Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 1) (1884 01 16)

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Gt cs + a _— “- x les i | \ “ge = > : hs En SS es = Gy —— a wp eo Allallabalalalalalalalalalatalaly , w vy" ; "’ A XC S) z iy ‘ PE. a= SN we BS OAs WEA WA ys ( ee RY A NY oy/ CR mt ft a tp S600 1 el Masao ret od 1 (Ta! La! Ct! TC! UF Ht! a al SS nal Copyrighted, 1884, by BrapLz ano Apams. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as B@¥ond Class Mail Matter. .50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, - : Vol, L, a ¥ ear. No. 98 Wiis oF New YOorE. : a Five Gocte No. 1 ¢ DEADWOOD DIC THE PRINCE OF THE ROAD; SAA AAA AAA AAA Ar’ Or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, = ——=3 - e ——— = — SS rere Jan, 16, 1884, u part aakn 2 terry | att tPtiAiiessagy ' AL Savy cK : v K *\ ——. eae Si pagiy iif) l : ' 7 Pa ho . —_ —— 7: y, i iyo = ; = ; ‘ ; AAA) : we SY = = =_ \ \S Se a ae Sra S'S 7 7 ana / / SOOwy PWN 4 Oe i/ as a - s 4 » » er . b; gids 2 * . . - tt, fi oti tt) - si; , . - y 7 isi spiee WY ffs fi] : iif . ij; - ee ls 4 Vib bf f ff i, uw . y asst , . Th Ay Z fi , AY , Y, vie, 4 ehh i} , a. : _— Zs ‘ th 1] ’ LL - nue fy — “ Ha} ha! halisn’t thatrich,now? Ha! ha! ha! arrest Deadwood Dick if you can!”

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-_ Tit " * ? . as « ,* a *:; _" 2 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. Deadwood Dick, THE PRINCE OF THE ROAD: OR, The Black Rider of the Black Hills, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘ ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ SIERRA SAM” NOVELS, ETO., ETC. CHAPTER I. FEARLESS FRANK TO THE RESCUE. On the plains, midway between Cheyenne and the Black Hills, a train had halted for a noonday feed. Nota railway train, mind you, but a line of those white-covered vehicles drawn by strong-limbed mules, which are most prop- erly styled ‘‘ prairie schooners.” There were four wagons of this type, and they had been drawn in a circle about a camp- fire, over which was roasting a savory haunch of venison. Around the camp fire were grouped half a score of men, all rough, bearded, and grizzled, with one exception. This being a youth whose age one could have safely put at twenty, so perfectly developed of pbysique and intelligent of facial appearance was he. There was something about him that was not hand- some, and yet you would have been puzzled to tell what it was, for his countenance was strik- ingly handsome, and surely no form in the crowd was more noticeable for its grace, sym- metry, and proportionate development, It would have taken a scholar to study out the secret, He was of about medium stature, and as straight and square-shouldered as an athlete. His complexion was nut-brown, from long exposure to the sun; hair of the hue of araven’s wing, and hanging in long, straight strands adown his back; eyes black and piercing as an eagle’s; features well molded, with a firm, resolute mouth and prominent chin. He was an interesting specimen of young, healthy man- hood, and, even though a youth in years, was one that could command respect, if not admira- tion, wheresoever he might choose to go. One remarkable item about his personal ap- pearance, apt to strike the beholder as being exceeding! y strange and eccentric, was his cos- tume—buckskin throughout, and that dyed to the brightest scarlet hue. On being asked the cause of this odd freak of dress, when he had joined the train a few miles ate Cheyenne, the youth had laughingly replied: K Why, you see, it is to attract bufflers, if we should meet any, out on the plains ’twixt this and the Hills,” ; He gave his name as Fearless Frank, and said he was aiming for the Hills; that if the party in question would furnish him a place among them, he would extend to them his assistance asa hunter, guide, or whatever, until the destina- ‘tion was reached, | Seeing that he was well armed, and judging from external appearances that he would prove a valuable accessory, the miners were nothing loth in accepting his services, Of the others grouped about the camp-fire only one is specially noticeable, for, as Mark Twain remarks, ‘‘the average of gold-diggers look alike.” This person was a little, deformed old man; humpbacked, bow-legged, and white- haired, with cross eyes, a large mouth, a big head, set upon a slim, crane-like neck; blue eyes, and an immense brown beard, that flowed downward half-way to the belt about his waist which contained a small arsenal of knives an revolvers. He hobbled about with a heavy crutch constantly under his left arm, and was certainly a pitiable sight to behold. He too had joined the caravan after it had quitted Cheyenne, his advent taking place about an hour subsequent to that of Fearless Frank. His name he asserted was Nix—Geoffrey Wals- ingham Nix—and where he came from, and what he sought in the Black Hills, was simply a matter of conjecture among the miners, as he refused to talk on the subject of his past, pres- ent or future. The train was under the command of an iras- cible old plainsman who had served out his ap- prenticeship in the Kansas border war, and whose name was Charity Joe, which, consider- ing bis avaricious disposition, was the wrong handle on the wrong man. Charity was the least of all old Joe’s redeeming characteristics; charity was the very thing he did vot recog- nize, yet some wag had facetiously branded him Charity Joe, and the appellation had clung to him ever since. He was well advanced in years, yet, withal, a good trailer and an expert guide, as the success of his many late expeditions into the Black Hills had evidenced, Tbose who had heard of Joe’s skill as a guide intrusted themselves in his care, for, while the stages were stopped more or less on each trip Charity Joe’s train invariably went through all safe and sound. This was partly owing to bis acquaintance with various bands of Indians, who were the chief cause of annoyance on the trip. So far we ses the train toward the land of gold, without their having seen sight or sound of hostile red-skins and Charity is just chuck- ling over his usual good-luck: _ “I tell ye what, fellers, we’ve hed a fa’r sort uv a shake, so fur, an’ no mistake *bout it. Barrin’ thar ain’t no Sittin’ Bulls lyin’ in wait ter us behead yander, in ther mount’s, ’in of fher candid opinion we'll get through wi’out scrapin’ a ha’r.” ) ** 1 hope so,” said Fearless Frank, rolling over on the grass and gazing,at the guide, thought-— fully, ‘‘ but I doubt it. It seems to me that one hears of more butchering, lately, than there was a month ago—all on account of. the influx of ruffianly characters into the Black Hills!” ‘‘Not all owing to that, chippy,” interposed ‘‘ General” Nix, as he had immediately been christened by the miners—‘‘not all owing to # that. Thar’s them gol-danged copper-colored guests uv ther Government—they’re kickin’ up three pints uv the’r rumpus, more or less—con- sider’bly less of more than more o’ less. Takea @ passel uv them barbarities an’ shet ’em up inter = > i dpe

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a prison for three or thirteen yeers, an’ ye’d see w’at an impression et’d make, now. Thar’d be siveral less massacrees a week, an’ ye wouldn’t see a rufyan onec’t a month. \W’y, gentlefel- lows, thar’d nevyar been a ruffian, ef et hedn’t been fer ther cussed Injun tribe—not one! Ther infarnal critters ar’ ther instignators uv more deviltry nor a cat wi’ nine tails.” ‘* Yes, we will admit that the reds are not of saintly origin,” said Fearless Frank, with a quiet smile. ‘‘ In fact I know of several who are far from being angels, myself. There is old Sitting Bull, for instance, and Lone Lion, Rain-in-the-Face, and Horse-with-the-Red-Eye, and so forth, and so forth!” ‘‘Exactly. Every one 0’ ’em’s a danged de- scendant o’ ther old Satan, hisself.” ‘‘Layin’ aside ther Injun_ subjeck,” said Charity Joe, forking into the roasted venison, ‘“T move thet we take up a silent debate on ther pecouliarities uv a deer’s hind legs; so heer goes!” He cut out a huge slice with his bowie, sprin- _kled it over with salt, and began to devour it by very large mouthfuls. All hands proceeded ta follow his example, and the noonday meal was dispatched in silence. After each man had fully satisfied his appetite, and the mules and Fearless Frank’s horse had grazed until they were full as ticks, the order was given to hitch up, which was speedily done, and the caravan was soon in motion, toiling along like a diminu- tive serpent across the plain. The afternoon was a mild, sunny one in early autumn, with a refreshing breeze perfumed with the delicate scent of the after-harvest flowers wafting down from the cool regions of the Northwest, where lay the new El Dorado—the land of gold. > Fearless Frank bestrode a noble bay steed of fire and nerve, while old General Nix rode an extra mule that he bad purchased of Charity Joe. The remainder of the company rode in the wagons or “ hoofed it,” as best suited their mood—walking sometimes being prefer- able to the rumbling and jolting of the heavy vehicles. Steadily along through the afternoon sunlight the train wended its way, the teamsters alter- nately singing and cursing their mules, as they jogged along. Fearless Frank and the ‘‘ Gener- al” rode several bundred yards in advance, both apparently engrossed in deepest thought, for neither spoke until, toward the close of the afternoon, Charity Joe called their attention to a series of low, faint cries brought down upon their hearing by the stiff northerly wind. ‘Pears to me as how them sound sorter hu- man like,” said the old guide, trotting along beside the young man’s horse, as he made known the discovery. ‘‘Jes’ listen now, an’ see if ye ain’t uv ther same opinion!” The youth did listen, and at the same time swept the plain with his eagle eyes, in search of the object from which the cries emanated. But nothing of animal life was visible in any direction beyond the train, and more was the myetery since the cries sounded but a little way O « They are human cries!” exclaimed Fearless Frank, excitedly, ‘and come from some one ———eEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeEeeEEaEeeee Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 3 : in distress. Boys, we must investigate this matter!” | “You can investigate all ye want,” grunted Charity Joe, ‘‘ but I hain’t a-goin’ ter stop ther train till dusk, squawk or nosquawk. I jedge we won't get inter ther Hills any too soon, as it ar’! *‘You’re an old fool!” retorted Frank, con- temptuously. ‘‘I wouldn’t be as mean as you for all the gold in the Black Hills country, say nothin’ about that in California and Colo- rado. He turned his horse’s head toward the north, and rode away, followed, to the wonder of all, by the ‘‘ General,” ‘‘Ha! ha!” Jaughed Charity Joe, grimly, ‘I wish you success.” ‘“'You needn’t; I do not want any of your wishes. I’m going to search for the person who makes them cries, an’ ef you don’t want to wait, why go to the deuce with your old train!” ‘There ye err,” shouted the guide. ‘* I’m goin’ ter Deadwocd, instead uv ter the deuce.” ‘* Maybe you will go to Deadwood, and then, again, maybe ye won't,” answered back Fear- less Frank, ‘* More or less!” chimed in the general—‘‘ con- sider’bly more of less than less of more. Look out thet ther allies uv Sittin’ Bull don’t git ther dead wood on ye.” | On marched the train—steadily on over the level, sandy plain, and Fearless Frank and his strange companion turned their attention to the cries that had been the means of separating them from the train. They bad ceased now, altogether, and the two men were ata loss what to do. “Guy a whoop like a Government Injun,” suggested ‘‘ General” Nix; ‘‘an’ thet’ll let ther critter know thet we be friends a-comin’. Par’ps she’m gi’n out ontirely, a-thinkin’ as no one war a-comin’ ter her resky!” | ‘She, you say?” ** Yas, she; fer I calkylate ’twern’t no he as made them squawks. Sing out like a bellerin’ bull, now, an’ et ar’ more or less likely—con- sider’bly more of less ’n less of more—that she will respond !” | Fearless Frank laughed, and forming his hands into a trumpet he gave vent to a loud, ear- splitting ‘‘ hello!” that made the prairies ring. ‘“‘“Great whale uv Joner!? gasped the ‘General,’ holding his hands toward the region of his organs of hearing, ‘‘ Holy Mother o’ Mercy! don’t do et ag’in, b’yee—don’ do et; ye’ve smashed my tinpanum all inter flinders! Good Heaven! ye hev got a bugle wus nor enny steam tooter frum heer tew Lowell,” ‘* Hark!” said the youth, bending forward in a listening attitude. The next instant silence prevailed, and the twain anxiously listened. afted down across the plain came in faint, piteous accents the repetition of the cry they had first heard, only it was now much fainter. Evidently whoever was in distress, was weakening rapidly. Soon the cries would be inaudible. ‘It’s straight ahead!” exclaimed Fearless Frank, at last. ‘‘Come along, and we’ll soon see what the matter is!” He put the spurs to his spirited animal, and J ~ 5 s .7 i +. 4 oa 4 teeta Bi og) Ss

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: h ; Se 4h, Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. (cern RE en eee ere LL LL the next instant was dashing wildly off over the sunlit plain. Bent on emulation, the ‘‘ General” also used his heels with considerable vim, but alas! what dependence can be placed on a mule? The animal halted, with a vicious nip back at the offending rider’s legs, and refused to budge an inch, On—on dashed the fearless youth, mounted on his noble steed, his eyes bent forward, ina sharp scrutiny of the plain ahead, his mind filled with wonder that the cries were now growin more distinct, and yet not a first glimpse ool he obtain of the source whence they emanated. On—on—on; then suddenly he reins his steed back upon its haunches, just in time to avert a frightful plunge into one of those re- markable freaks of nature—the blind canal, or, in other words, a channel valley washed out by heavy rains. These the tourist will frequently a in the regions contiguous to the Black ills, Below him yawned an abrupt channel, a score or more of feet in depth, at the bottom of which was a dense chaparral thicket. The little valley thus nestled in the earth was about forty rods in width, and one would never have dreamed it existed, unless they chanced to ride to the brink, above. Fearless Frank took in the situation at a glance, and. not hearing the cries, he rightly conjectured that the one in distress had again become exhausted. That that person was in the thicket below seemed more than probable, and he immediately resolved to descend in search. Slipping from his saddle, he stepped forward to the very edge of the precipice and looked over. The next second the ground crumbled beneath his feet, and be was pre- cipitated headlong into the valley. Fortunately | J he received no serious injuries, and in a mo- ment was on his feet again, all right. ‘A miss is as good as a mile,” he muttered, brushing the dirt from his clothing. “ Now, then, we will find out the secret of the racket in this thicket.” Glancing up to the brink above to see that his horse was standing quietly, he parted the shrub- bery, and entered the thicket. ; It required considerable pushing and tugging to get through the dense undergrowth, but at last his efforts were rewarded, and he stood ina small break or glade, Stood there, to behold a sight that made the blood boil in his veins. Securely bound with her face toward a stake, wasa young girl, of per- haps seventeen summers, whom, at a glance, one might surmise was remarkably pretty. She was stripped to the waist, and upon her snow-white back were numerous welts from which trickled diminutive rivulets of crimson. Her head was drooped against the stake to which she was bound, and she was evidently insensible, ; With a cry of astonishment and indignation Fearless Frank leaped forward to sever ber bonds, when like so many grim phantoms there filed out of the chaparral, and circled around him, a score of hideously painted savages. One ores at the portly leader satisfied Frank as to is identity, I was the fiend incarnate—Sil- ting Bull! CHAPTER II. DEADWOOD DICK, THE ROAD-AGENT. 2500 Reward: For the apprehension and arrest of a notorious young desperado who hails to the name of Deadwood Dick. His present where- abouts are somewhat contiguous to the Black Hills, For further information, and so forth, apply imme- diately to HuGH VANSEVERE, ‘‘ At Metropolitan Saloon, Deadwood City.” Thus read a notice posted up against a big pine tree, three miles above Custer City, on the banks of F'rench creek. It was a large placard tacked up in plain view of all passers-by, wbo took the route north through Caster gulch in order to reach the infant city of the Northwest —Deadwood., Deadwood! the scene of the most astonishing bustle and activity this year (1877). The place where men are literally made rich and poor in one day and night. Prior to 1877 the Black Hills had been for the greater part undeveloped, but now, what a change! In Deadwood dis- tricts every foot of available ground has been ‘‘ olaimed ” and staked out; the population has increased from fifteen to more than twenty-five hundred souls, The streets are swarming with constantly arriving new-comers; the stores and saloons are literally crammed at all hours; dance-houses and can-can dens exist; hundreds of eager, ex- pectant, and hopeful miners are working in the mines, and the harvest reaped by them is not at all discouraging. All along the gulch-are strung a profusion of cabins, tents and shanties, making Deadwood in reality a town of a dozen miles in length, though some enterprising indi- vidual has paired off a couple more infant cities above Deadwood proper, named respectively lizabeth City and Ten Strike. The quartz for- mation in these neighborhoods is something ex- traordinary, and from late reports, under vigor- ous and earnest development are yielding be- yond the most sanguine expectation, The placer mines west of Camp Crook are being opened to very satisfactory results, and, in fact, from Custer City in the south, to Dead- wood in the north, all is the scene of abundant enthusiasm and excitement. A horseman riding north through Custer gulch, noticed the placard so prominently posted for public inspection, and with a low whistle, expressive of astonishment, wheeled his horse out of the stage-road, and rode over to the foot of the tree in question, and ran his eyes over the few irregularly-written lines traced upon the notice. . . He was a youth of an age somewhere hetween sixteen and twenty, trim and compactly built, with a preponderance of muscular development and animal spirits: broad and deep of chest, with square, iron-cast shoulders; limbs small yet like bars of steel, and with a grace of posi- tion in the saddle rarely equaled; he made a fine picture for an artist’s brush or a poet’s pen. Only one thing marred the captivating beauty of the picture. His form was clothed in a tight-fitting habit of buck-skin, which was colored a jetty black, and presented a striking contrast to anythin one sees as a garment inthe wild far West, And ©

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“Tide, ©. cane 4 : Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. & ~*~ — this was not ull, either. A broad black hat was slouched down over his eyes; he wore a thick black vail over the upper portion of his face, through the eye-holes of which there gleamed a pair of orbs of piercing intensity, and his hands, large and knotted, were hidden in a pair of kid gloves of a light color. The ‘* Black Rider” he might have been just- ly termed, for his thoroughbred steed was as black as coal, but we have not seen fit to call him such—bis name is Deadwood Dick, and let that suffice for the present. It was just at the edge of evening that he stopped before, and proceeded to read, the pla- card posted upon the tree in one of the loneliest portions of Custer’s gulch. Above and on either side rose to a stupendous hight the tree-fringed mountains in all their majestic grandeur. In front and behind, running nearly north end south, lay the deep, dark chasm—a rift be- tween mighty walls—Custer’s gulch. And over all began to hover the cloak of night, for the sun had already imparted its dy- ing kiss on the mountain craters, and below the gloom was thickening with rapid strides. Slowly, over and over, Deadwood Dick, out- law, road-agent, and outcast, read the notice, ' and then a wild sardonic laugh, burst from be- neath his mask—a terrible, blood-curdling laugh, that made even the powerful animal he bestrode start and prick up its ears. ‘* Vive hundred dollars reward for the appre- hension and arrest of a notorious young desper- ado who hails to the name of Deadwood Dick! Ha! ha! ha! isn’t that rich, now? Ha! ha! ha! arrest Deadwood Dick! Why, ’pon my word it is a sight for sore eyes. J was not aware that I had attained such a desperate notoriety as that document implies,. They will make me out a murderer before they get through, I expect. Can’t let me alone—everlastingly they must be punching after me, as if I was some obnoxious pestilence on the face of the earth. Never mind, though—let them keep on! Let them just continue their hounding game, and see which ecmes up on top when the bag’s shook. If more than one of ’em don’t get their fingers burned when they snatch Deadwood Dick bald- headed, why ma Spring creek sucker, that’s all. Maybe I don’t know who foots the bill in this reward business; ob, no; maybe I can’t ride down to Deadwood and frighten three kind o’ ideas out of this Mr. Hugh Vansevere, who- ever he may be. Ha! ha! the fool that h’isted that notice didn’t know Deadwood Dick, or he would never have placed his life in jeopardy by performing an act so uninteresting to the party in question. Hugh Vansevere; let me see—I don’t think I’ve got that registered in my collec- tion of appellatives. Perhaps he isa new tool in the employ of the old mechanic.” Darker and thicker grew the night shadows, The after-harvest moon rose up toa sufficient hight to send asilvery bolt of powerful light : _. Gown into the, silent gulch; like an image carved out of the night the horse and rider stood before the placard, motionless, silent. The head of Deadwood Dick was bent, and he A reverie that while; then the impatient pawing of his horse aroused him, and he sat once more erect in his saddle. A last time his eyes wandered over the notice on the tree—a last time his terrible laugh made the mountains ring, and he guided his horse back into the rough, uneven stage-road, and galloped off up the gulch. ‘‘] will go and see what this Hugh Vansevere looks like!” he said, applying the spurs to his horse. ‘‘1’ll be dashed if hwant him to be go numerous with mv name, especially with five hundred dollars affixed thereto, as a reward,” Midnight, Camp Crook, nestling down in one of the wildest gulch pockets of the Black Hills region —basking and sleeping in the flood of moonlight that emanates from the glowing ball up afar in heaven’s blue vault, is suddenly and rudely aroused from her dreams. There is a wild clatter of hoofs, a chorus of strange and varied voiceg swelling out in a wild mountain song, and up through the very heart of the diminutive city, where the gold-fever bas dropped a few sanguine soils, dash a cavalcade of masked horsemen, attired in the picturesque garb of the mountaineer, avd mounted on ani- mals of superior speed and etidurance, At their head, looking weird and wonderful in his suit of black, rides he whom all have heard bf—he whom some have seen, and he whom no one dare raise a haud against, in sin- gle combat—Deadwood Dick, Road-Agent Prince, and the one person whose name is in every body’s mouth. Straight on through the sivgle northerly street of the infant village ride the dauntless band, making weirdly beautiful music with their rollicking song, some of the voices being cultivated, and clear as the clarion note. A few miners, wakened from their repose, jump out of bed, come to the door, and stare at the receding cavalcade in a dazed sort of way. Others, thinking that the noise is all resulting from an Indian attack, seize rifles or revolvers, as the case may be, and blaze away out of the windows and loopholes at whatever may be in the way to receive their bullets, But the road-agents only pause a moment in — their song to send back a wild, sarcastic laugh; then they resume it, and dash along merrily up the gulch, the ringing of iron-shod hoofs beating a strange tattoo to the sound of the music. Sleepily the miners crawl back to their respective couches; the moon smiles down on mother earth, and nature once more fans itself to sleep with the breath of a fragrant breeze. Deadwood—magic city of the West! Not dead, nor even sleeping, is this head- quarters of the Black Hills population, at mid- night, twenty-four hours subsequent to the rush of the daring road-agents through Camp Crook, Deadwood is just as lively and hilarious a place during the interval between sunset and sunrise as during the day. Saloons, dance- houses, and gambling-dens*keep open all night, and stores do not close untilalate hour. At one, two, and three o’clock in the morning the streets present as lively an appearance as at any + -_-—— --

