Deadwood Dick Library (v. 3) (1899 10 18)

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Copyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New York ] IVERS & CO., Publishers, evi 9 No, 32. pees 7 imes Sullivan, Proprietor,) ex SOO cb. 18, rl street, New York. Kae pee ““ WELL! WELL!’ THR OLD MAN DFMANDED, AS HE SURVEYED THE LINE OF HORSEMEN, WITH EVIDENT DISPLEASURE. “WHAT BRINGS YOU UPON THE LAND OF WHITE BEARD?”

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595 600 606 612 618 624 630 636 42 648 654 660 666 672 678 684. 690 695 700 TO4 710 ers, 9 Deadwood Dick, 3 Deadwood Dick, 3 Deadwood Dick, 7 Deadwood Dick, IN THE HALF- se LIBRARY. 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; Crescent Sign. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood, Dick, Jr JL. as ls Oils dr, eiltey Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr. '., in Beelzebub’s Basin. r., at Coney Island, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Ab ai Deadwood Dick, Jr., Ae Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Continent. Deadwood Dick, glers. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Jr., altos he Deadwood Dick, Jr. ane Jr. dt, Jr. Abie For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c, per copy, by the publi )., 879 Peart STREET, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, M, J.IVERS & C¢ Jr.'s, “ABA abe .’s, Deliverance. es or.” or? Jr.’s Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Price 5 Cents per Copy. or, s, Defiance. s, Full Hand. s, Big Round-Up. s, Corral. s, Dog Detective. in Deadwood. Compact. ’s, Inheritance. *s, Diggings. s, Protege. s, Three. s, Danger Ducks. , Death Hunt. in Texas. the Wild West Vidocq. on His Mettle. in Gotham. in Boston. in Philadelphia. in Chicago. A float, in Denver. s, Decree. *s, Leadville Lay. :., in Detroit. in Cincinnati. in Nevada. in No Man’s Land. After the Queer. in Buffalo. Jr., Among the Smug- s, Insurance Case. Back in the Mines. in Durango. s, Discovery. ’g, Dazzle. s, Dollars. , at Danger Divide, s, Drop. , at Jack-Pot. at San Francisco. The Crimson s, Racket at Claim 10. 716 Deadwood Dick, 722 Deadwood Dick, 728 Deadwood Dick, 734 Deadwood Dick, 740 Deadwood Dick, 747 Deadwood Dick, ues Deadwood Dick, 758. Deadwood Dick, 764 Deadwood Dick, 770 Deadwood Dick, 776 Deadwood Dick, 782 Deadwood Dick, 787 Deadwood Dick, 792 Deadwood Dick, "97 Deadwood Dick, 802 Deadwood Dick, 80'7 Deadwood Dick, 812 Deadwood Dick, 816 Deadwood Dick, 822 Deadwood Dick, 828 Deadwood Dick, 834. Deadwood Dick, 840 Deadwood Dick, Bey Deadwood Dick, 852 Deadwood Dick, 858 863 870 876 882 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 891 Deadwood Dick, 898 Deadwood Dick, 904 Deadwood Dick, 910 Deadwood Dick, 916 Deadwood Dick, 928 Deadwood Dick, 934 Deadwood Dick, 940 Deadwood Dick, 946 Deadwood Dick, 951 Deadwood Dick, 957 Deadwood Dick, 965 Deadwood Dick, 971 Deadwood Dick, 977 Deadwood Dick, 980 Deadwood Dick, 992 Deadwood Dick, 998 Deadwood Dick, 1005 Deadwood Dick, 1011 Deadwood Dick, 1018 Deadwood Dick, New York Crry. tas Obey Jr.’s ty abe Abr Shan! Oils ory, ait... Op ee ry? ITs, ar, dt ony Jr.’ Sse Jr. ITH, “ified itera jie JT, Jr. Deadwood Dick, B r.’s, Death-Hole Hustle. te , ats Ah ete be Ale? Abit oxy Jr; ole? Jr. hes, als ites Jr. at. elf? Jr. Jr? Bb ee Jr; A ee whey ate Jr? ., at Dollarville. 's, Still Hunt. s, Dominoes. ’s, Disguise. ae *s, Double Deal. ’s Death- Watch. i Doublet. s, Death-Blow, s, Desperate Strait. s, Lone Hand. s, Defeat. s, Resurrection, . s, Dark Days. Defied. 8, Double Device. — ’s, Desperate Venture. 's, Diamond Dice. s, Royal Flush. ’s, Head-Off, s, Rival. s, Boom. s, Scoop. s, Proxy. s, Clutch. ’s, High Horse. , at Devil’s Gulch, s, Bombshell, | in Mexico. 8, Decoy Duck. in Siiver Pocket. '8, Dead-Sure Game. © ie Double Drive, Trade-Mark, — ; am, Tip-Top. pei s, Double-Decker. _ at Flush Flats. *s, Shake-Up s, Double Dias ’s, Right Bower. ’s, Ten-Strike. ’s, Gold Dust. *s, Oath, 8, Death-Doom. s, Best Card. , at Gold Dust. s, Big Play. Branded. qm s, Duteh Pard. s, Big Four.

