Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 359) (1890 11 26)
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Copyrighted, 1890, by Beanie anp Apams. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. ¥., as Second Clas Mall Matter. Nov. 26, 1890, i Published Weekly by Beadle ard Adams NG, O0UGzaaurter +5 No. Wie HO eee. EASE = 7 en fe | 4&4 HUMAN HAND—A HAND WITH LONG, SKELETON-LIKE FINGERS—WAS RAISED FROM THE GRASS AND CARESSINGLY PASSED OVER THE ANIMAL’S NOSE,
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Secet sah 2 Dandy Dick’s Dash, = Seat Se $e Dandy Dick’s Dash; THE BOY CATTLE-KING. By OLL COOMES, AUTHOR OF ‘TOM, THE TEXAN TIGER,” ‘ LIT- TLE HURRICANE,” ETC,, ETO. CHAPTER I. THE SKELETON IN THE GRASS, CALM and placid as the summer sky above, Fawn Lake lay on fhe broad breast of the great prairie, its glassy surface unblurred by a single breeze. It was a tiny sheet of water—rather a peculiar freak of nature—nestled there upon the great plain—entirely encircled with a nar- row strip of golden sand, and the whole sur- rounded by a belt of cottonwood timber. A fierce August sun beat down upon the lake- let. The yellow beach fairly blazed with the solar heat, The green foliage on the cottonwoods bung limp and _ shriveled, ‘Not a breath of air was stirring, not a sound was audible, not a sign of life was visible, Fawn Lake, at that hour, seemed to bave been the very center of desolation itself; but as the hours wore away and the sun sunk westward, and a gentle breeze began to coo} the flushe1 face of day, the cry of a blue-jay, and the flutter of wings broke the stillness of the grove, and shortly afterward a number of birds came to disport themselves in inid-air over the limpid waters of the lakelet, And, still a few minutes later, a deer followed by a timid fawn came from the woods, and with a cautious step walked down to the water’s edge. She was panting with beat, and wading into the lake a few paces slaked her thirst, then with her fore-foot began pawing the water, splashing it over herself and her fawn, which _ sbrunk close to her side trembling with fear; and not until her spotted baby had been thor- oughly drenched in the cooling liquid did she desist from her sportive work. Then, with an air of satisfaction, she walked out upon the -beach, shook the water from her body, and started for the woods, She was half-across the yellow strip of sand when she suddenly stopped, sniffed the air with alarm, and then, with a note of warning to her fawn, bounded away into the timber, A few seconds later the object of the mother deer’s alarm emerged from the grove. It wasa horse, ering upon it a bridle and saddle, but it was riderless. It wasa clean-limbed, spirited- looking animal. Itseemed suffering from thirst, for, at sight of the lake, it daShed furiously for- ward and plunging into the water belly-deep, drank voraciously. When its thirst was satis- fied, if turned about and began retracing its steps. It moved along at a brisk walk through the shady aisles of the woods and out into the green prairie beyond. On and on it went, for nearly {wo miles, never once wavering in its course. Finally it came to and crossed an old Indian trail running away from the Platte valley to- ward the northwest. It now moved along inore leisurely, stopping ever and anon to crop the green, luxuriant grass. In this way it contin- ued on until it came to where the grass had been eaten and trampled as if by an animal that had been tethered there. In the center of this spot was a bunch of tall grass that had not been molested, and straight toward this the horse made its way. Stopping there it thrust its nose down into the grass, and uttered a low, gentle whinny. Instantly a human hand—a hand with long, skeleton-like fingers—was raised from the grass and caressingly passed over the animal’s nose; at the same time a feeble voice addressed it kindly. With apparent satisfaction the animal now turned and walked away across the trampled grass and began cropping that beyond. An hour went by. The sun slowly sunk in the west, yet if wanted two hours of. night when the horse suddenly raised his head, looked out across the plain, gave a snort of alarm, then turning, trotted back to the clump of grass with- in the trodden circle. - A parby of eight horsemen, riding in Indian file along the trail before mentioned, was the cause of the animal’s sudden alarm, At the head of the little cavalcade rode a man whose very looks betokened the prairie outlaw. He was of perhaps forty years, rather stoutly built, with a rough, bearded face, that wore a cold, cruel expression. He was dressed and armed in a style characteristic of the prairie freebovter of that day, The second person in the file was a woman— a young girl of perhaps seventeen, whose sad face and tearful eyes told that she was a cap- tive in the power of the outlaw and the six painted and plumed savage warriors that rode behind. 7 Evidently the party had ridden a long distance, under the fierce blaze of that August sun, for their horses seemed jaded and worn, The fair-faced captive sat with her eyes bent downward, taking no notice of things around her, There was a hopeless, despairing look upon her face, and she sat her horse as if wearied almost to death with her long ride. Her captors rode along, sullen and silent—no word being spoken for hours; but, suddenly, all began to talk in an excited manner, and raising her eyes she saw the object of their commotion —a, riderless horse on the plain some distance before them, As soon as the outlaw approached near ances to see that there was a saddle and bridle on the horse, be ordered a halt, saying: ‘There’s somebody round thar, Pawnees, for that horse’s saddled,” a “Ugh! pale-face, mebby,” replied an In- dian, ““Yas, it may be some blamed scout.” ‘Better see fore go furder,” advised the red- skin, After a moment's parley the outlaw and a savage rode on ahend to investigate. As they approached the riderless horse it be- gan running around the clump of grass, in which evidently lay its master, in an excited manner, With his hand on his revolver the outlaw
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——————————— Dandy Dick’s Dash. 3. rode on. The horse shied away as they ap- proached. “The critter acts durned queer,” said the out- law, drawing rein, ; Just then a faint groan fell on his ears, and urging his horse forward, the villain rode along- side the clump of grass whence the sound came. Leaning over in bis stirrups be gazed down into the grass, and as be did so a cry of surprise burst from his lips, for his eyes met the wild, sunken orbs of a oe form glaring up af him from a ghastly face. “ By the eternals!” burst from the outlaw’s lips, as he hastily dismounted, ‘‘thar’s an ugly mess o’ humanity in here, Pll swear thar is. Hullo! stranger, what the all-fired nation does this ’ere mean?” ‘Oh, Lord!” groaned the man in the grass, in feeble accents. ‘Bout a goner, ar’n’t you? questioned the outlaw. “No, no,” replied the man. “ Who be you, anyhow?” ** Paul Sackett.” “Paul Sackett, eh?’ repeated the outlaw, and a shadow passed over his brow: ‘‘ I’ve heard o’ him before—in fact, his name is familiar, and his acts are old acquaintances. But what ap- pears to be the matter of you, Sackett?” “Tm sick—I fell faint here from my horse, and have been lyin’ here under the broilin’ sun, burnin’ up witb fever, starvin’ for food and famishin’ for water.” ‘* How long have you been here?” ‘‘Don’t know, stranger; I’ve been out of my head a good deal, but it seems to me it’s been a month, and I’m ’bout dead.” **T should say so,” replied the outlaw, indif- ferently; ‘‘ but say, what was you doin’ up here- away, anyhow?” The man made no reply. His breath came quick and short, and his eyes looked wild and glassy, “Why don’t you answer my question?” de- manded the outlaw, after a moment’s hesitation. “Paul Sackett’s an independent ranger,” the sick man finally answered. “T know it,” replied the interlocutor, “ and sick and on the verge of the grave though you be, Paul Sackett, I believe you’re lyim like a trooper. Coms, we'll help you onto your hoss and over to the lake whar we intend to camp for the night, That’ll be a good deal for me to do for you instead o’ blowin’ your brains out, for I haven’t forgot the job Paul Sackett put up on my friends down at Abaline. And it’s not to save your life that P’ll stoop to help ye, either, but Pm bound to know what you're after up hereaways, if I have to carry ye clear to the Pawnee village. Come now, Tit help you,” He bent over the man and assisted him to rise toa sitting posture. — ; The Indian with some difficulty caught the sick man’s horse and Jed him up to where bis master sat, Then the outlaw raised the feeble man in his strong arms as though he werea child and placed him in his saddle. He looked more like a corpse than a living being. His face and hands were almost like those of a skel- eton. His eyes were sunken, wild and glassy, Can’t ye git up?” His lips were drawn tight, showing plainly his , white teeth. Evidently he was a young man. His face was covered with a thin growth of dark beard that only served to reveal the ghast- ly outlines of his emaciated face all the more distinctly. His hair was also thin, long and unkempt. In his belt was a small revolver that the outlaw did not trouble himself to re- move, The Indian riding ahead, led the sick man’s horse, The outlaw rode at the latter’s side, sup- porting him in bis saddle, for he was so weak that he could not keep his head erect, In this way they joined the main party and at sight of the ghastly face of the stranger and the feverish glare of his sunken eyes, the cap- tive girl’s heart grew sick with horror, For the time being she forgot her own suffering, and as she watched the reeling form of the sick man, her revulsions of feeling turned to the deepest sympathy and pity for bim. But she could do nothing to alleviate his suffering, and her appeals to the outlaw in the man’s belialf were answered with brutal jests. They rode slowly on, and finally turning to the right, made their way to Fawn Lake, where they drew rein to encamp for the night, The outlaw assisted Sackett to dismount, but the moment the sick man’s weight rested upon his feet he sunk down in a dead faint, and was left lying where he fell; but presently the out- law brought some water from the lake and poured a few drops into his mouth and sprinkled some 0. bis face. The Indians, after learning who the stricken man was, became excited and vengeful, and but for the interference of the outlaw, whose wnan- ig with them were Jaw, be would have been slain. “No, no, Pawnees,” the villain demurred; ** we need this fellow, and if we can revive bim and get him to the village it will be wortha great deal to us. Paul Sackett, the ranger, more than all others, is a thorn in our flesh, and there’s but one fellow living Ud exchange him for, and that’s Whip-King Jue, the Boy Cattle-King.” This seemed to pacify the red-skins, and after disarming Sackett and searching his person for whatever he might have about him,arrangements for the night’s bivouac were made, The horses, including that of Sackett, were tethered out to grass, about three hundred yards from camp, on the opposite side of the grove, and a guard was station.d at a point” where he could watch the approaches to camp, although they seemed to have little fears of pursuit. A fire was lighted and some slices of antelope, killed during the day by one of the Indians, broiled for supper. The captive girl partook of the savory meat, for hunger was fast telling on her delicate strength. : After Sackett recovered from his swoon, the girl was given permission to administer to his wants. broiled bim a slice of meat from which he sucked the juices with apparent good relish, Then he laid back and seemed to rest easier, and soon falling asleep, a blanket was thrown ! over him. A little bower was constructed of bushes for She brought him a one of water and | it CF ICAMRIALDY as ot ——— en 7 abe i: en ee
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4 Dandy Dick’s Dash. the maiden, into which she retired shortly after darkness had set in, but she was compelled to submit to the indignity of having her feet bound together — an Indian tyiog a knot that defied her feeble strength to untie. The outlaw and the savages being tired, then put out their fire and laid down, though tne outlaw, before doing so, had again to allay the growing restlessness of the red-skins’ spirits by promising them that if the sick man was not able to travel in the morning, they should have his scalp. There was a moon but its rays did not pene- trate the deep, dense shadows of the grove. Tired and weary as she was, the captive maiden could not sleep. Her thoughts went back to her home on the Platte—to her friends—her father and mother, whom she knew to be wrought to distraction over her disappearance. She could hear the heavy breathing of her cap- tors, the piping of the crickets, the low flutter- ing of the forest leaves in the night wind, and the gentle murmur of the waves chafing the shore. But all these sounds seemed to intensify the peculiar silence and loneliness that sur- rounded her in her helplessness, and the long>r she listened to them, and the more she brooied over her troubles, the more wakeful she became, until, finally, she arose with a start to a sittins posture. As sho did so her face came in con- tact with something that moved — something possessed of life, It was the first intimatio. that she had of the presence of any living thins within the little bower. Her first impulse was to cry out, but she was so completely paralyzed with terror that she moved not a finger, nor did she utter a sound. She listened. Tho slightest sound would have been a relief to her, for every nerve in her body was strung to such a tensity, that it seemed ready to snap asunder. Her patience was finally rewarded by the voice of some un- known intruder whispering, the admonition: “Keep mum, little gall I’m your friend,” and then again she felt that object touch her face, and she knew atonce it was a human hand. But whose hand? The thought found expression in a low whisper: “* Who are you!” “Your friend,” was the reply; ‘“‘ that’s enough, Here’s a knife; cut your bonds, then craw] out here, soft as the play o’ a zephyr. The red-skins are all sound asleep, and thar’s a show fur escape if you make no noise.” The maiden knew she could not make her situation worse; so she took the knife, severed the bonds that bound her ankles, then crept from the bower and rose to her feet, A hand grasped her gently by the arm and drew her away, while a voice at every step whispered words of enccurdgement or caution inher ear, Noiselessly, almost as shadows, the two moved away through the gloom of the grove, and if was the greatest relief to the maiden when her rescuer finally halted, saying, in a low tone: “T ruther guess we’ve given ’em the slip, gal, and now we want to mount a pair o’ lively hossos and shin out o’ this vicinity.” “Then you have horses near?” the girl ven- tured to ask, “A pair o’ them, my pretty little lady. I crept up onto the red-skin that was watchin’ them, and 1 knocked him so cold he never kicked; then I ’propriated his knife—the one you severed your bonds with—and selected a pair 0’ the best-lookin’ hosses already saddled, j and they’re in waitin’ a little furder on, An oh, by the sanctified Moses! won’t them re skins and that outlaw get up and paw the dirv when they find what’s happened?” ‘Oh, sir, 'm afraid they'll kill that poor sick man!’ said the maiden, excitedly. ‘Who war he, child?” “The outlaw called him Paul Sackett. If it was Paul Sackett, he is a noted ranger,” answer- ed the girl. “ Well, it’s too bad for him, but I guess he'll come out all right, little one; but now, if you’re rested, we'd better move on,” So saying they moved on, and finally came to where the two horses were hitched. The maiden wos assisted to the back of one, while her res- cuer mounted the other and led the way through the grove, leading the girl’s horse, Soon they reached the open prairie, where the moon’s mellow light flooded the billowy ocean of erass with almost the brightness of day, The moment they emerged into the light, the maiden discovered that the horse ber rescucr rode was that of Paul Sackett. But before she could speak, the man dropped back alongside ~ her and said: “«Thar, miss, we’re in good shape,” The girl raised her eyes and glanced at her rescuer, Ary burst from her lips as she di.J so, for she saw that the man was the sick Paul Sackett, whose emacinted form, pale, ghostly face and ho low eyes, in the glamour of the moon, gave him the appearance of a living skeleton, The man saw the startled look on the girl’s face, and said: “Now don’t take on, my little lady, for I’m no more sick than you be, neither am I Paul Sackett, All the while J war foolisbin’ them red-skins, and I must say I done it superbly. I see’d ’em shortly arter they’d captured you on the White Willow and skipped round in front o’ them on Fire Bug, and laid for’em. Oh, it’s not the fu’st time that we two—that?s boss and rider—has played the sick and faintin’ dodge on the red-skin. We're so constructed, gal, as to be able to do so handsomely by looking a leetle wild out o’ the eyes and breathin’ kind o’ quick and short, Ha! ha! ha! I can’t belp but smil- in’ out loud when I think how the outlaw, the notorious Stonefist, will sulphurate the atmos- phere when he finds we're gone.” “ Well, who are you, anyhow?” the girl asked, her breast filled with joy and surprise. “ Down on the Reepublican, gal, I war called Skeleton Jack by the whites, and ‘ Whiie Rat- tlesrake’ by the Ingins, Both names are teeth- chatterers, hair-raisers and marrow-freezers, but then ye know the Bible says: ‘ What’s in a name? T be sure them Ingins and Dick Stone- fist didn’t know me, and I knew it, else I'd never risked my ole skeleton within their reach, Yes, ’m a plumb stranger up hereaways, but you can irust me, gal—any pretty gal can trust me till the cows come home— Ah! hark! by
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"a a lle Dandy Dick’s Dash. 5 the sanctified Moses, our escape has been diskiv- ered, and the devils are after us! Come, gal, we must ride, ride for our lives.” And away through the moonlight they sped— the fair girl and her ghostly companion, while on behind, in swift pursuit, rode the outwitted end infuriated foe. ad CHAPTER II. THE SCHOOLMASTER OF RED WILLOW. Rep WILLOW settlement, or post, was located on the Platte River, and at the time of which we write was composed of some fifteen or twenty families. It was a frontier settlement, and since the first man, an old hunter named Upton, had located there, all the hardships, privations and dangers of the advance posts of civilization had been undergone, First came dangers from the Indians, then from the outlaw and freebooter, but as these were gradually pushed on westward, the settlement began to grow, and, in the course of time, became a point of some local importance. It became a trading point for hunters, trappers, and even the peacs- ably inclined Indians. The Overland emigra- tion also contributed a share of patronage to the place. For a while it was entirely free from evil characters, but when they began to come they came thick and fast. A man named Hardcastle —*a name that soon became abbreviated to Old lardcase—located on a little island that lay opposite the place and started a trading-post. That is, he kept a few groceries, some dry-goods, ammunition, cheap jewelry and trinkets, such us might please the fancy of an Indian, and a general supply of poisonous whisky. In con- nection with his store he also did a general gambling business, and since there were hunt- ers and trappers, Indians, cowboys, and occa- sionally a worldly-wise Overland traveler, that dared to ‘‘ buck the tiger” in the Sweet Re- * pose,” as the place was called, Old Hardcase’s income was not so mean. Tbe honest people of Red Willow were engaged in farming and stock-raising. They made a bit- ter fight against the evil influence of Old Hard- case, but their efforts seemed vain, They at once saw that in order to prevent their children from being caught up in the gradually out- reaching whirlpool of lawlessness and sin, they must take active measures against it. And they readily saw that there was no better way to begin than by building a school-house and a church, and putting them to their best use. These measures were at once carried out, and a church organized, with Rev. Gamaliel Gay es pastor. Three different young men were em- ployed to teach the school, but a few of the older boys, who had already imbibed some of the lawless spirit of ‘the Sweet Repose, had thrashed every teacher and turned him out be- fore he had taught a week, It was nearly six monthsthen before they could geta fourth person to undertake to teach the school, A young man named Lucian Blauford, returning from the West, stopped there over Sunday, and hearing that a teacher was wanted, made an cngagement with the trustees to teacha three-months’ school. He was duly warned of the fate of the other teachers, but he assured Ale Pr them he would run the school, and he did. The “big” boys undertook to ‘‘ oust” him, but they were never so surprised in all their lives as when the plucky schoolmaster, turned in and thrashed the whole crowd of unruly scholars until they were glad to beg for mercy. After that there was no trouble in the school, and the teacher was master of the situation there, lionized by the better class of citizens, and denounced by the followers of Old Hardcase, Lucian Blauford was a young man of five- and-twenty. He was of medium height and build, with a dark-brown eye, and a handsome, intelligent face. Besides his scholastic attain- ments, he was a fine boxer, a splendid horse- man, and an excellent shot with either rifle or pistol. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, and full of pluck and energy, and, as was soon demonstrated, he had grit to the back- bone. Besides his teaching, the young man made himself useful in every way he could, He as- sisted Rev. Gay in conducting a Sabbath-sciiool, and once a week gave a free lecture at the church on some interesting topic. He helped the farmers in the field, and the stock-men with their cattle. He hunted the deer in the thickets and the antelope on the plains. He was the leader among the young people, and fond of their society—always doing something for their advancement and pleasure. In fact, there was not an hour that passed over his head when he was not asleep, but what he was busy at some- thing. He was all life and energy, and he made himself so useful that everybody began to see the good influence he was having on the morals of Red Willow, And none felt his influ- ence more than did old Bob Hardcase, who be- gan to notice a material falling off in his re- ceipts, and this, in connection with a lecture or two the schoolmaster had delivered on the sub- ject of intemperance and gambiing, led the old sinner to believe that Blauford was making a direct attack on him and so begat’ his enmity and ill-will. Of course a large number of those that fre- quented the Sweet Repose took sides with Hard- case, and deep and many were the mutterings against the schoolmaster, But Blauford took no notice of the threatening attitude of the gamblers toward bim; he went on with his duties cheerfully, fearlessly and with continued good result. But he who felt more aggrieved by the school-.. master was one Dr. Reuben Flick who had come to Red Willow some months before Blauford. He was a young man of thirty, and a hand- some, dashing fellow, who had carried the post by storm. He soon became the leader of society there, built up a good practice, and as_he sup- posed, won the affections of Miss Myra Burton, one of the fairest girls in the place. But the doctor proved to be one of those per- sons who would not ‘‘ wear,” and in the course of time his following and practice began to de- crease, and, to cap the climax, Lucian Blauford came and supplanted him in the affections of Miss Burton. From that time on the pbysician was a fre- qnent visitor at Old Hardcase’s island, and then he was looked upon by some with a little sus-
