Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 47) (1884 12 03)
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Dee. 8, 1884, 2, Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams i a Veer: No. 98 oy New Yor. - Five Oebte, No, 47, THE RED BROTHERHOOD; °* 72 7waxve BY W. J. HAMILTON. La Vaal i E AMBUSH,
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o : The Red Brotherhood. The Red Brotherhood ; THE TWELVE AVENGERS. By W. J. HAMILTON. In the South Sea there is a singular serpent known as the ‘Red Dukite,” a serpent which seems gifted with the powerof reason. A long, slender, red body of singular beauty, with dia- mond eyes and pointed head, and as venomous as the Cobra di Capello. The legend—however true it may be—is that this snake goes always in company with a companion, and if one is killed and the other is not found and dispatched also, the slaver is doomed, Wherever he gors the “Red Dukite” glides on silently, waiting patiently for the time when be can strike his isoned fangs into the flesh of the man who oo dared to slay his companion. The Dukite makes no mistake, and the Indian is not a more tireless or efficient scout than he. Toat trail and that trail alone he follows through the silent night or the sultry day, and when the tired man sinks to rest it is only to feel the envenomed fasgs buried in his flesh, and then too late he knows that the ‘‘Red Dukite” bas avenged his “friend.” If business presses and the slayer passes sleepless nights, still the Dukite is ever near, waiting, waiting, relentless as death, silent asthe tomb, This is the bistory of the terrible Dukite, the red scourge of the South Sea. A ship lies at anchor before San Francisco, one of those great packets that ply between Australia and tbe American coast. Upon the deck looking out toward the great city, the Queen of the West, is a group of persons of whom this story treats, Thbrea men, one in the prime of manhood, tall and sinewy, and two young men, in whose faces you can see the features of the elder person. They are brothors, and the elder man’ssons. A fourth individual of the group, and yet not with it, standing a little apart in a half-respectful, balf-careless manner aculiar tothe old family servant. Itisan Irish ace, full of rollicking good humor, the type of that nation at once the most impudent and yet most successful—out of their own green isle— of any the world knows. In love, war and politics—happy Pat reigns supreme, Two ladies are with the party, one a stately woman, the wife of the elder gentleman, the other her daughter, a beautiful girl of eighteen, Mabel D-lisle was beautiful with the beauty of face, form and soul, Her sunny brown hair, fair complexion, blue eyes and cherry lips; ber form, graceful as the swaying reed; her disposi- tion—all combined to make her that noblest of all God’s creatures, a pure and lovely woman, ‘So, good-by forever to the South Seas and the dangers we have escaped,” said Oscar De- lisle, as he looked toward the shore. ‘There Ties the land where vengeance can never reach us, “Would that you had never invoked it, Osear,” said Mr. Delisle. ‘‘We have escaped it is true, but think what migbt have happened if we had been compelled to remain in the South Seas.” A sneering smile passed over the face of Os- car Delisle, and he uttered a low laugh. ** How our enemy will bowl when be knows that we have eluded him after all the toils he set. The Red Dukite bas failed in his vengeance once, and I—the man he hated—have done the work.” “He is a terrible being, and a manof rare ability, Oscar. We have done well to escape him, and in this land we have a refuge where the vengeance of the Red Dukite can never come. What do you say, Walter?” Walter Delisle was leaning over the rail, looking steadily toward the land with a look of doubt and trouble in his face. _‘‘Father,” replied the young man, turning his face toward the speaker, “I am sorry to say that Ido not sbare your opinion in regard | to our safety.” oe Why?” “ Because, when we escaped from the island, O car was foolish enough to send a message to the Red Dukite, telling bim he would meet him in Melbourne.” “Did you do that, Oscar?” cried Mr, Delisle, turning a wild look upon the proud face of his eldest'son, ‘*Could you have been so mad— you—who bronght tbis trouble on us?” ‘‘T would not for the chance of a life of trou- ble, lose the opportunity to defy our enemy. He had driven me mad by bis persecutions, and it would have broken my heart if I could not answer bis insults in some way.” ‘Tf the avenger is on our track, who is to be blamed, if not you, Oscar? You have brought us into danger, and add to it when_we have thrown our pursuer off the track, You have much to answer for, Oscar Delisle. But we must not hesitate, and as for staying iv San Francisco for twenty-four hours, I shall not do it. “We must stop in San Francisco,” was O;- car’s angry retort. ‘“‘ You promised mo to go into business here, and you must keep your word,” ‘* We have suffered enough from your folly and pride,” replied Mr. Delisle. ‘* We wero delayed four days at Melbourre; how do you know that the avenger is not already on our track?” ‘Let bim come if he dares!” hissed the young man. “I will give a good account of him when | meet him anywhere.” ‘*You were not so eager to meet him in the islands, Oscar,” said Walter, in his quiet way. “Tf it bad not been for me upon two occasions, vou would have felt the weight of the Red Dukite’s vengeance.” “Boaster! Because you were fortunate enough, by a series of lucky accidents, to ob- tain a momentary advantage over our enemy, you presume upon if to demean me.” ‘Walter is no boaster, Oscar,” was Mabel’s quiet. reminder, ; ‘Bali; you always take bis port.” ‘Whatever folly I may be capable of, Oscar Delisle, I will not be guilty of this one longer. If auy of his envoys should be upon the ship
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—_ —. The Red Brotherhood. 3 how you would betray yourself. Three times have you spoken that terrible name, which you ought never to utter, and which would be a sure uide to those who hate us, Let us land and ose ourselves in the great city where we can make up our plane.” “Tsay—stay in San Francisco.” “ We cannot decide that now; here, Pat.” “ All right, Masther Wallie; phat’ll I do for yees?” “Get out our baggage, as we propose to land at once. Send it up to the Lick House.” “ Lich—is it? Sure an’ that’s a foine name, alanah. A beauty av a name, bedad, an’ it’s mesilf, Patsey O’Rafferty, County Connaught, 88th Connaught Rangers. w’u’d do phat yees orderme, Lickindade! Pbhoo! Pbataname,” Patsey busied bimself in getting out the bag- age, which was sent on shore, and the party forcd soon after. Patsey reached the “ Lick House ” before the others, and when he met them in the vestibule he placed a folded paper in the hands of Oscar, ‘A jintleman bid me give it yees, masther.” Oscar opened the paper slowly and the mo- ment his eyes rested on the inclosure he uttered acry of alarm and reeled back, pale as death, Upon the paper was an exact representation of the Red Dukite in the attitude of striking. The pursuer was on the track. CHAPTER I. THE SERPENT SYMBOL. Tue “hotel” in a Californian “city ” at the base of the foothills. “City” is a term vari- ously applied in the West. It may mean San Francisco or Sacramento, or it may mean a cluster of rude shanties nestling down beside some gold stream or quartz ledge. If the latter, the busy quartz mill is at work, the great crush- ers dropping with stunning force upon the white rock, grinding it to powder, while in the other parts of the mill science was extracting from that mass of white dust its virgin gold. Tampa City occupied a middle rank between the great ocean cities and the last named. It had its quartz mills to he sure, buf it bad also its daily paper, fire department and the other machinery of municipal government, It was just nowa busy town, fora new ledge had been “ deyel- oped” and it was in the flush times when every one was crazy about stocks, and money was free as air, Walter Delisle was seated on the wide veran- da of the “hotel,” smoking a cheroot which had found its way from Manila to San Fran- cisco, and then to bis hands, The young man wasin a brown study, and in the midst of it he was touched on the shoulder by a Jad wearing the picturesque dress of Mexico. i Benor,” he said, “* my master wishes to speak ou. “Ab,” said Walter, starting to his feet. “ Where is your master?” To not disturb yourself, senor,” said a quiet, melodious voice at his elbow. “I am in despair at troubling you, but I have a little business with you which must be attended to,” The young man Jooked up and saw a fine, stately-looking Californian of noble presence, to dressed in the rich garb of the Mexican Hidalgo who has riches to back him. He was not young —perbaps fifty years of age—and the expression of his face was at once noble and pleasing, ‘“You are called Walter Delisle?” he said, in a questioning tone. **How did you know my name, sir?” “T sball explain that presently, but this is neither the time nor place for doing so, Look in my face and tell me whetber you will trust yourself to my honor if I ask you to ride with me to my ranch to the south of the foothills.” ‘Your business is important?” “Life or death!” replied the Californian. ‘*T am at your service.” “Hola, Juan!” cried the gentleman, “A horse for the Senor Delisle; he rides with me.” The boy ran up with a magnificent ‘ Ameri- can” horse—an animal much valued on the Pacific slope. Walter was about to leapinto the saddle when be thought that he ought to leave some word at the hotel, for he expected the family soon. “ Juan will stay,” said the Californian. ‘He is a sharp boy, small es be is, and willdo your bidding. If any of the senor’s friends must see him, Juan, you know where to find him.” The boy nodded gravely and took a seat on tha veranda ready in case any of the friends of Delisle made their appearance, and the two gen- tlemen rode away among tbe foothills, each en- gaged in the study of the other, Frem the ex- pression of both faces it was plain that the im- pression was mutually agreenble; each was sat- isfled that the other was a nobleman, ‘You are but yeung, Senor Delisle,” said the Californian, as they rode along through the breezy footbills, ‘‘Might J, without giving offense, ask your age?” ‘““Twenty-five last May,” replied Delisle, promptly. ‘‘ Young enough to lack experi nee and to rely upon older men for the knowledge which years of experience must have impart- ed The Californian bowed and looked pleased, for he had come of a race in which the young deferred to the experience of age—a quality very rare in this fast century when too many of the young look upon their elders as ‘old fogies,” “*T have not intruded Lote without a pur- pose, my young friend,” said the Californian, ‘In the Jand from which you have come di you not make deadly enemies?” : “ Yes.” “May I ask from whence you came?” ‘From the South Sea Islands, where my, father was a trader.” “Can you tell me more or do you fear to trust me?” “T never do anything by halves, and I claim the ability to read the buman face. You, senor, with whose name even I am not acquainted, would be cut into inch pieces sooner than divulge that which has been imparted to you under the seal of confidence, and your word of honor not to reveal it until I give you leave.” ‘*You have my word. We are now upon my ranch, and in tbis open plain no one can @ proach without our knowledge. Shall we alight bere to allow you to tell your story?” hs
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‘ Tho Red Brotherhood. The two descended, picketed their horses and sat down on a mossy knoll, side by side. * In the islands of the Australian group, where we were located for a few years, my brother— who is of rather a quick temper—became em- broiled with a man who had the command of a society known as the ‘ Red Dukites.’ The Du- kite is a serpent of the South Seas, and from the strange persistency with which these serpents follow the trail of ‘a man who has killed one of their kind, this society took its name. They were a sort of secret brotherhood, with laws un- like those of any other secret organization in the world, the fundameutal principle of which is the avenging of a brother’s blood. “These Dukites hated us, as they hated all outsiders; and, singular as it may seem, the leader of this strange society was a white man, and many others of the order were of the same race, My brother, meeting with two of these men while engaged in collecting sandalwood, had some hot words with them, and was threat- ened by them with dangers which he could not avert. It passed off for that time, but meeting one of the men again, in the village, they had a struggle, and my brother shot the Dukite through the heart. It was said, although [ was not a witness to the struggle, that there was something unfair on my brother’s part. It is said that the members of the Dukite society, like their gexpent prototype, always go in company —a single companion always being at some point near at hand, on the watch. This was the case in the present instance, The man slain was the second officer of the society, and the one on the watch was his ‘double’—also a white man, whose face I have never seen, but who has made himself our deadly enemy from that hour.” “Go on.” “The first warning we had was the day after the death of the Dukite. A paper was pinned upon our door, bearing a picture of the Red Du- kite, with erected head ready to strike, and a few words in the native language warning us to be prepared for death, for the Dukites were on the trail, and we were doomed. Two days after, my brother, passing through a thicket of cane, was set upon by two masked men armed with long knives. He had a pistol, but they closed with him before he could fire it, and car- ried him away, after binding bis arms. It was their intention to take him to their place of meeting in the mountains, and there sacrifice him to appease the manes of the man hehad slain. By great good fortune, [ met them on the other side of the canes, and as one of the men lifted his knife to plunge it into Oscar’s heart, I broke his arm by a well-directed shot. The two men plunged into the canes and escaped. * A second time they seized my brother upon the sea-shore, whence they hurried him into a boat and put out to sea. This time he would certainly have been doomed, but | was coming into the lagoon the same day, with a cargo of goods from Melbourne, where I had been to trade. In the darkness of the night we struck the boat, cutting her in two, and leaving them floating on the surface. We got out our lan- terns and found my brother clinging to a brok- en fragment of the wrecked craft, but not an- other man was to be found, They swim like ducks, and had reached the shore. ‘* My sister was the next attacked, and I man- aged to rescue her just intime. It was plain that we could not remain on the islands, and one night we placed our valuables on our Jittle sloop and embarked, But my brother foolishly sent a defiance to the Dukite whom he most hated, which told bim where he had gone. We were in Melbourne nearly a week louger than we expected, and the Red Dukite had taken ad- vantage of the time lost to trail us, And, senor, when we entered the Lick House from the packet, my servant placed in Oscar's bands a parchment upon which was written in red ink the sign of the Dukites—the threatening serpent ready to strike, We know that our enemy is on the trail.” “ Hush,” said the Californian. ‘* Here comes astranger, and we must wait until he passes be- fore I can tell you why I came to you.” A stockmon’s but obstructed the view at a distance of balf a mile, and a horseman was her) rapidly down the road toward them. As he came nearer, it was plain that be was admirably mounted, for his horse covered the ground in gallant style. It was an Ameri- can horse, seventeen hands high, with splendid action—the mode! of a trotter. The stranger was of powerful frame, singularly bandsome, and wearing the peculiar drooping mustache generally worn by high-caste Brahmins, At the first glance a looker-on would have teken him for a Hindoo, but a closer look revealed the fact that the olive-brown of his complexion was the work of the sun, and not of nature. As he reined in his borse before the pair seated on the knoll, he looked at them in a quick, searching way. “T crave your pardon, gentlemen,” he said; ‘but may I ask if Iam on the road to Tampa City?” He spoke English well, but in a slow way, which was either the result of habit, or from the fact that he had not used the language much of late, notably the fact when an English- man gives up the use of his native tongue in or- dinary conversation for long years. “You are in the way, senor,” replied the Californian, politely. ‘I give you good-day.” “The same to you, senor,” replied the stran- ger, whose dark eyes seemed to scan the face of Delisle with intense earnestness. ‘‘Is it far to the city?” ‘« Perhaps five miles.” The man thanked them and rode on rapidly while Walter looked after bim with a doubtful expression not unmixed with fear. What was there in the sight of this man’s handsome face and his melodious voice to arouse such strange thoughts in him? Why did his mind go back at once to the island-studded lagoons of the South Sea, the lofty trees and the spice-laden breezes of the tropics. “7 have seen that man before,” he muttered, ‘but where it was I can not tell. In South America, Panama, Melbourne—where? Cor- found the luck if I can place him, and I would give a thousand dollars to be certain of my man,
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The Red Brotherhood. 5 —_ — “Tbere comes another,” said the Californian, “and Santa Maria! He is as like the other as one bullet from my rifle is like its fellow.” It was true! The man who now advanced was mounted on a fine American horse, wore the drooping mustache, and had the same olive- brown complexion as the man who preceded him. He, too, pulled up and asked the way to Tampa City, and his voice could hardly be dis- tinguished from that of the first stranger. As before, his gaze rested longest upon Delisle, and the same glitter came into his eyes. Then he rode on and the two men looked at each other in wonder. “There is something in this deeper than you imagine, Senor Delisle,” said the Californian, * You have made me your confidant, and now I will return the favor as far as I can. Do you remember a young Mexican on board the packet who became quite intimate with your party un- der the name of Estevan Cordoval?” “Certainly,” replied the young man, his face lighting up with delight. ‘‘A really fine young gentleman, “Thanks; you honor me in saying it, for Es- tevan isa son of whom Iam proud. Yesterday T received a letter from him sent by a special messenger, He told me that he had made your acquaintance on the packet and that you had honored him with your friendship. After you had left San Francisco he discovered the follow- ing facts: ** You have been followed from the South Sea Islands by these men who hate you. They were on the same steamer with yon when you left Melbourne, twelve in number. nese twelve men have money in abundance, and have sworn to their comrades that they will never return to them until they have avenged, in person of your brother and his family, the murder of their officer. The arrangement of their plan he can not tell you, except this: you are the first vic- tim and your brother the last.” “Why am I the first?” ‘Because they fear you most. They say that you are active and bold, and that until you are destroyed there can be no safety for them in carrying out their plans. Not that they hate you as much as ner do your brother.” “Then Oscar and the family are safe until T am under the sod? Sobeit. Iaccept the gage thrown down hy my secret foes who have driven me to tho wall, I will live—I will pit myself against the twelve who have banded themselves against me and I will*beat them if my life is spared.” **Brave young man! Do you then offer your- self as a sacrifice to save those you love? Then I give you my word that the power I have in this country shall be used to assist you. But, use do you expect your father and his fam- ily ““They may come at any moment.” “Then ae § are in danger from this hour and we must work, Ha! what is that?” Something white came fluttering through the air and fell at their feet. It was a long arrow with a paper impaled upon the shaft which Senor Cordoval detached and held up, And there, imprinted in full on the sheet, was the serpent symbol of the Red Dukites, and underneath these words iv the language of the South Seas; “The Dukites are silent and know how to be pa- tient. When the time comes they strike; when they strike, the blow is sure. "You in your pride of youth have leughed at the Dukites’ arm. Guard your breast, if you can, for soon the doom shall pod: you like a pall. Beware the sting of the ser- pent!” CHAPTER II. SHOWING THEIR HAND, THE new friends looked in each other's faces in dismay for they had scercely expected the blow to fall so soon. But Walter Delisle was not the man to remain long inactive, and he sprung to bis feet suddenly, “Tf the Dukite has a sting, at least I know the antidote. Senor, there is danger in the very air we breathe, and I was not wrong in saying that my brother would yet destroy our family. When I think that his thrice-accursed folly has brought this evil upon us, 1 am almost tempted to forget that he is my brotker; but I cannot do that.” “T fear that there is little brotherly love be- tween you,” said Senor Cordoval. “You are right, senor; and yet I woulé bave loved him but be would not permitit. I bave no other brother, and if he wculd give back my affection I should be gled; but be is cold and proud in his self-conceit, and we can never love each other mucb. What shall we do, now that we know that the enemy is on our trail?” *T do not know whether it is safe to move, even now,” replied the Californian, ‘* You are armed?” Delisle showed a pair of elegant pistols and a long knife. “Good at close quarters, but you must learn to carry a rifle and to use it,” “Thave little to karn in that respect,” said Walter, quiet!y. “You don’t know our Western marksmen, I think,” was the reply. “T have no doubt you can shoot well, but can you drive a nail at a hundred yards, or creasea mustang on the jump? Until you can do this— until youcan bit the eye of an Indian in the glare of the camp-fire, you cannot equal our men. But come, we must be on the way.” He swung himself quickly into the saddle, and bursting suddenly through a thicket on the right, he rode away across the plain toward the white-walled ranch, which now could be seen, three or four miles away, People in the Hast have no real conception of the extent of these great stock-ranches in the West, where a man bas a long ride to reach the end of bis own land, and Senor Cordoval was one of the largest land- owners in the State. They passed corrals filled with great beeves ready to be shipped to mar- ket; other corrals in which hundreds of borses bounded to and fro, shaking their tangled manes and neighing wildly, as the borsemen went by. They were still a mile from the hacienda, when they heard a clear halloa, and a horse came through a mezquit hedge on the right, bearing on his back a young girl wearing a rich costume of the Mexiean maiden of high rank, She rode
