments o’ cold water outwardly, and whisky inwardly, war being made to demolish the pagoda and temple. Jim’s in the condition o’ snake in dog-days—Jim’s blind.” ‘¢ And I realize that we’re in no enviable posi- tion,” said Stonewall Bob, - ‘“‘T’d rather be here than out in that ditch whar them five or six Ingins and pirates are,” said Kit. ‘But we have no food; if we had we could stand a long siege, having water right at hand, but these girls must have something to eat.” ‘“Donot worry about that, Robert,” said Ruth; ‘“*T could not eat a bite if we had food in plenty.’ ‘* As soon as night comes, Ill git out here and hunt the other boys up,” said Bandy. ‘‘ They'll not leave till. they hear from us, Neither do I think our enemies "ll leave till they have to. They'll try to freeze you out—not me, for you know Pm dead. They'd made up their minds to shoot me, and war even making arrangements for the fun when a feller arriv’ with the infor- mation that ‘you'd been tracked to the old Her- mit’s Dug-out, and after they’d made known the conete iIn\ approachin’ the cave through the ditch, they concluded to use me as a breastwork seein’ as how I war a great, brawny-b: feller. But I proved a boomerang to them, the miserable scamps.” “Tt’s a wonder you got out without some serious injury, at least,” said Stonewall. “A man that’s see’d the hardships o’ married life—passed thro’ as many domestic cyclones as T have, are not to be downed by common—” A low grow! and a cry from Gy cut short the old man’s words. Turning, all saw emerge a a a .. ee SS SS | | from a hole in the darkest corner of the dug-out a smal! oliack bear which, rearing upon its haunches, iooked from one to the other of the intruders in its retreat as if to determine with | which of the four it should begin a contest for | the right of possession to the dug-out! CHAPTER XV. OUR FRIENDS ON THE WING AGAIN, “By the great Rosycrusians!” exclaimed Old Rattler, as he saw the Boy Mountaineer rise up from the grass near the fallen red-skin, “that boy, Rambling Dan, has killed the savage! But now, men, mount and ride for the tad, for yan- der comes them other red-rinds to avenge their | friend’s death.” Springing into their saddles the five men rode swiftly toward the boy, who, seeing his danger, retreated rapidly toward his friends. This soon brought them all together again, and that, too, in ample time for the men to dismount and pre- pare to meet the savages. Rambling Dan, although elated with his ex- ploit, was perfectly cool and self-possessed, and was the first to raise his rifle and fire upon the advancing foe, tumbling the foremost red-skin from his saddle, His shot was succeeded by the boom of Rattler’s ‘‘ Epidemic,” and this in turn by the rifies of the other four. Two more red- skins and a horse went down, and the survivors, without firing a shot, wheeled their ponies and fled in terror and dismay. But before they had got beyond range of Old neg Henry, an- t with delight. “Sugar! that war jist a mejyium shot, you scamp,” replied Rattler; ‘‘ andif we hadn't run out o’ Ingins I'd show you some shootin’ with frills and trimmin’sthat’d take your breath away from you. But say, lad, do you know I’ve a no- tion to pound you?” ‘Why, what’s the matter now?” “Td ax that wouldn’tI?, What'd you sneak off through the grass furlike a weasel and cheat me outen that frolicksome, kitteny Ingin? But then (ll forgive you this time, for you done the job up so superbum that my old heart melts with pride. Boy, I see you are a meek-eyed daffodil —a lily-lipped hummer; but s’pose we all go over and look at that joly Ingin circus-rider?”’ To this all consented, and they moved to where the dead savage lay dressed in his robe of white. He was lying upon his side just as he fell from his pony. The bosom of the white dress was crimson with blood. The lady’s hat on his head . was crushed and broken. Around his neck was a goldchain to which was attached an old-fash- ioned locket. ‘They are all my daughter’s effects,” Mr. Gravessaid, almost breaking down with emotion, . Rattler took the crushed hat from the dead warrior’s head and handed it to Mr. Graves, who removed the ribbons, and rolling them up, put them in his pocket, Zeke Ruble removed the chain and locket, ma placing them in the grieved father’s hand, said: “You recognize that, of course?” __ ‘** Yes, it contains the picture of Ruth’s dead mother—see?” and he handed the opened locket back to the hunter. Ruble locked upon the fair face of the woman therein, and his face instantly grew white and his hands began to tremble. No one noticed his emotions except Old Rattler. Finally Ruble asked: ‘Ts that the picture of your wife?” ‘ “As I said, it is Ruth’s mother,” replied Graves, in a tone that required no keenness of perception to see was evasive. Ruble gazed at the picture a few moments, then turned the locket over and over and looked at it like onein mental reflection. i ‘Pardon me,” he suddenly remarked, aca the locket back to graves, and a as he turn away the observing Rattler caught the glimmer of a mist in his eyes, “By Rosycrusian!” thought Old Rattler, “what does this mean? t man Graves evaded a question o’ Ruble, and I know that picter’ is somethin’ or ruther to Zeke, Sugar) I wish Old Kit Bandy war here to note what I have and foot up facts and see what be can make 0’ it. But my notion that thar’s somethin’ queer "bout Ruble’s not weakened a bit. He’s no fool, that I’m sure of, and the way be looks at a feller sometimes makes him feel a8 though he war at the Bar o’ Judgement, and—” The old hunter’s musings were bere interrupt- ed by Rambling Dan, who suddenly exclaimed; “Great vipers! look yonder, folks! thar comes, Ingins enuff for Mr. Rattler, I guess.” Out from the cover of the bushes that skirted the base of the Hermit Dome, no less than fifty — horsemen appeared riding at a furious speed, “Indians, with a ik perice pro pe pr Phil, looking & ¢ other of the party paid wi is life the pemalty of his rashness—the shot being made at such @ long distance that it called forth words of sur- prise and admiration from the lips of the old marksman’s friends. “That was a bully old accident, Rattler,” ex- claimed Rambling Dan, his boyish face aglow “4 sprinklin’ 0’ outlaws and a shower o’ In- s ’
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ne ae , er cl > we 4 - fell behind, and after a while he stopped entire- . horses with heel and lash, shrieking like demons : { gins make a pretty big deluge for we six prairie- | Solphins,” nA} Rattler; ‘and now I think it are | ‘out time fur us to be waltzin’ across the a / in s’arch o’ some more salubrious atmosphere. Comey boys, tosaddle.” Ina moment all were in their saddles, when | Old Rattler led the way across the valley in a | southwesterly course. ‘We'll keep in a direction that leads toward | water,” said the borderman, ‘‘fur if we are | forced to fight we don’t want to make a stand | tili we reach water. But jist listen to ther hy- | nas how}! They are tryin’ to paralyze us with terror, They don’t know that they’re bein’ led | down to death even now. If theyll foller us | twenty miles, Pll contract to down one for ev- ery mile. Shootand run are my tactics—keep | the varmints mad so’s they'll foller up. But it | takes a long-ranged gun, a good marksman and | a fleet hoss to do the shoot-and-run trick, but then that combination are persessed by the Red River Epidemic. And now I’m goin’ to show you how it’s did. You fellers keep straight ahead toward that rise in the plain ’way yander and I'll overtake ye, and after a while mebby | ae ll git into shape so’s we can all gitin a | c As he spoke he drew up on his rein and soon about his saddle-girth. ‘he foe coming on at a breakneck speed were strung out over half a mile—thoseon the fleetest horses taking the lead. Rattler waited until the | foremost were within two hundred yardsof him, | then he quickly threw his rifle across his saddle and fired, and, without stopping to note the re- sult of his shot, he vaulted into his saddle and dashed on after his friends. As he did so he | glanced back over his shoulder, and a horse run- | ning riderless on the plain told how true his shot tad been. As the old borderman and Indian-fighter had anticipated, the red-skins were infuriated b the death of their friend, and urged on their al dismounted and appeared to busy himself possessed. ** Hurrah for Rattler!” shouted Rambling Dan; | “the done that nice as a new ribbon.” ‘‘ He’s a daring, dashing old man,” said Mah- Jon’ Graves; ‘*‘but if his horse should slip or | stumbie his fate would be sealed in a few min- tutes.” “ Very true, Mr. Graves,” added Zeke Ruble, | “ but Rattler knows his horse, and is emboldened | by a lifetime of successful adventure.” . ~“« But one thing that makes him so successful | jn the shoot-and-run game is his long-ranged | gua,” said Graves, ‘and some day he'll ran | against a foe with one just as good,” "In the mean time the pursuit continued. Ten | miles were soon passed over and for half that | distance back the foe were strung along, Not -* more than one-fourth of the number that had started out on the chase were now at the front, | and one by one these kept cropping out by the | - sheer exhaustion of their horses, or the dead! - bullets of Old Rattler, until but half a dozen = mained, As soon as their force had been thus | diminished the old borderman called out to his | ae boys, s’pose we change the pro | ay, boys, § k e and pict roma awhile now. Thar’s cory six o’ the varmints arter us now, and I won’t run from | six ved-rinds. Pull up, boys, and let’s swat em.” | They drew rein and prepared to meet the foe, ut the latter, seeing their intentions, drew up|: also; and as soon as the whites advanced toward them they turned and retreated—the pursuers became the pursued. After riding a few miles, however, they came up With some of their friends that had dropped out of the race, and as they continued the eos their oop: augmented from the stragglers of the pursur At length the red-skins and outlawsattempted | ‘ to make another stand, but the terrible long- ranzed gun of Rattler opened upon them, and | they nag compelled, a score strong, to gallop | ‘on to keep out of reach of the one deadly rifle- man, - Rattler and his friends, however, did not press | them hard, for they had_no desire for a conflict | at close quarters, but they resolved that when | and friends were back in their position as | “prairie dolphins.” 4 “Now,” said the old Indian-fighter, as he | threw himself oy fo the y earth ; much have the infernal fools gained outen their | grand sallies? Now, Xe ten to. me that they’re | out some six or ten rinds, while here we! ‘tempestuous, sportive dolphins lay frolickin’ in | the sunshine o’ the prairie ocean. But, say, it -geems to me it are time to dine, boys,and Pu wesed to spread ther table on the round.” | Dried nieats and drier bread, and which each one was suppli in 5 7 be at honed ménu, but frugal as it was it satisfied . ir appetites. parties were thus inact:ve most of our friends © The Border Detectives. laid down on the plain and took a nap while others kept watch. a soon as it began to grow dark, Rattler said; ‘‘ Now, boys, we'll remain here till night sets in, then we'll change our position so that the Vultures and red-rinds can’t ride straight down to us ‘long the trail they made to-day paddin’ back and for’ard tryin’ to disturb we dolphins. But narry saddle nor bridle must be removed from a hoss this night, nor must a man let go o’ his rein. We must ba ready to jump aboard in an instant: And another thing: some one will have to go back to our old camp and see if Kit and Stonewall have reported there.” “T will gladly perform that duty,” Ruble said, ‘*for I would rather be on the move than stand- ing idle here.” And matters being thus arranged, the party awaited the coming of night. CHAPTER XVI. STONEWALL BOB’S ADVENTURE, We left our friends, Kit Bandy, Stonewall Bob and the two maidens in the Hermit Dug-out confronted by a new danger in the sudden ap- pearance of a bear from a hole in the darkest corner of the cave. As for Stonewall Bob, he regarded the animal with no more apparent concern than if 1t were a coyote, and drawing his big revolver he sent a bullet crashing through its brain. With a roar of pain, the beast fell back, and after a few sys spasmodic struggling, yielded up the ghost. ‘Thar, by the horn o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, ‘if we'd some fuel we'd have a b’ar-roast and live like kings and queens o’ the olden time when the enemy striv’ in vain to cross the moat, An} the portcullis and storm the castle walls, ah!’ _“* You're getting quite romantic, Bandy,” said Stonewall, as he replaced a cartridge in his re- | volver; ‘but then we'll not starve even if we have to eatraw bear-meat like fugitives in a dug- out while surrounded by a horde of wild savages and white outlaws.” ‘* That’s intended for sarkasm, I see, Bobby,” | said Kit, ‘‘ but seein’ | are a married man sich little anicjotes don’t make me blush; but jokin’ aside, boy, the chances o’ gittin’ outen here are not layin’ round thick as dead Trojans in that cut out there.” “Ti get outof here some time to-night,” de- clared Stonewall Bob. ‘‘ Of course I'll not at- tempt it until the foe has exhausted all his expe- dients to get into this dug-out, for I am sure he will try every way: to capture us under the friendly cover of darkness.’ ‘“‘No doubt but theyll watch this place like fourteen cats watchin’ one mouse-hole,” replied Bandy. In view of all these facts the party was anxious for, and yet dreaded, the coming of night. The hours wore by slowly, and when at length the shadows of night — to gather, misgivings of fear began to pervade the breast of the besieged maidens. Thoy mtuitively crept closer together and clasped their arms about each other’s form as if in this closer companionship there was a sense of greater security, Vigilant as the fabled Argus, Stonewall Bob sat at the entrance to the cut with eye and ear on the alert. The night was exceedingly dark outside, and in the cave and the passage leading thereto darkness could not be blacker. Nothing, whatever, of the Indians could be heard, but the Boy Trojan was too well versed in Indian cunning not to know that the rd foe’s presence was not always attended wit noisy demonstrations. The dead outlaws and Indians ‘still lay in the cut, the water from the spring in the cave creep- ing noiselessly under their bodies, and in view of the fact that Stonewall had placed his last car- tridge in his revolver, and that they were ee to be beng a for ammunition with whic to defend themselves, Old Kit concluded to creep out into the passage and secure the revolvers knives, tomahawks and ammunition that he had seen during the day on the bodies of the dead. He had but little fears of harm in so doing, for he reasoned that even ifthe foe should hear him taking the place of sight; and soh pon ing t p 2 ny e was not gone ; I | ment the possession of the enemies’ knives me: was satisfied that they were only waitin for ) night to renew their operations: aud while all | gested an expedient to Old Kit, and that was construct a kind of an abatis of the weapons. } Ro selecting four of the longest and sharpest of 15 the blades he stole back into the passage. About half-way down the cave he stopped, and rising to his feet he felt the walls of the cut until he had found a spot suitable for his purpose when, with a fifth knife, he bored a hole in the hard, clayey earth about four feet from the ground. Into this hole hé inserted the haft of one of the knives, the hole being so slanted as to incline the point of the weapon toward the entrance to the passage. In the wall on the opposite side an- other knife was planted in the same position es the first, and two feet below these two more were fixed. The space left between these points was not over a foot, and it would be impossible for a person, walking erect, or upon hands and knees at a fair gait, to escape receiving the deadly points in his breast, and in such a manner as to nt further advance toward the cave. ith a feeling of greater security Bandy re- turned to his friends and announced the success- ful construction of his abatis of knives. ‘Your bump of self-preservation is well de- veloped, isn’t it, Kit?’ observed Stonewall, in a pleasant voice. ‘Tl confess it is, lad,” replied Kit; ‘and let me tell you that two-thirds precaution and one- third fight is the best recipe I know of for a bor- der detective or scout to compound and take twenty-four times a day if he’d add to his lon- gevity and happiness.’ “* How about a little Musket-Mouth deception and fraud?” asked Bob, the darkness concealing the smile upon his face. ** 4 Wetle o’ that added for to give the other a body sometimes helps another feller with a broken head,” was Kit’s response, “T catch on, Kit, like a burr,” replied Bob, as his mind reverted to the blow Jim Noel had given him, ahd from which he was still suffering no little Mets Thus the fugitives passed the hours pleasantly as possible under the circumstances. long toward midnight they were suddenly startied by a noise as if of something dropping in the passage. They listened, and upon hear ing the sound repeated knew the foe were at work. They were dropping ‘pebbles into the passage from above for the purpose, no doubt, of testing the vigilance of the besieged. Satisfied that the sounds were not made by any one in the passage, Stonewall remained per- fectly quiet, with his finger on the trigger of his - revolver. Fully another hour went by, when suddenly the Boy Trojan detected the sound of footsteps outside the cut, and almost at the same moment of this discovery the night was made hideous with unearthly yells and the firing of guns and , pistols on the hillside above the passage. But the very instant the sounds burst forth ae uick brain of Old Kit saw the object in view, and said to Bob: ‘¢ That hell-howlin’; Bob, is to drown the noise o’ others advancin’ through the passage!” ‘* Yes, they’re comin” now!” exclaimed Bob, in a whisper, but scarcely had he spoken when a piercing shriek of agony burst fom the eut and was succeeded by gasping moans, the shuffling of feet and low muttered curses, ‘By the horn o’ old Joshua!” exclaimed Ban- dy, ‘an outlaw’s impaled hisself on them knives! : The critter’s body blocks the passage so’s the others can’t advance—don’t shoot, boy, and Til take advantage o’ the confusion to skip out 0’ here when the varmints fail back and go for help.” KEN, Bandy,” said Stonewall, “you can de- fend here as well as I, and I can go better than you—I’m young and supple and can run the gantlet aseasy as you—here, take one of my re- volvers.” é‘ Kit saw that the tone in which Bob spoke would admit of no protest, aud so he quietly took the Weapon, merely Seri “Have it your way, Bob. Ill die by the The wildest confusion reigned on the hillside along the edges of the cut—so clamorous, indeed, was the noise that those making it seemed not to hear the voices of those in the cut. But Stone- walland Kit were more interested in those in the passage than those above, and they listened intently to their movements. They heard the ping moans of one, and the curses of others Saat could not comprehend the cause of the blockade. ; With a parting word to Kit and the maidens, Stonewall Bob glided into the passage, his right band, in which he clutched his re- . volver, extended before him. He groped his way along until the muzzle of the weapon came ‘in contact with an obstruction which proved to - be the body of a man that was standing in the mec w, rattling moans were issuing from is lips while the crowd behind were eudeavor~ ba AS at ; Sip sot - Stonewall saw in an instent that the wretch was impaled upon Kit’s knife-points and could not advance moe could he retreat for those be- hind. The fellow was so near gone that in re- sponse to a question from behind him he could not answer, but Bob saw his opportunity, and pls it ig his head near that of the dying outlaw, — sai —imitating the man’s broken voice: __ God! Dm. impaled!—dyin'|—flee, they're comin’! Oh—gl—il!”
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16 The Border Detectives. ‘Pall back there! fall back!” instantly shout- ed the outlaw next to the impaled man, frantic with terror; ‘‘ the cut’s barricaded and Boker’s stabbed to death!” This startling news was communicated from one to the other of the attacking party, and in- stantly all became seized with terror and a panic ensued. A general scramble for life followed, and even yet those on the hillside were ignorant of what had happened and were howling away | like demons, Stonewall placed his hand against the breast of the impaled outlaw and shoved his body back. Tt fell with a dull crash to the earth. With his revolver the Boy Trojan felt for the knives in the wall. He found the two lower ones and. re- moved them, but the others had been withdrawn from the wall. when the outlaw fell back, the | knives remaining in his breast.. The way thus cleared for his own passage, he walked over the | dead bodies that lay strewn along the cut and followed along at the very heels of the panic- stricken foe. As he emerged from the passage the young plainsman could discern the shadowy outlines of those before him, and as they rushed madly into the deeper shadows of the bushes and trees he followed than, and soon found himself in their very midst, jostled on every side by the | ut while the youth was excited wretches. uite eager and anxious for other company, he did not act hastily nor precipitately in potting away, through fear that his actions might le to detection. But unmolested or discovered he finally made his way from the midst of his foes, the very boldness of his adventure disarming the enemy; and before those that were doing such demoniac yelling on the hillside could be made to understand the situation—the failure of the assault on the dug-out and the death of Bo- ker—the Boy, Trojan was several rods away, | moving rapidly up the river. But Stonewall was destined to meet with an- other adventure before getting clear of the foe, He had not gone more than forty rods when, emerging from a dense clump of bushes, he was startled at sight of a great e before him, Tt lit up the valley from the bluffs to the river, and to make good his escape he must cross this field of light. He saw two persons seated near the fire—an Indian and a white man. Both ap- peared to be wounded, for their heads were ban- daged and one arm of the Indiam was in a ane. A second glance at the white man and Bo recognized him as his old enemy, Jim Noel, who was evidently beginning to see the light of day ogain, ye unable to take part in the proceedings at the fateful dug-out, Just beyond the two men Bob. saw a number of horses hitched, saddled and bridled, and the youth at once made up his mind that he should | the merciful Father! I But he had ro hope of eluding discovery | ever I lay them hands upon him. ride. by the Indian and Noel, and he at once decided how he would dispose of them from offerin him violence at least, though he ay ge he could dispose of them in time them giving an alarm, But once on of a hores he would feel no. uneasiness, With the quickness of a lion le bounded for- | ’d melt down with pity if I war to te ward straight at the outlaw who was nearest to him and sat face toward him. The villain saw him the moment he emerged from. the shadows, but before he could even rise t6 his feet Stone- | of Christopher C. Bandy un giving him a brushing kick | For weary months I’ve been on his trail, and wallswept past him in the stomach that doubled him up breathless several feet beyond, and scarcely dacking his speed the Young Trojan dashed at the Indian who had suc ed in getting upon his feet, an gave him a stunning rapon the head with his re- volver that Gropped. him senseless to the earth, Another bound carried the daring youth to the side, of a horse which he quickly. untied and mounted: then turning its head up the river he ! rode leisurely away through the timber until he reached open ground, when he urged the animal forward at a sweeping gallop. When about a mile away he drew rein and lis- tened, but he heard no sound from the direction of the enemies’ quarters to indicate that his es- cape had been discovered, and with a grim smile of triumph upon his noble face, the Boy Trojan 6 on, CHAPTER XVII. THE WRONGED WIFE. As soon as darkness had set in Zeke Ruble semeied 8 horse and started for the old camp on the Morean, taking with him the horses of Kit Bandy and Stonewall Bob, whom he hoped to find in waiting for him. When about forty rods from the old rendez- vous he dismounted, and hitching the horses ad- vanced on foot. He was afraid that others than poh nt might be around, and so resolved to run no i While moving along through the timber he suddenly discovered alight some distance before him. Hoping that it might be from the camp- ’ fire of the two friends he sought, he moved on. _He soon got close enough to the fire to see that it ‘was burning on the hint d t where their camp- fire had burned the night before, but to his sur- rise end ay pointment he saw neither of his tends in its hight, but a female—a woman! . Instantly sight ied through the hunter’s mind peere / the back | and a gleam in her eyes, ‘* | slight contempt, “I don’t think anythi _as timid as a fawn an adorable mercy ! who's that?—old Goliar tall?” that this might be another Indian trick to en- trap him, and he resolved to act accordingly, but catching a glimpse of the woman’s face, he saw that she was white. To him, however she was an entire stranger, and that a woman was actually there before him he could scarcely be- lieve yet. So he crept still closer and finally | came in sight of an old ‘‘ weather-beaten ”-look- ing horse hitched. within the radius of light. Hard by he saw a side-saddle, an old umbrella, and a bundle of something, and a green baize sachel—all of which convinced him that there was no deception in the character before him. But what a woman could be doing there alone and whether she was a friend or foe, Ruble could not tell, but he resolved to know, and straight- be: walked into the camp. he woman was seated upon a log gazing into the fire as if in mental reflection, but at the sound of the hunter's footsteps she quickly looked up—not in fear, but surprise. Ruble. was the first to speak, addressing her just as their eyes met with the familiar saluta- tion: ‘Hullo! good-evening, stranger!” ; ‘* Deary me, who be you?” the woman replied, in an unmistakable female voice, as she rose to her feet and tipped back the flaring old ‘‘ scoop ” that was doing duty as a bonnet. Ruble in surprise and astonishment saw that she was an elderly woman with a care-worn and withered face, a keen, penetrating eye, a sharp chin, and a long, straight nose. Her iron-gray hair was combed down upon her forehead and for want of recent care was beginning to fluff up and hang somewhat scraggy. Around her doulders was an old faded shawl. Her dress was of some dark material and quite plain in style. “Pm Zeke Ruble,” the hunter said, in answer to her question, ‘‘and you need have no fears, for seeing you are a woman, I am your friend, But now, may I inquire your name?” “To be sure you can,” replied the woman, rather sharply; ‘‘my name is Sabina Bandy, and I’m the lawfully-wedded consort of Kit Bandy—villain, monster, and old upas-tree to woman’s heart that he is!” ‘* Great temple of Solomon!” exclaimed Ruble, astounded by the claim she made .upon and the charges she preferred against the old detective. “TY am astonished. Kit spoke of his being a married man, but I thought he was only jest- ing—’ “The remorseless Israelite that he is!” the wo- man broke in, apparently enraged by Ruble’sin- formation; ‘the spoke of bein’ married, did he? No doubt he jested "bout it, for the sacrilegious brigand jests at all things sacred. But, please not jest with him if Til avenge the wrongs he has done me by winnin’ my child- ish heart and then desartin’ my bed and board when I begun to fade. Man—stranger!” and she straightened up with a tragic look upon her face you saint or sin- ner, Jew or Gentile, hunter or outlaw, your heart ii you of all that old heart-crusher’s iniquity. But I. will spare you--the story’s long as the Moral law whose penalties are gradually encirclin’ the life ownst to him, here had I hoped to swoop down upon him like the Assyrian and—” | ‘Then you think your recreant husband’s in this neighborhood?” said Ruble. “Think? think?’ she replied, with a a ls ut it, but I know it, else I wouldn’t ‘a’ been here.” ‘* Well, madam,I have no desire to tell you else than the truth,” said Zeke; ‘‘I came here myself to meet your husband, Mr. Bandy, and as he is no’ here, I’m afraid he’s in trouble.” ** Another woman!” exclaimed Sabina, fierce- TuNo, Ingins and outlaws,” replied Ruble, scarcely able to repress a smile, ‘ I am truly afraid this fire will bring like troubles upon you.” ‘*T'm afraid of no Ingin or outlaw that ever | that old wife o’ his _jestic form he’ll wil Po oe on God’s green earth! I’m no young chicken-heart to faint at the sight of a man or skeer like a deer at sight of an A cruel fate named Christopher C, Bandy has made me a fearless, stony-h woman, and once I was tender-hearted as a mo- ther-dove. Oh! the wickedness— But, at This sudden change in the woman’s words and tone was occasioned by the appearance of a third on from the shadows. Ruble turned quick- nh and to his infinite joy found himself face to ace with Stonewall Bob. ’ ‘God bless you, boy!” the man cried, graspin the Boy Trojan’s “T am rejoiced to mee ou again, for we’d begun to think you were in ‘ouble. ** And you were right in so thi Zeke,” Meni tonewall. ‘‘but where are the other 8 y Out on the 8 ye awaiting your coming ae with a Mr. Mahlon Grayes and two others. “Mr, Graves? Thank God he lives!” exclaimed the young Trojan; ‘but has be told you of his a ( | Rattler; ‘“‘and the sooner we are m e be | ter it'll be for us and for them. Stonewall Robert, daughter’s capture by the outlaws and In: dians?” ‘*'Yes, Bob, and also the capture of the child, Wild Gypsy; but what of them, Stonewall?” Af coreg besieged in a dug-out below the Hermit Dome. I left them with Old Kit not an hour ago.” ‘*This woman,” said Ruble, turning and in- | troducing him to Sabina, “is Kit Bandy’s wife—” “Yes,” Sabina smoothly glided in, ‘‘ I’m the lawfully-wedded wife of Christopher Columbus. Bandy, and as you see, young man, a wreck of my former self and beauty, and that ongrateful man is the cause of it all.” Stonewall was astounded by this revelation, and at first he was disposed, out of the manliness of his gallant heart, to sympathize with the wronged wife, however much he admired the brave and inimitable Old Kit Bandy, but as the woman kept on with her vindictive language and vitu tions, he made up his mind that. perhaps the old detective was not possessed of the philosophical patience and forbearance of a Socrates to submit to the torments of a Xan- tippe. Pr can assure you, madam,” the young plainsman finally said, ‘‘ that your husband is not far away. Illeft him in a cave or dug-out with two young ladies—” “Great and adorable merey!” shriéked Sa- bina, ‘‘ you left him with two girls? Man, do you know that the old, oily-tongued flirt will make love to both of them girls and win their affections, as he won mine, before the mornin’ sun kisses the mountain hights?” ‘*T think he has something else to do than make love to the girls,” replied Bob, a faint smile upon his face, “‘ for he’s surrounded by In- dians and outlaws and may be a dead man even by this time.” ‘The presence o’ Gabriel with his horn to his lips wouldn’t prevent him flirtin’ with a girl,” declared Sabina, ‘‘ even though he knew the first. toot o’ the trump would send her up and him down. No, young giant, I know Kit Bandy bet- ter’n you know the way to heaven, and I’m go- in’ to break up that little ¢éte-d-tat in that cave.” As she concluded she took up her saddle and flung it on her horse and fastened it. Then she pero up her traps, and, despite the protesta- — ions, warnings and coaxings of the two bor- derers, she mounted and river, ‘Well, I'll be ieddyrrcon 9! confused!” ex- claimed Stonewall Bob; ‘that beats anything in the strong-minded-woman line that I have ever met in my short experience. She’s a darned old fool, Ruble!” : ‘ “*She’s an Sonny Sone an enigma, Bob,” Ruble replied; ‘but we have no time to discuss that now, for I do not deem it safe to tarry @ away down the here. My horse and yours are hitched out here in the rome and we better be getting away from ere. To this Stonewall assented, and in a few min- utes they were in their saddles, riding across the _ valley. As they proceeded along Ruble briefly narrated the adventures with which he and his party had met since the night before, and Stone- wall in turn recounted the perils through which he, Kit and the two maidens had passed. inally they reached their friends on the plain. Stonewall was received with demonstrations of joy, and his meeting with Mahlon Graves was. —— with no little emotion on the part of each. In as few words as ore the Boy Trojan ~ porahge story of his and Kit’s adventures in res- cu had left the old detective and the girls in. ‘*Then we'll have some robust fightin’ to do afore we git to that cave,” observed Rattler, when Bob had finished his story. ; is ‘* Indeed we will, Rattler,” replied Stonewall. “Wal, we're the eys that can do that bumfustic. We’ve had no fightin’ to speak of for several hours. And so Old Kit’s well and with | the gals? The darlin’ old buccaneer! but oh! if its her yess on his ma-~ like a cab -head in a ot wind. But, boys, it begins to look to me now that afore we get to the Red Vultures’ roost. and clap the irons on our John ‘ove, we'll earn the reward offered.” is ea nes ree we ir font othe hike " ground the less we'll have ‘ht in He. 3, said Zeke Ruble ’ ‘‘ Very true, Zeke, and it might be sich a thin we'd run ’g’inst our man out here with ther r 0’ the flock.” ** No such that he never takes to the saddl : as it may, our first duty is plain enough, and 5 that is— ae et ‘“The rescue o’ Old Kit and the girls,” said : n’thebet- since you know where the dug-out is located, the lay o’ the land thereabouts, and the posish 0’ the | enemy it’ll devolve upon you to lead the way and plan the attack on ‘the v: nts. To this if thar be any objection, let the man shout it out < now. ne: iy the maidens and of the situation that he | u 4 luck, if it be so as they say ick: z e; but, ‘that. wm,