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6 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. period earlier in the evening. Fighting, shoot- ing, stabbing and hideous swearing are some of the features of the night; singing, drinking, dancing and gambling are others. Nightly the majority of the miners come in from such claims as are within a radius of from six to ten miles,and seldom is it that they go away without their ‘ load.” To be sure, there are some men in Deadwood who do not drink, but they are so few and scattering as to seem almost entirely a nonentitv. It was midnight, and Deadwood lay basking in a flood of yellow moonlight that cast long shadows from the pins forests on the peaks, and sah upon the rapid, maddy waters of hitewood creek, which rumbles noisily by the infant metropolis on its wild journey toward the south. All the saloons and dance-houses are in full blast; shouts and maudlin yells rend theair. In front of one insignificant board, ‘*‘ ten-by-twen- ty,” an old wretch is singing out lustily: “Right this way ye cum, pilgrims, ter ther great Black Hills Thee’ter; only costs ye four bits ter go in an’ see ther tender sex, already a- kickin’ in their striped stockin’s: only four bits, recollect, ter see ther greatest show on earth, so heer’s yer straight chance!” But, why the use of eyelling? Already the shanty is packed, and judging from the thun- dering screeches and clapping of hands, the en- tertainment is such as suits the depraved tastes of the ruffianly ‘‘ bums” who have paid their ‘**four bits” and gone in, But look! Madly out of D2adwood gulch, the abode of many lurking shadows, dashes a horseman. Straight through the main street of the noisy metropolis he spurs, with hat off, and hair blow- ing backward in a jatty cloud. On, on, followed by the eyes of scores curt- ous to know the meaning of his haste—on, and at last he halts in front of a large board shanty, over whose doorway is the illuminated canvas sien—‘** Metropolitan Saloon, by Tom Young.” vidently his approach is heard, for instant. ly out of the ‘* Metropolitan” there swarms a crowd of miners, gamblers and bummers to see * what the row is.” “Ts there a man among vou, gentlemen, who bears the name of Hugh Vansevere?” asks the rider, who from his midnight dress we may judge is no other than Deadwood Dick. “That is my handle, pilgrim!” and a tall, rough-looking customer of ths Minnesotian or- der steps forward. ‘‘ What mought yer lay be ag’in’ me?” * A sure lay!” hisses the masked road-agent, sternly. ‘“‘ You are advertising for one Dead- wood Dick, and he has come to pay you his respects,” The next instant there is a flash, a pistol re- port, a fall and a groan, the clattering of iron- shod hoofs; and then, ere any one scarcely dreams of it, Deadwood Dick is gone! CHAPTER IIfl. THE ‘‘CATTYMOUNT ’—A QUARREL, AND ITS RESULTS, THE ‘‘ Metropolitan” saloon in Deadwood, one week subsequent to the events last narrated, , was the scene of a larger ‘‘ jamboree” than for many weeks before. It was Saturday night. and up from the mines of Gold Run, Bobtail, Poor Man’s Pocket, and Spearfish, and down from the Deadwood in miniature, Crook City, poured a swarm of rug- ged, grisly gold-diggers, the blear-eyed, used- up-looking ‘‘ pilgrim,” and the inevitable wary sharp, ever on the alert for a new buck to fleece. The ‘* Metropolitan” was then, as now, the head-quarters of the Black Hills metropolis for arriving trains and stages, and as a natural con- sequence received a goodly share of the public patronage. A well-stocked bar of liquors in Deadwood was non est, yet the saloon in question boasted the best to be had. Every bar has its clerk ata pair of tiny scales, and he is ever kept more than busy weighing out the shining dust that the toiling miner has obtained by the sweat of his brow. And if tre deft-fingered clerk cannot put six ounces of dust in his own pouch of a night, it clearly shows that he is not long in the business. Saturday night! The saloon is full to overflowing—full of brawny, rough and grisly men; full of ribald songs and maudlin curses; full of foul atmos- pheres, impregnated wita the fumes of vile whisky and worse tobacco, and full of sights and scenes exciting and repulsive. As we enter and work our way toward the ceuter of the apartment, our attention is at- tracted by a coarse, brutal “‘ tough,” evidently just fresh in from the diggings, who, mounted on the summit of an empty whisky cask, is ex- horting in rough language, and in the tones of a bellowing bull, to an audience of admiring miners assembled at his feet, which, by the way, are not of the most diminutive pattern imagin- able. We will listen: **Feller-coots and liquidarians, behold before ye a lineal descendant uv Cain and Abel. ye'll reckolect, ef ye’ve ever bin ter camp-meet- in’, that Abel got knocked out o’ time by his cuzzin Cain, all becawse Abel war misproperly named, and warn’t able when the crysis arriv ter defen’ himsel’ in an able manner. ‘¢ Hed he bin ‘ heeled’ wi’ a shipment uv Black Hills sixes, thet would hev enabled him to dis- tinguish hisself fer superyer ability. Now, as I sed before, I’m a lineal descendant uy ther notorious Ain and Cable, and I’ve lit down hyar among ye ter explain a few p’ints ’bout true blessedness and true cussedness, ‘Oh! brethern, I tell ye I’m a snorter, Iam, when I git a-goin’—a wild screechin’ ca‘ty- mount, right down frum ther sublime spheres up Starkey—ar’ a regular epizootic uv religyun, sent down frum clouddum and scattered per- miscously ter ther forty winds uy ther earth,” We pass the ‘‘cattymount,” and presently come to a table at which a young and handsome ‘“ pilgrim,” and a ferret-eyed sharp are engaged at cards. The first mentioned is a tall, robust fellow, somewhere in the neighborhood of twenty-three years of age, with clear-cut fea- tures, dark lustrous eyes, and teeth of pearly whiteness, His hair is long and curling, anda

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. q soft brown mustache, waxed at the ends, is almost perfection itself, Evidently he is of quick temperament, for he handles the cards with a swift, nervous dex- terity that surprises even the professional sharp himself, who isa black, swarthy-looking customer, with ‘‘ villain” plainly written in every lineament of his countenance; his eyes, hair, and a tremendous mustache that he oc- casionally strokes, are of a jetty black; did you ever notice it?—dark hair and complexion pre- dominate among the gambling fraternity. Perhaps this is owing to the condition of the souls of some of these characters. The professional sharp in our case was no ex- ception to the rule. He was attired in the hight of fasbion, and the diamond cluster, inevitably to be found there, was on his sbirt-front; a jewel of wonderful size and brilliancy. ‘‘ Ah! curse the luck!” exclaimed the sharp, slapping down the cards; ‘‘ you have won again, pilgrim, and I am five hundred out. By the gods, your luck is something astonishing!” ‘* Luck !” laughed the other, coolly; “ well, no. Ido not call it luck, for I never have luck. We'll call it chance!” ‘* Just as you say,” growled the gambler, bringing forth a new pack. ‘‘ Chance and luck are then twin companions, Will you continue longer, Mr.—” ‘* Redburn,” finished the pilgrim. “Ah! yes—Mr. Redburn, will you continue?” “I will play as long as there is anything to play for,” again finished Mr. R., twisting the waxed ends of his mustache calmly. ‘‘ Maybe you have got your fill, eh?’ ‘No; VU play all night to win back what I have lost.” A youth, attired in buckskin, and apparently a couple of years younger than Redburn, came sauntering along at this juncture, and seeing an unoccupied chair at one end of the table (for Redburn and the gambler sat at the sides, fac- ing each other), he took possession of it forth- with. ‘*Hello!” and the sharp swore roundly. **' Who told you to mix in your lip, a rim?” ‘* Nobody, as I know of. Thought Vd squat right here, and watch your sleeves!” was the significant retort, and the youth laid a cocked six-shooter on the table in front of him. **“Go on, gentlemen; don’t let me be the means of spoiling your fun.” The gambler uttered a curse, and dealt out the pasteboards. The youth was watching him intently. He was of medium hight, straight as an ar- row, and clad in a loose-fitting costume, A broad sombrero was set jauntily upon the left side of his head, the bair of which had been cut close down to the scalp. His face—a pleasant, handsome, youthful face—was devoid of hirsute covering, he having evidently been recently handled by the barber. The game between Mr. Redburn and the gam- bler progressed; the eyes of him whom we have _ described were on the card-sharp constant- The cards went down on the table in vigorous slaps, and at last Mr, Pilgrim Redburn raked in the stakes, . ‘‘Thunder ’n’ Moses!” ejaculated the sharp, pulling out his watch—an elegant affair, of pure gold, and studded with diamonds—and laying it forcibly upon the table, ‘There! what will you plank on that!” Redburn took up the time-piece, turned it over and over in his hands opened and sbut ir, gave a glance at the works, and then handed it over to the youth, whom he instinctively felt was bis friend. Redburn had come from the East to dig gold, and therefore was a stranger in Deadwood. ‘What is its money value?” he asked, famil- iarizing his tone. ‘‘ Good, I suppose?” ‘* Yes, perfectly good, and cheap at two hun- dred,” was the unhesitating reply. ‘‘Do you lack funds, stranger?” ‘*Oh! no. Iam three hundred ahead of this cuss yet, and—” ‘* You'd better quit where you are!” said the other, decisively. ‘‘ You'll lose the next round, mark my word,” 3 ** Ha! ha!” laughed Redburn, who had begun to show symptoms of recklessness. ‘‘I’ll take my chances. Here, you gamin, I'll cover the watch with two hundred dollars.” Without more ado the stakes were planked, the cards dealt, and the game began. The youth, whom we will call Ned Harris, was not idle. He took the revolvers from the table, changed his position so that bis face was just in the op- posite direction of what it had been, and com- menced to pare his finger-nails. The fingers were as white and soft as any girl’s. In his hand he also held a strangely-angled little box, the sides of which were mirror-glass. Looking at bis finger-nails he also looked into the mirror, which gave a complete view of the card-sharp, as he sat at the table, Swiftly progressed the game, and no one could fail to see how it was going by watching the cunning light in the gambler’s eye. At last the game-card went down, and the nextinstant, after the sharp had raked in his stakes, a cocked revolver in either hand of Ned Harris covered the hearts of the two players. ‘* Hello!” gasped Redburn, quailing under the gaze of the cold steel tube—‘‘ what’s the row, now?” ‘Draw your revolver!” commanded Harris, sternly, having an eye on the card-sharp at the same time. ‘‘ Come, don’t be all night about it!” Redburn obeyed; he had no other choice, “Cock it and cover ycur man,” ‘** Who do you mean?” ‘* The cuss under my left-hand aim.” Again the “ pilgrim” felt that he could not afford to do otherwise than obey. So he took ‘“‘squint” at the gambler’s left breast, after which Harris withdrew the siege of his left weapon, although he still covered the young Easterner the same. Quietly he moved around to where the card-sharp sat white and rig: | ‘*Gentlemen!” he yelled, in a clear, ringing voice, * will some of you step this way a mo- ment?” 7 A crowd gathered around in a moment; then the youth resumed: Feller-citizens, all of you know how to play

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ee ee =< SSE —— eee . ee ee eS - ee eee ee a —— < 5 = SS —— —s— RED ee RR OS — ee ¥ 7 ee ae ee | Ss Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. eards, no doubt. What is the penalty of cheat- ’ ing, out here in the Hills?” For a few seconds the room was wrapt in silence; then a chorus of voices gave answer, using a single word: ** Death!” ‘‘ Exactly,” said Harris, calmly. ‘‘ When a sharp hides cards in Chinaman fashion up his sleeve, I reckon that’s what you call cheatin’, don’t you?” ‘‘That’s the size of it,” asserted each bystand- er, grimly. xs Ned Harris pressed his pistol-muzzle against the gambler’s forehead, inserted his fingers in each of the capacious sleeves, and a moment later laid several high cards upon the table. A murmur of incredulity went through the crowd of spectators, Even ‘‘ pilgrim” Redburn was astonished. After removing the cards, Ned Harris turned and leveled his revolver at the head of the young man from the East. ‘Your name,” he said, briefly, ‘“‘ is—” Harry Redburn.” “Very well. Harry Redburn, that gambler under cover of your pistol is guilty of a crime, punishable in the Black Hills by death, As you are bis victim—or, rather, were to he—it only remains for you to aim straight and rid your country of an A No, I dead-beat and swindler.” “Oh! no!” gasped Redburn, horrified at the thought of taking the life of a fellow-creature. ‘‘T cannot, I cannot!” ‘You can!” said Harris, sternly; go on— you must salt that card sharp, er I'll certainly salt you !” A deathlike silence followed. ‘‘ One !” said Harris, after a moment, Redburn grew very pale, but not paler was he than the card-sharp just opposite. Redburn ‘was no coward; neither was he accustomed to the desperate character of the population of the Hills, Should he shoot the tricky wretch before him, he knew he should be always calling himself a murderer. On the contrary, in the na- tural laws of Deadwood, such a murder would be classed justice. iia “ Two!” said Ned Harris, drawing his pistol- bammer back to a full cock, ‘* Come, pilgrim, are you going to shoot?” Another silences; only the low breathing of the spectators could be heard. ‘* Three !” Redburn raised his pistol and fired—blindly and carelessly, not knowing or caring whither went the compulsory death-dealing bullet. There was a heavy fall, a groan of pain, as the gambler dropped over on the floor; then for the space of a few seconds all was the wildest confusion throughout the mammoth saloon. Revolvers were in every hand, knives flashed in the glare of the Jemaphant, curses and threats were in scores of mouths, while some of the vast surging crowd cheered lustily. At the table Harry Redburn still sat, as motionless as a statue, the revolver still held in his hand, his face white, his eyes staring. There he remained, the center of general at- traction, with a hundred pair of blazing eyes leveled at him from eyery side, “Come!” said Ned Harris, in a low tone, tapping him on the shoulder—‘' come, pardner, let’s git out of this, for times will be brisk soon, You’ve wounded one of the biggest card-devils in the Hills, and he’ll- be rearin’ pretty quick. Look! d’ye see thet feller comin’ yonder, who was preachin’ from on top of the barrel a bit ago? Well, that is Catamount Cass, an’ he’s a pard of Chet Diamond, the feller you salted, an them fellers behind him are his gang. Come! follow me, Henry, and I'll nose our way out of here,” Redburn signified his ‘readiness, and with a cocked six-shooter in either hand, Ned Harris led the way. CHAPTER IV. SAD ANITA—THE MINE-LOCATER—TROUBLE. STRAIGHT toward the door of the saloon he marched, the muzzles of the grim sixes clearing a path for him; for Ned Harris had become no- torious in Deadwood for his coolness, courage and audacity. It had been said of him that he would ‘‘ just es lief shute a man as ter look at im,” and perhaps the speaker was not far from right. Anyway, he led off through the savage-faced audience with a composure that was remark- able, and, strange to say, not a hand was raised to stop him until he came face to face with Cat- amount Cass and his gang; here was where the youth had expected molestation and hindrance, if any where. Catamount Cass was a rough, illiterate “tough” of the mountain species, and possessed more brute courage than the general run of his type of men, and a bull-dog determination that made him all the more dangerous as an enemy. Harry Redburn kept close at Ned Harris’s heels, a cocked ‘‘six” in either hand ready for any emergency. It took but a few moments before the two arties met, the ‘‘ Cattymount” throwing out is foot to block the path. ‘** Hello!” roared the ‘‘ tough,” folding his huge knotty arms across bis partially bared breast; - ‘“ho! ho! whoa up thar, pilgrims! Don’t ye go ter bein’so fast. Fo’ks harn’t so much in a hurry now-days as they uster war, Ter be sure ther Lord manyfactered this futstool in seven days; sumtimes I think he did, an’ then, ag’in, my geological ijees convince me he didn’t.” . ‘‘“What has that to do with us?” demanded Ned, sternly. ‘‘I opine ye’d better spread, some of you, if you don’t want yon through your midst. Preach to some other pilgrim than me; [I’m in a hurry!” ‘““Haw! haw! Yas, I obsarve ye be; but if yere my meat, an’ 1 think prob’bly ye be, I ain’ a-goin’ fer ter let yer off so nice an’ easy, P’arps ye kin tell me who fired the popgun, a minnit ago, w’at basted my ole Tea ‘‘T shall not take trouble to tell!” replied Ned, fingering the trigger of his left six uneasily, “Ef you want to know who salted Chet Dia- mond, the worst blackleg, trickster and card- player in Dakota, all you’ve got to do is to go and ask him!” ‘‘Hold!” cried Harry Redburn, stepping out from behind Harris; ‘‘ I’ll hide behind no man’s to run a can- “ a ee — Oe ae ail - < a e.

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4. = a ty Se, - ~ ee ee ee a . % . ° . 7 : > ee | ~ Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 9 shoulder. J salted the gambler—if you call shooting salting—and I’m not afraid to pat the action by salting a dozen more just of bhi particular style.” Ned Harris was surprised. He had set Redburn down as a faint-hearted, dubious-couraged counter-jumper from the East; he saw now that there was something of bim, after all. ‘“‘Come on, young man!” and the young miner stepped forward a pace, ‘‘are you with ? ‘¢ To the ears!” replied Harris, grimly. The next instant the twain leaped forward and broke the barrier, and mid the crack of pistol-shots and shouts of rage, they cleared the saloon. Once outside, Ned Harris led the way. ‘‘Come along!” he said, dodging along the shadowy side of the street; ‘‘we’ll have to scratch gravel, for them up-range ‘toughs’ will follow us, Ireckon. They’re a game gang, and hain’t the most desirable kind of enemies one could wish for. Ill take you over to my coop, and you can lay low there until this jamboree blows over. You'll have to promise me one thing, however, ere I can admit you as a mem ber of my household.” ‘Certainly. What is it?’ and Harry Red- burn redoubled his efforts in order to keep alongside his swift-footed guide. ‘*Promise me that you will divulge nothing, no matter what you may see or hear. Also that, should you fall in love with one who isa member of my fa mily, you will forbear and not speak of love to her.’ “It is a woman, then?” *“'Yes—a young lady.” “IT will promise:—how can I afford to do otherwise, under the existing circumstances, But, tell me, why did you force me to shoot that gambler?’ ‘*He was a rascal, and cheated you.” *‘T know; but I did not want his life; Iam averse to bloodshed.” ‘‘So I perceived, and that made me all the more determined you should salivate him. You'll find before you’re in the Hills long that it won’t do to take lip or lead from anyone. A green pilgrim is the first to get salted; I illus- trated how to serve ’em!”’ Redburn’s eyes sparkled. He was just begin- ning to see into the different phases of this wild “Good!” he exclaimed, warmly. ‘‘I have much tothank youfor. Did I kill that card- sharp?” ‘* No; you simply perforated him in the right side, This way.” They had been running straight up the main street. Now they turned a corner and darted down one that was dark and deserted. A moment later a trim boyish figure stepped before them, from out of the shadow of a new frame building; a hand of creamy whiteness was laid upon the arm of Ned Harris, “This way, pilgrims,” said a low musical voice, and: at the same instant a gust of wind lifted the jaunty sombrero from the speaker’s head, revealing a most wonderful wealth of _exciting life, id long glossy hair: ‘‘ the ‘toughs’ are after you, and you cannot find a better place to coop than in here.” The soft hand drew Ned Harris in- side the building, which was finished, but un- occupied, and Redburn followed, nothing loth to get into a place of safety. Sofar, Deadwood had not impressed him favorably as being the most peaceable city within the scope of a con- tinent. Into an inner room of the building they went, and the door was closed behind them. The apartment was small and smelled of green lumber. A table and a few chairs comprised the furniture; a dark lantern burned suspended from the ceiling by a wire. Redburn eyed the strange youth as he and Harris were handed seats. Of medium hight and symmetrically built; dressed in a carefully-tanned costume of buck- skin, the vest being fringed with the fur of the mink: wearing a jaunty Spanish sombrero; boots on the dainty feet of patent leather, with tops reaching to the knees; a face slightly sun- burned, yet showing tke traces of beauty that even excessive dissipation could not obliterate; eyes black and piercing; mouth firm, resolute, and devoid of sensual expression; hair of raven color and of remarkable Jength;—such was the icture of the youth as beheld by Redburn and arris, ‘You can remain here till you think it will be safe to again venture forth, gentlemen,” and a smile—evidently a stranger there—broke out about the speaker’s lips. ‘‘ Good-evening!” ‘‘Good-evening!” nodded Harris, with a quiz- zical stare. The next moment the youth was gone, ‘* Who was that chap?” asked Redburn, not a little bewildered. ‘*That?—why that’s Calamity Jane!” . Calamity Jane? Whata name.” ‘Yes, she’s an odd one, Can ride like the wind, shoot like a sharp-shooter, and swear like atrooper. Is here, there and everywhere, seem- ingly all at one time. Owns this coop and two or three other lots in Deadwood; a herding ranch at Laramie; an interest in a paying placer claim near Elizabeth City, and the Lord only knows how much more,” ‘** But it is not a woman?” ‘“* Reckon ’tain’t nothin’ else,” ‘God forbid that a child of mine should ever become so debased and—” ‘‘Hold! there are yet a few redeeming quali- ties about her. She was ruined ”— and herea shade dark as a thunder-cloud passed over Ned Harris’s face—*‘ and set adrift upon the world, homeless and friendless; yet she has bravely fought her way through the storm, without asking anybody’s assistance, True, she may not now have a heart; that was trampled upon ace ago, but her character bas not suffered lemish since the day a foul wretch stole away her honor!” ‘* What is her real name?” **I do not know; few in Deadwood do. It is said, however, that she comes of a Virginia City, Nevada, family of respectability and in- telligence.” At this juncture there was a great hubbub outside, and instinctively the twain drew their revolvers, expecting that Catamount Cass and his toughs had discovered their retreat, and