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6 The Red Brotherhood. ““en Amagon,” curbing ber powerful mustang as she saw the two gentlemen. Sae was a rare beauty, this child of the West, Dark, flowing locks rolled almost to her saddle; her dark eyes were seas of liquid fire; her sweet face was full of enthusiasm, and her graceful form swayed to the motion of her horse, The scarlet magua whicb she wore set off her graces to advantage. Beneath this, she wore a silken vest of blue over askirt of the same color, and dainty Turkish trowsers, fastened at the ankle, could not entirely conceal the symmetry of ber limbs. Natty little boots, armed with the spur which Mexicans are too fond of using, were set into her stirrups, and the hand which grasped the rein so firmly was small and shapely. “ Hola, senores !” witha merry laugh. ‘‘ Aqui esta un par muy fino!” (Here is a very fine pals) ‘““Why do you leave me alone at the ha- cienda, when you know that I cannot endure solitude?” “You must excuse me this time, my daugh- ter,” replied Senor Cordoval. fondly, “ for [have business at Tampa. Senor Delisle, you see my dauzhter, of whom her brother must bave spok- en to you, for her name is ever on his lips. Z- raya, this is Senor Walter Delisle, of whom E3- tevan spoke when ke wrote last ” Tbe senora put out a pretty little hand with a royal grace, and it sunk like a feather into the a m of the young man, who held it fully as ong as etiquette would allow. “Tam delighted to meet the sister of Don Es- tevan, senora. I assure you that he sung your praises from morning till nigbt, and my own sister is wild to know you.” “Why did you not bring her with you?” cried Zoraya, impulsively. ‘‘Ah, to have a friend, one of my own age, who would take delight in my pursuits—that would be happiness in- deed!” «Tt will not be long before she will be here, as I expect them at Tampa every hour, When they come—” “They shall not stay at Tampa!” cried Zo- raya. ‘Father, assure Senor Delisle that all will be welcome at the Hacienda de Cordoval.” “Tt is not necessary for me to say that the willbe welcome,” answered her father. ‘‘ And, indeed, I think she is right, for more reasons than one, and for the present there is no place so safe as my house. have a hundred men in my employ, and at least thirty of them are Americans, for, when it comes to fighting, Ihave _ but little faith in my own coantrymen, and the Indians have taken pleasure in driving my cat- tle the wrong way, many times, until my American braves persuxded them to stop. But we waste tine her, ani you must be hungry, after fasting so long. Let us go to the hacien- da, at once.” { Walter was read y to agree to anything which would keep him at the side of Senora Zoraya, and they rode away at a foot-pace, the young man listening with eager attention to the sparks of humor which fell from her tongue, for Seno- ra Zoraya lovrd to talk! But, that is not sineu- lar; few women differ from her in that respect. The ride to the hacienda was all too short, and they rode into a spacious courtyard, surrounded by adobe walls—a court which had stood for — generations—for the family was oue of the old- est in Upper California. “ Welcome tothe home of my fathers, senor!” said the owner, quietly and gravely. ‘Iam one of the few among my countrymen who have bad the wit to see that the so-called con- quest of California was the best thing thatever happened tous. Hater.” Tey passed into the spacious room, furnished in luxurious style, for the Californian was rich enough to command any luxury he wished, They seated themselves, and while the elder gentleman touched a bell and ordered dinner, Zoraya, took up a guitar and sung to that pleas- ing accompaniment the ancient war-songs of the Cid, and Walter was really aunoyed when din- ner was announced. ‘Tae meal was of the rich- est description, and when it was over the gen- tlemen adjourned to the azotea for a siesta and cigars. Zoraya would have accompanied them, but at a sign from her father, much to the chagrin of Walter, sbe remained behind, From the azotea they looked out upon the broad plain stretching along the base oft the foothills, and beyond the blue peaks of the Sierras rising against the sum- mer sky. They had searcely reached the roof when Senor Cordoval touched his companion on the arm and pointed to the south, in the {direc- tion of Tampa City. ‘* Look there!” Two men were meeting in the midst of the plain about five milesd stant. But inthat clear atmosphere objects are seen more distinctly than in other Jands, and even at thot distance Walter could muke out the two persons that had passed them on the plain, ‘To make sure, he tuok up a glass which lay upon the parapet and leveled it at the pair, and their faces were brought ivto view with a pre- cision which was startling. ‘Magnificent glass, this,” said Walter, as he glued his eye to the tuba, ‘ Yes, senor, you are right; those arethe very fellows who passed us and they seem to be hail-fellows-well-met, too. They are making signals now.” As he.spoke, other men appeared from every direction, until twelve were grouped on the plain in close conference. By the aid of the glass Walter was able to make out the fact that they were dressed exactly alike and had the same cut of beard as the first two. Twelve men! Twelve of the Red Dukites had been deputed to bunt him down, chosen doubt- less for their vigor and skill, He knew well that such a striking similarity of face was not natural, and there was something hera which he could not understand, but of one thing be was sure—the mystic band were before him! “Ob, if we had only an excuse to call out your men and sweep those murderous scoun- drels from the face of the earth!” be said. “I am sure they are my enemies, but how can I prove it?” “Time works wonders,” quietly responded Senor Cordoval. ‘‘ I will put a scout upon their trail at once,” He stooped over the parapet and whistled, and a man who was making a lazo in the court below looked up. **Come up here, Pedro.” The man laid down bis lazo avd ascended to
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The Red Brotherhood. the azotea. He proved to bea native Califor- nian with a sallow face, sharp and cunning. ** You see those men, Pedro?” said his master, pointing to the party on the plain. “Take the glass and look at them.” **The man obeyed and studied the party for five minutes. Then he returned the glass to Walter, “You will know them when you see them again, Pedro?’ * Si, senor.” You must follow them and when you bave satisfied yourself where they are going bring me word at once, If you do your work well you will earn fifty dollars; if you do it ill—you know what will happen then,” The man sbrugged his shoulders and rapidly descended from the roof and soon after they saw bim leave the hacienda, admirably mount- ed, and ride away, making a great circle so as not to appear to bave come from that direction. For half an bour the twelve remained in con- sultation and then Pedro rode out of a thicket and passed them quietly, without seeming to look at them. “That fellow is a good scout,” remarked the senor, “I have tried bim in many ways and have not found him wanting. Ha! they are stopping him.” hey saw Pedro halt and turn back and en- ter into conversation with the strangers, The conference was not of long duration and they separated, the twelve riding off toward the mountain-passes and Pedro keeping on his way. But, searching the ground carefully, Delisle saw him riding along the rocky bottom of a crevasse, keeping a course parallel with that taken by the band. All were lost to view be- hind the foothills and Walter Jaid the glass down. “I fear that your scont, brave as he is, will be no match for the Dukites,” said he. “T tell you, sir, that the Thugs of India are not their match in subtlety, and that wonderful race can not shed blood more coolly than they. You brush a fly from your face and kill it without thought; the Dukite brushes a man froin his path as coojly and feels the crime as little. They are wonderful men and I have a grest work to do to cope with them all.” “Is it not strange that they sbowed them- selves to us so plainly?” “They bave some object in that, sir. When you see them again they will be as unlike what you kave seen as possible, for they have ways of changing their TP egchsn pg of which you and I know nothing. owever, as they are gone I think it will be safe to go to Tampa City.” “We will go with a party and if your family have come we will have them up here at once. Hola, John Dean! Get nine of your fellows and prepare to ride with me to Tampa.” The one addressed—a muscular, wiry man of middle age, who was crossing the court-yard— looked 7. at the summons. It was the sort of face which you or I would like to see at our side in the tug of battle, strong, bold, self-reli- ant—the type of men who make the name of ape and scout a terror to their savage ene- m es, “ Allright, senor; any chanceofa muss? I'm lit’rally sp’ilin’ fur a fight of some kind, an’ I don’t keer a dern who it ar’ with. I ain’t snuff- ed out an Injun in—Lord love your heart— when did I raise any ha’r? It’s week, sart’in.” ‘*Get the men, Jobn,” replied the senor, laughing. ‘You may have a chance if you are careful of your opportunities,” ** Anybody—a Chinaman, a Digger—I dunno but I'd even fight a Piute, I sw’ar,” The man disappeared and in a remarkably sbort time a party of ten servitors—all of them desperate Indian-figh ters—were gathered in the court below, They were armed with rifles, hatchets and long bowies. Revolvers had not yet come into general use and the Western man asarule despised the pistol asa weapon, The senor and bis conipanion descended and they rode away, the men laughing and jesting at the prospect of a fight. “Tm a man that likes my employer,” said Jobn Deen; “but one thing be must do—he’s got to give me a chance fur a fight now an’ then or 1 so’ile, Whar ar’ we bound, senor?” ‘Weare going to Tampa.” “ Waal, one thing we kin do, boys, You re- member them plugs down to the mill laughed at us ap’ said we war sarvints, I reckon we'll hev to lick them, anyhow,” ‘Bet yer life, old boss,” responded the man, ** We'll make up a little party, somebow.” “Oh, them chaps are willin’, the’r’ the willin’- est lot I ever knowed in all my life, but we kin chaw ’em «nv day in the week—now you hear me. Whar’s Pedro, senor? he’s the only Greaser Lever knowed that c’u’d scout, an’ he’s a bull mule team on that, Pedro is,” “ye sent him on a scout, and no doubt he will meet us at Tampa.” “You orter bev Jet me go with bim, senor. Pedro is good on the scout, but he kain’t fight fur shucks; he’s too cussed light, he is. What's that noise?” They were riding through a pass under the shelter of an overbanging cliff. There was a rustling sound overbead, and the next moment, to their horror, a human body came whirling through the sir, and struck the earth at their feet with a dull thud, the face turned up to the sky. At a glance they recognized Pedro, the Mexican scout, <A long knife was driven to the hilt in bis heart, pinning a paper to bis breast, upon which Walter saw the fatal sign of the Dukites, the threatening serpent! “You send your spies on the trail of the Dukites,” cried a resounding voice. ‘* This is the beginning of vengeance; the worst is yet to come.” The men flung themselves from their saddles and sealed the cliff, but when they reached the summit, no man was to be seen, The mark of the Red Dukite was set upon the first victiro! CHAPTER ITI. JACK DEAN’S VISITOR. Jack DrAN the stockman came down from the cliff with a dark scowl upon his hard face. In bis rough way he had loved the Mexican be- cause he was a man after his own heart—one who loved to take a trail and follow it to the end. An American upon the Pacific coast bas little liking for a ‘‘Greaser,” but in this case the
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8 The Red Brotherhood. eer attachment was deep and binding. Together they bad trailed the Klamath, the Shasta and the Modoc in their mountain homes; and fight- ing under the shadow of so brave a man as ack Dean, Pedro had been brave enough. Now he lay dead, the long thin strip of steel planted in his heart, and the flaming serpent, with its erected head, pinned upon his bosom. “T heard him, the low cuss!” muttered the stockman. ‘Red Dukites they call themselves, eb? Does any man here know what that word means?” “Tecan explain it,” said Walter, who knew the wisdom of having such men as the stockman and his friends upon his side; and in as few words as possible he told why he had left the South Sea, and explained the working of the Dukites. * Adzack’ly!” said Jack as he drew the blade from the bosom of the Mexican. *‘ Here [sw’ar that this blood shall never be wiped from the blade until the last of the twelve Dukites has gone under. Then it shall be buried, planted to the bilt in his heart.” “We foller suit, Jack,” added the man who stood next to him. ‘‘ What do you say, Sandy?” “ Hoot awa’, child!” replied the man address- ed—a genuina Scotchman with the red hair, powerful frame and-“ canny ” ways of his race. **Dinna fash yersel’ about me. Gin I leave Jobnny Dean na doot I’m na better than a deed man. I’m wi’ ye, soul an’ body.” The rest clasped hands in silence; they needed no word to seal their faith. “Then we are eleven and will match ourselves against the Dukites. For, when such brave men take up my quarrel it is but just that T should cast in my lot with theirs,” cried Walter. “ He's a brave child!” spoke out Sandy Mc- Gregor, ‘tan’ na doot he'll mek a gallant fight against these dour deevils we maun fight Wl cus mind weel the day the last of the clan McCal- lam an’ McGregor met, there was wigs on the heather that day. ‘Blaw up yer chaunter, Sandy, an’ gi’e them a taste of the “ Raut,”’ says the bonny chieftain. An’ the pipes ne’er sound- ed so weel as they sounded that day, an’ the wail rose in the McCallum cabins when the fight was dune. Wae’s me, the gude auld days lang syne!” ‘« Hold your pipes, Scotchy !” cried Jack D2an, “Mr, Delisle, you are our leader, mind, an’ what you say we'll do. Shall we try to follow them now?” “ Better not, I think. {[ must get my father and family safe to the hacienda first. “I'll take Pedro across the saddle and carry him. Poor lad; ‘twas an unlucky day for bim when you sent him out, senor. I was crazy fur a@ muss not an hour ago, and now—it’s no use talkin’. Help me to lift him, Sandy.” The two raised the dead form of Pedro, and lnid it on the horse and the party rode on. About a mile from Tampa they met one of the carts going to the hacienda, and the body was place woos some straw and sent home. The pee dashed into the open space in front of the otel, where they were greeted with derisive cheers by the mill-men, who, for some reason, were “down” on the stockmen of Senor Cordo- yal. Jack Dean, fora wonder, paid no atten- tion to these demonstrations, although at any other time ha would have been ripe and ready for a fray. ‘“‘T kain’t afford to git rubbed out now, boys,” he said, quietly. ‘‘Take it easy; one of ais days you'll sup on culd lead for this, but jest now I kain’t throw away achaince, Only don’t pile it on too thick or we mou’t forgit our- selves.” “That's the first time you ever took water, Jack Dean,” said a burly mill-man who was seated on the rail of the veranda, ‘‘and with nine good boys at yer back it looks odd.” ‘‘ Dave Carroll,” answered Dean, “‘ let me say a word to you. Our boys hev gotsome work to do that they must ’tend to an’ they kain’t fight until i’s done, One of our boys hez bin mur- dered, an’ we ar’ bound to bunt down the man that did it.” “ You don’t lay it toany of my crowd?” said Carroll, knitting his brows. “ Not a bit; we know who did it, an’ it ain’t any man you know, so don’t git huffy on that. When we started out to-day we was fixed fora fight with you, but this throwed us off the track.” “Nuff sed,” cried Carroll. ‘‘ Boys, cheese that now; the one that picks on Jack Dean’s crowd has got to fight me. It don’t interfere with business when you hunt your man down, Jack?” “In course not; I'll give the word when the work is done.” From that moment these rough men frater- nized with the understanding that at some fu- ture day, heads should be broken in a friendly way over the business, While this was going on the great lumbering stage drawn by six horses came into the “plaza” at a gallop, and the passengers began to alight. Mr. Delisle and Oscar were on the box and Don Estevan Cordo- val, a handsome young man, richly dressed, handed out Mabel and Mrs. Delisle, Pat came down over the wheel grinning widely as he recog- nized his young master advancing through the crowd. Tne arrival of the mail coach in a frontier town is an event, and the plaza was crowded, The driver, with the air of a man in authority, issued his orders to the hostlers with native grace, interlarding his remarks with a choice selection of American oaths. For the “native American” is gifted with a genius for profan- ity, deny it ye who will, Senor Cordoval was introduced to the family, and at once invited them to visit his hacienda. “1 think it best, father,” said Walter. ‘“‘Some- thing has occurred which makes it necessary.” ‘Some more of your foolish fears,” said Os- car, ‘ I should be sorry to think you a coward, Walter Delisle.” - “You at least have little cause to say so, Os- car,” was thereply. ‘“ Run your eye over that paper which I received to-day, and then tell me if you still think I have not any cause for ‘ear. He placed in his brother’s hand the paper which bad fallen at bis feet, pierced by the ar- row, and even Oscar started and turned livid as he recognized the fatal sign. “Tose fellows must have the aid of the Evil
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The Red Brotherhood. 9 One,” be muttered, looking at his father, to whom Walter was explaining the steps he had taken. ‘I did think we should be safe bere, at any rate, Well, father, what is decided?” “We go with Senor Cordova], who has kindly laced his house at our disposal,” replied Mr, elisle. ‘* You will understand it better when Walter has time to explain to you.” Oscar drew back, grumbling, and Estevan went away to order horses. In a few moments the party rode out of Tampa with five horsemen on each flank, and beewwig = Ja they rode through the passes for some sign of their enemies. But the Dukites made no sign, and the party rode into the court safe and sound, where the horses were taken in charge by men who came up at the motion of Cordoval’s finger. “You have a fine old place, senor,” said De- lisle, looking admiringly about him. ‘ These historic spots have a rare interest for me, who have spent so many years literally an outcast, or rather an exile from my native land. But, BA? was it necessary to build these huge walls? “The Indian of the past is not the Indian of the present,” was the ctl i ‘* The Indians of this region have sunk step by step until from a warlike race—the peer of the Comanches—they have dropped to their present level. In the days when these walls were built they were not too strong to resist the sudden attacks of the moun- tain tribes.’ At this moment Zoraya, who bad been wait- ing impatiently for them to come on, darted from the main entrance and threw herself into her brother’s arms, which opened at once to re- ceive her. No brother and sister ever loved more fondly than these two, and for a moment nothing was beard save the delicious sobs which joy wrung from the bosom of this sweet girl. ‘There, there, mio caro!” said the young man, as heremoved her clinging arms; ‘‘ you forget that I must make you known to my friends. Walter you already know, but here I ve you a lady friend—the one you have so ong sigbed for—Miss Mabel Delisle. You have heard me speak of Zoraya often enough, Miss Delisle.” “So often that I already love ber,” replied Mabel. The impulsive child at once embraced and kissed her, and the two were fast friends, Mr. and Mrs. Delisle were warmly received, but as Zoraya placed her band in the burning palm of Oscar a shudder passed through her frame, “T hope that our meeting is not prophetic, m dear sir,” she said. “ A shudder passed throug me when I touched your hand; is there any meaning in it?’ For him—yes; the touch of that small white hand, the flash of those speaking eyes, had done their work. Oscar Delisle loved her with all the power of his flery nature, and woe to any man who dared to cross his love! It was a ston at first sight—a consuming fire which would end in supreme happiness or utter misery. They entered tbe hacienda chatting merrily, but Oscar saw that it was by the side of Walter she walked, and that her face lighted up whenever he spoke, “Tf he has dared!” he muttered between bis set teeth, ‘If she should love him, the little affection I bave for him would turn to undying hate, Let bim beware!” “I'd like to speak to Captain Delisle if he has the time,” said Dean, who stood in the door- way as they passed through, Walter stopped at once and Mabel laughed merrily. ‘Captain Delisle? Ha, ba, he! You have received your promotion suddenly, brother.” “You may laugh if you like, Mabel, but Iam roud of the title, for it makes me the leader of rave men, Goon, sister; I will join you ina moment,” The party passed on into the reception-room, leaving Walter with the stockman, ‘Now, look here, Cap,” said Dean, in a tone of expostulation; “‘ you must take keer of yer- self. Wimmin are the devil! I guess I orter know fur I’ve hed four wives in my time an’ every cussed one made it mighty hot fur me. A burnt child dreads the fire; don’t you hev nothin’ to say to ’em.” “What do you mean, Jack?” said Walter, laughing heartily, ‘Never you mind; ef you don’t know now I ain’t going to tell you. What I want ter say is this yer:—yvou ar’ capt’in of our party an’ we've got work to do, an’ 1 don’t want you to go throwin’ away time on a pesky girl. Not but Zorayor ar’ a bu’ster an’ a mighty nice little gal, but she'll draw you off the track ef you don’t take keer.” A hot flush mounted into the handsome face of Walter Delisle. This rough stockman had penetrated his secret at a glance and knew how deeply he was interested in the pretty little Californian. “Thar’s another thing, Cap—don’t git mad with me—but in two weeks’ time thet brother of yours will be fit to take your life out of jealousy ; be will, by jinks,” “ Oscar?” “You bet ye—Oscar. I never see a man lock at a gal as he did at Zoraya, an’ he’s gota nasty black drop of blood in his veins som’ers ‘or other.” “Don’t be troubled about me, Jack. While those twelve men live there is no safety for any of us, and I never put my band to the plow and look back. I’ll stand by you to the end,” ‘Nuff sed,” was thereply. “Ill goto my hut now, fur I know you'll keep yer word,” Jack Dean left the hacienda and rode quickly across the plain to the stock-but where he slept. It was close to one of the main corrals, and he dismounted, took off his saddle and bridle and let his horse run loose, for be knew that the trained animal would not stray far from the oe and would come at his whistle. Two of his friends were seated at a little table, deep in the mysteries of ‘draw poker,” and a rather pretty Mexican woman, Jack Dean’s fourth, was engaged in preparing supper. “ Byenin’, boys, evenin’! How’s the luck?” “The chiel bas strappit me!” answered Sandy McGregor, as bis opponent raked the pile on four kings. ‘* He’s a douce laddie, and I’m sair afraid he keepit some cairds in bis sleeve.” Jack Jaugbed and the men drew back from the table, at which sign Mrs, Dean put on the dishes and prepared the evening meal, They went to work in a hungry fashion, Sandy per-
