Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 61) (1885 03 11)
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st it at i a a il a in a at aS Copyr! ighted, 1885, by BrapLe any Apama. Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Class Mail Matter. M 5 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams. °c, 2 Vol. ys anear No. 98 racaie Ara ema pee rit Condes No. 61, CORDUROY CHARLIE, Te sor avo; "starz. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Y sf i) Yi" Wi Y Wir pe may eee £B es Wi. ‘ Z Z. oA a THEN CHARLIE SPRUNG ASIDE QUICKLY, AND STRUCK THE BEAR A TERRIBLE BLOW WITH THE ENIFE IN THE BACK OF THE NECK,
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2 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. Corduroy Charlie, THE BOY BRAVO; Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF NuMBERS 1, 20, 26, 28, 52, 35, 39, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 73 oF BEADLE’S HALF-DIME LIBRARY, [All Dramatic Rights Reserved by the Author.] CHAPTER I. THE MASQUERADE—A LITTLE ILLUSTRATION OF WHAT COURAGE AMOUNTS TO. Niear, with a wild storm brooding upon its bosom, was hovering over the entire Black Hills and Nation- al Park country—nicht, as black as the darkest hues of the raven’s wing, and a storm which had gathered upon the heavens in giant force, and tareatened every minute to burst and dash its waters down in torrents over the gold-veined hills and in the rugged face of Nature! A winding mountain dug-way or stage-road led down into a pine-encircled gulch, where nestled Quartz City—an infant colony and mining town of no pirticular repute or importance—a sort of way- station between the Hills proper and the National Park or American Wonderland, where a few san- guine souls had dropped off. Soms quartz rock had been found and a * pay-streak ” of sand, which had induced the pioneers to stayrin the little vale, where the evergreen pines furnished an emerald border to tha beds of flowers that grew and bloomed in wild luxuriance. Quartz City was no Deadwood, no Whoop-Up, nor Hayard in size, but yet on a small scale represent- ed all the attractions of the above towns, with its throng of people in the vale, and a few stor s, saloons, dance-houses, and gambling-dens. Of this class of buildings there were, perhaps, a score, on the immediate banks of Castle Crees. The rast of the town was sc ittere1 all over the valley in uncon- nected confusion, with no regularity as t> line or appearance—loz and slab cabins pr dominating. But a short distance to the southwest rolled the famous Park country, while to the northwest In- yan Karas, 6,599 feet of altitude, loomed up above allits neighbor p2aks; while to the east, north and south stretched the golden country of flowers and rocks, with its cascades an1 streams, an)l beautiful valleys, whers encroaching civilizatioa is fast set- tling a district which promis?s at n> far distaut day to b3 as fair a land as there is under the sun. But night over Quartz City and the placer-mines of Cistle Creek ends no enchanting effect to the beauties of nature—rather urzes the weary pedes- trian, a youth lacking but one year of majority, to descend the rugged dug-way trail into the little town, where many lights are twinkling ous of the gloom aSif to welcome him. Clos behind him comes a Ciinamin, mounted upon an ugly pick-mule; then, s‘ill in the rear of that animal, follow two more of alike snacies, harnessed to a ‘‘ schooner” wagon, and driven by a large, greasy-looking red- skin. What the wagon contains aside from the red-skin is not apparent, because of the closely-shirred cur- tains of canvas; but the youth in advance oceasion- ally gives a glance of inquiry back in the direction of the jolting wagon, as if to assure himself that the Indian bullwhacker had not fallen asleep. Slowly the night caravan wound down into the vale, and drew up before a row of brilliantly-lighted stores, whera wares and all manner of goods were offered for sale. Once in the light of several lamp-reflectors, the youthful leader of the caravan was better seen for description. He was of medium stature, with strong, wiry limbs and massive chest; a figure for a gladiator was his, with a prominence in swelling muscles and tensely-drawn cords. Clad from the chin to his knee-boots in corduroy, he still showed the striking beauty of his muscular form. In face he was prepossessing, if not what the critic would call really handsome. It was a full, intellectual face, shorn of all beard—a face with firm, resolute mouth, and eyes that could flash fire of enthusiasm or anger from their depths of brown; a forehead high and clear, with clustering curls ©: brown as a border, which waved back over a fine- shaped head, and fell in a mass upon the broad, firm shoulders. A slouch hat, a belt of weapons, and a rifle com- pleted the outfit or costume of the youth, whom it is our purpose to take for a chief character in a ro- mance from the peculiar life in the hills of the country of gold, The little caravan had halted almost before a tay- ern which stood adjoining one of the dry-goods stores, over the door of which was the cheerful Ger- man sign, “Tre Bra ScHOONER!”” Several men, who had been standing outside the door as Corduroy Charlie came up, stepped forward and peered sharply into the new-comer’s face. They were all swarthy, evil-looking fellows, attired in buckskin and armed to the teeth—men, evidently. whose motives were never of the best, and who would swoop upon their prey even as the hawk darts upon its smaller game. “ Hello. boys! w’at hev we here?” ejaculated one— a burly, bloated wretch, with heavy mustache and goatee. ‘Looks like a green ‘un, eh—a sort o’ ten- der-fut, ye see! Sayee, Johnny, w’ich way does yer compass p’in ?” 9 “None o' yer big-headed galoot’s bizness!”’ replied Corduroy, stepping aside and atcempting to pass. But the ruffians blockaded his path, with a series of horrible chuck'es. “No yer don’t, sonny!” the former spokesman in- terposed, with a grin of evil delight. ‘“ Don’t ye go an’ git so fast, an’ I'll be merciful ter ye. Suppose ye nevyer heerd o’ me, did ye?—old Jem McTu k, ther bullwhacker prince. A sort o’ nabob, ye see, who kin lick his weight in stage-drivers or pilgrim touchs, you chalk et!” ; “Leare not who youare; get out of my path an let me pass, or”—and the young stranger laid bis rizht hand toward his belt—‘‘ I'll put aegis inter your anatomy so quick that ye can’t tell what meee ye!” “Hol ho! D’ye heer the young bil'y-goat tallc, boyees?_ D*ye heer him ba-a-a, old Monk Morgan? d and MecTurk rested his hands upon his large hips, his arms akimbo. ‘‘Whoop-la! did ever any morta! pilgrim see the ekal?” “T say, Corduroy, whar'd ye git them togs? Steal ’em?” put in the rough whom McTurk had addressed as Monk Morgan. To these words Corduroy Charlie made no re- marks, but stepped back a few paces with flashin eyes. Tha light from the shop windows streame back into the middle of the street where he stood; he took a heavy gold watch from his pocket, and glance1at it a moment thoughtfully. “Ten o'clock!” he muttered, with a glance up and down the street, “and no hop of getting a decent bunk in any of these dens, probably. He stepped back to the wagon occupied by the Indian driver on the seat. Aa “Drive on into the valley, Bad Medicine, to where the cabins are not thick, and onhitch the mules and let em graze. Be sure you and Clever Sam watch the wagon close, and if inquisitive visitors come, send them about their business. D’ye hea?” “Ugh! Bad Medicine hear ebbery time.”
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| Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 3 Then the wagon moved along up the street into the heart of the valley, the Chinaman riding meekly in advance, and ie the scene with wide-open ptr eyes as he rode, When a bend in the street had hidden the wagon from his view, Cordu- roy Charlie turned onee more toward the tavern where the roughs still stood, eying him grimly. He was aware that for some unaccountable reason they had fixed upon him a grudge, ora desire to annoy him and excite a quarrel, but he determined not to be bluffed in the outset, coming, as he did, a stran- ger into the mines. Accordingly he advanced with a firm step, one hand resting near the belt, and the other carrying his rifle. Contrary to his expectation, the roughs peel to one side and allowed him to pass into the vern. After he had gone, McTurk turned to the one of his companions who went under the name of Monk Morgan. ‘Monk, did ye ever see that galoot?” he demand- ed, as he pointed back over his shoulder toward the interior of the “* Big Schooner.” ““Ther boy?—no. Who ar’ he?” “Thet’s fer us ter find out, an’ report ter head- quarters. The boy’s no slouch, you chalk e*, an’ ef he ain’t our game, ye may shute me. Sez ther boss ter me, t’other day, sez he—‘MeTurk, ef ye sce a young felier cum aroun’ as is in ther least suspicious watch out fer him an’ report on him. He may be wanted.’ Wal, thet applies ter yonder galoot, as is inside, tho’ mebbe he ain’t ther one ther boss wants. Anyhow, thar’s meat fer us ter pick. Ye see'd ther wagon w'at the red-skin driv?” a You bet, an’ a quare looker ware thet same red- skin. “Wal, the young feller’s got somethin’ precious in thar, mark et—a gal, 1 reckon, or gold, or sumthin’ else, So while I sail inside, you foller ther wagon an’ spook around.” Monk Morgan nodded, and, followed by his com- panions, set out up the street, while McTurk entered the tavern The Big Schooner, kept by a sturdy Dutehman, whom the miners had christened Pretzel Pete, was the only creditable concern in the town, so far as size was concerned, It had been erected out of rough boards, sixty feet front and ninety feet in “ie largest affair of the kind in the Black ills, Pretzel Pete had come to Quartz City direct from Pittsburg, Pa., with a neers of money, and an open eye to business—had erected his tavern, and started into business, with music—for a Gorman band played the good old airs of Rhinelend in Peter’s Gtabiighment the whole of every afternoon and evening. But_a little space was reserved for the bar and gambling-tables; the rest of the lower part of the Big Schooner was turned into a ball-room. And, here, to-night, a grand Masked Ball was to be given; consequently the town, and especially Pret- zel Pete’s place. were crowded with men and women from all parts of the Hills—for couriers had spread the news far and wide, and the stages had and were still bringing in their crowds. After Corduroy Charl'e entered the tavern, he purchased some cigars at the bar, and sauntered back into the ball-room, where a great crowd had already assembled—men in red shirts and story boots, some with hats, some without—women in costumes calculated not:to impede their graceful motion in the dance, with ptnk stockings and slip- pers; some of them wore silks and jewels, while others were scantily dressed: it was a comming: une of wealth and poverty, of the clean and the un- clean, Corduroy Charlie sauntered around through the room, surveying each face with a sharp scrutiny. But in all the crowd he saw not one he knew, for masks were worn without exception, by both males and females. It was a strange sea of masked faces, some of them simple dominoes, while others were grotesque and horrible. At last the German band struck up a lively over- ture, and the floor managers began to form the sets for the opening dance. Standing aloof from the crowd, leaning idly against the wall, Corduroy Charlie ran his eye over the crowd, curiously, as he aire his cigar. ““Humph! @ queer crowd,” he soliloquized, half- aloud, a strange expression upon his te face— ‘‘a startling pieture of all phases of life. Ha! ex- cuse me, ma’am—was it to me you were speaking?” and he turned at the sound of a voice, to a masked person who had approached him—a young woman, Fe goer judging from the shape, which was fitted to a trifle in a suit of gray clothing, while only a fair chin, neck, and a bit of the eA shoulders were visible beiow the mask, and a wealth of dark-brown hair upon the head and shoulders. “ Certainly I was speaking to you, sir!” replied the merry, musical voice from beneath the mask. “ You seemed all alone, and a stranger here, and I wanted tu ask you if you wouldn’t honor me with the first dance?” “Kh, dance?” Charlie ejaculated. gazing down st the charming figure in surprise. ‘“‘ Why, I hadn‘t thought of such a thing, miss. Besides, dancing aint one of my specialties, you see.” “ But that don’t signify that you can’t dance; so I claim you for the first; and before Charlie was scarcely aware of it, she had whirled him off into the waltz which the criers had announced. And the masked partner found tbat the handsome stranger was fuily her equal, and as light as a teather. When the waltz was over Corduroy Charlie offered her his arm, and !ed the way toward a row of seats which flanked the bailroom, but, ere he had crossed half of the great floor, he was dealt a blow beside the head which made him reel. But, quickly recover- ing, he discovered the ruffian bullwhacker, McTurk, standing near, ‘Hal ha!” the fellow laughed. “ thet’s what ye git fer appropriatin’ another galoot’s human property !”* “Did you strike me?’ Charlie demanded, with a glance around which discovered nothing of his late partner to the dance. ‘“ Did ycu strike me?” “T allow I hit ye one over ther ear, and I'll do ther a ef ye give me any back talk!” MeTurk replied. *That’s all I want to know!” Corduroy replied. “You'll do me a favor by following me into the street, where a settlement can be made}” And the bullwhacker did follow. And likewise did the crowd. A duel was impending! CHAPTER II. A STREET DUEL—THE YOUNG BRAVO MEETS A QUEER CUSTOMER—OLD AVALANCHE. Yes, a duel was to be, within the flowery little vale where nestled Quartz City, sheltered from the moun- tains’ wind—a duel between the acknowledged boss of the town, the valiant bullying McTurk and the young bravo, who was a stranger in the town, Understand me rightly, dear readers, for in calling Corduroy Charlie a bravo. I do not use Webster's definition of the word, which is a “ daring villain; instead, I use the term as it is frequently, in the far western frontier, applied to brave and fearless char- acters, who have risked life and faced death— “ And still lived on.” With a firm step, Corduroy led the way into the street, followed by the ruffian MeTurk and the whole of the crowd who had but lately tripped the light fantastic within Pretzel Pete’s place. Pete was in- dignant, foo, and meunted his bar in high dudgeon to expostulate with the out-going crowd, but it was. no use, for they heeded not his cries when a duel was on the call. Tn less than five minutes the crowd lined both sides
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4 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. of the street, and the two men stood in the middle, thirty paces apart, facing each other. Both chanced to be armed with the same pattern of revolvers—Smith & Wesson’s. Both men seemed confident of victory. MeTurk apheaned in his element, as he glared around, in tri- umph, ‘*T reckon ye wanter luk out fer thet bullwhacker, young stranger !’’ spoke a deep base voice, and Char- lie looked around to behold a masked man of power- ful build, standing close by. “He owes you no good-will, and will doubtless at- tempt to kill you, as he is no stouch of a shot.” “Thank you for your advice, but, then, I don’t La Ineed it. I’ve as good a chance as he, every it. A pair of seconds were chosen, and the two men toed the mark, Corduroy Charlie was perfectly composed, and held his revolver in a steady grasp. its aim not vary- ing the fiftieth part of an inch. MeTurk, however, had no such an aim—liquor had upset the steadiness of his nerves, and he was greatly excited. At a given signal, the duelists fired, the reports of their weapons blending into one, so evenly had they Fr the trigger. MeTurk gave a yell of pain—a ullet had torn through the fleshy part of his side, making a painful but not dangerous wound. Corduroy Charlie had not been hit. A yell went up from the crowd—especially from the masked giant who stood near the young bravo, and had warned him of the bullwhacker’s prowess. “You did well, young stranger,” he cried, approv- ingly, stroking the long silvery beard which flowed | fromin under his mask. ‘Another such a shota little nearer the heart, will kill the man.” “Which is not my aim!” Charlie replied, recock- ing his weapon. Again the white kerchief dropped from the hands of the seconds, and the spiteful crack of the revoly- a pong out upon the night, accompanied by a vivid ash, This time both of the contestants flinched—Cordu- roy only a trifle, however. while McTurk staggered back a few paces, and fell to the ground, blood ooz- ing from a wound in his right side, opposite the left one. Charlie had been slightly wounded in the left arm near the shouller, which rendered his pistol grip for the time useless, “Are you done, gentlemen?” demanded the sec- onds, simultaneously. ‘‘ Are you satisfied, McTurk?” * Bellerin’ pole-cats, yes!” the bullwhacker groan- ed, from his prostrate position on the ground. ** Ther leetle cuss plugged et tome fer more’n I’m wu’th, durn my cats ef he didn’t. But, I'll git even wi’ him, ‘ou bet on’c; I'll git even wi’ the devil ef et takes till a’r grows ou my eye-teeth, will I!” * Are you satisfied, young fellow?” “T reckon so, for the present!” Corduroy Charlie replied, restoring his revolvers to his belt._ “* But allow me to remark, gentlemen, that though I come here a stranger, L will not be insulted or crowded on, nary atime. Corduroy Charlie’s my handle, and so when you want anything of me, just sail in and get accommodated!” And with a cool laugh, the young bravo pushed his way through the crowd toward Pretzel Pete’s establishment. Some of those who had come out to witness the duel followed him back into the tavern, and among them were the silver-bearded : pant and the sylph-formed maiden with whom he ad danced. “You are wounded, senor,’’ she said.in soft, kind- ly tones, as she glided to his side. ‘* You will come with me and let me dress yourarm?” “Eh, where?” Charlie demanded, gazing at her suspiciously, for he could not read her to his satis- faction. ‘I reckon I can do it, ma’am—” ‘No! no! you must coms with me,” was the re- ly; and laying a hand upon his uninjured arm, she Hes tha way through a side door, and then along a path wkich pointed out into the Garden of Eden, as the beautiful vale had been appropriately named by the miners. Corduroy Charley followed his strange guide, be- cause he did not know how to refuse with any rea- sonable excuse. He was in need of surgical attendance, and knew hardly where to look for his train until day should once more break over the beautiful mountain vale. They kept along the path and into the dark vale, where here and there lights twinkled from many a eabin window—no word being spoken for some time. The dark waters of Castle Creek were crossed by a foot-bridge; then they came to a cabin which was dark and silent. “This is my place,’’ Corduroy’s guide said, as she uniocked the door and led the way inside, closin: the door after them. ‘ Wait a moment and I wil procure a light.” She fumbled around a few moments, and then found and lit a lamp, which threw a brilliant radi- ance through the cabin, which was divided by a semi-partition into two apartments, and furnished with a rude but neat simplicity. At a motion from the strange girl, Charlie seated himself, while she vanished behind the partition for afew moments. When she returned she had re- moved the mask, and combed out her wealth of brown hair until in a great silken wave it fell a foot or more below her waist. At sight of her face; Corduroy Charlie, used as he was to the etiquette of good society, could barely repress an exclamation, Such a fair vision of loveli ness he ha‘l never seen, If the contour and graceful, willowy pose of the form had attracted his admiration in tae ball-room, the beauty of the faca now did equally as much, The features were just round enough to be pretty, the mouth a trifle large but fernptingly, sweet, with pouting red lips, which needed no artificial coloring to make them natural; eyes seemingly of change- able shades to suit the moods, and a head which was more beautiful because of the placid ferehead and the wealth of hair. Such a vision was it that Corduroy Charlie saw, and gazed at in surprise and wonder—in admiration that for the moment knew no Lie pcr acpete in words, ‘* You will excuse me!” the girl said, coming for- ward, “for neglecting you to attend to m self, but I really could searcely breathe in that mask, and—” ‘Certainly, you are excusable,” Charlie replied, recovering his self-possession by an effort, “ My wound is not painful—only slightly inconvenient. It was lucky I got no worse.” “ “Indeed it was; for MeTurk is considered a crack shot;”’ and kneeling by his side the maiden bared his arm, and proceeded with a careful and skiliful hand to drass the wound, which was little more than a furrow plowed through the flesh, causing it to bled profusely. ‘ Why did the ruffian single you out for a quarrel?” © P5at I do not know, miss. I had just arrived in this place, and heseemed desirous of rubbing against me. I trust he has got enough from his experi- ment.” “For a time, yes. But, as his wounds are not fatal, when he gets up you will need to watch him sharp, and look out for yourself, for Jem MeTurk and his associates are generally feared as bold and desperate characters who hesitate at nothing in the way of crime to attain their own vicious aims. At- tached to them there is a mystery, which our towns- people have not been able to solve.” “T fear not!” said Corduroy Charlie. ‘There! thanks; my arm feels much better. How much do you charge for your surgical services?” “Oh! nothing at ail. It gives me_pleasure, al- ways. when Iam enabled to doa suffering fellow- creature good. Your name is Corduroy Charlie, sir? “Yes—that is, my nom de plume. And yours is—?