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10 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. were about to make an attack. But soon the gang were heard to tramp away, making the night hideous with their hoarse yells. ‘They'll pay a visit to every shanty in Dead- wood,” said Harris, with a grim smile, “ and if they don’t find us, which they won’t, they'll h’ist more than a barrel of bug-juice over their defeat. Come, let’s be going.” They left the building and once more emerged onto the darkened street, Ned taking the lead. ‘‘Wollow me, now,” he said, tighteniug his ee ‘¢ and we'll get home before sunrise after He struck out up the gulch, or, rather, down it, for his course lay southward. Redburn fol- lowed, and in fifteen minutes the lights of Dead- wood—magie city of the wilderness—were left bebind. Harris led the way along the rugged mountain stage-road, that, after leaving Dead- wood on its way to Camp Crook and Custer City in the south, runs alternately through deep, dark canyons and gorges, with an ease and rapidity that showed him to be well ac- quainted with the route. About three miles below Deadwood he struck a trail through a transverse canyon running northwest, through which flowed a small stream, known as Brown’s creek. The bottom was level and smooth, and a brisk walk of a half-hour brought them to where a horse was tied to an alder sapling. ‘*- You mount and ride on abead until you come to the end of the canyon,’ said Harris, untying the horse. ‘“‘I will follow on-after you, and be there almost as soon as you.” Redburn would have offered some objections, but the other motioned for him to mount and be off, so he concluded it best to obey. The animal was a fiery one, and soon carried him outof sight of Ned, whom he left standing in the yellow moonlight. Sooner than he ex- ected the gorge came to an abrupt termination n the face of a stupendous wall of rock and nothing remained to do but wait for young Harris. He soon came, trotting leisurely up, only a trifle flushed in countenance. “This way!” he said, and seizing the animal by the bit be Jed borse and rider into a black, gaping fissure in one side of the canyon, that had hitherto escaped Redburn’s notice. It was a large, narrow, subterranean passage, barely large enough to admit the horse and rider. Redburn soon was forced to dismouot and bring up the rear. ‘‘ How far do we journey in this shape?’ he eomanded, after what seemed to him a long while. “No furtker,” replied Ned, and the next in- stant they emerged into a small, circular pocket in the midst of the mountains—one of those beauteous flower-strewn valleys which are often found in the Black Hills. This ‘* pocket,” as they are called, consisted of perhaps fifty acres, walled in on every side by rugged mountains as steep, and steeper, in some places, than a house-roof. On the western side Brown’s creek had ifs source, and leaped merrily down from ledge to ledge into the valley, across which it flowed, sinking into the earth onthe eastern side, only to bubble up again in the canyon with renewed strength. The valley was one vast, indiscriminate bed of wild, fragrant flowers, whose volume of per- fume was almost sickening when first greeting the nostrils. Every color and variety imagin- able was here, all in the most perfect bloom. In the center of the valley stood a log cabin, overgrown with clinging vines. There was a light in the wiudow, and Harris pointed to- ward it, as, with young Redburn, he emerged from the fissure. ‘‘There’s my coop, pilgrim. There you will be safe for a time, at least.” He unsaddled the horse and set it free to graze. Then they set off down across the slope, ar- riving at the cabin in due time. The door was open; a young woman, sweet, yet sad-faced, was seated upon the steps, fast asleep. Redburn gave an involuntary cry of incre- dulity and admiration as his eyes rested upon the picture—upon the pure, sweet face, sur- rounded by a wealth of golden, glossy hair, and the sylph-like form, so perfect in every contour, But a charge of silence from Harris made him mute, The young man knelt by the side of the sleep- ing girl and imprinted a kiss upon the fresh, unpolluted lips, which caused the sleeping beau- ty to smile in her dreams. A moment later, however, she opened her eyes and sprung to her feet with a startled scream, ‘“Oh, Ned!” she gasped, trembling as she saw him, ‘‘ how you frightened me. I bad a dream —ob, such a sweet dream! and I thought he came and kissed——” Suddenly did she stop as, for the first time, ber penetrating blue eyes rested upon Harry Redburn. A moment she gazed at him asin a sort of fascination: then, with a low cry, began to re- treat, growing deathly pale. Ned MGarris stepped quickly forward and supported her on bis arm. ‘‘ Be calm, Anita,” he said, in a gentle, reas- suring tone. “‘ Thisisa young gentleman whom I have brought here to our home for a few days until it will be safe for him fo be seen in Dead- wood. Mr. Redburn, 1 make you acquainted with Anita.” A courteous bow from Redburn, a slight in- clination of Anita’s head, and the introduction was made, A moment later the three entered the cabin, a model of neatness and primitive luxury. ‘¢How is it that you are up so early, dear?’ young Harris asked, as he unbuckled his belt and hung it upon a peg in the wall. ‘‘ You are rarely as spry, eh?” ‘* Indeed! I have not been to bed at all,” re- plied the girl, a weary smile wreathing ber lips, ‘‘T was nervous, and feared something was’ go- ing to happen, so I staid up.” “ Your old plea—the presentiment of coming danger, I suppose,” and the youth laughed gay- ly. ‘‘ But you need not fear. No one will in- vade our little paradise, right away. What is your opinion of it, Redburn?”’ ‘‘T should say not. I think this little moun- tain retreat is without equal,” replied Harry, with enthusiasm. ‘‘The omy wonder is, how

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: * 4 cs . Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. il did you ever stumble into such a delightful lace?” “Of that I will perhaps tell you, another time,” said Harris, musingly. Day soon dawned over the mountains, and the early morning sunlight fell with charming effect into the little ‘“‘ pocket,” with its count- less thousands of odorous flowers, and the little ivy-clad cabin nestling down among them all. Sweet, sad-faced Anita prepared a sumptuous morning repast out of antelope-steak and the eggs of wild birds, with dainty side dishes of late summer berries, and a large Juscious melon which had been grown ona cultivated patch, contiguous to the cabin. Both Harris and bis guest did ample justice to the meal, for they had neither eaten any- thing sirce the preceding noon. When they had finished, Ned arose from the table, saying: ‘‘Pardner, I shall leave you here for a few days, during which time I shall probably be mostly away on business. Make yourself at home, and see that Anita is properly protected; I will return in a week at the furthest;—perbaps in a day or two.” He took down bis rifle and belt from the wall, buckled on the latter, and half an hour luter left the ‘“‘ pocket.” That was a day of days to Harry Redburn. He rambled about the picturesque little valley, romped on the luxuriant grass and gathered wild flowers, alternately. At night he sat in the cabin door and listened to the cries of the night birds and the incessant hooting of the mountain owls (which by the way, are very abundant through- out the Black Hills.) All efforts to engage Anita in conversation proved fruitless. On the following day both were considerably astunisbed to perceive that there was a stranger in their Paradise;—a bow-legged, bump-backed. grisly little old fellow, who walked with a staff, He approached the cabin, and Redburn went out to find out who he was, ‘*Gude-mornin’!” nodded General Nix, (for it was he) with a grin. ‘‘I jes’ kim over inter this deestrict ter prospect fer gold. Don’ seem ter recognize yer unkle, eh? boy; I’m Nix Wal- singheam Nix, Esquire, geological surveyor an’ mine-locater. I’ve located more nor forty thousan’ mines in my day, more or less—giner- ally a consider’ble more of less than less of more, I perdict frum ther geological formation Oo’ this nest an’? a dream I bed last night, thet thar’s sum uv ther biggest veins right in this yere valley as ye’ll find in ther Hills!” ‘“Humph! no gold here,” replied Redburn, who had already learned from study and expe- rience how to guess a fat strike, ‘‘It’s out of the channel.” ‘“‘No; et’s right in the channel.” ‘Well, I’ll not dispute you. How did you get into the valley?’ ‘‘Through ther pass,” and the General chuck- led approvingly. ‘‘See’d a feller kim down ther canyon, yesterday, so I nosed about ter find whar he kim from, that’s how I got here; ’sides, I hed a dream about this place.” ‘*Indeed!” Redburn was puzzled how to act under the circumstances, Just then there came a pene scream from the direction of the cabin. What could it mean? Was Nix an enemy, and was some one else of his gang attacking Anita? Certainly she was in trouble! CHAPTER V. SITTING BULL—THE FAIR CAPTIVE. FEARLESS FRANK stepped back aghast, as he saw the inhuman chief of the Sioux—the cruel, grim-faced warrior, Sitting Bull: shrunk back, and laid his band upon the butt of a revolver. ‘‘Ha!l” he articulated, ‘‘is that you, chief? You, and at such work as this?” there was stern reproach in the youth’s tone, and certain it is that the Sioux warrior heard the words spoken. ‘*My triend, Scarlet Boy, is keen with the tongue,” he said, frowning. ‘‘ Let bim put shackles upon it, before it leaps over the bounds of reason. “TIT see no reason why I should not speak in behalf of yon suffering girl!” retorted the youth, fearlessly, ‘‘on whom you have been inflicting one of the most inhuman tortures Indian cun- ning could conceive. For shame, chief, that you should ever assent to such an act—lower yourself to the grade of a dog by such a dastard deed. For shame, I say!” Instantly the form of the great warrior straightened up like an arrow, and his painted hand flew toward the pistols in his belt. But the succeeding second he seemed to change his intention; his hand went out toward the youth in greeting; ‘“The Scarlet Boy is right,” he said, with as much graveness as a red-skin can conceive. ‘* Sitting Bull listens to his words as he would to those ofa brother. Scarlet Boy is no stranger in the land of the Sioux; he is the friend of the great chief and bis warriors. Once when the storm-gods were at war over the pine forests and picture rocks of the Hills; when the Great Spirit was sending fiery messengers down in vivid streaks from the skies, the Big Chief cast a thunderbolt in playfulness at the feet of Sit- ting Bull. The shock of the hand of the Great Spirit did not escape me; for hours I lay like one slain in battle. My warriors were in con- sternation; they ran hither and thither in affright, calling on the Manitou to preserve their chief. You came, ScarJet Boy, in the midst of all the'panic;—came, and though then but a stripling, you applied simple remedies that restored Sitting Bull to the arms of his warriors.* “From that hour Sitting Bull was your friend —is your friend, now, and will be as long as the red-men exist as a tribe.” “Thank you, chief;’ and Fearless Frank grasped the Indian’s hand and wrung it warm- ly. “I believe you mean ali you say. But I am surprised to find you engaged at such work as this. I have been told that Sitting Bull made war only on warriors—vot on women.” An uglv frown darkened the savage’s face—a frown wherein was depicted a number of slum- bering passions, ‘The pale-face girl is the last survivor of a *A fact,

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. ———— ae) eee eS ee —~—- re pent ey is Fl = = . . . —— . 7 See ee ee ee ee eee rs ss 12 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. re ———KS train that the warriors of Sitting Bull attacked in Red Canyon. Sitting Bull lost many war- riors; yon pale squaw shot down full a half- score befo'’e she could be captured; she belongs to the warriors of Sitting Bull, and not to the great chief himself.” “Yet you bave the power to free her—to yield her up to me, Consider, chief; are you not enough my friend that you can afford to give me the pale-face girl? Surely, she has been tortured sufficiently to satisfy your braves’ thirst fot vengeance.” Sitting Bull was silent. ‘‘ What will the Scarlet Boy do with the fair maiden ef his tribe?” ‘““ Beat ber to a place of safety, chief, and care for her until I can find her friends—prob- ably she has frierds in the East.” “Tt shall be as he says. Sitting Bull will withdraw his braves, and Scarlet Boy can have the red-man’s prize.” A friendly hand-shake between the youth and the Sioux chieftain, a word from the latter to the grim painted warriors, and the next in- stant the glade was cleared of the savages, Fearless Frank then hastened to approach the insensible captive, and, with a couple sweeps of his knife, cut the bonds that held her to the torture-stake. Gently he laid her on the grass, and arranged about her half-nude form the gar- ments Sitting Bull’s warriors had torn off, and soon he had the satisfaction of seeing her once more clothed properly. It still remained for him to restore her to consciousness, and this promised to be no easy task, for she was in a dead swoon. She was even more beautiful of face and figure than one would have imagined at a first glance. Of a delicate blonde com- plexion, with pink-tinged cheeks, she made a very pretty picture, her face framed as it was in a wild disheveled cloud of auburn hair. A hatful of cold water from a neighboring spring dashed into her upturned face; a con- tinued chafing of the pure white soft hands; then there was a convulsive twitching of the features, a low moan, and the eyes opened and darted a glance of affright into the face of the Scarlet Boy. ‘Fear not, miss;” and the youth gently sup- ported her to asitting posture. ‘Tania friend, and your cruel captors have vamosed. Lucky I came along just as I did, or it’s likely they’d have killed you.” “On! sir, how can I ever thank you for rescuing me from those merciless fiends!” and the maiden gave hima grateful glance. ‘“‘ They whipped me, terribly!’ ‘‘T know, lady—all because you defended your- self in Red Canyon.” ‘‘T suppose so; but. how did you find out so much, and, also, effect my release from the savages?” Fearless Frank leaned up against the tree which had been used as the torture-stake, and related what is already known to the reader. When he bad finished, the rescued captive seized his hand between both her own, and thanked him warmly. “Had it not been for you, sir, no one but our God knows what would have been my fate. Oh! sir, what can I do, more than to thank you a thousand times, to repay you for the great service you have rendered me?” ‘‘ Nothing, lady; nothing that I think of at present. Wasit not my duty, while I had the power, to free you from the hands of those bar- barians? Certainly it was, and I deserve no thanks. But tell me, what is your name, and were your friends all killed in the train from which you were taken?” ‘‘T had no friends, sir, save a lady whose ac- uaintance I made on the journey out from heyenne, As to my name—you can call me Miss Terry.” “Mystery!” in blank amazement. ‘‘ Yes;” with a gay laugh—" Mystery, if you choose. My name is Alice Terry.” “Oh!” and the youth began to brighten. “Miss Terry, to besure; Mystery! ha! ha! good joke. I shall call you the latter, Have you friends or relatives East? “No. Icame West to meet my father, who is somewhere in the Black Hills.” ‘‘Do you know at what place?” ‘*T do not.” ‘‘T fear it will be a hard matter to find him, then. The Hills now have a floating population of about twenty-five thousand souls. Your fa- ther would be one to find out of that lot.” A faint smile came over the girl’s face, “I should know papa among fifty thousand, if ne- cessary,” she said, ‘‘although I have not seen him for years.” She failed to mention how many, or what peculiarities she would recognize him by. Was he blind, deaf or dumb? Fearless Frank glanced around him, and saw that a path rugged and steep led up to the prairis above, ‘“Come,” he said, offering bis arm, ‘‘ we will get up to the plains and go.” ‘ Where to?’ asked Miss Terry, rising with an effort. The welts across her back were swollen and painful. ** Deadwood is my destination. I can deviate from my course, however, if if will accommo- date you.” ‘‘Oh! no; you must not inconvenience your- self on my account. Iam of little or no con- sequence, you know.” he leaned upon his arm, and they ascended the path to the plain above. Frank’s horse was grazing near by where the scarlet youth had taken his unceremonious tumble, Off to the northwest a cloud of dust rose heavenward, and he rightly conjectured that it hid from view the chieftain, Sitting Bull, and his warriors. His thoughts reverting to his companion, ‘‘General” Nix, and the train of Charity, J se he glanced toward where he had last seen them, Neither were to be seen, now. Probably Nix had rejoined the train, and it was out of eye- shot behind a swell in the plains. “Were you looking for some one?’ Alice asked, looking into her rescuer’s face. ‘‘ Yes, I was with a train when I first heard your cries; I left the boys, and came to in- vestigate, 1 guess they have gone on without me,

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. i38 ‘* How mean of them! Will we have to make the journey to the Hills alone?” Ves, unless we should providentially fall in with a train or be overtaken by a stage,” ‘¢ Are you not afraid?’ ‘‘ My cognomen is Fearless Frank, lady; you can draw conclusions from that.” He went and caught the horse, arranged a blanket in the saddle so that she could ride side- fashion, and assisted her to mount. The sun was touching the lips of the horizon with a golden kiss; more time than Frank had supposed had elapsed since he left the train. Far off toward the east shadows were bug- ging close bebind the last lingering rays of sun- light; a couple of coyotes were sneaking into view a few rods away; birds were winging homeward; a perfume laden breeze swept down from the Black Hills, and fanned the pink cheeks of Alice Terry into a vivid glow. ‘*‘We cannot go far,” said Frank, thoughtfully, ‘before darkness will overtake us. Perhaps we had better remain in the canal, here, where there is both grass and water. In the morning we will take a fresh start.” The plan was adopted; they camped in the break, or ‘‘ canal,” near where Alice had been tortured. Out of his saddle-bags Frank brought forth crackers, biscuit and dried venison; these, with clear sparkling water from the spring in the chaparral, made a meal good enough for anybody. The night was warm; no fire was needed. A blanket spread on the grass served as a resting place for Alice; the strange youth in scarlet Jay with his bead resting against the side cf his horse. The least movement of the ani- mal, he said, would arouse him; he was keen of oi and quick to detect danger—meaning the orse, The night passed away without incident; as early as four o’clock—when it is daylight on the plains— Fearless Frank was astir. He found the rivulet flowing from the spring to abound with trout, and caught and dressed some for the morning meal. Alice was awake by the time breakfast was ready. She bathed her face and bands in the stream, combed her long auburn hair througb her fingers, and looked sweeter than on the yl night—at least, so thought Fearless rank, ‘*The day promises to be delightful, does it not?’ she remarked, as she seated herself to partake of the repast. ‘Exactly. Autumn months are ever enjoy- able in the West.” The meal dispatched, no delay was made in leaving the place. Fearless Frank strode along beside his horse and its fair rider, chatting pleasantly, and at the same time making a close observation of his surroundings. He knew he wasin parts fre- quented by both red and white up: ag and it would do harm to keep on one’s guard. They traveled all day and reached Sage creek at sunset. - Here they remained over night, taking an early start on the succeeding morning. That day they made good progress, in conse- quence of Frank’s purchase of a horse at Sage creek from some friendly Crow Iudians, and darkness overtook them at the mouth of Red Canyon, where they went into camp. By steady pushing they reached Rapid creek the next night, for no halt was made at Custer City, and for the first time since leaving the torture-ground, camped with a miner’s family. As yet no cabins or shanties had been erected here, canvas tents serving in the stead; to-day there are between fifty and a hundred wooden structures, Alice was charmed with the wild grandeur of the mountain scenery—with the countless acres of blossoms and flowering shrubs, with the ro- mantic and picturesque surroundings in gener- al, and was very emphatic in ber praises, One day of rest was taken at Rapid creek; then the twain pushed on, and when night again overtook them, they rode into the bust- ling, noisy, homely metropolis—Deadwood, magic city of the Northwest. CHAPTER VI. ONLY A SNAKE—LOCATING A MINE, HARRY REDBURN burried cff toward the cabin, which was some stepsaway. In Anita’s scream there were both terror and affright, Walsingham Nix, the bump-backed, bow- legged explorer and prospector hobbled after him, using his staff for snpport. He bad beard the scream, but years’ experi- ence among the “‘ gals” taught him that a femi- nine shriek rarely, if ever, meant anything, Redburn arrived at the cabin ina few flying bounds, and leaped into the kitchen. There, crouched upon the floor in one corner, all in a little heap, pale, trembling and terrified, was Anita. Before her, squirming along over the sand-scrubbed floor, evidently disabled by a blow, was an enormous black-snake, It was creeping away instead of toward Ani- ta, leaving a faint trail of crimson in its wake; yet the young girl’s face was blanched with ear, ‘*'You screamed at that?’ demanded Redburn, © pointing to the coiling serpent, ‘Ugh! yes; it is horrible.” ‘“* But it is harmless. See—some one has given it a blow across the back, and it is disabled for harm,” Anita looked up into bis handsome face, won- deringly. Sf pity et a rap across the spinal column, w’en I kim into the valley,” said General Nix, thrusting his head in at a duor, a ludicrous grin elongating his grisly features. ‘*’Twar a-goin’ ter guy me a yard or so uv et’s tongue, more or less—consider’bly less of more than more of less —so I jest salivated it across ther back, ker- whack!” Anita screamed again as she saw the General, he was so rough and homely. ‘““Who are you?’ she managed to articulate, as Redburn assisted her “to rise from the floor. ‘* What are you doing here, where you were not invited?’ There was a degree of haughtiness in her nant that Redburn did not dream she pos- sess | * i = 2 -s: T=