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10 forming in a wonderful manver. Then the table was cleared away, Mrs. Dean began to tinkle a guitar and the men were sitting down to cards when they heard the beat of hoofs and some one rattled on the door with a whip~tock. “Open the door, carissima!” said Dean. tone tto! Who can it be at this time of night he door swung back on its leathern hinges and the light of the lamp fell upon a tall man mounted on a long-limbed horse. He was bend- ing forward to look into the room, ‘Can I get to stay here all night, stranger?” he said. “We've got mighty cluss quarters here, stranger,” answered Jack. “‘ Why don’t you go t» the hacienda?” ‘““T don’t take much stock in big-bugs,” replied the man. “Ican camp down anywhar, you know—the floor is good enough for me. Or if you don’t want me in the cabin I can camp on the grass, but I'd like to toast a piece of venison at your fire.” “You ar’ welcome to what we've got, stran- ger.” replied Jack. “I kin give youa blanket on the floor.” “(ood enough for me. I'll picket my horse out on the grass and come in.” Mrs. Dean put the remains of their supper on a little table and when the stranger came in he accepted her invitation to partake, in the off- hand way peculiar to the prairieman. When he had finished he lighted bis pips and drew up to the table to watch their gime. Jack, who was looking at bim intently, conld not but ad- mire the muscular frame of the man, who was wonderfully strong of limb. “Take a band, stranger?” he said. “Don’t care. though I don't know the game very well, but I’m always willing to r'sk dollar for dollar.” The cards were dealt and for a faw games the stranger lost, playing rashly and risking bis money on weak hands, Then the luck began to change and he won steadily, until the three friends found their funds running low. As the stranger leaned forwaré to take his winnings, his sleeve caught upon a corner of the table and stripped the cotton shirt above his elbow before he really knew what he had done, and the keen eyes of Jack Dean saw, imprinted upon the arm, the fatal sign of the Red Dukite! Quicker than thought a bare bowie was at the throat of the stranger, while Sandy McGregor seized bis arms and pinioned them bebin’d bim. “7 reckon you’ve got to the end of your rope, Mr. Dakite,” growled Jack. ‘Curse on your bloody heart, Pll teach you to come into my ranch.” “Do you want stranger, coolly. poor honest men.” I “ And so you hey, stranger, an’ I judge it ar’ company thet don’t agree with you. Will you tell us what that mark on your arm means?” “The mark?’ demanded the stranger. *You bet!” ~ “JT don’t know what there is ina mark ona man’s arm that you should jump on him like to rob me?’ demanded the “T thought I had got among _ tigers, “ve been all over the world and I got that The Red Brotherhood. Se a Se ra Bee ee i EE en a mark in the South Seas. A native putit on my arm for me but I never supposed my life would be in danger on that account. Do you murder every sailor you find with an anchor on his arm?” “You play the game down mighty fine, boss,” said Jack Dean, without lowering his weapon. ‘“What did your native call the sarpint, might I be so bold ez to ask?” “The Red Dukite.” “You've got the same mighty pat,” said Jack, slowly. ‘See bere; I’m goin’ to take you up to the hacienda and show you to Walter De- - lisle, Ef he don’t know you I reckon we'll let you louse.” “You are very kind,” replied the man, ‘‘I don’t recognize your authority in anyway, but you are stronger than Lam, I willgo quietly.” “You promise that?” S8"Viaat Sandy McGregor, obeying asign from Jack, released the arms of the stranger which he had drawn over the back of a chair in a very awk- ward manner. The fellow rose quietly and drew down his torn sleeve which he buttoned again, This done he called for his coat which was handed to him by Jack Dean, who helped him to put it on, laying his bowie on the table while he didso. The other men were looking on care- lessly when they saw Jack go down under a blow which would have felled an ox, and the next moment the stranger, whirling the bowie above bis head, sprung through the open door, They ran for their rifles, but when they reached the door tae beat of flying hoofs, and a wild, ex- ultant shout told them that their guest had es- caped. It was nearly five minutes before Jack recovered his senses sufficiently to sit up and then it was with a swimming in his bead and a deadly faintness which quickly compelled bim to lie down again. “va been kicked by a mule,” be said, faintly-- ‘been blowed up in a steamer, shot through the right lung, been in twenty-two airtbquakes, been bucked forty feet above the back of a Mexican plug;:but such a crack as that I never experienced in all my life. It’s just awful and no mistake. Whar is he?” “The daft callant gaed awi’ like a whirl- wind,” exclaimed MzGr-gor, ‘‘ Hoot, men, but ve s'u’d ha’e seen bim flee awa’ over the grass! *Deed, mon, but he’s no canny, that chiel wi’ the snake.” “It’s only one thing more against bim,”. said Jack. ‘I say, Scoteby; take my horse and ride to the hacienda and warn ’em to takeecare, Call out Walter an’ let him know first.” “I’m no saesure it w'u’d be sife to gang noo,” replied the prudent Scot, ‘‘They’ve gude strang walls to fend them an’ we bave none. Gin the daft body came back wi’ mair help wut w’a'd y; do then?” ‘Never mind me, Sandy. Ill be all right in an hour's time.” “Let Billy gang; be’d be ower glad to get a blink out of the een of the young leddy’s maid. Ye mind her, Billy; sae gle yer hairt a sair blow.” “I don’t care if I go,” confessed Billy. “Can you whistle the horse up, Jack?” The injured man raised his fingers to lis lips
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The Red Brotherhood. and emitted a sharp whistle which was answered by the neigh of the trained horse, which come hounding back a minute later. Billy Blake loaded his rifie, swung himself into the saddle and rode away at a swinging pace. He was a gallant young fellow and bad little fear of the ordinary dangers of the border for he bad a strong arm, was a dead shot and knew that he bestrode one of the best borses in California. The night was not dark and objects could be easily seen ata distance of two hundred feet. The young stockman rode on at a brisk trot until be saw a dark form start up suddenly from the grass before bim and run on rapidly. He urged Fis horse, but to his utter surprise bis utmost effort did not suffice to decrease the dis- tance between them. “Halt, there; I want to whisper in your ear, stranger.” But the dark figure still ran on before him, and if anything gained upon the horse, 1) I shoot you'll come down, my boy,” cried You'd better pull up, now mind, I tell warning: “Turn back you,” was tbe reply. “If you follow me, you come to your death.” “You will bave it,” cried Blake. ‘“ When you pass yonder tree, I will fire.” The man kept up bis headlong pace, but, just as he reached the fatal tree be paused, and bis band went back over bisshoulder. Even in the inoonlight Blake saw something leave bis hand and fly out before bim. Mechanically he balted and followed the dark object with his eye, when there came a whistling sound and the dark ob- fects which was nothing more nor less than.a oom rang, struck him just above the eyes witb terrible force, and he was stretched senseless on the plain. The fleet-footed enemy came back and placed bis hand on the bosom of the fallen man. He could feel no pulsation beneath his alm, Pe Dead! We will tench them what it is to follow the trail of the Dukites.” When morning broke, its rays fell upon the still, could face of William Blake, a bloody mark upon his brow and on his breast the fatal sign of the serpent! The Red Dukite had again placed its sting in the breast of a victim. CHAPTER IV. THE MIDNIGHT ASSASSINS. Tue hacienda De Cordoval was wrapped in the mantle of silence. Nota light gleamed in a window, not a step sounded in the long cor- ridors or in the lofty rooms. All bad retired to rest—Mabel sharing the couch of Zoraya, who would not be parted from ber new friend. Her apartment wasupon the second floor, aspucious chamber overlooking the gardens at the back, In the dead bour of night, when the two besuti- ful girls who had talked themselves into slum- ber lay clasped in each other’s arms, the golden locks of Mabel mingled with those of her darker sister, a hand was laid upon the gauze curtains, 11 drawing them gently aside, and a dark, sinister face looked down upon the sleeping pair. The moonlight falling upon that face added to its devilish beauty, for it was the face of Lucifer after the fall. “T could wring their proud hearts to the quick,” be thought, as be lifted a tbin-bladed knife which be carried in bis right hand, “* but even I, sworn asI am to evil, could not look in their faces and strike. Ha! she wakes! Sleep —I command it!” : He stretched out his hand and made a few passes over the head of Mabel, who bad partly started from the couch, and she again fell back, utterly powerless before the will of this wonder- ful man. “So the strong cor quers the weak,” he mut- tered. “Would the charm work with Walter Delisle? If it would—which I doubt—our work would be done this night. But, I know that in his breast is a will more powerful even than mine, which will neither bend nor break. If I conquer bim, it can only be with my dagger in his heart.” For full five minutes the man stood locking down upon the sleeping maidens, who bad re- mained subject to his will, There was an ex- ression of doubt in his face as be looked at abel Delisle. You might almost call it love, so strong wasit. ‘““We have the power to spare one and one only of this fated family. 1f I bave any voice it shall be you, fear not, sweet girl. I would give the best years of my life to know that our work was done and-tbat she would love me. Then in yonder sunny isle—but I dream and my work fs still to be done.” A low hiss called bim and he Jeft the room silently, leaving the girls wrapped in slumber, He had willed that they should sleep for five hours and then awake, freed from the mesmeric influence he bad thrown about them, In the passage he met a second man who had warned ae by the serpent hiss that there was work to d 0. “Speak,” he said. ‘* The girls will not wake.” * Senor Cordoval sleeps in the chamber which opens into tbe library on the ground floor, Our hated enemy is in the room at the right of the Soh entrunce. We can reach bim first if we will,” “He is reserved for a worse fate; go on,” “Mr, Delisle and his wife occupy rooms at the lower end of this passege, Estevan Cordo- val sleeps opposite, and WaJter—” “What of him? Is he alone too?” hissed the man who seemed to be the leader. “Yes: he sleeps at the back of the main salon. If you wish to justify him, now is the accepted time.” By way of answer the man pressed the cold blue steel blade to his lips and signed to the other to lead on. He too bad drawn a dagger like that carried by bis companion, the handle of which represented the coiled body of the Dukite. There could be no question but that these were the chosen avengers who bad follow- ed the Delisles from their island home. As they passed through the long halls each man eovered his face with a crape mask. They passed down the stairease, their feet awaking no echoes up)
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the stained floors, pushed open the door of the main salon, and crept in silently. Tbe door of the bedroom stood partly open and the Dukites paused and looked in, while the leader, toneping himself upon the breast, signified that he woul strike first. They approached the bed with the blue blades glittering in the moonlight raised above their head. Walter lay there sleeping, his broad breast rising and falling with each respiration, But these men, recognizing in him the most powerful bar to their designs against Oscar, never thought of pity. The bright blades glittered in the pccaeespy bod and the strong right hand of the avenger descended, There was a sharp, metallic ring and the blade was shivered to the very hilt upon the concealed vest which Walter Delisle, living as he had in constant danger of the assassin’s dagger, had learned to wear night and day. He was upon his feet instantly with a sword in his band— for he always kept arms beside him in his bed, The weapon was one of those frail but pointed blades which are manufactured especially for the use of ‘' Knights Templar,” of which body Walter was an active member. As he sprung from the bed he lunged out, and the hilt knock- ed against the breast-bone of the second assassin who was springing upon him with the design of stabbing him in the throat, The man uttered a hollow groan and dropped dead at the feet of the slayer, who, without attempting to remove the blade, snatched up a bowie from the table by his bed, aud uttering a shout to alarm the house, sprung upon the man who had struck him first. But that wily,villain had seen how useless it was for him tostruggle against a man clothed in mail, and springing back, had closed the door so quickly that the blow which was launched at his back was arrested by the wood through which the heavy bowie passed as if it had encountered paper. By this time the house was in an uproar. Servants variously armed were pouring down from the dormitories, and Don Estevan and Senor Cordoval rushed in with swords in their hands to find Walter bend- ing over the body of the man whom he had pierced through the lung. “Search the court-yard; send out horsemen toscour the prairie about the hacienda,” cried Walter, ‘I have made this one safe, but one has escaped.” The dying man made a feeble effort to strike him in the breast with his dagger, but the weak blow hardly penetrated the cloth and touched the mail, ‘Curse the mail vest!” hissed the baffled as- sassin. ‘ But for that the strongest enemy of the ‘elected twelve’ would now be dead with the sign of vengeance over his heart. Boware the eleven who still live—but most of all beware of thechief.” He grasped the bloody handle of the sword with both bands, and tried to draw it from the wound, but the effort was vain. Walter laid Ee band upon the sword and stopped his and, ‘*Not yet; I know enough of wounds to be sure that when that blade is removed your life goes with it, Who are your companions, and where is their secret haunt?” ‘Yes, dog,” hissed Oscar, whe by this time | his will is stronger than mine I cannot wake The Red Brotherhood. was in the room, “ speak before I tear you limb from limb.” “ Whatever bappens to the elected twelve you at least are doomed, murderer of our brother, I spit at you, and laugh you to scorn.” By a mighty effort he tore the blade from the gaping wound, a great gush of black blood fol- lowed, and the first of the elected twelve lay dead at their feet. * A most determined villain,” said Senor Cor- doval, ‘If the other eleven have this man’s determined courage, and I do not doubt it, it -will not be an easy task to defeat them.” ‘They are villains, it is true,” replied Walter Delisle, ‘‘and I have escaped them twice by great good fortune; but they are as brave men as any now upon the earth, Why should they not be?—men of all countries and all creeds, banded together with two objects, that of per- sonal ambition and the good of the brotherhood. I should have said one object, for every personal feeling sinks into insignificance in their eyes compared with the wants of the order, [ tell you, sir, that this order is grand in its concep- tions, were it not it lacks one thing which has made another order glorious.” “ And that—” “ Ts‘ charity towardall mankind.’ But, what shall we do with this body—for the ladies must not see it?” ‘‘The men are coming back,” was the reply of Senor Cordoval. ‘I hope that they have caught the other,” “Nover think it, sir,” replied Walter. ‘A Dutite always provides for his escape, and if be is not cut down in the beginning he will get clear.” Some of the men came in hastily, and an- nounced that not the slightest trace of the Du- kite was to be seen. In some way unknown, he had seemed to vanish from off the face of the earth. Senor Cordoval told them to take up the dead form of the Dukite and bury it upon the plain outside the walls. Walter bad thought it strange that, in this tumult in the building, nothing bad been beard from Zoraya and Mabel, and one of the maids sent up to their room soon returned and announced that they were sleeping, and her utmost efforts could not rouse them. ‘Go up to them, mother,” cried Walter, deep- ly agitated. ‘See if there is anything wrong, as | much fear. Perhaps they have been drugged —the Dukites understand drugs better than any men on earth,” Mrs. Delisle left the room in great haste, and hurried up to the chamber in which the girls slept. As she looked at their faves she started, and turning hastily, sent a servant after Walter whom she met at the door, “Unless Lam very much mistaken you will understand this,” she said. ‘* Come in and look at them.” Walter entered and looked into the silent faces. ‘‘Mesmerism!” he cried, turning pale, ‘“‘and we have drivea away the man who made them sleep. “Jt is a question of power of will, is it not, my dear Walter?” “Yes; the strongest will rulesthe weaker. If