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 5 | “* Buster,’ sir—at least that’s wnat 1s am called, here in the mines. You can call me as others do.” “But isn’t that rather an undignified appellation, miss, for a young lady—especially one of as charm- ing presence as yourself?” - 3 “Hal ha! no. I have got fairly used to it and it seems like my own. You see, when I first came here, I let them all know that Thad grit, a temper, and a will to defend myself from bad treatment, and insult—so they took revenge by naming me after their own liking.” “ And, are you all alone here, in this rough mining country?” “Oh! no; [have a relative—and besides him, a firm friend and protector in the person of an old scout. fa! that is his step now ’’—and rising the beautiful eccentric hastened to unbar the door and admit a man to the room. : “Great pestiferous ham-bone thet macademized ther larnyx uv old andediluvian Joner!” this inai- vidual gasped, as he strode into the firelight, and his eyes rested first upon Buster and then on Cordu- roy Charlie. ‘‘Hev ye heerd ther news about Dead- wood Dick? Old Moses thet perambulated thr’w’ ther Scriptural bull-rushes! They do say thet Deadwood Dickey ar’ ag’in abroad on ther road, at ther head o’ agang o’road-agents. Heerd it justa bit ago, down ther valley, an’ gol durn my old Florence Night-in-a- gale’s left hind huff, ef ther shock o’ ther news warn’t wuss’n ary old yearthquake as evyer cavorted thr’u’ these consarned lattytudes an’ Jongytoads!” “Deadwood Dick?” echoed Buster, in astonish- ment. ‘‘ Not the young gentleman whom you point- ed out to me at the ball the other night?’ “Yas, ther very same identical Dickey, wi’ou! an atomostic deviation. I ked sw’ar et war not Lber truth, only thet suthin’ hes occurred thet makes me think ther boy’s bin driven back ter ther old life.” “and what is that, friend?” “Ther unfaithfulness of his wife, Leone. Great modest ham-bone thet delivered old Joner frum eopardy, arfter gittin’ him inter a consarned diffi- ilty. Et makes my old bones gret tergether w’en I think o’ et; Lordy, yes, Mares And Old Avalanche, for the strange-looking indi- vidual was none other than the famous Annihilator, bowed his head in his hands and went. But, as a matter of habit, he never allowed grief long to hold sway over his spirit, and he soon straightened up, with the old grim look upon his face. Shall we describe him? It seemsto me useless, for he is no stranger to the thousands who regularly read this Library, in which he has repeatedly figured as a chief character. He is little changed; the lithe wiry form, buckskin-clad, is, if anything, thinner but more irony than before, and the furrowed, but good- expressioned countenance is the same, unless the stubble beard and hair be a trifle more grizzled, and the eyes more sunken and haggard. He straightens up now, wiping the moisture from his eyes with his shirt-sleeve, and then gazing first. at one and then the other of his two companions. ““Who is the younker, Buster? Great intellectual ham-bone that guv old Joner the brain fever, but he do luk like a feller I once know’d up in Arizona. His name war Tom Fielding; but, alas! poor Tom’s fingers war hooman magnets, war they; he couldn’t ick up a bit o’ iron *cept et stuck to em, an’ so one day he accidentally touched a ring in ther bits o’ Vigilante Newton's horse, an’ as Tom war emmigra- tin’ ter another deestrict, an’ as thar war no one handy at ther time to relieve him of his dilem- ma, very natterly Tom hed ter take ther hoss along. An’ now he’s up above, a-sitfin’ afore the great Regulator on ther charge 0’ kleptomanically appro- priatin’ Newton’s hoss.” a “Indeed, Avalanche! Well, this isn’t the Thomas of whom you ppeek, but a young gentleman who has just had a fight with McTurk, the bullwhacker. His name is Corduroy Charlie. Mr. Charlie, this gentle- man is Old Avalanche, popularly known as the Great Annihilator, I trust you will be friends,” “Great ham-bone, yes!’ Avalanche ejaculated, pe Sees his seat, and grasping Charlie’s hand, cordially. *“On course we’ll be famuss friends, an’ no mis- take!’’ And while they were shaking hands, there came a heavy rap on the door, followed by three more in quick succession! CHAPTER IIT. LIEUTENANT CRESSLY—LILY—THE PROWLERS. Tue rufiian, McTurk, after the departure of Cordu- roy Charlie, was lifted by a number of his associates, who chanced to come up, and borne up the valley toa rude log cabin, where he lived, when he lived any- where in particular. Here he was placed upon arude bed, and his wounds attended to in the best possible manner, after which he was left alone, and his at- tendants returned to participate in the masquerade at Pretzel Pete’s. For well they might desire to es- cape from the abusive bullwhacker’s cabin, where the atmosphere seemed pregnant with the fumes of foul whisky and the ring of more biting curses. For it was to the latter two evils that MeTurk resorted to find vent to his feelings and blunt the pain of his two wounds. And a good hand was he at it, as an hour's unceas- ing torrent of oaths and guzzling from a demijohn proved. At the end of that time, however, his stock of wind was pretty well exhausted, and the tarant’ler gone, whereupon there prevailed more quiet in the cabin. About this time a door was opened,and a man stepped into the apartment, taking the precaution to bar the door after him. He then turned toward the cot where McTurk lay, and the lamp-light streaming full ues him, revealed a striking form, clad in purple velvet from head to foot—a_man, whose face wes masked and wh: se hair fell quite to the faultless masculine waist. The eyes that gleamed through the holes in the mask, however, were restless and fiery in their glances, and the fingers of the gloved hands worked convul!- sively as the stranger approached the bedside. McTurk rolled over with a groan, as he heard the footsteps, and swore an introductory oath when he saw who was his visitor. “ The devil, lieutenant—is it you?” he growled, en- deavoring to raise himself on his elbow, and par- mes succeeding. ‘I’min a purty fix, ain’t 17” “T should say so!” the lieutenant assented, “*Who’s been going through you, Mac?” “Thunderation! hain’t ye heerd o’ et, yit? Why, ye see, [got salted by a gang 0’ gal6ots, led by a feller they call Corduroy Charlie. Ten ter one, ye see, an’I hedn” ther smell 0’ a show. I dropped six o’ em, howsumever, afore I caved in.” ““Humph! what's your idea in telling me such a pe fees when I was present and witnessed the uel? = What you, Lieutenant Cressly? The dogs, you say!’ “Twas present,’’ was the calm assurance, ‘‘and saw the young bravo plug it to you solid!” “Yes, he did. an’ no mistake. Ther pet bull- whacker o’ the Telefone line got basted, an ’don’ ye forgit et. But thar’s a better day a-comin’, when old Jem MeTurk ‘ll ag’in buckle on his armor, an’ sailin like abuffler bull. Whoop-ee!” And the wounded ‘ tough Ae a a loud yell as he announced his premeditated action upon the enemy. “You must take care of yourself!” Cressly said, glancing at his watch, ‘‘and get on your pegs as soon as possible, for youll be needed directly, Vil keep an eye on this Corduroy Charlie: and when you get around, report, at once Where is Monk organ, Grizzly George and the other boys?” “Oh! I sent ’em off on a leetle private snap o’ my own!” was the reply, with a chuckle. “Take care you don’t get so many of those leetle snaps 0’ yours, MeTurk, that you neglect the boss’s
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. matters, or you'll git salted, first ye know. The old she tiger shot Mully Miller thr’u' ther heart, yester- day, on a suspicion 0’ treachery.” “Curse her,” MeTurk gasped, a grayish pallor stealing over his bloated face—**she ar’ a werry old fiendess, lieutenant, An’I bet—but nevyer mind. Got any whisky about ye?” “Nary adrop. Be good ter yourself, and remem- ber there is work waitin’ fer you to do.” “Yes yes, an’ bloody work, too!” the bullwhacker muttered, as the door closed behind the departing visitor. “Itis but a few hours, comparatively, till that cussed sacrifice takes place. An’ who'll be ther victim—aha! wno? Why not the cuss who put me here—the young whelp who call himself, Corduroy Charlie? By all the furies, I'd love to see him the victim—yes! and he shall be the victim, I swear it. The warriors of the Sun shall not go hungry for their sacrifice, ‘iis time.” And a gleam horrible to behold was in the gaze of the ruffian, as he lay helpless upon the cot and glared around the room. Corduroy Charlia’s wagon-train, .a the mean time, had moved on u» the street, and turned off into the dark valley. When they were in a favorable spor, according to the qadement of Bad Medicine, a halt was mado, and the weary mules were unhitched, hoppled and turned out to grass. While Bid Medicine was engaged in this work, Clever Sam Yung, the Celestial, gathered fuel and built a camp-fire near the wayon, and proceeded to hau! out provision and various culinary utensils from the rear en! of the wagon, He was an odd-looking genius, this Chinaman, with the unmistakable Chinese face and almond eyes, and form stumpy, fat and squatty. There was a sharp, cunning expression to his features, too, which was sufficient proof that he was not as dumb as helooked. At strong contrast was he witn the brawny, big-bodied red-skin, with his uncut hair, ani the grim expression of countenance—a face re- markable for its fatness, gleaming black eyes, large red nose—fiery red, too—and a huge mouth with lips MA ihn thoss of an African. After finishing caring for the mules, Bad Medicine drove some stakes around the camp and putup a siding of canvas, leaving the sky for a roofing. This kept off the flere wind which was blowing down the valley, in advanc: of the storm that threatened to burst and descend in torrents at any minute, The sky was inky black, and the thunder growled in hoarse jarring notes its warning for the pedestrian to seek hastily for shelter. “Ugh! Pig-Tail man better much hurry, or rain put out him fire!” Bad Medicine advised, as he finish- ed his work, and seated himself, pipe in hand, on a lox before the crackliaz blaze. “ Roddee-skinee man no tellee Clever Siam muchee news!” the Celestial raplied, hurrying about briskly. ‘“Melican manee muchee smartee; Chines man know muchee as ‘Melican, you bettee!” “Wagh! Pig- tail know hey like prairie buzzard Bad Medicine replied, «xpressing his disgust in the pulfs he took at his pipe. ** Hs no good—mn !”’ * Reddes-skines! reddse-skinee!’’ mocked Sam, dancing about, with a ludicrous grin on his flat, homely features. “Chinee lickee reddee-skinee in fivee minnits. He! he! Reddes-skinee hono goodee Muchee big shackassee—no goodee welly pidgin, he! he!” Bad Medicine only grunted at this. : “Piz-'Tail doz; no fizht leetle baby,” he observed, after a thoughtful silence. ‘‘He like Injun squaw, only good to cook meat, an’ mind lodge. He no go hunt elk, or kill cinnamon bear.” And thus they had it, back and forth, whiie Clever Sam prepared coffee and roasted meat over the cracking camp fire, ina sat creditable style. When the meal was orks ad Medicine put aside his pipe, and approaching the canvas-covered wagon, parted the curtains and peered in, rm A lantern swung from the top of the frame-work, and diffused a dim light through the interior. Among the other contents of the wagon was a couch made of skins, and on this, half sitting, half reclining, was a young girl. She was fair-haired aud fair-faced, with brown eyes like to those of Corduroy Charlie, and avburn hair, which fell unconfined upon hershoulders. But the form, alas! Nature had not done its work well. The lower limbs were drawn and shrunken, and only the arms and trunk of the body were left perfect. A handsome pair of crutches lay near the crippled girl, and spoke of her only means of locomo- tion. “Will de Lily come?” Bad Medicine asked, as he peered into t 1e wagon. ‘* We have ie ites of elk-meat and coffee to offer the pale face maiden.” With a weary sigh the girl nodded, and half crawl- e1 to the aperture, where Bad Medicine received her in his arms and carried her to the camp-fire, where he seated her upon a camp-stool which Clever Sam had been s) ¥ enough to procure. Then, when the firelizht fell fuli upon her face, you could see what was hidden from view in the dim light of the wagon —the wildness of those duskish brown eyes, and the pare: piteous expression of the face, which would ave been of marked beauty but for it. An expression of peculiar tender sympathy man- tled the features of the stolid red-skin. as he stood with folded arms, and gazed a moment down into the face of the Lily, as he had called her. Even the flat, judicrcus countenance of Clever Sam was drawn into a sober cast, which made it all the more comical. ‘Charlie! where is he? Where are we. Bad Medi- cine? the cripple demanded, as her wild gaze took in the surroundings, and she made the discovery that Charlie was absent. “Where is my brother? Has ne killed Dion Avery yet?” “No; the brother of the fair lily is now in search of the white dev, He will soon be here, perhaps, wid white debbil’s scalp.” A “And where ars we now?” “Tn de valley of Castle Creek, where flowers grow. Will the Lily eat now. that she get strength till my white brudder come?” * Yes-sy, "Melican gallee muchee eatee now,” sug- cae Clever Sam, making a dive for his carving- knife. “De Chinee man gotee muchee fines meal for ’Majican gal—elkee meatee an’ coffee, he! he!” Lily Madison smiled faintly as she received the plate of fragrant meat and eup of coffee from the Celestial, and ate a few mouthfuls. “Ts this what they call Quartz City, Sam?” she asked, looking up from a thougbtful survey of the fire bsfore. ‘Is this the end of our journey?” “Yes-sy, mumee, dis Quartzee Cittee—muchee finee place. Pidgin place for Chinee man; git mennee *Melican man’s shirtee to washee!”’ “Ugh! Pig-Tail talk fast an’ much like Injun pap- 0os2—no wisdom in his words. He made to wash niun’s shirt an’ cook—no much good.” “Reddee-skinee no goodes for centee!” replied Sam, with a grim wink. “ Chinee man_he lickee reddee-skinee so quickee like lightning; den stealee shirtee an’ runnee muchee fast away likee debbil. He! he!” “Ed, boys! Darn my eyes ef they ain't got a cur’- osity in tar. jest as Jem MeTurk hinted. Cum up an? take a peep !”* These words came rolling distinctly down into the camp, and the astonished trio pene auiekeiy around in surprise, to behold the head and shoul- ders of four brawny men visible above the canvas siding which Bad Medicine had put up around the camp. Evil and hairy were the faces, too, the fea- tures contorted by long dissipation, and the eyes gleaming and bloodshot. It was the ruffian. Monk Morgan, who had spoken, and the gaze of all four was leveled directly upon the poor crippled girl, who shrunk away with a low ery of terror, which caused a hoarse laugh to escape
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i= Cordursy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 2 the lips of Morgan as he leaned further over the canvas. _ “Don’t be afeard, gal!” he said, in a low, mock- ing tone. “We ain’t a-goin’ ter hurt ye, nary a time. See’d a light down heer, an’ as we constitute a kiud o’ Peace-Patrol to the town, we thort we'd better look inter matters.”’ “Ugh! what pale-faces want?’ Bad Medicine de- manded, as he reached for his rifle, which stood against the wagon. ‘‘ De Lily much ’fraid ob stran- gers -you go on from de camp “Hello! what d'ye say, Injun? Wego away, be- ca’se you say so? Phew! d'ye ever heer ther ekal, bares 8’posin’ we give him a h’ist ter glory, jest fer Ugh! pale-faces better keep away!” Bad Medi- cine said, resolutely raising and cocking his rifle. “Dey mean no good to the White Lily, an’ better go mind deir business, or Bad Medicine will shoot!” ‘*He! he! he! Reddee-skinee shootee!’’ assented Clever Sam, with a tickled smile. ‘‘ He badee *Meli- ean man; gittee muchee on his muscle!” “Wal, ye kin put down yer shutin’ instrument, red-skin!” Monk Morgan said, with a stare hard at poor Lily. ‘ We'll make ourselves skeerce, ef we’re sech horrid objects as frighten the gal. yander. We don’t wan: ter be mistook fer rough customers, us Peace Commissioners. oh! no. Adieu, red-skin; adieu, pig-tail! Come round ter Pretzel Pete’s an’ we'll git ye staven drunk. fer puttin’ in a good word ferus, Au rero r, young leddy—pleasant dreams ter ye! Ho! ho! ho! Come along. boys!” And off tramped the roughs, with shouts of laugh- ter, which made the vale ring— much to the relief of both Lily Madison and Bad Medicine, who could but interpret danger from their coming. Poor Lily! She little knew or guessed what those same ruf flans were to be to her, CHAPTER IV. IN THE “BIG £CHOONER”—CLEVER SAM GOES OU1 WITH MORGAN. “ Buster” looked at Old Avalanche in alarm and dismay, as she heard tke raps. “It is he!” she gasped, glancing nervously around, Pe must not see me to-night. Where can I ide? “Great bam-bone! w’at’s ther yearthly use o’ git- tin’ skeered. Git bebind ther screen—no! I won't admit ’im: that’s ther way ter fix ’im.” The beautiful girl arose quickly and glided behind i rtition, while the veteran scout approached ue door. To Charlie all this was an enigma, and he secretly Shee who it was that “‘ Buster’ was so afraid of. The raps were now repeated with greater force, until the old door trembled under them. “Hello! arias ham-bone that fotyzraffed ther larynx of old Joner! who’s out thar, an’ what d’ye want this stormy nightt’’—for the patter of rain upon the roof besvoke the f- ct that the storm was beginning to descend. “Tis I, Lieutenant Cressly,”’ was the gruff reply. “Come! you cursed old wolf, let me in out o* the rain, before I kill you!” “Ken’t come in hyar—great explorative Moses who s’arched out ther great natteral secrits 0’ ther bullrushes, no! This ar’ my cabin, ar’ this same ho 0’ logs, an’ you chalk et fine. An’ as fer yer hullsale slaughterin’ 0’ this great equinoxyel gust 0’ skurgin’ disease, ye mouzht as well attempt ter argy ter an Injun thet tarant’ler ar’ not fit fer a hoss ter drink, Ken't cum in ter-night, Mr. Cressly, fer ye see as how I am werry sleepy, an’ don’t wanter be distarbec.” ‘ “Curses on you!” was the fierce response. ‘* D’ye s'pose I’m goin’ ter stand out here in the soakin’ wet all night, waitin’ your motion? Come! ceme! open the dor, Isay!” “Great a’riferous ham-bone! I’m orful sorry. l’u- tenant, buf I reely ken’t accommodate ye. Cum some other time when Buster’s home.” “She is in there now.” “Bet ye abunt from ther head-gear_o’ my old goat, Flor’nce Night-in-e-gale, durned ef I won’t; or a ten-galion bottle o’ 160 fire-test tarant’ler, by Je- rusalaam |" “Where is she, then, curse ye?” “Waal nov, thet’s askin’ me a purty p’inted question, considerin’ ther fac’ thet my scope 0’ vi- sion ain't werry ex'ended. ‘Spect ye better look fer her over at Pretzel Pete's.” There was a curse from the outside again; a mo- ment’s pause, during which the rain poured down the heavier, and then the lieutenant was hi tramping off, swearing like a trooper, “Thar!” Old Avalanche said, turning back toward the fire, with a chuckle. ‘‘One more galoot sent off ther trail. Ye kin cum out, Buster!” The girl accepted the invitation, but when she ap- peared it was in a short Spanish suit of velvet, liber- ally slashed with gold trimmings, the skirt reaching just high enough to expose a pretty pair of slippers and ankles to view. There was a pretty flush upon her cheeks as she eaught the admiring expression in Corduroy Char- lie’s eye. Could Charlie but have noticed it, there was a reciprocating light in her eyes, wuich sparkled like diamonds. “Aha! heer comes our peauty!’’? Avalanche ex- claimed, witha grunt cf approbation. ‘ Purtiest gal that evyer buckled a button, boyee, an’ hayr’s w’at ‘ll sw’ar ter et.” “To which Jet me add my opinion that you are ratty nearly right!” put in Charlie, with a pleasant laugh. “But you must now excuse me, for I must necessarily be going.’ “Going! whar, fer lordy’s sake?” “To my wagon-train, which I sent to camp some- where in this valley. I have there asisterand a ord of trusty servants, who have accompanied me into this country and I must look after them.” ‘Great ham-bone, yes; but w’at d’ye calkylate ye kin do in thes rain an‘ darkness? Wait till old Sun shows his face. an’ then ye’ll hev twice ther prospect 0’ findin’ ’em, aided as ye'll be by thes yere great In- jun epardanc o’ destruction.” And so it was that Corduroy was induced to wait at the cabin, which was in no way or manner a disa- greeable duty since Buster was there to make things radiant with her merry presence; and Old Avalanche, too, added to the pleasa:tness as only he in his ee- centric way could do, Shortly after the departure of Monk Morgan and his “peace commissioners.” the rain began to de- scend, and poor Lily Madison signified her readiness to be lifted back into the wagon, whose covering was waterproof, and Lad been her shelter for many @ long day’s ride through the wild West. So Bad Medicine accordingly lifted her back into the vehicle, and followed her, bimself, for the large drops were pattering down freely, Clever Sam siill sat by the camp-fire, devouring what was left of the evening's repast, voraciously. “Ugh! Pig-Tail man get good wet if stay outside!” the red-skin observed, as he’ sat with his long buck- skin-clad legs dangling out of the front end of the wagon. “Do him herp gocd.” “Chinee man no ‘fraidee muchee water!’ Sam re- plied, finishing the last scrap with a sigh, which could scarcely be interpreted as cne of relief. ““"Melican man muchee fraidee water; muchee dirtee; no goodee. Chinee span cleanee; gittee muchee nice "Melican girl for wifee” ; “Wagh! Pig-Tail heap big Jie! No white maiden notice man with frog eyes. Where goin’? fer the Celestial was evidently making preparations to leave the camp.
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OO Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravé. $$ $$ et “Sh!” Clover Sam replied, with a copy smile upon his flat visage, and a warning nod coward the wagon. ‘“Chinee man muchee dry —go gittee whiskee—muchee finee whiskee. Reddee-skianee keepee still. Chinee git whiskee of ‘Melican man, an’ bringee to reddee-skinnee.”’ . And then he made a dive and disappeared in the darkness. If Bad Medicine had any thought of not allowing the Celestial to leave camp, he made no at- tempt to stop him; but.a strange, eager gleam shot into his eyes, and his lips parted and shut almost with a smack, = ‘*What is it, Bad Medicine?’ Lily Madison asked, from her couch of furs. ‘Didn't you speak?” “No! Injun no say anyt’ing!’ was the grim re- sponse. ‘He listen an’ hear de tears fall from sky. He no like rain; like to see him fair an’ de sun shine. Tnjun feel white when sun shine; feel debbil w’en de sky loomy.”’ ‘Why don’t Charlie come, chief?” ‘Bad Medicine don’ know. Pale-face youth much bravo; he lick painter by dozen—take care of him- sh He come back all right, when sun shine in valley. “Oh! [hope so!” was the sad reply. ‘Oh! Lord how long! how long! before my vengeance?” In the mean time, the shrewd and scheming Clever Sam was skurrying back onto the main street of the town. He waddled along, cutting rather a queer figure, and attracting general attention, for as yet none of his almond-eyed brethren had graced the streets or society of Quartz City. But he took no notice of the jeering remarks of the crowds, but kept 01 until he came to Pretzel Pete's establishment, which he entered and ranged himself along the bar, where there were alsoa crowd of roughs and miners, absorbing the moisture that big Pete served out at two bits a finger. “ello! vat you say?” Pretzel Pets exclaimed, as he discovered the Celestial; “vat is dish you haff here? Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! ish dot a monkey, or ish et a shackass mit his tail on his het?” “Haw! haw! don’ ye kno’, Pete? Thet’s a China- man! Ther very furst arrival in thes tropical latti- tude o' Quartz City. A real live almond-eyed galoot!” cried one of the roughs, ‘I say, Pig-Tail, w’at’s yer lay-out?” ‘Ghinee man no havee layee-out! ’Melican man muchee mistakee. He no knowee Chinee man. Chinee man washee-washee ‘Melican man’s shirtee; *Melican man payee Chinee man five bitsee, Hel he! “Hol ho! So thel’s yer lay-out, hey? A washee- washee right from the old school, eh? Waal, waal! What d’ye think o’ him, Pretzel Peter the Great?” “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina? Ish dot der kind off a veller vat you_ call a Chinaman? Wie gahts, China; how you vas? Vat'll you haff at your own exbense?”’ “Nixy! Chinee man no drinkee whiskee. Wantee man callee Monkee Morgan—wantee see Monkee Morgan welly much!” “ Hoo-o-ray!”” yelled the rough, with a bellow of laughter, as he danced up and netae “Hip! yip! hooray! Monkey Morgan! haw! haw! haw! thet’s too rich ter digest on an empty stomach. Set out thet long black-necked bottle o’ p'izen, Pret- zel Peter ther Great—set her out I say, an’ charger ther contents ter Andy Adair, ther man wi’ ther coal-black hair, who kin make a preecher sware he’s neither fat ner spare. Hoo! hoo! hoo! kerwhoop! Monkey Morgan! haw! haw! thet beats last yeer’s almanack jokes all ter blazes. Fer instance, jest— ‘* Monkey Morgan played the organ, Hes father war a bum, His sister—”’ “ Hello!” roared a stentorian voice, at this junc- ture, the sound of which caused Mr, Andy Adair to cease his rude vocal effort—‘‘ who’s ther galoot as durst take thername o’ Monk Morganinvain? Show me ther cuss wile I chaw off his ear!” “Whoa-a-r up, Morgan!” Andy said, with a grin, “We war jest hevin’ a larf at ther Celestial. heer, we nits inquirin’ fer Monkey Morgan—haw! haw! aw ‘ “Ther devil! The Chinaman here!” Morgan cried, fastening his gaze upon the Celestial, whose time was equally divided between the copious lunch on the bar and a watch on the door. The temptation to remain near the lunch seemed greater than to escape from the rough companion- ship into which he had fallen. “Hello! I say, ye pig-tailed rascal!’ Morgan re- pean advancing closer, with one hand upon the andle of arevolver. ‘ Why don’t yer look up an’ salute ther king cock o’ ther roost, as ther rest o’ ther b’yees do?” “Nixy! nixy!’’ Clever Sam replied, with a shake of his head, and a gorgeous grin. “ Chinee man no pee Melican man—salutee lunchee — muchee good!” ‘‘Shimminy gracious, unt my wife, Katrina!” ex- claimed Pretzel Pete, in utter astonishment, as he saw his pretzels and sweitzer-case and_sauer-kraut fast fading from view. ‘ Dot veller haff abbetite so large ash several hogs. “So he has, Pretzel Peter, but he is nowhere along- side of you, with your big circumference.” ‘“*Melican man havee muchee big body—muchee bigger Chinee man!” allowed Sam, casting his eyes at the blonde-haired German. ‘‘Chinee man no eatee so much as ’Melican man.” “Waal, let’s drop the subject, an’ test our tank- age—my treat!” proposed Andy Adair, ‘Pretzel Peter, where’s thet bottle I ordered?” “Yes; shimminy gracious vat hash pecome off it?” the German exclaimed, staring round in dismay. “T shoost sets dot pottle on der counter, so sure’s my name’s Peter Von Schemmerhorn, ont now him gone—sdole! Tviefs! tiefs!” “Search the Chinee! I'll bet he’s got et stowed away!"’ cried Monk Morgan. And accordingly a rush was made at Clever Sam, with the result of producing the missing bottle from under the semi-gown which he wore. “There! cuss ye!’ Morgan exclaimed—‘ w'at ye got ter say fer yerself fer stealin’ Pretzel Pete’s tar- ant’ler? What d’ye steal the p’izen fer?” “Chinee man no stealee p’izen!” Sam chattered back, with his ludicrous face drawn down to its soberest possible expression. ‘* Chinee man borrow p'izen to killee rats wi’ fromee ‘Melican, He no stealee—no stealee, nottee muchee!” “ Waal, all go Let ther galoot off, this time, boys,” Monk organ said, with a coarse laugh. “* Comee alonaee, ve durned almond-eyed cuss, fer T’ve got a leetle bizness with ye. Drink all round at my expense till I rejoin ye. pilgrims. Come, Celes- tial; I want to talk turkey to you!” “Shimminy gracious, unt my vife, Katrina!’’ breathed Pete, as the two men took their departure. ee der kind off a veller vat you call a China- man?” “Yes, Pretzel Peter,” responded Mr, Andy Adair, with a swagger; “‘thet’s a real live Celestial, an’ ft hev heerd et remarked thet them same galoots greatly resembled ther Germans.” “Vat! vat you say? Dose flat-faced, shackass cuss look like’ der Shermans? Dunder an’ plitzen!” And Pretzel Pete looked wrathfully into the mir- ror that graced his bare shelf, to satisfy himself that his round, shiny face bore no resemblance to the ludierous visage of Clever Sam. “T know’d ash how et vas von shoke, shendlemen, unt you didn’t fool meso badder ash you t’ought. But shoost vait avile, ondil dot Chinaman pokes his head in dish place ag’in: denI giff him somedinks he don’t vant!” At this juncture the brawny scout, Silver Beard came hurriedly out of the dance-hall, and went out into the street.
