Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 437) (1892 05 25)
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Copyrighted, 1892, by Brapus axp Ap No 437 82.60 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price, Vol XXXIV. ' ' a . a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM St. New York. Five Cents, “we, % (f) | fi Vi ‘at i
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The Boy Vigilantes. Detective Jake's Glew: — THE BOY VIGILANTES. BY MAJ. H. B. STODDARD, Ex Scoot, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘NECK-TIE NED,” ‘‘ PONY, THE COW-BOY,” ETC., ETO. CHAPTER I. AN INTERRUPTED TOAST. “Tam Nuaeer,” rum-shopand gambling den in the frontier mining campof Paydirt, was crowded to its utmost capacity on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1879, and it was as much as the white-aproned barkeepers could do to fill the orders which poured in thick and fast. It was an utter impossibility to get anywhere near the faro, monte, roulette or chuck-a-luck games which were going on in an adjoining room; or toenter the keno room, still further on, at all. There was a variety of games suited to all tastes and all purses, for ‘‘ The Nugget ” catered to. oe and everything was grist that came to its mill, And a curious-looking grist it was—rough, unkempt miners, rougher, more unkempt team- sters, rubbed elbows with white-sbirted, jewel- decked gambiers from Chicago and St. 2 ware while side by side with the one-eye-glassed Eng- } sh swell stood the latest importation from the Bowery. Seated on an upturned beer-keg in one corner of the room—for *‘ keg-beer” was a specialty at “The Nugget "—gazing at the crowd with a mingled expression of interest and disgust—in- terest when a movement near the door indicated a new arrival; disgust all the time—sat a lad of apparently seventeen years, dressed in a mixture of frontier and civilized clothes that rendered it difficult to determine exactly what he was, His shirt—he wore no coat nor vest—was of the finest linen, made with a broad, turn-down collar, from under which fell the ends of a bright crimson scarf, : His nether garments were cf buckskin, and he wore high, tight-fitting boots, which reach- ed well over the knee; while a broad-brimmed sombrero of the purest white completed his cos- tume, ; In the belt which was strapped around his waist, were two ivory-handled revolvers; while in a sheath sewed onto the leg of his right boot was a heavy hunting-knifo, His smooth, boyish face contrasted strangely with bis warlike appearance, which was hight- ened, as he leaned forward from time to time, by the sight of an octagon-barreled Winchester rifle, leaning in the corner behind him. The silver band on his hat, the immense sil yer spurs he wore, a silver chain around his neck, the ends of which were tucked into the bosom of his shirt, all tended to render his cos- tume stillemore picturesque, and to make him noticeable wherever he went. He seemed to know no one}; at least he inter- changed no greetings, andif any of the ruder class, thinking thaf his girlish appearance war- ranted them in making bim the subject of their jests, approached with that intention, they in- variably changed their minds before putting their ideas into execution. The boy never, on such occasions, shifted his position; but his hand dropped carelessly onto his revolver, and ashe fixed his eyes on the intruder, there was an expression in them which boded no good to any one who should in- sult him, “Restless Jake? by George!” (or by some- body stronger), they invariably muttered, as they withdrew more rapidly than they had ap- proached, keeping one eye over their shoulders as they did so, For the fame of ‘‘ Restless Jake” had spread far and wide, and although he had never beforg visited this section of Colorado, his peculiarity of dress was known, and when, coupled with! this, came the ever-ready movement of the hand to the pistol, his identity was quickly and fully established, and the toughest customer there would have quailed before the boy ran- ger. The fun waxed fast and furious; the glasses clinked louder and louder; the atmosphere of the saloon became more and more dense with tobacco smoke; voices grew shriller and high- er, while oaths flew thick and wild, and still the Poy sat—waiting. & was nearing midnight, and nothing of in- cident had occurred, when as the crowd near the door had thinned for an instant, it was flung wide open, and a tall, swartby, evil-ey ed miner—at least he was dressed in the rough dress of a prospector—elbowed his way to the bar, followed by a dozen or more mon equally as villainous looking, and called for liquor for the party. At the leader’s entrance, the boy had started as if stung by an electric shock, and siraighten- ing up in bis uncomfortable seat, quietly and unperceived by any one, drew one of bis revol- vers, The glasses filled, the leader turned to his fol- lowers, and raising the liquor high in the air, sung out; = “Well, boys, here’s to the Cap—” crack! went the pistol, and the glass flew into a thousand pieces, while as one man the cccu- pants of the room turned fo see what was up. Jerking at the silver chain about bis neck, Jake drew from his bosom a small whistle, and leaping onto the keg, and leveling both of his revolvers at the band, who still stood with their liquor undrank, looking in amazement at the beardless stripling who thus dared brave them, blew a shrill blast, and cried: : “T fired that shot!” and bis voice rung high above the din and uproar. ‘* Who'dares dispute the act with me?” And finger on trigger, his eyes flashing fire, he stood there, defying the mob of desperadoes, and waiting for a reply. For an instant none came,
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The Boy Vigilantes. CHAPTER IL THE ESCAPE, Tum gang of ruflians did not, however, re- main Jong quiescent under the lash of this in- sult laid on them through their leader. Momentarily paralyzed as they had been b the audacity of the lad, they soon recovered, and, as one man, drew revolver and knife, and leveled and raised them to let out the blood from the young heart which seemed almost criminally reckless in its bravery. : But even in times of the greatest peril the boy was as cool, as calm and collected as when all was quiet in his vicinity; and to this charac- teristic was largely due his many escapes from what seemed at the time almost certain death. He never acted without deliberation, and, while waiting for the moment of action, matur- ed his plans perfectly; that he never was taken unawares. His intuition seemed marvelous; but was merely owing to his having adopted the rule, “In time of peace prepare for war.” ; As the bowling band advanced toward bim his revolvers flashed in their very faces, stun- ning and blinding and confusing them, for the | quickly that bis enemies had reports came s0 Is cock their weapons. been allowed no time to Witb such an instantanecus movement that the backward motion of his body seemed the recoil from his pistols, he sprung, turning In the air, tbrough a small Sandow whicb he, stand- ing, bad As ho ] ter rifle, while his revolvor, GEpppine , artially obscured. : 2 eaped, his hand grasped his Winches- from his grasp, hung suspended from his bolt by a buck- skin thong, and swung loosely at bis side. ‘As he crasbed through sash and glass, a dozen reports rung out on the air, bub. he reached the ground outsido unscathed. 3 5 : Waiting for him and greeting his arrival with a glad neigh of welcome, stood his horse, whieh, recognizing the piercing sbriek of its master’s whistle, had galloped rapidly in the di- rection of the sound from the shadow where he had been left, To swing into the saddle was the work of an instant, and taking the grass at the side of the road, he burried rapidly down the main street of the town until be came to a spot wherea, heavy growth of bushes at the left cast deep and mysterious shadows, ; Here he dismounted, and loosely fastening the lines to the saddle-horn. gave his horse a slight a and, with a whisper, pointed down the road. a: The motion was quickly understood and im- mediately obeyed by the intelligent animal, and he trotted off quickly and quietly, soon disap- pearing around a bend in the road. Casting a hasty glance up the street in the di- rection whence he bad come, the boy, smiling slightly as he listened to the confused murmur of ‘oats and yells and angry execrations from the pursuing mob, turned and, parting the bushes, plunged headlong into the undergrowth which closed behind him and left no trace of his disappearance, at In a few moments the surging crowd which pursued him came tearing down the street. the consequence being | some on foot, others mounted; but all impelled by the one common motive; to trap the beard- less stripiing who bad dared to defy them and wash out, with his blood, the insult he had offered. As the crowd turned down the road where | the horse had disappeared, one of the men, | stepping on a loose stone, uttered an exclama- tion and fell heavily to the ground, where he lay, groaning. ‘Tie crowd swept on and left him. CHAPTER III. THE BITER BIT. THE road was soon quiet and the man who had fallen, suffering evidently from a sprained ankle, lay there, muttering and groaning and rubbing his leg in hopes of reducing the pain and preventing swelling. But his efforts were not long continued, As the minutes rojled by and no interloper appeared, be gradually ceased his attention to | bis foot and began to move, an inch at a time, | toward the undergrowth at the side of the road. His course led him in the direction which Jake had taken and bis further progress was {soon barred by the interlacing boughs of the bushes, | Apparently at fault, and on bands and knees, he continued bis search for the passage where i the boy had disappeared, but finally seemed on | the point of abandoning his quest when he met | with a rude interruption. | Dropping apparently from the clouds a human figure Janded lightly on the earth, stooping over him and enforcing silence by pressing the cold muzzle of a revolver to the sensitive skin just bebind bis ear, The under dog in the fight was completely at | the mercy of the upper one it seemed, and any defense seemed useless, if not impossible; but the darkness favored the stranger, and being as accustomed to tight placesas a duck to the water, bis hesitation was due only to his wait- ing for an opportunity. It soon came, The unwelcome visitor, pressing a little less hard against the neck of the other, in a gruff whisper ordered him to *‘ Get up out o’ that!”— a command which was quickly obeyed, But as the man rose from his stooping pos- ture, he, while in the act of straightening his back, turned, and eiiher by the most marvelous luck, or because he had eyes that saw as well at night as during the day, grasped the revol ver that threatened him just back of the cylinder, With a deep and hearty curse the other pulled the trigger, and the hammer descended, But not on the cartridge, The hand of his opponent received the full force of the blow, while, as if unconscious of any pain or injury, he wrenched the weapon 'from the grasp of the man who held it, and | with heel in his calf, gave bim a push that sent bim crasbing to the ground. Before he could move the other was on him, and clutching him by the two arms held him ast.
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Their positions were exactly reversed. “darbies,” or steel hand-cuffs, and snapped them on the wrists of his prisoner with a facility wu which depended a short chain, similar circle of steel, and this was c.asped two collars being fastened with spring pad- locks. He then coolly placed his hand inside the shirt worn by the other, and thence produced a leather wallet which appeared to contain some papers of importance, judging from the ex- pression which flitted over the face of the cap- tive man. \ ; The other, then, leaning over him and whis- pering close to his ear said: “When whisky’s in, sense is out, my lad, and you’ve given the whole snap dead away. Lie you there and when I see Jake, I think that he will have a word or two to say to you; what do you think? Ta-ta,” and guiding himself by the marks of the struggle which bad just taken place, he plunged into the bushes. Following an uncertain trail through the woods for some distance, be at length stopped, and seating himself at the base of a huge pine, took from his pocket a small flask which, on his removing tLe cork, gave outa soft light, dim, but sufficiently clear, to enable him to decipher the contents of the papers he had taken, As he read an expression of satisfue ion over- spread his face until, at length, he came to the last of the lot which puzzled him so that, after turning it in all directions and endeavoring to make some sense out of it, he uttered an expres- sion of disgust and, folding up the documents, placed them carefully away and rising, pre- pared to follow the trail. At this moment a shot rung through the forest, and he, staggering forward a few paces, threw his arms high in the air and fell prone on “4 his face, shot through and through the body, while the skulking figure of a man rapidly ap- peredued and, turning the lifeless form over on ts face, proceeded to rifle his pockets.’ He had just extracted the wallet when a stern voice, emphasized by the sharp click, click as a rifle was cocked, ordered, ‘* Throw up your hands!” Turning, the assassin saw Jake, with riflo at shoulder, covering him dead, not ten paces off. be sycophantic he answered: A i All right, Cap. Don’t shoot, you know who 6 is, And he, as if takingit for granted that it was “all right” advanced a step toward the boy, “One step more and I fire,” cried the boy, and with a stern look settling over his features he — the rifle and glanced along the barr The Boy Vigilantes. From some mysterious recess the victor in this hand-to-hand struggle produced a pair of which showed perfect familiarity with their se. A short strap was bound about the man’s legs, ad then, dragging him close to a tree, the mysterious stranger made him perfectly secure by fastening about bis neck an iron collar, from To the other end of this chain was fastened a around the trunk of a small tree near by, the Up went his bands and witha grin meant to. CHAPTER IV. THE WOLVES AND THE LAMB, On the south shoreof Long Island, far from any other habitation, stands a eabin, which, raised on stilts as it were, is completely sur- rounded by water at high-tide, while at low- water the ground around is swampy and marshy, The only way by which it can be reached is in a row-boat, a narrow channel leading from the bay right up to the house, At half-low or high-water, any one not fa- miliar with the topography of the country would find considerable difficulty in reaching the cabin, for the channel once left, a boat would surely ground in the mud on either side, It was a place of forbidding aspect and one which possessed an unsavory reputation, for stories were told about it which, if not more than half-true, would blast it forever. In its physical aspect, too, the place was one ~ calculated to repel the visitor. Standing as it did high on the spiles which were driven into the mud and ooze beneath to make its foundation, it seemed like some huge crawling thing raised high on its legs on the lookout for prey. Great masses of sea-weed clung to the up- rights and dripped with the moisture they re- retained from the retreating tide, while there was a sickening smell which clung to and en- wrapped everything about in a graveyard odor that was disgusting in its dankness. Neither door nor window was visible on any side and there was apparently no means of en- trance or exit—the place seemed totally de- serted. For what purpose it had been built, the mem- ory of the oldest inhabitant failed to recall and the name or occupation of the present inmate was as totally buried in obscurity as was the origin of the mysterious cabin. For that it had an inmate was certain from the fact that just now, raising what appeared to be a sort of a trap in the roof, the head and shoulders of a man appeared, and he, letting the trap fall with a dull thud, sheltering his eyes from the beating sun, gazed long and earn- estly seaward, That bis observations were unattended with success, was evident from the scowl that settled over his not very prepossessing features as he turned and descended the steep ladder that led from the roof, closing the door after him. To us is, however, given the power to investi- gate the interior as fully as if the walls were dropped and nothing kept out the light of day. Seated in the middle of the single room that constituted the house, was a young and hand- ars man, apparently thirty to thirty-five yearg of age. He was busily engaged at a table with pen and paper, and, as the other descended, half- turned, with an interrogative: * Well?” my signs of him yet. I’m afraia the girl may have missed the way; the fog hung heavy and thick this noieiag 2 ;. « , Patience, my dear Job,” laughed the other, Anxiety in your case has lengthened minutes
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The Boy Vigilantes. 5 A into hours, and you fear that all may miscarry. Take things easy, my dear fellow, and try to raise your spirits by a nip o’ this.” The invitation was not refused, and in a few moments the man known as Job seemed to have recovered his spirits, for he turned to bis com- panion, and in a brisker tone than he had yet assumed, asked: “ Say, Cap, any objection to telling us your plans? Teould work quicker and easier when the girl comes if I knew what was expected: an’ you know you can trust me.” “Certainly, I know it, and for the best of reasons, ou are well aware that a bullet would reward your treachery, before the latter could bear fruit. And itis well that you should remember it. *Recollect, if anything should happen to me, an oath binds you, and if you break its pro- visions, some of the band will avenge me; and, you know, vengeance in this case means deuth, and, you also know, of what a nature,” There was a meaning in these words, as could plainly be seen in the shudder which ran over the other’s frame, and he quickly interrupted: ‘*But as to the girl, captain, What must be done with her?’ “Whatever I tell you at the time,” curtly came the answer from his leader’slips. ‘‘ Enough of questioning. Draw here and look at this map, and listen weil to what I tell you, for it is most important.” It was a place well adapted to the foul plot that was now being hatched out of the brains of the two villains who now occupied it. Their low tones and the wash, wash, wash of the tide, as it slowly rose and lapped against the spiles Delow, were the only sounds heard, and for some time this almost unbroken silence continued, Then suddenly there came a thump on the floor almost at the feet of the two con- spirators, and with a single bound they stood erect. The single rap was quickly followed by a second, and then by two close together, and with a look of intelligence Job, stooping, lifted a trap-door in the floor, and then stepping to the wall, brought a pair of steps, which he low- ered and fastened by the hooks placed in the beam, the captain, as he was called, having in the mean time looked down and proclaimed that all was right. “Come down, Job, and give me a lift. I be- lieve the girl has fainted,” said a harsh voice below, and Job, descending the steps, proceeded to aid as he was told, Lazily rocking on the ripples was a row-boat, in the stern sbeets of which lay the inanimate form of a young girl, who, pale as she was, yet seemed fhe incarnation of a poet’s dream, so lovely was she. But little impressed by her beauty, Job, stooping, lifted her sqnghiy; and scarce stagger- ing under the load, ascended the ladder, sneer- ing at the other, whose strength was not sufli- cient to do what he did. A gleam of hate shone for a moment in the other’s eye, yet was quickly suppressed as he, in turn, having fastened the boat securely, ascend- ed the steps and dropped the trap, the ladder be- ing first drawn up, The lamb was in the clutches of the wolves! CHAPTER V. A MYSTERIOUS DOCUMENT, THERE was no mistaking the tone of the buy’s voice. “Drop that rifle,’ he commanded, and the weapon fell to the ground with a clang. Lowering his own weapon, Jake, drawing a revolver from his belt, advanced to the other and quickly disarmed bim by taking away knife and pistols, and then ordering him to stand a little distance off, when he turned to the man who had fallen, pierced by the bullet of his prisoner. The man was dead. Accustomed as Jake was to scenes of riot and blood, it was with horror he viewed the corpse, for the silent surroundings, the peace and guiet of the mighty forest were in such contrast with the deed of blood, that the crime of the assassin seemed doubly cruel. But as Jake gazed on the face lying so still, he became puzz'ed and worried, for an indefinable idea struggied for existence in his brain, which confused and vexed him, A something that carried bim back for years, and painted a picture of scenes that he had long ago thought passed from memory. And he stooped down and gazed long and steadfastly at the man before him, while all surrounding him was forgotten. This fact was quickly perceived by the onl other living inhabitant of the glade and wit! stealthy steps he turned to hasten away, not - daring, so great was the awe in which he held the boy, to seek to recover his arms, But be had not gone far when he was stopped for even plunged in thought as he was the la noticed his departure, yet there was no anger in his tones as he called to him to come back. And the other, turning retraced his steps, and coming close to Jake awaited what he might have to say. For this was one of the band who had sworn allegiance to the boy when he came among them and by his courage and his determination had won the place of leader of the Vigilantes. Brierwood Bob, as he was called, was one of the band, however, whom Jake never trusted entirely, for he was rash and reckless to a fault and so impetuous that he sometimes disobeyed the niost imperative orders. In answer to a question or two he now ex- plained his conduct, which seemed heartless and cruel, “Twas lying in the thicket by the woods, a short time ago, when I saw this man drop out from the crowd that followed you, and, after a short time, enter the woods. “He was immediately tackled by Gustin, and, as it wasn’t none of my funeral, I Jet ‘im alone, This one here,” he continued, indicating the dead man by a sight gesture, ‘‘soon downed Gus, and I was thinking of taking a hand in the row when I saw him take some papérs from Gus, and light out with them. “T thought I could do better service by fol- lowing him up to see the end of this; but recog- nized him as one of ‘ King Cole’s’ band and as he was about to draw his gun, I downed him,