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The Red Brotherhood. 13 them; if mine is most powerful bis will mnst bend to it. I will make the trial first on Mabel. Mabel!” The girl did not stir, but a singular expression flitted across her face. ‘* You have been put to sleep by a strong man but his will must bow to mine. He has told you to sleep; J command you to wake.” She started slightly and muttered brokenly and again sunk back. Walter compressed his lips, and laid his hand upon her forehead witha oe pressure. ‘Wake, Mabel; I will it!” There was a violent struggle in the mind of the sleeping girl. The powerful will already in possession of her intellect struggled hard for the mastery, but a still more powerful opposed it. A moment more and Mabel started up, looking wildly about ber. ‘Where is he? what has happened? Ah, is it you, dear Walter?” ‘Tam here, my dear girl. Be calm and tell me what you have seen, if you will?” ‘¢ 4 man stood there looking at me, and when I was about tocry out he commanded me to Macs “Did you see bis face?” “T cannot recall it, but it seems to me that I should know it in my sleep.” ‘‘That is enough for the present. I imagine that it will not require so strong an effort to awake Zoraya as my will has conquered bis.” He touched Zoraya lightly on the forehead and commanded her to awake, and seeing that her eyes were opening he at once left the cham- ber, accompanied by tbe servants who were without tbe curtains. “Tt seems strange that you should go into that room,” hissed an angry voice in his ear. He looked up and saw Oscar looking at him ina threatening manner. ‘*T don’t think you know what you are talk- ing about,” replied the young man, coolly. ‘‘Mother sent me and it was needed, for both Mabel and Zoraya were in a deep sleep.” “Pshaw. A capital excuse, I sbould think. Motker is always on your side, and I should be glad to know by what right you call the senora by ber first name.” ‘A slip of the tongue, certainly,” replied the young man, laughing. ‘“ But, once for_all, no other man in this house could bave roused them from that sleep, and I believe that no other man in the world could have done so. Laugh if you will. but it is so.” “You must not cross my nath in this as you have everything else in life,” cried Oscar, with a fierce look. ‘If you do, woe be to you.” “T believe that you are going crazy, upon my honor, 1! will not talk with you any more upon the subject until you are master of yourself, as you certainly are not now. Don’t you see that the servants are looking at you?” Oscar drew back and Walter went down to the lower floor, where be found the rest of the gentlemen in close consultation, ‘We must open the campaign at once,” said Senor Cordoval. ‘‘Iam not the man to allow my house to be invaded in this way, nor will I endure it. To-morrow fifty men will be in the saddle to commence the search,” ‘*You will look in vain, then,” said Walter, “but, take your own way.” The morning came and as its first rays shone upon the earth the band rode out at the hacien- da gates in gallant array. When they reached the place where they had buried the Dukite, the night before, they found only an empty hole, the fresb earth about it bearing the marks of many feet. Walter pointed to the opening asa preof of what he had said. “They have taken away the body to bury it according to their rites,” he said. ‘*‘ We shall look for them in vain.” At this moment they were joined by the Scotchman and Jack Dean. whom they meant to take up at their cabin. The latter bore upon his saddle in front the motionless form of Billy Blake, whom he had found upon the plain. “One more count against the Dukites!” fairly howled the stockman. ‘Are you ready to march?” CHAPTER V. THE BURIAL BY FIRE. In the heart of the mountains nature had scooped out a deep bowl, the bottom a tangled mass of pines and dense shrubbery of mountain growth. A deep, dismal place in which the foot of man bad rarely rested—a place from which the Indian shrunk with holy horror for heknew that the bad spirits of the mountains dwelt in this dismal spot. Even the miners in the search for gold avoided the locality for they saw little hope for them inthe dry bottom where there was neither water nor quartz, -Shastas and other Indian tribes bad seen the spirits which inhabited the place and feared them. It is night, dark, lonely night, the clouds hid- ing the face of the moon; a single man comes stealing down the mountain-side and disappears among the pines; there follows an interval of silence; then another man passes, In this way ten forms go down the mountain-side and are hidden by the pines. Haif an bour later a single man, tall and strong, goes down the path alone and no one follows him. Eleven! The number of the Red Dukites since one has fallen upon the sword of Walter Delisle at the hacienda. A single spark of light is seen gleam ing like a star threading its way ip an erratic manner among the trees, Suddenly it goes out and all is darkness in the deep vale, Then a twelfth man comes stealing down the mountain and is lost among the pines. Who is it that dares follow on the Dukites’ trail, in their secret haunts?” A great cave, the roof hung with stulactites of rare beauty. A fire blazes in the midst of the vast room making it glorious in its beauty. In a circle about the fire, nenr which stands a heap of resinous pines covered by a blood-red cloth, eleven men are seated in a circle. Each wears a mask and a white robe, upon the breast of which is worked in red the fatal serpent sign, and in the red belt above the waist is seen the slender dagger with the bandle, Only one bas
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_ raised and brought bim here, you alread 14 ed high above the rest wearing a sort of helmet, upon tbe front of which are three words in ano unknown tongue, “ Arve all bere?’ demanded the chief, in a deep ne. ** All,” responded the brethren. ‘We were twelve,” continued the chief, ‘I ses but ten brothers of the serpent before me. Where is the twelfth?” ‘‘ Here!” cried one of the brethren, throwing off the red cloth from the heap of pines which was indeed a funeral-pile. Upon this heap, clothed in the robes of the Dukite but without a mask, lay the man who had been slain by Wal- ter Delisis. The blood which had been drained from him by his terrible wound had left his face of the color of impure wax, but there was a certain majesty in his appearance, even in the repose of death, For, notwithstanding the fact that bis had been a life full of evil and violence, it was a bold face—tbat of a man who had not yetreach- ed his thirtieth year. The eleven looked at the still face for a moment, and then each covered bis eyes, crying out: ‘“‘ Woe, woe, woe, to the accursed race! Death to our enemies! Iv this world woe, in the world to come—torments!” I must speak and tell how this happened,” the chief said. ‘‘ We two were deputed to put to death Walter Delisle. Fate has been against us, and we have failed, utterly. I went first to the eabin of the stockman, Dean. In playing cards my sleeve caught upon the rough table, and the serpent sign was revealed. I was taken, but escaped by stratagem, dealing Dean a blow which he will remember for days tocome. My companion was on the alert, and watched the cabin. Soon he saw the younger of the three men leave it to warn the people at the hacienda that we were on the track. He ran on before the horse, and wien he had tempted the young man near enough, threw a boomerang and brought him down, We climbed a tree at the southwest angle of the hacienda wall, dropped our ladder into the courtyard, and descended easily enough and entered the house, I put the spell of sleep upon the young girls while ke”’— pointing to the body--‘‘discovered the pines in which they allslept. Then westruck at Walter, but he wears a vest under his shirt, Remem- ber, if you strike at him tostrike him in the throat, He seiz2d asword aud killed my friend, and I fled, for the house was already in confn- sion, How they buried our brother and we know. If I bave not done well—if l have failed in any thing, each brother has a dagger, and my breast ‘is bare,” “You have done well, oh chief,” responded the solemn voices of the ten brothers, ‘‘ No man could do more, and we are commanded to fize when there is no hope.” “Enough, then. Lat us take counsel, here above the dead form of the man we have loved, and who has died for ns. It was decided toslay Walter Delisle first. Let us see if we can not first torture this hated race in other ways. I have not been idle, and have both seen and heard much which will do us good, First, we Tho Red Brotherhood. no dagger and that one is the chief, who is seat- : know that the father and Walter Delisle love Mabeldearly. Ifany thing were to happen to her, it would cause them great agony.” sf It is good; let their hearts be wrung to the core. **Zoraya Cordoval is beautiful, The first glance of her eyes has made the two brothers love her, and they are already at daggers’ pointe, Let us stir up strife between them, and know that there is evil enough in the heart of Oscar Delisle to eause him to kill even a brother if he stands in the way. 1f we could do thisit would be well.” A murmur of approval passed through the circle at this refinement of vengeance, and a clapping of hands was beard. “Task you then, brothers, whether it would not be better to drop violence until they siok into repose, and work upon those loves and hates?) While they stay here, and fifty men are ready to spring into the saddle when Walter Delisle lifts bis band, we can do littl. Why not send out four men, the most subtle among us, to worm their way into the confidence of our enemies and wait the time to stmke a Llow?” There was a burried conference among the ten, and then one of them spoke up quickly: “1 speak for the brethren. Let the chief name those to do the work.” “Number three, four and eight are the men I have chosen, and I also will go. To number three 1 give the work of betraying the maidens.” “T aecept the work,” replied a melodious voice, ‘‘and I wiil not fail to do my work well.” “‘ Accepted and recorded. Number four f give the task of working among the stockmen, becausa he has lived among them. These fools think that the Dukites dwell only in the South Seas, but we know that their members dwell in many lands, and are ready to do the work of the order.” “‘T obey,” answered number four, * Accepted and recorded. To number eight I give Walter Delisle, and it is a dangerous mis- sion, for he is a mav worthy of the name, whom itis not easy to deceive. You accept, number eight?” ‘I do.” - ‘Record it. As for me, I have chosen my work, and while I retain a general supervision over the actions of the others, my work is with Oscar Déjisle. You shall see him wrought up to that pitch of fury that he shall be ready to stain bis hands in his brother’s blood, If I can ac- complish that, you will say that I have done well?” ‘We will,” responded the robed brothers. “We know you, and what you promise you will be sure to perform.” “Once more I say to the rest, keep close. If you need anything, you are unknown in Tampa, and any one of you can go for what you want, The means to buy it lie at your feet in the wealth of this strange valley, where gold may be had by simply picking the nuggets off of the soil. Number three, I have chosen you in place of my dead friend.” “ And I will be as true to you as he was.” re- sponded the same melodious voice, ‘‘ Great chief, you have only to command and your ser- vant will obey, Only let me warn you to be-
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ware of one thing—the love of the profane, It is written in our Jaws that none of the Dukites may wed outside the society.” “Why do you say that?’ demanded the chief in a changed voice, “ Zoraya Cordoval is beautiful—” “T could kill her without mercy.” “ And Mabel Delisle: wbat of her?” “Say no more or you may go too far, As for Zoraya she is the magnet by which I will draw both Oscar Delisle and bis brother to their fate. Yet I would give much to know that Walter Delisle, was a sworn brotber, for with his will joined to mine we could make the world bow down before us. I do not wish to say it, but he is stronger even than I, You remember Itold you that I had put the sleep spell upon the maidens?” “ Yes,” “Last night, long before the hour I had ap- pointed for their waking, I felt his will strug- ling with mine for the possession of these mai- lens. I tought hard, first for Mabel and then for Zoraya, but I was var quished and felt them pass away from me, Had I been upon the spot with my eye upon the sleepers, and my hands weaving the mystic signs above them, I know not who would have been victorious, but he is conqueror now. Silence all!” He raised bis band above his head, and made a sign which all understood, {n an instant the band were scattered in confusion, and the chief stood with a single companion, the man known as ‘‘ number three,” beside the dead form of the Dukite. “You felt it too, great chief?” murmured the sweet voice of his companion. ‘‘ Be at ease; it will not be long before the brothers bring good tidings.” The eyes of the chief gleamed like stars through his mask. The minutes passed slowly by, the fire burned low, when there came a con- fused sound of hurrying feet in the passage which led to the outer world, and a man with every mark of abject terror upon bis face, broke into the lighted cave where he was at once seized by the strong hands of the chief, and hurled to the earth, “To me, Dukites!” shouted the chief, “TI have him safe.” The men poured into the room and the prison- er was sejzed and dragged into the circle of light, which, falling on his face, revealed one of the stockmen of Cordoval, a half-breed Shasta, His face was literally convulsed with terror, for, ee a skillful scout he had a cowardly eart, ‘You have dared to act the spy on the coun- cils of the Serpent Brotherhood!” hissed the chief, ‘t and you have come in time. They wbo struggle with the serpent may find themselves in bis coils before they are aware, Who sent you to spy upon us?” “Mercy, mercy ; T could not help it, for they swore to kill me if I did not come. “ They—who are they?” “Senor Cordoval, Jack Dean and the rest. Do not kill me and I will join you; I will be your friend if you will only spare my life.” “Tine Red Dukites want no cowards among them,” was the chilling reply. ‘‘ My brothers, The Red Brotherhood. 15 you bave heard it said that our brothers sleep more peacefully if we lay beneath them the yet warm body of anenemy, The Spirit whom we serve knows our wants and has given this cow- ard into our hands, Who bas a dagger?” Ten blades gleamed in the light of the Jamp and the spy sunk under twenty stabs, bleeding at every pore. He did not struggle, for man of the keen blades bad been sheathed in his heart. They lifted the yet quivering body, and while some removed the form of their friend, the spy was Jaid upon the funeral pile beneath bim, when the other was replaced and then the band marched in solemn procession about the pie, singing a funeral dirge ina strange tongue. lree times they made a circuit of the pile, when the chief applied a torch and the resinous heap at once burst into flame. The Brabmin’s wife, who threw herself upon ber busband’s funeral-pile was not more devout in ber sorrows than these strange men. The murder they had just done was vothing to them—it was a duty, necessary to appease the manes of their depart- ed friend. With them there was only one ven- geance, the blow of the dagger, and life was an empty mockery at the best, Solemn and slow the funeral dirge rose about the pile as the white-robed men, still holding their bloody dag- gers, circled about the death-pile, The terrible heat consumed the two forms, and when tbe solemn march was ended and the fire was gone out they marched about a little heap of asbes smoking on the floor, all that remained of the half- breed “py and the first man that bad fallen of that terrible band. CHAPTER VI. MYSTIC VOICES. Tum avengers of Billy Blake and Pedro were in the foothills, eagerly searching for traces of their enemies. Walter bad little hope that they would succeed, but as they were determined he took the command and the search commenced. Toe balf breed alone of all the scouts sent out struck the true trail, and we have seen how little he gained. His ashes mingled with those of the fated ‘number twelve” in the mountain cave. No other trace of their enemies could be found and the scouts came in, one by one, utter- ly disheartened. ‘‘ We'll have to give it up, I’m afraid,” said Jack Dean. ‘The skunks have found out that it ar’ too hot for ’em an’ bev dug out.” - “That is not my opinion,” replied Walter, ‘““but while there is a well-organized company like ours upon tbeir track you will see nothing of the Dukites. My advice isto revurn to the ha- cienda and keep the scouts at work until they have a trace.” “T don’t know but you ar’ right, Cap, but I hate orfully to be beat, I'd give all the dust Ive got for a lick at thatskunk that came tomy cabin.’ “You will have a chance yet, The Dukitcs never forgive nor forget, and you will hear from them again before many days. You may be sure of this. Are all the men in?” “That balf-breed Justin ain’t here, but I don’t set much store by him, an’ he may never come | back. He’s a cowardly hound, any~ way. }
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“That makes no difference here,” rejoined Walter, ‘‘He is one of us and as such he is worth waiting for. We will give him five hours, Inthe mean time, let the scouts be at work,” The search was fruitless, Old mountaineers as they were, not one of the men knew anything of the existence of the cave which held the Du- kite secret, As the five hours drew nigh toa close the men came in, one by one, until all save Justin stood in the silent glade. “Tt’s no use,” protested Jack Dean, ‘‘I did think the half-breed had got skeered an’ pegged out, but now I don’t think it; the cussid Dukites have got their claws on him.” ‘Ha, ha, ha!” roared a voice under their feet. “ They follow the Dukites, they dare follow the Elected Avengers! Ha, ha, ha!” The camp was in confusion, and the stock- men, starting to their feet, looked wildly about them in search of the owner of the mysterious yoice, They clambered up the rocks and search- ed in the crevices, but nothing rewarded their search, “ Dig for us!” cried the same voice, “Delve into the bowels of the mountains if you would find the haunts of the Red Dukites. You are drones—you are fools! Where is the balf-breed, Justin? “WhereisBilly Blake? Whereis Pedro, the Mexican scout? Let all men who follow us beware!” “ Hold me, some chap!” howled Jack Dean, as he danced wildly about on the rocks, ‘ I’m so durned mad [ know I shall bust. I feel it in my bones. Oh, let me once get my claws on ea ant won't I make you sweat blood for is “Ha, ha, ha; Jack Dean, do you remember the blow I gave you in your cabin on the night when Billy Blake was killed? Does your head ache? Is the hand of the Red Dukite heavy?” “Oh, come and see mo!” bawled Dean, ‘‘Come all at once, the hull darned caboodle, an’ ll make the liveliest time you ever heard tell of.” “We are not fools,” was the reply. ‘‘ You have commenced the search for the Dukites, and we laugh at you. When you find us we shall know it. When you can burrow in the earth like moles and dive into the sea without harm, then you can cope with the Red Dukites.” “Til match you yet, you red fiends,” yelled Dean, as the voices seemed to recede before him. ‘Come out and face us.” Mocking laughter was the only response and the stockmen again began a frantic search of the rocks in the hope that some opening might ba found, There was one crevice from which a thin smoke slowly rose, and they searched it without avail for a large opening. This smoke migbt arise from a dozen causes, and yet Walter was in doubt, “Boot and saddle, boys,” he said, after a moment’s thought. ‘I begin to think that we are no match for the Dukites on their own ground, and this business really puzzles me. hey have got hold of Justin in some way, and I have no doubt that he is dead already, for they never spare an enemy once in their hands unless he is worthy to be one of them, when they place every inducement before him. I, The Red Brotherhood. myself, if I had yielded to their demands, would at this moment be a chief among them, if not the chief.” ‘Did they want you?” cried Senor Cordoyal. “That is very strange as they hate you so much, I am really very much in doubt as to Phat ey: mean by making you such a proposi- ion. ‘Yet the man who proposed it placed before me riches and power if I would join them. He roved to me beyond a doubt that these prom- ises could be fulfilled, and I bave no doubt they would have been if I bad yielded.” ‘*Pshaw!” sneered Oscar, ‘‘ How you do wish to be regarded as a man of unspeakable virtue, Wallie. Every man has bis price. The choice of riches and honor before you, you would have chosen as any other man.” “Tn other words—” began Walter, with a quickening pulse, bis hands convulsively clinch- ed «s he faced his brother. “Silence, Oscar!” cried the father, as the young man was about to retort. ‘“‘If you open our lips I disown and disinherit you, and you now that what I promise, I fulfill.” Oscar stopped, a flash of furious passion on his face. He knew his father well and that if he dared speak he would be disinherited from that hour, Yet furious passion was tugging at bis heart, and he was in a m to commit al- most any act. His eyes, with him the best in- dex of his intense passion, turned bloodshot. An ensanguined mist swam before them and for a moment he was literally a madman. “You were about to insult your brother, Os- car,” said the father, quickly, ‘‘and it was time that I interfered. You must remember that I know that Walter speaks the truth. Did he not show me the letter he received?” “A letter!” sneered Oscar, ‘‘ Let it pass, fa- ther; I won’tsay anything to bring down the pride of your pet. How long are we going to stay fooling here? Our astute yoe captain does not seem to accomplish mucb.” “Hear us, Oscar Delisle!” cried the hollow voice beneath their feet, ‘‘ You have committed three crimes which in themselves alone deserve death. You have murdered a man who bad done you no wrong—like a coward, firing be- fore the time.” ‘Lior!’ shrieked Oscar, ‘“*'You know it is true, you villain, You have robbed an old man of a treasure which he val- ued more than life itself, for it was his all.” “ Again you lie!” screamed Oscar, “TI have not done this, and you only say it because you hate me.” ‘Tt is as true as the records of the Dukites,” replied the voice, ‘and you deny it because you wish to appear well in the eyes of Senor Cordoval. Fool! Do you think that Zoraya will care for you when Walter loves her?” A look of shame mingled with rage appeared upon the face of Oscar Delisle. He gasped for breath and his hands opened and closed ina con- vulsive way. 3 “Tt tears your proud heart to have this known, base dog!” cried the invisible Dukite. ‘‘T can see your face full of deadly pain, and know that you are almost ready to take your brother’s life, Liar, you seek to deny that we