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ti The Border Detectives. i7 A | } yy e Bob accepted the trust with a full sense of the | don’t know that Stonewall Bob’s at large. He | torch to look for Bandy’s body, the situation in ? a responsibility resting upon him. The fair face | just passed through here like a hurricane and | the dug-out might be disclosed. Ss of Ruth Graves was ever before him, and the | kicked in my whole stomach and battered down | A bundle of pine sticks was prepared and one ra kind words she uttered when fastening upon his | the Sioux—that’s what I mean.” | end of it lighted, then accompanied by Sabina gi breast that badge of honor, were incentives that | Captain Vulture’sface grew black with speech- | and followed by half of the band, the outlaw 34 filled his young’ heart with heroic pride and fired | less tury, Jack Bramble in his rage fairly | chief led the way toward the dug-out. ' his soul with manly courage. danced a hornpipe. The excited red-skins,in- | Reaching the entrance to the narrow rnin J In a few minutes more the party was on its | furiated by the death of another of their friends, | leading to the cave, he handed Sabina the torch, } way in the direction of ‘‘ The Hermit Dug-out.” | lunged away in pursuit of the destroyer. | saying: . CHAPTER XVIII. WROTHY ROBBERS AND AN EMPTY OAGE. THE outlaws and red-skins had never dreamed but that Old Kit Bandy had been slain.in the passnae leading into the dug-out, and thus be- | ieving, they supposed they had but a single foe to contend with, and that one Stonewall Bob. However, bitter experience had taught them that the Boy Trojan occupied an almost impreg- nable defense that he was able to hold single- handed as long as his ammunition lasted and starvation did not force him to capitulate, Captain Vulture was a man considered fertile in expedients, and the midnight attack which had resulted in Stonewall’s escape was a scheme ot his fruitful, strategic mind; but a greater | blunder could not have been conceived by the outlaw, although Old Kit’s abatis of knife-points could hardly have been anticipated by any one, But the stunidness of the whole affair was the continued howling and firing of the mob posted on the hillside. Their din was intended to con- ceal the movements of the attacking party, but it proved the most advantageous to the defend- ers. As nothing could be seen in the pitchy darkness, nor nothing heard but the infernal noise on the hillside, if was several moments af- ter the ignominious retreat from the cut before the defeated party could make their friends un- derstand the, situation and stop the howling. When they did, however, and all learned that the leader of the assailants had been caught and impaled upon some kind of weapons in the dark passage, a feeling of no little regret was mani- tested, for the outlaw was a favorite among his friends, both red and white. Captaim Vulture was Visibly affected, for the man was one of his | most faithful and daring followers, ‘* By the gods!” he exclaimed, ‘‘if things con- tinue this way much longer, the Red Vultures will all be food for coyotes,” ‘** Our enemies alers gits the advantage o’ us,” said an old, repulsive-looking villain, called Buz- zard Bill, who was inclined to find fault. ‘* They'll never get the advantage of you,” said the villain Bramble, who figured so con- spicuously with Jim Noel in our friends’ camp the night before, ‘‘ unless they should attack us in the rear, some time, where you are always to be found.” ‘‘ Bram, yer don’t want ter knife me with yer tongue,” replied Buzzard Bill, ‘for yer know I | can fight when I have to. I'm for stayin’ right here—never givin’ up till that giant, Stunwall Bob, are stretched like old Goliar, dead on ther | plain.” : é ““T want to stay till I git one shot at him,” said another, ‘‘and then he’ll trouble us no more, But we shouldn't feel so bad toward him, seein’ he killed off Old Bandy.” _ ‘That war nothing in his favor, for we could have ‘ slewed’ Bandy jist as easy as he did,” said Bramble: ‘but then, well stay right here till purgatory freezes over but what we’ have them girls—the oldest one, at any rate. Thus the defeated villains conversed Tor some time, within three rods of the entrance to the dug-out. They were excited and noisy, and at times two or ieee were talking at once, Vari- ous and novel were the many plans suggested by the outlaws for the capture or death of the Boy Trojan, but in the face of two bloody defeats, none of them were indorsed by Captain Vulture. Tt was rather e rating to the outlaw chief to be held at bay by a single man when he was backed by no less than three-score. His loss had already been so great that he was afraid his red allies would become discouraged and withdraw from the contest, and it taxed his energies to keep up their spirits in the face of repeated dis- aste rs. In the midst of their disorderly conference a was heard to come from the direction of their bivouac, Silence was enjoined and_ all | being a widow, listened, when to their ears came the startling a : TO eae men! come quick, for God’s sake!” It was the voice of Jim Noel, Like a flock of sheep outlaws and Indians rushed away ina body toward the camp. They soon reached the field of light and were startled to see the wounded Indian they had left there a short time beforelying prostrate up- on the earth to all appearance dead, while Jim Noel lay rolling on the earth, his hands clasped. upon his stomach, cursing and groaning in ter- rible et : “Great heavens, Jim! what's the matter?” exclaimed Bramble. “Tm dyin’—my whole paunch ’s kicked off—” ‘¢ Who did it, man’ speak!” roared Bramble. ‘Stonewall Bob, of course!” groaned the un- ‘ky Jim, luck , what do you mean?” thundered Cap- in Vulture. ery God!” groaned Noel, ‘it’s queer you A horse was found missing, and this discdvery led to the belief that the Boy Trojan had escaped with the girls, ‘‘ But how or when could they have escaped?” asked Bramble. ‘*T persume,” said Buzzard Bill, and his pre- sumption was in a measure correct, ‘‘that the Boy Trojan and the gals follered out at the heels © our panic-stricken braves andin ther darkness waltzed off while we war yelpin’ and tearin’ our lungs out up on ther hillside. vultures we are, Bramble—we’d better go to roost, and to-morry go home and clip our wings, and be content ter live on bugs and mice.” ‘*To-morrow we will make a forward move- ment,” declared Captain Vulture, ‘‘ and end this business one way or the other. We'd better all | die trying to do something than alli be killed dev- | pe ili’ ’round here the way we have been with half | a dozen old menand one big boy.” ‘* Suppose we go and examine that dug-out?” said Bramble. ‘‘Not by a blanked sight!” retorted the outlaw chief, ‘for there may be a torpedo or two in there yet. Idon’t want to die to-night; but if | thirds of the distance to the cave. A dandy set 0’ | you want to go in I'll see you decently buried, | provided we can get possession of the remains.” “Thank you, captain,” responded Bramble: “but I don’t propose to die either, for I intend to enjoy the society of that handsome Miss Graves, and die an old.millionaire.” **Confound the girls!” suddenly put in Jim Noel, who had got the kinks out of himself; ‘*thev’ve proved a curse to us already, and are now out of our grasp, and I’d say let ’em goif it wer’n’t that I want double revenge on that Stonewall Bob. Another welt from him and I, James Noel, will be demolished. It’s darned | ueer he don’t bat some one else once in a while. ut I say rub out that gang of bloodhounds that’s after us, even if we have to lose the gals in doing so.” : ‘“We tried and have been a-trying to erase them,” said Bramble, facetiously, ‘* but they’re like blood-stains—hard to wash out. Just to- day we started out to demolish them, and after ° several hours’ racing and chasing we returned | several men short, with every bloodhound ‘at | our very heels. Up to date we’re out no less than ten or twelve Vultures—half of our band— and a score of red-skins, and what have we got? | Old Kit Bandy is all, and even he we didn’t | kill.” ‘‘ Haven't I got a mashed face and my kid- | neys kicked out?’ asked Jim Noel; ‘*‘ what you talkin’ about?” ‘He fell in that narrow passage about two- You'll find the bodies of several of our friends in there too, but pass right on overthem. It may be that Stonewall Bob has dragged Bandy’s body into the cave, but then you'll find out when you get in there.” ** Ar’n’t you goin’ in with me?” Sabina asked. “*No, I believe not,” was the reply. ‘* Well, ’'m not afeard to go atone.” she said, and raising the torch above her head, she ad- vanced into the passage. The outlaws, as if expecting a volley from the cave, did not expose their persons to view, but standing on either edge of the cut they leaned fovebardl and peered down into the fateful passage in extreme caution and in dread sus- mse. Sabina slowly advanced, uttering cries of hor- ror at sight of the dead bodies, each of which she examined as she passed over it. But among all the bodies she did not find that of her husband, and the two-score pair of eyes peering over either edge of the rift saw her pass on into the dug-out unchallenged. Then followed moments of dire suspense on the rt of the outlaws; but after exploring the cave Sabina went back to the entrance thereto, and holding her torch above her head shrieked out to them: ‘* Kit Bandy’s body’s not here—and there’s not a thing in this hole, either, but a dead bear. Have you fellers been tryin’ to deceive me? Shame! shame!” As she uttered these words in a voice sepul- chral in its intonations, her face looked sallow. | and ogrish; and the straggling locks falling about her head and neck—seemingly aquiver with life as the wavering light of the torch danced over them—the black depths of the cave behind her, and the smoking, glaring torch—all ave her the appearance of the weir Sibyl that Basen met at the entrance to the infernal re- gions. A murmured exclamation escaped from the lips above her as her announcement fell upon their ears. Captain Vulture and his friend, Jack Bramble, exchanged glances that spoke their —e plainer than words. Finally Bramble said: ‘““Have we been duped in the death of Kit Bandy?” ‘It seems so,” replied the outlaw chief. “TI do wonder if we are fools, Bramble? or are our foes so darned much smarter that one hundred of us can’t, by brute force, kill one of their men? ‘“‘ You've been very fortunate, Jim, in that re- | Say, what do you think about it?” spect ” answered Captain Vulture, ‘‘but I don’t “T think we’re in a very dupable condition, envy you your possessions. But hereafter we | captain,” replied Bramble; “and we've got to will kill everything on sight. If we had done that last night instead of wtp Musket- Mouth and Slickchops to ring in a cold us, we would have had none of this trouble.” And thus the outlaws talked over and be- wauled their bad luck until they were suddenly startled by the sound of voices approaching from up the river. They were excited voices, and when the outlaws recognized them as those of their friends, they were led to believe that the Boy Trojan had been captured and their joy knew no bounds. Put this;was only a delusion that was dispelled when, a few moments later, Sabina Bandy rode into the field of light, escort- ed b a score of red-skins and outlaws. deck on ell, what on earth have you struck now, men?” asked the outlaw chief, as he fixed his gaze upon the woman whose face wore a look of anger and lofty disdain. An old gal,” replied one of the escort, ‘‘ that says she is the lawful rib of Kit Bandy.” eS Is that true, madam?” asked the captain. ‘ It—is—true !” she declared, with emphasis. Then, my dear madam, it is my painful duty : Your husband was killed to-lay by his friend—one Stonewall) Bob.” _A wild, hysterical cry burst from the woman’s lips, and dropping from her saddle to the ground she fell upon her knees, and covering her face with her hands gave way to a paroxysm of grief that would have MaPbemae | any one to tears but those stony-hearted outlaws and savages; and even they stood silent and motionless until the era had quieted her grief and rose to her feet, * But perhaps he’s better off dead than livin’, though if he'd stayed with me whom he prom- ised to cherish and protect instead 0’ gaddin’ all round over all creation, he might ’a’ lived many happy, happy years iY wretch! Folkses, I’d like to give him a decent burial, and if it isn’t too much trouble I would like to look upon his body.” ** You shall be conducted to where hisremains are at once,” assured Captain Vulture, the idea flashing into his brain in an instant that, by permi ‘oor, miserable old g the woman to enter the cut with a to break to you the melancholy news of your adopt more vigorous measures. I’m going to explore that cave. Old Bandy’s body might =e been buried in there—at any rate, I'll see, or die.’ Andhedid. Hestrode boldly through the pas- sage over his dead friends, and taking the torch from Sabina’s hand examined every nook and corner of the cave—even peering into the hole from whence the bear had appeared. ‘Old woman,” the facetious villain finally ob- served, ‘‘I ag you're not a widder after all. It appears that your galavanting husband has n ressur’ected or else his ver has been spirited away.” ‘*Dear, dear!” sighed the woman, “ will my troubles and trials never, never end?” “We'll do all we can, Mrs. Bandy, to help you end them,” Bramble responded; ‘‘1 assure you we are as anxious as you are, to see your husband gathered to the bosom of Abraham; and if Ican only get within pistol-shot of him I'll grant you a bill of divorce and marry you myself.” ‘** Never!” shrieked Sabina; ‘‘one ’scape-gal- lows is all I want to marry!” This retort was yreeted by a loud laugh from a number of Bramble’s friends who had come into the cave since it had been found deserted. In the course of a few moments Bramble, Sa- bina and the outlaws wended their way from the dug-out when the entire party began retracing their steps toward the camp, They had gone but a shortdistance when their ears were greeted. by sounds of savage triumph coming from up the: river. Satisfied that something unusual, at least, had happened, the party hurried forward, and as they entered the camp from the easthalf a dozen Indians came in from the west ete in their midst Wild Gypsy, a weeping captive ; “Thank fortune for small favors!” exclaimed Captain Vulture, at sight of the helpless maiden’s drooping form and lovely face. CHAPTER ‘XIX. KIT BANDY’S DARING ADVENTURE. WHI the outlaws had mistrusted that Stone- | wall Bob had eseaped with the maidens from the Peg” SP iG ¥ . - sksinet at APES ot 5 SSE 4 + eyes Fe oem Mh 5 cry . Pe ee > . - ‘ nt ae ‘. ae A =
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= —— 18 _ Camp. The Border Detectives. — ee a rn —— === - rave of refuge, they were completely astounded | tarning with a pony and a horse. On theformer when they discovered that the body of Old Kit | Gypsy was mounted, and owing to Ruth’s Bandy, whom they firmly believed dead, was | gone. But the idea of attempting to escape with the maidens had never entered the old detective’s mind until a few minutes before he proceeded to | | of course, the camp on the river where he had carry it into executica. Unknown to Stonewall Bob, he had followed close at his heels when the Boy Trojan started to follow the panineisicken outlaws from the pas- sage. Wit ot Stonewall’s adventure. All he had to judge by was the ear, but as soon as the yelling on the hillside ceased he heard the defeated assailants telling of their repulse and knew at once that Bob’s escape had not been discovered, A few minutes later he heard calls from up the river—calls of distress that at once drew the | excited horaa away from the cave, and it was at this moment that the idea of escape was sug- gested to the old dotective-scout. Hastening back to the maidens Kit told them that he felt satisfied that the way was open for | their escape, and asked their opinion as to mak- ing the effort. Having the utmost faith in the old man they announced their readiness to go whither he might lead, and five minutes later they passed from the gloomy dug-out ont into the almost as gloomy night. Not a savage or outlaw was present to challenge them, and tak- ing each of the girls by the hand, Old Kit led them close along the base of the bluffs where the shadows lay the deepest. Ever and anon the fugitives stopped to listen. They could hear a great. confusion among the foe, and as they were really approaching them— which was necessary to escape from the valley— their excited voices and fierce maledictions could be distinctly heard, but.a firmer grasp of Old Kit’s hard hand gave the maidens renewed cour- age. had not expected was suddenly thrown before them. The great, roaring bonfire of the foe was burning in a little opening which extended from the base of the almost perpendicular bluffs to the hin the shadows of the cut, however, | he halted, and crouching low, awaited the result | Au obstacle, however, that the old detective. river. Across this line of light the fugitives | miust pass to make good their escape, but as there | wero no less than three-score of enemies—mostly lynx-eyed savages—stauding within sixty feet of ros- tration Kit took her upon the horse with him, and, thus/mounted, the three rode away over the valley. P he old border detective’s objective point was, left his friendsthe previous night. Henow hoped to reach it before, or’as soon, as Stonewall Bob, althotigh he considered it policy to make a wide detour on the plain to elude new dangers. But for all his plans, his caution, and his hopes, fate was against him, He had not gone over forty rods after entering the open valley when a score of mounted enemies came thundering from the darkness of the brush and wood in pursuit of them, yelling like demons possessed. Gypsy’s horse, accustomed to dash away at the sound of the indian war-whoop, was in no way false to its teachings, and in an instant it bounded away like a deer across the valley. Gypsy was not an experienced rider, and was therefore unable to control the pony, but exert- ed just strength enough upon the rein to turn the animal out of the course they were pursuing and carry her back into the power of the foe. Old Kit endeavored to follow her, but his horse, under its double burden, was no match for the pony. In fact, the old detective saw that the Indians were fast gaining upon him, and he finally came to the conclusion that he would have to fight to save even himself and the one gir] from capture. However, he resolved to con- inue the flight until forced to stop and defend himself and friend. He had gone but a short aistance further when he saw the shadowy forms of a number of horse- men rise up before him out of the darkness of the plain, and instantly the thoughts flashed through his brain—were they friends or foes? Before he could turn to either right or left, his ears were greeted by a deep, yet clear, sonorous voice ringing out: ‘* Halt there!” Desnite the darkness, the noise of the howling mob. behind him, and the general excitement of the moment, Bandy recognized the voice in an instant as that of Stonewall Bob, the Boy Tro- jan, and at once began checking the speed of his norse; but before he could stop the animal he had plunged through the ranks of his friends them he felt that the undertaking would be ex- | who, on horseback, were drawn up in battle ar- tremely hazardous at that time, and so he con-| ray to receive the foe they heard approaching cluded to remain still and watch for a more fa- vorable opportunity to. cross the light. “‘Benervy, gals,’ he said, in a waisper to the maidens, ‘ we'll wait here.a few minutes till a good opportuuity’s offered to skip over that line of light.” From where they stood they could hear nearly every word spoken by the foe, and by stooping down where the foliage of the bushes was not so dense, Kit’ could see most of the excited mob. And to his {2 he saw most of them preparing to leave, and when, in the course of a few min- utes, Captain Vulture, Jack Bramble, and the bruised and battered Jim. Noel were Jeft alone, the old man again took the girls by the hand, saying, in a whisper: : *« Now, gals, our time has come. Be quick as a cat and silent as shadows.” Silently they crept from the bushes and glided across the line of light.and entered the darkness rs the thicket beyond unseen or unheard by the foe. ‘ There,” said Kit, with a breath of relief, ‘‘ I think—I hope, at least, that we’re apast- the worst danger.” \ Fast as possible the three hurried on still kee ing close to the base of the frowning bluffs. They passed by several Indian ponies that had ‘been turned loose with their bridles on to. browse among the bushes; and finally they heard the sound of voices on their right which convinced Kit that a part of the foe, at least, that had left a short time before, were returning to cainp, and the excitement they manifested aronsed in the old man’s mind a fear that Stonewall Bob had been killed or captured. This he could have determined by gomg back to where he could command a view of the camp, but every mo- ment was precious to him now and he pressed on. It, was some time before the tugitives cleared the dense thicket and reached the open plain where traveling was easier but dangers greater. As they entered the plain Bandy wassurprised to find Miss Graves in an almost exhausted con- dition. She was trembling in body and limb, and her breathing was labored, A reaction was setting in, During all her captivity and hours of danger she borne up bravely, but now that the worst seemed passed overtaxed nature ‘began to give way under the great physical and anenxtal strain, Bandy discovered her condition with a sense of the deebest regret, They were not yet safe be- yond all dangers, and yet he saw that she could eave no further on foot. The onty way out of this serious and unexpected difficulty was for him to leave the girls and return and secure a horse from the enemy. : As this properties met with no objections e z _. from the girls he left them in concealment end harried away in the direction of tae enemy’s He was not gone over half an hour, ré- ee eo a over the plain. “Pm Kit Bandy, Bob, and ’ve got one o’ the gals!—look out, the red hellyons are arter me!” roared the old detective, as he dashed apast his friends. Before the words were scarcely out of his mouth Stonewall shouted: ** Revolvers, boys, and fire!” _ ‘The next instant the rattling crash and “ pep 4 of revolvers were mingled with the yells of the savages whose cries were ab once changed to those of surprise and dismay. The réd-skins were completely taken by sur- prise and pe at forthe assault. The pres- ence of the piainsmen was unknown to them _un- til they heard the thunderous voice of the Boy Trojan, and even then they were too close to turn aside to elude tie murderous fire of the whites, whose revolvers, flashing in their very faces, struck terror into their savage hearts. CHAPTER XX. A STARTLING DISCLOSURE, THE sudden meeting of the plainsmen and savages was like the meeting of two angry waves in mid-ocean, but here the comparison ends, for while the greater of the two waves overwheltus and swallows upthe lesser, such was not the case in the meeting of the human foes for the force of the red-skins was thrice that o the whites and yet they were almost annihilated before the survivors could fairly comprehend the situation and flee from beyond reach of the jJeadly revolvers. The work of the whites, it seemed, could not bave been more effective had it been open day- light. . Most of them had become so accustomed to working and fighting in: the night that both eye and ear, like tho cat 's, had become trained to the darkness. And yet so eager were the victo- rious plainsmen to speak with Kit Bandy that none of thei attempted to pursue the escaped foe, but at once turned and rode back to where Kit and Ruth had dismounted. ‘‘ Howling tempests, Bandy!” cried Stonewall Bob, who was the first to reach the old detective- scout and his charge, ‘‘how in Heaven’s name did Sa et here?” yn - ed, rode, and raced, Bob,” was Kit’s answer. ‘¢ Oh, Robert!” cried Ruth, staggering to the brave boy, who had dismounted, and grasping his arm for support, ‘‘ Lam so glad to know you are safe, but poor little Gypsy! I—” “Ruth, my child! God be thanked that we meet again!’ It was Mahlon Graves who thus spoke as he rushed forward and clasped his child to his breast, while Ruth, throwing her arms about his neck, sobbed in joyful si? ice. | ‘s Kitsie,” said Old Ratvler. as be came up and grasped bis cid pard’s land, ‘* lm tempest’ous lad to agitate your paw again. To git hore 1 lan, nie what Stunwell was just tellin’, that you’ve been doin’ gorgeows fine work.” “ Yes, Rattler,” replie] Kit, ‘and it war by the merest accident ia the world that I did not save both the gals.” ‘‘ Then little Gypsy is again in the hands of the enemy?” said Zeke Ruble. ‘‘ There’s little doubt o’ it, old friend. The hoss she war on became unmanageable and darted off before I could prevent it, situated as I was with Miss Ruth.” “Poor child! may God protect her!” sighed One-Armed Phil, in a tone of bitter anguish, for since he had learned that Wild Gypsy was his sister, he had hoped and prayed for her rescue and an early meeting with her. But now his hopes seemed blighted forever, and only the re- membrance of the face of Wild Gypsy, as seen on the ledge in the mountain pass, lingered in his mind like the vision of a dream. ‘‘ We were on our way to your rescue, Kit,” Stonewall said, to break the silence of grief and disappointment. that followed Phil’s words of sadness and sorrow. “Perhaps I did wrong,” replied Bandy, with a tinge of regret in his tone, ‘‘in not waitin’ for you at the dug-out.” ‘No, no,” quickly responded One-Armed Phil and Zeke Ruble, sotto voce ; ** no one knows bet- ter what is best for him to do than Kit Bandy,” Ruble continued; ‘I know you did what you believed was best, and what no doubt was best, for some of us, and —— all, would have fallen had we undertaken to fight our way to the cave.” ‘ ‘‘ Well, there’s no time to pe spared even now,” Kit said, ‘‘for the other gal must be rescuer either by force or by strategy. But before wo attempt either we will have to know the exact | position of the foe and the disposition of the cap- tive. As I’ve been runnin’ the range over lL think I’m the very feller to make a recon- noissance, and that now’s the time for me to strike.” ‘Look here, Old Kit Bandy,” said Rattler, .“you’re a brave man, a cheerful, jolly compan-~ ion, and a smart deetective, but you're selfish. You're willin’ to share your last crumb o’ bread and last drap o’ w—water, but you are swinish <i sharin’ the honors of war—you want it all. ‘‘Pard, by the horn o’ Joshua! we'll ell have haydoogins 0’ war afore we git Gypsy, and se- cure that criminal, Rossgrove. e’ve’ got to fight our way clear through to the outlaws’ den from this on, I’m thinkin’.” “Mr. Bandy,”said Zeke Ruble, ‘ I had almost forgotten, in our excitement, to tell you that I met your wife Sabina at our old camp to-night and despite my entreaties she left camp anc rode away in the direction of the Hermit Dome.” ‘Horn o’ Joshua! do you mean that, Zeke, or are you tryin’ to frighten me outen my ° liver?” “It’s the Book-o’-Revelations truth, Kitsie,” declared Old Rattler, with a chuckle. ‘Then, pards,” said Kit, ‘‘we must part hero and now. I can stand it to fight Inginsand out- laws, b’ars and cyclones, fl and fire, sin and sorro’, but I’m not goin’ to be caught babboonin’ with a buzz-saw. So good-by, boys, and look out for breakers.” With thisthe old man turned and moved away in the direction of the Hermit Dome. ‘Good gracious!” exclaimed One-Armod Phil, *T hope he hasn't left us in this—” “No, no,” put in Rattler; ‘he’s foolishin’. You couldn’t scare, hire, nor drive him away, I know Bandy; he’s a darlin’ ole buccaneer.” ‘And 11 bet he ‘can hold his own with his wife, if she don’t use anything but lip,” said Rambling Dan, the Boy Mountaineer, ‘‘ for, oh! Scotland! isn’t he a rattler on the talk?” ‘Yes, lad, voluminous es the Spanish chroni- cles, whatever that be, but when it comes to fightin’, he’s the most numerous man I ever see’d, and the nat Bes scatters deestruction are @ cau- tion toe whirlwind. If there’s a gal into the hoodoo, he’s so constituted that he can ladle out sweet words to her with one hand, so to speak, and fight for her life with the other, as it war. No, my kid, thar’s but one Kit Bandy in all this big, bad world, and he’s a bull gineration o’ crusaders concentrated into one.” Until Bandy should return from his reconncis- sance the party was to remain there upon the plain, Rambling Dan, whose sense of sight and hearing in the darkness was phenomenal, was placed on guard, while Old Rattler sat down to entertain his friends with some of his roilicking stories that were calculated to drive dull care | and grief from the minds of his listeners. Ruth Graves had gradually recovered from’ her temporary prostration. Being safe with her father, and in the presence of the daring, heroic Boy Trojan again, she regained some of her wonted spirit; and in the course of an bour or two she and Stonewa!l Bob found -themselves side by side some distance from their friends, conversing together in a low, quiet tone, 7 oa finally led Old Mettler to say to One-Armed hil: Pe Philip, them youngsters are goners—sali- peter won't save ’em.”