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14 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. The ** General” rubbed the end of his nose, chuckled audibly, then laughed outright. “JT opine this ar’ a free country, ain’t it, marm, more or less? W’en a feller kerflum- muxes rite down onter a payin’ streek, I opine he’s goin’ ter roost thar till he gits reddy to vamoose, ain’t he?” “But, sir, my brother was the first to dis- cover this spot and build usa home here, and he claims that all belongs to him.” ‘“‘He do? more or less—consider’bly less of more than more uv less, eh? Yas, I kno’ yer brother—leastways hey seen him an’ heerd beeps about him, Letters uv his name spell Ned Harris, not?” “Yes, sir; but how can you know him? Few do, in Deadwood.” “ Nevyer mind thet, my puss. Ole Walsing- ham Nix do kno’a few things yet, ef he ar’ a hard old nut fer w’ich thar is not cra’kin’,” Anita looked at Redburn doubtfully. ‘* Brother would be very angry if he were to return and find this man here. What would you advise?” “T amof the opinion that he will have to vacate,” replied Harry aegis ‘* Nix cum-a-rouse!” disagreed the old pros- pector. ‘‘I’m hyar, an’ thar’s no yearthly use o’ denyin’ that. Barrin’ ye ar’ a right peart- lookin’ kid, stranger, allow me ter speculate thet it would take a dozen, more or less—consider’- bly Jess uv more than more o’ less—ter put me out. Redburn laughed heartily. The old fellow’s bravado amused him. Anita, however, was silent; she put dependence in her protector to arrange matters satisfactorily. ‘‘ That savors strongly of rebellion,” Redburn observed, sitting dowa upon a lounge that stood hard by. ‘Besides, you have an advantage—I would not attack you; you are old and unfitted for combat; deformed and unable to do battle.” “Exactly!” the ‘‘ General” confidently an- nounced, ie “What good cancome of your remaining here?” demanded Anita. ‘Sit down, marm, sit down, an’ T’ll perceed ter divest myself uv w’at little infermation I’ve got stored up in my noddlo. Ye see, mum, my name’s Walsingham Nix, at yer sarvice—Wal- _ singham bein’ my great-great-grandad’s frontis- piece, while Nix war ther hind-wheeler, like nor w’at a he-mule ar’ w’en hitched ter a schooner. Ther Nix family war a great one, bet yer false teeth; originated about tber time Joner swal- lered the whale down nigh Long Branch, and ’ve bin handed down frum time to time till ye behold in me ther last survivin’ pilgrim from ther ancestral block. Thar was one remarka- ble }pecooliarity about ther Nix family, frum root ter stump, an’ thet war, they war nevyer known ter refuse a gift or an advantageous of- fer; in this respeck they bore a striking resem- blance ter the immortal G’orge Washington— Gorge war innercent; he ked never tell a lie. So war our family: they never hed it in their hearts tosay Nix to an offer uv a good feed or ‘a decoction o’ brandy. ‘Tt war a disease—a hereditary affection uv ‘ther hull combined system. The terrible mala- dy attacked me w’en I war an infant prodigy, an’ I’ve nevyer yit see’d thet time w’en I e’u’d resist the temptation an’ coldly say ‘nix’ w’ena brother pilgrim volunteered ter make a liberal dispensation uv grub, terbarker or bug-juice. Nix ar’ a word thet causes sorrer an’ suffering ter scores ’n’ scores 0’ people, more or less—gin- erally more uv less than less uy more—an’ tharfore I nevyer feel if my duty, as a Christ- yun, ter set a bad example w’ich others may foller.” Redburn glanced toward Anita, a quizzical expression upon his genial face. “*] fail to see how that has any reference as to the cause of your stay among us,” be observed, amused at the quaint lingo of the prospector. ‘‘Sart’in not, sart?in not! I had just begun ter git thar. lI’veonly bin gi’in’ ye a geological ijee uv ther Nix family’s formation; I'll now perceed to illustrate more clearly thr’u’ veins an’ channels hitherto unexplored, endin’ up wi’ a reg’lar hoss-car proposal,” Then the old fellow proceeded with a ram- bling “‘ yarn,” giving more guesses than actual information, and continued on in this strain; “So thar war gold. I went ter work an’ swallered a pill o’ opium, w’ich made me sleep, an’ while I war snoozin’ I dreampt about ther perzact place whar thet gold war secreted. It war in a little pocket beneath the bed of a spring frum which flowed a little creeklet. ‘‘ Next mornin’, bright an’ early, I shouldered pick, shuvyel an’ pan, an’ went for thet identi- cal spring. To-day thet Beene) havin’ been traced into a rich vein, is payin’ as big or bigger nor any claim on Spring creek.’* Both Redburn and Anita were unconsciously becoming interested. ‘¢ And do you think there is gold here, in this flower-strewn pocket-valley?’ ‘*T don’t think it—I know it. I hed a dreem et war hayrin big quantities, sol b’isted my carcass this direction. Ter-nite I’ll hev ernuther nighthoss, an’ thet’ll tell me precisely where ther strike ar’.”’ Redburn drummed a tattoo on the arm of the lounge with his fingers; he was reflecting on what be had heard. ‘You are willing to make terms, I suppose,” he said, after a while, glancing at Anita to see if he was right. ‘‘ You are aware, [ believe, that we still hold possession above any one else.” “True enuff. Ye war first to diskiver this place; ye orter hev yer say about it.” ‘* Well, then, perhaps we can come to a bar- gain. You can state your prices for locating and opening up this mine, and we will con- sider.” ‘Wal, let me see, Ef the mine proves ter be ekal ter the one thet 1 located on Spring creek, I’llrake ina third fer my share uv the divys. Ki *tain’t good’s I expect, Pll take a quarter.’ Redburn turned to Anita, ‘‘From what little experience [ have had, I think itisa fair offer. hat is your view of the matter, and do you believe your brother will be satisfied?” ‘‘Oh! yes, sir, It will surprise and please him toreturn and find his Paradise has been turned into a gold mine.”

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 15 ‘‘ All right, then, we will go ahead and get things in shape. We will bave to get tools, though, before we can accomplish much of any- thing. ‘* My brother has a miner’s outfit here,” said Anita. ‘‘That will save you atrip to Dead- wood for the present.” And so it was all satisfactorily arranged. During the remainder of the day the old ‘*General” and Redburn wandered about through the flower-meadows of the pocket, here and tbere examining a little soil; now earns rock among the rugged foothills, then ‘‘ feeling ” in the bed of the creek. But nota sign of any- thing like gold was to be found, and when night called them to shelter, Redburn was pretty thoroughly convinced that Nix was an enor- mous “sell,” and that he could put all the gold they would find in his eye. The ‘‘ General,” however, was confident of success, and told many doubtful yarns of former discoveries and exploits. Anita prepared an evening meal that was both tempting and sumptuous, and all satisfied their appetites, after which Harry took down the guitar, suspended from the wall, tuned it up, and sung in a clear, mellow voice a number of ballads to which the ‘*‘ General,” much to the surprise of both Redburn and Anita, lent a rich deep bass—-a voice of superior culture. The closing piece was a weird melody—the lament of a beart that was broken, love-blasted —and was rendered in a style worthy of a pro- fessional vocalist. The last mournful strains filled the cabin just as the last lingering rays of sublight disappeared from the mountain top, and shadows came creeping down the rugged walls of rock to concentrate in the Flower Pocket, as Anita had named her valley home. Redburn rose from bis seat at the window and reached the instrument to its accustcmed shelf, darting a glance toward sad Anita a moment later. To his surprise he perceived that her head was bowed upon her arm that lay along the window-ledge—that she was weeping softly, to herself, Acting the gentlemanly part, the young miner motioned for Nix to follow him, and they both retired to the outside of the cabin to lounge on the grass and smoke, and thus Anita was left alone with her grief and such troubles as were the causes thereof. Certain it was that sbe had a secret, but what it was Redburn could not guess. About ten o’clock be and Nix re-entered the cabin and went to bed in a room alloted to them, off from the little parlor. Both went to sleep at once, and it was well along toward morning when Redburn was aroused by being rudely shaken by ‘‘General” Nix, who was up and dressed, and held a torch in his hand. “Come! come!” he said in a husky whisper, and a glance convinced Harry that he was still asleep, although his eyes were wide open and staring. Without a word the young man leaped from bed, donned his garments, and the old man then led the way out of the cabin. In passing through the kitchen, Redburn saw that Anita was up and waiting. “Come!” he said, seizing a hatchet and stake, “‘ we are about to discover the gold-mine and our fortunes,” with a merry laugh. Then both followed in the wake of the sleep- walker, and were led to near the center of the valley, which was but a few steps in the rear of the cabin. Here was a bed of sand washed there from an overflow of the stream, and af _ the ‘‘General ” pointed, as he came to a alt. “There! there is the gold—millions of it deep down—twenty or thirty feet—in ssand— easy to get! dig! pia! DIG? Redburn marked the spot by driving the stake in the ground. lt now only remained to dig in the goil to verify the truth of the old man’s fancy. CHAPTER VII. DEADWOOD DICK ON THE ROAD, RUMBLING noisily through the black canyon road to Deadwood, at an hour long past midnight, came the stage from Cheyenne, loaded down wit pita to and full five hours late, on account of a broken shaft, which had to be replaced on the road. There were six plunging, snorting horses attached, whom the veteran Jehu on the box, managed with the skill of a circusman, and all the time the crack! snap! of his long-lashed gad made the night resound as like s0 many pistol reports. The road was through a wild, tortuous canyon, fringed with tall spectral pines, which occasionally admitted a bar of ghostly moonlight across the rough road over which the stage tore with wild recklessness, Inside, the vehicle was crammed full to its utmost capacity, and therefrom emanated the strong fumes of whisky and tobacco-smoke, and stronger Jan- guage, over the delay and the terrible jolting of the conveyance, In addition to those penned up inside, there were two passengers positioned on top, in the rear of the driver, where they clung to the trunk railings to keep from being jostled off. One was an elderly man, tall in stature and notice- ably portly, with a florid countenance, cold gray eyes, and hair and beard of brown, freely mixed with silvery threads. He was elegantly attired, his costume being of the finest cloth and of the very latest cut; boots patent-leathers, and hat glossy asa mirror; diamonds gleamed and sparkled on his im- maculate shirt-bosom, on his fingers and from the seal of a heavy gold chain across his vest front. _ The other personage was a counterpart of the first in every particular, save that while one was more than a semi-centenarian in years, the other was bare- ly twenty. The same faultless elegance in dress, the same elaborate display of jewels, and the same haughty, aristocratic bearing produced in one was mirrored in the other. They were father and son. ““Confound such a road!” growled the younger mann, as the stage bounced him about like a rubber- pall, ‘For my part I wish I had remained at home, instead of poms out into this outlandish region. It is perfectly awful.” ‘“'Y-y-y-e-s!”’ chattered the elder between the jolts and jerks—‘‘it is not what it should be, that’s true. But have patience; ere long we will reach our des- tination, and—”’ “Get shot like poor Vansevere did!’ sneered the other. “I tell you, governor, this is a desperate game you are playing.” The old man smiled, grimly. ** Desperate or not, we must carry it through to the end. Vansevere was not the right kind of a man to set after the young scamp.” **How do you mean?” ‘He was too rash—entirely too rash. Deadwood Dick is a daring whelp, and Vansevere’s open

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ee eg eres eo eee 1 16 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. + ; ent A LL a, ie pent. _ ~21-* 2o-0 yen ee ee ns a on - = 5 . ore eee ee res —_— oo ~ + a = — — wn 2. SS) en Soe sse .— a - 4S ee et as = a =" - ° -_ Se ee “~ . aS 3 * — +. “== 3 . VW —*-- ¥ ino . ~* + . } : — po - a = gee a > - e -—-_ * . ? * 4 : ee Oe te 9% F.-% wD —— se. = - Bart offer of a reward for his apprehension only put the young tiger on his guard, and he will be more wary and watchful in the future.” This in a positive tone. ‘Yes; he will be harder to trap than a fox who has lost a foot between jaws of steel. He will be re- vengeful, too!” ‘‘Bah! Ifear him not, oldasIam. He is but a boy in years, you remember, and will be easily man- ed. , a hope so; I don’t want my brains blown out, at east.’ The stage rumbled on; the Jehu cursed and lashed his horses; the canyon grew deeper, narrower and darker, the grade slightly descending. The moon seemed resting on the summit of a peak, hundreds of feet above, and staring down in surprise at the noisy stage. Alexander Fillmore (the elder passenger) succeed- edin steadying himself long enough to ignite the end of a cigarin the bowl of Jehu’s grimy pipe; then he watched the trees that flitted by. Clar- ence, his son, had smoked incessantly since leaving Camp Crook, and now threw away his half-usec cheroot, and listened to the sighing of the spectral pines, “The girl—what about her?” he asked, after some moments had elapsed. ‘*She will be as much in the way as the boy will.” ‘*She? Well, we'll attend to her after we git him out of the way. He isthe worst obstacle in our path at present. Maybe when you see the girl you will take a fancy to her.” ** Pish! I want no petticoats clinging to me—much less an ignorant backwoods clodhopper. She is probably a fit mate for an Indian chief.” “You are too rough on the tender sex, boy,”’ and the elder Filmore gave vent to a disconnected laugh. a You must remember that your mother was a wo- n. “Was she?” Clarence bit the end of his waxed mustache, and mused over his sire’s startling an- nouncement. ‘“ You recollect that Inever saw her.” “Dye carry poppin’-jays, pilgrims?’ demanded Jehu, turning so suddenly upon the two passenge:s as to frighten them out of their wits. * Popping-jays?”’ echoed Filmore, senior, ‘* Yas — shutin’-irons —rewolvers —patent perfo- ratin’ masheens.”’ ** Yes, we are armed, if that is what you mean.” On dashed the stage through the echoing canyon— on plunged the snorting horses, excited to greater efforts by the frequent eae of the cracking lash. The pines grew thicker, and the moonlight less often darted its rays down athwart the road. “Hey!” yelled a rough voice from within the stage, ‘‘w’at d’ye drive so fast fur? Ye’ve jonced the senses clean out uv a score o’ tis.” “Go to blazes!” shouts back Jehu, giving an ex- tra crack to his pie ‘““Who'n the names o’ John Rodgers ar’ drivin’ this omnybust, pilgrim?—you or ** You'll floor a hoss ef ye don’ mind sharp!” _**Who’n thunder wants ye to pay fer et, ef I do?’ rings back, tauntingly. ** Reckon w‘en Bill MeGucken can’t drive ther thru-ter-Derdwood stage as gude as ther average, he’ll suspend bizness, or hire you ter steer in his place.” On, on rumbles the stage, down through a lower grade of the canyon, where no moonlight penetrates, and allis of Stygian darkness. The two passengers on ae of the stage shiver with dread, and even old Bill McGucken peers around him, a trifle suspiciously. It is a wild spot, with the mountains rising on each side of the road to a stupendous hight, the towering pines moaning their sad, eternal requiem; the roar of the great wheels over the hardpan bottem; the snorting of the fractious lead-horses; the curses and cracking of Jehu’s whip; the ring of iron-shod hoofs—it isa place and moment conducive to fear, mute wonder, admiration. sec Halt [72 “High above all other sounds now rings this ery, borne toward the advancing stage from the impene trable space of gloom ahead, brought down in clear, commanding tone wherein there is neither fear nor hesitation. That one word has marvelous effect. It brings a grip of iron into the hands of Jehu, and he jerks his snorting steeds back upon their haunches; it is instrumental in stopping the stage. (Who ever knew a Black Hills driver to offer to press on when chal- lenged to halt in a wild, dismal place?) It sends a thrill of lonely horror through the veins of those to whose ears the cry is borne; it causes hands to fly to the butts of weapons, and hearts to beat faster, “Halt!’? Again the ery rings forth, reverberating in a hundred dissimilar echoes up the rugged moun- tain-side. The horses quiet down; Jehu sits like a carved statue on his box; the silence becOmes painful to those within the stage—those who are trembling in a fever of excitement, and peering from the open. windows with revolvers cocked for instant use. The moon suddenly thrusts her golden head over the pinnacle of a hoary peak a thousand feet above, and lights up the gorge with a Bi astly distinctness that enables the watchers to behold a black horse- man blocking the path a few rods ahead. “Silence! Listen!” Two words this time, in the same clear, commanding voice. A pause of a moment; then the stillness is broken by the ominous click! click! of a score of rifles; this alone announces that the stage is “‘ covered.” Then the lone horseman rides leisurely down toward the stage, and Jehu recognizes him, It is Deadwood Dick, Prince of the Road! Mounted upon his midnight steed, and clad in the weird suit of black, he makes an imposing spectacle, as he comes fearlessly up. Well may he be bold and fearless, for no one dares to raise a hand against him, when the glistening barrels of twelve rifles, protruding from each thicket that fringes the road, threaten those within and without the stage. Close up to the side of the coach rides the daring young outlaw, his piercing orbs peering out from he eye-holes in his black mask, one hand clasping the bridle-reins the other a nickel-plated seven- shooter drawn back at full cock. . ‘*You do well to stop, Bill McGucken!” the road- agent observes, reining in his steed. ‘‘I expected you hours ago, on time,” ‘Twarn’t my fault, yer honor!” replies J-hu, meek as a lamb under the gaze of the other’s pop- gun. ‘ Yesee, we broke a pole this side o’ Custer City, an’ that set us behind several p’ints o’ ther compass.” ; se hat have you aboard to-night worth examin- ne * Nothin’, yer honor. gers. this trip.” ‘* Bah! you are getting poor. Get down from off the box, there!” The driver trembled and hesitated. ‘‘ Get down!’ again commanded the road-agent, leveling bis revolver, “ before I drop you.” In terror McGueken made haste to scramble to the ground, where he stood with his teeth chatter- ing and knees knocking with terror in a manner pitiahble to see. “Ha, ha, ha!” That wild laugh of Deadwood Dick’s made the welkin ring out a weird chorus. ** Bill MeGucken, you should join the regular army you are so brave. Ha, ha, ha!” And the laugh was taken up by the road-knights, concealed in the thicket, and swelled into a wild, boisterous shout. Poor McGucken trembled in his boots in abject ates while those inside the coach were pretty well seared. : ‘* Driver,” said the Prince of the Road coolly, after Only a stageful uv passen-

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ES ee on = Deadwood Dick, the Prinee of the Road. 17 the laugh, “‘ go you to the passengers who grace this rickety shebang and take up a collection, You needn't cum to me wi’ less’n five hundred, ef ye don’t want me to salt ye!” : Bowing humble obeisance, MeGucken took off his hat and made for the stage door. ‘* Gentlemen,” he pleaded, “there is need 0’ yer dutchin’ out yer dudads right liberal, ef ye’ve enny purtic’lar anticypation an’ desire ter git ter Dead- wood ter-night. Dick the Road-Agent are law an’ gospel heerabouts, I spec’late!”’ ‘“Durned a cent ‘Il I fork!” growled one old fellow loud enough to be heard. “‘Jain’t afeerd o’ all the robber Dicks from here ter Jerusalum.”’ But when he saw the muzzle of the young road- agent’s revolver gazing in through the window, he suddenly changed his mind, and laid a plethoric pocketbook into McGucken’s already well-filled hat. The time occupied in making the collection was short, and in a few moments the Jehu handed up his battered “‘ plug” to the Prince of the Read for inspection. Coolly Deadwood Dick went over the treasure, as if it were all rightfully his own; then he chucked hat and all into one of his saddle-bags, after which he turned his attention toward the stage. Ashe did so he saw for the first time the two passengers on top, and as he gazed at them a gleam of fire shot into his eyes, and his hands nervously griped at his weapon. ; ‘Alexander Filmore, you here!’ he ejaculated, his voice betraying his surprise. ‘* Yes,” replied the elder Filmore, coldly—‘‘ here to shoot you abe dastardly dog,” and quickly raising a pistol, ie took rapid and deadly aim, and fired. CHAPTER VIII. NOT YET! Wirn a groan Deadwood Dick fell to the ground, blood spurting from a wound in his breast. The bullet of the elder Filmore had indeed struck home. Loud then were the cries of rage and vengeance, as a score of masked men poured out from the thickets, and surrounded the stage. _ ‘‘Shoot the accursed nigger!” cried one. “ He’s killed our leader, an’ by all the saints in ther cal- endur he shall pay the penalty !”’ ‘No! no!” yelled another, ‘‘ we'll do no such a thing. He shall swing in mid-air!” “Hey!” cried a third, rising from the side of the rostrate road-agent, ‘‘don’ ye be so fast, boys. he capt’in still lives. He is not seriously wounded, even!” A loud huzza went up from the score of throats, that caused a thousand echoing reverberations along the mountain-side. “Better let ther cant’in say what we shall do wi’ yon cuss 0’ creashun!” suggested one who was ap- parently a leading spirit; “it’s hés funeral, ain’t it? “Vas, yas, it’s his funeral!” ‘‘Then let him do ther undertakin’.” : Robber Dick was accordingly supported to a sit- ting posture, and the blood that flowed freely from his wound was stanched. In the operation his mask became loosened and slipped to the ground, but so quickly did he snatch it up and replace it, that no one caught even a glimpse of his face. In the meantime Clarence Filmore had discharged every load in his two six-shooters into the air. He had an object in doing this; he thought that the re- ports of fire-arms would reach Deadwood (which was only a snort mile distant, around the bend), and arouse the military, who would come to his rescue. Dick’s wound dressed, he stood once more upon his feet, and glared up at the two men on the box. They were plainly revealed in the ghostly moon- light, and their features easily studied. ‘‘ Alexander Filmore!” the young road-agent said, a terrible depth of meaning in his voice, that the cowering wretch could but understand, “ Alexander Filmore, you have at last come out and shown your true colors. What a treacherous, double-dyed villain you are! Better so, better that you should take the matter into your own hands and face the music, than to employ fools, as you have done heretofore. {can fight a dozen enemies face to face better than one or two lurking in the bushes.” The elder Filmore uttered a savage curse. “You triumph now/’ he growled, biting hi DELS lip in vexation; “‘but it will not always be us.’ ‘Eh? think not?_ I think I shall have to adopt you for awhile. Boys, haul down the two and bind them securely.” Accordingly, a rush was made upon the stage and the two outside passengers, Down they were hauled, head over heels, and quickly secured by strong cords about the wrists and ankles, This done, Deadwood Dick turned to Bill Me- Gueken, who had ventured to clamber to the seat of the coach. ‘*Drive on, you cowardly lout—drive on. We've done with you for the present. But, remember, not a word of this to the population of Deadwood, if you intend to ever make another trip over this route. ow, go!’ Jehu needed not the second invitation. He never was tardy in getting out of the way of danger; so he picked up the reins, gave an extra sharp crack of the long whip, and away rolled the jolting stage through the black canyon, re oe a a moment later around the bend, beyond which lay Deadwood —magic city of the wilderness, Then, out from the thicket the road-agents led their horses; the two prisoners were secured in the saddles in front of two brawny outlaws, and without delay the cavalcade moved down the gorge, weirdly illuminated by the mellow rays of the scaring moon. Clarence Filmore had hoped that the report of his pistol-shots would reach Deadwood. If so, his wishes were fulfilled. The reports reached the bar- racks above Deadwood just as a horseman galloped up the hill—Major R—— just in from a carouse down at the “ Met.”’ _ “Balloo!” he shouted, loudly. ‘To horse! there is trouble in the gorge. The Sioux, under Sitting Bull, are upon us!” As the major’s word was law at the barracks, in very short order the garrison was aroused, and headed by the major in person, a cavalcade of sleepy soldiers swept down the gorge toward the place whence had come the Bring. ; Wildly around the abrupt bend they dashed with yells of anticipated victory; then there was a fright- ful collision between the incoming stage and the outgoing cavalry; the shrieks and screams of hors the curses and yells of wounded men; and a genera pandemonium ensued. The coach, passengers, horses, and all was upset, and went rolling down a steep embankment. | Major R—— was precipitated headlong over the embankment, and in his downward flight probab! saw more than one soaring comet. Hestruck head- first in a muddy run, and a sorrier-looking officer of the U. 8. A. was never before seen in the Black Hills as he emerged from his bath, than the major. ’ His ridiculous appearance went so far as to stay the gen- eral torrent of blasphemy and turn it into a channel of boisterous laughter. No delay was made in putting ee ship-sha again, and ere morning dawned Deadwood beheld the returned soldiers and wrecked stage with its sul- len passengers within its precincts. Dick and his men rode rapidly down the canyon, the two prisoners bringing up the rear under the es- cort of two masked guards. eee guards were brothers and Spanish-Mexicans at that. The elder Filmore, a keen student of character, was not long in making out these Spaniards’ true a tS kL