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. , 9 CHAPTER V, A DISCOVERY OF TREACHERY—THE WARNING, As soon as day was hardly yet breaking upon the horizon, Corduroy Charlie announced that he must take his departure. ““T hope, however, to have the pleasure of meeting you again, Miss —,” he said, addressing the glo- riously beautiful girl. ‘Your name I do not really think becoming for so pretty a young lady, and I hesitate to address you by it.’ “Then should you meet me again. you may call me Lena Vernon!’ was the reply, after which they shook hands, and Charlie and Avalanche set forth into the early mepne of the morning. The Bo: Bravo’s arm had by this time ceased to be painful, and he was thankful that he had received no worse injuries at the hands of the rough and villainously- inclined MeTurk. After learning which way Corduroy had sent his wagon, Avalanche shaped his course as near as he could in the direction in which he calculated they might have camped, and they set out. When the darkness had sufficiently rolled away, so that an unobstructed yiew of the valley could be had, both Avalanche and Corduroy Charlie paused on a little entinence and glanced searchingly around them. ‘Ah! Lsee them!” Charlie exclaimed, pointing off to the southeast; “yonder where jthere are but few shanties. See! a wagon surrounded by a siding of canvas. That’s the rig in which I’ve traveled into every mining strike in the Black Hills country.” “Perzactly: an’ why’ve ye at Jast fetched up hyar, b yee?” the Annihilator asked, as they resumed their tramping. ‘‘Reckon ye’re more fitted fer a down-east bandbox!” “Hal ha! that’s where you mistake me. I’ve roughed it a good deal during my couple of years’ experience m this country, and seen about as many tough sights and customers as any one of my age. You ask me why I came here to Quartz City, I can- not tell you why now. [tis on account of a crippled sister whom I have down yonder at the wagon. When you see her, and her condition, you may guess that only some grievous wrong could induce me to fetch her here. It looks quiet about the camp yonder; maybe they’re all asleep yet.” ““Great aristocratic ham-bone! et kinder lukes thet way, as ef she war desarted.” Without further comment the two men hurried on and soon Charlie pulled aside the canvas and peered into the front end of the wagon. “My God! gone!” he gasped, reeling back as if he had been dealt a blow. ‘‘She is not in there!” “Thunder! ye don’t tell us? Great Moses! thet war ther first mortal evyer ter populate ther historic bull-rushes, Sumthin’ hes worked in ther wrong ‘oove, as old Sally Jenks used ter say when ther njun heathen got inter his corn-crib. So ther gal’s gone, is she?”’ es, gone! and also my servants!’ Charlie groaned, staring about for an explanation to the matter. ‘‘They have turned traitor and spirited her off—Heaven knows where!” “Wat war ther pedigree an’ caliber o’ yer eae Mebbe we kin trace ’em up an’ recover the gal.” “One was a Chinaman, whom I have retained as a servant for overa year. I called him Clever Sam. The other was a rad-skin chief called Bad Medicine, whom T could have sworn by. any time—which makes the mystery greater now!” “A Chinaman an’ a red nigger! Great molestive ham bone, w’at war a hell gate ter old Joner’s larynx! an’ye left yer sister in ther purtection 0’ sech a blarsted crew?” “Yes, as I have repeatedly done so in the past. T would have trusted either of them to any amount.” ‘Waal. thet. shows thet ye ain’t a pilgrim in these boreal lattytudes an’ longytoads. Trust an Injun or a Celestyal? Great ham-bone; I'd as soon trust my old goat, Florence Night-in-a-gale in the presiden- tyal cheer. Once she got thar, she’d show ‘em plenty 0’ sarcus.” “Well, I cannot stand here talking when my poor sister may be needing me to defend her. 1 must hunt her up.” “Perzactly, as old Samantha tie sed ter Deacon Jones when he squeezed her hand an" pro- posed they connect fer life. But how’re ye goin’ ter work w’en ye ain't got no sign?’ Be . is know, but I must make a move somehow. ark! A groan just then wafted to their hearing—a sort of grunt and groan combined, as if some person were just wakening from a deep sleep. > oo was that?” Charlie demanded, with a start. “I shed reckon et war a kind o’ a hooman sound!” Avalanche replied, with a grim expression in the corners of his mouth. ‘‘ Leastways, if cum from thet clump o’ bushes over yender, an’ I allow we’d better investigate.” Accordingly they hurried over to the spot, and in a moment had pulled out of the bushes the brawny figure of Bad Medicine, the chief. “Drunk as ary old beast!” Avalanche exclaimed. “See; here’s his bottle, empty of every drop 0’ moisture.” ‘““He must have had more than the contents of that cne bottle to stupefy him, for his capacity for whisky is marked for at least a gallon!” Charlie re- plied with a smile, as he gazed at the red-skin, who appeared in a state of beastly intoxication. “ Mebbe he’s bin drugged,” Avalanche suggested. “In that case, I’ve got a leetle raccoon’s ile hayr, w’at’ll fetch him ter limericks.” He produced a small vial from his socket, and forcing open the savage’s mouth, poured a few drops down his throat. The effect was startling. The eyes suddenly began to unclose, and Bad Medicine sprung to his feet with an ear-splitting yell which rung out and echoed on the clear morning air. “Ugh! fire! fire!” he cried, clutching his head be- tween his hands and dancing frantically around. “ Great ham-bone, no, red-skin!"’ the Annihilator snorted, as he himself stood half-doubled up with convulsive laughter, ‘‘You’ve got the ‘James’ ther wu’st sort. Don’t ye see them snakes in yer boots? Haw! haw! haw! talk about yer devastatin’ eppy- demics, will ye?—about yer rip-roarin’ decoctations o’ supervised exstinction, will ye? Il] bet ther pelt o’? my old Florence Cordeliar thet ye ken’t find a purtier subject this side o’ purgatory.” “What's the matter with him?” Corduroy asked, as the chief continued to roar and bellow around at a fearful rate. “Nethin’ only a Jeetle raccoon’s ile ter settle his brain!’ Avalanche answered. ‘“‘ He’ll be better soon —thar, didn’t I tell ye so?” as the red-skin sudden- ly ceased his gyrations, to stare around in a be- wildered manner. ‘ Why, boyee, I’ve known thet same raccoon’s ile ter cure a man 0’ the ‘jams’ in quicker time then my old mare Prudence ked shock a man wi’ ther electricity o’ her hind feet. Fac’, by gracious!” “Ugh! fire burn berry much here!’ Bad Medicine grunted, rubbing his cranium, “ Oh! thet war but a shuger-lump ter w’at ye’ll git w’en old Gabr’el blows his fish-horn. Injun!” “Bad Medicine!’ Corduroy Charlie said, sternly, ‘how is it that Icome back to camp and find my sister and Clever Sam gone, and you dead drunk ?— how can you explain the matter?’ The chief started violently, and gavea glance to- ward the deserted wagon. “De White Lily gone?” he articulated. huskily, a ere fire shooting into his eyes. ‘ Bad Medicine runk?”’ “Just so. When I returned, a few moments ago, I found the camp deserted, and discovered you lymg
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10 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. in these bushes, dead drunk. Now I want an expla- nation, or down goes your shanty instanter.”* “Uzh! Bad Medicine berry much fool!” was the answer. ‘“ He let Pig-Tail man go out of camp. He come back and gib Bad Medicine bottle of whisky. Bad Medicine drink him, an’ dat’s all he know.” “Ha! then it was the rascally Chinaman, eh, who has done this deviltry in my camp?” “Yes, Pig-Tail man heap no good. He treacher- ous like de painter; he steal like de debbil—ugh! bad man! * Great demonstrative ham-bone thet thunder- bolted old Joner’s larnyx! Thet’s jest ther way wi’ one 0’ them almond eyed galoots!”* broke in the An- nihilator. ‘tNevyer know'd one yet as wouldn’t sell ‘em fer tooth-picks. An’ for drinkin’ whisky, ye ken’t beat’em. But come; if we're goin’ ter take ther war-path, et’s time we war startin’, W'at d’ye Drgrone ter do, boyee?” “There seems no alternative but to make quiet inquiries for Clever Sam, and after we find him, force him to tell what has become of my sister,” Corduroy Charlie replied, thoughtfully. *‘ He it evi- dently was who had an agency in the abduction, and until we find him we have little hope of discov- erin; =e Fal “Bad Medicine take bate eB !” said the chief, tds “No come back till he git White Lily an’ Pig-Tail’s scalp. Ugh!” “Bully fer you, red-skin; but mind, ef you play any shenanigan on us, I'll annihilate ye like [ hev- thousands o’ yer tribe—teetotally become yer last sickness.” Without deigning to notice the old scout’s threat, Bad Medicine strode away to the wagon for his rifle, and then across the vale toward the main streets of the “city,” with long, swinging strides that counted rapidly. - “He is in a gloomy mood, and woe be to Clever Sam if he gets in the red-skin’s way!’ Cor.uroy said, ‘‘And as there is nothing here to detain us, except an old wagon and a few traps, I propose that we branch out and work till we find a trail.” They accordingly separated, Avalanche first giv- ing the young Bravo some instructions in regard to certain dens of iniquity and vice in the town which were dangerous to visit The Annihilator went back in the direction of Lena Vernon’s, while Charlis kept on toward the main part of the town, where Bad Medicine had gone. In nearing one of the many scattered cabins, be heard a vile string of oaths, and glancing in through a, window as he passed, he beheld Jim MeTnrk sit- ting up in bed, attempting to use his arms, which was a painful operation, owing to the wounds, in either side, elbow high. “Fa! so ‘tis in here that my enemy nurses his wrath, eh?’ the young Bravo muttered as he kept on. ‘Well, I don’t believe he has anything to do with the abduction of Lily, orI’d go in there and choke the breath out of him. Can it be that the enemies mentioned in the anonymous note I receiv- ed a few id ago, have begun their deadly cam- paign againsi me?” As if impressed with the idea, he paused in his walk, and drew a crumpled note from his pocket, With a perplexed knitting of the brows, he perused it several times over, without seeming to derive any satisfaction from it. It ran as follows: “ Custer Crry. “Mr. Corpuroy CHARLIE:— “Asa friend to your interests, let me advise you not to visit the mining strike, in or near the National Park section of the hills, known as Quartz City. For there are enemies there who know of your coming— bitter enemies whom you know not, but who have been your enemies since your birth. Your parent- age has ever been a matter of doubt to you; these foes know much concerning it. and will attempt to smite you, out of revenge’s sake, ery clear of Quartz City lest you learn that which would be of no relish to you—lest oon are struck by enemies when least expected, and of whom you never dreamed. Your mission in this country is one of no Christian character. Let your object be consummated by One who has a higher cause than you. ‘AN UNKNOWN FRIEND.” “No! no! I will let out the object to no other hands than mine!’ Corduroy Charlie gritted fiercely, as he kept oa toward the town. CHAPTER VI. THE WARDVILLES—DEADWOOD DICK TELLS TBE STORY OF LEONE’S FALL. An incoming stage brought with it to Quartz City te Ohioan and his wife, whose names were Ward- vile, The man was a large, well-proportioned person, of forty-five years, with a kindly expression of face and eyes, showing him to be of mild temper and exceed- ing honest, rood-nature. He wore his beard crop- ped rather short; was dressed in plain but substan- tial clothing, and wore a cable-chain across his vest of solid gold, His wife was a fitting companion for the pleasant- appearing Ohioan—a quiet little matronly woman with a placid face and plump form, and was dresse with the same taste yet plainness of raiment which characterized the husband. She too, however, wore expensive jewelry. he stage deposited the Wardvilles in front of Pretzel Pete’s establishment, along with a pair of large Saratogas, and then rattled away down the street, leaving the Ohioan and his wife staring at the uninviting front of the ‘*‘ Big Schooner,’’ which was pasted over with such gir labels and signs as— “Lager Bier, four bits;” ‘‘Sweitzer Kase unt Pret- zels;”’ ‘160 fire-test ‘Tarant’ler, fifty cents a pint.” “Wumph!”" the Ohioan ejaculated, as he viewed things, generally. MSG apeees to me, Madge, that Quartz City can’t boast of superior accommodations in the way of hotels, if this is the best. It’s nothing more or less than a lager beer saloon.” “True, Judson; but perhaps we cannot find better quarters,’ replied Mrs. Wardville. ‘Look! there comes the proprietor, now,” and she pointel to Pret- zel Pete, who, on seeing the disembarked strangers before his door, had hastened out to investigate. ** Good-mornings—how you vas?” h? salused, as he waddled down the steps. “Wewere just looking for the best hotel which our stage-driver_ assured us existed somewhere in this vicinity |’ Wardville replied, s_aking hands with ° the good-natured German. ‘* Maybe you can tell us where it is, sir.” “Shimminy gracious, yes. Dot vasmy blace ter a dot. . Der’ Big Schooner ’ ish der leading hodel mit der city. Walk right in, for T haff swi’ rooms up- stairs vot tickle you right mitshoy. Dis vay, blease!”’ and the proprietor of the Big Schooner opened a side door which admitted them into a hallway. On ascending a stairs they soon found themselves domiciled in a suit of two rooms, directly over the saloon part of the building, which were tastefully furnished for being almost at the extreme limits of civilization, with warm-tinted wool carpets, sofa fur- niture and a luxurious bed in the smaller room, toge- ther with pictures on the walls, and other ornaments of an adorning nature. “Eb? vat you say?’ Pretzel Pete ejaculated, as the Wardvilles gave a sigh of relief. _‘* How vas dis for vatermellon, eh? Don’t got fooled; vas?” “The rooms are satisfactory,” said Judson Ward- ville, with a bow, “and as long as we sojourn in Quartz City we will keep them, You may now send us up a food dinner, if you please.” Pretzel Peter bowed graciously, and descended the stairs, full of glory over his success in capturing a pair of guests of the upper ten. As for the Wardvilles, they were only too gla/ to find themselves in such comfortable quarters, after their rough tour through the Hills,
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. il Their trunks were soon brought up, and after them came a savory meal of roast game, rye bread and coffee, with a small bottle of Rhine wine, which however, was left untouched. “Well, we are here, and have taken our first meal in Quartz City, wife ” Mr. Wardville said, tippin back in his seat, and lighting a cigar, at the close o the repast. ‘*‘The next question is—what are we here for?" “That question needs no answer, between us, Jud- son,” Mrs, Wardville replied. ‘You know what faint clew brought us here, and how we have hoped and prayed for a glad realization.” sf Fest yes! but somehow, I have put rather an in- different srt of confidence in the matter, all slong. jt would not surprise me 1f our hopes should be real- ized—it would not surprise me to find them defeat- ed.” ‘* You speak strangely, Judson!” “Dol? Well, then, it is because I have long since deadened my faith in the mattcr. As long as we have been pursuing the faint hope, unsuccessfully, T have constantly been losing interest in the chase. I marvel that my hairand beard have not turned white, ere this.” “True, you have undergone much, dear husband, as wellas myself, but I am pressed with the belief that our trusting faith in God, at all times, has ina measure preserved us.” * Well—well, Madge, I cannot say as to that; but certainly pure faith in the Ail-wise Creator works no man evil, in the great hereafter. Leaving you here awhile, 1 think [ will take a stroll about the place.” “Will you make inquiries?” “‘No, not at present. We had best wait, and bide our time. If we have come on a wild-goose-chase, it does not appear worth while to apprise these deni- zens of the fact. If, on the contrary, it proves that we have come here to any purpose, there is time enough to work. ‘Things done in haste are not, as a rule, done well.” “What a logician you are, to be sure, Judson,” Mrs. Wardville said, laughingly. * Logic is simply common sense, dear. Now, good- by, for maybe an hour, ur so."’ and kissing the wo- man who had ever been a faithful and loving wife to him, Wardville descended to the bar-room of the * Big Schooner,” where the usual gang of rough and illiterate patrons were taking their morning “ nip o° dew.” There were miners, and stage-drivers, gam- blers and desperadoes all mixed together, with now and then a genteel speculator, or maybe now and then a military officer or private. After reviewing the crowd in the bar-room with a critical eye, Judson Wardville passed into the d= nce- hall, only to remain a few moments. for the females who were lounging on the side seats. smoking and drinking, or taking part in the mazy waltz, were not such as he could either respect or admire. That same afternoon, Old Avalanche was sitting upon a bowlder in the dark recesses of the Southern canyon, which, like a deep. narrow fissure, ran through the mountains, its course declining. and bottom being hundreds of feet below the hoa mountain-peaks which rose and cast a solemn aad: ow o’er its course, Before the scout the clear bright waters of Castle Creek purled and sprayed through a rocky channel, and made strangely weird musie echo along the gi- gantic walls that arose on every side. Far above, the peaks were crowned with spectral pines, and the wind wafted down the scent of them and mingled it with the fragrance of the flowers on a wild syringa bush which grew close at hand. Close at the Annihilator’s side crouched that speci- men of the gs capri, which was the old man’s ae —the vicious, ugly-looking goat, llorence ightingale, which had been his boon companion on many a wilderness journey, and during many a cam- paign against the hostile red-skins. The goat was engaged at browsing away at a hem- lcck limb, while the old scout sat with his chin rest- ing upon his two hands, gazing thoughtfully up and down the canyon, as the day drew toward a close, ““Reckon thet sister o’ Corduroy Charlie's ar’ a —- he soliloquized, as he took a bite froma plug of twist. “I’ve looked ail over, e’ena’most. ter find her, but uo crippled gal ner Chinee galoot kin 1 git news vv. Thet’s one deefikilty w'at’s cloggin’ ther path o’ this yere deyastatin’ eppydemic o’ ther peraries. Hayr in thes place they call me the ‘mountain king,’ an’ great ham-bone w’at war a peri¢rinashun pint ter cld Joner! ef 1 ain’t got my hancs fuller o' bizness thana full-blowed wassup, may this great disease o’ ther boreal lattytudes an’ longytoads be everlast- in‘ly extirpated. Thar’s Corduioy Charlie—a nice sort o’ a galoot—I must help him out o’ his rigs; then thar's thet matter about old Ugly Ann, an’ her War- riors 0’ ther Sun God—ther citizens want me ter Jay fer ther stronghold, Then cums thet affair about Deadwood Dick an’ his wife—thet report w ich don’t go down me easy, Great shadder 0’ cld Moses who peregrinated thr’u’ ther Biblikal bull-rushes! i'd ruther swaller a dose 0’ gin an’ cotton, then b’jieve thet leetle red-haired Leone Harris hed gone ter ther dogs!” ** Alas! yes! but *tis only too true!” The latter words were not spoken by the scout, but by another. Another, who, upon a powerful and glossy black horse, had ridden within a few feet of the Annibila- tor without his knowledge. And as the latter wheeled around he uttered en exclamation at sight of the black-clad, black masked figure which sat so erect in the saddle. “Deacwoot Dik! be gasped, bis old features coutorting into an expressicn of recognition. “Can et be possyble et aire you?” “Quite possible, old man!" was the reply, in_the road-agent and regulator's femiliar voice. ‘You behold Deadwood Dick again, as you first met bim.” “On ther road b’yee?” “Yes, on the road.” And as he spoke, the ycung man slipped frcm bis saddle and came nearer, the striking beauty of his perfect form at strong con- trast with the grim mask that covered the upper rtion of his face. “You were just speaking of me, Avalanche—she who has been the alternate blessing and curse of my life.” “Yes, I war speakin’ o’ her. boyee, fer sence I heerd o’ yer goin’ back onter ther road, an’ of her desartion, I’ve been in a quandersum deefikilty,” the old man replied in a husky tone. ‘*Et sorter made me sick, ther newer, ye sec, fer I allus loved the gal ¢s ef she war my own darter.” * Of course you did; but your love was butasmall insignificant item ecmpered with the idolatrous pas- sion I had for her. Love was a weak word, Imore than loved—I worshiped her. You know it: and that since cur reunion after that affair of jealousy, which was settled up at Eureka. I have been a devoted hus- band to her—she was my idol.” “Great ham-bone! yes, beyee; I never see’d but w’at ye war rude ter her, an’ I ken’t ascribe any mo- tive for her leavin’ ye.” “Nor can I; but she is gone—hopelessly. and I shall never seek to restore her to my bosom!” Dead- wood Dick said, bitterly. © Are you sure, Dick?” the veteran scout asked, catching at the Jeast possible hope, as the drowning man would catch at a fragment of bark on the float- ing tide. ‘‘ Ain’t there sum mistake?—sum unfound- ed suspicion?” “None!” Deadwood Dick replied, fiercely, stopping his impatient pacing—‘ none, Avalanche. Listen to me, and then if you can putin even a word f.r her I will hear your defense or opinion. “I was up in Whoop-Up a few weeks ago. playing regulator, After the Co of my band, Leone went over to Hayward City to stay, as 1 suppcsed. with my sister, Mrs. McKenzie. hen I went to Hayward I didn’t find Leone at Anita’s, but in a cal-