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or 19 oc EEE “T Go net know what you mean, Rattler— | confidence for I know not whether the name heard a movement of men and horses back to- what you have reference to.” | you refer to is Rossgrove or Danbaugh.” : ward the enemy’s camp that he could not under- “To that joke, that old, walleyed joke called | ‘‘ Robert Comstock,” she said, stifling her stand, and his curiosity getting thea better of —Love.” emotions and speaking in a firm, resolute voice, him, he dismounted, hitched his pony and stcle ‘‘ Oh!—well, they are a splendid pair, at any! ‘ST shall keep nothing from you who have risk- ; back through the woods and brush to ascertain rate,” answered Phil, with a sad smile. | edso much for me, though you may feel, when I the cause of the movement. He finally reached The young couple having seated themselves _ have told you all, that | am unworthy of all you | a point fromwhere he could command a view of upon the grass a few rods from their friends, have so kindly, so galiantly and bravely done , the camp, and to his surprise and: disgpport- Ruth said: for me.” iment he saw the place deserted. The foe kad ““How fortunate it was for me, Robert, that “Iam sure I cannot imagine what bearing broken camp and with their captives started for you and your brave friends were on the line of your secret has upon your life,” said Stonewall, | the mountains. He could bear them but a short the outlaws’ retreat to the mountains,” | but I care not what it may be, I would risk in | distance away moving around the base of the ‘Yes, I have thought of that myself, Miss ' your beha!f.again all that I have im the past, | Hermit Dome—just above which was an Indian Graves,” Stonewall replied; ‘‘but my greatest But do not, I pray, make any revelations. to | ford where they evidently intended to cross the and happiest surprise is of your having stcod up . me that will be distasteful and humiliating to | river. so well under all the perils and suffering that | you.” | Kits first impulse was to hurry away to his you have been subjected to within the past two “You are truly a kind and generous man, | friends and then with them hasten across to tle weexs. Iam convinced now, that it is not al- Robert,” she replied, ‘but I cannot keep from river and intercept the foe, but asecond thought wavs thestrongest that can bear the mosttrouble — you my secret, and that is—the criminal you are . convinced him that it would be impossible to Go and pain,” hunting down John Rossgrove, is my own this before they crossed the river. However, “Tf thank you for your compliment, Rivert, | father /” the cld man was in no way discouraged, and but { must confess that [ have more strength : turning he again began retracing his footsteps aud fortitude than I ever supposed I possessed.” } CHAPTER XXiI. | back to his friends. ‘One cannot tell what they are possessed of | KIT PBANDY’S RECONNOISSANCE. ; until tried—especially in a case like yours.” Wirt an hour after leaving his friends Kit | - CHAPTER XXL, ‘* Well, of one thing fam certain, Robert, and | Bandy was back on the river within ear-shot of | RUTH'S STORY. that is to you alone in my first danger, and you | the enemy’s camp. : | §TONEWALL Bos could not suppress his emo- and your brave friends in my second, lowe my ; ‘the Indians and outlaws wereevidently allin, tions of startling surprise at Ruth Graves’s reve- life and a debt of gratitude [ will never be able | and a conference of no little seriousness was be- | lation of John Rossgrove being her father, for is to pay.” ing held. At one side he saw Wild Gypsy and | fell upon his ears like a thunderbolt from a “Fime will tell, Ruth— Miss Graves,” the his spotise, Sabina, seated side by side apparent- , cloudlesssky. Ruth noticed it and it seemed‘ to young plainsman replied, slightly confused; | ly engaged in conversation, while a big, burly overwhelm her with grief and move her into ** our acquaintance has been of but a few days, | outlaw stood near watching them. Three or . tears. — : yet decidedly pleasant and mgt to me, and | four wounded red-skins lay a short distance In his confusion and great sympathy for the there is a demand which I could make of you | from the fire; one or two dead ones couldalso be beautiful girl, Bob reached out and taking her that would more than repay all I have done for | seen, and Jim Noe}’s hideous face was quite con- hand in his—a liberty she did not resent—ho you: but it would be presuinptuous on my part | spicuous in the eamp which had every appear- said, in akind, sympathetic tone: to take any advantage of your present peace of . ance of having been visited by asmalicyclone. | ‘‘iiuth, my dear triend, I confess your revela- mind or perilous and embarrassing situation. I! It was evident froma the excited voice and ges- | tion is as startling as it is sad; but do not grieve. should not have said even this much, and sin- | tures of the chief of the renegade Indians, Tur- God knows ycu cannot help the stain that at- cerely beg your pardon.” tle-Face, that-that worthy was in no amiable taches to your father’s name.” Ruth’s heart fluttered wildly, joyfully. Her | mood. He, Captain Vuiture and Jack Bramble ‘‘No, Robert,” she replied, the hot tears faT!- vwoman’s instinct, as well as her owi intuitive | were discussing the situation. Tt seemed that | ing upon his hand, and her lips quivering with feelings told her plainly enough that big; brave | tho last defent of the Indians by the plainsmen | some deep emotion, “ but, but then—” ; Rober Comstock loved her; and by her silence | hed aroused the chief’s anger, and Kit, as he lis- ; ‘t But what, Ruth?” the Boy Trojan mistrusted thatshe had read his | tened to their conversation, felt in hopes that, ‘‘But you—” wind and beart, and to relieve herof whatseeni- the matter was going to terminate ina revolt of | ‘‘Never mind me, “Ruth,” the young plains- ed embarrassment, he continned: | the red-skins. | man again interrupted, ‘‘my regards fer you “Tt begins to appear tome nowthatanunseen _ Creeping as closeas he dared, the old detective | are deep-rooted in my breast, and even though power guided me and my friends into this coun- » heard Turtle-Face say: | you were the daugbter of Captain Vulture him- try. ltis true, we came here ou our Way tothe | ‘* My warriors have fallen around me like au- | self, they would be all the deeper out of sympa- hills having in view the capture cfa crimmal—a_tumn leaves, and yet not a pale-face foe’s scalp , thy for one so unfortunate, yet so deserving of rourdercr tor whom there is 9. + ery large reward | has been taken. ll we can show for many lives | all that innocent and noble womanhood is enti~ offered, but this fugitive has becn the agent em- ; are them two squaws, and Turtle-Face will fight | tled to.” ployed by fate to bring about your rescue upon no more here with his white friends, the Red “*Oh, Robert! you are truly.a noble fellow,” tivo dierent occasions,” | Vultures.” : the maiden repted, a thrill of joy rousing ber “Then your journey’s end has not been reach- | Yon will surely not leave us, will you, | despondent spirit, and wreathing her white lips ed?” Ruth said, in evident disappointment. ‘I | chief?’ Bramble was heard to ask, ina pleading | with a hopeful smile; ‘‘but isn’t it rather a had hoped that you and your friends would re- , tene, strange coincidence that while you are risking turn with us, for | nowsee that one is never safe | __‘' Turtle-Face,” replied the chief, ‘“‘ has spoken. | your life for the ¢hilad—” $n this conntry unless weil protected.” He will not fight the white foe whose gunsreach | “Ruth, why pursue this subject that is so dis- “The head-quarters of the very outlaw band far over the plain, and whose revolvers are more | tressing to you?” interrupted Stenewall. thaiis giving us 80 much trouble now is our des- | deadly than Sioux rifles. When the sun rises “Now that it has been introduced, Robert, I tination. It-issnid that the criminal we seek is again, Turtle-Face will take his warriors and go | must tell you all, if you will hear me.” ixistailed there, the moving power bebind all the ; back to the hills, There alone will he fight the ** Certainly, Ruth, if itis your pleasure.” cussedness of the outlaws and red-skins, And it | foe among the rocks. and the trees where the “TY never saw my father,” the girl went on, may be such a thing that your capture has been | pale-face bullets cannot find bis braves.” “that. I remember. My dear mother died when by command of that villain. Yon see the out- »* Well,” replied Captain Vulture, evidently | I was »ut.two years of age. At the time cf her laws keep spies ont at various points, and when | disappointed, ‘if you leave us, chief, with your ; death my aunt Rachel, a widow lady, came from you crossed the Missouri your fairfacemay have | warriors, the scalps of those pale-faces that | a distant State and took me home with her. nea seen by a spy, and your destination being | have killed our friends will never be taken.” Scon after this she married Mr. Graves, who bas ._ ascertained, the same was reported to Ross- “The Red Vultures,” replied the chief, ‘‘ have | been tome a kind and loving father. Soon after grove—” | two white squaws there, Take them off into the | mother’s death father went to California where ‘* Rossgrove did you say, Robert?’ Ruth ex- ) hills. ‘The pale-face hunters will follow to rescue | he remained four years, and then returned to claimed, witha start, her voice betraying some them. Turtle-Face’s warriors will hide among | Rushville, where his old homewas. From there agitation, | the rocks in the narrow valley. When the pale- he wrote to uncle Graves that he was going to ** Yes,” Stonewall answered; “have you ever faces Come along the Sioux will, shoot fnam | payus @yvisitin afewdays. But henever came. heard the name before, Miss Graves?” _ down. Then will the scalp of the bi pale-face ; In the settlement of some business between him ‘“T have,” she answered, with trembling lips— . braye hang at Turtle-Face’s girdle. Again Tur- and a Mr. Henry Endicott they bad a bitter her breath coming hard as if something heavy | tle-i’ace has spoken. Let the Red Vultures now | quarrel, which came near resulting in violence was pressing upon her breast; ‘* butdo you know | speak.” : at the time. As father and Mr. Endicott were of what crime he is guilty?” | ‘* Chief,” ‘said Captain Vulture, seeing there | both prominent men in the village the difficulty ‘*Of murder. He slew a fellow-man, was ar- | was no other compromise to be made with the | created quite a sensation, and the sympathy of rested, tried, convicted and sentenced to be ! sullen ane we plan is a good one. The | the community was nearly equally divided be- hanged, but eseaped, and for years has eluded head of Turtle-Face-is as clear as his heart is | tween them. But on the second night sfter the justice. But I see this subject is distasteful to | brave. The Red Vultures will go with the In- | quarrel Mr. Endicott was shot down dead on the you, Miss Graves, therefore I will drop it.” ; dians. They will take the old squaw and the | street. On the information of two men, named ‘No, no, Robert,” she quickly replied, ‘I'm | young. The pale-faces will follow, as a matter | Rosenberg and Quinlan, father wes arrested for interested now and want to Enow all’ about | of course, and then your braves can mow them. | the murder, though solemnly protesting bis’ in- Rossgrove. I heard Rattler say something Now I have spoken.” nocence. But Rosenberg and Quinlan swore about a large reward being offered for a crimi- | Apparently satisfied, the chief turned and} they saw him do the deed, and as everybody nal; was that criminal, R ssgrove?” walked away, and as soon as he was gone Cap- ) knew of the quarrel, the situation looked gloomy “Tt was. Lbelieve Kit said that the party of- | tain Vulture and Bramble Separated also, the | indeed. fering the reward was named Israel Danbaugh.” | former going over and entering into a conversa- | ‘‘ Father was indicted and convicted of mur- A Sc00 sigh—almost a gasp, escaped Ruth’s | tion with Sabina, whose indignantspeech did not | der in the first degree and sentenced to ke hanged lins, She buried her face in ker hands and on | indicate a dejected spirit. in six weeks. But three weeks before that time the instant gave Way to some emotion of grief | Kit’s fingers fairly itched to send a bullet | the jail was fired, and during the excitement that seemed to convulse her whole body. | through the heart of the outlaw chief, and | that prevailed father escaped and they never re Stonewall was completely astoinded by this when he got ready to leave his position he could me ange inthe maiden’s captured him, That he is still living there is no not resist the temptation to pick up a rock the | doubt, for, about once in two years, the sheriff size of his fist, and, during an outburst of laugh- | of the county in which he was convicted receives é eb: ter at some remark of Sabma’s, hurl it over into | a letter from him declaring his innocence of En- crinsinal, and he was ot his wits’ end to know | a group of savages. Had a bombshell exploded | dicott’s murder and expressing a hope that the how to extricate himself from the delicate situ- in their midst it would not have caused greater | real truth would some day be known. He also Spirit. He could | . ation he found himself in, Ruth, however, sud- | consternation. A red-skin was. struck down | wrote to uncle Mahlon Graves, ing feeling- } | | pot understand why she should become so affect- ed by what he had told her of Rosegrove, the denly started up, and brushing a ficod of tears | senseless by the missile, although no one had | ly of his child, whom the wi of men from her eyes, Sala: . seen from whence itcame. In fact, no one saw | bad made worse than fatherless, and of his wan- re Robert, I presume a me foolizh, but | the missile at all, but they heard the blow and | dering a fugitive on the face of the earth for I cannot help it. To me there 1s more inauame | saw the warrior go down. others’ crimes. you have mentioned than you could possibly | - And while the camp was the scene of excite-| ‘‘ His letters bore no address and the post- gine there was. |. ; | ment and confusion, Kit Bandy crept away and | marks were of places located in distant coun- ‘Tndeed” Bob replied, in no little surprise; | started on his return to his friends, On the way | tries. No two that T ever heard of came fron “hed I known this 1 gained pow said hothing, | he came upon some ponies among the bushes, ' the same place, and this is what bothered the ao- for you know, Ruth, I would not =” all creation | and catching ono of them he mounted it and con- | tectives so that that they have been lu? from wound your feelings ey Us Since the | tinued on ata swinging gallop. Whenhereached | one place to another, and ail to no purpose, for matter has come up, 1 hope I may bave your the edge of the plain he stopped to listen, He neatly thirteen years, I have heard nothing -
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20 ' The Border Det ectives from him for three years until this hour, but the last we did hear led us to believe he was in Brit- ish Columbia.” ‘*Then your uncle Graves never saw him?” | said Bob. , ae | ‘*No, sir; while ho was under arrest uncle | Graves lay very sick, and for this reason we were unable to visit father while he was in | rison, tather if he should meet him. Uncle Mahlon Graves would not know | There was not a | picture of him in. existence at the time of his | flight.” “Then your aunt is not living—the one who took you to her home when your mother died?” ** No, sir; she died four years ago, and after that uncle Mahlon failed in business, and finally he and four friends resolved to seek a fortune in | the gold-hills. He gave me my choiceof accom- | panying him or remaining with a sister of his. But being of an adventurous spirit, I chose the former, and I assure you that the adventures and perils I have passed through have taken all that spirit of romance outof me. But, Robert what evidence have you that father is one of Captain Vulture’s band?” **1 must confess that I do not know,” Bob re- plied; ‘‘the case was given to Kit Bandy, the noted mountain detective, with the promise of a large reward in case of Rossgrove’s capture. In addition to the reward offered by the State in which the murder wes committed, ten times larger reward was also offered by a gentleman named Danbaugh—lIsrael Danbaugh.’ ‘*Israel Danbaugh!” exclaimed Ruth; ‘‘ why, ke is father’s cousin!” “You don’t tell me! Then why on earth should he want his relative hung? I supposed, and so did Kit, that he was a relative of the mur- dered man, Mr. Endicott. Deadwood some weeks ago, and there is where he employed Old Kit to hunt the criminal down. | Knowing the many dangers to be encountered the old detective employed Old Tom Rattler. Zeke Ruble and myself toassist him, One-Armed Phil going along of his own accord. I do not know what evidence Danbaugh has of Ross- grove being in Vulture’s band, but it seems to be settled that he is there. I have not had an opportunity since I met Kit on the Moreau, to converse with him on thesubject. I understand, however, that Rossgrove never rides with the band. He may be a cripple if he is an outlaw. But now, Ruth, for your sake, I hope our trip to the outlaw stronghold will be a failure.” ‘*T thank you, Robert, for your kindness to me, and I would not ask you to forego any duty of honor you owe to any one on my ac- count. But I desire to say further, in relation to my father, that my aunt Rachel always be- lieved he was innocent of the murder. She said he had always been an upright and honorable citizen, and did not believe he was capable of such a crime. But then people might say it was natural for her to say so as he was a relative. For the same reason, perhaps, I have always felt that he was innocent, and if your trip re- veals anything I hope it may be that he is not one of Captain Vulture’s band.” “ Ruth, within the past few minutes it has oc- curred to my mind that such a thing as your father being with tis outlaw band is impossi- ble, or else he would have discovered some- thing about youor yourname that would have led to your identity, Even had he learned through a spy, or otherwise, that Mahlon Graves with you was crossing the plain, he would never have directed or favored a violent attack upon the train at the risk of so many lives. If he is inno- cent of the murder, as he claims in his pa ‘why should he be an outlaw? Why a crimina here, if he trusts to the future to prove his in- nocence there? I’m beginning to believe, since you told me Danbaugh was your father’s cousin, that there is something about that murder the world knows nothing of. Dll swear I don’t be- lieve the father of Ruth Graves is a murderer or outlaw, though he may be a fugitive.” “T fully ag ee your compliments, Rob- ort, Sn hope that time will prove that you are Nt this juncture the young folks were mter- rupted by the ieee of Zeke Ruble, who strolled out to where they sat and said: ‘‘ Beg pardon for intruding on you, folks.” ‘It’s no intrusion, Zeke,” Stonewall replied. The hunter came closer, and dropping upon his knees opened a conversation with them about the situation. He asked many questions about Gypsy, for it had been made known to both Bob th that he was the foster-father of the little maid. Ruth told him of their capture and of Gypsy’s resolute courage through all their paces In the course of a few minutes One-Armed Phil joined them, and_ he, too, was eager and anxious to hear about Sas After Phil and Ruble both went away, Stone- wall said to Ruth: ; ‘“‘ There are two more brave souls that have suffered more than tongue can tell, especially One-At Phil.” ‘““Thisis a wicked world, Robert,” Ruth replied, “and Pad is always the innocent that have to suffer most. taba ig hg “yin: uncle Danbaugh was in | - Graves about your missi: to this country. I raust tell him of Israel Deabeg anxiety for ' 7 Maat Se Peat neh oe 7 é ROE, Ee A the capture of my poor father, and get his opin- ion of it.” ‘* Do so, by all means,” answered Bob, ‘‘ and perhaps he will lay the matter before Kit Bandy, who has a marvelous gift of weaving solid fab. ries of facts out of the merest threads of evi- dence— Ah! I hear Bandy’s voice now; he’s re- turned from his reconnoissance of the enemy’s camp.” Stonewall sprung to his feet, and assisting Ruth to rise, the two started toward their friends whom they reached in time to hear Old Kit saying: ‘The hull Ingin and outlaw outfit has pulled up, crossed the river and gone for the hills tak- in’ with them little Gypsy and my wife Sabina. And now, friends, as to little Gypsy, by the horn o’ Joshua! they shall not keep her, and as for my wife Sabina. by the confusion o’ Babel, they cannot keep her!” CHAPTER XXII. STONEWALL STARTS FOR THE INDIAN VILLAGE, Tue news Old Kit brought back was a surprise and disappointment to all. To Zeke Ruble and One- Armed Phil, whose interest in the welfare of Gypsy had now become mutual, it was bitter, for if the foe chee veers the fastnesses of the mountains there would be little hope of the maiden’s rescue. ‘*[ got within a decent earshot o’ the camp,” Ban- dy said, narrating his adventures; ‘‘and I looked upon jittle Gypsy in her helplessness, Jim Noel in his beauty, and my wife,Sabina, whose melodious voice I heard doin, some 0’ the prettiest word-paint- in’ Lever heard. She just sloshed the loudest col- ors all over that camp. and the way them fool In- gine and outlaws laughed war a caution to forty- even jackals in a grave yard, Ialso heard a con- flab between Captain Vulture. Jack Bramble and the chief. Turtle-Face. The Ingin was in a bad humur. So many o’ his warriors had been slain and no income either, that he was resolved to ull off and leave the outlaws unless they ‘dopted his way 0’ fightin’, and that was to sneak off into the hills and ambush ns. **To this old Vulture agreed, of course, and they war to carry both Gypsy and Sabina with ’em so that we'd foller to rescue ’em and by that means run into their dead-trap.”’ ‘* By the great Rosycrusians!" exclaimed Rattler. “they'll give us a deal o’ trouble if that’s their game.” * Thar’s no doubt o’ that,” responded Bandy; **in fact, we'll hardly dare to venture into the moun- tains against the outlaws backed by forty or fifty outlaw Indians red-hot for vengeance.’ **In God's name, what shall we do?’ asked One- Armed Phil. **Thar’s two ways I could suggest, and one is to send to the fort for troops and—"’ ‘“That’simpracticable,Zeke,’* interrupted Old Kit, “for vefore the post-commandant reported to the division commander, and he to Washington, when like as not a cabinet meeting would have to be called and the matter cabineted over, and maybe a few tele- grams o’ inquiry sent, and then the order given to move, and then the soljers have to polishtheir shoes and furbish up their buttons, and be put on dress-pa- rade and then marched to the hills, perhaps little Gypsy would die of old age, and my wife Sabina— but what’sthe use talkin’? If I war going to sug- gest anything for our immediate relief, it'd be to send to the village o’ Black Bear a friendly chief and ask him to send @ band o’ warriorsto help clean out them mountain coyotes, root and branch,”’ “That's the gospel, Kitsie.’’ declared Old Rattler; “ yourold noodle’s level, if itisholler. The instincts o’ self preservation are strong within you, while your bumps 0’ caution stick out in chunks all over your Adonis-like form. Send for the red-skins, by all means, Kitsie, and then-we’ll see if two can’t play that little ambush game.” ‘Wal,’ said Old Kit, ** who’s the feller to go?—one that knows the way, and has influence with the chief when he gits there ?”” Stonewall advanced closer to Kit, saying: * Old pard, it has been something less than one year since I rescued Singing-Bird, the daughter of Black Bear, from the clutches of a white villain, and knowing an Indian never forgera a kindness nor an insult, I feel confident 1 would have some influence with the chief. At any rate, I’m willing to risk it, and start at once.” ‘But will not the journey be attended with great dangers?” Ruth Graves asked. unable to conceal the interest she felt in the welfare of the Boy Tro- jan. ; “No doubt o’ it, Miss Ruth, but we trust Bob’s ekal to any emergency,” answered Old Kit, ‘‘It are only by takin’ chances that we bordermen ever accomplish anything.” Stonewall at once made preparations for depart- ure. It was allof fifty miles to Black Bear's village, The strongest and fleetest horse was saddled and bridled for him, Then, with the best wishes of all, the “‘God speed you”’ of Ruth, whose swimming eyes told of her deep solicitude, the young plains- man mounted and galloped away throughthe night. | “ Horn o' Joshua}’’ exclaimed Old Kit, as the hoy disappeared, ‘‘that big, brave youth's leavin’ us makesa terrible hole in our crowd that can’t be filled by any other.” 3 “Just the reverse 0’ your goin’ away, Kitsie,” said Rattler, ‘for in that case a terrible hole or yawp ‘d be closed. and all’d be as quiet and serene as two lovers watchin’ the moonrise 'boye the tree- * Rattler, you beautiful bush-ranger, you're eter- nally tryin’ to rooin’ my repetation, but then your efforts are like a bloodthirsty goat tryin’ to butt down Pike's Peak ’cause it see'd the reflection o’ its ornery self in a puddle o’ water,”’ ; ‘*Gentlemen,” said Mahlon Graves, who did not understand the two old borderers, ‘‘I hope you will not become personal in your remarks,”’ “Oh, Hepvereeeen! * replied Rattler, ‘‘never. Mr. Graves; ’dthink no more o’ gittin’ ruffled at Bandy’s remarksthan ata yratey, gal stealin’ a kiss from me every hour orso. No,I talk jistto amuse Kit.” In spite of the party’s depression of spirits they could not suppress a smile, and some of them laughed outright. In fact, this was what the old men were after. They knew that nothing so tended to defeat and disaster as a dejected spirit, and there was just enough of the humorous in their own na- tures to keep that enemy away By this time the vight was well advanced, and af- ter a short consultation it was decided that er should move over to the Moreau and encamp till morning. As the horses were already saddled, the party. with the exception of Kit and Rattler, mounted and moved away, the two old bordermen leading the way on foot. Without any trouble they soon reached the river and went into camp in the timber, not far from the old Indian crossing above the Hermit Dome, A tent, or bower, was constructed of bushes and blankets for Ruth, and the maiden at once sought rest therein. Rambling Dan and One-Armed Phil went on guard and as soon as all had become settled and quiet, Mahlon Graves turned to Bandy and said: _ “Mr, Bandy, my daughter, in conversation with Stonewall Bob, learned that you and your friends were in this vicinity, bunting down acriminal named Joba Rossgrove.”’ “That’s a fact, sir,” answered Kit, ‘though I, or Bob either, would have said nothing ‘bout it had there been any likelihoods o’ our man gittin’ wind o’ what, we war after and skipped out.”’ ‘© and I alsounderstand,” Gravescontinued, ‘‘ that one Israel Danbaugh is the man that employed ou,’ “Yes, sir, and Israel comes down handsomely, y “ Did he tell you why he wanted Rossgrove hunted own?’ ‘No, but he intimated, and I supposed, that he war a relative o’ the murdered man whose death he wanted to see avenged.”’ ‘*On@the contrary, Mr. Bandy, he is a cousin of the man, Jolin Rossqgrove |”’ ** You don’t tell me?’ exclaimed Kit. ‘‘ Then you must know Rossgrove and Danbaugh both!” “*T do not know them personally, but Iknow Ross- grove well by reputation, and have Heard of Dan- augh.’ ‘Then you’ve heard of the murder of Henry En~- dicott?”’ ** Yes. sir.”’ ‘© 4 foul murder it war ” “Yes, whether Rossgrove did it or not.” ‘* Ah! then you have doubts, Mr. Graves?” ‘*] certainly have. Kit. but then it may be but nat- ural since John Rossgrove’s wife and mine—both now dead—were sisters.’ ‘*Horno’ Joshua! is that possible?” ‘Yes; and what is more, Bandy, that innocent girlin yonder bower is the daughter of John Ross- grove.’ “ Confusion 0’ Babel!” exclaimed Kit. * Rosycrusians!"’ added Rattler. “Tt is a fact,’’ Graves went on, and from the be- ginning, repeated in substance the story that we have heard Ruth narrate to Stonewall Bob. When he had finished Old Kit exclaimed in surprise and astonishment; ‘*Ram’s horn o' Joshua! John Rossgrove the fath- er o’ Ruth Graves!—a murderer the father 0’ sich an angel gal!’’ ‘It confuses—paralyzes me,” declared Rattler, * And Israel Danbaugh the cousin—blood rv lative o’ Jobn Rossgrove,”’ Kit went on, ‘‘and Danbaugh offering a biz reward to us for the capture of Ress- prow that he may be banged by the neck till dead. sp't this a little singular?”’ ‘It certainly seems so to me. Kit,” replied Rat- tler, ‘‘ and if you’d give your majestic intellect rope encugh for your great mind to reach out and grasp the few simple facts in the case you might come to some conclusion in the matter,” *Thar’s one thing I’ve already figgered out,’” said Kit, ‘and that is that I don’t believe the father of such a gal as that gal Ruth, could be a murder- er. ‘Second the motion, Kit,’ exclaimed Rattler; **now what do you say, friend Ruble?” “Noble and upright men,” answered Zeke, “sometimes in the heat of passion have done mur- der most foul; but inthis case the fact of Danbaugh being, as Mr. Graves says, Rossgrove’s cousin, his eagerness for the death of Rossgrove certainly throws a shadow of mystery,if not doubt, around the affair." “That's true, Ruble, and the doubt’s in favor of Rossgrove,” declared Bandy. ‘It looks a little queer that Danbaugh concealed from me the fact 0’ his being a relative o’ Rossgrove’s and I’ve half a notion to go back on bim and throw up the whole job; for, to tell the truth, I'd ruther lose forty big rewards than add one pang o’ grief to that child’s heart. But, as to that, we will decide after little Gyngy and Sabina has been rescued.” **You spoke once, Kit,” said Ruble, ‘of an old pard of yours. named Iehabod Flea, that had gone as a spy among the outlaws and renegade In 8. Was he to have met us here?” “Yes, if he could do so conveniently,” answered Bandy. Something ve ca Rattler’s lips, but he at once turned it off by asking: “I wonder what Stonewall thinks o’ this Dan- baugh-Rossgrove affair?” ‘Just about as the rest of you do,” answered raves. ‘Well, by the horn 0’ Joshua! this puzzles me— breaks me allup. How doesit affect you, Rattler? speak out and give the world the benefit o’ your gi- oo intellect—belp a man outen a muddle, can’t ye : ‘*Well, I’m o’ the opinion that Israel Danbaugh is makin’ a hull mess o’ fools outen somebody, and it begins to look as though those fools are Kit Bandy, the great, wall-eyed. mountain detective.” * Well,” said Bandy, ‘I’m going to sift the thing to the very bottom, Rossgrove is among the out- laws 1 want to know it; and at the same time there are other things I want to ses cena peer that’s come up in my mind the last . One of them is m7 Rossgrove enti ly z tent not Bon way, in ae shape or manner, why not Rossgrove'’s Ruth, be also? and ma much like a chuckling laugh es-_ if she ts, what relation does Dan- } ie | : “ie : % ~ 3 oe i = . ‘ aa —_