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eo — — 3 od ae rts << tae eee pee ert = . —~ = ee ns wee + = = ——= we ee oO ae be ~_ o~—- tan oe Ske . oe ome 2 ———— —— 3 =a —— <i we G2? ee “ ose sv Af a eee ' = ry ts ee -_ oe a oo Peet ee gem at = ae i) See — in A s e r ’ ; eee a 66 Hoy 4 Gawre ys) a) ee ~ - - 4 7 c _ 18 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. character, nor did their greedy glances toward his and his son’s diamonds escape him. ‘‘ We want to get free!’ he at last whispered, when none of those ahead were glancing back. ** You will each receive a cool five hundred apieceif you willset us at liberty.”’ The two road-agents exchanged glances. “Tt’s a bargain,” returned one. *‘ Stop your horses wand let the others go on.” The main party were at this juncture riding swift- ly down a steep grade. The four horses were quietly reined in, and when the others were out of hearing their noses were monet back up the canyon in the direction of Dead- wood. “This will be an unhealthy job for us,’ said one of the brothers, ‘should we ever meet Dick again.” ‘** Wear him not!” replied Alexander Filmore, with anoath. “If he ever crosses your path shoot him down like a dog, and I'll give youa thousand dollars aon ae work, he sooner he dies the better I'll be suited.’ He spoke in a tone of strongest hate—deepest ran- cor. CHAPTER IX. AT THE “mMET.” A Frew nights subsequent to the events related in our last chapter, it becomes our duty to again visit the notorious “ Metropolitan’ saloon of Deadwood to see what is going on there. As usual everything around the place and in if is literally ‘red hot.” The bars are constantly crowd- ed, the gaming-tables are never empty, and the floor is so full of surging humanity that the dance, soroHy a chief attraction, has necessarily been sus- pended. The influx of “ pilgrims” into the Black Hills for the last few days has been something more than wonderful, every stage coming in overcharged with feverish passengers, and from two to a dozen trains arriving dail . Of course Deadwood receives a larger share of all this immigration—nothing is more natural, ror the young metropolis of the hills is ‘he miner’s rendez- vous, being in the center of the best yielding locates, Every person in Deadwood can tell you where the **Met”’ is, asitis general head-quarters. — We mount the mud-splashed steps and disappear behind the screen that stands in front of the door, Then the merry clink of glasses, snatches of ribald song, and loud curses from the polluted lips of some wretch who has lost heavily at the gaming-table, reach our ring, while our gaze wanders over as at a crowd as it has ever been our fortune to be- old. . Men from the States—lawyers, doctors, specula- tors, adventurers, pilgrims, and dead-beats; men from the western side of the Missouri; grisly miners from Colorado; hunters and trappers from Idaho and Wyoming; card sharps from Denver and [*r’isco, * pickpockets from St. Joe and bummers from Omaha —all are here, each one a part of a strange and on the whole a very undesirable community. _ Although the dance has been suspended, that does not necessitate the discharge of the brazen-faced ls, and they may yet be seen here with the rest, mingling freely among the crowd. Seated at a table in a somewhat retired corner, were two persons engaged at cards. One was a beardless youth attired in buckskin, and armed with knife and pistols; the other a big, burly tough from the upper chain—grisly, bloated and repulsive. He, too, was nothing short of a walking arsenal, and it was plain to see that he was a desperate char- acter. - The game was poker. The youth had won three straight games and now laid down the cards that ended the fourth in his favor. “You're flaxed ag 'in, vardner!” he said, with a light laugh, as he raked in the stakes, ‘‘This takes your all, eh?” | — “Every darned bit!’’ said the ‘* Cattymount ’’—for it was he—with an oath. ‘‘ You’ve peeled me to ther hide, an’ no mistake. Salivated me ’way out 0’ time, sure’s thar ar’ modesty in a bar-girl’s tongue!” The youthlaughed. ‘ You are notin luck to-night. Maybe your luck will return, if you keep on, Havon’t you another V?” ‘**Nary another!” ‘‘ Where's your pard, that got salted the other night?”’ ‘““Who—Chet Diamond? Wal, hee’s around heer, sum’ars, but I can’t borry none off o’ him. No; lve gotter quit straight off.” ‘*Tlilend you ten to begin on,” said the youth, and he laid an X in the ruffian’s hands. ‘“ There, now, go ahead with your funeral. It’s your deal.” The cards were dealt, and the game sah be re- sulting in the favor of the “‘ Cattymount.’ nother and another was played, and the tough won every time. Stil] ‘se youth kept on, 2, quiet smile ae on his pleasant features, a twinkle in his coal-black eye. The youth, dear reader, you have met before. He is not he, but instead—Calamity Jane. On goes the game, the burly “tough ” winning all the time, his pile of tens steadily increasing in hight. ‘“'l'alk about Joner an’ the ark, an’ Noar an’ ther whale!” he eries, lapping another X onto the pile with great enthusiasm: ‘I hed a grate, grate muth- er-in-law w’at played keerds wi’ Noar inside o’ thet eyedentical whale’s stummick—played poker wi’ w’alebones fer pokers. They were afterwards land- ed at Plymouth Rock, or sum uther big rock, an’ fit together, side by side, in the rebellyuns.” “Indeed!”—with an amused laugh—‘“‘then you must have descended from a long line of respected ancestors. ”’ ‘‘Auntsisters? Wa’al, I jest aboutreckonIdo. I hev got ther blood o’ Cain and Abel in my veins, boyes, an’ ef I ken’t raise the biggest kind o’ Cain, *tain’t because I ain’t a@vle—oh! no. Face anuther, pilgrim?” “Treckon. How much hev ye got piled up thar in that heap?” **Squar’ ninety tens, my huckleberry, an’ all won fa’r, you bet.” “Then it’s the first time you ever won anything fair, Cass Diamond!’ exclaimed a voice close at hand, and the two players looked up to see Ned Harris standing near by, with his hands clasped across his breast. Calamity Jane nodded indifferently. She had seen the young miner on several occasions; once she had been rendered an invaluable service when he rescued her from a brawl! in which a dozen toughs had attacked her. | ‘*Cattymount”’ Cass, brother of Chet Diamon4 the Deadwood card-king, recognized him also, and with an oath, sprung to his feet. * By ci the Celestyals!"’ he ejaculated, jerking forth a six-shooter—" by all the roarin’ screechin’ shriekin’, yowlin’, squawkin’, ring-tailed, flat-futted cattymounts thet ever did ther forest aisles o° old Alaska traverse! you here, ye infernal smooth-faced varmint? You heer, arter all ye’ve did to ride ther cittyzens 0’ Deadwood inter rebellyun, ye leetle pig- minian deputy uv ther devil? Hurra! hurra! boys! let ’s string him up ter ther nearest sapling!” “Ha! ha!” laughed Harris, coolly, ‘* hear the cow- ard squeal for his pard’s assistance. Dassen’t stand on his own leather fer fear of gettin’ salted fer all he’s worth.” “You're a liar!” roared the “Cattymount,” spreading himself about promiscuously, but the two words had scarcely left his lips when a blow from the fist of Ned Harris reached him under the left eye and he went sprawling on the ground in a heap. “Here! here!’ roared a strancer, rushing in upon the scene, and hurling the crowd aside with a dex- terity something wonderful. ‘‘ What is the mean- ing of all this? Who knocked Cass Diamond down?”’ ‘I had that honor,” coolly remarked Ned Harris stepping boldly up and confronting the Deadwood alent aS,

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a Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 19 eard-king, for it was the notorious Chet Diamond who had asked the question. “‘I smacked him in the gob, Chet Diamond, for calling me a liar, and am ready to accommodate a few more, if there are any who wish to prefer the same charge.” * Bully, Ned! and here’s what will back you!” cried Calamity Jane, leaping to the miner’s side, a cocked six in either white, shapely hand—“‘so sail in, pilgrims1” Diamond cowered back and swore furiously. The wound in his breast was yet sore and rankling, and he knew he owed it tothe cool and calculating young miner whose name was an omen of terror among the ‘‘ toughs’”’ of Deadwood. ‘© Come on, you black-hearted ace-thief!*’ shouted Calamity Jane, thrusting the muzzle of one of her plated revolvers forcibly under the gambler’s prominent nose—‘‘ come on! slide in if you are after squar’ up-an’-down fun. We'll greet wR best we know how, an’ not charge you anything, either. See! I’ve got a couple full hands o’ sixes; every one’s atrump! <Ain’t ye got no aces hid up yer sleeves?” The card sharp still cursed furiously, and backed away. He dare not reach fora weapon lest the dare-devil gir! or young Harris, who now held a cnn pill- ox in each hand, ‘should salt him on a ay.’ ‘Hal hal ha!” and the laugh of Calamity rung wildly through the great saloon—“ ha! ha! ha! Rete a gol Who wants to buy a clipped-winged arp?” ‘‘Sold out right cheap!’ added Ned, facetiously. ‘Clear the track and we'll take him out and boost him to a limb!”’ At this juncture some half a dozen of the gam- bler’s gang came rushing up, headed by Catamount Cass, who had recovered from the effects of the blow from Harris's fist. ‘* At them! at ’em!’’ roared the ‘screechin’ catty- mount frum up nor’.” “Rip, dig an’ gouge ’em. Ho! ho! we'll see now who'll swing, we will! We'll l’arn who'll display his agility in mid-air, we will. At ’em, b’yees, at ’em! We'll hang ’em like they do hoss-thieves down at Cheyenne.”’ Then followed a pitched battle in the bar-room of the ‘‘ Metropolitan ” saloon, such as probably never occurred there before, and never has since. Revolvers flashed on every hand, knives clashed in deadly conflict; yells, wild, savage and awful made a perfect pandemonium, to which was added a second edition in the shape of oaths, curses, and roans. Crack! whiz! bang! the bullets few about Hike hailstones, and men fell to the reeking floor each terrible moment. : The two friends were not alone in the affray. No sooner had Catamount Cass and his gang of “ toughs ’’ showed fight, than a company of miners sprung to Harris’s side, and showed their willingness to fight it out on the square line. Therefore, once the first shot was fired, it needed not a word to pitch the battle. Fiercely waged the contest—now hand to hand— and loud rose the savage yells on the still night air. One by one men fell on either side, their life-blood crimsoning the floor, their dying groans unheeded in the fearful melee. Still unharmed, and fighting among the first. we see Ned Harris and his remarkable companion, Ca- lamity Jane: both are black, and scarcely recogn'z- able in the cloud of smoke that fills the bar-room. Harris wounded in a dozen places and weak from loss of blood; yet he stands up bravely and fights mechanically. Calamity Jane if she is wounded shows it not, but faces the music with as little apparent fear as any of those around her. On wages the battle, even as furiously as in its be- ginning, the last shot has been fired; itisnow knife to knife, and face to face. Full as many of one side as the other have fallen, and lay strewn about under foot, unthought of, un- cared forin the excitement of the desperate moment, Gallons of blood have made the floor slippery and reeking, so that it is difficult to retain one’s footing. At the head of the rufflans the Diamond brothers* still hold sway, fighting like madmen in their endea- vors to win a victory. They cannot do legs, for to back off in this critical moment means sure death to the weakening party. But hark! what are those sounds? The thunder of hoofs is heard outside: the rattle of musketry andsabers, and the next instant a ecm- pany of soldiery, headed by Major R—, ride straight up into the saloon, firing right and left. Come!’ cried Calamity Jane, grasping Harris by the arm, and pulling him toward a side door, “* it’s eat for us to slope now, It’s every man for him- self,’ And only under her guidance was Ned able to es- ore and save being killed and captured with the rest, About noon of the succeeding day, two personson horseback were coming along the north gulch lead- ing into Deadwood, at an easy canter. They were the fearless Searlet Boy, or as he is better known, Fearless Frank, and his lovely proteree, Miss Terry. They had been fora morning ride over toa neigh- boring claim, and were just returning. Since their arrival in Deadwood the youth had de- voted a part of his time in a search for Alice’s father but all to no avail. None of the citizens of Deadwood It was even so. A horseman was galloping up the gulch—no other than our young friend, Ned Harris. As the two partics apprcach, the faces of each of the youths grow deadly pale; there comes into their eyes an omincus glitter; their hands each clasp the butt of a revolver, and the eae ually draw rein. That they are enemies of old—that the fire of ran- cor burnsin their hearts, and that this meeting is un- expected, is plain to see. _Now, that they have met, probably for the first time in months or years, it remains not to be doubt- ed but a settlement must come between them—that their hate must result in satisfaction, whether in blood or not, CHAPTER X, THE DUEL AND ITS RESULT. BELLIGERENT were the glances exchanged between the two, as they sat there facing each other, each with a hand closed over the butt of a pistol; each as motionlesz as a carved statuc. Alice Terry had grown pale, too. She saw that friend and protector and the st) anger were enemies —that this meeting though purely accidental was not to end without trouble. Her lips grew set, her eyes flashed, and she reined her horse closer to that of the Searlet Boy. . Ned Harris let a faint smile, of contempt and pity combined, come into relief on his lips. as he saw this action. Better ten male enemies than one female, he thought; but, then, women must not stand in the way, now. No! nothing must block the path inter- vening between enmity and vengeance, Harris was, if anything, the coolest of the three; but, after all, why should he not be? He had spent several years in society that seemed callous to fear, —that knew not what it was to be a Christian; where the utmost coolness was necessary to the preserva- tion of life; where bravery was all, and education a * Living characters. .

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= eg ge ee ap wee 7 S . —— - . —— ot Oe a oR et oe ‘ — ~ p : 77 : 2 a - i — i . te eee te gree ° - —— ee ee * ‘ s-* 7 ere 6 Oe ee eer ote ‘ a =o _-* _— & se wm ee ee ee —— 20 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. . dead letter. Fearless Frank, too, had seen all phases of rough western life, probably, but his tem- perament was more nervous and excitable, his pas- sions tenfold harder to restrain. Still, he managed to exercise a cool exterior now that equaled that of his Pa aa tp hated enemy. Mystery, as Frank habitually called the girl, did not offer to conceal her feelings. It was but natural that she should side with him to whom she owed her life, and the glances of scorn and indignation she shot at the young miner co have driven another man than him into a re- reat. Fearless Frank made no motion toward speech; he was determined that the young miner should open the quarrel, if a quarrelit was to be. But beneath his firm-set lips were clinched two rows of teeth, tightly, fiercely; while every nerve in the youth’s body was drawn to its utmost tension. Harris was wonderfully calm and at ease; only a gray pallor on his handsome face and a menacing re a = piercing eyes told that he was in the least ed. ** Justin MeKenzie!”’ Sternly rung out the words on the clear mountain air. Ned Harris had spoken, and the grayish pallor deepened on his countenance while the fire of ran- cor burned with stronger pen in his eagle eye. The effect on the scarlet youth was scarcely no- ticeable, more than that the lips grew more rigid and compressed, and the right hand clutched the pistol- butt more tightly, But no answer to the other's summons. *‘ Justin McKenzie!” again said the young miner, calmly, **do you recognize me?”’ The Scarlet Boy bows his head slowly, his eyes watchful lest the other shall catch the drop on him. “ Justin McKenzie, you do recognize me, even after the elapse of two long weary years, during which I have sought for you faithfully, but failed to find you until this hour. We have at last met, and the time for settlement between you and me,Justin McKenzie, has arrived. Herein this out-of-the-way gorge, we will settle the grudge I hold against you— we will see who shall live and who shall die!” Alice Terry uttered a terrified cry. “Oh!no! no! you must not fight—you must not. It is bad—oh! so awful wicked!” ‘« Mxcuse me, lady, but you will have no voice in this matter: and the miner’s tone grew a trifle more severe. ‘ Knew you the bitter wes done me by this young devil with the smooth face and oily tongue—if you knew what a righteous cause I have to defend, you would say ‘let the battle proceed,’ I am not one to thirst for the blood of my fellow-men but I am one thatis ever ready to raise my hand an strike in the defense of women!”’ Alice Terry secretly admired the stalwart young miner for this gallant speech, Fearless Frank, his face paler than before, an ex- pain of remorse combined with anguish about is countenanca, and moisture standing in either eye,assumed his quasi-erect attitude as he answered: ““Bdward Harris, if you will listen, I will say all I have to say ina very few words, You hate me be- cause of a wrong I did you and yours, and you want my life forthe forfeit. [ shall not hinder you longer in yore purpose. For two long years you have trailed and tracked me with the determination of a bloodhound, and I have eva led you, not that I was at all afraid of you, but because I did not wish to make you a murderer. I have come across your path at last; here let us settle, as you have said, See! Ifold my arms across my breast. Take out our pistol, aim steadily, and fire twice at my breast. have heard enough concerning your skillas a marksman to feel confident that you can kill me in two shots!” ‘ Ned Harris flushed, angrily. He was surprised at the cool indifference and recklessness of the youth; he was angered that McKenzie should think ham mean enough to take such a preposterous advan- e. ‘‘-You are a fool!” he sneered, biting his lip with vexation. ‘‘Doyou calculate Iam a murderer ?” ‘‘T have no proof that you are or that you are not/ replied Fearless Frank, controlling his temper by a master effort. ‘“‘ You remember I have not kept a watch upon your actions.” ‘Be that as it may, I would be an accursed dog to take advantage of vour insulting proposal. You must fight me the same as I shall fight you!”’ ‘*No, Ned Harris, I will do nothing of the kind. It is I who have wronged you and yours; you must take the offensive; I will play a silent hand.” “You refuse to fight me?” **T do refuse to fight you, but do not refuse to give you satisfaction for what wrong you have suffered. ake my life, if you choose; itis yours. Take it, or forever after this consider our debt of hatred can- celed, and let us be—” ‘‘friends? Never. Justin McKenzie, never! You forget the stain dyed by your hand that will never wash out!”’ “No! no! God knows I do not forget!” and the youth’s voice was hoarse with anguish. ‘‘ Could it be undone, 1 would gladly undo the deed. But, tell me, Harris, about hvr. Does she still live?”’ * Live? We-l-l, yes. if you can call staying living. Life is but a blank; better she had died ere she ever met you!” ‘*You speak truly; better she had died ere she met me,”’ Unconsciously the two had ridden closer to each other; had they forgotten themselves in recalling the past? ** She lives—may live on her lonely life for years to come,” Harris resumed, thoughtfully, “but her life will be merely endurance.”’ ‘* Will you tell me where—where I can go in secret and take but one look at her? If you will do this, I will agree to meet you and give you your chance for satis—”’ “No!” thundered Harris, growing suddenly furi- ous, “2o/ a thousand times! I’d sooner see her in the burning depths of the bottomless pit than have you get within a hundred miles of her with your contaminating presence. Sheis safely hidden away, and that forever, from the companionship of our sex. So let her be till death claims her!” ‘* You are too hard on her!”’ * Aad not hard enough on you, base villain that you are! Who is this young lady you have in your company—another of your victims?” _* Hold! Edward Harris; enough of your vile in- sinuations. This lady is one whom I rescued from Sitting Bull, the Sioux, and I am helping her to hunt a father, who, she says, is somewhere in the Black Hills. Your language should at least be respectful.” The rebuke stung young Harris to the quick, but pS ena in his passion in a moment, and doffed his 1at. ‘* Pardon me, miss, pardon me, It was ungentle- manly for me to speak as I did, but I was surprised at ma one of your sex in company with this ac- complished scamp, Justin McKenzie.” ‘* My presence with him is, as he said, for the pur- ose of finding my father. He rescued me from the ndians, and has volunteered his services, for which I am very thankful. So far, sir, he has acted in a courteous and gentlemanly manner toward me!”’ said Alice Terry. ‘* What he may have been hereto: fore concerns me not, aS you must know.” ‘** He is always that—smooth-tongued, until he has lured his victim to ruin!” retorted Ned, bitterly. ‘Beware of him, lady, for he isa rattlesnake in tho disguise of a bright-winged butterfly !”’ learless Frank grew livid at this last thrust. For- bearance isa virtue, sometimes, but not always. In his case the Scarlet Boy felt that he could bear the taunts of the miner no longer. “You are a liar and a dastard!”’he cried fiercely, os Come on if you wish satisfaction, and Ill give it to oul’ ‘Tam ready, always, sir, I challenged you first;

