Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 337) (1890 06 25)

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= Copyrighted, 1890, by Beanie AND Anima. Entered at the Pout Offic w York, N. ¥., as Second Class Mail Matter. June 25, 1890, Se 337 $2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, Vol, XXVI a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM St., New York. Five Cents, A MAN SPRONG UPON HIM AND CLUTCHED HIS THROAT BEFORE HE COULD MAKE THD SLIGHTEST RESISTANCE,

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. Daisy Dave, THE COLORADO GALOOT; OR, The Boss of Dead Line City. BY T. C, HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF ‘' BILL BRAVO,” ‘‘ CAPTAIN BULLET,” “BIG BENSON,” ‘‘ JUDGE LYNCH, JR.,” ‘* ARKANSAW,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. DEAD LINE CITY INSULTED, ‘““Nopopy in Dead Line will ever claim that insultin’ letter, It’s an open slur on ther town, an’ the person what writ it hed better never show himself byer!” The man who spoke thus was one of a crowd of rough-looking fellows who had congregated in front of the post-office of Dead Line City, a famous place on the southern borders of Colo- rado, and deep in the mountains that extend into New Mexico. mn The cause of his remarks, which were spoken in bad humor and to the flashing of a pair of deep, black eyes, was a letter which had just arrived in the monthly mail from the South. The postmaster had placed it in the window in order to render it more conspicuous, and in hopes, no doubt, of finding a claimant, From the very first that letter had excited cu- riosity and drawn a crowd, Nobody wanted it, and why? Simply because, instead of being addressed to some particular person, the superscription read as follows: ‘To the Ugliest Galoot in Dead Line,” These words were what made the innocent- looking letter insulting; not that the Dead Lin- ers prided themselves on any particular amount of beauty, but the whole crowd had voted it a slur, because it had evideutly been so addressed out of spite. - “ Hang me ef I wouldn’t like ter know what?s inside,” exclaimed a member of the crowd. ** Claim er then.” “Not much. It’s not addressed ter me. I guess Clover Phil will hev ter open it himself.” Clover Phil was known as the Boss of Dead Line City, and also had the honor of being its postmaster, — “Who said that that letter fits me?” and Clover Phil appeared at the door to the aston- ishment of the crowd, “Thar’s twenty men in Dead Line that beat mo for bad looks. I could throw thet letter among ye an’ hit a dozen now. j “Try it, Clover!” bantered a big broad- shouldered ruffian who wore a crimson scar across one of his bronze cheeks. ‘ Toss ‘er this way an’ we'll solve ther mystery.” “Do you claim it?” “Mo? not much! Do you claim, Clover Phil, thet thet insultin’ letter b’longs ter me?” ‘aisy Daye ground his teeth behind the last word and took a menacing step toward tho post- master, “Don’t squirm till ye’r’ tramped on,” an- swered Clover Phil, coolly eying Dave. “TI in- sinuated notbin’, but thar’s ther letter. The man what says it b’lonzs ter him shall hev it.” The crowd set up a laugh at Dave’s expense, and he glanced tigerishly at the letter in the window as if he longed to tear it to pieces, “Tn the first place, it war mean ter send such a letter hyer,” he growled, : * “We all admit thet, Dave—” “ An’ secondly it warn't fair ter post it up thar whar strangers kin see it.” ““ Why not?” “Ts gives’em a bad opinion ov Dead Line City. say, hyer, thet I kin whip the whelp what sent thet letter; 1 kin thrash ther ground with his anatomy, av’ ef he comes ter Dead Line, Pll fight him with his own weapons, Ther city’s been grossly insulted. ‘Ther ugliest galoot in Dead Line? Thar’s nosuch man hyer. I’m for hangin’ the person what applies for thet dockerment!” Daisy Dave's last sentence was received with a cheer by his companions. ‘“We'll shed every drop ov blood in_ this crowd ter avenge any insult ter Dead Line!” the Colorado Galoot proceeded. ‘ Let a human be- ing claim thet letter if he dares! Life’s precious even in this kentry; but the hand what takes it from ther window shall drop lifeless at its owner’s side!” All this time tbe letter in the window seemed to smile at the ill-humored crowd that contem- plated it, ‘The very letters appeared to possess a derisive grin as if they had accontplished the mission on which they had been sent to Dead Line, ““You'll report ter us ef thet insult is called for?” suddenly said Dave, wheeling upon the postmaster, “T will, but I don’t expect to see it claimed. by a Dead Liner,” ‘Ov course not,” ‘Do you really mean to say that you will hang the.man that claims it?” : ‘* We mean nothin’ else!” ns Tt might be claimed by somebody just in sport. oes. af PY No difference! It’s hangin’ all the same!” The crowd drew off, cursing the letter and its ee sender, and its members separated in different parts of the border town, Clover Phil went back into the little post. office and took down the objectionable letter, « “ Td like ter know what it means myself,” he murmured, as be turned it over and over in his his eye could penetrate to its secrets, “Tf may be intended for a huge. joke. jae it is, it doesn’t strike the boys. 6 don’t take ter jokes in Dead Line. I half b'lieve with Dave thet this letter war written for 4 mean insult. better keep his distance, | Dead Line’s no baby town; it’s more ov a devil’s den,” Clover Phil finally restored the letter to its place in the window, no wiser than when he took it down, and turned away with a wistful glance which threatened to get the better of his curiosity if it was not soon claimed. Five minutes later a man drew rein in front © hands and held it up to the light, in hopes that — ( i 4 | f Ther writer knew nobody hyer’d claim it, He'd — | ss

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of the post-office, and with a smile leaned for- ward and read, in audible tones, the superscrip- tion on the rejected letter. He bestrode an elegant horse, black as the : ea shroud, and he matched the animal } well. a Large, well-limbed and handsome, with a swarthy, almost Mexican face, piercing black j eyes, and long hair that fell over his shoulders, he would have attracted attention anywhere. He bad just entered Dead Line, for there was dust on his high top-boots, and his horse looked like an animal that had galloped far since sun- rise. The day was waning fast, but there was ‘enough light left to show the new-comer the legend on the irritating letter in the window. “To the ugliest galoot in Dead Line, eh?’ he suddenly laughed in a ringing voice that held spellbound the man on the inside. ‘ Hello, Clover Phil} Can’t you deliver this letter?” : In response to these words Clover Phil appear- ; ed in the doorway. . “* Nobody wants it, it seems,” be said is *T'll take it,” was the response, ; ** You?” 4 “Why not? Or perhaps nobody not a citizen i} _ oy this saints’ rest will be allowed to claim it?” “ Thar’s no restrictions, i b’lieve, but—” [ * Toss it over, then!” : The postmaster of Dead Line City hesitated. “Don’t you want me to have it?” asked the _ mounted man, fixing his black eyes on Clover “Tf you insist—” ‘* By heavens! I insist!” was the interruption. “T claim thet letter. I freely acknowledge thet I’m ther ugliest galoot in Dead Line, at this writin’. Give me my mail!” A significant glance passed between the two men as Clover Phil stepped back and took the ; objectionable letter from the window. * . “Hyer it is,” he said, reappearing with the letter between his fingers. ‘I don’t pretend ter ____, know what’s on the inside. It’s stirred up the r Dead Line tigers, thet I know, 1 never saw ’em { so riled before. My opinion is thet it would be safer fer you ter open this letter out ov town.” “Your opinion?” echoed the stranger. ‘*Do you charge anything for it?” * Nota red!” “Good! ve struck one liberal soul in Dead Line. Now, why had I best read this letter out 0? town?” ® é “ Because the boys hev determined ter hang the man what claimed it.” A defiant twinkle made the eyes of the stran- ger dance, “‘ Whar ar’ the boys?’ he asked, ‘I want ter see ver crowd,” _ Glover Phil threw a quick glance over the | horse, for not far away stood a crowd of twenty men anxiously regarding the stranger. ‘“Thet’s ther party, eh?” cried the claimant, looking at the group, and the next moment he rose in his broad stirrups and held the letter above his head. . “T claim this document!” he exclaimed, shak- ing the still sealed letter, “Thar warn’t a ga- 2 loot in yer whole town brave enough to ask fer it, I understand that ye’r’ goin’ ter noose ther og Sine BL ‘after all. = <a ee Men es - IMs De hoe = ~ * Daisy Dave, the ‘Colorado Galoot. 3 man what should lay claim ter it, Dna yer vic- tim, men ov Dead Line. Why don’t you come forward an’ proceed with yer hangin’? Foremost in the crowd stood Daisy Dave, who a few minutes before was so eager to avenge the “insult” that had been offered the city, but he did not advance a single step, “Twenty against one an’ the twenty lacks sand!” continued the stranger with a laugh. “When [ come ag’in I'll find ye in a hangin’ bumor, mebbe, This letter may belong ter me, Til Jeave my name on ther window for yer information.” Dropping back in the saddle, he leaned to~ ward the window and sélecting a certain pane at a glance, he wrote hastily across it for a mo- ment with a diamond ring that glittered on one of his fingers. “Thar!” he said, straightening again and facing theastonished crowd, ‘ Thar’smy name, entlemen. I b'long ter the Taos menagerie an’ ’m the biggest tiger ov ther boss cage! Fare thee well, but not forever! I talk ov makin’ Dead Line my headquarters for a spell. Good- night, my mountain lynchers!” A moment later the man was riding like wild- fire down the main thoroughfare of Dead Line City, and the crowd of roughs were gazing after him in speechless amazement. All at once Dave bounded toward the post- office, and when he halted in front of the window he had the whole gang at his back. “Thar’s bis name, sure enough!” exclaimed Dave. ‘He's writ it in thet glass ter stay!” Yes, cut into the pane by the keen diamond of the stranger was a name whose very brevity seemed to possess a terrible meaning. “ Captain Clutch |” The Dead Liners stared at it without a word, ~ until Clover Philbroke the silence. ao we ever hang that galoot, boys?” he ed. “Yes, if it takes every inch ov Tope in Dead Line!” grated Daisy Dave. “Cap'n Clutch! T don’t know ’im, but thet makes no difference, He’s got ter swing!” Scarcely had the last words left the speaker’s lips ere the rapid gallop of a horse was heard, and a minute later a man drew rein in the very center cf the crowd, What a contrast there was between Captain Clutch and this person, His face was a dark copper color, his hair an ornamented scalp-lock; te was entirely naked to the waist. “Great heavens!” ejaculated Daisy Dave, under his breath, ‘*On whose trail is that red detective now?” CHAPTER IT. THE COMANCHE’S REVELATION. Tue Indian who had appeared so suddenly among the mountain ruffians was no stranger in Dead Line City. ; Tinie and again he had made his appearance in town, and always apparently on a mission, Rumor had it that Velvet Foot was in the em- ploy of the Government as a detective, to ferret out and run down a band of men who had in-

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. SS ee fested the Colorado-New Mexican stage-routes, until they had terrorized @ great scope of couu- wy, with their stern ‘ stand-and-delivers.” *By Jove! you've come too late, Comanche,” said Clover Phil. ‘‘ We've just parted company with a reg’lar character, Thar’s his trade- mark on the window yonder, Can ye make it out?” The old detective’s eye followed the direction indicated by the postmaster’s finger, and sud- _ denly caught sight of the name scrawled on the ass. “Who cut it?” was the sententious question that parted his lips as he glanced at the expect- ant crowd. “ Doesn’t it tell you?” “‘Velyet Foot can’t read white man’s silent lingo.” “Oh, you can’t? Wal. That's the name ov Cap'n Clutch. Heard ov ’im, eh?” f Velvet Foot had ever heard the name of the man from Taos he did not betray himself; his countenance was perfectly immobile, and his eyes told nothing. *¢ You kin fool some people, Ingin, but trump my best hand ef I’m in that catalogue,” muttered Dave, ‘‘I've watched thet face ov yourn too long to be fooled now. When it looks thet way it tells me suthin’. You know Cap’n Clutch an’ you’ve got to tell me who he is.” Just then Dave happened to catch the Indian’s eye, and giving him a look that was full of meaning, he moved away, certain that he had aroused the Comanche’s curiosity enough to cause him to follow. Nor was Dave mistaken, for five minutes later, while he waited in the shadow of a shanty, the red-skin came 3 “Couldn’t keep back, ha?’ grinned the Dead Liner. “Give me an Injun for wantin’ ter know suthin’ every time.” With the noiseless movement of the panther, Velvet Foot slid from bis horse and alighted at Dave's feet. ““What white man’s wink mean?” asked the Comanche. ‘ Velvet Foot is here.” “So I see,” and the Colorado Galoot looked the red-skin over from head to foot. ‘I’m hyer ter talk about Cap’n Clutch. You know every- thing, Comanche, at least they say you do. You couldn’t fool me with yer face while yer looked at ther name thet Taos galoot cut inter Clover Phil’s glass. I'ma close student ov human na- ture, reddy, and the moment I saw yer eyes strike thet name, thet moment I knowed you hed heard of itafore. I don’t just know thet boss tiger ov ther Taos menagerie, but by thun- der! if he shows up_hyer ag’in, we’Jl become ac- quainted. Who is he, anyhow?” ‘* Was it to say this that Dave's eyesummoned Velvet Foot hither?” was the Indian’s answer, as he stepped back, a look of disgust on his fea- tures, ‘‘ Mebbe it war an’ mebbe it warn’t,” returned the Dead Liner. ‘‘Ef my question trespassed on one ov them secrets ye pretend ter carry around, yer needn’t answer. But I know this: thet Capi Clutch is not unknown to you. Mebbe, by George! you ar’ pards!” Instantly a flash of resentment lit up the depths of the Comanche’s piercing eyes, “Velvet Foot keeps some things to himself,’ was his significant retort, ** All right! but you ought to know, an’ I'll tell you hyer, thet Dead Line hes a right ter know who and what thet fellaris, Will you tell me?” Before he replied the Comanche threw bim- self upon the back of bis horse, and then turn- ing quickly upon Daisy Dave, said in a whisper: ee Cantal Clutch hates every galoot in Dead Line!” ; “He does, eh?” cried Dave. ‘‘ Hang me! ef I didn’t think I saw hatred in his eyes ther first time I caught ’em. Wal, thar’s no love lost, Comanche. I kin speak fer ther hull crowd, an’ assure ye ov thet. Hates us all, does he? In what way did Dead Line ever cross his path?” ‘Belt me wh otiat ‘ell me who that Taos tiger is,” he said. “You'll be doin’ Dead Line a taker an’ ae what may, we'll all stand by you.” “Velvet Foot never calls for help when on a trail,” responded the Indian, proudly. “He always gets tothe end of it without assistance.” *‘Ov course, but thar will come a time when you'll want help, It comes some time in the life of every man, white or red.” — Dave ceased, and waited for the expected revelation, but the lips of the Indian did not move. “Not goin’ ter tell me, eh?’ exclaimed the | Colorado Galoot in suppressed passion. ‘“ This is another ov yer infernal secrets. See hyer, Velvet Foot. Hevun’t you got sense enough ter see thet ef Dead Line turns ag’in’ ye, they’ll ‘make this kentry too hot fer ther Comanche») rt ov Uncle” Sam’s y? An Injun in this claim never gains anything by beiv’ stubborn, Very well! Ef you don’t want ter give Cap’n Clutch away, keep ther secret, an’ take ther con- gi eee Good-night.” Jave'’s conelusion was so abrupt that it aston- ished the Comanche, and ere he recovered, the mad Dead Liner had turned his back to him and was deliberately walking away. ‘* Hol! ho! eome back, Dave!” called Velvet Foot, and the suddenness with which the ruffian turned was ludicrous, 5 ain He came forward again with a face lit up with expectancy, and halted once more beside the Indian. : “ Now,” his eyes said. ‘‘Tell me what you know about Cap’n Clutch.” Velvet Foot continued to regard the Dead Liner for a moment longer and then spoke: -* Captain Clutch is one of the twin brothers,” “My God! no!” cried Dave, Then his old name is—” 7 “Captain Theobald,” finished the Comanche. Daisy Dave almost bounded from the ground. “The boys must know this right away,” he announced. ‘He said he war comin’ back, Cap'n Theobald, eb? Mebbe be’ll want ter sarve Dead Line the way we s’arved Pistol Pocket City a few years ago Aan i play, Comanche, but jbe sha’n’t succeed hyer! Tl post the boys an’ we'll got ready for him. Like enough he’s got a hull menagerie oy tigers at his back, but what of that? He sha’n’t treat us ez we once treated him, By heavens! he shall not, Velvet Foot!” ; It would only be fair

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_. Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. _ Impressed with the belief that instant action had to be taken, Dave was about to bound away when the red hand of the Indian fell upon his shoulder. “Listen to Velvet Foot,” he commanded, in stern tones. ‘I am ona trail that leads—” “Go to glory!” interrapted the mountain rough, ‘Foller yer trail, but don’t try to dic- tate ter Dead Line. The boys shall know who Cap’n Clutch is an’ what he’s after, I didn’t recognize him, an’ yet I might hev caught ther right flash ov bis eyes. I’d like ter know who saved him when he war tied to a tree in ther midst ov a burnin’ camp? But that’s not ter be thought of now. We know thet he’s found us all an’ thet’s enough. I’!l post the boys.” Dave broke from the Indian’s grasp and start- off. The eyes of the red-skin glowed like two coals of fire as he wheeled his ho se and started after the Dead Liner. “Velvet Foot says ‘stand /’” he called out. ‘Stand I will, but itll be death to you!” was the retort, and the hand of Dave whipped forth a revolver as heturned. ‘“* By the eterna]! no Comanche spy shall interfere with Dead Line’s business!” Up went the weapon, but ere it covered the red-skin he was upon Dave like a jaguar, and the next second the hand that knocked the pistol down dealt a staggering blow full in the face that almost lifted the huge Dead liner off his feet. ~ _ Daisy Dave measured his length on the ~ ground,and the Comanche,remounting his horse, spurred him over the body and shot through the ~ town like a bounding rocket. As he passed the group still in front of the post-office, he saluted them with a strange cry and disappeared the next instant in the direction taken by Captain Clutch, “Thet Injun’s up to something,” remarked _ Clover Phil. ‘Thar’s a link between him an’ ‘the hound thet euchered us out ov thet letter. My prediction is thet we ar’ goin’ ter hev a time. “ An’ a bloody time, too!” grated the man, who startled the entire group. “I tell you thet Cap’n Clutch is ther old Cap’n Theobald oy Pis- tol Pocket, an’—” _ *Fire—fire!” was the terrible interruption, and into the midst of the tough of Dead Line sprung a beautiful Young girl, whose face was pee itself and whose eyes were all excite- ment. “Don’t you see that Dead Line is doomed?” she continued, pointing toward the southern portion of the town where several cabins were burning. ‘‘A man with a torch did itall. I saw bim plainly—a giant, with a laced jacket and long, black hair.” _ “Captain Clutch!” vociferated a dozen mem- bers of the crowd. No!” yelled Dave; ‘‘ Cap’n Theobald!” CHAPTER IIL. A SPECIMEN ROUGH. Ir took no second look to tell the roughs of Dead Line that their mountain resort was doomed, For a moment they stood maddened and dazed by the flames that leaped skyward above the cluster of wooden shanties they had attack- ed; then, with revolvers drawn, they dashed toward the menaced quarter. ‘The coward has vamosed! He has actom- plished his work,” said Clover Phil. ‘ Thar ar’ a few things in Dead Line thet kin be saved. We gain nothin’ by standin’ hyar. This is Cap- tain Theobald’s revenge for ther burnin’ ov Pistol Pocket, but we'll more than loop ‘im for it!” With one accord the ruffians sent a yell of 1age and vengeance toward the stars, and turned back to save certain things from the, shanties yet untouched but in the path of the flames, Meanwhile, standing among some bushes that grew half-way up a lofty eminence was a hand- some man surveying with flashing eyes and folded arms the burning of Dead Line. “They thought they had me once! the fools!” fell from his lips. ‘* I’ve carried the war into Africa, but not until I had waited till their af- fairs war in prosperous condition, I held off until Dead Line war larger than Pistol Pocket war when the flames ateitup. They thought they had seen the last ov Captain Theobald when they left him tied to a tree in the midst ov ther burnin’camp! Ha! they didn’t know with whom they war dealin’, I’m the boss tiger of the New Mexican menagerie. I changed ay, name fora purpose, an’ for bai Ihave held o for this time. ‘They didn’t discover when I rode away with the letter awhile ago that I am Cap- tain Theobald. They may have heard of Cap- tain Clutch, but I doubt it.” The burning town was a grand spectacle, and it made the eyes of the speaker glisten with de- ight. From where he stood be saw the Dead Liners moving hither and thither as they worked to rescue some things from the fire, and not until the last one had taken refuge among the moun- tains did he stir an inch, ““My vengeance, galoots of Dead Line!” he suddenly exclaimed, _‘‘ Whar’s yer ruffians’ den to-night? Dve burned ye out like a lot ov rats; but the end is not yet. No, the worst is yet ter come!” He disappeared as if by magic, and while the last shanties fed the wind-swept flames, the place where he stood resumed its old appear- ance. “The old home’s gone, curse that demon!” grated the youngest member of the party con- gregated in the mountain pass, “But we'll build a better one,” said the young girl, with resolution in eyes and voice as she tnrned upon him. “I hate this Captain Clutch, as they call him. Once, as he was firing the second shanty, I had a chance to shoot him, but before I could get the weapon he had van- ished, Another moment, Ivan, and he would have fallen in his tracks.” : 5 “Pm glad you didn’t drop him, Princess,” said the young man, : “Tt might have sayed a part of the town,” “But it would have cheated us of some choice vengeance.” : “Do you expect to get even with Captain Cluteh?*

