Deadwood Dick Library (v. 3) (1899 10 11)

Page 1

‘ouyr'ght 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., a8 second class matter. Mar. 15, 1300. M. J. IVERS-& CO., P ishers, ; Issued Weekly. Oe ae ; Re <a c U5 - BITE re Price 5 Cents. No. . tN (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) $9 fi) Year Ol. J Oct. 11, 1899, 379 Pearl street, New York, $v.50 a Year. i Ls of) lh SoS eS WITH THEIR ENIVES, THEY DUG OUT A GRAVE, AND WRAPPING A HEAVY BLANKET AROUND THE CORPSE, LAID IT LOVINGLY IN ITS LAST RESTING-PLACE,

Page 2

443 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; 595 600 606 612 618 624 680 636 642 648 654, 660 666 672 678 684 690 695 700 704. 710 ™ KDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR, NOVELS IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Price 5 Cents per Copy. Crescent Sign. or, The Crimson Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Defiance. Deadwood Dick, Jr. or’, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ | Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood lick, Jr. A es Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ 5 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Sp es Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr Deadwood Dick, Jr Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr. Apis Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Continent. ’s, Full Hand. s, Big Round: Up. s, Racket at Claim 10, Corral. s, Dog Detective. in Deadwood. s, Compact. *s, Inheritance. s, Diggings. s, Deliverance. s, Protege. Three. s, Danger Ducks. ‘s, Death Hunt. in Texas. the Wild West Vidoeq. , on His Mettle. ., in Gotham. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. in Philadelphia. in Chicago. , Afloat. in Denver, s, Decree. in Beelzebub’s Basin. at Coney Island. s, Leadville Lay. in Detroit, in Cincinnati. in Nevada. in No Man's Land. . After the Queer, in Buffalo. Jr.’ s, Chase Across the Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smug- glers. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Jr, Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr- Deadwood Dick, Jr.. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.. Deadwood Dick, Jr. s, Insurance Case. Back in the Mines, in Durango. ‘s, Discovery. 's, Dazzle. s, Dollars. at_ Danger Divide. ’s, Drop. at Jack-Pot. , at San Francisco. 716 99 inwe 728 734 740 TAT 752 758 764 770 776 782 787 792 97 802 807 812 816 822 828 834 840 845 852 858 863 87 876 882 891 898 904. 910 916 928 934. 940 946 951 957 965 971 977 980 992 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick. Ain} 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dutch Pard. 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Four, For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c. per copy, by the publisl Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Hole Hustle. — Deadwood Dick. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dic Ik Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dic k, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, ers, M. J. IVERS & CO., 379 Pearu Street, New York Crry. Jr. Jr.’s, Still Hunt. Jr.’s, Dominoes. Jr.'s, Disguise.” ; Jr.’s, Double Deal. 3 Jr.’s, Death-Watch, Jr.’s, Doublet. Jr.’s, Death-Blow. 5 Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. Jr.’s, Lone Hand. Jr.’s, Defeat. Jr. ‘sg, Resurrection. *s, Dark Days. Ap use Defied. Jn’s, Double Device. Jr.’s, Desperate Venture, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. j Jr.’s, Royal Flush, 4 Jr.’s, Head-Off. ‘ Jr.’s, Rival, Jr.’s, Boom, : Jr.’s, Scoop. Jr.'s, Proxy. Jr.’s, Clutch. Jr,’s, High Horse, 4 dr: vs aut Devil's Gulch. Jr.°s, Bombshell, a Jr., in Mexico, Jr.s, Decoy Duck. Jr.,-in Siiver Pocket. Jr.'s, Dead-Sure Game. Jr. 's, Double Drive. Jr.’s, Trade-Mark. Jr., at Tip-Top, Jr.°s, Double-Decker. Jr, at Dollarvilie. Jr, at Flush Flats. Jr.°s, Shake-Up. Jr.s, Double Drop. Jr.'s, Right Bower. Jr.'s, Ten-Strike. Jr.’s, Gold Dust. Jr.'s, Oath. Jr.'s, Death: Doom. Jr.’s, Best Card. Aa ; Pas Gold Dust. Br anded.

Page 3

Copyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N.#., as second Class matter. Mar, 15, 18997 ae M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers sk: No. 31 - Issued W eekly. (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) : artes 5 dba Vol, Il. Oct. 11, 1899. 379 Pearl Street, New York, 92.50 a Year. ENIVES, THEY DUG OUT A GRAVE, AND WRAPPING A HEAVY BLANKET AROUND THE _ CORPSE, LAID IT LOVINGLY IN 17S LAST RESTIN ELACH, 2 ¥

Page 4

3 _ Blonde Bill, Blonde Bill; Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, A Romance of the “ Silent Tongues,” BY E, L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘DEADWOOD DICK,” ‘ROSEBUD ROB,” ETC., ETO, CHAPTER I. OVERLAND—THE SWOOP OF THE SILENT TONGUES. From Del Norte to the southwestern mines of Colorado, along the rapid and impetuous waters of the Rio de los Animas, and through the rug- ged, mountainous district of San Juan county, runs the stage-trail, which is used in lieu of a railroad, as a route of transportation both of pe and supplies, into the mines that abound in the vicinity of Silverton and Animas City. Through some of the wildest country upon the American continent penetrates this trail, in its tortuous course through the mountain environs, All the way from the Warcawneel Gap to Bullion City the route is wild and tortuous in the extreme. After leaving Bullion City, a mining town of considerable importance, the traveler soon strikeXthe San Juan valley, and the rushing Animas, and follows through its rugged line of march toward the Gulf. he valley in reality is but a deep, gloomy canyon of but width for a wagon trail, in many places, while in others it widens out into broad and fertile acres of sufficient numbers for graz- ing farms. Many a frightful abyss yawns be- side the trail, while the either hand reflects the mighty pine-covered, hoary-headed mountains, that rise in massive grandeur, as grim sentinels over the route. A balmy October day is drawing to a close. as old Sol rests his beaming face upon the cres of a western peak, on his way to retirement from the active scenes of the day. The rays trom his merry countenance shoot across to the more eastern mountains, and then reflect down into the depths of the gloomy San Juan. About the same fime the lull of repose is rude- ly awakened ‘by the sharp cracking, as of a whip, and a loud, rumbling, jolting sound—then the south-bound stage rolls into view, from around a bend, drawn by three spans of spirited horses, that in turn are held in hand by a little Canadian Jehu, who, from long experience, thoroughly understands his business, . No ordinary affair, this stage, as an ordinary observer would have at once perceived, for its size was doubly greater than other vehicles of its calling, thereby bringing into use a greater number of horses, and it was neatly furnished, too, That night it was literally loaded down, both with passengers and baggage. Every seat in the interior was occupied, and even the flat top had been converted into a car- ryall, for it was occupied by several persons of both sexes, f The occupants of the interior of the Monitor, «4 \ as the stage was known, were all men—mostly rough, bearded, red-shirted miners, with a sprinkling of ruffians, specu and gamblers, Upon the outside the passengers were of a more varying type. Down through the canyon tears the stage, close at the heels of the plunging, snorting horses, who are answering to the rapid crack of the fiery little French Kanuck’s whip—wildly on they go, the ponderous vehicle groaning and creaking under the strain, as it lurehes spas- modically from one side to the other. The can- yon catches up and echoes the sounds; the mountain pines look spectral and nod their heads sagely in the dying sunlight as-if to say, ** Beware.” And, let us grasp the fying moment for an inventory of the personnel of those upon the roof of the Monitor, La Carte, the Jehu, needs no portrayal. Ho is known from Denver to Trinidad—from Lead- ville to Conejos, and all through the mining dis; tricts of the Colorados, as an expert linesman, a dead-shot, and a fearnaught of the boldest road~ agent that ever robbed a stage. i ext to him, upon the driver’s seat, is a . peuars distinguished-looking personage, with - rown hair, mustache and side-whiskers, and eyes to match. He is attired in the very hight of elegance as to costume, and evidently is a man of some importance. His name is Hon, Ray Vernon, of Ohio. He sits at the right of La Carte; next to him, upon the top of the stage are two bordermen—one a little old man, with wrinkled features and silvered locks; the other a giant in stature, with a positively ugly coun- tenance. \ Next to the giant sits a clerical gentlemen of solemn mien, and a remarkably pretty and vi- vacious young lady, who evidently is his daugh- ter; then comes a dandyish fellow of hand- some face and form, whose dress is a model of elegance; then another lady and gent, upon whom the other passengers center considerable attention, This woman is slight of figure, and is clad in black of costly kind, and a heavy vail constant- ly over her face, thereby screening it from the inquiring gaze of the passengers, he man is medium size, attired in a stylish suit of light cloth, with a shirt front of spotless white, ornamented by a blazing diamond pin, while he has a jaunty white slouch sombrero upon his head, and-alligator top-boots upon his feet, the legs of which reach above his knees. Tn face and feature he is quite prepossessin; —his white complexion harmonizing well wit! his long blonde hair, and sweeping mustache of the same hue, His mouth has a firm expres- sion, and his forehead is broad and intellectual, ‘while his eyes are hidden behind a pair of green goggles, that give him a strange appearance. A belt about his waist contains a aay of ser viceable revolvers, and a Winchester rifle is. among his effects as baggage. All of the other outside passengers are armed, except the man from Ohio, the clerical gentle- _ man, and the two ladies, none of whom appear to carry weapons of defense. Especially was the big borderman well armed, for his belt b of no less than six formidable revol-

Page 5

Blonde Bill, 3 vers, and a huge knife that glittered danger- ously, “TY tell ye what, et don’t pay fer ter go un- armed in this kentry!” he observed, after sur- veying those of the popstar who were un- armed, with a critica ene “A galoot ain’t safe onless he kerries a hull battery hitched on- ter his waist. Hillo! capt’in, I see ye don’t go none on six-shooters?” ‘*No, my friend,” the clerical man replied, solemnly. ‘I ask for no weapons other than those the Lord gave me.” ‘Oho! thet’s et, hey? Hain’t no fight in you, then, I'll allow!” “TI get not my living, sir, by fighting my fel- low-creatures,” was the reply. “I am a ser- vant of the Lord, and I preach his word to the flock with which he peopled the earth. If a man smite me upon my right cheek, I rise not in anger, but turn about my left cheek, that he may smite that also.” “Kerwhoop! Great catapultian comets an’ roarin’ rhinosserosses!” exclaimed the giant, with a snort. ‘‘D’ye heer thet, Alva—did xe heer thet ar’ sentyment, jest now uttered by thet ar’ clargyman? Gol-darn my old mule’s ca- pacity fer terant’ler, ef evyer I heerd a sarcum- stance ter ekal. Say, old hoss, ef a pilgrim war ter salivate ye in ther eye wi’ a disused quid o’ terbaccy, w’u'd ye turn yer uther optic around, an’ give’im a shot at that?” : ‘TY would in truth,” the clerical party replied. ** He who heedeth the words of the Creator need fear nothing here below.” “ Waal, V’ll be shot ef I quite agree wi’ yer docterine, purfessor,” the giant replied, grimly. “Et don’t hitch wi’ ther great state of hooman affairs out in this kentry. Here am I, Beautiful Bill, ther Apoller o’ ther Nor’west—ther great Pet Elerfant o’ ther Leadville trail—that’s me! This leetle hos ed-up cuss aside me, air Old Avalanche, familiarly recogniz in modern spellin’ an’ hymn-books as ther Great Annihi- ’ lator—ther Devastatin’ Eppydemic o’ ther West. ‘Waal, now, ye see, we've j’ined forces an’ cap- ertal, an’ now constitute ther Death Committee of ther Mines. Ye’ll heer uv us everywhar wher ther auriferous vegetates—a sure extar- minatin’ pestilence fer road-agents, hoss-thieves, _ eard-sharps an’ ruffians. “Our pulpit’s a tarred rope—our platform et be ther limb o’ ther fu’st convenient tree. Now, T'll bet ary pilgrim a bite right out o’ my off ear thet we, ther great Trans-Atlantie an’ Per- cific Death Committee, an’ Society fer Practical Elevation, kin convert more sinners in one minnit than a burro-load o’ preachers, philoso- phers, or any other sich critters. That’s me, every time—Beautiful Bill,ther Grecian Apoller o’ San Won county—ther thurrobred Masher o’ ther Animas!” A smile went around among the pesengets at the giant’s speech, in which the clerical party did not participate. _ At this juncture the stage plunged more rapid- ly down through a narrower ‘portion of the canyon valley, where it was darker and more weirdly gloomy. — £ ‘*Now, feller-cltizens, git yer pepper-boxes in shape, an’ keep yer eyes open, ef ye’ve Pe a full and o’ swag!” announced Beautiful “fer U ast we're sailin’ sen inter a prime locality fer road-agents. ‘pect ye’ve heerd about ther Silent Tongues, an’ how they. tackle this trail, twicet Vers month. Reckon, thar don’t much se git - ru on ther Monitor, them nights— eh? “Hardly ever;” the stage-driver replied, grimly. a To-night is the regular time for a raid, fone true. I had nearly forgotten it, Bad ! se Why bad?” the man from Ohio demanded, anxiously. — “* Because, there’s a full treasure-box, to-night. See ae man with the goggles?” es. ‘Waal, he’s got a heap o’ gold aboard, an a 7 greenbacks, too.” : ‘Who is hé?’ “Don’t know ’cept some one up at Lake City called him Blonde Bill: He got on, there, along wi’ the vailed woman.” e Hon. Ray Vernon took the liberty to turn in his seat, and gaze keenly at the blonde stranger. When he turned again to La Carte, he spoke, in an undertone: o ‘* So he has considerable treasure, eh? Where is he bound for?” ** Deadwood Dick’s Discovery.” “ Ah! where is that?” : ‘Oh! that’s a new strike *twixt Silverton and Parrot City. ’Tain’t much of a place yet, but they say there’s good prospects of a new Leadville.” The Ohioan was silent a few minutes, after which be continued: is oe Deadwood Dick is a road-agent, isn’t e ‘““No— that is, he ain’t any more, Thet used ter be his profession. But, they say he quit off, awhile ago. Et don’t do him much good, however, fer ther people have got a grudge ag’in’ him, and won'tlethim alone. Fer instance, he is sed to have discovered the new mines that bear his name, but a gang from Silverton went. down and cleared him out, and took possession, Ah! the imps! road-agents! the Silent Tongues are upon us!” z The cry of the driver awoke startled echoes up and down the canyon! The horses had been suddenly hurled back upor their haunches, thereby bringing the stage to a standstill in the gloomy ¢eanyon. Then out from many.a niche and shelterin, rock poured a crowd of dusky figures, masked, and armed to the teeth, and surrounded the Bh in less time than it takes to tell it. "No use to offer resistance, boys!” La Carte shouted. the drop!” ‘* Fight’s the word!” cried the blonde stranger, as he sprung to his feet, a cocked revolver in either hand. ‘Rally, all! the dogs must not touch the treasure-box!” The words were electric in their result. ~ Beautiful Bill and Avalanche were instantly by the blonde man’s side, weapons in hand. And also the individual who wore an imperial and waxed mustache, “* Give it to’em!” the blonde man cried, * an’ Seotn itto Blonde Bill. Fight for your lives, and the safety and preservation of your rights!” ~ “They’re two to our one, an’ hev got

Page 6

4 ; Blonde Bill. No second time did the blonde man have to speak; for the weapons of the others poured. a volley of death into the ranks of the outlaws, even as did his own. Crack! crack! crack! rung the sharp report of the poe accompanied by flash after flash, and yell after yell of pain and rage. ; But the passengers weré not the only ones to fire, for the Silent Tongues—so called because they were never heard to speak—returned the fusilade with interest. The miners within the coach also engaged’ in the fight, by firing from the windows, and there within the gloomy depths of San Juan canyon waged such a battle as had ne’er been fought there, before. & ey et to ’em, ye durned galoots,” roared Beautiful Bill, handling his great revolvers with deadly dexterity. ‘Giv’ et to ’em right from yer muzzles, like as ef ye war killin’ polecats or salivatin’ suckers, Don't ye heer me, now? Beau- tiful Bill am I, the great hair-trunked, ivory- tusked Pet Elerfant 0’ the Leadville Trail, ther half-partner o’ the Transfigarative Death Com- mittee an’ Society. fer ther Propogation of Prac- tercat Elevation!” Crack! crack! ‘crack! The canyon caught up and echoed the ringing of the pistol-shots—the bullets beat a death’s tattoo against the rugged walls. ¢ Madly—determinedly—desperately fought the defenders, Blonde Bill in the front, and the oth- ers close beside him. ‘*Great ham-bone, thet war ther bee-line fer old Joner! they’ve plugged it to yer leddy!” the Annihilator cried, in the blonde man’s ear —then he turned to fire again into the swarming outlaw ranks. Suddenly there was a wild, shrill scream, as of a mountain eagle. Blonde Bill was kneeling beside the vailed woman. But it was not his ery that echoed through the canyon. Another had uttered the cry—the road-agents heard it—paused—hesitated—and then as if by unanimous consent, beat a précipitate retreat from the scene of the attack! . CHAPTER II. 4 A SAD RIDE—A QUEER STREET AUCTION, STRANGE was the scene, in all its details. First, the stage-coach, stopped in the gloomy canyon; next the defenders standing in bold re- lief upon the top; and lastly, the rapid fleeing oF the Silent Tougues, in every accessible direc- on. It was a tableau worthy of representation upon any theater’s boards, only here it was true tonature. _ And, not least noticeable, was the blonde stranger, kneeling beside his wounded com- panion, the vailed lady, tears trickling down over his cheeks, from beneath the green gog- gles. . “Great ham-bone thet discombobberated ther _ terrestyal gravytation uv old Joner!” the An- nihilator cried. i ' man’s side, ‘ grim ” springing forward, to the blonde ‘Hey they hurt yer leddy, pil “Yes! was the husky reply; “may Gods wrath be upon i eta have killed her.” ‘All aboard!” shou’ La Carte, who, along with the minister and the Ohioan, had taken no part in the fight—‘‘all aboard, who goes on the Monitor !” “Stop!” the Spee of the waxed mustache, cried, covering the driver with a revolver. “Don’t ye see we’ve got a dead lady, here? Just you hold up if you please.” “Can't help if ye’ve got a dozen of ’em,” La Carte replied, drawing up on the reins, “This — ere stage hes got to go through on time!” “Oh! it haz, haz it!” roared a stentorian voice, and the next minute the little Canadian found himself held high above the’ head of Beautiful Bill, supported horizontally by a pair of arms that never once quivered. “Oh! ye — wull, wull ye?” the giant repeated, with a mali- cious grin. ‘‘ Oho! ye’d forgot thet Beanterful Bill was on deck, hadn’t ye—I, ther great varie- gated, sweet-cented Apoller o’ ther West—ther old original Pet Nlerfaut o’ ther Leadville Trail —ther left bower o’ ther famuss Death Commit- teo o’ the Mines. Yas—ye’d forgot all about thet leetle fack, on course. Aire ye goin’ ter start ther stage, ye ill-favored son 0’ a polecat, ef I set ye onter yer feet ag’in?” “Curse you, yes!” the Kanuck gritted say- agely. ‘Ill tear yer heart out!” “ Bot yer pile ye lie!” the giant replied. “Ill fix you fer a, coroner’s inquest, an’ drive ther stage myself.” . The next instant the giant had hurled the s Canadianshalfway across the canyon, from the _ poise above his head, and he struck the hard ground with a dull thud, the sound of which seemed bropaatt with a deadly meaning. Blonde Bill turned to the Sport. =< ‘What is your handle?” he asked, wiping the - tears from his cheeks, “They generally call me Rosebud Rob,” the other replied, bowing. : The blonde man then started a trifle, ‘“T have heard of you,” he said, extending his hand. ‘ Will youhand me her,” witha glance toward the dead lady, ‘‘when TI get to the — ground? I will bury her somewhere in thisvi- cini Y Bet you, certainly,” Rosebud Rob ” ep will assist By aye he next instant Blonde Bill had climbed down from the stage-top to the ground, the pas- sengers regarding him curiously, * ; aS Rosebud Rob then raised the inanimate form = of the dead woman and handed it into the blonde man’s extended arms, Bill receiving it with a simple bow as acknowledgment of his __ thanks. : “You may go ahead with the stage now,” he said, addressing the giant, who stood erect in — La Carte’s seat, with whip and reins in hand. Then Blonde Bill turned about and strode up _ the gulch, carrying the body of his dead com-— panion in his strong arms. ees The next instant the erack of the long-lashed — whip was heard, and the stage rolled away down the canyon, j j In an opposite way for several moments; then paused leoked around, — bined course, Blonde Bill made his and