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= Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. you have the choice!” retorted Ned, as cool as ever, while his enemy was all trembling with excitement. ‘ Pistols, at fifty yards; to be fired until one or the other is dead!’’ was the prompt decision, ‘““Good! Young lady, you will necessarily have to act as second for both of us. If I drop, leave my body where I fall, and it will be picked up by friends. If he falls, I will ride on to Deadwood and send you out help to carry him in.” Without delay the distance was guessed at, and each of the young men rode to position. Miss Terry, the beautiful second, took her place at oneside of the gulch, midway between the antagonists, and when all was in readiness she counted: ‘*One!” The right hands of the two youths were raised on a level, andthe gleaming barrel of a pistol shone from each, se Two }?? There was a sharp click! click! as the hammers of the weapons were pulled back at full cock. Each click meant danger or death. Harris was very white; so was Fearless Frank, but notso much soasthe young woman who was to give the signal. ‘Three! Fira!’ cried Alice, quickly; then there was a flash, the report of two pistols, and Ned Har- ris fell to the ground without a groan. McKenzie ran to his side, and bent over him. “Poor fellow!” he murmured, rising, a few mo- ments later—poor Ned. He is dead !” It was Harris’s request to be left where he fell. Accordingly he was laid on the grass by the road- side, his horse tethered near by, and then, accom- panied by Alice, Justin McKenzie set out to Dead- wood, CHAPTER XI. THE POCKET GULCH MINES—INVADERS OF THEM. WE see fit to change the scene once more back to the pocket guleh—the home of the sweet, sad-faced Anita. The date is one month later—one long, event- ful month since Justin McKenzie shot down Ned Harris under the noonday sun, a short distance above Deadwood. Returning to the Flower Pocket by the route to the rugged transverse gulch, and thence through the gaping fissure, we find before us a scene—not of slumbering beauty, but of active industry and labor, such as was not here when we last looked into the flower-strewn paradise of the Hills. The flowers are for the most part still intact,though occasionally you will come across a spot where the hand of man hath blighted their growth. Where stood the little vine-wreathed cabin now may be seen a larger and more commodious log ae which is but a continuation of the origi- nal. A busy scene greets our gaze all around. Men are hurrying here and there through the valley—men not of the pale-face race, but of the red race; men, clad only to the waist, with remarkable muscular developments, and fleetness of foot. Over the little creek which dashes far adown from pine-dressed mountain peaks, and trails its shining waters through the flowering land, is built another structure—of logs, strongly and carefully erected, and thatched by a master hand with bark and grass. From the roof projects a small smoke-stack, from which emanates a steady cloud of smoke, curling lazily upward toward heaven’s blue vault, and inside is heard the grinding, crushing rumble of ponderous machinery, and we rightly conjecture that it isa crusher in full operation. Across from the northern side of the gulch comes a steady string of mules in line, each pulling behind him a jack-sled (or, what is better known to the general reader as a stone-boat) heayily laden with huge quartz rocks. These are dumped in front of one of the large doorways of the crusher, and the ‘“‘empties”’ return mechanically eee OE CUE Ce —_—_--- ---—— 21 and disappear within a gaping fissure in the very mountain-side—a sort of tunnel, which the hand of man, aided by that great and stronger arm—powder —has burrowed and blasted out. All this is under the immediate management of the swa.thy-skinned red-men, whose faces declare them to be a remnant of the once great Ute tribe— now utilized to a better occupation than in the dark and bloody days of the past. Near the crusher building is a large, stoutly-con- structed windlass, worked by mule power, and every few moments there comes upto the surface from the depths of a shaft, a bucketful of rock and sand, which is dumped into a push-car, and from thence transferred to the line of sluice-boxes in the stream, where more half-clothed Utes are busily engaged in sifting golden particles from the rich sand. What a transformation is all this since we left the Flower Pocket a little over a month ago! Now, everywhere within those majestic mountain-locked wallsis bustle and excitement; then, the valley was sleeping away the calm, perfume-laden autumnal days, unconscious of the mines of wealth lying nest- ling in its posom, and content and happy in its quietude and the adornments of nature’s beauties. Now, shouts, ringing halloos, angry curses at the obstinate mules, the rumbling of ponderous machin- ery, the clink of picks and reports of frequent blasts, the deadened sound of escaping steam, the barking of dogs, the whining of horses—all these sounds are now to be heard. Then, the valley was peacefully at rest; the birds chimed in their exquisite music to the A°olian harp- like music of the breeze through the branches of the mountain pines; the waters pouring adown from the potty ela peaks created an everlasting song of Jove and constancy; bees and humming-birds drank deli- cious draughts from the blushing lips of a million nodding flowers; the sun was more hazy and drowsy- looking; everything had an appearance of ethereal peace and happiness. But, like a drama on the stage, a grand transfor- mation had taken place; a beautiful dream had been changed into stern reality; quietude and slumber had fled at the bold approach of bustling industry a oR And all this transformation is due to whom The noonday sun shone down on all the busy scene with a glance of warmth and affeotion, and particu- larly did its rays center about two men, who, stand- ing on the southern side of the valley, up in among the rugged foothills, were watching the living pano- rama with the keenest interest. They were Harry Redburn and the queer old ee backed, bow-legged little locater, ‘General Wal- singham Nix. Redburn was now looking nearly as rough, un- kempt and grizzled as any veteran miner, and for a fact, he actually had not waxed the ends of his fine mustache for over a week. But there was more of a healthy glow upon his face, a robustness about his form, and alight of satisfaction in his eye which told that the rough miner’s life agreed with him ex- ceedingly well. The old ‘‘ General’ was all dirt, life and animation, and as full of his eccentricities as ever. He was a character seldom inet with—ever full of a quaint hu- mor and sociability, but never known to get mad— no matter how great the provocation might be. __ His chance strike upon the spot where lay the gold of Flower Pocket imbedded—if it could be called a chance, considering his dream—was the prelude to the opening up of one of the richest mining districts south of Deadwood. We left them after Harry had driven a stake to mark the place which the somnambulist had pointed out as indicating the concealed mine. On the succeeding day the two men set to work, and dug long and desperately to uncover the treas- ure, and after three days of incessant toil they were rewarded with success. A rich vein of gold, or rather, a deposit of the valuable metal was found, it

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22 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. ee ee eae Usnn PEnEEIERsnEIRn RRS REE eneneenenenenneennenemnnenneemmnenencmmmncmmamencnucmmanens mame naiamaiaaiieaiiia aa, being formed in a deep, natural pocket and mixed alternately with sand and rock. During the remaining four days of that week the two lucky miners took out enough gold to evidence their supposition that they had struck one of the richest fields in all theJ/Black Hill’s country. Indeed, it seemed that there was no end to the depth of sand in the shaft, and as long as the sand held out the gold was likely to. When, just in the flush of their early triumph, the old humpback was visited by another somnambulis- tic fit, and this time he discovered gold deep in the northern mountain-side, and prophesied that the quartz rock which could be mined_ therefrom would more than repay the cost and trouble of open- ing up the vein and of transporting machinery to the gulch. We need not go into detail of what followed; suf- fice it to say that immediate arrangements were made and executed toward developing this as yet unknown territory. While Redburn set to work with two Ute Indians (transported to the guich from Deadwood, under oath of secrecy by the ‘General ’’) to blast into: the mountain-side, and get at the gold-bearing quartz, the old locater in person set out for Cheyenne on the secret mission of procuring a portable crusher,* boiler and engine, and such other implements as would be needed, and getting them safely into the Ich unknown to the roving population of the ills country. And most wonderful to relate, he succeeded. . Two weeks after his departure, he returned with the machinery and two score of Ute Indians, whom he had sworn into his service, for, as a Ute rarely breaks his word, they were likely to prove valuable accessories to the plans of ourtwo friends. Redburn had in the meantime blasted in until he came upon the quartzrock. Here he had to stop until the arri- val of the machinery. He however busied himself in enlarging the cabin and building acurb to the shaft, which occupied his time until at last the ‘‘General”’ and his army returned. Now, we see these two successful men standing and gazing at the result of their joint labors, each financially happy; each growing rich as the day rolls away. The miners are in a 2 lon condition, and everything moves off with that ease and order that 5 of shrewd management and constant atten- tion to business. The gold taken from the shaft is much finer than that extracted from the quartz. The quartz yielded about eighteen dollars to the ton, which the ‘ General ’’ declared to be as well as Be feller c’u’d expect, considerin’ things, more or ess! Therefore, it will be seen by those who have any knowledge whatever of gold mining that, after pay- ing off the expenses, our friends were not dving so bag after all. “Yes, yes!” the ‘General ’’ was remarking, as he gazed at the string of mules that alternately issued rom and re-entered the fissure on the opposite side of the valley; ‘‘ yes, yes, boyee, things ar’ workin’ as I like ter see ’em at last. The shaft ‘ll more’n pay enses if she holds her head *bove water, as I opine she will, an’ w’at ar’ squeezed out uv the quartz ar’ cleer ’intment fer us.’ “True; the shaft is more than paying off the hands,” replied Redburn, seating himself upon a bowlder, and staring vacantly at the dense column of smoke ejected from the smoke-stack in the roof of the crusher building. “*T was looking up accounts last evening, and after deducting what you paid for the machinery, and what wages are due the Utes, we have about a thou- <— do ars clear of all, to be divided between three of us. *'T ta erusher is said to have been the first intro- duced into the Black Hills. ne eine eee “Exactly. Now, that’s w’at I call fair to mid- dling. Of course thar’ll be more or less expense, heerafter, but et’ll be a consider’ble less 0’ more than more 0’ less. Another munth ‘ll tell a larger finan- shell tale, I opine.” “Right again, unless something happens more than we think for now. If we get through another month, however, without being nosed out, why we may consider ourselves all-fired lucky.” ‘‘Jes’ so! Jes’ so! but we'll hev ter take our chances. One natteral advantage, we kin shute ’em as fast as they come—”’ ‘‘Ho!” Redburn interrupted, suddenly, leaping to his feet; ‘‘they say the devil’s couriers are ever around when you are talking of them, Look! in- vaders already.” He pointed toward the east, where the passage led out of the valley into the gorge beyond. Out of this passage two persons on horseback had just issued, and now they came to a halt, evidently “pip ta See at the scene which lay spread out before 1em, No sooner did the ‘* General” clap his eyes on the ete than he uttered a cry of astonishment, mingled with joy. “Tt’s thet scarlet a Fearless Frank!’’ he an- nounced, hopping about like a pig on a hot griddle, ‘‘w'at I war tellin’ ye about; the same cuss w’at de- sarted Charity Joe’s t'ain, ter look fer sum critter w’at war sereechin’ fer help. I went wi’ the lad fer a ways, but my jackass harpened to be more or less indispositioned—consider’bly more 0’ less than less o’ more—an’ so I made up my mind not ter continny on his route. Ther last I see’d o’ the lad he disap- peared over sum kind 0’ a precyprce, and calkylatin’ as how he war done fer, I rej’ined Charity Joseph, an’ kim on.”’ ‘‘ He has a female in his company!” said Redburn, watching the new-comer keenly. “Yas, peer to me he has, an’ et’s more or less likely that et’s the same critter he went to resky w’eu he left Charity Joe’s train!”’ ‘‘What about him? We do not want him here; to let him return to Deadwood after what he has seen would be certain death to our interesis.”’ ‘Yas, thar’s more or less truth in them words o yours, b’yee—consider’bly more o’ less than less 0’ more, e ken’t ‘go back now, nohow we kin fix et. He's a right peart sort o’ a kid, an’ I think ef we war ter :guv him a job, or talk reeson’ble ter him, thet he’d consent to do the squar’ thing by us.” Redburn frowned. * He'll have to remain for a certain time, whether he wants to or not,” he muttered, more savage than usual. It looked to him as if this was to be the sig- nal of a generalinvasion. ‘Come! let’s go and see what we can do.” : They left the foothills. clambered down into the valley and worked their way toward where Fearless frank and his companion sat in wailing. As they did so, headed by a firure in black, who wore a mask as did all the rest, a band of horsemen rode out of the fissure into the valley. One glance and we recognize Deadwood Dick, Prince of the Road, and his band of road-agents!’ CHAPTER XII. MAKING TERMS ALL AROUND. Op General Nix was the first to discover the new invasion. ‘“Gorra’mighty!’? he ejaculated, flourishing his staff about excitedly, “‘d’ye mind them same w’at’s tuk et inter the’r heads to invade our sancty sanc- torum, up yander? Howly saints frum.ther cullen- der! We shall be built up inter an entire city *bwixt this an’ sunset, ef ther _populatin’ sect becum enny more numersome, Thar’s a full fifty of them sharks, more or less—consider’bly more 0’ less than less o’ more—an’ ef we hain’t got ter hold a full hand iin 6 ey en

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x Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. ee in order to clean ’em out, why, ye can call me a cross-eyed, forsee ee hyeeny, that’s all.” Redburn uttered an ejaculation as he saw the swarm of invaders that was perhaps more forcible. than polite. He did not like the looks of things at all. If Ned Harris were only here, he thought, he could throw the responsibillty all off on his shoulders. But he was not; neither had he been seen or heard of since he had quitted the valley over a month ago, Where he was staying all this time was a problem that no one could solve—no one among our three friends. The ** General * had made inquiries in Dead wood, but elicited no information concerning the young miner. He had dropped entirely out of the magic city’s notice, and might be dead or dying in some foreign clime for all they knew. Anita worried and grew sadder each day at his non-return; it seemed to her that he was in distress, or worse, perhaps— dead. He had never stayed away so long before, she said, always returning from his trips every few days. What, then, could now be the reason of his prolonged absence? Redburn foresaw trouble in the intrusion of the road-agents and Fearless Frank, although he knew not the character or calling of the former, and he resolved to make one bold stroke in defense of the mines, ‘*Go to the quartz-mines as quickly as you can he said, addressing Nix, ‘‘and call every man to bis arms. Then rally them out here, where I will be waiting with the remainder of our forces, and we will see what can be done. If it is to be a fight for our rights, a desperate fight it shall be.” The ** General” hurried off with as much alacrity as was possible, with him, toward the quartz-mine, while Redburn likewise made haste to visit the shaft and collect together his handfulofmen. | He passed the cabin on his way, and, seeing Anita seated in the doorway, he came to a momentary alt. “You had better go inside and lock the doors and windows behind you,”’ he said, advisingly. ‘* There are invaders in the gulch, and we must try and ef- fect a settlement with them; so it is not desirable that they should see you.” ‘You are not going to fight them?” ‘‘ Yes, if they will not come to reasonable terms, which I shall name. Why?” “Oh! don’t fight. You will get killed.” ‘‘Humph! what of that? Who would care if I were killed?” ‘‘T would, for one, Mr. Redburn.” The miner’s heart gave a great bound, and he gazed into the pure white face of the girl, passion- ately. Was it possible that she had in her heart any- thing akin to love for him? Already he had con- ceived a passing fancy for her, which might ripen into love in time. ‘‘Thanks!” he said, catching up her hand and pressing it to his lips. ‘Those words, few as the are, make me happy, Miss Anita. But, stop! must away. Go inside, and giiny shady until you see me again,’’ and so saying he hurried on In ten minutes’ time two-score of brawny, half- dressed Utes were rallied in the valley, and Redburn was at their head, accompanied by the * General.” “J will now go forward and hold parley,” said Harry, as he wrapped a Kerchief about the muz- zle of his rifle-barrel. “If you see me fall, you can calculate that it’s about time for you to sling ina chunk of your lip.” He had fallen into the habit of talking in an illiter- ate fashion, since his association with the ‘‘ General.” ‘* All right,” assented the old locater; “ef they try ter salt ye, jes’ giv’ a squawk, an’ we’llcum a-tearin’ down ter yer resky at ther rate 0’ forty hours a mile, more or ess—consider’bly more 0’ less than less 0’ more. Redburn buckled his belt a hole tighter, looked to his two revolvers, and set out on his mission. The road-agents had, in the mean time, circled off !? to the right of the fissure, and formed into a compact body, where they halted and watched the rallying of the savages in the valley. Fearless Frank and hislovely companion remained where they had first halted, awaiting developments.. They had stumbled into Paradise and were both sur- prised and bewildered. Redburn approached them first. He was at loss how to open the confab, but the Scarlet Boy saved him the trouble. “‘T presume I see in you one of the representatives of this concern,” he said, doffing his hat, and show- ing his pearly teeth in a little smile, as the miner came up. ‘* You do,” replied Redburn, bowing stiffly. “Tam an owner or partner in this mining enterprise, which, until your sudden advent, has been a secret to the outside world.” “TIT believe you, pilgrim; for, though I am pretty thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the Black Hills country, I had not the least idea that such an enterprise existed in this part of the terri- to > 7 *“No, I dare say not. But how is it that we are in- debted to you for this intrusion?—for such we feel justified in calling it, under the existing circum- stances.”’ ‘IT did not intend to intrude, sir, nordoT now, In riding through the mountains we accidentally stum- bled into the fissure passage that leads to this gulch, ‘ome 2 Neg was nothing to hinder us, we came on rough.” ‘True; I should have posted a strong guard in the pass. You have a female companion, I perceive; not your wife?”’ “Oh, no! nor my sister, either. This is Miss Terry an estimable young lady, who has come to the Black Hills in search of her father. Yourname is—” _ ““Redburn—Harry Redburn; and yours, I am told, is Fearless Frank.”’ “Yes, that is the title I sail under. But how do you know aught of me?” “T was told your name by a partner of mine. Now then, concerning the present matter, what do you propose to do?” “Yo do? Why, turn back, I suppose; I see nothing else to do.” Redburn leaned on his rifle and considered. **Do you belong to that other crowd?’ ‘* No, indeed!’’” Frank’s face flushed half-angrily. ‘**] thank my stars Iam not quite so low down as that yet. Do you know them? That’s Deadwood metas the Prince of the Road, and his band of out- aws,.” “ What—is it possible? The same gang whom the Pionerr is making such a splurge over every week?” “The same, That fellow clad in black is Dead- wood Dick, the leader.” ‘“KRumph! Hein black; youin scarlet. Two con- trasting colors,” “That is so. I had not thought of it before, But no significance is attached thereto.” ‘Perhaps not. Have you the least idea what brought them here?” ‘The road-agents? I reckon I do. The military has been chasing them for the last two days. Prob- ably they have come here for protection.’ ‘*Maybe so—or for plunder. Give me your deci- sion, and I will go and see what they want.” | “There is nothing for me to decide more than to take the back track.” Redburn shook his head decidedly. “You cannot go back!’’ he said. using positiveness in his argument; “‘that is, not fora while, You’d have all Deadwood down on us in a jiffy. Dll give you work in the shaft at three dollarsaday. You can accept that offer, or submit to confinement until I see fit to set you at liberty.” 4 ** And my companion here-—” | *T will place under the charge of Miss Anita for the present, where she will receive hospitable trea‘- ment,” a* —— es SF Ti

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‘4 - ‘ “ ¥ 7 ‘ ‘ - ies , - Se Fe Rg i ee - + » -- @ ———S oe oe + ee ee ee eee eC ———— ——n - - eo eee 24 Dez2dvwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. Fearless Frank started as though he had been struck a violent blow; his face grew very whites; his eyes dilated; he trembled in every joint. * Anita!” he gasped—* Anita!” ‘tT believe that is what I said!” Redburn could not understand the youth’s agitation. He knew that the sister of Ned Harris had a secret. Was this Fearless Frank in any way connected with it, and if so, how? ‘Do you know her?” — ‘“*Her other name is—’’ ‘“* Harris—Anita Harris, in full. Do you know her, or aught of her?” “T_T—I did, once!”? was the slow reply. ‘‘ Where is she? I want to see her.”’ Redburn took a moment to consider. Would it be best to permit a meeting between the two until he should be able to learn something more definite concerning the secret? If Ned Harris were here would he sanction such a meeting? No! some- thing told the young miner that he would not; something warned him that it could result in no good to allow the scarlet youth an interview with sad, sweet-faced Anita. “You cannot see her!’ he at last said, decidedly. “There is a reason why you two should never meet again, and if you remain in the gulch, as you will be obliged to, for the present, you must give me your word of honor that you will not go near yonder cabin.” Fearless Frank had expected this; therefore he was not surprised. Neither did Redburn know how close he had sbied his stone at the real truth. *T promise,’? McKenzie said, after a moment’s de- liberation, ‘‘ on my honor that I will not approach the cabin, providing you will furnish me my meals and ee elsewhere. If Anita comes to me, what en “IT will see that she does not,’’ Redburn answered, positively. Gradually he was assuming full control of things, in the absence of Harris, himself. ‘* Miss Terry, you may ride down to yonder cabin, and tell Anita Isent you. Pilgrim, you can comealong with “* No; I will accompany Alice as far as where your forces are stationed,” said Frank, and then they rode down the slope, Redburn turning toward where the road-agents sat upon their horses in a compact body, with Deadwood Dick af their head. As the miner drew nigh and came to a standstill, ‘the Prince of the Road rode forward to his side. ** Well—?”’ he said, interrogatively, his voice heavy pleasant; ‘“‘I suppose you desire to know what izness we’ve got in your cornfield, eh, stranger?’’ “That’s about the dimensions of it, yes,”’ replied Redburn, at once conceiving a liking for the young road-azgent, in whom he thought he saw a true gen- tleman,in the disguise of a devil. ‘I came over to learn the object you have in view, in invading our little valley, if you have no objections to telling.”’ “Certainly not. AS you may have guessed al- ready, we are a band of road-agents, whose field of action we have lately confined to the Black Hills country. I have the honor of being the leader, and ou have doubtless heard of me—Deadwood Dick, he ‘Road-Agent Prince,’ as the Pioneer persists in terming me. Just at present, things are rather sultry in the immediate vicinity of Deadwood, so far as we are concerned, and we sought this locality to escape asmall army of the Deadwood military, who wo wee i around after us for the past week.”’ ‘ ea = “Well, we happened to see a man and woman come this way, and believing that it must Jead to somewhere or other, we followed, and here we are, out of the reach of the blue-coats, but, I take it, in ted way-of a party of secret miners. Is it snot so?”’ ““No, not necessarily so, unless you put yourselves in the way. You wish to remain quartered here for the present?” s if not contrary to your wishes, we should like to, yes, ‘‘T have no objections to offer, providing you will agree to two points.”’ ** And what are they, may I ask?” ‘‘These: That you will camp at the mouth of the passage, and thus keep out any other intruders that may come; second, that you will keep your men to this side of the valley, and not interfere with any of our laborers.”’ ‘To which I eagerly agree. You shall experience no inconvenience from our presence here; you fur- nish us a haven of safety from the pursuing soldiers; we in return will extend you our aid in repelling a host of fortune-seekers who may any moment come down this way in swarms,” ‘‘Very well; that settles it then. You keep your promise and all will go well.” The two shook hands; then Redburn turned and strode back to dismiss his forces, while Dick and his men took up their position at the place where the fissure opened into the gulch. Here they made pre- parations tocamp. Redburn, while returning to his men, heard a shout of joy, and looking up saw, to his surprise, that the old ‘* General” and Alice Terry tra locked in each other’s arms in a loving em- race, CHAPTER XIII. AT THE CABIN, What did it mean? Had the old bump-backed, bow-legged mine- locater gone crazy, or was he purposely insulting the beautiful maiden? Fearless Frank stood aside, aD tey. offering no objections to the hugging, and the Indians did likewise. At least Miss Terry made no serious attempts to ig herself from the ‘‘General’s” bear-like em- race. A few bounds brought Redburn to the spot, pant- ing, breathless, perspiring. ‘* Whatis the meaning of this disgraceful scene?”’ he demanded, angrily. ‘*Disgraceful!’? The old ‘‘General’”’ set Miss Terry down on her feet, after giving her a resound- ing smack, and turned to stare at the young miner, in astonishment, ‘* Disgraceful! Waal, young man, ter tell the solid Old Testament truth, more or less— consider’bly less 0’ more ’n more o’ less—I admire yer cheek, hard an’ unblushin’ as et ar’. Ye call my givin’ this pretty piece o’ feminine gender a squar”’, fatherly sort 0’ a hug disgraceful, do ye? Think et’s all out o’ ther bounds 0’ propriety, do ye?” **T look at it in that light, yes,” Redburn replied. “Haw! haw! haw!’ and the General shook his fat sides with immoderate laughter. ‘* Why, pil- grim tender-fut, this ’ere hundred an’ twenty-six ounds 0’ feminine gender b’longs to me—ter yours ruly, Walsingham Nix—an’ I have a parfec’ inder- vidual right ter hug an’ kiss her as much as I please, wi’out brookin’ enny interference frum you. Alice, dear, this ar’ Harry Redburn, ginerall sup’intendent o’ ther Flower Pocket gold-mines, an’ *bout as fair specimen as they make, nowadays. Mr. Redburn, Vu formally present you to Miss Alice Terry, my darter {” Redburn colored, and was not a little disconcerted | on account of bis blunder; but he rallied in a mo- ment, and acknowledged the introduction with be- coming grace and dignity. ‘‘ You must excuse my interference,” he said ear- nestly. ‘‘I saw the old ‘General’ here taking liber- ties that no stranger should take, and knowing nothing of the relationship existing between you, I was naturally inclined to think that he was either drunk or crazy; therefore I deemed it necessary to investigate. No offense, [hope?” “Of course not:’? and Alice smiled one of her sweetest smiles. ‘* You did perfectly right, and are deserving of no censure whatever.” Afterfta few moments of desultory conversation, Redburn took the “‘ General” to one side, and spoke on the subject of Fearless Frank and Anita Harris— of his action in the matter, and soforth, Nix—or