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y 6 Dandy Dick’s Dash. picion. Blauford mistrusted him of being ‘the author of a threatening anonymous letter he had received, but paid no attention to him or the letter, and went on about his business, treating all with fairness, without fear or favor, Blauford had one confidant in the village—in a young Irishman called Happy Mike, @ was a married man, rather intelligent, full of fun and Irish wit, and withal, a brave and true man. With him the teacher made his home, and it was there in his happy Lome-life—excep- tional indeed—that he learned the real worth of Happy Mike Enright, “Tf iver you git into trouble, b’y, count on the help and friendship of Happy Mike,” the Irishman sail to him one day, and with tls assurance the schoolmaster felt he had a friend who could bg relied on in any emergency. Early one Saturday morning Blauford mount- ed his horse, and crossing the river, struck out toward the southwest, with no other object particularly in view than to see that portion of the country. No sooner was he fairly on his way than he made up his mind to visit Spring Ranch at the head of Snake Creek. It was a cattle-ranch and the headquarters of Whip- King Joe, the Boy Cattle-King, a youth of whom he had often heard and whose acquaintance he was anxious to make, The ride before him was fully fifteen miles, but he took no heed of the distance so deeply absorbed was he in contemplation of the scene around him, On over the flower-bedecked plain ha sped at aslow gallop. The wary antelope and skulking coyote flitted away before him through the waving grass, or watched him from some distant eminence; yet of these he took no notice. It was ten o’clock when he finally reached the valley of Snake Creek and turned up the stream. Up and down the valley, everywhere, he could see the sleek, fat cattle of tho Snake Creek ranchmen scattered along, some at grass, some gathered in little groups among the bushes and trees that grow in places along” the creek, while others stood flank deep in the water a protect themselves from the torment of the ies. Entering a cattle-path the schoolmaster am- bled along, flitting in aud out of the many little clumps of trees that studded the winding stream. He was half-way between two of these mottes when two men suddenly appeared from the one before him. Both of them were rough-looking fellows, yet there was nothing -about them to arouse suspicion. One of them carried a short whip or “‘ quirt” with several lashes. ; Supposing they were some of the Snake Creek ranchmen, Blauford drew rein, and after the compliments of the day bad been passed, he in- quired: ‘* Where do you hail from, gentlemen?” “Hrom up the crick,” replied one of the men; “but say, mister, d’ye know your saddle-girth’s *bout broke in two?” “No, sir, I did not,” replied Blauford, and dismounting he stooped to fix the girth, when one of the men stepped up behind him and threw bis arm around his neck with a grip of a constrictor, and beld him firm and helpless, in such a position that he could neither speak nor cry out, Thea, quickly the second man disarmed him and bound his feet together with a piece of lariat, He was then thrown forward upon his face and his hands securely bound at his back. As soon as he could get his breath, Blauford exclaimed: ‘‘In Heaven’s name, what does this mean?” “ Business,” was the laconic reply of one of the garroters, “You must be mistaken, gentlemen, in your man,” persisted young Blauford. ‘No, we're not; you're that schoolmaster that’s been kickin’ up so much dust over to Red Willow.” “ T have injured no one at Red Willow that I am aware of, and if I have wronged any one—” “Oh, that’ll do to tell tenderfeet, but you can’t ring in your fine work on old ‘boomers’ like Buck Head—that’s me—and my pard, Stonefist Dick.” “T repeat it,” persisted the schoolmaster, ‘**vou have been wrongfully informed as to my injuring any one in Red Willow.” “Then youd make us out liars,” retorted Buck Head. ‘Now, Mr. Schoolmaster, we're not fools, but Regulators. We don’t want to be awful hard on you ‘cause you'r’ young and innocent o’ the ways o’ the frontier, but we've one demand to make o’ you.” ‘What is that?” demanded Biauford, with an unflinching gaze, and an expression of scorn knotting his face, “Tt is that you git up and potater!” “T don’t understand your jargon.” “Well, to use plain, flat-footed English, we'll give you jist five bours to git up and dust outen this kentry, and never under any pretext what- ever, to show yourself in it again.” ** And suppose I refuse to go?” “Then you'll be severely dealt with,” “Voure the hired tools of Old Bob Hard- case,” declared Blauford, his eyes flashing with indignation; ‘‘I can see into your little game; but, let me tell you, Tam no coward, and will not be driven from this country alive.” “Whirl bim up to that tree; Stonefist, and nat the tuck outen him,” Buck Head or- dered, Stonefist scized the helpess man and dragged him up to a large cottonwood tree that stood out about thirty feet from any other tree or from any shrubbery. Placing him against it— face-to the tree—he was firmly bound there by means of a lariet passed several times arounl the tree-trunk and the schoolmaster’s body be- low the waist. Then his clothes were cut and torn from his body down to the waist, and his shoulders and back laid bare. ‘ Sav, now, dye see this quirt? asked Buck Head, flourishing the whip before the prisoner’s eyes. ‘Well, 1 am goin’ to Jay it onto your ristocratic back till the blood fills yer boots, unless ye promise you'll git out o’ this country — to once, Do you bear?” “T hear, but Ill promise nothing,” was the dogged response of the schoolmaster. “All right; if you’re that stubborn and fool-
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a 8 ge rp ne ne nw a Dandy Dick’s Dash. 2 ish, youll have to take the consequence, for we'ra bound todo our duty, and if ye want to be disgraced at the whipping-post, all hunky. I know you're a proud-spirited young cuss, but e don’t understand the ways o’ the border. on’t forgit, this whip ‘ll chaw yer back wuss nor a catamount. Now, I’ve given ye fair warnin’—will you go?” “ Not a step—l’ll die first!” was Blauford’s firm response. “Oh, you think we’re foolin’, don’t ye?” sneered Buck Head; ‘‘but if you do, be onde- ceived at once, for the ball’s goin’ to open now soon,” stepping back and raising the cruel scourge ready to strike. ‘‘ Think fast and de- cide quick. Pl give ye until Stonefist counts one hundred. Strike in, Stonefist, and rattle off the hundred.” Stonefist began to count rapidly. Buck Head stood ready with whip upraised. Blauford fixed his eyes upon the villain, as if he defied him to do his worst. A silence that was only broken by the count- ing of the outlaw reigned, Stonefist had told off ninety, and Buck Head was just gathering his strength for the first blow, when suddenly there came the sharp hiss of something through the air—something like a pistol cracked on the side of Buck Head’s face, and with acry of agony the villain reeled, clutching at his right ear, that hung almost sev- ered from his head, while blood ran in a torrent down his cheek. Stonefist ceased counting, and, turning, saw a@ young man, or rather a boy, standing some fifteen teet behind him. He was dressed in the garb of a ranchero, and held in his hand a long whip. A stern and resolute look was upon his handsome, manly face, and a determined fire in his eyes. Instantly Dick Stonefist recognized the boy, and the fact that it was by his skillful hand and merciless whip that Buck Head’s ear hadsbeen severed, To avert a similar fate the compan- ion-ruffian drew his revolver, but before he could use it the great whip-lash circled like a serpent above the boy’s head, then shot forward with a hissing crack, and Stonejist fell like an ow in the shambles! Whip-King Joe had spoken! CHAPTER lI. WHIP-KING JO“, THE BOY CATTLE-KING. BELLOWING with the most excruciating pain, Stonefist rolled upon the earth, blinded by the Boy Cattle-King’s lash, while Buck Head, clutch- ing at his almost dissevered ear, roared with agony. Tbe instant the lash touched himi, Stonefist dropped his revolver; while, in his terrible pain, Buck Head did not think of revenge, With a leap or two the Boy Cattle-King reached the schoolmaster’s side, and drawin a knife, severed the rope that bound him to the tree. “There, stranger,” he said, as he liberated him, ‘“ that lets you out.” “Thank you—thank you!” gasped Blauford, as he. turned, bareheaded and barebacked, to <= bis young rescuer. ‘* To whom do I owe this timely rescue?” ‘“ PU tell you after awhile,” responded the boy—‘“ after I’ve given these fellows some more of the same stuff,” As be spoke, the young cattle-king raised his whip, whirled it above his head, and with a forward fling of the arm the long lash stretched out through the air with a hiss, and as its end came in contact with the shoulder of Buck Head it cracked like a pistol; and as the dirt and lint flew from the villain’s shirt, a yell and curse broke from his lips and he grasped his revolver, for by this time he had become fully aware of the source of his pain, But as he drew the weapon from his belt, the terrible whip again cut through the air with a spiteful hiss, and its end striking the villain in the face, knocked him down as completely as though it were a thunderbolt. Furious with rage and frantic with pain, the half-blinded outlaw opened a random fire on the young cattle-king, The latter never flinched, and, with a grim smile on his boyish face, con- tinued plying his whip, the bark of the revolver being followed in rapid succession hy the crack of the lash. But while Head shot wide of his mark, the boy made every blow count, literally cutting the outlaw’s clothing from his body in patches, “ Bang” went the revolver—‘‘ crack” the whip, and this peculiar duel was continued until every chamber of Head’s revolver was emptied, when the fellow leaped to his feet and ran for his life, the cattle-king giving him a parting cut that fairly bounced him off the ground. In the mean time Stonefist had somewhat recovered from his blindness, and, seeing how matters stood, reached for his revolver; but the quick eye of the lad caught the movement, and swinging his whip above his head struck at the revolver with such dextrous skill that the weapon was actually snatched from the vil- lain’s fingers by the lash; and then, before Stonefist could make a second attempt to re- cover the revolver, the boy brought his whip around and gave the outlaw a touch that raised him into the air. Witha cry like that of a wounded byena, the wretch turned and fled with the speed of a deer down the vailey of the winding Snake. “Halt ha! ha!” laughed the young ranchero, — as he watched the fleeing outlaw, “go it, you cowardly jackal! Ha! ha! ha!—stranger, don’t take me for a fool—can’t help’t—ha! ba! ha! Lord, but that was a good one; never got in my work so—ha! ha! ha!—gracious! “I’m out of—breath.” “Sir,” said the astonished schoolmaster, ‘TI infer, from the way you handle that whip, that you are Joe Blake, or rather Whip-King Joe, the Boy Cattle-King.” “ That’s what they call me, stranger; who are you?” was the boy’s response. *“Tueian Blauford, schoolmaster of Red Wil- low, on my way to your ranch.” “Indeed? Well, I reckon you hav’n’t been . there long.” ‘What makes you think so?” Tie Boy Cattle-King smiled, ‘ol
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8 Dandy Dick’s Dash. a “‘T can tell you’re not a Westerner.” ‘Well, you ara right; I have not been in the West long.” : “What's them fellers got against you that they propose to drive you out of the country for?” **T do not know, unless it is because I have been waging a war against such brutes in Red Willow; and yet I never saw these two ruffians before.” “They must be the henchmen of Old Bob Hardcase. That fellow is a hard party, and unless he’s rubbed out he’s not goin’ to allow such a thing as a schoolmaster to flourish in Red Willow. But say, Mr. Blauford, I got around jist in the nick o’ time to save >ou from a fear- ‘ul lambastin’, didn’t I?” “Indeed you did, Joe, and—” “You'll know them fellows if you ever see them again, for { put my trade-mark on them both.” “You are most assuredly a whip-king, my Young friend,” declared Blauford; ‘‘ you merit he name you bear.” “Ts taken a deal of practice, stranger,” as- sured the boy, ‘‘but I guess ['m as handy with a whip as any cowboy on the range. But, say, stranger, rig up and come along if you're goin’ to my ranch. «I'll be glad to have you spend the day with me, for [ hay’n’t seen a soul but our own boys in three weeks.” Blauford adjusted his torn clothes the best he could, caught his horse which was grazing near, and mounting, joined the Boy Cattle-King, who had also mounted a mustang that he had left on the opposite side of the motte when he went to Blauford’s rescue. As they rode along the schoolmaster studied the features of this remarkable Whip-King Joe. He saw that he was not over eighteen years of age, yet possessed of a well-developed, strong and muscular form He had a pleasant, open countenanca, a large, laughing brown eye, and a mouth indicative of a kind-hearted, fun-loving boy. Ho was dressed in a suit peculiar to the ranch- ero. A Spencer carbine and a navy revolver hung at the bow of his saddle. The whip with which he had done such fearful execution had a short stock but a long, heavy lash on the end of which was a rawhide “cracker ’—the real quirt of the cattle-herder. From the first Blauford was favorably im- pressed with Joe, and as they rode along he found the young ranchero quite agreeable and intelligent in his conversation. After riding a half-mile up the creek, Whip- eiee tarnies to the left, saying: **Let’s cut across lots, Mr. Blauford; the creek makes a bend and we can save a mile or two this way.” A short ride took them from the valley to the upland, where they entered a large, prairie-dog town, and as scores of the saucy little animals begap their puppy cries of alarm and went scampering away and tumbling into their holes, Blauford observed: “T always enjoyed watching those little fel- lows, and have never yet found heart to kill—” “ Skir-r-r-r!” snake that lay coiled a few feet ahead of the horsemen, whose animals suddenly leaped aside as if conscious of the threatened danger. ‘“Confound the rattler!” exclaimed Whip- King Joe, gathering up his whip-lash; “that’s all Pve got against the prairie-dogs—their asso- ciating with rattlesnakes and owls, But say, Mr. Blauford. ll fix that fellow. Just watch his head now.” Swinging his great whip above his head with the one peculiar movement, the lash shot for- ward and obliquely downward, and tbe poised head of the serpent popped into the air, cut as okey from the body as though done with a saber, “Bravo! bravo! boy!” exclaimed Blauford; ‘“‘T declare you are king of the whip. You did ee job as,skillfully as you did the ear of Buck ead. They again rode on, and before they were entirely through the dog-town no less than half a dozen snakes—every one rattlers—had met a similar fate at the end of the terrible lash. Tinally the two came to Spring Ranch, which consisted of a long, low sod building divided into three rooms, and covered with dirt and sod; a stable on the right for several horses, and a cat- tle stockade on the left. Dismounting at the stable, the young ranchero and his guest put up their horses, then proceed- ed to the house, where Blauford was cordially invited to make himself at home, while Whip- King lighted a fire in a stove and began the pre- paration of dinner. This occupied but a short time, notwithstanding he had broiled meat, hot biscuit and coffee and some canned fruit for their repast. ““T observe you are a good cook and live pretty well,” remarked Blauford as he seated bimself at the table. “Tye had years of experience in cooking, Mr, Blauford, and really think I can make a cup of coffee, a batch of biscuit or broil a steak good as any man on the range.” The schoolmaster enjoyed his meal very mv and after dinner he and his host strolled... around the ranch, finally entering a little gr ve, whera they sat down. : “ Joe, don’t you get lonesome here?” F ..uford asked. ‘No, Ican’t say that I do, though I like to have folks call on me. Once ina while some of the boys come up and stay a day or two and then I go down and see them.” “Then you have friends on the range?” “There are six of us, all told, that attend the ranches, I keep this ranch and the other boys keep the Rapids Ranch and the Lower Ranch as they’re called. You see, our herd is scattered from here all along the Snake Valley to the Platte. We don’t pretend to herd or corral our cattle at nights, but let them run and watch Ld to see that none stray away from the val- ley. ‘* Joe, did you ever attend school?” “Not a day in my life, but I can read and write a little. Old Bill Garner taught me that when he stayed up here one winter. You see, T’ve had a hard tussle of it, Mr. Blauford. My father was killed by the Ingins when I was a It was the warning rattle of a large rattle- | little kid, and mother being poor as a preacher
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a a m ” C = ———- < — cS ra van a ee ane ern I had to hoe into it soon as I was big enough to crack a whip. I was hired out to a Kansas man to herd cattle, and in that way I started in the busiuess, and when mother died I'd no one but myself to care for, soI stayed on the range and finally drifted up here. I saved up my wages till I was able to buy a small interest in the herd, and—” “Then you own somejof the Snake Valley cat- tle” ‘Yes, about three hundred head of them, and they’re worth from eight to ten thousand dollars and increasing all the time.” ‘Good! Iam glad to hear this, Joe; but you ought to go to school, my boy, by all means. It would be of great benefit to you even in your present business were you fairly educated.” “T know it, Mr. Blauford, but I don’t see how I could leave here at present. My part- ners, who are living in the Hast, trust every- thing to me, and while they doso I’m going to do my duty.” “That's right, Joe; but look here, my boy: T'm a school-teacher myself, and I’ve a sugges- tion to make, and that is that you begin a course of studies right here at home. Tl be our instructor and furnish you what books I ave of my own. Every Saturday Dll come over here and give you lessons, or else you can ride over to Red Willow.” “That's a fair offer, I’m sure,” Joe assented “Tl charge you nothing for my services,” Blauford went on, “‘ because it will be a pleas- ure for me to help one so very deserving as you are, and then it will be play-spell for me to ride | over here.” “By Jinks!” exclaimed Whip-King enthu- siastically, ‘I'll accept your proposition, and agree to ride over to Red Willow every other week. When I’m away I'll have one of the Rapids boys come up and stay here.” Thus the matter was settled, and the two friends returned to the rancb. At the earnest solicitation of the young ranchero, Blauford concluded to remain at Spring Ranch over night; and so pleasant was his stay that it was prolonged until the middle of the afternoon, + the next day, when he took his departure for - home. Just before he rode away, Whip-King id: ‘Tl be over to Red Willow next Saturday.” ‘fé* All right, Joe; but I beg you will look ont for those two villains that you punished so severely yesterday. They may try to get even with you.” “They'll be apt to keep under cover for a while—at least, till their gashes heal up. If you see em bout Red Willow, it will stand you in hand to be careful, for they’re bad medicine. I expect I ought to have shot them.” “No, no, Joe; your conscience would not be clear if the blood of those men, villains though they are, were upon your head.” “You'll not talk that way ’g’inst you’ve been here a year or two, Mr. Blauford.” “Maybe not, Joe, but until we meet again, good-by.” 5, With this they parted. Blauford rode on home at a rapid pace.. It was nearly sunset when he reached Red Willow, and as he rode | through the village he was not 4 little surprised at the coolness of those whose greetings always had been open and hearty. But he proceeded to the residence of Happy Mike, and, going di- rectly to the stable, put up his horse, and then started for the house. His way lay through a little artificial grove of cottonwoods, and he was about half-way through it when a timid voice said: “ Lucian!” He turned and found Myra Burton standing before him, her face pale and her eyes red with weeping. “Myra!” he exclaimed in evident surprise, “Oh, Lucian! I am so glad you came back!” : ‘““Why, Myra, what in the world is wrong?” “Then you have not heard the news that bas shotked all Red Willow, and—” “No, I have heard nothing, Myra,” the young man replieg. Lucian,” and the girl fixed her eyes upon those of the young teacher as though she would search the inmost recesses of bis heart, ‘two of Mr. Park’s horses were stolen last night.” “Indeed!” replied Blauford; that makes six or eight horses that have been stolen since—” “Since you came here,” interrupted the maiden, in a tone that seemed to have a hidden meaning. ** What do you mean, Myra? Great heavens! you don’t think that I have had anything to do witb it, do you” “No, Lucian, I do not, but—” * But what? he almost gasped. “ Your going away has—” “Cast suspicion on me? Well, my dear girl, Ican prove where I was yesterday, last night, to-day. 1 can prove thatI am not only inno- cent of crime, but that there is somebody plot- ting against my character, if not my life, “Can you, Lucian?” asked Myra, smiling through her tears. “T can prove that I was at Spring Ranch with Whip-King Joe, the Boy Cattle-King. True, it was not my intention to go there when I left home, but, meeting with an adventure that nearly cost me my life, had to accept Joe's help and hospitality.” “Oh, if you can only make the settlers be- lieve it! for Lucian, they have come to the con- clusion that you are here as a secret spy or agent of a band of horse-thieves,” “It is false, Myra!” exclaimed the schoolmas- ter, indignantly; ‘‘It is a lie that has been hatched out of the brain of some scoundrel, and Iswear to God that the man who started it shall suffer for it. All I ask, Myra, is that your love and confidence may not desert mein this trying moment.” She answered by giving him both bands, CHAPTER IV. , THE SCHOOLMASTER’S TROUBLES. THE School Board of Red Willow called on Lucian Blauford soon after his return from Spring Ranch, and informed him of the report that was afloat, and gave bim due notice that his services were no longer wanted. The young man accepted his discharge in the true spirit of an honest man, and although he felt keenly the disgrace, he resolved to remain