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eens 6 Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. “ Ay, that I do!” “When?” “The first time I meet him, and I hope noth- ing will delay the hour!” “JT would hasten it if ) could,” answered the girl. ‘But what about the letter he carried from the post-office, to-night?” “Tt didn’t amount to much, only the boys looked upor it asan insult to Dead Line. It was addressed to the ughest person in the city. * And no one would claim it?” interrupted the girl with a smile, “ Nobody but Captain Clutch.” “Ho! ho! why didn’t I know it was at the office? It should not have wanted a claimant long.” : Ivan the youth stared into his companion’s ace, *‘ What! would you have claimed it, girl?” he cried. ‘Why not?” “ But it didn’t fit you!” “Oh, that would have made no difference,” ‘The boys, though, had sworn that no citizen of Dead Line should claim the letter. That's how it came to fall into Captain Clutch’s hands.” “T would like to know what the Captain read when he broke the seal, Wouldn’t you, Ivan?” “Oh, I don’t care,” was the careless rejoin- der. ‘I expect it was something like an April fool letter, not worth thetearingopen. Captain Clutch is welcome toit for all I care, but I hate him for what he did to-night; that’s it, Princess Pet. I didn’t help burn Pistol Pocket City which was this demon’s delight; I had no hand in the banging of his twin brother, though, on general principles, I guess both de- served the noose.” “But turn about is fair play, Ivan, I am told.” “Perhaps it is, but I hate Captain Clutch all the same. Two hours ago you had a home, girl; now, by the accursed act of the Taos Tiger, you have none! I more than half believe that that Comanche brave isin league with the cap; tain. They both reached Dead Line not an hour apart, and. both rode off in the same di- rection. Then when Dave was about to tell the boys that Captain Clutch and Captain Theobald were one and the same person, this Indian knocked him sensless, They're in league, I say, and woe to that so-called Indian detective if a Dead Liner gets the drop on him, Let him look out if I get it!” ne Princess Pet would have replied if a stern voice had not rung out in startling tones, and the young couple turned to find themselves con- fronted by more than one-half of the banded Dead Liners, with the stalwart figure of Dave at their head, “‘ Thet’s the man I accuse!” cried Dave and his outstretched fingers described Ivan who invyol- untarily recoiled a pace, ‘(We can’t have p'isen among us at this time, I say. I say thet ef thet galoot hedn’t been among us to-night, Cap’n Clutch would never hev come!” A thrilling silence followed Dave’s close. ‘““ What's that?” exclaimed the girl, fixing her eyes on the mountain rough. ‘‘lvan has done nothing wrong. He never knew that Captain Clutch existed untilhe saw him get the mys- terious letter.” *T'm through, boys!” went on Dave. he stands, Cap’n Cluteh’s spy!. Ef you want thet kind o’ truck in camp, keep bim ter keep thet Taos Tiger posted, I'll git out ov yer way.” “You will hear me first!” suddenly exclaimed Ivan, and a mad stride carried him toward the Dead Liner. ‘‘ Prove that I ever gave the New Mexican monster aid and comfort, and I will put the rope around my own neck. I proclaim the words of Dave an infamous lie!” “T swear to you before heaven that that youngster is Cap'n Clutch’s spy an’ pard. We ar’ both before you. —mine er his? Thar he stands,” “Liar! By heavens! you sha’n’t escape me!” | cried Ivan, the accused. Up went the pistol his right hand clutched; but before it could cover the ruflian’s head, Princess Pet threw herself upon his outstretched arm and broke it down, ‘No! Let the viper crawl away,” she cried, looking into Ivan’s face. ‘‘The-lie is too trans- parent to set one man against you, Daisy Dave, I will vouch for this man’s loyalty.” “ Look hyer, my mountain pansy! You're hable ter get inter trouble by championin’ thet young badzer’s cause. You've seen me a thou- Sand times, but, by heaven! you don’t know me yet! Goin’ ter stand by thet chap, eh?” ‘* Ves!” flashed the young girl’s eyes. “Stand by him, then! I hed an idea it had gone about this far. Thar he stands, boys— Capp Clutch’s spy an’ pard! Don’t mind the girl. the traitor,” and the Colorado Galoot turne and walked away. CHAPTER IV. THE GIRL TAKES A HAND. “Vs!” broke from the youth’s lips as he sent a mad look after the retreating tough. ‘If I am a traitor pull me up to the handiest limb. I will speak no more for myself,” The Dead Liners looked nonplused; but Clover Phil, the postmaster, broke the silence, ‘Give the boy a chance,” he said, with a quick look at the beautiful girl. ‘ We don’t know that he is in league with our enemy. Dave has accused, but he furnishes no proof.” “Give him a chance to speak,” said Ivan, “T am willing that my accusers should be heard.” It was surely a dramatic scene, the dark-faced judges in the mountaia pass, the bold accuser, the victim, and the only true friend he seemed to have, a young girl, not more than eighteen, The light of burning Dead Line had subsided, and the only kind that revealed the thrilling scene came from the stars that studded the un- clonded canopy of the skies. ; “Now, Dave, vou kin talk,” said Clover Phil. “What dol know? Now watch thet young- — ster thar an’ see im wince, Three nights ago he sneaked out of Dead Line an’ put a letter under a stone at a sart’in place, which it is oumecessary fer me ter locate. I saw ther hull operation, By an’ by, just when I war about ter nail thet dockement ter see what he war up ter, I sawa “Thar } hose word will you take Til look after her: you deal with recent i Ys ie cpa = War v i ee oe res

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Sle: sbi Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. 7 horse comin’ up. On thet crittur war_a man who hed long hair an’ a laced jacket. Wal, he got down an’ felt under ther mountain post-office till he tackled ther letter. Is thet a lie, Ivan?” and Dave whirled upon the young man. “T went to the stone,” was the quick reply, “{ put a letter under it, but not for Captain Cluteh.” “Half confessed to, but the whole story ac- knowledged,” said Dave. ‘‘ Wal, I follered ther man in ther laced jacket, but ho gave me ther slip. But,” and the speaker’s hand disappeared beneath his dark shirt. - he dropped his letter on ther trail, and fate guided me to it. Dve got it hyer, Ivan, my daisy spy! Oh, yer can’t deny yer own writin’. Hyer it is—ther identical let- ter Captain Theobald, er Captain Clutch ez he calls himself, took from under that stone. Strike alight. I offer it in evidence.” The hand of Dave extended the letter as he finished, and Clover Phil, who seemed to be judge advocate of the border court, advanced to take it. At the same time the crack of a lucifer was heard, and tho flame produced revealed the anx- ious faces of all. Ivan had fastened a curious look on the piece of paper which had just passed from Dave’shands into the Clover Phil’s possession. “Can it be that my enemy has the letter I left under the stone?” he murmured. “I am not .ashamed of it, but not for the world would [ have it fall in their hands. It was never in- tended for them.” Clover Phil unfolded the letter, and after giv- ing some directions about the position of the little torch, be proceeded to read it. “Hello! what’s this?” suddenly exclaimed the postmaster of Dead Line, and he threw a glance through his long lashes at Daye, who stood erect, with folded arms and black eyes that blazed with, victory. ‘Read an’ see,” he snapped. ‘I offer thet letter in evidence. By Jove! it would stretcha seraph’s neck!” *They’re all together,” said Clover Phil, reading aloud. ‘“ Now’s ther time to strike the den. You must not forget Pistol Pocket. captain. Let your vengeance be as terrible as the oath you have taken!” The roughs of Dead Line Jooked blankly and horrified at one another as Clover Phil reached the end of the letter. “Thar!” blurted Dave. ‘How does thet strike ye, pards ov Dead Line? Thet’s ther letter 1 found in the trail just after Cap'n Clutch left ther mountain post-office,” All eyes were turned upon Ivan, who seemed to draw a breath of relief. The postmaster was white, since reading that letter he had lost all color, and the document actually shook in his hands. “What do you say, Ivan?” he asked, address- the young man. rincess Pet glided closer to him ere he spoke, “Tf that is your letter, you are doomed,” she said in low tones, “For heaven’s sake, He waited to hear no more, but stepping fearlessly forward, he halted before them ali and threw his right hand solemnly toward the Stars. . ‘* You’ve listened to Daisy Dave’s statement; now hear mine!” he shouted. ‘‘I swear in the presence of heaven itself that I never penned a line of that infamous letter. It is the work of a traitor, but not mine. It may have been found under the stone; but I never put it there, and the man who says I wrote it lies from his heart!” 3 “Thank Heaven!” ejaculated the girl, but her words were drowned by the coarse, brutal laugh of Dave, ‘Lyin’ it to ther end, boys!” he laughed. “‘He went to thet stone thet night; he says he did. He put a letter under it; he doesn’t deny thet, an’ ther paper Clover Phil just read is ther only one Cap’n Clutch found thar. I’m ther galoot thet says he wrote thet paper thet invited the boss Tiger ov Taos ter Dead Line. He may say thet I lie from the heart. 1 don’t care, turn him over to you. You ar’ court an’ jury; I’m only witness. Give me the paper back, Clover.” “Yd like to keep it,” and the postmaster of Dead Line refu to extend the document which had doomed the youth. “Wal, keep it then,” said Dave. ‘lt's nothin’ ter me arter it has accomplished its pur- pose. It fetched Cap’n Clutch ter Dead Line. Go back an’ look at ther old town while Ivan ther traitor pleads for mercy. Pards ov Dead Line, believe thet letter an hang the traitor what wrote it.” Ivan, proudly erect, did not blanch. “Arrest bim!? said Clover Phil, and then he added to the youth: “Boy, I guess thet letter is all the evidence we want, It’s bad evidence, but black an’ white never lies.” A dozen men stepped toward the accused, who instinctively recoiled. He was in the dark shadow of the lynchers’ noose, “You shall not!” suddenly rung out the clear yoice of the girl, and before the foremost man could lay hands on Ivan, she sprung forward and landed between him and them, “ There is no signature to that letter—” ‘“T should reckon not. Traitors never sign ~ their names,” sneered Dave. “ Arrest him!” again commanded Clover Phil. All at once Princess Pet wheeled upon Ivan, who since his challenge to fight the king of the Dead Line toughs, bad not put up his re- volver. The next moment she tore the weapon from his grasp, and had whirled upon the Dead Line esta before one could comprehend her inten- jon. ““Stand!” she exclaimed, and up went the hand that now clutched the astonished Ivan’s revolver, ‘‘ There is a traitor in camp, but men do not call him Ivan!” ‘Ho! hol” sbouted Dave. ‘ Ar’ you galoots goin’ ter let a gal eucher the hull crowd? Clover Phil, is that ther kind oy a stand ye make fer Dead Line?” Dead Line’s Boss colored deeply and came to- ward the girl. “Halt!” she said, in the sternest of tones. “ Another step, Clover Phil, and I will send a

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bullet through your head! You know that Ivan is no traitor, and, what is more, you know who the traitor is!” Clover Phil was seen to halt, and then to re- coil a step, as if the girl’s last words were an arrow that had gone home, “JT speak for the boy!” exclaimed a loud voice that came down from a point above the heads of the crowd, ‘Ivan is no traitor, He never wrote the letter that has just been read. The Taos Tigor’s spy an’ pard stands among you now\” Not a man stirred while these words were being spoken, and as the last one died away the voice of Princess Pet sounded in tones of triumph. “Vindicated!” she exclaimed. ‘‘Ivan is not the traitor, but the Taos Tiger’s pard stands in our midst,” “Yes,” cried Dave, ‘‘ Vindicated, as you say, but by whom? Go up thar an’ look into ther face ov Ivan’s vindicator!” ‘Yes, come up an’ face the red trailer of the Comanches,” came down from above, ‘* Come and let me pick out the traitor.” * Velvet Foot!” cried Princess Pet, CHAPTER V. THE CAPTAIN SHOOTS, TRERE was a flash of triumph and pride in the young girl’s eyes. Dave, who had recoiled a foot and whipped out his revolvers, was throwing fierce looks up the mountain-side. He knew that voico, he knew that Velvet Foot, the Comanche, was the speaker, the Indian who, a few minutes, scarcely an hour, before, sent him reeling to the ground with a tremendous blow. “Don’t I know that red ruffian?’ he grated. ‘* It’s the infernal brute thet sent me tumblin’ for’ard in Dead Line. ‘ Yes,” to Princess Pet, ‘stand beside thet youngster an’ call ’im vindi- cated, Ef the pards ov Dead Line want ter take testimony like ther Injun’s, all right! I sha’n’t object, but by heavens! Vl settle with Velvet Foot afore he’s an hour older!” * You'd better not,” said the girl. Dave received this admonition with a derisive laugh, and stepped back, “We ar’ goin’ to give you a chance,” said Clover Phil, addressing Ivan, ‘‘Thar isn’t a man ov Dead Line who wants to believe you a traitor, not one, But ther evidence ov the letter found under the bowlder—” ‘Tt wasn’t found there! Dave admits that he found it in the trail, some distance from the stone, I never wrote a line ofit. Iam not the traitor.” ** We'll try you a while longer, Ivan. If we find out thet you hey played Dead Line false at any time, your neck won’t be worth a copper.” The youth smiled, ‘*T am willing,” ho said, Meanwhile the figure of a man was creeping up the shadowed trail of the mountain. He was not alone, for he led the advance of a little party of five men like himself, dark-faced, evil-eyed, and goaded forward by a fierce deter- mination, “TJ failed ter get ther boy hung, but the next e Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot, time I'll manage it better. I hed ter strike if don't.” hard, but I’m afraid I overdid the bizness. “ Neithe can’t b’lieve Iyan a traitor, I asked ’em | Thed b'lieve too much, By an’ by—” x ov us He was stopped by the touch of a hand, apyr ow? " turning his head he looked into the face {njun, bu one of the men who had been creeping at strike hi back, loye-mak ‘* Wal, Placer, what’s up?” he asked, { Daisy - ‘* We can’t corral thet red-skin,” was the apad grov swer, 7 “One “Can't, eh? Foller me a little further a ‘Sail see,” “wh “Do you expect to find him whar he war ‘Jus few minutes ago?” She's p! “‘Mebbe not, but we'll strike his trail, lose bis tell you that Velvet Foot an’ Captain Clutch 4 “What do I “Wal, sir, it’s a lie—an Injun lie told ter shiel’, mean an’ ter save the Comanche’s friend.” In ** Tvan?” six Pp ** Who else would it save?” terec **T don’t know.” and “Ov course ye don’t. I tell you, pards, thet; ‘*' ef thet boy, van, hed died in his mother’s) othe r afte me arms, Capt’n Clutch would never hey come ter) Dead Line to-night,” the ruffian continued. “f£ know it. An’ you chaps stood by an’ neem Ce lifted a band for vengeance.” ee ae ** We looked to Clover Phil.” =, yon! “To thet chicken-hearted galoot?” sneered) Wi Dave. “He won’t do anything when thar’s a woman’s eyes on him till he’s pushed to the un wall. The day we took Ivan inter camp war wi a black one for Dead Line. We didn’t think it n¢ would turn out thus, but I warn’t long seein’ cE the drift ov things, When thet black hosg i By came inter ther town with a senseless, frozen boy tied to ther saddle, none oy us expected | § thet he would turn traitor some day, an’ thus — r pay us all for warmin’ him back inter life. No, » sir; nobody dreamed ov treachery, then. An \ when, @ year later, we accidently run across an old wagon on ther old Durango trail, an? — found it ter contain a half-starved girl, we didn’t think thet afterward thet same girl would step between the young traitor an’ jus- tice, You all know thet thet’s how we got on to thet precious pair back yonder. It’s no secret, but it hez turned out a sorry day for Dead Line City. Thet Cap'n Clutch is a devil. — Who knows but that he tied thet youngster on the hoss with his consent, an’ sent him inter _ Dead Line ter play spy for him? If I had thought this then, I’d hey finished his career — afore he thawed out. Ivan allus swore his — cold ride war Injun work, an’ some ov us hey bilieved him for years, but now we know it’s a Dave held the attention of his companions until he finished. They had halted on the mountain trail fifty feet about the camp of the burned out Dead Liners, and some distance from it. , “Til bet my weapons thet Clover Phil has dismissed the ‘case ag’in’ Ivan afore this,” the

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n wenton. He wants traitorsin camp, but don’t,” ‘* Neither do we!” was the quick response. | “Then let us resolve ter hev none, Thar ar’ . hand ix ov us hyer—enough ter run things, ter hev 16 facebur own way! Woe came up hyer ter corral thet pin Injun, but he’s lit out afore this, though we kin at strike his trail, No traitors in camp, an’ no ilove-makin’, either, We'll shake on this!” S the py, Daisy Dave held out his hand to the men who © &had grouped themselves about him. ri “One question first,” said one of the five. er a Sail in, Placer.” : h | “What do you mean by love-makin’?” @war «Just what I said, Thar’s a girl in camp. trail She's pretty as a picter, an’ somebody’s liable ter Jose bis heart.” lutch “To you mean Ivan?” { T mean everybody, but the boy in particular he Saic ov course. No man must make love ter Princess ne rea) Pet while we seek ter avenge the burnin’ ov eee Thats: satist ctory, D: No trait ? ; et’s satisfa ave. No itors an’ schoed, no love-makin’, Pact the motto in all its Shiel’ meanings! We'll shake over it now.” In the ghostly shadows of rock and tree the six pards of Dead Line shook hands and regis- | tered in Heaven a terrible oath to hang the first, % and to break up the second. fh he "One came ter Dead Line on a hoss, ther ers’ other was found in an old wagon,” said Dave ‘© ter’ after the oath, ‘* We've got ter look after both. “f One already has been caught writin’ letters ter Cap’n Clutch, an’ tother, the girl, steps between him an’ the noose, Now for the Injun.” ') Once more the ruffian band glided forward red} with the bully of Dead Line in the van. i “Ym fixin’ things for the future,” he said 8 under his breath, ‘The boys will make short var work oy Ivan, The youngster’s got no show it now, even if Cloyer Phil an’ tke rest ov the nD camp take a stand for him. Ym goin’ ter win in Oss this game, The first time I looked into thet en -ri¢kety old wagon the reds left on the trail an’ toa halt more thana hundred feet above the camp, but the spot where they expected to find Velvet Foot they found vacant, although a moc- casin track in the soft earth of tke trail told them that it had lately been tenanted. ‘es “T want ter choke out ov thet red-skin the Gh name of the man he calls a traitor,” growled Fa Daisy Dave. ‘An’ I wouldn’t mind meetin’ Cap'n Clutch.” ; : __ “Is that so, Daisy Dave?” sung out a voice so stern and clear that the half-dozen involun- tarily recoiled at the same moment, ‘ Thet’s what I said,”stammered the Colorado Galoot, ‘“* Wal, hyer I am!” and there stepped into the F trail a veritable giant who was easily seen de- spite the uncertain light of the stars, Proudly erect he stood, with his light som- brero thrown back, revealing a broad though ed / gaw yer half-starved face, Princess, I said to us myself, ‘Hyer’s a bonanza ov beauty, Dave,’ 5 an’ I’ve watched you ever since. Now let thet a boy try ter cheat me out ov my stake, let any 7 liyin’ man try it if he dares! At my back ar’ five : ov the best pards ov Dead Line, an’ ef I can’t 4 win with them I ought ter lose the game,” . ‘en minutes later the Comanche trailers came t | Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot, swarthy forehead, and a handsome face whose main ornament was a Mexicanish mustache. The Dead Liners recognized him in the twink- ling of an eye. *Cap’n Clutch!” they ejaculated. “The man from Pistol Pocket, a place which afew years ago went up in smoke like your town hes done to-night. ou Tather wanted to see me, Dave. Wal, look yer eyes out.” Silence seemed to have placed a seal on the lips of Daisy Dave, Scarcely more than fifteen feet separated Cap- tain Clutch and the banded six of Dead Line. The latter saw the gleaming revolver-barrels that drooped below the Taos ‘Tiger’s hands. ‘“Hands up! every mother’s son oy ye!” sud- denly shouted Captain Clutch as up went the revolvers and covered the desperadves in his path, ‘‘Handsup er die whar ye stand! I’m no boy, galoots ov Dead Line!” Dave glanced at his pards, ‘* Up!” he said, in a whisper, which was almost ahiss. ‘‘ The drop is ag’in’ us, Accommodate the Taos hyena.” The next moment twelve dark hands were lifted above the heads of the halted Dead Liners, and Captain Clutch’s mad eye fairly snapped. “Now!” he laughed. ‘I’m goin’ ter spoil yer grips. You won’t beable ter shake with ther next friend you meet.” The last word was lost among the rapid shots of the two revolvers which the ae ruffian had thrust almost into the very faces of tke aston- “se toughs, and every bullet hit a buman hand. The flashes of the captain’s revolvers were in- Coatauity the many shots seemed one continuous sound, “ That’s for Pistol Pocket!” he exclaimed, as the wounded ruffians fairly danced and yelled in their pain, ‘‘ I’m the boss tiger ov ther Taos menagerie, an’ I’ve been unchained for a spell, Thad a brother once, but the louts ov Dead Line City lengthened his neck! Turn about’s fair play, my mountain lizards! Craw] back to camp an’ show yer hands!” He turned away, but there sprung after him a man who dared him to halt, **Do you want to die now, Dave?” he hissed, wheeling upon the Dead Liner, “I had re- served you for a different fate, but if you want to go, take that!” here was another shot, and Daisy Dave dropped in his tracks, CHAPTER VI. » 80 DOES CLOVER PHIL, “WHat meant the letter you bid under the stone?” asked Primrose Pet, the Dead Line waif, as she looked up into Ivan’s face when the camp had Wang quiet after the accusation and its result, : Ivan looked down into the young girl’s eyes and for a moment made no Te “Tf meant no treason, neess,” he said | ee **T don’t know who wrote the letter ave found in the trail after Captain Clutch robbed the mountain post-oflice, but I did not.” “T believe that, Ivan, but you acknowledged that you hid a letter there?”