Page 7

As he did so, he found himself face to face with the Sport, Rosebud Rob. ‘What! you here?” the blonde man exclaim- ed, in surprise. ‘“ Yes—pardon the intrusion, but I had a curi- osity to know more of a pilgrim that can shoot the way you can, and thought I might be of some assistance to you,” the Sport replied. ‘It didn’t look fair to leave you alone to take care of the dead, and so I dropped off.” . “T thank you, sincerely,” Blonde Bill replied, warmly. ‘Ishall not forget your kindness.” He laid the body upon a plot of fresh, green rrass, and bowed down before her and wept. Not in a loud, obtrusive way—the falling of a tear now and then, and a convulsive shaking of the form being all the symptoms perceptible of his terrible grief. When he turned again to the Sport, all signs of his grief had vanished, save, mayhap, a trifle of paleness to his cheek, “She was my wife,” he said me Pa “and as true and faithful as an angel. May God gather her to his fold, and permit me to live that I may wreak vengeance upon her murderer! Come! let’s bury her.” A little ravine branched off from the main canyon, and up this they carried the body, to a green, grassy slope, shaded by a green hemlock, Then, with their knives, they dug out a grave of sufficient dimensions for the purpose in- tended, and wrapping a heavy blanket around the corpse, laid it in its last resting-place. Sticks and boughs were then so arranged as to protect the bods , when the dirt was covered over; then: the ; Hist was filled by Rosebud Rob, while the blonde man knelt beside it, in silent prayer. ; When the last of the dirt had been heaped over the remains, he arose and grasped the Sport’s hand warmly. “May God bless you for your kindness,” he said, in a choked voice, ‘and put it in my pbrrek to Suply. repay you. Come; let us follow he stage on to Silverton. I will yet make this mining country too hot for these so-called Silent Tongues.” ‘Silverton, then, is your destination?’ the Sport inquired, ‘“‘ Yes—thereabouts, Ah! I must find the driver, La Carte, and get the key to the trea- sure-box of the stage, in which I have some money.” ; They debouched from the ravine into the Juan gulch, and a short walk brought them to where the driver of the Monitor still lay upon ‘the ground. : “<The big chap handled him rather rough,” . Rosebud Rob said, ‘and I allow that he won’t . drive any more stages, right away.” While Blonde Bill searched the Canadian’s pockets, Rosebud made an examination of his injuries, and found that he was yet alive, but badly bruised, and stunned beyond immediate reoovery, ‘Ah! here are the keys,” the blonde man : said, rising, at last. ‘“‘ Now, if you are going: my way, come along. My game is to break up a Silent Tongues, and rid the Los Animas of oe _ some of its ruffianly and villainous element,” | “Then you may count mein, too, providing ¥ S ‘ . ernment, does not in the least deter ahaa eed Bioide Bik. 5 you have no objections,” Rosebud Rob an- swered. ‘*I ain't no modern Sampson, ner I don’t pretend to be a prime factor 0’ this world’s arithmatick; but ef there’s any fun on hand yell ginerally find me a man to suit all cireum- stances.” “Then you are the ve pard,” Blonde Bill answer man I want for a with decision. Silverton, Colorado. /The lively little town of the Sen Juan moun- tain districts—the Pride of the Animas. No city or pretensions thereto, this town of | Silverton, with its mountainous main street’ of | business places, and shanties and cabins Motted = about without any attempt at regularity. i Yet it had an enormous floating population, and is considered one of the roughest-places. in Southwestern Colorado, Here, as in dville or Deadwood, you find an indiscriminate mass of people, literally the “culls” from every quarter of the globe. . The fact of Colorado's being a recognized State of the Union, a State and municipal gov- ilverton. from having itg ead fights and daily demand for coroner’s inqusts, nor does it discopntenance the various phases of fast life peculiar to all mining centers, The streets every day present a festive and gala appearance, and the boom of business is relieved by constantly occurring scenes and in- cidents of a highly sensational nature, Gn the early evening of the day succeedin the bold attempt of the Silent Tongues to ro the stage in San Juan valley, two persons rode_ down the busy main street of Silverton, mounted upon a pair of burros of the ugliest possible ap- pearance, One of the persons was a young woman. or maiden of perhaps eighteen years of age—a prettily proportioned girl, with an equally pretty face of a decidedly independent type, relieved by a pair of saucy brown eyes, and a mouth that could relax from gravity to a broad smile, in a single instant. Her hair was of ex- treme dent, as it fell in gn auburn wave over her shoulders, and was crowned by a jaunty straw hat. Her riding habit, although coarse was also neat and tasty. aime Her companion was a swarthy man of forty- five, with jet-black hair and beard, and features of 4 most repulsive cast. His dress was rough and greasy, and a small arsenal of weapons oc- eupied his belt. : Seni s this strangely contrasted couple rode through the street, general attention was turned upon them by the crowds of men who peopled ~ the busy thoroughfare, and more than once the name of ‘‘Salamander Sam,” was spoken by resident Silvertonians. The girl, it was discovered, was bound to the saddle, and her hands were secured behind her back, clearly pring that she was a prisoner — in the hands of the swarthy ruffian. For Salamander Sam was a ruffian of the — boldest type, and was feared by one and all throughout the Animas mines, —~ A never-failing dead shot, and a person who had no fear of man or God, he was.a desperate

Page 8

& ' Blonde Bill. customer to “rile,” as many a conceited pil- grim had learned to his cost. Involuntarily the busy tide that surged in the main street, turned and followed the course of the two riders, when it was discovered that the ruffian’s companion was bound, for it was of course anticipated that there would be develop- ments in the case. Straight down the street rode the raffian, until he came to a large shanty designated by a sign; ‘‘ Hotel,” when he drew rein upon his own and the maiden’s horses, In a moment thereafter a dense crowd had collected around them inquiringly. At first the ruffian gazed at them fiercely, without any seeming disposition to speak, but after awhile he rose in his stirrups, and cried: ‘““My name’s Salamander Sam, pilgrims, ef ye don’t know me, an’ ve come down here ter sell this yere gal at auction ter ther highest, bidder. She’s my darter, is Dashin’ Dol, an’ I opine ef I want ter sell her, that’s my bizness, She ar’ a tricky beast, an’ last night she tried ter carve me wi’ a dagger, but et didn’t work. JI happened ter be a lectle ther spriest, an’ eotched her at it. So now, feller-citizens, ef epny 0 ye want’’er, jest give me a startin’ bid. How much do I hear, neow?” **Gentlemen, for the love of God, rescue me + from this ruffian’s power,” the girl cried, plead- ingly. ‘He is a bad, wicked man, and I only defended myself. me, I pray!” Hel “Shet up, will ye?” Rulafaasnice Sam roared whipping a pair of revolvers from his belt and cocking them. ‘‘ Ef ye doan’t want me ter sod- der ye, jest_keep mum. I’m master 0’ these sarymonies, f am, an’ I’m goin’ ter sell. ye ter . ther highest bidder. How much’ll ye give fer her, boyees—how much, now, hoss an’ all? Durst ary man start ’er at any price? Gal an’ hoss! how much do [ heer now, fer ther good- will an’ fictures—sole right and title—how much, now?” ‘Pll give ye five dollars fer ther burro,” said a brutal-looking Kentuekian, ‘‘ Don’t want ther petticoater at no price.” “Hoss an’ gal must go tergether!” announced Salamander Sam. ‘sive dollars I’m bid, pil- ms—five dollars I’m bid—who makes et ten? Jest think, a fu’st class bugro an’ a gal, as purty as @ posey—an’ five dollars all I’m offered. Why, ye durned galoots, ther gal’s wu’th a ten, ter say nothing about ther gol-durned burro !” ‘* Hello!” sung out a bystander; ‘heer cums High Syckel, ther minister! He'll raise ther id, “The Lord forbid,” the reverend party said, as-he came forward and was acquainted with the rare opportunity held forth by Salamander Sam. ‘“ My good friend knowest thou not the grievous sin thou’rt committing, by putting up so comely a maid at public auction?” “You torkin’ ter me?” the ruffian demanded, with a scowl. , “Ay! good sir; it is within my heart to per- suade you from your unholy I al ‘‘Tookee heer, old hoss, I’m assumin’ ther sponsibility o’ this funeral, ef I know myself, an’ don’t want no slack. This gal’s my darter. an’ ef I wanter sell her, I’m goin’ ter do it, an? kin lick enny son uy a coyote es sez nay, Ef ye dress, a knit shawl, wanter save ther gal, an’ make her a pilles uv Christendom, bid on her, or keep yer valve closed!” This response elicited a pa laugh from the crowd, for the Reverend Mr. Van Syckel was ne favorite among the rude and unreligicus minerr of Silverton. E The few supporters he had in his goodly work were ‘composed mainly of the feminine sex. with now and then a merchant or citizen, an even they were not proud of their ministerial servant, “Cum, gents!’ Salamander Sam cried, begin- ginning to grow impatient, ‘* will ye let me talk myself hoarse over ther vartues uv ther gal an’ ther mule? Fer heaving’s sake raise ther bid enuff so I can git decently drunk, Whoop her up, now!—how much do I hear?” “T will give you a hundred dollars for the girl,” a man said, as he stepped forward—a stranger, by the way, and no less a party than the Honorable Ray Vernon, of Ohio! CHAPTER III. MISS VAN SYCKEL’S WARNING, SzivERAL hours after the termination of the street scene, introducing the peculiar auction of Salamander Sam, a man stood upon the veran- da of the Leviathan Hotel, which, by the way, is Silverton’s principal hostelry. He was leaning carelessly against one of the wooden supporting columns, in a way that be- trayed ease and grace combined, he man was Blonde Bill. He was clad in a faultless costume of spotless duck, with patent leathers of elegant fit upon his ge and a jaunty wool hat upon his blonde ea He appeared to be enjoying the busy scene upon the street, for it was yet early evening, and the whole population: of the lovely little town seemed to be abroad, As he was thus standing, two persons came down the street, and passed the hotel. The one was Rosebud Rob, the Sport, and the other was agirl, attired in male garb throughout—a wildly handsome creature, with dusky, passionful eyes, a mouth of sweet: expression, and a mass of wavy brown hair, which blew unconfined over her shoulder. ; Her attire was of serviceable white cassimere, but neatly-fitting, and showing to good advan- tage her finely-contoured form; a slouch hat, jauntily turned up, ornamented her curls, and the knee-boots she wore were of the daintiest pattern, The Sport was in the advance, and evidently. ; not accompanying the girl, if indeed he knew her, which was not probable, As he caught a glimpse of her, a strange start came over Blonde Bill, and he half sta: for ward, only to step back again, a resolute ex- pression settling around his mouth. “Did you think you knew the woman?” __ The words were addressed to him, plain’ enough, and he turned to find another young woman standing b: reached without his hearing her, She was richly attired in a stylish and costly of a fine silk walking- street costume, consistin; ee de ie snd id prettily-trimmed his side, which she had

Page 9

_ of ruffians, who style Blonde Bill. and Blonde Bill had no difficulty in recognizing her as the young lady who had accompanied the minister at the time of the stage robbery. “Ah! excuse me,” he said, doffing his hat ee gallant bow; ‘‘ were you speaking tome, [ minister’s daughter nodded with a piquant smile, “Yes,” she said, pleasantly, “‘I was asking you if you knew the bold creature in male at- tire?” - “Tf my memory does not belie me, I think I have met her before,” Blonde Billreplied., ** Why do you ask, pray?” ; “Oh! merely because I saw you start at sight of her, and partly, perhaps, for an excuse to in- troduce myself,” was the frank, laughing reply. ‘tT saw you standing here, and wan to ask you how is the lady who was shot?” ‘She is dead, miss—wasdead, ere I left the oe ‘" Was she a friend of yours, then?” ‘ ‘“ As near as ever friend could be—my wife,” the blonde man replied, a trifle buskily. ‘‘ You are the minister’s aughter, I take it?” “Yes, sir; my name is Nora Van Syckel. Yours is—” 3 ‘* Blonde Bill, at your service.” The young woman nodded, and glanced hur- riedly aroundher, as if fearful of being seen in the blonde man’s company. ‘ There chanced to be no one else upon the. veranda, at the time, and she seemed relieved. “ Wil) you come with me into the hotel?” she asked. ‘I would speak with you, in private, if you haye no objections to listening to me.” “Certainly, lady. If I can be of any ser- vice to you, he may command me of course.” “Then, follow me,” she said, re-entering the hotel from the veranda. She then Jed the way up the broad staircase to a private parlor upon the second floor, Blonde Bill following her and accepting the seat she offered him. ‘ “Tt won’t take me long to tell you what T want of you,” she said, as she swept to and fro, over the carpet. “I have taken it upon my- self, as my duty, to warn you that you are a marked man in this town, and that the sooner) you take your leave the safer it will be for ou. “ What do you mean? Why am I marked— and a total stranger in the fown, at that?” the blonde man cried, insurprise. *T cannot tell you that, sir—no more than that there exists throughout the mining districts of San Juan county, a-bold and lawless gan themselves the Silen' - Tongues, and who rule these towns, literally, for once they take a dislike to a man, he has to leave—if not of his own free will, by theirs! TI overheard a bit of conversation awhile ago, which led me to believe that a plot was on foot to rid the town of your presence, and I took the liberty to bring you here, and put you on your guard.” 5 : ‘For which act of kindness on your part I am deeply grateful,” Blonde Bill said, warmly. ‘One question I would ask you, that you may be able to answer—who .is the commander o: these Silent Tongues?” ; “That, sir, I do*not know, except that he is ealled Captain Terrible, which, of course, is but a nom de plume to screen another name.” ‘‘ Undoubtedly. I will bear your warning in mind, and look out for-the Silent Tongues, Al- ready I owe them a debt of vengeance, which shall be paid in blood.” Then the blonde man arose to depart. ‘*T should be pleased to have you call again sir, when papa is at home,” Miss Van Sycke' said, accompanying him to the door, ‘I am somewhat a stranger in these parts myself, hav-. ing recently returned from school in the East, and of course have made but few eligible ac- quaintances, having taken no particular fancy to the rougher class of citizens.’ ‘Perhaps I shall find it convenient to do so,” Blonde Bill replied. ‘If you learn anything more concerning the Silent Tongues, that might concern me, I should be pleased to have you let me know, as I generally like to rake in all the points on the board, when practicable.” Then, with a smile, Blonde Bill bowed himself sana out of the presence of the minister’s aughter, and betook himself to the street, Let us return to the street scene. The bid of the Ohioan elicited a murmur of surprise from the crowd, and seemed to please Salamander Sam eee “Thar now, ye durned galoots, here’s one pil- grim as ain’t afeard ter bid on ther gal!” he roared, ‘‘ Keep ther ballin motion now—keep er a-goin’, I tell ye! A hundred dollers I’ve got —a hundred I'm offered, fer ther gal an’ burro ! Whar’s ther pilgrim w’ot makes et two hundred —a hundred an’ fifty—one an’ a quarter? Going at a hundred—who makes et two?” i “Tl make it two hundred,” exclaimed a voice, ¢ - and Rosebud Rob stepped forward. “Two hundred I’m offered—two hundred,” shouted the ruffian. ‘‘ Who sees me three?” “Here,” replied the portly Ohioan, eying the helpless pee with a gaze that caused her to shudder, so full of villainous significance was it. . “Three hundred—three I’ve got—four I want! Keep ’er b’ilin’, gents!” cried the auctioneer. ‘*She’s a gud’un, is ther gal, ’cept she’s inclined | ter be a little sassy, an’ arn’t afeard ter'carve a feller when hei dander’s up. Three Pye got— who'll make it four?’ , “T will,” Rosebud Reb said, with as much 4 coolness as though he were bidding off a gold- mine instead of a lovely girl. “Tl make it five, then,” the Ohioan said, prompaly, with a scowl at his opponent. ‘Til nave the girl, young man, at any price—so you may as well on bidding.” ‘*Maybe you'll get her, and again, maybe ye won't,” the Sporf coolly replied. ‘It depends somewhat om which of us has the biggest pile.” A titter from the crowd at this juncture caus- ed the Ohioan to mutttr an execration. “Who are you?” he demanded, angrily. ‘*You will please use more respect in addres-ing your superiors, sir.” ; “Oh! I will, will 12 Undoubtedly, sir, when I find them!” Rosebud responded with a mockin: bow.—‘' As to who I am, I am eo call Rosebud Rob, from a habit I have of always

Page 10

wearing a rosebud in my buttonhole, when I am able to get one. Auctioneer, Dll see you fifty better on the last bid.” “Vive-fifty I have—five-fifty, gents; who will make it six? Six! six! who'll make it six! Go- - ing at five hundred and fifty dollars; who'll make if six?’ j ; “Fillo, heer—hillo, ye gol-durn mules! Git out o’ ther way, an’ make way for ther great Dubble-jinted, Patent Adjustable Death Com- mittee o’ the Mines—the reg’lar roarin’ antedi- | luvian disaster o’ the Animas; the sky-serapin’ Centenyal Insurrevctive Investergation Board uv ther San Won! Heer we cum a-boomin’, an’ we do desire ter stick our paw in this yere pur- tickler pie. Cum erlong, Avalanche, ye gol- durned no-ear Annihilator, and let’s take a peep at ther critter; cum erlong wi’ yer uncle, Beau- tiful Bill! ther world-renowned, sweet-’cented saintly-tempered Apoller of the West—ther ha’r-trunked, ivory-tusked Pet Elerfant o’ ther Animas Trail, ther gigantic statter 0’ the God- dess 0’ Liberty. That’s me, my gawpin’ galoots —me, cl’ar down ter, ther eend 0’ my leetle toe! We be ther original an’ famuss Death Commit- tee o’ ther Mines, jest like oyster-pie, an’ if ye’ve got any funeral “around heer, we want a front seat! And following the words camo the big man from Leadville, elbowing his way through tho crowd, closely accompanied by the Annihilator, “ Going—going—going!—who makes et six? Whoere’s the man as durst offer me six hundred dollars fer ther burro, wi’ ther gal throw’d in?” cried Salamander Sam. “Harkee! Great ham-bone, ef they ain’t sellin’ a gal at auction,” exclaimed Avalanche. “ Bill, thet ain’t a squar’ deal!” ‘No sir-ee! bob-tail horse—thet ain’t no fair kinder shake,” the giant cried, indignantly, “When wimmen cum ter be sold like sheep, I reckon et’s high time fer ther Death Committee ter show a tooth er two, dog my mother-in-law’s old Thomas cat, ef T don’t! “Say, see heer, ye durned black-ha’red, stoop- shouldered, Jantern-jawed, slab-sided, disgustin’? specimen o’ humanity, dye seeme? I’m Bean- tiful Bill, I am, an’ this yere snoozer he be Old Avalanche, an’ we two constitute ther Death Committee o’ ther Mines. Jest gaze at us—jest luk at me, will ye, the great Sdraytoga-Trunked ivory-tusked Pet Elerfant o’ ther Leadville Trail —ther gilt-edged Apoller o’ ther West—ther father uv yer country, an’ ther bellerin’ statter- esque Masher o’ old Montezume. That’s me, an’ now, durn yer cats, we, ther aforesaid Death Committee, want ter know w’ot bizness youve got makin’ a’ aucktion hyar, uv a gal!” ~ _“ Ets my gal, an’ ef I wanter sell ’er, I’m ‘goin’ to do et!” savagely replied Salamander Sam. ‘This ain’t none o’ yer funeral, old man, an’ ef ye don’t want me ter make a tunnel eage you, jest ye close yer valve. D’ye eer “Do we heer?” the giant replied, with a leer; “fon course we do, an’ ef ye'll git down off’n thet burro, an’ waltz over hyar ter my embrace, Tilhug ye ter death in less time ’n takes an In- jun ter smell tarant’ler. Don’t frét—right hyar wull ther Death Committee wait ontil ye git | _weady ter purceed ter biz.” 4 ‘nothin’ about ther burro.” “agely. Blonde Bill, a rR RE REESE FST SE A ie “Six hundred and fifty dollars,” aried Roses bud Rob, at this jucture. : “Seven hundred,” added the Ohioan, fierce~ ly. “Wight hundred,” sung out the Sport, who was now backed, or rather urged on, by Blonde ay Bill, who stood at his side, ee “Nine hundred!” from the Ohioan, followed by a vindictive curse. ‘CA square thousand T’ll make it!” the Sport eried, coolly, while the situation momentarily grew more and more exciting. Such a street scene had never before been ~ drawn upon fair Silverton’s record—such an in- cident was not to be found in this history of San Juan county, averred these Animites; wherefore their interest. ee Tho most attention was bestowed upon the ; dandyish Sport, of the waxed mustache, for self- Sk assurance excites admiration, in any crowd. And evidently the Sport was as cool as he ap- i pe as also was the blonde man who stood by = side, : : Rag Honorable Ray Vernon claimed to be a Con- e Pere from Ohio, traveling in the West for . _ is health; but if this be true, the state of ex- citement he gradually worked himself intocould = not particularly conduce to his recovery. Angrier and angrier, if possible, he grew, at = the opposition offered by the Sport for he was determined to possess the girl, Dashing Dolly, and every raise offered by the Sport meant so many more dollars out of his pockets. Bie “Come, gents, keep ’er a-goin’,” shouted Salaz mander Sam, with a grin of satisfaction. ‘ Ht S does me proud tosee ye place ther galatsecha high vallywation, fer she’s cl’ar material, an’ wu'th her weight in pure a’riferous, ter say “Ten-fifty,” bid the Ohioan. * Bleven [ make’r,” from the Sport. ‘*Hleven-fifty Pll give.” “ Rifty better I'll see ye.” ‘ “Curse you, you vagabond, do you mean to run the girl up to a million?” the Congressman eried, fiercely, ‘Perhaps, if I see fit,” Rosebud returned, . “You'll generally find me a man to suit all cir. cumstances, an’ I propose to see you a better, bid what you may.” - An oath from: Vernon was indicative of his feelings, ‘There is no use of fooling,” he said, say- “Tl have the girl in spite of you. Vl vp a thousand dollars for the girl, cash~ own ate ‘Well, then you put me under obligations to see you better,” the Sport said, with a smile. — “Ti bid ten thousand dollars for he, arid give her her freedom!” A murmur of astonishment ran through the crowd, for this was the grittiest bidding they had ever known. Pause ates: ‘‘Ther feller wi’ ther waxed mustache is a brick, durn my cid mule’s left hind fut ef he ain’t!” declared Beautiful Bill, approvingly. “Great ham-bone, yes,” assented the Anni-_ hilator, ‘‘T’ve heerd o’ him, afore. But, "tain’t his cash w’at’s buyin’ ther gal. Ther blon galoot’s his backer.” > I This was evident to all the spectators, for ee see | ‘ies « *. Laan 20 TS