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e Ne AMES A NS Linn 3S Copyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams, New York, N. Y. re ESR TIA = M. J. Tans Publishers (Jam ‘8 “ullivan, Proprietor,) Issued Weekly. ; i Street, New York. ‘*weLL! WELL!’ THE OLD MAN DE 3 URVEYED THE LINE OF HORSEMEN, WITH » HYIDENT DISPLEASURE, *‘ WHAT PRIN 0N THE LAND OF WHITE BEARD?’

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* tion, following t Roce oe ee ee Solid Sam, The Boy Road-Agent ; OR, THE BRANDED BROWS. A TALE OF WILD WYOMING. BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, “ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ETC., ETC, PROLOGUE, A DASTARDLY DEED. Tux time was in the spring of the year--an eventful one, too, for all winter long the mount- ains and prairies had been wrapped in deep, silent sheets of pure white snow, now to be melted by an incessant three days’ rain, until the dun of the prairies and the gray of the mountains were exposed to the sight. The result of the precipitate rain and thaw had been to fill the streams to overflowing, and strike terror to the hearts of the squatters along their courses, for many a cabin or shanty was swept away by the stubborn and resistles3 ele- ment. For miles and miles the Missouri of the North, the Yellowstone and both branches of the Platte were more than bank full, and raging and rampaging as only a thoroughbred freshet ean, while the lesser streams were proportion- ately high and dangerous, *Way up along the Yellowstone stood a little squatters’ town upon the immediate banks of the river, where dwelt trappers, hunters and settlers to the number of some two-score. One day during the hight of the flood, a ‘prairie schooner” came across the northern plains and entered the settlement, and the occu- pants, a couple of ruffianly-looking fellows, en- Bagod accommodations at the little tavern. ‘hey claimed to be ae rs going south of the Yellowstone, and would have to wait until the flood abated ere they could ford that now turbulent stream. But little attention was paid to them, and they wandered about the settle- ment during the day. About midnight, following the day, they had stealthily left the settlement behind, and in their ** schooner,” drawn by a spanking pair of horses, were making zope time in a southerly direc- e course of the noisy and tur- bulent Yellowstone. - The sky was clear, and the moon looked down upon the prairie with spectral effect. At last, when several miles from the settle- ment, the wagon came toa halt upon the bank of the river. A raft lay partly launched, near by—being several logs fastened together with lariats, and also secured toa stake upon the shore. Thisraft had been some distance from the water, origin- ally, bus the flood had gradually crept up until the rude craft was nearly afloat. ; The two men disembarked from the vehicle, and going to the rear end, opened a gap in the Pass te eer ee Oe oe Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, canvas, and hauled forth, first a woman, youn; and pretty, and then two children, a boy an girl, in the neighborhood of six years of age, and eae twins, 3 oth the woman and the children had their arms secured behind their backs, and terrified. expressions upon their faces told but too plainly that they feared the ruffianly pair, in whose power they were. ‘Tn the name of Heaven, sir, I pray you t tell me what you intend to do with me and mr children?” the mother cried, as the larger ani fiercer of the two ruffians placed her upon her feet. ‘‘ What evil motive promt you ty snatch me from my home at the settlement, and bring me hither?” “Waal, mum, we had orders ter do it, ye see, an’ we allus obey orders,” the giant replied. “Orders!” the young mother cried, in conster- nation-—‘‘ orders? By whom “did you receive orders to bring me here, pray?” The two men exchanged glances, after which the larger one replied. ‘*T dunno’s thar’s enny harm in tellin’ ye, mum, eae ain’t got long to live. We aire respectively Black Eph and Bosting Bill, prac- tical cut-throats, an’ sech like, an’ we war hired ter do ther job by your own affectionate hus- bad, whom we met up in the mines, Et ap- pa thet he left ye ter seek his fortune, an’ ~ evin’ struck it rich, an’ found anuther damsel he likes better’n you, he has a desire ter git rid of you. So he hires me an’ Bosting Bill ter ee ye aboard a ragin’ raft on ther ragin’ Yellow- stone, .an’ let ye go, trustin’ ter luck thet ye never turn up ag’in, ter bother him!” During this rude recital the woman had stood in the grasp of the ruffian’s powerful hand, whiter than the blocks of ice rushing by upon the surface of the angry stream, Evident it was that the revelation of the ruf- fian came to her with stunning effect. “My God! this cannot be true,” she gasped, trembling from head te foot. ‘‘ You are lying to me—Guy Hathaway would never be guilty of such an infamous scheme!” x ““Thet’s. jest where ye make a mistake, mum,” Black Eph replied, confidently. “Ye tho’t ye know’d yer man, but got fooled. We war hired ter set ye adrift, by Guy Hathaway, and no one else.” “‘ But you will not do it—oh! you will not do such a terrible wrong, I know!” the wronged : Ss. wife pleaded, piteously. ‘* For the love of God, spare me from this horrible fate, and I will give* you all I have in the wide world—all—every- - thing!” ‘ ‘‘Humph! how much swag ye got?’ Black Eph demanded, a cunning glitter in his terrible eyes. ‘‘Hf ye can go above ther gineral’s pile, mebbe we're ter be bought. We alias ther party w’ot pays best.” ‘ cs “T have but_a hundred dollars in the wide world, but oh! I will cheerfully give it to you, if you will but spare me and my children!” Hopes but ther gineral goes ye nine | e ; hundred better’n that, an’ considerin’ thet a thousand ain’t picked up every day, ther gin- eral gits our vote, you bet!” x Nn 86 a poor defenseless mother with her children to s work fer. hen you will not spare me?—you will force — ‘i