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12 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. in, lying on the floor—dead drunk! She had not been near McKenzie’s, but from all reports had been with a noted gambler, called Handsome Hal. I wanted proof; I left the cabin to keep watch; I saw the gambler come—saw enough to drive many a stronger man than me insane with fury; I forbore shooting them then and there, but went out into the mountains to cool off. There I met some men whom I knew to be trusty, and on the impulse of a mo- ment I reorganized my road-agent, band, and Dead- wood Dick's flag was again unfurled in the face of the world. When I returned to Hayward, Leone and ae evil genius were gone. lam now hunting for er. ‘““ What will you do. Dickey, boyee?” “TN find her!” said Deadwood Dick, with that wild, terrible laugh of his: ‘I'll find her, and remind her of the innocent babe she bore me, now dead, and then put bullets through her faithless heart till she is dead.” : Then, as he ceased speaking, the wronged man turned, vaulted into the saddle, and dashed swiftly away up the canyon, CHAPTER VII. PHACE-COMMISSIONERS AND ROAD-AGENTS. A-tER Deadwood Dick had gone, Avalanche arose and started off for Quartz City, followed by his curi- ous companion, the goat. “Dickey means et,” he muttered, slowly. ‘He means et, cuss old Florence’s capacity fer fodder ef he don’t. He ar’ a bard customer w’en he’s set on a sabject, and I reckon I'd like ter find thet wife o’ his’n an’ tell her ter skip, fer w’en Deadwood Rich- ard sez he’s goin’ ter shoot a person, ye ken bet he’ll go do et.” In hopes of running across Corduroy Charlie, the old Annibilator steered for Pretzel Pete’s, but failed to find the Boy Bravo there, after which he visited several more of the dens which flanked the street. “Ken’t be they’ve knabbad the boyee, too,” he muttered. dubjously, when he could find or Jearn nothing of Charlie. ‘ P'r’aps Buster has seen some- thing of him.” He aimed his footsteps along toward Lena Vernon’s eabin, followed closely by Florence Night-in-a-gale, at whom the crowd stared or poked fun; buf very few cared to further tackle the animal than with bantering words, for Florenes had built un a reputa- tion in Quartz City by knocking out the front teeth of a notable bully in first-class style. Upon arriving at Buster’s cabin, Avalanche found the girl standing in th» doorway, watching the set- ting sun with her dazzling, fascinating eyes. “ffles Corduroy Charlie been here since we left this morning?” were the first words of the scout. “No! why, what’s become of him?” “Thet’s jast wat I'm anxious ter find out. Great somnambulistic ham-bone thet used ter pay nightly visitations ter old Joner’s larnyx! ef thet boyee war ter hev any harm happen ter him, I’d never fergive myself.’ Then the old man further relate? about the abduction of young Madison’s sister, ana his in- terview with Deadwood Dick. “ Poor fellow!” the girl said, sympathizingly. “TI hops he may find his lost sister, and I also hope that Deadwood Dick may not execute his threatened vengeance upon his wife.” “ Why?” - j “Because it can d> him no good to kill her who was the mother of his child.” “Right, Buster, by ther great ham-bone, But he'll do et, an’ don't ye fergitet. W’en Deadwood Dickey siys he'll do a thing, he’s a-goin’ ter git thar, an’ don’t ye ferget et.” x Then the Annihilator took his departure, striding back toward the ‘ Big Schooner.” That night, owing to the previous night's success, the masked ball at the establishment of Pretzel Pete was repeated, and the ball-room was crowded, and also the bar room, where the Dutchman dealt out “pizen” to as rough and ill-assorted a gang of humans as ever ied acounter. There were oaths in a plenitude, and occasionally a knock-down. while in the ball-room males and females whirle under the brilliant light of the chandeliers, to the enlivening music discoursed by the German band whom Pretzel Pete had fetched from Pittsburg. In the ball-room, with a very few exceptions, all were masked, the exceptions being such as did not care to dance, or knew not how. Old Avalanche composed one of the exceptions, as he sat upon the top of a deal table at one side of the room, with his weapons and his faithful com- panion, Florence, by his side. “Great authentic ham-bone!”’ he was saying, ad- dressing bis remarks to them around him who might be listening—" ef ther devil war ter see thes yere gang, he’d git skeered an’ turn his tail an’ skip. Holy Moses, o’ bul!-rushin’ fame—wu’st—very wu’st gang o’ human critters I evyer sot eyes on.” If any one had the courage to dispute the Annihi- lator’s views, they evidently had not the ambition or desire, and so the old man relapsed into silence. But he kept his eyes, old and growing dim, though they were, ue the whirling mass of dancers be- neath the brilliant chandelier light—especially upon a certain couple, when they were in sight. The man was tall and slim—clad in a ranger cos- tume, with a tall fur-beaver cap upon his head. and amask upon his face, which wholly enveloped the features. The woman was shorter in stature than her companion, with a plump form, and brick-red hair, which fell over her sboulders in an untangled mass. Her face was masked from eyebrows to chin: her costume was a short dress, cut low in the noc and a jaunty jockeyfied hat perched upon her 1ead, Both she and her cavalier were graceful dancers, and floated gracefully through all the changes with- out the least apparent confusion. And this couple Old Avalanche watched sharply, his forehead contracted in a half-frown. Once he caught the glance of the woman, but it - was only for a moment, during which she seemed to halt, instinctively, and tremble; then she was whirl- ed away into.the mazes of the dance by her partner, and the scout lost track of them. ‘oTwere her! he muttered, grimly—‘‘ her—Leone Harris! Great ham-bone thet layed siege ter ther interior kentry ov old Joner’s constitution. TIl go an’ get a sip o' tarant’ler, and then lay fer her, durn me ef I don’t. Florence, ye beast, jest stay whar ye be, an’ keep yer weather eye out. Ye know them as ar’ my friends, an’ know w’en things w’at ain’t Christyun-like aire goin’ on!” 5 The goat wiggled the stump of its tail in an under- standing manner, and then Avalanche departed, When he returned he felt in aspirit more like to him- self, and gazed around in ps of his game. He soon found the red-haired masker sitting quite alone on one of the side seats; but she started vio- lently when she saw him approaching. “Great Moses thet eavorted thr’u’ ther historic bulJ-rushes! don’t git skeered, mum; I ain‘t goin’ ter harm yer, es | ama contagious eppydemie 0’ de- molishun. Jest ye foller me out o’ this yere ball- room. for I wanter hev a leetle talk wi’ ye.” Without a word Leone Harris, for it was she, in truth, followed the old man, and soon they were out in the night shades of the vale, quite alone. ¢ Then Avalanche halted, and faced her, with a strange grimness on his rough, grizzled features, __ “Ye see, I know’d ye!” he began, with one of his peculiar chuckles—‘ know d ye jes’ so wellasmy old mare Prudence Cordeliar uster know oats. A great animile fer fodder were thet Prudence, mum—a terrific dispenser o’ provender. But then, she warn’t one side 0’ a slab fenee ter my goat, Florence Night-in-a-gale. Hat? why, by ther etarnal ham- bone thet disfigured Joner, she kin eat more in less time than any beast extant,”
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7) Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 18 The masked woman had listened with evident im- patience. : * ‘* Well!” she said, what has this to do with your bringing me out here?” “Not much, thet’s a fac’, But I thort I'd give ye an idea o’ ther digestive capabilities o’ my goat, Florence. As tet w’at I fetched ye heer for, I want- ed ter give ye a leetle warning.” “Warning, sir?” “Perzactly, You are Leone Harris. Thar! don’t attempt to deny it, fer ‘tis useless, for I know et. Yer red hair gives ye away. Shed hev know’dye ef we'd met on ther ferry-boat crossin’ Jordan.” “You are right; Iam, or was Leone Harris before the devil tempted me and I had not the power to resist. Don’t think to lecture me—I will not listen.” * An’ Deadwood Dick, gal—” “TI have wronged deeply. and should be sorry, rhaps; but I ain’t. Iscarcely can credit the change Te rig during a few weeks, myself, but such change there is, that I would not go back to the tame, re- tired life for all the world. No, no!—not for Dead- wood Dick, or the whole world!” She spoke in a nervous, excited way, emitting her speech by little jerks. It was quite evident she had indeed fallen into a depth from which there was no extrication. “*Great ham-bone! kin et be thet ye no longer hev love for Dickey, ter whom ye bore thet leetle son who—God be praised—died in time to be spared this shame?” **T do not think I care in the least for Deadwood Dick, Avalanche. When a woman sells her soul to the devil, love has little power over her. Had my child lived. I should never have come to this. Have you said all you wish?” “No! Iwish ter warn ye—faithless though you have turned out—ter look out fer Deadwood Dick, You may have heard that he has again taken to the road, Itisso; I see’d ther boyee ter-day; he sw’ars thet he now only lives ter kill ye!” “What! Deadwood Dick %il/ me! Ha! ha! let him try it! Know ye, old man, that I have power unsuspected by youorhim. Let him but hunt for bean he will fall into a trap which shall end in eath!’ “ Great salubrious ham-bone thet demoralized ther constitoochin uv old Joner! What hes he evyer done thet ye shed wish ter destroy him?” “Nothing; but when he tracks a tigress to make game of her, he will find his mistake. Pleas tell nen So, if you see him, and that Leone Harris defies im! Then, without another word, the woman turned on her heel, and glided back toward the “ Big Schoon- er,” followed a few moments later by the old Anni- hilator. He found that she had again joined the dancers, and was whirling away in the arms of the dandy ranger, with whom Avalanche had first noticed her. As he was standing idly at one side of the great hall, there was an uproar in the bar room, and a mo- ment later a gang of armed ECREDE. comprising Monk Morgan, Grizzly George, Skunk’s Cabbage Abe, and several others, among whom was the ‘heathen Chinee,”’ Clever Sam, and, headed by the lumbering bullwhacker, Jem MeTurk, burst into the ball-room with yells and whoops. As a consequence the band ceased to play, and the dancers hudcled together, in alarm; for a ‘raid,’ headed by the notorious MeTurk, had often been rhe dangerous if not disastrous. Pell-mell into he apartment the gang waltzed, with drawn re- volvers, and took their stand upon various articles of furniture, commanding elevation. MeTurk had been drinking deeply, and as he stood fora moment, glaring around upon the crowd, with a pair of heay six-shooters in his grasp, nearly every one shrunk back as in dread of him, whose wolfish face was a mirror of an evil nature. * Whar is he?” the bullwhacker at last bellowed, with a frightful oath—“ Whar is ther nastly leetle galoot they call Corduroy Charlie? I wanter see thet same cuss, an’ chaw Off his nozzle. Show him ter me! He’s thar among ye masked fools—show him up, or go) dang yer ugly skins. I’ll sic my purps, hayr, onter ye, an’ let *em scatter yer bones frum hayr ter Cheyenne!” “Yes! et’s Corduroy Charles we're arfter, or blood, an’ hey one or t’other we will, hit or miss!” cried Monk Morgan, “So haul him out, or down goes thes edifis ker- slap inside o’ ten seconds by ther least calkylation. Whoop him out, I tell ye!” ‘“*Yessee! yessee! muchee findee Corduroy Char- lee—gib himee up to peacee commissioners!” assert- ed Clever Sam, with a huge grin, as he leveled, with the others, a pair of formidable revolvers at the crowd. ‘*’Melican manee muchee badee—Chinee man muchee cutee, likee debbil!” ‘*Holdt! stop!” cried Pretzel Pete, rushing inupon the scene. “ Vat ish all disdrouble apoud? Vat vor all dish pig nonsense in my saloons? Shimmin | essen unt my vife Katrina! I gets me mad, unt kicks you all out mit der street!” “Hello! don’t get excited, Dutchy!” howled Me- Turk ‘‘ What’s ther use 0’ perrigrinatin’ on yer ear, w’en ye ain’t hurt? All we want ar’ a feller ealled Corduroy Churlie—thet same festive coon who salivated me last evenin’! Tnet’s w’at’s our game, you bet. Peace Commissioners aire we, duly appoint by Unkle Samule ter lick out fer jest sech coons. “ Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! den vy don’t you vas go find him? expostulated Pete, in high dudgeon, * Ve no keep Corduroy Sharlie here, I dells you.” : “Shet up, ye old blowhard! Leddies an’ gentle- men, ter av'ide trouble, yell please unmask!” “That's ther way ter tell ef Corduroy Charlie’s heer. Off wi’ yer face kiverin’, every one 0’ ye, or Vl make sum funerals a vital necessity!" With alacrity the masqueraders began to drop the coverings from their faces, for al! were in awe of the bullwhacker, who held life so lightly in regard. Soon the faces were all unmasked and turned to- ward the Peace Commissioners for inspection. It took but a glance from McTurk to tell that Cor- duroy Charlie was not among them, and he leaped to the floor with an oath. ‘“*Hurra! boys—ther galoot ain’t hayr, an’ we must s’arch till we find him. Kerwhoop! fifty dollars ter ther galoot as fetches me ther skunk w’at salivated me out in ther gulch!” The roughs gave an assenting yell, and were about to rush out into the night, when there was a series of wild, rollicking whoops, and a stream of horse- men came pouring into the ball-room. All were masked and armed to the teeth, and clad in mountain costume, and at their head rode one whom all recognized with the single exclamation: “Drapwoop Dick!” And so it was. CHAPTER VIII. IN THE BALL-ROOM—UGLY ANN AND HER TOOLS— M’TURK’S DEFEAT. In an instant the greatest consternation prevailed within the ball-room. Men shrunk back and grasped their weapons; women shrieked with terror, and at- tempted to fly, but were in most cases prevented b: the walls of humanity which surrounded them. All this confusion and chaos of disorder was because of the appearance of one man and a dozen of his com- panions—the notorious Deadwood Dick & Co, “Heilo! Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina; vot ish der meaning mit dish drouble?”’ Pretzel Pete demanded, as he mounted the barrel just vacated by the bullwhacker, McTurk. ‘“ Vot vor yor coome into mine saloon mit horses on your packs, you pig, un- mannerly loafers?” “Whoa-up, old man!” Deadwood Dick replied; “coolness should be your motto on such an occasion as this, You’lkno doubt get it hot enough hereafter,
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14 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. It so happens that 1 have a deserting wife among this throng, and [ have come for her, If you people will all remain quiet a moment, I will find her and take a quiet departurs. Otherwise—well, you know about how D:adwood Dick's raids turn out!” and there was a quiet smile beneath the mask as the road-agent ceased speaking, ‘* Ladies unt shentleman, you vill blease keep so still ash von mouse, ondil dis roadt-agent takes his departure,” announced Pretzel Pete from his barrel. “Paadtwood Tick hash very much reputation av pein’ a pad cusdomer.” There was a shout of laughter from the masked road-agents, and an equal volume of curses from the roughs under Jom McTurk. “You will find it to your advantage to follow your host's direction, ladies and gentlemen,”’ Deadwood Dick sail. ** Undoubtedly, as he intimates, I am a bad customer when you get me riled. You all may have heard of me, and that my wife, Leone Harris has deserted me for a double-dyed wretch called Handsome Hal. That she and her pard are in this room, I am satisfied. You will please stand still, while I ride among you and scan each face.” It was a request and yet an order, and no one soemed desirous of disobeying it. for the road-agents sat like statues en saddle with cocked revolvers, And Deadwood Dick rode carefully about among the crowd within the great ball-room, those mag- netic eagle eyes of his sweeping the sea of faces in asharp, searching glance that required no second look for assurance. How oat male and female, shrunk back as they encountered the stern, unflinching gaze of the road- prince! How many trembled lest he should smite them—he who was believed to fear neither death nor the devil! A strange hush pervaded; naught was heard ex- cept the tramp of the animal’s feet, which bore the road-agent through the room, Every one seemed to stand with bated breath waiting the issue, whatever it might be. The ejaculation now suddenly escapes Deadwood Dick's lips, and he raises his revolver, and fires at two forms just disappearing through a rear door of the ball-room —the figures of red-haired Leone Har- ris and her cavalier, But he fired too late for the bullets to take effect, as was evidenced by a mock- ing lauch which cam» floating back into the room, “Baffled this time!’ he muttered, with a bitter chuckle, “for sha evidently was expecting me. An- other time I shall take her by surprise. Away, boys, tt Remember we have a stage to toll at mid- night hen, assuddenly as the lightning flash radiates the clouded heavens, there came a glare of vivid flashes, a cannonade of sharp, spiteful reports, the trampling of iron-shod feet and v cious screams of horses, intermingled with oaths, wild yells of lauzh- ter, and stentorian orders. This pandemonium of sounds for a few seconis— then if was discovered that the road-agents had taken their departure from the “ Big Schooner.” Nobody had bean hurt—the_ pistol-shots and yells had been the finale overture of the daring pirates of the trail, previous to their departure. “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! if dish ish der sort off vatermellons you grow oud mit der Plick Hills, I salls oud my place, go pack mit Pitts- burg unt sell three-cent lager, so help me!” “Oh! that’s only an interlude in ther active drama of mining life, Pretzel Peter the Great!” assured Mr, Andy Adair. “Ye must git used ter sech things, he parseeve. an’ w’en ye’re wisited by sech shinin ights as Deadwood Dickey, not go a perigrinatin’ off on yer ear, as ye did ter-night. At sech times ignorance ain’t bliss by er long chalk!” An hour later four men were standing in the dark- n°ss which enveloped the vale—four burly, brawny men, and a creature which might have been taken for a woman, as the dress and hood which hung back upon the narrow shoulders seemed to indicate that sex, The men were none others than the bullwhacker, Jem MeTurk. the ruffian and gambler, Morgan, and their confederates, Grizzly George and a fellow known as Bison Ben, from his shaggy appearance, The woman was, in every sense of the word, a hor- rible looking old hag, with disheveled hair, shrunken features, and evilly-gleaming, coal black eyes, while her mouth was large, and disclosed a few long, fang- like teeth. The complexion of her skin was sugges- tive of jaundice: and her form was shriveled and bony, eg few rags she wore being illy-sufficient to cover it, She carried a crookei staff in her hand, and would have reminded one of a witch such as are told of in ancient fairy tales. “Auckover my durned equilibrium, ef ye ain’t a hoss!’’ Jem McTurk was saying. “Hayr ye're sur- roundin’ us wi’ bizness thet’ll keop our hands bizzy. art ther crippled galw’at Monk, hayr, sent ye, eh? “Yes!” the hag replied, in a harsh, squeaky voice. “T got her all right, and she languishes a captive in the dungeons of the Temple of ths Sun-God. She will make a fine morsel for ther sacrifice!” “No doubt,” and the bullwhacker shuddered at the hag’s coolness, though he well knew it was her way to be coo] and calculating, when working devil- try, even though at other times she were afire with consuming flames of insanity. * You ar’ sure o’ one victim, mum!”’ “Bah! only one!’ eried the hag, fiercely. ‘‘I must have more—more for the glorious quarterly sacrifice to Quoloro, the Sun-God. His warriors at the temple are hungry for the sacrifice! Five shall there be sacrificed. Quoloro has commanded it, and sent Ugly Ann, his agent, to search for fat victims. She has searched, when night has overshadowed the land. She has found plenty of victims. The red- haired wife of Deadwood Dick; ths beauty of the vale whom the miners call ‘ Buster’; the Chinaman and the red chief, Bad Medicine, and the youth, Corduroy Charlie. All these must know the sacrifice to Quoloro, the Sun-God!_ Ugly Ann has said it, and you, her agents, must do her will!”’ The four ruffians stared at each other doubtingly and then at the half-crazed hag, who had worked herself into savage excitement. * You need not hesitate!’ she shrieked. in a sud- den fury, as her sharp gaze caught their glances. “\What care you what your hands do, so long as you get gold? -Have I not alwayspaid you? Look!” and she brought four pouches made of buckskin from beneath her tattered shawl. ‘“* Here is gold for each of you, to do my bidding—more gold than you could mine in a month!’ “Good enourh! We're yours, truly, old gal:” MeTurx cried, seizing his pouch. *“S’pose ye’ll hey ver kurricr cum ter ther old place fer ther ‘stock ’?”” “No! no! Dauldo was torn to pieces in the bear's den this morning, and you all must bring yer vic- a ba ther Temple, an’ witness the glorious saeri- ice “But I reckon we won't, mum!’’ McTurk said, grimly. ‘‘ We ain’t partial ter seein’ hullsale butch- erin’ did, even ef we do drop our man oneet an’ aw’ile. Reckon ye’ll hev ter excuse us,” “Excuse ye? Wo!” cried Ugly Ann, savagely. “Don't dare to refuse to come! You know the fate of those who have refused to obey my orders. Well, you shall follow them if you refuse. Remember! I never make idle boasts!" And without another word the hag wheeled about and hurried away into the darkness, Cuss her!” McTurk growled. as he glared in the direction she had gone. “Wat ye think o’ et, Monk?” “ Jest as I allus hey, thet she is a reg’lar old flend-
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. ess!’ the gambler replied, with a shiver, ‘‘I reckon et’s no use fer us ter think o’ doin’ less than she hes ordered.” ‘*On course not, Ye know w’at Clumsy Cal an’ a number others got fer playin’ shenannigun, an’ we ain’t no better’n them on ther dodge. ’Druther give a nugget than go see thet thar sacrifuss, *ca’se et allus goes ag’in’ my grain ter see any killin’ done on- less rT take a hand myself. Then I'm all right, ye bet * Wonder whar ther old rip pits the gold she gives “Sh!” McTurk cautioned with an evil grin— ‘ not soloud. Thet’s for us ter find out, w’en we wisit ther Temple o’ ther Sun-God. We must solve ther mystery. Ther old woman is crazy, an’ them idol- atrous red-skins, w’ich aire pickings out o’ half a dozen different nations, all believe thet she hes more thau mortal power, I suspect, an’ accordingly serve her, out o’ reverence an’ fear. Et must be our pur- puss ter find whar she keeps her gold. an’ help ovr- selves. Now then, scatter, an’lay fer ther game, lively!” Lena Vernon, or ‘‘ Buster,” was sitting in her cab- in, a short time after the events last recorded, mending a cut in the jacket of the suit of male attire she had worn on her first meeting with Corduroy Charlie. She was all alone, but this caused no thought of fear to enter her mind; she had lived long enough in the rough zsning. conney, of the West to have little thought of the danger which con- stantly surrounded her. She found much to think of as her deft fingers lied the needle—for food for thought had come to er with the coming of Charlie Madison. She was conscious that his comely appearance had impressed her and excited her enthusiastic admira- tion. She knew that he was the only one whose glance had ever thrilled her with that exquisite sensation of first love—well, it made her young heart beat wildly when she thought of him, short though had been their first meeting. The candle-light revealed the rosy coloring on her cheeks as she sat sewing, and occasionally a soft ae smile that came to and departed from her Bo engaged were her thoughts that her ears failed to detect the sound of the opening and closing door; she was ignorant that another person was in the room, until she chanced to glance up, and beheld a man standing almost in front of her, and that man none other than Jem MeTurk. “Haw! haw!” he laughed hoarsely, as she sprung to her feet in astonishment. ‘Didn't expect to see me, did ye, Buster!” “No, indeed. How did you gain entrance?” the girl demanded. “* Thr’u’ ther door, on course, daisy. Ye see, I hed aleetle bizness ter transact wi’ ye, an’ so I kim right in wi'out ceremony. Thar! sit down, an’ I'll do ther same”? “No! I won't sit down!” Buster cried, nervously toward an opposite corner where her wea- oe were, for she well knew the class of villain she ad to deal with. MeTurk caught her gaze, and took pains to put himself between her and tem, at the same time drawing and cocking his formidable “six. **No ye don’t!’’ he said, with a triumphant leer; “reckon I know how ks sling lead, an’ ye ken’t gri no ‘bull-purp’ while I’m around, Sit down,I tell you, or ’li—” Lena obeyed without answering. Brave though she was, she dreaded this man, McTurk, more than any other ruffian in Quartz City. Why, she could scarcely have told, herself. “Thar! sit, now, an’ open yer ears!” the bull- whacker-that-had-been aid, as he half-squatted upon a camp-stoo], ‘ Be reason’ble, an’ ye’ll git ter glory in short order, you bet!” lancing 15 “What do you mean, Jem McTurk?” “Hey? w’atdo I mean? Waal, et’ll take a leetle story ter tell thet, an’ I mought as well tell ye. Ye’ve heerd uv a tribe o’ Injuns, no doubt, who be- long in ther mountains, nob more’n a dozen miles from heer. They’re called the ‘ Warriors o’ ther Sun-God’—a sort o’ idol they worship bein’ o’ thet name. Every season o’ ther yeer, they sacrifice some livin’ critter ter this god. humans bein’ their preference. This yeer they propose ter make more sacrifices than usual, and have elected me ter s’arch fer material.” “You, Jem MeTurk! You searching for victims for these barbarous wretches to murder]’’ Lena ex- claimed, in horror, “Waal, yes, ] reckon thet’s about et, an’, as they’re fond o’ pritty subjects, 1 thort you might an- s’er ter a dot.”’ “Great God! wretch?” ‘Jest w'at Ised, perzim! Old Ugly Ann sed you war her huckleberry, an’ so I’ve cum ter appropri- ate ye!” and, with a gloating grin, the ruffian rose to his feet, and advanced a step toward poor Lena! She, too, sprung from her chair, and lcaped toward the door, “ Help! help!” she screamed, just as MeTurk slapped a heavy band upon her shoulder, And her cry was not unanswered. The door was suddenly flung open, and a man stepped into the room. It was Lieutenant Create: and the bullwhacker released Lena and stepped back as he saw him, “Hello! by the devils, what dots this mean?” the lieutenant demanded. ‘‘ What are you up to, Jem MeTurk?” “He was about attempting to carry me off, bro- ther!’ Lena Vernon cried, indignantly. ‘He is a brutal wretch!’ “I war jest playin’ a leetle joke, ye see!” MeTurk ventured, hesitatingly. “Bah! none of your lying to me!” Cressly said, sternly. ‘‘ Who sent you here?” “ Ugly Ann!” the ex-bullwhacker grinned. ““The devil! Who for?” “Wor Buster!” Cressly leaped back with a vile oath. “Curse her! what does she mean?” he growled. “You can go, sir; look out ye don’t show up here again. I'll see about this directly. Go!” The ruffian slunk from the cabin like a whipped cur; then Cressly turned upon Lena Vernon, who was his sister What do you mean, you brutal * CHAPTER IX. A BIT OF REVELATION, AND BUSTER'S PROMISH—IN THE CANYON—A RESCUE. Tue face of the so-called lientenant was stern and pitiless as he faced the beautiful girl, Lena Vernon, And she trembled, for in his savage moods he was fierce and ofitimes brutal. “Well?” he growled, interrogatively, as if he ex- ected her to speak—* well, what bave you to say ‘or yourself?” ‘“*What do you mean, Dion? I do not understand you, Iam sure,” “You don’t, eh?” he replied. with a sarcastic sneer. “Well, I'll enlighten you. Last night I came here, and was refused admittance by that old idiot whom a call Avalanche. He cenied that you were here, ut that was a lie, as 1 peeped in through a crack and saw you, previous to knocking. I also saw another—a beardless chap, whose arin you had just dressed in an affectionately skillful manner. oO was that, pray?’ “Ob! that was Mr.—Mr.—Corduroy Charlie, bro- ther. He was wounded in a street duel with Jem MeTurk.” “Exactly. Ichanced to be a witness to the duel, He is my enemy !” “ Your enemy?”