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10 Dandy Dick’s Dash. — EEE right there in spite of the threatenings of Judge Lynch, and, if his life was spared, proved his in- nocence, Myra Burton and Happy Mike were the only twoin Red Willow who believed in his entire innocence, and to whom he could go for advice and consolation. A knowledge of Myra’s love and Mike’s friendship for him strengthened his purpose and gave him courage. The young man was fully satisfied, now, that he was the victim of some treacherous villain. who wished to rid Red Willow of his presence. That the whole had been concocted within the domicile, if not the brain, of Old Hardcase, he had not adoubt. The attack on him by Dick Stonefist and Buck Head was evidence of this. although he had never seen the two villains about the village or on the island, To Happy Mike and Myra he told the story of his adventures on his way to Spring Ranch. and of the proposed visit of Whip-King Joe to Red Willow. Pending the coming of the Boy Cattle-King. Blauford remained closely in Red Willow, for through Happy Mike he ha? learned of his being watched, and that any suspicious move ment on his part would be taken advantage of But, in the mean time, the schoolmaster went tc work himself, determined to ferret out the source of the conspiracy against him; and if pane solve the problem of the stolen horses, ewas met by the seowls and curses ¢f the uietly went along people on every side. but he b with his charac- about his business. treating a teristic politeness. Doctor Reuben Flick would not speak to him and believing that Myra had promptly discard- ed the fellow, called once or twice at the Burton residence that week The days went by and Saturday came, and bright and early that morning Whip-King Joe rode into Red Willow to become the guest of the schoolmaster at Happy Mike Enright’s. The Boy Cattle-King first learned of the trou ble his friend was in from the lips of Lucian. himself. ; Several of the citizons of Red Willow called on the young ranchero. and when they had heard his story of Blauford’s whereabouts dur ing the previous Saturday and Sunday, as well as their adventures with the two villains, Stone. fist and Head, they began to change their minds, “T tell you, folks,” the boy finally said, “you're all being nicely duped by some artful cusses, that ought to have the lash laid to their backs. This schoolmaster’s a thorn in_some- body’s side right here in your village But, if you'll just go over to Old Hardcase’s retreat, and sink that pestiferous place lik Gomorrah was sunk, with allits gang, you'll git rid of all the evil growing up around you, and save the name and reputation of Red Willow. For one I’m ready to go over and help cyclone the island.” Before the day passed away sentiment had so changed in the breasts of the better class of set- tlers, that every one called on Biauford and begged his forgiveness, and promised him sup- port in hunting down the scoundrels who would pot only blight his good character, but take his a. ° The directors wanted him to resume his school, but this he refused to do until hé could bring to justice his enemies, and solve the mys- tery surrounding the theft of Mr. Parker’s horses. Whip-King Joe, however, received a lesson from him that day, and with a supply of text- books returned to Spring Ranch, Owing to the state of affairs the young rap- chero concluded to come over to Red Willow the next Saturday and take lessons, rather than have the schoolmaster get into further trouble by going over to the ranch, Blauford was perfectly willing to take his chances, but yielded to please the Boy Cattle King, who, he saw, had another object besides his lessons and his teacher’s safety at heart, and that was the smiles of Miss Flavie Dalton, a pretty little maiden of seventeen, whom he had chanced to meet that day. a Day after day went slowly by and the school- master assumed the role of detective, aided by Tom Dalton, a brother of. Flavie, and a brave, intelligent young man twenty. A clcese watch was kept on Old b™"Hardcastle’s retreat, and every man who went to or from the island. Dr. Flick was also kept under surveillance, for Tom Dalton, even more than Blauford felt dis- posed to lay much of the teacher's trouble to the doctor tt was finally discovered that she medicine man was making night trips away from the village, and that, too, in a very secret manner. Blauford could not understand its meaning, for he knew the doctor could not be going away iu the direction he did on professional visits, for there was no one but Indians living north of them, [t finally occurred to him that he might be treating the two men, Buck Head and Stone- fist whom Whip-King Joe had punished so se- verely, and who had never put in an appearance about Red Willow. The more he thought tho matter over the stronger became his conviction that this was the solution of the mystery sur- rounding ‘he doctor’s night riding; so he and Tom Dalton resolved to follow him the next time he went away. Nor had they long to wait, for that very night the pbysician mounted his pony and stole out of the sleeping village and med: away northward, Arming themselves they at once set off to fol- low him, making known their intentions to no on but Happy Mike. They had traversed but a short distance when ‘'om Dalton was taken sick and was compelled to return home. The plucky schoolmaster, however, pushed on alone and soon was far from Red Willow; but he little dreamed that every movement he had made for a week past wasnoted by a spy who dogged his footsteps. and that. as he pushed bis way along the valley under the blinking stars, this spy was upon his track, : 5 Just after midnight, that very same night, the report ran through Red Willow like wildfire that Doctor Renben Flick’s two fine horses had been stolen, The theft had been discovered by the doctor, who, having been out on a profes- sional call at the cabin of Jake Drugoe, visited the stable on his return, and found the horses gone, and, to add to the intensity of the excite- ment the news also spread through the village,
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. and over to the Sweet Repose, that Lucian Blauford, the schoolmaster, had disappeared from the place since dark, Tom Dalton, sick in bed, sent out word that the teacher had gone away on a hanting-excursion, though he did not say what kind of a hunting-excursion; but the rabble would not accept this story—for they said that the cunning schoolmaster had been deceiving Tom, A meeting of the citizens wasat once called in the sczool-house, All of Old Hardcase’s fol- lowers were present, and so loud-mouthed and vindictive did they become—setting at naught all reason and good sense, that the better class of citizens became disgusted aud withdrew, leaving Old Bob and his crew to run the meet- ing alone, Aftor considerable wrangling Dr, Flick was authorized to select aparty of ten men to go in search of the stolen horses, His selection was most singularly characterized, in thatevery man chosen was a warm ;,‘end of Old Hardcastle, while Hardcastle himsvif was selected as trailer for the party, Heretofore the people of Sweet Repose had remained idle and entirely indifferent when a horse bad been stolen, and the interest they now | took in Dr, Flick’s behalf could hardly be ac- counted for, It was nearly daylight when the party left in pursuit of the stolen horses, ‘The trail was found shortly, alae sunrise, going westward up the Platte, The party rode sharply forward, Old Bob at their head. At noon they halted to rest and let their herses graze. Continuing on, they struck a large cotton- wood grove about sunset, into which the stolen horses had been tracked, “Vl bet anything our game’s in this grove,” asserted Old Bob, drawing rein;. ‘tend as he may be here with friends we've; ot to lo: k out.” ‘“‘ Maybe we'd better wait till mornin’,” sug- gested Jake Drugoe, y ‘What say you men?” asked Old Bob, who had assumed the leadership. All favored Drugoe’s suggestion, and dis- mounting they camped in the edge of tue grove. An hour or two had gone by, and the moun had come up when the thief-hunters were snud- denly startled by the tramping of horses? feet within the grove. They were approaching, and in surprise and wonder, the party sprung to their feet and grasped their revolvers, The next moment the object of their hatred, Lucian Blauford, rode from the shadowscef the grove; and, what was the most surprising to all, he was mounted upon ore of Dr. Flick’s horses, and was leading tie other! oie Moses!” burst from Jake Dru- goe’s lips, “alt!” eried Old Hardcastle, leveling his revolver; ‘‘halt, you thievin’ son-of-a-gun or Pilblow your brains all over Nebraska,” y “Throw up your hands,” commanded Dr. Flick, raising his pistol. “‘Gentlemen,” exclaimed Blauford, seeing the men were in earnest, and who they were, ‘I am no thief; I—let me explain,” _ ‘Hear the scoundrel!” roared Old Bob, ‘ try- in to crawl out when we've catehed him right with the hosses,” 11 rrr “ Hang him! hang him!” yelled half a dozen voices, Blauford endeavored to speak, but his voice be drowned in the yells and jeers of the frantic mob, ** Come on!” yelled Old Bob, seizing the horse by the bit and leading it back into the grove under a wide-branching cottonwood. Blauford remained in the saddle and shouted at the top of his lungsin his endeavors to be beard, but the rough crowd drowned his voice in their yells. Jake Drugoe, with a rope in hand, hastily climbed into the tree, and crawling out upcn the limb directly above the schoolmaster, « ropped a noose around his neck, Again the young man attempted to speak, but.in vain, The man in the tree drew up the rope, wound it about the limb, then cried out: “ Ajl ready, Bob! Lead out the hoss!” ‘One word, men, before you kill me!” shouted the doomed man, ** Speak it to the Old Scratch when you mcet him,” was the brutal reply of the old gambler, and then he led tie horse forward from under its rider, and Lucian Bl :uford swung to and fro by the neck between Lecyven and carta! CHAPTER V. A MAIDEN’S PERIL, Happy Mrk®, the Irishman with whom the schoolmaster boarded, was anxious to accom- pany the party that went in search of the stolen orses, but this privilege was flatly refused him because it was intimated by Dr. Flick, he— Mike—had always been so friendly to Blauford that he was half-suspected of being interested with bim otherwise, This cut the Irishman to the quick, and he resolved to go anyhow, for he was satisfied that if Flick’s party found the teacher—and this they were iikely to do—tbey would endeavor to put him out of the way. Secking Myra Bur- ton, the Irishman said: “Faith, Miss Myra, and the drunken jackals wouldn't lit mees go ashtep wid them, so they woulln’t; and dom *em—pardon mees, Miss Myra~—and I’m afraid they m’ane to kill the young man if theys foind him,” “Oh, Mike!” cried the maiden, in dire dis- tress, * what shall we do?” “Lord love yer swate soul, and it’s meself that don’t know, Everybody but yees und mees and poor sick Tom are forninst the boy.” “Ay! Whip-King Joe, the Boy Catt!e-King is Lucian’s friend,” said the maiden, “Lord biess yees! I never thought cf the cowboy, the bold buceaneer of the sod, and if mees war two, Id fly like the wind up the river and find the teacher and warn him of the gang lookin’ for him, while mee other silf ’d fly to Spring Ranch for the Boy Cattle-King.” “Mike,” said Myra, ‘ go look for Lucian— save him from the hands of those men, for I do not believe he had anything to do with those herses,.” ‘‘Niver! divil the bit did he ever shteal a hoss!” _ “Find him if you can, Mike,” the girl went
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12 Dandy Dick’s Dash. on, ‘and I will ride to Spring Ranch for Whip- King Joe.” **Can’t I go along, Myra?” It was Flavie Dalton, who, approaching un- seen, had overheard Myra’s words. “Yes, Flavie, you may go with me. We have taken many longer rides together.” * And do yees know the way?” asked Mike, ‘“*Yes,” responded Myra; “I have been in sight of Spring Ranch twice; but, Mike, we are losing precious time. We alone can save Lucian, for we alone know him to be inno- cent.” “Yes, and divil the word must we tell to any one where wees are goin’,” the Irishman decided, “ What shall I tell Whip.King Joe, Mike?” ‘Tell him to strike for the Lone Tree Ford, and if I foind the b’y we'll meet him there; but if I do not, till him V’ll cut the litter ‘X’ on the south side of the lone tree, and that’H be word for him to come up the valley as if lookin’ for shtray cattle. But if I cut the litter ¢ A? on the tree, that'll be word for him to come down the river, And does yees understand now?” Myra repeated his directions to make sure she understood him aright, then the Irishman left, and ina few minutes he was mounted on a little black mule, that was not only swift of foot, but possessed of endless endurance, and galloping away, he determined to get in ahead of Flick’s party at all hazards, Myra and Flavie at once arranged for their journey. As it had been almost their daily wont to go riding over the prairie, assisting their friends in driving the cattle to and from the pasture range, no one questioned them, They were brave and fearless girls, such as only the frontier possessed, They were fine equestriennes, and loved the prairie and the open air with all the ardor of their young, im- pulsive hearts, Saddling their ponies, they mounted and rode quietly away. Their friends saw them depart, never thinking but an hour or two would bring them back, The day was warm, yet a soft breeze was stirring. At a lively pace the maidens galloped away over the plain. Two hours’ riding brought them to the valley of the Snake, wherein roamed the great herd of the Boy Cattle-King. As the two fair riders sped along the winding trail, the lazy cattle raisel their heads and gazed after them in dumb surprise, Ten miles had been thus traversed when Fla- vie’s pony stepped into a hole and fell, throwing her headlong to ths earth. But with a laugh the rosy-cheeked girl was upon her feet in a moment, unharmed, nor was sbe in the least frightened, for it was not the first time that she had met with such a mishap in her wild rides over the prairie. Quickly catching her pony she remounted it, but to her surprise and regret she found the animal had been lamed so that it could scarcely touch its foot to the ground, ‘©Oh, Myra! what in the world will I do?” ‘the girl exclaimed, leaping to the ground, ** It is too bad, Fiavie,” replied Myra; "‘ it is dreadful, Ido not know what we will do, Oh, everything seems to be working against us— against Lucian!” $ ‘* Myra, let me tell you,” spoke up the heroic little Flavie, ‘* You go on; it’s not far now to Spring Ranch, and I'l! wait bere until you re- turn. Dan may be better by that time, so that he can travel home.” **But you are not afraid to remain hero alone?” “Afraid of what, Myra? Those meek-eyed cows, or the chattering black-birds? No; I’m not afraid,” “Well, I will not tarry, Flavie, I will not even dismount at the ranch, if I find the Boy Cattle-King. But say, Plavie, what sball Isay to Whip-King Joe for you?” “ You may give him my regards,” replied the maiden, a faint blush suffusing her pretty face. Witt this Myra rode away and Flavie turned her attention to her wounded horse, She knew ofa simple remedy for the animal’s sprained limb, having often seen it used by her father. It was the application of cold water, and this she found in @ little spring under some bushes near the bank of the creek, Leading the pony down to the spring she dipped ‘the water in her hands and bathed the injured limb, This she eontin- ued for fully half an hour, when she finally arose and sought the shade of a clump of trees near, As she did so, two men came from con- cealment among the trees and confronted her with.a rude stare and sinister smile, A cry burst from her lips, for she knew they were men of evil hearts, and in this she was right, for one of them was the villain Dick Stonefist, the other being a younger man, but with none the less repelling countenance, Both men bowed with mock politeness to the girl, then the younger one said: ‘* Indeed, Iam glad to meet you, Miss Dalton.” “Sir, I do not know you!” cried Flavie, start- ing back. ‘* Ah, then I have the advantage of you, Miss Flavie; my name is Rupert Henshaw, and this gentleman is Richard Stonefist, who has con fessed to me that he bas known you for some time | and has fallen desperately in love with you. “Is only too true, Miss Dalton,” added Stonefist. ‘You are not gentlemen! you insult me!” cried Flavie, indignantly, her eyes flashing with all the fire of her woman’s nature, “T did not mean to—beg your pardon, Miss Dalton,” said the outlaw, advancing toward her. “Do not approach me!” she cried, retreating; vou are a villain!” “She's a scorcher, Stonefist!” averred Hen- shaw, ‘‘and you can’t coax her. You'll have to lay loving hands right hold of her and take her by force.” Scarcely was the last word out of the fellow’s mouth before Stonefist sprung toward her like a wolf, and seized her in his strong arms. Flavie screamed and struggled with all her strength, bnt she was like an infant in the burly wretch’s power: and, overcome with terror and exhaus- tion, she fainted. When she had fully recov- ered her senses again, she found herself reclin-
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a a lilt li i I op, Dandy Dick’s Dash. 13 ing in the arms of the man Stonefist, who, mounted upon a horse, was riding away toward the northwest, With a moan of despair the poor girl sunk back and closed her eyes to sbut out the sight of the brutal, triumphant face of the outlaw. Finally tue villain came to a little mctte, where he was grected by the wild shouts of friends in waiting. Flavie turned ber eyes and saw a half a dozen painted and plumed Indian warriors before her, their faces aglow with fiendish looks. The sight of them filled her soul with terror. She realized now that she was bayond all hopes of immediate rescue. After a few minutes’ halt the captive was placed alone upon the back of a pony and tied in the saddle. Then Stonefist took the lead, the captive following him, and the Indians bringing up the rear. All rode out of the motte and con- tinued the journey across the plain under a fierce, burning sun. _ Flavie took but slight nctice of her surround- ings. Her brain seemed dizzy, and she was like One in a dream. For hours the cavalcade rode silently on. The sun crossed the line and sunk slowly west- ward. : Finally a cry burst from the lips of Stonefist, and the party came to a halt. Flavie lifted her eyes, and glancing over the plain, saw a riderless horse some distance before tem, It was the horse of the sick man, or rather Old Skeleton Jack, by whcse stratagem Flavie was rescued thatnight on the shores of Fawn Lake, as has already been related in the open- ing chapter of our story. CHAPTER VI. A RIDE FOR LIFE, WE will now return to Skeloton Jack, whom, with the rescned girl, we left in a previous chapter galloping over the moonlit prairie, pur- ee by the outwitted Stonefist and his savage allies, Urging on the horses with whip and spur, and speaking words of encouragement to the maiden, the old borderman seemed to defy the pursuers, who were fully half a mile behind. After making known who he was to the girl, Old Jack asked: “Now, my little lady, will you tell me who you are?” “My name is Flavie Dalton,” the maiden re- plied. “And live down to Red Willow?” “Yes, sir.” “That's what I S’posed ; but—ha! ha! hal— didn’t I play it on ’em scoundrels in a slick, bang-up style?” “Yes, sir, but if they should overtake us they would show you little mercy,” Flavie de- clared, “T don’t intend for ’em to catch me, gal. You see, I figured the thing right down fine, and if the hosses hold good we'll dodge the var- mints in the valley. Here we go boomin’ right along, and when we git onto down grades we'll raise a fog that?il confuse them ‘lopin’ sinners, But now J tell you they’re comin’ lickey-to-split with a whoop and a burrab, I'll bet they’re frothin’ to think their sick man whose scalp was promised to the Pawnees got up and ske- daddled with their pretty little gal-captive. But then, when it comes to rescuin’ pretty gals Vm old pizen! Tm a reg’lar ole fool ‘bout pretty gals, and can’t help it—hope ye won’t get fended at anything I say, miss, for ’'m a loose-tongued rattle-trap, and just as apt to find myself makin’ love to you as any other lady, But, say, little gal, how come you in them var- mints’ power?” “A friend and I started to Spring Ranch,” replied Flavie, ‘‘and on the way my pony fell lame. Myfrlend rode on,and while sbe was gone two white men came and took me cap- tive. One of them carried me away and joined the Indians.” : ‘Exactly. Y was in sight when he rode into the motte whar the Pawnees war. I was watchin’ the Ingins, and just as soon as they left the motte with you, I circled ’round, got in ahead, and come the sick man’s dodge on them, the scoundrels.” “You risked a great deal for me, Jack,” Flavie said. ‘*Not much, little one~only an ole hulk of a skeleton.” “But there is a brave, kind heart within that skeleton.” ‘Well, by gum, l’m much obleeged for the compliment, gal; but a feller’s not got a heart bigger’n a sbble thet wouldn’t die for a pretty gal; and—” “Jack,” interrupted the maiden, glancing back over the plain, “are those Indians not gaining upon us?” ; “Tt does seem as though they were creepin’ up on us a little bit,” the old borderman said; “but be cheerful and hopeful, and soon we'll be in the Platte Valley, and’ll dodge ’em among the groves. Don’t disremember that I’m an old dodger from Dodgerville,and—ha! ha! ha!— Vm a tempestuous old fool, too—can’t help laughin’ every time I think how I tricked them folks.” The old ranger, for such he was, had discoy- ered, even before Flavie did, that the foe were gaining upon them, but he had said nothing, for all the while be bad hoped to reach the river and dodge them among the many little clumps of timber along its shore. In fact, they had not ridden far in their flight before the ranger dis- covered that the pony Flavie rode was, in speed, the very opposite of what he had taken it,to be when he selected it ffom among the several. And it was when he could no Jonger conceal the danger of the situation from Flavie, he said: ‘My dear little gal, that pony o’ yours is no traveler, an’ it’s goin’ to be the cause o’ gittin’ us into trouble, if we don’t dodge the foe soon. This hoss o’ mine can double-distance it, and if you krow this kentry well enough, I'll let you take him and go on, and I'll roll into the grass and dodge ’em, for ’ma dodger from Dodger- town,” ‘ ‘* Oh, sir: I would not know where to go; be- sides, I am almost ready to fall from this pony with fatigue,” the maiden responded, “You goon, Jack; if I fall into their power again, you will be free so that you can help me.” “No, no, gal, I can’t leave you, knowin’ you'll