Page 11

Bionde Bill, eis Sig blonde stranger occasionally nudged the Sport to raise the bid. “Well, my bud Rob demanded, when the Ohioan did not raise the bid. ‘‘Can’t you see ten thousand in the girl?” ‘*No, curse you, but P’ll make this job cost you dearly, before you’re through with me.” “Cum, young feller, let’s hey yer swag, an’ ye can hev Dashing Dolly,” Salamander Sam ‘cried. ‘‘T’m anxious ter slope, afore ther gal gits free.” “Hold on! afore ye slope, I’ve got ’er leetle ackount ter settle wi’ you!” Beautiful Bill re- minded, ‘‘ an’ we may as well settle right heer, as ennywhar.” Ree CHAPTER IV. DEADWOOD DICK PUTS IN AN APPEARANOE. Tue giant meant business, evidently, for right there in the center of Silverton’s main street, he stripped off his jacket, and rolled up the sleeves upon a pair of monster arms, in a way that was very suggestive, to say the least. A murmur of admiration escaped the specta- tors at the sight of the whip-like cords and heavy muscles upon the giant’s limbs, © Sala- mander Sam saw them, and scowled darkly, for, ruffian and bully though he was, he at once felt that he had met a man for whom he was no snatch, . “ Jest luk at me, wull ye,” Beautiful Bill roared, prancing about in a very undignified ieries of positions, ‘Jest feast yer optics onter me, wull ye—me, ther famuss statter uy ther \Soddess o’ Liberty—ther father 0’ ny kintry. Thar was a time, ye durned galoots, when I an’ old George Washington war half-brothers; so ye see my pedigree ar’ ’way up, fer high. D’ye see me, ye gol-durned slaye-trader—d’ye see yer unkle gazin’ at ye, wi’ ther zest uv a hungry elerfant? Cum erlong ter my hug, ef ye durst fight United States fashun, an’ let me put-a postage-stamp over yer eye, so’t’ll let ye pass as third-class matter! Cum an’ hug me, once, if you dare—if ye dare, ye black-whiskered son uv a buffler.”. : “Tt is useless to waste your breath on him,” _ Dashing Dolly cried, addressing the giant. ‘‘ He is a bigger coward at heart than a coyote, and there’sno fight in him.” +“ You lie, cuss ye!” Salamander Sam cried, fiercely. ‘Thar’s no man as walks w’ot I am afeard of.” __ ‘“Then, fer ther luv of Heaving, jest, cum an’ see yer unkle!” implored the giant. ‘Cum an’ harpoon ther great ivory-tusked pet elerfant, or offer me a stale chaw uv terbaccer? Whoop-ee! sail in, ef ye wanter l’arn how ter skin a cata- mount in two single seconts.” - But Salamander Sam made no move to re- - spond; and seizing the panes of bills handed him by Blonde Bill, he jabbed the spurs into his animal’s side, and shot away down the street like the wind. z “ Gol-durn my old mule’s left hind fut!” blus- tered the giant. ‘“ Ef I was a good-fer-shucks on hossback, ld foller thet oot, an’ dust his jacket, I. would. But et ain’t no use o’ chasin’ ~ Chain lightnin’ on fut. Whar’s ther feller wot owns ther gal?” : f ‘“Here is the man,”. Rosebud Rob said, in- dicating the blonde stranger who stood by his friend, ave you through?” Rose- |'side. : 9 “T was only the bidder—he was the backer, ~ and consequently own his purchase.” “You mistake my motives, Sport,”- Blonde Bill said, stepping forward. ‘‘Itake pleasure in presenting the young lady with her liberty. was for that purpose I backed. your bids.” A murmur of applause escaped the lips of the spectators, and Dashing Do. Wy gazed. at the blonde man, tears springing to her eyes: t ‘*T am sorry I have only the grateful thanks of a friendless waif to offer you,” shé said, modestly. ‘* I—I—” “Do not consider yourself under the least ob- . ligation to me,” Blonde Bill replied. ‘‘It was simply to prevent. your falling into villainous hands that I imterfered, and it was no more) than any man would have done!” ““Then, sir, you mean to infer that I had vil- lainous motives“in bidding on the girl?’ the Ohioan sharply demanded, striding up before the blonde man. : “T do, sir,’ was the cool response. ‘ The way you gazed at her was sufficient guarantee of your base designs, had you got her in your wer. 3 ‘ ““You lie, ‘sir—you lie like a Ute!” the Con- gressman cried, furiously, and he raised his clinched hand threateningly. But if it was his intention to strike the blonde man, his plan was frustrated, for he suddenly found his wrist caught in a vise-like gripe, in the powerful hand of the Leadville giant. “See hyar, no ye don’t, my gay rooster!” the Pet Elephant cried, with a chuckle. ‘‘ Goin’ ter punch ther blonde pletion was ye? But got fooled, didn*t ye, jest like ther Chinaman w’ot tried ter pick a sliver outer my old mule’s fut! Ho! ho! D’ye s* I’m goin’ ter stand idly by, an’ let.ye abuse ther widders and orfants? 0 sir-ee, bob-tail hoss! Thet ain’t accordin’ ter ther consterteochin’ an’ by-laws uy ther Death Committee—is it Avalanche?” “Great ham-bone, no,” the veteran Annihila- tor replied, with a shake of his grizzly head. “ On course ef ain’t,” the giant declared, em- phatically, ‘tan’ gol-durn my mother-in-law’s pet Thomas cat ef ye uin’t got ter git down on yer knees ‘an’ apolergize ter my. cinnamon ha’red namesake, or Pll make a cadaver outer “ie en Ba a lightnin’-bug ever got skeart at under “Don’t bother the man, on my account, | pard,” Blonde Bill said, turning away. “He'll. never harm an = Beautiful Bill reluctantly let go his hold on the Ohioan’s arm, seeming to regard the blonde man’s will as his law. ‘‘ Ye may thank yer boots ye git off so cheap,” he muttered. ‘Next time, ther Death Committee will tend ter yer case. ~ The crowd now began to disperse. 3 Blonde Bill had gone, and taken away the chances of a,street fight, and so° there was nothing more for these Silvertonians to wait for. The Ohioan also took his departure, as soon. as released by the giant, being glad to escape pun- ishment at the Pet Elephant’s hands. As Dashing Dolly still remained bound to her “ih a aS *

Page 12

10 Blonde Bill. burro, Rosebud Rob now stepped forward and | hour, when a man entered, and approached the cut her bonds, and then assisted her to dis- mount. “Have you any friends or acquaintances here, to whom I could conduct you?” he asked. ‘* None,” was the reply. ‘‘I have not a friend pete poe va ay not so, young lady. act as your tender with Blonde Bill.and myself.” ““T thank you, sir, but I could not think of ac- cepting the hospitality of two utter strangers. If you will show me a good hotel, I will see if I cannot get employment there, as help. I think by trying T might beable.” ‘Accordingly, Rosebud Rob accompanied her tothe Leviathan, and_ found and introduced her to the proprietor. He then stepped aside and waited until he got an opportunity to speak with the gentleman himself, whose name was Colonel Arthur. ‘Did you hire the young lady?” he asked, in- tercepting the colonel. Two at least will your permission— ef Well, no—not exactly,” was the surprised reply. ‘I sent her to the parlor to await my answer.” “You take her—give her some light and de- sirable employment, I'll settlé the bill,” the Sport said. ‘** You ?” the colonel demanded. “Bxactly. I’ve plenty of cash, and it won't hurt me to look after the friendless. If you waut a recommend, go ask Blonde Bill if Rose- bud Rob is not all right.” ‘““Oh! yes, I see. You're the blonde man’s friend, eh? Well, that’s all the recommend I wet The young lady shall be properly cared or. ‘Thanks. If a man who calls himself Hon- orable Ray Vernon offers to molest her, fire him out, at my expense.” “Tl see to it, sir,” the colonel replied, turn- ing away. ‘‘ The self-styled Congressman is no particular favorite of mine.” About the same hour that evening, when Blonde Bill was closeted with Nora Van Syckel, the Honorable Ray Vernon, of Ohio, entered a . notorious gambling palace, not far from the Leviathan. - Tt was a large shanty of more careful archi- 5 tecture and finish than its immediate neighbors, and the interior was plastered and frescoed, and there were carpets upon the floor. The furni- ture, too, was of the richest wood, heavily earved, and great lamp chandeliers pended from the ceiling. The interior was one vast apartment, with a bar at the further end, the rest of the space being chiefly occupied by chairs and tables. The saloon, which was known as the ‘‘ Mona- co,” was filled with miners, citizens, and gam- blers, when the Ohioan entered, but he crowded - his way along until he chanced to find a vacant chair and table. He at once ordered a bottle of wine, and pro- ceeded to do justice to it, while he smoked a cigar, and gazed upon the strangely exciting scene around him. He had not been seated more than half an + ° > SSeS oe ene eee OR a te ee One ae Ce ae ee vacant seat opposite the Congressman. He was a burly individual, clad in mud- splashed garments of coarse material, and his face, what was not hidden beneath an immense bushy red beard, was shaded by the broad rim of a slouch hat. The butts of a pair of heavy cavalry pistols peeped out of the tops of his knee-boots, and another pair of Colt’s trust revolvers, were thrust into the belt about his waist, ™ Without invitation he took the vacant chair, and gazed at the Ohioan for several minutes in a rude stare. , “You are Ray Vernon, ain’t ye?” he finally demanded. “That is my name,” the Congressman replied, eo: ‘¢Pho't so,” was the reply. ‘‘ You're ther fel- - ler w'ot claims ter hev bought out ther mines, below heer, I reckon?” “T am sup td be the owner of the Dead- wood Dick’s Discovery mines,” the other assent- ed. ‘‘ Why do you ask?” j ‘* Because, ef yu’re ther chap, ye’ve undertook abad job. Deadwood Dick didn't sell you the mines,” ‘ “He didn’t?” “No, sir-ee! You met him up in Leadville, © didn’t ye?” ; “T did.” “Ye offered ter buy him out, didn’t ye?” “ I did. » 3 ue ye didn’t make the purchase, ina fair — way? he Ohioan scowled. ; ; ““Why did I not?” he demanded, with some fierceness, “Pll tell ye,” the red-whiskered party said, low- ering his tone. ‘‘Ye made Deadwood Dick an offer, which he declined. Then you asked to see ther deed to ther claim. He show’d thet to ye an’ ye examined it. While purtendin’ ter reflech 7 you asked him ter drink, an’ ordered a bottle of wine and glasses. When ther wine came Dead- wood Dick refused ter drink wine, and you ~ asked him ef he wouldn’t exchange ther wine fer sars’p'rilla. This he consented to do, an’ while he was gpae you dropped a sleeping po- tion inter his re When the drink came you — hastily filled his glass, an’ he didn’t notice the — powder when he drank it. In five minnits he war asleep, an’ you made off wi’ ther deed o’ ther Discovery claim.” The Ohioan uttered an impatient oath, as he listened, ; “How do re know this?” he demanded. ‘*T know it,” the stranger replied, ‘ because— because I am Deadwood Dick, and have come for that deed!” : And as he spoke, he made a quick motion to- _ ward his feet, and the next instant held a pair of cocked revolvers in hand. a Gold-mounted tools they were, of great beau- ty, and their deadly muzzles stared the Ohioan — tes face. oie ; oa Rr nes. t ; urse you!” he gasped, growing white in an _ instant. Put pest i your weapons. What do you, mean?” : 2 ‘T mean business,” the ex-outlaw said, with fierce resolve. ‘‘I don’t generall:

Page 13

Blonde Bill. — os thing else, when I grip such tools as these. “You can give mé back the deed to Deadwood Dick’s Discovery, or I shall be forced to shet up yer shop, at once.” — = “T haven't got the deed—I didn’t take it,” was the parle: ing. reply. “You lie!” ic replied, coolly; ‘‘ you stole it, and [ demand it, or your life!” ‘Put up your weapons first, then.” “Oh, no. You can’t come that. The ‘boys’ won't harm you, if you dish over the deed, in right good grace.” What fl refuse to do it?” ‘Then I shall make it necessary for crape to be hung on your dor,” ‘Bah! you dare not kill me here. You'd be strung up before the smoke had cleared away. The Buckeye Congressman was beginning to manifest a little more assurance, “Humph! Itis plain you do not know me,” the ex-road prince said, dryly. ‘If you have any doubts as to my being able to back my word, T’ll give you a little illustration, free of charge.” “No! nol!” Vernon said, quickly. ‘‘ You needn’t mind. Vl give you up the deed; but, understand you, it is merely because I choose, as I have no fear of you. Did I deem it best, the simple announcement from my oi that you were the famous outlaw, Deadwood Dick, would bring the crowd down upon you, for I under- stand-these Silvertonians have no love for you.” ‘Perhaps not,” was the indifferent reply, ““and it is likely their love will be less, ere they hear the last of me, As you say, it might be somewhat to my indisposition, were my presence here generally known. Therefore, unless you crave a coffin, you’d better keep mum. Come! I am ready for the deed, so be lively, as our striking Ure iad of friendliness toward one another is beginning to attract attention.” ‘The deed is at my hotel. You will have to come there for it,” the Ohioan said. “Very well. Rise and move toward the door, and I will follow you. Make one treacherous move, and I'll put an air-hole through you on time. Remember who is behind you!” Vernon arose with a scowl, and pushed his ee! toward the door through the crowd. lose at his heels followed Deadwood Dick, in his clever disguise, and the formidable pair of revolvers he held in his hands were an incentive that a wr the crowd involuntarily to make way for him. 5 Out into the crowded main street of the little mountain town they went, the ex-outlaw now shoving his weapons into his jacket pockets out of sight, but in such a way that he could fire at the Ohioan as well as before. > Down the street they went, toward the Levi- athan hotel, without any one knowing their pe- culiar relations to each other. The Ohioan was in a rage at himself for thus being forced to obey the will of the outlaw, but he had heard so many stories of the dare-devil Deadwood Dick, that he was fearful of the con- ce of disobeyi ng. mally they rekcnee the Leviathan, and as-’ cended the steps to the veranda, Watching bis chance, the Ohioan made a sud- ts den dive through a side door, as they entered the b haliway, and raising ‘his voice, shout- ed: “Help! help! Stop the red-whiskered devil for he is the accursed outlaw, Deadwood Dick!" CHAPTER V. CALAMITY AND AVALANCHE. Tae cry of the Ohioan rung loudly through the hall and bar-room of the hotel, and he rush- ed through the latter, and ensconced himself in a closet, used for storing liquors... He was fearful that Deadwood Dick would follow him, and thought only of his personal safety. ; Those who had occupied the bar-room, at the moment of his entrance, drew their revolvers. apprehensively, for enough of the name and notoriety of Deadwood Dick had they heard, to know that revolvers were necessary when he came, But, though they stood with bated breath, the famous ex-outlaw did not appear as expected. Instead of boldly braving their wrath, he © evidently had taken the opportunity to escape. A hasty search was made of the lower part of the hotel, and upon the street, but no person with red whiskers could be found. Learning this, Obio’s Congressman, the Hon- orable Ray Vernon, emerged from his tempe- rary place of refuge, and proceeded first of all to Bree his throat with hot scotch, at the bar, to steady his nerves. He had been thoroughly frightened at his own temerity in breaking away from the ex-road- agent, and was yet pale and agitated to such an extent that he trembled perceptibly. ; “Kinder skeart, weren’t ye?” a miner asked, when he found himself able once more to walk about, bravely. ‘* Hain’t much used ter havin’ road-agents a-taggin’ at yer heels I reckon?” “No, curse the fellow. He had me covered by a pair of six-shooters, and I had to dodge lively to get out of his reach,” the Ohioan re- lied, with a scowl. ‘‘ Which way did he go— ow did he escape?” ““Thet ’pears ter be somethin’ nobody don’t know how ter ans’er,” the miner replied. Here’s Calamity Jane! she’s one 0’ Deadwood Dick’s old flames—mebbe she could tell ye.” The Congressman turned his gaze sharply upon the famous girl dare-devil of the mines, who had just sauntered into the bar-room—the same nobbily attired party whom Blonde Bull, not a great while before, had seen going down the street. She was the same imperturbable character, whom it has been our privilege to introduce heretofore, only if anything growing handsomer in feature and form, consequent upon her ever moving life and excitement in a wild country. “You say that person isa woman?” Vernon — demanded of the miner. ““On course she is,” was the reply. “ That’s Calamity Jane, ther gal w’ot ain’f afeard o’ no man that evyer rode a mule—no sir-ee, not shel Knowed her up in Deadwood an’ Leadville.” “And you say she is a friend of Deadwood : Dick, the outlaw?” ° “Waal, I reckon; leastways, she used to be, wa

Page 14

12° Blonde Bill. They do tell mv thet she’d hev’im in a minnit, ef he'd bev her.” - ‘‘Humph!” the Ohioan said, eying the girl dare-devil with a sharp scrutiny. *‘ Id like to know her—introduce me.” ‘*No, sir-ee!” the miner declared, promptly. “Ter interdooce a stranger ter a gal, out in this Jand, means ter vouch for his bein’ all squar’, an’ { ain’t on ther youth ter-night, especially wen Calamity Jane is around, an’ her pistol arm ’pears ter be in good workin’ order. Thar’s Hine Bill, stranger, mebbe c’u’d tell ye wich way Deadwood Dick went, ef ye’re so anxious ter foller him.” “T do not care to receive information from that man,” the Ohioan gritted, flashing a glance at the handsome, airy blonde man, who had just sauntered into the great bar-room. ‘‘ Heis a liar, a rascal, and a meddlesome villain.” ‘** Bet a cookie ye dursn’t tell ’im thet ter his face,” the miner muttered, as Vernon turned away. ie followed the girl sport, Calamity Jane, until he found an ophoenyy to excuse himself in her presence, for his temerity in eytareah) her, with the gallantry of a thoroughly polishe man of the world. “You will please excuse me,” he said; ‘‘ but on learning that you were a friend of the ex-out- law, Deadwood Dick, I could not refrain from addressing you, and. begging permission to ask you a few questions.” The girl gazed at him keenly through her steady, dusky orbs, as if making a rapid analysis of the man. 5 “Well, go ahead,” she said, calmly. ‘If ye ropound ennything E-feel like answerin’, most ikely ye’ll heer from me, and ef ye don’t, ’'m as mum as a clam in his shell.” ‘Ha, ha! Isee you are inclined to be face- tious. I admire facetious persons,” Ohio’s pseudo-Congressman said, in his most bland manner. ‘“ Well, ye needn’t me, fer I don’t admire yer animated photograph. Say yer say, an’ be lively ’bout it.” : i “Very well. They tell me you once wanted to wed this Deadwood Dick, but he wouldwt have you. It was a bitter insult to as pretty a girlas you. Has not there risen in your heart ‘a revengeful spirit, against this road-agentp— would you not like to get square with him, on the old score, if you were paid well for it?” The Ohioan bent toward her, his eyes gleam- ing like those.of a tiger about to spring upon its prey. It was easy to seo that he meant business —that for Deadwood Dick he cherished a deadly hatred. Calamity Jane gazed at him for a moment, as if in great surprise; then a wild laugh burst from her lips. ; -“ You consummate villainous puppy,” she said, jerking a revolver from her belt. ‘‘Pve ten kinds of a notion to blow the hull roof of yer skull off, fer your audacity. Begone, sir, before T get nervous and pull the trigger!” ‘ - But hold! you must hear me through, I will _ pay you well to put this Deadwood Dick out of pareculeey. i” ven “Bah! a hundred thousand would not hire. my way—a thousand dollars—two thousand, Calamivy Jane tostrikea true and tried friend!" the girl replied, scornfully. ‘* You mistake me, Sir Villain. T am no tool or hireling to be tempt- ed by a paltry offer of gold. Go, sir, before I make a bullet hole in yer head. I’m famous at it, once I am riled.” The Honorable Ray Vernon slunk away, with a vindictive curse, e had calculated that he could make the girl dare-devil a valuable ac-— cessory to his schemes. But how signally he had failed! After he had taken his leave, Calamity Jane left the bar-room, and ascended the stairs to the first floor of the hotel, where her room was lo- cated. : Haast ing it, she locked the door behind her, and seated herself at a window overlooking the busy main street of the. town. “Deadwood Dick is down in this district,” she murmured, watching the man figures in the moonlit street below, ‘‘ and he is again in danger. He was here in this ve hotel to-night, and yet I did not know it, till he had come and gone. I wonder if he knows of the danger that threatens him! Prob-~ ably. He is ever on the outlook—ever success- ful in getting out of the many scrapes he gets into. Noble Dick! no braver man ever roamed through this wild country—yet the people are turned against him, because of his early record, Ha! ha! aay do they not trample on me, be cause a devil in man’s attire once crushed every true womanly instinct out of my heart—because one man wrought me a ruined life, with the —— hope of watching me go headlong down the roach to physical and moral destruction? But he fail: ed—thank God for that! The one fatal step) taken, I bad courage to refuse the next. But, bah! why recur to the past? though I were a virs’ p gin saint, I am still C; ity Jane—still Calam- ity Jane! Noone cares for me; I am regarded as a creature as wild as the tall untutored pines — of the mountain—a dare-devil, who would as lief take a human life as to smoke a cigar, They call me heartless, unfeeling. Perhaps f am. Were I friendly to the world, my name would be even worse than it is. Yet I havea heart—a taste—a oaany for a different life than this. Knowledge of manners, education, intellect—all are mine, yet I cannot grasp them, — * because—I have nothing to live for—no one to encourage me—because I am Calamity Jane. Alone—fatherless, motherless—friendless. Oh! Se Dick! Dick!” é Her voice grew choked, she buried her face in her hands, and her form quivered with the emo- tion that filled her being. ; “* Calamity!” ; She started violently, and raised her head quickly, a wild, eager hope coming from her glistening eyes. = ‘ moving | Ae ae A man stood before her—not Deadwood Dick, as she had expected on hearing her name spoken Ag —not the famous ex-outlaw, but one whom the — ee girl recognized, for all—Old Ava- anche. ; The veteran Annihilator of old times, but now rs : growing rapidly infirm. : ““Avalanche! can it be true that this is the girl cried, springing forward to ‘ a ee oa