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16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. “Exactly, again, One of the bitterest in my cal- endar. Let me relate: **A year or so ago, when I took a trip to Califor- nia, leaving you in Denver, ace rie off at Stock- ton, and as it happened, chanced to engage board with this Corduroy Charlie and his crippled sister. “In a moment of indiscretion, I thoughtlessly offended them, and it appears they hhave cherished a deep-set rancor for me and followed me here for the pes of a deadly revenge. And you had the itterest enemy of my life, ministering to his wants!” mo “But how should I know of it, Dion, when you never told me?” . “Well, you know it now, and let it be a warning to you. oreover, you must tell me where the ac- cursed rascal is hiding, for you alone know.” “T do not know. He left here with Avalanche, this morning, early, and I have not seen him since.” “Stop! girl! do not anger me with your lies. Tell me where he is, or by my life, I'll not remember se, are my sister, or a woman. Tell me, I say ‘Lena rose to her feet, her cheeks flushed, and eyes glowing, brightly. “Thave told you once and for all that Ido not know where he is. I cannot say more, no matter what you do!” she said, cldly. ‘* But I'll make you! curse you, I’ll make you tell. T'll recall MeTurk, and he shall take you off to the sacrifice !—” ** Enough! Dion Avery! you are no brother of mine after that threat, and if I knew, I would never be- tray Corduroy Charlie’s whereabouts to you— never [”? “Then McTurk shall obey Ugly Ann’s com- mands!” the villain said, rising. ‘“‘When death stares you in the face, you'll find it beyond my power to help you!” *€Oh! Dion, how can you be so cruel, when I know nothing of the young man?” and Buster burst into a fit of weeping, which Cressly, otherwise Dion Avery, failed to notice was wholly affected. “Oruel? Well, I'll give you one chance. Go seek this Corduroy Charley, and betray him to me, wilt you do it?” The girl pre eagerly, but with a dark gleam in her beautiful eyes. ‘You promise?” “*T promise.” “Very well; your life will depend upon your keep- ing that promise. Don’t think to trifle with me, or attempt to escape. A spy chosen from the barbar- ous Sun-God worshipers shall constantly dog your . footsteps, though you may not see him.” Then the lieutenant turned and strode from the cabin, slamming the door after him. “Yes! yes!” the brave girl muttered, going to the window and peering out into the darkness, “T will go in search of Corduroy Charlie, but not to betray him to you, my villainous brother—far from it, He shall find that brother and sister, even, can play at different games.” “Come along, boys; I reckon we've got ther game purty nigh cornered!” - The speaker was the ruffian gambler, Monk Mor- gan, and he was accompanied by half a dozen of his confederates, including Bison and Grizzly George. - In the night's dense gloom they were skulking through the deep northern canyon, which opened ‘out of the vale, with revolvers drawn, aad eyes peer- ‘ing forward with a manifest eagerness. For an hour they had been upon the trail of Cor- duroy Charlie, like human bloodhounds, and they * meant to find him, and capture him for the sacrifice. Stealthily forward they stole, their footsteps scarce- ly causing a sound, their breaths coming and going in concert. Nearer and nearer to the place of the supposed concealment of the young Bravo—then all of a sud- den the canyon and the night became as light as day as burning balls of fire were hurled down by invisible hands from a hundred quarters, some of them fall- ing upon the surprised “ peace commissioners,” who retreated with howls of rage. And while yet in this confusion, the clatter of hoofs was heard, and a horseman came dashing directly down through the storm of blazing balls. With yells fraught with terror, all of the ruffians except Morgan turned and fled toward Quartz City as fast as their feet would carry them. The gam- bler was not made of the kind of clay instilled with cowardice; he stood still in his tracks, waiting with a gleam of desperation in his eyes, born of a con- trolled will. He saw the horseman and recognized him, but raised not a hand on the defensive. He believed that there were doubtless a score of weapons leveled at him from the cliff above, and that he was virtu- ally a prisoner. The horseman was Corduroy Charlie. He bore swiftly down toward the spot where the gambler stood; then drew rein by his side, Morgan met his stern glance unflinchingly: “What d’ye want?’ he demanded, in a hoarse voice. “Ef ye’re a road agent, ye won't get no haul out 0’ me!” “T am no road-agent, and well ye know et,” Char- lie replied, fiercely. ‘You know why I stop to bandy words with a man of your worthless stamp. I want my sister, you wretch!” “What d’ye calkylate I kno’ about yer sister?” the gambler growled, fiercely. ‘‘I hain’t seen her, an’ don’t know anything about ber.” “Stop, be dog! don’t lie to me. It was you that received her from the hands of my treacberous ser- vant, Clever Sam. You must—you shall tell me where she is, or I will shoot you down without a thought. Speak!’ The gambler grew pale with apprehension, and made a movement suggestive of neat as the Boy Bravo’s revolver-muzzle stared him in the face. “Hold up! don’t attempt to escape, as that will only hasten your death. Tell me, and Till spare your life for the present. Quick, or I’ll surely drop oul “Stop! don’t fire!” Morgan gasped in alarm. “ll tell you. The girl is in the power of the Worshipers of the Sun-God.”” “What! dare you tell me oe you wretch—and you sent her there!’ Corduroy Charlie cried, fierce- ly. ‘Til kill you—” “Stop! you will do nothing of the kind, sir!” Mor- gan replied, grimly. “* Remember your promise—re- member that only I have any power toward re leasing your sister, Shoot me, and her fate is sealed!” Charlie reeled in his saddle, at the blow; it wasa contingency he had not thought of for a moment. ‘Ha! ha!” Morgan laughed, as he noted the effect of his words; “ you weaken, I perceive. Mebbe ye ain’t quite so brave as ye war!” ‘“Will you then give back my sister if I spare your life, you devil!” “'Waal, I won’t promise fer certain, fer ye see life ar’ uncertain, an’ a feller hes ter be equally sudlaees in determinin’ his course. Mebbe so; mebbe not.” “ Gurse you!” the young Bravo gritted, his patience relaxing. ' ‘‘ You must either promise me, or die; so take your choice.” He'spoke coolly, but there was a light of desperate resolution in his eyes. He was enough of a judge of character to perceive that the gambler was a treacherous villain, who nei- ther valued his word nor honor—a man hardened in the ways of a criminal life, who respected neither man or God.” He doubted not that’ the fellow had told the truth regarding poor Lily’s whereabouts; indeed, he had believed her, almost since the first, in the power of those unknown enemies whom the author of the
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. i? anonymous note had mentioned as previously related. 7 “T must either promise or die, eh?’ Morgan sneer- ed. ‘Waal, [reckon ye ken take my word then, as Tain’t in no mood fer takin’ my eternal leap to- night. Cum ter my ranch, two doors north o’ ther ‘Big Schooner.’ ter-morrer night at this time. an’ yell git yer sister, sure’s my name’s Monk Mor- ” “Qorrect! I willbe onhand. Go, now, and follow the gang of cowardly dogs you were bringing to capture Corduroy Charlie. Hereafter, look in your boots, before ye pull ’em on, You'll find it the safest.”” With a curse, Morgan turned and strode back down the gulch from whence he had come, followed by a mocking laugh that caused him to shiver—a laugh he halk heard before, and to which a signifi- cance was attached, for it was the laugh of the noto- rious Deadwood Dick. oe And it wasthe road-agent, in person, who joined Corduroy Charlie, just as the gambler disappecred from view in the gloom; for the fire-balls on the canyon bottom had nearly burned out, and the night- shades were again se! tling down thickly. “What ails you?” Deadwood Dick demanded, in surprise. ‘Why didn’t you shoot the devil in his tracks?” ** Because that would have been sealing the fate of my poor sister,” Charlie replied. “Did you not hear what he said?” “Certainly. And what better are you off by allow- ing the human wolf to escape? His promise is but atrap to get you in his power, and you will never see your sister through /iis agency. You should have killed him on the spot, and then, having the knowledge of your sister's whereabouts, come to ” “But what right have I to expect more assistance from you than you kindly extended to night?” “The right a brother has to expect succor from a brother,” Deadwood Dick replied, grimly. ‘‘ Please remember that a man may be a road-agent and still aman, If you ealculateI or any of my boys will | desert a fellow-mortal who is fighting in the behalf of women, you make a mistake, I take the same in- terest in helping you toward finding your sister as if she were Ink own, and you may be assured of my personal aid.” “Thank you—I thank you with all my heart!’ Corduroy Charlie cried, warmly grasping the gloved hand of the prince of the road. ‘‘ Though our occu- pations ain't quite the same, that should be no bar to our friendship.” € “Good enough. Itis a pity you didn’t shoot that tough, as he may trouble your path yet.” *'There’s a chance to settle with him, I shall now return to town and brave my foes, if they lay for me, aeons would be my advice,’’ Deadwood Dick re- plied. afraid of the best of ’em. That's the way I earned my reputation and notoriety in the Hills.” ‘Then, after a few more words, Corduroy Charlie shook hands and parted with Deadwood Dick, after which he strode down the canyon and entered the vale where nestled Quartz City, as mapped out by a myriad of gleaming lights. “JT wonder where I had best go? he muttered, as he stood a few seconds at the mouth of the canyon, and gazed upon the scene which lay before him. “T would like to see that fellow they call Old Ava- lanche, and also the girl, Lena Vernon. Why was it, I wonder, that I was so strangely impressed with her appearance? She seemed to remind me of some one, yet, for the life of me, I could not tell whom. Rather pretty and fascinating: no doubt would make an agreeable subject to make love to.” A faint glow of beauty shone in his eyes at thoughts of the belle of Quartz City, as ‘‘ Buster” had often been called. ‘IT wonder who she is and where she came from? “Sail in and Jet ’em know that ye ain’t | t Does Avalanche know anything about her? As I fancy, he is no way related to her, Hello! what’s up? He ceased soliloquizing and listened intently. From below him, inthe depth of the valley, came the sound of muffled cries—evidently of some per- son in distress. “Something gone wrong!” the young bravo mut- tered, ‘Perhaps it might be well enough to investi- rate!’ He drew one of his revolvers, and then stole away down the slope, through the dense gloom of the night. His footsteps were scarcely audible even to himself, and he was prepared for any emergency as he kept on. The further he went the plainer became the sound of harsh words. Before him loomed up a growth of stunted chaparral, and within its covert Charlie was satisfied was the person or persons from whom the words emanated. So he crept stealthily along, and in five minutes had attained LP overlooking a peculiarly strange scene. ithin a little glade a man was lying prostrate upon the ground, bound hand and foot, while over him stood an old hag, with wrinkled, yel- lowish features, and tattered garb. In her hand she held a long. threatening knife, which she ‘occasionally flourished close to the face of the man, who was evidently her prisoner. “Speak, Judson Wardville!” she exclaimed in a shrill, harsh voice; ‘speak! promise me what I de- mand, or I’ll murder you where you lay, asI said. Your time is almost up! “*T have already counted five hundred, but a hun- dred remains to be counted. If you do not answer to my demands, your life shall pay the forfeit.” “On the contrary, if you don’t make yourself searce, I'll put a bullet through your cranium in short order!” Charlie said, stepping from his con- cealment, with a pair of six-shooters bearing upon the would-be murderess. ‘Come, start! or you’rea goner, sure’s I know how to thread a needle!” The hag wheeled toward him with a fierce male- diction, but the moment she perceived that he was better armed than herself, she slunk away into the chaparral, ad tet the prisoner, Corduroy Charlie drew his knife. severed the bonds, and assisted Mr. Ward- ville to his feet. ‘You will excuse me!” the released man said, hur- riedly, *‘ but Ihave not time now. more than to thank you. But Isball not forget your face; good-evening, sir. I must pursue that old woman;” and abruptly he dashed off through the chaparral, much to the as'onishment of Charlie. * And the released prisoner had barely left the glade, when another man suddenly entered it and confronted our hero, CHAPTER X. OVERPOWERED— MCTURK 1%, FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. THe man was the masked, silver-bearded individu- al who had once confidently advised Corduroy of MeTurk’s prowess, and whom everybody had nick- gene Silver Beard, for want of a better appella- Ive, There was no change in his appearance now more than when Corduroy had first seen him, except that he carried a rifle, and his belt was tucked full of weapons, He seemed startled as he recognized the oan Bravo, and came to a halt directly in front of him. _ ‘You? heejaculated. ‘Excuse me, for I thought it was some one else, But, since I have met you, I want to have a little talk with you.” “With me?” echoed Pines “Bxactly. Down here a bit is a respectable saloon. where we can sit in privacy and converse, Come!” “Yas; but hold up! How do I know whod you are, or what kind of a trap:you want me to enter?” ‘Never fear; all is right, To assure you, lam the .
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. i8 - Unknown from whom you received an anonymous warning some time ago. So you need not hesitate, as my intentions are good,” Corduroy Charlie did not reply, but followed after the stranger with an eagerness not born of assur- auce but of curiosity. Tbe events of to-night, and the knowledge he had attained, had put him in a quandary—in a perplex- ity of doubt and assailing fears, and if this silver- bearded individual could throw any light upon a dark past, he meant to receive it. For the past—the early childhood and birth of himself and poor Lily—had been hidden in a cloud of obscurity; of their parentage they knew literally nothing, Wrom the ege of ten dated their recoilec- tion. They were then the foster-children of Dudley and Margaret Madison, whose name they bore, and with whom they lived until Charlie was fourteen when both Madison and his wife died of fever, and a Charlie their little farm outside of Stockton, al. I; was not until after the death of Mr, and Mrs. Madison that these foster-children learned that they were not their own childre » by birth, but parentless waifs who bad been adopted at a tender age. It was a hard blow, but Charlie bore up under it man- fully, resolving to never forget it, and som+ time to search out his pedigree. He ever was haunted by a horrible face he had seen in his early boyhood—a face that menaced. He never forgot it; tonight he had geen the face bending over the prisoner in the ehaparral. How was the old hag connected with the mystery of his life? Could this stranger explain? These were the questions in consideration as he followed in the steps of Silver Beard. And they were momentous questions to him. They descended into the valley, and soon came to a cabin somewhat isolated in location from the rest, A light shone through the windows, and over the door was hung a banner transparency with the words in attractive letters, “THE CASINO.” Without ceremony Gilver Beard entered, and Cor- duroy followed, to find himself in an ordinary bar- room, flanked on two sides by stalls for beer drink- ers, and occupied by a few miners who sat around smoking their pipes. Silver Beard led the may to a retired stall, order- ing cigars as he passed the bar. Wheu they were ensconced in comfortable positions, and the cigars lit, the old man spoke. “T suppose you have much desire and curiosity to know what I want of you?” he said, in a low tone, “One thing is to ask why you did not regard my ad- vice in my note of warning? Mot did you come to this place when I warned you to keep clear of it? Please tell me that.”” “Well, I reckon’d et was none of your business where I went, and so I steered ahead. I had got upon the trail of my Stier and nothing short of a superiority of force could have turned me back.” “And by coming here you have put yourselt in a hornets’ nest. Your sister has turned up missing, and your own life is inimminent jeopardy!” “How do you know? What do you know about - me, anyhow?” “Ah! young man, much more than you have the least idea of. Very much more,sir. Doubtless you are a vars that a mystery enshrouds the early years of your life?” “Yes! yes!” “Well, Iam acquainted with the whole story, and well know your parents.” “ What! can it be possible that they are stillliving without my knowledge of who they are?” the ounz Bravo exclaimed, starting to his feet. ‘‘Go on! tell me all! all! everything which I do not know!” “Alas! you mk what is impossible, young man, Though I ‘am the possessor of that knowledge you would acquire, my lips are unfortunately sealed with an oath too horrible to be broken, until death breaks it;”? and the man bowed his head low, with a groan. “What! cannot tell me? Then, why did you bring me here to torture me?” “Te was to warn you, again, that I brought you— to warn you to fly from this place, where dwelleth your bitterest enemy. Think not of your sister, for she is beyond the power of your aid, were you to stay. Fly! while there is time, and save a life which may be a great blessing to the country.” ‘“Never! while poor Lily is callin sin vain forme to come to her!’ Corduroy Charlie replied, sternly. “Crazed though she is, she is all that I have left to live for, and fight for. Tell me one thing, sir, which I feel assured you know—who was the woman I saw inthe glade, 4 moment before you came? an old hag with yellow skin and tattered garb? Tell me, who?’ “That was Ugly Ann, the Prophetess of the Sun- God—your bitterest, deadliest foe. Beware of her, for if she fixes her eyes on you, your life is hardly worth speaking for. Take my advice, and let an- other night fall upon you far from this town.” ‘* By no means;” Corduroy Charlie replied, rising. ‘‘ Now that I have got the scent of my game, I shall pursue it until I get it in my power, Tthank youfor your warning, but I must disregard it.”’ ay ipl well! Ishall not warn you again. Tt ma come that you will wish you had accepted my ad- vice!” Charley bowed, and left the saloon. He was at loss how to arrange matters in his erred Silver Beard was a riddle to him, without so- ution. He felt that the man was a rascal, in spite of his vouchsafed warnings; but he did not reject the idea that danger might be lying in wait for him, Some- thing seemed to tell him that it was, and a gleam of defiance entered his eyes. “T have enemies!’ he muttered, as he trudged down across the valley toward the main street, “and they will probably try to make me trouble. But they shall find that I am alert and ready, IL need but one thing more to complete my outfit—” “ An’ thet’s a pair o’ handcuffs!” cried a jubilant voice, and before he was hardly aware of what had happened, he was lying upon the ground, securely bound, hand and foot. ‘he surprise had been complete. At the least expected noment he had been taken, and by the very ones he had defied not an hour ago —Monk Morgan and his “ peace commissioners.” ace had lain in waiting, and accomplished their object. About the same time of the capture of Corduroy Charlie, Old Avalanche was in the great bar-room of the Big Schooner, along with a motley assemblage of miners, adventurers and toughs, who were drink- ing and smoking and making the night hideous with their carousa’, The Great Annihilator was not sharing in the revelry, but stood on one side of the apartment, en- gaged in smoking his pipe, and watching those around him. Florence Nightingale was sitting upon his haunches, dvg-fashion, and the two eccentrics seemed to attract considerable attention, as well as to excite numerous uncomplimentary remarks. Among the roughs present were the bullwhacker, McTurk. and a few of his ilk, who, in general esti- mation, bossed the town. : } The bullwhacker had alrea@y emptied two pint bottles of Pretzel Pete’s perspiration-starting taran- t’ler and was feeling ingloriously tonguey ant bois- terous, when by chance be discovered the Annihi- lator and his * bull-dorg,” as the goat was familiarly known in Quartz City. ; The two men were not the best friends, at any time, and to-night MceTurk had the disposition to raise a “muss” with everybody. {
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«i Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Brave. 19 ee ‘Hello! he bellowed, in his prance about the room, “w'at hev we heer, b’yeesY A goat—a livin’ goat, as I live! Whoop her up, Mary Ann! did ye evyer see sech an ornery goat and goatee as them ar’ two slouches thar agin’ ther wall? Regular wild-cat breed. an’ ugly as ary pair I ever see’d. I say, pilgrims, tell me w’at et is, an’ I'll give et ter ee? This caused a general gurgle of laughter from the crowd; Avalanche looked coolly at the giant bully, who was nearly twice his size and weight; Florence, too, seemed to feel insulted, and curbed his head, and contracted his nostrils indignantly. While Pretzel Pete, who had seen enough disturbance for one evening, mounted the bar, with a heavy pair of army-navy revolvers in bis clutch. “Order! order! here, shentlemens!’’ he cried, in the tones of a Stentor. I vill haff no more fuss mit my establishments—not vone! I shood der fursed man vot says Shack unt Jill dwice, so helb me, Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! I vas never in such a blace in all mine life. Et ish vorser as a mad-house, mit all der lunaticks got drunk ash fools on Weiss beer!” “Oh! dry up, Dutchy!” cried one of the roughs, a ‘“right-bower”? by the way, of the notorious MeTurk. ‘Don’t shoot off yer mouth any more, thes way, or I’ll send ye peregrinatin’ off on yer ear. Ef Honorable Mr. McTurk wants ter address thes heer meetin’, hayr’s w’at'll back ’im!” ‘Hooray! hooray! an’ heer, too!” yelled a chorus of voices. ‘‘Death ter ther galoot as sez Jem Mc- Turk ain’t our next president! Hooray!” “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! did you ever heer der peed mit dose?” the astonished Teuton ejaculated, as he plunged abruptly back down behind lis bar, ‘Ef dot veller git der pe bresident mit der United States, I move back mit Shermany, so helb me!” McTurk seemed flavtered by the universal assur- ance of support by his brethren, and it also made him bolder, : He pran: ed up and down befere the Annihilator, with folded arms, drawing his evil countenance into as many grotesque shapes as possible, winking and grinning, tantalizingly. Avalanche knew well enough that the bullwhacker was ripe for a quarrel, but he resolved to give him no satisfaction. He stood leaning against the wall, eying McTurk in his cool, grim way, which was ex- asperating to the wild, untamed son of Colorado. “Yas! ther great pet bullwhacker o’ thes tele- phone line am I, Jem MeTurk!” he roared, squatting and peering with belligerent gaze into the vicious countenance of the goat. “Oh! ye needn’t look vinegar ner git wnnkles on yer ear, durn ye! I’m thar every time, aire I! Yas, an’ I'll bet any galoot two ter one I ken butt harder than ary goat thet ev- er see’d ther sun rise! Oh! whar art thou, ye soft- rained galoots. who wanter bet thet Jem MeTurk ken’t butt ther brains ont o’ thet goat? Whar aire ye, Lsay? Head ter head—two ter one I dash ther goat’s head in!” This novel proposal caused a titter of laughter to go around the room and bets were made rapidly on the respective qualities of the coming game-cocks, if such they might be termed. There was no gainsaying the fact that MeTurk had ahead of great proportions, and his sku! was firm and hard as arock. While on the other hand, Flor- ence Nicht-inea-gale was blessed with as tough a forehead as ever graced the goat kind, backed with a temper like an enraged cat, and a stubbornuess that was unconquerable. “Great ham-bone thet bucked ther larynx of old Joner!” Avalanche snorted, as his goat was seized by the horns and drageed out upon the floor. ‘‘ Ye wanter be kinder keerful, pilgrims, onless ve’re par- tial ter positive an’ teetotal annihilation. Ye heven’t ther smallest ijeer o’ w’at a magazine o’ demolishun ar’ embraced wi'in ther constitoochinal dewellop- nents o’ thet ar’ same Florence Night-in-a-gale. Lordy! Old Moses o’ ther ¢xplorin’ expe ition thru ther Biblical bull-rushes! Ionc’t see’d ther same un- ruly beast ram her head ag’in’ ther walls uv a meet- in’-house up in Yankton; ther terrific jar reverbe- rated ter ther telegraff offis, an’ ther frightened op- erator sent a dispatch eastward o’ w’at a fearful clap o’ yearthquake they had in Yankton. Terrific? Why ye jest bet et war!” A few smiled at the Annihi'ator’s yarn, but the most of the crowd were too much engaged in the coming butting match. . A lane had been formed the whole length of the bar-room, flanked on both sides by the op ctators, and in this lane the contest was to take place. Florence was placed at one end, held in check by a couple of 1oughs until the pipe: moment, while McTurk took bis position at the opposite end, on all fours, ready for the combat. It was calculated that they would collide about midway in the lane. lt was an amusing scene, and well worthy of the brush of a Nast forillustration. MeTurk on all fours, drawn back, ready for the start, and looking as bel- ligerent as possible, while it was all the two guards could do to restrain the impetuous Florence from rushing at his enemy. For the goat seemed to have an actual hatred for the bullwhacker, as was evi- denced by its eagerness to open the battle, and by the sbaking of its head, Perbaps, when he saw what was imminent, Mc- Turk might have drawn off, but he knew such a thing would brand him with cowardice, and he re- solved to back his bets, which were large. Avalanche had also had time to bet largely on his rame, for he had great faith that no yee of the goat race berter knew the science of butting than did Florence Night-in-a-gale, At last everything was ready; the bar-room was crammed full; silence had been established; then Pretzel Pete, from the top of the bar, eried: “ Now, den, pring out yerswi minnit horses. Hip! yip! led ’em sblide!”” And the fun began. CHAPTER XI. HEAD TO HEAD— WARDVILLE'S STORY, “GreaT rampageous ham-bone thet war ther fa- tal ailment uv old Joner!’? roared Old Avalanche, with a snort of laughter, as Florence Night-in-a-gale bounced away down the lane with an indignant baa- a-a, and his knotted head curved in proud disdain. “Great shaders o’ ther peregrinations!” At the same juncture bounded MecTurk away to meet his combatant, making a ludicrous spectacle as he bobbed along upon all fours toward the goat, The crowd gave a great yell of delight as the two heads came together, making a report audible in any portion of the room. “H oray! Three 7 s fermy Florence Night-in- a-gale!”” yelled Old Avalanche, with a roar of langh- ter, as he saw the bullwhacker draw back and shake his tough head with a savage snarl. “Ef ye ‘en find ther eral ter my old rampageous Vint, pilgrim, hyar’s w’at’ll give an eagle fer ther beast. How G'ye like et, Honor’ble McTurkey—how did et feel about ther time ye felt et?” “Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina!” cried Pretzel Pete from his stand on the top of the bar. “© Dose vas de" toughest heads vot I never see’d pe- fore. I tink you no knock ’em ober mit von proad- ax, so helb me. “I'l bet my nile on our next presydent, ther Hon- orable Mr. MeTurk!’’? allowed another miner, and the two drew back for the second round—crouched back like the cougar, eye meeting eye with savage intention. Then came another collision, and Florence leaped back on guard. Not so with the bullwhacker. He keeled over backward. and then rose to his feet, rubbing his hand dolefully upon his bruised fore- head, from which the blood oozed down over his face and into the corners of his eyes and mouth. * Whoop! Great antiquated ham-bone w’at war