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The Red Brotherhood. would have loved your brother if be had loved us. It is false; we would have made him our chief, would have placed him, with the consent of the greatest among us, even above him who is now our chief,” A biss like that of a serpent came from the closed lips of the tortured man, and the Dukites laughed in chorus. **-You demons, you hounds! Oh, to be among you for a moment, sword in hand.” ‘You are not yet appointed to die, Oscar De- lisle. When the time comes we will give you the rest you seek. Where is Mary Vanverne, the beauliful maid of Tasmania? Who was her destroyer and sent her to rest under the salt sea? Who but Oscar Delisle, the white curse of the South Seas?” * Great heaven, Oscar!” cried Mr. Delisle, ina voice of wonder, “‘ what do these charges mean?” “Yo you wish to have meswear upon the holy book, that these charges are false? They are, and my word ought to be enough, But if you require it 1 will swear.” “T remember seat Vanverne, a beautiful girl, and wondered what had become of her. If you have injured that beautiful child you shall rue it,” cried Walter. *¢ A moment since when I doubted your boast- ing words, my father interfered with threats of disinheritance. Now when you offer me a deeper insult he is silent.” ‘Because I fear that there is cause for the ac- cusation,” groaned the elder Delisle. ‘‘ Who was the man you killed, whom you said was a Dokite? Tbe brother of Mary Vanverne, the White Maid of Tasmania, as brave a youth as ever trod the earth. Where was Mary last seen? With you, upon the sea-shore among the coral reefs, This much I know, but whether you have wronged her, or whether, as you say she was driven to her death by hopeless love, I cannot tell, This much I do know, the girl was pure as an angel of light.” ** And so she was for all the wrong I did her,” replied Oscar, hoarsely. ‘‘I bave offered to swear to it, and I cannot do more than this if you cast me out forever,” “We must be satisfied with that,” said his father, ‘‘Come, Walter; if there is no means of making out the mystery of these voices, let us march at once,” “There is something in this deeper than we can fathom, at present,” said Walter. ‘Mount and follow me.” The cavalcade rode down the pass, followed Lf a burst of taunting laughter, at which the old rocks rung again, The night was coming on when Walter who rode in advance, felt his horse tremble beneath bim, and then stop sud- denly. A dark form lay extended on the grass beneath the boofs of his horse—a form which remained motionless after the hoofs touched it. Walter called the party toa balt, and leaping from the saddle, bent over the prostrate form. ‘Tt’s a man,” -he said, ‘‘ and he seems to have lost his senses. Hi! wake up here, my man! He don’t seem to have been drinking, and yet— Aronse, old man! Whatis the matter with you?” _ man moved feebly and apr gret his arm in an uneasy, groping way, as e were dazed by a fall, 17 ‘*T—I don’t know where I am,” he said feebly. ‘“Where are you, Dolff Help me up, for I havebad a fall, Are the mare’s knees all right?” ‘Never mind the mare now,” said Walter. “ She is all right, and if you will come with us we will show you where she is,” “Vl go,” replied the injured man, rising with the assistance of Walter’s strong arm, ‘I be- lieve she threw me, but I don’t lay it up against her, for she is a good beast. Where is Dolf? I don’t see him anywhere, and he promised to meet me here.” At this moment the beat of hoofs was heard, and a stranger came up at a gallop, leading a mare by his side. ‘‘Strangers,” he said, hurriedly, “‘have you seen a man—why Abe, old boy, how are you! I reckon you have had a fall, for I found the mare on a wild gallop over the prairie. Ar’n’t you ashamed, an old mustanger to be thrown by any piece of horseflesh going?” ‘She stepped in a gopher hole, Dolf,” replied the injured man. ‘“ These strangers found me and now they’ve done so much maybe they'll tell us how to get to the hacienda.” ““ Which one?” said Walter. **De Cordoval; we are old mustangers out of a job, and we reckoned we might have some- thing to do there. We know horses, gentlemen, and that’s what the senor wants,” “You are in luck, gentlemen,” said Walter, “Here is the senor to speak for himself. You had better ride with us tothe hacienda where te will be welcome, and, to-morrow you may able to do something.” “Tf you aretbe men I think you are,” said Senor Cordoval, ‘t you will be welcome; I will give you work to do, and enough of it. Ride on, gentlemen,” An hour's ride brought them to the hacienda, and the stockmen scattered to their several cabins with the exception of those who had quarters in» the bacienda, Jack Dean tock charge of the strangers, and led them to his cabin, Sandy McGregor and himself being all that were left of his party. As they entered the cabin the two stockmen looked at their new companions. The one who had fallen was tall, stooping slightly from being much in the saddle, with a pale face closely shaven, and a very de- cided look about bis firm mouth and in bis deep- set eves. In short, he was a bold-looking fel- low, just the sort to please the eye of a border- man, The second was a man of a slighter build with a fair complexion, blue eyes and almost girlish expression. The stockmen fell in love vA We are bapoy-go-lucky fellows, I tell’you,” 6 are happy-go-lucky fellows, I tell you, said the slighter. of the two. ‘Any cards, stranger? I’dlike a game for love as I ain’t got any money to throw away.” “We had a game the other night with a big thief that gave me a lick in the jaw that made them sing Fallelujah for two days, and they ain’t fairly quit aching yit. Id like to git hold of the low cuss!” said Jack, An almost imperceptible smile crept over the face of the elder of the two strangers. ‘* He gave you a good one, eh?” ‘Good one; thunder! It sent me on my back
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rd ‘ quicker than scat! I thought lightning had fetched me, that time sure!” “ What sort of a man was be?” “ Taller than you ar’ but straighter in the back —a hard one to tackle. We tore his sleeve on the table there an’ showed a red sarpint on his arm, an’ we went for him but he fooled us; didn’t he, Sandy?” “ Aweel, yes, mon; he fooled ussairly. Gin I meet him, soul o’ me body but Vil mek him sorry.” “Where was this mark?” demanded the man called Abe, stripping his sleeve to the elbow. “A red snake with his head up, just below the shoulder here?” “Ay,” said Sandy, laying his finger on the naked arm of thespeaker. ‘‘ Ye ha’e a bonny aerm, mon, an’a sair string muscle, Na doot yec'u’d gi’9 a mona de’il o’a pelt aif ye were sae minded.” “T’m not a baby,” replied Abe, making the muscles rise and fall ia great snaky folds. “ Now D’ve sean this chap you are speaking of within a week, and I had alittle turn up with bim” “Did you lick him?’ “‘Dolf said I did, but I don’t know, He gave me something to remember bim by.” -“He was a boony lad if be was a veelin,” epee Sandy. ‘I bope to meet bim ae day. eel, weel, it’s a sair warld we leeve in, I gar ye understand.” The cards were brought out and they had a —, time, the free hearted stockmen furnish- ing their adversaries with money enough fora “stake.” Tobey played until the ‘wee sma’ hours” as Sandy said, and drank punch brewed by that wortby, who, ati the last, was heard to sing: “ We're na that fou, we're na that fou, * But just a droppie in our e’e; The day may daw, the cock may craw, But still we’se taste the barley bree!" The new-comers exchanged glances of satis- faction, for it bad been their pian to make the two stockmen boozy. But, bleared as his eye was, and silly the expression on his face, Sandy McGregor was not drunk! CHAPTER VIL. FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD. Tue carousal went on ia the cabin, and Jack Dean was the first to succumb; and at last, in nning again ‘ Willie brewed a peck of mavt,” Sandy went under the table, and the two new recruits looked at each other across the board, “They are there,” said the taller of the two, “ What think you of the description of the man whom they tried to takein thiscabin? Shall we doit? They are dangerous men—that infernal Scotchman, especially.” “ We must notdo it yet. You see our power, and that at any time we can hive them in our hands as tamely as now. No, no; let uste good stockmen for a while, and earn_our daily bread by the sweat of our brow. Good faith! our South American experience will stand us in good stead here, since we have set up for stock- men. Now for a little rest.” The Red Brotherhood. Ce enna The two men lay down in the bunks by the fire-place and were soon asleep. No sooner was this done than Sandy McGregor rolled over 80 that his face was turned toward the bunk in which the slighter of the two men was lying. He was already fast asleep, but for half an hour Sandy lay silent, until the heavy breath- ing of Abe convinced him that he, too, slept, when the Scotchman began to roll himself along the floor to the bunk occupied by the younger man. His right arm covered only by the linen of his sbirt, for he had thrown off his coat, bung over the edge of the bunk, McGregor had a bowie with a needle-like point, and inserting this in the cloth without touching the flesh he made a slit about six inches in length, beginning just below the shoulder. Having done this he did not move, fearing that what be had dono might disturb the slumbers of the young man. Five minutes after, satisfied that the boy still slept, he raised himself cautiously and parted the slit he had made In the cloth and looked. Although be bad suspected something of this, yet it was with a feeling of horror that_he saw on the bare arm the blazing sign of the Dukites. The Scotchman fell back on the floor and roll- ed bimself over and over until he reached the door, when with a sudden bound he flang him- self out into the darkness, running like a hunt- ed stag in the direction of the hacienda. The old Highlander was fleet of foot and long-wind- ed and the run of a mile was nothing to him. In five minutes he was clamoring for admission at the bacienda gate and when be made himself known he was at once admitted. “ Quick wi’ ye, lads,” he cried, as some of the men gathered about him. ‘Rouse up Master Walter and tell him it's no a time to dilly-dally wi’ the girls. I want him.” ‘* What bave you got to say?” “Dinna fash yersel’, chiel! If onybody ha’e a chance to mek a drap of siller, it’s his bounden duty to mek it. Don’t waste time, laddie, but ha’e him oot.” Walter, who was in the parlor with the rest of the young people, came out at once when he beard who wanted him. “Why, Sandy; what’s the matter?” “‘T dinna ken,” said Sandy, ‘‘seein’ ye are havin’ yer divarsion wi’ the bonny lassies wether or no yese thank me ower muckle for mekin’ ye gang oot, but there’s the deevil to pay oop till our boose.” * What’s the matter, I say?” ‘““Yeken the twa chiels we found the night oot on the plains? I’m a wee hit afraid they’re no so canny as they lookit til the outside, mon,” “Dinna ve think what I ha’e to tell maun be worth a trifle o’ siller?” ‘If you have any really good information you shall be paid.” ‘“ What will ye ei’e me gin I deleever intil yer hand twa o’ thev Duckits?”’ “ Give ran Five hundred dollars the moment they are in my hands,” “Five hoonderd dollars! My certie, mon, but ye’re ower flush wi’ the siller. Get help then an’ coom awa’, for the de’il’s in it gin they twa dour deils at our hoose are na Duckits.” ‘Collect ten good men as soon as you can
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The Red Brotherhood. i — while L alarm my father and the rest. viek!” The Scotchman, sure of the reward, now wasted no time, and when the gentlemen had reached the gate he was there with ten of the bravest men in the hacienda, “No horses,” said Walter, ‘‘ and J will kill the man who fires a shot before I give the word. Lead the way, McGregor, and make haste.” Sandy struck at once into a long swinging walk, which caused some of the shorter legs in the party to stretch themselves to the utmost to keep up. At such a pace the distance between the hacienda and the cabin was soon passed over, and the party were halted within ten feet of the door, while Sandy stole up to take an observation. Gazing in at the open door he saw Jack Dean still lying where le fell, while the two men they sought Jay in the bunks fast asleep. A grin of triumph passed over the face of Sandy as he thougbt of the five bundred he would win, and turning he beckoned the rest to come on. ‘Two men were placed at the window with orders to knock any one on the head who wttempted to pass out and the rest rushed in at the open door over the prostrate form of Jack Dean. At the first sound of a step on the floor the hunted men were on their feet with a long- bladed knife in one hand and a pistol in the other, They saw at once that in some way they had been betrayed, and as the one calling himself Dolf glanced at bis sleeve, be knew how it was that they had been discovered. “Wait!” said the taller man, straightening bis bent back. ‘‘It may save two or three lives if you give me a moment’s time. What do you want with us?” ‘© We charge you with the murder of the young man known as Billy Blake,” said Wal- ter, ‘‘and with being accessory to other deaths, T know your face, David Slocum, and you know that you deserve death.” “Gently, Walter, gently! My pistol covers you, and you know that I never miss. If we give ourselves up, what will you do with us?” “We will take you to the hacienda and give you a fair trial.” “ With yourself and men for judge and jury. That is a magnificent idea, but ib does not suit me, Once for all, if you will send me to Tampa to be tried we will yield; otherwise we will fight it out.” ‘At this moment a stout lariat settled over the head of the speaker, and be was drawn with sudden force backwerd, and the pistol he held exploded without injury. At the same moment the stockmen darted upon the two men, and Dolf was quickly overthrown, but not until he had severely wounded one of bis assailants. But with Dave Slocum the struggle was despe- rate. Although bis arms were bound to his sides by the lazo, and he had little use of his hands, he fought desperately with bis feet and head, stamping like a wild bull at bay. Half a dozen men were on him at once, but shaking his huge form as a water-dog does, be shook them off and managed to free bis arms, but before he could raise them be fell under a blow froma heavy pistol in the hand of Sendy McGregor. “Lie down, ye dour devil!” roared the Scotcb- Be 19 man. ‘ Div ye theenk I’m gaun to lose my five hoonderd dollars?” Dave Slocum was down, his hands and feet bound, and the victors stood flushed and panting on the floor of the cabin, ‘Seems to me you make mighty free with my ranch,” said Jack Dean, sitting up quickly. “ What’n thunder are you all doin’ byar?: Any man would think it was your ranch an’ not mine, the way you kick up a sbindy byar. Hullo, Abe; they've got you in a tigbt hitch, seems to me! I guess J won’t ‘low any man that got drunk with me to be tied in my raneb,” “Haul off your hand, mon,” said Sandy Me- Gregor, as Jack advanced unsteadily to cut the bonds of the prisoner. ‘‘Dinna ye ken tbat this auld beastie is gray wi’ wisdom? That dour thief is ae Duckit.” Duckit was as near the proper term as the burr under Sandy McGregor’s tongue would allow. Jack Dean stared in surprise, and was sober in an instant, ‘But, see hyar; I understood that every Du- kite had the mark of the sarpint on his arm an’ this big ’un ain’t.” “Strip bis right arm tothe shoulder,” said Walter. ‘If the Red serpent is not there David Slocum shall go free, villain though he is,” ‘You won't find any serpint on him,” Jack Dean declared. ‘‘ I've seen his arm.” “Did he take the trouble to show it to you, Jack?” “Yes, he did.” “Then he has some cbject in view for which I cannot account. Let me look at bis arm.” The brawny arm of Slocum was bared, and there was no mark upon itanywhere. Fora mo- ment Walter wes puzzled, and a look of hope came into the dark face of the prisoner. “ Keep your werd now, Walt Delisle, You said you would set me free if you could not find the mark of the serpent on my arm!” he said. “And I never broke my word yet with a friend or foe, If the mark is not on your arm you shall go free,” “* Here, boys!” said the prisoner, in a cheerful tone; ‘your leader tells you to cast off there bonds and set me free,” Not vet, old fellow,” ssid Walter, quietly. “There is something about this that [ don’t understand, but I never allow anything of this kind to go without studying it a little. When we were friends I remember well that you bad three moles in the shape of a triangle just above the elbow-joint. T would like to know where they are gone, Suppose you take up that other sleeve,” “What for?’ cried the prisoner, furiously. “Cnrse you, let me slove!” “Up with the sleeve, boys!” said Walter, “I think I see my way through this thing.” In spite of the struggles of the prisoner the other arm was loid bare, end a sbout of laugh- ter burst from the men as the two were laid side by side, While both were brawny limbs, nobly proportioned in every way, the left arm was dotted with black moles and covered with black bairs. He ground his teeth in fury as the stockmen laughrd. ‘“Pwins, by thunder!” roared Jack Dian,
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20 “Something must hey struck into that arm, stranger; ’tuin’t nigb so pooty as vother.” ‘*Oh, if my hands were free—if only for a moment!” hissed Slocum, “A little turpentine here, Jack!” ordered Walter, passing bis finger over the bare right arm. “I want to make a little experiment.” Jack brought a small bottle of the required article, and while some of the men held the arms of the desperate man, the young leader applied a little of the turpentine, and rubbed it hard, A thin coating of paint disappeared from the arm, and the blazing serpent of the ae appeared in bold relief upon the white skin, **T don’t think we will let you go just yet, Dave, my boy,” said Walter, quietly. ‘‘ Rope him well, and away with him to the hacienda— I have no doubt Senor Cordoval will give him lodgiugs, as he intended.” An hour later and the two Dukites, heavily manacled, were in the deepest cells which the ancestors of the Cordovals had made beneath the hacienda. Manacles supplied the place of the ropes, and a stout iron belt surrounded the body, and to this was attached an iron chain which in turn was fast to aring set into the solid stone. Fate seemed to be against the Duk- ites, yet the sublime faith which had upheld them before, was with them now, “Wait and hope, my brother,” said David Slocam. ‘ Help will come to us, even here.” Dolf said nothing, but there was something in his eyes which told that he was losing hops. CHAPTER VIII. THE DUKITES IN BONDS. “Wer must look out for our recruits for a while,” said Walter, after the prisoners had been placed in the cells. ‘I never dreamed that we could have the luck to nab this man, for, although I am not certain of it, I believe that he is the master spirit of the Dukites,” ‘You know him, then?” “Know him? Who of all the men who ever lived in the South Seas does not know him? There is no crime of which he is not capable, and yet I have never been able to trace a single one to his door. He has the reputation of hav- ing been a pirate, but there is no proof, Rob- beries without number have been laid at his door, and yet he alwaysescaped, Murders have been done and the burden of proof always de- clared him innocent. Thatis easy enough when au dozen men were always ready to prove an alibi—men whom we did not then know to be members of bis infamous band,” “What was be?” “He has been captain of a whaler, and after that of a fast schooner, said to be engaged in tha sandal-wood trade, but in reality kidnap- ping natives to labor on the plantations about Honolulu. He has lived in Australia, South America and in China—speaks half a dozen languages fluently, and is a professor of mes- ynerism. A man of wonderful boldness, who, if he applied himself to honest pursuits might be hi @ chose,”” “Tt is hard to see such rare talents prostituted to such base purposes,” said Senor Cordoyal, The Red Brotherhood. ‘but while he is our enemy it is good to have him in our power, It was very lucky that Sandy McGregor kept his head clear last night.” **T thought so much of what he has done, that I gave him five bundred dollars for it, and he has earned it well. Jack Dean says be will sell his head for a football for he has been fooled twice by David Slocum.” ‘““Why was it that he wished to be tried at Tampa City?” * Don’t yee see that? Half a dozen of his friends will come in and swear that be was with them in a certain place when these murders were committed.” “Tsee how itis. But, how ean we, if be brings ough Bevo, hang bim for the crime?” “We will search every man who comes as a witness, and all who have the Dukite mark will be detained.” “Do you think they will come here, then?” “They are very bold men, and there are not many things they will not do, the scoundrels. Let us lay out a plan and keep to it and we shall come out conquerors.” The night passed and Oscar rose from-a sleep- less couch and went down into the court where he met Jack Dean, “Do you know that Sandy McGregor and that brother of yours did a neat trick last night? “What trick?’ said Oscar, carelessly, little dreaming what the answer would be, ‘*T hope to freeze if they didn’t nab the king- pin of the Dukites, a chap they call David Slo- cum, and another of the same stripe, a smooth- faced little cuss with a voice like a woman, “Dave Slocum?” ‘* Bet yer life! Leastways, Walter seemed to know him, an’ thet’s the name he guy him. And, boss, you may koock me all full of holes ef you want to, fur [ain’t wu’tb shucks no more. Lain’t a patch on the seat of a pair of pants. [’m a mullet-headed galloot with a glass eye, likewise with a wooden leg. A grasshopper on a raft an’ a ben under a barril.” a But it can’t be; the news is too good to be true.’ * And Jack Dean was drunk—drunk—drunk ; Jack Dean was drunk ez a b’iled owl, completely cumfoozled, an’ that long-headed Scotchman ~- in the stamps. Yes he did; he raked the ile!’ ‘* How was that?” ‘“* He played drunk, the uncivilized galloot, an’ when they slept the sleep of innersence an’ pu- rity, be crept in an’ opened the sleeve of the young ’un an’ saw the red serpint. Then he crawled out an’ got belp while I laid there drunk, an’ they nabbed the gang. What's ee ee guv him five hundred fur the ob. “Five hundred! I would have given a thou- sand—two—three—five, any amount to see Dave Slocum in the toils. Why wasI not called when the Scotchman came to the hacienda? Why am 1 always passed by when there is work to be done?” “‘T reckon they didn’t need you.” “Pll tell you the reason, if you want to know it; Walter wished to appear as a hero in the