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14 Dandy Dick’s Dash, soon be a captive again. But [ll tell you what Ican do, seein’ it’s the best chance that offers, and that is to drop you in the fu’st grove we reach, while I go on witi both hosses fast as I ean. Do ye see that grove just ahead o’ us yan- der? We're in the valley now, and the river is not fur beyant that motte. If I leave you Vl make straight for the river, plunge in, and swim across with both hosses, and git into the brush on t’other side before the red-skins git close enough to see your gh? is riderless.” “ Bat suppose the Indians should discover that I was in the grove?” Flavie asked. «They mustn’t though; we must work it so’s they won’t know it, and if I succeed in eluding them, I'll circle round and cme back to you. But you don’t want to get impatient even if I don’t git around afore to-morry night, for come J will. [never make a woman a promise but I fulfill it, even if it’s to leave the kentry and never speak to her again.” “ Jack, Ican trust you implicitly,” said the maiden, They rode on and finally reached the grove in question, but instead of entering it they kept around to the rigbt until it was between them and the pursuers, Then they drew rein, when Old Jack said: “ Now, gal, spring to the ground and ran in- to the grove and hide yerself, We're vuto’ sight o’ the foe now. Good-by, little ons, and may the Lord keep ye safe.” Flavie sprung to the ground and glided into the shadows of the motte while Old Skeleton Jack putting whip and spur sped on as fast as the horses would go. He bore gradually to the left and finally appeared within sight of the pursuers again on the left of the grove, and, with a yell, the outlaw and saVages pulled aside and urged on their horses at renewed speed to head the fugitives off from the river. With remarkable presence of mind Flavie re- treated into the heart of the little motte and concealed herself. She soon had the satisfaction of hearing the Indians go thundering down to the left of the grove, and as the sound of their horses’ feet died away in the distance she real- ized that the eccentric old ranger’s ruse had proven successful, and she began to breathe an air of relief. Buta sense of her loneliness now began to impress itself upon her mind, anda vague feeling of fear and uncertainty disturbed her breast. An hour or more went by when the palnfnl silence.was broken by what seemed the tread of horses’ feet at the lower end of the grove. The maiden thought it must be Skeleton Jack re- turning, and to enable him to find her without calling, she arose and crept softly through the shadows toward the sound. But instead of approaching her the footsteps, she discovered, were receding. Continuing carefully on, how- ever, she had reached the edge of an opening iu the grove where the moonbeams fell to earth when she was startled by the sound of exci voices, At first she thought the Indians had returned and intercepted Old Jack, and her heart sunk in her breast. She listened with bated breath and discovered that she was mistaken when she heard the curses and jeers of the white men, A moment later a man Jeading a horse and fol- lowed by several other men appeared in the mooulit space. A man was upon the horse, The girl recognized bim as Lucian Blauford, And foremost among those on foot she saw Old Bob Hardcase, Dr. Reuben Flick and others trom Red Willow. a Tue maiden heard the words of the excited, frantic mob. She heard the cries of vengeance against the young schoolmaster and the latter’s attemptsto speak, She saw that the young man was doomed, Like one rooted to the spot, the maiden stood and gazed upon the scene, her very soul sicken- ing at the sight, Her first impulse was to cry out--appeal to the mob for the life of her teach- er, but her tongue was paralyzed. She saw a man climb into the tree under which they tad halted, and a moment later she saw a rope dropped about Blauford’s neck. Then she saw the horse led away and the man swing to and fro in mid-air. The feeling that seemed to paralyze the poor girl’s heart, and the burning thoughts that rushed like lightning through her brain were indescribable, “Oh, where is Whip-King Joe? where is Hap- RY Mike—some one to save the life of Luciun lauford?” These were the questions that flashed through her mind, and, as if in answer, she beheld a vivid tongue of fire stream from the darkness on the left, followed by the sharp report of a revolver and a groan from the lips of Old Hard- case who, staggering forward, fell under the swaying body of Blauford, And in quick suc-, cession—like the darting tongue of a monster maddened serpent—that deadly revolver in am- bush spit forth its flame with scarcely an inter- mission between each flash, and at every report a groan of egony was blended with the tumult of the moment. In a few brief seconds half of Hardcase’s party lay writhing in the throes of death, while the survivors fled into the darkness to escape a similar fate. As the last one vanished from sight, a lithe figure glided from tbe bushes with a smoking revolver in each hand, and ran to where Blau- ford hung, saying: “ Stheady, me brave b’y, ain’t it meself that’ll put yees on yer trotters again?” Flavie Dalton recognized the voice, as well as the face, as that of Happy Mike Enright. But before the brave Irishman could raise a hand to assist him, Blauford dropped to the ground, and standing erect and unharmed upon his feet, put out his hand, saying: ‘““Welcome, Mike, old friend, thrice wel- come!” The schoolmaster had liberated himself from the noose, for as the horse was led from under him, there was no fall of the body, and throw- ing up bis hands that were free, he caught the rope above his bead, and hand over hand raised himself to the limb, over which he threw his left arm while he removed the noose with his right hand—his would-be assassins, in the mean time, being too busy in saving their own lives to in- terfere with him, ‘All this had transpired in a few brief mo- ments—s@ quick, in fact, that Flavie scarcely
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. 15 TT realized the truth of the situation; bot when she at length did, she uttered a cry of joy and rushed from her concealment into the presence of the schoolmaster and the Irishman, “Ob, by the Virgin! a apparition!” burst from Mike's lips. ‘““My God! it is Flavie Dalton!” exclaimed Blauford, “Oh, mother of Moses! and what in the name o' the Adorable does this mean, Flavie, me dar- lint little friend?” c Before the maiden could answer, the wild, unearthly yells of savages and the sharp re- port of firearms came from the direction of the river, and, reeling back into the shadows, she cried: “Come, Lucian—Mike! Quick! the Indians will find us!” Stepping over the lifeless body of Old Hard- case, the schoolmaster, followed by his faithful friend and rescuer, disappeared in the gloom of the grove with the maiden. CHAPTER VII. A VILLAIN FOILED. Myra Burton, atter leaving Flavie with her crippled pony, rode rapidly on, and finally reached Spring Ranch, the home of the Roy Cattle-King. The door of the cabin stood slightly ajar, and riding up to it, the maiden rapped smartly upon the jamb with her riding-whip, but no one answered her. ; ““Whip-King is gone,” she mused, as a sigh escaped her lips, and then she began to wonder what she should do—what she could do. After a few moments’ reflection she rode to the top of a little knoll back of the ranch, from where she had a commanding view of the sur- rounding plain; but she could see no one—noth- ing but a few cattle along the bluffs overlooking the Snake Valley. Sorely distressed the maiden rode back to the eabin, and dismounting, looked in at the partly opened door. She reasoned with herself that he could not be far away, else he would have closed and locked the door; but presently she happened to think that it was a custom among ranchmen to leave their doors open when they went away, as a silent invitation so the way- farer to enter and make himself at home. — Seeing a number .of books and some writing- paper on a rude table near a little window, it Was suggested to her that she write and leave a note for the Boy Cattle-King, and then burry back to Flavie. So she bitched her pony and entered the cabin. She found a pencil, and seat- ing berself at the table began to write, but sud- denly she stopped, and as she passed her hand over her brow, her thoughts found expression in the words: ‘* What if Whip-King cannot read?” Her he fell upon a copy-book before hor. She picked it up. At the head of each page was a line written in the neat handwriting of cian Blauford, and the page beneath the copy was filled with writing almost as good as the teacher’s, Fully satisfied that it was Whip- King’s chirography, the maiden continued her note. She indited a detailed account of the new trouble at Red Willow—of the theft of Flick’s horses, and the pursuit of the thief; the dangers that threatened the schoolmaster at the bands of Old Hardcase’s mob, her and Happy Mike’s belief in Blauford’s innocence— finally ending with an appeal to the young cattle-king to go at once in search of Blauford and warn him of the danger that menaced him should he fall into the hands of Hardcase’s party. To the note she signed her name, then she laid the paper on the threshold of the door, with a silent prayer that it might be found by the one for whom it was intended. With a vague uneasiness she mounted her pony and began her homeward j urney, her heart growing sadder and her mind more dis- tressed at every step. Strange as it may seem, she was scarcely out of sight of the ranch ere Whip-King Joe came galloping over the plain from the north. He rode to the stable and put up his horse, then started to the house. As be approached it he saw strange pony-tracks in the path and glanced quickly around him, Nearing the door, he saw the book and paper lying on tbe thresh- old, and then he stopped and his hand sought the revolver at his side. He thought of Stone- fist and Buck Head, and it occurred to him that they might be concealéd in the cabin waiting to have satisfaction on him, After a few minutes’ hesitation, he advanced and picked up the paper. Glancing over it, he saw the name of Myra Burton upon it. Bagerly and anxiously he read the page—he read it over the second “time, then he turned and glanced out over the plain with a startled ex- pression upon bis boyish face, ‘“‘ Can this be true?” he asked himself. ‘‘ Has Myra Burton been here? Is there no one but Happy Mike at Red Willow to stand by Lucian Blauford? By heavens! that schoolmaster’s no thief! He’s been persecuted to death by some villain, and I will go to his assistance, as asked in this note.” Folding the paper he placed it in the book, and at once got ready for the trip over to the river.. He buckled his cartridge-belt around him, yroceeded to the stable and saddled his horse. ‘o the bows of the saddle be bung a Spencer earbine and a navy revolver. e@ provided himself with a blanket and some food, for there was no telling how long he would be out, He also procured his great cattle-whip—his insep-: arable friend of years—and coiling the lash threw it over his shoulder. Thus armed and equipped, he mounted and rode forth in the di- rection of Lone Tree Ford, from whence he was ag a his course under directions of Happy ike, His mind filled with many conflicting thoughts, the youth galloped along, taking but little notice of his surroundings. : Mile after mile was left behind him, yet with that same steady gait he rode on, sitting his horse like a young centaur, the: rim of his som- brero flared up across his forehead, and his brown face flushed with excitement, The sun was within two hours of the horizon when he reached a little chaparral through which ran the trail he was following. - Here 5 drew rein and dismounted to give his horse a few minutes’ rest and to appease his own hun- fi 2 ¢
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16 Dandy Dick’s Dash. SS | ger. He led the horse back into the thickest of | and fired, when the outlaw, with a moan anda the grove, where they could have the benefit of = coolest shadows, for the day was exceeding- hot, af had scarcely finished his repast when he was startled by the sound of clattering hoofs. Quickly tbe sprung to his feet, His horse pricked up its ears. The young caitle-king quickly seized the animal by the bits to prevent it whinnying. The next moment he caught sight of an ap- ea: horseman who bore in his arms a living burden—a human being; but before the youth could act, the rider sped past him on a foaming, panting horse. The burden he held in his arms was that of a woman, and even in the partial glimpse he had of her white, terror- stamped face, the youth recognized the features of Myra Burton. Tnvoluntarily a low cry burst from his lips, and the blood leaped in hot currents through his veins, A glance atthe man’s face told that he was a villain, and the course he was pursuing with the girl told that he was carrying her away into a captivity worse than death, The Boy Cattle-King quickly seized his carbine, but before he had time to use it the intervening trees concealed the outlaw from his sight. But not to be outdone, he quickly replaced the Spen- cer at the saddle-bow, leaped upon his horse and gathered the reins in bis Jeft hand, while in his right he seized his trusty whip. Then putting spurs, he plunged out of the thicket after the horseman, The latter—who was the man Rupert Hen- shaw, who had lain in wait for Myra on Snake Creek near where Flavie had been captured— heard the Boy Cattle-King approaching, and with a startled glance looked over his shoulder. Discovering the youth almost upon him, he dropped his rein, and, supporting Myra’s form with his left arm, ho drew his revolver with his right band, but before he could use the weapon he heard a sharp “swish” and a “crack,” and at the same instant he received a blow on the side of the face that seemed to rend every nerve and muscle—foreing a cry of pain from the villain’s lips, and causing him to reel in his sad- dle like a drunken man, <A torrent of blood pee from the gash cut by the cruel rawhide lash in the villain’s cheek. Believing he had been shot, the outlaw point- ed his revolver back over his shoulder, and, without turning his head or endeavoring to check his flying horse, fired a random shot at Whip-King Joe, The bullet fired by the outlaw whistled ten feet above the boy’s head, and before the ruf- fian could repeat the shot the young king of the whip cut him across the eyes with his lash, and with abowl of the most terribe agony the vil- lain dropped his captive to the ground, for he was now iu darkness—blinded by the unerring blow of the lash, Seizing the reins the wretch endeavored to make his escape, but in his pain and blindness he becams confused and bewildered and turned his horse from the course he was pursuing and rode directly toward the Boy Cattle-King. Tho latter, however, eepponns he had turned to give bim battle, quickly drew his revolver violent fling of the arms, fell from his saddle, dead, Dashing alongside the now riderless horse the Boy Cattle-King captured it, then hastily re- turned to Myra. The maiden had been partially stunned by her violent fall to the earth, but by the time Whip-King Joe was enabled to give his atten- tion to her she was on her feet and as the young ranchero came up, discovered for the first time who her rescuer was. “Oh, Joe!” she exclaimed, as the boy dis- mounted; ‘‘isn’t this terrible?” “Tt’'s awful, Myra,” the youth replied, ‘‘ but the worst is over with, I thank the Lord lL happened to be in the right place at the rigt time to save you from that villain’s power. I got your note, Myra, and started at once to the assistance of your friend—” “Indeed!” exclaimed the maiden, her face brightening up, ‘‘ then you understood it, Joe?” “Tt was plain enough, Myra; and I presume you were captured on your way home?” ** Yes, Joe; but I fear this is not all. afraid Flavie Dalton was captured, also.” ““Flavie Dalton captured! by whom, Myra?” exclaimed the boy. ‘“* By a friend of the man who captured me, Flavie started with me to your ranch, but her pony fell lame, and she was compelled to stay back in the Snake Valley. When I returned to where I had left her she was gone, but her pony was there. While looking for her that villain came out of the brush and seized my horse by the bits and dragged me from my saddle. He told me my friend was in the power of his friend, whom he called Stonefist—” ‘* Stonefist Dick!” cried the Boy Cattle-King. ‘Great God! he is the worst villain out of the dominion of— But, Myra, do you know where he took Flavie?” “T only know what my captor told me,” ‘* And what was that?” impatiently. “That I should meet my friend—that Stone- fist had gone on ahead with her while he had waited behind to capture me.” “ And how waouch the start of you did he say they had?” * He did not say, but if Flavie was captured soon after I left her they have had hours the start.” The Boy Cattle-King almost groaned in spirit. He glanced westward, The sun was not more than an hour high. What should he do? He asked himself the question over and over. Al- ready Myra was in his charge while Flavie Dal- ton and Lucian Blauford were no doubt in need of his help. Myra seemed to have read the youth's thoughts, and finally said: F ‘“Whip-King, do not let me detain you here. I will take one of the horses and try and make my way homeward.” “Myra, I am afraid to let you goalone, See, the sun is almost down, and you could never make your way across the plain after night.” “Then leave me, somewhere, Joe, and I will await your return.”. “No, no; I cannot do that either, but I'll tell you, Myra, you can ride on with me until we I am
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. iv reach the Lone Tree Ford of the Platte. It might be such a thing that we’d meet Happy Mike and Lucian there,” To this Myra readily consented, and a few minutes later she was mounted on Whip-King’s horse and the young ranchero on that of the dead outlaw—both making their way across the plain toward the northwest, It was dark when they reached the Platte Valley, and two hours later they came to Lone Tree Ford, Crossing over the stream they ap- proached the Lone Tree with eager, anxious hearts. But they found no one there. Whip- King dismounted and examined the tree, On the upper side he found the letter X freshly cut in the bark. ‘*'That means for me to. go on up the stream,” said Joe, “Yes,” replied Myra, her voice betraying her deep disappointment. ‘And, Joe, if you will let me, I will go with you.” The. young ranchero leaped into his saddle, saying: H ‘There is less danger in you going with me than in remaining here or attempting to go home alone.” - So the two rode on up the river, The moon came up, flooding the valley with its mellow ae ere and there lay little mottes of timber, dark and grim. But the Boy Cattle-King kept clear of them all through fear of lurking danger. Suddenly the far-off yell of human voices fell upon the ears of the boy and maiden, They quickly drew rein, “T declare it sounded like the yell of In- diavs,” said Whip-King. “Ob, I hope it was not!” replied the girl, They listened, but heard nothing more. The Boy Cattle-King dismounted, an cropping. to his knees laid his ear to the ground. He listen- ed for several moments, then sprung to his feet, saying: % I hear the sound of horses’ feet, They ap- pear to be approaching, and that— Ah! there goes that yell again!” A yell that left no doubt of its coming from savage throats came quavering through the night. “Oh, Whip-King!” cried Myra, “it is the yell of Indians!” In an instant the youth was in the saddle, “ Let us move toward the river,” he said, and turning they rode on ata gallop. They soon came to the stream, on whose banks, in the shadows of some bushes, they drew rein, Scarcely had they done so when from his con- cealment Whip-King saw a horseman with a led horse at his side coming directly toward him, while far in the rear he could see a number of cther horsemen, whom he knew to be sav- ages, in swift pursuit, “Some fellow’s in trouble, sure,” said the > | cover o’ its shadows give battle,” boy. “Tt may be Lucian,” said Myra, her thoughts ever with the young schoolmaster. “ Myra, remain bere and I will intercept him,” said Whip-King. ‘‘I know he is a friend else he would not be pursued by savages, though I must confess that I did not dream of a hostile Indian in this country.” So saying he rode out of the grove as the fu- gitivecame up. At sight of him the latter bore to the right as if to avoid him, “ Hullo, there, stranger, who are you in such hot haste?” called out the Boy Cattle-King, The fugitive turned toward the youth, and soon drew rein before bim, saying: ‘1m in a deuce o’ a burry jist bout this time, stranger—my name’s Skeleton Jack, the—” : “The White Rattlesnake!” interrupted the OY. “ You bet you,” was the laconic reply. “Tm Whip-King Joe, the—” * Boy Cattle King?” You bet you.” “Well, you’d better fall in with me, boy, and hump yerself out o’ this—eight or ten p’izen red- skins are after me hot and heavy.” ** Ay! but Ihave a lady friend in the grove behind me.” ‘“‘The nation you have! well, I dropped a gal back in ipa motte and am tryin’ to dodge the red devils. Tell your gal to stay where she isand keep coo] and you come on with me for the red-skins have seen you, [I know. We'll dodge ’em and get back after the gals.” “Go, Whip-King, go,” called out Myra from the grove, for she had overheard the old ran- ger’s words, Without further speech the youth whirled his horse and galloped away at the side of bis new- found friend, Skeleton Jack, of whom he bad often heard, Straight toward the river they rode, soon reacbing its bank, over which they leaped their horses into the stream. ‘Keep ’em movin’, boy,” shouted Old Skele- ton Jack, “tor they'll go down in the quick- sand— Come along bere, wither yer dasted pic- ture,” The last remark was made to the panting pony the ranger was leading, for the animal could scarcely make its way through the water and yielding sand-bed of the river. Finally, when near the middle of the stream, the pony, floundering in the water, fell, jerking the rein from the ranger’s hand. “Cuss the critter, let it swamp,” exclaimed Old Jack. : Leaving it in the stream to make its own way at leisure, the fugitives pressed on and reached the opposite shore just as the pursuers plunged into the river, “Say, boy, be you much on the fight?” asked Old Jack of his companion as they galloped away. “You can try me, Jack,” was the boy’s re- ply. “T war jist thinkin’ we could lick them crit- ters now if you can handle that iron o’ yours to good advantage.” ‘*T can do my part, I assure you.” “Then let’s make for you motte, and under They turned toward the motte in question, and were ¢oon within its shadows. Drawing rein they quickly dismounted, hitched their horses snd advanced to the edge of the grove to meet the foe.