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« ' tears to dim her eyes. Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. . 8 court death upon that awful sheet of water?” Mrs, Hathaway demanded, wildly. “Sorry nrum, but thet’s ther orders, an’ we allus obey orders. So ye'll hey ter take a ride on ther raft, an’ as et’s moonshiny, et ain’t a-goin’ ter be so bad, arter all. Bosting, bind ther kids’ feet, an’ I’ll secure the leddy’s.” ‘Villain! monster!” Mrs. Hathaway cried, scornfully. ‘‘I defy you to do your worst, for our accursed master, I am not a coward, and will face my fate, eter the One who never deserts his children— yr “That's bizness!” Black Eph commented coolly, as he secured her feet. ‘‘ Ye hev got good grit, an’ I admire ye fer it, I do. Shell I lash ther young kids to ye?” “Yes! yes! it was kind of you to think of it, I want them by my side.” The little boy and girl, both pretty children, were accordingly bound to the mother with larists in such a way that they could not be washed overboard unless she was, too. Both were speechless with affright, but pluckily kept from crying. The trio were now placed upon the raft, and Boston Bill undid the fastenings ‘which held it to the shore. The moment it was freed from the land, the heavy float swept out into the roaring, moonlit stream, with Mrs. Hathaway crouching upon it, and her two children lashed to her sides; and away they were borne by the rushing waters, at a frightful velocity, soon ;assing from view of the two ruffians upon the shore. ° We shall not attempt to picture the feelings of the horrified mother, as she was borne onward by the unconquerable freshet. With wild eyes, and deathly face, she kept in the center of the raft, speechless with the hor- ror of her perilous situation, é For hours the raftrushed on, threatening every minute to go to pieces, in the surface of crushing ice, water and floodwood, while the roar of the turbulent river was deafening. In silent prayer the mother was swept on, the children now sobbing with terror. “Mamma, where we doin’?” the boy_de- manded, between his sobs. ‘Nellie an’ I so ‘fraid, mamma!” ‘Sh! dear!” was the faint reply of the mo- ther, meant to be cheerful. ‘‘ We are going down the river—to Our Father!” “Oh! oh!” the little fellow ‘exclaimed, joy- fully. ‘‘ Cheer up, Sis, we see papa, byme-by, maybe!” Maybe! Howg,that singlé word chilled the heart of Mrs. Hathaway, and caused a blinding rush of She felt that her inno- cent children would never live to see the realiza- tion of that hopeful ‘* maybe.” . The river seemed now to run faster and faster, and the raft kept pace. The velocity at which if was borne on was truly alarming. This fact was intensified when Mrs. Hathaway Hes discovery that they were approaching a rapids. ; Ahead loomed itl rocky point, against and artially over which the waters tumbled with a wallen roar. Down upon this bar the raft was dashed, and os r ‘ the occupants hurled high and dry upon the sandy shore, while with a groaning sound the clumsy craft went to pieces, and its timbers were washed away with the flood, On the following forenoon the flood had abat- ed considerably, and the river had shrunk to its usual pore when a horseman came from over the eastern plain and halted upon the shore of the Yellowstone, just copie the bar that” stretched its peninsular neck out into the stream. and against which the raft had been wrecked the night before. A eae Fours fellow of eighteen years, handsome of face and form, was the horseman, and his garb of buckskin and well-selected wea- pons betokened him a hunter, “Ugh «Prince, the river is rather a cool bath, isn’t it?’ he murmured, as he patted his horse upon the neck; ‘‘ nevertheless, we shall have to eross it in order to reach our destination. The flood has gone down, and [ reckon this is about the shallowest ford we are likely to find; so, go ahead, old boy, and see if we cannot make the bar, yonder.” The current was still swift, but seeming to understand the words of the young hunter, the horse plunged into the stream and swam it Heese until he finally emerged upon the ar. Scarcely had the young horseman gained the bar ere he discovered the bodies of the previous night’s wreck, lying where they bad been cast, in an insensible condition. Hastil dismount- ing, he approached them, and made an exam-, ination. ‘* A mother and her children, evidently,” he muttered, sadly. ‘‘ But, how came the und in this shape? Some band of red s must have left them here to be washed away. Hal Se ae girl’s heart still beats! The others are ea With his knife he severed the lariat that bound the trio together, and raised the littie girl from the ground. There was no rete that her heart still beat, although she was ye insensible. ‘*Poor little waif,” the young hunter mur- mured, tenderly laying her upona blanket. ‘I have found her, and I would be a brute to leave her here to die. No;I will take her with me. and*care for her. But first, I must be sure that the others are dead.” A closer examination failed to discover any sign of life in the mother or the boy, and having no implements the hunter was forced to leave them lying there unburied, blab) Cees the little — girl in his arms, he mounted his horse, gallo) away to the southwestward. Not over two hours after the departure of the hunter, a second horseman forded the Yellow- stone to the peninsula, and discovered the bodies, with considerable surprise. He was a large-framed man, clad throughout in buffalo-skin, with the furry side out, and in face looked to be about fifty years of age. Hi hair and huge beard of great length, however, were as white as snow, and there was a dull, sorrowful expression to his eyes, that told of | some great sorrow which wrecked his mind, and caused it at times to wander, He was well.