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The Red Brotherhood. eyes of Zoraya, and purposely left me in the background. I’ll geteven with my good brother, some day, if it costs me my life. at heshould triumpb—tbat be shouid be the one to laugh in the face of my enemy in bonds— Where are the prisoners?’ “T reckon they are down in the cells.” “T must see them at once. It will be some- thing to spit in his face as he lies bound, and to laugh at him, even if I did not take him. Is he in strong irons, chained down like a mad-dog?” ‘* He ain’t any ways likely to get away,” was the reply of the stockman, ‘Irons on bis hands an’ feet an’ iron ’rouvd his waist, with a chain in the wall, orter keep bim, Thar’s Walter now, and you kin ask him what you kin do.” “Ask bim what I can do! Do you mean to insult me?” “Ska’cely; but he’s capt’in, you know, an’ we all obey orders here.” “Who made him your captain?” ‘¢ We did; hush your clam or be’ll hear.” “What dol care for that? I want bim to hear me and understand what I say, too. Walt, I bear you have taken Dave Slocum,” “You have heard the truth, Oscar, [ am happy to say that we have him bound down in heavy chains in the cells of the hacienda, That was « good night’s work, and we have to thank Sandy McGregor for it all.” “You don’t claim the honor yourself, then?” sail Oscar, inasulky tone. ‘I'd be glad to know why I was not called to share in the enterprise!” ‘You were asleep, and I did not wish to dis- turb you.” “Twas not asleep. Who the devil can sleep when such accusations are made and_ believed against him? This story about Mary Vanverne and her brother drove me nearly mad, and I was sitting in my room when you left the haci- enda. But, let that pass and take me down to see the prisoners.” ‘*What do you wish to see them for?” de- manded Walter, in an uneasy tone, * Never mind that; I wish to see Slocum and assure myself that we really bave him safe.” “You might take my word for that, I think,” said Walter. ‘‘ But, since you insist upon it I will go down with you.” He entered a low doorway at the south angle of the hacienda, and went through a long arch- ed passage, unbolting several doors as he went. At last be stopped at an iron-studded door be- fore which two stockmen were seated, each with a rifle laid across his knees, A huge key was in the lock of the door. The two men rose and stood at the ‘‘make ready,” until satisfied who the visitors were; then they grounded arms and saluted. “We are going in to see the prisoners,” ex- plained Walter. ‘‘ Don’t let any one else pass unless I give you leave,” He laid both hands on the heavy key, and by the effort of all bis strength turned it in the lock. Then, shooting back two heavy bolts he applied his shoulder to the door and entered. he two eee pe. who were seated on the benches which formed their bed, turned to look at the new-comers, and Slocum uttered a growl like that of a wild beast as he saw Oscar, who went quickly up to him, 21 “At last, Dave Slocum!” he hissed. ‘ Well met in the cells of the Hacienda de Cordoval!” “T might have known that this base wretch would come bere to exult over us, my brother,” said Dave Slocum, slowly, speaking to his friend. “It is like the black dog to insult his enemies when it is safe to do se. Oscar Delisle, your brother isa gentleman. It is through bim that we are here, and yet I cannot find it in my heart to hate him asI bate you. Look at bis face, Walter Delisle, and tell me if it is not the face of a vilain.” Oscar made a forward bound and strack the bound man in the face with bis open band, With a leap like that of an imprisoned tiger David Slocum sprang ee struck at bim with his manacled bands. That moment would have been bis Jast for his skull would have been crushed like an egg-shell, but, just at the right moment, Walter tripped his brother and he fel), and by the sheer impetus of the blow David Slocum fell upon his face with a resounding crash, Oscar, pale as death, rolled bimself out of reach of the beavy irons, and stood up with the look of a demon on his face, The shining barrel of a pistol appeared, but with a loud cr of astonishment and anger, Walter wrenched it from his grasp, “What would you do, madman tbat re are?” “Kill him like a dog, as he is; he richly de- serves it,” “Then you must kill me first.” “Did you not see bim iry to murder me? He would have done it, but for you.” “You struck him in the face—the act of a coward, I never thought a brother of mine could be guilty of such an act,” “Stand out of my way!” **T will not,” “Give me my pistol.” Instead of doing so, Walter cocked it and held it at bis brother's breast. “Stand back! While I live I will defend my prisoner.” “You hound! Ycu dare to come between a and the man | hate. Tben you sball go rst, He flung himself upon bis brother, when Wal- ter dropp d the pistol and caught him by the waist and for a moment the two struggled des- perately—one to pass by to the destruction of the prisoners and the other to keep him back. Driven to madness by opposition, Oscar re- leased one hand and struck his brother in the face, while David Slocum at the utmost limit of his chain endeavored to get a blow at either of the two, but especially at Oscar. ‘He bas done it, my brother,” the Dukite eried. ‘ Without our pat these two are ene- mies and what we seek will be accomplished.” Up to this time Walter had not put out all his strength, but with the blow he hurled Oscar to the earth and set bis foot upon him, Then too late he remembered that, after all, this man was his brother and he would have given any thing to recall the act. The two guards, who had darted in as soon as the confusion began, but not in time to interfere, now came up, “Give your orders, Cap,” said one of them. “We are witnesses that you were obliged to throw him,”
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“‘T have no orders to give, only that on no pretext whatever must you admit him to this cell while these prisoners are here. Get up, Oscar; you have done this by your own folly.” Oscar rose slowly and without saying a word shook his finger in a slow threatening manner in the face of bis brother and went out. ‘He's got a bad heart if he is your brother,” added the guard. ‘Thunder! You ought to lick him out of bis boots.” “T am sorry that be drove me to raiso my hand against him,” said the young man, sadly. ‘David, I will see that he does not have anoth- or opportunity to insult you as he has done to- a “ But for you, I would have repaid the insult ina way which would have settled all scores between us,” was the reply of the Red Dukite. Walter went out and closed the heavy door behind him, Ashe went up the stairs he met Mabel who was seeking him in haste. “What have you done to Oscar?” she said. “He has been with father, raving like a mad- man, and erying out that you have insulted him,” “Ts he with bim now?” “No; he has taken his horse and is by this time on his way to Tampa City.” He explained in as few words as possible the encounter with his brother, and then burried to bis father’s room, who listened to him with a sad look on his face. **You have done no more than any man would have done under the circumstances, ex- capt that you did wrong to set your foot upon him. He is your brother.” “T did that without thought, to keep bim down,” protested Walter. ‘If was sorry for it the next moment,” “ With his hot, passionate nature it is impos- sible to say what he will do,” continzed the father, ‘‘ Lat it go for the present, but you must conciliate him if possible.’ «J will apologize as soon as he is cool enough to receive the only apology it isin my power to make to anv man whom [ have wronged more than he. What is to be done with these Duk- ites?” ‘We will consult with Senor Cordoval and his son to-day, aud make up our minds as to what is best to bedone, You haveseen Mabel?” “Did she tell you where she was going?” “She said something about riding to Tampa City to flad Oscar,” f “> you think it best for her to go?” “Tt mignt do some good, and for meI shall not interfere. I would go with them but—” “You must not go, Let Mabel and this sweet child, Zoraya, speak to him, and they will win bim back.” An hour later, Zoraya and Mabel rode out of the hacienda and took tie road to Tampa City with only a Mexican boy as attendant. The oer passed; night was coming on, and Oscar, sullen and moody, rode iuto the court, alone, CHAPTER, IX. THE UNLOOKED FOR BLOW. “Tnx sullen boor,” muttered Hstevan Cordo- The Red Brotherhood. crave your pardon, Senor Oscar, but where did you leave your sister and Zoraya?” “T dov’t know anything about them. What do you mean?” ‘Have you been to Tampa City?” ‘* Yes—all day.” ‘* And bave you not seen the girls to-day?” “Certainly not; wby do you ask?” “Because they left here an hour after you did, meaning to search for you in Tampa City, and they have notcome back. I know not what to think, for Zoraya knows the roads well, and Juan was with them.” He shouted to a Mexican vaquero who was near by, and sent him with three or four others to scour the prairie in search of the girls, with orders to one to ride to Tampa and inquire, The news spread like wildfire through the ha- cienda that the young ladies were missing, and all was confusion. Mrs. Delisle and the mother of Zoraya were wringing their hands wildly and crying out to the men to send belp to their loved ones; while the gentlemen, more composed, but not the less troubled at heart, were making pre- parations to ride out in search, “The man I have sent to Tampa will make short work of the ten miles ho has to go,” said Estevan. ‘Before we allow ourselves to give way to fear, let us satisfy ourselves that they are not in Tampa City.” “They are not there—they are not there,” sobbed Mrs, Delisle. ‘*Those dreadful Dukites have taken them.” This was the fear which really occupied every heart, but which only the mother had dared to speak aloud. Waiter uttered a low groan and Oscar turned pale, ‘“You have boasted of your love for Zoraya,” he cried, fiercely facing bis brother. “* Why don’t you do something to save ber now?’ ‘I have made no such boast,” said Walter, sadly. ‘All that man can do I will do for her gake and Mabel’s, Ob, Oscar, lay aside your hate, for a time at least, and jin with melikea man in trying to rescue them if they are indeed taken.” ' ‘You will not find me slack in doing this,” replied Oscar. ‘‘I bear a horse’s hoofs on the prairie,” Every one ran out into the court-vard, just as the vaquero, who had been sent to Tampa City dashed into the onen space. ‘© What news, Gez?” cried Estevan. ‘They are not in Tampa anid have not been there,” replied the vaqnero, “ But as JT was passing through the gap where Pedro was killed a voice called to me and this letter was thrown at my feet. The man who threw it ordered ne to take it to the hacienda, if I valued my ife. Walter snatched the letter from the band of the vaquero, for be recognized in the form usually sent by the Dukites, Tearing it open hastily, he saw the blood-red serpent and under- neath these words: “To Our Exemres:—The serpent, when it receives a blow, stings the assassin. © Dukites have re- ceived such a blow. and two goodly branches have been lopped off. Two brothers of the Order sre chained down in the dungeons of the hacienda an‘ yal; ‘the has come back without the ladies, || they have sent a prayer te us for help, We give if
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The Red Brotherhood. promptly. Two birds have flown from their nest and alighted among us. We make these fair maidens answer for the lives of the two men you have taken by numbers. Return them to us, or a wail shall come into all your hearts when we send you the dead isring of the two who have written their names upon this rage. “We give you the oath of the Dukites, on this sacred symbol, that if these men come back to us before the sun rises, unwatehed by you, before the svn sets you shall receive in return, safe and well, those whom you mourn. “THe Rep Dvuxirzs.”’ Below was written these words in the hand- writing of Mabe): “We are prisoners and in dreadful peril. Save us if you can, for if we do not haye help we have not long to live, “ Mapen and Zoraya,”’ “Ten thousand demons!” screamed Oscar. “Why did you let the girls go when you knew that those villains were threatening us night and day? Of all the fool’s work of which I ever heard, of all the stupid actions—” “Oscar!” cried Mrs. Delisle. ‘Yes, Oscar and Oscar again! It don’t make it any the less one of the most stupid blunders = which I ever heard in my life. It is sim- ** Oscar,” said Mr. Delisle, ‘‘ you must bear in mind that this is not a time for vaporing words. | We bave to make up for the ‘ blunder,’ as you name it, by setting the girls at liberty. Todo this, we must give up our prisoners.” “Never! Do you think I would allow David Slocum to go free after all that bas been done?’ ‘We shall take counsel together in a manly and womanly way. As you have made your- self spokesman in this matter so far, permit me to ask why you would not give up the prisoners in exchange for Mabel and Zorsya?” ‘«T will tell you.” answered Oscar, in a pomp- ous manner. “ You willagree that it is im- portaut to keep these prisoners?” * Certainly.” “And that they will give us a great deal of trouble if set free?” “Of course,” “Then listen to me. They have taken the girls and intend to frighten us into giving up our prisoners by threatening to send us the | ‘dead forms’ of the girls if we do not give up our prey. This is mere stage effect, and we know that these men, bad as they are, would not take the lives of innocent virls,” “Did you ever know the Dukites to fail to keep a promise, if it was in their power to keep it?” ‘* Nonsense; we won't give up the prisoners, and as for the young ladies, it will be a useful lesson for them not to be imprudent in future, When the fellows see ther cannot frighten us they will send Mabel and Zoraya back.” “Senor Oscar,” said Extevan Cordoval, “it may snit you to sperk in that cold-blooded way of leaving our sisters in the hands of these mer, but as for me T wovld sooner go myself, a will- ing victim, and suffer them to cut me piecemeal, than psrmit those sweet girls to remain a mo- ment longer than necessary iv the hands of men who stand ready to murder them. Let me re- tind you that a moment since, and many times } — since you bave been witb us, you hinted at love for my sister, Is this your love which would consign her to death to satisfy a private ven- geance of your own?” ‘ Bah!” retorted Oscar, ‘‘I see that you are all against me and will do as you like. But, of one thing you may be sure—David Slocum shall never go back to the mountains alive,” His horse was still standing in the court-yard, ready saddled. He leaped into the saddle and rode out of the court-yard at a furious pace be~- fore any one could interfere to stop bim. ‘Tam afraid that be will give us trouble yet,” said Estevan, ‘‘ By my faith, Walter, it seems strange to me that two brothers should be so unlike in character. What say you, gentlemen; shall we go down and visit the prisoners?” Walter and his father, with Senor Cordovyal, followed the young man into the prison where the euards sat before the door, ‘Your work is ended for the present, boys,” said Walter, ‘‘ You can go.” The two guards, nothing loth, shouldered their pieces and went out; Walter swung open — the massive door and entered the cell, David Slocum looked up with a smile as they entered. “Give me the Jetter,” be said, Wolter started »nd looked at him fixedly. “You heard me. Walter Delisle. I want the letter whieb the Dukites sent you when they bad turned the tables on yeu.” Ae you know in what way they have done this “Tf it had been my work to do, I should have taken the two girls and beld them as hostages. The Dukites generally do the right thing at the rigbt time, and berce I conclude that the ladies are in their bands.” Walter placed the letter in his hands and he read it attentively. “Well?” he said, interrogatively, as he re- turned the letter. “We agree to the terms, but what surety have we tbat the rromise shall be kept in rela- tion to the ladies?” “ My word!” replied David, drawing up his tallform, ‘I never failed to keep it yet, unless for such weighty ressons as these on my bands ond feet. Whereis Oscar? I suppose it offends him to the soul to think that we bave escaped his vengeance ” ““T warn you that be bas left the hacienda, threatening your life. If anything should bap- pen to ycu after we let you go it is not by our wish cr sanction,” He unlocked the fetters, and led the way into the open air, The two prisoners drew in Jong breaths of the pure air they bad Icst for some hours. “ Prisons do not agree with me,” said Slocum. “‘T would not spend another day in one for the worthless life you seek totake. Gentlemen, I agree to a truce of tbree days, during which time, on my word, not one of my men will lift a band agsinst you if vou keep the peace.” ‘Ts Oscar included?” “Tf he keeps the truce; if not, let bim Jook to bimself.” ‘We cannot contro] bim, nor are we in any way responsible for bis actions,” “So be it, then,” said Slocum, ‘“ Before mid-
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24 Tho Red Brotherhood. Se nnn EE UEEEEEE EEE SS EEESEEESNSESEESENS SEER) day to-morrow the young ladies shall ride into tha hacienda, safe and sound. Be upon the azotea at nine o'clock, and you will see them coming.” eral horses and arms were returned to them and the two men rode away quietly, as coolly as if on their return from a friendly visit. Toe moon was up and shining brightly, and the people of the hacienda watched them for quite a distanca as they rode away. Suddenly the silences was disturbed by the crack of a rifle, and they saw the companion of David Slocum fall forward and clutch at his horse’s mane to keep himself in the saddle, while with a hoarse, unnatural ery of rage, Slocum set in bis spurs and rode after a man who was rapidly disap- rae in the darkness. But the horse which locum rode had receive a slight sprain, and the man who had fired the shot disappeared in the gloom, Walter Delisle ran out alone and assisted the wounded man from the saddle just as Slocum came back. “The assassin! the cowardly hound, to shoot down men who were protected by a solemn promise!” “T warned you to be careful, Slocum,” said Walter; “but from this hour be is no brother of wine, if it were indeed Oscar.” “Tt was that villain and coward, for I saw him plainly. He fired at me, and missed me. How is it with you, my brother?” “ Hit hard,” replied the wounded man, “It is not the fault of any one, save that dog, so do not visit it upon the girls,” “Took here, David Slocum,” said Walter. “Tam sorry for this as any man can be, and if you will let me take this man to the hacienda and cure him, he shall go back to you safe as soon as he can walk, provided he will not take advantage of his position in the hacienda to work against us.” “He is yours,” said David Slocum, who had been examining the wound as well as he could in the moonlight. ‘‘It will take a week to cure this, and it would be death for him to ride far as he is now. The girls shall come back, in spite of this.” He leaped into the saddle so lately vacated by the wounded man and was off like an arrow from a bow. At the command of Walter, three or four men lifted the wounded man, carried him into the hacienda and laid bim on a bed, and Walter, who had dabbled in surgery somewhat, washei and dressed the wound, which was in the right side. Having done this he placed a — before the door of the room and went own below. Shortly after, Oscar rode into the court where he was met by Senor Cordov:!. “Your company would have been welcome here if you had behaved in another menner, sir,” he said, ‘‘As it is, you may remain here over night, but in the morning I must ask you to find other quarters.” ‘““ Why? because I shot that infernal Dukite?” “You shot a man who was under the safe- guard of my honor and that of my son, your brother and your father. When you did that you disgraced me, My respect for your father ons his family is great but I will not suffer t 18, * Senor Cordoval,” said Oscar, in a very quiet tone, for him, “if you bad been bounded and persecuted for two years, asI have been, you would not wonder that my passion gets the best of me sometimes when I meet these men. I in- tended that bullet for Slocum, but hit the young man instead,” “If you apologize—” “{ do, most siucerely, and I will try to be guided by you in the future, as to my course. I covet your good opinion of all men on earth.” “1 withdraw what I said a moment since,” said Senor Cordoval. ‘“ You will, of course, do me the honor to remain here as long as it may suit your pleasure or convenience. An apology for a wrong is the only atonement a gentleman can make, but he should always be ready to proffer that,” “T would be pleased to apologize to the man I have wounded,” “He isin your brother’s care.” ‘Everything and everybody seems to be in the care of my worthy brother!” muttered Oscar, in a low tone. ‘* Walt, you heard what I said; I want to apologizo to the man I wounded.” Walter led the way without a word, and they entered the room where the prisoner lay. Oscar approached the bed upon which, white as the pillow on which his head rested—for he had bled freely—lay the victim of bis hasty action. He bent to look closer, when he started back with a look of horror, doubt and fear com- bined, as if he had seen the face of one lately risen from the dead. The wounded man, half- rising from bis pillow, turned his ghastly face upon the man who had wounded him with a lurid smile of hate, a smile which had deadly threatening in it. “Stanley Vanverne!” cried Oscar. “Can the dead come out of their graves, then?” “Yes, they do risa, Oscar Delisle. The man you shot in the back at Tasman’s Point, like a cowardly dog as you are, now lies bere, again shot down by your felon hand.” ‘Stanley Vanverne!” said Walter. “Can it be possible that you yet live?” “Tt is not only possible but a fact that he failed to take my life, although he tried hard to do so.” “Then, since you are not dead and the crime of your murder is not upon his soul, why do you yet pursue him?” asked Walter. “Ask him! Look at bis eyes half-starting from his head, his pale face, his quivering nerves! He knows, none so well as he, that while I live there is no peace for bim. Ob, that I were not lying bere chained to my bed like a wounded hound! Take him away, or the very sight of him will kill me!” The guilty man, for he was guilty if we may judge by his face, unable to bear the reproach- ful eyes of the young man, left the room, reel- ing like a drunken man, Walter looked after him with sad eyes for he could not forget that this was his brother, the one with whom he had played in hisinnocent childhood, Vanverne noticed the look anda better expression came into bis face, ‘By the sacred sign of the Order, Walter, I wish we could be frien ds, You haye a noble