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The Boy Vigilantes. rien rE REE IRENE ERIN ERR SIERO not intending to kill but to wound. The uncer- tain light fooled me. He would have bung any- way. You know that was the sentence.” This somewhat long barangue satisfied Jake, and picking up the wallet which Bob bad drop- ped he bade him return to his post, asking his pees for the manner in which he had treated im, “That's all right, Cap. We're a rough lot, anyway, and harsh measures are allowed,” and turning he strcde off in the direction of the road, after securing his weapons, while Juke, slowly pursuing the opposite direction entered the deeper shadow of the woods and soon dis- appeared, Jim we must follow. A walk of half an hour brought him to a clearing in the wood which could be reachid by the single path alone, which he bad followed, so dense was the undergrowth on all sides, A challenge and a password had been ex- changed more than once during his walk, and, as he entered the glade, he was stopped again by a sentinel on watch at the edge of the clear- ing. He gave the word and then, turning to the sentinel, be said; “Tom, come with me for a few moments. One of the boys will relieve you,” and soon fol- lowed by the otber he struck across the glade and entered the cabin which occupied the cen- ter, Seating himself at the table and motioning to his companion to do likewise, Jake produced the wallet he bad placed in his pocket and, be dae it, threw the papers if contained on the table. “TJ have seen, to-night, Tom, for the first time in years, the evil spirit of my evil spirit, and what the result will be time alone will tell. These papers may aid us; help me to look over them.’ It took but a few moments te examine the apers, for they were all printed slips of non- important matters, Ali except one, and this was what was written thereon: “M. 7.8, 9. 8. 23, 21. 6, 8. 1. 7. 16. 2. 19. 27. 18. 26. 20, 8. 11. 8, 1. 24, 27, 20,7. 24. 2: 8. 23. 20. Norru-rasr 7, 4 24, 27, 20, 24. 21. 18, 8, 9, 23 20, 16. 6. Zmro A, 2 |e 25, 16. 26, 201 1 1 22. 20. 8. 4, 16, 4. 20. 6. 18. 3. 1, . 8. 8. (666) (6) 16. 10. 20. Nora. And the two puzzled over it until the dawn, satin 4 through the forest, warned Jake that he bad been up all night and sadly needed rest, when he threw himself on a blanket in the cor: ner, and, ina moment, was fast asleep, CHAPTER VI, TREACHERY, Bog pursued his way quickly through the woods, nd soon arrived at the spot where the” man he had spoken of as Gustin lay chained as if he were a wild beast, Bob and Gustin were not on the best of terms, and it was with no intense anxiety to free him, displayed in his movements, that the boy ap- proached the prostrate man, ‘A nice fix ye’r’ in,” sarcastically remarked the former, as he bent over him and examined his fastenings. ‘‘ Must have been a professional that captured you.” A short inspection proved to him that it would be useless to attempt to release him, and he de- termined to await the coming of assistance be- fore he made any further attempts; yet hemade Gustin as comfortable as possible, and then re- treated a little into the woods, where he took up his station, and watched as only those who Aee danger in every sound can watch for their ‘oes. The crowd, that had followed Jake after his escape from the saloon, had long since returned, cursing and grumbling at the ill-duck which had permitted him to escape, The road was entirely deserted, and nothing was heard save those mysterious sounds of the night which are never quist. And so the night wore on, and day came, the time being unbroken by any incident until the two men came from the clearing who were to relieve Bob and Gustin. Then Gustin was released; for Bob went and returned with the keys he had rifled from the pocket of the man lying dead not far away, and unlocking the handcuffs and other chains, set Gus loose. Then he proposed a return to the cabin where rest and refreshment awaited them, asking the newly released man how it happeved that he had been so completely overcome in the late encounter. But Gustin seemed in no mood to answer and, instead of following his comrade, turned and saying that he would look up the road a short distance, he plun ed into the thicket and disappeared, leaving Bob to retrace his steps alone. Ho soon arrived at the place where lay the man who had fallen a victim to his rifle, and hardened and callous as he was be stood over him for @ moment, regretting what bad hap- pened, He had recognized him as one of a band of desperadoes who infested the country, and thinking he was on Jake’s trail with no good intention, had shot him down, as he would a mad-dog which threatened him, for the stran- ger evidently knew he was followed and was preparing to do as had been done to him. As the sun struggled through the trees and lit up the arches of the forest, Bob, thinking there might be a clew of some sort, stooped over the body and examined the pockets but wita- out discovering anything of importance. As he was about to turn away, bowever, he noticed that the lining of his coat was frayed atthe edge and, stooping closer, saw that there was a paper concealed inside of which he quickly got possession and unfolded. ~ It was addressed to ‘‘ Henry Crane, Esq., Paydirt, Col.,” and bore in the corner the stamped address of a well known detective agency in the Hast. Thinking that the envelope might be of im- portance, he placed it carefully in his pocket, and pursued his way to the camp, where he soon arrived, and, after a slight lunch, in his turn, dropped off to sleep, in a room adjoining where Jake was resting. . &
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All was quiet, and the glade was deserted for some time, until suddenly the figure of Gustin appeared, as he walked carelessly across, and then, seeing that he was not noticed, stole quietly. into the cabin and to the room where ake was, reaching whom, he leaned over. The papers Jake had been examining were tightly clinched in his hand, and as the boy slumbered lightly, Gustin saw that the slightest attempt to remove them would awaken him in- stantly, Seeking the spot where the boy’s heart beat, and casting another hasty glance around, he raised his knife on high to sink it to the hilt, and at the same moment clasp his lips with his other hand, that no cry might ring out and warn the camp that their leader was being done to death, foully and cruelly, No sound disturbed him, and the knife de- scended with lightning speed. CHAPTER VII. A MURDEROUS THREAT, As the trap-door closed with a slam, the man who had been addressed by Job as captain, drew from one side of the room a long, low bench, on one end of which he placed a folded coat, and motioned to the man to lay his burden there, After lying a few moments, while the three men stood around and watched, with varyin emotions, the ! slowly opened her eyes and looked about her in terror at her surroundings. As her eyes encountered those of the so-called captain she shuddered, while a look of intelli- gence overspread her speaking countenance. * An unexpected pleasure this, Miss Mary,” he sneered, his mouth growing set in baleful lines as he marked the disgust so well written on the girl’s face. And throwing himself into the chair he had lately quitted, he laughed sardonically, For a moment there was silence, and then the girl’s impetuous nature, overleaping all bounds, burst forth, as she rose to her feet and addressed the sneering villain before her. “An honorable trick that you have played, is it not, to have enticed a poor and friendless girl here under pretense of seeing her brother; and that brother—what have you done with him? I know you, Cole Crane, and if you think that any threats of vours will bear aught of fruit, I warn you beforehand of the fallacy of such an opinion. I refuse, absolutely, to listen to you, and appeal to these men to aid me in escaping from your persecutions!” and turning, she stood with outstretched hands looking to- ward the others. But there was no response to her appeal. The hardened demon who ruled there merel, ietigied again, while the two men, who were his ? tools, paid no more attention to the supplicating entreaties of the girl than to the waters that lapped uneasily below. And then, as her utter helplessness became apparent to her, the poor child uttered a de- spairing ery, and burying her face in her hands, sunk half-insensible on the bench.at her side. \ She was soon restored to consciousness by a ale face of their victim, the girl | r | ) | fore her that but a short time was given her in The Boy Vigilantes. vd rude hand laid on her shoulder, and shaking off the insulting grasp, leaped to her feet with face aflame. ‘Listen, my dainty lady,” fairly hissed the voice of her tormentor, ‘‘ and reserve your tears for more fit places and times. You know why I have brought you here, and if you were trap- Ss by the pretty fiction I planned it is no cause ‘or complaint, for it is too late for any such nonsense, ““When last I saw you, you derided me; scoffed at all I said; defied me, and dared me to do my worst; and then, forsooth, showed me the door, “ And now it is my turn! ‘“* Here is the paper you shall sign—must sign, or the next out-going tide bears your body on its surface, and another mysterious disappear- ance will excite a nine-days’ wonder. “Read carefully and well; for if once you sign I know that your pride, my haughty peentys will force you to abide by all you prom- Se, “T leave you to yourself and to your own re- flections for a time.” And calling to his followers, the three de- scended the ladder, stepped into the boat, and soon the throbbing of the oars in the thole-pins grew fainter, and was gradually lost in the dis- tance. The girl was alone, Alone, and with the terrible realization be- which to decide what would be toher a matter of life or death. Yot delay was dangerous; the need for action was pressing, and every second that passed brought nearer to her the moment when she must cut the Gordian knot which bound her in its meshes of steel. A last hurried inspection of the apartment where she was alone gave her no hope of escape, offered no means of rescue; and it was a heart still heavier than before, still weightier with its woe, that she turned to seat herself once more at the table, where lay the paper that was of such vital importance to her. As she walked across the room she stumbled, her foot having caught some projection in the floor, and it was only by a violent and hasty effort that she saved herself from falling. Turning, she looked to see what object it was that had so nearly caused her what might have been a serious injury, and found that it was one of the gh staples set in the fioor to hold the bar with which the trap-door wassecured when the room was inbabited. Scarce thinking of it twice, she seated herself and reached for the document that lay near her when she started as ifa bolt from heaven had come crashing through the roof. And in truth, the inspiration which came to her was but little less than providential. Through some unaccountable oversight, the late tenants of the cabin had neglected to take with them the massive iron bar which held the | trap; and it was the work of a moment to place it in the staples, to secure it by the hook, | and to realize that her position was all but im- | | pregnable, et such was the case, /
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The Boy Vigilantes. But as the full misery of her position struck her as the tension of her nerves gave way, she threw her hands high in the air, with acry of agony and, for the second time that day, fell to the floor in a dead faint. There she lay, while the tide rose, the bungry waters dashing bigh toward the tops of the sup- porting spiles and the wind moaned around the corners of the cabin, and ina short time the measured beat of the oars was heard again, as the boat returned. Reaching the steps the leader made the paint- er fast toa cleat in one of the uprights, and then mounted the ladder. Reaching the top he raised his hand and tried to raise the trap. It would not budge! CHAPTER VIII. A WESTERN VERDICT. BRIERWOOD Bos was restless. He was, ordinarily, a sound sleeper; one of those who, wrapping themselves up until only their noses are visible, turn onto one side and, in a moment, are buried in slumber. But this morning be was restless and instead of lying quietly, tossed and tumbled and rolled ina vain endeavor to find a comfortable atti- sude, and at length coming to the conclusion that he was wide awake, sat bolt upright and looked around, Then he yawned and stretched his arms as if he would dislocate them, finally rising to his feet and without putting on his boots, which be had removed when he sought his couch, strolled to the window and looked out. No one was visible and he turned back to the room which was empty save for his presence, Then an inspiration came to him; he would go into the adjoining room and see if Jake was still asleep, for the rules of the camp were leni- ent as regarded the occupation of the different apartments and he intended moving quietly so as not to disturb the boy ifhe were not yet awake, So he went to the door which was ajar, and putting his eye to the crack, looked in. And as he looked he dashed the door open with a blow which sent it crashing against the wall with a noise svfficient to waken the dead, and leaping across the room, grasped Gustin’s arm as it descended, guiding the knife toward Jake’s heart. It was too late to arrest the blow, yet he suc- ceeded in turning it to one side so that the knife blade, instead of entering the boy’s body, struck deep into the floor and stuck there, quivering. At the noise made by the clanging door the lad leaped to bis feet and, half-awake as he was, was almost stupefied at seeing the two men roll- ing on the floor like wild beasts, each one clutching at the throat of the other, short but severe struggle on the part of Jake, separated the two and they stood glarin at each other, watching the earliest opportunit that would present when they might again be at one another’s throats. ““What does this mean?” sternly asked the youth as he waved to Tom Reynolds, who, at- tracted by the nofse, came rushing in, to keep slience, Gustin was the first to recover bis breath. “ Brierwood, there was just a-goin’ to kmife yer, when I see’d him and grabbed his arm.” This was too much for Bob, who gave vent to a long whistle that completely exhausted his remaining breath, In a moment, however, be managed to stam- mer out: “ Whata screamin’ liar, Cap! If it hadn’t’a’ been for me you would ’a’ been a cold corpse, That Greaser there would ’a’ sent you to king- dom come in a holy minute if I—” “Stop!” interrupted the lad; “ which is right and which is wrong we will find out later. You both owe me a grudge I believe, though I did think you true, Bob, “Tom, call one of the men,” and soon an- | other of the band appeared on the scene. The two combatants were quickly disarmed and confined in two rooms situated overhead, where they could not reach each other, and where they were carefully guarded by a sentry at their doors. By noon the whole band, with the exception of one man who watched the path that led to the clearing, was assembled at the cabin. There was an even dozen of them, all hardy frontiersmen, who had banded together to stamp out, if men could, the curse of the band of King Cole, a noted highwayman, road-agent and horse-thief who was the scourge of the country. The circumstances of the attack were related by Jake and the stories of the two men listened to, the knife bars 3 paced in evidence, but without avail, as it belonged to neither of them, being one that had lain on the table since the day previous. Three men were told off to decide what should be done, one of whom was Tom Reynolds, and they having retired to deliberate, the rest seated themselves to watch the prisoners and await the verdict. {t was but half an hour before the jury re- turned. In view of the fact, they said, that it was im- ible to goes the guilt on either party, they ad decided that the men should be fastened to- ene by the collars and chain which had con- ned Gustin the night before; they were to be lowered into a canyon near by, and each one being given a knife, they were to be left to fight a duel unto death, the victor to use a key which would be thrown down, to unfasten him from his dead comrade, The idea was an acceptable one, and the pro- gramme was carried out, the men being warned that a rifle-shot would pierce the brain of the first who attacked the other before the word. The collars were pisced on their necks and locked, the steel chain confining them being less than a yard in length; they were conducted to the edge of the canyon, some fifty feet in depth, and lowered over the side by ropes, while Tom stood with cocked rifle to see that no foul blow was struck. Then as ag reached the bottom and the loos- ened ropes fell at their feet, he gave one last
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The Boy Vigilantes. 9 doce nae shouting ‘‘ Now!” turned and left the brink, The enemies were alone and chained to- gether! CHAPTER IX. PLOTTING. In “ The Nugget,” which, at this hour in the morning, was well-nigh deserted except for an occasional in-comer, who clanked in noisily, took his ‘‘ p'ison” and departed, two men were seated at one of the tables, in low and earnest conversation, ‘‘The boy must be silenced,” was what one of them was saying, he who seemed to be the su- perior of the two, as might be judged from a certain air he assumed, as well as from the re- spect shown him by the other. “The manner in which he braved us the other night, the result of which was the death of two of our best men and the wounding of another, has injured us seriously, and there is much rumbling in the pang that we do not take act- ve measures. What can you suggest?” ‘“‘ He has friends who never desert him,” re- Lg the other, ‘‘and who will go straight to eath for him. His plans are so well laid, and he knows the country and the men so thorough- ly, that it must be by som; strategy that we capture him, if capture him wedo. What on earth did the captain want to leave at this time for, | wonder?” and with an exclamation of dis- gust he raised his glass and drained its contents, “The captain is Playing for big stakes, and knows what he is doing so don’t grumble. If we can get the boy to leave here or force him to abandon his camp, we shall be all right, Do you hear anything from Gustin?” “Gustin promises to settle the matter to-day. He had a note from the captain which gave him certain orders and they were to be execu- ted about this time; but let us go down to the mine: we ought to find the boys there.” And the two men, having paid their score, left the saloon and, mounting their horses, rode off down the road toward the ey After riding for two or three miles they turn- ed off at a bridle-path and, following it for some distance, came to an opening where all was bustle and activity. Ashaft had been sunk in the solid rock and half a dozen men were at work, raising b means of the windlass, the rock and ore whic bad been dug out below. At sight of the two men who rode into the clearing they ceased from their labors and one of them, calling down the shaft, summoned to the surface the men hidden there, who, some twenty in number, soon appeared. This was the famous band of King Cole, as he was called, and it was only as a subterfuge that they pretended to work the shaft which was absolutely worthless. , The men gathered about the late arrivals and listened eagerly to what was said. Such words as “the night stage,” ‘‘ heavy sum to pay off the meu at the ‘ Vista,’” ‘‘one o'clock,” were heard and the men hearing a warning signal from their sentinel hidden in the woods, disappeared or resumed their labors ag 6 stranger rode into the open space, *T come, sir,” he said addressing tbe leader of the gang, ‘‘direct from Captain Cole. My name is—well you would not know me by name—but when Isay to you, ‘Six-sixty-six- six ave,’ you will probably recognize that I have sufficient credentials to—” ‘‘Rnough, sir,” returned the other. ‘AsI expected you your introduction is sufficient. What commands have you for me?” “ None that I can give here, Meet me at ten sharp with six men for the coach business. Yes, I know that you see,” he continued as the other started, ‘‘Leave the rest of the men in the shaft and one on guard bere to lower the bucket to them when they are needed—do not delay but be sure to be on hand on time.” And with no further word the young man rode off with no glance back, and after giving his orders the other followed him. CHAPTER X. READING THE CRYPTOGRAM, WueEn Tom returned to the cabin after giv- ing the word to Bob and Gustin, he found Jake, with his head resting on his two hands, which clutched his hair, poring over the mysterious paper which bad so excited his curiosity. “Come here, Tom,” he cried, as the other en- tered, ‘‘ and see if you can help me to decipher this confounded thing, which, I believe, must have some bearing on our affairs. Sit down here and let us see what we can do with it,” and drawing up a stool, Tom seated himself. by his companion. Jake had the mysterious document spread out before him on the table, and Tom looked at it carefully. But what significance could be attached to such an array of figures as this: “MM. 7. 8.9. 8. 23, 21. 6. 3. 1. 7. 16. 2. 19, 27. 16. 26. 20, 8. 11. 3, 1, 24. 27, 20. 7, 24. 2. 8. 23. 20, Norraxeast 7, “T find,” continued Jake, “that of all the numbers which we have here, the number ‘20? is repeated more than any other. Now I’ve heard somewhere that the letter ‘E’ is used more than any other, but even if 20 is ‘E’ what further clew have we?” “Tf 20 is BH, Jake,” said Tom, “try and see if apy. other letter can be discovered which pre- eedes it. There are ten 20's, are there not? Now take the first one, What comes just _be- fore it? 26? Now wait a minute,” and Tom wrote down the alphabet, numbering ‘‘E” as *¢20,” and numbering the other letters in like order as they followed thus: 20, H, Ot, F. 22, G. 28, H. 24, 1 25, J. 26, K. 27, L, 98, , N., etc, “Now try. The number preceding the first 20 is 26, e have here, for 26, ‘K,’ ‘KH,’ No, that will not do. Try the next one, 27? Thatis L, Try the next; the writer must have used the word ‘ the’ which is one of the com- monest in the language. What number pre- cedes the next 20? 28! Hurrah! 28, in my list is H and 8 must be T, if the word THE is used there. It may be only HE. But let me see. What is the highest number in your mysterious