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20 ther thorn o’ Joner’s rose-bud!” yelled Avalanche, dancing around with the hugest kind of delight. ‘Did ye see how purty ther beast give ‘our next presydent’ a headache? Look at him, an’ tell thes old devastatin’ eppydemiec w'ich won ther match!” “The goat! Three cheers for the goat!” proposed some one, and they were given with a zest that only fu ther increased the anger of the bruised bully. “Devils! I'll murder the ornery brute!” he bel- lowed, grabbing a pistol from a bystander’s belt and leveling it at the victorious Florence, who was sit- ting upon his haunches, dog-fashion, by the side of his master, But he was not permitted to fire, for his weapon was knocked up, and the bullet sped ceilingward. Then he saw who it was that had frustrated his de- signs, and the crowd gasped: “ Buster! by thunder!” “Yes, Buster, back again on the stage of active life!” was the girl’s reply, as she stepped fearlessly into the ring so lately commanded by the belligerent head-bntters. ‘*I reckon ye’d better gi/, Jem Me- Turk, before I tell these natural guardians of mine eons th .t will cause them to hang you up toa ree! The bullwhacker uttered an invective as he glared for a moment at the fearless and beautiful girl; then he turned and staggered out of the saloon, for he was dizzy and disconcerted by the severe butting he had experienced. “There goes one of the worst wretches in the | Hills, fellows!” the girl cried, as she watched him out—'a man who is a human ghoul at beart and in secret actions; for he is connected with those bar- _ barous wretches whom you have known as the War- riors of the Sun-God. He is one of the agents of the devil-woman, Ugly Ann, and if you wish to know where so many of your fellows have disappeared to within the past year, perhaps he could best tell you. The miners and pilgrims stared around the bar- room into each other’s faces, in surprise. This was news to them, Spying out Avalanche, Buster hastened over to him with extended hands. She was looking won- drously fresh and beautiful, and every inch a young dandy, as she stood accoutered in her suit of gray, with a heavy gold chain strung across her vest, and a jaunty soft hat upon her regal head. *Oh! Tam so glad that [ have found you, Alva!” she exclaimed, eagerly. “I feel sure you have got tha news I seek—concerning the whereabouts of your friend. Corduroy Charlie!” And apretty blush stole upon the fair face as she spoke, and her gaze dropped under the quizzical stare of the grim scout. e laughed before speak- ae peculiar little chuckle quite original with him- self, "So ye’re soft on ther b’yee, eh?” he questioned, meditatively—“ kinder tender an’ sympathetic, whar he’s got a finger in ther pie, eh?” ‘Indeed, no,”’ Buster replied, flushing with embar- tassment, for the scout’s eyes had read only too sharply. ‘ Why should [ take any interest in a stranger. further than feel anxious for his welfare, as your friend?” “Waal, I ken’t say jest why, gal, for ye females aire as hard ter decipher as ther hieroglyphicks on old Cleopatra’s darnin’ needle. But Lrecky ye hey a leetle admiration for ther boyee, an’ Iken’: blame ye, as he’s purty nigh *hite, he is.” * Be that as it cai I don’t propose to discuss my likes and dislikes here,’’ Buster replied, with a smile. ‘I spoke of Corduroy Charlie to find out of you had learned anything of his whereabouts.” “Wich I ain’t!’’ the Annihilator replied, grimly— “nary a Varn. Reckon as how he’s gone kicked ther pail, or else bin captured an’ slain by old Ugly Ann’s warriors.” f My net don’t really believe the latter, Alva, do ou e: Waal, I don’t b’lieve much else, I’ve s’arched Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. high ’n’ low for ther lad, but nary a hide nor hair can _I find of him, which ar’ a leetle suspicious.” “Indeed! yes, and I shall make it my business to find him.” **Reckon ye'll fay yer pains fer nix, gal. Besides, ye wanter luk sharp fer thet same McTurk, He ain’t purticklarly in love fer ye.” “Yes, 1am well aware of the fact. But if_he gets me in, his power, it will be much more than I expect now. “Great ham-bone! ye’re a glorious trump, Buster. An’ since ye’re goin’ ter lay fer ther resky o’ Cordu- roy Charlie, thes great riotous D1 abana o’ demoli- shun ain't goin’ ter be fur behind!’ * Good enough!” Buster replied; and shaking hands for the last time, she turned and left the saloon. Avalanche waited awbile; then he too quitted the place, returning to Buster's cabin. But she was not there. Early the following morning Judson Wardville en- tered the Big Schooner, and ascending to the hall- way above, knocked at the door of his suit of rooms. His wife. attired in an airy wrapper, ad- mitted him eagerly, but started back with an ex- clamation of astonishment and alarm as she viewed him, for he looked anything but the same man who had left her the previous evening with the assurance of a speedy return. His face was scratched, and the blood had coagu- lated on it from the wounds; his eyes had a wild look, and his face was deathly pale; his beard had been torn out by handfuls, and his hat was gone, and clothing splashed and daubed with mud, Alto- ether he had the appearance of a man who had een upon a week’s spree; and that he was fatigued erp - oasis for he sunk into a chair with a sigh of relief. ** Well—Judson—Wardville!”’ his good wife ejacu- lated, half between tears and laughter—“ you're in a pretty coudition, aren’t you? Where, for goodness sake, have you been ever since last night?” “Brandy! get me brandy!” Mr. Wardville gasped, excitedly. ‘‘I must have it to strengthen me!” * You drink brandy—you, sir, a temperance man?” exclaimed his better-half, in horror. “Blast temperance! Go fetch me the brandy, I say!” almost yelled the husband. ‘‘Go! start!” naccustomed to such an exhibition of excitement and command on the part of her husband, Mrs. Wardville hastened from the room in terror,and de- sceuded to the bar-room below, where she purchased the largest bottle to be had of brandy, and hurriedly returned to her rooms. . Wardville seized the brandy. as a drowning man catches at a straw, and dashing off the neck of the bottle, proceeded to gulp down the ardent as if his future salvation depended upon it. Nor did he set the bottle upon the table until fully half of its contents had agic. ‘*“Ah! that’s heaven!” he exclaimed, with a smile. ‘“T suppose you are dying to know what is the mat- ter, Madge?” **Not exactly dying, but wondering greatly!” re- plied Mrs. Wardville, sadly. “Last night I bid you ae rp an hour, at the longest, you said—and ere you come to me in a horrible state of disorder, and will not give a word of explanation until you have swallowed half a quart of the nasty stuff you call brandy. Really, I cannot understand, sir.” ‘* Well, to tell the truth, I’ve been on the war-path, my dear!” **On the war-yath, Judson? Surely you have not allied yourself with the horrible Sioux?” “ Well, hardly, as I don’t believe those savage ma- rauders would accept of so sorry a looking object as Imust be. Though I am pretty well used up with exhaustion, if you will listen, I'll try and tell you what has happened.” Asan assurance that she was not unwilling, Mrs. isappeared as if by
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all Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 21 Wardville dropped into a chair; and then after clearing his throat her husband spoke. “After leaving you last evening, my dear, I de- scended to the street, proposing to have a quiet smoke. Without thinking what [ was doing, I got quite away from the main street of the town, out into the valley, before [ discovered the fact. In turning to retrace my footsteps, I received a hard blow, which must have stunned me, for I knew nothing more until Lawoke to consciousness in a sort of chaparral glade, and found a frightful-look- ing hag bending over me. She was wild-eyed and yellow-skinned—a repulsive-looking object in the extreme; yet I could but recognize her features.” * You recognize her, Judson? Who could she have been?” Ss “Our enemy, Madge—she who was the curse of our early jife—the viper that borin fed to slay us, then struck us even a harder blow—Alecia Macronna!” **What! she here, Judson?” 5 “xactly; and it was she whom I found bending over me, The moment I awoke to consciousness she began scratching and clawing me, and, being bound, I was powerless to resist. She recognized me, called me by name, and demanded to know in a mad fren- zy why I had come—tried to force me to promise that Iwould go back tothe States, This I would not romise, and I think she would eventually have cilled me, but for the interference of a young ranger who drove her off, and released me. Scarcely paus- ing to thank him, I plunged off in pursuit of the hag. I chased her out of the valley, through gulches and over rugged mountain paths, with the zest of a hound. I was maddened—infuriated more than ever before, and I was bent on overtaking her, and fore- ing her to tell me where my children are. But the devil was leagued against me, and I finally lost sight of her in the mountains, and was forced to give up the chase.” L ‘*Ab! then our last hope is lost!” Mrs. Wardville moaned, piteously. ‘She will hasten to put our darlings out of our reach—to Kill them, al i ty “ Do not despair, dear wife. My hopes are higher now than ever, for I believe the young man who res- cued me to-night was our son!”’ “Oh! God be praised! Did you speak to him?” “Only to thank him, for his resemblance to you did not occur to me until a short time ago. I made inquiries for him on my return, but no one seemed to possess the least knowledge of his whereabouts.” “What will you do, dear husband?” “What? Why, I'll get into some better clothing, arm mysel’, hire a guide, and set out in search of Alecia Madronna. Once she is captured, half the work isdone, Wecanthen pursue the search for our children with more safety. And God giving us his aid, I feel that we shall find them, whom we have so faithfully hunted during the past sixteen years.” “Amen!” responded Mrs. Wardville, fervently, : CHAPTER XII. AMERICAN WONDERLAND—IN THE DUNGEON, Tux captors of Corduroy Charlie were the gam- bler, Monk Morgan. and his associates, Grizzly George andseveral others. They had stolen a march upon him, and now stood leaning over him, grinning out their triumph. “Haw! haw!” Monk Morgan laughed, hoarsely. “Thet’s ther time we got ye, I reckon, young feller. Ye war a leetle ter smart fer us in the canyon yon- der, w’en ye fetched Deadwood Dick ter yer aid, but we've triumphed, at last!"’ j * Yes, you've triumphed in one sense of the word,” peous 5 6 Charlie replied. “But, what good my capture is going to work you, I cannot see.” ‘ Beca’se yer eyesight ain't good. ye see!’ laughed the ruffian, “ ye know d w’at heeps o*' gold yer body an’ soul’d bring in ther temple o’ ther Sun- Worshipers, ye ked see plain enongh. Ye're goin’ ter take a ride up thar, an’ then git butchered afore a golden idol, Haw! haw! haw!” Charlie did not reply. He resolved to keep his thoughts, his doubts, his seats all to himself, under a mask, and await the sue. He doubted not that the gambler had spoken truly concerning his fate, for he had learned enough since his coming to Quartz City, to apprise him that he need expect no mercy should he fallinto the hands of Ugly Ann. And that she had recognized him when he had driven her off and released Judson Wardville, he felt almost certain, for at the time he had noted a sud- den searching glare in her eyes before she turned and fled. Indeed, he felt ina small degree rejoiced that he had fallen into the hands of Ugly Ann’s agents, for they would doubtless convey him to the mountain temple, where poor Lily had gone before him, and he might be able to turn a hand toward her rescue. Monk Morgan and his villainous followers did not ag long for conversation, but soon Jed a stud cf ine horses from a neighboring corral, and mounted. Corduroy Charlie was bound upon a spirited ani- mal, and rode between Grizzly George and Bison Lill, while Morgan and his gang led the way. They rode due southward across the vale, takin, eare to fight shy of the cabins, which were seattere around, and entered a rugged path along the moun- tain base, where it was necessary to ride in single ie. After following this in its winding course for some time, they descended into a deep narrow fissure be- tween two towering walls of rock, where they still had to ride in single file. Corduroy Charlie kept his "eyes wide open as he rode between his guards, and noted each and every feature of the route over which they were traveling. He knew that they were advancing into the very heart of a wild, mountainous country, and that should he ever be granted a chance to escape from it, he must needs know which way to go. A few points taken now might be the means of his salva- tion then. After following the narrow fissure for several miles, seemingly, they came into more open coun- try, where there was an abundance of rocks and trees, and the earth was sandy and barren. Cross- ing this, they fairly cntered the National Park, with its thousands of wonders of nature; its towering peaks and volcanic evidences of the past; its boiling Springs and spouting geysers; its long, gloomy can- yons and pine forests, Day came sooner than Charlie had expected, and found them riding furiously along over lavar table- lands thousands of feet above the sea level, leaping terrible chasms and avoiding treacherous sinks. A prisoner though he was, the ride was one that Charlie enjoyed wonderfully; for there was some- thing novelin dashing over the tops of mountains so far above the abode of humanity, where the Cre- ator bad evidently piled up his surplus material, after finishing the world, in an incongruous mass. It seemed that they rode miles over this desolate waste of country, with its gleaming springs and spouting geysers, and crystal streams, ere they came in sight of anything higher to break the mo- oe During the whole ride not a word was spoken by the young Bravo’s captors, exc>pt it was a curse at the wearied animals. They kept along a trail which had evidently been much worn, and made no halt until the noonday sun shone down fiercely upon their heads. Then they halted at the foot of an abrupt moun- tain, whose whoie sides, up to within a hundred feet of the top, were densely timbered with the evergreen pine. At the foot of the mountain was a rude shanty, part of which was used as a stable, and the rest tenanted by an Indian and his squaw, Charlie also discovered the fact that there were several baying bloodhounds within the shanty. A general dismount was made here, and the horses
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22 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Eravo. given over to the care of the savage, after which the Tuffians set out to pursue the continuance of the mountain trail, forcing Corduroy along with them. His feet had been released, but his hands were still confined, so that he had no show for escape, es- pecially When Grizzly George and Bison Bill kept closely on either side of him. The | iper up the mountain-side was steep and ciffi- cult of ascent for the first hundred feet, and only one accustomed to hunting trails would have dream- ed of its existence. But, after the first hundred feet of ascent, Charlie was greatly surprised to find him- self ascending steps of stone, which had been skill- fully hewn or placed. This rocky staircas2 continued for perhaps two or three hundred feet more, when they suddenly gain- ed the summit of the mountain. It was level, and fringed around its entire border with a row of tall, spectral pines, grown so closely together. as to make a hedge in many places impas- sable, Within this hedge was a space comprising some twenty acres of plateau, with grass growing luxuriantly here and there, and a few young deer trotting tamely about. In the center of the space was an open stone edi- fice, with a roof of the same material, supported by massive granite columns. A sort of dais or throne rose up in the center, and on this was a massive stone chair. At either corner of the temple lean‘ng against. the columns was an Indian warrior, armed with a long lance, and looking as solemn a3 though carved from the rock against which they leaned. Beyond this temple was a stone wall, which divded the summit park into two parts. Immediately on emerging on top of the mountain, Monk Morgan ordered a halt, and, bidding his fol- lowers remain behind, de advanced toward the tem- ple with uncovered head. He add essed a few words to one of the guards, then was sud. Jenly seen to descend through the floor of the temple, a3 if going into the bowels of the mountain, He was gone for perhaps an hour, during which interval neither Charhe nor his captors moved from where he had left them. At last, however, Morgan made his appearance, and appr ached with a grim smile. * This is ther place, younker,” he said, addressing Corduroy. ‘1 s’pose ye're already delighted wi’ ther prospect?” ‘“*Not in the least. Isee nothing to admire in this desolate region, unless I take into consideration the beautiful faces of my captors,” was the sarcastic reply. “Look out, ye galoot. Don’t ram none o’ yer sharp-edged ‘barbs at our beauty!” the gambler rowled, “ Grizzly, you and Bison hold the rat while blindfold him. Once we git him in the subterra- nean labyrinths of this mountain, you bet your life he won't see day ag’in till ther rezzereekshun!” Accordingly the two ruffians seized hold of their victim, and held him io a firm grasp, while Monk Morgan passed a bandage over his eyes, and secured it behind his head. Charlie made no attempt to prevent this work—in- deed, what could he do, bound as he was? But he closed his teeth together with a snap, and registered mentally an oath of vengeance on the heads of these men who, fora little gold, were bearing him to a horrible d2ath. When he was blindfolded he was lec forward, and soon found himself descending a flight of stone steps, accompanied by Morgan, the two guards, and Lend rest of the gang that had come from Quartz sity. At one time he had some doubts if they should ever reach the bottom of the staircase, so continuous seemed their descent, But a the last. = re- sulted in finding footing on the bottom of a hard, rocky passage, along which they marched with sharp, ringing tread, TT ll The air was close and chilling, and occasionally Charlie beard water splash beneath their feet. And it seemed to him that their route was the most angular and crooked he had ever traveled. For at the end of half av hour’s steady march, he was com- pletely mystified in regard to the direction of his en- trance to the subterranean depths. It was then that a halt was made; he heard a grat- ing sound, and was pushed forward. He was fol- lowed by one of the guards, who removed the bonds from his arms, after which he quickly retreated, and there was a repetition of the grating sound and a ring of iron. Now that his arms were free, Charlie quickly tore the bandage away from before his eyes, and gazed around him, What met his sight was no more than he had an- ticipated. He was locked within a strong, rocky dungeon he entrance was guarded by a stout, iron-slatted oor. This was secured by chains and bars on the oppo- site side, so that for one imprisoned within the tun- geon, there was no possible escape. The grim, evil faces of his captors he could see looking through the iron lattice-work, and it md- dened him, but he withheld his anger by a strong, controlling effort. ‘*Haw! haw! haw!’? roared Monk Morgan, jubi- lantly, “thar ye aire, yonker, as nice as a bug ina rug, How d’ye like yer quarters? Neat an’ snug enuff fer a prince, ain’t they?” “If you admire them, I'll exchange with you,” Corduroy replied, with a glance around. “Gitout! 1 would’nt be so gol-durned mean’s ter rob yo o’ yer comfortrble roost, nohow!’’ retorted the rufflan, with a guffaw. ‘Couldn’t nevyer fer- give myself o’ deprivin’ ye o’ yer nest, my gay robin!” * How long am Ito be kept here?” “Waal, thet depends. Ye see, ther old gal, Ugly Ann, hain’t got back vet, an’ we hey ter wait her no- tion. Most likely ye'll git a furst-class send-off as soon as she comes,” “Thank you. You may go now. When T want you I'l. whistle!” Charlie said, with mock dignity, which elicited a yell of Jaughter from the rnffians. They now turned away, however, and Charlie lis- tened to them tramping along the dismal, rocky- hewn passage, until the suund of their footsteps was but a faint echo. Then, with a sigh of relief, he began to inspect his surroundings. He was fortunately not left in total darkness. A torch was thrust in aniche in the wall of the passage just opposite his door, and by the glare of it bis dun- geon was quite well lighted. The dungeon he found to be furnished with a aad cot, covered with wolf-skin, and a table and chair. Aside from these articles there was nothing but gray rock and the iron door, The passage and the dungeon had evidently been chiseled out by the hand of man, and showed a taste of architectural sculpture quite surprising to find so far beyond the bounds of civilization, But_the wonderful explorative discoveries of Professor Hay- den, warn us not to be surprised at anything in the National Park, as still more wonderful discoveries of the systematic engineering of savages of past generations and ages are being brought to light weekly, in the still mcre northwestern territories, Look at the remnants of underground cities that have been unearthed, suggesting new ideas, original with prehistoric man—almost as wonderful as the excavations at Pompeii and its surroundings! Hay- den has truly remarked, that the ancient races of the National Park and far Northwest, aided by sub- lime nature, turned out some of the greatest ron ders of the world. The passage leading past the dungeon, Charlie could see, by peering through the grates, ran puta
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Cordurey Charlie, the Boy Eravo. 23 few yards in either direction, when it turned an abrupt angle. “TI wonder, in fact,where I am!” he muttered, shaking the door, with a vain hope that he might be able to get it open. ‘‘Itseems to me that I must be at the very bowels of the mountain; and it would puzzle me to find my way out, should J succeed in escaping from this dungeon. That I mean to do if it is within human power, for I have not the least desire to shuffle off this mortal coil yet awhile!” His hands were free, and this was a great advan- tage. And furthermore. he was not unarmed, as his captors had supposed after relieving him of his belt- weapons and searching his pockets. On pulling off his boots, he drew out of the first a knife, and thena little seven-shooter, carrying a 22 cartridge. ‘Ha! ha! they didn’t quite leave me helpless, after all!’ the prisoner muttered, as he examined his treasures. ‘*The pistol counts seven stiffs, and the knife at Jeast a couple, if 1 can only get out of this cell. Rather a grim se//, too. I take it. I wonder how soon any of that gang will be back here? I want to get out of this before long, in order to find something to eat. Must be pretty near dark out o° doors,” A glance at his watch, which the rnffians had not molested, showed him that it was six o’cleck p. m. As he stood gazing around him, mecitating on how to act first and best, his eye rested upon the rough pine deal-table, to which he had given but a casual ee before. Now, however, he gave an exclama- ion of surprise, and approached it curiously. CHAPTER XIitl. SEEKING ESCAPE UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Ir was a common affair, unvarnished and illy-made, evidently having some day served its purpose as card-table in some mining strike. But what called Corduroy’s attention to it was the fact that it had a little drawer, perhaps two feet wide, as many long, and half a foot deep, affixed in its bed. This was singular, as none of the egmmon deal-tables sported such accommodations; and moreover, the drawer had a key-hole, suggestive of an inside lock. “I wonder what secrets this old concern has for me!” Charlie muttered, with a chuckle, as he drop- pet his westerns into his boot-legs and then gave the ble a good shaking. ‘“‘Hello! there’s sometbing in that drawer, too!” He seized hold cf the knobs, but the drawer re- fused to open. It was locked. ‘Fastened, eh? and I haven'takey. Wonder if it’s worth my while to bu’st the old thing open? If I was sure of finding tools or victuals. I'd make short work of it, | reckon. Ah! the top of the table is fastened on with screws, and I can work them out with my knife.” He set to work at once, keeping an eye. however, out in the passage, to prevent being surprised. The screws were old and rusty, and turned hard. But he finally had them all lonsened, and then hesitated before lifting the top. What mystery was to be revealed to him? What secret did the dtawer contain? He glanced around—no one was in view. Then, a trifle nervously, he raised the wide pine board, and gave a glance into the space disclosed. He gave a yll of surprise, and dropped the board upon the rocky floor. The drawer was /alf full of yellow nuacets of grid, vary ng from the size of a bean up to a robin’s egg, and in several cases as large as a hen’s egg. Yes! pure shining gold, free from rock or dirt—the genu- Ine simon-pure article. Corduroy Charlie gave a gasp of astonishment, as he gazed upon the gleaming treasure, But.as the echo of approaching footsteps smote = os hearing, his quick presence of mind assert- iself, He seized the board, whose noise in falling had evidently attracted the attention of a guard, and quickly returned it to its place on the bed-piece of the table, slipped the screws into his pocket and the knife into his boot-leg, after which he threw himself in a lounging position upon the cot. And just in time! A moment later a horribly-painted savage and Monk Morgan presented themselves before the grated door. “Hello! in hyar! W’at war thet racket in thes direction, a little while ago?” the gambler demand- ed, with a curse. * Sounded like as if a hull lumber pile bed tumbled down.” “Ha! hal! can't a fellow turn his bedstead upside down, to see if it is inhabited by bugs?” replied Charlie with a laugh. ‘ Guess you must be nervous, if you get frightened at a little noise.” ‘Didn’t know but ye war playin’ fer ter escape!” Morgan replied, grimiy. ‘* Thet wouldn’t do, ye see, beea’se ther b’ars an’ beasts’d be cheated out 0’ a first-class dinner on ye ” “Oh! they would, eh? Well, tell ’em not to git too eager fer their meat. And, by the way, what is your Junch hour down here?” * What! ain’t gittin’ hungry, aire ye?” “ Waal, not exactly hungry, but my stumache is inclining slightly toward my back-bone, and it struck me ee a little provender might remedy t. e diffi- culty.” “Haw! haw! thort ye’d git vorashious after awhile. Waal, we’ll see w’at kin be did fer ye during the next twenty-four hours.” And the ruffian turned away with a chuckle, fol- lowed by the savage guard. Charlie listened until they were out of hearing, then sat up on the edge of the rickety old cot. ““A narrow escape!” he muttered, with a smile. “T calculate I shut the pilgrim’s eye up so far as the cause of the noise was concerned. Wonder if he knows of the existence of that gold? Idare say not; probably it belongs to that old hag, Ugly Ann, and she placed it in that drawer, believing it a secure hiding-place, The old Turk! If 1 don’t fill my pock- ets out of that drawer, may I be kicked to death by a jack mule, as old California Biil used tosay. But leaving aside the question of gold for the present, my next busivess is to make a break for liberty. And hew am I going to doit without tcols? That's the question before the debating court. How am I going to get out?” p It was a knotty question,’and he spent page! hours in meditation, without any d< finite result. Without the aid of tools, which he did not possess, be saw no way of escaping from the dungeon. In ancient historica] romances. he remembered of having read of prisoners escaping from dungeons b converting a common clasp knife into a saw, wit! which they would eventually work their way out through gateways of iron and barricades of rock. Sucb an idea, now, seemed to him out of the ques- tion. He would wear out several knives ere he could | cut out of his present dungeon. So he sat upon the cot, and gazed about, with very little hope, upon his surroundings. The hands of his watch pointed to the hour of six, and he jndged that it must be morning in the out- sid+ world, when once more footsteps echoed in the passage cutside his dungeon, and Morgan and the guard put in a second appearance, “Oh! ye’re here, are ye?” the gambler leered through the grates, as he hurled several pieces of cooked meat in upon the floor of the cell. “ Didn't know but you'd take leave of us in the same mys- terious manner that a brother victim did a ween ago. rtd some grub fer ye, so’t ye ken’t say I starved ye!” “T thank you for the meat, and the delicate man- ner in which you served it up,” Charlie replied, sar- castically. ‘Small favors are appreciated accord- ing to their scupe. Did you have the meat well cooked?” “© Waal, Ibe durned ef ye ain’t got a hard cheek terask thet! O’ course et’s well done, ye cuss. An’