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=~? Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. | 25 Terry, as the latter was evidently his real name— heartily coincided with his views, and both agreed that it was best not to let the Scarlet Boy come within range of Anita, or at least not till Ned Harris should return, when he could do as he chose. Accordingly it was decided that Fearless Frank should be set to work in the quartz mine, that being the furthest Jrom the cabin,and he could eat and sleep either in the mine or in the crusher building, whichever he liked best. After settling this point, the two men rejoined the others, and Frank was apprised of their decision. He made no remarks upon it, but it was plain to see thathe was anything but satisfied, His wild spirit yearned for constant freedom. The Utes were dismissed and sent back to their work; the ‘“*General” strolled off with McKenzie toward the quartz mine; it devolved upon Redburn to escort Alice to the cabin, which he did with pleas- ure, and gave her an introduction to sweet, sad- faced Anita, who awaited their coming in the open doorway. The two girls greeted each other with warmth; it wasapparent that they would become fast friends when they learned more of each other. As for Redburn, he was secretly enamored with the ‘‘General’s ”’ pretty daughter; she was beautiful, and evidently accomplished, and her progenitor was financially well-to-do. What, then, was lacking to make her a fiiting mate for any man? Redburn poe deeply on this subject, as he left the girls gether, and went out to see to his duties in the mines. He found Terry and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine looking at the swarthy-skinned miners; exam- ining new projected slopes, suggesting easier meth- ods for working out different lumps of gold-bearin rock. While the former’s knowledge of practica mining was extended, the latter’s was limited. ‘* | think thet thar ar’ bigger prospects yet, in fur- ther,” the old locater was saying. “I ain’t much varsed on jeeological an’ toppygraffical formation, myself, ye see; but then, it kinder ’peers to me thet this quartz vein ar’ a-goin’ to hold out for a consid- er’ble time yet.” ) ‘*Doubtless. More straight digging an’ less slopes I should think would be practicable,’”’ McKenzie observed. “TI don’t see it!’ said Redburn, joining them. ** Sloping and transversing discovers new veins, while line work soon plays out. I think things are work- ing in excellent order at present.” hey all made a tour of the mine which had been dug a considerable distance into the mountain. The quartz was ordinarily productive, and being rather loosely thrown together was blasted down without any extra trouble. After a short consultation, Red- burn and the *“‘ General’ concluded to place Frank over the Utes as superintendent and mine-boss, as they saw that he was not used to digging, blasting, or any of the rough work connected with the mine, although he was clear-headed and inventive. When tendered the position it was gratefully ac- cepted by him, he expressing it his intention to work for the interest of his employers as long as he should stay in the gulch, ight at last fell over the Flower Pocket gold- mines, and work ceased. i The Utes procured their own food—mainly consist- ing of fish from the little creek, and deer and moun- tain birds that could be brought down at almost any hour from the neighborin Spike slept in the open air. Redburn had McKenzie a comfortable bed made in the crusher-house, and sent him out a meal fit for a prince. As yet Anita knew nothing of the scarlet youth’s ee. -—scarcely knew, in fact, that he was in the valley. At the cabin, the evening meal was Bad bone as with a general expression of cheerfulness about the . Anita seemed less downcast than usual, and the vivacious Alice made life and merriment for all. She was witty where wit was proper, and sensible in an unusual degree. Redburn was infatuated with her. He watched her with an expression of fondness in his eyes; he admired her every gesture and action; he saw some- thing new to admire in her each moment he was in her society, When the evening meal was cleared away, he took down the guitar, and sung several ballads, the old General” accompanying him with his rich, deep base, and Alice with her clear, birdlike alto; and the sweet melody of the trio’s voices called forth round after round of rapturous applause from the road- agents camped upon the slope, and from the Utes who were lounging here and there among the flower- beds of the ey: But of the lot, Deadwood Dick was the only one bold enough to approach the cabin. He came sauntering along and halted on the thresh- old, nodding to the occupants of the little apartment with a nonchalance which was not abana ‘“ Good-evening!” he said, tipping his sombrero, but taking care not to let the mask slip from his face, ‘‘T hope mine is not an intrusion. Hearing music, I was loth to stay away, for I ama great lover of music;—it is the one passion that appeals to nny eer nature.” e seated himself on the little stone step, and mo- tioned for Redburn to proceed. One of those inside the cabin had been strangely affected at the sight of Dick, and that person was Anita. She turned deathly ern her eyes assumed an expression of affright, and she trembled violently, as she first saw him. The Prince of the Road, how- ever, if he saw her, noticed not her agitation; in fact, he took not the second glance at her while he remained at the cabin. His eyes were almost con- fost) fastening upon the lovely face and form of ice. Thinking it best to humor one who might become either a powerful enemy or an influential friend, Redburn accordingly struck up a lively air, a la banjo, and in exact imitation of a minstrel, rendered Gwine tu Get a Home, Bymeby.” And the thun- ders of encore that came from the outside listeners showed hcw surely he had touched upon a pleasant chord. He fo:lowed that with several modern serio- comic songs, all of which were received well and heartily applauded, “That recalls memories »f good old times,” said the road-agent, as he leaned back against the door- sill, and gazed at the mountains, grand, majestic stupendous, and the starlit sky, azure, calm an serene. ‘Recalls the days of early boyhood, that were gay, pure, and happy. Ah! ho!” He heaved a deep sigh, and his head dropped upon his breast. A deathlike silence pervaded the cabin; that one heartfelt sigh aroused a sensation of pity in each of the four hearts that beat within the cabin walls. That the road-agent was a pontess in disguise, was not to be gainsayed; all felt that, despite his out- lawed calling, he was deserving of a place among them, in his better moods. As if to accord with his mood, Alice began a sweet ether eae | full of tender pathos, and of quieting sympathy. . It was a quaint Scottish melody—rich in its honey- ed meaning, sweetly weird and pitiful; wonderf soothing and nourishing to a weeping spirit. Clear and flute-like the maiden’s cultured voice swelled out on the still night air, and the mountain echoes caught up the strains and lenta wild peculiar accompaniment, | Deadwood Dick listened, with his head still bowed, and his hands clasped about one knee;—listened in a kind of fascination, until the last reverberations of the song had died out in a wailing echo; then he sprung abruptly to his feet, drew one hand wearily across the masked brow; raised his sombrero with a deft movement, and bowed himself out—out into the night, where the moon and stars looked down at him, perhaps with more lenience thanonsome } -< 4 ” 7 an ot q

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ee a ee eee ee aa — te a - - - > 2s ee ae &. Os te SSO OR pe © et Ors e - ° _ ? ee — -* 4 . + la ‘ : ! ' : ——— So -—-—-2 - PAY a “+ = « o~- > « Se ee ‘ ewes _-—_-— a 2 26 re Alice Terry rose from her seat, crossed over to the door, and gazed after the straight handsome form, until it nad mingled with the other road-agents, who had camped upon the slope. Then she turned about, and sat down upon the couch beside Anita. ‘You are still, dear,’’ she said, stroking the other’s long, unconfined hair, ‘‘Are you lonely? If not why don’t you say something?” *“*T have nothing to say,” replicd Anita, a sad, sweet smile ai ing over her features. “I have been too much taken up with the music to think of talking.” ‘** But, you are seldom talkative.” **So brother used to tell me. He said I had lost my heart, and tongue.”’ Redburn was drumming on the window-casing with his fingers;—a sort of lonely tattoo it was. ‘**You seemed to be much interested in the outlaw, Miss Terry.”’ he observed, as if by chance the thought had just occurred to him, when, in reality, he was downright jealous, ‘‘Had you two ever met—”’ ** Certainly not, sir,’’ and Alice flashed him an in- quiring glance. ‘* Why do you ask?” . “Oh! for no reason, in particular, only I fancied that song was meant especially for him.”’ Redburn, afterward, would have given a hundred dollars to have recalled those words, for the haughty half-indignant look Alice gave him instantly showe him he was on the wrong track. If he wished to court her favor, it must be in a dif- ferent way, and he must not again give her a glimpse of his jealous nature. “You spoke of a brother,” said Alice, turning to Anita. ‘‘ Does he live here with you?” “Yes, when not away on business. He has now heen absent for over a month.” Pe Is he as sweet, sad, and silent as your- self? “Oh! no; Ned is unlike me; he is buoyant, cheer- ful, pleasant.”’ *“Ned! What is his full name, dear?’’ “Edward Harris.” Alice grew suddenly pale and speechless, as she remembered the handsome young miner whom Fear- less Frank had slain in the duel, just outside of Deadwood. This, then, was his sister; and evidently she as yet knew nothing of his sad fate, **Do you know aught concerning Edward Harris?” Redburn asked, seeing her agitation. Alice con- sidered a moment. “T do,” she answered, at last. ‘*This Fearless Frank, whom I came here with, had a duel with a man, just above Deadwood, whose name was Edward Harris!”’ ‘*My God;—and his fate—” “He was instantly killed, and left lying where he dropped!” There was a scream of agony just here, and a heavy fall. Anita had fainted! CHAPTER XIV. THE TRANSIENT TRIUMPH, REDBURN sprung from his seat, ran over to her side, and raised her tenderly in his arms. ** Poor thing!” he murmured, gazing into her pale, still face, ‘‘the shock was too much for her. No wonder she fainted.” He laid heron the couch, and kept off the others who crowded around, *“ Bring cold water!’ he ordered, ** and T will soon have her out of this fit!” Alice hastened to obey, and Anita’s face and hands were bathed in the cooling ely until she began to show signs of returning consciousness. **You may now give me the particulars of the af- fair,” Redburn said, rising, and closing the door, for a chilly breeze was tweeping into the cabin. Alice proceeded to comply with his request by narrating what had occurred, and as nearly as pos- hen she had conclu ed, sible, what had been said. W Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. he gazed down for several moments thoughtfully into the face of Anita. There was much yet that was beyond his powers cf comprehension—a knotty problem for which he saw no immediate solution, ‘What do you think about it, ‘General?’”’ he asked, turning to the mine-locater. ‘‘ Have we suf: ficient evidence to hang this devil in scarlet?” ‘Hardly, boyee, hardly. ’Peers ter me, ’cordin’ to ther gal’s tell, thet thar war a fair shake all around, an’ as duelin’ ar’ more or less ther fashion round these parts,—considerably more o’ less *n less o’ more—et ain’t law-fell ter yank a critter up by ther throat!”’ ‘*T know itis not, according to the customs of this country of the Black Hills; but, look at it. That fellow, whol am satisfied is a black-hearted knave, has not only taken the life of poor Harris, but, very probably, has given his sister her death-blow. The question is: should he go unpunished in the face of all this evidence?” Let him go; J will be the one to punish ‘*Let him go!” she repeated, more of fierceness in her voice than Redburn had ever heard there before. ‘‘ He shall not escape my vengeance. Oh, my poor, poor dead brother!”’ She flung herself back upon the couch, and gave herself up to a wild, passionate, uncontrollable out- burst of tears and sobs—the wailings of a sorrowing heart. Fora long time she continued to weep anc sob violently; then came alull, during which she fell asleep from exhaustion—a deep sleep. Redburn and Alice then carried her into an adjoining room. where she was left under the latter’s skillful care, Awhile later the cabin was wrapt in silence, When morning sunlight next peeped down into the Flower Pocket, it found everything generally astiz. Anita was up and pursuing her household duties, but she was calm, now, even sadder than before, making a strange contrast to blithe, gaysome Alice, who flitted about, here and there, like some bright- winged butterfly surrounded by a halo of perpetual sunshine, Unknown to any one save themselves, two men were within the valley of the Flower Pocket gold- mines—there on business, and that business meant bloodshed. They were secreted in among the foot- hills on the western side of the flowering paradise, at a point wherethey were not observed, and at the same time were the observers of all that was going on in front of them. How came they here, when the hand of Deadwood Dick guarded the only accessible entrance there was to the valley? The answer was: they came secretly through the pass on the night preceding the arrival of the road-agents, and had been lying in close con- cealment ever since. The one was an elderly man of portly figure, and the other a young dandyish fellow, evidently the elder’s son, for they resembled each other in every feature. We make no difficulty in recognizing them as the same precious pair whom Outlaw Dick cap- tured from the stage only to lose them again through the treachery of two of his own band. Both looked considerably the worse for wear, and the gaunt, hungry expression on their features, as the morning sunlight shone down upon them, de- clared in a language more adequate than words, that they were beginning to suffer the first pangs of starvation. ‘**We cannot hold out at this rate much longer,” the elder Filmore cried, as he watched the bustle in the valley below. ‘‘ I’m as empty as a collapsed bal- loon, and what’s more, we’re in no prospect of im- mediate relief,” A “RA by SS See | <

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% ~ _—— _* o? Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.) Filmore, the younger, groaned aloud in agony of spirit. re eh the Black Hills and all who have been fools enough to inhabit them, anyhow?”’ he growled, savagely; ‘just let me get back in the land of civil- ization again, and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll know enough to stay there.’ : “Bah! this Tittle rough experience will do you good. Ifweonly had a square meal or two and a basket of sherry, I should feel quite at home, Noth- ing but a fair prospect of increasing our individual finances would ever have lured me into this outland- ish place. But money, you know, is the root of all— p “ Evil!’ broke in the other, and after three months’ wild-goose-chase you are just as destitute of the desired root as you were at first.”’ ‘True, but we have at least discovered one of the shrubs at the bottom of which grows the root!” “You refer to Deadwood Dick?’’ “*T do. He is here in the valley, and he must never ieave it alive. While we have the chance we must strike the blow that will forever silence his tongue.” **Yes; but what about the girl? She will be just as much in the way, if not a good deal more so.”’ “We can manage her all right when the proper time arrives. Dick is our game, now.” ‘*He may prove altogether too much game. But, now that we are counting eggs, how much of the ‘lay ’is to be mine, when this boy and girl are fin- ished?” he queried. ; ‘How much? Well, that depends upon circum- stances. The girl may fall to you.”’ ‘The girl? Bah! I'd rather be excused,” The day passed without incident in the mines. The work went, steadily on, the sounds of the crusher making strange music for the mountain echoes to mock, Occasionally the crack of a rifle announced that either a road-agent or a Ute miner had risked a shot at a mountain sheep, bird, or deer, Generally their aim was attended with success, though sometimes they were unable to procure the slaughtered game, Redburn, on account of his clear-headedness and business tact, had full charge of both mines, the ‘*General’’? working under him in the shaft, and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine. When questioned about his duel with Harris by Redburn, McKenzie had very little tosay; he seemed pained when approached on this subj. ct; would an- swer no questions concerning the past; was reserved and at times singularly haughty. During the day Anita and Alice took a stroll through the valley,.but the latter had beeu warned, and fought shy of the quartz mine; so there was no encounter between Anita and Fearless Frank. Deadwood Dick joined them as they were return- ing to the cabin, loaded down with flowers—fiowers of almost every color and perfume. ; “ This is a beautiful day,” he remarked, pulling up a daisy, ashe walked gracefully along. ‘* One rarely sees SO many beauties centered in one little valley like this—beautiful landscape and mountain scenery, beautiful flowers beneath smiling skies, and lovely women, the chief center of attraction among all.”’ “Indeed!” and Alice gave him a coquettish smile, ‘you are flattering, sir ro d-agent. You, at least are not beautiful in that horrible black suit and vil- lainous mask. You remind me of a picture J have seen somewhere of the devil in disguise; all that is lacking is the horns, tail and cloven-foot.”’ Dick broke out into a burst of laughter—it was one of those wild, terrible Jaughs of his, so peculiar to hear from one who was evidently young in years. Both of the girls were terrified, and would have fled had he not detained them. “Ha, ha!’’ he said, stepping in front of them, ‘‘ do not be frightened; don’t go, ladies. That’s on y the way I express my amusement at anything. 5 oa * Then, for mercy’s sake, don’t get amused again,’ 27 said Alice, deprecatingly. ‘‘ Why, dear me, I thought the Old Nick and all his couriers had pounced down upon us,”’ * Well, how do you know but what he has? 7 may be his Satanie majesty, or one of his envoys.” eh i nerdy think so; you are too much an earthly being for that. Come, now, take off that detestable mask and let me see what you look like.” ‘No, indeed! I would not remove this mask, ex- cept on conditions, for all the gold yon toiling miners are finding, which, I am satisfied, is nd small amount,”? ** You spoke of conditions. What are they?” ‘Some time, perhaps, I will tell you, lady, but not now. See! my men are signaling to me, and I must £0. Adieu, ladies;” and in another moment he had wheeled, and was striding back toward camp. In their concealment the two Filmores witnessed this meeting between Dick and the two girls. “So there are females here, eh?” grunted the elder, musingly. ‘‘From observation I should say that Prince Dick was a com parative stranger here.”’ “That is my opinion,” groaned Clarence, his thoughts reverting to his empty stomach. “ Did you hear that laugh a moment ago? It was more like the screech of a lunatic than anything else.” “Yes; he is a young tiger. There is no doubt of that in my mind.” ; ‘* And we shall have to keep on the alert to take st night. If he does him. He came to the cabin to-night we can mount him!”’ Before night the elder Filmore succeeded in cap- turing a wild goose that had strayed down with the stream from somewhere above. This was killed, dressed and half cooked by a brushwood fire which they hazarded in a fissure in the hillside wherein they had hidden. This fowl they almost ravenously devoured, and thus thoroughly satisfied their a tites. They now felt a great deal better, ready for the work in hand—of capturing and slaying the dare- devil Deadwood Dick. As soon as it was dark they crept, like the prowl- ing wolves they were, down into the valley, and posi- tioned themselves midway between the cabin and the road-agent’s camp, but several yards apart, with a lasso held above the grass between them, to serve as a “‘ trip-up.”’ The sky had become overcast with dense black clouds, and the gloom in the valley wes quite im- penetrable. From their concealment the two Fil- mores could hear Redburn, Alice and the ‘‘ General ”’ singing up at the cabin, and it told them to be on their guard, as Dick might now come along at any moment, Slowly the minutes dragged by, and both were growing impatient, when the firm tread of “the Prince” was heard swiftly approaching. Quickly the lasso was drawn taut. Dick, not dreaming of the trap, came boldly along, pail Sar and went sprawling to the ground. The next mies were on him, each with a lonf nurderous knife in hand, CHAPTER XV TO THE RESCU :! Tue suddenness of the onslaught prevented Dead- wood Dick from raising a hand to defend himself, and the two strong men piling their combined weights upon him, had the effect to render him utterly help- less. He would have yelled to apprise his comrades of his fate, but Alexander Filmore, ready for the emergency, quickly thrust a cob of wood into his mouth, and bound it there with strong strings, The young road-agent was a prisoner. | ‘Ha! ha!” leered the elder Filmore, peering down into the masked face—“ha! ha! my young eaglet; so I have you at last, have 1? After repeated efforts een rewards to get you inmy power, I have at last ed with success, eh? Ha! ha! the terrible scourge of the Black Hills lies here at my feet, mine to.do with as I shall see fit,”’ stant his ene- | fe kee