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note? 27? and there are twenty-seven letters in the alphabet, including the abbreviation &, then— But wait,” and Tom stuck his nose down to the table and studied earnestly for a mo- ment, ** What do ‘M’ at the beginning and ‘No.1’ at the end mean? Can ‘M’be ‘1’ and so on? Let us try. We must go to 27 and then—” and Tom wrote again: 1, M. 2, N. 3.0.4, P.5, Q. 6, R.7, 8. 8, T. 9, U. 10, V. Ui, W. 12, X. 13, ¥.14 %. 15, &.’16, A. 17, B. 18, C. 19, P. 20, H, 21, F. 22, G. 23, H. 24, L 28, J. 26, K. ses “Now, try that, paying no attention to the ‘NORTHRAST,’ and ‘ZEHRO;’ we will try those afterward,” With the aid of this key, which was astonish- ing in its simplicity, Jake wrote rapidly: “ MsouthfromsandlaketwomilesintheNORTH-EAS TspileifyouhearZEROin[1-6th] kill! jakegetpaperco meto(666)(6)ave,” And this divided into words and properly punctuated gave: “South from the Sand Lake, two miles, In tho northeast spile. If you hear nothing (‘Zero’) in two months (1-6th of a year’) kill!!! Jake, come to (666) (6) ave.” Jake was unconsciously right when he had said that it concerned him! But to whom was it directed? It was doubly necessary to be on bis guard, for here was some unknown enemy ordering his assassination, and who knew but the time must now be up! Like a flash the recollection of the attack of the morning came to him; and had not he re- covered the paper from Bob? If Bob were faithless, on whom could he rely? He even cast a hasty glance at Tom, who was sitting there, scowling at the threatening docu- ment, but reproached himself instantly for his suspicions. In a few moments Jake’s countenance cleared and, turning to his companion, he said: “Tom, we have now been together for months and I have always found you the firmest friend I bave ever known. To aid you in assist- ing me to unravel this mystery, I must talk to you of my early life, for it has influenced my present one, and it is but right that you should know it. Listen—” “Now, Jake,” broke in Tom, heartily, ‘‘ your secrets are your own, and no one hasa right to know them. Keep them, my boy, and we will endeavor to trace this scoundrel from what I know now. But,” as a gesture from Jake inter- rupied him, ‘‘if you think it best, goon; and I will aid you the best way I know how.” And settling back, he prepared to listen to the boy’s story. ; CHAPTER XI. HER ‘‘ LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.” A. TREMENDOUS oath broke out on the intense stillness that pervaded everything, as Cole Crane discovered that the trap-door was fasten- ed against him, He realized, when it was too late, what a mistake he had made in not removing the means that secured the trap, and, stepping down into the boat, he secured one of the heavy ash oars and remounted the ladder, ‘ The Boy Vigilantes. Using the stick as a weapon, he endeavored to batter in the door, and feiling in that, the floor surrounding, but with no result. The thumping on the floor aroused the girl, and it was with a feeling of terror that she watched the results of the effort, In a moment the voice of Cole again broke out, and it was with many a threat that be spoke: “Your turn now, my lady; but you will soon learn how useless it is to brave Cole Crane and to defy him. Keep your nest, and when I return my vengeance shall be doubly wreaked on you for this, Expect me soon, and,” speak- ing sarcastically and cruelly, “do not, I beg of oye out; you might wet your dainty ee And with a chilling laugh he turned and re- entered the boat, which was again rowed off * over the waters. And the girl was saved, for a short time, at least, for she knew that if he had gone to seek means with which to effect an entrance, some time must necessarily elapse before he could return, With an effort she seated herself at the table and opened the document he bad left with her, determined tu try and lose her thoughts in read- ing the written words. After a date and some preamble the document ran: “In consideration of these facts I hereby relin- quish all title and claim to the property set forth below, and do also desire to state that I know of no person who can be injured by this disposition of the said propery my brother, Henry Crane, having died on the 14th of March last, and leaving me his sole heir, “So, there being no claim, I do devise, bequeath and give to Cole Crane, his heirs and assigns for- ever, all right, title and interest I may have in any and all property that I may die possessed of, be it real or personal, and, naming the said Cole Crane as my executor, do desire that he give no bond for the performance of his duties under this my last will and testament.” Then followed a long list of property, the sum total of the value of which mounted well up in the millions, the variety and amount of which bewildered the girl who bad been sore driven to earn an honest living. What could this mean! That some crime was intended she well knew, but she was ignorant what_effect this document would have, That her father was dead she knew, for, tracked through the swamp where he had gone hunting, the dead body of her only surviving arise on the day he left her, had been found; ut her brother had disappeared, and no trace of him had ever been discovered, The home she loved had been sold and she was thrown on the world, a helpless child, and it was only after severe pecie, goa that she bad made a little home for herself with her pen, And only this morning she had been so happy when the post brought her this note: “Your brother and I have just landed froma wrecked ship. Heis soriously hurt and cannot be moved, and I cannot leave him. Get to False Point, Long Island, as _« tickly as possible and you will ses your brother. But hasten, And this was signed by an unfamiliar name:
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The Boy Vigilantes. il but she, forgetting all else in her anxiety to reach her wounded brother, had hurried to her destruction. And here she was at the mercy of a man who, she knew, hesitated at nothing to ac- complish bis ends, And as the hours rolled on and she saw no hope of rescue, her heart failed her, and, as toward evening, she again heard the boat ap- proaching she grew wild with fear. But the craft grated aguinst the steps, a, heavy foot sounded on the planks and with a fierce blow the building shook as a cruel voice bade her open, instantly or fear the worst!” CHAPTER XIL THE DUEL, As Bob and Gustin were lowered down into the canyon which promised to be the death-bed and grave of one or both of them, the innate | cowardice of the Mexican was apparent in his chattering teeth and ghastly-hu:rd visage, During the descent, which occupied some lit- tle time, he endeavored to suggest to Bob that they should merely feign to engage ‘ina duel, and, when there were no witnesses, should re- lease themse}ves and escaps. But Bob was not to be tempted. “Shut up, you slinking cur!” he cried, ‘or by the Eternal I will knife you now and run the chances of a bullet from Tom’s rifle.” The Mexican seeing that Bob could not be influenced, desisted, and, as the most cowardly will turn when sore pressed, nerved himself for the coming encounter. In a moment more they had reached the bot- tom, and, the ropes being slackened and drawn ce rere’ their arm-pits, they awaited the signal. whe Tom’s voice rung out “* Now!” Bob braced himself for the coming shock and watched Gustin, warily. The place was a desolate one, and in and out ofthe crevices inthe rock glided a number of rattlesnakes, while others lay coiled and bask- ing in the sun, which was now high overhead, As the two men stood, with their hands hang- ing loosely by their. sides, each one clasping in his right a long, slender, wicked looking knife, a louder rattle than ordinary sounded just at Bob’s feet. Involuntarily he turned his eyes in the direc- tion of the sound and moved a pace aside. At the instant Gustin raised his kuife and plunged it at the other’s side, aiming at his vitals. / The blow was quick and true, but as it de- scended, Bob, with equal quickness, interposed bis left arm, and the keen blade, driven with deadly hate, caught bim in the muscles of his fore-arm where it stuck. Almost unconscious of the pain which follow- ed the stab, the American, taking advantage of the bending to one side of the Mexican, quick os thought sent his steel crunching into the back of his enemy and gave the haft a side- long twist which opened a gaping wound and brought the blood in torrents. The loss of his own equilibrium in_connec- tion with the crushing force of the blow sent | the Mexican, stumbling to the ground and in | falling he wrenched his knife clear of Bob’s arm, As Gustin fell, the tightening ’of the chain which bound them together, dragged Bob after bim, and he, throwing his arm out to save bimself from’a dangerous fall, flung his knife yards into the air whence it fell with a clang onto the rocks, some distance away. The American gave himself up for lost, un- armed as he was, Sut as the Mexican, witha gleam of triumphant hate in his eyesraised him- self on his left elbow and lifted his knife to again seek HKob’s life, bis muscles relaxed, a reddish foam issued from his lips, and as his features settled he fell back, dead. The point of Bob’s knife had reached his heart, and he was dying when he fell. The reaction from the stern tension in which he had held himself was too great, and the victor in this life-and-death struggle, preg back, insensible, lay beside bis victim, to al appearance as lifeless as he was. And the minutes rolled on, the sun passed from over-head and as the shadows crept over the bottom of the canyon, the serpents, uncoil- ing themselves, crawled away, noiselessly, to their devs, and the two lay there, the living and the dead, locked in the steel embrace which bound them fast, As the rays of the oe sun ceased to beat down upon him, the increasing coolness of the air revived Bob, and with a slow and pain- ful motion he raised himself, trying to recollect what had passed. The tug of the collar on his neck, as the chain tightened recalled him to his surroundings, and in a moment all was clear, And his first thought was to relieve himself from his ghastly burden. He recalled, as one recalls the indistinct fea- tures of a half-recollected dream, the noise of the falling key, which would release him, as it struck the rocks when thrown down to them; but where it had fallen he had not seen. Look in every direction as he might he could not discover it, and it was more than probable that it bad fallen into one of the numerous crannies and crevices which seamed and split the rocky bottom of the canyon on all sides. He was weak and faint from loss of blood, and bis arm was stiff and sore and almost use- less, while a severe wound on his head, made by the jagged point of rock as he had fallen, gave him intense pain. Yet the indomitable courage of the man as- serted itself, and he staggered to his feet, rais- ing the cold and clammy corpse of bis late com- rade beside him. The walls of the canyon were well-nigh per- endicular, yet he managed to ascend them, ow he never knew, He relicved himself from the suffocating weight of ‘his horrible burden, somewhat, by fastening his belt to the body and slinging it over his shoulder; but even had he been thus unincumbered, the ascent would have been perilous, But at last he reeched the summit and man- aged to crawl to the cabin, where, raising him- self to open the door, his.strength deserted him, ang stumbling forward, he fell heavily inside
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12 The Boy Vigilantes. the room, where Jake and Tom were sitting, with the dead body across his back. ; Which was the dead and which the living? CHAPTER XIII, A VISITOR. “So you think that this Cole Crane, who is distantly related to you, isthe man who killed our father in the swamp, and who is at the ead of this band of road-agents?” said Tom, as Jake finished his somewhat Jong recital, “The same man,” emphatically repeated Jake. “But what can have become of him? Just as we were about to bring our plans to a focus, and with his capture break up his infernal ae he disappears, and all trace of him is ost.” ““We must find that out. But what can have become of your sister, Jake? Have you never heard anything of her?” “Not a word. WhenT finally escaped from the swamp, which I thought would never re- lease me, | fell sick from exposure and the ter- rible strain to which I had been subjected, and when I recovered and returned to the planta- tion, strangers were in possession and all trace of Mary was lost. ““T got a clew from one of the old negroes on the place, and came West, where I found Crane, who was supposed to be in league with tbe rob- bers; but there was no evidence that such was the case. “T believed that in breaking up his band, if he was connected with them, that I would fur- ther my own ends, and now everything seems to be ruined by his disappearance. If—” : Jake stopped and sprung to his feet, as did Tom, as they heard a fumbling at the door. As they turned and watched, the door flew open, and, stumbling headlong forward, the form of Bob pitched into the room and fell Rone to the floor, the bloody corpse of the dead exican clanking after it as the chain rattled as they fell, for a moment the two were paralyzed with horror, and then, springing forward, they raised the awful burden from Bob’s shoulder, while Tom, with a blow from a hatchet he had snateh- ed up, shivered the chain to atoms, In a short time Bob was restored to conscious- ness, and after some little attention and re- freshment, was able to sit up and tell his story to the two friends. His wounds were carefully bathed and wash- ed, and Jake, his heart smiting him for having suspected the brave fellow of treachery, made him lie down and rest, while he opened the en- velope which Bob had given bim, and which had been found on the body of the man killed that morning. The reading of the message contained therein gave a cruel shock to the boy, for it told him tbat the bearer was possessed of important in- formation which he had gathered in the Hast, being connected with the detective agency to ibe bo Jake had written when Crane disap- peared, But bow was it that Bob had recognized him as one of the band of road-agents? Evidently the brave fellow had become one of them for the purpose of gathering further jn- tormation, armed with which he was on his way to Jake, when the unfortunate and fatal rifle shot fired by Bob bad wrought his death. While all this was passing through his mind, another interruption occurred, In charge of one of the sentinels who guarded the path leading to the road, came a prisover, : ne demanded to be led straight before Restless ake, As he was marched into the room where ths boy was seated, puzzling over the various branches of his case, we can recognize him as the man who had addressed the leader of the outlaws at the fictitious mine not long before, ‘Speak out, sir; I have no secrets from my friends,” said Jake, as he stood awaiting the other’s reply. “T see that you have Watson’s note, Mr. Crane,” returned the unknown, pointing to the open sbeet of paper Jake held. Where is he now—but no matter; my credentials are here,” ene producing them he handed the package to ake, The latter examined them burriedly, and then, ordering the sentinel to return to his post, beckoned to Tom and the stranger to follow hiro, stepped out into the open air, and, seating himself on a log, motioned the others to do the same, Turning to the stranger he then said, shortly and curtly: “ Well?” The answer came to him like a thunderbolt rat a clear sky, and for a moment stunned im. “Your sister has been abducted, suppositi- tiously by Cole Crane, all trace of her being lost. If you would save her you must leave for New York, immediately, and pray that you way arrive in time, for it is a matter of life and death with her, I fear!” CHAPTER XIV. AN UNEXPECTED BLOW. A. wEAvy storm-cloud, black as the depths of Erebus, lifted its inky folds bigh in the north- west, hung threatening as a pall, while, seam- ing it from end to end with a glittering rope of reddish gold, the lightning sprung from time to time, followed by the low grow] of the threat- ening thunder. As the approaching cloud-burst gathered in strength, and drew near with increasing rapid: ity, the littie band, of which Jake was the leader, one by one, left the cabin in the clear- ing, until none but Jake and Tom eae. With a parting word of caution, the latter, grasping his friend’s hand, bade bim farewell, and he too took the path that led to the road, and the boy was left alone. Alone, but for the two dead bodies that lay so quietly side by side, covered with the same blanket, in the adjoining room; for Bob had so far recovered as to be able to go into the town, and had starjed some time before sundown, It was an evening full of horrors, bightened by the uncanny occupants of the cabin; and when eleven o’clock came, it was with a feeling of relief that Jake stepped outside, and care- fully closing the door: behind him, struck off into the forest,