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el a — The Border Detectives. bangh’s presence in Deadwood bear to the attempt- ed abduction o' Ruth—Ruth Rossgrove, as I s’pose is her name?” i ; ‘Now, Bandy,” declared Rattler, rubbing his hands together in apparent glee, ** your brain is be- ae to work—you’re gittin’ to solid busivess, and | f ! you keep on you'll figger Danbaugh outa crimi- | mal, Rossgrove a persecuted man, and yerself a whalin’ big mess 0’ fools.” ) “That’s *bout the size o’ it, Rattler,” affirmed Kit. “Some people do blubber out the truth once in | awhile, andif we could lift the vail that eushrouds | this waole affair, I'm thinkin’ we'd find more than Rossgrove needed hangin’. However, let us drop the subject for to-night, and try and get alittle rest and sleep, and as soon as Stonewall gits back wecan decide on our future course.”’ To this the others consented, and in a few min- | utes all were wrapped in slumber except One-Armed Phil and the plucky little Rambling Dan, who re- inained on guard, CHAPTER XXIV. BLACK WOLF AND THE WHITE-BUFFALO-CALF, — ln a beautiful mountain vale, through which flowed a limpid stream, was located the village of | Black Woif,,the Sioux, the destination of Stonewall Bob. horse was well-nigh jaded. and hunger, excitement Black Wolf upon his honor, and while the wily old | chief did. not fail to discern the young plainsman’s tact, he fully appreciated the compliment paid his savage honor, and, with brightening eyes and breast swelling with pride. he answered: haired counselor, H+ isdeep in his mind as the still watersin the river, Heis ecm 3 as the whirlwind, and bold as the lion. Black Wolf has not forgotten the young pale-tace’s bravery. The spirit of Sing- ing Bird whispers to me in the wind and the trees the praises of White Buffalo-Calf whom she loved. Her spirit calis on me now to send warriors to the helpof the pale-face. 1 will summon Standing-Elk, my bravest war-chief, and bid him prepare for the war-path at once.” A messenger was at once dispatched for Standing- Eik, who received his instructions trom the cbief, and svou the whole town was alive with bustle and excitement. The Indians were to go to the scene of war on foot, taking the short cut through the hills, and as Stone- wall would not tarry there he was furnished a fresh horse, his own being too near exhausted to make the trip. As the wav the Indians were going was im- passable for a horse he would have to return as he had come, alone; but as the red-skins’ route was | much the shortest they would be enabled to reach The night had passed and the day was nearly half | one when the Boy Trojan came in sight of the In- | ian town, and most heartily did he rejoice, for his | and the loss of two nights’ sleep were beginning to | tell upon his own robust frame, And yet he almost dreaded to meet the chief, for to meet him was to also meet his daughter, paneing kre. It had been less than a year since he had rescued the dusky maiden from the power ot a white villain, which act had made him an honored guest in the chief’s camp on Grand river, ahd won, not only the admiration of the girl, but her most passionate love—a feeling that the gd queers in no way reciprocated, Itis true, he had treated her kindly and gallantly as was his nature, but he had in no way encouraged her in her affection for him. He had not seen nor | heard from her, or her father, since they had parted onthe Grand river, and now as he approached the village be inwardly hoped that this interim of months had dispelled from the heart of the savage maiden her unrequited love. The young plainsman’s approach was heralded through the town before he had reached its limits, and lazy bucks, greasy squaws, and naked pap- pooses, filled with excitement and curiosity, eraceerd along the street by which he entered the village. The bucks who had met him on the Grand river readily recognized him, and from their lips, and through ths town, was shouted the name: ‘“‘ White-Buffalo-Calf! White-Buffalo-Calf!”’ Bob recognized this friendly greeting with contin- ued bows on the right and the left until he reached the lodge of the chief. who advanced to meet him with a sad smile upon his face. Dismounting, Bob grasped the Indian’s hand and shookit warmly. The youth saw that while Black Wolf seemed giad to see him, he was morose and gad, the cause of which he soon learned. Two bucks were on band to take charge of Bob's horse, while the youth himself was conducted into the chief's apartments and seated, Then water, and bread, and meat, was brought him, for his very looks told the Inaian that he was thirsty and hun- ry; and never did food taste better the Boy frojan than that ash-bread and broiled meat. Black Wolf was silent until he had finished his repast; then he opened the conversation by saying: “Black Wolf has looked long forthe coming of : jo-Calf.”’ } ! oy Bile gs “ec ae anxious to visit the Sioux vil- lage.” replied Bob; ‘but why is the chief's daugh- ter, Scape Fra not here?” ** The sp of the spirits,” Black Wolf answered, with a sad voice, as he searched the eyes of the Boy Trojan as if for evidence of sorrow. Nor was he disappointed. A sigh escaped the great-hearted boy's lips, for the sad news Et startling shock to him, and he felt a pang 8 breast akin to Femaree, rer ae datas © ox- ressed before entering the village. P stonewall expressed the greatest sympathy for the bereaved savage father,and every word came from the heart, too, for there was no deceit in the breast of Bob Comstock. It was some time before a favorable opqotenne was offered for the Boy Trojan to make known the object of his visit there without obtruding upon the feelings of the chief, who persisted in recounting all the tender memories of his dead child. However, in answerto a question, he was finally enabled to make this answer: ‘*T bave come to consult with Black Wolf. There are many bad white men in the hills and many more bad Indians, and they have carried off two pale-face squaws. My white friends are few, while the ene- mies are many - apse? oe dent pain passed over the chief's face as here $ “Black Wolf knows that many of his warriors proke away and went to the hills: but they are not the only bad Indians there. The Pawnees, the Crows, the Cheyennes and the Blackfeet have mary outlaw warriors there helping the bad pale-faces to sijl and rob and burn. Itis their crimes that make the Great Father at Washington angry with all the Indians, and then he sends his soldiers to punish them or be witbholds our annuities, But Black Wolf cannot help there being bad Indians any more than the Great athercan help there being bad pale- ” faces. c t is all very true, Black Wolf.” am ‘wigan all, “‘ but when we found we could ne en peerpes white friends from the foe. one of my cue oe said, ' Go for the soldiers,’ but I said, ‘ No, I will go. to the village of Black Wolf and he will send goto © help us for 4 pares congas a friend and sic ors can ness. SP than ned ete il * oe as flatte y the young plainsman’ The: chiet™ pad adroitly presented his case, and yo esa way that almost precluded a refusal nat so part of ime chiet to comply with his requ, or ; a ge th some diplomatic shrewdness, p the appointed place of meeting on the Moreau al- most as soon as he. The war-party of some sixty braves left the town before Stonewall did,in high spirits over the pros- pect of gratifying their natural thirst for human scalps, even though they were to come from the heads of their own race, The sun was on a downward course when Stone- wall Bob bid the chief good-by, and mounting his horse rode away from the dirty, smudgy village where be had been an honored guest. The horse that he had been provided with was the best at the chief’s command, and proved as good, if not better, than the one that had carried him to the town. He sped along at a steady gallop, and his mind was so occupied with thoughts of his friends and their dan- ers that it was sunset before he was aware of it. ut there was no halting for him that night, and he rodeon. The twilight shadows deepened into dark- | ness, tarough which he was compelled to travel at a ritof Singing Bird has gone to the land ee EEE EERE more cautious gait. He was now following a deep, wooded valley trending away toward the western hills, when he suddenly came in sight of three or four twinkling camp-fires some little distance before him, : Quickly he drew rein, for he knew not but that foes were before him. He listened and heard the voices of white men, and then a peal of rollicking laughter. Riding on, be had gained a point within afew rods of the fire when he was chailenged. At the same moment he discovered that a party of United States cavalry was encamped there, and giving his name he was permitted to enter the lines. Riding into camp, he dismounte1 and saluted the soldiers. A man wearing the insignia of a captain advanced and, with a look of surprise upon his face, addressed the young plainsman, ; iy i whom have I the pleasure of addressing?’’ he asked. ‘* Bob Comstock," was the young man’s response, ‘* By Jove! that must be Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan,” said a man in a civilian’s suit, the fashion of which was not of the border. ** That’s who I am, sir,’’ Bob responded. “Indeed?” exclaimed the officer, extending his hand. “I’mtruly glad to meet you, Stonewall, for Thave heard of you frequently. Iam Captain Rain- bolt, and this gentleman is Doctor Powell, the—” “The Surgeon Scout?” exclaimed Stone wail. “ Yes,” answered the doctor, who was dressed in & neat suit of buckskin. ‘‘f am like yourself, Bob, got a name for every locality I strike.” “Well, doctor,” returned Bob, “‘if reports are true, you deserve every good name indicative of skill and bravery that's been tacked onto you, and since we’ve met I’m of the opinion you deserve them atett one can judge anything by appearances, and I ti h ink I can sometimes.” Compliments from everybody are not flatterin to me, but from Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, accept them most gratefully. Permit me, Bob, to introduce to you this gentleman, Israel Danbaugh.” CHAPTER XXV. THE PINKERTON DETECTIVE INTERVIEWS BOB. STONEWALL Bos started at mention of Israel Dan- baugh’s name, and although he had noticed the man before—for it was ke who had first spoke Bob’s name—a feeling of repulsion filled his breast, The man’s very face, his voice, and the touch of his hand, which seemed cold andclammy, like a snake's body. all conspired to add to the involuntary dislike the name had engendered, Even after the youth had had time for reflection, and he had endeavored to convince himself tnat his feelings toward Danbaugh were unjust—the result of prea growing out of the man's pursuit of Joho Rossgrove, the father of Ruth, he could not change his first impression, Danbaugh was a tall, well- rved man of per- haps fifty yeers. He wore long, silken chin-whis- kers, His upperlip was smoothly shaven, He had dark-gray eyes that were not possessed of any re- markable brilliancy, yet they seemed half-closed in tives.” The young a and the detective shook hands. <a toward Smith were not the same as toward Danbaugh, yetthere was a coldness in his breast even toward the detective, which went to show the strength of the boy's love for Ruth, since everythingand everybody thatseem ainst her directly or indirectly, engendered hi like and stirred up a feeling of bitterness within him. He knew without the telling that Smnith was there in the employ of Danbaugh. who was too impatient to await the result of Bandy’s expedition in huating } oi Rossgrove down, but must take the field himself in person, aided by the Government troops and led by the Surgeon Scout. He felt no bitterness toward the soldiers. He was satisfied that they knew no | more of certain facts in the case than he and Bandy ‘The White Buffalo-Calf speaks like a white- | cvhemselves did when they set out on the expedition. And it was only by accident that he haa been led to change his mind, somewhat—not alone, however, as to Rossgrove’s guilt, for of that he knew nothing, but as to the motive thatinspired Danbaugh to hunt down his relative and give him over io the hang- man, *T hardly expected to meet you here, Bob,”* Da baugh said, “for I supposed you were with Bandy * arty.’ *] left Bandy’s party last night, and Iam now on my way back,” replied Bob. ** What success have you had?” “Very poor indeed. We have been kept busy fighting outlaws and outlaw Indians whose numbers are so much Jarger than ours that I had to go to Black Wolf for help.” ‘ : You ‘don’t tell me?” exclaimed Captain Rain- olt. **Did you succeed in getting help from Black Wolf?” asked Austin Smith. ‘*He at once sent three-score warriors to the scene of action.” ‘And where is that scene, Bob?’ asked the cap- tain, **It has been upon and around a piace called the Hermit Dome, but it will now be transferred to the mountains.” ‘*l know exactly where the Hermit Dome is,” said the Surgeon Scout; ‘‘Old Fenwick’s Cave is near there ”’ “Then Bandy’s determined on having my man, Rossgrove?”’ observed Danbaugh, but the words caused Bob's brow to contract with a feeling of dis- gust; still, repressing his feelings he said: ** We've all bad something else to do than hunt for criminals in trying to save our own scalps, and rescue a young girl that isin the enemy’s power.” ‘Thunder and Mars!”’ exclaimed Rainbolt, **is it possible that the red and white outlaws are even carrying off women under our very noses? Who is the captive? and where was she taken from?” “She's the daughter of a hermit hunter that lives in the hills away over toward the mines.” * I know of no hunter over_that way,” said the Surgeon Scout, ‘except Zeke Ruble, and he has no daughter,”’ ‘*There’s where you’re mistaken, doctor,”’ replied Storewall, “‘forit is Zeke’s daughter that’s in the power of thefoe. Yes, and they also have Kit Ban- dy’s wife” * Kit Bandy’s wife?” exclaimed the doctor; ** who ever knew he hadawife? ‘Vell, here’s a double sur- prise. I always thought Ruble was one of those quiet, secluded sort of men that preferred his own company to that of others; but if he has a daughter he’s been afraid to let it be known to his best friends, and I don’t blame him. She would have been carried off by some villain in J beforc, had a nee been known — especially if she’s pretty. * Well, she is—she’s a little wild-eyed beauty,” said Bob. ‘*Iv’s an outrage!” exclaimed the Surgeon Scout, his manly dignity rising within him, “to think a more aggressive policy is not pursued against those human vultures. A woman is not safe in this coun- try unless surrounded by regiments of friends, and the white villains are worse than the red savages.” Stonewall was on the point of making known the attack on Mahlon Graves’s train and the capture of — but the presence of Danbaugh changed his mind. After some further conversation Bob was invited to share the soldiers’ bivouac with them, but this he declined, pres: ‘*T must reach my friends before daylight.”’ ‘If our horses were not so near jaded, I would be tempted to break camp and go on with you,’ said the captain. re ag Neary is your destination?” said Stonewall. es.’ “I was afraid,” spoke up Danbaugh, as if he seemed to think he owed an apology for enlisting other help in the work he had intrusted to Bandy’s party, ‘“‘that Bandy’s force might not be able to cope with the outlaws, and upon learning the sol- diers were tery | into the hills on a tour of inspec- tion, I enlisted them in my cause, which is their cause so far as hunting down outlaws isconcerned.” “Tassure you, captain,” said Bob, turning to the officeras thoughin contemptof what Danbaugh bad said, ‘that your assistance will be timely, and we shall look for you along some time to-morrow.”’ With this the young plainsman vaulted into his saddle. touched his hat and rode away. a guard, he rode at a walk on up the valley. When about twenty rods from camp bis ears were greeted by the familiar words: * Oh, Bob!’ = young man drew rein, and in a low tone eda: “Who calle me?” **T, Austin Smith,” was the answer, and the next moment the detective stood at the side of his horse. ** Pismount, Bob; please,” he went on, “for I’ve a word to speak wit "perl Wondering what he could have to say, Bob dis- mounted. **Let’s move on a little further from camp, now,” Smith said, taking Bob by the arm. The two walked on fifty yards further and stop- ped, when Smith said: 4 Bob, I’ve the reputation of being a detective by nature as\well as by practice. I have made human nature a study these twenty years, and I think I can read most men pretty well, aud your opinion of Israel Danbaugh seems very clear to my mind. Bob was completely taken by surprise. He didnot suppose his dislike of Danbaugh had been so plain- ly shown, and before he could frame a reply to Smith *s declaration the detective continued: ** Now. you must have some reason for your dis- trustof Mr, Danbaugh.”’ ; “You take a fellow rather abruptly, Smith,” Stonewall said; ‘‘ but then I have no desire orinten- tion of denying the truth of what you discovered ir my feelings toward that man; and furthermore, as youareinhisemploy, lhave nodesireto give youmy
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22 reasons for disliking him, You'll discover that in | time, no doubt.” ‘Young man, I'm a detective,’’ said Smith, *‘and that Endicott murder has been in my hands for years. Somebody committed. the crime, that’s sure.’’ ‘Then you must have some doubts of Rossgrove having done the deed,”’ replied Bob. “*T didn’t say so, did I?” **No, but. you intimate as much. But then I don’t care what Danbaugh or any one thinks of me or my opinion, because it does look singular to me that a man would be so eager for the death of a lood relative as to offer a fortune for bis capture.” ‘ah! that’s—that’s the sticking-point with you, eh?”’ “That's one of them,” answered Bob, ** and the other?”’ obsequiously. “'That’s my secret,” resporded Stonewall, not to be caught by the detective’s shrewduess, Smith laughed in a silent way. ** Why, boy,” he said, ‘\i can tell you why Dan- baugh wishes Rossgrove’s capture, It’s no secret to me, nor need he he ashamed of it, in one sense, In England, or Scotland, I forget which, there’s a fortune of a whole big million,of dollars that Ross- grove's heir to. Iu case of hisdeath if goes to his coz, Israe| Danbaugh,d’yesee? Now, if Rossgrove’s captured, he’s good as dead, and then Israel gits the wealth. That’s all there is of it. The fortune’s do- ing Rossgrove no good, and as the bequest is so made that his issne cannot inherit it if Rossgrove is dead, and Danbaugh alive, why, it ’d do his child no ood,” “Then Rossgrove has achild?’’ observed Bob. “They say so—a girl somewhere Hast—now a young lady of seventeen or eighteen.” ** And in ease of her father’s death she would not stand between the fortune and Danbaugh?”’ ‘*? understand she would not, though she might give him a deal of trouble.” ‘“‘Has Danbaugh ever expressed any fears from that source?’’ ** He’s talked about it,”’ ** How long after the murder of Endicott was it before a knowledge of the inheritance ee. claimant was discovered?’ questioned Stonewall. “Two years, or thereabouts,”’ answered Smith, ‘so you cannot say that Rossgrove, out of an exu- berance of spirit over his great inheritance killed Endicott. But if Danbaugh had slain Rossgrove,. then we might suspect that he—Danbaugh— had had a previous knowledge of the fortune and the conditions of the will.” ‘* That’s very true, Mr. Smith,’ replied Stonewall. in a voice that indicated some impatience, ** but if -you have been a detective twenty years you know, or ought to, that there's more ways than one of kiil- ingaman.”* : Zip!’ exclaimed the detective, slapping the young plainsman on the shoulder, ** you've the in- Etincts of a'detective, Stonewall. Iunderstand you now pretty well, and have no more to say, only that I do believe you know more than I can pump out of you. But it’s all right; 1 think we'll understand each other perfectly beforemany weeks roll around. Now let me repeat again that l’m working up the Endicott murder for all there is in it, and not for for tunesin Europe. [hope you'll succeedin rescuing the hermit hunter’s daughter, and Kit Bandy’s wife, and capture the whole outlaw gang—including the notorious Rossgrove. Good night, Bob ” Aud before Stonewall could reply the detective was gone. Mounting his horse the young man rode on, anda hundred times during that lonely ride he repeated over and over the words of Austin Smith, and in his mind wondered what revelations the future would develop. CHAPTER XXVI. SABINA BANDY GETS IN HER WORK, DayLiesrT found the allied forces of Captain Vul- ture and Turtle-Face many miles from the Her- mit Dome encamped in a deep mountain valley, sparsely wooded with pine and cedar, Here they had resolved to remain until assured that Bandy and his friends intended to follow them, scouts hav- ing been left behind to watch the movements of the plainsmen, and report.the same, Meanwhile, Old Savina Bandy was making it ex- ceedingly interesting for hercaptors with a constant stream of a, ig arg but the only effect it had was to provoke the outiaws to laughter, which in turn fed the fire of her wrath. " Gypsy, after her recapture, had become some- what despondent and irritable, but after her captors had gone into camp in the mountain valley, and ar- ranged a commodious tent for her and Sabina, she laid down and went to pr Sabina sitting by her side through the entire ni t—listening and watch- ing like a cat to learn the intentions of the foe, in the morning, wher the maiden arvse from her sleep, she felt refreshed, and after having bathed herhandsand face at a little stream flowing through the valley, eaten a few bites of broiled meat and dry brent: she and Sabina strolled off up the valley a short ways, they having been given the freedom of the camp in that direction, though they were not to go beyond the guards stationed some forty rods ‘from the encampment. When out of hearing of their captors they sat down and entered into conversation, but they had talked but a few minutes when they were invited, or rather ordered, to return to camp at once. When they reached there they found their captors were astir, as with some new excitement. : > Well, my dears,” said Captain Vulture, with a» affected smile of pleasure upon his red, fluffy face, “1 guess we'll mount our horses and move along. You look much refreshed, Mrs. Bandy, this morning —you don't look to be a day over six—teen.”’ “Tyrant! villain!’ retorted Sabina, ‘don’t pro- voke me to further anger. by addin’ insult to injury. Please gracious! man, if Iset them cugere es your es the rest of Ped days will be spent in gropin’ flindness. Don't forgit that I’m the lawfully wed- ded wife of Kit Bandy, and he’ll make oe smoke, if ever helays hands upon you; so he will.” “Mrs, Bandy,’ said the outlaw chief, “‘ Jack Bram- ble, there, has fallen in iove with you, and I’m go- ing to see you get a divorce from ugiy Old Kit, so’s he can Jawfnily wed you,”’ ? : **Wed me?” shricked Sabina, with virtuous indig- / The Border D tectives. nation. ‘Never! Vil plungea daggerto my fiutter- | in? heart and become the bride of death before I'll : submit to be that villain’s wife!’ | ‘ Well. at any rate,” said Captain Vulture, *‘ Bram- ble will be your escort to our romantic retreataway ; back in the hills, and the more spirited you are the ; happier will be our ride. Boys, bring up the horses.” Four horses bridled and saddled were led into camp. Gypsy was placed upon the back of one of them, and Sabina quietly submitted to be assisted to. the back of another. ‘Then Captain Vulture and ! Bramble mounted the other two, and the four rode | off up the valley, the outlaw captain at Gypsy’s side | and Bramble at Sahina’s. They were followed by two mounted outlaws that had been too badly in- jured to take part in the contemplated massacre of Bandy’s party; and these in turn were followed by | four slightly wounded Indians and outlaws with the | horses ang outfit belonging to the party. Then those left behind secretedthemselves among the bushes and rocks on either side of the narrow vale, for their scouts had. brought the word that the plainsmen were advancing but a short distance away, along the pass. No sooner was Captain Vulture out of sight of camp than he became uneasy, although he,felt as- sured before starting that the way before him was clear, He urged on his and Gypsy’s horse ata gal- lop. Bramble and Sabina followed close behind, ae wounded men were unable to ride out of a walk, After moving along at this rate for a mile or two, Old Sabina suddenly shrieked out: ‘*Oh, Lord! I can never stand it to ride so hard! I’ve got a murderin’ stitch in my side now—oh! eatch me |” She gave her rein a violent jerk that brought her horse almost to a stop, and the next instant she gave herself a fling and landed full length wpon the ground, Bramble burst into a roar of laughter as he drew rein, while Caprain Vulture, checking up, turned and came riding back cursing hike a pirate. “Shoot the old hyena!"’ he roared, with an oath, ee! she’s going to cut those kind of hysterical ca- pers,’ : Scarcely were the words out of his mouth before Sabina sprung to her feet, and with a single motion she extended both her arms~—one toward Bramble, and the other toward Captain Vulture. In each hand she ciutched a little derringer that she had fished out from some unknown hiding-place in her garments, and, as one, the two weapons rung out with a vicious “ spang,” starting a hundred echoes Hoging through the hills. Without even as much as a groan Captain Vulture dropped his hands at his side, his head fell back, and reeling in his saddle he fell heavily to the earth shot through the heart, while Bramble, with a groan aud a curse, jerked his horse most violently, and then, in his frantic endeavors to keep his sadile, dug his roweled heels into the animal's side with such cruelty that the tortured beast lunged forward and dashed madly away down the valley, its wound- ed rider swaying to and fro in the saddle—the hot blood pouring from a terrible wound in his breast. But grandly as Sabina had done in liberating her- self from the power of the outlaws, her daring deed did not relieve Gypsy of her danger. The horse the maiden rode was a spirited one and, frightened by the crack of the derringers and the fall of Vulture’s body, it also dashed down the valley at lightning speed carrying the shrieking girl back, for the sec- ond time, into the very midst of her enemies. CHAPTER XXVIUI, A BLOODY CONFLICT, Tre reader who has followed with us the fortunes of Kit Bandy heretofore, has doubtless been aware of the fact that Sakina Bandy was no woman at all, but the irrepressible Ichabod Fiea, the inseparable friend and companion of Old Kit—a shrewd and dar- ing man and skillful detective whose work was large- ly done in the disguise of a female character, which a beardless face, rathor delicate features, and a de- cidedly female voice enabied him to personate as a vindictive old wife to perfection, Not one of Kit’s resent party knew that Sabina Bandy was Ichabod lea except Old Rattler. It is true, Bandy bad told them ali of his friend Ichabod who had gone into the hills asa spy, but he had kept a secret the fact that he had gone therein the character of a female. The two wounded outlaws following behind Cap- tain Vulture and Jack Bramble were about three hundred yards away when Sabina fired the two deadly shots that unhorsed the outlaw chief and seriously wounded the other, and heedless of dan- ger to themselves from the same source they urged their horses forward, despite their wounds, in hopes of being able to assist their fallen leader. it Sa- bina, or Ichabod Flea, as we will know this charac- ter hereafter, turned aside, and lifting the heavy revolvers from the freebooter’s belt, opened fire at long range on the advancing outlaws. So close did the bullets whistle around them that they became alarmed and drewrein. A fifth shot from the supposed female’s revolver struck one of them on the knee, causing hin: to fairly servam with agony, and the next momeiu‘ the two were beating an inglorious retreat down the valley. In the mean time, Gy psy's borse was carrying her down the vie at a frightful speed. The efforts of the child to check the maddened beast only served to increase its speed.. Down past the outlaws hat were bringing away the horses and plunder ofthe band, it flew—on past where lay the writhing of Bramble, who had fallen from his horse, and stil] = toward'the now deserted camp of the allies it. sped, The Indians and oftlaws that were concealed among the bushes and rocks awaiting the coming of the bordermen, had heard the report of the pis- tols up the valley,and in dread suspense they await- ed for the meaning of it. ‘The riderless horse of Jack Bramble suddeniy burst into their view, and close behind it came Gyp- st’s. This told them something had gone wrong, and seeing the maiden’s horse was running away with her, they rushed from their concealment ana | throwing themselves before the mad. beast, en- deavored to stop It. But the frantic horse heededthem nat, and plung- ing through their ranks tore on madly down the valley. A hundred yards further on, a huge form sudden- ly leaped from the bushes before the horse. It was the form of Stonewall Bob, and at sight of him the savages gave a demoniac yell and dashed off in pur- suit of the daring foe. With a bound like that of a panther the Boy Tro- a sprung at the flying horse asit came up, With lis right hand he seized the\animal by the mane and with the left the reins, and at the same instant he was jerked off his feet and dragged along by the frantic beast; but with a grip like that of a vise he clung to the mane and finally succeeded in giving the reins a quick puli that partially checked the anti- mal, buf the bit was snapped in two by the jerk and the bridle torn from the head of the horse, which, instantly taking advantage of this freedom, again bounded away. But stonewsll Bob was not to be thus defeated, and before the beast was in full speed he threw his left band forward and seized it ty the nose. Then, with a quick and almost superbuinan effort, he gave its head a sudden wrench tliat flung it and its rider violently to the earth, the Boy Trojan going down with them, But in an instant Stonewall was upon his feet. To his horror-he saw Gypsy lying proue upon the earth dead or unconscious, while not over fifty yards away came two-scoreof infuriated savages, The situation was indeed critical, but the heroic hoy did not lose his presence of mind for a moment, and stooping he lifted the inanimate form of the girl in hisstrong arms and bounded away—his hair fiying, his head bare, and the perspiration burstiag in great beads from every pore ibis face, The savages began firing upon him. The bullets whistled closely around him, and to avert these he swung aside and entered the undergrowth that skirt- ed the base of the hillside. On dashed the yelling savares, Sure now of the scalp of the Boy Trojan. But suddenly four men, led by Kit Bandy, burst from cover of the bushes aud confronted them, It was a small band to con- front such fearful odds, but it was a Spartan band, and the next instant a fearful hand-to-hand contest was raging. Stonewall Bob laid down his barden and returned to the aszistance of his friends. At the same time Old Rattler. Ichabod Flea and rambling Dan came hurrying to the scene of action from up the valley, while over the hill from the north, witha war-whoop that resounded for miles, came the warriors of Black-Wolf. CHAPTER XXVIII. 4 SCENE OF DEATH. Tur sudden appearance of Black-Wolf’s warriors was hailed witn a shout of joy by the outlaws and their red friends, for they believed they were com- ing to their aid, and not until the Sioux were upon the field dealing death to the allied forces of out- 7 he did they see their fatal mistake and attempt to ee, Like frightened sheep they scattered at the sound of Turtle-Face’s warning cry and fled in every direc- tion that offered an avenue of escape pursued by the victorious warriors of Standi ng Bk. Some attempted escape by scaling the steep hill- sides. but these Old Rattler and Rambling Dan easi- ly picked off with their unerring rifles. More tban a score of dead, dying and wounded lay in almost a heap where the! attle had raged the flercest, and it was with a feeling of sickening hor- ror that Stonewall Bob, who had come out o? the contest unscathed, saw half of his friends lying in the heap. Bandy, Graves, Ruble and Jackson were down, and Old Kit was the only one that showed any signs of remaining life. “Great God! Rattler, half of our friends are killed!’ the youth exclaimed. d “Tt war a bloody fignt while it lasted,” said Rat- er. ; A groan escaped Kit Bandy’s lips. The old man rose to a sitting posture and glared around him like one suddenly awakening in the dark. “ Bandy, old pard, ree hurt?’’ “That's your’ voice, Rattler, ar’n’t it? Did we whip? is the gal safe? whar be [, Rattler?’ the old detective asked in bewilderment. Stonewall assisted the old man from among the deal and seated him at one side, answering his questions as he did so. A glance at Jackson told that he was dead.. Ru- ble's body was dragied frum the heap‘of corpses and laid out upon the ground to all appearances dead. Mshlon Graves moaned feebly aud then his friends gave their attention to him. ‘*Where is Gypsy?” asked One-Armed Phil, gaz- ing about him, his yhoughts ever upon his little sis- ter. “T left her in yonder thicket either dead or un- conscious, I know not which, from thé fall of her horse,” answered Bob. And bounding away across the valley, he entered the shrubbery and soon returned bearing the inan- imate form of the girlin his arms. “Thank God!” he exciammed, joyfully; ‘she’s coming to!” ‘sob laid her upon a blanket and One-Armed Phil, falling upon his knees at her side, kissed her brow repeatediy, crying out: Oh, my darling, baby sister!. May God spare you to me!” To stilladdto the excitement of the moment the thunder of horses’ hoofs suddenly broke upon the ears of the party, and the next Inoment the troop- ers under Captain Rainbolt came in sight at asweep- pt oes 4 ‘Thank 'Goé!” cried Stonevrall, “the Surgeon Scout is with them, and he may be able to save our friends.” In a very few seconds of time the soldiers had drawn rein a few rods away, and Captain Rainbolt, throwing himself from bis saddle, rushed forward, exclaiming: ‘Great heavens! we are too Inte after all, Stone- - wall!’’ “'The fight’s over. and, thanks to the Sioux, we an- nibilated the the allied'toes, Butit cost us feerful- ly,” replied the Boy Trojan; ‘but, doctor.” he said to the Surgeon Scout, whocame upat this juncture, *‘ there is heroic work for you.” ‘TP see tbe form of a woman there,’ said the doc- tor, whose quick eye had taken in the situation; ‘is. she dead?”’