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x or death, . door to lay the crime of murder. child, hear me swear in the presence of God, & . v Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, armed with rifle, pistols and knife, and the horse he bestrode was no common brute, Immediately upon discovering the bodies, he drew rein, dismounted’ and approached them. A strange cry escaped him as he bent over the woman—a cry of anguish and remorse, ‘Bethel! Bethel! Oh! my God have mercy!” he moaned, bowing his head upon the cold in- animate form, and sobbing convulsively. “Dead—my child, dead, and here in this, wild spot? Ah! by Heaven! she has been bound, but cher bonds have been severed by ‘a keen-edged blade.” ‘The Whi'e Beard had now leaped to his feet with a terrible expression of rage in his eyes. “I see! I see!” he hissed, his hands clinched, and muscles standing out in bold relief. ‘‘ Foul work has been done here, and I know at whose Bethel, my that your wrongs shall be avenged. Ah!” The old man started, for he saw the limbs of the boy stir. A hasty examination revealed that he was alive, but insensible. A gleam of joy flushed over the cld man’s face at this discovery, as if he had already planned some future course of action. Carrying the body of poor Mrs. Hathaway into a natural niche in a huge mass of rocks near by, he Jeft it there, and rolled a bowlder before the entrance. Then returning to the boy, he raised him tenderly in his arms, and vaulted into the saddle as spryly as any younger person could have done. The next instant he dashed away, in nearly the same course taken by the younger scout but a few hours ahead of him. Just six years afterward. i The night again was moonlight, and a balmy one in early springtime, with an earthly smell, that had only come since the snow had gone. Down a sort of a dug-way trail, or wagon road, that descended from a mountain of the southern Wind River Range, into a deep canyon below, rode, in double file, a body of horsemen, some sixty or more, in number, well mounted and armed, but roughly dressed and bewhisker- ed, to a man And the fact that they carried, attached to their saddles and horses, implements commonly used by miners and some of the paraphernalia of camping-life, indicated the fact that they were what is known in all the gold-mining dis- tricts as ‘ stampeders.” Dissatisfied with the remuneration of one min- ing locality, this class of characters, invariably made up of adventurers, ruffians and hard citi- zens, make no bones, literally, of depopulating their former ‘‘ city,” and stampeding to some other and “ fatter” streak they have heard of, and if they chance to be strongest in numbers, woe be to the citizens of the place invaded, as they have the choice of only two things, either to ‘‘ bounce,” or fight. This party of horsemen was such a gang, which had stampeded from the quartz mines of the Sweetwater Mountains---men who recked little the value of life, and feared neither man 2s ‘plant ye, immegetly.” Down the moonlit road they guided their horses, preserving a grim silence, ag the moon- Habs dwelt upon their ranks with picturesque effect, Below, in the depths of the deep black canyon, a single starlike gleam of light located some hu-~ man habitation, and the stampeders, as if by aniversal consent, gave vent to a grunt of recog- nition as they saw it. Half an hour of descent by the tortuous dug- way brought them to the canyon bottom, whic was several acres wide, and of a sandy and rocky nature, and also watered by a small creek, which, though narrow, was very deep. On reaching the bottom, the stampeders turned and rode in the same direction they had come, only along through the canyon, until they came _ to where there stood a large two-story log cabin, from one of the windows of which there streamed a light, s p to the cabin door they rode, and then came to a halt, the leader rapping smartly upon the door with the butt of his rifle. _Thc door wag opened after a few minutes b an old man with a sweeping white beard. He was dres ed throughout in untanned buffalo-skin, and, as he made his appearance, clutched a heavy rifle in his grasp. Following him to the open doorway, came an old wrinkled and toothless hag of the most hide- ous aspect, and a bright young lad of twelve ears, whose features and form were markedly andsome, inasmuch as he bore no trace of re~ semblance to the strange pair with whom he kept company. ; ‘Well! well!” the old man demanded, quer- ulously, as he surveyed the line cr horsemen with evident displeasure, ‘‘ what brings upon the land of White Beard?” “Waal, old man, we’ve cum hyar ter take persession uv ther placer mines ye’ve bin work- in’ so Jong on ther sly !” 6ne of the stampeders announced grimly. ‘* You an’ yer old woman hev played yer witch game about as long as et?ll work, an’ now we're goin’ ter see ef thar’s any gold in Buckskin Canyon, or not. So pack up yer duds, an’ prepare ter skin out ter onc’t!” **No! no! you shall not drive me from m possessions!” the White Beard cried, Savcele and resolutely. “f came here first, ere other foot of mortal man had ever trodden here, and staked off this gulch, an’ et’s mine, as it is Government land, Sat : have tenanted it longer than the time ex- acted, you ‘*Ken’t help thet, old hoss!” the idem of the stampeders exclaimed, roughly. ‘“Ye’ve either got to vamoose, or we'll plant ye right heer in under ther shadder of your cabin, you bet!” ‘* Hurrah!” shouted the stampeders, toa man, “Bounce out, old White Whiskers, or we'll “T will not leave my without a struggle!” the hermit cried, sternly, ie Rage sa his rifle with amazing quickness, he red. There came a cry from the spokesman of the — party, and he dropped from his saddle. OF Then, before the White Beard could slam: shut the door, there was a rifle report, and hy oe AGE NT te cer a OUP eta aS alan Po enn em Oe rightful possessions