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ee = oo : eee ee ey OO er a ee ee Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. ————£L__— i “Shall we settle him, and leave him lying here, where his gang can find him?” interrupted the younger Filmore, who, now that his blood was up, cared little what he did. ‘‘ You give him one jab, and I will guarantee to finish him with the second!” ‘“No, no, boy; you are too hasty. Before we silence him forever, we must ascertain, if possible, where the girl is.” ** But. he’ll never tell us.” ‘‘We have that yet to find out. It is my opinion that we can bring him to terms, somehow. Take eee and we will carry him back to our hole in the Deadwood Dick was accordingly seized by the neck and heels, and borne swiftly and silently toward the western side of the gulch, up emi the foothills, into the rift, where the plotters had lain concealed, since their arrival. Here he was placed upon the ground in a sitting posture, and his two enemies crouched on either side of him, like beasts ready to spring upon their prey. Below in the valley, the Utes had kindled one soli- tary fire, and this with a starlike gleam of light from the cabin window, was the only sign of life to be seen through the night’s black shroud. The trio in the foothills were evidently quite alone, Alexander Filmore broke the silence. “Well, my gay Deadwood Dick, Prince of the Road, I suppose you wish to have the matter over with as soon.as possible.” The road-agent nodded. ‘* Better let him loose in the jaws,” suggested Fil- more the younger; ‘‘or how else shall we get from him what we must know? Take out his gag. [ll hold my six against his pulsometer. If he squawks Th silence him, sure as there is virtue in powder and The elder after some deliberation acquiesced, and Dic was placed in possession of his speaking power, while the muzzle of young Filmore’s revolver pressed against his breast, warned him to*silence and obedience. ‘*Now,”’ said the elder Filmore, ‘‘ just you keep mum. If you try any trickery, it will only hasten your destruction, which is inevitable!”’ Deadwood Dick gave a little laugh. “You talk as if you were going to do something toward making me the center of funeralistic attrac- on. ‘You'll find out soon enough, young man. I have not pursued you so long all for nothing, you may rest assured. Your death will be the only event that ean atone for all the trouble you have given me in the Y Sart ‘73 that so? Well, you seem to hold all the trwmp- eards, and I reckon you ought to win, though I can’t see into your inordinate thirst for diamonds when spa/es will eventually triumph. Had la full hand of clus, I am not so sure but what I could raise you, Kaaves though you are!” ““T think not; when kings win, the game is virtu- ally up. We hold altogether too high cards for you at present, and beg as you may, we shall not pass **Don’t be too sure of it. The best trout often slips from the hook when you are sanguine that you have at last been immoderately successful. But, enough of this cheap talk. Go on and say your Say, In as few words as possible, for I am in a ry. Both Filmore, Sr., and Filmore, Jr., laughed at this—it:sounded so ridiculously funny to hear a help- less prisoner talk of being in a hurry. ‘‘Business must be pressing!’’ leered the elder, savagely. ‘‘ Don’t be at all scared, We'll start you oe pega along the road to Jordan soon enough, if that’s what you want. First, however, we desire you to inform us where we can find the girl, as we wish to make a clean sweep while we are about it.” ‘Do you bathe your face in alum-water?”’ abrupt- ly asked the road-agent, staring at his captor, quiz- zically. ‘Do you?’ ‘Bathe in alum-water? Certainly not, sir. Why do you ask?”’ ‘“ Because the hardness of your cheek is highly suggestive of the use of some similar application.” Alexander Filmore stared at his son a moment, at loss to comprehend; but, as it began to dawn upon him that he was the butt of a hard hit, he uttered a frightful curse. ‘My cheek and your character beara close resem- blance then!”’ he retorted hotly. ‘*Again I ask you, will you tell me where the girl is?”’ **No; you must take me for an or’nery mule, or some other kind of an animal. if you think [ would deliver her into your clutches. No—no, my scheming knaves, I will not. Kill me if you like, but it will not accomplish your villainous ends. She has all of the inten and can not only put herself forward at the rig t time, but can,have you arrested for my mur- der!’ ‘* Bah! we can find her, as we have found you; so we will not trifle. Clarence, get ready; and when I count one—two—three—pull the trigger, and I'll fin- ish him with my knife!”’ “All right; go ahead; I’m ready!” replied the dutiful son. Fearless Frank sat upon a bowlder in the mouth of the quartz mine, listening to the strains of music that floated up to him from the cabin out in the valley, and puffing moodily away at a grimy old pipe he had purchased, together with some tobacco, rom one of the Utes with whom he worked. He had not gone down to the crusher-Louse for his supper; he did not feel hungry, and was more con- tented here in the mouth of the mine where he could command a view of all that was going on in the val-. ley. With his pipe fox a companion he was as happy as he could be, deprived as he was from association with the others of his color who had barred him out in the cold. Once or twice during the day, on coming from within to get a breath of pure air, he had caught a glimpse of Anita as she flitted about the cabin en- gaged at her household duties, and the yearning ex- pression that unconsciously stole into his dark eyes spoke of a passion within his heart that, though it might be slumbering, was not extinct—was there all the same in all its strength and ardor. Had he been eae the privilege of meeting her, he might have lisplaced the barrier that rose between them; but now nothing remained for him but to toil away until Redburn should see fit to send him away, back into the world from which he came. Would he want to go, when that time came; Hardly, he thought, as he sat there and gazed into the quiet vale below him, so beautiful even in dark- ness. There was no reason why he should go back again adrift upon the bustling world. He had no relatives—no claims that pointed him to go thither; he was as free and unfettered as the wildest mountain eagle. He had no one to say where he should and where he should not go; he liked one place equally as well as another, providing there was plenty of provender and work within easy range; he had never thought of settling down until now, when he had come to the Flower Pocket valley and caught a glimpse of Anita—Anita whom he had not seen for years; on whom he had brought censure, reproach and— step among the rocks close at hand startled him from a reverie into which he had fallen, and caused him to spill the tobacco from his pipe. . A slight trim figure stood afew yards away, and he perceived that two extended hands clasped objects, whose glistening surface suggested that they were ‘* sixes ’ or “‘ sevens.” | ‘*Silence!’? came in a clear, authoritative voice. “One word more than I ask you, and V’ll blow your brains out, Now, what’s your name?”’ ‘* Justin McKenzie’s my name. Fearless Frank generally answers me the purpose of a nom de plume,” was the reply.

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. **Very good,’’ and the stranger drew near enough for the Scarlet Boy to perceive that he was clad in buckskin; well armed; wore a Spanish sombrero, and long hair down over the square shoulders. ‘I’m Calamity Jane.”’ : War If MeKenzie uttered an ejaculation of surprise, it was not to be wondered at, for he had heard many stories, in Deadwood, concerning the * dare-devil gal dressed up in men’s toggery.” ay: Fa, “Oalamity Jane?’ he echoed, picking up his pipe. ‘‘ Where in the world cid you come from, and how did you get here, and what do you want, and—” ‘*One ata time, please. I came from Deadwood with Road-Agent Dick’s party—unknown to them, understand you. That answers two questions. The third is, I want to be around when there’s any fun oing on; and it’slucky I’m here now. I guess Dick faa just got layed out by two fellows in the valley below here, and they’ve slid off with him over among the foothills yonder. I want youto stub along after me, and lend the voices of your sixes, if need be. I’m going to set him at liberty!’ ey i'm at your service,”’ Frank quickly replied. Ex- So was one of his passions; adventure was an- other, ** Are you well heeled?”’ “Treckon. Always make it a point to be prepared for wild beasts and the like, you know.” **A good idea. Well, if you are ready, we'll slide. I don’t want them toughs to get the drop on Dick if I can help it.”’ , “ Who are they?” . ‘**Who—the toughs?’’ *“Yes; they that took the road-agent.”” “JT don’t know ’m. Guess they're tender-foots— some former enemies of his, without doubt. They propose to quiz a secret about some girl out of him and then knife him. We'll have to hurry or they’ li get their work in ahead of us.”’ They left the mouth of the mine, and skurried sees into the valley, through the dense shroud of gloom. Calamity Jane led the way; she was both fleet of foot and cautious. Let us look down on the foothill camp, and the two Filmores who are stationed on either side of their prisoner. The younger presses the muzzle of his revolver against Deadwood Dick’s heart, the elder holds a long gleaming knife upheld in his right hand. **One!” he counts, savagely. ** Twol”’—aftgr a momentary pause. Another lapse of time, and then— ** Hold! gentlemen; that will do!” cries a clear ringing voice; and Calamity Jane and McKenzie, stepping out of the darkness, with four gleaming sixes ’’ in hand, confirm the pleasant assertton! CHAPTER XVI. THE ROAD-AGENT’S MERCY—CONCLUSION. NEVERTHELESS, the gleaming blade of Alexander Filmore descended, and was buriedin the fleshy part of Deadwood Dick’s neck, making a wound, painful but not necessarily dangerous. “You vile varmint,”’ cried Calamity Jane, pola the hammer of one of her revolvers back full cock; “you cursed fool, don’t you know that that ely seals your own miserable fate?’ She took deliberate aim, but Dick interrupted her. ““Don’t shoot, Jennie!’ he gasped, the blood Spurting from his wound; “‘this.ain’t none 0’ your funeral. Give three shrill whistles for my men, and they’ll take care o’ these hounds until I’m able to at- tend to’em. Take me to the cab—” He could not finish the sentence; a sickening Stream of blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell back upon the ground insensible. Fearless Frank gave the three shrill whistles, while Calamity Jane covered the two cowering wretches With her revolvers, The distress signal was answered by a yell, and in a few seconds five road-agents came bounding up. “Seize these two cusses, and guard ’em well!’? Calamity said, grimly. ‘They are a precious pair, and in a few days, no doubt, you'll have the pleasure of attending their funerals. Your captain is wound- ed, but not dangerously, I[hope. We will take him to the cabin, where there are light and skillful hands to dress his wounds.. When he wants you, we will let you know, Be sure and guard these knaves well, now,’ The men growled an assent, and after binding the caotives’ arms, hustled them off toward camp, in double-quick time, muttering threats of vengeance. Fearless Frank and Calamity then carefully raised the stricken road-agent, and bore him to the cabin, where he was laid upon the couch. Of course, all was now excitement. Redburn and Alice set to work to dress the bleed- ing wound, with Jane and the ‘‘ General ”’ looking on to see that nothing was left undone. Fearless Frank stood apart from the rest, his arms folded across bis breast, a grave, half-doubtful expression upon his handsome, sun-browned features. Anita was not in the room at the time, but she came in amoment later, and sjood gazing about her in wondering surprise. Then, her eyes rested upon Fearless Frank for the first, and she grew dead] white; she tremb’ed in every limb; a half-frightene half-pitiful look came into her eyes, The young man in scarlet was similarly affected. His cheeks blanched, his lips became firmly com- pressed; a mastering expression fell from his dark magnetic orbs. There they stood, face to face, a picture of doubt, of indifferent respect, of opposite strong passions, subdued to control by a heavy hand. None of the others noticed them; they were alone, confronting each other; trying to rea thoughts, the one penitent and craving forgiveness, the other cold almost to sternness, and yet not un- willing to forgive and forget. ; Deadwood Dick’s wound was quickly and skillfull dressed; it was not dangerous, but was so exceed- ingly painful that the pangs soon brought him back to consciousness. The moment he opened his eyes he saw Fearless Frank and Anita—perceived their position toward each other, and that it would require only a single word to bridge the chasm betweenthem. A hard look came into his eyes as they gazed through the holes in the mask; then he gazed at Alice—sweet, iquant Alice—and the hardness melted like snow betore the spring sunshine. “Thank God, it was no deeper,” he said, sittin upright, and rubbing the tips of his black-glov fingers over the, patches that covered the gashes. ‘* Although deucedly bothersome, it is not of much account. To the surprise of all, he sprung to his feet, and strode to the door. Here he stopped, and ‘cooked around for a few moments, sniffing at the cool mountain breeze, as a dog would. A single cedar- tree stood by the cabin, its branches, bare and naked, stretching out like huge arms above the doorway. And it was at these the road-agent gazed, a savage gleam in his piercing black eyes. After a few careful observations, he turned his face within the cabin. ‘* Justin McKenzie,’’ he said, gazing at the young man steadily. ‘‘I want you todo measervice. Go tomy camp, and say to my men that I desire their presence here, together with the two prisoners, and a couple of stout lariats, with nooses at the end of them, Hurry, now.” 3 Fearless Frank started a trifle, for he seemed to recognize the voice; but the next instant he bowed assent, and left the cabin. When he was gone, Dick turned to Redburn. ‘Have you a glass of water handy, Cap? This i the gullet makes me somewhat thirsty,”’ he 1G, the other’s. :

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- ’ i a ree ~ ° ee th i eg eee re wey aa» iw oe ee ae ow O — - — Pete ° — th ~ © ~~ @ © ar a | NRT YO a er ——— i -_- —_ > ee 7 — eo ~—; . “f i : Redburn nodded, and procured the drink; then a strange silence pervaded the cabin—a silence that no one seemed willing to break. At last the tramp of many feet was heard, and a moment later the road-agents, with Fearless Frank at their head, reached the doorway, where they halted. The moment Deadwood Dick came for- ward, there was a wild, deafening cheer. “Hurra! hurra! Deadwood Dick, Prince of the Road, still lives. Three long ed cheers, lads, and a hummer!”’ cried Fearless Frank, and then the mountain echoes reverberated with a thousand dis- cordant yells of hurrah. The young road-agent responded with a nod, and then said: **The prisoners; have you them there?” “Here they are, Cap!” cried a score of voices, and the two Filmores were trotted out to the front, with ropes already about their necks. ‘‘Shall we b’ist ‘em $ %” 5 Bone jest yet, boys; I have a few words to say, rst. Then turning half-about in the doorway, Dead- wood Dick continued: ‘*Ladies and gentlemen, a little tragedy is about to take place here soon, and it becomes necessary that Ishould say afew words explaining what cause T have for hanging these two wretches whom you see here. * Therefore, J will tell you a short story, and you will see that My cause is just, as we look at these things here in this delectable country of the Black Hills. To begin with: ‘*My name is, to you, Z vari Harris !” and here the road-agent flung aside the black mask, revealing the smiling face of the young card-sharp, “I have ancther—my family name—but I do not use it, pre- ferring Harris to it. Anita, yonder, is my sister. ‘Several years ago, when we were children, living in one of the Eastern States, we were made orphans by the death of our parents, who were drowned while Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. driving upon a frozen lake in company with my | uncle, Alexander Filmore, and his son, Clarence— those are the parties yonder, and as God is my judge, I believe they are answerable for the death of our father and mother. “ Alexand Filmore was appointed guardian over us, and executor of our penny which amounted to somewhere in the neighborhood of fifty thousand dollars, my father having been for years extensively engaged in speculation, at which he was ’most al- ways successful. ** From the day of their death we began to receive the most tyrannical treatment. We were whipped, kicked about, and kept in a half-starved condition, Twice, when we were in bed, and, as he supposed, asleep, Alexander Filmore came to us and attempted to assassinate us, but my watchfulness was a match for his villainy, and we escaped death at his hands. _ * Finding that this kind of life was unbearable, I appealed to our neighbors and even to the courts for protection, but my enemy was a man of great influ- ence, and after many vain attempts, I found that I could not obtain a hearinz; that nothing remained ect to do but to fight my own way. And I did g ; ‘Out of my father’s safe I purloined a sum of money sufficient to defray our expenses for a while, and then, taking Anita with me, I fled from the home of my youth. I came first to Fort Laramie, where I spent a year in the service of a fur-trader. “My Beardian, during that year, sent three men out to kill me, but they had the tables turned on them, and their bones lay bleaching even now on Laramie plains. “During that year my sister met a gay, dashing oung ranger, who hailed to the name of Justin Mc- enzie, an of course she fell in love with him. That was natural, as he was handsome, suave, and gal- lant, and, more than all, reported tolerably well- to-do, f i *T made inquiries, and found that there was noth- ing against his moral character, so I made no objec- tions to his paying his attentions to Anita. ‘* But one day a great surprise came. **On Sarai A from a baffalo-hunt of several days’ duration I found my home deserted, and a let- terfrom Anita stating that she had gone with Mc- Kenzie to Cheyenne to live; they were not married yet, but would be soon. ‘*That aroused the hellish part of my passionate nature. 1 believed that McKenzie was leading her a life of dishonor, and it made my blood boil to even think of it. Death, I swore, should be his reward for this infidelity, and mounting my horse Il set out in hot haste for Cheyenne. : ‘“But I arrived there too late to accomplish my qj. mission of vengeance. **T found Anita and took her back to my home, a sad and suvrrowing maiden; McKenzie I could not find; he had heard of my coming and fled to escape my avenging hand. But over the head of my weep- ing sister, 1 swore a fearful oath of vengeance, and I have it yet to keep. I believe there had been some kind of a sham marriage; Anita would never speak ie a subject, so I had to guess at the terrible ruth.” ‘And there’s where you made an accursed mess of the whole affair!’ cried McKenzie, stepping into the gabin and leading Anita forward by the hand, ‘‘Before God and man / acknowledge Anita Harris to be my leqally wedded wife! Listen, Edward Har- ris, and I will explain. That day that Be came to Cheyenne in pursuit of me, I'll acknowledge I com- mitted an error—one that has caused me much trouble since. The case was this: ‘*T was the nearest of kin to a rich old fur-trader, who proposed to leave me all his property at his death; but he was a desperate woman-hater, and bound me to promise that I would never marry. “Tempted by the lust for gold, I yielded, and he drew up a willin my favor, This was before I met Anita here. ‘When we went to Cheyenne, the old man was lying at the point of death; so I told Anita that we would not be married for a few days, until we saw how matters were going to shape. If he died, we would be married secretly, and she would return to your roof until I could get possession of my inherit- ance, when we would goto some other part of the country to live. If he recovered, I would marry her anyway, and let the old man go to Tophet with his money-bags. I see now how I was in the wrong. “Well, that very day, before your arrival, the old man himself pouneed down upon us, and cursed me up hilland down for my treachery, and forthwith struck me out of his will. I immediately sent for a chaplain, and was married to Anita, I then went up to see the old man and find if I could not effect a compromise with him. ‘“‘He told meif I would go with him before Anita and swear that she was not legally my wife, and that T would never live with her, he would again alter his will in my favor. ‘* Knowing that that would make no difference, so far as the law was concerned, I sent Anita a note apprising her of what was coming, and stating that she had best return to you until the old man should die, when I would come for her. Subsequently I went before her in company with the old man, and swore as I had promised to do. and when I departed she was weeping bitterly, but I naturally supposed it was sham grief. A month later, on his death-bed, the old trader showed me the letter I had sent her, and T realized that not only was my little game up, but that I had cheated myself out of a love that was true. I was left entirely out of the will, and ever since I have bitterly cursed the day that tempted me to try to win gold and love at the same time. Here, Edward Harris,’ and the young man drew a packet of papers from inside his pocket, “‘are two certificates of my marriage, one for Anita, and one for myself. You ; see now, that although mine has heen a grievous t

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Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. ol error, no dishonor is coupled with your sisters name.”’ Ned Harris took one of the documents and glanced over it, the expression on his face softening. A mo- ment Jater he turned and grasped McKenzie’s hand. **God bless you, old boy !’’ he said, huskily. ‘* Iam the one who has erred, and if you have it in your heart to forgive me, try and do so. Ido not expect much quarter in this world, you know. There is Anita; take her, if she will come to you, and may God shower his eternal blessings upon you both!” McKenzie turned around with open arms, and Anita flew to his embrace with a low glad cry. There was not a dry eye in the room. There was an impatient surging of the crowd out- side; Dick saw that his men were longing for the *® sport ahead; so he resumed his story: “ There is not much more to add,”’ he said, aftera moment’s thought. “I fled into the Black Hills when the first whispers of gold got afloat, and chancing ss H this valley, I built us a home here, wherein to live away the rest of our lives. *‘In time I organized the band of men you see around me, and took to the road. Of this my sister knew nothing. The Hills have been my haunt ever since, and during all this time yon scheming knaves ”’ —pointing tothe prisoners—“* have been eee sending out men to murderme. The last tool, Hug Vansevere by name, boldly posted up reward papers in the most frequented routes, and he went the same way as his predecessors. Seeing that nothing could be accomplished through aids, my enemies have at last come out tosuperintend my butchery in person; and but for the timely interference of Calamity Jane and Justin McKenzie, a short time since, I should have ere this been numbered with the dead. Now, 1 am inclined to be merciful to only those who have been merciful to me; therefore, I have decided that Alexander and Clarence Filmore shall pay the pen- alty of hanging, for their attempted crimes, Boys, string ‘em up!” So saying, Deadwood Dick stepped without the cabin, and closed the door behind him. Redburn also shut down and curtained the win- dows to aps out the horrible sight and sounds. But, for all this, those inside could not help but hear the pleading cries of the doomed wretches, the tramp of heavy feet, the hushed babble of voices, and at last the terrible shout of “ Heave ’o! up they £0!” which signaled the commencement of the vic- tims’ journey into mid air. Then there was along blank pause; not a sound was heard, not a voice spoke, nor a foot moved. This silence was speedily broken, however, by two heavy falls, followed almost immediately by the tramp of feet. Not till all was again quiet did Redburn venture to open the door and look out. All was dark and still. ‘The road-agents had gone, and left no sign of their work behind. When mofning dawned, they were seen to have re- camped on the eastern slope, where the smoke of their camp-fires rose in graceful white columns through the clear transparent atmosphere. During the day Dick met Alice Terry, as she was gathering flowers a short distance from the cabin. **Alice—Miss Terry,’’ he said, gravely, *‘I have come to ask you to be my wife. Ilove you, and want you for my own darling. Be mine, Alice, and I will mend my ways and settle down to an honest, straightforward life.”’ The beautiful girl looked up pityingly. ** No,” she said, shaking her head, her tone kind and respectful, “I cannot love you, and never can be your wife, Mr. Harris.” ‘** You love another?’ he interrogated. She did not answer, but the tell-tale blush that suffused her cheek did, for her. ‘It is Redburn!”’ he said positively. ‘‘ Very well; give him my congratulations. See, Alice; here the young road-agent took the crape mask from his osom; “‘I now resume the wearing of this mask. Your refusal has decided my future. A merry road- agent I have been, and a merry road-agent I shall die. Now, good-by, forever.” On the following morning it was discovered that the road-agents and their daring leader, together with the no less heroic Calamity Jane, had left the valley—gone; whither, no one knew. About a month later one day when Calamity Jane was watering her horse at the stream, two miles above Deadwood, the road-agent chief rode out of the chaparral and joined her, “He was still masked, well-armed, and looking every inch a Prince of the Road. ‘* Jennie,” he said, reining in his steed, ** 1am lone- ly and want a companion to keep me company through life. You have no one but yourself: our spirits and general temperament agree. Will you marry me and become my queen?” “No!” said the girl, haughtily, sternly. “I have had all the man Icarefor, We can befriends, Dick; more we can never be!” “Very well, Jennie; 1 rec’on it is destined that I shall live single. Atany rate, I'll never take a re- fusal from another woman, Yes, gal, we'll be friends, if nothing more.” There is little more to add. We might write at length, but choose afew words Sie this over true romance of life in the Black ills. McKenzie and Anita were remarried in Deadwo and at the same time Redburn led Alice Terry tothe altar, which consummation the ‘‘General”’ avowed was ‘“‘more or less of a good thing—consider’bly less 0’ more ’n’ more 0” less.” Through eastern lewreee. a settlement ofthe Har- ris affairs was effected, the whole of the property being turned over to Anita, thereby placing her and Fearless Frank above want for a lifetime, Therefore they gave up their interest in the noe Pocket mines to Redburn and the “ Gen- eral.” Calamity Jane is still in the Hills. And grim and uncommunicative, there roams through the country of gold a youth in black, at the head of a bold lawless gang of road-riders, who, from his unequaled daring, has won and rightly de- ebb the name—Deadwood Dick, Prince of the oa THE END. - se - Ss

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rr” a. a 5 an’) 2 Oe aed - « POCKET LIBRARY. ee a, . AAD DSSOHD LV LR XY . WHHL No. 1. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road; or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills, By Edward L. Wheeler. | No. 2. ~ Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand, By Buffalo Bill, (Hon. Wm, F. Cody.) No. 3. The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. i No. 4. ] The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. By Edward L. Wheeler. “s No. 5. The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. By Albert W. Aiken. No. 6. . The Prairie Pilot; or, The Phantom Spy. By Boffalo Bill, (Hon. Wm. F. Cody.) No. ‘7. The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. No. 8. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes., . No. 9. | > Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By “Texas Jack ” (J. B, Omohondro.) “ ) No. 10. Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. By Edward L. Wheeler, Beadle’s Half-Dime Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ; No, 98 William Street, New York.