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10 Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. boas Ws 9 (6 Pag “ And it was not for Captain Clutch?” ‘‘ A thousand times no!” cried the boy, flush- ing to his temples. ‘I loathe, detest that vil- lain, I will never league myself with such a monster, and Dave knew that this accusation was a mass of lies while be was making it, There was a method in tbat devil’s madness, He hates me, and yet I never raised a hand against him.” “Let the ruffian go. I shall dismiss him from my mind,” said the girl. * But I cannot from mine,” was the response. “YT will know why he accuses me of treason.” and the young man clinched his hands, ‘Now that I am suspected. I might as well move forward.” ** Not to treachery, lvan?” ‘“No! the men down yonder are not worth be- traying. Clover Phil may be a little better than the rest, but I doubt it.” ‘* He dismissed the case against you.” “Yes, when you faced him with a cocked re- volver and dared him and his backers to ad- vance a stop,” smiled Ivan. ‘‘ Last night [ had made up my mind to leave the pards of Dead Line, now I shall remain.” “‘They may warn you off.” “Ah! that would another thing, Princess. When Dave comes back, I look for trouble.” Princess Pet might have replied if a human figure had not stepped into view, and she re- coiled with a light cry. “ Ar’ you busy, Ivan?” said the man, who was Clover Phil, late postmaster at Dead Line. “No,” answered Ivan, advancing and halt- ing before Clover Phil. ‘‘ Do you want to see me?” ‘* For a moment.” Seeing that her presence was not desired there by the Dead Liner, Princess Pet withdrew with an admonitory glance at Ivan, and the two men were alone, “T didn’t take any stock in Daisy Dave's charge from the first,” said Cloyer Phil. ‘I’m hyer ter tell yo this, Ivan, but also ter ask ye a question,” ‘© Well?” ** Who do you suspect?” ** Of what?” “Ov treason,” said the bronzed postmaster. “You heard what thet Comanche said. He eared you, an’ said thet another man is in league with Cap’n Clutch. Who is he?” “T haven’t thought,” said Ivan, with a smnile, 4 ‘Oh, you hevn’t? Don’t you think we oughter ferret the traitor out an’ heng him?” “Tt wouldn’t be a bad idea.” “T should remark thet i6 wouldn’t!” grinned Clover Phil. ‘ Hyer we ar’, with Dead Liue in ashes behind us an’ a traitorinthecamp. Hang me, ef the thought isa pleasant one! Butmebbe thet red-skin lied.” ‘‘No. I am convinced that he told the truth,” . ; The boss of Dead Line seemed to recoil an neh, ‘What proof bev you? Out with it!” “Tho proof of the letter you read before the whole camp.” ‘‘ Mebbe it warn’t written in Dead Line.” “Prove that it wasn’t, and the Indian is a | liar!” triumpbantly exclaimed Ivan, Clover Phil was silent. “*T can’t just prove that,” he said, a moment ater; ‘* but I say thet the red-skin lied, You didn’t write it; ther Injun says a Dead Liner did. Now, who writ that letter?” Ere Ivan could answer he heard a quick foot- step behind him, and before he could turn a before he could make the slightest resistance. It was the work of a second. “Not a word, youngster!’ was hissed in his ear, ‘*Wedon’t care a cuss who writ thet let- ter, Wear’ goin’ ter settle you forever!” man sprung upon bim, and clutched his throat eS ee seem FarmrO is A stride brought Clover Phil to the spot, and i Ivan saw the unmistakable gleam of triumph that lit up the ruffian’s eyes, “Yes, Ivan, we can’t have even a suspected traitor in camp these times,” he said, ‘* Horse- shoe Hank an’ I will deal with you. I didu’t like ter do it among the pards a while ago, but now, Ivan, you ar’ goin’ ter leave Dead Line forever.” ** By your hands?” flashed the youth. ‘* Kinder so,” was the quick answer. ‘* Hold him fast thar, Horseshoe, an’ march im straight ahead! Forward!” Ivan shut his teeth and said nothing, He saw that he was completely at the mercy of the two men, and as he was marched from the spot, held by Horseshoe Hank, he conld readily believe that he was going to his doom. The trail was narrow and somewhat tortuous, but the stars showed the Dead Liners the way, and not a word was spoken until Clover Puil ordered a balt and wheeled upon the prisoner, ‘ Look around you, Ivan,” he said. ‘Do you know whar you ar’?” The youth’s eyes told that he had already re- cognized the spot. ** Ah! you’ve been hyer afore, eh?” continued the postmaster rough. “ About four years ago wo brought a hoss-thief byer an’ made ’im jump from thet rock,” and the bronzed finger of tho speaker pointed to a flat rock whose surface Was as smooth as glass. ‘Stand him up thar, aie a Thar! Now step back an’ cover him, The following minute the three commands had been obeyed, and Ivan, the young Mazeppa of Coloradc, stood free on the surface of the rock, at the mercy of the two desperadoes whuso re- volvers were at his head. A step to the left and he would disappear over the edge of a precipice whose walls no man had ever measured, It was a terrible cliff, and far below its peb- bly fringe a little stream rippled over rocks that ce hag here and there like shining nuggets of silver. Not a weapon did he now possess, for the hand of Clover Phil’s pard had stripped him of all, and he was indeed helpless in the starlight before the ruffians’ eyes, Still, for all the danger he did not quail. The horror of the situation did not daunt him; he even seemed to increase an inch in stature as he gave the Dead Liners look for look, , ‘Your days ar’ numbered,” suddenly said ia pl Syawe

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if Clover Phil. ‘ You’ve been a Jonah ter Dead Line ever since thet black hoss brought you from Heaven knows whar. Now, before you go, answer two questions.” Ivan made no reply with lips, but his eyes shot defiance into the cruel orbs of Clover Phil, and told the tough that he had more than met his match in courage, ‘‘Did the Injuns really tie ye to that hoss?” asked the postmaster, who displayed a good deal of eagerness as he leaned forward, anxious not to mates a word of Ivan’s reply. “T have told Dead Line so a thousand times,” was the answer, “ An? you ar’ goin’ ter stick to it to the last?” o Yes, i “Allright. Now, who in yer candid opinion wrote the letter that told Cap'n Clutch ter come ter Dead Line?” ““The only man in Dead Line who was cool enough to write such a letter.” A hasty step carried the postmaster forward. *\ What's that?” he cried. ‘‘ Do you mean—” He stopped suddenly, for just then a number of revolver-shots greeted the ears of all, and Horseshoe Hank so far forgot himself as to turn about with an exclamation. My God! Clover Phil,” he cried, ‘‘ Dave has found the Injun!” Cloyer Phil did not speak until the last report had died away, and the silence of night had once more settled down upon the spot where the deadly revolver had been emptied. ; “That means death to somebody,” he said. ‘Come back to yer work, Horseshoe. Cover thet young Jonab. I’m at the end oy the game, I war goin’ ter ask him a question when the re- volvers went off up thar, but I'll not trouble him with it.” , “You need not, Clover Phil,” said Ivan, ‘ You were goin’ to ask me who wrote the traitor’s let- ter for Captain Clutch.” f - Clover Phil could not repress a cry. a “Do you want to see him, Horseshoe?” And : Ivan turned to the astonished as he raised A. his arm, ‘There stands the traitor of Dead Jal Line. Clover Phil, I brand you as the pard, the * spy, of Captain Clutch, the Taos Tiger!” | The voice, the outstretched hand, the demean- a2 or of Ivan were enough to unmask the most 4 cunning traitor. The effect on Clover Phil was magical. He started back with the countenance of a guilty wretch, and even Horseshoe Hank saw, that the bolt had struck home, “By Jove! Thet war a hard blow, cap’n!” cried the pard. : - “What! do you believe it?’ and quick as a flash Clover Phil whirled upon his friend. mae * her arrer hit somewhar, Clover; it made you stagger—’ . hate enough! I'll begin with you, Horse- RS ae shoo! the menaced pard threw up his hand, the pistol his swartby fingers darted he postmaster’s head, but just then yer hand shot’ upward, and fire flashed in s face. ; Quick as Horseshoe Hank was to defend his Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. | E a=: . see ee 5 young Mazeppa, be turned on his heel and went life, Clover Phil was quicker, and from the jet | took him forward with lengthy strides. ; of fire the confederate ‘spun across the glassy | The Taos Tiger shows hig teeth, Princess,” _ surface of the flat rock, to disappear in the twivkling of an eye over the edge of the chasm! “ That’s one!” fell from the killer’s lips. ‘‘’m ther chap what wrote that letter! Now, Ivan, Tl tend ter yer case, Wheel an’ jump!” There was no response, Clover Phil uttered a startling cry. The rock was occupied no longer! CHAPTER VII, IVAN’S LOVE. ir was barely possible that Horseshoe Hank in fallmg from the rock had struck Ivan and carried him over with him, and that the smoke of the revolver had prevented Clover Phil from witnessing the catastrophe, The shooting postmaster and boss of Dead Line City looked nonplused when he discovered that Ivan was no longer on the rock, “What! has that youngster gone back to camp to unmask me thar?’ parted his lips. ‘1 should have one him first an’ then whirled upon Horseshoe, but I didn’t think he would take any stock in Ivan’s charge. Yes, I’m the traitor an’ the captain, an’ I ar’ goin’ ter win in this mountain game. I'll go back an’ see, guess I’m able ter hold my own ag’in’ a boy.” Clover Pbil knew that he had finished Horse- shoe Hank, the nan who but a moment before had served as his tool in the scheme against Ivan, and confident that he was a match for the ack toward the camp among the hills, He found the place in an indescribable up- roar. There were five men there who, with many an oath and threat of future vengeance, bad just explained to an exasperated crowd the meaning of the rapid shots whose echoes bad come down from the elevated trails. Each of the fife was shot through the right hand, and a regular howl of fury had soared starward when they said that the shootist was the renowned devil, Captain Clutch, or, as the - Dead Liners knew him best—Captain_Theobald. 3 “ Whar’s Dave?’ demanded Clover Phil. ‘* He ; led you up to thet Injun’s trail. Did Captain Se: Clutch shoot at bis head?” : Z ‘We didn’t stop ter hunt Dave,” was the avswer, ‘‘He started arter Cap'n Clutch mad as a rattler, we heard another shot, but we didn’t investigate.” 3 The five right hands were dressed in the light sy of several torches, and their enraged owners | swore new oaths against the man from Taos, a All this time there lurked in the depths of =) Clover Phil’s eyes a gleam of satisfaction, and — F whenever he glanced at the bronzed surgeons at “i ae a faint smile came to the corners of his- : mouth, r s “They're gettin’ paid back,” he said to bim- self, “They don’t suspect me, but if I let Ivan get his work-in, thar’ll be ther deuce to pay in camp. Whar is the boy?” : Clover Phil turoed as he put the question to — binself, and searched the camp with a pair of eager eyes. All at once he caught sight of a person who — os

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iz Daisy Dave, the-Colorado Galoot. he said, halting before this person, who was the waif of the wagon, and gazing down into her eyes. ‘*T saw the five come back,” was the reply. “They will have to shoot left-handed for awhile.” ‘“Not for long, Princess. We'll corral Cap’n Clutch an’ his Comanche spy before a great while, when we'll hev targets which no man can miss, But I want to say that for all you_did to-night, you hevn’t lost the respect ov the Dead Line pards. You saw fit to put in for Ivan, an’ I don’t blame you, seein’ thet you two ar’ friends.” Did Clover Phil see the young girl start, and did he notice the flush which stole across her temples, rendering her more beautiful than ever? “Weare friends. I do not believe him the traitor of thecamp. He has enemies, and they showed their bands to-night,” she said. “That's so, Princess, an’ Dave got settled by Cap’n Clutch for his smartness.” *T ruther guess not, Clover Phil.” The postmaster wheeled as though a rattle- snake had sounded bis warning behind him, “T’'m still on this side ov etarnity,” continued the deep base voice which had startled Clover Phil. “The toys hev got but one good hand, but I’ve got two. Even Cap’n Clutch misses sometimes, though the furrow his bullet plowed along my cheek speaks ov a closer shave than even Dave wants, What’s thet ye war sayin’ about the Taos hyena settlin’ me for my smart- ness?” : Clover Phil, who had not recovered from his surprise. continued to gaze at the mountain Her- cules, who coolly confronted him with a heavy six-shooter in his right hand. There was fury in Daisy Dave’s eyes, and he looked every inch just what he was, a maddened desperado. Princess Pet saw that unless Clover Phil weak- ened a terrible encounter was imminent, Not more than three yards separated the two Dead Liners. Would they come together? : “Keep it to yerself, then,” suddenly cried Dave. ‘ We'll compare notes some other time. I’m back hyer ter see arter the boys, We didn’t see Velvet Foot, but we found Cap’n Clutch! You hevn’t done anything with Ivan, the Jonah I left in ee hands; of course not! The young skunk will soon know thet J am back!” Witha pees look which breathed contempt and hatred for Clover Phil, Dave started off, fol- lowed by the eyes of the girl. “Let him go, Princess,” said the postmaster, suddenly clutching her wrist as she seemed about to follow the boss of Dead Line. ‘ He dar’n’t hurt anybody who belongs to camp, Vil stand by you an’ Ivan; for from this moment Dave an’ Clover Phil ar’ open foes! I tell you, ' girl, Dead Line City will never be rebuilt by the pards thet reared it afore; but the pards themselves still live, an’ woo to the galoot wno crosses one oy the lot. You don’t like Daisy _. Dave?” No, ” = “Thet’s good!” and Clover Phil smiled as he looked down into the wagon-waif’s white face, **Something might occur thet will deprive you ov Ivan’s friendship—” ‘Nothing but death can take that from me.” ‘“Wal, death, then. Life is almighty on- sart?in in this kentry, Princess Pet, Should the boy’s enemies trump his ace with the revolver, which oy us will you choose for a friend—me or Dave?” The girl made no reply; but attempted to break from the speaker’s grasp. ‘“No; you don’t get away until you hev de- cided,” said Clover Phil, with firmness. ‘I want this question settled now! Something is goin’ ter happen.” ; “Po Ivan?” “Perhaps. hyer.” i Instantly the black eyes of the girl flashed ire. “Tet them harm him if they dare!” she ex- claimed, facing Clover Phil. ‘‘They forget that I am his friend, that strange circumstances have linked us together. They ought to have seen that we would love one another—” “What's thet?’ and the ruffian’s clutch tightened at the girl’s wrist. ‘‘ You don’t mean that you really love Ivan, thet—” ‘What did I say?” ‘* You said that. the camp ought ter hev seen from the first thet you an’ ther boy would fall in love.” “That’s what I meant!” cried Princess Pet, proudly. ‘* ve been one ov the fools, then!” The girl could not repress a smile. ‘Di In’t you see it?” she asked, “ No. ”n ‘¢ You know it now.” Plover Phil sbut his hand and ground his As I hey said, life is onsartain “Thet settles Ivan’s fate,” he muttered under his breath, then he exclaimed aloud: ““You’ve got a rigbt ter stand by him ef thet’s the case. We oughn’t ter find fault with you for thet. But whar is Ivan?” “*T don’t know.” The next moment Princess Pet was free again, and Clover Phil had stepped back, a thundercloud of passion darkening his brow, “Tm goin’ ter see what mischief Daisy Dave intends ter stir up in the cara he said, throw- ing a glance at the girl, ‘So you love Ivan, eh? Wal, thet’s all right. I won't trouble you 2. tell me who you prefer next ter the boy. We'll settle thet question some other time.” “We'll settle it now!’ exclaimed the girl. “T can answer you in a moment. I have but one choice and I have chosen Ivan,” * Pshaw! I don’t mean that,” laughed Clover Phil disgusted. ‘*Who'’s your next choice?— thet’s what I want ter know. You must choose *twixt Dave an’ me.” “When?” ‘“ Almighty soon; perhaps within the next twenty-four hours,” ‘¢ Which means that Ivan is not safe?” “Take it as it strikes you!” was the retort. ‘With Dave an’ more than half the camp ag’in’ ther youngster, I can’t answer for his safety, Then, Cap’n Clutch has sworn to wipe Dead Line out oy existence, root an’ branch, an thet

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— ° also includes Ivan yer friend. that within twenty-four hours you may hev ter choose avother? Now, ov us two which one shell it be?” “Neither!” and the lips of the girl closed firmly behind her answer to the snappings of her sparkling eyes. ‘t After Ivan I have no choice, and never will I choose between two mountain vultures!” . Clover Phil suddenly recoiled. “Don't get too brave!” be exclaimed, ‘‘ This is still Dead Line ef ther shanties ar’ smokin’ ruins, Two vultures, eh? When the time comes for you ter choose ag’in, if you don’t select Clover Phil, you may wish thet you hed died in thet lost Conestoga. The boy—Ivan the spy—is already doomed!” “ By you? cried Princess Pet, and she came toward the postmaster of Dead Line City with fearless mien and steady step. ‘‘By youand the desperadoes you control? Touch him and give me continued freedomif you dare! Re- Member that you have taught me how to use the weapons which avenge wrongs in Colorado, I am but a girl, but the blcod of a man who feared nothing courses through my veins. Fate brought me years ago to the human tigers’ den called Dead Line, and it has protected me through thick and thin. Beware! Clover Pbil. Dark will be the day to you on which you at- tempt to make me choose between youand Daisy Dave. Better the love of that king of despera- does—Captain Clutch!” “You'd better look out, Princess,” laughed Clover Phil, ‘* The Taos Tiger knows a pretty girl when he sees one, and he’s heard oy the waif ov Dead Line City. Look out, I tell you. Cap’n Clutch is in the neighborhood!” and laughing still, at his own words, Clover Phil left Princess Pet to her own reflections. CHAPTER VII . THE CLUTCHES OF CAPTAIN CLUTCH. _ THE morning that broke after the most excit- ing night in the history of Dead Line City, found a mad and, to some extent, a dejected crowd of galoots in the camp which had been pitched among the mountains. It was easily seen that the pards of Dead Line had divided into two factions, one of which was under the control of Clover Phil, while the other, the smallest of the two divisions, looke to Dave for orders. This state of affairs had been brought about by the hates of two men. For a long time prior to the opening of our romance, a sort of secret rivalry had existed between Dave and Clover Phil. While on the surface they were on good terms, underneath they hated one another with great cordiality, and there were a few of the shiewd outsiders who traced this hatred to rincess Pet, the waif of Dead Line. ; It was said that Clover Phil had set his head on obtaining the girl he had helped to find halt- starved and abandoned in an old Conestoga some years before, but that he had never pressed his suit because of Dave, who had ap- pointed himself one of the young girl’s guard- japs. : But now that she had professed her preference Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. Don’t you see for Ivan, a waif like herself, now that she had fetched matters to a crisis, the wild loves and hates of the Colorado rivals had burst forth with intense’ fury, and they were determined to sweep everything before them, Of course the five men shot in the right hand clung to Dave, — During the night their dare-devil leader had joisoned several more minds against Clover hil, so that when morning came, the post master-desperado found himself with fewer friends than he had bargained for, Strange to say, [van had not put in an ap- pearence. : What had become of the young Jonah of Camp Vengeance?—for with such an appella- tion had the mountain resort been christened. No one had seen him since the flash of Clover Phil’s reyolver, which tumbled Horseshoe Hank from thie flat rock, and headlong down into the chasm. Clover Phil had hoped until almost daylight that Horseshoe had carried Ivan with him to death, but an examination of the bottom of the canyon had disappointed him. Nobody saw the ex-postmaster creep like a specter down to the gulch and search it mntil he found but one body lying at the foot of the wall—tte corpse of Horseshoe Hank, with a bullet-hole in the forebead, and a pistol still clutched in the dead hand, Ivan had not fallen from the cliff, and so Clover Phil was forced to desert the place to look elsewbere for the youth who was liable to © brand him a traitor and Captain Clutch’s spy before all the pards. “ Daylight will show me the young hot-head,” he said to bimself, but daybreak refused to . accommodate him, and Ivan was still missing, There was a good deal of tough language used whenever the wounded pards glanced af the bandaged hands which they owed to Cap- tain Clutch. They were in no mood to take a joke, and the most hilarious tenants of Camp Vengeance were soon forced to give up their merriment at their expense, for revolvers were drawn at the first witticism. > Clover Phil and Daisy Dave took care to — avoid one another, as if neither wished to hasten a collision, ie Princess Pet saw through it all, and deter- mined to give neither of the rivals a chance to J afflict her with their jealousies and hates. = If Cuptain Clutch had «pplied the torch to © Dead Line he had not completed his work of vengeance, : Clover Phil, the self-confessed traitor, knew _ he had not, and all the rest believed that he — still lurked in the vicinity, watching for another opportunity to show the tiger’s claws beneath the velvet. Clover Phil watched constantly for Ivan, Why didn’t the boy come back to give him — the chance he wanted? And what had kept him away? 3 : “Pye waited one day he growled, as the — sun went down; ‘‘and I'll be hanged if I stai id another. Ivan wou’t come, so ll go van.” = He stood at the edge of the camp, and one