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The Boy Vigilantes. 13 Owing to the increased rapidity of his move- ments, it was but a short time before he arriv- ed in view of the fictitious mine of the outlaws, and, Jooming through the darkness, he saw the shed which covered the windlass and the mouth of the shaft. It seemed deserted; yet of this he bad been confident, rumor having brought to him the fact that the band occupied a large chamber, excavated at the bottom of the shaft, a position which was well-nigh impregnable. Amply stored with water. food and fuel, they were comparatively comfortable, sheltered, as the mouth of the shaft was, by the shed built over it, from the rain and snow. That there was a man on watch Jake well knew, and his object was to silence him if possi- ble, raise the bucket, and thus trap whatever men were below, like rats in a cave. So he, dropping flat en hands and knees, stole quietly forward, seeking the shadow of the bowlders scattered about, and as he approached the shed, redoubling his caution and advancing absolutely without a sound, When within a few yards of the structure he raised himself a little, and cautiously looked around, But as he did so, a thousand sparks danced before his eyes, there was a crashing and a rushing in bis earsas if Niagara was whelming him with its flood, and, as a blow from the butt of a rifle felled him to the ground, a figure leaped on him from behind and grasped him by the throat, The sentinel whom he was stalking, had stalked him, and he lay apparently at the fel- low’s mercy. CHAPTER XV. THE OCEAN'S PREY. In unison with the blow that shook the rick- ety dwelling, the girl trembled in every limb. t was as though some wild beast, ravenous from hunger, bad returned to its den, after an tishicoenatal search through the forest for its prey, and found some timid animal entrapped in its lair. She cast a last look about her in search of re- lief, but in vain; nothing was to be seen that promised even a momentary aid. After the first hoarse summons to her to open the door, which had remained unheeded, the voice below had not repeated its call, and all for a few moments was still. Then came the sound of heavy blows, as if some one were hammering, and as the noise, with sundry pauses, mounted higher and higher, she realized that Crane was endeavoring to reach the roof. And such was the case. Having secured a number of Jong spikes, he had returned, and was now mounting up one of the spiles at the corner, which reached to the top of the cabin, driving the pails as be went and using them as steps on which to climb. The girl looked hastily up. The trap which led to the roof was fastened, but the net which afforded light and air, ‘was unpro' ‘ The slide which secured it was not in place. aud nothing but the brittle glass protected the opening. She saw that if sbe could drag the table to a point beneath the light, she could reach and close the slide, and she hurried to put her thought into execution. But the table was heavy and she was frail and weak, besides which she was trembling like a leaf with nervous exhaustion and fright. Exerting all her strength, she dragged the heavy piece of furniture towari the center of the room, and, nearing the spot beneath the sash, she stopped and climbed up. las, it was too late. As she turned her face toward the ceiling, a shadow fell on the glass, and as she looked, a scowling face, dark with malignant hate, glared down upon her, It was Cole Crane, and, shrinking with affrigbt beneath his baleful glance, she cowered end shrunk like a wounded fawn, And Crane, raising the hammer in his hand, dashed it through sash and glass, sending the splinters in showers down upon ber. Then, releasing the catch, he raised the frag- ments, and, lowering himself down, dropped “ toe table and from thence sprung to the oor, Paying no attention to the shrinking girl, he strode heavily to the trap-door, and, removing the iron bar, raised the trap and called to his companions to come up. Job and the man who had brought her to this den, entered the cabin, and, without a word passed over to the corner of the room and seated themselves. “We will prevent any further escapades on our part, my lady,” growled Crane, as, grasp- ing her by the arm with cruel force, he dragged her across the room, where, with the aid of a dair of handcuffs, which he placed on her wrists, he attacbed her by a chain to a staple sunk in the wall, Then returning to the table, he picked up and examined the paper he had left with her. “Not signed!” he burtled; ‘‘but no matter, we will dispense with your signature and de- pend on your word.” Saying a word to Job, the latter prepared some coarse food on a plate and with a cup set it down beside the girl, who was intensely grateful for the cool draught of water. To eat a morsel would have been impossible. for the muscles of her throat felt drawn an contracted. . ‘It is no part of our intention to starve you, or to cause you the least physical discomfort— if we can avoid it,” be added as the girl glanced at her wrist, reddened by the mane gyves he had clasped about thea. “But submit to my will you must, or a bitter and lingering death will be your portion, “And you will be the murderess of your brother! Hah, you start now, do you? “Note this well; if to-morrow a telegram does not wing its way to my faithful agent, the ox after will see your brother shot down like a og. _ “And there is no escape unless you are will- ing to save him, Ce iF ee Ba) oF eR
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The Boy Vigilantes. “You thought him dead—I know that he lives; curse him! and his life is in my power. “Think over this and I will tell you how you can save him and yourself.” The girl’s agony was doubled. For now her brother’s life was threatened; that brother whom she loved with all of a sister’s devotion and who, she had often feared, was dead, But little time was given her for reflection, however, for Crane, finishing his consulta- tion with his aids, rose and came to where she was chained. “Now, Miss Mary, an hour is as good as a day for you to decide in. ‘You have two alternatives—promise to give your hand to mein marriage, as soon as we can reach the city or—you kuow the result which will attend your refusal! “What is your answer?” Rising as high as her fetters would allow her, the slight form of the girl trembling with ride and passion, she hurled ber response back in his teeth: “Never!” she cried. ‘Sooner death—death for myself and all 1 hold dear, than life at such a price.” “So be it,” snarled Crane, as ho glared at his victim with demoniac fury. ‘ Your blood be upon your own head!’ A word to his confederates and they arose, and, after opening the trap, approached the girl and released the chain trom its fastenings in the wall, One on each side they led her to the foot of the steps, where Crane stood awaiting them on a little platform or landing place built out from one of the supporting spiles. Here they stopped. The tide had gono out, and save for the little channel leading up from the bay the marshes were bare. Hissing low the words which, each and ever one, sunk into her heart like a barbed and poi- soned arrow, Crane spoke: “In a minute more, unless you change your answer, you willbe fastened to yonder post, “The tide is out, now, but is onthe turn, and soon the hungry waters will come lapping in; hungry for their prey. ‘“ Inch by inch they will rise, striving to in- fold you in their cold and chilling embrace, ‘At last they will reach high up to your face, and kiss your dainty lips with the bitterness of their salt spray. “And finally they will whelm you round about; they will steal into your mouth, your ears, your nostrils, and high as you may lift your head, they will climb still bigber aud bigh- er, until, at length, a final gasp, a final gurgle, anda slow and lingering and torturing death will claim you for the ocean’s bride, ** Choose!” If the girl hesitated, it was‘only for amoment. Cruel as was the fate that threatened her, it was preferable to the other alternative, and she spurned his offer. ‘Then so be it,” he hurtled, mad with rage. The dead was done, the girl was chained immovably, her feet in the dank grass of the marsh, which coiled about her ankles like cling- ing’serpents, while the boat, containing the three men, disappeared down the creek, the oar-beats sounding like the tickings of the seconds which aaianed har into eternity, And soon all was still and nothing was beard but the soft swish of the waters as the tide turned and began to flood the bare land, CHAPTER XVI. THE WHELMING WATERS, Tue blow which had sent Jake crashing to the ground would, in all probability, have ended his career then and there, had it not been for the wind, A sudden gust, blowing from the north, just at the moment the blow descended, had caught the broad brim of his sombrero and turned it down over the side of his head, This saved him. The interposition of the thick felt deadened the effects of the stroke and, although, for an instant, he was stunned and dazed, this result was but momentary, Quick as though the sprung to bis feet and con- fronted his foe, made visible at that instant by a flash of forked lightning, In an instant they were locked in each other's arms, turning and writhing in all the sinuosities of a life and-death struggle, neither of them having the advantage. There was nc opportunity offered to draw weapon of any kind; each one was too intent on preventing such action on the part of the other to attempt ib. Panting they tore at each other with muscles set like bands of steel and chest .locked against chest, until the flesh on arm and bone was black and blue and sore from the pressure, yet neither felt any pain. A somewhat larger stone than the ordinary bowlders which strewed the plain, lay near where the two were struggling, its presence be- ing made known to Jake by the lightning. And toward this rock the boy forced his op- ponent, who was unaware of its proximity. The tension was so great that he yielded in the slightest degree, but this was fatal, Taking advantage of the slight relaxation of the other’s muscles, the lad, nerving bimself for a last effort, threw himself with herculean strength against the other, who tottered slight- ly backward. His legs encountered the rock bebind him, and before he could rally himself he fell back- ward at full length, Jake adding the entire be ae of his body to the force of the crushing all. The result was victory for the boy, for the other was completely prostrate and was nearly, if not wholly, insensible from the shock, Another moment decided the fray, for Jake’s sinewy hands had soon bound the other with his leathern belt, and, gagging bim with his hand- kerchief, he rolled him to one side, as helpless as a log. Then, after resting a moment, and sittin down to regain his breath, he proceeded, sti cautiously to crawl under the shed where was the windlass used in raising and lowering the bucket in the shaft,
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i coins The Boy Vigilantes, 16 This was the only means of ascent and de- scent which the desperadoes made use of in en- tering and leaving their subterranean abode, and it once removed, those inside would be com- pletely trapped unless assistance was rendered them from outside. There was no need of further precautions asit turned out, for the only sentry was powerless to warn the miners, as they called themselves, As Jake reached the windlass, he caught hold of the handle and essayed to raise the bucket, but if was fast below and the rope would not give an inch. Drawing his knife from its sheath, he was about to cut the strands of the rope and let it fall to the bottom, when an unusual sound at. tracted his attention, and he rushed out into the open air. Far up the valley sounded a roaring and a tumbling and a crashing as if the very entrails of the mountain were rent asunder and torn into a million fragments, while mingled with this awful turmoil came a shrieking and yelling as if Pandemonium were let loose, Glued to the earth for a moment, Jake stood, and then, turning he fled up the sides of the ra- vine or narrow valley in terror-stricken haste. Grasping vines and rocks, whose jagged edges cut and tore bis hands, he clambered for dear life’s sake, high up the side, and then, as the walls became almost perpendicular, he clung and watched. And rearing its foam-covered crest high in the air, a black and seething mass of waters came tearing down the canyon above, its lea ing masses ever and anon gleaming into bril- liancy, as the lightning played over its surtace, while the thunder rolled and crashed as if it would rend the very rocks asunder. In an instant it bad reached the mine, and be- fore Jake could catch his breath, had swept away sbed and windlass, while the shaft, one moment filled with the seething waters, the next was piled high with stones, aud rock, and earth washed down from above. The cloud had burst a mile above, and de- scending on the valley below, had wrought its awful work of destruction and death, before Jake could fairly realize what had happened. And following in its course came the beating rain, which lashed and stung the boy as he clung to the rock, drenching him in its icy cold- ness, and all but tearing bim from bis hold and sweeping him into the hell below. Dizzy and gasping for breath he hung, watch- ing the tremendous force of the flood, and bor- ror-stricken at the awful fate that had over- taken the bandits. Yet the very intensity of the storm was its weakness, for it could not long rage with the fury which had marked its breaking. In a short time, therefore, the rain had ceased, the thunder rolled suddenly in the distance, as the storm-cloud swept on down the mountain- range, and the wind was hushed as if by magic. Chilled to the marrow, and drenched through and through as he was, Jake with difficulty clambered down the side of the valley until he reached the beginning of the level. Reaching the road, he turned and mounted the hill which led in the direction of Pay- dirt, and after walking for a mile or more, suddenly stopped and gave a low whistle. His signal was instantly answered, and Tom Reynolds, stepping from the shadow of the trees, spoke to him in a low tone. Gathering the band of his followers about him, Jake quickly gave them the outline of what had passed and then, leaving them again, they disappearing in the darkness, walked up the road a short distance and waited _ for the stage. Just below him, his men were secreted in | the forest, awaiting the arrival of the ve- hicle at the place where they were hidden, while, still further down the road lay the band of King Cole, waiting to attack the coach and rob the mail, the express and the passengers. These latter were unaware of the proximity of the former. Soon the rumble of wheels was heard and at Jake’s hail the lumbering vehicle drew up at the side of the road, while Jake climbed to the seat beside the driver. The horses trotted on as the boy spoke a few words to the driver in a low tone, and then a second stop was made, the men who were wait- ing for Jake, climbing in and secreting them- selves inside and in the boot under the mail- bags, and then the coach proceeded on its down- ward journey, in the direction of the ambush, The loud click of a rifle rung out on the air, and a hoarse voice commanded ‘Halt, and throw up your hands!” CHAPTER XVIL WIPING OUT THE BAND. At the abrupt summons the driver reined in his horses with a jerk, and as ordered, threw bis hands high in the air, as the six men and their leader stepped out onto the road, each one with raised weapon, Silent and grim they stood there, like so many statues, while the one who seemed high- est in authority stepped up to the side of the stage and calling to the express messenger, or- dered him to throw down his box. In answer Jake’s revolver cracked, and the road agent, reeling in his tracks, dropped dead, shot straight between the eyes with a bullet from the boy’s pistol. At the signal the coach swarmed with men who appeared from every conceivable direc- tion and before the band of desperadoes fairly realized what had happened they were sur- rounded and a dozen rifles covered them. Seeing that the jig was up, they soon sur- rendered and were disarmed and marched off into the woods, where Judge Lynch organized bis court. Tom Reynolds, despite his protests, was unan- imously elected to preside and the culprits were arraigned before him. There was but one witness, who, offering his testimony, was listened to in silence. This was the mysterious stranger who had ridden to the rendezvous of the highwaymen and given out the mysterious countersign * six- sixty-six six ave.” He stood there, somewhat apart from the
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16 The Boy Vigilantes, others, and, at a sign from the presiding officer, told his story. It revealed in all of its mystery, what was puzzling both to Jake and Tom in regard to the mysterious document, Connected with the detective agency in the East, to which Jake had written, he had come out to Paydirt and, after locating the members of the gang, had become a confidant of Gustin, and from him learned many of its secrets, The Mexican was playing a double role; and while apparently faithful to Jake was in the pay of King Cole. The plot in which the latter was engaged was wide-spread in its ramifications and promised to pay him well if he succeeded in carrying it out, Leaving his lieutenant in charge of the band, with instructions to only so act, from time to time, as to keep Jake on the alert, he had gone to the East, where he was playing for high stakes, the losers to be Jake and his sister. The mysterious document had been shown to him by Gustin, and translated, while it was ex- plained to him that the cabalistic words ‘ six- sixty-six-six ave” were those used _as a pass- word by the gang and related to King Cole’s head-quarters in New York city. Another member of the detective force had this clew given to him by the speaker, and as the latter had disappeared for a short time. owing to a slight accident, the other had feare treachery and had, after capturing Gustin, started for Jake’s camp with the proofs taken from the Mexican. As he ceased speaking a terrible stiliness fell over the gathering, which was at length broken by the stern voice of Tom Reynolds as he asked: “Gentlemen, you have heard the evidence which proves that these men are directly con- nected with the band of King Cole: are they guilty or not guilty?” Quilty!” rung out the voices of the jury, as if but one man had spoken, ** And what shall be their punishment?” “ Death!” The arrangements were soon made, The outlaws were stationed beneath the spreading limbs of an immense oak, and a noose was tightened about the neck of each one, Their hands were bound behind them and at a given signal they were swung into the air, where they hung twisting and turning in ghast- ly array. ' 7 Justice had been done, and the band of King Cole was forever broken up. It seemed a cruel and arbitrary proceeding, but such is law in the West. When the party had arrived at the road, Jake and Tom exchanged a hearty hand-shake with each of the band, and bidding them farewell, climbed to the top of the stage, accompanied by the Eastern detective, and with a wave of the hand, disappeared down the road, But as they swept down a deeper descent than ordinary, the driver giving free rein to his team, there was a sudden lurch, a sickenin plunge to the right, and as the front, off whee rolled from its axle the coach gave a grinding crash, and falling to one side, overturned with a tremendous jar. _ Jake and his two companions, who were talk- ing so earnestly that no thought of their sur- roundings occupied them, were pitched high in the air, and falling on the baka road beneath, lay, completely stunned, The shock was tremendous, and the sudden yal of the coach brought the team to a dead halt, ’mid the breaking of traces, the crashing of glass and the oaths of the driver. The boy was the first to recover his senses, and stunned and confused as he was, set him- self to work to bring order out of chaos. In this he was quickly successful, for the well-trained horses, accustomed to the voice of a master, were soon quieted, and stood, trem- bling, with the broken harness streaming all about them. The driver and Tom were found to be unburt, ae une express messenger had been instantly liled, The detective was disabled by a dislocated shoulder-joint which, while it gave him serious pain, promised to soon heal, and being quickly pulled into place and bound with a rude sort of surgical skill, relieved him somewhat, yet left him helpless, A short consultation was held. Any delay would be fatal, and there was not time to hesitate; so commending the wounded man to the care of the driver, who took matters very philosophically, being accustomed to such incidents, and who consoled himself with an extra nip—the two friends, Tom and Jake, bade them adieu, promising to send assistance from the next station. Stiff and sore as they were, they urged on their horses and soon reached the small town, where they were to change horses, and ac- quainting the employes with the accident, they quickly procured two fresh horses, better equipped for the journey, and sped on. t was a wild ride,and one which the two friends often recalled in after life, but they reached their journey’s end without further in- cident, and galloping to the nearest stable, found that they had ample time to procure a much-needed meal before the departure of the train, Congratulating each other upon the success- ful termination of their journey, the two friends prépared themselves for their some- what extended trip; and as the train rolled into the depot they were on the platform awaiting its arrival, And so two brave hearts are on their jour- ney to rescue the poor victim of King Cole, who is in sore need of their aid and assistance, Will they arrive in time? We shall see, CHAPTER XVIIL THE MIDNIGHT ATTACK. AND so, at length, the two friends had reached elvilization, and its accompaniments, and were fairly on their way to the Hast, But even the rapid speed at which they were moving seemed slow to Jake, who burned with an eager anxiety to reach his destination, And it seemed as if they were destined to reach their Journey’s end without further inter- oy