Page 15

Blonde Bill. 13 horny hand. ‘I should sooner have expected to see the Old Nick!” “Or, Deadwood Dick,” the old scout replied, with his old-time peculiar chuckle. ‘ Yes, C'lamity, evs ther old Disaster o’ ther Nor’-west, sure gl great Annihilation, minus Flor- ence Night-in-a-gale an’ Prudence Cordeliar, but merged inter ther Death Committee 0’ the Mines—w’ich be me an’ Beautiful Bill.” “T am glad to see you, Alva,” Jane said, warmly. ‘‘They are all strangers, here, ye know, an’ an old face is better than a cooked dinner. What eyyer brought you down here?” “Great ham-bone, C’lamity, what ked hey ever fetched me eopt ter help ther b’yee, Dead- wood Dick. I heerd as how they war mis- treatin’ him, down hyar,:n’ so I jined wi’ Bill, an’ we rid down ona terrific zephyr o’ demoli- tion, to lend a helpin’ hand.” « Have you seen Deadwood Dick?” . ‘*No, but I hey heerd frum him, He sw’ars _ he'll make it lively hereabouts ef they don’t let him alone.” ‘Which I honor him for. They tell me the roughs from here droye him off of his Discov- ery, down the Animas,” “Yas, so they did. He discovered gold thar first, about a month ago, staked out his claim, an’ got it recorded. So, ve see, et’s his, fair shake. But the roughs war too much fer him, an’ he had ter pull out.” ; “But, Alva, you have not told me how you got in here, yet?” ‘*Great ham-bone that discomboberated ther terrestyal gravytation uv old Joner! thet warn’t no sarcumstance, C’lamity. Ther old Annihi- later allus kerries keys ter fit all locks, Dot ish how, as the Deitcher said. But, gal, ye’ve not told me what ye was callin’ Dick fer, an’ a-feel- in’ bad, like a cattamount w’at had lost his tail in a b’ar-trap? Hain’t ye grown out o’ thet hankerin’ arter Deadwood Dick yet, arfter ye lived ter see him so muchly married?” A strange flush came slowly to her cheeks and sorcuees, and she flashed him a glance unutter- able. “No,” she said, frankly, after a moment’s hesitation, “‘ I will not lie to you, who have ever been kind tome, The love I bear for Deadwood Dick sprung to existence during our first meet- ings, tp in the Hills; and instead of lessening, it has increased. Were he a thousand times wedded, it would not lessen it or make me jeal- ous. Why, you ask? Because I know he does not love—because he is innocent of all know- ledge of my blind devotion, I tell you this, Avalanche, because you have asked me. I feel safein doing so, relying on your secrecy.” “Kerect, gal, kerect! Um glad ye still hankers arter ther boy, an’ hope my old years may be peice long enuff till I kin see you two jined. ebbe et won't. be so, for he’s got a purty little woman now; but life is mighty on- sart'in, So, ye won’t be wicked ef ye hope, et. ef ‘Less wicked than wise, I guess,” she said, with a sudden-wrought lightness. ‘‘ Who are wi Neg strangers—Rosebud Rob and Blonde “Dunno much about ther blonde pilgrim, by ther great ham-bone. He be er sorter enigma, be thet galoot—sort o’ king o’ ther mines, fer et is reported he kerries more wealth about his togs nor Julius Ceeser. Ther t’other chap he be~ Rosebud Rob—a cuss on wheels, once ye set him a-goin’, I’ve heerd say.” 3 ‘ Bet high on that!” Calamity said, with a nod, ‘Ye can allus tella Pe ca. by ther slumberin’ fire in his eye, Alva. Hark sgl : Both became silent and listened, From the streets below arose the sounds of a t hub- bub, as of many voices and hurrying feet. ‘“Great ham-bone thet paralyzed old Joner! wat’s up now?’ The Annihilator denianded, excitedly. ‘* Thar’s some circus afoot, I’ll bet a plug o’ terbaccer. Cum! Iet’s go down an’ see what's ther rip!” . They accordingly hastened from the room, aoe down the stairs to the veranda of the Levia- than. Below, in the street, hundreds of people were collected in the right moonlight, forming a circle around two persons who stood facing each other in an antagonistic attitude. : One of them was the ruffian, Salamander Rogie ae the other the Leadville giant, Beauti- ul Bill. There they stood, the latter stripped to his wart. while the former had not as yet removed a dud. “Cum! ye gol-durned Rocky Mountain tar- antler! ye ornery sweet-~cented pole-cat! ef ye’ve got er single spark o’ vitality or manli- ness erbout ye, squar’ yerself, an’ waltz right a Don’t ye see I’m waitin’ wi’ all the lamb- like docilerty an’? patience uv old Job’s gob bler?” the giant roared, dancing about, as if he were upon nettles. “Tain’t agoin’ ter fight,” the Salamander re- plied, with an oath. “You're a bi ger man ese i aw I ain’t anxious ter get knocked outer ime. ; ‘Ba-a-a!” roared the giant, who had evident- ly been indulging, to some extent. ‘Ye don’t mean ter tell me thet ye aire actooally afeard 0’ me, ther Sarytogy-trunked, ivory-tusked Apol- ler 0’ ther Nor’west—ther sweet~cented Pet El- - erfant o ther Leadville Trail—ther statteresk Pride o ther Animas? Oh! hoary-headed pole- cats and false-toothed mother-in-laws! ye don’t durst ter say thet ye air weak in ther knees, when ye gaze onter me, ther symbolic Goddess o Liberty?” “T have said that I wouldn’t fight you,” Sala- mander Sam.replied, sullenly. ‘‘ You are a gi- ant, and I am not. t up some other pilgrim, and I'll fight, an’ show ye how ter fill a co in first-class style.” “* Kerwhoop! thet’s ther tork,” the giant cried, pausing to glare around him. . ‘ "s ther pilgrim o? pigminyan size as durst step for’a’d an’ thrash ther conceit out o’ ther feller w’ot auctioned off ther gal thisafternoon. Tye hunt- ed him up—I, Beautiful Bill, ther Pet Blerfant —an’ a hunderd dollars hev I right heer in my breeches pocket fer ther galoot as kin lick Sala- mander Sam.° Who'll take ther. offer, now— whar’s the man?” % “Here!” a voice exclaimed, and tothe sux‘prise of all, forward into the ring stepped the new king of the mines, Blonde Billi *

Page 16

14 CHAPTER VI. A STREET FIGHT AND AN ACCUSATION. A MURMUR of surprise ran through the crowd, as the blonde man stepped forward into the ring. Somehow, in theshort time he had been in the little mining town, the report had got abroad that he was a sort of financial king, and that he, with all his prepossessing elegance of manner and dress, should desire to fected ae in, the street fight, wa; past the understanding of the average Silvertonian. Especially was Calamity Jane a ere as she stood with Old Avalanche upon the veran- da 2 the Leviathan. “The blonde pilgrim is on his muscle, ain’t he?” she said, enthusiastically. ‘‘I thought he wasn’t no slouch the minute I set my eyes onter him, av’ I kinder warmed terward him. Bet a cayuse he'll scoop et to ther ruff, fine.” “*Dunno orbout thet,” Avalanche | replied. “it depends how they fight. I’ve seen sum o’ them dandy chaps w’ot couldn’t lick a de’d_ buz- zard, an’ then ag’in, sum on ’em aire might; peart. Thet ar’ Salamander Sam is a toug nugget ter handle, they say, an’ Dll bet a half-eagle wi? any pilgrim thet he licks the blonde man.” “Well, uncle, I hate to take a mean advan- tage of an old snoozer, but ef ye wanter bet that way, I can accommodate you,” and Rose- bud Rob stepped up to where Calamity and the Annihilator were standing. “Great ham-bone thet agitated ther larynx of old Joner! Et’s you, is et?” Avalanche ex- claimed, surveying the Sport keenly. ‘‘ You be ther chap they call Rosebud Rob?” “The same, old boy, and you, I believe, are the famous Indian-fighter, Old Avalanche?” “Kerect—ther great double-distilled dyna- mite disaster o’ ther plains—ther famous terrific extirpatin’ zephyr o’ ther north, by ther great ham-bone! I’ve heerd o’ ye, too, an’ et gives me pleasure ter grip yer paw. This hyar party is iganiay Jano, ter whom et does me proud ter make ye acquaint.” Rosebud Rob raised his hat knowledgment to Calamity’s turned to the Annihilator. - “So ye think the ruffian will get away with Blonde Bill, eh?” he asked, a faint smile playing about his handsome mouth. “Dunno,” the old man replied, watching the sea of people below. ‘‘Mebbe ther cinnamoy- haired galoot is good for his oats, but I’d orfully like ter see them ar’ green goggles knocked away from his eyes.” Calamity, Jane started, and gazed at him Boel ; “What do you mean?’ ’she demanded, ina lowered tone. ‘‘Can it be that you have been tackled with ther same desire I have, ter see ther eyes uv thet pilgrim down there?” “TY shed opine thet same. I say, Rosebud, who is Blonde Bill?” « The old man bent forward, and gazed as sharply into the Sport’s face as Calamity had into his own, Rosebul give vent to a surprised little laugh. allantly in ac- ow, and then “1 agg that all three of us have something of | ther sawdust, and ther old Pet Blerfant aire Blonde Bill. a curiosity, in the same direction,” he said, ‘If you were to ask me who were the inhabitants of te moon, I could tell.you just as easily.” ‘Ye don’t know, then?” - z ‘‘T do not, more than that he calls himself Blonde Bill, has a plenty 3 ready cash, and is a second cousin to an ice , so far as coolness goes. : They now ceased to converse, for the time be- ing, in order to watch the re in combat between the blonde man and the ruffian. Salamander Sam had thrown off his coat, ‘| vest and shirt, and stood stripped to the waist. His form as thus revealed was sinewy and mus- cular. Blonde Bill stood with arms folded across his breast, watching the unstripping of his adver- sary, with a strangely peculiar smile lurking beneath his blonde mustache. As yet he hi made no preparations at all for the fight. “Cum, ye cinnamon‘ cuss,” Beautiful Bill cried, as he noted his man standing so calm and. unconcerned, ‘‘ Ye wanter be pullin’ off yer togs, ef ye expect ter lick ther black-haired aa loot. Beautiful Bill, am I—ther great Sary ga-trunked, ivory-tusked Pet Elerfant o’ ther Animas Trail—the sweet-cented Appoller o’ ther Nor’west, and I do asseverate an’ declare thet ther Salamander hez muscles like er buffa- ler bull,” { “T have no dS ltoel carey to make,” Blonde Bill replied, indifferently. ‘‘ When the ruffian is ready, I am.” “D’ye mean ter call me a ruffian?” Salaman- der Sam demanded, savagely. ‘I'll pound ther daylights clean outen ye fer thet.” ‘It is vi rivelege to do so, ef ye git ther chance, Blonde Bill ae again, apparently not the least troubled by his opponents threat. ‘When you are ready, sing out. How do you want it—by rule, or ‘do as you please?’ ” “Do as ye durn please, on course,” Salaman- der fam replied, an evil glare in his eyes, for right glad was he to have the chance of a choice. ‘‘Do as you please,” or rough-and- tumble fighting, as sometimes practiced in the mines, gives a person a chance to bite, kick, scratch, knock or gouge, without any confor- mity to the general rules of ea and is certainly the most effective and brutal manner of wing a man up, without mercy, A growl of dissent ran through the crowd as the ruffian eagerly accepted the beastly mode of fighting, for he had a wide reputation of being the champion of that particular field, and very few were there among the assembled spec- tators, who would have liked to see the blonde stranger clawed to death by the wolfish ruffian. But, Blonde Bill did not appear to be particu- larly concerned, as he stood calmly awaiting his adversary’s onslaught. Faster came the people, and denser grew the crowd in Silverton’s little main street, but Beautiful Bill patrolled the out- skirts of the ring with frowning mien, and kept | back the spectators by having a huge pair of rae four-shooters in his grasp. “Git back! git back!” he yelled, “‘ ef ye doan’t want to git snagged inter purgatory on er streak o’ greased lightnin’. Ther sarcus is about ter begin—ther performers aire now on Fe}

Page 17

Blonde Bill. walin’ around ther trail. Keep back, ef ye doesnt want ter explode!” Involntarily the crowd surged back to a re- ‘spectful distance, for they were rather chary of this big overgrown individual from Leadville, whose aspect was anything but saintly, to say the least. The Coloradoan, Salamander Sam, now was ready, and moved stealthily toward the center of the ring, his eyes expressive of a venomous purpose. Blonde Bill also moved forward to meet him. with his arms still folded upon his breast, and a faint smile lurking about his lips. When within a couple of yards of each other, both men paused—paused, and gazed at each other. The one evilly, fiercely, malignantly; the other steadily—deadly. The next instant the Coloradoan launched himself forward, directly at his antagonist, with doubled fists, and mouth open, as if he were bent upon the instant annihilation of his victim. Not an inch stirred the blonde man from his tracks, but suddenly stretching out his arm, he knocked the attacker back to the ground, without any apparent effort. Down went Salamander Sam, like a log, and lay quivering where he had fallen, while a cheer of applause rose from the crowd, and the Pet Elephant of the Leadville Trail danced about in the hugest kind of delight. “Kerwhoop!” he roared, springing high in the air. ‘‘Thet’s ther way ter skin ther Devil, an’ ther blonde galoot he did ther beautiful, by gam, an’ T'll bet ary galoot six ter six thet ther Sala- mander see’d more stars, then, than er superan- nerated cherubim.” ‘« The blonde man’s a clipper!” Calamity Jane said, enthusiastically, as with Rosebud Rob and Avalanche, she watched from the veranda. ‘ Pl bet high on him, after seein’ him plant that one blow. Ah! Salamander Sam is crawling to his feet, after another dose.” lt was even so. The ruffian had regained his feet, and stood a few feet from Blonde Bill, his eyes glaring more like those of a wild beast, than those of a human being. “Curse ye!” he hissed, fiercely, ‘‘ what did ye hit me with?” ; p “Wi? his patent, cast-iron post-malls, on course!” Beautiful Bill ‘replied, with a_ grin. “Oh! he’s a hoss, is that blonde cuss, an’ I ken’t plant a better crop o’ knuckles, myself.” ‘*Come, you overgrown booby, get to busi- ness, if you want another installment,” Blonde Bill commanded peremptorily. ‘‘I am anxious to get through with you, and go about my busi- ness. This caused a titter among the spectators, and more enraged the ruffian. * Pil finish ye, this time,” he gritted, fiercely, and the next instant he took a flying leap for- ward, that brought him directly in front of the blonde man. In a moment more the two had clinched, tightly. It was now to be a contest of strength, rather than science, and the attention of the spectators became greater. The Coloradoan was a man of great muscular strength, and it would seem that he had a de- cided advantage over his opponent, but such 15 was not the case, for, although he tried thé squeezing hug upon the blonde man, with the hope of crushing him, he soon found that his ad- versary knew a trick or two about the little - game hiynself. Like the powerful jaws of a vise did the arms of Blonde Bill wind around the Coloradoan, and tighter and stronger became his hug, until the eyes of the black-haired pilgrim began to bulge from their sockets, and he grew purple in — the face. “Rocky Mountain polecat, an’ perary coy: otes!” ejaculated the giant, as he waltzed about the ring, nearly beside himself with enthusiasm. “Tork about bein’ hugged ter de’th by yer mother-in-law, pards—et ain’t no sarcumstance ter ther present case, no, sir-ee, bob-tail hoss! Jest luk at thet aire blonde cuss, will yet—ain’t he whoopin’ ber up ter ther black b’ar, famuss? Bet my boots he’s half-brother to a reg’lar high ressure engine, wi’ forty-hoss power. See how e makes the Satamander blush around ther ills, will ye—oh! Lordy, et’s better nora cireus. eautiful Bill, am I—an’I do hereby sw’ar an’ asseverate thet Blonde Bill ar’ king o’ these hyar mines, in ther arts o’ huggin’ an’ knockin’.” Around and around staggered the locked ene- mies, both powerless to escape each other’s hug, and each using his master efforts to crush the life out of the other. It might seem a strange and horrible way of fighting, out in the far Hast, where such scenes are unknown; but in the wild life of the wilder mines of the far West, it is esteemed the acme of sport, and eagerly witnessed by even the “toned ” citizens, The-blonde man was the coolest, and appar- ently least affected. If the savage hug of the Coloradoan hurt him, the fact was not percepti- ble upon his smiling face; while on the contrary Salamander Sam’s face was purple, his eyes bulged nearly out, and his. tongue was hangiug™ from his mouth. : ‘“When you get enough, let me know, and I'll unloosen,” Blonde Bill said, as he noticed his ad- bd condition. i a i ; ever, curse ye!” was the gasping reply. “pn die first!” ee oe At this instant a change came. A pistol-shot was heard, and Blonde Bill suddenly drop one arm to his side, with an exclamation, while Salamander also released his hold, and fell to the ground. : “Pye been shot,” Blonde Bill said, ‘and so has my opponent. Who committed this act? Show me the nan, and with my uninjured right arm I will fight him!” In an instant all was confusion, and hasty search and inquiries followed, but without satis- - factory result. j No one seemed to know or have the least idea who had fired the shot which had barked the Hoe Ga man’s wrist, and entered his opponent's ack. ‘Whoever had fired the shot had been at some distance from the crowd, probably, as the re- port had not been heard. The man, mander, bled like a stuck hog, and an examination proved that he could not be other than mortally id wounded, for the bullet |

Page 18

a en 5 16 had entored his back and penetrated the left Tun. - “Who wants ter take charge o’ this chap?” Beautiful Bill demanded. ‘‘ His fiddle is bu’sted, an’ we sha’n’t heer much more musie from him, Who wants ‘im, I say?” “Tl take charge of him,” a brawny, brown- whiskered miner replied, ‘and see that he has proper care.” And with the assistance of a couple of com- panions, he bore the wounded ruffian out of the ring and away. Tne crowd now began to disperse, but were to some extent prevented from leaving, as Hon- orable Ray Vernon, of Ohio, step forward and said: “Excusing me, gents, for detaining you, it will be to your advantage to give me a mo- ment’s attention. I have discovered who it was that shot the blonde man and the ruffian.” ‘Oh! ye have, ech? Then y’u're ther percise chap we want ter see,” Beautiful Bill declared. “Tell us who promulgated ther deadly pill, an’ durn my mother-in-law’s little yaller dorg ef I ‘won’t impannel ther great Death Committee, an’ set it ter work. Beautiful Bill ‘am I, and I kin lick ther teetotal spots off’n ther cuss who salivated ther blonde an’ pasted ther’ stripes o’ glory to ther Salamander.” *The man who fired the cowardly shot is present,” the Congressman went on, .‘* As Tun- derstand your laws of honor, here in the mines, gentlemen, the man who does a mean act in a sly or treacherous manner is considered dishon- orable, and deserving of being lynched. Is this not correct?” “ Keerect!” cried the giant, with a flourish, . and his sentiment was echoed by nods from the ~ declared, ‘firmly. others. _ Then T propose you string up the man, Blonde Bill,” the Ohioan decided; “for he isthe . guilty man who fired the shot!” CHAPTER VII, A BAD LOOKOUT FOR BLONDE BILL, THE announcement of the Ohioan was re- eeived with a general murmur of surprise, and not a few of the spectators gave vent to dis- senting murmurs, while the big man from Lead- ville jumped fully three feet from the ground, wit a yell of derision, _ “Git out hyar, ye durned galoot!” he ejac- ulated, ferociously prancing up to the Ohioan. ‘Ye don’t wanter die a unnatural death, do ye? Waal, then, ye doan’t want ter cast insinywa- tions ag’in’ my friend wi? ther yaller mustache. Beautiful Bill’s my name, an’ ef yedoant wanter be measured fer yer pine-box, ye’d better dry “up yer vocabulary.” “T care not who you are, sir; I have a right to make a truthful assertion,” the Congressman “Tf you will listen, Ill ex- plain to you. I was watching the contest very _ closely, at the time of the shooting, and I saw a small pocket revolver slip down from the blonde man’s coat-sleeve, in such a way that it pane between his thumb and forefinger of his right hand, the muzzle being pointed at his an- tagonist’s back over his (Blonde Bill’s) left wrist. Petore I eould give'the alarm, it was too ~ © Blonde Bill, late—the shot was fired, and with the dropping of the blonde man’s arm to his side, the weapor disappeared,” rae The looks of surprise and doubt began to dis- appear from the faces of the crowd to be fol- lowed by expressions of interest and belief. — “This is a strange story you are telling, pard,” a miner said, who chanced to be Silver- ton’s deputy-sheriff, by name George Garwood, ‘We've all, as a people, tuk quite a notion to the blonde pilgrim, an’ et’s hard ter believe he’s up to sech sly gum games as thet.” ‘*On course et is!” decided the Leadville giant, in disgust. ‘“Ht’s ther disgustin’est kind 0’ a polecat lie, and durn my mother-in-law's little yaller dorg, ef I ken’t lick. ther onery cross- eyed, ring-nosed galoot w’ot preferred ther charge—” “Tdo not know that you will take my testi- mony alone, gentleman,” the Ohioan continued, ‘and perhaps, again, i isn’t any of my business to take up sides against the blonde, but I like to, see things half-way fair. Perhaps there is some one in the crowd who saw the same as I, quick as was the action.” “Yes, there is another, who witnessed the foul deed,” a voice replied, and out from the crowd stepped Silverton’s ministerial man, the ~~ Reverend Lester Van spars ‘Though itis my creed to be merciful, I will at no time sereen — crime, and I frankly acknowledge that Isaw the blonde stranger’s murderous act!” : “Then, by heaven! it must be so, and the as- sassin shall not escape,” Deputy Garwood cried. “Tt was a mean and unfair act, and if there are any here who want invitations to a lynch picnic let ’em speak up. brisk!” ‘Here! here!” came the answer, by ahundrod voices. ‘‘ We're with ye!” f ‘“ Contrary, no!” roared the giant. ‘* Beauti- ful Bill am I; but may I be etarnally kicked ter death wi’ cross-eyed mules, or buzzed ter death wi’ anti-dyspeptic wassups, ef T’ll evyer take sides ag’in’ ther innercent chap wi’ ther yaller mustache.” ; “You needn’t; we can get along without — you,” the deputy replied, with a chuckle, as he saw that nearly all the crowd were ready ta back him. ‘Cum along, boys, and we'll halter the hoss.” CFE Tees And, headed by Honorable Ray Vernon, the Reverend Van Syckel and the cepety, the crowd surged eagerly toward the hotel, upon the ve- __ randa of which Blonde Bill stood, in company _ with Rosebud Rob, Calamity Janeand Old Ay- alanche. FP pits He had crossed over the street and en: in conversation with the Sport, immediately at the conclusion of the strange duel, before the Obinan’s charges. Therefore he had heard no- thing of the charges made against him, oe deeply engrossed in conversation with Rosebud, Calamity and the Annihilator, to whom he had Res been introduced—Rosebud having introduced his friends—nothing until the deputy-sheriff’s hand rested on his shoulder, and the officer’s voice ex= claimed: ; *¢ Pard, you're my prisoner!” een 2 “Oh! I am, eh?” the blonde man replied, some what surprised by the announcement, ‘How do you make that out?”, : et th Sie me f