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 5 Se elasped his hands to his heart, with a groan— ia back, and fell into the arms of the youth! With a scream of rage the old hag snatched a pair of revolvers from his belt, and turning, opened a deadly fire upon the stampeders, her example being followed by the boy, as soon as he found that White Beard was dead, and could lay him upon a rude couch in the room. But, in this case resistance was useless. The stampeders leaped from their horses with hoarse cries of vengeance, and poured into the cabin by the way of the door aud the windows, in overwhelming numbers, and in short order the hag and the boy found themselves prisoners im the hands of the miners. “Curse you! curse you!” the hag cried, with fierce efforts to free herself. ‘‘ You have killed my husband, and usurped the rights of our home, but I will have revenge! Hear me swear it, that, though people may invade Buck- skin Canyon in thousands, and houses and spires may be erected here, the place shall never prosper. Devastation and ruin shall attack it— road-agents shall plunder it—death shall reach very man that'attempts to carry an cunce of gold out of this canyon! Iswear it! I curse you, all!” Some of the men looked a little startled. Throughout all the Wind River region of Wyoming was Wild Meg known and feared as aistrange, mysterious creature, whom many be- lieved to be a veritable witch or leagued with the devil. For years she and White Beard had been known to live in Buckskin Canyon, but the superstitious dread of them, had heretofore caused the miners and prospectors to steer wide of the place. Therefore, her curse was not a thing particularly desirable, and most of the miners looked disturbed and afraid. One, however, appeared reckless of fear, and he was Black Eph, a notorious ruffian, who had visited nearly every mining strike in the West. _“* We don’t keer a durned fer yer curses, old woman!” he declared, rudely. ‘‘We ain’t afeard uv ye, ef ye bea witch, an’ all we want o’ ye is ter clear out an’ leave us in persession. Boys, tie her an’ ther b’yee onter two hosses, an put a thorn or sage stalk under their tails ter wake’emup. Bet a cooky we won’t see.nomore o’ ther Witch, fer a dog’s age!” - The old hag began to shriek and cursé so ter- ribly now, that she was gagged. orses were then produced, and both she and the boy were tied into the saddles; after which thornapple brush was fastened in under the tail of each horse, and they were turned loose. With almost human shrieks, they dashed off down the canyon at break-neck speed, wild with pain, and bearing the woman and the youth into unseen perils, and leaving the stampeders masters of the situation. CHAPTER I. THE SUNSET CHASE OF THE BRANDED BROWS. ANOTHER lapse of six years, and we once more take up the thyead of our romance. The sun was going down the horizon, and bathing the mountains in a farewell glory of ~ golden light, one bahny June day; the perfumed western breeze was lulling nature into a sweet. repose; even the dark recesses of Bu in Can- yon seemed pregnant with the balmy peace of the approaching night, until the drowsy echoes were startled by the rapidly approaching clatter of hoofs. Nearer and nearer they came, accompanied ee by yells of triumph, and yells of de- ance. Finally, from around a bend in the canyon, swept a band of horsemen at full tilt—a wild- looking set of fellows, attired in tanned buck- skin, ‘and armed to the teeth. One startling ope ton od about their appear- ance was a braided mask upon their faces—a black, scar-like belt that ran across each man’s countenance, bepinning just below the Lag oe of the nose, and ending half-way in the middle of the forehead, just above the brows, It was no mask, but a brand of black, upon the skin itself, and gave the party a most strange appearance. Most of the men wore beards, but the single horseman who led the advance, was yet a mere youth, evidently, for he wore no beard of any ind, and was smaller in frame than the others. There were some eight or ten in, the party, and they were urging their animals to their greatest speed, which fact was accounted for when shortly afttr the appearance of the Brand- ed Brows, another body of horsemen swept into view, around the’ bend, in hot pursuit. Four times as many were there in the numerical count of the pursuers, as in the pursued, and their at- tire proclaimed them to be miners. The Branded Brows, however, were in no im- mediate danger, unless their horses gave out, for they were out of easy rifle range, and gaining ground, if anything. : “Halt, there! "tis useless for you to seek to escape,” shouted the leader of the miners, a large, broad-shouldered man, with silvered rd and hair. ‘‘We will pursue you to the end of the earth, but what we'll have you.” . ‘But you won’t get me, nor my men!” the young captain of the Branded Brows retorted, coolly. ‘‘You had better take your miner dogs back to Placer City, General Hathaway, and by so doing save their lives!” “Hal ha! DlLrisk their lives.. When you and our black-browed devils surrender, we will go Back. On! boys—on! Five-hundred dollars to the man who captures Solid‘Sam, alive!” > “Hal ha!” the young outlaw lahghed back. ‘Pll give five hundred additional, myself, to the lucky man! On, pards, on!” Fiercely then did the pursuers and the pursu- ed urge on their already foaming horses, through the long, level canyon, which stretched for miles.away, into the heart of the Wind Riv- er Mountains, the clatter of the iron-shod hoofs arousing echoes that mayhap had never been — aroused before. . On—on—on they dashed, silence reigning in the stead of the previous cries—the miners who had taken upon themselves to do Vigilante ser- vice, resolutely determined not to let the noto- rious,gang of road-agents escape. : For six months this unknown band of branded browed men had played the road-agent in Buck- skin Canyon, in the most bold and daring man