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oy y The Boy Vigilantes. i? ruption, as the day passed on and nothing oo- curred to break its monotony. At last the sun set far in the west, sinking behind the Rockies in a blaze of glory, and the shadows of the night began to steal over the prairie. Suddenly there was a jolt anda jar, as the brakes were rudely, applied, and the train came to a dead stop, with no warning whistle from the engine to denote that they had reached a station. Jake, who was seated on the inside, raised the window, which the cool air had forced him to close, and, leaning out, looked ahead to see what might be the cause of their stoppage. A bright light, and the leaping flames and smoke that rose just in front of the engine, at first glance, gave him the impression that the prairie was on fire, and had injured the track. But this idea lasted but a moment, Gathered just on the edge of the circle of light, shed by the fire, stood several figures, and shining among the crowd could now and then be seen the glint of the steel barrel of a rifle. As he looked, there was a puff of escaping steam from the engine, for the engineer, seeing that the way in front was blockaded, bad bravely determined to back the train down out of danger. But the desperate men who bad planned the robbery of the express-car and passengers, were not to be balked in their designs, At the first move he made, as his hand grasp- ed the throttle-bar, a report rung out on the stillness of the night, and, still grasping the iron, the engineer fell back dead, two more bullets piercing his body before his life had fully sped. A figure leaped into the circle of light, and springing into the cab, stopped the movement of the wheels, as they were beginning slowly te revolve, and push the train backward, But the act was also fatal to him! Crouching in the tender, and sheltered from the view of all the onlookers, the fireman was concealed, a mere lad, the brother of the en- gineer who had just been murdered, Unseen, he could see perfectly all that hap- pened, and he knew that the man who was in the cab and whose hand was on the lever, was the one who bad fired the first shot, which had proven so fatal, His blood boiled, and regardless of any dan- ger that be might undergo, he sprung from the foot-board into the cab, grasping in bis hand the short and heavy hammer he was in the habit of using to break the larger lumps of coal, aim- ing a crushing blow. Catching bim just above the right ear, the head of the hammer tore through bis scalp and descended on to his shoulder, with all the crash- ing force which the muscular arm of the lad, coupled with the intense rage, hate and despair he felt, could give it, Half stunned, the desperado reeled and fell over on the seat, blinded by the gushing blood. and his arm rendered useless by the terrific blow on the shoulder, His eyes blazing with that lurid light which is so often seen to dilate the pupils of a maniac’s orbs, the lad sprung on him, his left hand grasp- ing the chain and swinging ppen the furnace door as he did so, Inside the fire was blazing and seething, and the mass of coals at white-heat sent forth a blistering glare that was almost unsupportable. Yet the boy heeded it not. Gripping the arms of the prostrate man in a clutch that sunk into the flesh as if it had been wax, he jerked the body around untilit lay with ee toward the incandescent mass below, A quick push, and there arose a yell that made the blood of all hearers to curdle and chill like ice. There was the singe of human hair, the sicken- ing smell of roasted human flesh, and as the wretch, powerless to aid himself, sunk further into the furnace, his eye-balls, distended by steam, burst from their sockets, and he fell to the bars below and was quickly consumed out of all semblance of humanity. And as the open door threw a broad glare upon the boy who had so fearfully avenged his brother’s death, a dozen rifles cracked, and the lad, sinking prone to the floor of the cab, crawled to the dead body of his brother, and en- twining bim with one urm, the other hanging broken at his side, laid bis head upon his breast, and with a long, low moan, died, In answer to the fusilade which arose and wrought the death of the boy, a solitary re- sponse came, It was from the express car, where the mes- senger had barricaded himself, and whence, it being next to the engine, he had plainly wit- nessed the tragedy which had just occurred, His revolver spoke out defiance and betokened his determination to resist to the last, and al- though his bullet did not seriously injure any one of the robbers, yet it caused a commotion in their ranks and roused them to decisive action. So, scatitering in the darkness, they prepared, at a given signal, to attack from all sides at once, The train was well filled with passengers, most of them being ‘‘tenderfeet,” as late- comers from the East are called, and, with but few exceptions, they were completely terror- stricken. The two friends, during what had psssed and which had taken scarce a minute, had risen from their seats and each one drawn one of his heayy revolvers from their belts, as uietly a’ if they were about to engage in a riendly shooting-match. This action on their part made them central figures, aud toward them the other men drew as to their leaders, —w CHAPTER XIX. A BRAVE DEFENSE, TURNING, Jake addressed them. “Gentlemen, I’m a-goin’ to take a hand in this yar scrimmage, an’ so is my friend. ‘* Will you jine us, gentlemen?” ; Hin a sapere there was a chorus of exclama- ons. ‘You bet!” “ Sartin\” “Sail in, young ’un, we'll see yer through,” and the like,
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Jake hastily surveyed the group, and in an in- stant formed bis plans, “To the top of the cars, every man; Tom, you and I to the express car; you others divide. “And there, lie low, keep cool and we will lick twenty times our number. “Scatter!” And taking the lead, the boy plunged out of the forward door, leaped onto the ircn railing and thence, reaching upto the edge, quickly clambered to the roof, closely followed by Tom. There were, including the express car, four coaches in the train, and this allowed two men to devote themselves to the defense of each car, The men stationed themselves at each end of all the cars so that; by slightly leaning over, they could command the platforms and doors below, while thoroughly protected from the at- tack of the others, The band of robbers was composed of, per- haps, twenty men, and their plan was to place aguard at each door while two went through each coach robbing the passengers of all they could get. Half-a-dozen were to attend to the express car, while the rest were to walk up and down the length of the train, discharging their rifles and revolvers with the intention of intimidat- iing the passengers, Scarcefy had Jake and Tom reached their positions on the forward car than the fusilade lets and the men detailed for the purpose, separated from the rest and, proceeding toward the platforms to which they were assigned, climbed up the steps, As each trio reached the doors, they were to give a signal by discharging a shot, and the general fusilade was to ‘begin, outside, and was expected to confine the passengers to the cars and prevent their endeavoring to escape through the windows, The desperadoes reached the platforms of their respective coaches, and the flash from the leader’s heavy ‘‘Colt” was followed by a dull report which sounded sullenly on the still air of the prairie, ; Nothing could be heard, before the startling crack of the revolver, but the throbbing of the injector as the water was pumped into the boiler from the tank bebind, But, as “thud” of concussion broke on the ears of the frightened passéngers, the night be- came hideous with the yells and hurtling cries of the bandits, The darkness becamo lurid with the flames which leaped from the weapons of the surround- ing mob and, asthe smoke arose in sulphurous clouds, the scene became one that reminded one of the pictures painted by Dante in his “*In- ferno.” But not one of the thieves gained access to the cars! : Scarce had the hands of those who wished to enter and murder and rob, touched the knobs of the doors when, like a bolt from heaven came the leaden hail from above, The roofs, overhanging the platforms, pro- tected those on the platforms immediately be- low from the shots of those just over them, but they were at the mercy of the men on the roof opposite, The Boy Vigilantes. In the fulllight which streamed on them from the plate glassin the car doors, there was noth- ing to save the would-be robbers from the fate they so richly merited, A thud on the steps, which were soon stream- ing with blood, was followed by another and another, and as the bodies of the men thus hur- ried into eternity, fell to the ground below and rolled down the embankment, the little band of defenders gave a wild yell, and turned their at- tention to the men who surrounded the train. The leaden missiles buzzed and hummed and sung on their wicked errands as though enjoy- ing their work and in nearly every instance each bullet found its billet. No buman beings could stand such a murder- ous storm as was showered on the band, and with wild oaths, yells and imprecations, min- gled with shrieks of pain, such as yet possessed the power fled into the chaparral which lined the track, and the glare from the furnace sbed its rays only on the wounded and the dead. Knowing that when they moved off the sur- vivors of the fray would return to the aid of the wounded, the train, bearing the dead bodies of the engineer and his brave brother—for the body of the cremated man who had shot the former was long since consumed, moved off over the prairie, Tom being at the throttle-bar, and Jake acting as fireman. CHAPTER XX. TWO BLOWS AND A KNOCK-DOWN. As the 11 Pp, M. train pulled into the Grand Central depot in New York the rain was falling in torrents, But few pemengee ordinarily arrive by this train and the immense station was comparative- ly deserted, while outside a solitary cabman, in shining rubber coat, stood by his horse, look- ing as uncomfortable as a half-drowned rat and much resembling one in appearance. The train having drawn up at the platform, a scattering of the passengers took place, many of them hurrying to the front of the station to secure any vebicle which might be on hand, The solitary cabman met with many urgent requests from various persons, and was offered much more than his ordinary fare to conduct passengers to sundry parts of the city, but in each case refused, his refusal being courteous, but firm. “Regrets, gen’lemen: but cawn’t do it. Much as my place is wuth, Boss gi’n me strict orjers to wait for two gen’lemen w’ot’s comin’ from Sheecargo, Mister Crane an’ Mister Reynolds, an’ I must wait.” The latter part of this was delivered in louder tones than usual, as his keen eyes discovered our two heroes issuing from the exit, carrying their grip-sacks, and dressed in a somewhat more civilized garb than when we last saw them; a short stay in Chicago having enabled them to replenish their wardrobes. Their names being thus loudly and publicly mentioned could but attract their attention and as it was their wish to ride to the hotel which Jake had selected, they naturally turned to the only carriage in sight. The fact that their arrival was expected gave instant being to those innate suspicions which
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at : The Boy Vigilantes. 19 necessarily lurk in the bosom of every dweller upon the plains. Constant watchfulness and a brain ever on the alert, are the only safeguards that a man has in that wild and lawless region. But on this occasion it was best to grasp both horns of the dilemma, and boldly advance to- ward the solution of the mystery which thus abruptly and unexpectedly confronted them. Jake, the usual ‘spokesman, addressed the man: ‘My friend, I understood you to say, an in- stant ago, that you awaited the arrival of Messrs. Reynolds and Crane. ‘How did you happen to expect us, and who sent you here to meet the train?” “T thought you was the gents, when I see yer a-comin’ out er ther deepo,” obsequiously returned the driver, touching the brim of his dripping bat, and walking to the shelter of the overbanging roof with the friends. “Cap'n, here’s a note that'll explain every- thin’, 1 guess; an’if you'll read it ’cordin’ to my notion, you'll find that it’s all O. K. ker- rect.” A few moments sufficed for the perusal of the short document. It purported to be from the chief of deteo- tives and stated that the man who bad been burnt in the stagecoach accident had tele- graphed details and of the departure of the two friends. One of his men in Chicago had notified him of their arrival there and the train they had taken east; and the driver of the cab was one of his trustiest men, who bad instructions to drivé them to his house immediately. The whule business looked a little ‘‘fishy;” but after deliberating and consulting a moment the two comrades decided to risk it and brave any dangers that might present themselves, as they, together, had confronted many another, in the valleys and on the pine-clad uplands of the Centennial State. So, jumping into the cab, the door of which was held wide open by ‘‘ Cabby,” they rattled off at a great pace, splashing through the pools of rain-water that lay in the roadway at a gait that proved that the ‘‘Chief” was as good 4@ judge of korseflesh as he was of men, The drive seemed almost interminable to the more restless Tom; but Jake, more familiar with New York distances, took the matter more philosophically. He was, however, getting somewhat impa- tient, particularly as be did not recognize the locality through which they were now driving. Lowering the window on his side, he was about to ask the driver where they were and how much further they had to go, when the cab drew up to the curb and stopped. At the noise of the wheels grating against the curb, the door of the house in front of which they had stopped opened, and an cflicer in uni- form came down the steps, bis brass buttons glistening in the dim rays of a street lamp, which stood at the corner hard by. He opened the door of the cab, and touching his cap, addressed the inmates by name, adding that the chief was in his room up-stairs, and would be pleased to seem them immediately, The two jumped out, the cab-door was slam- med, and as the horse moved off under direc- tion of the driver, they followed the officer into the house, past an angle in the hall. As they turned, with a suddenness which was as unexpected as it was rapid, a blow descend- ed onto the bead of each of the two boys, erush- ing Tom to the floor and causing Jake to reel and fall against the banister, which alone sup- ported bim, for he was insensible. They had fallen into the trap which had been set for them, and were in the handsof a foe who was as cold and pitiless as the salt sea which now surrounded the cabin where Mary Crane awaited the death prepared for ber! The villain triumphed, while the boy and girt seemed doomed to a certain death! CHAPTER XXI. ONE SOLITARY MATCH. TaxE that carrion to the top room,” order- ed a cold, sneering voice which, repressed as it was, still scarce concealed the exultation in itg tones, “TJ will attend to them whenI return—and now, Job, come; we will go and see if my tender Mary has yet relented;” and turning, without a second look at the boys, he strode off, followed by his evil spirit. 3 His minions, following his orders, lifted the lifeless bodies of the lads, without knowing and, indeed, without much caring whether the tre- mendous blows that they had received, had killed them, or merely rendered them uncon- scious of what was passing. : Step by step they mounted Hight after flight of the rickety stairs which led to the upper stories, until, finally, they reached the top floor. Here they paused, and one of their number, taking from bis pocket a huge key, unlocked a door which gave access to one of the rooms in the rear of the building, and the rest, following him into the room, flung their burdens down on a pile of gunny sacks in one corner, | A last glance, by the light of a dim lantern showed them still breathing stertorously and oblivious to all their surroundings. The door swung heavily on its binges and banged with a loud clang as it was closed; the key grated harshly in the lock as the bolt shot into its socket, and then the footsteps descend- ing the stairs sounded fainter and fainter, gradually dying away in the distance. At length, after some little time bad passed, a louder sigh than usual fell upon the air, and soon Jake rose up on bis elbow, with some diffi- culty, for he was still dizzy from the shock, and looked around in vain endeavor to pierce the gloom. 2 But without success, for not even a glimmer of light showed in which direction tho windows lay, if windows, indeed, there were. He feared to move, not knowing but that he might be precipitated down some pitfall or trap prepared for them. e therefore laid back and endeavored to col- lect bis thoughts, Soon all came back to him as one recalls the dim memories of a dream and all was plain. The recollection of how he had been trapped stung him as would the barbed arrow of one of Sr a ees em te PETES Se Sy eee ene ered
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the red warriors of the plains, and he started to his feet with a spring, his strength fully re- stored. The thought of any danger that might befall him was forgotten, and bis only idea was escape and revenge. And Tom! where was he? The heavy breathing of some one near caught his attention, and sinking to his knees, he cau- tiously felt his way in the direction of the sound, Suddenly his hand encountered the face of a man, and he started back, fearful lest it might be one of his guards. But no movement on the part of the sleeper denoted that be had been disturbed, and Jake resumed his investigations. The first object’ his hand encountered estab- lished the sleeper’s identity beyond question, for Tom wore in the folds of the heavy silk handkerchief which served as a scarf, a pecu- liarly-shaped bit of silver ore, which his pick had encountered one day while on a prospecting tour in the Gunnison region, A whole weight was lifted from Jake’s breast by this discovery, and as he could hear no fur- ther signs of human presence in the room, he concluded that they were entirely alone, Laying his hand on Tom’s shoulder, he shook him heavily, but succeeded in awakening no re- sponse. Another fear then overcame him—a fear that the assassins, whoever they might be, had mor- tally wounded his friend with their sand-bag blows, But how to discover tbis; how learn their whereabouts, and bow aid his friend? These were the three questions which stared the boy in the face, and seemed to him as mo- mentous as any that had ever confronted him, even during the most perilous hours of bis Western career. The first wish was for light, and this, happily, he was not long in procuring, as he bad a smail box of wax tapers in his pocket, purchased for “ Pure Charity’s sake,” from a poor girl in Chi- cago, he having given her fifty cents for them, and asked no change. Truly he had cast his bread on the waters, and it had returned to bim before many days. To think was to act, and he felt in bis pocket for the box, which he soon found and opened, It contained but one match! This was a terrible sheck to him, for of what avail would the tiny flicker prove, in view of all that depended upon it? , For many minutes he hesitated, and, finally, when he essayed to strike the spark his fingers trembled so that, from very eagerness, they could scarce perform their office. Atlength he nerved himself and with a bold effort struck, strongly and surely, when there was a slight snap and fizz and the little beacon, which pointed out hope, and perhaps liberty, burst into flame. A hasty glance around, and an exclamation of joy reached his lips, but was quickly sup- pressed for fear of listeners, “An exclamation of joy,” for, lying almost at his very feet was a piece of candle, which, having probably grown too short for the lan- The Boy Vigilantes. tern in which it had been used, had been thrown out and replaced by another and longer piece, The wick spluttered and fora moment refused to burn, when, just at the instant when the taper fell from the scorched fingers of the lad, it glimmered into a tiny flame and then burned steadily. His first thought was of Tom. Placing the candle carefully on the floor and in such a position that the wind could not reach it, Jake went to the window, and opening it, held bis handkerchief outside until the rain had saturated it thoroughly. He then returned to bis comrade and placed the cold cloth on his forehead, The effect was instantaneous, Tom roused bimself and regained his senses in a moment, ‘Well, old boy,” he said in something of bis old manner, though weak, and smiling faintly, ‘were in a box, ain’t we? A little more water, Jake, and I'll be all right.” The clock in some distant steeple rung out two booming strokes as they talked, and, the rain having gradually ceased, the stars began to shine out and the moon from timo’ to time peep- ed through the clouds. The lads bad thoroughly examined every nook and cranny of the room in which they were confined, and found no means of exit save the door, which was securely locked on the outside. There were two windows, but the distance to the street below was frightful, they being in the sixth story. But evidently, if they were to escape, it must be through these windows, yet the mere idea seemed madness, for how could they possibly reach the ground! Yet these lads were as full of ideas as their veins of the bounding blood of youth, and they merely awaited that the moon should give a lit- tle more light before putiing their plan into ex- ecution. And soon the moment of action cama The boys had passed some time in tearing into strips, and braiding some of the gunny sacks onto which they had been so rudely thrown and now had a stout cord ten or fifteen feet inlength. This cord Jake took and, wrapping it around his body, tied it firmly. Their little morsel of candle had long since died out, the room being now lighted only by the faint rays that cume into the windows from moon and stars, And with a silent prayer Tom, standing erect on the sill of the window, grasped the inside of the frame firmly and whispered to Jake: “ Ready !” CHAPTER XXII. *‘~WIXT HEAVEN AND EARTH! THE room in which the boys were confined was next to the roof, and it might have been practicable to remove some of the shingles and thus escape, had any tools been at band. At the word from Tom, Jake, climbing to the sill, leaned on his comrade’s shoulder, and, for . moment, peered down into the darkness be- OW. a»