Page 19

Blonde Bill. i? “Well, sir, I am the deputy-sheriff of this ere town 0’ Silverton, an’ I hev orders frum ther people ter arrest ye fer killin’ ther Coloradoan, alamander Sam!” ‘What's this?+-arrest me for killing the man? way my. dear sir, you must be out of your head! We were fired at by some unknown party while struggling with each other, and I came - near getting the same dose the ruffian got. I have a bark here on my left wrist as a memento of the close call!” ; “Vas, that’s all well enough for you to say, but et don’t pass muster, ye see, wi’ this hyar court,” Garwood announced, determinedly. ‘* We've got two men who tell a different sort 0’ astory from yourn. They say a revolver drop- ‘ved out of your sleeve, into your hand, went off an’ then disappeared from sight again, the re- sult being the wound in the Coloradoan’s back, - an’ a kiss 0’ yer wrist, purposely intended, no * loubt. Now, mebbe this ain’t so, but luks like- ly, an’ so I arrest ye fer trial, wi’ ther prospect 1” a lynch picnic!” “This is an infamous plot against me—a neurvy lie, 1 did not kill the n, nor did I have any hand in it!” the Blonde replied, with iudden fierceness. ‘‘ Who are my accusers?” “T am, for one,” the Buckeye Congressman faid, stepping forward with a malignant smile of triumph upon his face. ‘I saw you do pre- uisely as the deputy, here, has described.” ‘And, I too!” added the Reverend Van Syckel, with a sorrowful look. ‘Although I ‘would be a shepherd to the Lord, and gather lambs unto my fold, I cannot allow myself to screen crime, and permit the wicked to go un- punished,” Blonde Bill was eeeres when he saw ‘the evidence offered, but he remained as calm as was his usual wont, ‘Gentlemen, you are both infernal liars,” he answered. ‘‘ Your testimony is falsehood and slander—some scheme worthy of Satan’s im to harm me, Again I protest that I had noth-~ ing to do with the shooting.” “Sorry fer ye, pard, but yer word won't carry weight, ’'m afeard,” the deputy replied. “Two aces is allus better’n a lone jack, an’ ye see how "tis yerself.” “Thar’s anuther way o’ gettin’ at the mat- ter,” a miner suggested, ‘Ef he did the shoot- in’, as stated, no doubt he still carries the wea- pon concealed in his coat-sleeve.” : ‘Good idea!” the deputy accepted. ‘ Pull off yer coat, prisoner!” ; “Very well, I will do so,” Blonde Bill said, obeying the order, ‘“‘and you will find a small revolver suspended in the sleeve by a rubber elastic. It is loaded in every chamber, and you can easily see that it has not been fired; as IL have had no occasion to use it.” ' A short search found the wea) vwner had prophesied. It was a bran’-new four- shooter, of small or vest-pocket paftern, and being bright and polished in every part, and | fully loaded, had evidently never been used. further search of the blonde man’s person re- vealed no other weapons except those he carri exposed to view in his belt. ““"har! now ye see, don’t ye, thet ther Ohio n, just as its | tiful Bill, as he crowded forward. clusive proof that he’s innercent.” ‘‘On course he is!” exclaimed Calamity Jane, joined by similar exclamations from Avalanche and Rosebud Rob. ‘‘ The blonde cuss didn’t shoot ther rough no more’n T did.” “Well, I ken’t tell about thet,” Garwood re- plied. ‘Things seem ter be a leetle mixed, an’ et will be necessary to have a trial.” ‘See here!” Calamity cried, confronting the deputy; ‘ Fei you hold on a trifle. If 1 anistake not, ther fight was a ‘do as ye please’ affair— wasn’t it?” ‘On course it was. “ Et’s eon- To that fact I do solemn- ly sw’ar an’ asseverate—I, Beautiful Bill,” roar- ed the giant, with a flourish, ‘‘ On course, them war ther constitoochin an’ by-laws o’ ther horse- der-combat, an’ I. kin lick ther ornery burro who sez ther blonde man shot ther Salamander, er sez he didn’t hev er right to, ef he pleased! Allin favor o’ freein’ ther yaller-hirsuted galoot will make manifest by saying I, with capital emphat!” : “T!” cried Calamity Jane. 1! cried Old Avalanche. “T!” eried Rosebud Rob. “Ay [—J—I—yi—yi—I!” roared the big Leadvillite. ‘‘ Blonde Bill forever!” But they four were the only ones to affirm. fig fe acre 2 of the excited crowd were grim- y silent. “The majority rules, gentlemen, and it is my duty to make the arrest,” the deputy-sheriff per- sisted. ‘Will you come with me, prisoner, or shall I have'to use force?” “JT will not resist the law, sir!” Blonde Bill re- plied, as he put on his coat. “Lead ahead, and you have my word that I will follow.” “Your word is sufficient,” the deputy replied, ‘“Come along.” He turned, descended from the veranda, and up the street they went, the crowd parting on either side to give them passage. Close behind followed the Sport, Rosebud Rob, and also Beautiful Bill, Calamity, Avalanche, with the surging crowd beinetis Op. the rear, the Buck- eve Congressman and the Reverend Van Syckle among them, : At the upper end of Silverton’s ee main street stood a large barn, which was used partly for stabling horses during the winter season, ‘but was now empty. It also served as court- house and jail for the little town, when there was need for such a place, which was seldom. —- To this castle of legal jurisdiction the deputy- sheriff led the way. Abie: Every available space was soon occupied in this impromptu court-room, and Blonde Bill stood in the prisoner’s box—-an empty feed-box, while Garwood towered upon an imaginary judge’s stand. “Feller-pilgrims,” he said, after glancing = over the crowd, ‘‘we are here for the purpose of trying a man for murder in the furst degree. Mebbe sum o’ ye ain’t heerd ther testimony, so the first. party of the prosecution will please be | heard.” Ohio’s representative accordingly arose, ae ; stated what he knew, precisely as he had firs done, when making the accusation. ‘goleeat was a-lyin’?” triamphantly cried Bone | i a, , 2 ~ ~ 5 He was then followed by the ministerial man.

Page 20

18 Blonde Bill. who confirmed his statement, with a few con- cisely chosen words. “You se, feller-citizens,” Garwood said, ‘‘ the proof is conclusive. The blonde chap undoubt- edly did the shooting, and he therefore is pro- nounced guilty, There is no use of papnesne a jury— the case can be decided without. Al ther is ter do is ter vote on et. All in favor 0’ seein’ Blonde Bill hoisted, will confer a favor by saying ay!” “Ay! ay! ay!” came a hoarse, tumultuous shout of many voices. ‘Contrary, no!” “No!” came the reply—but only a few voices heralded the cry. ‘ Hit’s decided, then,” Garwood announced, “an’ I, ther deputy-sheriff an’ jedge o’ this hyar town o’ Silverton, do sentence Blonde Bill to be hanged ter ther first convenient limb 0’ a tree, one hour hence, Clear ther court-room, an’ allow ther prisoner a quiet chance ter cogitate over his prospects.” And so, out once more into the moonlight emerged those citizens of Silverton, and wai in erouDe in the immediate neighborhood, for no thought of sleep was there, with the prospect of the soul-inspiring spectacle of seeing a man launched into eternity. In the hurry of the exit from the building, Calamity Jane had somehow got separated from Old Avalanche and Rosebud Rob, but evident- ly purposely, for no sooner had she gotten out of the thickest of the crowd, than she sped off up the mountain-gulch tail with rapid steps. Once she was out of sight of human eyes, she increased her pace to a trot, finally to arun. { Through the gulch, with its grim’ borseeS of tall spactral pines, she flew like a startle fawn, the occasional bars of mellow moonshine darting athwart hor face, and revealing a Wild, resolute expression. Rude shanties and cabins were strewn along through the gulch, but she seemed scarcely to notice them, until she reached one, about a half a mile from Silverton, with a man sitting upon the threshold of the doorway, and evidently en- joying the beautiful moonlight, as he smoked a grimy clay pipe. A red-shirted, roughly dressed fellow, with bushy bewhiskered face, and shrewd little eyes, and a form betokening muscle and sinew. Before him the girl dare-devil came to a halt, her bosom heaving deeply, from her swift run, ‘* Raphael!” sho said, questioningly. 4 “ By heaven! is it you, Calamity?” And the man sprung to his feet, glad surprise beaming from his little eyes. “Yes, it’s me,” was the hasty reply. ‘Iam glad you know ms. You Promised me, Raphael, when you served under Deadwood Dick’s flag, that, did I ever need assistance, I might com- mand you.” “Tn truth I did, Calamity. You werea faith- ful friend to our Captain, Deadwood Dick, in those bygone days, upin the Black Hills, and that fact made me a friend to you. The chance has never come as yet, when I could deal you an assisting hand.” ' “Well, it has come, now. A man inno- cent man, mind yqy, is about to be hung, down there,”—with a nod toward Silverton”—and it must not be. What is to be done?” * Rescue him, if you say so.” “But thea crowd’s against him—and us, There’s a full hand of ’em.” “T care not. Count the cabins up the gulch— there’s twelve of em, and every cabin contains three or four boys who know me as a leader. ries Beste knew Deadwood Dick in the same shape “Can it be true? Then, if they'll volunteer, we're flush y@, Get them together at once, and T’ll lead you and them down through Bil- Me in the way Dick used to do up in the S. ) : The miner, Raphael, nodded, and drawing a silver whistle from his pocket, he blew a shrill blast that echoed and re-echoed in wild, pierc- ing, detonating quavers through‘the valley gulch. CHAPTER VIII, JUDGE LYNCH DETHRONED. In the mean time the crowd waited in the moonlit gulch, for the moment to arrive when Blonde Bill was to be a chief participant in a tight-rope performance. Eager were these Sil- vertonians to watch the lynching process, so that they could get the ‘‘hang” of it, as some face- tiously inclined miner remarked. Various were the speculations as to how the stranger would meet his death, and as to where he would go after the stern hand of justice had done with him. “ Hts er dirty, mean shame!” Beautiful Bill declared, as with Rosebud Rob he stood apart from the main body of watchers. ‘‘Thet aire Blondy didn’t do ther shootin’ no more than [ did, an’ I say we're a dratited pair o’ polecats ter let him pony up wi’out interferin’.” ‘Interference would avail us nothing, Bill,” the Sport replied. ‘‘I fear thet Blonde Bill's jig is up, for the crowd’s ag’in’ him, an’ there ain’t no use o’ our chippin’ in, wi’ two lone hands. I wonder what’s ome o’ Avalanche and Calamity?” “Dunno, They missed us when-we left ther barn yonder.” Vividly the moonlight streamed down into the gulch, playing with spectral effect upon the groups of miners, citizens and adventurers, dotted here and_ there, awaiting the crowning scene of the evening. . Nor had they long to wait, for the minutes slipped quickly by, and the hour grew narrower and narrower. . At last the door of the barn swung! open, and a wild yell arose, for it was known by that that the allotted time had expired. The next instant the deputy-sheriff stepped out into the gulch, followed by four other men, between whom Blonde Bill marched as a pris- oner. As calm and composed as a statue was the man, not a trace of fear upon his face, nor a tremor to his form. . If fear he felt at his approaching fate, not a Detcootble sign did he show of it. e 1 a x Ds oe ee Pe. Pe Dede tree suitable for the purposé of —

Page 21

Bionde Bill. Judge Lynch was one hundred yards up the yulch, and toward this the prisoner was led, fcl- owed by the crowd. A stout lasso was made ready, as soon as fi position was reached beneath a strong, out- reaching branch, and while the noosed end was secured about Blonde Bill’s neck, the other was tossed over the limb, and taken in charge by a half-dozen ready volunteers, ¥ “Now, then, pardner, ye’r’ all hunk!” the deputy- heriff sai , Surveying the prisoner with a patronizing air. ‘‘All’s required is a leetle muscle, to hist ye. So, before the ceremonies begin, w’ich’ll be in five minutes, ef ye hev any confessions to make, or eny prayers ter offer, ye'd better git down to bizness, lively.” ‘“*T would like to speak a moment with Rose- bud Rob, if you haven't any objections,” Blonde Bill replied. ‘‘ Not in the least,” Silverton’s worthy peputy replied, accommodatingly. ‘‘ Rosebud Rob, if he is present, will please come forward.” The handsome Sport obeyed, as soon as he heard his name spoken. A moisture came into his eyes, as he beheld the blonde man, ready for a launch into getiey “*By heaven, Bill; I would that it were in my yower to help you!” he said, huskily, ‘‘ but the teac of us ain’t enough.” “Of course not, and there’s no other way out of the difficulty than by hanging, though the Lord knows I didn’t shoot the ruffian. Rosebud, have youany idea who I am?” “No!” the Sport replied—“‘except you are Blonde Bill.” : “That is only a nom de plume,” the other re- plied, ‘I’ve got to stretch hemp, and I may as well do it under my real as under a fictitious name. I am Richard Edward Harris—better known as Deadwood Dick!” Rosebud Rob gave vent _to a sudden exclama- tion, which was in turn echoed by the crowd. ** Deadwood Dick—you ?” ‘*-Yes, I! As Blonde Bill I was enabled to re- turn here, whence these accursed Silvertonians drove me; therefore, the disguise,”. was the re- ply. “Where are Calamity and Avalanche?” ‘Ido not know. I have not seen them since we left the court-room. ; F _ Well, it matters not. They would ipneve to see me shuffle off, and it is better they should be spered the pain. You will doas well. I want you to promise me something. We pe hae friend,” the Sport said, gravely. “Good. know you're true as steel. You have heard of the mines, Deadwood Dick’s Dis- very. Henceforth and forever hereafter they are yours, and Calamity’s jointly. But, in or- der to pet them, you must get the deed of them from that Ohio scoundrel, and plant your flag on the claim. You are no outlaw; they will not Care to drive you off. Another thing: I want you to break up the outlaw gang that caused the death of my wife, Edith. ou will not have a hard job. The leaders of that gang are, I truly believe, the same pair who caused m sentence to-night, and it was the minister's daughter who fired the shot that killed Sala- mander Sam.” Sport replied, ‘‘Is that all?” ( *) ‘Rob gasped “Tl carry out your wishes ‘to the letter,” the g “Yes. Go, now, and let the law take the ven- geance she has so long been deprived of.” With tears dimming his eyes, Rosebud Rob turned away, and retraced his steps to the place where he had left the giant. Even as he did so, the voice of the deputy- sheriff was heard: ‘ ‘*Time’s up. He’ oh! he’!” ‘* Come!” bud said, to the giant, ‘‘let’s get out of this. I don’t care to witness the spec- tacle.” Nor did Beautiful Bill, for, with a yell, he turned and dashed down the street after the Sport. Ruffian though he was, by nature born, and rude and uncouth as the wild mountainous country of which he was a denizen, it was possi- ble that he still Had a heart more capable of tender emotions than his every-day exterior would seem to betray. A wild, pe eetavatieg yoo as ey rushed down toward the Leviathan, warned them that Deadwood Dick’s feet had cleared the ground— that he was being launched into eternity. But hark! : Not only do the yells of the crowd swell upon the night, but other yells rise far above them— fierce yells they are, accompanied by the sounds of rire pistol-shots, and the thunder of horses’ eet > ; Then follow startled cries, and a perceptible breaking of the crowd; a mass of humanity comes rushing headlong down Silverton’s main street, with Howls and curses, as if the Old Nick in person were after them. é “What in the blazes is the matter?” Rosebud , as he and Beautiful Bil) reached the veranda of the Leviathan, a few moments, ahead of the crowd. “Holy polecats! can’t ye see?” the big man from Leadville cried, pointing up the street. ““Road-agents! road-agents, sure’s [’m ther Apoller o’ ther West. Road-agents, by ther breath uv old Zachariaher Zebulom, an’ they’ve reskied ther blonde cuss, too! Hip! yip! hur- raher!? And loudly the giant's triumphant huz- za rung out upon the night. But, the rushing crowd paused not to learn from whence it came. Madly they sped on frantic with desire to escape the band of masked horsemen that.had driven them away from Judge Lynch’s tree. But, they need not have fied in such confusion for the outlaws halted at the tree, and proceeded to take the rope from the neck of Blonde Bill, who had been dropped to the ground at the flee- ing of his executioners, unharmed. But, his bonds were not cut, except those around his feet, and they were renewed, when he was lifted into the saddle. 5 Seeing this act, one of the party uttered an exclamation of surprise, but a revolver pressed against his temple by an. outlaw by his side, had the effect to produce silence. Blonde Bill was' securely fastened into the saddle of an extra horse that had been brought along; then the lead-line was taken in charge by one of the rescuers. Then, the dismounted ones again. leaped into. 19 their saddles, and the cavalcade dashed away | over the back trail, with yells of victory, : On they went up the gulch, into the interior * . a

Page 22

-20 Blonde Bill. of the mountainous district—now branching off into cross ravines, guiches and canyons—on,.on, the wild ride continued, until the light of an- other day flscked the crest of the horizon. Then, to the great surprise of Blonde Bill they came to a halt upon a singular plateau in the side of the mountains due east from Silver- ton, and overlooking the San Juan valley, through which the turbulent Animas followed its tortuous course like a thread of silver. Here a dismount was made. by the outlaws; Blonde Bill was released from his saddle, and assisted to the ground. His arms were kept bound, however, and he was carefully guarded by two of the masked strangers. After all had dismounted, the course was taken up through a narrow fissure that seemed to split the mountain in twain, and one by one the masked men, their prisoners and horses, dis- appeared within this yawning gap, as if enter- ing into the very bowels of the earth. nto what strange hands he had fallen or whither he was going, Blonde Bill had not the slightest idea. The rescue of Blonde Bill by the masked band, was an event that furnished much food for dis- cussion among the residents and population of Silverton’s little town. And for the next several days it was liberally discussed. by everybody. The general belief was that the strange band of rescuers were some of the Deadw Dick’s own men, while there were a few who declared that he had been rescued by the terrible Silent Tongues. But, those who did not believe the first inference, were limited. ‘Even Rosebud Rob and Beautiful Bill were inclined to that opinion, although they had no proof of it, and were somewhat anxious, Avalanche and Calamity, too, were both mis- sing, which had a strange look. On the evening of the day after that on which the rescue had taken place, the Reverend Les- ter Van Syckel left the hotel, and walked up the street to the first corner, where he turned off, and made his way into that scattered and mountainous part of the town, which had not as yet been classified into streets. short walk brought him to a large board shanty, somewhat isolated from other habita- tions, and sp perentl unoccupied, as there were no signs of life about it, and the windows were closely boarded up. F The night was extremely dark, owing to the fact that the sky was thickly covered with a pall of black clouds; yet the ministerial man ap- peared nervous lest he should be seen, -and walked with careful precision. : On reaching the vicinity of the cabin or shanty, he paused, and gazed sharply around him, as if to assure himself that no one was watching him; ther he clapped a mask over his face, and fastened it there, thus effectually disguising his identity. He then advanced to the door of the shanty, and unlocked it, Opening the door, he entered a large apartment, which was wrapped in dark- ‘ness, and closed it behind him, : # ; ae ea 5) ete Elstar me Fumbling around, he soon found a lamp which he lit, and placed upon a mantle. ; The apartment as revealed by the light, was furnished by a verge round table in the center of the room, surrounded by some two dozen chairs. Rude settees were also arranged around the sides and ends of the apartment, making a seat- ing capacity for at least two-score of people. ‘aking a seat by the table, the disguised min- ister lit a cigar, and waited. He had not been seated ten minutes when the door opened, and another masked man entered. from the darkness of the night without. “Ah! it’s you is it, Vernon?” the renegade minister said, witha nod. ‘‘lam glad you are pera for we have business to atone to, to- night, ‘ Exactly,” the other said. ‘‘It was a bad thing for us that Blonde Bill, who turns out to be Deadwood Dick, has escaped.” “Bad enough,” the minister said, in a tone that spoke of anything but a sanctified spirit, “* Have you seen any of the other members?” ‘* Yes, there are several in town.” The assertion proved correct, for more mask~ ed men began to string along into the shanty, one by one, until, in the course of an hour, over a score were assembled. ; As no more came, after that, the minister: arose, and glanced the crowd over. $ “My friends,” he said, ‘‘I am glad to see sa. many of you present because we have impor- tant business on hand, that concerns the future welfare of every member of the band of Silent Tongues. We uave an enemy in this town, who js deadly against us, and his removal from our path is imperatively necessary. The man is he who was rescued last night, Blonde Bill—alias Deadwood Dick, the ex-road-agent!” = ae ey murmur came from the crowd, show- ing that they knew, but had no love for the Prince of the Trail. ~ “Some of you may have heard;” pursued Van Syckel, ‘that this same man came here for the sole purpose of breaking up our band, as he has successfully done in other parts of the country. It is true, else I would not have or-' — dered an attack upon the stage, in the San Juan, which resulted so disastrously for our party I had learned that the fellow was bound ither, and I thought that we could secure the treasure without loss of life, and at the same time settle his hash.” ‘But the bullet intended for him took off his wife,” Hon. Ray Vernon said. : “Yes. I did not get a chance at him.” “Deadwood Dick is safely caged at the head- quarters, captain,” one of the masked outlaws said, rising and bowing. ‘‘I just came from there. “What! Deadwood Dick captured, and at the stronghold? How is this?—explain!” the renegade minister cried, excitedly. _ “Et was ther Lieutenant Raphael who did it,” the outlaw replied. ‘Yer see, Raphael, he — used ter be one 0’ Deadwood Dick’s fellers, an’ — mu Calamity Jane she knowed him. So when she heard thet Blonde Bill was a-goin’ ter be hanged in an hour, she off an’ hunts up Raphael, an’ asked him ter help her resky the chap — frum bein’ lynched, on account of old friendly bee SES