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18 Dandy Dick’s Dash. Not until the savages were within fifty paces of the grove was a shot fired; then Old Jack with his revolver, and Whip-King with his car- bine, opened upon them. Two savages tumbled from their horses at the first discharge, and the others became panic-stricken in an instant—be- lieving they bad run into a deadly ambush. Turning their horses’ heads they fled—some to the right and some to the left, thus dividing their force, The ranger and ranchero kept up their firing as loag as the foe were within sight, then, turn- ing, taey remounted their horses and rode back to the river and recrossed. But they were scarcely across the stream ere they discovered that the Indians were again in pursuit of them. “ Witaer their souls!” exclaimed Old Jack, “wave got to drill a few more o’ them afore they give us up.” They rode up to the grove in which Myra had been left, The maiden who had been on oy lookout, seeing Whip-King, rode out to meet them, ; “Come, Myra,” the young ranchero said, ‘the Indians are still after us, ‘This man is the noted ranger, Skeleton Jack. He left Flavie in a motte out in the valley before us,” The three galloped sharply across the level valley, the foe following on, nad with rage over the loss of their friends. The grove in which Flavie had been left was but a short ways off when the fugitives discov- ered several other horsemen bearing down upoa them at right angles to their course from the north; but whether they were friends or foes they could not tell, Approaching the grove the ears of the fugi- tives were suddenly greeted with the stern com- mand: “Halt, there!” CHAPTER VIII. IN A QUANDARY. INSTANTLY the three fugitives drew rein, and Old Jack, who was in the lead, yelled out: “Who the ’tarnal sin be you in there?” “And faith, and it’s meself, and Mr, Blau- ford, and the chick, Flavie.” “Happy Mike, the Irishman!” cried Myra; “oh, Mike!” and leaping from her horse the maiden rav toward the grove from the shadows of which emerged Happy Mike, Lucian Blauford and Flavie Dalton, Happy indeed was the meeting of the friends there under the moonlight. Whip-King Joe threw himself from his saddle and advanced to meet Flavie, with all the happiness and joy of an impulsive boy lover depicted on his face, All seemed to forget in the excitement of the moment, the danger that surrounded them ex- cept Old Skeleton Jack. Turning slightly in his saddle, the old ranger saw, to his surprise, as well as to his relief, that the savages had drawn rein, and that the unknown party coming from the north was bearing away in the direction of the red-skins. : ‘‘My dear girl,” said Blauford, as he stood gazing down into the wearied face of Myra, “TI have just learned from Flavie of your noble effort in my bebalf in riding to Spring Ranch for brave Whip-King Joe, You and Flavie en- countered greater dangers than I was in my- self, “And faith and that may be true,” said Happy Mike, “‘but when yees swung by the neck awhoile ago, mees thought yees war ina close place, me b’y.” “Swung by the neck!” exclaimed the Boy Cattle-King. ‘‘ What! do you mean tosay you've been hung, Blauford?” ‘Yes, sir, I do, Old Bob Hardcase’s crowd overtook me, or rather met me, and proceeded to string me up without ceremony.” “ Mor what?” “Stealing Doctor Flick’s horses.” “What reason had they to think you stole them?” “T had the horses in my custody at the time they met me, but I didn’t steal them, On the contrary, [ tollowed the fellow that did steal them and recovered the horses, but the thief got away. I had started home with them when met Old Bol’s gang and come within an ace of being hung for my pains. But for Mike, [ rather tbhink—in fact, | know-—1l woula have been a dead man by this time. Mike came up in the nick of time, and the way he tumbled that mob was a caution to evil-doers. Old Bob and two or three of his gang are now lying dead back in the grove,” A little cry burst from the lips of the Boy Cattle-King and his friends, Myraand Old Jack. ‘* And what became o’ t/others o’ the gang?” asked Skeleton. ss) They fled as if from the vengeance of Hea- ven, ‘“By the sin o’ Adam! then that’s them as have rid down and joined the Ingins on the plain out yander. I thought them fellers rede like white men. Well, now, folks, you can jist bet we're not safe as if we war in Ho: t Laramie, Them red varmints and white cut-throats will employ every means that savage cunnin’ and white man’s expedients will suggest to lay us out. ‘There's not a doubt of it,” declared Whip- King Joe. ‘An epidemic of general deviltry seems to have broken out all along the Platte, and there’s got to be some promiscuous shooting done.” “*T am sorry, my friend,” protested the school- master, ‘‘that my presence at Red Willow is the cause of all this,” “Widdlestick, friend Blauford!” exclaimed Joe; ‘‘you are no more the cause of this than you aro responsible for the innate villainy of Old Bob Hardcastle or Doctor. Reuben Flick. They only found it convenient to make you an excuse to carry out some programme hatched up on the island. Iam sure the attempted abduction of Myra and Flavie is no fault of your; there- fore, ’d advise you to free your mind at once of the wrong you are doing yourself,” “Thank you, my brave boy,” replied Blau- ford, gratefully, “Tf wecan git the drop on Doctor Flick,” con- tinued Joe, ‘I feel pretty sure we'll be rid of the moving spirit in this trouble, though I must confess that the fact of the Indians taking a hand in with them puzzles me somewhat.” “Perzactly,” put in Skeleton Jack, ‘* but then
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tins kentry. Dandy Dick’s Dash. i9 trouble from the Ingins has been suspected some time, In fact, 1 war dispatched a week The trained animal quickly obeyed the order, stretching itself at full length in the tall grass, ago to look after red-skin movements by the | The next moment the headof Old Jack had also Government, and that’s what brings me into The Pawnees and tne Sioux bave been threatenin’ each other, some time, and if they once git to knockin’ each other, the whites that happen in the way will git pounded, too. But you can figure big on me stayin’ with you folks long as [ can belp you,” “ Judging by what you have already done for us, | should consider you a valuabie acquisition to our little party,” said Blauford, After some further conversation the party decided to spend the might there in the motte, It was not deemed advisable to venture out in the face of the dangers that menaced them until daylight should reiieve the way of the iidden dangers that might be concealed under the sbadows of night, Old Skeleton Jack kept a sharp watch on the little group of borsemen out on the prairie. They seemed to be undeciled as to what course to pursue, but after an hour’s consultation, the old ranger saw them withdraw in the direction of the river, Instead of this giving him relief it made the ranger all the more uneasy. As long as the foe were in sight he kaew exactly what to do and expect, but when out of sigbt be knew not in what quarter nor at what time they might pounce down upon them. Everything possible was done for the comfort of the two girls, but so happy were they in the presence of those whom they loved that they were only too glad to share with them the wake- ful vigils of that night. Skeleton Jack proved himself a genial com- panion. He kept up the spirits of the party by a constant flow of whimsical! talk, interspersed with flashes of wit and humor, Nor was Happy Mike found warting on the occasion in bis char- acteristic happiness of spirit, The night wore slowly away, and as soon as it was hght Old Jack made a reconnoissance in the direction of the river, and discovered several white men and savages encamped on a sand-bar in the middle of the stream, This left no doubt in the ranger’s mind that the followers of Old Bob Hardcase had joined the red-skins, and that they would make common cause against him and his friends, As the odds were against them three to one, the ranger readily foresaw that great danger menaced them, He had not a doubt but that the foe would remain quiet until they began their retreat from the grove, and disclosed the weakness of their force. The want of provisions would compel the whites to move at once, This Jack knew, and regretted, for they had been in a condition to remain under cover of the grove they might have defied the foe, While the old ranger was pondering over the situation, with the enemy in view, he suddenly discovered a berd of antelope coming down the valley like the wind. In the movement of the animals there was, to the experienced plains- man, something suspicious; but without stop- pine inquire into the apparent flight of the erd, he leaped t» the ground and commanded his horse to lie down, disappeared, The antelope came on, unwary in their flight —unaware of the presence of a new danger until the old ranger suddenly sprung to his feet and shot one of them dead, “Meat, by the sins o’ Adam!” exclaimed the ranger, ** and thar’s no need 0’ starvin’.” He spoke to bis horse, and the animal arose —< followed him to where the dead antelope Y. Lifting the animal in his arms Old Jack threw it across the withers of his horse, and, holding it there with his left hand, be was in the act of springing into his saddle when a demoniac yell greeted his eers. Looking back in the direction of the river he saw that the red-skins and whites, whom he had found in camp on the sand-bar, had crossed to the mainland on borseback and were charging down upon him. Springing into bis saddle the ranger put spur, though be hung on to his antelope with the des- perate determination of a starving man, He was fully two miles from his friends, while less than eighty rods separated him from his ene- mies, but he had the ufmost confidence in bis pores notwithstanding the double burden it ore, The race became an exciting one; Old Jack’s friends had beard the Indian yell and hurrying to the edge of the grove witnessed the scene, Whip-King Jce, Happy Mike and the school- master at once placed themselves in position, rifles in hand, to receive the foe as soon as they came within range; but this was not to happen, for suddenly a wild, unearthly yell rose from the north of tbe grove, and glancing in that di- rection our friends beheld at least a hundred mounted Sioux warriors charging down toward them, brandishing tomahawks, rifles and lances frantically about their plumed heads. Where they bad come from seemed a mys- tery, so suddenly and unexpectedly had they burst upon their view, Even those iy pursuit of Old Jack were un- aware of their presence until they uttered their yell, but the very instant the Llood-curdling cry of the Sioux greeted the ears of the Pawnees, the latter and their white friends turned sud- denly aside and themselves became fugitives, Old Jack rode on to the grove and drew rein before his startled, terrified friends, A grim smile was upon his thin face—a stern look in bis wonderful eyes, as he said: “Folks, we're in for it, now. Themare Sioux and it’s no use to kick against that horde, We’ve got to make the best of it and trust to the great sahovian. The Sioux and Pawnees are at war, and— “But we're out of the pan into the fire,” con- cluded Whip-King Joe, ‘ ‘*Here they come,” cried Old Jack; ‘keep cool, now—make ’em believe you’re glad they’ve come—play it: fine, folks, deception is in order under the sareumstances—hurrah! yoop-pee! big Ingin, Sioux!” \ The old ranger pulled off bis hat and swung it wildly about his head, while one yell after
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20 Dandy Dick’s Dash. another, in exact imitation of the Sioux war- whoop, pealed from bis lips. Tn less than two minutes more all the Indians, except a dozen or two who had gone in pursnit of the Pawnees and their white allies, bad sur- rounded Old Jack andhis friends, wild with ex- citement and curiosity. They were all in war- paint, and brandished their weapons in a threatening manner in the very face of the four white men, while they gazed upon the two shrinking girls with a sensuous, impudent grin that caused their very hearts to ehudder. CHAPTER IX. A REMARKABLE. DUEL, Oxtp SKELETON Jack could talk the Sioux language quite fluently, and was thereby en- abled to make his and his friends’ position un- derstood from the very first, But Running Elk, the chief in command, was a wary savage and as he had taken the war-path for enemies’ scalps he was loth to accept the stories of the old ranger. The red-skins all dismounted and gathered closer around the whites. The finding of the dead bodies of Old Hardcase and two of his friends called for an explanation from Old Jack, which was given with a coloring that had a bearing favorablo to himself and friends. It was quite awhile, however, before the red-skins bad ceased their menacing conduct, that was evidently calculated to provoke the whites into some signs of fear, and put away their weapons. Running Elk, in granting the whites temporary protection, informed them that they must jay aside their weapons. This Jack communicated to his friends, who at once, with apparent willingness, complied with the request, though the fear of treachery was strong in their breasts. 7 Old Jack was permitted to skin the antelope he had killed, and after reserving a quarter for himself and friends, gave the rest to the In- dians, He then lighted a fire and broiled a rtion of the meat sufficient to appease the fonadt of the little party of captiyes, for such they now regarded themselves. : Running Elk sat near, smoking his pipe, when the whites sat down to their simple re- past. Old Jack noticed his glances, and know- ing something of Indian nature—of the weak as well as the strong points in his character—said in a whisper to Flavie Dalton: “Say, little one, carry the chief a slice o’ meat and offer him, It will tickle him im- mensely, I expect.” The maiden, with trembling heart, arose to comply with the ranger’s suggestion, She se- lected the choicest slice of meat and advanced toward the chief, “Now,” said Old Jack aside to Whip-King Joe, “if the chief refuses to take that meat, our scalps’Il not be wu’th a cuss—ah! he takes it! With a savage smile the chief received the meat from the maiden’s band, and laying eeice his pipe, began devouring it like a hungry wolf. A low, sullen murmur escaped the lips of the savages who saw their chief accept the meat from the pale-faces. A look of disappointment clouded their hideous brows. The chief looked up, and with a snarl rebuked his warriors for their conduct, Old Jack saw that they bad gained one point in the favor of tho chief, but by keeping bis ears open he could hear things said among the warriors that made him uneasy, He knew tke chief could not watch each and all of his fol- lowers, nor could he be responsible for the acts of his braves when on the war-path. So the four men were very careful and took no notice of an occasional sly act of some war- rior calculated to provoke trouble; but Old Jack, as well as Lucian Blauford, saw that there was a Vesuvius of rage smoldering in the breast of the Boy Cattle-King and were in con- stant fear lest it burst forth in its fury. The Iudians themselves seemed to have no- ticed, by his expression, that the young Cattle- King was in no amiable mood, and one young warrior in particular made it a point to follow the boy whenever he went beyond the chief’s sight. This Whip-King did not fail to notice, though he did not let it appear on the surface, Finally the’ young warrior approached the ranchero and, reaching out his band, took hold of the heavy cattle-whip which, so far, he had been permitted to retain and which hung coiled over his left shoulder and under his right arm. The end of the lash had been so tucked in around the coils of the maiu lash that the red- skin’s attempt to remove the whip proved a failure. ; ** You'd better keep your hands to yourself, red-skin,” the boy warned, fixing a threatening look on the meddJesome warrior, But the red-skin either did not understand him or else wishing to provoke him to some act of violence, drew bis knife and attempted to cut the whiplash. This was more than the Boy Cattle-King could stand, and, with the quick- ness of lightning—without the least warning— he drove his fist into the Indian’s face, knock- ing the fellow, half-stunned, to the earth. A yell rose from the lips of those who wit- nessed the blow, and in an instant a score of tomahawks were drawn, and but for the timely interference of Running Elk, the Boy Cattle- King would have been chopped down. Bleeding at the nose and mouth, and with a fearfully battered countenance, the Indian rose to his feet and gazed around him in a dazed = of way, as if in doubt as to what had struck im. The wildest excitement now prevailed, and in a few moments the whole of the Indian party had gathered about the bloody-faced warrior and Whip-King Joe. Old Jack made his way through the throng to the side of his young fellow-captive, and be- gan to plead his cause to the chief. But he saw that Running Elk was angry, and that it would be nothing but a miracle that could save the rash and fearless Cattle-King from the venge- ance of the savages. “The pale-face struck one of my warriors,” declared the chief, with a sullen frown. “T know it, chief,” replied Old Jack, ‘* but your warrior provoked the blow,” “The pale-face should remember he is a cap-
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. _ 21 tive inthe camp of Running Elk. The war- riors have privileges that their captives have not, The pale-face has insulted Crow-Hyes, and Crow-Eyes must wipe out the disgrace of the pale-face’s blow, or forever quit the war-path and join the squaws and pappooses of his tribe.” This wasa law of the tribe, and Old Jack found, after half an hour’s argument, that there was no appeal from it, and so he informed Whip-King of the chief’s decision, “What dye perpose to do, Runnin’ Elk?” the old manasked. ‘‘ D’ye ‘low to let Crow-Eyes jump onto the pale-face boy and carve his liver out, avd bang his hair, and give the boy no chance?” “The pale-face struck Crow-Hyes with his naked fist,” replied the chief, ‘‘and that, too, when Crow-Eyes held a scalping-knife in his hand. The pale-face will be given a chance for his life, but_he must fight. Crow- Eyes with the weapon with which he insulted him—his naked ” “And will Crow-Byes fight him that way, ? “ Crow-Hyes will fight with the knife he held when the pale-face struck him.” “That gives your sidea big advantage, chief,” said Jack. “No more so than when the pale-face pro- voked the trouble,” replied the chief, ‘‘ so let the white man prepare to fight Crow-Eyes,” Old Jack turned ahd communicated to Joe the edict of the chief, from which he knew there could be no appeal, A grim, contemptuous smile curled the lips of the Boy Cattle-King. “Tf they'll giveme afair show even then,” the boy said, “I'll not complain if that Ingin gets in his work on me.” ‘“T'hbey mean to make a show of fairness,” re- lied Old Jack, ‘‘ but ultimately they mean to ave all our scalps, ‘less it isthe gals’, and them theyll carry off captives. But see, they’re formin’ a circle for the fight now. Boy, )ou’ve got a nasty affairon your hands, Onless you break the red-skin’s neck the fu’st blow, you'll have trouble.” «*T only hope Flavie and Myra will not be per- mitted to witness the fight,” said Joe. “Lord only knows what the red devils 71] do,” said Old Jack. The arrangements for Crow-Eyes to wipe out his disgrace were soon perfected, A large ring was formed on the north side of the grove, and the Indians stationed around it, Crow-Hyes and Whip-King Joe were then led into the ring and stationed about forty feet apart, facing each other, the Indian with his murderous scalping-knife clutched in his hand, and the boy empty-handed—the former witb a sinister, demoniac expression on his bloody, swollen face, the latter wearing a calm, fearless and determined look. The Boy Cattle-King was informed that at a signal from Running Elk the two were to close in combat, and while he stood waiting for this signal Old Jack noticed that the boy’s fingers toyed nervously with the great whip, which, for some unaccountable reason, the foe had not taken from him, It is true, Old Jack had heard during the night of the marvelous feats of the boy with the whip, but that it would avail him anything now he never once supposed. In fact, he thought no more about the whip than did the Indians seem to care about it. That it was to play a part in the coming contest neither Jack nor a single savage ever dreamed until it was too late to stay the skillful hand that wielded it. Standing erect, with bis sb upon the chief, watching for the signal for the contest to begin, the Boy Cautle-King continued toying with the lash, but the very instant Running Elk gave the word, his band gras) the short, heavy stock, and in a twinkling the whip was uncoiled from his body. In the mean time the savage was gliding toward him, and when half-across the arena the young ranchero made one leap forward, at the same time swinging bis whip above his head and driving the lash forward with terrific force into the red-skin’s very eyes. As if struck by a thunderbolt the savage went.down, a frightful scream of agony peal- ing from his lips and his knife dropping from his hand. « A howl of rage burst from the lips of the savage spectators. The warrior rose upon his knees, blinded by the cruel lash, the blood pouring from one of bis eye-sockets, ‘€ Great sin o? Adam!” exclaimed Old Skeleton Jack, aside to Lucian Blauford, ‘‘he’s cut the varmint’s eyes out! Saltpeter won’t save the boy’s lifeynow!” Instantly a hundred tomahawks were drawn, and with the fierce, murderous looks of malig- nant devils, the savage borde surged toward the brave boy. But at the same instant a wild, fierce yell arose from the plain south of the grove—a yell that caused the Sioux to recoil from the presence of Whip-King Joe, while far hideous visages assumed a look of startled ear. CHAPTER X. RED AGAINST BRONZE. “Tip Pawnees! the Pawnees!” burst from the lips of the startled Sioux, for well did they know the war-cry of their old-time foes, Forgetting the suffering of Crow-Eye—stop- ping not to mete out vengeance to Whip-King Joe, the red-skins glided away to the south side of the grove, closely followed by the Boy Cat- tle-King and his friends, Near the center of the grove they were met by the maidens and their savage guard hurrying away from the approaching danger. ’ Reaching the southern extremity of the grove the Sioux beheld a sight that almost threw them intoa panic. It was their friends who had gone on in pursuit of the Pawnees and whites return- ing pursued by fully a hundred and fifty Paw- nee warriors, All were mounted and riding up the valley like a flerce whirlwind—yelling like demons. Running Elk quickly gave the command to prepare for battle. The foe were too close upon them to think of flight even had they wished to escape a conflict. “ Boys,” said Old Jack, ‘“‘ we've got to fight with | our Sioux captors on the account 0’ the gals,