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14 Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. his hands held the bridle-rein of a young korse that champed his bit impatient to be off. “T have nothing to fear from the captain,” he went on in the same tone, “an’ he will help me find the boy. It’s to our interest to find him. Hoe more than suspects whoIT am, Daisy Dave’s attempt to make a traitor out of bim failed, an’ now the boy might see fit to call me Captain Clutch’s man in presence of the hull camp. Then, ho stands between me an’ Princess Pet. For that reason alone I would bunt him, if necessary, to the ends of the earth!” With an agile leap he landed himself on the back of the horse as he finished, and threw a sharp look toward Camp Vengeance ere he touched the eager young animal with the spur, Away went the horse as if shot from a mon- ster catapult, and the next instant he was bear- ing Clover Phil over the mountain trail, Did the postmaster of Dead Line know where to look for Ivan? Five minutes after his start he drew rein be- side a. huge rock and slid from the saddle, ** A mail-bag with two compartments,” he ob- served, with a smile, as he ran one hand under ‘one corner of the stone and felt something on which his swarthy fingers closed. “We'll sco what the captain says,” he said, straightening and producing a match which ignited without producing a report. “ Aha! it is from the old fellow himself!” Clover Phil soon unfolded the communication he had taken from beneath the bowlder, and _ two minutes later ho had mastered tho following sentences: “Parp:—So far we are doing admirably. The nest is burned and the vultures have taken to the mountains. Stand by me and we'll succeed. You played your part coolly last night. Nobody suspects you, but look out. That accursed Comanche is in he neighborhood, THe CAprain.” “Tm not afraid ov that Injun,” said Clover Phil, as he closed the letter and crushed it in his hand. ‘They call him a red detective, but, shaw! ho never ran anybody down, I know e’s around, captain, but just now I want the youngster. The danger to our futuro plans lies in him, not in Velvet Foot, the Comanche. I needn't auswer this letter; no reply is required. Yes, ’ll look out for Velvet Foot, but not that I fear bim, for I do not.” At that very moment a pair of eyes that littered like a serpent’s were not ten feet away rom Clover Phil, The bowlder was all that separated him from his watcher, and when tho Dead Line post- master again mounted, a human figure, naked to the waist, glided around the stone and darted toward Camp Vengeance, If he could run like a deer he could also glide over the trail without making the least noise, and nobody heard him enter tho camp a. fow minutes later. For fear of showing Captain Clutch where to ~ shoot should he come back to resume the work of vengeance, not a light shone within the ‘boundaries of the camp, and the shadows of the mountain walls that rose all around it, seemed to render objects doubly indistinct, glided bither and thither, with eyes that took in everything, If Velvet Foot was a detective, he was cer- tainly playing the role to perfection. Now he seemed a darker shadow against a rock, now the rock itself. All at once Princess Pet, who reclined against a, tres, wrapped in thought and wondering what hai become of Ivan, started as a hand soft as velvet touched her wrist, An ejaculation reached her lips as she turned and looked into the face of the Comanche. ‘*No speak, Princess,” said the red detective. ‘* Where is the white boy?” “You should know, not I,” was the quick re- sponse. ‘‘I have not left the camp all day, but have waited here for him. You have come from without, and [ look to you for informa- tion. The girl saw before she fiinished that the Co- manche was perplexed, and that he knew noth- ing of Ivan, **'When did white boy leave?” “ Last night.” “Tn a hurry?” “ Yes. ” ‘Will Princess tell Velvet Foot all?” T will, but not here,” ‘With his band at the girl’s wrist the Coman- che led her from the camp, and neither spoke until more than four hundred yards from the pards of Dead Line, “Tn first place,” he said, turning upon Prin- cess Pet as he halted, ‘‘ Princess hates Vel- spe rehi for coming with Captain Clutch last night, “No,” cried the wagon-waif. ‘‘T trust’ you. You are my friend and, besides Lvan, the only one I have,” A gleam of satisfaction lit up the dark eyes of the Comanche brave, and he drew his splendid figure to its full height before her. “Velvet Foot hates the Taos Tiger,” he ex- claimed. ‘His trail follows the one the cap- tain makes, but he knows it not, The Co- manche will reach the end of the hunt by an’ by. Let Princess trust him, He saw her be- fore last night, he knew her father who fought the Comanches years ago when they sent their arrows into his wagon. Let the white girl look at Velvet Foot. 6 is strong, he has an eagle's aye a his head, hoe is a giant among his red eople. Pe Heavens! what a target!” grated a voico that sent a thrill through the young girl’s frame. ‘ As you hate me so cordially, trailing hound, I'll settle all-accounts with you where you stand!” : ; A human figure sprung into the, trail as the last words sounded, a pistol-shot rung clearly out, and as Velvet Foot, the red detective, reeled away with a ery of pain, a hand clutched the girl’s arm, She recoiled but could not escape, “Youre in the hands of Captain Clutch, my beauty!” hissed the victor. CHAPTER IX, IN THE TIGER’S CLAWS, CAPTAIN CLUTCH! “ Catlike the invader of the desperadoes’ camp ; Princess Pet could not look without a shiver

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. into the triumphant eyes of the man whose fin- gers encircled her arm and beld ber fast. Clover Phil had told her witha laugh only a little while before that the Taos Tiger had heard of her beauty, and that she would see him soon enough, : / And now she was his captive, and the Indian ‘who had drawn herfrom Camp Vengeance to impart a secret of some kind lay motionless, if not dead, only a few foet away! | *¢ Warn’t looking for the captain, eh?” laughed the girl’s captor. ‘‘ He always turns up when nobody expects him ; that’s been his habit for fif- teen years. They told me about the Dead Line flower along time ago, an’ nowI behold you for the first time, You ar’a daisy an’ no mis- take, girl, The boys had it right when they painted your picture,” The girl did not reply but faced the despera- \ do in silence, yet eager to see to what lengths his words would carry bim. __ “They tell me that the boy ran off last night,” Captain Clutch went on. “What boy?” exclaimed the girl.” ‘Ah, don’t you know?—the youngster Dave accused of treason,” ‘*He is not in camp.” “IT thought so! Got afraid oy a rope an’ ya-~ mosed the ranch!” laughed the Taos sport. Instantly tho eyes of the captive flashed. “‘Tvan is no coward!” she cried resentfully. “The threat of arope and Dave's lie did not drive him away.” “ What did then?” ** He will answer when he comes back.” “* When will that be?” H When he wishes to return.” Do not beso fast, Princess Pet. Ivan be- longs to Dead Line which has been, but is not now. Haven't you heard the men hyenas back in the camp say that I hate everything that be- longed to that accursed city?” 3 C have heard them say that they hate you. “Of course! Wal, Ivan is one of the Dead Line pards. He wasn’t on hand when they bus- tled Pistol Pocket out of existence with torch an’ revolver, but he belongs to the gang now, an’ that’s enough! You are goin’ with me now, bat not back to Camp Vengeance.” The young girl hesitated, but the fingers of Captain Clutch tightened around her arm, and almost lifted her from the ground. 5 “Men haven’t misjudged you,” she said. “They tell me that you are a Spec in Taos—” “ Wal, I should ejaculate!” laughed the ruf- fian, ‘I’m the head animal ov thet menageric oy wonders. Don’t look at me thet way, girl. Ef eyes war arrers, you’d shoot to kill!” Princess Pet made no answer, but shut ber lips firmly and permitted the Taos Tiger to bear her to a horse that all the while bad waited for him’ two hundred feet from the scene of her capture, ‘ Look yer, Princess,” suddenly cried the sport, wheeling upon the girl and transfixing her with his gleaming black eyes. ‘* Be tracta- ble an we'll &et along without 2 jar; give me trouble an’ I'll be rnde, {¢ all lies with you. I didn’t come up from my den to war on women. I came byer ter fight men—tigers like myself— 15 but I never go back on beauty when I run across a sample like yourself. Between me an’ the hyenas of Dead Line City there is a war which only deathean stop. I’ve a friend back thar in camp—a_spy, who has kept me posted for five years. You couldn’t go back an’ lay your finger on him in twenty guesses. He has covered his tracks so well that the most suspi- cious galoot ov Dead Line has never suspected him. Ivan is not the traitor; it never entered into bis head ter betray his pards. Daisy Dave knows it, too, but he attempted a ten-strike for another purpose. Do you think you could pick out my pard—eh, Princess?” Leaning forward, Captain Clutch gazed into the girl's face with a confident leer, “ Blurt out his name if you know it!” he went on. ‘ Ahal you never knew till now that I had a pard in Dead Line.” ‘knew there was a traitor there,” said the young girl calmly. “What?” “Yes, a traitor—not a pard!” “Name him!” But the lips of Princess Pet did not unclose, “You don’t know him, or you would speak!” cried the Taos sport. ‘Remain with me an’ you'll sec him. Last night I gave Dead Line to the flames; last night I shot Daisy Dave’s pards through the hands, Before the week ends there won’t be a man left who can boast that he helped to destroy Pistol Pocket an’ Captain Theobald’s band! This is mountain vengeance, girl, Here to-day, gone to-morrow! By the stars that shine above us! I will spread a feast for the Colorado vultures that will tickle their maws. You shall see it all,” ; He ceased abruptly, seized the girl around the waist, and sat her on the back of the horse al- most before she could speak. » What had startled the Taos Tiger? ‘*T didn’t hear a footstep, Princess,” he langhed as he landed in the saddle behind her, ‘I take these spells sometimes, an’ one unacquainted with me would think that I had just caught an Indian’s step, but no. Velvet Foot is dead enough, an’ no one is near to snatch from Cap- tain Clutch the prize he has just won!” Held firmly by the left arm of the sport, Prin- cess Pet soon found herself borne along the trail atasmart gallop, which was taking her further oem oo from the camp of the burned-out ughs. er thoughts naturally went back to the men she had left behind, to Clover Phil and Daisy Dave and their jealousies, to the wounded men who had roughly thanked her for attention to their hurts, and to Ivan. Strong ties bound her to the Boy Mazeppa of Colorado. An unaccountable fate had thrown them to- gether; one had ridden into Dead Line tied to an Indian horse, the other bad been carried thither from an old wagon whose arrow-pierced horses had fallen dead in their harness, Was it strange that the two young le thus thrown together should grow up with feel- ings akin to love? That their companionship should make them more than friends? : Daisy Dave might have surmised this, and long before the burning of Dead Line City, x

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16 ee aa, oo ee hyper, Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. en eee UE EEE JEsEEE SEEN RES nEINnaTanENEIIIIINNI In enmeeeemeeenene eee eneeeenennnnEn Ee Clover Phil should have opened his eyes to the true state of affairs. Ivan had not left the country for good; at least Princess Pet thought he had not. She had told Captain Clutch proudly that the lyncher’s rope had not frightened him off, She belioved that an important mission of some kind had taken the youth away, and her only fear regarding him as she rode the starlit trail in the claws of the Taos Tiger, was that he would reappear at Camp Vengeance and walk into a trap set for him by Clover Phil and Dave. Her thoughts were rudely intruded upon by the sudden halting of Captain Clutch’s horse, and Princess Pet looked forward, fully expecting to see the handsome sport covered with a rifle, But she was agreeably disappointed, for the trail was clear ahead as far as she could see, and the captain had stopped for a purpose which was to her a profound mystery. *‘ Princess,” he said, ‘‘ I am compelled to blind- fold you.” She gave him a quick look. “Tt will only last for a few minutes,” he went on. ‘ When you see again you can inspect one of the numerous dens of the Taos Tiger.” At the same time he produced a large silk handkerchief and n to fold it in a proper manner for blindfolding. “Now, girl, we'll cover those pretty eyes,” he said suddenly, placing the handkerchief over the girl’s brilliant orbs before she could remonstrate, and the next moment he had knotted the silk be- hind her head, Of course Princess Pet submitted, and when the operation of blindfolding was completed Captain Clutch ordered the horse on again, “Halt! Lift a hand or draw a weapon, Ca tain Clutch, and the burning of Dead Line will be avenged!” : Instantly the horse stood still in the trail, and the girl, though she could not see the speaker, murmured a name that chased the hot blood swiftly through her veins, “Tyan!” she said. ‘‘ Heaven has sent him in the hour of need!” Tf Princess Pet did not see the person who had appeared so suddenly on the scene, there was one interested individual who did—Captain Clutch! E A frown dark as a thundercloud came to his brow, his eyes blazed with madness, and the threat of his confronter was the only force that could arrest the hand that glided toward his re- volver. < In an instant the * Boss Tiger of the Taos es ” had recognized the man on his ail, He saw the youth who leaned forward in his saddle with a cocked rifle at his right shoulder, and Captain Clutch had a splendid opportunity to gaze into the barrel of the weapon, for it was leveled at his head, “Drop the girl gently and go back,” con- tinued Ivan, for it was the young Mazeppa. “I don’t like a hair on your head, czptain, If you want to live to fight the banded pards of Dead Line, release your captive and go back,” é Under bis black mustache the Taos despe- rado bit his lip till the blood ran. a “From the boy?—from Ivan?” the girl heard him hiss, ‘* What! Captain Theobald, the Taos Tiger, give up the fairest jewel in Uolorado be- . cause a boy says, ‘ Give her up?” ‘“You had better, captain,” whispered Prin- cess Pet, ‘I know Ivan better than you do, Refuse to obey him, and he will kill,” There was no reply. ie “T count three, captain,” came over the Col- orado rifle, ““Confound it! take the girl!” growled the Taos sport, As he finished, he lifted Pet from the saddle, and.leaned over as if to lower her to the ground, but instead of setting her on the trail, he sud- denly drew her against the horse, threw him- self forward on the steed’s neck, and then, with a yell that would have done credit to a Co- manche, sent home the spurs, and shot like an arrow straight at Ivan, the Colorado Mazeppa! It was the work of a second, the shrewd trick of the shrewdest ruffian south of Deadwood, For a moment it seemed as if the two horses would collide, but Captain Clutch’s shot past Ivan by fhe breadth of a hair, and before the youth could touch the trigger, the wily rough was thundering down the trail, : “ Your blood for that trick, Captain Clutch!” cried Ivan. Recovering in an instant, he wheeled and at- tempted to cover the Taos sport, but the fickle starlight was against him. But all at once the young Mazeppa’s rifle cracked, to be followed by a wild shriek far down the mountain road. . “My God!” burst from Ivan’s throat. ‘* Mad- ness made me press the trigger, and the ball has found Princess Pet’s heart!” The sentence ended in a wail of agony, he seemed to reel in the saddle, and the rifle which had wrought such terrible work, he threw dis- gustfully away. 7 “Tf T have killed that girl,” he cried, ‘‘ may the wrath of Heayen hound me to doom!” CHAPTER X. BACK TO THE OLD DEN. Hasr an hour after the encounter be’ Ivan and Captain Clutch, a horse and his rider made their appearance on one of the elevated trails of the mountain, about five miles from the place, No success,” said the individual in the sad- dle, in no good humor, ‘The captain carried her clear off, and I am baffled. If my bullet took her life, may fate make me a vagabond on the face of the earth, I did not intend to shoot, but rage made me give the trigger too much pressure, and after the unfortunate shot, came back the girl’s wild cry.” Ivan was riding slowly back toward Camp Vengeance, : He had spurred his horse after Captain Clutch after tho unintentional shot, and though he had searched the mountains well, he had lost the trail, and Princess Pet's fate was involved in much m ry: Why Bape? to the camp, now? Did he not know that Clover Phil hated him, and that Dave wanted his blood? “T haven't given Pet up,” he went on, speak- ing his thoughts aloud; ‘ neither have I done .

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_ were enough. _ never written by Ivan. first, an’ so did you when you read it in ther pres- ~ Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot, : 19 ; i with those hyenas who constantly snuff blood. Clover Phil Aeopped Horseshoe Hank because he saw that my words about the traitor of Dead Line bad raised certain suspicions. J got away in the smoke of his revolver, not that I feared the wretch, for fear him I do not; but a mission took me miles away, ané now I am going back.” x 2 Back to Camp Vengeance, leaving Princess Pet dead or alive, he knew not which, in the clutches of the man from Taos. Ivan knew that his action looked ungrateful, but he resolutely kept his horse’s head turned toward the rendezvous among the mountains, and he seemed eager to ride into the lair he had left the night previous, He could not look far ahead for the uncertain light of the stars; therefore, he could not ses the human figure that crept with difficulty up a mountain trail, and which had the movements of a wounded snake, - 4nch by inch, and stopping here and there for a brief spell to gain new breath, the crippled person made slow headway. All the time there was a mad light in the creeper’s keen black eyes, which increased in in- tensity as he seemed to near a certain goal. “The Taos Tiger shot Velvet Foot. The Co- manche trailer will not forget him for that.” These tw2 sentences more than once parted the crawler’s lips; be said no more, as if they At last he crawled to the edge of a cliff, and looked over the fringe of bush and rock. ‘‘The white dogs of the camp are quarreling among themselves,” he said, after listening for a moment. ‘“ The traitor of Dead Line and the man who accused the white boy are growling like hungry wolves, Velvet Foot will lie here and listen awhile.” The Indian shot by Captain Clutch, as we have witnessed, seemed to take delight in hear- ing the loud words that reached his ears from the camp a hundred feet below. He could not:see the occupants of the place, but his keen ears almost instantly located them with correctness, and lying on the ground, lis- tening eagerly to every word, he forgot the memento of Captain Clutch’s rage which he car- ried in the shape of a wound which would have killed many men, “TY don’t quarrel with any man,” came up from below. ‘You accused the boy, and couldn't prove a word oy the charge. Now you stand thar an’ fling the epithet ov traitor into my teeth. Now, where is your proof?” “In yer own pocket, ef you hevn’t torn it up,” was the answer. ‘‘ Thet paper which I said I found whar Cap’n Clutch had dropped it war Iknowed it from the ence oy ther hull camp. You know who wrote thet letter; you know who told Cap’n Theobald thet the time fer vengeance hed come; you know who hes been Dead Line’s traitor. Clover Phil, I'm no coward. By Jove! the man what ever saw Dave go back on a charge doesn’t tread the ground. Istand hyer an’ call you ther traitor _ov Dead Line—the man who came among us in ther pay ov Cap’n Theobald!” __ These were words whose import was not to be mistaken, and they were spoken in a tone of voice that carried emphasis on each syllable. The rivals of Dead Line City stood in the Botha with a space of only ten feet between them. Behind Dave seven men had planted them- selves, and five of these worthies carried their right hands 1m slings. Clover Phil had the bulk of the camp at bis back, In the division that had taken place at sun- down, the ‘‘ best men” of Camp Vengeance had arrayed themselves on the side of the post- master, And now the two factions stood face to face, with bronzed hands at the butts of deadly six- shooters, and eyes that looked rage to eyes again, ready to begin the deadly contest at the uplifting of a finger. Daisy Dave hed not minced words, but had branded Clover Phil a traitor to Dead Line, and was willing to bick his assertion with physical courage and terrible determination. To the Indian lying at the edge of the lofty trail it was a ca-e of dog eat dog. The Comanche knew both of the contestants, “ Let them tear one another up,” he said, with a faint smile, ‘‘ It will help the boy.” Silence followed the utterance of Dave's last words, “You first accused the boy, Ivan,” said Clover Phil, ‘‘ now you turn on me.” “The first time I lied, that war all. Now I shoot straight at ther mark.” *€ An’ I say you lie!” roared the postmaster. ‘“* With twenty-nine men at yer back!” laughed Dave, derisively. ‘‘ I?ve got a hospital behind me, but that’s no difference. Walk to ther line I drawed a while ago an’ toe it ef ye dare| Col- orado, with all its mountains, is too small for Daisy Dave an’ Clover Phil. From handlin’ let- ters, step forward an’ handle ther knife. Let's hey it out before ther hull camp. I’m not afraid ter meet Captain Clutch’s pard!” If Velvet Foot could have taken in this scene, he would have seen Clover Phil put up his re- volver and whip out a ten-inch bowie. “When my band goes up!” he sent back over his shoulder in a whisper to the men behind him, ‘don’t forget the signal. When I lift my hand, open with yer six-shooters an’ riddle every mother’s son oy ’em,” »* Clover Phil ceased and advanced toward Daisy ave, ea Do we need a torch?” asked the boss of Dead ine, “No! Let the stars furnish light for our tussle,” answered Clover Phil, * All right.” Dave moved forward as he spoke and all saw that the rivals of Camp Vengeance would meet at the line the bully had drawn on the ground with the point of his bowie a few minutes be- fore. A personal conflict was inevitable. ie he boy knows who the traitor is,” hissed ave, “ He wouldn’t say so if be did,” was the quick response. ‘Ivan would never confirm the words of the galoot who attempted to swear his neck into a noose last night. Ready I am, Daisy