Page 23

Blonde Bill. scores, Raphael he knows his Q’s and P’s, an’ so he jest gits sum o’ ther boys together, an’ sails in an’ reskies ther blonde cuss, wi’ Calam- ity Jane aioe an’ ten totes both she an’ ther blonde chap off ter head-quarters, an’ sends me ter let ye know!” x Van Syckel alias Captain Terrible, the leader of the dreaded Silent Tongues, gave vent to an exclamation of joy. : ‘Things have worked well,” he said, rubbing his hands together, gleefully. _ ‘‘ Deadwood Dick in our power, we can soon dispose of him, and theréby rid the brotherhood of a dangerous enemy.” re “ Certainly; and with his death, the Discoy- ery minesdown on the Los Animas become un- disputably ours!” Ohio’s professed Congressman eri with a triumphant chuckle. “You say pup girl, Calamity Jane, is also a captive, Ru- of ? 7 ‘Yes, Sir Grand Chief.” “Twill turn her over to you, my brother,” Van Syckel said, addressing the Ohioan. “I want no women upon my plate. But come; we have been long enough in session. Take your departure as you came, singly and cautiously, for should suspicion be aroused as to our meet- ings here, inquiry would follow, and i would not be healthy for us hereabouts.” j Accordingly the Silent Tong™es disbanded in about the same order they came. CHAPTER IX. ROSEBUD ROB AS A DETECTIVE, RosEegup Ros, the Sport, was one of the masked men who assembled within the council- chamber of the Silent Tongues that night all by merest chance, ; He had been up to a gambling saloon, not far from the shanty, and was returning, when a ei man passed him, and entered the said shanty. It at once struck him as a “little off,” and be- ing of an adventurous turn of mind, his curios- ity was aroused; so he lingered in the vicinity to watch proceedings. y Not long did he have to wait ere another masked man came along, and followed the ex- ample of the other by entering the shanty. Thoroughly aroused by this time, Rosebud Rob, with his accusto. quickness, resolved to enter the cabin also, “Ef thar ain’t a revelation awaiting me in there, if won’t matter so much,” he muttered, ‘““as IT am_in want of something to pass away time. When another of them chaps comes along, perhaps I can induce him to lend me one of his masks, and trade places with me.” It was not long ere another of the outlaws tame stalking through the darkness, to sudden- ly find himself confronted by the Sport, and a tevolver pressed close against his cheek, in the most suggestive manner. ‘Sh! Rosebud hissed; “‘not a peep, if you don’t want me to spile your beauty. [ma dangerous man to rile, so you’d better be sub- missive. I want to go in there to-night, and you must lend me your uniform,” and he nod- ded toward the shanty. : * The masked outlaw gave vent to a growl, but é . did not attempt to reach for a weapon; he evi- — dently knew better than to thus sign his own’ death-warrant. ‘You'd better not try venturing in there,” he grunted, ‘‘ef ye don’t want ter gf6 yerself inter trouble.” “Tl take the chances,” the Sport replied, as, while he kept the fellow covered by the revolver in his left hand, he used the right to relieve him of his belt weapons. ‘‘I never got in so tight a see yet that I couldn't get out. Now be so ind as to put your hands behind pos and keep them there while I secure them. Don’t you try no gum games, neither, if you don’t want me to bore for ile in your cheek, with a lead auger.” The man obeyed, with poor grace, and in two minutes Rosebud Rob had him safely hand- cuffed, with a pair of the law’s patent bracelets, which he always carried with him. - He then tri him to the ground, and tied his feet with his pistol belt, so that he was ut- terly helpless. “What the deuce are you going to do with me, anyhow?” the outlaw demanded, gruffly. ‘Sh! not so loud, if you don’t want me to shut off your throttle-valve. Iam soinE io Gees you out of hearing, somewhere, and let you lay while I visit the shanty, yonder. But first, Tet me remove your mask, and take a peep at you. You may be some friend of mine, and 1’d awful- ly hate to discommode a friend, you know.” And with a chuckle, the Sport knelt beside his captive, and tore off the cloth mask which screened the upper portion of his face from view. He gave an ejaculation of surprise the next” instant, ‘‘Garwood, the deputy-sheriff, as I live!” he gasped. : Yes, Garwood, the deputy-sheriff,” the other growled, savagely. ‘‘ Young féller, you’re the only one in Silverton that knows this, an’ I want you to keep my secret forme. How much do you want?” ; “ Nothing !” Rosebud Rob said, quietly. “Tam no tool or slave to be bought for gold. Nor am I a fool to lose a good advantage. If you don’t want your neck put where you put Blonde Bill’s last night, you'll have to eee or me.” “Tam at ee mercy,” the inan replied. ‘‘ Tt would not be healthy around here, if it was, known whatI am. Of course I don’t want. to lose my position, and need nof} if -you’re a mind to play'fair. Ef ye want eet jobs done, that ye don’t want to do-yourself, al keep my secret, an’ depend on me.” Rosebud Rob involuntarily shuddered. The man before him, a servant of the public and treasurer of their confidence, was in fact a_ villain, who, to screen one baa step, wculd 70 a darker deed. a - “] shall promise you nothing,” he sid, stern- ly. ‘Tl leave you where you'll be safe, while : I take a peep into yonder shanty, back, mebbe I'll render a verdict!” Without much difficulfy he gagged the rene- gade officer, and then carried and dragged him into a little clump of pines, which grew in a wild-spot, not far from the edge of the town. hen I come ’ Here he left him, and donning his mask, re- z turned to the vicinity of the shanty. Watching _ his chance, he entered, and although great was 7 210 ye’ve got ter do is

Page 24

the risk, he was not particularly noticed, and thus escaped detection. What he heard, is already known to the read- er. After the session closed, he left as soon as possible, and returned to where he had left the deputy-sheriff, ‘Well, what are you going to do with me?” that guilty individual demanded, with an eager- ness born, apparently, of greatest fear. ‘Ye ain’ta-goin’ ter give me away, Lhope.” < ‘That depends, somewhat,” the Sport replied. “Tf ye tell me where tke head-quarters of the Silent Tongue outlaws is, I shall probably be ‘more merciful, than if you refuse to grant the information.” ' ‘““Then ye needn’t be merciful,” Garwood said, with a scowl, ‘‘ fer I can’t tell ye that. Ye kin ate me up, but I cannot—will not tell ye that. ‘Then, Dll liberate you,” Rosebud said, eut- ting the bonds about his feet, and relieving him of the handcuffs. ‘' You dare not do me m, if you value your public office, and if I conclude to use you, Tl hunt you up, some other time. ! ‘‘T will go,” Garwood replied, ‘‘and I am no dog not to remember you. hen I have had my revenge, we'll cry quits, if you’re willing. Ha! ba!” And the deputy took advantage of his liberty - to stride away into the darkness. “Tm ’most sorry I let the devil go,” the Sport muttered, as he turned away toward the main street of the town. ‘‘He has not a spark of honor about him and will probably lay for me. But I am not afraid of him, if he don’t take me at a big disadvantage, where I can’t geta chance to use my arms.” ; a went back to the hotel and retired for the night: . Early in the morning he was abroad, and met Beautiful Bill upon the veranda. ‘ Waal, w’at’s ther tap?” the giant demanded. *Heerd anything frum Deadwood Dick and Calamity?” : + “Yes,” and the Sport related his adventures of the Ne op night. The big Leadvillite whistled, as be heard. ** Beats a red-hot novel all holler, by gum,” he said. ‘So they’re in the power o’ ther Silent Tongues, arter all?” ‘Yes, and it must be our business to get them out,” Rosebud Rob said, ‘‘ But how, is the ques- tion. Ido not know where the outlaws’ rendez- vous is located.” ‘*Ner I, by ther holy polecats. But yonder cums ther other branch o’ ther great Continen- tal De’th Committee, an’ mebbe he kin dig up ther trail. I do sw’ar an’ asseverate thet Old Avalanche, ther Annihilator, kin root up ary trail thet ever mortal made.” And, as the giant ceased speaking Ke slapped his hand heavily down upon the shoulder of the great scout, wko had just come up. 4 “Take keer, Billee; not too heavy,” the old veteran grunted. ‘‘My old jints won’t stand as much jarrin’ as they uster did, in ther days when ther Annihilation established ets, great fame—great enti-carniverous ham-bone, no!” “On gourse they won’t, Alva, ye old superan- ~ muate —-¢-,f—0n course they won't; an’ thet’s » ore cares I = Blonde Bill. iy ther reason I teched x so lightly. ” the giant Te- plied, effusively. ‘‘ But we re glad ye’ve cum, all ther same, fer we hev need 0’ ye, ye pur- seeve. ‘Yes, we have that,” Rosebud Rob coincided. “We want ye to hunt up the trail of the Silent Tongues, and find where their head-quarters are, * Reckon thet wouldn’t be no slouch of a job,” the veteran Annihilator replied, ‘t They hang out somewhere’s about Clumsy mountain, over yonder ,to’rd ther Animas, ‘ea’se I’ve seen sum 0’ their anymiles grazin’ in the neighborhood.” “You know that Blonde Bill—alias Dead- wood Dick—and Calamity Jane arein the power of these Silent Tongues?’ ‘Great antiquated ham-bone, no!” ‘“Well, they are, we have learned, and if we don’t get ’em out, it looks purty likely thet they’ll be made the principal cadavers of a cou- ple of funerals.” And then the Sport narrated to the old An- reas what he previously told Beautiful ill. When he had finished, a new fire of life and spirit came into the eye of the scout, “Great ham-bone thet gargled the throat of old Joner!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ Et is as you say: ther b’yee an’ ther gal must be got out o’ ther deefikilty, somehow. When d’ye want ter move?” “Not just yet. Dve got a little other bull- dozing todo before I go. If you see anything of Van Syckel, the preacher, or the Ohioan, look out for em, for I half expect they’re at the head of the band of outlaws.” i “You bet your last dollar on my old mother in-law’s leetle yaller dorg, we will!” the giant assured, tossing his hat through in under his leg into the air, and skillfully catching it on his head, a la clown. ‘‘On course we will, old last rosebud o’ summer, ef we hev ter destroy ther blamed constertushing uv ther United States! Beautiful Bill am I, an’ hyar’s Old Avalanche Hogg—ther lop-eared Poker o? ther Norih, an’ we two planets do constertoot ther famous Death-Committee 0’ the Mines!” Taking leave of them, Rosebud Rob re-enter- ed the hotel, and positioned himself in a place where he could see everybody that entered or left the place by the front entrance. Lighting a cigar, he took up a paper, and ap- peared to be absorbed in its perusal, while in re- ality he was conscious of everything that was going on around him, and saw every person that passed him in or out. During the forenoon he noticed the man’ from Ohio leave the hotel, and shortly afterward the renegade preacher followed suit. ; This was exactly what he was waitin, and leaving his watching-place, he ascended to the second floor of the building. Having pre- viously obtained the numbers of Van Syckel’s apartments, he had no difliculty in finding them now, and he tried the first door of the suit, which opened, and admitted him into a plainly furnished sitting-room, lighted by two windows. for, - F Nora Van Syckel, the bogus clergyman’s daughter, was seated by one of these windows, engaged in sewing, at the moment of the Sport's

Page 25

‘Tongues, eh?” was the retort. “T Blonde Bill. 23 abrupt entrance, but sprung to her feet witha Little cry of alarm, as she saw him. ; “Sir!” she said, coldly. ‘To what am I in- debted for this visit?” “ Tixcuse me, miss; but you are hot indebted, at all,” Rosebud replied. “T never charge for professional visits, especially to ladies. I came to have a few words with you, and I trust takin the welfare of the Reverend Lester Van Sycke into consideration, you will have due patience and becoming fortitude, upon this occasion.” There was sarcasm in the Sport’s tones that eaused Miss Van Syckel to crimson, and then grow pale. ‘*] don’t understand what you mean,” she said, with an effort to conceal, somewhat, the agitation she felt, ‘‘ but: I will listen to what you bave to say. Be seated, please.” ‘*On the contrary, I think you do quite un- derstand the import of my words,” Rosebud Rob rejoined, accepting a chair, and becoming seated. ‘‘In the vernacular of the mines, I’ve come for the express purpose of ‘talking turkey’ toyou. In the first place, I’d like to give youa question to answer. Whom did you intend that bullet for?—the ruffian, or Blonde Bill?” The minister’s daughter grew deadly pale at the question, but by a strenuous effort managed to keep her composure, ‘TT don’t understand you yet,” she faltered. ** What bullet do you mean?” “The one that shut off the wind of Salaman- der Sam, in the street fight, night before last,” was the reply. ‘‘ You needn’t deny that you fired it, for such a denial would not avail you. You were seen to stand upon the balcony, or roof over the veranda, and do the shooting, and now the question is, which did you shoot at?” ‘“‘Thatis none of your business,” was the re- ply. ‘If you think you can make me commit myself, sir, you are mistaken.” ? ‘No, I am not mistaken!” Rosebud persisted. “You can either answer my questions, or I'll put you where Blonde Bill left off.” ‘Bah! you wouldn’t dare!” “‘ Why not, pray?” “Oh! for different reasons!” The young Jady was beginning to manifest more assurance. S “Because your reverend sire chances to be the Captain Terrible of the band of the Silent assure you that would not hinder my purpose.” Miss Van Syckel paled again. “Who are you,” she gasped, ‘‘ that you know so much?” “Rosebud Rob, at your service, miss—a man to suit all circumstances,” was the answer. Then there was a silence of several minutes, which was finally broken by the young woman, “You seem to be positive that I fired the shot,” she said, ‘‘and I do not know as there is any use of beating around the bush; nor am I afraid to name who the bullet was intended for. ze ae party at whom it was aimed in the ack, ‘Ah! then it was not for Blonde Bill?” “Tt was not.” _ ‘Well, that’s one point in your favor. Why, may I ask, did you shoot the rough?” : “Because T had taken a fancy to the blonds Seniemen, and thought the ruffian was going te too much for him.” ““You needn’t have feared that,” Rosebud commented, with a low laugh. ‘I opine it takes a man to hug Deadwood Dick to death.” ‘‘ What! was Blonde Bill the famous Dead- wood Dick?” “ He was.” “ Well, that is news to me.” : “Perhaps. But if you admired Blonde Bill, as you claim, why did you allow him to be ar- rested for your crime?” ‘*T will tell you,” the girl answered, frankly. “My father saw me do the shooting, and came up here and locked me Se my room; then went back and plotted with Vernon for Blonde Bill’s death. I was powerless to be of any ae: sistance.” CHAPTER X. IN THE SILENT TONGUES’ ‘POCKET’ ROSEBUD B TAKES A JOB. Let us return to Deadwood Dick, otherwise Blonde Bill, whom we. left in the power of the strange masked rescuers, who were, of course, the gang of cut-throats, that for several months had spread a@ reign of terror throughout the Animas, by their bold deeds, " After entering the fissure with which the’ mountain seemed rent, they proceeded along through a passage of utter darkness that was so narrew and low as to scarcely admit of their progress, For several minutes they continued through this, finally emerging into waat proved to be a second plateau or spot of level land, which was totally locked in by perpendicular mountains that rose on every side to a hight of a hundred and fifty feet, or more. This appar- ently was the Silent Tongues’ retreat, for evi- dences of a permanent camp were plentifully strewn about. About every dozen yards around the edges of the ‘‘ pocket,” stakes and poles were erected for holding kettles over a fire, and close to these larger niches or caves had been blasted out of the mountain rock, which provided suffi- cient shelter and Get 3 room for a couple of men and horses. In all, there were some thirty of these fire-places, and caves. ; As soon as the band debouched into the valley they separated,.and made for their respective quarters, with the exception of the leader and two others, one of each of whom kept guard over Blonde Bill, and the mask who had demurred at the arrest of the blonde man. : As the reader has probably surmised, this was Calamity Jane in disguise. At a motion of Raphael, the lieutenant under Captain Terrible’s command directed the pris- oners to be removed to one of the caves, and closely guarded, until he gave further orders, The mask was accordingly removed from Cal- va face, and her arms were bound behind — er. Then she and Blonde Bill were both conducted to an untenanted cave, and left to make the best of their situation, a Spe being stationed at the entrance to prevent them from escaping. 3 When they were alone in each other’s presence Blonde Bill turned to the girl dare-devil, in sur- prise. Tiss : Ee

Page 26

24 “Calamity,” he said, “I am somewhat puz- vied. Can you solve’ what is Dopnering me? Here Iam snatched from the gallows, as I first supposed by friends, but later I find out ene- mies. And yet, I find you also among them—a prisoner !” : ‘Ha! hal Yes. I am among them, a pris- oner,” Calamity replied, ‘I got fooled, ye see, au’ thet ’counts fer it, D’ye know ‘who thet gang o’ fellers is?” “The Silent Tongues, I have surmised, since seeing you a prisoner.” ; ‘*Good guess. You hit it correct, D’ye want me to tell you how I came to be a prisoner?” “Yes, Tell me, if you like,” Accordingly the girl narrated how she had, on learniag of the disposition to be made of Blonde Bill, fled to seek aid from Raphael, one ot Deadwood Dick’s old men; how Raphael had consented to renders assistance, and how, when the rescue had been effected, Raphael had pro- nounced her his prisoner, and threatened her with instant death if she offered resistance, “*So, you, see how it comes, I’m here,” she said, in conclusion, ‘I got fooled in my man, and now all I ask is to get just one pop at him with my pistol.” “T am under most lasting obligations to you,” Blonde Bill said, gratefully, ‘‘for had it not been for me, you would not be here in this un- enviable position. But have you any idea whom you have been. serving?” ‘A suspicion that you were—were Deadwood Dick has flashed over me, but I have not gave it a second thought.” “ Yet I am that be party,” he said, with a strange smile. ‘‘Had [the use of my hands, I could soon convince you,” “Can it be true? I am so glad,” Calamity said, her color quickening—her voice softening. “Tt seems almost too good to be true. Wehave been old acquaintances so long, you know.” “ OF course we have, Calamity, and I am per- haps as glad to see you as you are to see me.” But, Dick, Rosebud Rob said that Blonde Bill lost a wife by the road-agent attack, in San Juan canyon. Can it be possible that it was your wife?” ; “ Yes, it was Hdith,” the ex-outlaw said, hus- kily. ‘She was shot, and killed instantly, Jeaving me again a widower. Poor Edith! she was a dear, faithful little woman, Calamity—as pure as the snow upon the crest of the Sierras.” “I sympathize with you, Dick,” the strange girl said, earnestly. Then she turned away, lest the yearning, hungry look in her wildly beautiful eyes should pain him, - Later, he broke the silence: “We're in a fix, Calamity, and we must get out of it.. I’ve dodged death so many times, that I don’t intend to give up the ghost yet.” The guard stood in the entrance, in an atti- tude of listening; so they retired to a further Sipe of the cave, and sat down beside each other. “Yes, we must get out,” the girl declared; **hut I'm afrald we won't be successful in doing it. This remarkable retreat is well guarded, no- doubt, and it would take some figgerin’ ter dodge not get a word out of either .o this is a Blonde Biil. sh “You are right,” Deadwood Dick replied. “But we'll keep a watch, and take advantage of any favorable circumstances that may offer. You say the man who ordered us sent to this cave is Raphael, of my old Black Hills gang?” “The same. He is now, I take it, the lieu- tenant in active command of these Silent Tongues.” : The day passed away slowly. At noon the guard before the entrance of the cave was relieved by another masked outlaw. but try though they would, the prisoners could them. Their title of Silent Tongues was well bestowed. . Shortly after noontide, another outlaw enter- ed the cave, and.to the surprise of both Dick and Calamity, cut their bonds from their hands. and feet. Then he left the cave, and speaking a few words to the guard, both went off together. “There, now! will you tell me what that means?” Calamity demanded, when they had gone. ‘It looks as if somebody had changed his mind mighty sudden.” ‘‘Tt means that we are to have the freedom of the valley, I presume. At least, we'll take it, until otherwise warned,” Dick replied, He tore away the green goge les from his eyes and also removed the blonde wig and mustache, and stood there before her, handsome and fear- less—Dead wood Dick. “You see it’s 1?” he said, smiling. ‘Yes, it is you, minus your raven curls and mustache—the same Dick whom I knew up in the hills,”, Tbey shook hands warmly and then took a ay out into the mowitain locked valley. The light and sunshine of day shone down into it pleasantly from overhead, and made it seem more like the outer world. Standing near the mouth of their cave, the two captives surveyed the scene with a shar gaze. Few of the outlaws were abroad—a half dozen, all told, being engaged in sifting sand, which formed the bottom of the pocket at the further side. These fellows and their occupation attracted the attention of Deadwood Dick, and he watched them narrowly. “T believe they’re mining gold over there, Calamity,” he said; ‘and if such is the case. ood find. Tke outlaws have no right to it, and it is mine and yours. Do you hear? We must possess this cosey retreat ourselves.” We will go back to Rosebud Rob, and the minister’s daughter. . The Sport was silent for some time following Miss Van Syckel’s last words, as if weighing them in his mind. ‘‘'Then you are not in league with your father in his villainy?” he asked. “Tam not,” she replied. ‘In fact I have not had ‘the least suspicion but that he was doing right, until the attack of the Silent Tongues upon the stage in San Juan canyon, Then I heard him give vent to the whistle that was in- strumental in causing the retreat of the outlaws, and knew for the first that he was in some way connected with them, I gilorew' him, on reaching our home, here, but he professed to be soe