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. ‘Right it is, then,” said the Boy Cattle-King “To the death,” added the schoolmaster. Turning, all four of the whites deliberately walked to where the savages had stacked their arms, grasped their weapons, and hurrying back took their position in the ranks with their cap- tors. It happened that Whip-King Joe found him- self on tne right of the chief, Running Elk— within reach of the Indian’s arm, but the curef no longer looked upon him with that vengeful light in his eyes, Kneeling in the edge of the brush, the Boy Cattle-King was the first to fire a gun at the approaching foe, His shot elicited a wild, triumphant yell from the Sioux, for a Pawnee was seen to tumble from his saddle as the gun rung out, ’ This shot was immediately followed by a second one, then from all along the edge of the grove the guns of the Sioux began to ring out, and the battle became geaeral, for, by this time, the Pawnees had come within a few rods of the grove, opening fire as they approached. To the Sioux the attack was almost a surprise, and the first shock of the Pawnee assault came nigh routing them, But, being on foot, they were enabled to load, aim and fire more accu- rately than their enemy, so that the slaughter of the latter was frightful. Up to and into the grove the Pawnees charged, and as soon as they found themselves face to face—hand to hand—with the Sivux, they drew their tomahawks and endeavored to ride down and chop down their foe. A desperate struggle now ensued, The Pawnees had the advantage in numbers, but the Sioux the advantage of po- sition, Whip-King Joe, Lucian Blauford ani Happy Mike fought in silence, yet with all the desper- ation of brave men, Wor was Old Jack less valiant. His voice could be heard amid the din of battle, uttering one wild Sioux war-whoop after another, and wherever the old borderman went, there the battle seemed to rage the fiercest, Not a breath of air was stirring, and the sul- phureous smoke from the Sioux rifles hung low on the air like a dense fog, and in the midst of this partial gloom the conflict raged. Over two hundred savages went into the bat- tle that was confined to a narrow limit, and demons never fought as they did, The earth was soon strewn with dead savages and horses; shouts, shrieks, groans, the crash of guns and pistols rent the very heavens. Inch by inch the Sioux were driven back, No one noticed his quicker than did Old Jack. Full well be knew that the defeat of the Sioux meant death to him and his friends, Once the old ranger was in the act of going to the girls and spiriting them away while the savages were engaged, but so close were the Sioux being pressed that he was afraid that the withdrawal of a single able-bodied man might result in defeat and death, And so he kept his post, and fought away like a Trojan. For fully ten minutes the battle raged. Half those that had gone into it were down, dead or dying. Old Jack noticed the Sioux finally begin to waver, and every moment he expected to see them turn and flee in confusion, But to his utmost joyous surprise, at the very moment be expected utter defeat, victory crowned their efforts—the Pawnees, all of a sudden, becoming terror-stricken and fleeing from the field, leaving their dead and dying bebind them. The Sioux were themselves astounded by this unexpected turn in the tide of battle, and it was several moments before they seemed to realize the truth of the situation, When they did, the most frightful yells of triumph burst from their lips. Tuey did not attempt to follow the fleeing foe, but with tomahawk and scalping-knife they began the butchery of the wounded Pawuees, The sight of so many of their dead and wounded braves lying on the earth seemed to drive them into a mad frenzy, and every cruelty that sav- age ingenuity could conceive was visited upon the unfortunate Pawnees. Olid Jack and his three friends, who had come through the battle unscathed, grew sick at sight of tbe inbuman, revolting treatment of the fallen foe, and turned away and went in search of Myra and Flavie. To their surprise they could find the girls nowhere, hey searched every foot of the grove that bad not been drenched with savage blood, but without avail, ‘My God! where could they have gone?” asked Whip-King Joe, ‘ Maybe they fled into the prairie,” suggested Blauford, whose powder-begrimed face wore a look of great uneasiness. They walked out to the edge of the plain and glanced around, but they could see no sign of human life save the fleeing Pawnees, “What on ‘arth Jl we do, boys?’ said Old Jack, for the first time appearing at a loss as to what course to pursue. “Surely those mad devils will not persist in regarding us as enemies, after what we have done,” Blauford observed. ‘‘ We deserve their help and protection now.” ‘We'll soon see,” said the Boy Cattle-King; vou can’t tell anything about an Indian.” ‘*No, sir, for if them Pawnees only knowed it, they had us Sioux whipped, said Old Jack. ‘But as to the girls, I’ve an idea they fled into the prairie and tbat the Pawnees have got them.” “And it’s like. enough,” said Happy Mike, “ for bliss me soul if I didn’t seb Doctor Flick and Jack Drugoe with the Pawnees, and it’s meself that shot two blessed toimes at them, but they war way in the rear where cowards fight, and divil the ove of ’em did mees kill.” ‘“Ah] here comes Running Elk! See! his girdle is full of dripping Pawnee scalps!” With his savage face flushed with victory, the chief approached the whites, saying: “The pale-faces have got no scalps, but they kill many Pawnees.” “True, chief,” said Skeleton Jack, “we put in our best licks for victory, but the pale-faces IL let the Sioux do the bangin’ o’ Pawnee bair. Chief, that was a bloody fight.” “Many Sionx braves have fallen, but the scalps of the Pawnees are many more, There will be many empty lodges in the village of the Pawnees,” “But, chief, 1 am afraid the Pawnees have
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pe Dandy Dick’s Dash. 23 LT got the two pale-faced maidens,” said Old Jack. “They cannot be found.” A look of surprise, followed by one of dis- appointment, passed over the face of the savage Jeader, “The pale-faced maidens shall be rescuec,” he assured. ‘‘ They shall not brighten the lodges of the Pawnee chiefs.” “We're glad to hear you say that, Running Elk, for the maidens are dear to us,” responded Old Jack; ‘‘ but say, chief, we have fought side by side with your braves, We have killed many Pawnees; you have eaten meat at our camp-fire; now, are you our enemies ?” ‘“The pale-faces have been the enemy of the Sioux,” the chief replied; ‘t they have invaded his hunting-grounds and slain many of bis war- riors, yet the Sioux’s heart is not stone, Run- ning Elk saw the young pale-face there kill the first Pawnee, He saw the pale-face fight side by side with bis braves, He is not the enemy of the four pale-faces—he is their friend. They are no longer his captives. They are free to go and come, The Sioux that dares to harm them shall die. Running Elk has spoken,” From that time forward the four white men were treated as guests instead of captives. The trouble between Crow-Eyes and Whip-King had been settled by a Pawnee batchet, for during the conflict, the unfortunate Crow-Eyes had been brained. It was fully an hour before anything like quiet reigned in the grove, and before the Sioux bad fully counted their loss and ascer- tained their demoralized condition, Half of their warriors were dea: or wounded. A great many of their ponies had been stampeded, Not drop of water was to be had to ally the irst of the wounded. The river was two or > miles away on the banks of which the s had halted. k called a conference of his friends. Elk was invited to be present and ac- invitation. “st not remain idle, boys,” said Old Jack, “ whilt, the fate of those girls is unknown. The chances ire that they are in the hands of the Pawnees, yet they may be concealed some- where on the } rairie,” “Well, whag; do you propose to do?” asked Blauford. “Search th day, and then scout or two Now, I’ve figu so fur as thf, fact that thy war not pursued by the Sioux war a tacit Zadmission o’ their weakness to do so, and the re% devils hey gone into camp over on the river fo keep us Sioux away from water and force uS$to break camp, when down they’il pounce O}p us again jist as soon as they diskiver our weak} ness,” “The Pyale-face speaks the truth,” replied the chief, © understood English quite well. *Runoxng Elk will help the pale-faces to rescue the widens, He will send out a scout when tiie pale-face goes—one that will count the number of the Pawnees as they sit by their camp-fires, After some further conversation Old Jack prairie round about durin’ the if they can’t be found send out a reconnoiter the Pawnee camp. log and Whip-King Joe mounted their horses and, accompanied by Running Elk’s favorite scout,. Creeping Wolf rode out into the prairie in search of the girls. All the while the Pawnees were in plain view over on tbe river, and the three scouts finding no trace of the maidens on the prairie, ventured off in the direction of the hostile camp, The enemy permitted them to come within eighty rods, then a score of them quickly leaped upon the backs of their horses and gave pursuit. Returning to ‘“ Massacre Motte,” as Old Jack named the grove where the bloody conflict had taken place, they sat down to await the coming of night. > And a long and painful waiting it was. To Whip-King and the schoolmaster the sun never seemed to move so slow, Perhaps their impa- tience grew out of their anxiety for the safety of the maidens, Myra and Flavie. But at length night came, and again Whip- King Joe and Old Jack left the Sioux camp, this time going on foot. They moved away toward the Pawnee camp, and after an hour’s travel reached the river above the encampment, Several camp-fires marked the location of the savages, but Old Jack thought that they might only be a blind to lead their foes into the belief that they intended staying there, when their rea] intentions were to steal away, “It'll be dangerous work, lad,”,said Jack, “ sittin’ close enough to see whether the gals are in camp, but if I can’t do it no one can, Tl jist lay this old frame on the ‘arth, and snake myself along inch at a time till I git thar. I wart you to wait for me right here, and don’t go to gittin’ oneasy. Vl promise to be around before daylight, and maybe not a minit sooner. Keep yer eyes and ears peeled, for you must re- member the Pawnees are jist as cute as we are, and Il be on the scout for jist sich fellers as we * All right, Jack, Pll wait. 1 hope you will get back safely,” Whip-King remarked. Without further words Old Jack took his de- parture, and soon the Boy Cattle-King was seated alone in the tall grass, his mind busied with the events of the past day, and in specu- lating on those of the future, And amid sll bis thougbts the face of Flavie Dalton was ever be- fore him, CHAPTER XI. OLD SKELETON’S DARING FEAT. AN hour or more had passed when he was suddenly started from his meditations by the sound of horses’ feet. He glanced in tbe di- rection whence the sound came and in the moon- ligbt saw a half-score of horsemen coming up from the Pawnee camp. Crouching low ke kept his eyes upon them and when within a few rods of bim he saw that two of them were women. As they rode past him, within a rod of where he lay, he recognized the faces of the women as those of Myra Burton and Flavie Dalton. At the side of the one rode Dr, Reuben Flick, and at that of the other the villain, Dick Stonefist; while behind the four rode six Paw- nee warriors, In an instant the boy took in the situation,
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A ca pecan alaicneoet art inaeaeene=e=eaioee ete eae 24 Dandy Dick’s Dash. The girls, as captives, were being spirited away under cover of night, The spirit of the impulsive boy was at once aroused. The blood leaped in fiery currents through his veins, and never stopping to con- sider the odds against bim, he sprung to his feet and drawing his revolver, bounded away after the foe, In a few moments be came up with them and at onée opened fire upon the savages two of whom tumbled from their ponies at the two first shots. The yell of the red-skins and the report of the revolver alarmed the camp and in an instant almost every camp-fire was put out as if by magic, eadlong into the very midst of those with the captive girls Whip-King Joe dashed, never halting until he bad seized Dr, Flick’s horse by the bits and presented his revolver at the vil- lain’s breast. But before he could fire a savage spurred his horse forward and the animal strik- ing him, knocked his hand aside and the weapon was discharged in the air. Then, beforé the young Cattle-King could recover himself, three savages, sliding from their ponies, bore him to the earth and after a desperate struggle made bim a prisoner. Meanwhile Dr, Flick and Stonefist galloped away with the maidens, while the savages at camp came rushing in a body to the scene of the boy’s capture. Whip-King was looked upon by the Pawnees as a scout from the Sioux camp, and the feeling against him was bitter. His hands were bound at bis back, his weapons all taken from him, and then with jeers, taunts and even blows, he was driven down into camp where he was given to understand, by a half-breed who spoke Eng- lish, that he was to be burned at the stake asa Sioux scout and spy. This information did not in the least unnerve the brave boy. Rather than beg for mercy at the hands of such miserable, detestable wretches he made up his mind to die. In fact he knew enough of the Indian to know that any attempt to explain matters, or ask for mercy would be regarded as evidence of weakness that would only prolong bis torture, For Flavie and Myra’s sake he would willingly nave submitted to uny- thing that would have given him bis liberty aud freedom, for he somehow felt that the lives of the two girls, in a measure, depended upon his life and assistance, A fire was lighted and fed with dry brush and driftwood gathered along the river. As its light revealed to the captive boy the hideous faces of the demoniac foe and the work of plant- ing a torture-stake, his feelings were anythin: but pleasant. Yot in the face of all this he hac hope. Old Skeleton Jack, he knew, was at lib- erty, and would leave nothing undone in his be- half. He had the forces of Running Elk, whom he believed he could command, to aid him if ne- cessary. Near by the captive saw three wounded say- ages lying. They bad been wounded in the fight during the day, and their groans were a horrible accompaniment to the revengeful murmurs of the seething mass around him, ‘To the right of the wonnded warriors lay three or four motion- less forms covered with blankets, A protruding , hand told that they were dead—had died since they had left the battle-field. And look where he might, nothing but the presence of death stared the boy in the face. Even the moon and sturs seemed to have disappeared and a wall of darkness-to have been built up around and over sari just beyond the radius of the camp-fire’s ight. The work of planting the torture-stake ap- proached completion. Tha savages were gather- ing in a circle about the captive, their faces aglow witb devilisb triumph, and while every eye was thus turned toward the canter of that cur- cle, one of the hitherto motionless forms lying at one side covered with a blanket arose from amidst the dead, wrapping the blanket around it and over its head as it did so, completely en- veloping face and form from sight. Unseen by the eye of a living savage, it moved down, and pressed and crowded its way through the circle of excited warriors, and, advancing to the side of Whip-King Joe, said in the Paw- nee tongue: phat warriors, this man is not your en- em. Then the shrouded figure put out his hand, in which he held a knife, and cut the captive’s bonds, A murmur of surprise ran around the circle of savages. The intrusion of the cloaked figure had been so sudden, so silent, so bold that the red-skins were, for a moment, dumfounded, And that moment of surprise and inactivity oe to Whip-King Joe a golden opportunity bat he did not fail to avail himself of, and whirling, he lunged through the cirele of savy- ages, followed by his rescuer, like a lion through the jungle. And then it was that the Pawnees discovered that they had been the victims of a cunniy trick—a bold deception, for, as the inty turned to flee, the blanket fell from bj and form and they just caught a glimpg Skeleton Jack as he disappeared in the Instantly a sharp, fierce yell pealed, throats, and, as a single man, the wk warriors swept away in pursuit ofj their yells growing louder as they til the very right seemed alive wi demons let loose from the inferna! Look ovt for the guards, bo} Old Jack, as they dashed away dq Just south of the camp, yet wi sentinels, the Indians had left They were confined within a sm being picketed und others tied to tf Straight toward the animals made their way, and as soon as among them, Old Jack fired his rev: in quick succession, at the same tim e uttering a yell that so frightened them that a general stampede ensued; and as the ponies td e awa like a whirlwind, Old Jack yelled: pwn the river. — hin the line of | ~ their ponies. | ill space, some hese, a be fugitives they were plver thrice “Grab a tail, boy, grab a tail!” an fi suitin the act on to the word, the old ranger seized passing pony by the tail and in a twink Jing wa carried from the sight of Joe. The la¥ ter no to be left, seized a frightened pony by the 1 an and, half-carried, he was hurried away in the E midst of the flying herd down apast the line of * the sentinels and out into the plain, Incum-