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a 18 Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. at: ee ee eel ee. Ee Dave,” and then Clover Phil suddenly lowered his voice. ‘After this tussle Princess Pet will not have to cheose between the rivals of Dead Line City!” he finished. Another stride brought the two men so close together that their toes almost touched, ‘Now, drive ahead!” grated Dave. ‘“* After this fight, Cap’n Clutch won’t have so many enemies!” “Nor Colorado so many fools if you kill one another,” said a voice so near and distinct that the mountain rivals instinctively whirlel upon the speaker. The boy, by George!” exclaimed a voice be- fore either Clover Phil or Daye recognized the person in their presence. Yes, the boy Ivan! F He had reached the spot with the noiseless ‘tread of a ghost; no eye had seen him until the sentence just recorded feil from bis tongue to the utter astonishment of all. ‘ Thar he is!” cried Clover Phil. ‘‘ Thar’s the lad you tried ter swear into ‘a noose,” and he pointed at [van while he looked at his rival **T needn't tell him thet Camp Vengeance stands divided. I have twenty-nine at my back, while but seven stand by you, Dave. He can see all this with his own eyes. Hating you as he does, and seeing the drift ov public opinion in camp, let him say who he thinks is Captain Clutch’s pard.” “Out with it, Ivan!” cried Dave. “I war ag’in’ ye last night an’ I don’t like yer any too well now. Any way ye answer you ar’ likely ter get inter trouble. Shoot it/out an’ show yer Be in} Instead of sbrinking from the ordeal, Ivan kept bis ground, and his stature seemed to in- crease, : Keen eyes like his could see the uplifted revol- ers of the twenty-nine on one side, and the ‘bandaged hands and tigerish looks of tho seven on the other. Yet he did not hesitate, ““T know the traitor of Dead Line. He is the man who sent Horseshoe Hank to the bottom of the eanyon with a bullet in his head, the man we have called Clover Phill” A devilish leer lit up Davo’s eyes. ** Thet’s what Ivan says!” he cried. “Men ov Dead Line, cover that young liar!” And Clover Phil’s finger described the youth as he glanced at the twenty-nine. “He has come back to Camp Vengeance to perish with a false- hood on his lips. He shall die—” “Great heavens! a shootin’-star!” was the startling ery that interrupted the boss of Dead ine, . Instantly all eyes were turned aloft, and behold! a ball of fire, as large as a man’s head, and blazing furiously, was seen descending upon the camp as if from the skies, The descending meteor held the whole crowd spellbound, and when if struck the ground and Biazed up, throwing @ light upon the scene, pes started back with exclamations of amaze- men ‘Star be hanged! that’s only a bunch ov burnin’ grass!” suddenly cried Clover Phil. “ Somebody up yonder is tryin’ ter play a trick onus. Don’t drop your revolvers, but cover the boy. And when I lift my: hand, make a sieve | out ov him!” | Then Clover Phil stepped back and threw a i: quick lock aloft. eis } d “Thanks for yer light, whoever ye ar’! he eried in loud tones, ‘‘It shows my mountain daisies whar ter shoot, Now not one bullet will go astray!” The answer came from above in an unexpected shape. | It came in the sharp, whip-like reports of two e4 revolvers, and two of the dark-faced men at ; Clover Phil’s back dropped their uplifted wea- { pons and fell dead in t-eir tracks! weal “ Put out the light!” thundered a voice. ee There was an oath and a bound on the part of t Clover Phil, and the following second he landed on the burning grass and crushed its life out le under his heavy boots. s CHAPTER XI. | THE RED-SKIN’S TRAIL. | Tis sudden ending of the quarrel between ae 2) the Dead Lino rivals startled the occupants of | Camp Vengeance, and more than one man re- — coiled aghast. 3 < } As for Lvan, he stepped back a pace and laid his hand on his revolver. saa} Don’t you know who’s up thar?” vociferated =a Dave. ‘That Boss Tiger from Taos has come back!” " The five men shot through the right hand see up a howl for revenge, and darted toward the nearest pathway that ascended to the cliffs ha above. 4 rit, alt EA aE “Don’t be fools,” and Dave threw himself be- . fore the impetuous five, ‘* You bunted him once afore an’ found him. Then, it war a bullet {* through the band, now it will be a hole in the sail head. Keep off! This time he shottwooy Clo; ver Phil’s pards.” a “ If Dave could have gone up to the trail at that moment, he. would have found the Conianche ; brave still clutching the pistols with which he mae. (2 had sent two of the toughs to their final reward, He was lying on his breast with his face _ turned toward the camp in the pass, and with eszetnoss mingled with revenge in the depths of { is eyes. i Suudenly there carre up to him the voice of eer Clover Phil, and if the fireball bad continued to Be burn he would have seen the postmaster shaking | his clinched hand at the trail across which he | was lying. “You daren’t show yerself, Cap’n Clutch! i ‘You ar’ ther meanest galoot in Colorado, a cow- ard an’ a skunk! Don’t think thet Dead Line : is harmless just because tho shanties ar’ in ashes, 7 | ‘ | | | You'll find yerself ther worst mistaken man on earth ef ye do! Oh, you dirty galoot! Come down hyer an’ do er dio like a man!” “ Captain Clutch!” grinned Velvet Foot, “Clover Phil don’t know who Iam. What! go down there in my condition? Not much, T'm in no condition to fight the wolves of Dead Line, and a fight down there might make it bad for the boy-”" : Tho Comanche did not reply to Clover Phil’s epithets and excited sentences, but dragged himself back from the eige of the cliff. : He looked like a person who has just gained a

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| which was liable to he had Jauncher sto Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. ~ . 19 3 Ses ae ares > victory of importance in which also he has _ gratified a revenge. e “Pye saved the boy,” he ejaculated. ‘* My ~_ fireball landed among the men of Dead Line in the nick of time. It showed me the men who had covered Ivan with their revolvers, and two of them dropped when I shot. Ivan was foolish for going back to camp. Hemust not cross such men as Dave and Clover Phil. It was true that Ivan had been saved by the Indian’s fireball and by the two death-shots he had fired in rapid succession. _ Tn another minute Clover Phil would bave de- livered the signal which would have put an end to the youth’s career, for the twenty-nine pards were only too willing to shoot him where he He had also broken up the encounter between the rivals of the camp, but this was an event 6 place again at the first opporanity. ; elvet Hoot managed to move slowly and with pain from the spot from which he had in- terfored. : Captain Clutch, in capturing Princess Pet, had given the red-skin a terrible wound, but the iron constitution of the Indian, coupled to his iron will, was in his favor. Ho ground his teeth till they cracked, and passed on with his eyes snapping fire, One bundred from tbe spot from whence ea! the blazing ball, Velvet Foot and turned in the shadow of a rock with both revolvers at full cock. ~ “They’ve come up from below, have they?’ he hissed in an undertone, ‘‘ They think they ars going to run onto Captain Clutch, but in- stead they have found Velvet Foot, the Co- manche! Come on, my wolves of the mountain, Velvet Foot will creep nofurther. Hehas halted _ to wait for your scalps, Creep forward to your death, for the pistols of the Indian are ready to seal your doom.” : The approach of some one had fallen upon the Comanche’s ear, and with every sense on the alert, he now waited for, as he supposed, the yengeance-hunters of the camp below, “What! Ivan, the boy!” he suddenly ex- claimed as he caught sight of the sole figure that came in sight. ‘Does he also hunt Captain Clutch? ell, he shall find Velvet Foot,” A moment later a noise made by the Indian’s lips caused a figure to halt in the trail several ¢ "feet away, and a revolver was lifted as the lock sent forth its warning click. : “ Ttis Velvet Foot, not the Taos Tiger,” smiled the Comanche, ; “You? Is there any difference?” That is for Ivan to say.” The youth came forward while the red-skin beter against the huge rock at his back. Pic hes you kill those two men awhile ago?’ he as _ Why not? They had covered you.” "Yes, I will own that I was at their mercy, but my case was not hopeless, I was armed.” _ “But your hands were not at your pistols. * Velvet Foot saw by the light of the fireball that the.men of Dead Line were the best p:epared to shoot.” Ivan bit his lip, — <a =" “J will admit that,” he said. ‘ But why did you interfere? Men say that you sre in league ye Captain Clutch, and that; demon hates all of us. “The tongues of all men are not true,” said the Indian, ‘If Ivan would believe a lie let bim believe the white faces below the high trail.” “Clover Phil and his pards?” * Yes, and Dave and his wounded liars.” ‘* T will believe you!” cried the youth. tain Clutch’s pard. Some men have called your an Indian detective. 1 cannot say who or wha’: you are. We can be friends, T hate the mar from Taos, and the whole camp down there is against me. I shall ever be hunted like a wolf by two desperate men and their friends, But I care not for that, Asfor myself, if I have shed tbe blood I think I have, better for me had I never seen the light of day, but before Heaven, Velvet Foot, I swear that I didn’t mean to shoot when my rifle went off! See! I am armed only with my revolvers, I threw a accursed gunaway. It has killed Princess et. Despite his calmness the red-skin uttered a ory ot horror, e started from the rock and staggered to- ward lvan, the exclamation still on his lips. ‘* W here—is—she?” he gasped. ‘““Would to Heaven I knew!” was the re- sponse, ‘“*She was Captain Clutch’s prisoner - when I fired, she was blindfolded, and the horse - carried them both on.” Velvet Foot seemed to grow into a statue of’ stone while he confronted the youth. What was Princess Pet that Ivan’s words: should shock him so? “Tf Ivan has killed the white girl, he had better get beyond the hands of the Comanche!” he said, with a terrible emphasis that thrilled the youth, ‘See! the bullet from Captain Theobald’s revolver found Velvet Foot’s vitals,” and he threw back a dressed deerskin which, pase over his right shoulder, was secured at is belt on the left side. Full of curiosity, Ivan stepped forward and saw the track of the ball fired at close range, then he looked up into the Indian’s tensely- drawn visage and read vengeance and deter- mination there, “Great Heavens! do you expect to live, shot: as you are?” he cried, 3 “Ball go clear through Velvet Foot,” was the reply, supplemented by a light laugh that sounded demoniacal to Ivan. “But the Co- manche will hold his life back till he hasreached the end of his trail.” _ ‘It will have to end very soon, in my opin- ion,” said Ivan, still inspecting the gaping wound, aided by the now brilliant gleam of a eaven covered with stars, “If I bad that shot, I'd be looking for a place to dic.” “Tyan look round, mebbe, but Velvet Foot no think of dyin’ yet,” said the red. “‘ The end of his trail is not here, It is far from Camp engeance, as the men of Dead Line have called their new home.” e “Then you bate him cordially!” cried Ivan, “When did your hatred begin?’ i *Tast . night I cursed you for I believed you to be Cap- - pier sdk

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20 * The question seemed a barbed shaft that went directly home. Velvet Foot shrunk back a foot, and a quiver of aversion appeared to pass over his frame. ‘No! Don’t ask Velvet Foot when he began to hate Captain Clutch, the Taos Tiger!” he exclaimed. ‘Follow the Comanche and find out. “T willl But you can’t travel on foot, with that mark of the Tiger’s teeth on your body.” ‘*No; must have horses.” ‘Have you got them?” The Comanche shook his head, ‘J will get them,” said the youth, quickly. **T have one down there, I left him to come up here to find, I thought, Captain Cluteb. It will be no harm to take a horse for our expedition from the corral belonging to Camp Vengeance, I will get you a horse.” “Be careful, boy,” admonished the Indian. **The wolves of the camp will do more than growl if you stir them up; they will bite.” ** Aha! don’t I know the gang?” laughed lyan, drawing back. ‘i know the traits of each in- dividual Dead Liner, for I’ve studied them for years. Be here when I get back. Your trail is toend when we find the Taos Tiger? Good! We will find the mountain demon and I will help you to vengeance if that’s what you want.” oncluding hurriedly, Ivan did not want to hear any reply from the Comanche, but turned on his heel and bounded back over the trail he had traveled to Velvet Foot’s hiding-place, For a few moments, or until he lost sight of him, the red detective erred after Ivan, and all at once he threw both hands toward the stars and cried in tones that might have reached the youth’s ears: ** He says I cannot live with the track of Captain Clutch’s bullet through my body! I will make him out a liar in the face of the Great Spirit! Ihave found the waifs, Ihave tracked the man of many cries to his last human hunt- ing-grounds! I have got all the enemies to- gether. TI will live to reach the end of my trail. Hven if the lead of the Taos demon were in my heart, [would go ontotheend! Men have called me the Indian Detective. Aha! they shall live to know that when Zhunt I always find! This is the red detective’s last trail!” CHAPTER XII. A SEVERED LASSO, WE go back to the mountain camp, to the re- sort of the roughs of Dead Line whom we left directly after the shooting of the two by the Comanche from the cliffs above. Clover Phil who thought he had saved several lives by extinguishing the fireball which had descended like a meteor into the camp, Was dis- osed for the time to forget his quarrel with Ave, He believed that Captain Clutch had come back, and that his two pards had fallen by the Taos sport’s revolver. When he turned to face Ivan again, behold! the boy was gone, and he saw only Dave in whose black eyes lurked a twinkle of satisfac- tion. “Tye hunted the Taos Tiger, Dare you do Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. it, Clover Phil? suddenly exclaimed the Dead Line bully. “I wouldn’t let my pards go up thar because they’re winged, as you see. Bf you want ter hunthim up, yonder he is wai in’ for ye. But,” behind his teeth, “ef you a ther traitor ov Dead Line, I guess you'll n’ hunt Cap'n Theobald with yer finger at ther trigger, “Yes! Dll hunt the Taos coward!” suddenly roared the Boss of Dead Line. ‘* When I haye flung his head inter Camp Vengeance, I will settle with the men who call me traitor.” ‘**T’ll be hyer when ye come back ef I’m not elsewhar,” grinned Daye. ‘Pick yer men and show yer grit.” 4 Three minutes were sufficient for Clover Phil | to select nine men from among his stalwart backers, - “Pll let Daye run the camp awhile,” he said, speaking, in low tones to those whom he had elected to stay behind. ‘‘ Give him a good deal of rope as long as he doesn’t do any dirt, ae when he gets out of his latitude, tighten on 11m, z They understood these words. They meant that in the event of certain movements on the part of Dave, he was to be riddled with bullets, Clover Phil left the camp with his nine men, and Daisy Dave went to his growling pards who — were still swearing because they had not been permitted to go up the mountain and encounter the slayer. " The two factions did not intermingle. % They were twenty ors apart, and Daisy — Dave found his pards still gripping the revolvers they had drawn with their left hands, . 7 ‘*Kin you chaps hold the fort till I get back?” was the question with which he startled the seven, 7 For a moment all gazed or rather staredinto | his face without a word. ; Ar ye goin’, too?” asked one at last. se ess” i 3 “ Arter Cap’n Clutch?” es ‘Partly, an’ partly on businessov my own, I'll be back hyer probably to-morrer pee not for several days. Kin yer hold - ther fort? Thet?’s what I want ter know.” me} “Asin? the pards thet faced us awhile ago” wee e “Bet yer life we'll hold it, Dave. Thar'll be a picnic ef they don’t carry themselves. durned — straight, We'll hold it, cap’n, Youkingo.” | There was in the voice and looks of the speak- er an assurance that more than satisfied Daye; — it delighted him, Sa “TI let em fight it out ef they want ter While. I’m gone,” he said as_he walked from the little group with a farewell look. ‘Ef Clover Phil really expects to find Captain Clutch, he intends’ ter help him on ter yengeance. It’s all plain to me. He left the sneaks behind an’ took w: him the pards who were most instrumental — wipin’ out Pistol Pocket an’ stirrin’ up the tiger | from Taos, It’s @ scheme, Ef Clover Philex- } pects ter find the cap’n he does not expect to |. bring one of them back tocamp.” —__ The Colorado Galoot went to the corral over a = roundabout way and approached if cautiously, — But all his caution resulted in nothing, forhe found no one there, and in Jess than five min-

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. ites after reaching it he was mounted on one of the best young horses it contained, fully equip- ped for a fightand a ride, with an eager flash “nder his arching brows, “Thar’s goin’ ter be suthin’ did before I git R ck,” he said to himself. ‘I'm not ther kind Hg hair-pin what gives up a girl like Princess; not much! Though she gave us ther slip she’s whar Ivan came from when he set out for camp, an’ T’ll find’em both. Curse yer eyes! Ivan, Ive hated ye since the hour the Injun boss fetched ye to Dead Line, an’ ther moment I saw ther girl, I looked at you an’said, ‘She sha’n’t be yours, boy! I'll see ter thet.’ And T’ve got ter see ter it now.” ~ The Dead Line bully seemed to know what trail Clover Phil and his nine pards had taken, for he took another, riding leisurely along in the starlight, with eyes on the alert, and with his revolvers where he could lay hands on them in a second. The light breeze that stirred the foliage of the ctral trees that fringed the trail toyed gently with Dave’s long black locks, which touched is broad shoulders, and attempted to lift the wide brim of his dark sombrero. _ The trail ascended gradually, and at the end | of an hour Dave found himself on a level bridle- ‘path, two hundred and fifty feet above the camp he had left behind. _ We'll go forward a little faster,” he said in audible tones to the horse as he touched bim lightly with the spur, sending him off into au di ygallop. “I’ve got an objective p’int, an’ we'll tap it first. Ef any man knows these mountains better nor Dave, he’s a daisy and no mistake.” _ One by one the stars slipped down behind a certain peak, but the man from Dead Line did not draw rein. He had descended into little valleys, mounted 3 Seed, the peaks again, and found other trails, - Jevel for a while and dimly lighted by the lan- terns of the skies, His ‘objective p’int” seemed very far away, but then the way he went, the rough, toilsome ‘ascents, and the constant watchfulness called forth by his journey, made him move slower than he seemed to, At last Dave drew rein, and almost imme- diately afterward slid to the ground, ‘* Ef we don’t strike a trail ov some kind hyer opi be disappointed,” he said, ‘' Five years ago war foolish enough to show Ivan a diskivery mine, We war trailin’the Durango hoss- thieves, an’ ther boy an’ me found ourselves alone in this part ov ther nat’ral kingdom. An’ I tole ’im, too, thet I war ther only galoot thet knowed ov ther existence of ther cave, We _ went down ter it over my lasso, an’ he pretend- ter hev diskivered some writin’ on ther walls, - but I never took any stock in what he said. Only this I know, thet { war a fool. Mebbe not ’ though,” and the tough of Camp Vengeance suddenly brightened, ~« Hyer’s whar he’d be apt ter guide the girl, hyer oy all places would he come; thinking himself able ter defend it agin’ Dave.” - ~ The Colorado bully had walked to the edge of 2 a as in the starlight to be a bottom- Tess gulch, hg He reached it at a spot where it. was spanned by a fallen tree which formed an excellent bridge, and a gleam in his eager eyes told that he recognized the place. : It was miles from Dead Line, and having reached it by asomewhat circuitous route, Dave had reasons for believing that he was the only person in the vicinity at that time, Relinquishing the leathern bridle the ruffian threw himself on the ground and leaned over the chasm 9s if he would pierce the darkness that hung beneath him. Tt war daytime wben I showed Ivan the hidden cave, but I kin find it now. He’s behind me, of course; he war in camp to-night, an’ l’ll find Princess Pet alone. I’m a cute chicken when I take a notion ter make a leetle love. Oh they can’t get akead ov the boss rattler ov Dead Line!” The last sentence ended in a light chuckle of satisfaction, and Dave got up and uncoiled a stout black lasso which hung at the saddle-bow. The horse seemed to watch his master’s move- ments with a great deal of interest. He suw Dave throw one end of the lasso over the tree and make it fast to the trunk, which was not large. This did not occupy more than three minutes, when, with a glance atthe horse, the Dead Liner seized the cord and let himself fearlessly from the log into the dangerous darkness of the nar- row canyon, “Pye been hyer afore!” he ejaculated, as if some one had remonstrated against his venture, ‘This ain’t ther first time I’ve swung myself over this log with only a knot an’ a lasso ’twixt me an’ eternity. Wait for me whar ye ar’, Crockett. I’ve never failed ter come back sound ez a dollar.” There was a fixed noose in the lower end of the earings rope, and Dave slipped downward, hand over hand, eager and full of confidence. He stood at last with one foot in the noose, and having recovered breath, began to swing himself toward the wall a few feet away, His efforts increased the momentum, and an ejaculation of yictory escaped him as _ his bronzed fingers touched the canyon wall, al- though he was the next moment forced back by the recoil. F But all at once a quiver came down the lasso, and its motion was checked with a suddenness that almost threw Dave off, and caused him to look up. His head was twenty feet_ from the log above, yet he could’ see that it had an incum- brance which was not there when he began his descent, ‘Some men ar’ born fools!” came down to him in a laugh that seemed to chill his very marrow. ‘Look out, my swingin’ seraph ov the at black eye! IL hold the best bowie in Colorado ag’in’ the lasso!” Dave saw the speaker now. . He had barely made out his outlines up to this time, but now he saw the arm thrust down- ward, and he fancied he saw the devilish face, © gleaming eyes and the grinning teeth of an enemy who did not know what mercy was, And he was helpless! Not only helpless, but clinging to a bit of bull-