Page 27

Blonde Bill, awfully religious, and horror-struck at the sus- picions I entertained of him, Later, however, I played eavesdropper, when he was holding a private confab with the man from Ohio, who is in reality my father’s own brother, and learned that Vernon is the Grand Chief and my father the Captain of the Silent Tongues.” “Ah! I thank you, miss, for your frankness, in telling me all of this, as it puts me ina con- dition to fight these outlaw devils, and rescue Deadwood Dick, and Calamity Jane. The party of masked men who rescued Blonde Bill from being lynched, turned out to have been some of ed self-same Silent Tongués, under one Ra- hael. pm Indeed? I.am sorry for them, as they will probably be shown no mercy at the hands of the outlaws.” “But, Lintend to go to their rescue. While Rosebud Rob luxuriates around these parts, the Silent Longues will find that they have one hard nut to crack. But, I want you to furnish me the information how to reach the head-quar- ters of the band.” “Tam sorry, but I cannot do that.” “Why not?” * Because, it would not only betray my father ‘ to death, but bring down the vengeance of the other outlaws upon me.” ‘Fear not. No harm shall come to you. If you wish to uphold your father to a life of crime, keep your secret, and I will see what ean be done for you, in the way of a collar. Guide me and my party to the den of these _ outlaws and I'll guarantee that no harm shall come to_you.” Miss Van Syckel arose from her chair, and paced across the room and back, her face the scene of many struggling emotions, ‘Pl tell you what Vil do,” she said, finally. “11 dress up in men’s clothes, and guide you to the entrance to the Silent Tongues’ retreat, for one hundred dollars, and the promise that I shall have my liberty to go where I please, when I have done as I have agreed. The cash you must pay now, for, as soon as I have done with you, I shall immediately fly to another as the country, in order to escape being illed. : ** Tt’s a bargain,” Rosebud accepted, quickly. _ “* Heré are a hundred dollars. Mind you, now yow’re in my servite exclusively, and not in the emplo of Captain Terrible.” : re not forget it. When will you want me “To-night, just at dusk. That will be the best time to make a start.” : ‘* Very well; I will be ready,” the-minister’s daughter said, after which Rosebud arose, and took his departure. . As he descended the stairs to the veranda, he _ met the deputy-sheriff, Garwood. He flushed a little, as he caught the Sport's stern gaze, but raised his hand and motioned for him to stop, which Rosebud accordingly nO t but ope, which the Sport received with a smile of thanks, : ‘*An answer is wanted, I presume,” he said, as he tore it open. ‘“4 verbal one is all is necessary, I guess, sir,” was the reply. The challenge was written upon a single sheet of paper, and ran as follows: f “Mr. Rosesup Ros, Sm:— “As you have on several occasions insulted me. publicly, and as I am a man of high rank aud social standing, it becomes me to challenge you to meet me, in mortal combat, at any time or place which may best suit you, the weapons to be revolvers at thirty paces each way from the center. I would re- spectfully suggest that you would name an early moment for our meeting. “Hon. Ray Vernon.” Rosebud Rob read the challenge, a smile breaking over his countenance. . “T think I see into this matter already,” ho said, turning to Ggrwood. —* You have iniorm- ed the Silent Tongues how I took the liberty to invade their privacy, and they of course are in- spired with a desire to send me to heaven in a ullman car. So the right honorable Ray Ver- non, member of the Devil’s Congress, takes this method of giving me a chance for a through ticket? Well! well! I don’t know that I have any objections to giving him a whirl, and so Pe muy tell him that I will meét him in the . ed Wine Saloon, just above here, one hour hence, and we'll plug away at each other. But, mind you, see to it yourself that no gum games are tried on me, or Silverton will need a new deputy-sheriff.” ‘Do you spose I’d have anything to do with an unfair settlement?’ Garwood demanded, with an air of injured innocence. “T couldn’t say. My motto is—wateh your neighbors as you would yourself!” the Sport re- foes while Garwood turned away with a growl. Rosebud Rob then hunted up Beautiful Bill and Old Avalanche, and found them in a saloon, engaged in a quiet game of old sledge, which the giant won. : When the Sport made known to them the | challenge he had received and accepted, Beauti- ful Bill gave a snort of delight. ; f ‘“* Holy polecat!” he ejaculated. “ Ye kedn’t ’a’ hit a more tender spot In my old constitushing, then by acceptin’ thet invitation—ye couldn’t, i swar! Beautiful Bill am I, an’ Ido sw’ar, an’ affirmy an’ asseverate thet nothin’ in ther bull continent o?, Ameriky or Australyer ked please me better than ter see thet galoot perforated wi’ le’d pills. roy ef ye don’t salivate him in style, Sport, gol-durn my old mother-inlaw’s — leetle yaller dorg ef I doan’t pelt ye a sockdola ger right in the nose myself.” a __ “Ye needn’t fear but what he'll raise a thun- der-starm o’ demolishun an’ spread a reglsr harrykane o’ disastrous deefikilty inter ther ~ cussed Ohioan’s system,” Old Avalanche re-— marked. ‘‘ Rosebud Reb knows how ter pull teeth wi’ his revolver—great alluvial ham-bone, yes! B48 ne j ‘*T certainly intend to teach the dog a lesson, — anyhow,” Rosebud replied; ‘‘and I want you — : va to be present, and see that there is mo tuner 33 x

Page 28

Blonde Bill. “On course we will—great ham-bone, yes! An’ mebbe ther Death Committee will get er chance ter work a consarned old disease o’ anni- hilation,” the Annihilator suggested. Accordingly they all left the saloon and start- ed for the Red Wine, which resort was famous in the history of Se as the scene of many a bold duel and free fight. : As they entered the great apartment of the building, which was used for bar-room, gam- bling and fighting, they saw that Vernon was not there. But he entered shortly afterward, accompa- nied by the deputy-sheriff and a couple of rough- looking, bewhiskered miners. CHAPTER XI. ROSEBUD ROB MAKES HIS MARK. Tue condition of his eyes was plats evidence that he had been drinking deeply: as was the unsteadiness of his gait; but he had apparently not as yet fully satisfied his appetite, for he im- mediately ali up to the bar and called for the drinks for his party, which were promptly produced, paid for, and quaffed. The Ohioan then turned away from the bar, and crossed with unsteady steps to where Rose- bud Rob stood leaning against a tier of liquor barrels that were ranged along the side of the room opposite from the bar. - “Hello! it’s you, is it?’ he demanded, in a see tone. “ You're the man that wants to fight me “‘T am undoubtedly the same party,” was the Sport’s response. ‘‘I believe I received a chal- lenge from you, to meet you at this place?” es, curse you! You are a little too impor- tant to suit my style, and so I thought l’d comb you down a little, just for the fun of it, Are you ready, you puppy?” “Tam at your demand, but, as a friend, I'd advise you to wait until soma other time, when your nerves are more quiet, and you are sober. ou are drunk now, and in no condition for fighting a duel.” “You lie!” the other shouted, and the next instant he raised his hand, and made a pass at Rosebud’s face, The agile sport parried the blow with his left arm, while with his right fist he dealt the villain grew between the eyes that felled him to the oor, “There! pick up your rooster and sponge him off, if he’s going to do any business with me,” Rob said, turning to the deputy-sheriff. ‘‘ The hext time he tries to slap me in the face, I'll knock him clear out of time.” And there was no mistaking the flash that came from his eyes. It meant business. A crowd quickly gathered. Such a knock down invariably was the ad- vance of a fight, Garwood and his two companions hastened to assist their man to his feet, for he had only been stunned by the sledge-hammer blow; and while they were bathing the swelling forehead, Rose- bud Rob turned to the crowd who had collected to learn the nature of the case. “Tell you how it is, gents,” he said, ‘“ while my opponent is doctoring up. He, a man total- own to me, as far as acquaintance goes, challenged me to come here and meet him in a duel. As I never refuse a soft snap like that, I came, when the party of the first part attempted to slap me in the countenance, but got fooled as to the natur’ o’ the beast. I’m not to blame for that, am 1?” “Great auriferous ham-bone, no!” cried Old Avalanche, and the crowd universally echoed his sentiment. ‘On course ye ain’t to blame!” declared Beau- tiful Bill, striding forward, ‘‘Ther Ohio pole- cat wanted ter sed yer across ther ora trap, but ye give ther Buckeye galoot ther purti- est slap that ore emanated from ther fist 0? mortal man, All in favor o’ the carryin’ o’ this resolution will make manifesto by sayin’ I!” “yy “ym “1 was the hearty response. “Carried by a big majority, an’ laid on ther table o’ ther house, instid o’ on ther floor, as ther Congressman war!” the giant cried, with a broad grin, By this time the assailant’s forehead was bathed, and he was regaled with a_ brandy “smash,” He then turned and glared at Rosebud Rob, savagely, while Garwood cried: «Now, gentlemen, lease git to either side o’ the room, an’ let the duelists have the ends, and we will see how the Honorable Ray Vernon, of Ohio, will scoop it to the snoozer with the few . waxed hairs upon his upper lip!” “Oh! yas, we will, won’t we?” Beautiful Bill snorted, with a caper. ‘‘ We'll see ther Sport a-climbin’ ther golden stairs, in about two jerks of a pig’s narrative, we will, no doubt, Tell ye what V’ll do, pilgrims—I’ll bet a, solid pound o’ pure auriferous wi? oa mortal man, that Rose- bud Rob makes ther Ohio galoot howl!” “ Who are you, that you interferein this mat- ter?” Vernon demanded, fiercely. “You let him alone,” Rosebud Rob advised, ‘He knows who and what you are as the whola town will, before I’m through with you. Come! get to your place, if you insist upon fightin with me, though I would prefer you would wait, until you are in a better condition.”- “T am ready. If, however, you are afraid to meet me, I can perhaps find it convenient to let you off!” ; “Tam not afraid to meet a dozen of your ilk, sir, providing they don’t come too fast,” was the answer. ‘Take your place, and let's get to business.” ° ““Thet’s ther tork, feller-citerzens—git ter yer places, an’ purceed ter bizness. That’s no more beauchiful sentence in er grammatical spollin’- book, than ther word-‘ bizness,’ an’ wen a feller don’t mind his own bizness, here’s w’ot likes -ter see him cornered like a bull 0’ ther market, and licked!” the Leadville man announced, Both men now took their relative positions—, the-Sport with his back against the door open-' ing into the street, and the Ohioan with his back - against the rear wall of the cabin. The spectators were ranged upon either side, - leavinz an alley for the duelists. ‘Now, gentlemen, let’s know the terms of this _ engagement!” Garwood cried, ‘and we'll try and keep order.” : ! “We won't only try, but we'll do thet leetle same!” Beautiful Bill declared. ‘Ary ill-tiimed galoot that shows endicashuns of treachery, will ! * ap ee a

Page 29

J ex Blonde Bill, 2? I spot right squar’ atween. ther eyes wi’ one 0’ atent love-pellets.” ““The terms of the duel are that we fight with pistols, an’ don’t quit till one or t’other of us yells for quits!” Rosebud Rob announced. “T beg to amend that resolution,” Vernon growled. ‘‘ We'll shoot till one or the other of us is dead!” } “ Just as you like,” Rosebud assented. ‘I was inclined to be merciful, but if you object, I have no reason to complain.” “Then git ready, for the Lordy’s sake!” cried Beautiful Bill. ‘I’m anxious to see sum gore spilt. Pull yer pistolic perforators, now, an’ w’en ye heer my clarion notes yell-~‘ One! two! three ’—let yer luy-pellets slide.” The two men drew their weapons, and stepped forward, a pace from the wall. The Sport grasped a pair of heavy Colt re- volvers, the Obioan had a pair, if anything lar- er and more formidable than his opponent’s. Op came the right hands of the two duelists, and as they rose to a level, Beautiful Bill, with a quick eye*to business, shouted: “One! two! three! Ther rooster crows an’ away she goes!’ Then the report of two weapons echoed through the room, with roaring effect, and there was a faint groan of pain, coming from the Ohioan. The Sport’s bullet had torn a passage through the fleshy portion of his left cheek, ae an ugly-looking wound which bled pro- usely. : “ Time!” Garwood ordered. “Yas! giv ’im time ter rub down his charger, an’ sponge off his cheek,” snorted the big Lead- villite, capering about in the most undignified manner. Time was accordingly wound of the Ohioan, and while cursing like a pirate. “Such treatment is only fit for a dog,” he growled. ‘‘The next time I'll kill the villain, outright.” _ “Yas, ye will!” roared the Leadville giant. “The next time, my pard, the Sport, ‘ll knock you ’way out o’ time, mebbe, an’ put another wrinkle in yer cheek.” This elicited a laugh from the spectators, and also increased the rage of the Ohioan; but he wisely repressed it. He now took his place again, and the revol- ‘yers once more came to a level; there was a flash and a report, as Beautiful Bill gave the signal to fire. The result was, that the Ohioan gave vent to another howl of pain and rage. The second bullet of the Sport had plowed an- other furrow, this time through his right cheek! ‘“‘ Kerwhoop! converted polecats an’ old tar- ant’lers! what did I tell ye, Pie I sed ther Sport w’wd make ther Buckeye galoot howl!— offered ter bet on it, an’ nary a pilgrim durst riny mea deal. ‘Ho! ho! whar’s ther man who noi? sez thet ther Sport ain’t a reg’lar seckond iven to bathe the andage it, he mean- ‘ -edishion 0’ true grit an’ straight-grained bull- dosian? Whar?”. » Nowhere, apparently—at least the tide of ad- Se ad seemed pretty evenly centered upon e . ! - Neither of the Ohioan’s bullets had done him any di , and he stood at his end of the beat as cool and calm, literally, as an iceberg, while the Honorable Ray Vernon hopped around in a high state of pain and rage. “Time, curse you!” he Sue tg “Garwood, you fool, tie up this side. Pll murder that devil if I die a-doing it.” ‘* A solid pound o’ pure, unalloyed auriferous earryeth I down in ther left pocket o’ my durned old_bricheloons, w’ot sez ye’re a durn. old liar, a blowhard, an’ er fit; associate fer ther fleas in ther hair o’ my mother-in-law’s leetle yaller dorg!” exclaimed the giant, quickly. ‘‘ Bet? On course ye won’t! A mule kin tell wich way the wind blows by the way ther straw goes, 'evry day in a week, an’ he’s a durned ring- nosed, lop-eared, slab-sided, long-legged. son uv a Hoosher skulemaster, w’at bucks a’gin’ ther dederment uy g mule or bis driver.” ‘or the second time the Ohioan suffered the . pain of having his wound dressed and bandaged; then he once more took his position, trembling with rage when he realized that his beauty was He all probability spoiled by the bullets of the port. “Do you still want more?’ Rosebud Rob de- manded. ‘I could have killed you either shot, had I chosen. I’d advise you to throw up, for your own sake, as none of your bullets come anywhere near me, and if you continue, you'll only get the worst of it.” 5 ‘“That’s none of your business as long as I choose to stand the blunt!” was the fierce an- swer. ‘‘ Ready!” Once more the weapons came to a level, and Beautiful Bill gave the word. Once more there were two flashes—two reports —a howl of pain. : The Ohioan’s pistol hand Se ae and bs ger Pad his side, the wrist sha’ by one of the large bullets from the Sport’s revolver. A faint streak of blood cosine out in the neigh- borbood of the Sport’s ear, told where his oppo- nent’s bullet had left a trifling “kiss,” “« Again doth the busy little bee improve each shinin’? minute!” ejaculated Beautiful Bill. “How are ye, Ohio! Want sum more uv ther same piece o' goods? Wanter bet ye didn’t git licked? Oh! Foty. lecats! Beautiful Bill am I —ther Apoller 0’ ther West, an’ cumin’ man fer ther Text Preatdanny: but I'll be licked up by er consarned ’arthquake, ef ever I see’d a man so transformed, in er jiffy. Most Honorable Sir, how doth stand yer thermomeser now? Be yer mercury all friz into zeroic infinity, or aire it boomin’ red-hot, ready fer anuther salivate?” “T have got enough,” the Ohioan replied, sav- agely—‘‘ at least, until I get able to use my hand. As for you, my man,” turning to Rosebud—‘ as for you, Dll fix you yet. You have not heard the iast of me, by any means!” 4 Then, turning, he staggered from the room, followed by Garwood and the two miners, who had entered with them. Rosebud gazed after them, a smile hovering about his lips, as he lit a fresh cigar. “‘Gentlemen,”. he said, sarcastically, ‘‘I have the honor of introducing you to four members of the outlaw gang, known as the Silent_Tongues. Yonder they go, headed by the right Honorable Ray Vernon, of Ohio.”

Page 30

‘the Silent 28 A ery of surprise came from the crowd. “ You don’t mean to say ther deputy-sheriff, too?” a miner cried, ““T do, precisely,” Rosebud replied. ‘‘I hap- genes to spy around and get into the meeting- ouse of these Silent Tongues last night, and learned so much that his honor from Ohio chal- lenged me to fight, naturally expecting, no doubt to get the best of me.” “Then you charge these men with being mem- bers of the outlaw gang, eh?” another bystander demanded, pulling out his revolvers. b “fT do,” the Sport replied—‘‘ at least, the dep- uby-sheriff and the Ohbioan, and it is not im- pene that ef you would take off-the false eards of one of those miners, you’d find his nibs, the Reverend Lester Van Syckel, who is the real Captain Terrible.” This was enough, for with a shout of ven- geance a number of the crowd sprung in pur- suit of the outlaws, who had left the saloon while the Sport was speaking. But tho pursuers arrived in the outer world ist in time to gaze with chagrin upon four orsemen that were flying down the gulch at a safe distance, out of rifle-range, and bound mountainward, Rosebud Rob turned to Avalanche and Beau- siful Bill, with a shake of the head. “Tm afraid that they'll get to the stronghold aliead of us. If Miss Van Syckel is ready, we will start at once,” ; He left them and Betook himself hastily to the Leviathan hotel, where he was so fortunate as to meet the pseudo-minister’s daughter, in the main hall. - On explaining matters, she signified her will- ingness to get ready at once. he then ascended to. prepare, while Rosebud hunted up horses for the party. : They were presently joined by Miss Van Syckel, who was disguised as a young miner, in an admirable manner. A mount was at once made, and the party sat off in a direction opposite to that taken by Ver- non, at Miss Van Syckel’s advice. “There are two routes to the rendezvous, or rather, to the neighborhood of it,” she explain- ed as they rode along; ‘‘ and I willtake you over the least dangerous, for I have heard father de- scribe both roads.” a te “Do you apprehend danger, then?” Rosebud Rob demanded. “Yes. The Silent Tongues may have a sus- picion of an attempt to rescue Deadwood Dick, and will guard against it.” CHAPTER XII. RAPHAEL'S PLOT—INTO A-TRAP. Tar day Mrs quietly at the stronghold of longues, and night at last fell upon the earth with its somber shadows. Neither Deadwood Dick nor Sey ventured far out into the valley, but kept closely in the neighbor- hood of their cave. Onee Dick went as far as the passage that was the entrance and exit of the ‘‘ pocket,” but found it guarded by two masked and well-armed outlaws. Blonde Bill, He saw that escape here was out of the ques- tion, unarmed as he was, and accordingly saun- tered back to the cave. As the darkness closed in, their former guard entered the cave, bearing a lighted lantern, and a tray of steaming reast venison, pot of ume P33 and some cold biscuits, which he deposited, ani withdrew, without speaking. “That fellow would not do to be Mother Grundy’s servant,” Calamity observed, dryly, ‘Nobody is qualified for that position except a man who can talk,” ; ‘You should say, rather, a woman who can talk,” Dick replied, withasmile. ‘ ButI should be pleased to know to whom we are indebted _ this feast. Prisoners are seldom treated us. S idols Raphael’s conscience is working on him, and he is whackin’ up,” the girl suggested. ‘“Tt’s strange we do not see or hear something from him. Don’t you think so?” ‘A little queer, maybe, but I am not at all er to see him again, as his next coming may bode us no good.” ois : ’ “True. Indeed, I believe these Silent Tongues are hatching up some devilish means of getting —~ rid of us.” “No. 1 think they are waiting for the arrival | of their leader, Captain Terrible, whom I be- lieve to be either the Ohioan Vernon, or the minister, Van Syckel.” ‘ They were not again disturbed that night, and — after finishing the relishable repast, Calamity lay down to sleep, while Deadwood Dick kept guard near the entrance. Early on the following morning, the man — Raphael made his appearance at the cave, un- masked. Dick and Calamity were seated at the rude — table, with which their abode was furnished, engaged in finishing the remnants of the last sg 's meal, when he entered, and bowed plea- santly, ; ¥ ‘“Pray excuse my intrusion,” he said, politely. “Tt thought I'd look in upon you, having a bit of news to communicate. I suppose you know me, Deadwood Dick?” # ¥ J “*T do,” Dick replied, as courteously as though — he had been addressing a friend, instead of an enemy. ‘Calamity informed me whom I was indebted to, for my rescue from Judge Lynch, and my subsequent captivity here.” “You are not having a very serious time here, T should judge,” Raphael replied, with a smile. “Indeed, f did not intend that you should have, after I deliberated on the fact that we were once master and man. I’ve a little plan to unfold, however, if -you will give me your attention, which I think we can manage to our mutual se+- isfaction.” ; ‘“My ears are open. Go ahead, and your words will receive due weight from me,” Dead- wood Dick said, in return, and Calamity echoed his words by a fiod. “ Well, to that this hidden gold-mine?” : “No, I never heard so, but have much since coming here.” “Then you have suspected rightly, for itis a richer gold-field than has ever yet been begin with, you may not have beard _ pocket is in truth a valuable” _ suspected as

Page 31

Blonde Bill, ered in this part of the State. “This is unknown to any persons, with your exceptions, outside of the band.” ae Well?” ‘* Well, there are certain members of the band who have become tired of this general outlawry, and want to dissolve with the others, But, at the same time, they are not willing to bid fare- well to the gold-mine, and therefore, there the matter stands.” ‘Why do those fellows wish to draw off?” Dick demanded. ““They are boys whom some misstep in life has forced to take up the life of road-agents, but who are not criminals at heart, nor by desire. That’s why they wish to draw off from the ‘others, whose ruffianly cravings are only for murder and plunder.” ‘* How do the respective numbers stand?” ‘There is a large majority of those who wish to disband, and they are the best men, The gang was considerably larger, until the fight in San Juan canyon, when quite a number were killed.” ‘* A half a dozen or so of whom you can credit fo me, probably,” Deadwood Dick reminded. “Do you know who killed my wife?” : ‘“‘T have no idea,’ Did I know, I would un- asrarea gt inform you.” “All T want is to meet the man. I’ll vouch that hell never kill another woman,” the ex- Prince of the Road said, bitterly. ‘But why are you telling me of all this about the outlaws? What does it interest me?” “We want you to lead us, and we will put out the roughest of the gang, and keep the§val- Jey for ourselves, There is enough for us all, and we can hold the valley like a charm.”. And the lieutenant Jaughed at his own propo- sition. “But, supposing I were inclined to accept your proposition—what assurance have I that I would have my liberty, afterward?” “The assurance, sir, that I was formerly one of your followers, and in making you our lead- er, will be yours to command, again, as will the others.” “Very well; I will accept the position of command, with the understanding that we are miners, and citizens, and not outlaws. I will demand the right to keep Calamity Jane here, .if'so be she chooses to stay, and also three other friends to whom I am deeply indebted.” “Very well; I have consulted with our boys, already, and they are willing to go under your leadership, and give you full power to do for the mutual benefit of the company.” ‘How will you manage to get rid of the other portion?” : ‘“Basy enough, They are now all sleeping off ' the effects of a drug that was administered to them in their tea, last night. They cannot re- cover consciousness, before noon, and by that time we can have them all lugged out of the valley, at a safe distance fromit. There they _ will be left to recover. When they recover, each will find pinned to his coat a paper, warn- ing him that Deadwood Dick has taken posses- sion and charge of the valley, with a large force of men, and any attempt on the excluded gutlaws’ part to enter the valley, will be pun- ished by, instant death. How like you the plan, Captain Harris?’ A Unless the excluded outlaws haunt the vicinity of the exit of the valley, and make us trouble when we go in and out for provi- sions.” *“T don’t think they will, as there has already been talk among them of going down into New ene and joining the uerte brothers? and, “ Well, go ahead, and follow your course of action, according to your plan, and we'll see how things will work!” Deadwood Dick com- man “Tt is asafe shell, at all events, and perhaps I can find peace here—a last home-base, as it were,” ae The lieutenant bowed, and at once took his departure. ; An hour later the work of removing the bodies of the drugged outlaws from the valley was commenced, and-by noon not a trace of them was left to tell the tale of the former ex~- istence of the Silent Tongues. In the mean time Deadwood Dick and Calam- ity sauntered from one cave to another, and _ made an inspection of the quarters, after which they returned to their own cave. Shortly afterward, Lieutenant Raphael mar- shaled his men before the entrance, and Dick was called forth to review them, which he did, and made a brief but appropriate address, which © was received with enthusiastic applause. Then, Raphael proposed three cheers for the new com- eat which were given, and the band sepa- rated, A strong guard had been stationed at both ends of the remarkable passage which furnished the mode of entrance and exit of the secret gold- pocket, and thus everything was satisfactorily arranged, without bloodshed or battle. During the early afternoon, as Raphael and Deadwood Dick stood in the valley, engaged in conversation, a guard bey Lat them and tipped his hat in a respectful manner. “If you please, captain, there’s one 0’ the old gang outside the pocket, who has important | orders, he says, from Captain Terrible, for the Lieutenant Raphael.” ‘Show him in at once,” ordered Deadwood Dick. ‘We will see what he bas to say for himself.” : The guard bowed and took his departure, but returned ere long, accompanied by one of the rough-looking miners, who had escaped with Vernon and Garwood, from Silverton. “Ah! Yelverton, is that you?” Raphael de- manded. ‘‘ What brings you here, sir?” “T came from the captain, sir. Four of us had to take flight from Silverton Judge Lynch. - We were betrayed by a fellow who is called Rosebud Rob. But, we’ve got him and a party of two others, hedged in downa matter o’ six miles from here, and want ther gang ter come down and help finish him up. They were comin’ to rescue Deadwood Dick, but we ges a deal on’em, an’ got em cornered, where they can’t fight out.” 4 “Very well, Go tell Captain Terrible that I will fetch down a part of the gang, before long!” Raphael said. “‘I would come now at 29 ‘ to escape - sg