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The Boy Vigilantes. 21 a, The distance was terrible, and the thought that the slightest trembling of the nerves, the least weakening of the muscles, would pre- cipitate him headlong, caused hit to hesitate, and with a shudder, draw back. But the innate bravery of the lad reasserted itself, and cautiously and carefully he began to climb up on to Tom's shoulders, the latter bracing himself with a grip so powerful, that it seemed as if his fingers would sink into the wood they grasped. ; Slowly and cautiously, as one knowing that the most trifling false move would end in his being dashed beyond all semblance of humanity on the pavement below, Jack climbed the human ladder that led to freedom and liberty. Tom stood like a rock, and, aided by the stone casing of the window, Jake at length stood erect, with one foot on each the broad shoulders of his support, clinging like a fly to. the frail and slippery support in front of him. Then, as carefully as a man ip a strauge place gropes his way in pitehy darkness, cling- ing with one hand, he raised the other high above his head, and outward where the tin gutter that caught the rain, hung above him. He grasped it, and, with-a faint exclamation of fear, a slight ejaculation of hope that the frail support might hold, he swung off into the air, grasping, as he did so, the edge with his other hand, 5 The metal creaked and bent with his weight, and there was an ominous crack, as if the whole construction were about to give way und burl bim into the street below. But it held, and condensing all of bis strength in his arms, he endeavored to draw himself up, but the nervous tension had been too great, and the terrible exhaustion wh‘ch succeeds a severe nervous strain was upon him. Once, twice, thrice he essayed to raise himself and each time dropped back: to arm’s-length, weaker after each effort. The cruel tin cut deep into the flesh, and his fingers became drawn, and torn, and bleeding and nerveless. It seemed but a question of seconds, now, and the boy pictured to himself, with all the quickness of an electric flash, bis body whirling through tho air and dashed beyond all semblance of humanity on the stones below. Just as he was about to unclasp his fingers, having closed his eyes with a sickening feeling of borror at the cruel fate that was about to overtake him, ''om’s cheery voice rung vut, all thought of listeners or any other danger than the confronting one being lost in this supreme moment of life and death: “Place your foot on my hand, Jake, and one more effort for Mary and vengeance!” And swinging bimself far out of the window, he placed his broad palm under the boy’s sw ing- ing foot, Like a galvanic shock the words roused Jake to new lifeand strength, and with one herculean effort, aided by a mighty push from the young giant beneath, he threw his breast over the edge of the gutter and then easily wriggled onto the roof, It was 8 narrow escape, and Jake lay prone and half-unconscious, hardly yet recovered from the frightful scene his mind’s eye had pictured to him, scarce ten seconds before, But this was no time for weakness, and Jake was soon on his feet, and prepared to act his part in the life dramain which he was soimportant a character. Uncoiling the cord from his waist, he looked about him for something to which to fasten it, Close by him rosea chimney which, thongh not very targe in circumference, was just what he wanted. Securely fastening one end about this, he leaned over the edge and dropped the other to Tom, who, still standing on the window-sill, awaited his further movements in silence, yet with that intense anxiety which naturally over- came him at this desperate moment. As the end of the cord swung down, he grasped it, and without an instant’s hesitation, swung cff into the air and began to climb, band over hand, the short space which separated him from the gutter. As be drew himself up there was a crunching and a grinding sound, and looking, he saw that the sharp, jagged edges of the tin were cutting through the strands of the frail cord which held him, as the biting saw eats into the fiber of the wood, But with one lift he reached the top, and as his right hand grasped the edge of the gutter, the cord, still grasped in his left hand, parted, and left him swinging by one arm alone. But this was a small matter for such a pow- erful fellow as was Tom Reynolds, and drawing himself up, he swung onto the roof as lightly as an athlete pulls himself over the bar on which he is performing. Ths building on the roof of which they stood, was on the corner, and was separated from the other warehouses on the same street, by a nar- row alley, just sufficient for the passage of one wagon at a time. This alley or passageway, used by drivers wishing to load or unload at the side-door, was from eight to ten feet wide. On terra firma, and under ordinary cireum- stances, this would not be much of a leap, yet to make it in the dark, from the roof of one six-story building to another, requires extraor- dinary nerve, particularly when the jump must be made under the deceitful light of the moon and stars. Yet this was the only means of escape that presented itself, for they dared not break through the skylight, and descending the stairs, force their way out through the mob below. For they possessed no weapons, the pistols that they had wornin the West, and which, paring their journey, they bad carried in their sachels, still remained in them, and were be- nae in the hands of the men who had attacked them. Thinking of this, Jake turned up the collar of his coat and felt underneath, and a sigh of relief escaped him as he felt the little bundle of bank- notes that he had secreted there, And then the two prepared for the leap, which was, indeed, a veritable ‘‘ Leap for Life.” The leader in this, as in all other enterprises,
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Jake, stepped back a few paces, judging the distance as well as he could, and taking a few, well-measured steps on the run, jumped. The building on the other side was a little lower than the one on which they were stand- ing, and covered with a composite roof of ravel and tar, and on this surface the boy anded as lightly and as softly as if it had been covered with the green sward of his western prairies. But not so Tom, Hurling himself through the air as if flung from a catapult, be shot onto the roof, “‘ all of a heap,” and plowing up tbe gravel with nose, hands and kuees, looked, as Jake put it, “likea gravel-pit struck by a cyclone.” This little incident brought out a hearty laugh, and as Tom gathered himself together, the two boys were in better spirits than they had been since they had reached the city the evening before. The long row of buildings now stretched an unbroken expanse of roofs before them and they hurried along, looking for some means of reach- ing the ground, This was soon found in the shaft of an iron fire-escape, consisting of a series of balconies and ladders, and again using the cord, or what was left of it, they succeeded in reaching the upper balcony, in descending the ladders, in arriving at the wet sidewalk and proceeding up the street without further incident. Hurrying along, Jake noting the name of the street on a lamp, for future reference, they were soon cheered by the sight of an all-night restaurant, where they were soon seated before a substantial meal, being well-nigh famished, talking over their adventures in a low tone and laying their plans for the morrow. CHAPTER XXIII. AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE. On the day following these events, three per- sons were seated in a small office in one of the buildings on lower Broadway, in a deep and earnest vonversation, They were the two boys, who, entirely re- stored by a pe meal and long sleep, showed but few traces of the narrow escapes they had recently had, The third wasa man well on in the forties, who would be remarked wherever he went, so commanding was his aspect, so keen his eye, so magnificently developed his figure. The mysterious document which had fallen into Jake’s bands, had some time before been carefully examined and now one of the chief’s best men was down among the shipping, look- ing for a clew to the mysterious ‘Sand Lake.” The word ‘spile” in the cryptogram led the chief to infer that reference was had to some point along the sea-shore, but search the map as they would, no such place as,‘*Sand Lake” could be discovered. Suddenly the detective sprung to his feet with an exclamation which sounded very much like a suppressed oath. “What a fool | am!” he cried. ‘ Here we are wasting prccious time, while we might be acting, . ‘ The Boy Vigilantes. “Tf, as I believe, this ‘Sand Lake’ is a small village somewhere in the vicinity, the Post- Office Guide will tell its whereabouts.” And grasping the book he turned over the leaves so rapidly that there seemed danger of tearing them from the binding. In a moment he had found it and located the place on the map, although it was not given on the chart, the hamlet baving sprung into exist- ence very lately, or not being thought worthy of mention, But what they had discovered was sufficient, and the three, seizing their hats, started down the stairs, three at a time, the Chief appearing as eager as the boys in bis haste, Tom, the awkward, flew out of the door like a tornado, and collided, as he reached the side- walk, with a seafaring man, whom, bulky as he was, he nearly knocked off his feet. At sight of him the Chief plopped short, and called to the two boys to wait; but it was only with great difficulty that he could persuade them to do so. Grumbling at what they thought unnecessary delay, the boys remounted the stairs and enter- ed the private office, The door being locked the sailor removed his cap, and with 1t his wig, when the two lads stood open-mouth with astonishment. Could this rough-looking sailor be the same elegant, refined, stylish-looking gentleman whom they had met that mornivg, and who had been detailed to visit the sbipping and obtain the desired information? Yet it was and his news was most important; for they learned the surroundings of the place “two miles south from Sand Lake,” and that it was inaccessible from the land side. And further, they learned that this ‘‘ house on stilts,” as it was called by the oystermen and fishermen, bore no savory reputation, and that anything that transpired there must necessarily be of a dark and bloody nature. The Chief just then recalled an important engagement that would prevent bis joining the expedition, but desired his subordinate to attend the boys and place himself entirely under their direction, while acting as their guide, Then arming Jake and Tom froma perfect arsenal of weapons, which was contained in an adjoining room, he gave each a hearty shake of the band and bade them ‘‘ God-speed.” Arrived at the train which was to bear them to the south shore of Long Island, they were quickly aboard, bound for a station where they could procure boats and sail to the ‘‘ Wreckers’ Hut,” as it was sometimes called. The time dragged heavily, yet they at length arrived, and burrying to the wharf, succeeded, with the aid of the detective, who seemed a veritable tar, so fluently did he speak the slang of the sea, in hiring a sluop which, if she was not very pretty, gave promise of speed. In the language of her skipper: aes as humly as an old shoe; but she can But the breeze—the breeze! Would the wind never spring up and enable them to get to this accursed spot where the detective, in the con- versation of the morning, had said that the girl must be confined?
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The Boy Vigilantes. 23 At length aline on the water far in thesouth- west showed that wind was coming, and soon the sail was up, the jib hoisted, and as the wind caught the canvas, the Emma keeled gently over and fell off on her course, due east. The few miles that lay between Blankport and the cabin where King Cole was wont to hide bis - villainies were half traversed, when, lying in an inlet, was seen a trim-builf yacht, of small size, and capable of being managed by two men, ‘¢ Purty smart sloop,” remarked the skipper. ** Belongs to Mr. Cole Crane of New Yor—” “ What!” almost shrieked Jake, while he and es sprung to their feet, the detective being be- ow. ‘Run alongside, or, rather, heave-to. Dvea word to say to that gentleman; come, Tom,” And as the boat’s head came around into the wind and, her jib being let go with a run, she lay, with her sails flattering, the boys jumped into the dinkey which towed astern, There was not a sign of life aboard the little vessel, and for a moment, Jake’s hears failed him, as he thought that she might be deserted; but he was soon re-assured by seeing the row- boat belonging to her, float alongside. Quietly the little boat drifted up to her side and quietly Jake sprung on deck and, a revol- ver in each hand, hurried to the door of the lit- tle cabin, which opened from the cock-pit, and contained two berths. Each contained e sleeping man, and as Tom joined him, the Jad leaped like the cougar on A prey, upon tho occupant of the starboard unk, In a moment the struggle was over and the two men lay helpless under Tom’s revolvers, while Jake, returning with some ropes he ha picked up on deck, securely bound them until they resembled logs more than men. Leaving Tom on board, Jake rowed back to the Emma, and, informing the skipper that he had met friends on board the “‘ Crest,” as the yacht was called, dismissed him with a hand- some fee and bade him return to Blankport, as- suring the detective that be would see him either that evening or the following day at the main office. And returning to the “Crest,” he and Tom got the sails up, and as the ‘‘ Ella” beat her way against the wind to her haven, the little yacht lew, With a favoring breeze, toward the ‘House on Stilts.” CHAPTER XXIV. RESCUED! JAKE and Tom paid not the slightest atten- tion to the two men who were groaning and | cursing in the cabin; but while the former managed the helm the latter kept a sharp look- out aheid with the jib-halliards in readiness to let go at a moment’s notice, The evening was coming down and through the twilight objects on shore loomed indistinct and half-seen, as one seesa ship sailing by in a heavy fog. Suddenly, gloomy and weird, raising itself aloft like some gaunt skeleton through the dank mist which was rising from the marshes as the cold sea came in contact with the warmer land. loomed the outlines of a building which seemed to be the one of which they were in search, and at Tom’s hail, the boat was brought up and the anchor dropped. Jake had skirted as near the shore as he dared and had run into every bay that he came to, and now the “Crest” lay rocking on the smooth waters of a little harbor, the mysterious mansion lying a quarter of a mile or so inland, The fact that Cole Crane and bis companion were in the vicinity, confirmed Jake’s belief that bis sister was confined in the house, so after once more carefully examining the ropes which bound their prisoners, the lads again leaped into the row-boat and pushed off, Tom handling the oars. Urged by his powerful strokes the little craft fairly sprung tbrough the water, while Jake leaned far over the bow, peering eagerly at the building for some signs of life or human pres- ence. But what was this that he saw glimmering through the darkness that seemed like some ghostly inhabitant of the dwelling, who, stand- ing on the water, apparently, awaited the com- ing of the visitors? Baden: as the mist for a moment lifted and spread, he saw, in all its cruel nakedness, the horrid crime that had been perpetrated. It was yet too far to the house to distinguisk the features of the figure, yet his heart and his fears told him that it was his sister. At the sight he for the moment became a& raving maniac, and had Cole Crane been just then under the boy’s hands, the latter would have spared a second to beat the life out of the cur, e’en though his sister was perishing before his eyes. “Oh, God, Tom,” he groaned, in a hoarse, strained voice, that was so unnatural that Rey- nolds was startled beyond measure, “Pull, for Christ’s sake, pull, and save my sister!” The broad chest heaved, the veins in his tem- ples stood out like whip-cords, and as Tom threw his weight onto the ashen sculls, the boat leaped ea of the water and sprung forward like a tor- nado, Another stroke, and then another, and at the third the oar in his right hand broke short off at the thole-pin, while Tom fell back with a ery of despair. Yet those three mighty strokes had done their work, and as the oar snapped, Jake, standing in the bow, leaped into the water, and, half-walk- ing, half-swimming, knife in hand, reached bis sister’s side, cut the thongs that bound her, and lifted ber high in the air, just as a tiny wave came lapping up against her fresh young lips, Three seconds more and they ey have been too late! In a moment Tom was by Jake’s side, the Jat- ter standing shoulder-deep in the water, and the young girl was carefully laid in the stern- sheets, wrapped in Tom’s coat, where she lay, ha)f-unconscious, As the strong young arms of her brother had lifted her far beyond the reach of the clutching ocean, she had half-opened her eyes and reco nizing her brother, had closed them again, while a look of ineffable content stole over her face,
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24 Tho Boy Vigilantes. as she realized that she was in his arms, There wasa spare oar in the boat, and the “Crest” was soon reached, the girl lifted om board, and, the two men being yanked out with as little ceremony as if they had been chunks of wood, Mary was placed in the cabin, and alittle fictitious strength being given her by a mouth. ful of brandy, she was able to remove her wet clothing and crawl] beneath the blankets, There, overcome by the terror and mortal peril of the past few hours, and by the long im- mersion in the water, she fell into a deep slum- ber, which was the best physic her frazile frame could receive. For a few moments her slumbers were broken, and she started upin terror as she saw, in im- agination, the ingulfing waters creeping toward her; but Jake was always there, and petted and soothed ber into quiet, until finally, as the stim- ulant she had taken began to make itself felt, and the warmth of the blankets stole through her chilled frame, she slept, turning over with a sigh of content as she fully realized her safety. Carefully arranging the fire in the little stove, that it might burn for some time, Jake, quietly closing the cabin door, rejoined Tom, who was sitting in the cock-pit, occasionally giving vent to his rage by administering a con kick in the ribs now of Crane now of ob. Jake came out, stern and forbidding in as- ct. The events of the past few hours had aged him more than years of tranquil ease would have done, and he was now a Man; the boy had passed away forever, He was more than ever fit to command and Tom was struck by the change in his friend’s manner, which, however, he could but admire, In a few words he directed Tom what to do, The night was yet quiet save for the soft wind which was yet blowing from the south- west, but far in the horizon lay a long black cloud, whieh foreboded a storm before the morning. Although there was no indication of present danger, the boys—for such still théy were in years—hove the other anchor overboard to pre- vent any possibility of the vessel dragging. She had by this time swung bowson to shore, showing that the tide had turned, and wes now running out, and both Jake and Tom shuddered to think what the cold, glassy waters would now be leaving uncovered had they not arrived in time. The sails haying been lowered and all made snug, the two men, King Cole and Job Yarton, were lowered into the boat, and Tom and Jake ushed off from the side of the yacht, which ay gently rocking on the sheltered waters of the little bay. And the breeze sung a lullaby as it murmured through the rigging, while Mary slept sweetly on, saved from the fangs of the wolves who would have wrought her death, oe CHAPTER XXV. RETRIBUTION. Oncr more King Cole returned to the scene of his former deviltries, but under what dif- ferent auspices from his former visits! Then he was the “monarch of all he sur- veyed,” and now there was ‘‘ none so poor as to do him reverence,” Did he think of the oar-beats that had ticked out the seconds that beat the gir’s life into eter- nity, as he had last rowed away? r did the thought strike him that these tauds * of the ash against the wooden pins were mark- ing time for his march to death! hatever his thoughts, he kept them to him- self; and, indeed, since their capture, neither he nor Job bad uttered one word, and their coun- tenances were as impassive as if they were totally unconcerned in what was passing. Arrived at the raised dwelling, Jake passed the painter around one of the spiles and then pushing the boat around came alongside that upright which was mentioned in the cipher writing. After alittle search he discovered a_piece let into the side, which he pried out with his knife, disclosing a small cavity cut in the spile. _In this were two packages, carefully tied upin oiled-silk, and these Jake placed carefully in the bosom of bis shirt, Then turning about, he addressed Cole Crane, “You are now about to suffer the punish- ment you merit, for the many crimes you have committed, : ‘You destroyed my mother’s happiness and broke her heart by basely maligning my father —as true and faithful a husband as ever stood before altar. “You murdered my father in the Louisiana swamps, and only withheld your fire from me because you thought that I would soon die of starvation, “You abducted my sister, fearing lest she might some day find a protector who investiga- ting her affairs would discover your forgeries and how you were enjoying my father’s wealth, which rightfully belonged to his children. “You caused me to believe that sister dead. “You organized a band of stage robbers, in the West and added to your Eastern crimes by ig atrocities which surpassed them in cruelty. “You plotted through your tool Gustin, to assassinate me, and placed his reward in one of these packeges”—touching his breast— “‘marked with his name, “ And finally, oh, cruel crime, worthy of the most barbarous nation on earth! you exposed my sister—that fair child—to a torturing, lin- gering death, for what reason I know not, unless it was that she would not aid and abet you in your wicked schemes, “‘ And for this you shall die! “Die as you condemned my sister to die, in the cold and clammy embrace of the sea, ‘“You know what to expect—prepare!” And then the innate cowardice of the villain broke forth in cries and supplications, in prayers and entreaties. Begging Harry, as he called Jake, to remem-