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22 hide over a canyon whose bed was seven hun- dred feet below him! “ Can’t you talk?” followed the last sentence of the man lying on the tree. ‘I haven’t turned ye ter stone, hev I, Dave? Look out now! Some men ¢all me Captain Clutch; but you an’ yer pards know me as Captain Theobald, the avenger ov Pistol Pocket!” Daisy Dave ground his teeth. ‘* Yer name warn’t necessary,” through them he hissed, ‘I know ye, Cap’n Clutch!” The answer was a laugh, “Ts a thousand feet ter yer landin’-place,” said the Taos Tiger, ‘* Thet’s a lie! it’s only seven hundred.” “Count ’em ez ye go down, ha! ha! Let me inform ye thet the Daisy ov Dead Line, fired by my torch, isn’t in the cavern, All yer trouble has been for nothin’. She’s alive an’ well, though, an’ when I have wiped out the banded pards oy Dead Line, Pll make her Captain Theobald’s wife!” The boast parted Dave’s lips with a cry of madness, It ended suddenly. “‘Good-by, Daisy Dav’e! Take with yer the compliments of the Taos Tiger!” And the ‘ best bowie in Colorado” cut the cord, and a yell went starward as » human form shot the dark- mess like a cannon ball! CHAPTER XIIT. THE TIGER AT HOME, THE man with the bowie crept backward over ‘ the log to solid ground. Beneath the bridge dangled a piece of lasso which swayed hither and thither in the night winds, “One of tho gang!” he ejaculated in audible tones, ‘I don’t know but what I gotaway with the worst pill in the box, Thar war no rebound when you struck, Dave. When a man falls seven hundred feet through darkness an’ strikes solid rock he never lives to spin the yarn at a camp-fire.” : Captain Clutch supplemented the last sentence with a laugh, and coolly put up the bowie as he turned away. Dave’s horsa was no longer where the despera- do of Dead Line had left him, but near by was another steed just as supple-limbed, and this horse seemed to be waiting for some one. He pricked up his long fox-like ears as Cap- tain Clutch came up and thrust his head for- ward, in greeting of the man who was his mas- ter. Instead of vaulting into tho saddle, the Taos Tiger stroked the horse’s neck with one of his swarthy hands and walked down the trail, con- fident that the faithful steed would follow him, Ten minutes later he drew aside a curtain of mountain vines that added much to the wild picturesqueness of a certain place, and disap- peared, Ho was followed by the horse, for the opening thus displayed was large enough to admit a man a the saddle, and the curtain dropped behind © pair, Captain Clutch was not a stranger in the place he had entered, and the horse also had been Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot, there before, for he stepped aside into alarge dark niche and stood perfectly still while the ; man from Taos proceeded onward. : As he glided down a narrow but lofty corri- dor, he was brought suddenly face to facein |. the light of a ground fire with a young girl from whose waist to the wall at her right extendeda dark cord not unlike the one the desperado’s — bowie had severed a few minutes before, : Princess Pet. at ‘ f Tho girl’s eyes lit up with curiosity as Captain — Clutch came forward, 2 rae She seemed to read in his appearance tha’ something startling had happened, and her first thought was of danger to Ivan. ‘The wolves are on the trail, Princess, but one has just left it by the lasso route,” laughed the avenger of Pistol Pocket City as he halted before the speechless captive and coolly folded his arms, “And that means, I suppose, that you have shed human blood,” she said, ; “J didn’t spill a drop. I only cut a lasso, but thar war a man at the end ov it,” ‘A friend of mine?” “That depends, He war a Dead Liner.” “Tt was Ivan!” Captain Clutch made no reply, but stepped to- ward the girl as a frown darkened his face, “ Still thinkin’ ov him, eh?” be almosted hiss- ed, and then he added as furiously as ever: ‘*No, it war not thet beardless pard, but I will get him by and by. I found a man tryin’ ter reach a cave in the canyon wall. He warsus- pended in mid-air at ther end ov a lasso, They _ -ealled him Daisy Dave at Dead Line!” if Princess Pet could not suppress an exclama- lon, _ ‘Seven hundred feet through darkness ter strike ther soft side ov a rock—think of it!” Captain Clutch went on. ‘One wolf less, an” — ther worst one ov ther gang, I think. Thet galoot wanted you, Princess.” “He wanted Ivan’s life worse.” : “Wal, he'll not get either now. Two nights since when I rode inter Dead Line an’ claimed ther letter addressed to the ugliest pard thar, I saw therdevil in his eyes just ez I saw him thar awhile ago. Thar warn’t a man in ther hull Hi town with sand enough ter claim ther letter, an? they warn’t beauties either. I tried ter rile ’em when I sent it an’ when J found I had hit on ther wrong plan sofar as a fight war cousarned, I~ came an’ took it away.” ‘ : ‘Did you send that letter?” cried the girl, “T should gently remark, Princess,” chuckled the man tiger from Taos, 4 “ What did it contain?” “‘ Nothin’ but a fow choice epithets that would hev roused a sleepin’ erocodile. But they wouldn’t claim it, ; ‘handsomest man in Dead Lino’ they’d hey fought for it, I bit "em too hard, Imadea mistake, but then I riled ’em a little later. Ther flames oy Dead Line waked ’em ane a of The girl could hardly wait for Captain Clutch to conclude. ‘ ; “Fy “Didn't Clover Phil, the postmaster, know that the letter was a scheme of yours?” she asked, The question, entirely unexpected, startled the yuffian, If { hed sent it ter ther |

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. * How could he know, girl?” he cried. “Ab! T know something!” was the answer, ind Pet?s black eyes became riveted on the man ore her, ‘What do you know? Ont with it!” A mad stride and he was at herside, towering above her like a giant, and looking down upen her with a pair of blazing eyes. She never quavered. e y . “What do I know?” she said calmly, “I know that you have had a traitor, a pard in Dead Line. I know that man there has kept - you posted. The letter which Daisy Dave picked up in the trail near the bowlder post-office was written by that spy and afterward lost by your- self. I know that Ivan didn’t write it, though Dave tried to fasten its authorship upon him. I _ know that there was only one other man with ‘knowledge enough to pen it, and that man is Clover Phil.” The black eyes of the captive were seen to flash, _ “Then a meaner reptile than the postmaster _ of Dead Line never crept overhe face of the earth!” she exclaimed. ‘The desperado laughed. ‘Oi! is that your estimate oy my pard? ll tell him when we meet.” ~ ““And tell him, too, that I hope his treason ~~ will go unrewarded, that the hatred of the waif of the Conestoga shall forever follow him, and that the vengeance of the betrayed will punish - him one of these days.” _ “Is that all, Princess Pet?” “4 The girl did not speak, “You're rayther hard on Clover Phil,” con- tinued Captain Clutch, ‘See byer. You talk about ‘the vengeance ov the betrayed.’ Thet'll never bother my Dead Line pard.” _ * Why not?”_ “Because before ther end oy five days from \ _ this thar will be no betrayed.” a *€ Do you think so?” = “T know it!” And the man-tiger stepped sud- _ denly back and drew his magnificent brigandish figure to its full height, “The burnin’ oy Dead Line war only ther commencement. At ther end ov ther fifth day the pards ov thet den will be food for ther Colorado vultures—not a livin’ man will be left ter tell ther story oy ther end.” “None but your traitor, eh?” “None but Clover Phil; I forgot him.” “Tf you aro not careful, the spy may go down nthe general wreck: ¥- ’ in Clutch’s eyes exhibited a twinkle, “I can spare him if he does,” he smiled. ne < ual have to spare him, tken,” do yo ? “Wale “Tell me now demanded the Taos Tiger, suddenly seizing the girl's arm. ‘Do you mean that you will turn on Cloyer Phil—that you will avenge the destruction oy Dead Line?” “No, You bave sworn yengeance op the - pards of that mountain capital; There was a - Sr dweller there who was not a Dead Liner. He came to the place against his will. He—” “Ivan you mean?” interrupted Captain Clutch. The young girl’s eyes said ‘* [ do.” “A boy ag’in’ me an’ Clover Phil!” broke forth the mountain ruffian, and his coarse laugh awoke the echoes of the cavern, Princess Pet listened till her temples flushed and her cheeks burned. “He laughs best who laughs last, Captain Clutch,” she said. ‘A boy you call him, but in the end you shall find him a giant!” All at once the laugher ceased, for the whinny of a horse had reached his ears. With a glance at the girl, he suddenly de- serted her and sprung toward the curtain of vines at the mouth of the underground retreat. ‘““Comet hears something,” he said when he struck the gloom. Three minutes later a human figure rose in his path and a hand found his wrist in the dark- ness, “T’ve got nine ov ’em in a for you. cap’n,” sta a voice, ‘Ar’ yen RExaHOtaTS loaded?” “Nine ov ’em?’ he echoed. ‘ Good!” The informer was Clover Phil. CHAPTER XIV, COWED BY A LIE. THERE was no doubt of the postmaster’s trea- son now. He had brought the nine specde of Dead Line City to Captain Clutch, and had left them where the Tiger of Taos could shoot them down without mercy. Such an act was in keeping with Clover ml character, oily, treacherous and full of villainy. Ca dct Clutch’s hands moved quickly to- ward the weapons in his belt as he stepped for- ward and parted the curtain of vines that con- cealed from outside observation the entrance to the cave, ‘Nine ov _’em,” he was heard to repeat. ‘* By Jove! Clover Phil, you ar’ a pard worth havin’.” The Dead Liner’s eyes glistened. ‘* When I swore ter help a ter vengeance, captain, I meant every word oy my oath,” he said. ‘I couldn’t bring all ov ’emhyer. Thar war some who wouldn’t hey followed me. But. the ones I did bring ar’ the worst whelps oy ther” litter.” : “Come on, then. the victims!” Side by side the two went up the mountain trail together. Clover Phil had not drawn his revolvers, as though he intended to let the man-tiger do all the shooting. ; He evidently thought he had done enough in bringing the nine apes to the man who had taken an oath to kill them all. . Besides, he (Clover Phil) had not promised te Poi their blood; that belonged to Captain utch. ‘““Whar’s the boy, Ivan?” asked the avenger as they walked along. % : *T don’t know, Ho was in camp when you Show me whar you hey left

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24 Sa 6 Sb. Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. threw the fireball down among us an’ then drop- ped Slim Silas an’ Nugget Noll.” Captain Clutch stopped in his tracks and gave his companion a strange look, ‘‘ What fireball?” he asked. *Didn’t you throw one down inter camp while I war havin’ a few words with Dave?” “ No. ui * Then I’d like ter know who did,” He killed two men, eh?—two thet belonged ter mo!” “* Shot ’em dead in their boots,” The Taos Tiger grated his teeth till they seem- ed to crack. ‘*Nidn't you go up to see who did thet work, Clover?” he asked, “T thought you did,” was the reply. ‘‘ Thar- fore, I kept back. Es it warn’t you, captain, mebbe it war thet Injun’s work.” ‘1 settled him when—” ; Captain Clutch broke his own sentence like a man who suddenly discovers that he is trespass- ing on the domains of a secret. He was on the eve of telling Clover Phil that Princess Pet had fallen into his power, and this, perhaps, would not do, ** Never mind, Clover,” he suddenly continued, **T will answer for that red-skin, He is not in shooting condition just now.” “Then who shot the two pards in the light of the fireball?” “Let time answer thet.” A few rods further on Clover Phil halted Cap- tain Clutch by touching his sleeve and whispered at his ear: “We're gettin’ close to the corral, captain; this trail gives forth no sound, you perceive. Just beyond yon heap of rocks stand the nine pards from Camp Vengeance,” “ For me!” hissed the ruffian from Taos, ‘* Let me go forward an’ find ’em all. You forget, Clo- ver Phil, that men say I hev an owl’s eyes be- cause I kin see so well after dark, I kin pick em all out at forty feet, an’ won’t miss a galoot when I begin to kill.” He started from his companion and Clover Phil watched him walk toward the bowlders a short distance forward. “Tf they’re all whar I left ’em he'll find some splendid targets,” said the postmaster to himself as he glided after Captain Clutch. Yes, resting on their horses in a little pen-like place, surrounded by a natural barrier of rock, and where Clover Phil had left them a few min- utes before, were the stalwart roughs of de- stroyed Dead Line. Little did they dream that their leader and gue had brought them to that spot in order hat the man he served could shoot them down in cold blood, We will not say that their lawless deeds did not deserve soms terrible vengeance, but to be shot by a man like the desperado gliding upon Se rough the starlight—that was no justice at all. Cathke and witha pair of eyes in his head that flashed fire, Captain Clutch advanced step by step toward the rocks. He did not glance over his shoulder to see what had become of Clover Phil; he seemed to haye lost all interest in that individual, When he halted he stood among the dense shadows thrown by the bowlders, and then he leaned forward until his breast touched the top’ of the pile. The sight that mot his gaze, althongh he bad partially prepared himself for it, almost drew an exclamation over his lips, He saw at first a confused lot of men and horses, but presently he was able to separate them, and his lips moved inaudibly as he counted the gang. ; “I can’t see but eight an’ yet Clover said he fetched nine hyer,” he said to himself, and then, for fear of having made a mistake, he went over the lot again, “Thar’s but eight, Ther ninth one may be prowlin’ around somewhar. [ll begin on what [ have before me, ‘To-night somebody will know thet L hevn’t forgotten the tragedy of Pis- tol Pocket!” He thrust his yevolvers over the rock and coy- ered the two men nearest his position, All unconscious of impending doom the pards of Dead Line faced the Taos Tiger. When Clover Phil left them the company con- sisted of nine, now Captain Clutch could count but eight, and the absence of the one seemed to worry him not a little, If at the moment he thrust his deadly six- shooter into the faces of his enemies, he had gone back several yards and looked at a certain spot, he might have seen the missing man; but such a thought never occurred to him, Clover Phil was in his rear, and he ought to protect him from foes in that direction, All at once the voice of the man-tiger sent a fart through the frames of the Dead Line pards, ‘““Wake up an’ die, dogs ov Dead Line!” rung clearly out on the mountain breeze, ‘ You've ridden inter a pen ov death, an’ Captain Theo- bald, the Destroyer, holds yer lives at the muz- zles of his revolvers! I shoot for Pistol Pocket. To perdition with the hounds thet gave it to the match!” The last sentence ended in a wild ery for re- venge, and the next second the flashes of the captain’s weapons showed his tigerish face, his — glaring eyeballs, to the thunderstruck pards of the Colorado hills. q ; “Tt is my night!” be yelled in their faces, ‘ It is the doom of the Dead Line pards!” The foremost desperadoes tumbled backward over the haunches of their steeds, and the whole band seemed to reel at once from the deadly shots fired over the rocks, But suddenly a man threw himself upon the Taos Tiger from behind—a man the captain’s equal in physique, courage and ferocity, F Captain Clutch felt his arms torn from their resting-place on the natural breastwork, and suddenly pinioned at his sides. He started back to combat his new foe, but just then he was dealt a blow that seemed to knock his head from his shoulders, +? “1 guess we'll turn the tables, cap’n,” said a voice at his ear, as his senses swum, ‘I’m one ov ther pards ov Dead Line—” “The ninth man!” flashed through the cap- tain’s mind as be interrupted the speaker with an oath, ; : x coe eee hte nN gee a aa a

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- *“Bowlder Bill, the galoot who fired Pistol *Pocket the night we cleaned it out! An’ now. cap’n, we'll see thet you shoot no more Dea _ Line pards arter to-night. Dve got the boss tiger ov the menagerie, boys!” cried the fe tains captor, elevating his voice; and with yells, oaths and frantic cries of mad delight, the toughs of Dead Line sprung from their steeds and began to clamber over the stones, _ In another instant the Taos Tiger found him- self in the center of the maddest lot of men he had ever faced, Es Behind the rocks in the ‘‘ pen” to which the traitor of Dead Line had guided them, lay three ‘stiffened human figures, each with a bullet-hole between the eyes, “Wal,” growled Captain Clutch, facing the bronzed crowd with the air of an unconquered desperado, “‘you’ve corraled me, dogs of Dead Line. Ha! you know me. I’m Captain Theo- bald, the king-pin ov Pistol Pocket, the twin _ brother oy the man you hung thet night!” “Glad ov it, cap’n!” was the fierce response. ‘We'll sarve you the same trick.” “When?” “Right away! Tie his hands, pards, Thar’s a tree somewhar nigh, thet spans the canyon, We'll let bim hang under it five minutes, an’ then shoot the rope ti two,” Captain Clutch did not start at this merciless announcement of his doom. He must have thought of the piece of lasso

“Why don’t you-go on with yer circus ?” ere the ruffian captain. ‘‘ You stand there an’ look at one another like a parcel ov cowards. I’ve only told ther truth, Twenty-four hours is ther limit if I foller Daisy Dave.” A moment later the knife of Bowlder Bill cut the captain’s cords. “Go an’ wipe out Dead Line ef yer kin. We give you another chance!” cried the deliverer. © “Part an’ let the boss animal of the menagerie out, pards,” 2 Though taken aback by their leader’s action, the Dead Line pards stepped aside and sullenly let the Tagos Tiger through. He uttered no word of thanks, gave them mo look of gratitude, but clinched his hands and dashed madly up the mountain trail. “T scared ‘em with a lie!” he laughed. CHAPTER XV. TIGHRS RED AND WHITE. Ir Captain Clutch had obtained his deliver- ance by means of a futile threat whose success was a source of surprise to him, a still greater one awaited him. Tn his eagerness to gain the mountain cavern which he had left a short time before in com~ pany with ¢he Boss of Dead Line he looked neither to the right nor to the left for his friend. Dashing the vines aside he bounded into the darkened corridor, and pressed forward toward the main apartment, He landed in the apartment suddenly, and then awoke its echoes with a terrible maledic- tion. The cave was empty! No longer stood before him the beautiful oung creature whom he left at the end of a asso which the strength of a giant could not snap. What had become of Princess Pet? On the cavern floor lay a severed lasso, and the Taos Tiger snatched it up and examined it closely, “Cut with a knife!” he grated. ‘By heavens! some one has been hyer, The girl herself could et no bowie. There was none in the den for ner. Who has been hyer? ’ - The echo of his demand came back like a bit- ter, derisive laugh which only increased his ALC, Ri at once the truth flashed across his brain, “T know the thief!” he cried. ‘‘ Clover Phil, the girl’s beauty has got away with you! I made you a traitor to your kind, an’ you’ve paid me back by turnin’ kidnapper! Stand out of my way! D’ve been Captain Clutch to you all along; from this hour I am Captain Ven- geance.” He went back to the corridor, and at the mouth of the cave made another discovery. His horse was missing. ; Another oath, and he sprung into the star- light with a cocked six-shooter in his hand. “To hunt you down first is my duty, Clover Phil!” fell from his lips. ‘After that I will make the pards of ruined Dead Line wish they had never seen the light of day! I don’t givea heht like Princess Pet up without a terrible = ‘2 7 ‘| He went down the trail as if he was ‘going 3 ae