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. bered by the load clinging to its neck, the fran- tic pony was left a short way bebind its mates, and finally it began a desperate eflurt to free itself from the grasp of the boy by a series of wild lunges. But the Boy Cattle-King proved himself more than a match for the frantic beast, and suddenly, with the agility of a cat, he threw himself upon his back and urged it on in its mad flight, Phe yells of the pursuing Pawnees soon died away in the distance, and when the young ranchero realized that he was again safe, his thoughts turned to his rescuer, Old Jack, from whom he had become separated. But satisfied that he was able to take care of himself under ’most any circumstances, he got his pony under control and shaped his course toward the Sioux camp, where in the course of an hour or two he arrived to find Skeleton Jack there awaiting his coming. CHAPTER XII. OFF IN PURSUIT, Waur-Kine@ Jor’s return was hailed with joy by his three friends, for from Old Jack had Blauford and Enright learned of his capture and doom to the torture-stake. “‘God bless you, Jack,” said the young ran- chero, as he grasped. the old man’s hand, “ you ran a narrow risk of your own life to save mine. How on earth did you get into that camp unseen?” “Creptin while the Ingins war all swarmin’ off to whar you war captured. I jist snuggled myself down between two dead Pawnees, pulled the blanket over all and laid thar till my sar- vices war needed. But say, did you git a ‘ tail- hold’ on a pony? Ha! ha! ha! I speculate them Pawnees are chawin’ their tongues and poundin’ their fool selves for gittin’ tricked outen their boy-roast. But, Joseph, how in the nation did you git into that mess?” ‘““Why, soon after you left me a party of horsemen rode out of the camp, going north. They passed by me in a walk. Booctor Reuben Flick headed the party. At his side rode Myra Burton and—” ‘No, you don’t say so?” “TI do, Jack, and behind them rode Dick Stonefist and Flavie Dalton and still behind them followed six warriors.” y oP oo hounds of perdition!” exclaimed Old ack, “ This is terrible, terrible,” said Lucian Blau- ford, in deep emotion. ens what became of them’—where’d they ‘0 “T do not know,” continued Joe; ‘I saw that © girls were being spirited away, and I deter- Mined to rescue them if possible, I downed two of the savages, but before I could shoot Flick, I Was ridden down and pounced upon by several Savages, and made prisoner. The others rode away, and I presume, went on north.” “That settles the question as to Reuben Flick’s character, He is in league with the savages, and is, no doubt, an agent of Dandy Dick’s band of horse-thieves,” said Blauford, shall we do?—what can we do?” “Follow them—follow them to perdition!” exclaimed Whip-King. “ Boys, what 25 x “That’s the true way to tell it,” said Old Jack; ‘boy, you’re a hull mess o’ backbone and spunk.” “ Bat do you suppose the Sioux ’ll give us per- mission to leave?” asked Blauford. “We're all solid with Running Elk,” said Jack. “I jist told him ’bout our stampedin’ the Pawnees’ hosses, and he had to go off and git fourteen warriors to hold him together, he war 80 gigantically tickled. Wouldn’t wonder if these Sioux don’t make it nasty for them Paw- nees afore this excursion’s over with.” ‘Shall we go now in pursuit of Flick, or wait till morning?’ questioned the schoolmaster, “Start at once.” ** But can we follow their trail in the night?” ““Wecan guess at it near enough. They'll foller the old Eagle Trail, and make for the hills on the head-waters o’ the Niobrara.” ‘* Then let us be off,” said the impatient Boy Cattle-King, Old Jack sought Running Elk, and made known to him their intentions, to whica the chief did not demur, and in a few minutes more they were mounted and galloping away toward the north. As Dr. Flick did not have over two or three hours the start, they had high hopes of over- taking him before daylight, and if not within that time, before he reached the fastnesses of the foot-hills at any rate. As Old Jack had predicted, Dr, Flick took what was known as the old Hagle Trail leading across the open plain up as faras Fawn Lake. His party, including the captives, numbered ten persons when uote the Pawnee camp, but the revolver of hip-King Joe had reduced that number toeight. The Pawnee chief had given his white friend six of his best warriors as an escort, and after the death of two of them at the very start, he declined to further weaken his force by supplying the dead braves’ places with others, Dr. Flick, however, did not tarry on bis account, but pushed on, satisfied now, since the capture of Whip-King Joe, that he would have little trouble to contend with. He knew the Pawnees had out scouts watching the Sioux, and that the latter would not be per- mitted to follow him with impunity. The captives were down-hearted and sad. All hope had vanished from their breasts. So great had been their terror that a kind of an indifference or mental stupor seemed to numb their whole being, and they rode quietly along with but a vagua sense of their surrouudings, Dr, Flick endeavored to cheer them up by assuring them that no harm should befall them and that they should be returned to their homes. But the girls knew as well as he did that he was lying. They knew that instead of going toward Red Willow they were going di- rectly away from it. F Steadily on over the plain for hours they rode. They finally neared the ee where the evening before—near Fawn Lake—they had come upon Old Skeleton Jack, lying in the grass, when Stonefist said: , “ Right out here, Doe, is whar that old grave- yard ofa cuss played his little spell of sickness on me last evening.” ; “ Well, we'll see that no more sick spells are
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ad oa ee 26 Dandy Dick’s Dash. $$ played from thison,” replied Dr. Flick; ‘but say, Stony, what d’ye think *bout balting for an hour or so on the lake-shore to rest up and take breakfast? It'll be a long ride to water af- ter we pass Fawn Lake.” “Tt know it will, but the gals seem to be standing it first rate, and as long as they keep up spirits we’d better keep up traveling.” ‘“All right, then—on we go,” assented the doctor. But they had not ridden far when a cry burst from Stonefist’s lips, and on looking back Flick saw that Flavie Dalton had fallen from her pony and lay like one dead upon the earth, Stonefist was soon off his horse at the girl’s side, and lifting her head which fell limp upon her shoulder, he exclaimed: “By sin! I guess she’s killed!” Ary burst from Myra’s lips, and springing from her saddle she ran to her little friend’s side, and kneeling, clasped the maiden around the neck, crying out to Stonefist: “Go away! go away! let me have her—you have murdered the innocent girl! Ob, my on) dear friend! Flavie! Flaviel Oh! do not ie! Holding her face down against that of the motionless girl, Myra burst into a low, sobbing moan. Dr. Flick dismounted and came back. The savages sat upon their ponies, gazing in silence upon the scene. Taking the girl’s hand, Flick felt her pulse. “She’s not dead by a long shot,” he said, in an unfeeling tone. “ Her pulse’s not far from normal,” “Well, I reckon we'll have to go into camp now,” said Stonefist, “‘ and give her a chance to rest up.” “Yes, the strain on her nervous system has prostrated her,” said Flick. ‘‘ We must. get to the lake, for we must have water for her There’s danger of brain fever setting in, and in that case she'll die, sure. We'll have to make some kind of a litter to carry her on.” Cursing the luck, Stonefist set about making a litter. An Indian blanket was obtained of one of the Pawnees. To two sides of this a couple of the longest rifles in the party were fastened, and the litter was done. Carefully the maiden was lifted and placed upon it, and then all started for the lake, Myra was permitted to walk, for she was tired of riding. Dr. Flick walked ai her side, and en- deavored t» convince her that there was nothing serious in Flavie’s swooning. Finally they reached the lake. The inani- mate form of the maiden was placed on a couch made of all the blankets in the party. Myra begged to be allowed to administer to her friend’s wants. To this Flick and Stonefist con- sented, but all that she could do for her was to bathe her brow and chafe her hands and tem- ples, - i It was broad daylight before sbe showed any signs of returning consciousness, and almost the moment she did, Myra overheard Flick and Stonefist talking of constructing a litter be- tween two ponies and continuing their journey with the sick girl. Turning upon them with a look of scorn, Myra said, in a voice that fairly startled them: “Reuben Flick, are you and your ‘companion demons? Will you dare to attempt to move that poor, dying girl across the plain under a burning sun?” “Whew!” ejaculated Stonefist; ‘Your pet, doctor, is begining to fire up. I wish mire could jist show half that amount 0’ sass.” “Myra,” said Flick, with a sickly smile ‘you are beginning to be yourself again, t am glad to see it, and I will be only too glad to please you—” “Do not talk to me that way, Reuben Flick!” the girl exclaimed, “‘ for | know you.” “Ah, indeed?” he responded; ‘the time was when you were only too glad to listen to me, and to smile at my remarks, That was before that beggar of a schoolmaster came to Red Willow and with his Frenchy airs turned your silly head. But you must understand that I am to be trifled with no longer. By your ac- tions—your silence, you once promised to my wife, and I propose that you shall keep that promise.” “Tt is false—false as your heart, sir!” she re- plied, her eyes flashing with all the fire of her woman’s nature, “Well, 1 will not quarrel with you,” Flick went on; ‘‘for it must be apparent to you, now that you are in my power, that you can expect no assistance from your gallant schoolmaster nor the Boy Cattle-King. As to those at Re Willow, I defy their power to harm me wheu once in the bills. And so let me say, once for all, that you’d as well make the very best you can of your situation now and henceforth.” “That £ will,” replied Myra, a look of desper- ate defiance upon her pale face, The two villains finally concluded to carry out the plan of constructing a litter between two ponies for the removal of Flavie, and had pro- ceeded to work when one of the Indians on guard came hurrying into camp, saying in an excited tone: “Ugh! pale-face comes!” “ Where?” exclaimed Dr, Flick. ‘* Out there.” “ By Heavens! we must see about that!” said the doctor, and accompauied by Stonefist they hurried to the edge of the grove. Looking southward they just caught sight of three or four horsemen sinking behind a swell in the plain, and not knowing but there was a score or even more of thera, they hurried back to camp discussing the situation in an excited manner, “Tf we save ourselves we'd better let that girl be. She'll be a burden to us all the time, and the chances are she'll die anyhow, for, if 'm any judge of such things, she’s coming down with the brain fever.” It was Flick who spoke thus, and his words were overheard by Myra, “T hate to give her up, by sin, I do!” said Stonefist. “ She'll be dead inside of an hour,” said Flick, stooping and feeling her pulse. “'Thén we'd as well leave her and git,” added Stonefist.
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. ein Myra’s horse was at once brought up, and the poor girl forced into the saddle. n a few moments all were mounted and ready tostart, Myra gave one long, lingering look at the face of her beloved friend, then buried her face in her hands and wept in si- lence, Flick rode in advance leading Myra’s horse, There was no way of keeping out of sight of any one upon the plain unless they remained in the grove, and they much preferred taking their chances on the open prairie than in the grove, for their horses had all been selected with a view to speed and endurance, As they rode out into the plain, they beheld a horseman not over fifty rods away gallop into the grove. ‘* By the eternal gods! did you see that?” ex- claimed Flick, turning to Stonefist, “I did!” was the emphatic reply. “It was Whip-King Joe, the Boy Cattle- King!” " “Do you believe it, Doc?” asked Stonefist; do you believe it was that young demon, in the flesh?” “T do—be’s and—” “ By the everlasting siu!” exclaimed the out- law, Stonefist. “ Pll dye my hands in innocent blood before that boy shall look upon the face— the living face of the girl, Fiavie!” The viilain whirled bis horse and rode back toward the lake. A ery of anguish burst from Myra’s lips, for by the man’s words she knew that he meant to kill Flavie. A grim smile passed over the face of Reuben Flick, got away from the Pawnees, CHAPTER XIII. THE VILLAIN’S REVELATIONS, IN deep and dire suspense the return of Stone- fist was awaited, Scarcely two minutes had elapsed when the outlaw came thundering back, his face livid with rage. * Doctor, that girl is gone!” he exclaimed, “Gone?” thundered Flick; “ you're surely mistaken, man!” ‘“‘ Mistaken, the deuce! Can’t I see? That girl was gone when I went back there! A pretty doctor you are to pronounce her dying, It’s another Skeleton Jack job!” Myra turned her face to conceal the smile of inward joy that passed over it, “She can be found,” Flick decidedly an- nounced, ‘* Yes, and s0 can an ambush of Boy Cattle- Kings.” ‘Sot the Indians on their trail. run her down if she did trick us, think she did. away,” Stonefist turned to the Indians, who stood like hounds held in leash with the fox in sight, ‘And commanded them to search the grove for he maiden and the scalp of the Boy Cattle- ng, ; Bes moment the red-skins had disappeared in the grove, and again a dire suspense held swa They'll soon ¢ but I can’t I believe she’s been spirited 22 Stonefist sat guzing from side to side like a vul- ture, ever and anon giving expression to a hor- rible oath, Ten minutes had passed, when suddenly the crack of « rifle rung out on the morning air and was followed by a fierce yell that Flick and Stonefist knew came from the lips of the Paw- . nees, ‘*By sin! they’ve struck somethin’,” cried Stonefist. “Or something’s struck them,” facetiously added Flick, A few moments later another shot rung out but there was no human response this time. Growing impatient, Stonefist finally whirled his horse, saying: “*Pm going in there to see what’s up.” He rode into the grove, and as he disappeared from view Dr. Flick said: “T guess we will ride on, Miss Burton.” Myra noticed that his voice had changed— that he was sorely uneasy. The doctor{turned and rode along the edge of the grove at a slow walk, still leading Myra’s horse, For the third time a gun finally rung out on the air, and a few seconds later Dick Stonefist came galloping from the grove. He was lean- ing slightly forward in his saddle, and as he ap- pioached his friend Flick, the latter saw that is face wore a deathlike pallor and an expres- sion of agony. “What's wrong out there, Dick?” the doctor asked, Stonefist made no reply. He looked at his friend with wild, glassy eyes and gasped as if for breath. ‘““My God, man, what is the matter?” ex- claimed Flick, Still there was no response from Stonefist, whose head drooped forward while his body reeled and swayed in the saddle. Flick started toward him, but as he did so the outlaw fell heavily to the earth, The doctor sprung from his horse, and kneel- ing by bis friend, saw that he was dead! A cry suddenly startled the doctor, and look- ing around he saw two of the four Pawnee war- riors who had gone in search of Flavie coming toward him, in great excitement. This toid bim that danger was upon him, and running to his horse be sprung into his saddle, and as the warriors came up he asked: “ What’s the matter, Pawnees?”. ‘* Pale-faces come—girl there all well—walk, run—pale-faces kill two Pawnee friends, then—” He did not finish the sentence, for a bullet from an unseen rifle ended his earthly career, and before his body kad scarcely touched the ground bis red companion met with a similar fate, Dr. Flick, however, did not wait to make fur- ther inquiry regarding the state of affairs in the grove, but digging bis roweled heels into his horse’s sides dashed away at a furious speed, with his captive at his side, At the same moment Whip-King Joe, mounted upon his own true animal, dashed out of the grove and away in pursuit of the outlaw doc- - Over the mind and body of Myra Burton, while | tor and his captive,
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28 Dandy Dick’s Dash. ' Flick glanced back over his shoulder and saw who his pursuer was. Myra ventured to look back also, A curse burst from the lips of the man—a ery of joy from the lips of the maiden, “Myra,” the villain finally said, litting his revolver from its sheath, ‘‘I have loved you passionately—I love you still, and, true as God is above, I will kill you before I give you up— , before Lucian Blauford shall have you!” “ Desperate wretch, the curse of Heaven will fall upon you!” cried Myra, bravely. “T do not care; I fear nothing. Dandy Dick, the outlaw chief, Myra Burton, is not a coward —not afraid to die.” “ What do you mean, sir?” Myra exclaimed. ‘« What I say—J am Dandy Dick, the outlaw! I want you to know it—know what is to be ex- pected if my life is endangered by that fellow coming behind us.” “Ay, but your pursuer is but a boy, while you are the boasted outlaw, Dandy Dick! Why do you flee from him?” The girl’s words stung bim to madness, She never dreamed that Reuben Flick could look so like a baffled demon, Over the prairie at wild speed went the pur- suer and pursued, So slow, if at all, did the Boy Cattle-King gain upon them that the chase seemed a hopeless one. Mile after mile was traversed. Three hundred yards separated the two from the one. Suddenly Flick’s horse gave way in one of its hind legs, and fell back so suddenly as to unhorse its rider, At the same instant the report of a rifle came up from behind. It told him the cause of his horse’s fall, It had been shot and its leg broken, Tbe rein of Myra’s horse had been jerked from his hand, and the maiden sped on, She was fully a hundred yards away ere the villain could realize what had happened. He raised his revolver, and in rapid succession fired every chamber at the fleeing girl, but not a shot harmed her. And not until the last shot was gone did the excited, baffled scoundrel realize that by emptying his revolver he had _ placed himself at the mercy of the Boy Cattle-King. Myra succeeded in checking her horse after it . had run fully a mile further, ~ Ina menacing manner Flick leveled his empty revolver at the approaching boy. When within twenty paces of the unhorsed villain, Whip-King came to a stand. ‘Surrender, you miserable girl-thief, you!” the boy ered, ‘for your little game has ended!” “Never!” returned Dandy Dick; ‘‘ you can shoot me down, but I will never surrender!” The Boy Cattle-King was satisfied the outlaw was virtually weaponless. He had seen him firing at Myra, and had counted the shots, Moreover, he knew full well that, bad he pos- ee a single shot, he would have used it upon im. “T don’t want to kill you, doctor,” the boy responded. ‘I want to take you back to Red Willow alive.” “Come near me,” hissed the wretch, dropping his revolver and drawing a murderous-looking dirk-knife, ‘‘and I will cut your heart out. ' the outlaw.” ae have got to shoot me, for I willnot be taken alive. Whip-King had no desire to murder the wretch. He wanted to take him alive. He still had in his possession his big whip, He had saved it from the Pawnees’ hands the night be- fore by leaving it in the Sioux camp when he and Old Skeleton Jack went out to reconnoiter the enemy; so he made up his mind to ‘t whip” the doctor into submission. “ Doctor Flick,” he said, as he unloosened the lash from around him, ‘‘l am not going to shoot you—I don’t have to, but you have got to go with me to Red Willow, Understand that, will you?” “Never! never !” reiterated the baffled man, For a moment Whip-King sat toying with his whip, his eyes fixed upon the face of the out- law. Nor did the latter ever move his eyes from the face of the young ranchero, Thus matters continued for several moments, when, all at once, with the agility of a panther, Flick bounded toward Joe, with uplifted knife, expecting to drive the blade into the boy’s body betore he could get out of his way; but never was a man more disappointed, for, at the word, the Cattle-King’s horse sprung aside, as it had often done to escape the horns of a mad steer, and, as it did so, Whip-King dealt a blow at the man with his whip, striking him across the face and knocking him down. With a frightiul oath the infuriated and baffled wretch sprung to his feet, the blood trickling from a gash ov hischeek, Smarting with pain, the fellow again darted toward the Boy Cattle-King, butagain was that murderous whip-lash driven intc his face, and again he went down. In an instant, however, the out- law sprung up, but he now groped his way in darkness, for he had been temporarily blinded by the lash, “ Will you surrender now?” asked Joe, “« No!” fairly shrieked the villain; then, with a quick motion of the arm, he drove his knife into his own breast, and fell forward upon the earth, the blood spurting from the wound! Dismounting, the boy advanced and bent over the self-slain ruffian. “ Old fellow, you’ve done for yourself, hav’n’t you?” the boy said, ‘ “ Fa!” the man gasped, ‘if I had only killed her—Myra!” “ Better regret you have not been a better man than a worse one,” said Joe, ‘ for it’s bound to go hard with you in the hereafter.” At this juncture Skeleton Jack came gallop- ing up from the direction of the lake, and a few moments later Mvra joined them, *‘ Doctor Flick,” said the Boy Cattle-King, aside to the maiden, ‘has given himself a death- wound. He’s dying.” “The poor, miserable wretch!” remarked the girl; ‘ but, Joe, do you know that he is the out- law captain, Dandy Dick?” “Mercy, no! I didn’t know it—it can’t be!” ‘He told me he was Dandy Dick,” Myra declared, Returning to the dying villain, Joe addressed him: “ Doctor, I understand you are Dandy Dick,