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—+— The Boy Vigilantes. 26 Aen ber that he was his father’s brother; begging him to sbut him up in a narrow cell for life. Begging him to take his all, but only spare ae his existence, and appealing to Tom to save im. But Jake was inexorable as fate and Tom had no sympathy for such cowardice, And soon the shrieking man was bound to the same spile that had held Mary in its vicious em- brace, with his head just high enough to receive the last waters of the incoming tide. And with Job siill lying in the bottom of the boat, the two comrades returned to the yacht, the sbrieks and cries and entreaties and curses of the bound man following them fainter and more faintly, until finally they died out in the distance. y Leaving Blankport on their lee-bow, Jake stood on until he reached a harbor a few miles to the eastward, and bringing the craft skillfully ap to the dock, which was now deserted, he capped on the door and awakened his sister, who was completely restored. The refreshing sleep had done wonders for her, yet she was too tired to ask questions, and willingly took Tom’s arm to walk to the hotel near by, as Jake requested, while the latter re- mained on board, As soon as Tom and Mary were beyond ear- shot, Jake, stooping, cut the cords that bound Job and bade bim rise. After a few efforts the latter, chafing his wrists and ankles to restore the interrupted cir- culation, stood up, and in a gruff and uncom- promisi ng voice growled: “Well!” “You heard what I said to Crane, and saw the punishment I meted out to him, and proba- bly expected the same fate, ‘In sparing you, I had an object. “Blood is thicker than water, and I cannot punish my own uncle as 1 would a stranger, no matter what his crimes. “T have so timed things that you can easily reach and release him; he has had his lesson by this time. “Take the Crest and do so; but say to him that within a week he must leave America, never to return, or he will be arrested and tried for murder, and there are plenty of proofs that will convict him, ‘“‘T know that he has ample means for you both; if it will do him any good to know i, 1, for my sister and myself, forgive him. * As for you—well, you are his tool, and not entirely responsible, “c Go!” And leaping ashore, Jake disappeared in the direction of the hotel, having cast off the bow- nee and allowed the sloop to pay off before the wind. Beating up bravely against the wind, which freshened every moment, the little “Crest” staggered steadily on and at just about half- ree tide arrived opposite the ‘“‘House on ilts, The little bay was sheltered from the wind and waves in every direction except due south and from that quarter the gale was blowing with tremendous violence, sending the waves rolling high’on shore and making their influence felt far up the inlet where King Cole was fastened to the spile. It was with the utmost difficulty that Job got the “Crest” head to the wind and then, leaping forward, he let go his anchor and let go all the halliards with a run. Then, faithful to bis master, he leaped into the little boat which rocked dangerously, and set out to the rescue of King Cole. As he came in view of the latter the sight was 8 pitiful one, for the salt spray came sing- ing on the wings of the wind, stinging his face like the lash of a thousand whips, while his mouth, his eyes, his nostrils were burning and scorching beneath the briny shower. Half unconscious as he was he would have fallen but for the bonds which supported him, AsJob came to him and, leaning over, cut these cords, Crane dropped like a dead man into his arms and lay across the gunwale of the boat an inert mass, And as the little craft swung further under the shelter of the building there was a lull in the storm, and then, yelling and screeching with a thousand-fold force the tornado burst, and striking the edifice, carried it to the water as if it had been built of cards, Beneath the jagged and mangling timbers the two companions in evil were crushed and ground beyond all buman semblance, and the waters rising high, swept away every vestige of habi- tation from the spot—of the “Crest,” not a trace was to be seen. King Cole had expiated his crimes at last! ; EPILOGUE. On returning to the city, the lads found that the house where they had been confined had been raided, and all of the inmates captured. No. 666 Sixth avenue had also been visited, but nothing of importance found there; it being Crane’s private apartment, where he acted the gentleman of means. The papers found by Jake in the spile proved beyond question the right of himself and his sister to ihe vast inheritance left by their father, and which Cole Crane had so long enjoyed. Of the latter they never heard a word, so that Jake, or rather Harry Crane, as he must now be called, is to this day ignorant of his fate; which is just as well, as he was partially instru- mental in bringing it about. Harry resigned his share of their mine to Tom, despite the latter’s protests, and the latter be- came comparatively wealthy, and when he asked Mary the all-important question a year afterward, she did not say to him nay; but pro- mised to become Mrs, Reynolds at no very dis- tant day. : Bob—Brierwood—is a thriving merchant in Leadville, having been started by the two boys, and never tires of telling of his duel in the canyon. arry isnot yet married; but rumors come from Paris ‘of a little Californian beauty of whom he is enamored and there may be a wed- ding soon, in which one of the principal charac- ters will be Harry Crane; but whom Miss Frisco insists on calling DETECTIVE JAKE. THE END,
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BEADLE'S POPULAR LIBRARY. Each Issue Complete, Price, Five Cents. This New Library will give only the Best Work of the Best Writers in PopunAR AMERICAN RoMANcE, Each and every issue will be a bright, strong, markedly original work, produced expressly for the series by special order, and wrought up to the highest standard of popular story excellence. Its field will cover the wide scope of Wild West, Border, Mining, Ranching, Detective, Secret Service City and Sea Life, and thus maintain, as a Library, an interest at once varied and commanding. As no inferior or amateur production is admitted to the schedules, so everything of a questionable or vitiating character is studiously excluded. Therefore, with the trade as well as with readers, BEADLK’S Popunar Lierary is certain to win a wide popularity, and become one of the standards in the literature for the people. 1 Dandy Dick, Detective; or, The Still Hnnt at Burnt Match. By Robert Randolph Inman, 2 The Three Spotters; or, Running Down the Rogues. By Marcus H. Waring—‘‘ Sergeant Mark.” 8 Cowboy Chris, the Man of Caliber; or, Hot Times am ‘ete Hole. By Wm. West Wilder—*‘ Wyoming Vill. 4 Dandy Dick’s Double; or, The Severed Head of _. Paradise Pocket. By Robert Randolph Inman. 5 The Street Spotter’s Weird Hunt; or, The Angel of the Doexs. By Mareus H. Waring—‘“Ser- eant Mark.” 6 Mustang Merle, the Boy Rancher; or, Old Joe Bundy's Wipe-out. By Maj. Sam §. Scott. 7 Flip Fred, the Pack-Peddler Prince; or, The Witch of the Black Swamp. By Edward Lytton. 8 Cowboy Chris to the Fore; or, Scourging the Scourge of the San Juan. By Wm. West Wilder. 9 The Three Spotters’ Dead M. Bert of Brick Alley. By Marcus H. Waring— “Sergeant Mark.” 10 Dandy Dick Decoyed; or, The Terrible Tussle at Satan’s Delizht. By Robert Randolph Inman. 11 Rustling Rob, the Tramp’s Protege; or, The Mas- ter of the cedars. By Edward Lytton. 12 Mustang Merle’s Mine; or, Dolores Dick and Pard. By Maj, Sam. 8S. Scott. 18 The Three Spotters’ Duel in the Dark; or, The Thugs and Trailers of Gotham. By Marcus H. Waring—** Sergeant Mark.” 14 Cowboy Chris in Cinnabar; or, The Battle of the Blue J eans. By Wm. West Wilder,—‘* Wyoming Will.’ 15 Lightning Le>, the Behind-the-Scenes Detective; or, Tha Square Sport’s Secret Trust. By Red- mond Blake. . 16 Dandy Diex’s Decoy; or, The Rousing Time at Rongh-and-Tumble, By Robert R. Inman. 17 Billy Bub, the Double Prize Detective; or, Old Arsenic’s Secret. By Edward Lytton, 18 Mustang Merle’s Merciless Foe; or, The Accursed Brand. By Maj. Sam 8S. Scott. 19 The Three Spotters’ Hot Heat: or, Running Down the Red-Handed Sport. By M. H. Waring. 20 Cowboy Chris, the Desert Centaur; or, Hawking for the Human Hawk, By William West Wilder 2t Lightning Leo’s Luck; or, The Rats of the River By Redmond Blake. 22 Dandy Dick's Dead-lock; or, The Last Round at Nip-’n’-Tuck. By Robert Randolph Inman. 23 Lion Hears Lee, the Lakeside Detective; or, Saved by the Skin of his Teeth. By F. Fort. 24 Bullion Bret, the Giant Grip; or, The Ruction at Git-Thar. By Edward Lytton. 25 The Three Spotters’ Convict Client; or, A Dead Man’s Device. By Marcus H. Waring. ystery; or, Blonde | ' | 26 Mustang Merle’s Mandate; or, Wiping Out the War Saddles. By Maj. Sam §. Scott. 27 Detective Frank's Full Flush; or, Dodger against Dodger. By Charles Morris, 28 Dandy Dick’s Defense; or, The Invisible Seven of Imperial City. By Robert R. Inman. 29 The Detective Quartet; or, Suicide, Murder, or Accident? By T. W. King. 80 Cowboy Chris, the Vengeance Volunteer; or, The Death Hunt Pards. By Wm. Wess Wilder— “ Wyoming Will.” 81 Poor-House Pete, the Postal-Clerk Detective; or, The Precious Patrimony. By Edward Lytton. 82 Prince Philip, the Camp Spy; or, The Thugs of Triple Butte. By Albert Cecil Gaines. 38 ee Dan, the Sidewalk Prince. By Charles Morris. 34 Dandy Dick’s Dragnet; or, Seining the Invisible Six. By Robert Randolph Inman, 35 Lion-Heart Lee’s Lottery; or, The Lakeside De- tective’s Life Lay. By Frank Fort 36 Mustang Merle’s Fight for Life; or, Captain Silver Belt’s Oath. By Maj. Sam S. Scott. 37 The Three Spotters’ Last Lay; or, The Neck-and- Neck pea are By Marcus H. Waring. 88 Cowboy Chris’ Last Campaign; or, The Grand Round-up at Robinson’s Ranch. By Wm. West Wilder. 89 Roderick, the Rover; or, The Voyage of Venge- ance. By T. J. Flanagan. 40 Dandy Dick's Desperate Device; or, Prince Rich- ard in Double Guise. By Robert R. Inman. 41 The League of Seven; or Sam Sharp’s First Case By Edward Gaines Burnes. 42 el Merle’s High Harvest; or, The Three Pards’ Grand Wind Up. By Major Sam §. Scott. 43 Jubilee Joe, the Chain-Lightning Detective; or, The Lamb in the Wolf's Den, By Chas. Morris, E. L. Wheeler, J. C. Cowdrick and others. 44 Wild Bill’s Weird Foe; or, The Mystery of Moan- ing Guich. By Wm. West Wilder. 45 Foxy Fred, the Keener; or, Bugging the Sand- bagzer Trio. By Marcus H. Waring. 46 Dandy Dick’s Disciple; or, Jingo Jack, the Boy Nemesis. By Robert Randolph Inman. 4? Lightning Lew, the King of the Secret Service; ee Sam Sharp's Big Score. By Edward Gaines jurnes, 48 Wild Bill’s Sable Pard; or, The Pirates of Peace- ful Pocket, By Wm, West Wilder, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William street, New York,
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‘SHHIVAACSMAN ITV AG AIOS #20909 Di iheasese secs DR em weet r eens seeseres soidop e[suls 00's pace sas Cassese: nts eene reseed sarnre sss ao euo 10g 00°s$ eee eens Ore eee eeenre x Box ouo aoyx soidop OAL OOSTES 2 thorse sere: soeececcevees=* SATO anog a0g $Sozuy Surmoyoy og} 3% peystqng st Apyoo,, souneg oy, —_—_———— 6 ‘quOUIUTe}I0jNE Pu’ Suypeor APFOOM MOA 10} SIOTIO TTB JO Joded om} st4y ‘ornyen Say 4PX9 pre BayyserojUT Som ot} JO Surpvor yBIM ZurMopzeao st sequinu Areao puw yous yey OG ‘oye “oy ‘morer0;dxq a" ‘emyusapy ‘deaq yearn oy} Jo SeLiojg ‘suoMejeAey MOpEYyg pus sAMIa}eq ‘feoUBMIOY 450M PIA PUB Buyaryy ‘Jepiog JO SPley poHva oy} [Te u; suoHonpoud 4seq Alea JJONI ATHEAM, BENNVG AH], 0} O4[3 OYA JO TV NEW YORE. ch Se ISHED yy AMER PUBLISHERS, “ONO ‘SA ‘how SUL “UosnyM “TT uyor ‘yomipnoy “O sso My yunny ‘Wenol) *“M “IV ‘Gugwunyy FT “mpl ‘SINT “Sf pimnpy ‘uly ‘q huoyuy ‘lout "CAT ‘hopymay ‘gq ueg ‘hpog A “WM “UOT ‘unqung 790K. “Ml ‘plofery “] U9 “Selo SLY D) “UpouM "T plonpsy ‘oquuogy way fr4p ‘yinnQwny "DO +I ‘Ling pinfiebung ‘borg “1p ‘webpog gq ydesor ‘nny pio) ‘rouxy uosyone ‘s2u00) 10 ‘UyIy “M 240qF ‘wpypibuy ssyuatT 194000 —ojndei [euoHeU Jo sioyINY SuraMopoy oy} sooviqme—sseysyqnd sj 10J AJOAISNJOXe OFLIA WOT JO |B YSOUTY iSHOLNEIUMLNOO 40 SdHOO CHTVAINNA SLI PAPAL LSS ALS SAPS ES rf i n B S & A
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BEADLE’S PockeT LIBRARY. Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, By E. L. Wheeler. 2 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. 8 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers; or. Deadwood Dick’s De- fiance. By Edward L. Wheeler, 5 The Two Detectives: or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. By Albert W. Aiken, 6 The Prairie Pilot; or, the Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 4% The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes. 9 Ned Wylde, the B y Scout. By ‘‘ Texas Jack.” 10 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol. By E. L. Wheeler, 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 2 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of "76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 18 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper of the En- chanted Ground. By Joseph B. Badger, Jr. 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. By KE. L. Wheeler, 15 Diamond Dirk: or, The Mystery of the Yellow- stone. By Colonel Ll rentiss Ingraham. 16 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes, 1” Orezon Sol, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. By J. F. 0. Adams, : 18 Death-Face, the Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 19 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes. 20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. 21 The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena, By Frank §. Finn, 22 The Phantom Miner; or. Deadwood Dick’s Bo- ,nanza, By Edward L. Wheeler, 23 The Sea-Cat; or The Witch of Darien. By Capt. Fred Whittaker, 24 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes, 25 Rattling Rube; or, The Night Hawks of Ken- tucky. By Harry Sb. George. 26 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, By BE. L. Wheeler. 27 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By J. I’, ©, Adams, 28 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter, By Roger Starbuck, 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt, F. Whittaker, 80 Rob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By Edward L, Wheeler. 81 Nightingale Nat; or, The Forest Captains. By T. CO, Harbaugh. 82 Black John, the Road-Agent; or The Outlaws’ Retreat, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 83 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. By E. L. Wheeler. 34 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. By Geo. B, Lasalle, . 35 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By A, C. Irons. 86 The White Buffalo. By George E. Lasalle. 87 Jim Bludsoe, Jr, the ‘Boy Phenix; or, Through to Death. By Edward L. Wheeler. 88 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. By Captain J. F. . Adams. 39 ees Eye, the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill. 40 Nick Whiffles’s Pet; or, In the Valley of Death, By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams, 41 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Fiaod | Bar. By Bdwand I, Wheeler, 42 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. By Oll Coomes. 43 ent or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. By Harry St. George. 44 The White Indian; or, The Scouts of the Yellow- stone. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 45 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, By Ed: ward L. Wheeler, 46 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 47 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, By W. J. Hamilton. 48 Dandy Jack; or, ‘he Outlaw of the Oregon Trail, By T. C. Harbaugh. 49 Hurricene Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 50 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life, By W. J. Hamilton. 51 Patent - Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake the Charmer, By Philip S, Warne. 52 The Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover, By Buffal> Bi!l. 53 uN eta the Sharpshooter, By Edward L, Wheeler, 54 Old Zip’s Cabin: or, A Greenhorn in the Woods, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 55 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, By Oll Coomes. 56 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger, By W. J. Hamilton. 57 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane. By Edward L, Wheeler. 58 Hawkeye Harry, the Young Trapper. By Oll Coomes. 59 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea Wolf, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 60 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer, By Albert W. Aiken. 61 Corduroy Charlie, tne Boy Bravo, By Edward L. Wheeler, 62 qa Sa pe the Boy Detective. By Charles orris. 63 fe Ginger, the Giant Trapper. By Albert W. ken. 64 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Guleh. By Edward L Whe ler, 65 Lightning Joe the Terror of the Prairie, By Capt J, F.C. Adams. 66 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. Har- baugh. 67 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Ol Coomes. 68 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebub Rob on Hand, By Edward L, Wheeler. 69 Detective Dick; or, Tae Hero in Rags, By Chas, Morris. 70 Sure Shot Seth, tha Boy Rifleman, By Ol Coomes. 71 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless oy. By J. Alexander Patten. 72 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady of San Tropez. By Albert W. Aikeu, 73 Ph tograph Pbil; or, Rosebud Reb’s Reappear- ance By Edward L. Wheeler, 74 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detec- tive. By Charles Morris. 7% Island Jim; or, The Pt ef the Family. By Bracebridge Hemyng (Jack Harkaway). %6 Watch-Hye. the Shadow, By E. L. Wheeler, 7 Dick Dead-Kye, the Boy Smuggler. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 78 Deadwood Dick’s Devie>; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. By E. L. Wheeler, 79 The Black Mustanger; or, The Wild Horse Huns ters. By Captain Mayne Reid. 80 Old Frosty, The Guide. By T. O. Harbaugh, 81 The Sea Viper; or, The idshipman’s Legacy. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, :