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Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. a ——_—_—_—_OOC3OCOS ccc Cs back to the spot where he had met and fought the Dead Line pards; but he halted soon, and after a moment of self-consultation turned asice into a bridle-path and disappeared. ‘He'll take her back to camp, won’t he?” he said to himself. ‘‘ The pards don’t suspicion him, else they wouldn’t hev follered bim hyer, Thar’s whar ll find Princess Pet, an’ thar, by Heaven! is whar Pll begin ter kill!” Daylight was lighting the eastern horizon when @ man, majestic in physical appearance, appeared on the spur of a mountain which over- looked the camp of the Dead Line pards, Although there were plainly visible evidences that he had traveled afoot over rough ways the greater part of the night, ho still looked fresh, and the eagle eyes that shone in his head gazed searchingly down the mountain, He saw the little camp that lay hundreds of feet beneath his lofty position, too far below him to distinguish its tenants with the naked eye; but he knew that it must contain the men he hated, for he was Captain Clutch, they the pards of Dead Line, * Look out, the eagle is hyer!” he exclaimed. ‘Over yonder lie the black ruins ov yer town, an’ when I leave Camp Vengeance, as you call your new nest, it will be in no better condi- tion. He stepped back, looked carefully to the heavy revolvers that lifted their heads above his belt, and then went down the winding trail. “The descent could not be accomplished in a few minutes; it was the work of an hour, and when, at the end of that period of time, Captain Clutch stood on a level with the camp of the burned-out Dead Liners, the sun had n far above the earnest rim and was mounting zenith- ward through a cloudless sky, Step by step Captain Clutch crept down the rugged gorge at whose mouth the Dead Lire pards had taken up their abode. He hugged the wall that was in shadow, and all the time kept his fingers at the triggers of his weapons while his glances shot ahead for a sight of the men he hated. When he halted it was to straighten his figure and to crane his neck forward. ; He was at the edge of Camp Vengeance. He saw the few things the Dead Liners had saved from the flames, but no human figure met his gaze. “Blamed ef the old place isn’t as silent as a sepulcher,” murmured Captain Clutch, ‘‘ Some- thin’s happened hyer, too. Mebbe the birds hev taken wings an’ left the kentry.” In no good humor he advanced again a few steps, and suddenly discovered the cause of the stillness, The camp was not entirely deserted although he was the only living tenant. “ The figures of four men lay on the ground, and the right hand of each was bandaged. Captain Clutch’s eyes glittered while he re- garded them, ‘“*They’re the chaps I winged,” he ejaculated, “The pards ov Dead Line have disagreed among themselves, Thar lie four galoots [ will never get ter settle with, but I will settle with the pis- tols thet wiped them out, I’m too late, I stand an’ their toes ar’ turned skyward. Clover Phil might hey fetched the girl hyer, but he isn’t hyer now.” The pause of the Taos Tiger was abrupt. It galled him to think that he had reached Dead Liner’s camp to find it tenanted only by the dead, “Tl let. somebody know Pve been hyer,” he said. ‘Though I didn’t drop the four pards, Pi write my autograph across their faces, so thet when their friends come back they'll know that Colorado still contains the boss tiger of the — cage!” He whipped out a ten-inch bowie and walked to where the dead men lay in the positions in i which they had tumbled when struck by the deadly bullets of the border, “Til just lerve my mark with ye, boys,” he laughed, and quick as a flash he drew the keen point of the bowie across the face of the one nearest him. ‘Thar! Yer mother wouldn’t know you!” And be stepped back and contem- plated his work with a grin. Again he stooped and gashed the fixed features of the second Dead Liner, but ere he could re- peat the insult in the face of the third, a yell a that made the gorge 1esound sounded in his ear, — and a well-thrown lasso dropped over his head! It was the work of a second for Captain Clutch to leap up from his employment with a yell of rage. **Tassoed, but not for keeps!” he roared, “Nobody holds the Taos Tiger with a rope,” and in the flight of a second his yellow hands tore off the noose even before it tightened, and the next moment he thrust forward the deadliest _ revolvers in Colorado. The lassoer was completely taken aback. He stood not more than thirty feet from Cap- tain Clutch, amazed at the man-tiger’s agility, ‘*Confound you! I thought I had finis e you!” growled the desperado. ‘ How one : must an Injun be shot before he tosses in his checks? But Tye got you now, Comanche. You've trailed me a long time an’ l’ve put up with it because I didn’t want ter dirty my hands ~ with you. Now [’ll shoot to kill.” He went forward in aquick bound asheshot ~~ 3 out the last sentence, but all at once the red- skin reeled away with a wild ery and fell before Captain Clutch could press the trigger. “What does thet mean?” queried the Taos Tiger. ‘‘It may be a fortunate stroke ov apo- plexy for yer, Velvet Foot. me, woe to the day thet brought ye into the © world!” Three strides took him to the spot where the Indian detective had fallen. “Dead! by Jove!” exclaimed the Taos Tiger, looking down into the face of the Comanche. wy finished him after all when I shot, but he held out till be had lassoed me, an’ his failure snapped the thread ov life,” Still, to fully satisfy himself he stooped and — put his left hand on the Ividian’s breast, ““T war right. The Comanche dog is dead!” Dead?—no; a cool man’s trick, If you’re foolin? ~ 4 All at once the body of the red-skin seemed to leap up at the ruffian avenger, a pair of long red arms went round his neck, and before the man- in Camp Vengeance, but it holds only four men | tiger could comprehend the sudden change, be fo

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= . ~ ask the Indian to assist me. a er ie Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. ‘was drawn downward into the clutches of his Indian tracker! In vain he struggled. A hand caaght at his throat and as the fingers seemed to meet behind his windpipe, a voice hissed in his ear: ; “Velvet Foot is at the end of his trail!” CHAPTER XVI. IVAN’s NEW ALLY, ‘Tum sun reached the meridian and sloped to- ward the west, the shadows of the mountain peaks lengthened once more, and the winds that ‘stir as the day wanes moved the boughs of bush and tree, és *¢ What's the use of waiting longer for him?’ ‘said a young man who sat on the back of a horse on atrail walled with masses of black-gray stone. ** He has died somewhere, therefore he will not come back, I knew that the Indian detective could not recover from the wound he carried in his breast, that it was sapping his life and that de- spite his assertion that be would live till he had found Captain Clutch, be would die suddenly, and without a sign. I have waited long enough for him. He started out to find Pet’s trail. He has left me, I must find it myself.” These words of course fell from lvan’s lips. The young Mazeppa of Colorado was a long “distance from Camp Vengeance, and he did not think that Velvet Foot, the Comanche, had trav- eled back to the spot. **Yes, I will find the girl alone and unaided,” bs went on in determined tones. ‘I will never And I trust that I may find the Taos Tiger also,” He urged his steedinto a gallop and left the spot, but ten minutes later he guided him quick- ly to one side of the trail and drew a revolver as he leaned forward and held his breath. “We've lost Clover Phil, but what ov thet?” laughed a coarse voice which Ivan seemed to spigenize, for at sound of it he started. ‘We'll git another ef we need one,” was the uick answer. ‘We war fools for lettin’ up on ; ’n Theobald when we had im in our clutches, _ He’ll turn on us for it, an’ open his shootin’ bat- teries with killin’ effect.” “Let ‘im try!” growled a third party just as * seven or eight swarthy horsemen came in sight, ‘I took upon myself the responsibility ov settin’ _ the boss tiger at liberty, I want ter find out who his pards ar’,” ‘If we hed hanged him first, Bowlder Bill—” _ _ * Hanged thunder!” was the interruption, and the speaker drew rein suddenly and turned upon the growling, dissatisfied crowd at his back, If you don’t like what I did, say so, an’ we'll fi separate, Spit it out!” ‘We don’t like it; thar!” -- ““"Phet's bizness. Now ride on, We've dis- ig bowen Saar ~ _ toward distant Camp Vengeance, and a geance er bunt tain Clutch an’ get yer fill ov him, just as you like. I’ve had enough ov _ this kentry, anyhow. Thar’s a bonanza some- ” -whar for Bowlder Bill, oy Dead Line City, an’ he hunts for it from this hour.” The long arm of the Colorado rough pointed firm re- solye to part from his companions settled in his Pee neratip. Go back ter Camp Ven- ap eyes, \ The toughs of the mountain looked at one an- other, but did not speak, “Go!” Thundered Bowlder Bill. ‘ We've been long enough together anyhow. I will be no men’s Jeader ef I can’t do as I please.’ Go back ter yer bonavzas if you have any. Vl go to mine!’ **By thunder! go we will,” growled one of the gang. ‘Good-by, Bowlder Bil,” The forward rough made no response, and his arm still outstretched did not drop at his side until the last Dead Liner had ridden by. Ivan unseen among the bushes at the side of the trail witnessed this parting. Curiosity filled his beart. Those men had had Captain Clutch in their power and Bowlder Bill had rescued him, ‘““He must tell me about the Taos Tiger,” said Ivan to himself. ‘‘He may know some- thing about Princess Pet, I know him well. We were never enemies, although, during my long stay in Dead Line City, we never hecame friends,” The next instant the voice of the youth made Bowlder Bill turn his head, and an exclamation of astonishment parted his lips. Ivan urged the steed upon the trail, and ke- fore he spoke again he was in arm’s reach of the Dead Liner. ‘* Where is Captain Theobald?” he asked. “Do you want him real bad?’ And a smile flitted across the desperado’s face. “Tam hunting him.” “To give bim the dead drop on ye?” “Tl risk that. Tell me where you left the Taos Tiger, I know that you had him in your power, but I do not know why you let him go, I don’t want him particularly to shed his blood. Iam on the trail of a dear friend.” “The girl, eh?” ‘ Princess Pet,” The eyes of Bowlder Bill seemed to twinkle with eagerness. ‘‘Do you know, Ivan, that you've got a bad rival?” he said, “ Who ?) * Couldn’t you guess?” “Daisy Dave?” The Dead Liner laughed. ‘No man is a dan- gerous rival who fallsseven hundred feet through ea io starlight,” he said. ‘‘I mean Clover bil. “T know that, but I’m not afraid of the out- come if Pet has to choose between he and I. Where is Clover Phil?” **Ha! got on thet trail, hey ye?” grinned Bowl- der Bill, ‘A minute ago ye warinquirin’ arter Cap'n Theobald, now it’s Clover Phil. He left us last night ter reconnoiter, an’ that’s the last we've seen ov him, Ten minutes arter he left us, Cap'n Theobald came an’ opened on the boys. Warn't it singular?” ._ “No,” answered the youth. “It was accord- Ing to the programme. Clover Phil is the traitor of Dead Line.” : Bowlder Bill did not start as the youth ex- Pected he would, his countenance did not change. “T thought you would think it singular,” he merely said. ‘It didn’t take me by surprise, f I warn’t goin’ off ter look up the bonanza I’ve ‘ot somewhar, I’d take a turn arter Clover Phil. ut you want Captain Clutch, don’t you, Ivan?”

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mK EY 66,7? “For what?” “T left Pet with him.” “The deuce you did!” ejaculated Bowlder | tive. Do you know why, Ivan?” Bill, “*Thet puts another face on the matter. We've never been great friends, hey we, Ivan?” “cs No,” “T always looked upon you as a curse ter Dead Line, Arter thet Injun hoss brought yer inter camp, we begun ter hev bad luck. I used ter think thet you brought it ter Dead Line, an’ more’n half ov ther boys got ov ther same opin- ion. We couldn’t hev become pards; it warn’t in the nature ov things,” “ Allright,” laughed Ivan, “If there can be uo loye between us, I will do nothing to stir up hatred. I’ve bad enemies enough in my time. I want no more. Let me find Princess Pet alive, and I will turn my face forever from the mountain camps of Colorado.” ““What do you know about that girl, boy?” Bowlder Bill leaned forward with eagerness depicted on his countenanee as he put the ques- tion. “She war found in a Conestoga whose hosses an’ driver had been arrered by the Comanches,” he went on. ‘J used ter look at her an’ imagine that she resembled a sister I hed when I war a boy. But she didn’t recollect her mother’s name, though I asked her a thousand times.” “But I know what it was,” said Ivan, ‘TI have not lived in Dead Line for nothing, Ihave discovered Pet’s mother. Her father was killed when the Indians chased the wagon, but the horses got away with it afterward, to drop dead from arrow wounds, and the girl was left to her fate. I have corresponded with the mother. I used to write letters to her and put them under the big bowlder near Dead Line, where they would be found by a secret agent in her employ. I did not know for a long time that Clover Phil was using that same bowlder—the other side of it—to communicate with Captain Clutch.” “ But what war Pet’s mother’s maiden name?” asked Bowlder Bill. ‘ You see you’ve made me just ther least{bit anxious. Is no secret now, I suppose.” tpi “ No, though [’ve kept it diligently from Prin- cess Pet for a purpose which might appear selfish. I wanted to gain her love first—” * But the name!” “Tt is Manderson.” Ths rough of Dead Line started back with an ejaculation. “ Alice Manderson, my favorite sister!” he exclaimed, and then darting forward his hand closed on Ivan’s arm. ‘‘ You wouldn't lie to Bowld>r Bill on such a subject as this! no, no! Princess Pet is Alice’s child! Hooray! The bonanza can go to thunder for the time bein’! Hyer! turn yer hoss’s head about, Ef you brought bad luck ter Dead Line you’ve more’n made up fer it by tellin’ me who ther waif ov ther Conestoga is! About face, I say. If Princess Pet is in Cap’n Theobald’s grip we'll wrench her away, an’ Clover Phil, ther traitor, will never win the game he’s been playin’! Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. “Thad Velvet Foot with me on the trai a he left me suddenly,” he said. og a “‘Thet Injun? He’s been called a red detec- “Not exactly. He hates Captain Clutch; het has trailed him for years for a purpose, I know not what. But Velvet foot isdead. The cap- tain’s bullet bas done its work ere this.” “ Then let us find the girl. Weecanbe friends — now. ‘I feelliké a mornin’ star, IT say. An? — Alice is alive! Hooray!” And up went Bowl- Ff der Bill’s sombrero toward the sky. =a The ma pat the mountain echoes were again awakened by the ringing report ofa fire- arm and the hat dropped over the Dead Linea band pierced by a bullet! he “Fancy shootin’ by a fool, Ivan! Look at — thet!” cried Bowlder Bill holding up the per- forated sombrero to the astonished youth’s gaze, Thet means, I calkerlate, that Imay bethank~ — ful thet my head warn’t inside.” He put the hat on as he concluded and coolly turned toward that part of the mountain from whence the bullet had come. y He seemed to know who had fired the shot, — but he said nothing. “ They think they kin win with the band they hold,” he sent back over his shoulder to Ivan_ who was close behind. “The pards hev gone back ter Camp Vengeance ter fight like wolves among themselves. They had it rough-and- tumble thar last night and four died with their boots on. Foller me close, Ivan, I never waste powder shootin’ tossed-up hats. Pet is Alice’s child. Hooray!” The mountain sent back in echoes Bowlder | Bill’s loud shout. Fa! ¥ he CHAPTER XVII. SF iatl THE END OF IT ALL. en ae At tho close of a previous chapter we left the reader in the belief that Princess Pet, the waif ] of the Conestoga, had changed masters, that is ‘1 that she had fallen into the power of a new ~— admirer. a ae This was true, and Captain Clutch hit the —? mark when he guessed that Clover Phil, his pard ~~~ and traitor, bad visited the’cavern in the moun- “ak tain-side, and ed it of its beautiful tenants d he But Clover Phil had not gone back to Camp — g Vengeance, ¢ He was too shrewd to take the girlback to the place he had betrayed, too cunning to return — to the pards of Dead Line, where he was liable — to he treated as the Taos Tiger’s spy- es He knew that Daisy Daye, 01s formidable rival, had perished at the instance of Captain Clutch, but there still remained one who was n likely to give him serious trouble before he could call himself the permanent victor, 2 eee a ne the existence Of Ivan that irritated = over Phil, A ‘ ren While he lived, Princess Pet would be searched for, and the young Mazeppa was likely to Gives him a good deal of trouble. : eS bi One hour after the sending of the bulleh = W Hooray! I feel like a mornin’ star! Bowlder | through Bowlder Bill's sombre ae man raised — ar Bill will make a red trail over these everlasting hills ef anybody opposes his hunt!” Ivan could not but stare at the excited man, himself in his stirrups and cocked two heavy re- yolvers Which he carried at his side. ecg Sh The sun had just gone down on another event= ge i ¢

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ful day, but darkness had not yet followed the descent, and the man on the horse could seesome distance ahead. é “T heard a horse an’ no mistake,” he said to mself. ‘It was comin’ this way a moment ago. Thar it goes ag’in! Now, when it comes round yoo bend in the trail, Pll make bis rider - throw up his hands quicker’n he kin say ‘Jack _ Robinson.’” - “He raised the revolvers, covered a certain spot, and waited on, # All at once a horse came into view and the next moment the stern ‘Halt! hands up!” rung out distinctly. é ‘Hands up, yerself!” was the unexpected re- from bebind the person halted. ‘Ive “the drop on ye, Clover Phil. Drop yer ooters an’ toss up yer hands, An’ be thun- - derin’ spry about it!” ~The answer was a pistol-shot by the man who had issued the first command, and the foremost ‘of the two horsemen reeled, but kept bis saddle, ‘This is no bat-shootin’ circus!” exclaimed a loud voice, and at the crack of the next revolver ~ Glover Phil dropped one weapon, clutched the jines, and turning his steed’s head, drove the spurs deep into his flanks. > Jl capture the Dead Line traitor, Ivan!” [ And away went the speaker past the youth i whose face had suddenly grown white as he clung to his seat in the saddle, In a minute the two men disappeared, and Tvan heard their horses’ hoofs in the gathering dusk. i y ~ We found Clover Phil where we least ex- pected, to,” he said, “ He was alone, If he has "captured Princess Pet he must have left her somewhere. Let me see. Is there a cavern near by? - The youth moved his hand across his forehead as if to collect his thoughts. He knew the mountains that surrounded him his frequent excursions from Dead Line had familiarized him with them, and there were few celebrated places he did not know. But now he could think of none, though he - yacked his brain till the labor brought on a pain. Lm Suddenly there rung out on the air behind him a shotand then a wild cry, like a woman's _ shriek for assistance, 4 _ “Tt is Princess Pet!” he cried wheeling about, re and just in time to see a frantic horse dash in sight, followed by another from whose saddle a _ man leaned with band outstretched. ~ Ivan saw in a moment that there was to be a —_ eollision. ‘ The foremost horse which carried a young _ girl was almost upon him, and the second was the horses came together; and the fair rider, who went over the head of one, landed in Ivan’s arms as he was forced from his own saddle. He struck the solid earth, half-stunned by the $ shoek, and staggered against the rocky wall. “You alive yet?” the waif’s pursuer, Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot, 29 who had barely missed the collision by good horsemanship. ‘‘ Stand where you ar’, and drop the beauty ov the mountains,” Ivan’s response was a defiant look, and his right arm tightened around the girl's waist. ‘Look inter thet an’ take a minute for your decision!” And the revolver thrust forward by the desperado covered the youth’s head, “T give Princess Pet up to no traitor!” was the fearless answer. ‘‘Clover Phil, you can’t have the old Conestoga’s waif!” “Can't, eh? Dll whisper three for you, Ivan, At the sound of the last number, if she isn’t where I can reach her, I’! paint the gorge’s wall with your brains!” “Count till you’re out of breath! You sha’n’t have the girl. TU kill her first!” “You will¢ I guess not, my young wolf. Now make up yer mind; I mean business. Off Igo. One—two—three! Shall ske be mine?” van drew closer to the wall. ‘* No!” he cried. Clover Phils brow darkened and snapped with new rage, “Then, by Hes. vens, Pll loosen your grip with the pistol!” was the hissed rejoinder. In another second there came a ringing shot, but it was not the postmaster’s revolver which had spoken. Ivan saw Clover Phil’s horse bound from his eyes under him; he saw, too, the Tiger’s pard throw up his dark-brown bands, and he fell to the ground and dey. quivering where Pet's feet touched the trail. \ All this in a second of time. The young Mazeppa turned his head to see his deliverer, and to hear a voice he had beard be- fore, “Hooray! This is what 1 call the nick of time!” exclaimed the individual who rushed for- ward and without the least ceremony snatched the half-senseless girl from Ivan’s arms, and held her at arm’s length. ‘It’s worth ten years ov life ter hold Alice’s child in my arms!” he went on. “I always said she looked like thy pet sister, but she couldn’t tell me anything. Thet galoot thar hed ther drop on yer, eh, Ivan?’ and Bowlder Bill spurned Clover Phil’s corpse with — his boot. ‘‘ He nearly got away from me arter all. Took ashort turn on me an’ came back hyer an’ picked the girl up. Somehow or other She gave him the slip an’ he shot arter her, ter seare her, I guess. He didn’t know thet I war comin’ up™behind. Wal, isn’t she a beauty? She’s got Alice’s eyes an’ hair. She's the Jim dandiest critter in Colorado, Hooray!” van saw Princess Pet recover to shrink from the swarthy tough of Dead Line. he had seen him about a thousend times, but now she could not believe him a friend, much less look upon him as a relative. ut a few words from Ivan’s lips told all, and she held out her hand and thanked Bowlder Bill for the deliverance. “Td like ter know why thet Comanche hunted Cap'n Clutch,” remarked the tough. ‘ You say € deserted _you last night?” Yes, He must have died somewhere. He carried a terrible wound in his breast.” Pve known Injuns ter hev as many lives as cats,” said Bowlder Bill, ‘‘ Let’s take the back “