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- of victo ements Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. ner, and with a success that no amount of vigi- lance or precaution appeared to baffle, 3 Not a stage or a miner left the canyon in any direction, without being halted, summarily. Hordes of these same Branded Brows were scattered through the mountains and canyons, and the leading spirit of them all was a bold, reckless person of youthful years, whom nobody knew except by his reputed ‘‘ handle” of Solid Sam, . On—on—on sped the chase, the yaa gradual- ly lessening instead of increasing, for the horses of either party were hard blown by the long race, and were flagging out. Salid Sam noticed this witha fierce glitter in his eagle eye, and also noted the fact that the pursuers were slowly gaining on them, “On, Gt ate on your horses, or they will getinto short rifle-range yet!” he cried. ‘If they” do, our jig is up, fer they’re four to our one, The Branded Brows seemed fully aware of this, but there was no help for it, for, urge their- jaded steeds though they did, they could not close their eyes to the fact that the enemy was slowly but surely gaining on them. Solid Sam Saw this too, and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse. “Tt’s no use o’ torturin’ the horses, boys,” he said, finally. ‘‘ We're losin’, and the first we know we'll get a dose of round lead in our backs. it out!” ““You go on, captain, and we'll need and fight it out!” one of the men suggested—a young man, nearer the young chief’s age. * Solid Sam flushed indignantly. “Lieutenant Breeze, you do me a great in- ‘ra he eet chidingly. ‘* While 1 have ed the Branded Brows have yeu ever known me to desert my men, no matter what scrape we've got into? No, sir! Pll stick to the gang till the last. Ha! what did I tell you?” Even as he spoke the towering canyon walls echoed the report of ascore of rifles, and a yell came from the pursuers, Four of the Branded Brows threw up their arms and dropped forward upon their horses’ necks, and even with the shadow of death creep- ing over them, they had the presence of mind to lock their arms about the necks of the animals, and were accordingly not dismounted. Instantly Solid Sam and the other remain- ing outlaws wheeled their horses toward the Vigilantes, and opened fire, with their deadly Winchester rifles, Six of the miners were hit, more or less seri- ously, and dropped behind, while the remain- der came on, firing and yelling like a pack of bloodthirsty Comanches, Bravely the Branded Brows stood their ground, and returned the fire with telling effect or thie number of the Vigilante band diminished rapidly. hr ut not without company, for one by one the road-agents dropped off, until only Solid Sam ? P and Lieutenant ones alone faced the enemy, ‘captain said. wounded, but still able:to attend to business. “Tt’s no use of standing longer!” the young “Make another spurt, and see if i we ean't get away!” We may as well make a stand and fight, Accordingly they once more wheeled their horses, and applied the spurs vigorously, and the _ noble animals responded with a brave effort. Fortunately for the two cig bes the Vigi- lantes were not supplied with breech-loading or magazine rifles, and, after each shot was fired, it was several moments ere they could reload. Having discharged their weapons, to a man, upon the instant before Sam and Breeze re- sumed their flight, the interval required for re- loading gave the fugitives a chance to get once more out of range. * “Fa! ha! ha!” Solid Sam tne shaking his fist back at the pursuing Vigilantes, trium- phantly. ‘‘ We're ahead again, my noble Gen~ eral Hathaway, and cnce more we defy you, as we've got. it all our own way now.” A ee do you mean?” Breeze demanded, anx- iously. : ef un soon show you. Below here is the deer trail that leads oy through the Hedge Pine slope onto the hog-back, It’s a road I was over once, and is our nearest route to the peak.” E The lieutenant nodded, and they dashed on, Soon they rounded another bend in the canyon, and here the walls retreated into gradually steep slopes, which were covered with pines, grown close together. ieanioge | his horse from the canyon, Solid Sam led the way over a path that paar a the pine jungle; Lieutenant Breeze followed. The path was a deer trail; and was narrow and tortuous, but the animal of Solid Sam followed it with as much ease as would an old trailer. . The route now lay up-hill, and it was impossi- ~ ble for horses to go faster than a walk; accord- ingly the two fugitives allowed their fagged-out steeds to take it leisurely, for the young’ chief well understood that the pursuers would not be are to indulge in any random racing through the thick forest. i ‘Maybe they'll conclude it ain’t healthiest for them to follow us now,” Breeze remarked. ‘Don’t fear that. They'll follow us until we get to the Devil’s Abyss, at least,” Solid Sam replied, ‘‘Then, I reckon, some of ’em will halt.” © : “You're right; they will,” the lieutenant agreed, with a nod. 'T don’t believe they've got a horse that can leap across,” “Tf they had, there’s not a man among them with pluck enough to attempt it.” Loud yells in the rear now announced that the Vigilantes had discovered the fugitives’ escape, if not the direction in which they had gone. But the fact did not materially alarm Solid Sam, for he kept on, steadily, a quiet smile lin- gering about his handsome mouth, For an hour or more, both he and Breeze fol- lowed the tortuous ascending trail through the pine wood, and like vengeful sleuths, the Vigi- lantes were heard dogging behind. ; Night closed in, but an early moon, nearly at its 1, soon arose, and shot strangely gro- tesque bars of light down through the pine branches. Finally, the fugitives emerged from the for- est upon a stretch of mountainous table-land, hundreds of feet above the canyon bottom. ee Once out of the gloomy woodland, the night