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The Red Brotherhood. heart in your bosom, a heart which might do great things for the Brotherhood if you were one of us. And if you knew David Slocum ~ he really is, you could not help admiring him. “T never could join an order which gives countenance to murder,” replied Walter, quiet- eos oe Say no more, Stanley, but try to get well, The night passed and the sunlight crept slow- ly down the slopes of the Sierras. As the top of the nearest peak was bathed in golden glory they saw, filing out of a pass, miles away, a line of moving spots. Walter leveled a glass at them—for the entire party were on the azotea —and made out that they were mounted, but whether men or women he could not deter- mine. Mrs. Delisle and the Dona looked at the young man wildly as he still kept his eyes upon the moving figures. “*T can’t tell yet,” he said, slowly, with his eyes glued to the tube. ta a moment more—“ I think I can catch the flutter of a woman’s rid- ing-dress, but it might be a blanket—no—yes! hip, hip, hurrah! It is they!” A delighted cry went up from the azotea and they saw four persons separate frem their es- cort and ride toward the hacienda, The gen- tlemen ran down, mounted their horses and rode away to meet them, and as they came near, to their surprise, besides Zoraya and Mabel there was a third lady whom they had never seen before. CHAPTER X. VANVERNE'S WIFE. THE greetings were soon over and without waiting for much explanation the party rode back. As they went Walter looked elosely at the person who was with them—a besutiful child, seemingly not more than seventeen years of age with the olive complexion common to the inhabitants of the South Seas. Her hair was of that shining lustrous black so seldom seen in that color of bair, and rolled in rich masses al- most to her saddle, Her form was light and full of willowy grace, “You ask with your eyes why I am here, Walter Delisle?’ she said at length—‘‘ although you do not speak in words. I am the wife of the man who was wounded and taken to the ha- cienda,” : “Do women know the secrets of the Red Duk- ites?’ cried Walter in surprise. ‘*You share the usual idea of men that the alone can keep secrets, because all orders whic admit women sooner or later cease to be secret in their work unless they change it year by year. But, you must not judge us by orders whose signs and passwords are flung about the streets by boys and girls of ten years of age. Women can keep secrets—some of them at least.” ‘*Be it so; why are you here?” “‘T have come to see my husband.” “T have the word of David Slocum that noth- ing shall be done against us for three days.” “His word shall be kept good, sir, What can a weak woman do to harm you?” ‘Weak woman! Umph. I baveseena great deal of woman’s weakness in my time, and have found it more powerful than the strength of men, You must expect that we will watch you while you remain under our roof.” ‘Certainly; [am not in the least averse to that course, if [ can be with my husband.” The mothers of the rescued girls could hardly wait for their coming, and they had hardly alighted in the court-yard when they were clasp- ed in those fond arms. Oscar, who had not — out to meet them, greeted Mabel inasulky asbion and held the band of Zoraya in a burn- ing clusp. As he looked up he saw the eyes of the wife of Vanverne fixed upon bim with a strange expression. 1t was with difficulty that he suppressed an oath, for he knew that this wo- man was keen and cool, and no doubt possessed of* bis secrets. “You are not glad to see me, Oscar,” she said quietly. ‘‘If it were poor Mary Vanverne now—” ‘Keep silent, you tiger-cat!” hissed Oscar, “Or you may forget your manhood and strike me,” she replied bitterly, her face wreathed into asneering smile. ‘ Does it not surprise you, Mr. Delisle, that your son should meet so many old friends of whom you knew nothing?” ‘“‘Osear has chosen bis own friends,” was the reply, “ and if they have not always been of the best. he bad no one to blame except bimself.” ** Which reflects somew bat upon us,” said Mrs. Vanverne, laughing. ‘‘ If Oscar has feasted his eyes upon my face sufticiently I would like to go to my husband.” “Do you know what I will do with youif you betray me?” whispered Oscar Delisle, in her ear as she passed, “T can bardly guess; won’t you tell me?” **T will twist that pretty neck behind you!” “Thanks—how good you are to warn me; very kind in you, Oscar. My good friend, you have greater cause to fear me than I have to fear you. Ruin bangs over your head, and it will fall when the finger of fate is lifted.” She passed on with the same smile on her face and followed Walter, who led the way to the room in which Vanverne lay. Walter pushed open the door and passed in, while the lady paused upon the threshold. It almost seemed = Walter that he could bear the beating of her eart, “T have brought a visitor, Stanley,” he said, gayly. ‘Be careful now; remember that you are not strong.” ¥ There came the rustle of a woman’s robe, a low tremulous ery, and a pair of rich ripe lips were glued to those of the invalid. alter quietly left the room, unwilling to be a witness of the interview. He spoke to the guard at the door, and told him to watch the visitor, and then went down into the lower part of tbe build- ing. Oscar was the first person who met him. ‘** How long is that fiend in the shape of a wo- man going to stay here?’ “‘Tbat will depend entirely upon the time it takes for ber husband to recover from his wound,” replied Walter. “T warn you, that in ber, you have the most cunning devil Australia ever produced, and I want you to be careful. She will trick you, if such a thing is possible.” “T think we ought to bea match in cunning for one woman,” said Walter, as he passed on,
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26 The Red Brotherhood. : “You know why they hate you, Oscar,” said “You have some reason for hating Vanverne | and his wife which you do not care to reveal.” | “You lie!” shrieked Oscar, furiously. ‘* Who told you—” He oye eg in confusion, seeing that he had committed himself, and in a rage caught bis long hair between bis hands and gave it a furi- ous tug, Walter passed on with a laugh, leav- ing his brother stamping furiously in the hall Zoraya, who bad not yet had time to exchange grestings with Walter, met him in the hall, anc the litrle hand seemed to melt into his as hr clasped it. Oscar, glaring down upon them from the staircase above, noted with fury the looks they exchanged. “Tam mad enough to join the Dukites,” mut tered the madman, “I will doitif they will take me and forgive what I have done in times past. Then, my good brother, beware of me.” Three days passed, and they saw but little of the Dakite and his beautiful wife. Taeir meals were seut up to their rooms, and once or twice sbe consented to come into the parlors, where she vied with Zoraya in old songs of the almost forgotten days. On the fourth night the conva- lescent came Gown hiriself, walking feebly, and lay upon a couch, while the women grouped in picturesque attitudes and chatted gayly. His wife sat by him, holding his hand and yielding gracefully when asked to sing. Oscar, hov- ering in the back-ground, looked at the pair with the eyes of a demon, for be felt that the return ing force of Stanley Vanverne was a threat to im. “T believe the three days of truce which Da- vid granted are up, Captain Delisle,” said Van- verne. ‘Yes: and I am ready to take the field as soon as he. Inaction tires me and I wish to set- tle our quarrel as soon as possible and have done with it. “Slocum will not keep you long in suspense,’ said Vanverne, laughing. ‘'It is comical, after all, to see us sitting here so coolly and talking o! this event when we are enemies, You mus! send me out of this as soon as possible.” “Not until you are stronger,” said Walter. “Tf we all suffer through you I will keep mj word to your friend.” _ Y would give my life for you, Walter De lisle,” cried Vanverne, suddenly. “Do yor hear me? I would give my life, and the time may come when—my dear, let us go. And to morrow [ leave this roof which has so kindly sheltered me, and with my will the Dukite ven geance shall not reach it,” Kate Vanverne, with tears in her dark eyes gave an arm to ber busband and the two lef! the room. Tbe night passed and at early morn ing when they went up to relieve the guard a’ the door of the prisoner, they found him lying in a deadly stupor while an empty flask lay at his side. “ Drugged!” said Walter. ‘The work of thi Dukites, who have been here while we slept Thanks to our precautions they dare not do any evil before Vanverne and his wife were gone,” ‘“*T believe that you connived at this escape,” evied Oscar, flercely. ‘ You know that Stanley Vanverne and his wife hated me above all things earthly and would do anything to kill me.” ie his brother, coolly. ‘‘ Will you explain it to us 30 that we can understand as well as yourself?” “Don’t say too much, my good brother,” muttered Oscar—the words coming through bis ‘inched teeth with a strange, bissing sound, ‘* Prom the cradle in which they rocked you un- ‘il tois hour you bave been a stumbling-block a my path, and an end must come soon, I wave bad enough of this, and if you will not ‘ead the stockmen against the Dukites, I will do ‘t myself.” “You will, eh? I wonder if they would fol- ‘ow you? But, in order to satisfy you I willsay bat as we are upon the subject I will lead my »wn men, and that soon. And I hope, when we return, to be able to say that we have wiped out the name of Dukite from the face of our chosen land, Trust me, Oscar; there is no man alive who would be better pleased to know that this has been done than myself.” “Why don’t you let Mabel lead?” said Oscar, “Since a woman must lead them, she is as good is any.” Walter received the sarcasm with a quiet smile, and turned away. An bour later he was engaged in a 2lose consultation with Jack Dean and Sandy McGregor, who, for the last two jays had been upon a scout, and would report to no one save the ‘‘captain,” as they persisted in calling Walcer, While this was going on, Oscar got out his horse and rode away toward fampa City, against the advice of his father ind Senor Cordoval, “Tm old enough to take care of myself, I hope.” he said, “But you must remember that you have ene- mies, and that every step you take is in the nidst of danger. Mabel and Zoraya—” “Tam not a woman if my brother is,” he re- jlied, as he leaped into the saddle, ‘I shall re- urn in the course of a week aod by that time verhaps he will be ready to march, Heavy 10dies move slowly, you know.” *‘T would be thankful if you were animated vy the same spirit as Walter,” was his father’s ‘eply, as the young man rode away. He only ‘eplied by a laugh. and they saw bim cross the »rairie and disappear in the pass between the ‘ootbills. He rode on carelessly, whistling a ove ditty, when, in the narrow pass, he met a voman whose face was concealed by a thick ask, He could make out that her form was rraceful and that the eyes which gleamed upon jim through the visor were bright and full of liquid light. Alwaysready for an adventure of this kind be halted, and, as the lady approached, saluted her with an easy grace which he could assume when he chose. «* Well met, sir!” she said, in a slightly-tremu- lous voice, ‘‘If 1am not mistaken, your name is Oscar Delisle?” “Tam glad that you know me so well, fair lady.” “How do you know that I am fair?” “ Such eyes as vou have, a sweet voice, a beau- tiful form—must be accompanied by a beautiful face,” he replied, gallantly. ‘You are not changed,” she said, in a sad tone, ‘aud I bad hoped that in times like these, _ when your life is in danger at any moment, you
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The Red Brotherhood. 27 would assume another tone, Man, wicked as you are, is there nothing in your heart of hearts which speaks of one you bave wronged, and to whom you have not made atonement? Have you potping to regret?” ‘No. “Let me recall a name to you—that of Mary Vanverne!” “Mary Vanverne!” “No, not that name, but Mary Delisle, your wife in the sight of man as weil as of Heaven, whom you wedded by stealth wben you found that your flatteries could not break down her purity. Neither force nor fraud availed and you made her your wife.” “False, I tell you; false!” ‘“You want proof, then, Youthink you were wedded without wi nesses, but I tell you no. Here is the marriage-certiticate, with the names of three men who, uvseen by you, witnessed the marriage.” “The sly jade fooled me, then?” “She only protected herself from wrong, And when you foucd her in your way—when she importuned you to save ber from shame by acknowledging ber as your wife, what did you do? You plunged ber into the sea, down among the coral-reefs and left her there to die,” ‘Tie seems asif my shame were to be trum- peted through the world, no matter where | fly. Give me that paper, woman.” “Wait; do you want another witness to the marriage?’ “Whom can vou bring, unless the sea should give up its dead?” ** Behold!” She tore the mask from her face and with a wild ery he reeled back and covered his face, for she looked at him with the eyes of her he whelmed among the coral-reefs of the South Sea, his wronged wife—Mary Vanverne! CHAPTER XI. THE END APPROACHES. Tas man’s heart was not of steel and it bent before this blow, the most unexpected that could have fallen upon his guilty head. He could not believe that she stood here in the flesh, beautiful as an angel, looking nt bim in a wild, questioning way to see what effect the re- velation bad upon him. “ Mary!” he whispered, me that it is indeed the woman I once loved and in the end so hated.” “You see that I am here,” she said. ‘Oh, Oscar, you were saved from a shameful crime by ao accident. for when you hed hurled me in- to the sea and fled, you forgot that I had almost lived upon the sea, and when I went down in the deep water at the'base of the corral-reef it was only to rise in a place of safety under a shelving rock. I am here to ask you to do me justice, and if you will it is in my power to save you from the Dukites.” ‘What do you ask of me?” * Tell all the worl? that I am your wife; take away the shame which bangs upon my memory like a pall, I know that a new passion has taken the place of one which first induced you to turn against me, but that passion is hopeless. “ Speak to me—tell Walter will marry Zoraya if he escapes the Dukite steel.” ‘‘} would sooner die any death than see him triumph!” was the flerce reply. * You know not what you say, Oscar, Hope- less as your love is while I live it is worse than foolish to peril your life in this world and your soul in the world to come, by refusing to listen to me. Great as my wrongs have Leen I am ready to forgive all and save you if you wiil ac- knowledge me before the world,” “You ask too much, Mary,” he said, with a sneer. ‘*Go your ways and leave me to work out my des:iny as I may.” “Your destiny is wrought already,” erjed a stern voice. ‘ Seize him, my brothers, and bear bim away. Fate bas given him into cur hands,” Men seemed to rise from the rocks about bim on every side, and before he could turn to fly, strong hands seized and dragged him from the saddle. Closely pivioned, he stood in the circle of masked men, who glared at him with eyes in which there was no pity, He knew the men who surrounded him as the Red Dukites and felt that all hope was gone, “Since I must yield to the inevitable and have matrimony forced upon me in spite of my- self, itis best to yield gracefully. 1 acknowl- edge this woman as my wedded wife and am willing to take her by the hand as such.” His wife started impulsively forward, but was sternly repulsed by one of the masked men, ‘No, no, Mary; you have beard the dog say that he does this upon compulsiun and ought to know that be will repudiate the act as soon as he is free. We gave him a chance of life if he would do justice, and he refused. That chance is gone forever, and it only remains for the Dukites to do justice.” “David. as you hope for mercy, show mercy to others,” moaned the unbappy woman, as she still tried to pass him. “Such is woman’s nature, yielding to every wind that blows,” replied the Dukite, ‘* Num- ber three, take charge of this girl and hear her away. We were mad to allow her to come here, at all.” The mask designated as number three took Mary by the band and led her away, leaving Oscar Delisle in the circle of his enemies, He felt his danger, yet in this moment bore himself like a mun, for he had good blood in his veins, bad and cruel as bisheart was, It is a mistake to suppose that cruel men are always cowards for it is not always true. “Tam in your hands to do with as you will, gentlemen,” he said, in a strangely quiet tone, * 1 am deeply grieved that it is outof my power to repay in some manner the solicitude you have shown for my safety, but it is not to be, As for you, David Slocum, I had thought you toaye enough to give a man a chance for his ife. “What do you demand?” “The chance to fight single-banded, with any weapons you may name against any two of your infernal band.” “The Dukites will think of it. Bear bim away to the council-hall, and we will there de- cide his fate,” Witb a strong hand grasping either wrist, and
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28 The Red Brotherhood. a pitiless avenger marching behind with a cocked pistol in his hand, they marched him sc by dark and devious paths until they reached the verge of the Demon Bowl. Oscar felt a shudder pass through his frame as he looked down into that dark pit, for he realized that a terrible fate awaited him there, There was no mercy for him at the hands of the men he bad so bitterly wronged in past days. Strange as it may seem, this man was more deeply moved by the fact that, his enemies having destroyed him, would give up their designs against Walter and the rest, than by his own peril. “Td like to ask you a question, Slocum,” be said, as they prepared to descend into the * Bowl.” “ Ask,” was the brief response. “ Having finished me, is it your intention to follow up the rest of my family, my dearly loved brother among the rest?” “Why do you ask?” ‘* Because, after all, he bas wronged you more than I have. You accuse me of the murder of Stanley Vanverne, and he is alive; you said that I had wronged Mary, and I have said that she is pa wife before you all. My brother certain- ly killed one of your number at the hacienda, and the rest exulted in the work.” “Tn other words, you would not grieve deep- ly if you knew that the Dukites had more work to do before their vengeance is sated?’ “Why should he live on, happy and beloved, while Iam murdered for a crime long since atoned for? Why should he live to wed Zoraya, while I am laid in a bloody grave by avengers’ hands? I tell you that I could come out of my grave to haunt them if this is to be.” “T knew that your heart was bad, villain,” muttered the Dukite, “ but this baseness is worst of all. We will speak of this in council; go iD They descended the rugged slope, and wound their way among the low pines at the bottom of the Bowl, and as they passed a little excava- tion the prisoner saw particles of gold shining amid the dirt, “You are walking over a gold-mine,” said David Slocum, ‘In this valley is wealth groan to buy a kingdom, and when we have justified you and all pursuit is over, we will come out of this valley armed with the lever of Archimedes, the power which moves the world. I will build up an order so grand that all the earth shall come and bow at my feet as ata shrine.” “Ten thousand curses! If I could see you dead at my feet I would breathe out my life gladly. die any death.” The Dukite laughed as they moved on silently, and entered the dark passage which led to their secret cave. Here the prisoner was strongly bound to a huge stalagmite which rose from the floor, and for a moment utter silence prevailed in the cavern.’ “Be robed, Sons of the Serpent!” said the chief. From various nooks and crannies the meu drew out the white robes which they wore in council, and appeared before the prisoner, each with the long daggor in his belt, ‘* Senseless mummery is wasted upon me, fools that you are!” cried Osear. ‘‘ Whatever you are going to do with me, doit at once, [ have made up my mind to die, and if you wring a groan or cry from me it will be because I lose my senses. Red spawn of the serpent, cowards and fools, I defy Byes to do your worst!” “He talks loud enough,” remarked the chief. “Wait; the council is not yet_ended, but you shall hear our deliberations, Come about me, Sons of the Dukite, and hear my words.” They gathered around him in a circle, and waited for him to speak. “This man is tried and condemned already, and we need only speak of the manner of bis death. I would torture him in the body, but I know that he would die with set teeth, for he has a certain brutal courage which wouli sus- tain bim in an hour like this. You have seen how he hates bis brother and that he would die more easily if he knew that we intended to pur- sue him, By our laws we have the right to pardon an enemy by whom one of us is slain in self-defense. Shall we use that right and let Walter Delisle go free?” “Yes, yes!” cried the Dukites, ‘*The brood of the serpent knows when you spare. Let Walter Delisle go free and unharmed.” Oscar writhed in his bonds and uttered a wild ery of rage, for the thought that Walter would be safe—Walter, whom he now hated—while he was doomed to die, drove him nearly mad. ‘© You see, my brothers,” continued the chief, “the dog would bo bappy in the death of his brother—our enemy, but a brave man. It isde- cided then; Walter Delisle lives.” ‘We agree.” “ Accepted and recorded. Now asto the man- ner of this man’s death. He has asked as a mercy that he shall die fighting and bas called me coward because I do not grant it. Iam not willing to accord him anvtbing, but sooner than be should die making reflections upon the great order, I will give bim bis will. But, he shall not fight two at once. Any man of the Dukites is more than his equal, but he shall die by my hands.” “No, no!” cried the man known as number eight. ‘You must not peril your life in such a cause.” “Tt is my will,” was the reply. Every man was silent, for who among them dare dispute the great head? “Tbe council is ended. Oscar Delisle, you are about to die by my hand.” “Not yet; [am ina trap, and I will not die easily. What are the weapons?” “These,” replied the Dukite, raising in each band the long Dukite dagger. ‘‘ Number five and six, take your stations at the entrance to the cave, and if he attempts to fly, shoot him down like a dog.” “T shall not attempt to fly.” said Oscar, “T fight, not for life, but for venge- severed the bonds which tied Oscar to the lime- stone column, threw one of the daggers at his