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* “2 7 La 7 q 3 a's ~ . } # 4 q { f ‘ \ . . ] sy ‘ & 4 cS i 0 : i 3 + ~"\A te Si We sr : = r “a at ¥ “a a 14 “a 4 2 a} t: ‘ Lt ’ i. M Py “26: -_. 4 Z .) 4 rj sat 8 De hy i » _ * blankets were pioned together at their edges with | sharpened slivers, thus making covers for several , and. physical suffering, I | fering. , - Gypsy and Ruth visited back and forth from one | | doubt not, as you say, that you have enough to Both Ruble and Bandy noticed that Bramble did not respond to the man at once, and when he finally Gid it was in a changed voice. ~ Yes,’ was the answer he gave, “‘but all fellows don't suffer accordin’ to their sins.”’ “That's very true, Bramble.” replied Danbaurh. in a mere sympathetic tone ‘but say, I wouid jike to ask you a question.” “Pee away, stranger,” replied Bramble, and 1s voice seemed to grow more husky, Tam in search of a man who it is said belongs to your band of outlaws,”’ Danbaugh said, “Lots of fellows are after folks that belong to our band. but old Satan’s gettin’ most of them; but whar’s your fellow’s make-up?—i mean his descrip- tion ?"’ ‘* Well, he is now a man of about forty-five, and when he escaped the law, years ago, he was a slen- der man, of about medium hight—had dark blue eyes, light brown hair, and woreafull beard. Over his rigbt eye was asmall scar about half an inch loig. His name was John Rossgrove, but what it may be now I can’t say.’ Bramble was silent for fully a minute, then said: “Pil think the boys of the band all over between pains, and give you an answer in the morning.” “ You may be dead by that time,” was the brutal ond selfish reply of Danbaugh, and Kit himself was about to reprove bim for it, when the man arose, acd with a muttered curse left the tent. After speaking a few words more with Ruble, Kit aiso left the lodge. “Say. pard,”’ called out Bramble, in his natural voice again, when they were alone, “did you hear what that fellow said to me?” - | did, and he’s a heartless heathen,”’ replied Ru- ne, * He's a darling to talk to me about the wages of sin.’ Bamble went on. ‘‘for do you know, pard, thet | know that man like a book?”’ “Yes, I do. Bramble,’’ responded Ruble, “and do you know that {know now who you are?" CHAPTER XXIixX, A STARTLING DISCLOSURE. Dountne the night two of the Wounded Indians ard oné of the outlaws died but aside from these t!e of b- ers all passed through as comfortable as could bave been expected. In the worning the doctor went the rounds of «tk his patients and found them doing very well. 3 Mir. Graves was the greatest sufferer, yet with his ro- lust constitution, tair weather, the healthful monn- tain air and perfect quiet, the doctor Uncugh:» there was some hope of his recovery. Cld Rattler and Rambling Dan were chosen Lon- ters to procure fresi meat for the camp, «n° us deer abounded in great numbers in the iu.mecis.ce vicinity the task was easily performed hy the skilled hunters; aud for the firs: breakfast thev had } /0- cured venison enough to feed piainsmen, soidicis aud red-skins. After the sun was an hour hizh the Surgeon Scert threw open the sidesof his patients’ tents so that the sun’s rays could enter and the baliny breeze kiss the feverish brows of the suffering men. Zeke Rubie seemed quite cheerful and bis face wore a look of decided happiness. Some thought_it an ill-omen and others ascribed it to the minigter- ing care and smiles of both Gypsy avd Ruth. The doctor didn’t know why it was that he should feel so cheerful, and therefore expressed no opinion. Little Gypsy was also unusually happy, for dur- ing the night her kind friend and protector, Zeke Ruble, had revealed to her the fact that the noble- looking young avenger, One-Armed Phil, was her own brother. Danbaugh did not call on Bramble for his answer, notwithstanding the outlaw was alive with a pros- | pect of recovery. . Along aboutten o’clock that day, Kit Bandy, Aus- tin Smith and Stonewall Bob met as if by accident in front of Ruble and Bramble’s open tent, and ef- ter speaking together a few moments, Kit called , Dunbaugh up and said: ; | +*Mr. Danbaugh, thar’s no need o’ us all here now, and if we're goiu’ to hunt up the outlaws’ den and lock further for yer man, Rossgrove, we'd better be avout it.” “T am ready, and so is the captain,” said Dan- baugh. \ ‘**Gentlemen!” It was Zeke Ruble who spoke. “ What is it, Zeke?” asked Bandy; ‘‘d’ye want to goalong?”. “No, 1 want to save you further,’>replied the wounded hunter; ‘‘ you need search no further for that criminal, for Zam John Rossgrove !” “Holy horn o’ Joshua!’’ burst from Old Kit’s ps. ** You. John Rossgrove?”' cried Danbaugh, orig a baleful,searching glamce upon the face of th prostrate man. x ‘**Good God! men, you'll kill my patients dead!’” eried the Surzcon Scout, reprovingly, “‘ why raise this excitement now?” » ‘Easy, doetor.” replied the smooth-tongued Aus- tin Smith; “‘you’re the only man that’s raising an excitement. Go takea sedative.” : i= upon Bandy’s face, and that Ruble was perfectly | composed; and when he saw Ruth and Gypsy stanc- ' ing near, a look of suspense and joy. ypon, (hele bright faces, he knew at once that the disclosure made by Ruble had been preconcerted by the detec- tives, Ruble and the maidens during the quiet hours of the previous night, and without ae cattly to nit |” “Yes, Danbaugh,” Ruble now went on, “I’m your my wanderings I have lived well , minhe fail, beard I scar nay Knock | the mountains amo ins~bears a: ‘ , and in dodging sheriffs old detectives, Yes, | a fugi BE *ve grown stout and rugged, 1 ? i The docter glanced around him. He saw a smile roe and sauntered away, whistling softly to him-_ cousin, John Ri ve—the slender. eesree, full-bearded man of years ago. I don’t wonder younotr g me, Lhaye: dso. During mowed. off, and | = eye has disa’ ed among the many larger onesthat edorn se, aa monet have got ‘about in outlaws, as heavens! it. is John Rossgrove!” declared oy : “He's been foolin’ me most shamefully,"said Oke a
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24 Kit; **t wouldn’t treat a hound pup that way. If this gits ontit’ll rooin my reputation. Jist think o’ my hiria’ a man to help hunt hisself down!” * Kitsie, f° away, way outin the mountains and luurlyerselfintoachasm. You’rein your dotage— old enough to suicide,”’ said Old Rattler. * Of course I’m John Rossgrove,” declered Ruble, eying Danbaugh like a hawk, “and yonder fair girl is my daughter.” and he pointed to Ruth, whose pretty face was aglow with joy. ‘flow brazen-faced tne eriminal is.” exclaimed Danbaugh, not a little disconcerted by the apparent indifference of the detectives. “It are a clear conscience he has, Israel.’’ It was Bratnble who spoke thus. ‘*Hutlo thar!” exclaimed Rattler; ‘‘returns in from another preecinct.”’ **T guess Israel dou’t recognize me either,” Bram- ble went on, ** but then he never seen me with a big whiskeron. Comein and Shake with an old chum, Israel. I’m nobody ou earth but Doke Resenberg, ape feller that shot poor Henry Endicott at Rush- ville.’ **What does ‘hat scoundrel mean?” questioned Danbaugh, * He can answer for hisself,” said Bandy. ** You see, Israel,” Bramble again said, ** you told me last night 1 might bs dead before mourning, and so you scared me into making a confession, and by so doin’ Ruble and I found out who each other was, and I concluded I’d confess the wrong I did Ross- grove,”’ ° “Then you admit killing Endicott.’ said Austin Smith, ‘‘but swore the deed onto Rossgrove, and tried to get him hung. and would have succeeded but for the burning of the jail?” “Meanda pard named Quinlan did the shootin’. and then did the swearin’ together,” answere Bramb!e. “For what purpose?” Smith asked. **'Shekels—a thousand of them war promised, but we only got five hunared.” **Who employed you to dothat murderous work?” *Tsrael Danbaugh, the man who reproved the Surgeon Scout for helpin’ us poor wounded devils of outlaws instead of lettin’ us die!’ exclaimed Bram- ble alittle excited. ‘*He lies! He’s an impostor—a coached impostor of John Rossgrove!’’ thundered Danbaugh, his face black with rage. ** Easy, Danbaugh,’’ commanded the mild-voiced Smith, ‘he's down and can’t get up. He stands at dvatao’s door, and has a right to clear his conscience, though he lives ordies. I think he’s done well to keep this secret all these years when he might have tormented your life out for hush-money.”’ * The fact that he has not is evidence of his false- hood,’’ declared Danbaugh. **You remember, Israel,’ Brazoble went on, “I had to leave Rushville very sudden—hacn’t time to callforthe balance due on the Endicott account, You remember the Vigilance Committee waited on me and Quinlan and invited us to waft ourselves mie from there that night and promised to hang us if we were ever caughtin the State. So we went away and drifted out to wicked Denver, Two or three years later, who should we meet there but Ja- cob Day? Jake, you remember, used to bea leading wealthy citizen of Rushville, but he got to drinkin’ and went down into the gutter, and firally received his death-wound from a knife-stabin a row in a Den- ver saloon. He lay several days before he died, and I stayed right by him like a brotherand minis- tered to his wants. When he seen he was goin’, he confessed to me, as I now do to you, Israel, that he was one of the Vigilantes of prominent citizens that turned my star of empire westward, and he sald you, Israel, was the leader of the committee, I thoughtit a mean trick to serve us jist to get rid of payin’ us that balance, and I swore i'd git even with you. That wasseveral years ago, and I kept knockin’ about—was four years a stu- dent in the Nebraska State Institoot for takin’ a halter with a horse to the end of it—and since then I've been too busy with other affairs to give my at- tention to you, Israel, And now here be, a pretty spectacle for wolves and worms, But when [ recog- nized you last night I concluded to let you carry the load Lhad for awhile, and besides' give John 8s- att a rest from dodgin’ detectives. That’s all, srael. * Then, sir,’ spoke upthe Surgeon Scout,in a mild tone of authority, “I want you to give your tongue a rest or you'll talic yourself to death.” ‘* All right, doctor,” and a look of relief passed over the outlaw’s pain-pinched face, Scarcely had these submissive words fallen from ‘the man’s lips when the crash of half a score of rifles concealed on the densely-wooded hillside started the silent echoes of the canyon, while a shower of bullets came whistling down through the air, one of them passing close to the head of the Surgeon Scout, and another striking a sol- ufier dead in his tracks. The enemy, after all, had not been vanquished, and in the fancied security of those in camp the assassin shet came with frightful meaning. 4 CHAPTER XXX, RATTLER MAKES A STARTLING DISCOVERY. Tue wildest excitement followed the murderous shots of the concealed foe and 2 panic would have ensued but for the cool head and nerve of the Surgeon Sc ut. _ Quickly Lieutenant Granger called his men into line read to meet an attack, while Standing Elk, followed by his warriors, dashed away up the wood- ed hiilside to engage the secreted enemy. The fire of the iatter, however, was not repeated, and it soon became evident that aay Be disap- peared. For all this it was some time before quiet could be restored, and even then uneasiness fear pervaded the camp. But the worst of all—to the rage of Kit Bandy, the mortification of Austin Smith, and the nof the entire camp—it was found, after quiet been restored, that Israel Danbaugh had disappeared! 4 careful search around camp failed to produce him, He had made his escape during the excitement, and when at fact was assured, beyond question, Jack Bram- became greatly excited. A second more extended search was then in- | i ES Ee, stituted for the villain. In fact, nearly two days were spent by hunters, soldiers and Indians hunting for him, but without avail More than Jack Bramble were exercised over the feilow’s escape, and Jobn Rossgrove was one of them. Keowing tiie man’s true charactrr now, he realized that his life would still be in danger as long as the scoundrel was at large. Under the skillful treatment of the Surgeon Scout, however, Jack Bramble, acd others of the wounded, continued to improve slowly; but while this was true, the doctor informed them that it would be some time before they could be removed, and even then an ambulance would have to be brought up from the fort. In the mean time, Rambling Dan and One-armed Phil, as stated. had been dispatched to the hidden Lome of Zeke Ruble to conduct Margery Ashton— the settler's daughter he bad rescued at the time he did little Gypsy-—to the bedside of her benefactur. Rambling Dan knew where the hunter's home was located for, since the death of Zeke’s old friend Sandy, the youth had been a frequent and welcome visitir there; and yet he had, by Ruble’s desire, kept secret the place of the hunter’s home and the treasures it contained. Five days had been considered sufficient time in which to make the round trip, barring accidents or u. avoidable delays. As Danbaugh could not be found and the hostile Indians and outlaws seemed to haveall vanished from the surrounding country. Standing Elk and _ his warriors bid ‘Camp Kit Bandy’ good-by and re- turned to their village with the Pers of many of their enemies at their girdles. All the soldiers, ex- cept the Surgeon Scout, and ten men under Lieuten- ant Granger, departed also. Even this er some thought, would not be necessary for the safety of the camp, for it was not likely the enemy would re- turn again, It appeared to all as though tho attack had been made solely to afford Danbaugh an opportunity for escape, for, had it been delayed two minutes longer, the great scamp would have been 1n irons. As the days passed the escape of Danbaugh be- came & matter of less consequence than the ex- pected coming of Rambling Dan and One-Armed Phil with Miss Ashton. The five days given for the trip were up, and when the sixth passed and they came not, John Rossgrove grew exceedingly uneasy. His friends endeavored to allay his fears, for he was yet in no condition to undergo much excitement. Old Rattler ‘and Kit Bandy now held a cousulta- tion, and it was,decided that Tom should make some investigation into the matter. ‘LT regret, Thomas,”’ Old Kit said, ‘that I can't © along and take care o’ you. Of course, you'll get ack with a roarin’ Tom Rattler romance if nothin’ else.”’ * Kitsie,”’ responded Old Tom, “ as a twister o’ trath I long ago s’rendered to ou. J awarded you the world’s prize years ago, aud all you n+ ed now is a brass taeda Bat old pard, you must be quiet and patient till I giv back. A man a hundred years old can’t stand everything.” With this admonition Rattler left his friend and departed from camp. He walked briskly away down the defile in the direction of tho river, and when about half a mile from camp met Ruth Graves and little Gypsy on horseback, ace »mpanied by a couple of young soldiers, returning from a short ride down the pass. Stopping them, T-m read tho girls a good-natured lecture about venturing so far from camp, even though accompanied by soldiers. Ail aceepted his reproval in good nature, for Old Tom had wona warm place in every heart, Passing on he had gone less than balf a mile fur- ther when he heard two shots behind. He stopped and looked back. Aturn in the defile concealed all above from his view. He listened but heard noth- ing, and naturally supposing the sho's had been fired by the soldiers—tne girls’ escort—he moved on. The hunt-r knew the exact routo by which Dan and Phil were expected to return. They would cross the river at the ford ncar the Dermit Dome, and toward that point he bént his etic er It was several miles to the ford, and yet it was no walk for the wiry old borderman, and rapidly he assed over the miles. He was not far from the ord—less than an hour’s walk—when his attention was suddeniy attracted by the frightened scream of a bird that went whirring away up the canyon. To the borderman this simple incident had a significa. tion and he quickly stepped aside and entered a clump of bushes by the roadside, From this position he soon made a discovery that fora moment sturtled him, An Indian, whom he knew by his dress to be one of the late allies of Red Vulture, came in sight walking up tho pass, observ- ing a caution that convinced the old hunter he had either detected the presence of danger in the air, or was making a very careful reconnoissance of the 88, His presence satisfied Rattler that other Indians were near, and if so that their presence meant fur- ther mischief. The warrior had no doubt been sent out to reconnoiter the pass in the direction of Camp Kit Bandy—the only source from which they might expect trouble. he was right in his suspicions, then the non-appearance of Rambling Dan and One- Armed Phil could be accounted for, Waiting until the savage was out of sight up tho pass, Rattler moved on toward the river, keepin away from the trail and well under cover, for enemies were in force near he knew they could not be far from the ford. He finally struck the river about fifty rods below the crossing, and, a moment later, made a discovery that confirmed his suspicions and worst fears. Just above the ford, in tho center of the river, was an island some five or six rods wide by eight or ten in length. It was covered with a dense growth of willows, not tall enough to conceal the presence of three horses upon it. They were bridled and sad- dled, and it did not require a second glance to tell Rattler that they were the identical animals Ram- bling Dan and One-Armed Phil had taken awey with tbem! The young hunters, however, were not to be seen, but that they were concealed among the willows he had no doubt, for, on the opposite side of the stream, some eighty yards from the island, he discovered a score of red-skins and some two or ving about, some of them with rifles in hand, and all with their eyes turned toward | the island. The next thing for the old hunter to do was to as- certain the situation on his side of the river opposite the island, and at once set about it. A careful re- | connoissance disclosed the presence of quite a force of red-skins on that side, and what was more sur- prising, startling than all was the sight of Jsrael Danbaugh among the Indians, moving about, a free man, and acimg very much, like one in authority | CHAPTER XXXI. A FLOATER. OLD Tom RaTTLER took in the situation at once— the remnants of Turtle-Face and Captain Vulture’s forces had reorganized, and, finding that most of the troops and all the friendly Indians had departed from Camp Kit Bandy, the villains had resolved to strike another blow atthe whites. And with them Israel Danbaugb had joined issues, in hopes, vo doubt, that he might be able to carry out his infa mous scheme against John Ressgrove. Tom was fully satisfied that Dan and Phil, and doubtless Margery Ashton also, were concealed up- on the island. If so, he concluded they must have been there but a short time, and that the Indians were waiching an opportunity for a shot, or were waiting for darkness before making an attack, knowing full well to attempt it in daylight would cost them dearly. But if darkness was what they were waiting for, they would not have long to wait, for already the sun was sinking behind the distant mountains. What was Rattler to do? or rather, what could he do? To return to camp for assistance would require half the night, while the little assistance that he could give alone would avail nothing against such odds. He would willingly have risked his life with those he believed to be on the island could he ‘have reached them, ‘ For once in his eventful life, Tom Rattler was at a dead loss to know what to do—which way to turn. Finally, like one in bewi:derment, he stole away down’ the river some fitiy rods below the ford. There he stopped, scratched his head and put his wits to work. By this time it was quite dark, and the shadows never seemed so heavy with gloom and full of creep- ing forms as they did at that hour. There was nota breath of air stirring. The river glided smoothly, noiselessly by, and only the chirruping of a ericket broke the foreboding silence, Shon the eager ear of the borderman detected a slight sound in the stream, or, at least, he imagined he did, H+ stood on the low bank in the bushes at the river’s very brink, and parting the foliage, put his head tbrough the opening and glanced up and down the stream, Of course he saw nothing; but again he heard that splash in the water. It sounded nearer—at his very feet. He bent over and gazed down into the water. His eyes became fixed on something there—something that assumed the ap pearance of a human face, and a buman face it was, with the dark hair floating about it in snaky clusters, Framed around by the phesphorescent light of the water, Tom could see it was the face of a white man —a beardless face at that, and the old hunter was in the act of putting out bis hands to touch it—to pull it closer that he might see whether it was the face of a dead friend or foe floating away with the current —when he suddenly started back, for he saw the head rise slightly in the water—saw tbat the sup- posed floating corpse was possessed of life! Up rose the head until it sat squarely upon a pair of shoulders that also began to rise up out of the water and move toward the shore. The question with Rattler now was as to whether the unknown was friend or foe, and he determined to settle it without further suspense. Drawing his revolver, he cocked it. The person in the water heard the click of the weapon and instantly became motionless, with bis eyes, turned searchingly upon the bushes that concesled the hunter. Now was Tom's time, and in a low tone he exclaimed: “ Whist, there, stranger!” There was no response; but Rattler saw the un- known’s form begin to settle in the water in evident alarm, and to prevent his escape the hunter conclud- ed to bring things to a climax, be the unknown friend or foe, and in an audible tone he said: sy Hold on, stranger; I’m Tom Rattler—who are ou?’ Again the form arose out of the water and then moved toward tho shore, evidently, from the noise he made, somewhat exeited, “Sh! stranger,” cautioned Tom, “ or the varmints in hear ye! Give me yer hand and I'll give yea ift. The unknown put up his hand and Rattler helped him ashore with his weft hand, still clutching his re- volver in the right; and as he drew the stranger into the bushes the old man held tightly to his hand asa safeguard against a blow or knife-thrust. “Are vos really, Tom Rattler?’ the unknown asked, when he found himself ashore. “That’s who I are at present, but confound my eyes, if I can make out who you be!” was Tom’s response. “Tam Rambling Dan, the Boy Hunter!" CHAPTER XXXiI. TOM AND DAN MAKE A, BOLD STRIKE. “Great Rosycrusians!" burst in ua loud whis- r from Old Tom's lips, for he now recognized ambling Dan’s voice, ** Dan’l, my buy, may God bless you! But, tell me, Dan'l, what’s wrong—what has happened?” my The io? red-skins,”’ answered Dan, '* have had me, and Phil, and Miss Margery corrilled on the iin ae aoe dagored fangs ous hen Looe!d yer ust as out w horses,” Mocisred fom. ei ““We were ignorant of the presence of a single red-skin,” Dan explained, “when we started across the river to-day, and were haif across before they showed themselves on both sides, As we were near the island when they did, we st for it and there we’ve been ever since crouebing in the weeds. As svon as I thought it was dark enough not to be seen, I entered the river and floated down here. I'd hopes of gettin’ aid here before they assaulted the island, as they'll likely do before morning. Are you here alone, Tom?” ~ aes
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green The Border Detectives. 25 “T war, but I’m not now,” replied Old Tom, the presence of the daring youth reviving the old man’s wonted spirit and action of mind; ‘the Red River Epidemic, and the Belle Fourche Cyclone are now together, and whatever is done for One-Armed Philip and the gal any ways scon we'll have to do it.” ‘“ But, Tom, there are thirty or forty of the foe.” “T don’t keer adurn, boy; we'll hit ‘ema r’apsody, anyliow, to remind ’em that in the midst o’ lite they're in death, and the neighborhood of an Epi- demic and Cyclone. Oh, Rosycrusians! if that big tumult, Stonewall Bob, war here, and that ole thundergustian, Kit Bandy, we’d hand ’em as hard a slap as they can,” “Well, I'll do my best, Tom,” assured Dan. ““T know you will boy; you're nervy as a roach- back, and I’m proud 0’ yer society. The more 0’ them varmints we kill to-night the less we’ll have to kiil hereafter, and seein’ as it’s darx as nothin’ now, s’pose we glide up to’rds the ford and see what the hollyhocks are up to,” filently they crept along in the shadows of the bushes that Pingel the shore toward the ford. A deer-path running along the bank afforded them an veo advance and within a few minutes they were within hearing of the foe who was posted in an .opening on the river-bank which sloped graduaily down to the water, : The hunters had listened but a few minutes when they discovered that preparations were making for an attack, sure enough, upon the island. Just how soon it was to be made they could not learn. They eonid bear them talking about the “ signal,’’ and hear a loud-mouthed outlaw, or renegade, cursing somebody in an impatient manner. i ; Suddenty the report of a gun on the opposite side of the river crashed through the gloom. The long- expected signal for action seemed to have been given, for at once the foe began moving down the ank toward the water. They filed so close past Tom and Dan that they could have touched them with an extended rifle-barrel. The darkness. how- ever, was so inteose that the bordermen could see put the shadowy outlines of the forms as they moved by. They could not distingu’sh renezade from red-skin, and this quickly suggested a daring scheme to the now active brain of Oli Rattler, which he at once communicated to Rambling Dan, It was a scheme characteristic of the reckless and vepturesome old veteran of the border, and one into which the no less fearless and adventuresome hoy entered with a will, for the first time. the presence of enemies in their ' very midst was discovered! By this time Rattler and Dan had got thtmselves into position at ove side, and crouching to their chins in the river began blazing away with their revolvers at the bobbing heads and forms of the now thoroughly euraged red-skin; and renegades. Their weapons beiag charged with waterproof car- tridges suffered no inconvenience from their sb- mersion, and so effective were the shots of the lynx-eyed borderers, as well as those from the island, that the enemy were almost thrown into a panic. No longer could the red-skins maintain their | silence, and so opened up their throats with fright- ‘ful yells of rage, that were mingled with the ' force already killed or wounded, they turned and | unknown, As the last «£ the shadowy forms filed past them, | the hunters laid aside their hats, threw off their hunting: jackets, and laid them aside with Tom’s rifle and cartridge-belt. Then they stole noiselessly from their covert into the opening, and, turning, | followed closely at the heels of the red-skins, the darkness concealing their identity, and the very boldness of the act itself being a blind to the foe. Into the water waded the red-skins, and. still at their heels followed the two shadowers, a revolver in the left hand and a knife in the right. Dan kept close behind Old Tom, being careful that he did no; jose sight of his shadow, and soon they were min- ling, elbow to elbow, almost, with the unsuspect- ng foe, : ith as little noise as possible the party moved forward toward the island, the water reaching to their waists. But, in spire of their caution the vigilant One-Arme Phil detected their approach, and notified them of the fact by discharging a bul- ' and began pouring lead and fire into their faces, let that way, the missile passing just over their heads. The savages made no response to the shot, but all uickly dro upon their knees. thus submergin themselves gent chin, Rattler and Dan, of course: did likewise, and thus the party moved on, walking almost wholly submerged. ‘heir movements, how- ever, were not altogether noiseless, and another shot from the island came that way. — Rattler was on the watch for this second shot, and the weapon had scarcely flashed its tongue of fire ere he had flung his right arm out to one side, under the water, and drove his knife to the g into the breast of the nearest red-skin. With a shriek of horrible agony the savage leaped half out of the water and fell forward upon bis face, making more noise with his arms and legs than a harpooned whale. , Aside from this one yell the red-skin never uttered another sound, and, naturally enough, his friends supposed he had_received his death-wound from the island. Even Rambling Dan was ignorant of his friend’s performances, and suppose the red-skin had been shot. ~ f The noise made by the floundering savage enabled the watcher on the island to locate the position of the party with some degree of accuracy, and a third sbot was fired, the Rattler’s head that he not only heard it but felt the wind on his cheek! The veteran continued to im- prove the opportunities afforded him, and again plunged his ies into the vitals of a savage, and po Sm escaped detection, the blow following so close | a ter the shot that the foe attributed it to those on thetisland. Still making no response, the savages moved on toward the island with remarkable coolness for an Indian. They were less than twenty yards from the little beast when two shots were fired almost simultaneously, but one of them was on the op- posite side of the island; and, as the death-yell of a savage followed the shot on the other side, it not, | only told Tom and Dan that the enemy were ap- proaching from the south, also, but that there was more than one defender upon the island! Oue- ‘Armed Phil could not have under any circum- stances, fired both shots, as only the fraction of a second intervened between them. Uuless Margery had fired one of the rifles, then there was at least one other than she and Pbil upon the island. But, who could it be? who could have reached the covert unobserved since Dan left? There was no time now for speculation, for tongues of fire were flashing from the island before them in rapid succession, placing them in great danger of being killed by their own friends. So, ng the lead Rattler swung off to the right, Sab a red-skin a parting dig as he did so that set t groans and cries of the weunded. Then to these sounds were added the battle-cry of the Red River Epidemic and Rambling Dan as they blazed away at the foe. The savages now found themse'ves exposed to a | dead!y cross-fire, and with epparently half their fled shoreward before they nad dealt a single blow! This was a surprising, as well as pleasant, turn in | the situation to Tom and Dan, and they hastened | toward the island. Old Rattler heralding his coming in a voice not to be mistaken by those who had ever heard the Epidemic’s yell, As they advanced they discharged the empty sbells from their revolvers | and reloaded with cartridges they had been thought- | ful enough to place in oil-skin pouches, in their , pockets before venturing to follow the Indians. Meanwhile the soued of a sharp conflict arose from the other side of the island, and it was to take | a hand in this that Tom and Dan moved in such headiong haste, for now, above the noise of the } struggle, Old Tom could recognize the stentorian | voice of that young border giant, Stonewall Bob! CHAPTER XXXIII SAD NEWS FROM CAMP. How Stonewall Bob.came to be on the island Old Tom aud Dan did not stop to inquire, but hastened with all speed to the scene of battle. At the southern extremity of the island they found ' not only Stonewall and Phil, but a third man bat- tling with the savages that had come over from the | south side of the river. The young giant with a clubbed gun was ragiag along the bank like a mad man dealing frightful blows upon the heads of the | foe, abiy and industriously assisted by Phil and the | The bank at this point was about four feet high and sloped slightly down to the water. Up this bank the foe were Speen rie to climb, and to prevent } this the defenders were kept busy. Time and again | the savages were beat back, but rallying, renewed | the attack, yelling like flends. Armed only with | knives and tomahawss they were unable to reach the human cyclones on the bank above them, but kept up the s'ruggle, momentarily expecting assist- ance from their friends on the other side, for the | confusion of theirown struggle had kept them in i eed of the inglorious defeat of that party. | ‘ully one-half of their force was floundering in the river with cracked and_ broken heads when Old | Rattler and Rambling Dan appeared on the scene This proved mere than Indian courage could stand, and at once they began to melt away from the bank and br ak for more congenial quarters. leav- ing their wounded to take care of themselves as best they could, The struggle thus brought to a successful termi- | nation Stonewall Bob panting with exertion turned | and asked: | } / ; ‘Who did that finishin’ act?—fired those shots?” “ Them shots came from tools held in the paws 0’ Thomas Rattler and Ramblin’ Dan’l,”’ responded Tom, himself. * Great King!” exclaimed Bob, “it is Tom Rattler, sure !"’ “Tt are, by the Rosycrusians!’’ added the hunter, “and it do seem to me that we made lovely anu divine connections in this fracas; but, it’s a mystery | to me and Dan’‘l how you come to be here.” H * We discovered, before dark, the situation of our | friends and swam to the island, reaching bere but ' ten minutes after Rambling Dan had departed,” Bob explained. ** We?” repeated Tom, * who’s 9re?”” ullet passing so close to | BS iy ‘ial ont eh bod, ad Here!” exclaimed Ichabod, advancing and gras ing Tom's hand, ‘Glad to meet you, T ane 5 t Rosycrusians! this is a bull s’prise party all round: Tom declared, “Especially and particularly tothe Ingins,” added | Flea; ‘but, Thomas, bow came you here?” _.'. Came over, we did, with the Ingins—waded right | in and mingled with them in the river like brothers. | In tue darkness one looked like the others, only more s0,”” “You're a Joe v4 ) Ichabod. Joe-dandy, you are, Tom!” declared | ‘Thanks, Ichabod, for the complishment; but, if only that delectable. lyin’ Old Kit Bandy war here | now how we could relish this victery!” Ah! Thomas, the real battle has not begun yet,” | - assured Bob. ‘Ruth Graves and Gypsy are in the hands of out- ' laws’and red-sking|”’ ‘ Don't jest, Stonewall, that way.” ‘What do you mean, Robert?” | ‘‘ He speaks the truth, Tom, I’m sorry to say,” af- , Soon after your departure from camp. They were | low howling with pain. As the blow had only in- | flicted a painful wound the Indian was not long in making known from whence it had come, and then, out riding with a couple young suldiers their return they were warlaine the Hin arog and the girls carried away into the hills. One of the soldiers was killed outright, and the other seriousiy | if not mortally wounded. Both were left for dead. | The wounded man says fourmen with masked faces | dashed from the mouth of a dark defile less than | haif amile from camp and ¢aptured the girls after | the shots had been fired. It was to find you that | Bod and! came down here, and it’s weil we did, or | eee would have been added to the list of cap- “Wal, this is horrible!”’ declared Old ‘ it looks as though we bordermen have Rian oes bad breaks the last few days in not keeping a closer watch ‘round us. But, pards, do you know who's at the bottom o’ this new order o’ deviltry ?” ‘Turtle - Face and Red Vulture’s foHowers, or the remnants of their gangs, I suppose,” answered stovewal. **Yes, egged on by that declicious villain, Israel Danbaugh!” averred Rattler, ** Do you think so, Tom?” ‘““T know so!” returned Tom with emphasis, ‘‘ for didn’t I see the villain himseif this afternoon ’mongst the red varmints struttin’ ’bout like he war cock o’ the walk? Ob! by the Rosycrusians! thar’s been too much pic: nickin’ goin’ on up at Camp Bandy, Rob- ert Stonewall. Danvaugh and his red-ri.ded allies are *bout in the proper bumor now to murcer them gals, knowin’ it would bea harder blow to us than death its self. But, boys. we’ll foller ’em to the end 0’ the trail, and don’t neglect toremember it. We'll have them gais back dead or alive! Ob! if Kit Bandy was able to help us! Our force would be one ole pirate more—twenty government soldiers and a, battery o’ artillery stronger in a fight, and if any deception and fraud war required to complete our work, Kit and his measly little pard, Ichabod Flea, could furnish it smokin’ hot, But, boys, whar’s the | gal, Margery?’ “Here, Tom,’ answered One-Armed Phil, who came forward, leading Margery. ‘Miss Ashton, | this is Mr, Tom Rattier.”’ ‘. Olé Tom Rattler,” spoke up the hunter, taking Margery’s extended hand; “I am glad to meet you, Margery, and hope ye ar’n’t scared to death.” ‘** Oh, no. Tom,” the girl as oes ‘“but J must con- fess I was terribly frightened. To your brave men I owe my life.”’ “That's what we come here for, and it’s a lovely pleasure to know that our efforts weren’t in vain.” Arrangments for \eaving the island were at once meade. Rattler, Flea and Rambling Dan entered the river and waded and swam down the stream, finally landing near where Dan had first gone ashore. Then they crept back up the stream and made a careful reconnoissance of the woods aud breake contiguous to the ford. This occupied fully three hours, and finding no enemy about "they signaled to those on the island and they immediately came over and then the entire party set out for C:mp Kit : Bandy. It was nearly daylight when the camp was reach- ed, The party found everybody awake. In fact, not an eye bad been closed there that night, A deep gloom and fear hung over every heart, and whea Old Tom related his story ef israel Danbaugh’s | presence among the outlaws and red-skins, the wrath of Kit Bandy and Austin Smith. the detec- tives, knew no bounds. Old Kit declared, by the horn o”° Joshua, that he was going to take the enemy’s trail at deylicht if he bad to crawl, and but fer the fact that the Surgeon Scout administered to him a heavy opiate that kept his eyes closed and his tongue still until the next day. he would doubtless have undertaken the trip. When he did come around, however, and learned that Stonewall Bob, Rambling Dan, One-Armed Phil and Austin Smith, witb Old Tom Rattier as guide, had departed hours before to the rescue of the maidens, he quieted down with the observa- uon: , * By the horn o’ Joshua! it’s pervokin’ fora young man like me to be tied down this way, while that ole fossil. Tom Rattler, 1] have the glory’ o’ reseuin” them gals, It war alwsys so when he and I worked together in a-case.whar thar was a gal; I'd do the fightin’. bleedin’, and dyin’, while old Tom would | come up with a smile bloomin’ ell over his ancient face, and the girl droopin’ sweetly on his arm. But for all tbat, Tom’s a Roman legion, God bless him!”’ CHAPTER XXXIV. * YOUR COUSIN, ISRAEL DANBAUGH.” Earty mprning found Tom Rattler and bis party on their way westward through tbe hills upon the trail of Ruth and Gypsy’s captors, the latter’s horse- tracks being easily followed. Some ten miles back they came to where the { outlaws bad halteé—evidently for sometime. Here | they had been joined by a much larger party of borsemen who had come in from the southeast, and the pursuers concluded that the jatter were ‘Dan- baughb and his gang that had joined the others there after their defeat at the Belle Fourche ford, In evidence of this, in fact, two newly made graves were discovered near, and upon opening them they were found to ccntain the bodies of two Indians who had doubtless received their death wounds at the island. In a around Stonew=1l Bob found a small ackage tied up in a paper aud suspended from the imb of a tree where it could be easily seen. it into his possession he found it addressed in pen- cil to *‘ John Rossgrove, Esq., Camp Kit Bandy.” Opening the pares e Bob found it was composed of a number of small slips of paper numbered from one to ten consecutively. Upon them the following communication was addressed to Rossgrove. “ Joun RossGrove, Esq.—Derar Cousm: this finds mé on my way to the far West, and I have the peg abe of the Misses Ruth and Gypsy’s company. fou folks played your cards well, but you will find ] hold the winning rand in the end. Inow defy you, Jack Bramble, Tom Rattler, Kit Bandy, the whole army and the devil, as well as that smiling, Soft- Snap Austin Smith, and Stonebead Bob. I mesn to hold my advantage, Jobu Rossgrove, and bleed your purse if not your heart. Now, if you have | firmed Tchabod Fiea; ‘‘ they were carried off to-day | 22¥ desire to release your daughter, you can do so only in one way—by compromise. If you so desire, as Soon as convenient put an “ad ” in the “ Heelena Montanna, Times” addressed to ** Dagger” an | asking for an interview, at the same time indicating where you may be found. Remember. there’s to be no snap judgment. My agent will callon you— not I, John. Meanwhile, don’t let your blood-hounds crowd me. Call them off. or I swear you will never see the girls alive! All, if anything, must be effect- ed by compromise. Don't forget this, for until I hear from you through the medium indicated, you need not expect to hear again from “Your cousin, *TsraEL DANBAUGH.”’ Old. Rattler could not suppress a mild oath when he heard this heartless, brutal message read, ‘‘He’s a fiend and a coward!’’ he added; “a low, slimy, wolfish thing tbat thinks he can prevent hig Taking . Lear