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. -- é ey} — assumed a more brilliant aspect; with a horizon of ethereal haziness, a soft blue sky, and a soar- ing moon which diffused a flood of mellow light upon the wild but picturesque landscape. Before the fugitives stretched a line or chain of mountains, on the right and left of which ye wned frightful abysses. This natural hog- ack was smooth and level, and of considerable length, stretching awe~w toward the north- west. . “Ah! I see where we are now,” Breeze ejacu- lated, as they emerged from the pines. “We can indeed laugh at the Vigilantes.” ‘“T shculd feel somewhat like laughing my- self, were it not that we’ve lost so many of the band,” Solid Sam replied, sadly. ‘* But, the poor fellows shall not go unavenged. I am just be- ginning to wake up to the fact that I have not given the miners of Buckskin Gulch a strong enough deal. They shall have cause to fear me and my vengeance even more in the future, than they have in the past!” “Bravo, Captain Sam! As usurpers of your Tents, they have no right to expect that you will submit to their invasion. By right of the testament of old White Beard, the canyon is yours, - “Ay! mine and Wild Meg’s—the whole tract covered by Placer City, and the mines, Curse them! They drove us from the claim, six years ago, but it has not been a very profitable job. en of those who drove us off have gone up Salt River by the usual boat—five more have died with their boots on, and seyen have got their pass through the kindness of t. \ Black Brows. A large number yet remain, but Placer City will be an unlucky town fer ’em. “Why is it that General Hathaway bears you so great an enmity, captain?’ Breeze de- manded, as they spurred along, side by side. “‘Perhaps because I bear his name. I know of no other reason,” the young outlaw replied. “Then, too, as you know, I’ve made it a prac- tice of late to toll his interests, he being one of the wealthiest of the Placer Cityites. Six years ago, when Wild Meg and I were driven from the esas mines, that we had worked for a number of years, we jointly took an oath, that we should have a portion of what was rightfully our own, by tolling every miner or grist of gold at each and every opportunity. That’s how became a road-agent.” It was evident, from his tone and expression, that he felt bitter toward those miners and ad- venturers who had turned their quiet canyon elaim of six years before, into a noisy, bustling shanty mining city of the present. Further conversation was tow cut short, for the Vigilantes at this juncture emerged from ‘the forest in their rear, and with fierce yells struck spurs to their animals, in hot pursuit. Solid Sam and the lieutenant also increased the speed of their animals, and the pursuers and Hace ag again Jashed rapidly through the moon- ight. ; ~ Half an hour went by; then the Branded Brows suddenly lashed their animals forward, and -were seen to leap forward seemingly through mid-air, but what was in reality a yawning guif—a mighty seam that split the Cap teck in twain! : A good fifteen feet did the trained steeds of the eee leap, to a safe fuoting upon the further side, and then dashed on, while Solid Sam and Bill Breeze gave vent + ~ sviumphant yell of bees 4 When safely out of rifle rangé upon che fur- ther side, Solid Sam drew rein, and waited for the Vigilantes to arrive at the opposite edge of uns abyss, which they did, with evies and curses of rage. % “Hal ha! gents! I though? you were going to carry Solid Sam back with you to Placer City, to-night, as a special guest of a little neck- tie party!” the young chief of the Branded Brows cried, mockingly. ‘Rather made a miscalculation, didn’t ye?—or are you going to follow me still?” f “Curses,.on you, boy!” General Hathaway cried, fercely. “T order you to surrender at once! “Oh, ye do, eh? Well, I can’t see the point of that little joke. If you’re going to order ’em, Tl pass, and you can take the trick. Ha! ha! see the point of that, don’t ye? I’m going to pass out of; your reach jest as nice as a slippery ‘eel. Hate to tear myself away from such eligible company, but I must bid yon good-evening— that is, aw revoir. Tra! la! Ja! till I come down ee City the next time after my customary oll. ‘ And with a laugh, he wheeled his horse and ‘\ rode leisurely away, accompanied by Breeze, Hapate Tsey miner Vigilantes in a state of rage bor“ering on frenzy. CHAPTER II. THE CAVE RETREAT—THE PLACER CITY SENGA- TION... Soir Sam and Lieutenant Breeze, after icay- ing the baffled Vigilantes, rode on along the hog-back for perhaps half an hour, when they came to its termination in the form of a round mountain, three sides of which sloped nearly perpendicularly downward into a_ frightful yawning gulch, while the fourth side connected with the mountain table-land, or hog-back. At the point of connection there was a large black hole in the face of the mountain, from, which gleamed a cheery light, and into which- Solid Sam and the lieutenant rode. The interiorproved to be a high cavern of considerable size, and was the retreat of the Branded Brows. One portion was used as stabling for ‘the horses cf the band, while the other part was oc- cupied by the outlaws themselves, A fire burn- ed in the center of this section, to keep off the chill and damp of the cold rocks, and around this a half-dozen fellows and an old, repulsive hag of a woman, were sitting upon camp-stools, engaged in smoking pipes, as Solid Sam and the lieutenant entered. ae They arose with grunts of surprise qhen they noted that the two returned alone, i, ees “How is. this? the hag demanded—who, by the way, was Wild Meg, the Witch. ‘Why is — it you come back alone, Sam? why is it, I say” — olid Sam slipped from the saddle and gave — his horse over into the charge of one of the oute laws, ere he vouchsafed a reply. .