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24 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. by ther way, let me drap ye a word o’ good cheer. Ye ain’t a-goin’ ter perigrinate fer Jordan alone, as Mee other passengers hev won tickets in ther jot- ery! How do you mean?” “Simple enough. Jem MeTurk jest arrived wi’ a couple o’ prisoners, who’re goin’ ter be sacrificed along wi’ ye. Their names aire, respectively, Dead- wood Dick an’ Clever Sam, the Celestyal.” “What! Deadwood Dick, here?” “Exactly. Reckon thar’ll be sum fun when et ge he turn ter surrender his speerit ter ther Sun- od. ‘He will not falter, you bet!” Corduroy replied, enthusiastically. ‘* Where is my sister, you devil?” “Oh! she’s safe, but crazy as a lunatic. Bet she’d outscreech old Ann, in one o’ her tantrums!” “Curse you; and you and another have brought her to this!” the young captive gritted fiercely. “God help you, Monk Morgan, if { ever get my hands at your throat.” “Oh! I ain’t afeardo’ yel’’ the ruffian replied, with a loud laugh. “Put a poll-paroquet in his cage, an’ all he kin do is talk and claw the bars.” And the villain turned away, followed by the guard, chuckling at his attempt to be facetious, “So the poll-parrof és caged!” Charlie gritted, bitiag his lips, ‘‘but, maybe it won’t be so forever. T wonder how long before they expect to sacrifice me? Evidently, Ugly Ann has not yet returned, and the interesting ceremony will be postponed until her arrival. In the meantime—” The first thing to occupy his attention was the meat that Morgan had hurled in upon the floor. He pies it up and laid it upon the table, after which e scraped the dirt from it with his knife. He next.cut it up into small pieces aud procesded to devour it, ina ravenous manner, for bis appetite was keen. It was rare done, as he liked it, and pro- perly seasoned. After satisfying his appetite, he store] the meat left in the drawer along with Ugly Ann’s gold, t xking care to replace the table-top in its customary place. He then sat down upon the cof again and gave himself up to a study of his surroundings. Each crevice of the masonry of nature was scanned eager- ly, over and over again, Some old and wise writer, whoss name I now forget, says: “‘Persevering watchfulness never fails to bring a discovery!” ‘ And thus if was in Charlie’s case. H» had gone over the wall, perhaps, for the hundredth time, searchingly, when he noticed for the first that in places the rear walls of the dungeon had been ma- soned by human hands. Large blocks of stone had been putin, here and there, to fill up crevices and gaps. The discovery gave him a joyful start. Was there not another passage on the opposite side of this wall? And by some effort could he not break through and escape? Monk Morgan had spoken of the mysterious escape of a prisoner a year before. How had he doneit? Perhaps through this very masoned wall. Over and over again Corduroy Charlie scanned the wall with an intense eagerness; but it was no use! The longer he looked the more hopeless seemed his quest, and at last he was forced to give up and sink upon the cot in sheer despair. At noon, Morgan came and glanced in again. “Here yet, I sce!” he said, tauntingly. ‘‘ Find it kinder monotonous, eh?” “Tixtremely so,’’ Charlie replied. ‘* If T had some- thing to read and a light to read it by, it would be a great relief.” The zambler went off with a grim“ humph” and was absent a few moments, when he returned with a book and a tin candlestick, with a candle in it. “Here’s a Bible an’ a candle” he said, shoving both through the grating, “ Mebbe ye feel sorter poss on account o’ yer approachin’ death, an’ dese hayr ‘Il give ye cumfort.” E “T am very thankful,” Charlie replied, with as much cordiality of tone as he could create for the occasion; “ and if I ever get_a chance to repay you I oo doubtless do so. Has Ugly Ann arrive yet? “No, but she is hourly expected. Her right bower, Lieutenant Cressly, has arrived, however, accom- panied by his bride that is to be as soon_as Dead- -wood Dick is dead.”’ *“ What! the faithless Leone Harris?” “You bet! An’ she’s a clipper, too, or ther lieu- tenant wouldn’t ’a’ took no stock in her, Oh, no!’’ And to Charlie’s relief the gambler went off again, out of hearing. 4 Then the young prisoner laid the Bible upon the table, and took the lighted candle in his hand. It was the very thing he had been wishing for.’ The torch in the passage did not reflect its illumi- nation on the upper portion of the back wall of the dungeon, and this was the very portion that Charlie desired to examine minutely. So taking the light in one hand and mouuting £28 chair, he began a closer scrutiny than he had been able to make before. He had seareely begun when he heard footsteps. and, with an impatient exclamation, he droppe into the chair, placed the candle upon the table, and seized and opened the Bible. He was to all ap- pearances deeply engaged in poring over the Serip- ture, when the new-comer paused at the grated door, but he looked up immediately afterward. As he did so, and beheld the face peering between the grates, he uttered a startled exclamation. “ By heaven! you, Dion Avery!” he gasped, drop- ping the Bible and springing to his feet. “ You!” ‘Yes, Il? was the cool reply of the man outside. “Evidently you are surprised!” ‘“ Yes, and no, at the same time!’ the Boy Bravo replied, fiercely, nearing the door, his hands clinched, until the nails cut into the flesh, and his face stern and flushed with aroused passion, “lam surprised to find you here, after you have been so sueeessfual in eluding my pursuit; but not surprised to find you connected with the devil and his minions!” * Oh!” and thera wasa laconic laugh—‘ so you are bitter, eh? Well, I don’t know as your fury affects me particularly. You are where you will never do me any harm—in fact, I have you in my power, as I ama sort of prime minister to the old hellion they call Ugly Ann.” “QOurse you! I have a mind—” “Mo burst from the dungeon and choke the life out of me, I dare say. Ha! ha! ha! but that is quite out of the question. You can’t get out, or you would have done so long ago.” “T don’t expect to get out, luckily for you. Dion Avery. But, fear not; your day will come, as that of every dog of yourilk mustcome. You ruined my sister’s young life—my poor, crippled sister, and thereby drove her into madness, from_ which she ean never recover in this world. Surely God will avenge her, if I cannot!” “Teroically spoken, my dear Madison; but, really, I cannot agree with ve that our great Master will punish so very slight a misdemeanor. By the way, I was just searching out your sister’s dungeon. that I might offer her my consolation. I guess 1 must have wandered into the wrong passage.” And with a low, malicious laugh the arch-villain turned and retraced his steps along the corridor, Corduroy stood gazing after him until he had dis- appeared, He was enraged more than he remem- bered of ever having been before; but it did not burst into a tempest, this stirred passion of his. Finally he turned back to the work he had left upon the approach of Dion Avery, or, as he is better known to our readers, Lieutenant Cressly. He seized the candle, and began a careful inspec- tion of the rear wall, |
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Ha! what is this? A very small thing to attract attention—yet a hope! id It was a single, almost indistinct scratch, yet a word—*' Push |” What didit mean? Push! Would the wall give way, and give him liberty? Was this, at last, the avenue of escape? CHAPTER XIV. THE BOWELS OF AN OLD VOLCANO—PROWLERS, Tue finding of the gold in the secret compartment of a table was in one sense a pleasing discovery, but it amounted to a simple nothingness compared with the discovery made by Corduroy Charlie on the wall of the dungeon. “ Push” to him had a significance akin to liberty, and he set the candle down upon the table, with a sigh ef satisfaction at having found out even this much. “Here’s where the victim escaped from, whom Monk Morgan mentioned!” he muttered, standing for a moment in doubt. ‘The next thing is—dz/ he succeed in escaping from the mountain, or did he simply get clear of the dungeon, to find himself in another and worse prison from which there was no avenue of escape? This mountain evidently has, some day, been the home of a voleano. Where I en- tered was the crater, and these passages were the original flues, but have been carved and sculptured out by the Indians. In fact, the whole machinery of a volcanic mountain has been remodeled into an outlaw’s retreat. What then lies beyond the secret wall? Perhaps death by starvation; but I shall make the attempt, and trust to luck, I have generally been pretty lucky.” There was no time to spare. He must work at once, and swiftly. The guards might return at any moment and catch him at his little game, when he would be transferred to another dungeon, from which there could be no possibility of escape. j Placing the table against the wall and the chair upon it, he mounted, Then began the test! 7 ? Stone after stone he tried, pushing with all his concentrated strength, At last he came to the square block of granite upon which was scratched the single word, push.” And he did push! Glory !—the stone yields and glides back into a re- cess, disclosing a dark aperture, barcly sufficient to admit the passage of a human body. A second after the block had. disappeared from view it came gliding gracefully back into its original position, and the aperture was closed. ; f “T see!” Charlie muttered. ““The business is worked with weights, or a spring, closing automati- cally. The next question is, how deep down is the floor on the opposite side. I haven’t the least relish for dropping any great distance before stopping. Ha! the deuce!—curse the luck, anyhow!” It was a more extravagant word than the young Bravo was in the habit of using, but his provocation was great, when he heard a scratching and rattling of the gratings on the door of his dungeon, He wheeled around, his heart almost in his mouth —but the next moment he leaped to the floor with a joyful exclamation: ‘Lily! Lily!” For he recognized in the pale, deathly face peer- ing through the gratings the features of his sister, But, ah! how changed in a few days—what a ter- rible fire shone in the eyes! She was supported upon her crutches and her face was pressed between the bars, making it have a dis- torted appearance. “Lily!” Corduro Charlie repeated, advancing toward the door. ily don’t you know me?” The deranged cripple shrunk back, as if frighten- ed, the same wild, terrible stare in her eyes, | * Lily! don’t you know me? I am Charlie, your brother!” Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 25 Her face lighted up for a moment; then she gave yent to a low, crafty laugh, and pulling a knife from the folds of her skirt, she brandished it aloft; then hobbled abruptly away in the direction she had come, ‘Alas! hopelessly mad!” Charlie muttered, half- savagely, “and Dion Avery, as I know him to my cost, is responsible before God for her terrible conci- tion. Curse him! May his torture in the future be as keen as has been poor Lily’s in the past. He could not bear to dwell upon the subject in thought, and so he turned his attention to the work he had left off. “There's the eat good fortune, too—in that table,” he mused, gazing at the piece of furniture, doubtfully, “T don’t reckon I’ve got any business to touch it. fer ’tain’t mine; though it. would do me more good than that old hag, anyhow. Guess I'll leave it, though, until some future time.” Once more he mounted the table, candle in hand, and everything in readiness, Assuring himself by a glance that there was no one at the door, he pushed against the block, and it glided away out of view. The next instant he had drawn himself up into the aperture, candle in hand, and dropped out of sight in the darkness, after which the block glided back and filled the aperture. Charlie was out of the dungeon at least. Three days later three persons were standing in the deep pine forest that covered the declivitous mountain-side. All around them rose the grim forest monarchs, while overhead the wind sighed through the wilderness of evergreen branches. The men were Judson Wardville, Pretzel Pete, the big-bodied_ proprietor of the notorious Big Schooner saloon at Quartz City, and the veteran of a thousand battles and scrimmages, Old Avalanche. the Annihi- lator, accompanied, as ever, by his faithful com- panion, Florence Night-in-a-gale, Judson Wardville was the leader of the quartette. counting the goat. He had secured the services o: Pretzel Pete and Avalanche, to assist him in his hunt for the old devil-cat, Ugly Ann, and thus far had.-been four days on the trail. “Great everlastin’ ham-bone thet bucked erg’in’ ther constitoochin uv old Joner!” the Annihilator was saying, ashe gazed into the face of his com- panions. “I recky we've lost ther trail ag’in, in spite uy ther Old Harry. Thes yere mountainar’ as full o? footpaths as my Fiorence’s skull-plate aire full 0’ veins an’ arteries. Fact, by graciows!” Judson Wardville gave vent to an impatient ex- elamation. “Then the old hag has certainly eluded us, and escaped to the mountain-top, where, you say, is lo- cated the Temple of the Sun-God and all her barba- vian forces?” he said, interrogatively. “Waal, now, I reckon thet’s about ther grand status uv ther matter. We've tuk ther wrong trail, whar we orter hey took ther right, an’ thet’s w’at’s ther matter with our skientific engineering. Pro- bably ther old ripseallion hes escaped, an’ will be cayortin’ down on us wi’ a gang o’ her T rtars!’? “Shimminy gracious unt ny vife Katrina!” ejacu- lated Pretzel Pete, with an alarmed glance around. “Den I dink ash how I goes pack mit my Pig Schooner immediately. I vas never mit sech a guntry in der "hole of mine life, so helb me.” “Haw! haw! Old Moses o’ bull-rush peregrina- tions! ye ain’t peony gittin’ skeer’d, Dutchy? Lordy! thar’s my goat Florence, and my late mare, Prudence Cordeliar! hooray! they nevyer got skeered, not they. *Twarn’t their grain o’ timber. Thar’s Florence alone who has held his own ag*in’ er milyun Injuns, an’ entranced ‘em by ther simple magnetism o’ ther eye. Great ham-bone! don’t be afeard, Dutchy! no one’d hurt you!” “I scarcely know which way to move now,” Jad- son Wardville said gloomily. ‘‘ What is your opin- lov, Avalanche? I do not want to give up until I
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26 Gordursy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. ema have got possession of the old she-devil, Ugly Ann. As [have told you before, I believe that the two waifs who came to Quartz City—Corduroy Charlie and his crippled sister--a week ago are my long-lost children. We have obtained sufficient evidence to convince us that both have been captured by and are inthe possession of Ugly Ann, Shall we turn back and leave them to perish or shall we go on and work faithfully until we are able to rescue them from the confinement, which is but a foretaste of a horrible death?” “@reat ham-bone! we'll go on!’’ replied Ava- lanche. ‘‘Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! ve go on mit der hill up!” vociferated Pretzel Pete, stirred into a state of enthusiasm. ‘Ve lick sevendeen kinds of plue plazes oud of der enemy, so helb ma! Only I vish ( had swi glass lager, unt I veel ash if I lick der hull ormy.” “Thet’s right, Germany! Ster up yeranymation, put yer right fut for’a’d, an’ march. Shoulder arms, all hands, and form in battle array—an’ away we go! Tt was with some misgivings as to his personal safety that Corduroy Charlie let go the ledge and dropped into the darkness beyond the dungeon. Tic knew not but what he would fetch up in some awful depth, a erushed and bleeding piece of humanity. But most any condition he considered better than the fate that would be his should he be sacrificed by the barbarous Indians, who controlled the mountain fastness. Down--down he went, for perhaps his lenzth, than struck upon a hard rocky footing, In hisde seent his candle had gone out, but luckily he had a few matches left, and soon had a light. On flaring the light about, he found that he was in a narrow, low, and rugged passage, which seemed to grow more contracted the further it advanced, Before tracing it, Charlie concluded to examine the machinery which worked the trap stone. He found that it was managed by a skillful and ingeni- ous arrangement of pulleys and pivots; also that he eould ascend upon the projections of rock, and pull back the block and re-enter the dungeon at his own pleasure, by a very little exertion. é This was a welcome discovery, as he might be able to work his escape by it, into another part of the crater. After satisfying himself concerning the mechan- ism of the sliding block, he turned, and with the can- die held above his head, bezan to thread the rugged flue, which had not been chiseled ont by Indian sculptors. but burned in the depths of the rock by some ancient volcanic fire. “What a place this would befor a robber den!” the young Bravo muttered, as he moved along. *“*It isn't much else, as it is. I wonder which direction of the compass I am moving, anyhow? South, I should guess. If I don’t find a way out directly, my candle will burn out, and then I shall be in a deuce ofa fix. Hello!” He tripped and nearly fell over some object which lay in his path. Stepping back a pace, he lowered his light to ex- amine it. As he did su, he gave vent to an ejacula- tion of horror, Before him lay the bones of a human skeleton, ape ghastly enough as revealed by the candle- ight. * Jerusalem!’ was Charlie’s first expression, in words. ‘“Ireckon this is a cemetery instead of an avenue of escape. I wonder who these bones origin- ally belonged to?” rs As he spoke, a long, squirming object crept out of the skeleton, and darted away into a crevice. With a shudder, the young Bravo stepped over the ghastly object, and continued on through the pas- saz, The air was damp an‘ foul smelling, and difficult to breathe; but, with a firm resolution, Charlie kept on. He was resolved not to give up while he had strength to move. His candle burned lower and lower. There was no draught throu h the passage, which | wound on with the sinuosity of a serpent and the zig-zag irregularity of a flash of lightning. And this fact seemed to argue that the Peer had no adjacent outlet into the outside world. Snakes and creeping vermin were to be seen in plenty along the route, where the floor of the pas- sage was covered with water. “T wish I could bid this mountain resume its flery eruption,’’ Charlie muttered. ‘* Wouldn’t there be some frightened red niggers up above! Guess I'd be apt to catch the worst part of the fun, though.” After tramping along for perhaps an hour, he yapeer where a large bowlder offered a place for a seat. “*T euess I may as well sit down here and rest, as long as I’ve got plenty of spare time, for I’m pretty well fagged out. Six Pp, M., eh?” with a glance at the face of his watch. ‘Guess I'll eat the remainder of my venison, then take anap. I feel as if I could sleep a dog’s age away!” He produced what meat he had let from his first meal in the dungeon, and began to devour it raven- ously. «“{ wonder if they have discovered my escape from. the dungeon yet.” he muttered, between his mouth- fuls. ‘if they have, there’ll be more war in the camp. They'll see the chair upon the table close to the wall. Will that lead them to examine the stones, and will they discover this passage? If so, [reckon Till hear from them after a while. I don’t know as I shall incur any danger by lying down, as I’m easy to waken.” After finishing the venison to the last scrap, he felt somewhat relieved, and prepared to sleep. Blow- ing out the candle, he stretched himself out in as comfortable a position as possible, and closed his eyes, But for a long time no slumber came as @ relief to his weariness. His mind was too active, His Lone went first with pity to his sister, and then with batred to him who called himself Dion Avery. Then they reverted far away to Quartz City, and then to dashing, pretty Lena Vernon, and a pleased flush came to his cheek, and a strange sensation thrilled his heart. “That girl’s a trump!” he muttered, half-dream- ingly, “ and from what little I saw of her, I like her. If IT were ever to choose a wife, it would be such a yivacious creature as she. But, ha! ha! vhe idea of my thinking of a wife, when here’s grim death grin- ning at me maliciously. Sleep and escape are the first to considerations before thinking of matri- mony. He finally fell asleep, and it was such a sleep as he had seldom known before—a complete oblivion. For hours he slumbered on peacefully. and in bis dreams he saw bright visious of Lena Vernon, or “ Buster,” And while he was thus sleeping, without a thought of danger, footsteps echoed along the passage; then the light of a bull’s-eye lantern shot with mellow radiance between the rugged walls, and streamed upon the face of the sleeper. “Come erlong, feller-citizens!” cried a voice; “here he is now!” ant several men crowded up around the young ravo. Who were they—friends or toes? CHAPTER XV. DOOM PRONOUNCRD—BAD MEDICINE KEEPS HIS OATH. “Gras him, b’yees, afore he wakes up, or thar'll be cause for several funerals, fer he’s a double- pa leetle episode, w’en ye don’t take him at ault!’ The command was quickly obeyed, and the first { that Corduroy Charlie knew of his situation, he was bound hand and foot, and the band of evil-faced
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 27 ruffians bending overbim. For, oT and Monk Morgan, and their “‘peace commission- “ers,” who had surprised bim while he lay asleep. It was a vexatious discovery to him, but he con- cealed his real feelings under a mask of cool indiffer- ence, “So, you’ve got me again, eh?” he observed calmly, gazing up into the ruffians’ faces; “and i suppose you calculate you've scored a victory.” ‘Waal, we do recky we've did sumthin’ 0’ thet sort!’ replied MeTurk, with a leer. “I reckon we nevyer do things by halves ner bare Nid an’ consekently, we ginerally get in on ther hum-stretch in good shape. And allthe toughs laughed at the bullwhacker’s attempted logic. He was looking even more repulsive than ever be- fore, for his forehead was bruised, and black and blue, from the battle with Florence the goat, and one eye was closed effectually, for “* repairs.”’ - “How did you come to find the passage?” Charlie questioned. Per “Oh! thet war easy ernuff, from ther posish in wich ye left ther chair on ther table. We s’arched ther wall, an’ found ther word ‘Push,’ an’ as a natteral consekence we pushed, you bet, and hayr we aire. Reckon ye warn’t loo’ in’ for us, war ye?” “No, I can’t say as J was exactly expecting you, cr1 shouldn't have yielded to Morpheus so easily.” kedn’t never hev got out_by this route. Mebbe ye stumbled over a skeleton back hayr, a piece? Waal, that war ther framework uv a human o’ yer sex who tried this yere avenoo of escape over a year ago! Ye see how he succeeded. I ’pect ye’re willin’ ter go back ter ther dungeon, eh?” “ Certainly!’ Charlie replied. sareastically. “IT am not that hard-hearted that I could refuse your magnificent accommodations for guests.” There was a general chuckle among the ruffians, and Charlie was raised to his feet and the thongs cut away. he had studied so long and patiently to make his cs- cane. | Yor it was Jem MeTurk robe of bearskin, with the fur side out, and with a strangely-shaped palm-leaf hat upon her head. She Hy as intended to represent an enthroned queen, ut it was rather an amusing picture. Upon each side of her throne were four stone pees with a bow! chiseled in the top of each, where urned fat fires, which gave a weird illumination to the scene; also, on each side of the throne, four savages in hideous war-paint stood guard, with long lances, looking like so many bronzed statues. Otherwise, the great chamber was deserted. and the least sound caused a weirdly detonating echo, For a long time Ugly Ann sat in silence, her wild eyes fixed upon space, with a vacant stare. She seemed to be buried in a deep oblivion. At last, however, the muscles in ber face hegan to twitch, and her eyes assumed an expression in which were cunning, malicious intent, and triumph, blended, “Ha! ha! what a feast for the Sun-God, Quoloro-— what a precious offering to his majesty! And. at the same time, while Iam striking for his pleasure, Tam inflicting torture upon my enemies. Ho! ho! he! how much would Judson Wardville not give to get possession of his children, who have keen uncer my watchful eye since they were mere babes! Ah! Yd give all my gold to have him here, so that he could see me torture them. ButIlhave him not, and | cannot well adjourn the sacrifice Already my war- “Taw, baw !—it’s just as wall that ye did, for ye | riors have waitcd past the usual day, and are grow- ingimpatient. Let me see—the boy. Corduroy Char- lie shall go first. Iam eager to torture him, because of his attempt to pea) ao Then the cripple shall fol- low suit, and next the Chinaman and the road-agent, Deadwood Dick. Ho! ho! he will be my best vic- tim, and I shall enjoy bis torture. “Cressly says I shail not have the road-agent’s red-haired wife to torture, and he must be cheyed for he hath served me faithfully, The red-haired wire of Derdwood Dick shall not die!” As she ceased speaking, the old hag gezed around | her sharply; then seizing a born which hurg at her He was then forced along the passage, between | the captors, back toward the dungeon from hich | Half an hour later, the whole party were in the | : horribly bedaubed with paint, and attired in the re- dungeon. “Hayr ye aire. my posey:” MeTurk said, with a diabolical grin. ‘‘ Boys, tie bis feet again, and lay him on that cot. We ken’t hev any more o’ these runaway escapades—not much. Ho! ho! thar ye aire, Mr. Corduroy Charlie, an’ ye’ll stay thar till old Ugly Ann gits ready to cook yer goose. Oh! ye needn't look cold at me. I don’t forgit ye, nor ther leetle holes ye perforated in my sides; nor I don’t luv ye overmuch nuther, I reckon.” ‘“Rither your love or hate amounts to very little, in my estimation, you devil!” Charlie replied. “Oh! you'll see, when ye git sacrificed, me Jaq. Let me announce that ther first actin ther cumin’ progrum will be a leetle blond-lettin’ for pastime.” Then. with horrible laughs, the ruffians left the dungeon, locking the door secnrely behind them. Coreuroy Charlie was left bound and helpless upon the cot, to reflect upon his approaching fate. He was well aware that he wes beyond helping himself now, and that if something extraordinary should not banpen, he would soon be consigned to the merciless Indian worshipers for torture. By following winding passages and ascending flights of stone steps, the principal chamber of old Uely Ann‘s quarters was reached from Charlie’s cell. It was a large cavernous apartment in the heart of the mountain, with lofty ceilings. from which pended stalactites of grotesque shape. Tha floor had been chiseled off to a smoothness of pol- ished marble, and in the center was a raised dais of stone, surmounted by a stone chair, similar to the one on the mountain top. , Here Ugly Ann was seated, attired in a flowing side, she blew a shrill blast—the trumpeter’s call. A few moments later there was an answering blast in the distance, and then through a broad orehway in a distant corner cf the room. filed three abreast, a motley gang of fierce-looking red-men, galia of the war-path. They were armed either with spears or rifles, and presented an imposing ap- pearance, In the lead was a tall. brawny man, whom, by his beard, which sweeps below bis mask. the reader ese a no difficulty in recognizing “as Silver eard. Just in his rear, and between him and the warriors of the Sun-God, Jem McTurk and his rough associ- ates fill in the line. And thus the whole band, numbering in the neigh- borhood of three-score. marched up and came to a halt in front of Ugly Ann’s throne. As they came to a halt. the hag arose and waved her hand, and all except Silver Beard dropped upon bended knee and bowed their heads, “Silver Beard, I am pleased with the turnout. But where is your cide, Lieutenant Cressly?” “] know not, your grace. Fe was not in the as- sembly-room when ycu signaled, and I took no pains to hunt for him!”’ was the reply. “That is where thou didst wrong. But let that pass. Is all in readiness, so that the sacrificer—the glorious offering to Quoloro, may take place on the morrow?” “TI believe so, according to the report of the guards.” “Very well. At sunrise to-morrow you will hear my call. Then assemble your command and the prisoners before me here, for the ceremopies. Let not a man he absent, for this shall be a great occa- sion, when Quoloro shall smile | enignly down upon his worshipers. Have you the beasts in the pit in readiness?” J