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~ camped in a li ‘ein’ hunted down by threats! Eh? what do you say, Stonehead Robert, and ‘ Soft-Snap ” Smith?” a tag passed over the faces of ed: ‘We'll follow them to the Pacific Ocean but what we'll have those girls, dead or alive!” “Amen!” exclaimed Old Tom, ‘so let the pursuit be resumed forthwith and at once immediately | right now.” oe so saying, the old borderman led off on the trail. The enemy had the advantage in that they, or | most of them were mounted, and could travel after | dark, while the pursuers, in order to keep the trail, could travel only in daylight. This fact, however, | did not discourage Old Tom. He was satisfied that days, and perhaps weeks, might; be} required to | overtake the foe; but it mattered not to him if it should require a year. He was determined to follow the trail to its end. For two days they followed due westward. The trail was ‘‘warm,” as Tom expressed it, but not once were the foe sighted. Finally the trail began to bear toward the south- ‘west, and this led the pursuers to mistrust that the enemy were heading for the fastnesses of the Black Hills, if not for the great mountains beyond. Still, nothing daunted, the party pushed on, and finally, on the sixtn day of the pursuit, entered a moun- tainous country, where the dark and winding can- yons and defiles made rapid traveling impossible, and where it was necessary to keep a man deployed in advance as a safeguard against hidden danger. Rambling Dan was acting iv this oy i eh toward the close of this first day in the great hills. He was some little distance in advance of his friends, care- fully pursuing his way up a deep, gloomy defile, when suddenly his ear caught a sound in the bushes on the right. Stopping short, he dropped his rifle into position for instant use, and the next moment a blood-stained apparition staggered from the thicket, and with hands uplifted in mute appeal, stopped still before him! CHAPTER XXXV, TROUBLE IN CAMP. Ler us now for a while accompany the ovtlaws and their red allies on their retreat into the hills. Israel pea fa was, in reality, the leading spirit in the party, and, barring his lack of knowledge of frontier and camp life, he soon convinced the gang that he possessed all the elements of character _mecessary to make him a fit successor to the no- . torious Captain Vulture. Ruth Graves was_sad-hearted and downecast from the very first, but the impulsive little Gypsy’s spirit could not be broken, and therefore gave her captors adeal of trouble, Several times while in camp and ou the march her hands were tied to keep ber from doing mischief, but even this and threats of other punishment could not subdue her defiant, willful spirit, nor stop the lashings of her caustic tongue. Both captives were treated fairly well. To the credit of Danbaugh, be it said, he cautioned his white fiends and red about using rude or insulting janguage in the presence or hearing of the girts. Up to the day that the foe entered the Black Hills proper, their journey had been more like the march of a funeral party than a band of marauders. The | fear of pursuit, as well as the exasperating fact of | their having been unable to avenge the death of two- thirds of their friends, kept them silent end vigilant. But when they reached the hills their courage re- vived, for they felt safe now from all danger. On the other hand thespirit of Gypsy became sub- dued. It seemed that upon entering the hills all hope of rescue faded from her breas! and despon- dency succeeded. A young half-breed Indian of twenty years, with ithe euphonious name of White-Smoke Jim, had been detailed by Turtle-Face himself as Gy; sy’s attend- ent and escort. He spoke English well, and was rather a zood-looking Jndian, and prided himself on | his personal apnearance and his accomplishments asa ruoner, leaper, and fighter. From the very first the young warrior had endeavored to win the good graces of “ Panther-Killer,” as an Indian whom ‘Gypsy had relieved of some of his facial cuticle had named her, and his efforts at reconciliation and ‘peacemaking afforded his friends no little amuse- ment. Israel Danbaugh, however, looked upon White Smoke’s attention to the girl with some misgivings, | for he saw the fellow was infatuated with the eee little madcap, and there was no telling what his infatuation might lead to in the end. 7 e first pom in the great Hilis the band en- tle park approached through a nar- row defile and surrounded by steep, rocky, brushy diuffs. As usual Ruth and Gypsy were given the freedom of the camp. They came and went at pleasure pee tey Py were never permitted to go beyond the guards. ; The night passed quietly, but early next morning the camp was thrown into a fever of excitement by the announcement that Gypsy had disappeared from camp, and the further discovery that every ' er and every bridle had been literally cut 0 pieces t first it was believed tat the girl had cone the in the girl’s Sean D PAT EgeOR and the cutting of the oh eg girths and bri es: Pp ~The sentence pronounced was death by shooting} 4 i : ‘ t ) p: what fun they'll have mending | they got through. The Border Detectives. ! | §trongly the young man denied his guilt, but his | words were received with yells and jeers, and cries as Bob re- | of * produce the knife! produce the knife!’ But | this he could not do, and his past fidelity to the band, his bravery in battle, and his skill as a rifle- | shot and other savage accomplishments, went for | maught. He must die! The youth was taken and tied standing to a tree | hardby. Three outlaws with rifles were detailed by Danbauzh to do the shooting, They were stationed | about ten steps from the condemned. A loud- mouthed renegade called, and very wl hg ms | too, Dirty-Dog Bill was to give the signal to fire. | In consideration cf his kindness to her and Gypsy, | Ruth made an earnest appeal for White Smoke’s | life, buther appeal was answered in words of | mockery. | Taking his position, Dirty-Dog Bill exclaimed: | “Attention thar, now; when I count ‘ three,” | you fellers want to slam the lead right into the | traitor’s bosom; make ready!”’ The three men raised their rifles, and as they did , 80 a wild, terrified shriek burst from the steep hill- ' side above, causing every savage and outlaw to | start with sudden fear, | Lifting their eyes, they were struck speechless | with surprise on behbolding the lithe figure of Little Gypsy come fying down the acclivity toward them, a long knife clutched in her hand! CHAPTER XXXVI. ISRAEL BREAKS FOR THE BAD LANDS, Taz execution of White-Smoke Jim was for the moment forgotten, for now all eyes were focused on the little madcap Gypsy, flying down the ac- | clivity, where it seemed her neck would be broken . before ever she reached the level. But sure-footed ' as a deer, she gained the valley unharmed, and run- ning to where White-Smoke stood, faced the excited crowd. and in a tragic voice exclaimed: * You shall not kill Jim! He is innocent of what iz ea 3 you charge him! .1 cut the girths and bridles myself!” “And Jim furnished you the knife!’ put in Dirty- Dog. ‘"And then helped to conceal you,” added Dan- baugh. ‘It’s a hel—a lie!—both of them!" the girl frantic- oi exclaimed. ‘I did it all myself! You shall not kill him, you hideous cowards!” “Stand aside, vixen.’”’? commanded Danbaugh; “we will not be trified with longer!" Seeing there was no supeasiag to the villains’ mercy, Gypsy turned and deiiberately cut the thongs that held White-Smoke to the tree, As she | did so, she said: **Run, Jim, for your jife—they mean to kill you! ; Run, for my sake, Jim!” But for this last appeal White-Smoke would have died in his tracks rather than turn his back to his would-be murdere:s, conscious of his innocence; his admiration for Gypsy. however, would admit of no refusal of her appeal. He glanced quickly around him, then like a deer bounded into the bushes fring- ing the base of the bluff, | Avyell of savage indignation resounded through the canyon, and half a score of warriors dashed , away in pursuit of the boy. Up from among the bushes upon the side of the bluff White-Smoke soon appeared—up with the | swift, sure apr of a mountain goat. { The revolvers of the outlaws began to bark, and | bullets whistled through the air. And once the | fugitive paused a ed ard seemed to stagger as if | he had been hit; then with a new burst of speed he | dashed on up, and up urtil the summit of the eee was reached and then disappeared from | sight, . Gypsy, who had watched his ascent in breathless suspense, now clapped her hands and laughed in { ae ats in the very face of the enraged Dan- ugh. | But WhiteSmoke was not yet entirely out of ‘danger, for a number of fleet-footed savages om the bluff and started away in pursuit of j m, ‘ : Danbaugh grasped Gypsy rudely by the arm and walked her into the tent where Ruth sat, saying as . he did so: | “Miss, you want to settle yourself now, or I shall have you bound hand and foot, gagged and blind- folded!” ; : | No, you won’t, you old fool!” was Gypsy’s re- joinder; then as Danbaugh, white with rage, turned away, she sat down by Ruth saying in a changed | tone, a smile on her face: “1 don't think they'll get Jim now, do you, Ruth? He’s innocent as you are of cutting them bridles and saddles. I slipped his | knife out of his belt last night. and when you were sound asleep, I stole out and cut up the things. I | wanted to make them trouble, and delay them so | our friends, if we have any alive. could overtake us. I hid in the cutest little hole, half-way up on the bluff, and pulled the hole in after me, An Ingin , passed me twice so close I'd a notion to stick him | with my knife, just for fun. But I'm awful sorry my mischief has caused poor Jim trouble.” | You must be careful now, Gypsy,” cautioned | Ruth, “for our captors are all | might do you harm,” | | heir bridles, for I | nee belts, strips of buckskin jackets, and even empty-handed and crestfallen. | “James” had out-sprinted them and esea | lead a of see eee ee “Vil let them be now,” the gict replied: “but: H t | | posed by Bellnose Mack. He suggested that they strike north, double back fifty miles east, and then make for the bad Lands of Montana. To this Turtls-Face and his warriors objected; however, he consented for Danbaugh and his out- law companious to take the captives and go where they pleased. He was no longer nes sed to follow the outlaws, or join issues with them, His ex- perience of the past month had fully satisfed him with partnership expoditions. and they were going on to their destination, WhiteSmoke Jim to the contrary, notwithstanding The decision of the chief was exactly to the out- laws’ wish, and althouch expressing deep regrets at having to part from the chief and his brave fol- lowers, they packed up at once, bil the red-sking and te Y farewell, and with the captives de- arted. . There were just five of the outlaws, counting Dan- baugh—a sorry remnant of the once notorious band of Red Vultures. They rode on westward some three miles then turned northward into a side canyon from which they expected to turn eastward and onto the Bad Lands where Bellnose Mack assured Danbaugh Old Satan bimslf would be unable to find them. Glad they were rid of the outlaws and the possible necessity of having to fight to retain possession of the captives, the Indians and white renegades re- sumed their retreat at a leisurely pace, keeping a warrior in the rearto guard against danger from that source. And it was well they did, for toward evening of that very day the scout brought in the in hot pursuit of them, accompanied by White- Smoke Jim! CHAPTER XXXVILI. TOM RATTLER IN CLOSE QUARTERS. At sight of the blood-stained Indian Rambling Dan grew a bit uneasy through fear some trap was about to be sprung upon him and his friends, and as ths Indian started toward him, his hands still uplifted, be demanded: “Who are you?” “ White-Smoke Jim,’' promptly came the answer. “Well, what do you want?’ questioned Dan. “ To talk with you—to ali of you,” he responded. The rest of the party coming up, Dan said to them: Boys, this is Smoky Jim, and he wants to talk with us, he informs me.” “By Rosycrusians! Jim,” exclaimed Old Rattler, ‘it looks as tho’ you’d been in a den 0’ roach- backs.” ‘No,’ said the Indian with a shake of the head, «| was wounded and pursued by my friends.” “ They war luscious friends, I’d say,’’ Rattler ob- served, ‘* Who war yer friends! whard’ye belong?” ‘“*T was one of Turtle-Face’s followers.” “The holy Rosycrusians! war you too ornery to belong to that gang o° viperish heilyons?”’ “7 was threatened with death because I was a friend to the captive maidens you seek to rescue.”’ An exclamation burst from the lips of the party as they gathered closer about the Indian. “Indian,” said Old Tom, eying the half-breed sharply, “‘are you tellin’ us the truth? War you driven outen camp because, as yo say, you war friendly to the captive girls?” ““Thave told the truth,” declared Jim; “I was sentenced to be shot. Tho white girl, Gypsy, cut my bonds and by her request I ran. They shut at me, I was wounded in the arm. They pursued me. The bushes and thorns tore and scratcbed my face and is bled—my wounds all bled until I feel weak,” ‘*When was it, Jim, this all happened?”’ “This morning,”’ : oe you say the gals war alive and weil?” “Yes.” “Good! good!” exclaimed the entire party. } “This puts only ten hours behind, boys,”’ said Ichabod Flea. ‘‘ We'lloverhaul them yet. But say, Jim, is there a white man called Danbaugh in the erowd?” ; “Yos,’? Jim answered, ‘‘and he’s a bad man—he oa one that want me shot because I was a friend to girls. ‘Did you try to help them escape?” “No; but I meant to.” “When?” “When I got a chance.” : “How do the girls bear up under their cap- tivity?” * One ia sad and argent makes them lots of trouble. She cut their bridles all to pieces. They say White-Smoke done it.” ; “Do you know, Jim, where the gang is headed for?” Stonewall Bob asked. _ j ‘* Yes—far me git orere days’ travel yet. You can catch ‘em if you burry on—never will if you talk, taik talk,” was the e answer of the yout j “And what are you goin’ to do now?’ Rattler ked. ‘ “@) with you and show youthe way:”. | ‘And won't betray us—lead us into a trap?” “Tf you fear me, don’t trust me!” was the per- enraged, and they | ao reply of the young half-breed. hite Smoke Jim’s wounded arm, his straizht- forward story, his cool, calm demeanor, and the unfline gaze of his black _eyes, were all suf- ficient.to the critical Old Tom Rattler of bis truth- fulness and honesty, and he at once set the youth at ease by expressing implicit confidence in him, — and in accepting bis proffered service, That. the Iudian’s desire to serve them was as _ much for the purpose of pronaing his own wrongs | there was not a doubt in any one’s mind; but this made him none on Danbaugh as any other, the less desirable addition to their ig After Ichabod Flea had a the Indian’s werner arm the pursuit was continued until dark, Ww en a halt was made for the night. Jest eee ain he bates med a aval cope deer close to camp, the party had a roy pper fresh venison with enty left for breakfast and also some to carry with them, = Ub They were off bright and early next “morning and about ten o’clock pode the camp-grounds pve! Jim had so sudden ends. Continuin mouth of. 1e canyon into whey I : Z i startling information that a party of white men was — taken leave of his. "> pbc Aish on in great haste they passed the aubaugi and ae Te
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. er ~ i - +s We \ The Border Detectives. 27 party had turning without detecting the deviating trail. Two more days were thus passed and a third was drawing to a close when the pressing need of some- thing to eat sent Old Tom and Stonewall Bob / back into the hills in search of game, the others to | continue on to a certain point clearly designated by “ Jim,”’ The hunters struck a plateau, or rather a bench -of the mountain, where they felt confident a deer could be found. At the head ofa little depression | or swale trending off toward the south the hunters separated, one going on the left side and the other the right of the swale. They did not get out of Sight of each other at any time, and in this way they had gone perhaps half a mile when Old Tom caught sight of a form gliding among the rocks some two hundred paces before him. Tt did not take a second look to tell him that the form was that of a skuiking Indian, and without manifesting any alarm or even changing his gait, he turned and started leisurely toward Stonewall Bob. He had gone something like thirty rods when he suddenly came toa halt and started back. He found himself standing on the brink of a deep chasm some twelve or fifteen feet wide, and so deep its bot- tom was lost in darkness. which they had separated had grown into the ugly chasm unknown to either. Tom beckond Bob toward him, In a few moments ithe two stood facing each other, the abyss between, **Bob, there’s an Ingin skulkin’ down ahead o’ me,”’ Rattler said. ‘““The dickens you say!” exclaimed Bob; ‘‘ then you had better be gettin’ ‘round on this side, for—" A savage yell cut short his speech. It came from up the chasm, and was answerea from below and half-a-dozen other points on Tom’s side. A glanca told Bob the savages were closing in on the «ld man from every quarter, and that escape up or down the chasm would be impossible. : . “Jump the chasm, Tom! Jump it, can’t you?” he exclaimed. The swale at the head of | ] | Having already measured the abyss with his eye, | Old Tom shook his head, saying: “JT never could make it, enough—” ‘ 4 “Then throw me your rifle—quick!” interrupted the now thoroughly excited young giant. Tom pitcheu his rifie to Bob who, dropping it on the ground by his own, waiked backward a paces, then he dashed forward to the edge of the chasm and like a deer bounded through the air, land- ing on the other edge of Rattler’s side! “Heavens! what a leap!’ exclaimed Tom; ‘if 1d?) . He did not finish the sentence fur Bob seized the old borderman by the collar of his bunting-sbirt and Bob—not spring | few | j the seat of his buckskins, jerked him off his feet | and holding him face downward, swung him to and fro a time or so and then, with a mighty effort, | pitebed him head-foremost through the air over the yawning chesm, landing him sprawling on his stom- ach on the opposite side Then ogain backing away the young giant made a running jump and again leaped the chasm with apparent ease. improbable as it may seem this almost super- human feat of the big borderman was performed in less than five-and-twenty seconds; but it was pone too quick to avert danger, for the yelling red-skins rere pressing close. i bh Falling heavily on his stomach as he did, Old Tom had the breath completely knocked out of him, and as the old fellow scrambled to his knees he scemed half dazed. Seeing his condition, Bob snatched up the two rifles in his left hand and with bis right he again seized Tom by the collar and ran dragging vim along like a lion would a lamh to the cover of a huge rock some twenty paces back from the abyss. Nor did he gain that cover a second too soon, for as he dropped bebind it, half a dozen bullets whistled over bis head. , Not knowing but that the red-skins would leap the chasm as he had done, the giant prepared to receive them; but when the red-skins came up to the brink of the yawning depths they paused and drew back. They had not the courage to attempt the daring feat so easily performed by the atbletic Stonewall. CHAPTER XXXVIII. 35 * “ KORRILLED, BY THE GREAT ROSYCRUSIANS! “Great Rosycrusians!’' exclaimed Old Tom Rat- ter, as he recovered his breathing, “ what the blazes has happened? Did a cyclone hit me? or did J hit acyclone? AmTin the chasm? or in heaven? Huw is it, Stonewall Robert?” ' Smi'ing at the old man’s confusion, Bob briefiy explained what bad happened. **Holy horrors!” the old man exclaimed; ‘I wish Old Kic Bandy could ‘a’ see’d you perform! Boy, you’re a lilly-lipped hummer—a sort 0’ a whirlwind on legs. The ijes a pitchin’ me across that ditch that 1 couldn’t jump is the biggest joke 0’ the trip. But Say, Bob; it begins to look as thongh we’d come to ce end o’ that trail and find thar’s somethin’ on it, e 7” J “You've been wantin’ a fight, Tom,” answered Bob, ‘‘ and I guess you'll get it; but then we want to get away from here before the varicts head the cbannel and swoop down upon us,” This thought came none too soon) for glancing up the plateau they saw several Indians leaping the chasm at a narrow point to their side, Taking a prep around the rock Stonewall saw two red-skins with rifles in hand standing on the other side of the abyss watching that they did not escape. Communicating the fict to Tom the two prepared for action, and stepping back a ways from the rock, both sprung suddenly to their feet and made snap- shots at the red-skins, Tom with his rifle and Bob his two revolvers. As both were experts at this kind of work both red-skins fell; but judging from the frantic howling they set up they had only been wounded. That, however, was sufficient for the hunters’ pre- sent straight, and turning they at once dashed away scnchward, The Indians coming down the plateau saw them fleeing and set up a frightful yelling and at the same time redoubled their efforts to overhaul the two irrepressible white hunters, By this time it was almost dusk, a fact that was in favor of the fugitives, for it enabled them to dodge the red-skins; but in so doing, they became | found. timber that was thick with undergrowth. Hopmg, however, to meet again on the other side of the | strip, they hurried on, Tom Rattler, on emerging from the timber, could seé nor hear anything’of Bob, but as be could hear the red-skins in pursuit, or, at least, making con- | siderable noise not far away, he moved on, knowing | he would meet Bob at camp anyhow. ! As good luck would have it, the old man descend- ed a long, steep hill and came upon his other friends | at the place designated by White-Smoke Jim. But | Bob was not there yet, and as they were in an open, exposed position, safer quarters would have to be 1ey waited there, however, for Bob until] they heard the red-skins coming near, and then they struck out up the defile, They had proceeded some forty or fifty rods, and were just opposite the black mouth.of a deep detile | on their right, when suddenly a dozen or more In- | dians appeared iu the pass before them to dispute their further passage in that direction, “Into the gorge, boys!” exclaimed Old Tom, ** for the red-rinded varlets are afore and aft 0° us!” and suiting the action to the word, he led the way into the narrow rift which fortune seemed to have placed so handy. With quick footsteps all whirled into the passage after him, and the foe with a yell came dashing up as if they meant to follow, but a shot from Rattler’s rifle warned them to keep back. Proceeding along the defile, the hunters found it grew deeper as they advanced. and the walls more upright and barren of vegetation; and as they moved on the passage began to narrow, and all at once the walls came so close together that the men conld only proceed in single file. This narrow way, however, suddenly admitted them into a bread, cirenlar open: ing, where, to the surprise and horror of all the canyon suddenly terminated with high, projecting walls on all sides, with no possible way of egress ex- C-yt by the way they bad entered. Scarcely had they made the discovery when a wild yelling and laughing were heard coming from the trizaphant foe down the canyon. “Kor aiid, by the great Rosycrusians!”’ burst from Tom Rattlers lips. “Exactiy!” affirmed One-Armed Phil, “ we've bean headed off in a skillful way, and driven right into a death-trap!” **Cuss the luek!” Rattler exclaimed. ‘ We've come a long ways to git catched in this hole like a band o’ innocent Jambs, White-Smoke. how is this? Didn't you #now this kor-72/1 was here?” *Tt Thad I.would have told you,” replied Jim, be- traying some uneasiness, * Wal. boys,” said Rattler, with an air of resigna- tion, ** they have got us in here. but death's a lop ways off yit,if we are out o’ fodder. Stonewa Bob's at large, Lhope, and if they don’t down him, we've a chance for life, but if they do—well, I'd as soon die here as any place!”’ Separated themselves in passing through a strip of ; CHAPTER XXXIX. NASTY-rOG ‘* BARKS.”’ Frow the manner in which the Savages and rene- gades kept up their triump:ant yelling and laugh- | ing it was plain enough to the ‘hunters that they | Were in a state of frenzied delight They seemed in | no hurny to complete their work by crowding upon | the besieged, but were disposed to celebrate their | victory by degrees—as it was won, Step by step. | Another thing that doubtless deterred them from making arush was a knowledge of the fact that | one man at the mouth of the narrow entrance could defend the place against fifty—the same ad- vantage in seeping them out that they had in keep- ing the hunters in. chabod Flea was placed to guard the entrance, a | revolver in each hand, while the other kept watch | for foes on the edge above. With the, coming of darkness Ichabod saw that | the savages had tighted a fire at the lower end o€ | the narrow passage. This was, no doubt, to pre- vent the hunters soorpink from their trap unseen, but at the same time the same light would erable the guard to see a red-skin should one attempt to : enter the passage, An hour or two after ‘night set in the besieged’s | ears were freeted all of a sudden by a voice calling out from the top of the ebasm: ‘Hullo, down thar! how’s you fellers makin’ it in the ‘Fool’s Trap?” “That's pretty well said,” observed Old Tom, in an undertone to his friends; then with his rifle in hand be stepped out from under the wall and watched sharply for the outlines of the renegade’s head against the sky in hopes of giving him an an- swer with hot leed. But the fellow was too cautious to expose himself, and efter five minutes’ silence he again called cut: “TI gay, Stove wall Bobby, giant and wall-eyed: terror, why don’t fe kick the bottom outen tne Fool-Trap?—pull own @ wa'l and go forth to lib- erty? “It’s the voice of rhe renegade, Nasty-Dog Bill.” said White-Smoke Jim, yeas Ba, “And vou see,” added Rattler, “that Nasty-Do¢e Bill thinks Stonewall is in here? That tells us Bob’s safe and will be heard from in time, Bobby’s a thorn in them varlets’ flesh, Bobby is; but it'll be we"! to let ’em continue to think he’s in here, and I'll reply for him, so here goes: Say, Nasty-Pup, what are ye shootin’ from kiver for, up thar? ‘3 you’ve anything to say to Stonewall Bcb, the big In- gin-killer, come down—plenty room here.” * No, thank ye.” came down the re ly, “I'ma leetle partic'ler ‘bout my company; nh may call | in the mornin’ as you'll in there till lark-soar, anyhow.” _ “That depends on how we feel,” Rattler retorted, “Ha! ha! hai’? laughed the renegade, ‘‘you’re a jolly joker—a comic a:manick, you are. Say. are you Bill Nye? or Scratch Twain? You *pear to be awful funny,” During all this exchange of compliments: Tom kepta close watch for er fairly tingled for ain, The conversation finally ceased hy Dirty-Dog bid- fine ae besieged goocd-nizht aud returniag to his ‘ ends. prob¥y remain the renevade’s head. His & shot at the facetious vil- Tom and One-Armed Phil now made an explora- tion of the Trap.” ‘Cbey found the walls project- ing more or lessall around. The ground was strewn with rocks end spalds that time had Joosened from the face of the cliffs, and with these the party pro- ceeded to @ ect a barricade to protect them, when daylight should come, from shots fired from the top of the “ Trap.” It was a tedious job in the darkness but, neverthe- less, it was completed after two or three heurs’ labor; and then there was nothing to do but to sit down and wait. The guard at the entrance was relieved every two hours, The Indians kept up their fire throughout the en- tire night, though ail became quiet in their camp after midnight. With the coming of day the guard retired behind the stone barricade under the projecting wall, Old Rattler with his Winchester taking a position behind the same cover to watch the approach to the *‘ Trap,”’ the barricade having been erected so as to com- mand such a view. ‘Now let ‘em come,” the hunter observed, ‘‘ for as they'll have to come in single file, Ill string six at a time on one bullet from ‘ Ole Paralyze.’” 3ut the besieged found out that the foe did not propose to risk another life unnecessarily, They were 80 situated that they could take their time for their work of vengeance, During the day the hunters caucht glimpses of sed-skins around the top of the “Trap ” evidently watching for a chance shot; but the besieged re- frained from firing upon them although several tempting chances were offered. Thus the day wore aw.y, and night again set in, but, withuut food or water, the heroic litte band kept up their spirits, their hopes of escape centering whoily upon Stonewall Bob. Just how the young‘borderer could render them assistance against thirty «r forty savages, no one could imagine, That was a matter for Bob to deter- mine, and that he would succeed in some way, or, at least, make the attempt, they had no doubt provid- ing he should find out the predicament tizey were in. Again the red-skins lighted their fire at the lower end of the narrow passage. Then they spent an hour or two in a wild, hilarious carousal, after which Nasty-Dog Bill aaa appeared on the rim of the “Trap” and made some sneering inquiries about the state of the besieged’s health and the condition of their larder. This he kept up for some time, but finding he could elicit no reply from the hunters, he retired and quiet succeeded. One-Armed Phil and Rambling Dan took the first watch. Tom and WhiteSmoke Jim laid down be- hind the barricade to sleep until their turn should come to relieve Phil.and Dan. Ichabod Flea and Austin Smith sat down under the wall a red or so from the barricade and entered into conversation, While thus engagéd both heard a pebble drop near them. Of this, however, they thought nothing until they heard it repeated several times. Then Ichabod concluded it meant something, and rising he walked. out from under the rock, AS he did so he ran against something swinging in the air before him. Involuntarily he shrunk back, and dropping on his knees bent forward so as to bring the object out against the starry sky. An object he saw, true enough. and of considera- ble size.. It seemed to be suspended in the air, for it was swaying gently back and forth. Cautiously the little detective approached it—put out his hand and: touched it, It was nothing pos- sessed of life, and so he took hold of it and ran his fingers over and around it, The smell of roasted meat assailed his nostrils and sharpened his pangs of hunger. ~ What is it, Ichabod?” asked Smith, in a whisper. “It's a hat, by heavens! a hat made into a basket and lowered here, full of cooked meat, I do believe, inmy soul! Austin, it must be the ravens are try- ing to feed us, as they did Elijah in the wilderness— ah! I have it! Those ravens are Stonewall Bob! This is his hat! I know it by the cha‘n-band upon. it, and its size: and it’s full—got a bushel 0’ some- thing in. Glorious Stonewall Bob!” “ Be careful, Ichabod,’ cautioned Smith; be another trick of the foe. poisoned!’’ This thought had not oecurred to Flea; however he emptied the contents of the hat upon the ground and then gave a little jerk or two. The jerk was re- peated by whoever was at the end of thé ro e, sixty feet above, and then the hat was immediately drawn upward out of bis hands. Flea and Smith were nowina quandary what to do, but they finally concluded to let the mptter rest until morning without saying anything to the others, and did so. When daylight came, and all bad retired behind the barricade, Ichabed brought out the meat, and laying it on a stone before his frientis, said: Behold what the ravens of night brought those who languish and hunger in the ‘Fool's 1rop,’” “Where on earth and in the name o’ the great Rosycrusians did that come from’” exclaimed Old Tom, with staring eyes. Ichahod told him the whole story, adding: “But we were afraid it mizht 66 a trap and the meat poisoned, so we concluded to let the matter rest until dayight—” “Do you s’pose Bob ’d p'izen it?” interrupted Old ‘om. “No; we thought the Indians might have got hot! of his hat and doctored some meat for us,” Fchabok replied; ‘ flut there’s no question it came from Bob, for I find ¢Aés among the meat.” " He handed Old Tom a piece of white wood that had been whittled flat, and upon the twosides a communication written in pen The wood was a mere chip, about four inches long by three in width, Afrer Tom had looked it over, Le handed it back to Flea, who read the communication thereon as fol- lows: “it may The meat may be “ Boys, I'm onto your posish—accident’ly heard renakede and you talk last night—was close by—had notion to throw him into trap with you—went back ten miles to-day—shot deer and cooked old hat full —here it is—keep stiff backbone—stole two stout lariats to-day from Ingins’ ponies—to-morrow night I'll be here again, if alive—be ready at midnight~ ' will drop pebbles—find end of rope, and Tl draw