Page 32

30 once, but have some other matters to look to first. Be spry, now, and convey my answer back to the captain at once,” The outlaw nodded, and took his departure from the valley. When he had gone, Deadwood Dick turned to Raphael, inquiringly. * Well?” he demanded, ‘‘ what do you make of it? ‘* Just what the fellow said; they’ve got Rose- bud Rob and his companions cornered in some tight place, and all we’ve got to dois to take part of our men, and go and help them out. Do you see?” “ But, while we are absent, will not the men you bounced from the valley regain possession?” “No. Half of our thirty men will hold the valley, and with the other half, we can effect the rescue. Leave Calamity Jane in charge, here, and she'll attend to it, while you accom- pany re.” ‘ Accordingly it was so arranged. Calamity was left in full charge of the valley, with fifteen men under her command, and with the other fifteen, Deadwood Dick and Raphael soon rode from the secret valley, bound for the rescue, __ All were weil armed, and masked, and with! Raphael in the lead, they dashed away down the mountain trail at breakneck speed. We must now return to Rosebud Rob and his party, whom we left on their way toward the stronghold of the Silent Tongues, bent on the rescus of Deadwood Dick and Calamity Jane. Nora Van Syckel led the advance, at a rapid gallop and the others followed but a short dis- nee behind. The route chosen by her was thesame taken by the Silent Tongues, when they had rescued Blonde Bill, and was extremely rough and tortuous, lead- | ing through deep, dark chasms and frightful mountainous places,such as none of our three friends had ever encountered before, About mid-afternoon, Miss Van Syckel drew rein, and waited for the others to come up. “You had better stop here a few minutes, until I go around yonder bend and reconnoiter,’ she sai slipping from the saddle, and giving her bridle-rein to the Sport. ‘‘ There is a place there where an enemy could lie in ambush, and once you entered the ara, they’d have you, ere you could think of it. If the route is all clear. and safe, I will blow a little silver whistle, an yon can come on, and fetch my horse with you. ust around the bend, the canyon forks into two. Take the left hand one and follow it, un- til you find me waiting for you.” Then, taking her rifle, she strode rapidly on up the guich, until she was out of sight. “Pll bet she discovers the outlaws, and we shall have to go back, and around the other way,” Rosebud observed. ‘‘Somehow I don’t trust her, just as I would an angel, for all I hired her fairly.” “Great ham-bone, no, ner I nuther,” Old Avalanche declared. ‘These weemir ar’ ther deceitfulest uv all critters on ’arth, takia’ ’em as they come, on an average. Thar war old Methusler Hoppenberry, up at S®hian—durned- est old cattymount ye ever see’d, I sw'ar! Tell a i Se OR 8 Sa Blonde Bill, ye w’at she did oncet. She cum down ter m; ranch, an’ axed me ter marry her, an’ I con. sented. After we got hitched, aw’ile, she coax: ed me ter git my life insured fer forty million dollars, an’ I like a big fule I did thet same. Waal, sir, one night she tuk me at an advan- tage when I was asleep, an’ throad me in a boat an’ sent me down ther river. Then she collect- ed ther forty million, an’ skipped out. Fact, too! “Hark!” Rosebud Rob cried. “I thought I heard the whistle!” They all listened, but there came no second sound of the kind. The minutes passed by to the number of fif- teen or more; then a shrill whistle from the dis- tance was borne to their hearing. ‘Alls right; so come along,” the Sport ex- claimed; and putting the spurs to their horses, they dashed up the canyon. Past the bend they swept, and discovered the forks in the canyon as Nora had advised. Taking the left hand one they continued on for several minutes—then stopped abruptly. Before them loomed up a perpendicular tower- a barrier of solid —ahead, and on either side of them. They had entered a blind canyon, and were tra oe Tt well they realized this, when, at the sound of a low laugh, they looked back, and saw that they were covered by a trio of rifles, which were leveled toward them by the out- laws— Vernon, Garwood, and Lester Van Syckle! Betrayed by the latter’s daughter, they were © in an unenviable situation. CHAPTER XIII. CONCLUSION, “Ha! ha! you are surprised, are you not?” the Ohioan demanded, with a villainous smile. “The tables are somewhat turned, just about now!” , “Tn all probability,” Rosebud Rob admitted, coolly. ‘‘ It depends, however, upon your abil- ity to keep us covered, whether we are long your prisoners or not.” ‘Oh! we'll hold the drop, don’t you fear, until aid arrives,” the minister announced, with a laugh, ‘“‘and drop -you in the most summary manner, if you attempt to budge an inch, We don’t bear you any particular amount of good- will, and should deem it a pleasure to shoot you. ““T presume so. But I am shocked to observe how very impious your reverence is growing,” was the §; ’s stinging retort. : At which the outlaw laughed again. “Tam sorry you have been so ly deceived in ies ornament of the Silverton pulpit,” he said. t “Not werry much deceived, ye consarned old polecat!” grunted Beautiful Bill. ‘We know’d ye were a blamed lop-sided, spindle-shanked sinner, long a; But, we got ’most sucked in on ther female critter who led us inter ther trap._ Consarn her aire I; an’ ¥ do boldly sw’ar, declare, an’ ag» Fae | rty mug! Beautiful Bill

Page 33

Blonde Bill. claws inter severate, thet if Il evyer ketch mY He ‘ she won ther paraphernalyer uv thet gal, never know w’ot struck her.” ‘Very likely, but she is safe out of your reach, long ere this,” the Ohioan assured, mock- ingly. ‘“‘A clever young lady is Miss Van Syckel, to whom we are largely indebted for your easy capture.” Then there was a pause. Rosebud Rob, Beautiful Bill and Avalanche sat in their saddles, quietly, believing it their best course not to make any more resistance. The three outlaws stood a few yards away, and kept their rifles leveled at their captives, steadily, evidently resolved to prevent any pos- sible chance of escape. ‘“‘ When your arms get tired, gentlemen, don’t ‘you dare to lower your weapons, for the chances stand ten to one that ere you can raise one of them, again, I can send in a whole note!” Rose- bud Rob warned. “I’m up to all sueh tricks, syou know and am not to be trusted!” This elicited a scowl from the three men, for the weapons were evidently growing heavy. And the fact that the Sport’s hand rested upon 2 pistol-butt suggested the thought that he wanted but the slightest gap left open by them "@ open the ceremonies. ~ “J guess we’re good for a half-hour,” the Obioan said, ‘and by that time we shall have aid. The plan of your capture was prear- ranged, and so confident were we of its success that. we sent a man to our stronghold for rein- forcements, which must soon arrive.” Bravely did the three men keep their rifles up to a level with the captives’ breasts, although it was evident that their arms must have ached excruciatingly. ‘ And all the while the hawk-like eyes of the Sport were turned upon them, watching for an unguarded point. hus five, ten, fifteen minutes—a half an hour assed away; then there came rolling through jhe mountain corridors the blare of a trumpet. A smile of triumph broke over the mock min- ister’s countenance. ‘* Reinforcements,” he said, with a smile, and the next minute he answered the signal with a piercing yell. Soon, then, there came the clatter of hoofs and a party of seventeen masked outlaws dashed up, on horseback, Raphael in the lead. “Cover yonder prisoners, lieutenant,” the bogus minister cried, ‘‘and spell us, as we are near dead a-trying to keep them under the drop.” you'll be dead in truth soon, unless Dead- = | wood Dick chooses to spare your lives,” was tho reply. i What mean you?” Vernon demanded. “Cover them, boys!” Raphael commanded, and he was quickly obeyed. ‘‘I mean that it is fees and your crowd who are now our prisoners, tead of Rosebud Rob and his party. The tables have turned, just a little, you see. This man on my right is Deadwood Dick, and he at present, and for all time hereafter, commands the gang. You are no longer included. The Silent Tongues have been merged into the Rough and Readys, under Deadwood Dick, and all the ruffian element has been bounced out. How like you the change?” Horrible curses came from the three baffled villains, but they were too wise to draw wea- pons against such odds, ‘““Throw down your tools, gentlemen, and surrender,” Deadwood Dick ordered, ‘‘ or I shall direct my men to shoot you down on the spot.” They obeyed, and were made prisoners. Rosebud Rob now, rode forward, and was heartily received by Deadwood Dick, as were Bill and Avalanche. Then a general introduc- tion took place, after which the whole party set out for the Golden Pocket. The three chief members of the former band of Silent congas: Vernon, Van Syckel, and the « deputy-sheriff, Garwood, bogeed so piteously for their lives and liberty, that Deadwood Dick fin- ally concluded to let them have both, but first made them, swear that, as soon as they were free, is would leave the mining country for- ever. They were then set at liberty, to be seen never again in the country of the Rio de los An- amas. Later Rosebud Rob bid a final adieu to Golden Pocket and his friends there, and journeyed to the Nor’west, with the intention of taking: to himself a wife in the int of a young lady whom her friends call Cinnamon Chip. Golden Pocket, with its rich mines, is to-day a bonanza. And it has also prove to be the home- base of Richard of Deadwood, for he is Still there, with his little band of friends around him, among whom are Calamity Jane, Old Ava- Janche, Beautiful Bill and Ne swag Peaceful and undisturbed, the band is mining the days away, out of the reach of the strong, stern arm of the law; and in the dim future, it is not improbable that Dick and Calamity will enter into a loving partnership for life, which long delayed consummation, we believe, our ers will welcome with— Three cheers for Deadwood Dick! THE END 2 Seria that Tak ORIE ATT . sik ae deed.

Page 34

SRD RECIT spy ees “TI Ne BEST AUTHORS. | A CHOICE COLLECTION OF Beautiful Compeitions SCHOOL, LYCEUM, PARLOR, AND QTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, omni TL en Le FRAN CES P. SULLIVAN. | Issued Quarterly, June, 1886, \ Subscription, 50 Cents per Year. | Med: IVBAS x CO,, PUBLISHERS, | NS | te 86 NASSAU gto eee INES See — ES | | oa <8 i aN Entered at the Pos sat Otis 08a ond class matter. ey sa

Page 35

Smart Toasts ror THE Swart Sgr, Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. Sewed Book. Up-to-Date. By Mail, Postpaid, 12c. per Copy. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH? YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, ete. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence. FAMILY PHYSICIAN.—Family Diseases and Their ‘Treatment; Rules of Health, ete. BOOK OF DREAMS. —Their Romance and Mystery, with a Complete Interpretation Dictionary. HOUSEWIFE'S MANUAL.—How to Keep House; How to Dye, Cleanse, ete. VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introdue- tions, Dress, Balls, ete. : FORTUNE TELLER.—Fortune Telling by Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Eggs; Palmistry, ete. BOOK OF 100 GAMES.—One Hundred Games for * Social Parties and Home Amusements. COOK BOOK.—-Economical, Practical, Excellent. LADIES’ LETTER WRITER.—How to Write; When to Write; What to Write. RECIPE BOOK.—For the Parlor, Nursery, Sick-room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, ete. BOOK OF BEAU'TY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair. Complexion, Skin, ete., with chapters on Perfumes, Cosmeties, ete. BOOK OF VERSES.—Comprising Rhymes, Lines, and Mottoes for Lovers and Friends. THE LOVERS’ CASKET.—A Treatise on and Guide to Friendship, Love, Courtship, and Marriage, “GERMAN ” JOKER.—* Dutch” Jokes and “Gags” by best ‘‘ Dutch’ l'eams on the Stage. “ HAYSEED ” JOKER.—The Doings of “Our Country Cousins” in a,gf{lumorous Way. “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good “‘ Handouts” in this Book for Professional and Amateur Entertainers. “COON” YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our “ Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsicali- ties of “‘ Pat "’ at His Best. ; “VARIETY * JOKER.—Good Things from all the Na- tionalities: ‘‘ Pat,’ ‘\Alphonse,” ‘* Haus,” * Jona- than,”’ * Moses,” and ** Ebenezer.” The above books are bound in handsomely illustrated lithographed covers. Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ 5 CENTS PRICK 1 Dandy Bill's Doom. By Oll Coomes. 8 Kit Carson. By A. W. Aiken. 4 Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Stoddard. 5 Old Grizzly in the Rockies. By Ingraham, 6 Deadwood Dick asa Boy. By E. L. Wheeler. 7 Wild Bill. By Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch. By J. E. Badger. 9 Roving Joe. By A. H. Post, i 10 Texas Jack. By Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. 12 Brimstone Bill’s Booty. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 14 The Ticket-of-Leave’s Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 15 Wide-Awake George. By E. Willett. 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn. By Noah Nuff. Adrift on the Prairie. By Oll Coomes. 19 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. Giant Pete and his Pards. By Harbaugh, Yellow Hair. By Ingraham. The Snow-Trail. By Harbangh. Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr. Powell. Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. A Rolling Stone. By W. R. Eyster. a Red River Rovers. By C. D. Clark. Buckskin Sam‘s Wild Ride. By Ingraham, The Sword Prince. By F. Whittaker. Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C, Harbaugh. Paul De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. Round the Camp-Fire. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Fancy Frank’s Drop. By Ingraham, 2 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker, LIBRARY. 5 PER COPY. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By C. D. Clark, 35 Old Tar Knuckle. By Rover Starbuck 36 The Dashing Dragoon. By F, Whittaker. 87 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham, 38 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By 'l. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett 41 The Settler’s Son. By Edward §. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D, Clark, 43 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 Tho Lost Boy Whalers. By '’. C, Harbaugy 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham. 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters. By 'T. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. ‘By Ingraham. 50 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker, 51 ‘Tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark, 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 53 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham. 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Edward Willett, 56 The Snow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. by S. W. Pearce. 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost. By Ingraham, 59 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris, 60 The Young Trail Hunters, By 'T. C. Harbaugh. 61 The Tiger Hunters. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 62 Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot. By Ingraham. 63 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. By Roger Starbuck, 64 Young Dick Talbot, By A. W. Aiken.

Page 36

THE eadwood Dick e Library LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS. 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Wiii Buy the Rest! %xtracts from the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE In only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a aovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- dure has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader will have to think a moment over ‘his remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home, But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement that will be news to many when it is added that litera- gure, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam ‘was a mere child down to the present day, would show ut few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be #ven judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest Jaeroes known te American literature, or, to promptly re- veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The medern heroes of fiction for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important * * * it is but natural that their * * * should bear @way the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left ‘ar behind in the race, It can be easily believed,-therefore, that the two Dicks 4 80 firmly ¢ -grafted on the tree of popular literature ** boys and 3; ung men, that thele position is assured * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders HEROES, \ above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor im the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet- ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable mysteries, Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set ot SONS AC thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call fornia, There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be tween them, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes in- finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc- tion, it would be cruel to The Huvening Sun’s readers to stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road $ The Doyle Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Deflance % The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol o& Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 4 Death-Face, the Detective ? The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 3 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand % Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian #@ Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger a1 ota ee Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat! ” Deve wood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar {8 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 4 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter i Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo av woe ead Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight o¢ the Hic. i@ Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand ® Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 3® Watch-EKye, the Shadow n pai pt Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross @ Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 4% Deadwood Dick as Detective % Gilt-Ndge Dick % Bonanza Bill the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve % Chip, the Girt Sport Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks » gations Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon . ic at Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base # Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, ‘"he Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure -40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebed 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 De Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator’s ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam's Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam‘s Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect- ives 51 Blouse paar Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 58 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 ne bee: Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- ras City 64 eolrads Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 379 Pearl Street, NEW YORK.

Page 37

Copyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 1899. THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. No. 31 Cleveland, Ohio Vol. III ws SS WITH THEIR ENIVUS, THEY DUG OUT A GRAVE. AND WRAPPING A HEAVY BLA ‘ CORPSE, LAID IT LOVINGLY IN ITS LAST RESTING-PLACL,

Page 38

Page 39

NT | +. . THE ARTHUR WESTBROO 5 ee s No. 31 Cleveland, Ohio iets ye Vol. IIIf Ny ie 7 MN, RS A AN Pe Na eT) sa) SS

Page 40

_|BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES| 150. Per Copy. > 1. The Shawnee’s Foe. - 60. Harry Hardskull. 2. The Young Mountaineer. 51. Madman of the Oconto. 3. Wild Jim. ; 52. Slim Jim. } 4, Hawk-Eye, the Hunter, Ja 53. Tiger-Eye, ; ” 5. The Boy Guide. fy 54. The Red Star of the 6. War Tiger of the Modocs ' Seminoles, ‘ : 7 The Red Modocs, .55. Trapper Joe. * 8 Iron Hand. 56. The Indian Queens pe "9. Shadow Bill, the Scout. A Revenge. 10. Wapawkaneta, or the ‘57. Eagle-Eyed Zeke, Rangers of the Oneida. (58. Sear-Cheek, the Wild 11. Davy Crockett’s Boy ' Half-Breed. Hunter, , > 59. Red Men of the Woods. 12. The Forest Avenger, 7 60. Tuscaloosa Sam. 13. Old Jack’s Frontier | 61. The Bully of the Woods. Cabin. , 62, The Trapper’s Bride. 114. On the Deep, |\.68. Red Rattlesnake, The s :15. Sharp Snout, 4 Pawnee. 16. The Mountain Demon. 64, The Scout of Tippecance ‘17, Wild Tom of Wyoming, 65. Old Kit, The Scout. : :18. The Brave Boy Hunters 66. The Bey Scouts. a =. of Kentucky. 67, Hiding Tom. A 119. The Fearless Ranger. 68. Roving Dick, Hunter. ee ‘20. The Haunted Trapper. 69. Hickory Jack. A 21. Madman of the Colorado. 70. Mad Mike. ee. 22, The Panther Demon. i1. Snake-Kye. 5 23. Slashaway, the Fearless, 12. Big-Dearted Joe. 124, Pine Tree Jack. 73. The Blazing Arrow. 25. Indian Jim. 74, The Hunter Scouts. 3 126. Navajo Nick, 76. The Scout of Long Island. sen 27. The Tuscarora’s Vow. 16. Turkey-Foot. ary ‘28, Deadwood Dick, Jr. i7. The Death Rangers. (29. A New York Boy Among — ras: Spee wig ah al gee 80. The Twin Trappers z 9 7 ih $0. Pescyood Dick's Bie + si paenioot Wie Mesee, ' Deal. 82, Grim _ Dick. 31. Hank, the Guide. W g 32. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen, ih ae sieat Mien Spy. 33. Squatty Dick, : 34. The Hunter's Secret. ng aay pi a 35. The Woman Trapper. 87. Hank Jasper, , a 36. The Chief of the Miami. -§8' The Scout of the Sclota. 37. Gunpowder Jim? 89. Black Samson. 38. Mad Anthony’s Captain. 90. Billy Bowlegs. 39. The Ranger Boy’s Career. 91. The Bloody Footprint. 40. Old Nick of the Swamp. 99. Marksman the Hunter. 41. The Shadow Scout. 93. The Demon_ Cruiser. i 42. Lantern-Jawed Bob. 94, Hunters aud Redskins. : 43. The Masked Hunter. 95. Panther Jack. i 7 ; 44, Brimstone Jake. 96. Old Zeke. * 3 “s t 45. The Irish Hunter, 97. The Panther Paleface, : } 46. Dave Bunker, 98. The Scout of the St. Lawrence, Ee 47. The Shawnee Witch, 99. Bloody Brook. } 48. Big Brave. * 100, Long Bob of Kentucky. : Rep es ok: 49, Spider-Legs. eu : g : : Ee ee BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES are always in print and for eee: sale by all Newsdealers; or will be sent postpaid to any address: : : Single copies, i5c. “a \ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. GLEVELAND, OHIO

Page 41

Page 42

ee THE Deadwood Dick e Library @ DEADWOOD 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road & The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Deflance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 5 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick's Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 10 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger 11 Jim erates Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to Deat ‘ 12 pet Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 13 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Riflé Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 oe Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch 48 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosehud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil: or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow 21 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 28 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-Kdged Dick 26 Bonanza, Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 27 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon'’s ulc! 81 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 82 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS. 82 Pages. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! Fer Sample Cover See Other Bide. DICK LIBRARY. 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Detects Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator’s ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective ’ 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect ives 51 oe pane Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy’s Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 2 at Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Deco: 63 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa fras ao 64 ey a Yharlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings ————————————————————————