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Dandy Dick’s Dash. 29 ———— ‘‘T am,” was the man’s response. ‘““Well, this is a surprise, or will be to the people of Red Willow. I presume Old Bob Hardeastle and bis outfit were confederates of yours.” ‘Bob Hardcase and Jake Drugoe were the only ones who knew me, or had anything to do with my band,” assured the dying doctor. “I confess this to save others who are innocent, and because you cannot harm Jake and Old Bob, for they’re both dead now, Every horse that bas been stolen from Red Willow was taken by Drugoe, under my directions. He run them off a few miles up the river and turned them over to Buckhead and Dick Stonefist, who run them into thehills, It was the pretty face of Myra Burton that first induced me to set up in the practice of medicine in Red Wil- low, and but for the coming of that schoolmas- ter, I would doubtless have won her band, For awhile I had hoped to get rid of his presence by fixing the crimes of a borse-thief upon him, and exciting the people to hanghim. When he left Red Willow, a few days ago, I arranged it with Drugoe to take my two horses and manage to get them into the schoolmaster’s bands while he was off up the river, and while thus in his care, a posse from the Sweet Repose was to intercept him and hang him, The whole plan worked well—Drugoe got in ahead of Blauford and left the horses where he could find them. The teacher took them in charge and—started home with them when I, with several men, met him. In two minutes we had bim swinging to a limb, but the next minute we were fired into and half ournumber killed. I understand Blauford es- caped alive.” “You bet he did!” averred Old Jack. For some time the outlaw talked on, but gradually his voice grew weaker, and finally he had a violent spasm that was followed by a hemorrhage of the lungs that soon ended his earthly career. Tho ranchero and the ranger hollowed out a grave in the sandy soil with their knives and hands, and laying Dandy Dick’s body in, cov- ered it over. Then the three mounted their horses and re-~ turned to Fawn Lake, where they joined Lucian Blauford, Happy Mike and Flavie Dalton. The meeting of lovers and friends was a happy one, Littlie Flavie was beside herself with joy, and between her tears and smiles told how she had fallen from the horse in an appar- ent swoon for the purpose of retarding the flight of ber captors. And how well she succeeded in even deceiving the “doctor,” who had finally announced that she could not live over an hour or two, the reader already knows, The day being exceedingly hot, the party did not start on their homeward journey until “ the eool of the evening.” They made a detour to the left, so as to keep out of reach of both the Pawnees and Sioux, and after traveling all night and most of the next day, they reached Red Willow just in time to stop a party of set- tlers that were about starting out in search of the missing girls. The Gemcct the true character of Dr, Flick astounded the whole settlement, and it breathed e an air of relief when it learned of his and Old Bob Hardease’s death, ‘From that time out lawless characters kept clear of Red Willow, and the place grew and flourished into a prosperous town, although to- day it is known by another name, The warmest of friendship continued between the Boy Cattle-King and Lucian Blauford, and no doubt ever will, The sehoolmaster never had cause to regret going to Red Willow, despite his trials and troubles, for in the love of Myra he is supremely nappy to-day. Some years later Flavie Dalton became the wife of Whip-King Joe, then a young Cattle- Kiug of the prairies, and a nobler pair of young people never joined hands and hearts. Old Skeleton Jack remained a few days at the settelment, then bidding all good-by re- sumed his journey northward to continue as a ranger and scout in the service of the Govern- ment. But be left behind him friends who will never, as long as memory lasts, forget his brave and noble deeds in their behalf. THE END. DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 87 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu- lar dialogues and dramas in each book, Each yol- ume 100 pages 12mo. Speakers, Nos. 1 to 2 inclusive. Each speaker 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 75 pieces. YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES. Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. Dime Gents’ Letter Writer, Dime Book of Etiquette. Dime Book of Verses. Dime Fortune Teller. Dime Chess Instructor Dime Book of Winter Sports. Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports. Dime Lovers’ Casket. Dime Ball-Room Companion, Dime Book of 100 Games. Dime Book of Dreams, Dime Book of Beauty, For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, om receipt of price—ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PustisuEra, 98 William Street, New York,
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2.05. 141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 142 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Ol Coomes. 143 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. K. Badger, Jr. 144 Little Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss In- graham. 145 The Tiger of Taos; or, Wild Kate, Dandy Rock's Angel. By Geo, Waldo Browne. 146 The Cattle King; or, Cortina’s Right Bower. By Frank Dumont. 147 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, the Scamps of the Sierras. By Edward L. Wheeler. 148 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder of the Rockies. By Harry St. George. 149 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. By Charles Morris. 150 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. By G. Waldo Browne. 151 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By W. H. Eyster. 158 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. By E. L. Wheeler. 154 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War- Path. 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. Har- baugh. 158 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure. By E. L, Wheeler, 159 Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat; or, The Lady Road-Agent. By Philip 8. Warne. 160 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed Thirteen. By Col. P. Ingraham. 161 Bob Rockett, the Cracksman, By C, Morris, 162 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. By Oll Coomes. 168 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, the Rivals of the Road. By E. L. Wheeler. 164 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack from Red Core. By T. O. Harbaugh, 165 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. By Col. P. Ingraham. 166 Will Wildfire Wins and Loses; or, “A Trump Card,”” By Charles Morris. 167 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. By George W. Browne. 168 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler. 169 The Boy Champion. By Edward Willett. 170 Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life; or, Shadowed in New York. By Charles Morris. 171 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules. By Oll Coomes. 172 The Yankee Ranger; or, Dusky Darrell. By Edwin Emerson. 173 Dick Dingle, Scout; or, The Frontier Angel. Edward §, Ellis. < er 174 Dandy. Rock’s Scheme; or, The Gol ae By G. W. Browne. ene 175 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sh By Edward L. Wheeler, esi 176 Will Wildfire’s Pluck; or, Th Charles Morris. 3 or, The Hidden Hand. By ne BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. 177 The Boy Commander; or, The Maid of Perth, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 178 The Maniac Hunter; or, The Mysteries of Night Island, By Burton Saxe, 7) Dainty Lance; or, The Mystic Marksman. By J E. Badger, Jr. 180 The Boy Gold-Hunter; or, Navajo Nick’s Scout. By T. CG. Harbaugh. 181 The Scapegrace Son. By Charles Morris. 182 The Dark-Skinned Scont; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut. Col. Hazeitine. 183 Jabez Dart, Detective; or, The Hermit Trapper. By Oil Coomes. 184 Eee ee the Boy Spy. By Edward Wil ett 185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Pren- tiss Ingraham. 186 Dainty Lance and His Pard. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 4187 The Trapped Tiger King; or, Dark Paul’s Plot. By Charles Morris. 188 The Ventrilaquist Detective, A Romance of Rogues. By Edward L. Wheeler. 189 Old Rocky’s Boys; or, Bonito, the Young Mus- tang-Breaker. By Maj. Sam. S. Hall. 190 Sim Simpkins, Scout; or, The Faithful Mountain Mastiff. By, James L, Bowen. 191 Dandy Rock’s Rival: or, The Mysterious Wolf Rider. By Geo. Waldo Browne. 192 Hickory Harry; or, Roa ing Ralph, the Ventrilo- quist. By Harry St. Geor-e. 193 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladia‘or’s Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 194 Prospect Pete, the Boy Miner. By Oll Coomes. 195 The Tenderfoot Trailer: or, Plucky Phil, of the Mountain. By T. C. Harbaugh. 196 The Dandy Detective; or, The Abducted Boy Mystery. By Charles Morris. 197 Roy, the Young Cattle King; or, The Texan Sport Unmasked, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 198 Ebony Dan’s Mask: or, The Rival Leagues of the Mines. By Frank Dumont. 199 Dictionary Nat, Detective; or, Bill Bravo, the Bear Tamer. By T. C. Harbaugh. 200 The Twin Horsemen: or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 201 Dandy Darke’s Pards; or, Tbe Hawks of High Pine. By Wm. R. Eyster. 22 Tom, the Texan Tiger; or, Old Luke's Luck, By Oll Coomes. 208 Sam, the Office Boy; or, The Tables Turned. By Charles Morris, 204 The Young Cowboy; or, The Girl Trailer’s Tri- umph. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 205 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme, By E. L. Wheeler. 206 White Lightning; cr, the Boy Ally. By T. C. Harbaugh. 207 Kentuck Talbot’s Band; or, The Red Lasso. By Captain Mark Wilton. 208 Trapper ‘Tom's Castle Mystery; or, Dashing Dick’s Disguise. By Ol! Coomes, 209 The Messenger-Boy Detective; or, The Tables Turned, By Charles Morris. 210 The Hunchback of the Mines: or, Reckless Ralph, the Road-Agent. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 211 Little Giant and His Band; or Despard, the Duelist. By P. S. Warne. 212 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado, By B 1. Wwhaatar. ; -
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY, 213 The Pirate’s Prize; or, The Mysterious Yankee Schooner, By C. Dunning Clark. 214 Dandy Dave, of Shasta; or, The ’Frisco Flash 0’ Lightning. By T. C. Harbaugh. 215 Daring Dan, the Ranger; or, The Denver Detec- tive, By Oli Coomes, 216 The Cowboy Captain; or, Ranger Ralph’s Ruin. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 217 Bald Head of the Rockies; or, The Ang’l of the | Range. Uy Major Sam S, Hall. 2i8 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam’s Claim. By Edward L. Wheeler. 219 Buck, the Detective; or, Paul, the Boy Pard. By Albert W. Aiken, 220 Crack-Shot Frank; or, Bill Bounce, the Moun- tain Bravo, By Charles Morris. 221 Merle the Middy; or, A Waif of the Waves. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 222 Rosebud Ben’s Boys; or, The Young Prairie Rangers. By Oli Co mes. 223 Gold Conrad’s Watch-Dogs; ar, The Two Pards of Vulture Bar. By 'T. C. Harbpugh. 2% Frisky Fe gus, the New Sérk Boy. By G. L. Aiken, 225 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent. By Edward L. Wheeler. 226 Dakota Dick in Chicago; or, Jack, the Old Tar. By Charles Morris. 227 Merle, the Boy Cruiser; or, Brandt, the Bue- canecr. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 225 The Preacher Detective; or, The Boy Ventrilo- quist. By Oll Coomes. 229 Old Hickory’s Grit. By John J, Marshall. 230 The Three Boy Sports; or, The Sword Hunters, By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 231 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L, Wheeler. 232 Merle Monte’s Treasure; or, Buccaneer Brandt's Threat. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 233 Rocky Rover Kit; or, Davy Crockett's Crooked Trail, By Ensign C. D. Warren. 234 Baldy, the Miner Chief, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 285 Jack Stump’s Cruise; or, Thé Montpelier’s Muti- neers. By Roger Starbuck. 236 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female De- tectives. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 237 Newsboy Ned, Detective; or, Two Philadelphia Gamims. By Charles Morris. ¢ 238 Merle Monte’s Sea-Seraper; or, Little Belt’s Droll Disguise. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 239 Ben's Biz Boom; or, The Boss Miner’s League, By Capt. Mark Wilton. 249 Sharp Shot Mike, or, Columbia Jim on the War- Path. By Oll Coomes. 2/1 Sierra Sam’s Sentence or. Little Luck at Rough Ranch. By Edward L. Wheeler. 242 The Denver Detective; or, Dainty Dot at Gold Guich. By T. C. Harbaugh. 213 Dutch San’s Dilemma; or, The Mysterious Mountain Monster. By Maj. L. W. Carson. 244 Merlé Monte’s Disguise; or, The Capture of Brandt, the Buccaneer. By Col P. Ingraham. 245 Baldy’s Boy Partner: or, Young Braineri’s Steam Man. By Edward 8. Ellis. 246 Detective Keen’s Apprentice: or, James Jumper the New York Gamin, By Charles Morris. 7 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise. By Edward L, Wheeler. #48 Giant George’s Pard; or, Arizona Jack, the ‘Tenderfoot, By Buckskin Sam, "249 Ranch Rob's Wild Ride; or, Old Winch The Rifle King. By T. C. Harbaugh. 250 Merle Monte’s Pardon; or, The Pirate Chief’s Doom, Ky Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. | 251 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, By Edward Willett. . 252 Denver Doll’s Device: or, The Detective Queen. By Edward L, Wheeler. 253 The Boy Tenderfoot; or, Roaring Ben Bundy of | Colorado. ‘By Capt. Mark Wilton. 254 Black Hills Ben; or, Dutch Jan on the War- Path. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson. 255 Jolly Jim, Detective; or, The Young Protege’s Victory. By Charles Morris. 258 Merle Monte’s Last Cruise; or, The Sea Robber at Bay. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 257 The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass; or, The Young California Pards By Maj. BE. L. St. Vrain, 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Whe ler. 259 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Oll Coomes. 260 Skit, the Cabin Boy. By Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport. or, the Giant of Clear Grit Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh. | 262 Billy, the Boy Rover. By Col. P. Ingraham. 263 Buster Bob’s Buoy; or, Lige, the Light-House Keeper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams 264 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buekskin the Sport, By E. L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggaze Boy; or, The Young Railroait Detective. By Charles Morris. 266 Guy’s Boy Chum; or, The Forest Waif’s Mask, By Capt. Comstock, 267 Giant George’s Revenge; or, The Boys of ‘ Slip- up Mine.” By Buckskin Sam. 268 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, The Rio Grands Marauders. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke. By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss, By 8. L. Wheeler. 271 Ebony Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse, By Oll Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 278 The Girl RMer; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprise. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 275 Fred, the Ocean Waif: or, The Old Sailov'’s Protege. By Charles Morris 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped; or, Roxey Ralph's Ruse. By Edward L. Wheeler. 277 The Idiot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Big Game. By Albert W. A ken. 278 Arizona Alf, the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot s Lueck. By T. C. Harbaugh. 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger; or, The Ghost of the Trailer, By Frederick Dewey. 230 Dead Shot Dandy’s List Deal; or, Keno Kit’s New Role. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 281 Ned, the Boy Pilot; or, The Pirate Lieutenant's Doom. By Jack Farragut. 282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune. By Edward L. Wheeler. 283 Roving Sport Kit; or, The Ghost of Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. 284 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animal Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. , 285 Old Rocky’s Pard:. or, Little Ben’s Chase, Ky Buckskin r 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Moxtis,
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. 287 Ned, the Bo: Skipper; or, The Sea Sorceress’ Cruise. By Jack Farragut. 288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 289 Colorado Nick, the Lassoist; or, Old Si’s Protege. By Major H. B. Stoddard, 290 Rube, the Tenderfoot; or, The Boy’s of Torpedo Gulch. By Major E. L, St. Vrain. 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport; or, Hawk, the Boss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken, 292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, The Black Rider. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 293 Dwarf Jake, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Man Hunt, By Edward Willett. 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Chas. Morris, 206 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horseman Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker. 207 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine- Box City. By Buckskin Sam. 298 Daisy Doll’s Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards. By T. C. Harbaugh. 299 The Balloon Detectives; or, Jack Slasher’s Young Pard. By Harry Enton. . 300 Deadwood Dick's Mission. By E. L. Wheeler. 801 ae ly Duke, the Cowboy. By Major E. L, St. rain, 802 Big Benson's Bet, By T. C. Harbaugh. 303 The Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. By Charles Morris. 304 Bald Head’s Pard; or, Creeping Cat’s Cunning. By Buckskin Sam. 805 Dusky Dick’s Duel; or, The Domon’s Trail. By Harry Hazard, 306 Sp sitter Mritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy. By E. L. Wheeler. 307 Nick, the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards. By Maj. E. L. St, Vrain. 308 Double-Wisted Mat: or, The Mystie California Giant. By Jos. B. Badger, Jr. 809 Old Griybeard’s Boy; or, The Girl's Ruse. By ~ ©. Dunning ¢ A 810 Kit, the Gir ip pee or, The Mad Sailor’s Lesacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 811 Frio Fred in Texas. By Bue s*in Sam. 312 The D tective Road-Agen.; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. by Elward L. Wheeler, 813 Honest Jack’s P ‘ote :e3. By Philip S. Warne. 314 Clip, the Boy Sheriff; cr, The Two Crooks of | . Montana, By E twari .Viliett. 315 Tom, the Arizona Spor; +r, Howling Hank from ’ Hard Luck. By Major BE. L. St. Vrain. 816 The Street-Arab Decective; or, Dick Dorgan’s Do ible Dealing. By Charles Morris, 317 Buckskin Ben of Texas; or, Single-Bye’s Plucky Pards. By Buekskin Sam 318 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; The Cattle Kings. By BE lward L. Wheeler. 819 Frisky Frank in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the Shadower. By Roger Starbuck. 820 Cool Sam’s Girl Pard; or, Captain Dick and His Texans. By T. C. Harbaugh. ’ 821 Billy, the Kid from Fiisco; or, Silver Mask’s Clew. By J.C Cowdrick, 822 Fred Flyer, Deteccive; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck. By Charles Morris. 323 Dead shot Ike im Mentana; or, Hez Helper, the Yaukee Pard. By Roger Starbuck. 824 Kit, the Denver Sport; or, The Bonanza Miner King. By Edward L. Wheeler. 825 Dusky Darrell, the Camp Detective; or, The Dandy's Daring Dash. By Edwin Emerson. 826 Roy, the Boy Cruiser; or, The Water Wolf Wreckers. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 827 Ned, the Roving Miner; or, Arkansaw Jack’s Match. By Harry Hazard. 328 Rocky Ben’s Band; or, Big Pete’s Big Haul. By W. J. Hamilton. 329 ada the Colorado Wrestler. By Maj. HE. L. St. rain, or, Phe Dwarf’s Scheme, | » 330 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom. By Edward L, Wheeler. 831 The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shadow- er. By Roger Starbuck. 332 Dakota Dan in Canyon City; or, Colorado Kate’s Check. By Philip S$. Warne. 338 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Anthony P. Morris 834 Frisco Tom _on Deck; or, The Golden Gate Smug- glers. By George Henry Morse. 335 Ben Bandy, the Boss Pard; or, The Plucky Parson, By J. Stanley Henderson. 336 Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp; or, The Boston Wrestler’s Confederate. By Wd. L. Wheeler. 337 Daisy Dave, the Colorado Galoot; or, The Boss of Dead Line City. By T. C. Harbaugh, 838 The Gold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike, the Solid Man. By Major E. L, St. Vrain. 339 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy; or, Reckless Rolf’s Re- volt. By Wm. G. Patten. 840 Billy Bubble’s Big Score; or, Tim, the Tramp. By Charles Morris. 841 Colorado Steve’s Dash; or, Old Buncomb’s Sure Shot. By Philip 8S. Warne. 342 Snap-Shot Sam; or, Ned Norris’s Nettle. Buckskin Sam. 3 Mike, the Bowery Detective; or, Peleg Prancer of Vermont. By Edward L. Wheeler. 344 The Drummer Sport; or, Captain Dasher’s Droll Dilemma, By Edward Willets. 5 Jaques, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain | Frisco, the Road-Agent. By J. C. Cowdrick. 3 Joe, the Chicago Arab; or, A Boy of the Times. By Charles Morris Middy flerbert’s Prize; or, The Girl Captain's Revenge. By Col Pre:utiss Ingraham, Sharp-Shooter Frank; or, The Young Texan Pards. By Buckskin som. Buck. the Miner; or, Alf, the Colorado Guide. By Maj. BE L. St. Vrain. Ned, the 8! b City Sport; or, The Detective’s Big Seccop. By i. L. Wheeler. Re cky Mountain Joe; or, Deacon Simplicily on the War Path. By Col. T. H. Monstery. 2 New York Tim; or, The Boss of the Boulevard, By Charles Morris. 353 The Girl Pilot; or, Ben, the Reef-Runner. tozer Starbuck. \ Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver; or, Nick Hicken’s Cusning. By Maj E. L. St. Veaie. Texas Frank's Crony; or, The Girl Mustang Rider. By Buckskin sam, 56 Idaho Ned, Detective; or, The Miners of Tarpot City. By Edward L. Wheeler. Guy, the Boy Miner; or. Rocky Mountain Pill By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 8 Jersey Joe, the Old Tar; or, The Wrecker’s Protege. By Mrs. Orin James. Ready November 19. Dandy Dick’s Dash; or, The Boy Cattle-King. By Oll Comes. Ready November 26. 860 Jim's Big Bonanza; or, Jake Dodd and His Gang. By W. J. Hamilton. Ready December 3. A New Issue Hoery Wednesday. Brapie’s Pocket Liprary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt of six cents each, By By ‘BEADLE AND Apaas, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,