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28 The. Border Detectives. | you out—tie rope round wais*, then jeri: three times | out, and that he was suifering a huncred deatks. signal to pull, and I'll yank the feiler up—don’t } Bending over him Smith said, in a tone full of sym- STONEWALL Bos.” as squeal if rope pinches—Rattler come first—look out , pathy: ready. “Lord! how I want to vell!” exclaimed Rattler; “put I'll wait. Glorious ; I'm goin’ to see if this venison’s poisoned. If should die, it’s p’isened, and if I live—” “The rest of us will starve to death,” broke in Ichabod Flea, as he watched Tom devour a piece of the meat. “ Boys,” said Austin Smith, ‘‘ we'd as well all die together, so every fellow lay hold and proceed to suicide.’ The food was divided = $ and eaten with a keen relish, and as the effect of the feast was of a very agreeable nature, it was the unanimous opinion that Stonewall had prepared it. And with their ies thus strengthened, and their breasts filled with hope, they seated themselves be- hind the barricade to await the coming of night. CHAPTER XL. THE TRAPPERS TRAPPED, Never was a band of savages possessed of a more vindictive spirit against an enemy than Turtle-Face’s was against Stonewall Bob and his friends, Stron in numbers a month before they had joined wit Captain Vulturo and his reckless followers and set forth onagrand marauding expedition that prom- ised to enrich them ail. But now, alas! they were returning to their old haunts with two-thirds of their corapanions /eft lifeless behind, and not one of the Vultures with them. As to Kit Bandy, .’om Rattler and Stonewall Bob in y pages they attributed all their misfortunes, and now that they had, as they supposed, all but Bandy shut up in the head of the canyon, they had settled down to stay there until the whites surren- dered or died of starvation, Double guards were kpet posted day and night, and during the latter a fire was kept burning to prevent the cunning foe stealing out among them during the oe as they had done at the Belle Fourche ord. Their horses had been tethered to grass in a little valley half a mile ty f and the logs of two lariats had been discovered, but as the horses were found wandering off in the hills the natural conclusion was that they had been lost. Dirty-Dog Bill had been sent to converse with the whites in order to give them an opportunity to sur- render if they so desirea; but they soon discovered that the whites were as defiant as though they were the offensive instead of the defensive pact. The third night of the siege was on. A bright fire had been built and the usual evening festivities in- dulgedin, Four men were kept constantly on guard — a fifth one was detailed to keep up the watch- re, When the hour of midnight came it found half of the warriors lying upon the ground asleep along the base of the bluffs within radius of the light. Tbey slept with their guns, tomahawks and pistols on the ground at their sides. The four guards sat with their eyes riveted on the mouth of the pas- sage leading to the “Trap,” never for a ‘single moment removing them { One o'clock came and a deep, midnight stillness reigned in the camp, though the watch-fire flashed and flickered brightly as ever. But suddenly—like a burst of crashing thunder— the crack of firearms broke the silence of the night | scene of their last battle with Turtie-l’ace’s band, and fairly shook the hills, and to this was added the { th wild, trlaumphant shout of desperate men as they came charging up the canyon into the camp, led by the giant Stonewall Bob! In the agonies of death the guards went down at the first discharge of tue hunters’ rifles, The slee ers started in wild confusion and terror from their rest. Nasty-Dog Bill gave one giance at the ad- vancing foe and then vanished into the narrow way leading to the Fool’s Trap, fur hesaw and recog- nized Stonewall Bob. Tom Kattler and all those whom he’ had supposed were in the Trap. them- selves, advancing upon them with death flashing from every hand! The savages ran here and there in bewilderment— like panic-stricken sneer Turtle-Face endeavored to quiet them and rally them to. defense of the camp, but the brave chief fell in his efforts and his followers became a mob that the bullets of the whit-s mowed down like grass, Once the red-skings were on the eve of making a fight. Some of them caught sight of White-Smoke Jim and his presence seemed to throw them into rage, and two of them dashed upon the young half- breed and before they could be stopped split his bead with their tomahawks. But the next instant both of the avengers fell at the side of their victim, and a few moments later the bloody conflict, or rather massacre, for it was no fight, ended. A few of the Indians had escaped up the passage into the Fool’s Trap but not ons down the canyon. The sur- rise of the hunters had been complete, and, with he exception of White-Smoke, bloodless, Stone- wali Bob had kept his promise and at the time desig- nated appeared wiih his jariats aad rescued his friends from the pit. But now that they had overthrown the ememy where were the captive girls, Ruth and Gypsy? Where was Israel Danbaugh? Not one of the thres was to be seen. Some searched among the dead and dying for Danbaug while others searched the kets and recesses 0 the canyon walls for the girls, But not one of them could be found! A look of sad disappointment and grave fear clouded the faces of the party. The suspicion that they had been held back while Danbaugh made ae his escape with the girls was forced upon them. What else could have me of them? To make sure, however, of the girls, not being about, a more extended search was made, Austin Smith and One-Armed Phil being left to watch that none of the foe that had fled into the Trap came out. To the Chicago detective the scene of death before him was most shocking. Most of the red-skins bad been killed outright, but among the wounded was a white cer pa whose pitiful cries of pain arrested the attention of the detective, and going to where the man lay found 'that both his eyes had been shot bert Stonewall) a | an imploring reach. / i t “Old fellow, you're in a bad fix, ar’n’t you?” “Oh, God! kill me! kill me, and relieve my agony!” the renegade cried, lifung his arms in “No,” replied Smith, ‘that would be murder.” “Tod be merey!” fairly shrieked the sufferer; ‘finish your work, cr give mea pistol!” j “They say the wages of sin are death,” said Smith. ‘*You brought this all upon yourselves, Had you let those girls alone—” ; “Curss them giris!” raved out the renegade, | “course Israel Danbaugh and all his gang! They | have bees a scorpion’s sting to us! We've been tools for them, and now we suffer, while Danbaugh with the girls goes free and unbarmed!”’ ““Where’s he gone toy and when?” asked Sunith. ‘*He’s not been with us for nearly a week,” the | dying renegade replied; ‘* we had trouble one morn- | in’ with one o’ our men—iVhite-Smok2 Jim. The | half-breed got away and Danbaush got scart and | he and four men, with the girls, struck north at once, calkerlatin’to make for the Bad Lands 0’ Montanny. Cuss ’em all—cuss ‘em a thousand times! I hope you'll foller’m, and send all to hell, | whar they b‘long.”’ / Smith called up Stonewall Bob, and made known } to him the dying renegade’s story, The fellow was |! cross-questioned closely, and ke adhered to the one | straightforward story, and finally died expressing | we nope that Danbaugh would be caught and pun- | ed. | The renegade’s revelation filled the friends of the rls with almost bopeless despondency; but Old | om Rattler came to the rescue, and soon revived their spirits, and inspired them with'a renewed | determination to continue the pursuit, As they would be coupelled to double back on their course several days’ travel, before reaching the point where the renegade had claimed Dan- baugh and perty had left them for the Bad Lands, | the pursuers resolved to make the journey on horse- | back, as the red-skins’ ponies were now at their dis- | posal. So Stonewall Bob end Rambling Dan were sent to briog six of the best animals to camp, for they proposed to start back at once. When the ponies were brought up, and all ready to depart, Stonewall Bob ascended to the tcp of the Fool’s Trap, and called down to Nasty ok ill: “Tsay, down there. Nasty-Canine William, how | are vou gettin’ along?” : / **Go to blazes!” was the re negade’s reply, coupled | wit a few choice oaths, “Well, ole fel,” Bob ocutinued, “you're havin’ | hard luck. Yoa see how uncertain l'fe is. Now we could keep you down in thet Fool’s Trap till the | buzzards carried you out in pieces; but you're not worth the pains. What I come to tejl you is that | we're goin’ to ye ge hence, and you can go down and take care of your wounded friends; then soon as convenient go out and shoot yourseif.” } Having thus advised the outiaw, Stonewall re- | turned to his friends, and in five minutes the pay was mounted, and on itsyway back through the Hills bound for the Bad Lands of Montana. | CHAPTER XLI. A HAPPY, SURPRISE. On the morning of the seventh day after the de- , parture of Tom Rattler and his party from the | e pursuers found themselves traversing the south- | ern extremity of that weird and desolate waste kuown as the “ Bad Lands.” They had found, as the dying outlaw had told them, where Danbaugh and his party with Ruth ani Gypsy had left the red-skins and turned north; and from that point they had followed the villains’ trail into the Bad Lands, : With strong hopes of overtakin soon, Tom and his friends pushe brush-covered waste, Rattler, himself, acting as | trailer most of the time. / The first half of their first day in this desolate ! region had not yet passed when the watchful eyes . of Stonewall Bob discovered a thin column of smoke | ae from among the hills a mile or so before them, A halt was !mmediately called, and Rattler and Bob, leaving their horses with their friends, went forward on foot to make a reconnoissance, As they approached the vicinity of the rising smoke they discovered ten horses, most of them with saddles on, grazing in a little opening near | where the smoke was rising from a thicket of wild plum bushes. “Them don’t all look like outlaws’ hosses, Stone- wall,” Old Tom said after after a careful survey of | the animals. ‘The saddles on some o’ them look the scoundrels like soldiers’ outfits.”’ ‘And so they must be,"’ declarel Stonewal), as he sawa man in blue emerge from tke thicket, take a look at the horses and then return to the bushes. ; “It are, by the great Rosycrusians!]” exclaimed Old Tom. But votwithstanding this discovery the scouts con- tinued #0 advance egret keeping under cover until they were within twenty paces of the camp hen they saw two men whom they recognized soldiers they had left at Camp Kit Bandy. Without further delay they boldly approached the soldiers, both of whom recognized the scouts the in- stant they saw them and gave them a hearty greeting. i “Tom Rattler and Stonewall Bob!’’ exclaimed one of them, advancing toward the scouts with ex- tended hands. “The same, my gallant blue-coat,’’ replied Tom; | AB. what on the earth are you fellers doin’ up | ere?” * Hunting girl-thieves?”’ answered the soldier, “The same here,” said Rattler; ‘ but when did be leave camp? how's everybody there ’—how’s le Kit Bandy ?—how’'s —”’ “Ka-ristopher Ko-lumbuss Bandy is fairly well, I | thank you," said afamiliar voice, and turning, Old » Tom was rendered speechless with surprise by the appesrenre, from behind a cluster of bushes, of , Old Kit Bandy with Ruth Graves upon one side and Gypsy ou the other! } into the hilly, | Tom rubbed his eyes, and bifnked at the trio, gianced at Stonewall and the soldicrs, muttering: * Rosycrusians! dost my ole eye see what they be- hold? Dost 1—” ; ‘Gh, yes, Thomas,’‘ exclaimed Kit. “‘you’re all rignt, but 1 got the bulge on you this time, you bloomin ole pirate.” The soldiets laughed, while Stonewall Bob ad; vanced and shook bands with Kit and the smiling, happy maivens, TVhen Tom came forward and grasped the extend- ed hand of the old detective and shook it till the joints fairly cracked. “Cod bless you, Kit!” he said, his face beaming | with joy, ‘‘there’s hopes o’ you bein’ a useful man yit! I congratulate you! I hail yon with joy! You're lookin’ thin about the gills, but just as handsome | asever. You've been doin’ noble work, but, tel] me quick, what ye did with the gentleman that employ- ed the great Mountain Detective tu hunt Cown Jubn | Rossgrove—I mean Israel Danbanugh?” “Come, and I'll sbow you,” answered Kit, and he led the way around the bushes to where Danbaugh sat handevffed and guarded by a soldier, ‘Oh, ho!’? Pom exclaimed, “and ’tisthus we meet | again, Israel! Well, well, welll” Danbangh made noreply. The villain was com jletely broken down. He could now see the end of is lc ng jife of evil close at hand. : Kit took Tom aside and told bim how he and the soldiers had effected the girls’ release. A hunter had come down to Camp Bandy anc reported see- ing four men and two girls pushing northward toward the Bad Lands, and, from what they could gatber from the hunter, Kit and the Surgeoo Scout made up their minds it was a party of out- laws, with Ruth and Gypsy. At any rate, the mat- ter was thought to be worth looking after; so Kit, having sufficiently recovered from his injuries, with three soldiers, set out for the Bad Lands, Abvut one hundred miles north of where Tom and Bob met them, they found the pane, killed all but Dan- baugh and saved the girls, and that, too, before the unsuspecting villains could fre a shot. When Kit had finished his story, Tom in turn nar- rated bricfly the incidents of their pursuit of the vi and how Danbaugh came to give them the 9 -s dake party had only halted for dinner they were soon in the saddle again on their homeward march. Coming to wtere the rest of Tom’s party were wait- ing,a short halt was made for the greeting of friends, and then the journey was resumed In the course of many days’ travel the camp was reached without incident worthy of note, and their arrivai was the occasion fur ger eral rejoicing uron | the part of everybody—save only the now most ab- ject Israel. All the wounded were found on the rapid road to recovery except Jack Brambe. Contrary to the doctor's first expectations, the outlaw’s recovery had been attended with troublesome complications. Some thought his mental troubles had much to du with his continuyed physical weakness, for be was bhp begging the Surgeon Scout tc let him ie. After a few days’ rest the whole party broke camp and started for the fort, where they arrivedin due time, though the journey had been a hard one for Jack Bramble, Austin Smith left at once with Danbaugh fer Rusbviile, avhere he bad the villain piaced in jail ta await the action of the law; then he returzed to the | fort for Bramble; who, by this time, was able to make the trip, though far from well. And while we are writing of Danbaugh and the Endicott murder. we will dismiss the subject ca- tirely with the following bye Danbaugh was tried and convicted upon the evl- dence of Rosenberg and Quinlan, the latter being found in Olympia, Washington Territory, as the chief conspirator in the murder of Hen Endicott. He was sentenc=d to prison for life, while Bramble and Quinlan got twenty years each, but Bramble — of his wounds before he reached the prison cell, Within a week after his incarnation Israel Dan- baugh took his own life by hanging himself with a rope made of strips of his blanket; but before be did so, remorse compelled him to make a written statement of the crime he had been guilty of against Endicott and Rossgrove, He admitted that,through an unscrupulous Bnglish lawyer who had first ais- covered Rossgrove’s beivg the first heir to the for- tune, he had been induced to try and prevent Ross- grove coming into possession of it. But, how was t to be accomplished without creating suspicion he knew nos, For two years they managed to keep the existence of the fortune from Rossgrove, and finally, when the latter had quarreled with Endicott he~Dan- baugh—conceived the idea of fixing the crime of murder upon Rossgrove, and with the assistance of the two ready tools, Rosenberg and Quinlan, we have seen how near he came to success, and yet how the pitfall he dug for another, became bis own dishonored grave. John Rossgrove was thus exonerated and restored to the good consideration of his fellow-men. There were those, however who, out of mistaken kindness, were disposed to censure him for fleeing when he knew he was innocent, holding that forhimto have remained with his trust in God would have wrought in some way proof of his innocence. But the more matter-of-fact friends thought he did the best thing possible, for, with the evidence azainst him. false as it was, yet seemingly conctu- sive, the gibbet only three weeks away, there was no time for sentiment or cringing appeals to an inex- orable fate. That he was right in the course he pursued, although he had suffered many priva- tions, was ps in the happy termination of the whole 6 CHAPTER XLU. STONEWALL WINS THE PRIZE, Oncr more we will return to our friends, When the time apvroached for their departure from the ‘ort, a feeling of regret and some uncer-, tainty pervaded their minds and hearts, and to Jo nearer and Mahlon Graves itamounted almostt a dread. They knew that their future ways lay apart, and
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S F de 3 ae ig ea) ka xi G ‘ " oN ear ms! . “i (4 4 oer \ =) aoe a. f Hf is .,! t : rs 4 Ps a oo | ce) Saw : Ye: es , = we. ? a oa! in i % } 2 Pe 4 3 Ed “3 & : Vv 3! . ; a ve Ms > od Y « P c ae ke x >, a ’ ” ee e &e é 2 3 i) a i f ? ‘Ss aa si i ea 7 5. 7 . 338 4 ; i ba ¢ # a ¥ Pe. : Pd “ 5 ¢ : ¥ ” 4 ers - M2 as a a eg =o - Pye * 5 4 a rig “i 14 c oe Fes’, 3 Pbk. oe, G ke ‘\ ef ° ay. ¥ ; te By 4 wi ue , 4 " s 4 if that Ruth must decide between them as to which she should go with. It was a delicate matter they could not bring themseives 4o discuss together. Fach in his own heart conceded the other’s claim to the affections of the lovely girl, and each made up his mind to accept whatever the future might de- cree him, But the suspense so preyed upon Ross- grove's mind that he finally wenito Kit Bandy and asked his counsel in the matter. “That's exactly what Graves asked me yester- day,” Kit confessed, ‘‘ and I see it war worryin” him migntily. Ido hope you men ‘ll not let auy feetia’ spring up between you after ali you've passed through.” “God forbid it, Kit!” ** Mahlon Graves has been a child. She has grown up in his family and uncer his protecting care. ther, and ioves him as a father; and yet, after all my i of banishment—” ra *- You in turn, Rosszgrove,” injerrupted Kit,‘ have been searing and protecting two Jorely girls who love you as a father, You'd not be left alone evea thouzh Rath should prefer to go with Graves. “1 will admit, Bandy, I love those girls, and yt, Ruth is of my own flesh and blood, ant that makes a difference that no one but 4 parent can fully realize,”’ “That's true, I suppose, Mr. Rossgrove, But, see here: there’s a very easy way to settle this matter *twixt you and Graves.’ “ How, Kit, is that?” “er Ruth decide which of the two she'll go With.” “That would be a good way providing Ruth was willinz: but she is so sensitive and kind-hearted that it will be like death to her to have to make sucha decision.” ae “ But if she will, you'll abide her decision?” “Yes, most assuredly—I could not, nor would not do otherwise.” ‘Then | willspeak with Graves, and if he consents to this, we'll soon have the matter seifled one way’r t’other.”’ An hour later Rossgrove was summoned to the room in which all our friends were assembled, and when be had been seated, Old Kit arose, and turn- ing to Ruth said: * Miss Ruth, as we're soon to separate, there’s a dut? o’ no pleasant character devolvin’ on you. You are more fortunate than most pretty gals in that you've got two fathers, but as their ways lay in op- posite directions, you can’t live with both, and it are best for your happiness and theirs that you now decide which one it shall be you go with.” “That will be a hard matter for me to determine,” Ruth answered, thoughtfully; ‘Liove both of my dear fathers, and bave been thinking all this over, and I think I bave a solution of the difficulty that wil] be acceptable to both of them.” ** And what’s that?” queried Bandy. “ Robert Comstock,” she- answered, with a deep blush. ‘has asked me to be his wife, and as I love him, too, I accepted his proposal.” * Robert Comstock is worthy the love of any woman in the land!” exclaimed Mahion Graves. ‘Then, so be it!’’ added John Rossgrove, with an air of happy resignation. ; “Glory !* shouted Old Rattler, and Rambling Dan clapped his hands in joy. : ‘By the born o’ Joshua!” exclaimed Old Kit, with an affected look of disappointment, ‘‘ that cooks my goose again. Bob Comstock, you lucky rascal, I was just on the eve 0” Reyne to Miss Ruth myself. Bug, I'm always behind—dal.oays /” with a long drawn sigh. An outburst of laughter that set everybody in the very best of spirits followed the jovial old detec- tive’s absurd J degclntes oe “You can allers count on Kit Bandy bein’ in love with the weemin,’’ Old Rattler remarked ‘*T contess the weakness, Rattler,”’ Kit replied; *T'll admit that I do like the ladies, but, I allers git Jeft somehow, and in this case I’m left badly—not exclaimed Rossgrovs; nigh enough gals to go ‘round ‘less I gobble onto Gypsy, and—" “You ole pirate!” exclaimed Rattler, “ you'll d to dea.h talkin’ like @ Red Vul- “Oh, no; I know Mr. Bandy’s just in fun, for he's always pi . responded Gypsy, her dark eyes sparkling with good nature. Since the meeting of One-armed Phil and Mar- ‘gery Ashton, their old-time affection had grown anew, and the outcome of it was that they. too, had pliguted their love to each other before leaving the tors. 4 day for departure from the fort frighten the tur-,.”’ At length the came, and after an affectionate leave-taking of the soldiers and the great-hearted Surgeon Scout, the journey, toward clvilization was begun, Old Kit and Rattler went with the folks to a point far southward beyond any possible danger, and there announced they must bid all good-by and return to the flelds of exciting labor in the moun- tains. With a feeling of do right grief the parsy real- ized that they must se’ from those two brave, heroic and jolly old borderman. The hunter and detectives were shaking hands evote? father to my | She has known n> other fa- | I Pe Se Ser ce ee ee Sn ee ee a Oa ee eC ous Hees eee ote around, with their friends, when ar came to where tonewall Bob and Ruth were standing. Sto cone at Robert,” are os Kit. © yous pard, it’s hard to give you up. but then you've en into good pecdsnand | it are in a good cause you Fr the at range for the brigater, and I trust, happier pedition in search o’ the eo’ bliss, Out 0’ our ex i nn Rossgrove, you, Bob, git all the re- criminal, Sohn Rosters Jeth a 160d billion 2° ward big) ere Tow you'll be happy, Bob, with ‘ou—that is, if you do our part by her, and y P { d me wo — uously, and taks ” Rattler and Ichabod will po ato Lago urged Ruth, her eyes fill- ig tears, W "1 the good Lord spares us we will,” responded Kit, his own eyes growing moist; “so, good-by, Bob—good-by, Ruta! He gave a th beat her the { 261 Light-h Br The Lost ite e a sad smile hovered about her. h, and in the gratefulness of cae be head and with the ! The Border Detectives. eas still falling from her eyes, kissed the old man’s and. Without another word Kit turned and walked away. Coming to where John Rossgrove stood try- ing to quiet ois feelings for the final purting, he said: * Well, Zeke, thar's an end to all things, andI sup- pose this is the end of our sejcurn together.” ** Rather the end of ovr expedition criminal-hunt- ing,” responded Rossgrove. “Exactly!” returned Bandy, “and we got him, too, but he wer'n’t the feller we started out after, thank the Lord. - But, if ever in the future you want avy deetective work dove call on me at my office.” “Yves: Banudy’s sien a stupenduous ole aetective!” put in Tom Rattler, with a smile; ‘* employed a mau to hunt himself tothe galus. Oh. tortures! Ross- grove don’t ever tell that«en Kitsie—don’t give the toomultuous old mountain dectective away; and way the rest o’ your days be crowded from mornin’ till night with joy and happiness. Gcod-by, Ross- grove.” Rosszgrove warmly shook the hand of each; then the three old bordermen mounted their horses and in silence rode slowiy away toward the west. THE END, s Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 583 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. 559 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Ma by Hana, the Dutch Vidocg. : 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Gat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Gieat Combine. 616 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Joliy Jeremian, the Plains Detective. BY WM. G@. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. b31 Dalsz ware tue Sport from Denver. / 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man ot Fire. } 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Doubie Grip Witness €29 Violet. Vane, the Velvet Spor. ; 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective. 665 Violet Vune’s Victory, BY CAPTAIN FRED, WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat ; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Ibumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, t e Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain: or, Skipper Jaber Coffin’s Braise. 200 'Vhe Boy Bedouins; or, The Brotners of the Plumed Lance, 214 W olfweng, the Kobber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King: or, Ronnd the World. 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League ot the Jungie. $31 Black Nick, the Demon Rider, 885 California Joe’s War Trail. BY ROGER STARBUOK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate's Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Jank, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Harpoon} or, Lost Among the Floes. 845 Ftre-Meele; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow, 854 Big Norn Ike, the HU1 Tramp; or, The Odd Pards. 861 The Phantom Light-house. 870 Brenker en, the Reei-Runner, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8S, Hall.) 284 Old Roeky « “ Boyees: or, Renito, tue Horse-Breaker. 216 Giant George; or, The Ang’! gf the Range. 275 Arizona Jack; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Tavs; or, Giant George’s Revenge. OT The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 8 Ker-whouop, Ker-whvo}; or, The Tarantula of Taos, 7 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 2 Frio Fred? or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. a i4 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 9 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 7 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 1. Snap-Shot, the Boy ners 5 Chieta, the Oreek ; or, The Three Thunderbolts. $i Bandera BU; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 2 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, 04 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. 427 The Three Trallera; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 442 Bluff Will: or, The Lynx of the Leona, 455 Little Lone Start or, The Belle of the Cibolo. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant (ee ¥ "a « ptees BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. Pandy Roek the Man from Texas, The Drend Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 1 The olden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseve, 4 Dandy Rock’s Pledge}; or, Hunted to Death, & Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Maid of Tacs. BY CAPT, J. F. ©. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol}; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. 46 Glanctye. the Great Shot of tle Wat 54 Ned Mazel, the Trapper. 56 Nick Whifiies’s Pet; or, In The Vall 60 are ay tite In: 3 or, The Scout of the 70 Old Zip’s Gabi’ or, The Greenhorn in the ab enone Sone Corer tie Pave e Fem. . 247 Old Grizzly gna Tin Pets or. The Wild Funtress, aor Nase eek ora, ir, ie 38 The Scalp King: or, The Human Thunderbolt, BY J. W. OSBON. Death. ellowstone coda, 469 The Riv: 498 Cactus 564 Powder a9 Pit Pinte eee ey 688 Pineky Paul, te Gor Pranic 8 Ney otto lens. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, . The Two Detectives; or, The Fortancs ofa Bowery Girl. | 7? Sol GI r, the Giant Tra’ a 2238 Joe Bue \ Boy Para. 447 New York Nat, A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, brat vow E nd Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Found 4 Ni e Niek, the Circus Prince. Sp det Coates i Sat Dest ool! or e f- j Bis Goer Colorado’ | 855 The 29 BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Gspraim Arizona ; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 19% Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leether Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; cr, The Mountain Vempires. S88 A Tough Boy; or, fue Dwart’s Revenge. 868 Li¢tle Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. B78 Little dlngeo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly; or, A Race fors Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches 3 or, Old Jumbo’s Curate 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. 5iT Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Joliy Pardsto the Rescue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 656 Lariat Lil: or, The Cazs fora Life. 574 Old Wensel-top, the Man with the Dogs, F | 595 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Pandy 625 Oklahoma Mi, the. Blne-Coat Scout. 648 ttappy Harry’s Big Find. 664 Checky Cheriey, the Special. BY JO PIERCE. 89T Bob o’ the Bowery: or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; _or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Sireet-Bey Detective. . 469 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Juunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Yonng Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Polnta Phil. 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. . 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Pointe Phil’s Menagerie. 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. B33 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward. 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detestive, 577 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter. 588 Jack-o'-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, €O2* Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistiing Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hommer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Seh 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. BY J, C, COWPRIOK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King}; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Pelective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuin Jonn; or, Ked-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Dsiag Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 506 Redll ht Ral h, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Difiikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke the Young Engineer. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 Witliam PE Becutanry or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 628 Broadyay Bil ie Dead Act. oe Barebsek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgen, the “ Pizenest ” Man of Ante Bar. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black Jo the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Yoatats Sam ; or. The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Puinty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Biack Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly or, Fighting Fire witb Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 203 The ate ¢ Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. ~ 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. $10 The Barranea W olf; or, The Besutiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, B85 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide R Sing of the Woods: or. Damel Boone’s Last Trak 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trafler. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse ilunters. By Capt. Mayne Reis ané Frederick, Whittaker. ’ 9% Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Alnddin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Lilustratiops,) 18 Sindbad the Satlor. His Seven Voyages. 22 fn Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinsoz Crusoe. By Joan 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the 86 The Boy Clown} on, The A F y Clown; or e Arena Queen. 8. Fina. 8S Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas eal : 51 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Miselssipp. By Lient.-Col. Hazeltine. q 98 Kebin Wood, the Vutiawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof, Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Cavtive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Nunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saza. 124 ‘Sippy. the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George son. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Shatp Sam ¢ or, The Adventures of a Friendlees Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Yk Boy. ByG. L. Alken. e * Pearna’ t e New . . 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By En Cc. D. Warren. 298 _— Som the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff, iy Captain i 817 Peacock Fete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lien- pan’ i. 828 The § ctive s or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Hvac, B Gtaiee Micsy Pres, me 5 M ‘ ‘ ‘ 850 Ked Kalph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re venge. By Ned Bun \. a} 865 Bal ‘Ben the Bootblack Detective, a4 Morris, K Semi or, Ben’s Double Match. By @. HL Morse, sre California Joe's Firat Pietl. by Colonl Thomne io ons > > $ 418 y Rombshell, the Climber. By F.S. Winthrop. The Binck Ship. hnS Werner. . 454 Comanche Dick and His Three invinelbles, By ; weer Jf an ins vF . Be Wate et lee é ¥ . — win era, the Boy Ferret. By H. En ‘ A New Inseuce Every 1 ors The Half-Dime Library 1s for sale by 4! vewsdenlers, Sve “eonta per copy, or sent by matt on recetpt of alx conte eaah, } 98 Wiliam New York ) A Tale of the alines. ' 48u Three Jelly Parda. 1 the No-Name Sport. Ny 615 Billy. Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. “ per: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- |