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30 We'll find him a i; too, trail-an’ bunt Velvet Foot up. somewhar,” “Tm with you,” replied the youth. want his secret.” Again the sun kad risen and was making his way toward the meridian when Bowlder Bill and lvan, whose wound was slight and did not tronble him, rode into the gorge that received the Dead Liners after the destruction of their mountain ‘‘ city.” The stillness of death hovered above the place, and the two men, glancing skyward, saw dark objects moving under the cerulean canopy. Well did they know that the Colorado vultures were hovering over a feast of some kind. Pressing onward, with ready fingers at easy triggers, they entered Camp Vengeance. t bad rained the night before, and water stood here and there in little pools. The camp was apparently deserted, as if the mountain pards had taken up their march for other places; not one was there to welcome the two trailers, But all at once they came upon two human figures locked in one another’s embraces. They were dead, “‘Captain Clutch!” cried Ivan, springing back from the glassy stare of a pair of eyes that con- fronted him, “Velvet Foot!” exclaimed Bowlder Bill. * But look at that Injun’s face. It is half white, Ivan—” The boy uttered another ejaculation of sur- prise and then stooped trembling over the dead men, ‘*Great heavens! Velvet Foot was a white man!” he said, looking up into Bowlder Bill’s face, ‘He played the Indian to perfection. I would have sworn that be was a true Comanche, but he has deceived us all. His secret has perish- e1 with him, but his trail ended where he found Captain Clutch.” ‘*Mebbe his secret can be found, for all,” said Bill. ‘‘ Rip open his belt to begin with.” Ivan went to work with his knife and brought to view a folded piece of paper which had nestled many years where it was found. ; ‘‘ Thet’s ther secret,” said Bowlder Bill. Ivan said nothing, but. quietly unfolded the paper and began to master its contents. hen he had done so thoroughly, he turned and fixed his eyes on the red detective, and then knelt beside the sate ** He’s found somebody that knew him,” whis- pered Bowlder Bill to himself. When the youth rose he began to make pre- parations for burying Velvet Foot, and half an hour later he turned from a mountain graye with a sigh, _ «You needn’t tell me who Velvet Foot was,” said Bowlder Bill, “‘ I know.” And the youth looked up into the sport’s face and answered: ‘* Yes; he was my father.” A week later, Bowlder Bill read the paper found in the belt for himself, Then he knew that Velvet Foot was a white man who bad cause to hate the Taos Tiger; that Captain Clutch had robbed bim of a son; that he had caused that boy to become a young Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot. Mazeppa; that he had personated a brave of the Comanche nation and followed the man-ti; from trail to trail to find Ivan at last, and to reach the end of his hunt at the desperado’s — s throat, Not long after the ghastly discovery in Camp = Vengeance, Princess Pet was restored to her mother, and Bowlder Bill having tarried awhile with his new-found sister, set out in search of the bonanza, which he averred was ‘*some- whar.” ; > The mountain pards who escaped Captain Clutch’s vengeance never rebuilt Dead Line, but sought new quarters and played other red- dramas, while Ivan and Princess Pet, as man_ wife, took up their abodein Denver. THE END. BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS Speakers. . The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-five yolumes, — viz.: 1. American Speaker. 2. National Speaker. . Patriotic Speaker. . Comic Speaker. 5. Elocutionist. . Humorous Speaker. . Standard Speaker. . Stump Speaker, .. Juvenile Speaker. . Spread-Hagle Speaker . Dime Debater. . Exhibition Speaker. 3. School Speaker. . Ludicrous Speaker. . Komikal Speaker. . Youth’s Speaker, 7. Eloquent Speaker, . Hail Columbia Speak- er. . Serio-Comic Speaker, . Select speaker. 21. Funny Toll speaker, 22. Jo! er. . Dialect Spea! CS Ciena ‘ker. 24. Recitations and Read- ings. | 25, Burlesque Speaker These books are replete with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, ete. 75 to 100 Declamations and Recitations in each book. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace thirty-seven books, viz.: Dialogues No. One. j Dialogues No. Two. Dialogues No, Three. Dialogues No. Four. Dialogues No. Five. Dialogues No. Six. Dialogues No. Seven. Dialogues No. Hight. Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No, Ten. g Dialogues No. Eleven, /Dialogues No. Dialogues No. Twelve. ‘Dialogues No. No. Thirteen. Dialogues No. . Fourteen. Dialogues No . Fifteen. {Dialogues No. . Sixteen. Dialogues No. The above publications are for sale by all news dealers or will be sent, post-paid, om receipt of price, ten cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,» 98 Wiin1aM STREET, N.Y,

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16 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies, ~ 19 Lasso Jack, the Young Muatanger. Published Buery Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sov. ai the Uniform Price of Five Cents. 4 adwood Dick, the Prince of the Rosa. By EL. Wheeler, “- pera King; or, The Red Right Hand. By] Buffalo Bill. B The Flying Yankee. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, , Phe Double Daggers, By Edward L. Wheeler. The Two Detectives, By Albert W. Aiken. 6 The Prairie Pilot. By Buffalo Bill. The Butfalo Demon. By Edward L, Wheeler, Antelope Abe, the Boy Gaide. By Oi Coomes. Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By “Texas Jack,” 10 Bulfalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol. | By E. L. Wheeler. ‘Ai Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Cc1. Prentiss Ingraham, 2 Nick othe Night. By T. C. Harbangh. 18 Yellowstone duck. By Joseph £. Badger, Jr. 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. By E, L. Wheeler. 15 Dinmond Dirks or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. By Oll Coomes. ‘AZ Oregon Sol, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy.” By J. F. C. Adams. 18 Death-Face, the Detective. By E.L, Whielor. By Oll Coomes. 20 Koaring Ralph Rockwood. By Harry St. George. 21 The Boy Clown, By Franx 8, Finn. 22 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. Edward L, Wheeler. 28 The Sea-Cat, By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 24 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. 25 Rattling Rube. By Hurry St. corres. 26 Old Avalanche, the Annihilator. By E. L. Wheeler. Gluasa-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By J. F.C, Adams. 28 The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker, 80 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By Edward L, Wheeler, 81 Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. 82 Black John, the Road A . By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 88 Omaha OU, the Masked Terror, By E. L, Wheeler. 84 Burt Bunker, the ate By George E. Lasalle. 85 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons. 86 The White Buffalo. By George E. Lasalle. % Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Flward L. Wheeler. 88 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. By Capt.d. F. C. Adams, BY Dea @, the Unknown Scont. By Buffalo Bill. “AL Deadwood Dick's Eaglon By Edward be Wh eadw ick’s Eagles, ward L. Wheeler, 42 The Border King. By Ol] Conmes. Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy 8’s Scalp, The White Indian, B cemekborn Te y ard L. Wheeler. io Shadow p. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, ‘The Red Brotherhood. By W. J. Hamilton. Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaw of the Oregon Trail. Harbangh. Hurricane Bill, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Single Hand; or, A ‘Lite fora Life. By W. J. Hamilton. 51 Patent-leather Joe. By Philip S. Warne. 62 The Border Robin Hood. By Buffulo Bill. a 58 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. By Edward L. Wheeler. (64 Ola Zip's Vabing or, AGreenhorn in the Woods, By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. BB Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Oll Coomes, 66 Mad Tom Western. _ By W. J. Hamilton. Deadwood Dick on Deck. By Edward L. Wheeler. Hawkeye Warry, the Young Trapper. By Oll Coomes, The Boy Duelist, 2B Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By Albert W. Aiken. Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. By Edward L, Wheeler. Will Somers, the Boy Detective. By Chas, Morris. Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapver. By A, W. Aiken. Rosebud Rob. By Edward L. Wheeler. Lichtning Joe. By Captain J. F.C. Adama. Kit Harefoot, the “ood-Hawk. By T. C, Harbaugh. Rollo, the Boy Rang-r. By Oll Coomes, Idyl, eas Girl Miner; or, bud Rob on Hand. By Edward, L, Wheeler. 69 Detective Dicks or, The Heroin Rags. By Charles Morris. ai) Poteet Beth, the Boy Rifleman. By Ot] Coomes. ‘Ll Sharp Sam 3 or, The Adventures of a riendless Boy. By J, 7q pylezander othe Sen, By Albert W. Alken. he Lion of the Sea. I. ws Photogra h Phil, the Boy Sleuth; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappear- ance, By E. 4. Wheeler. 74% Picayune Petes or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, By E Chatles Morris. By Harry St. George, apt. J. F.C. NEpaa a By T. Cc. es %% Island Jim; or, The Pet, of the Family. By Bracebridge silemyng (Jack Harkaway). 78 Watch 7 T? Dick Dead 78 Dendwood Dick’« Device 79 The Black Mustanger. “By 6: Mayne Reid. 80 Old Eroaty, the guide fiy T. . Harbaugh. 81 The eee Iper. By Gol. Prentiss Ingraham. 82 Seth 4 ones Sate Captives of the Frontier. By E. 8. Ellis. 88 Canada ches ¢ Counterfelter Chief. By E. L. ‘Wheeler, 84 The eae A are. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 85. The Boy Miners. eeu §. Ellis. 86 Jack Harkaway in C ork, By Bracebridge Hemyng. y Col Prentiss Ingraham. By Edward L, Wheeler. i" By Col. P. Ingraham. L. Wheeler. the Shadow. ‘@. the Boy Smuggler. 8% The Hussar Captain. 88 Deadwood Dickin Lendville, By Edward L. Wheeler. 89 Bill Biddon, Trappers By Edward S. Ellis. 90 Tippy, the Texan. By George Gleason. 91 Mustang Sam, the King of the Plains. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 92 The Ocean Bloodhound, By Samuel W. Pearce. 98 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. By Charles Morris. 94 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler, 95 Buck Buckram. By Captuln J. F.C. Adams, 96 Gilt-Edged Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Black Steed ofthe Prairies, By James L. Bowen. 98 The Sea Serpent. By Juav Lewis. 99 Bonanza BIIl, the Man Trecker. By E. L. Wheeler, 100 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. By E. S. Ellis. 101 Daring Davy ; the Young Bear Killer. By Harry St. George 102 The Yellow Chief. By Capt. Mayne Reid 108 Chip, the Girl Sport. By Edward L. Wheele 104 The Black Schooner. By Roger Starbuck. 105 Handsome sare the Bootblack Detective. By C, Morrie. 106 Night-Hawk Kit. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 107 Jack Hoyle’s Lead. By Edward L, Wheeler. 108 Rock ountain Kit, By T. C, Harbaugh. 109 The Branded Hand. By Frank Dumont. 110 The Dread Rider. By George W. Browne, 111 Boss Bob, tlie King of Bootblacks. By Edward L. Wheeler. 112 The Helpless Hand. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 118 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, By Oll Coomes, 114 Piney Paul, the Mountain Boy. T. C. Harbaugh. 115 Deadwood Dick’« Double. By Edward L. Wheeler. 116 Jabez Coffin, Skipper. By Capt. F. 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By Frank Dumont. 184 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. emiCharee Morris. 185 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. By E.L. Wheeler. — 186 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton Holmes, 187 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas. By G. Waido Browne. 188 Bob Tockett, the Boy Dodger. By Chas. Morris, 189 The Black Giants or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, By Joa, E. Badger, Jr. 140 Captain Arizona. By ap S. Warne, 141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By E.L. Wheeler. 142 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes, 148 Deadly Dash} or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 144 Little Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 145 The Tiger of Taos. By Geo. Waldo Browne. 4146 The Cattle King. By Frank Dumont. 447 Nobby Nick of Nevada. By Edward L. Wheeler. 448 Thunderbolt Tom. By Harry St. George. 149 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. By Charles Morris, 150 The Mad Miner. By G. Waldo Browne. 151 The Sea Trailer, Sy Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By W. R. Eyster. 158 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, | By E. L. Wheeler. 154 The Boy Trailers. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 155 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 156 Will Wildfire in the Woods. By C. Morris. 157 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By T. C. Harbaugh. 158 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. By E. L. Wheeler. 159 Patent-Leather Joe’a Defeat. By Philip. S. Warne. 160 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. By Col. P. Ingraham, 161 Bob Rockett, the Cracksman. By Charles Morris, 62 Little Wurrteane, the Boy Captain. By Ol] Coomes. ~ 68 Deadwood Dick’s Dream. By E. L. Wheeler. 64 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbangh. 65 Buffalo BUPs« Bet. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 6 Will Wildfire Wine and Loses. By Charles Morris, 67 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By George W- Browne. 68 Deadwood Dick’a Ward, _By Edward L. Wheeler. 69 The Bey Champton. By Edward Willett. 170 Bob Rockett’s Fight fer Life. By Charles Moria, Beadle’s Pocket Library !s for sale by all Newsdealers, five cénits per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New Yorks ap ek jk pk pk

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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRAR hes Sd we a = Pew Published Hvery Wednesday, Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, 71 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules, By Oll Coomes, %2 The Yankee Ranger. By Edwin Emerson. 78 Dick Dingle, Scout. By Edward S. Ellis. 4 Dandy Rock’s Scheme. By G. W. Browne. 5S The Arab Detectiy, By Edward L. Wheeler. 6 Will Wildfire’s Pluck. By Charles Morna. 7 The Boy Commander, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 5 zits ee Hunter. By Burton Saxe. ainty Lance; or, The Mystic \arkaman. By J. E, Badger 0 The Hoy Gold-Hunter. By T. C. Harbaugh, Se 1 The Scapegrace Son, By Charles Morris. 2 The Dark-Skinned Scout, By Licut. Col. Hazeltine. 88 Jabez Dart, Detective. By Ol © f 4 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. 8 ak ak pa hp pk wired ba? Seletal 5 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. S86 Dalnty Lance and His Pard. By Jose; S7 The Trapped Tiger King. By Charles 88 The Ventrilogulat Det ‘ 89 Old Rocky’s Boys. By 90 Sim! pkins, Scout. By James L. Bowen, 191 Dandy Koek’s Rival. By Geo. Waldo Browae. 192 Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George. 198 Detective Josh Grim. By Edward L. Wheeler. 194 Prospect Pete, the Boy Miner. By Ol! Coomes. 195 The Tendertoot Trailer. By T. C. Harbaugh. 196 The Dandy Detective, By Charles Morris 197 Roy, the Young Cattle King. By Col. Prenti 198 Ebony Dan’s Mask. Bs; k Dumont. 199 Dictionary Nat, Detect 200 The Twin Horsemen. 201 Dandy Darke’s Pards. By Wm. Ff 202 Tom, the Texan Tiger. By Ol] Coomes. 208 Sam__the Office Boy. By Charles Morris, 204 The Young Cowboy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 205 The Frontier Detectly By Edward L. Wheeler, 206 White Light sing; or, The Boy Ally. By T. C, Harbaugh. 207 Kentuck Talbot's Band. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 208 Trapper Tom’s Castle Mystery. By Ol! Coomes. 209 The Messenger-Boy Detective. By Charles Morria. 210 The Munchback of the Mines, By Joseph KE. Badger, Jr, 1i Little Glant and His Ba By Philip S. Warne. 12 The Jimtown Sport. By ard L. WI pi 18 The Pirate’s Prize. By C. Du ¢ Clark. 14 Dandy Dave, of Shasta, . Harbaugh. 15 Daring Dan, the Ranger; or, The Denver Detective. By Oli Coomes. ive. By Edward L, Wheeler, « Sum. S. Hall. indedeleleleleleioleintinte’ Ingraham. Www & 16 The Cowboy Captain. By Col. Prentias Ingraham 17 Bald Head of the Rockies. By Maj. Sam. 8. Hall. 18% The Miner Sport, By Edward L. Wheeler. 19 Buck, the Detective. Sy Albert W. Aiken. 20 Crack-Shot Frank. By Charles Morris. 21 Merle the Middy, By Col. ss Ingraham. 2 By ¢ ‘001 «* Watch-Dogs. B 224 Frisky Fergus, the New York Boy. 225 Dick Drew, the Miner's Son 226 Dakota Dick in Chicago. 227 Merle, the Boy Cruiser. By 228 The Preacher Detective. By Ol] Coomes. 229 Old Hickory’s Grit. By Jolin J. Marshall. 280 Three Boy Sports. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 281 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 282 Merle Monte’s Treasure. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 288 Rocky Rover Kit. By Ensign C. D, Warren, 284 Baldy, the Miner Chief. By .C. Adama. By tarbuck, By Edward L. Wheeler, 287 Newsboy N By Charles Morris. 2838 Merle 289 6 2408 2 2 2 244 245 Baldy’s Bo 246 Detective wWwwS www os Wild Ride. 250 Merle Monte’s Pardon. By 251 The Deaf Detective. By EF 252 Denver Doll’s Device. By 258 The Boy Tenderfoot, By 254 Black Willa Ben. By May. 255 Jolly Jim. Detective. By Charles Morris. RSG Merle Monte’s Last Cruise, By Col, Pre: 257 The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass, By Maj 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By BE. L. W ane ittle Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Otl C 260 Skits the Cibin Boy. By Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport. By T. C. Harbaugh. 262 Billy, the Boy Rover. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 208 Buster Bob’s Buoys or, Lige, the Light-House Keepyr. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 264 Denver Doll’s Partner, By E. L. Wheeler, ard Willett. ard L, Wheeler. Mark Wilton. tiss Ingraham, L. St. Vrain, 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy. By Charles Morris. 266 Guy’s Boy Chum. By Capt: Batok 267 Glant George’s Revenge. By Buckskin Sam. 268 Dead-Shot Dandy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 269 The Quartzyille Boss. By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine. By E. L. Wheeler. 271 Ebony Jim’s Terror. By Oll Coomes, 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 278 ane oe Rider; or, Nimble Ned's Surprino, By Jos. E, jadger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. By Col. P. Ingraham, 27H Fred, the Ocean Waif. By Charles Morris. 76 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Edward L. Wheeler. 77 The Idiot Boy Avenger. By Albert W. Aiken. 78 Arizona Alf, the Miner. By T. ©, Harbangh. 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger. By Frederick Dewey. 280 Dead Shot Dandy’s Last Deal. By Col. P. Ingraham. 251 Ned, the Boy Pilot. By Jack Farragut. 282 Buck Hawk; Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 288 Roving Sport Kit. By Edward Willett. 284 The Showman’s Best Card. By Capt, Fred. Whittaker. 285 Old Rocky’s Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 2ST Ned, the Boy Nore By Jack Farragut. 288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 289 Colorado Nick, the Lassoist. By Maj. H. B, Stoddard. 2 290 Rube, the Tenderfoot. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport. Albert W, Aiken. » Morey, the Night Ha Badger, Jr. Dwarf Jake, the Detec y Ed. W 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard. By Edward L. Wheeler. > White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Charles Morris. 96 Govinda, the Tiger Tamer. By Capt. F. Whittaker, © 297 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine-Box City. By Backskin Sam, 298 Dalsy Doll’s Dash. By T. C. Harbaugh. 299 The Spalloon Detectives. By Harry Enton. 800 Deadwood Dick’s Mission, By Edward L, Wheeler, 801 Dandy Duke, the Cowbov. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain, £02 Big Benson’s« Bet. By T. C. Harbaugh. 808 The Hotel Boy Detective. By Charles Morris, 804 Bald Hend’s Pard. By Buck nin. 805 Dusky Dick’s Duel. By Harry Hazard, B06 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store Det e's Decoy. Wheeler. ReM EL Revi ? Nick, the Boy Sport. Major E. L. St. Vrain. S Double-ixted Mats or, Th on. E. Badger, Jr. 9 Old Greybenrd’s Boy. By C. Dunning Clark. © Kit, the Girl Captain, By Col. Prentws Ingraham. 1 Frio Fred In Texas. By Buckskin Sam, 12 The Detective Road-Agent. By E. L. Wheeler. Honest Jack’s Protege. By P. S. Warne. Clip, the Boy Sheriff. By Edward Willet. 15 Tom, the Arizona Sport. By Major E. 1. St. Vrain. 16 The Street-Arab Detective. By Charles Morris. 17 Buckskin Ben of Texas, By Buckskin Sam. 18 Colorado Charlle’s Detective Dash. By E. L, Wheeler, k in Idaho. By R Starbuek. Firl Pard. By T. C, Harb ugh. 21 Billy, the Kid from Frisco. By J.C, Cowdrick. $22 Kred Flyer, Detective, By Chax, Morris. 828 Dead Shot Ike in Montana, ty Roger Starbuek. 824 Kit, the Denver Sport; or, The Bonanes Miner King. By 825 Dusky Durrell, the Camp Detective, By Edwin Emern 5S Dusk thy he Camp Datective. Oe B26 Rov. t e Hes Oru ine yi By Col. Prenties Ingrahain. 827 Ned. the Roving Miner. “By Harry Hnzard, B28 Rocky Ben’s Band. W. J. Hamilton. 829 Dave, the Colorado Wrest! By Maj. St Vrain, 880 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit'’s Big Boom. By Edward L. Wheeler. « 881 “a » Const Detectives or, The Smugglers Shadower. By Roger Starbuck. 882 Dakota Dan in Canyon City; or, Colorado Kate’s Check, By Philip &. Warne. 888 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Anthony P. Morris. 884 Frisco Tom on Deck; or, The Golden Gate Smugglers. By George Henry Morse. 885 Ben Bandy, the Boss Pard; or, The Plucky Parson, By J. Stanley Henderson. f 886 Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp; or, The Boston Wrestler’s Confederate, By Ed L.. Wheeler. 3 the Colorado ,Galoot; oF, The Boss of Dead Line By T. ©. Harbaugh, Ready June 25.— jold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike the Solid Man, By Major B. L. St. Vraine Ready July 2. : 889 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy 3,0% Reckless Rolf’s Revolt BY Wim. G. Patten. Ready a 2 Bendle’s Pocket Library 1s for sale by al] Newsdentors, five conta per pricks or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, By E. L. 0 0: 0 1 1 BARRA SS Rms B19 Frisky Fra 820 Cool Sam’s 888 The © Mystic Calffornin Giant. By