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88 “Quite ready!” Silyer Beard replied, with a little shiver. ‘The two cinnamon bears have been excited by the taste of warm blood, and the same with the bloodhounds and the three wolves, which have not been fed to any amount for a week!” “Good! The sport on the morrow shall be exciting. Remember, every man to be present on my call. You may now retire!” Silver Beard bowed, and then turned away with- out a word. The kneeling subjects of the Mountain Queen then arose and marched after him, until the council-chamber was again deserted except by the hag and her body-guard. ‘Alas! the morrow had an ill-look for the prisoners in the voleanic retreat, In a cell, several passages distant from that oceu- pied by Corduroy Charlie, Deadwood Dick paced to and fro, with manifest impatience. His brow was elouded, and his hands clinched tightly together, while his lips were compressed firmly. Jem MeTurk had just passed the door of the dun- geon, and hurled in the unwelcome announcement og if the morrow was to be the day for the prisoners die. But it was not this news which caused Deadwood Dick’s emotion. He had faced death a hundred times, and in a score of shapes before; he scarcely gave a thought upon its terrors now. What were gall and wormwood to him now were the thoughts that he was doomed to leave behind him a faithless wife. “T swore that she should die, but yet have not kept my oath!” he gvitved, fiercely. ‘* Would that God would see fit to punish her faithlessness, ere I am sent .off—it would make my trip pleasanter. Poor little Dick! how thankful I am that he never lived to feel the tainted sting of a mother’s shame and dishonor. He isan angel now!” “Tal ha! and there is where you will be before long!” cried a mocking voice. ‘You are nearly a saint on earth as it is!”’ Deadwood Dick wheeled about with a smothered curse. Leone Harris stood outside the grated door, smil- ing like a fiendess. “ You!” the imprisoned Prince of the Road ex- claimed—'‘ you !|—faithless, shameless viper !” “ Txactly—1!” the girl-woman replied, triumph- antly—‘ I who am the means of your unpleasant inearceration, Edward. I learned that you proposed to att me, and so I took the precaution to cage you!’ “Curses on you! From a woman you have turned to a she-devil!” ‘Perhaps you are right. The devil tempted me, and like mother Eve, I yielded.”’ *And you intend to allow these barbarians to butcher me, Leone?” “T am powerless to helpmyself. Ugly Ann, even, would like me for a victim, but my gracious Cressly prevents her.” ‘*Leone!’—and here the road-agent’s voice was hoarse and choked—‘‘ Leone, turn back from this shameful life—come back to me! ’Tis not yet too late, when I will open iny arms to receive you!"’ “No, Ned Harris; you askin vain. I have fallen down a precipice, and hove not the strength or in- clination to turn back. You are doomed, and must meet your fate without expecting pity from me.” “ Pity from you!’’ Deadwood Dick murmured, as she turned away—“ no! I will not expect it, Your heart is turned to stone!” In still another cell was confined the Chinaman, Clever Sam. After all, it had not benefited him to break faith with bis master, Corduroy Charlie, for when Ugly Ann had pointed him out as a victim, the ruffians forgot his service in their behalf, and poor Samuel was doomed to lie in captivity. Corduroy Charlic, the Boy Bravo. He said very little—kept silent, and was moody. He had been allowed a pipe and tobacco, and conse- quently spent most of his time in smoking, About night of this same day of the last narrated occurrence, Clever Sam was engaged as usual at his pipe, when his ear detected a stealthy footstep com- ing along the passage, and ina moment a brawny form paused in front of the grated door. The Celestial give a violent start, for he recoz- nized no Jess a personage than his former brother- servant, the redoubtable Bad Medicine. “Yah! he! he! hi! hi!” Clever Sam cried, joyfully. “Redee skinee muchee goodee Injun—comee muchee to lettee out Chinee man. Muchee fince redee skinee, allee samee!” ‘““Wagh!” Bad Medicine replied, grimly, as he fingered the fastenings of the door, *Piz-Tail man nogood, He like de prairie dog an’ de coyote. He attack his foes at a weak point, but run when dey grow strong. He help white dogs steal away de Lily, and Bad Medicine come for his scalp. Ugh! much big skulp, ha! ha!” “ Whatee? goodee Injun no takee poor Chinee man scalpee!” Clever Sam yelled, sinking back in horror. ‘*Chinee man den no go back to Chinee.” “You go to happy hunting-grounds, you dog of a pale-face !” was the grim response; then the fasten- ings gave way, the door was flung open, and the red-skin sprung into the dungeon, knife in hand, There was a fierce, revengeful fire in his eye, and a grimness in the expression of bis features that were terrible. He sprung upon the cowering traitor, and there was a Sharp, deadly struggle; then— But we pass by without giving the sickening de- tails. Enough to say, that soon the Celestial lay upon the floor dead and sealpless, while Bad Medi- cine turned and left the cell with his terrible trophy swung to his velt. He had given his word to Cor- duroy Charlie, and with the result the reader has seen, he has kept it. CHAPTER XVI. THE SACRIFICE—CONCLUSION, Wurte Deadwood Dick and Corduroy Charlie were languishing in their resp ctive prisons, awaiting the sunrise of the morrow, which was to be the signal of their doom, and which was but a few hours away, another scene was transpiring which it will be neces- sary to chronicle before we merge into the curtain act of our drama of Western life. Into a volcanic cavern of the wonderful mountain we would take the reader. _ It is not so large as the council-chamber , of the Mountain Queen. but is withalan apartment of consider :ble size. Through a crevice at one side leapsa sheet of flame, sufficient to brilliantly illuminate the scene, and at the same time emit a steady heat. Originally there was buta vein of gas from the bowels of the mountain; but onee a spark of fire came in contact, and the flame burst forth never to be quenched by mortal power. Tae rocky floor was covered with mats of fur- bearing skins, and a rude couch was upholstered with the same material. The rest of the furniture consisted of a few ill-made chairs and a table. upon which was a decanter of liquor, and a long-tu Turkish pipe, Seated in a chair by the table, with his feet ele- vated upon the back of a second chair, was Lieuten- ant Cressly. He was occupied in drawing dense clouds of smoke from the pipe, and in watching the woman who was half-reelining upon the rugs, a couple of paces away. She was attired in a loosely-fitting wrapper, which showed off the shape of her form to advantage, and ta none other than Leone, the wife of Deadwood ick, Asshe lay there, her attention was divided between
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Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. a glass of spirits in one hand’and a paper which lay within eyeshot. The lieutenant gazed at her sharply, a half-frown upon his brow, “Tt appears to me that you have got more of an eye for That paper than for me!” he growled at last, giving an extra puff to his PRE: “T didn’t bring ere to amuse yourself, but to cater to my whims,” - * On/ is that possible?’ was the sarcastic reply. ** Well, what would you have of me now?” “Nothing in particular, only please stop reading, and devote your time to entertaining me. It annoys me see you look at anything or anybody but my- self.’ ‘Indeed! You are the most selfish mortal I ever met. I don’t know asI am yarticularly your slave, Lieutenant Cressly.” * And why not, pray?” “And why, pray? I’m inno way bound to you, except that you have chosen to protect me.” “Tumph! One would say that your infatuation for me was on the decline since a short month ago.” “Well, agen itis,” was the reply, with a cool laugh, ‘I have in a measure grown tired of you, and have been contemplating a change of base. You are so different from most men, Deadwood Dick was never jealous of me.” “Hang Deadwood Dick! And you shall not leave me._I will kill you first!” “Ha! ha! let me have a hand: in that, Dion Avery!” cried a shrill, peculiar voice, the sound of which caused a shudder of horror to creep over the villainous lieutenant. ‘ Let me do what slaughter- ing is to be done!” And there in the arched entrance.of the room, Lily Madison strode into view, leaning upon her crutches, and at the same time holding a pair of leveled revol- vers in her grasp, Cressly, alias Dion Avery, muttered a savage oath wken he beheld the girl; then reached fora revolver in his belt. But it was not there. : And fe then the cripple laughed wildly, as she hobbled further into the room, ‘‘Ha! ha! Dion Avery, you have no weapons; you left them in another room. I was watching and saw you, else I should not have ventured here. You are bore literally weaponless and in my power. Ha! a! ““Qurses on you, girl! Leave the room, or I’ll—” and the lieutenant arose with a threatening gesture. But he did not advance in the face of the pair of steel tubes that were leveled at his heart, “Hold up, you wretch!” the cripple said, deliber- ately. ‘‘Don’t be rash, but listen to me. They say Iam insane, crazy, mad! Perhaps I am, at times; but I am sane enough now to know that I have come here for a purpose. I escaped from my cell some time ago, since when I have been hiding around watching you—you, Dion Avery, who came to my home in Stockton, and lured a poor cripple girlaway from maiden honor—intimidated her when she was alone and unable to defend herself, Ah! you in human monster, I never forgot nor forgave you, and Troused my brother to follow you. [came too! was mad—mad—mad / but still knew that I was coming to avenge my wrongs. At last the hour of my vengeance has come! Ha! ha! Kneel down, you wretch, and beg my forgiveness, but that will not suffice; I must have your life!” “Great God! you would not commit murder, rl?” Avery gasped, blanching white, and trembling ike an aspen. ‘‘No! it is not murder to avenge one’s wrongs like mine. Prepare to die, for I am_ ready to he your executioner. I ama dead shot, thanks to the training my brother gave me. J shall not miss you; nor your other victim, that faithless wife. Iknow her—Deadwood Dick, her husband, told me of her, She shall die, too. Ha! hal yes, die as she would have her husband die! You need not beg; ’tis use- 29 less, for my decision cannot be altered. I will count fifty—then, you both die!” She spoke calmly, yet sternly, as if every word was meant. She began counting aloud, in a slow, deliberate way. Jn terror Dion Avery dropped upon his knees, and began to plead and beg. Leone stood with pale, averted face, and trembled. “Forty-eight, forty-nine | wrery |” There were then five reports within as many eet then three figures lay upon the floor— ead | They were Lion Avery, Leone Harris, and poor Lily Madison! Poor Lily! She had found her vengeance. and ended her own misery with the same deadly instrument which took the lives of the two beings, who esch had played an unholy part in the great Life Drama. The morning dawned in the outer world, but with- in the cavernous recesses of the mountain no light of day ever penetrated, Nevertheless Ugly Ann was upon ber throne at the hour of sunrise, attired in a flowing robe of furry skins, and looking as savage as some wild beast of prey instead of a human being. “Tis the hour of my triumph!” she muttered, with a gleeful chuckle, which seemed almost fiend- ish; ‘the time when I can hear my inferiors beg and pray me to cease my persecutions. Ha! ha! I am then the Queen, and have the power. But, ’tis time! I Mi blow my call, and summon the hosts before me She blew a shrill blast upon the horn, which served her as a call. In answer, a savage entered the council-chamber, and bowed on bended knee before the throne of the mountain queen. “Ah! is it you, Benito? Why do youcomealone?” was the eager demand of the hag. ‘‘ Where are Sil- ver Beard and all the others?” “They will be here soon your majesty!’ was the reply, in English, too clear to come from other than a white mau—which the page was, in disguise. “I was sent to announce their coming.” And, as he spoke, a long procession filed into the chamber; the same as had responded to the queen's call the day previous, with the exception of seven or eight more savages, and the pris whd headed the Sa gg OF marching at the points of spears, in the hands of MeTurk and his Bang. But there were only two prisoners—Corduroy Charlie and Deadwood Dick. the road-agent. “Hal what means ‘his?’ Ugly Ann demanded, fiercely, as she glanced upon each face in the crowd. ‘You, Silver Beard? where is your Aide, again, and the red-haired girl, and the cripple, and the Chinaman? Where? Speak!” “They're all four dead, your majesty!” “What! dare you tell me this—all dead? By heaven! explain before I—”’ “Be calm. queen and you shall know all, Lieu- tenant Cressly we just found in his section of the caverns, lying upon the floor—dead: as was his red- haired companion and the crippled girl. All three had been shoé through the heart.” “Oh, heaven!” Corduroy Charlie groaned, stag- gering back, while tears started from his eyes. “My poor sister dead, and in this den! Would to God I'd never seen this country at all!” “Don’t take it hard, partner!” Deadwood Dick ha iw huskily, “ for she is now out of her misery. I, too, have lost one by this blow, but, God forgive me, I mourn not ber loss.” ; 4 “Qurses on the luck! what of the Chinaman, Sil- ver Beard?” Uely Ann cried. F “We found him dead and scalpless, too, in his cell. Doubtless it was all the work of the crazy cripple, as she was armed, and at liberty, After comin
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rF if | 30 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. wreaking vengeance she probably ended her life by suicide.” “ But, how did she escape from the cavern?” “That I am unable to tell you. The door was found still fastened. There must be some other se- cret, as in the dungeon where Corduroy Charlie was confined.” “Ay! so there must!” Ugly Ann replied, fiercely. “Tt must be looked to later; but, now, other business demands our attention. The sacrifice to Quoloro must take place immediately. Let Cordu- roy Charlie first be led forward.” The order was obeyed, and the young Bravo was led in front of the mountain hag, who regarded him with a keen, scrutinizing glance. “Young man, you have been chosen as a victim of sacrifice to Quoloro. the great Sun-God. Around me you behold his worshipers, whose numbers are mul- tiplying each year. They demand that a life each quarter be sacrificed to their supreme king, in pay- ment for all the past favors he has shown them. So largely has he favored them of late, that I have resolved to sacrifice as many victims as possible. Therefore, you shall go first. You and your crip- ple sister have ever been in under my watchful eye, ripening for this sacrifice. I would not have you longer left indoubt concerning your birth—you were the children of Judson and Madge Wardville. Your own father if was whom you rescued from me, a few night; since!” “Great Heaven! can this be true? You are lying to me, woman!” Corduroy Charlie cried. “ Ha! ha! no, lam not lying; but you shall never see your father. Itis my revenge upon him. Ha! ha! sweet revenge. Yearsago, when I cast my love and wealth at his feet, he refused me—refused me, as if I were some scorpion, instead of a reigning belle. After that, I lived only for revenge. I stole away his babes when he was married three years. and he never saw them again. I early indentured you to Joel Madison. a wealthy trapper, with whom re remained until his death. And all this while I ave been treasuring up revenge. Ha! ha! ha! “But, I must not tarry for narration of the past. The delights of this torture-hour are too great to be put aside. Young man, here is your programme: First, you shall bleed half an ounce of crimson from each arm, and then, blindfolded, you will be cast into a den of savage beasts, among which will be un- fed bears, wolves, and bloodhounds. Here you will be given the freedom of your limbs, and a knife to defend yourself with. Here you will be left for two hours; then a guard will be sent to gather up your bones, which will be burned before this throne, and the ashes used for scrubbing purposes. Silver Beard! you will step forward and perform your part!” A dreadful silence perva‘led the cavern! The old hag wore a gloating expression of features. Charlie Madison stood i. the vise-like grasp of half a score of painted savages, his face pale, but a flash of brave determination in his eyes. No matter how great the pain, he was resolved not to betray his fear, if any should arise. His arms were held out partly, and bared to the shoulder. Silver Beard then stepped forward, and with a hand which trembled. punctured the skin above the elbow in each arm, with a razor-pointed knife, Im- mediately the crimson began to flow in little streams, and small glass cups were held to catch the blood, At first, a shudder and a sickening sensation went as - Charlie, but he bit bis lips flercely and kept t off. It took but a few s-conds to fill the tiny vessels; then salt was forced into the punctures to prevent the flow of blood, The young Bravo was a trifle whiter and somewhat dizzy as this part of his torture bet concluded, but he did not betray much emo- on. “Ha! ha! You stood your part of the torture so far, well!” Ugly Ann, ejaculated, with ill-concealed disappointment, that she had not been able to catch a groan oreven asound. ‘But wait until you are cast into the den—that will test your iron nerve. Away with him, Silver Beard, and feed him to the brutes; then come quickly back, for there is other work for you to do.” The prime minister obeyed, with a courteous bow, by heading the savages who bore Corduroy Charlie out of the council-chamber. Through long, dank passages they -~7-~%. then up flight after flight of stone steps, ke ‘av of solid rock, until finally they emerged in \ 4a temple on the mountain top. From here they crossed toward ¢!:e1:....uned stone wall which Charlie had noticed when he first had been brought to the voleanic prison. By stone-steps they ascended to the top of this wall, which was wide enough to admit of three standing abreast. Then it was that Charlie knew what chances he had for life. Below him lay a pit, quarried out to the depth of thirty feet, with the smooth, unscalable wall all around it, making the pit a prison from which there ws no possible chance of escape. Just within the pit were stout pens, in which were contained two cinnamon bears, a pair of wolves and a pair of bloodhounds, all of which seemed to give a delighted howl as they beheld their victim come upon the parapet. “Let loose the animals!” Silver Beard command- ed. “and then retire to your queen; I will follow!” Then the doors of the kennel-pens were lifted by means of an arrangement of ropes, and the animal plunged out into the arena of the pit. . Immediately a wide sash was wound repeatedly around Charlie’s face, and tied behind his head; then he was seized and dropped iato the pit, and a knife hurled after him. He struck the ground with a force that almost stunned him, but he quickly recovered himself, and reaching into his bootleg, he drew his own trusty knife. He heard a series of low, wrangling cries, and a patter of feet. and knew that the animals were rushing toward him. In a moment they would be on his person, tearing at his flesh. - He shuddered at the thouchr, and inserting the blade of his knife alongside his face he cut away the bandage with a powerful stroke, and it dropped to the ground. Just in time! A glanes discovered a huge cinna mon rushing down almost upon him. followed by the snarling wolves ard yelping hounds. With a cry, he leaped asirle, and ran swiftly to the opposite side of the pit. The bear followed with a savage growl. Charlie paused a2 moment, and glanced toward the heavens. Ha gave a sigh of relief at one thing. None of his persecutors were in sight to mock at him in his peril. The bear and his companions were. approaching closer—something must be done. Char ie was well satisfied that he could not kill the bear with his small revolver, and terefore his knife must do the work. Nearer came the huge brute, reared upon its bind legs, its mouth open and tongue lolling out, and for- ward paws extended. Then Charlie sprung asi‘e quickly, and struck the ber a terrible blow with the knife in the backof the neck. The following instant, however, he was fiercely set upon by the wolves and blondhornds, They leaped upon him and bit him, and clawed open his clothing and flesh frriously. The biood began to spurt in a score of places, and though he fought with desperate determination, he began to see that his hopes were futile. He grew faint and weak and dizzy—he lost the power of sight—his already weakened arms refused longer to do service—he staggered and fell—there wasa vague see of wild sounds in his ears then he ainted. In the cavernous chamber of Uzly Ann, other events were transpiring which we must chronicle. | |
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Eagerly the old hag waited for the return of Sil- ver Beard with the warriors. for she was hoping to extract shrieks and groans from Deadwood Dick, when he came to lose bis sacrificial blood. But she knew not the ycung man as well as the world of the Biack Hills country knew him; he had lost blood on more than one occasion without wincing—he had plenty more to spare. f = After a lapse of ten minutes the Prime Minister returned with his guard. “Ha! Silver Beard, did you cast the victim into the den?’ the hag demanded, with fierce eagerness. he pd ape Sa “Good! ere this, his bones are stripped of their flesh. Bring forward the next victim.”’ Deadwood Dick was led forward, but there was no trace of fear, or hesitation upon his calm, cynical countenance, as he faced his torturers. At a motion from Ugly Ann his arms were bared and punctured by the sharp knife of Silver Beard, until the blood began to flow into the tiny glass re- ceptacles. = ot a muscle in the road-agent’s composition moved to betray that he was «experiencing pain. Ile stood like a statue, a grim, half-sarcastic expression upon his face, that worked upon the passions of gly Ann as oil does upon a bed of live coals. “* Halt! this butchery has gone far enough. der, every dog, or you die as only do7s are sit lo die! Clear and distinct the words echoed through the council-chamber in detonating reverberations. The savages started and glared about in alarm— Ugly Ann rose upon her throne with a frenzied curse. * Great conqnorious ham-bone thet bu'sted ther barricades uv old Joner! surrender, ye red hellions, or we'll di combobberate yer yearthly views o’ ther great hereafter!” Ff “Yaw! yaw! surrender, or ve shoot you ober mit our guns, so helb me! Shimminy gracious unt my vife Katrina! vat a crowd i h dis!” Tn an instant all was confusion—there were fierce yells from Ugly Ann and her savages—roaring re- ports and flashes of firearms—a struggle, a battie in the smoke that enveloped the room in a cloud. Then came a silence, which was at length broken, as the smoke rose above the scene. “Hurra! Great boreal destructive ham-bone thet war ther takin’ off eppydemic uv old Joner! We've killed every durned galoot, red niggers, ther white niggers, an’ all—fac’, by gracious! Everywhar hes a wave o’ teetotal annihilation sweept like ther ran- tankerous simoon o’ Sarah's Deserts. Cum for’a’d, b’yees, an’ view ther ’reck.” ‘Is the devil-woman dead” cried Judson Ward ville, pusbing forward among a crowd of masked men who swarmed in the rear of Old Avalanche. “Yas, deader.than ary old spider thet an elerfant stepped on. Thar’s nary a thing but maccademized stiffs layin’ all around us—fac’. by gracious!” ‘* Yes! there is one who isn’t dead!” cried a ring- ing voice; and up from among the dead hoties that were strewn around rose aform. ‘‘ Deadwood Dick still lives |”? A cheer went up from three-score of throats, a welcome to the chief from his followers. who had come to his rescue, and, in company with Judson Wardville’s party, had found an entrance to the mysterious mountain honeycomb from the moun- tain-side. r “But my son—Corduroy Charlie—where is he?” Wardville cried, rushing about among the bodies, and searching for the face he had grown to love, “Where is he?” ** Alas! the young man you name has been con- signed to the beast-pit, sir!” Deadwood Dick re- eo ee “You arrived a little too late to save Surren- my “ But others were not too late to save him. gentle- men!’ cried a voice, and Lena Vernon and Bad Med- icine entered the cavern, bearing between them the Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. 3i ee form of Corduroy Charlie. ‘‘ Cheer up, Mr. Wardville, for your son still lives!” There was a cheer then in good earnest, and ready hands set to work in dressing the wounds and restoring Corduroy Charlie back to conscious- ness. * Buster”? consented to rela‘e how she had joined with the noble Indian, Bad Medicine, in his search for his young master—how they had reached the mountain-top and slain the guards of the temple; then exchanged places with them, while Bad Medi- cine had entered the caverns to kill Clever Sam— how they had seen Corduroy Charlie cast into the pit, and how they had at the last moment succeeded in rescuing him from being torn to pieces, by shoot- ing the animals. ; ged and much more, which space forbids us to re- ate. Corduroy Charlie. though torn and lacerated in nearly every portion of his body, except his face was not fatally injured, and was soon recovere enough to be reunited to his long-lost father, and to thank and receive the congratulations from all his friends. tut he was very weak and sore. and it was | determined by all to remain a few days in the moun- tain caverns. All the bodies were removed to another section, where they were left in their final tomb, among them being the hag. Ugly Ann, Silver Beard (whom Judson Wardville recognized as her own brother), Jem McTurk, Monk Morgan, and his associates. Later the bodies of poor Lily Madison. the unfaith- ful Leone Harris, and Dion Avery, alas Vernon, were brought into the council-chamber, and a solemn and impressive funeral service offered over the remains by Deadwood Dick, who was capable of turning a ready hand to most anything. Then, the bodies were laid away, for their final rest in the dungeons that had lately contained the prisoners of sacrifice. Later still they all returned to Quartz City, where Corduroy Charlie was presented to his new-fcund mother, and there was a joyful reunion. Old Ugly Ann’s gold had been fetexed from the cavern, and all voted that it was rightly Charlie's. Avalanche, Pretzel Pete, Leona Vernon and Dead- wood Dick (disguised), were all present at the re- union, which was a joyous one, although the recent losses by death to five of the party, prevented any jollity; it was more of a scene of congratufaticn to the parents, who fervently thanked God that the were permitted to be restored to even one of their lost children. After bidding them all his best wishes for the future, Deadwood Dick took his departure. A little yet in closing, and I am through. The Wardvilles » re yet in the Black Hills country, but in a section where the pioneer is fast settling and improving, what will some day be a charming coun- try of homes. Here the father and son are negotiat- ing for a tract, which they mean to make as beautiful as any home can be made by a liberal expenditure of wealth. Lena Vernon is with them, and at no distant day there will probably be a Mrs. Charlie Wardville. Bad Medicine still lives with Charlie, whom he seems to love in his wild, untutored way. Pretzel Pete is in Quartz City. _ Old Avalanche and his eccentric goat may be found in ’most any excitement where “ varmints require annihilatin’,” Of Deadwood Dick I havenodataathand. Hehas disappeared from the scenes of his late operations; and perhaps retired from Western life altogether, THE END,
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82 OCTAVO PAGES. * o3.hDLE» “._ PRICE, FIVE CENTS, “S PoC ee LIBRARY. = tet -Arewnre oe wmstnoanrk © WD a ed Que et m B5 36 37 SOSOSCOCOOOSC OOOO S es PEDNESDAY. co te ISSUED pveny \ WEDNESDAY. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. By Edward L. Wheeler. Kansas King; or, The Red Right | Hand. By Buffalo Bill. The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. The ‘Two Betectives, By Albert W. Aiken. The Prairie Pilot. By Buffalo Bill. | i The Bulfalo Demon; or, The Bor- der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Oll Coomes, Ned Wylde,the Boy Scout. By “Texas | « Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L. Wheeler. Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Nick 0? the Nights or, The Boy Spy of °76. By T. C. Harbaugh. Yellowstone Jack. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. Wild ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. By Edward 1: Wheeler. Diamond Dirk. By Col. Ingraham. Keen-Knite, Prince of the Prairies. By OUC joomes. Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. Death-Wace, the Detective. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler, Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. The Boy C lown. By F. S. Finn, The Phantom Miner, By Edward L Wheeler. Whe Sea Cat. By Capt. Tf. Whittaker. The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. Rattling Rube, By Harry St. George. Old Avalanche the Great Annihila- or. By Edward L. Wheeler. Glas«-Eye, the Great Shot of the | West.. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. ‘The Boy Captain. By R. Starbuck. Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker. Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By | fdward L. Wheeler, Nightingale Nat, ByT. C. Harbaugh. Black John, the Road Agent. By Joseph FE. Badger, Jr. Omaha O)l, the Masked Terror. By | Edward L. Wheeler. Burt Bunker, the Trapper. By | George E. Lasalle. The Boy Rifles. A. C, Trons. The White uta o. By Geo, E. Lasalle. Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. B Capt. J. F. 6. a RP x Deadly Kye, the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill. Nick Whifiles’s Pet, By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Border King. By Ol] Coomes. Old Hickory. By Harry St. George. The White Indian, By Capt. J. , C, Adams. 5 wuckhore Bill. By E. L. Wheeler. The Shadow Ship. by Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Red Brotherhood, By W. J. Hamilton. Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. Hurricane Bill. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton. Patent-leather Joe. By P.S.Warne. The Border Robin Hood, Ly Buffalo Bill. Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter. By Edward ib Wheeler. O}d Zip’s Cabin. By Captain J. F, ©. Adams. Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Oh Coomes. Mad ‘Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton, Derdwood Dick on Deck. By E. L. Wheeler. WMlawkeye Marry. By Oll Coomes, The Boy Duelist. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By A. W. Aiken, Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. By Ed. L., Wheeler. Wé£ill Somers, the Boy Dete tive. Ly Char.es Morris. Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper: By A. W. Aiken. 64 Rosebud Rob. By E. L. Wheeler. 65 Lichtning Joe, the Terror of the Prairie. By Capt. J. F, C, Adams. 66 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C, Harbaugh. 67 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes, 68 Kdyl, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. 69 Wetective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. By Charles Mor: ‘Tis, | Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, five cents per co ys or sent by mail on receipt of six cents eac! BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York.