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‘ 4 - BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. £8 Old Sobersides, the Detective of St. Louis. 126 White-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective. 118 The Double Edged Detective. 07 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere. 98 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport. 84 The Spotter-Sport’s Neck-Tie Party, 70 High-Water Mark; or, Silver-Tip Sid. 62 Riata Rob, the Range Champion. 355 The Cuwboy Chief’s Sure-Shot. 8648 The Rival Red-Hat Sports. ‘837 Curly Kid, the Cheyenne Sport. #24 The Soft Hand Detective, 815 The Soft Hand’s Clatch. 809 Dan Dunn, the Soft-Mand Sport. 796 The Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle. «89 Sam Cary, the River Sport. ‘80 The Dead Sport’s Double. (71 Prince John, Detective Special. 363 Dandy Don, the Denver Detective. 754 fhe Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield, the Doctor Detective, 744 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport. 720.The Secret Six; or, Old Halcyon. 712 The Man of Silk. 705 Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte. 693 Kent Kasson, the Preacher Sport. 683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective, 675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise h 668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak 661 The Get-There Sharp. 651 Silvestip Steve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou, 645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective, 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer, 617 The Grip-Sack Sharp’s Even up. 597 Big Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte. 588 Sandy Sands, the Sharp from Snap City. 576 Silver-Tongued Sid; or, Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep, 564 The Grip-Sack Sharp; or, The Serapbs of Sodom, 555 Grip-Sack Sid, the Sample Sport. 647 The Buried Detective; or, Saul’s Six Sensations. 641 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve. $85 Dandy Dutch, the Decorator from Dead-Lift 27 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective, 14 Gabe Gunn, the aan from Ginseng, 504 Solemn Saul, the Sad Man from San Saba. 495 Rattlepate Rob; or, The Roundhead’s Reprisal , 188 The Thoroughbred Sport. 474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Despot of Dew Drop. 8 Old Rough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown ' 455 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic. 1438 Oklahoma Nick. #33 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard. 26 The Ghost Detective; or, The Secret Service Spy. 16 Monte Jim, the Black Sheep of Bismarck. ‘9 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle, % The Nameless Sport. % Desdly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. ® Dark Durg. the Ishmael of the Hills, 72 Captain Crisp, the Man with a Record. 67 A Royal Fiusa; or, Dan Brown’s Big Game. 360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown, 855 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete. 51 Nor’ West Nick, the Border Detective. 345 Seskea Mark, the Mounted Detective, 13239 Spread Eagie Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter, Chispa Charley, the Gold Nugget Sport. 817 Krank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective, 292 Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. 286 Pistol Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand. 283 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. 233 The Old Boy of Tombstone, 201 Pirate of the Plavers; 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 Saddle 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 George; or, The Five Oytiaw Brothers. 71 Captain Cool Blade; or, Mississippi Man Shark, 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness. 50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport. BY WM. G. PATTEN,. 810 Fire-Eye, the Thug’s Terror. 795 Old Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower, 768 The Prince of New York Crooks. 756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. 747 Double-voice Dan's Double Disguise. 715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck. 202 Double-Voies Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective 396 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective, 689 The Sparkler Sharp. 676 Hurricane Hal, the Cowboy Hotspur. 669 Old True Blue, the Trusty. 662 The Giant Sport; or, Sold to Satan. #56 Old Piug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. ‘648 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Gric. 641 tee Jack, the Desert Nomad. 631 Coloné!l Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp. 602 Captain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery, 71 Old Dismal, the Range Detective. 45 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport, BY GEORGE C. JENKS, ‘SO The Arizona Detective. Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport. The Silver Sport’s Double. The Race-Course Detective. +856 The Hayseed Detective. '%72 Captain Corden, the Twister Detective’ ' "55 Wild Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective. . 126 Fearless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective, , 749 Boston Beb, the Sport Detective. » 672 Jaunt. joe, the Jockey Detective, ; 654 Mad Sharp, the Rustler ¢ 580 Rare ket, the Tent Detective. _ 526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective ' 607 The Drummer Detective. _ 482 The Giant Horseman. | 8 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective, BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 916 Two Dead-Square Sports. 902 Soft Velvet, the Man from Sandrock. 891 Genteel Jim, Sport-at-Large, 881 The Cluabman-Crook’s Cat's-paw. 867 The Frisco Sport. 852 The Stranger Sport’s Shake-up. 828 Kirk King, the Man from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport 783 The King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of Silver Bend, 718 Uncle Bedrock’s Big Bounce, 707 The Rival Rovers. 687 Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm. 677 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybira. 659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers, 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand, 634 Old Handecart’s Big Dump. 622 The All Around Sports. 603 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. 658 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 9 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport With aScar, 5038 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back, 9 Major Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives, 429 Hau Trigger Tom of Red Bend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels’ Fiat Racket. 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 5 Royal George, the Tirree in One, 856 Three Handsome Sports; or, The Combination. 833 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop, 268 Magic Mike. ~he Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cufsiceve; 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, TheSilent 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. 861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot § y. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The’Skipper’s Crime, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Quéen 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 The Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip 770 The Showman Detective. 762 Old Grip, the Detective. 740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective, 732 The Hurricane Detective. 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. 616 Magnus, the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. 595 Wellbagn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram, the Detective Expert. 674 Old Falcon’s Double. 561 The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detective. 536 Old Faleon’s Foe; or, The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop Maje, the Diamond Field Detective, 509 Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective. 501 de. hae Steve, the Retired Detective, . 494 The Detective’s Spy. ; 485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective, 477 Dead-asm Brandt. 467 Mainwaring. the Salamander, 462 The Cizeus 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 Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry. 598 The Dominie Detective. 591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective, 580 Shadowing a Shadow, 65 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective, 667 The Mountain Graybeards: or, Riddles’ Riddle, 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger 499 Twilight Charlie, the Road Sport, 472 Gilbert 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, 840 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee. BY EDWARD WILLETT, 488 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 868 'The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head. 348 Dan Dillon, Hing of Crosseut. 837 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp. $27 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective. 815 Flush Fred's Double; or, The Sauatters’ League 808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True, 298 Logger Lem: or. Life in the Pine Woods, 289 Flush Fred’s Fall Hand, 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport, 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp. 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Crime. 209 Buck Farley. the Bonanza Prince. 128 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man’s Sacrifice. BY CAPTAIN MAWNE REID, 7 The White Squaw. 234 The Hunter's Feast. 218 The: Wild Huntress; or. The Squatter, 200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico. 74 The Captain of the Rifles: or, The Paap aurea: 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific, 65 The Scalp Hunters + Romance of the Plains, BEADLE'’s*| )IME*|IBRARY. | } kublished Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cengs. No Double Numbers. ; ; BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, | 911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound, 906 The Cuban Cruiser. 854 Tne Ocean Gipsy. 834 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Terrorg, 819 The Rival Monte Cristos. 805 The Last of the Pirates; or, Doom Driven. 801 The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapving th@ Grave Ghouls, 791 The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase, 748 Arizona Chariie, the Crack-shot Detective. 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 The Rover’s Ret: ibution, 635 The Ex-Buecaneer: or, The Stigma of Sin. 325 Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas, 4 615 The Three i:.uceaneers. 610 The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep, 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of °76, 593 The Sea Rebel: or. Red Rovers of the Revolution, 587 Conrad, the Sailor.Spy; or, True Hearts of 76, The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner, 560 The Man from Mexico, 553 Mack ome. the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig, ‘ 546 Thy Doomed Whaler; or, The BMife Wreck, ” , 530 The Savages of the Sea, 524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble. 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore, 493 The Scouts of the Sea, 457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator Son, 446 Ocean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair, ‘ 435 The Ome-Armed Buccaneer. 430 The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wan 399 The New Monte Cristo, 393 The Convict Captian, 877 Afloat and Ashore; or, The Corsair Conspirator, 869 The Coast Corsair: or, The Siren of the Sea. 364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of the Coast, 341 The Sea Desperado, 336 ‘The Magic Ship; or, Sandy Hook Freebooters. $25 The Gentleman Pirate; or. Tne Casco Hermits, 818 The Indian Kuccaneer: or, The Red Rovers. 807 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves, 255 The Pirate Priest; or, The Gampler’s Daughter, 246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan 235 Red Lightning the 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. 2 205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoogj, Yj 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or, The Skimmer, te 184 The Scarlet Schooner: or, The Sea Nemesig, f 104 Montezuma, the Merciless. } 5 103 Merle, the Mutineer; or, The Red Anchorles7"™% ‘ BY 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 Pards, 522 The Cham pion Three. 502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plaina, 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, 209 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport, 251 Tiger Dick vs, Tron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head: or, Whirlwind and his Mare, 171 Tiger Dick, the Manu of the Iron Heart. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. ’ 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. L 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport, 29 Tiger Dick, Faro King; or, The Cashier’s Crime, 4 The Kidpapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai, ‘i BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON, ‘hh $23 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers, 811 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men, 805 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. ’ q 271 Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. ‘ 26 Leopard Luke! the ng of Horse-Thieves- 268 lron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. 237 Long-Hatred 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 Missig¢ 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 Detectiver, ie 148 One-Armed A/f, the Giant Hunter. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life, 48 Dakota Dan, the Reckless Ranger, j BY COOL. TROMAS H, MONSTERS. 226 Charnpion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the Show. 150 El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen, RY DR. NOEL DUNBAR. 919 The Sea Scout; or, The Patriot Privateer 886 The King of Crooks. 858 Number One, the Dead-set Detective. %, 850 The Planter Detective. ars 730 Duke Despard, the Gambler Duelist, ; a 604 The Detective in Rags; or, The Grim Shadowes, . 600 The True-Meart Pards. . ie 4 new issue every Wednesday = Beadie’s Dime Library is for sale Py a Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by oe S| receipt of twelve cents ea~’” . om
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; <— , ae Published Every Wednesday. ~ BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 994 Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand. 968 Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet, 984 Buffalo Bill’s Life Raffle. 979 Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. 964 Buffalo Bill’s Invincibles. 960 buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade. 956 Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes. 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay. [943 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game. 936 Buffalo Bill's Black Pard, 927 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Snort. _ 921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary: or, Velvet Bill’s Vow. 915 Buffalo Billand the Surgeon-Scout. Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly. Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail. Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders. '895 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally. 890 Buffalo Bill's Life-Stake. RS 862 The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and Band- box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth, 874 Buffalo ill’s Buckskin Braves, 869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up, ‘863 Buffalo Bill’s Death Charm, 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush. 851 Buffalo Double Dilemma, 845 Buffalo s Redskin Ruse, 830 Buffalo ‘s Bovs in Blue. 826 Buffalo Bill’s Sharp-Shooters. 822 Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower. 816 Buffalo Bi'll’s Red Trail. 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell. 794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand 787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot, 781 Buffalo Bill’s Brand. 777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower, 769 Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake. 765 Buffato Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam, 761 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow, 743 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand, 739 Buffalo Bill's Blind: or, The Masked Driver. 735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men. ‘931 Buffalo Bill's Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam, 727 Buffalo Bill’s Bodv Guard. Buffalo Bill on the War-path. gii6 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The Deserter Desperado. 697 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood, F 691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail 3,08: Mustang Madge. 667 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or. The King of the Mines, ‘658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The ra, hc of Texas, (658 Lasso King’s League; or, Buck Taylor in Texas. 1649 Buffaio Bill’s Chief of Cowhoys; or, Buck Taylor 644 Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, Siiver Circle Knights, 2 Buffalo Bul’s Spb A or, Vath Bound to Custer, : Buffalo Bill’s Pledge: or. The League of Three, 24 Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen. 7% Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress, 368 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot, By Buifalo Bill, £73 The Dread Shot Four. 969 Texas Jack, the Lasso King 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot. 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt. (807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist- ipo Wild Bilt, the rare eee Shot. “689 Buffalo Bill’s Golc ng. '309 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains, 414 Red Renard, the indian Detective. 401 One-Armed Para; or, Borderland Retribution. $97 The Wizara Brothers: or, White Beaver’s Trail, 894 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. 819 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. 804 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler. (243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier's Sweetheart, . 83 Gold Bullet Svort; or, Knights of the Overland, 52 Death-Traiier, the Chiet of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntline, ete. ‘T%% Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue, | 682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trail. : 629 Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, The Express Rider. Wi7 Buffalo Bill's Strange Eartcor, Dashing Dand uffalo s Strange Pard; or, andy. | & Buffalo Bill, the Buekskin King. BY HAROLD PAYNE. \s83 The Man from Mexico in New York. ‘872 The King-Pin Shark; or, Thad Burr’s Ten Strike. 861 The Tenderloin Big Four $53 The Quaker City Crook. 844 Tracked to Chicago. 835 The Policy Broker’s Blind. - 829 The Frisco Sharper’s Cool Hand. 821 The Tramp Shadower’s Backer. 813 The Sham Spotter'’s Shrewd Scheme, 9805 The Grand Street Gold-Dust Sharpers. 798 Detective Burr's Lunatic Witness 79% The Wall Street Sharper’s Snap. 984 Thad Burr’s Death mist $42 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. 784 Detective Burr’s Foil; or, A Woman's Strategy. 728 Detective Burr, the Headquarters Special, 713 Detective Burr’s Spirit Chase. 706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues. “s 698 Thad Burr, the et ta or, The *L.” Clue, 690 The Matchless Detective. "ORO X¥, the Fatal Cléew; or, Burr’s Master Case. & BY COL. THOMAS H, MONSTERY, one Fic a's ordmaster wort a =) i M4 Ohens cartes! or, The Monarchs of the Show. 160 El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen. BY J. W. OSBON. }@nadrach, the Sport Detective. ' S Gilbert Sonam od the Dandy Sport. } Shasta Sam, the \parkier. from St. 8 Riehard, the Thoroughbred, 929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport. 912 Genteel Joe’s Lone Hand. 903 The Train Detective. 896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher. 888 Nightshade in New York. 879 Faleon Flynn, the Flash Detective. 871 The Crook Cashier. 859 Clew-Hawk Keene’s Right Bower. 847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detectiva, 840 Major Bullion, Boss of the Tigers, 881 Shadowing the London Detective. 817 Plush Velvet, the Prince of Spotters, 808 The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower, 788 The Night-Hawk Detective, 779 Silk Ribbon’s Crush-out, Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter, The Dark Lantern Detective, 736 The Never-Fail Detective. Captain Hercules; the Strong Arm Detective, Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective. Silver Steve, the Branded Sport. Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower, 684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower, } The Dude Desperado Jason Clew, the Silk-Handed Ferret. Monk Morel, the Man-Hunter. Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective, 2 Red Pard and Yellow. Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx, 592 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 Old Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp. 550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret. 543 The Magnate Detective. 532 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective, 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire. the Two Worlds’ Detective, 487 Stnshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block, 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret. 468 Coldgrip in Deadwood. 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective, 453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail, 447 Voicano, the Kisco Spy, 441 The California Sharp. 4% Lucifer Lynx, the \ onder Detective, 421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow. 418 Captain Coldgrip in New York, 407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or. gt Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip: or, The New York Spotter. 892 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound. 882 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan. 874 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities, 365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. 852 The Desperate Dozen, . 347 Denver Duke, the Man with “ Sand.” 3840 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob, or, Blades of Bowie Bar. 821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy, $41 The Shadow Sport from Frisco, EY WILLIAM H. MANNING, 948 The Red-Gloved Detective. 931 Frisco Frank at in Gulch, 920 The Montane Miner in New York, 908 'The Doomsday-Den Detective. 899 The Double-Quick Detective, 893 Yellow Gid, of Dark Divide. 885 The Expert Detective’s Shake-up, 875 Trapping the Race-Track Judge, 864 The Police Special’s Dilemma. 849 The Genteel Sharper’s Combine 841 Graydon’s Double Deal. 833 The Sport Detective’s 823 The Athlete Sport About Town, 808 TheCrook-Detective’s. Pull. 790 Plunger Pete, the Race Track Detective. 782 Royal Rock, the Round-up Detective. 774 Steve Starr, the Dock Detective. 764 The New York oo Shadower, 738 Detective Claxton, the Record Breaker. 714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump, 708 Spokane Saul, the Samaritan Suspect = nee Face rech 3 mh Feta e iixp lorer, Strawberry Sam, the Man with the Birthm 646 Dark John, the Grim Guard. ar eo inte a vere vel 23 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective. 611 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken from Text. = 596 Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective. 585 Dan vires hes cor is 57o Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives 563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur. of Honeysuckie. 551 Garry Kean the Man with Backbone. 530 Old Doubledark, the Wily Detective. 531 Saddle-Chief Kit, the Prairie Centaur, 521 Paradise Sam, the Nor’-West Pilot. 518 Texas Tartar, the Man With. Nine Lives, 506 Uncle Honest, the Peacemaker of Hornets’ Nest. 498 Central Pacific Paul, the Mail-Train Spy. 492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter. 486 Kansas Kitten, the Northwest Detective. 479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack. 470 The Duke of Dakota, = gig pe ik ey ss neeect. : ank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustier of the Hi 449 Bluff Burke, King of the Rockies. a 442 Wild West Walt, the Mountain Veteran, 437 Deep Duke; or, The Man of’ Two Lives, 427 The Rivals of Montana Mill. 415 Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. 405 Old Baldy the Brigadier of Buck Basin. 267 Colorado Rube, the Strong Arm of Hotspur. 279 The Gold Dragoon; ur, California Bl ound, BY NED BUNTLINE, 657 Long Tom, the Privateer, 633 The Sea Spy, 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Featber, the Buccaneer King, 517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail. 861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idio¢ ar. 111 The Smuggier Captain; or, The Skipper’s Jrime. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, Fue Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wiza,... «The Seminole Prophgt. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES. | BEADLE'S*[)IME:|IBRARY. ALBERT W. AEPKEN’S NOVELS. Dick Talbot Series, ' 991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck, the Sport. } | i | } / | / : | | ; . | 607 Old Benzine, } | } 738 Dick Talbot, the | 1002 Silver City Sam. By Jos. E. Badger. | 997 Ag ig ae the Sport from . r 988 Rocky Mountain Rob, 976 Overiand Kit; or, The Idyl of White Pine. | 741 Dick talbot’s Close Call. 737 Dick Talbot in Apache Land. aunch King. 729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out. | 725 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Cam 354 Dick Talbot; o1, The Brand of Criniion Order 36 Dick Talbot; or, The Death-Skot of Shasta. Aiken’s Fresh of Frisco Series. 825 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport. 660 The Fresh in Montana: or, Blake’s Full Hand, | 652 The Fresh’s Rustie at Painted City. 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or, The Stranger Sharp, 556 Fresh, the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Slide Out, 587 Fresh Against the Field; or, Blake, the Lion, 497% The Fresh in Texas; or, The Escobedo Millions, 461 Tbe Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande, 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Jack, Aiken’s Joe Phenix Sertes. 965 Joe Phenix’s Mascot. 959 Joe Phenix’s Double Deal. 954 Joe Phenix in Chicago. 949 The Doctor from Texas; or, Joe Phenix’s Clue 944 Joe Phenix’s Rigut Bower. 865 The Female Barber Detectiva; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. | 729 Joe gS ah Great Blue Diamend Case; or, The, New York Sport at Long Branch. 793 Joe Phenix’s Decoy; or, The Man of Three. 760 Joe Phenix’s Lone Hand. 749 Joe Phenix’s Big Bulge, 745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case, 708 Joe Phenix's Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw, 700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or, Crushing the Crooks 681 Joe Phenix’s Specials; or, The Actress Detective 637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp. 632 Joe Phenix’s Master Search. 628 Joe Phenix’s Combine; or,the Dandy Conspirator 620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six. 601 Joe Phenix'’s Shadow; or,the Detective’s Monitor 419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives. 161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt. } 112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League, 79 Joe Phenix, the Police Spy. Aiken’s Miscellaneous Novels. 980 The All-Around Athlete. 940 Captain Jack, the Scalper 935 The Hawks and Wolves of New York 932 Detective Gordon’s Grip. 926 Old Sunflower, the Silent Smiter. 923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective. ; 901 The Hotel Swell-Sbarp; or, The Siren Shader” 892 The Country man Detective. 876 Gold Button Sport; or, The Miner Sharps, , 842 Teton Tom. the Half-Blood. 885 The King-Pin Detective. 814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports. 775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport. 753 Gideon’s ey, eo) Babylon Par. 717 Captain Pat. McGowen, the Greencoat Deteetive; 674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective. 670 The Lightw eight Detective. : 665 The Frisco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find,, 618 Keen Billy, the Sport. the “* Hard Case”’ Detective. 594 Fire Face, the Silver King’s Foe. 586 The Silver Sh arp Detective. 577 Tom, of Calif orma; or, Detective’s Shadow Act.| 570 The Actress Detective; or, The Invisible Hand) 562 Lone Hand, the Shadow. 520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo. 490 The Jone Hand in Texas. 475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective, 465 The Actor Detective. 440 The High Horse of the Pacific. 423 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants. 408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death. 881 The Gypsy Gen tleman: cr. Nick Fox, Detective 876 Black ards: o1, The Rio Grande High Horse, 870 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to the End. 363 Crowningshield, the Detective 820 The Genteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 252 The Wali Street Blood; er, The Telegraph Girl 203 The Double Detective: or, The Midnight Mystery, 196 La Marmoset, the Letective Queen. 101 The Man from New York. 91 The Winning Oar; or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter 84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three. 81 The Human Tiger: or, A Heart of Fire. 7 Gentleman George: or, Parlor. Prison and Street. 72 The Phantom Hand; or, The 5th Avenue Heiress, 56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, Madman of the Plains. 49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen. 42 The California Detective: or, The Witches of N.Y. 81 The New York Sharp; or, The Flash of Ligh 27 The Spotter Detective: or, Girls of New York. NEW ISSUES. 1000 Buffalo Bill's Grim Guard. By Col. Ingraham, 11 by. yeatta ela of Cimarron. By John W.° sbon 1003 Gold Dan; or, Dick Talbot in Utah. By Albert W. Aiken 1004 Buffalo Bili’s Death Deal. Col. Ingrabam. 1005 Foot-Hills Frank. By Jos. E. r. r 1006 The Sea Cadet. By Col. P. Ingrabar ~., JUST ISSUED. 996 Injun Dick, the Shasta Dead Shot, gfe ~s) ' Jos. Jr. 998 Captain Seawaif, Privateer. By Ned Buntline. 999 The Velvet Hand: or, The Iron Grip of Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. A new issue every Wednesday. THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by al Nowsdealers. te cants oe" Copy, ar sent by mail oF. receipt of price. Re ee 3 tee eee, Bat vee,
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rea a tt tt” et NP” nt es eel ———— ve i Each N umber’ ,, Complete. Prentiss Ingraham. Plains, By Col. We. F. Cody, ower’s Sublime Sacrifice. By Col. P. Ingra- han. , O07 960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt’ Brigade; jor, Sun-| flower Sam of Shasta, By Col. P. Ingraham. 807 Buffalé Bill’s Volunteer Vigtlantes; or, The! Mysterious: Man in Blue. By Col. P, Ingra-| ham. | 704 950 Buffalo Bi at Bay; or, ‘The Gold’ Séeker’s| Doom. ‘By Col. P. Ingraham, Le a 943 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game;! or, The Mounted | rs Miners of thé Overland. By Col. P. Ingra-| , ham. a 781 936 Buffalo, Bill’s Black Pard; or, The Gold! Boomers of the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingra-| !!! ham, J ; oN 927 Buffalo BNl's Buff; or, Dusky Dick, the} 773 Sport. By Col. P. Ingraham. ‘ fe 921 Buffalo Bili's. Quandary: or, Velvet Bili’s| 79 , i © | a Vow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 5 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or, Go- 765 wan-g0, the Redskin Rider.” By Col. P.. In- 03 graham. 761 900 Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Batterfly. By i Col. Prentiss Ingraham. TOT )} 904% Buffalo Bill's Tangled Trail; or, Gentleman! _. Jack, the Man of Many Masks.’ By Col, P./ 750 Ingrahain. * i $00 Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack’s 743 _Sharp-Shooters. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. Z 895 Buffalo Bill's Secret Ally; or, The Texan’s| 739 Doubié By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 800 Buffalo Bill's’ Life-Stake; or, The Pledged 735 Three, By Col. P, Ingraham. det 882 The Three Bills; Buffalo Bil, Wild Bill and Banhd-Box Bill; or, The Brayo in Broadcloth. By Col. P. Ingraham. 731 4 874 Butialo Bill's. Buckskin Braves; or, The Card Quesn’s Last Game. By Col. P. Ingraham.’ | 727 869 Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The Mysterlous Masked Man in Black. By Col.| 722 P. Ingraham. ; 863 Buffalo Bill's. Death-Charm; or, The Man With the Sear, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. |71@ Buffalo Bill's Scout Shadowers: or, Emer- ald Ed/of Devil's Acre. der’s Death-Run. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-|719 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des- i, perado’s Defiance. $51 Butalo’ Bill's Double Dilemma; or, The Great] gor pusalo Bill's ‘857 Buffalo Bill's Royal Flush; jor, The Pony Ri- ham F Scout's Blg Three. By) Col. P. Ingraham. . ' 845 Burialo Bill's’ Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack's eath Shot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 691 Buffalo Bill's Blind Trail; or, The Daughter of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trai]. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 667 Buffalo Bill’s. Swoop; or, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack’s : Proxy. EBy.Bufialo Bill. . i $30 Buffalo Bill's Boys in. Blue; or, The Brimstone Band's Blot-ont. By Col. P. Ingraham. Wy 826 Buffalo Bili’s Shavp-Shooters; or, The Surgeon Scout to the Reseue. By Col. P. Ingraham. ‘ Mines. ’s B ; or, o the|658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas, 822 cue Bili’s Best Bower; or, Montebell e By Gaens Srantion Topeehane Prentiss Ingraham, Go King. By Col. ¢ 6V0006000 C@00000006 979 Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. By, Colonel | 820 White Beaver's Still Hunt; or, The Miner er’s Death-Track, Ruffaly Bill's Red Trail; yade's Run Down. Death-Knel); or ‘3s of the Rockies; Vill Bil, the Wild Ves: Mascot of, Moonlight Mine, ' Wild Bill, the Wild West Duel'st: or, The the Cowboy "Chief. By Buffaid Bill. The Toad-Rider 973 The Dread Shot Four; or, My Pards of the | S16 964 Buffalo Bill's In¥inetbles; or, The Sable Shad-| $12 Duelist: or, The Girt Grande Raiph, Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand; or, The Masked Woman of the Colorado Canyon, Buffalo. Bill’s Dead Shot; or, The Skeleton Scout By Coli. Prentiss Ingraham. of the Colorado, Buffalo | Bill's Brotherhood. By. Col, Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo RBill’s Spy-Shadower; or, The Masked! Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P., Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Ban; or, Cody to. the Re By Leon Lewis. Buffalo Bill's, Sweepstake; or, The Wipe-out By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Silk Ribbon Sam. at Last Chance. Buffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Mascot; or, The Death Valley By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Double; or, The Desperado De- By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custe~’s Shadow. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Flush Mand; or, Texas. Jack's By Col. Prentiss, Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's, Blind; or, The, Masked Driver] 189 Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The ‘Desperate of Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- A Victim No. 18. Buffalo’ Bill and His Merry Men; Rebin Hocd Rivals. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- Buffalo Bill’s Beagtes; or,’ Silk Lasso Sam, Buffalo Bill's Body Guard; or, The Still Hunt By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or, Silk Lasso the Will-o’-the-Wisp. of the Hills, By Col. P. In- By Col. P. Ingraham. P. Ingraham. Buckskin Brotherhood; gs Up a /Lost Trail. By Col. Py In- the King of the THE DIME. LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, is ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-paid, on re- ceipt of price. i . Ten Cents a 653 The Lasso King’s League; or, The Tigers of Texas. By. Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. ; 649 Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's Chief. of Scouts. By Col.’ P. Ingraham. } 644 Buffalo Bill’s. Bonanza; or, The Knights of the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingraham. |639 The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Magnif- cent, By Buffalo Bill. '629 Buffalo Bill's Daring Role; or, Daredeath | Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis. | 599 The Dead Shot Nine: or, My ‘Pards of the Plains, By Buffalo Bill, ? 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Tratl;.or, Will, Cody, ‘the Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntline, 414 Red Renard, thé Indian Detective; or, The Geld Buzzards of Colorado, By Buffalo Bill, ~/'401 The One-Armed Pard; or,’ Red Retribution in Borderland, By Buffalo: Bak x 897 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beaver’s Trail. By Buffaio Bill, Scue.) 894 White Beaver, the dxile of the Platte; or, . oa Man’s Red. Trail. By Buffalo | 862 Buffalo Bill's Grip; or, Oath-bound th Custer, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ‘ | | 3 Wes 829 Buffalo Bill's. Pledge; or, The e of)@ Three. By Cole P, ingraham. pig J - 319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By Buftalo Bill. 804 Texas Jack, the. Prairie Rattler; or, ‘The Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill. 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, ‘The Soldier's ‘Sweet-. heart.. By Buttalo Bill, Government Scout and Guide. Dozen, By Col. P. Ingraham. 175 Wild Bill's ‘Trump Card; or The Indian Heiress. By Col. Prentiss Ingrah. 168° Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot; or, Dagger Don’s Doubie. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts; or, The Doomed \ Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell, 117 Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard; or, Dashing { Dandy, the Hotspur of the Hills, By Major . Burr, 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King:, or, The parce of the West. By Major Dangerfield Ir. ; 83 Gold Bullet Sport; or, The Knights of the Overland. By Buffalo Bill. 4 52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; er, Life ae Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo NEW ISSUES TO COMB. ; 981 The Gold) Lace Sport; or, The Texan Sam-- son’s Wide Swath. By Jos. E, Badger, Jr. 982 Chris Crewley's Winning Hand;. or, The Raseally Vailet’s Double Game. By A. P. Morris. p 983 Kid Glove Kris, the ia By J.C, Cow- drick. Ready August 25. ; i) 984 Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle; or, The Doomed | Three. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ready Sept. 1. 000000000 90 000000000 |o60000000 29090000