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Anes — 8&2 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. By E.S, Ellis. 88 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By E. L. Wheeler. &4 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter. By Captain Frederick Whittaker, 85 The Boy Miners; or, Tne Enchanted Island. By Edward S, Ellis. 86 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 87 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 88 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. Wheeler. 89 Bill Biddon, are r; or, Life in the Northwest. By Edward 8. Ellis. 90 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George Gleason, 91 Mustang Sam, the King of the Plains, By Jos. K. Badger, Jr, 92 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, the Red Pirates of the Caribbees. By Samuel W. Pearce. 93 Phil ok the Boss Bey; or, The Mystery of the Stronghold. By Charles Morris. 94 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 95 Buck Buckram; or, Bess the Female Trapper. By Captain J. F.C. Adams. 96 Gilt-Edge Dick. By Edward L, Wheeler. 97 The Black Steed of the Prairies. By James L. Bowen, 98 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis. 99 Bonanza Bill, the Man Tracker; or, the Secret Twelve. By ir. L. Wheeler. 100 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. By E. §. Ellis, 101 Daring Davy, the Young Bear Killer; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. By Harry St.George. 102 The Yellow Chief; or, The Half-blood’s Ven- geance. By Ca t. Mayne Reid 103 Chip, the GirlSport By E.ward L. Wheeler. 104 The Black Schooner; cr, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. By Roger Starbuck. i 105 Handsome Harry, the Boctblack Detective. By Charles Morris, 106 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. Ly Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 107 Jack Hoyl’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune. By Edward L. Wheeler. 108 Rocky Mountain Kit, the White Mustanger. By T. C. Harbaugh. 109 The Brand+d Hand; or, The Man of Mystery. By Frank Dumont. 110 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. By George W. Browne. 111 Boss Bob, the Ki:.g of Bootblacks, By Edward L. Wherler, 112 The Helpless Hand. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 113 Scar-Faced Saul, the Silent Hunter, By Oll Coomes. 114 Piney Paul, the Mountain Boy. By T. C. Har- augh. 115 Dearwood Dick’s Double: or, The Ghost of Gor- on’s Gulch. By Edward L. Wheeler, 116 Jabez Coffin, Skipper; or, Lost in the Pelar Re- ions. By Capt. F. Whitta: er, 117 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. By “ Buffslo Bill,” 118 Will Wildfire. the Thoroughbred; or, The Win- ning Hand, By Chas. Morris. 119 Blonde Bil: or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, -By Edward L, Wheeler. 120 Gopher Gid, the Boy Trapper, By T, C, Har- baugh, 121 Horry Armstrong, the Captain of the Club, By Bracebridge Hemyng (Jack replete 122 The Haunted Hunter; or, The S'range Horseman of the Prairie. By Edward S. Ellis 123 Bane ny the Boy Road-Agent. By Edward L. eeler, 1% Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy Vigilante. By T. © Harbaugh? z var Ba BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. od 125 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island. By Capt. Mayne Reid, 126 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rocky Bar. By Frank Dumont, 127 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job, By Edward L. Wheeler. 128 Will Wildfire’s Racer; or, Winning Against Odds. By Charles Morris. 129 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes. 130 Gold Trigger, the Sport: or, The Girl Avengers. By T, C. Harbaugh, 131 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler, 182 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 183 Wild-fire, the Boss of the Road, By Frank Du- mont. 134 eerer the Harbor Police Boy. By Chas. orris, 185 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. 136 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt, Hamilton Holmes. 187 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas. By G. Waldo Browne. 128 Bob Rockett, the Boy Dedger. By Chas. Morris. 189 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 140 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road-Agents, By Philip 8S. Warne. 141 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 142 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Oll Coomes. 143 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. E, 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 N: vada; or, the Scamps of the Sierras. ea Edward L. Wheeler. 148 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder of the Rockies. By Harry St. George. 149 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. 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 ngrah um, 152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine, By W. H. Eyster, By Charles 153 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 _ d BT the Border Boy. By T. C. Har. baugh. 158 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane's Last Adventure. By EK. L. Wheeler. 159 Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat; or, The Lady Road-Agent. By Philip 8. Warne, 160 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhack’r; 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 BL, Wheeler. 164 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack from Red Core. By T..C, 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 Daudy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. By George W, Browne, 2
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. 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 Hereules. By Ol Coomes. 172 The Yankee Ranger; or, Dusky Darrell. By Edwin Emerson. 173 Dick Dingle Scout. or, The Frontier Angel. By Edward 8. Bilis. 174 Dandy Rock’s Scheme; or, The Golden Hand. By G. W. Browne. 17%5 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. By Eiward L. Wheeler. 176. Will Wildfire's Pluck; or, The Hidden Hand, By Charles Morris, 177 The es Commander; or, The Maid of Perth. iy 2 Col, Pren'iss Ingraham. 178 The Maniac Hunter; cr, The Mysteries of Night Island, By Burton Saxe, 179 palate Lance; or, The Mystic Marksman, By J. EK. Badger, Jr. 180 The Boy Gold Hunter; or, Navajo Nick’s Scout. By T. C. Harbaugh. 181 The Scapegrace Son. By Charles Morris, 182 The Dark-Skinned Scout; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut. Col. Hazeltine, 183 Jabez Dart, Detective; or, The Hermit Trapper, By Oll Coomes. 184 Featherweight, the Boy Spy. By Ed. Willett. _ 185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince, By Col. Pren- tiss Ingrabam, 186 Dainty Lance and His Pard. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 187 The Trapped Tiger King; or, Dai* Paul's Plot. By Charles Morris. 188 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues. By Edward L. Wheeler. 189 Old Rocky’s Boys; or, Bonito, the Young Mus- tang-Breaker. By Maj. Sam 8. Hall, 190 Sim Simpkins, Scout; or, The Faithful Mountain Mastiff. By James Ti. Bowen, 191 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or. The Mysterious Wolf Rider. By Geo. Waldo Browne. 192 Hickory Harry; or, Roaring Ralph, the Ventrilo- uist. By Harry St. George 198 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator’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 Char'es Morris. 197 Roy, the Young Cattle King; or, The Texan Sport Unmasked. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 198 my Dan’s Mask; or, The Rival Leagues of the Mines, Ry 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, Tho dawks of High Pine. By Wm. R. Eyster. 2 Tom, the Texan Tige ; or, Old Luke’s Luck. By Oll Coomes. 203 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; or, the Boy Ally. By T. ©. 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 Oll Coomes., 209 The Messeanger-Boy Detective; or, The Tables Turned. By CharJes Morris, 210 The Hunchback of the Mines; or, Reckless Ralph, the Road-Agent, By Jos E. Badger, Jr. Aue 211 Little Giant and His Band; or Despard, the Duelist. By P. S. Warne. 212 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado, By E. L, Wheeler. 213 The Pirate’s Prize; or. The My-terious Yankee Schooner. By C. Dunning Clark. 214 Dandy Dave, of Shastn; or, The Frisco Flash o' 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. By Major Sam §. Hall. 218 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim, By Edward L. Wheeler. 119 Buck, the Detective; or, Paul, the Boy Pard. By Albert W. Aiken. 220 Cr ck-Shot Frank; or, Bill Bounce, the Moun- tain Bravo. By Charles Morris. 221 Merle the Middy; or, A Waifofthe Waves. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 222 Rosebud Ben’s Boys; or, The Young Prairie Rangers. By Oll Coomes. 223 Gold Conrad’s Wa'ich-Dogs; or, The Two Pards of Vulture Bar. By T. C. Harbaugh. 2%4 Frisky Fergus, thc New York Boy, By G. L, Aiken. 225 Dick Drew, the Miners Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent. By Edward L. Wheeler. 226 Dakota Dick in Chicago; or, Jack, the Old Tar. ep Charles Morris. 227 Merle, the Boy Cruiser; or, Brandt the Buc- eaneer. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 228 The Preacher Detective; or The Boy Ventrilo- uist. 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. 281 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L, Wheeler. 232 Merle Monte’s Treasure; or, Buccaneer Brandt’s Threat By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 283 Rocky Rover Kit; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail, e Ensign C. D. Warren. 234 Eales, © Miner Chief. By Capt. J. F. GC. ams, 285 Jack Stump’s Cruise; or, The Montpelier’s Muti- neers. By Roger Starbuck. 286 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female De- tectives. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 287 Newsboy Ned, D tective; or Two Philadelphia Gamins. By Charles Morris. A 288 Merle Monte’s Sea-Scraper; or, Little Belt's Droll Disguise. By Col. Prentiss ingraham. 239 Ben’s Big Boom: or, The Boss Miner’s League, by Capt. Mark Wilton. 240 Sharp Shot Mike; or, Colambia Jim onthe War- Path. By Oll Coomes. iy 241 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch. By Edward L. Whee er, 242 The Denver Detective; or, Dainty Dot at Gold Gulch. By T. C. Harbaugh. 248 Dutch Jan’s Dilemma; or, The Mysterious Mountain Monster, By Maj. L. W. Carson, 244 Merle Monte’s Disguise; or, The Capture of Brandt, the Buccaneer. By Col. P. Ingraham. 245 Baldy’s Boy Partner; or, Young Brainerd’s Steam Man. By Edwari§. Ellis. 246 Detective Keen’s Apprentice; or, James Jumper the New York Gamin, By Charles Morris. 27 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise. By Edward L. Wheeler. 248 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 Mer'e Monte’s Pardon; or, The Pirate Chief's Doom. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 261 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, By Edward'Willett,
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY, : : 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, 256 Merle Monte’s Last Cruise; or, The Sea Robber | at Bay. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 257 The Boy Cnief of Rocky Pass; or, The Young California Pards. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 259 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Ol] Coomes, 260 Skit, the Cabin Boy. Ry Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport; or, the Giant of Clear Grit . C. Harbaugh. By Cot. P. ingen ight-House Camp. By’ 262 Billy, the Boy Rover. 263 Buster Bob’s Buoy; or, Lige, the Keeper. By Capt. J. FG. Adams. 264 Denver Doll’s Par'ner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy: or, The Young Railroad 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- ee By Buckskin Sam. 268 e Deadshot Dandy; or, The Rio Grande Marauders. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doli’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss, By E. L. Wheeler. 271 Ebory Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse, By Ol! Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimbie Ned’s Surprise. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 2% Fred, the Ocean Waif; or, The Old Sailor’s Protege. By Charles Morris. 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Ed L. Wheeler. 277 The Liiot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Big Game. By Albert W. Aiken. 278 Arizona Alf, the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot’s Luck. By T. C. Harbaugh. 279 Colorado Jack. the Tiger; or, The Ghost of the Trailer. By Frederick Dewey. 280 Dead Shot Dandy’s Last 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. 288 Roving Sport Kir; or, The Ghost of Chuckaluck Camp. By Edward Willett. 284 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animai Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker, 285 Old Rocky’s Pard; or, Little Ben’s Chase. By Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 287 Ned, the Boy Skipper; or, The Sea Sorceress’ Cruise. By Jack Farragut. 288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport. Bv Edward L. Wheeler. 289 Colorado Nick, the Lass~ist; or, Old Si’s Protege. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 200 Rube, tbe Tenderfoot: cr, the Boys of Torpedo Guich. By Major FE. 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. KE. Badger, Jr. 293 Dwarf Jake, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Man-Hunt. By Edward Willett. f 204 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gola Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Chas. Morris. 296 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horseman Abroad, By Captain ’, Whittaker. d | 326 Roy, the Boy Cruiser; 297 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine- Box City. By Buckskin Sam. 298 Daisy Doll's Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards, = TO. Harbaugh. 299 The Balloon Detectives; or, Jack Slasher’s Young Pard. By Harry Euton. 300 Deadwood Dick's Mission. By E. L. Wheeler, 301 Dandy Duke, the Cowboy. By Major BE. L, St, rain. 802 Big Benson's Bet, By T. C. Harbaugh. 303 Tbe Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. By Charles Morris. : 804 Bald Head’s Pard; or, Creeping Cat’s Cunning, By Buckskin Sam, 805 Dusky Dick’s Duel; or, The Demon’s Trail, By Harry Hazard. 806 Spotter Fr tz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy, By E. L. Wheeler. 807 Nick, the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards, By Major E. cf St. Vrain, ; 808 Double-Fisted Mat; or, The Mystic California Giant. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 809 O.d Graybeard’s Boy; or, The Girl’s Ruse, By C. Dunning Clark, 810 Kit, the Girl Captain; or, The Mad Sailor’s Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 311 Frio Frea in Texas. By Buckskin Sam. 812 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L. Wheeler, 31a Honest Jack’s Protege; or, The Dwarf's Scheme, By Philip 5. Warne 814 Clip the Boy Sheriff; om, The Two Crooks of Montana. By Edward Willett. 015 Tom, the Arizona Sport; or, Howling Hank from Hard Luck. By Major E. L, St. Vrain, u16 The Street Arab Detective; or, Dick Dorgan’s Double Dealing. By Charles Morris. 317 Buckskin Ben of Texas; or, Single Eye’s Plucky Pards, By Buckskin Sam. 318 Colorado Charie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle Kings. By Edward L. Wheeler. 319 Fristy Fran’- in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the Shadower. By Roger Starbuck. = 820 Cool Sam’s Girl Pard; or, Captain Dick and His. T xans. By T. C. Harbaugh. = 821 Billy, the Kid from Frisco; or, Silver Mask’s Clew. By J.C. Cowdrick. rs 322 Fred Flyer, Detective; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck, By Carles Morris. 323 Dead Shot Ike in Montana; or, Hez Helper, the Yankee Pard. By Roger Starbuck. 324 Kit, the Denver Sport: or, The Bonanza Miner King. By Edward L. Wheeler. 325 Dusky Darrell the Camp Detective; cr, The Dandy’s Daring Dash. By Edwin Emerson or, The Water Wolt Wreckers. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 327 Ned, the Roving Miner; or, Arkansaw Jack’s Match. By Harry Hazard. rs 828 Rocky Ben’s Band; ov, Big Pete’s Big Haul. By W. J. Hamilton. 329 Dae, the Colorado Wrestler. By Maj. E. L. St. rain. 830 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom, By Edward L. Whecler. 831 The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shadow- er. By Roger Starbuck. 332 Dakota Dan in Canvon City; or, Colorado Kate’s Check. By Philp S. Warne. 333 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Psrd. By Anthony P. Morris. 334 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. 236 Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp: or, The Boston Wrestler’s Confederate. By Ed. L, Wheeler. #87 Daisy Dave the Colorado Galnot; or, The Boss of Dead Lino City. By T. C, Harbaugh. 838 The Gold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike, the Solid Man, By Major K. L. 8t, Vrain,
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BEADLE’S Pocket LIBRARY. 339 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy; or, Reckless Rolf’s Re- volt. By Wm. G. Patten. 340 Billy Bubble’s Big Score. By Charles Morris, 841 Colorado Steve’s Dash; or, Old Buncomb’s Sure Shot. By Philip 8. Warne, 342 Snap-Shot Sam; or, Ned Norris’s Nettle. By Bueksin Sam. 843 Mike, the Bowery Detective; or, Peleg Prancer of Vesmont. By Edward L. Wheeler. 844 The Drummer Sport. By Edward Willett. 345 Jaques, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain Frisco the Road-Agent. By J. C. Cowdrick. 846 Joe, the Chicago Arab. By Charles Morris.J 347 Middy Herbert’s Prize; or, The Girl Captain’s Revenge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 348 Sharp-Shooter Frank. By Buckskin Sam. 849 Buck the Miner; or, Alf, the Colorado Guide. By Maj. EB. L. St. Vrain. 850 Ned, the Slab City Sport. By Ed. L, Wheeler. 851 Rocky Mountain Joe. By Col, T. H. Monstery. 852 New York Tim; or, The Boss of the Boulevard, By Charles Morris. 853 The Girl Pilot. By Roger Starbuck. 854 Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver. By Maj. St. Vrain. 855 Texas Frank’s Crony; or, The Girl Mustang Rider. By Buckskin Sam. 856 Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler 857 Guy, the Boy Miner. By Col. P. Ingraham. 358 Jersey Joe, the Old Tar. By Mrs. Orin James. 859 Dandy Dick's Dash; or, The Boy Cattle - King, By Oll Comes, 860 Jim’s Big Bonanza; or, Jake Dodd and His Gang. .y W. J. Hamilton, 861 Oregon Phil, the Sport. By Philip S. Warne." $62 Kit, tne Bootblack Detective, By E. L. Wheeler. 863 Tne Ocean Racer; or, Trusty Tom, the Tar, By T. C. Harbaugh. 864 Fritz’s Old Score; or, Sib Cone’s Right Bower. By Ned Buntline. 865 Crack Shot Harry; or, The Masked Rider, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 866 Gold Dust Rock, the Whirlwind of the Mines. By G. Waldo Browne. 867 Fred’s Bold Game. By Paul Bibbs. 868 Jim, the Sport in ee By Ed. L. Wheeler. 369 Captain Blake’s Jonah. By Roger Starbuck, 870 Denver Kit’s Double. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 871 Blue Blazes Dick; or, Danger Doll of Dynamite. By T. OC. Harbaugh. 872 The Sa Cat’s Prize. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, $73 Larry O’Lynn’s Dash. By Joseph F. Henderson, 374 Jim, the Sport’s Bix Boom; or, The Bonanza King’s Rival, By Edward L. Wheeler. 875 Bowery Bob, Detec ive. By Jo Pierce. 876 Buckskin Dick’s Clean Sweep: or, Jonathan Jenks’ Still Hunt. By Col, Acthur I. Holt. 877 Tae Deadwood Sports. By Lieut. S. G. Lansing, 873 Broneo Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 879 Dick, the Stowaway; or, 4 Yankee Boy's Strange Cruise. By Charles Morris, 880 Young Dick Talbot; or, A B-y’s Rough and Tumble Fight from New York to California. By Albert W. Aiken. 881 Dandy Bill’s Doom; or, Deerhunter, the Boy Scout. By Oll Cooms. 882 Wide-Awake George, the Boy Pioneer, Willet. 888 Wild Bill, the Pistol Princes, By Col. Ingraham, 881 Brimstone Bill’s Booty: or, Mariposa Marsh at Dead Man’s Gulch By Joseph E. Badger. Jr. 885 The Boy ‘Tramps; or, Toe Rougus of Demon Hollow. By J. M. Hoffman. 386 The Montana Kid; or, Little Dan Rock’s Mis- sion. By Morris Redwing. $87 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 888 The Pony Express Rider; or, Buffalo Bill’s Frontier Ieats. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 889 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett. 3y Ed. 890 The Ticket-of-Leave’s Trick; or, Spring Steel, King of the Bush. By J: seph E. Badger, Jr. 891 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By Major Henry B. Stoddard. 392 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. Prentiss Ingrakam, 393 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn. By Noah Nuff. 394 Tom Temple’s Big Strike. By Barry Ringgold. 395 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 396 Detective Paul’s Right Bower, By C. D, Clark. 397 Tip Tressell, the Flatboat Boy. By Ed. Willett. 398 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost, By Col. Ingraham. 399 Harry Somers, the Magician. By 8. W. Pierce. 400 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. By Roger Starbuck. 401 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Chas. Morris. 402 Flatboat Fred on the Mississippi. By E. Willett. 403 Jake, the Colorado Cireus Boy. By Bryant Bainbridge. 404 Texas Charlie’s Wild Ride. By Col. P. Ingraham. 405 Wide-Awake Ned; or, The Boy Wizard. By Barry Ringgold. 406 Giant Pete and His Pards. By T. C, Harbaugh. 407 Old Ruff’s Protege; or, Little Rifle’s Secret. By Captain Bruin Adams, Stowaway Dick Abroad; or, The Desert Rover- By Charles Morris. Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot. By Col. P. Ingraham, Captain Fly-By-Night, the Colorado King-Pin By Jos. E Badger, Jr. New York Jack’s Mettle; or, Old Traps and His Chums, By Barry kinggold. a Fees ce, the Broadhorn Boy. By Edward illett, 8 Revolver Billy in Texas; or, The Lone Star State Rangers. By Col. P. lugraham. 414 Dasher Dick’s Dead Lock; or, Plucky Joe, the Boy Avenger. By J. M. Hoffman. 415 Pony, the Cowboy Chief. Ly H. B. Stoddard, 416 Panther Dick’s Death rr By A. F. Holt, 417 Fighting Fred of Frisco, By T. C, Harbaugh. 418 Buckskin Sam’s Wild Ride. By Col. P Ingrahsm. 419 Friseo Guy s Big Bonanza, By Roger Starbuck. 420 Pat Mulrocny’s Pard. By Emerson Rodman. 422 By Colonel Tim, the Bey Acrobat. By Char es Morris. Red Spur KR Ips, the Texan. By C Dunning Clark. Dashing Beb, the Pony Express Rider, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 44 Tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C.D. Clark. 425 ‘ky Jumble’s Wild Ride. By Barry Ringgold. 426 W If- Bi or, The Night-Hawks of the Fire- Tan's, By Capt Chas. Howard. 427 Bessie. the Border Girl. 428 Neb asa Chariie, 429 430 423 ly Henry J. Thomas. By CL P. Ingraham. Bill Beeler’s Bonanza. By Edward Willett. surg Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Captain C. mstock, 431 Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Maj. H. B. Stod- dard, Ex-Scout. 432 Cool Clark’s Rash Race. By Charles Morris. 433 Old Grizzly in the Rockies. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready April 27. 434 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. 435 The Wild flrishman Abroad; or, Pat Mulloney’s Adventures. By C. L. Edwards. 436 Oregon Josh’s Dash. By Roger Starbuck. 437 Detective Jake’s Clew. By H. B. Stoddard. 438 Fancy Frank’s Drop. By Col. P. Ingraham, Ready June Ist. A New Issue Every Wedneseay. Beapir’s Pocker Lipsary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail-on re- ceipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ApAms, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.