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The Red Brotherhood. feet and retreated. Oscar picked up the knife and the two began to circle about each other, waiting for a chance to strikea blow. The Du- kite was by far the heaviest man of the two, but he lacked the activity of his younger antagonist, Twice Oscar ran in, but the blade of blue steel was ever ready and he bounded back out of dis- tance just in time to eseape tae point when the long arm of the Dukite was extended. “You must look out, my son,” adjured the chief, tauntingly, ‘‘or you may be hurt. Why don’t you come on?” ‘*T ‘am in no hurry,” replied Oscar. ‘‘Ha! take that!” He darted in suddenly and Junged straight at the heart of the Dukite. But, the thin blue blade seemed to wrap itself about bis own, and he could not disengage it. Before he could re- treat the blade of the Dukite passed through his shoulder. ** One!” said Slocum, as his antagonist bound- ed back. Was the Dukite playing with him? There was a smile upon his hard faceand he stood like arock instead of following up the advantage which he had gained in the first close encounter. Oscar showing his teeth with a tigerish gleam, the blood from bis wounded shoulder staining his white shirt, stood for a moment inactive; then realizing the fact that be was fast losing strength, he again closed-with an ugly snarl and inflicted a wound in the wrist of his enemy so deep that be could no longer use the knife. Leaping back without turning on his heel he changed the knife into his left band and met Oscar as he again rushed on, eager to end the fray. The knives of the Dukites flow out like bee-stings, but Slocum waved them‘back. “‘Let no man dare to interfere between us!” he cried. ‘I must do this work alone, and if I fail I charge you to attack him singly.” Again they closed, and to the surprise of Os- car he found that the loss of his right hand was no disadvantage to the Dukite. On the con- trary, he seemed to fight with greater skill. and a left-banded thrust is hard to parry. Oscar was wounded in three places in this encounter, and beyond the first wound, David Slocum was hardly touched. At this moment they heard the sound of distant shouts and knew that their enemies had in some way found out their haunt and were upon them. * Away with you, brothers!” cried the Dukite. ‘We have been betrayed, and you must save yourselves, Take that for vengeance.” Be thrust full at the breast of Oscar, who, instead of trying to parry, lunged in return; but at that moment Mary Vanverne, rushing in from some other part of the cave, threw her- self between the combatants, and, to the horror of all, the blade of Oscar found a sheath in her bosom, and she fell prostrate at his feet. The ery which burst from the lips of David Slocum was scarcely human, as drawing back his hand he buried his steel in the bosom of bis enemy and left it there. the diamond in the hilt gleam- ing as he fell. The sound of steps came closer, and every Dukite, except one, planting his dag- ger in the breast of the fallen man, bounded over the prostrate form and followed their leader into the darker recesses of the cave, So ~ 29 i was this done that no one perceived that Stanley Vanverne bad caught up his dying sister and rested her beautiful head upon his knees. Hedid not look up as the stockmen, hended by Jack Dean, Walter and Estevan, poured into the cave. They stopped short us they saw the dead form of Oscar. and the pale face which rested on the knee of Vanverne. ‘There he lies!” said Stanley, in a fixed, stony way. ‘Only my dagger is not there and it ougbt to be, for he has murdered this dear girl, bis wife.” “Stop not here!” cried Walter, pointing into the cave. ‘Torches, torches, and follow tl.e Dukites to the death!” They had come well provided, and in a mo- ment more forty men, each with a torch in his hand, was following the trail of the Dukites, Walter led the way, for all thought of enmity with his brother was gone at the sight of his bloody form. Tbey could hear the footsteps of the flying Dukites as they dashed on through the great cave, but the enemy had the best knowledge of the ground over which they passed and they gained but little. Still they held on, four of. the bravest—Walter, Estevan, Dean and McGregor—far in advance. They came at last to a narrow passage, through which only one man could pass, and here the Dukites bad posted three of their number, willing vietims to save the rest. “You follow desperate men,” said one of these. ‘I warn you, if you would save blood- shed, to let us go in peace and from this bour you will never hear from ns or feel our power.” “Down with them!” cried Walter. By this time the rest of the party were up to them, and in a body they dashed upon the devoted trio. The fight was ghastly in its character, but could only end in one way. Inch by inch these des- perate men disputed the narrow passage, giving ground only when forced to do so by the repeat- ed rushes of the stockmen. One by one they fell until only one man, and that one desperately wounded, stood in the nar- row way, is blade seemed charmed and made a bloody road before bim as he stepped slowly back. A shot from the rear brought this brave fellow to the earth, the blood bubbling from a death-wound, “Saul o’ William Wallace!” cried Sandy Me- Gregor, ‘ but the daft callant died grim!” **Tell the chief how I died, and my name will go upon the record which can never die!” he gasped, as bis breath left bis body, and over his gbustly form tke stockmen, now wild with bat- tle-fire, dashed on to vengeance. Their work was not yet done, CHAPTER XII. FAREWELL TO THE DUKITES, - THE immolation of the three brave men bad not been enough, for ayain the stockmen began to close in upon the trail. It was hard, for they caught the glimmer of light {mhoenente and knew that if they reached that light they would be safe, for the stockmen here could be held at bay for a year if need be. But, it was not to be; all these men could not escape and some must die for the rest,
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Who should it be? The chief looked over his shoulder at the coming stockmen, and saw that it must soon come tc a hand-to-hand struggle. The blood dripping from his wounded wrist had sapped his powers, and he was in no condition to figbt, so that ont of the ‘elected twelve,” only six remained fit for duty since Stanley Vanverne had been left behind. “Some must die, great chief,” said number two, who stood next to the chief. ‘You are not fit to fight, and I offer myself for one. Who will stand with me and keep this pass?” “T)’ cried the man known as number ten, as he cast away bis mask and drew a long, thin- bladed sword which bung at his thigh. “Why have you thrown away your mask, nuinber ten?’ demanded the chief. “T sball need it no more, my cbief,” was the reply. **When we two turn back now, we turn back to die. Take me by the hand, and let. thy honored blood drip upon it and I shall ton more bravely.” bey clasped hands with the chief, received his benediction as a father’s blessing and bade the rest good-by. Then they turned back to the narrowest part of the passage, drew their blades, and calmly waited, The stockmen, rushing on incautiously, came suddenly upon the steel points, and a battle royal began under the glittering dome. Those who had fallen so far were mere neopbytes, but these two were chiefs of the order, men selected for their skill and valor, and who counted life lightly if by laying it down they could aid the order. Packed in the narrow space the attacking ty could use their arms to little advantage, and before the first of these brave men went down be had sent five men before him to the spirit-land. Tuere only remained that gigantic man who had cast away bis mask. Under the light of the torches his large, majastic face sbone like one inspired, and the Scotchman who bad drawn his old claymore and rushed to the front, dropped his point for a moment before making the attack, “Stand back, laddies!” he cried. ‘“ He’s a bonnie lad, an’ one fit to dee by the hond of an auld Heelan’ mon. Shall we ha’e a tilt the- gitber, laddie?” “Pm a Scot, mysel’,” replied the giant, “‘ of the tribe McCallum.” “MeGregor! Death to the McCallum!” The swords clasbed together, and the stock- men, holding their torches, looked on while the fray lasted. The canny Scot fought like a man who bad learned bis lessons in many a border foray, threatening now with the point and then with the edge as he forced his enemy back. He had a foeman worthy of his steel, and for five minutes the struggle was doubtful, when Sandy, making a cut at the face of his adver- sary, dropped his point and drove it through the heart of the giant, who dropped at bis feet with a gasp. But the check bad been enough, and the four remainder of the Dukites reached the opening which led into the mountain pass, near the place where the mysterious voices had started the avengers, and especially roused the ire of Oscar Delisle. At the opening—which was so narrow that The Red Brotherhood. his stomach—David Slocum paused and shouted to Walter Delisle: “Do not dare to follow further, for we can kill you, man by man as you come through the opening. We came to slay Oscar Delisle, and our work is done. As for the Dukites they will live, and in the time to come you shall hear from them again. But we bold no enmity against you or yours from this hour,” He passed through the opeaing and was gone. From that hour they never saw his face, but the order of the Dukites yet lives, growing in pow- er through all the East, Walter knew tbat it would be death to follow them through that narrow pass, and went bis way through the long passages, taking up the dead as they went. They found Stanley Vanverne yet kneeling over the dead form of his sister. “Walter,” he said, rising, ‘‘all we have done has been for her and that grand old man, her father and mine, who was as much murdered by the band of Oscar Delisle as if he had buried bis knife in his breast. 1 never struck bim, yet it has been through me that he died, If you think me worthy of death I offer you my breast, Kiil me if you will.” ‘* And kill ne with him,” said Kate Vanverne, as she took her stand by the side of her bus- Lon “Tf he must die I have no desire to ive.’ “Men,” said Walter, I will vouci for it that this young man bas not the blood of one of our friends upon his bands. Even if he bad, this is his sister who lies dead—murdered 1 fear by my brother.” ‘‘ Let him go free!” cried the bordermen, ‘“‘He did not intend the blow for her,” said Vanverne. ‘He had chosen to fight with the chief, and she ran between them before be could stay his band. Enough blood has been shed, and I give you the oath of a Dukite that you and vours shall be safe from this hour,” “Yet we have killed your brothers?” “In self-defense; if is wanton slaughter we hate and punish. 1 give you a secret since you give me my life. In this valley is a gold mine which will make you all.rich if you can keep the secret for two weeks. I only wait to see my sister laid beneath the sod; then we will go.” The last sad rites have been paid to the dead; the Dukite has muttered his last farewell over his slain brothers, and is gone as be came, And Walter Delisle, as he turned buck toward the hacienda, felt that a great weight bad been Jift- ed from bis breast. They kept the secret of the valley well, and when at last a wandering ‘* prospector” found them at work they had lifted the “cream” of the surface digging. But a rich lead bad been struck in draining, and a busy quartz-mill 00w runs above the dark valley which was at once the Dukite refuge and their grave. Walter Delisle became one of the richest men in a country of riches, and two years after these events he jed to the altar Zoraya de Cordoval. And he was not alone, for scarcely had the words which made them man and wife been oken, when Mabel and Estevan took their places. An hour later they were steaming down only one man oould pass through, crawling on | the Yuba on their way to San Francisco—the
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Isthmus and the East. And there no longer a over their heads the sign of the serpent— the dreadful symbol of the Red Dukite. ae Dean is still overseer for Senor Cordo- val. Sandy McGregor has a ranch of his own, not far from the Yuba, and has taken a wife as thrifty as bimself. In the East the order still lives—in the West itis growing. But men whisper that, under the hand of Stanley Vanverne, it has changed its character, and that blood does not flow for tri- vial wrongs. A gray-haired, stately man in Melbourne yet directs in secret the workings of the order, and that man is David Slocum. ill the great time for which he hopes ever come to him? We will wait and see. THE END. Brat os Wee The Best Weekly of Popular, Entertuin- ing and Usetul Literature Pub- lished in America! ee Its Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write erclusively for its publishers—embraces the following authors of world wide repute— Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Albert W. Aiken, Caot. Fred. Whittaker, Capt. Mark Wilton, Joseph ¥. iger, Jr.. Edward L. Wheeier, Charles Morris, Ol Coomes, C. Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver, Buckskin Sam, Major Dangerfield Burr, T. C. Harbaugh, Philip S. Warne, Williain R, Kyster, Anthony P. Morris, Launce Poyntz, Each and all of wiom give to BrapLe’s WEEKLY their very best productions in all the varied flelds of Border and Wild West Romance— Adventure Exploration and Sport— City Life Character, Courts and Ways— Detective and ‘Shadow’ Revelations— Stories of the Great Deep, etc., etc. So that each and every number is overflowing with reading of the most interesting and exciting nature; while in its Special Departments, covering all the needs, and adding to the general interest and usefulness of the popular journal, BeapLe’s Week ty is tre paper of all others for your weekly reading and entertainment, Beadle’s Weekly is Published at the Following Kates: For Four Months. ...... RS 71,00 For One Year....... ee ita Veayee peat dog sees 8,90 Two Copies for One Year. ......-0.-ssse00 eevee 5,00 Singie Copies...... ....ccsees steerenereeeees 6 cents Supplied by all Newsdealers. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PustisHens, 98 William street, New York, The Red Brotherhood. 31 Half-Dime Singer’s Library 1 Wnoa, Exora! and 59 other Songs, 2 Caprain Corr and 57 other Songs, 8 Tue GAryssorw’ Har and 62 other Songs. 4 Jounxy Moraan and 60 other Songs, 5 Tu, Srame You Wirn A Frater and 62 others, 6 George THE CHARMER and 56 other Songs. 7 Tax Beuie ow Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 Youne Freitas, You're Too Fresn and 60 others 9 Suny Youne Giri and 65 other Songs. 10 I’ THe Governor's ONLY Son and 58 other Songs, 11 My Faw and 65 other Songs. 12 Comm’ Toro’ Tur Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 Tae Rot1ickine IrnisHMan and 59 other Songs. 14 Otp Do@ Tray and 62 other Songs, 15 Wxoa, Caartie and 59 other Songs, 16 In Tris WuHeat By Anp By and 62 otner Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I’m rue Boy TrHar’s Bounp ro Biaze and 57 others, 19 Tae Two Orpnans and 59 other Songs. 20 Waar are tae Winn Waves Saying, Sister? and 59 other Songs. 21 InpiananT Ponty Woo and 59 other Songs. 22 Tae Op ArM-Crarr and 58 other Songs. 28 On Conny Istanp Beacu and 58 other Songs. 24 Op Simon, tHe Hot-Corn Man and 60 others. 25 I’m in Love and 56 other Songs. 26 ParapE or THe Guarps and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Have, Ho! and 60 other Songs, 28 "Twit, Never po To Gis rr up So and 60 others, 29 Buve Bonners Over THE Borper and 54 others, 30 THe Merry LAvenine Man and 56 other Songs. 31 Sweer Foraxt-mx-Nor and 55 other Songs. 82 Leprie Basy Mink and 53 other Songs. 33 De BANJO AM DE [INSTRUMENT FOR Me and 53 others. 34 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 25 Jusv To PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs, 86 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 others, 87 Kotorep Kranks and 59 other Songs. 88 Nu, DesprxaNnpuM and 53 other Songs. 30 Tue Girt I Lerr Beninp Me and 50 other Sengs 10 Tis pur A Livrie Fapep Ftownr and 50 others 41 Prerry Waruenmrins and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING UN THE BakN and 63 other Songs, 43 H. M.S. Prvarors, compLern, and 17 other Songs. Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-peid, to any address, on re- ceipt of Sia cents per number, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pusiisners, 98 WituaM Street, New Your, The Dime Dialegues No. 31. Containing twenty Minor Dramas, Extravaganzas Burlesques, Farces, Dress and Humorous Pieces, for the Amateur Stage, Parlors. Schools and Exhibitions. All original and by favorite authors, professors, teachers and amateurs. For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PrsiisHers, 98 William Street, New York.
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82 OCTAVO PAGES, @BhADLE: 5 “\.. PRICE, FIVE CENTS, . = POCKET LIBRARY. Y-X-¥-0-0-0 0-1-0000 -0-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-1-1-1-) (SSSSSSSSCOCOSOSSOSOOOSSO \ ussugp zvany \ / WEDNESDAY. ~ 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the | Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Kansas King; or, The Red Right) Hand. By Buffalo Bill. | 3 The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss I Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. 5 The Two W. Aiken. 6 The Prairie Pilot, By Buffalo Bill. 7 The Buffalo Demon; or. The Bor- | der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide By) ll Coomes. 9 Ned Wylde,the Boy Scout. By “ Texas | Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). | | Detectives, By Albert 10 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L, Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By | Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ie 12 Nick o? the Night; or, The Boy Spy | of ‘76. By T. C. "Harbaugh. 13 Yellowstone Jack. Badger, Jr. 14 Wild Iwan, the Boy Claude Duval. | By Edward L. Wheeler. 15 Diamond Dirk. By Col. Ingraham. / 16 Keen-Knite, Prince of the Prairies. | , By Oll Coomes. | 17 Oregon Sol; or. Nick Whiffles's Boy | Spy. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 18 Death-Face, the Detective. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 19 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. l4 20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the | Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George } 21 The Boy Clown. ByFf.8. Finn. | 22 The Phantom Miner. L. Wheeler. 23 The Sea Cat; or, The Witch of Da- | rien. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 24 The Dumb Spy. By Ol! Coomes. 25 Rattling Rube; or, The Nicht Hawks of Kentucky. By Harry St. George. 26 Old Avalanche the Great Annihila- tor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 PioswE ze, the Great Shot of the! West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 32 33 34 35 The Boy Rifles. 36 The White Lasalle. i By Joseph E. |4 By Edward | 5 54 Old Zip'’s Cabin. 31 Nightingale Nag or, The Forest Captains. By T. C. Harbauch. Black John, the Road Agent. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. = : Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror. By Edward L. Wheeler. Burt Bunker, the Trapper. B: George E. Lasalie. pits By A. C, Irons. Buffalo. By Geo. E. 37 Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ned se the og Trapper. By Capt. J. F. @. Ada : Deadly Eye, the calaoes Scout, By Buffalo Bill. Nick Whiftles’s Pet. F. C. Adams. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. Edward L. Wheeler. The Border King. By Oll Coomes- Old Hickory. By Harry St. George. The White Indian. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams, Buckhorn Bill. Py Wheeler. The Shadow Ship. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Red Brotherhood, Hamilton, Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh, lurricane Bill, ger, Jr. Single Hand, Patent-leather Joe. Warne. The Border Robin Hood. By Buffalo Dill. G id Rifle By Edward i By Capt. J. By Edward L, By W. J. By Joseph E., Bad- By W. J. Hamilton. Py Philip 8. the Sharpshooter. 1 Wheeler, By Captain J. F, C, Adams. Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale y all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or b 28 The Boy Captain. By R. Starbuck. | cant py mail on receipt of six cents each. 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. | 80 ng Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By wend L Whealar. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,