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8 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 7 ‘Because we got chased by a gang of the Placer City miners, and lost every man but Breeze and I,” he said, finally. “Its partly your fault, too, for I ‘shouldn’t have gone yet tor a week, if it hadn’t been for ‘OB, ** Pooh! the loss of the men is trifling, when we can easily get more. Did you make a raise from the outward bound stage this morning?” the Witch asked, eagerly. “No; the usual stage did not leave the town.” “Why did it not?” ‘,**T don’t know, exactly. There’s a pile of gold scattered about the camp among the mine- owners, and they’re trying for a chance to work its passage out of the place without my knowing it.” “Ha! curse them!” the Witch exclaimed, darkening with rage. ‘‘ They have usurped our claim and driven us from it, and now they would beat us out of the revenue we have ex- acted. Curse them, I say!” ‘*Curses won’t hurt them no more than the bite of a mosquito,” Solid Sam replied, with a smile. ‘They think that the mines of Buck- skin Canyon are rightfully theirs, and that we ere committing a gross sin by ‘robbing the stage,’ as they call it, and tolling the bank of such pilgrims as have made their pile and start- ed for other parts. So they’ve organized a Vigilance gang, and as a result, I got started out of town to-day, and the whole of us got chased up the canyon. All the band went down with their boots on, facing the music, except me an’ Breeze, an’ we esca) We Wild Meg paced about the cavern for several, \ moments in silence, but the. picture of consum- ing fury. f She was an uncanny looking creature, at the best, with her wrinkled, ugly countenance, and thin, angular form, and her manuer of dress in no way enhanced her beauty, for she wore a flaring red skirt, tattered and Tagged, and a ‘dirty n waist, belted, and the belt confain- - ing a half-dozen heavy cavalry pistols. No coy- ering she wore upon her wild, disheveled hair, that the frosts of many years had streaked with silver, and her feet were also bare. Six of the toes were gone—cut off close to the body of the foot, and the most remarkable rt of the matter was that she had cut them off erself—one on each yearly anniversary of the death of her former husband, White Beard—and apd them upon a wire about her shriveled neck! Her motive no one could ascertain—not even Solid Sam, who had been cared for by her from early years up to an age when he was able to take care of himself; but she had been heard to grimly declare, that she should continue the dis- memberment, as long as she’lived, finally wind- ing up by cutting her head off, _. For some time she continued to pace to and fro, as if to work off her passion, the eyes of - Solid Sam and the Branded Brows following her with doubting glances, j “General Hathaway is at the bottom of this “movement?” she finally demanded, stopping short, and gazing at Solid Sam, inquiringly. 4 “Yes,” he replied, ‘‘or rather at the head of it, for he Jed the chase to-day.” - “a | Placer City. Every place has to have a sort “ Humph! did cerning him?” ; “Yes. He’s going to be married, as you have expected, The woman he is to marry came in on the morning stage, accompanied by a youn; lady she calls her daughter, and a man sees to be General Hathaway’s brother,” The Witch started with surprise at this. “Ha! what is this brother’s first name, did you hear?” : : : “Yes. The Ca met them at the stage, and welcomed them—the man, as Colonel Car- rol Hathaway—the others, the ladies, as Mrs, and Miss Miner.” you hear anything more con- ‘Yes, yes, | believe he did have a brother,” * Wild Meg muttered thoughtfully, as if unmiad- ful that she had auditors. i “T heard tell of the fellow, Carrol, as a wild, reckless devil, such as the army produces. But, you have not told me, boy, when this roposed. marriage of the general takes place? Be spry, now, for I am much concerned. Ha! ha! yes, very much concerned!” “The wedding comes off to-morrow in mid- forenoon, I believe, at the general’s shanty.” ; I will be on hand! ha! ha! yes—on, hand!” the witch hissed, glaring at the ruddy fire, which burned in the center of the cavern. Then she turned and opened a large wooden chest near by, and proceeded to haul-out dresses of ‘the costliest materials; jewelry, and the nu- merous articles of a lady’s toilet, laughing strangely, the meanwhile. “Til go down to the weddin’ in style,” she chuckled, glaring wildly around. ‘It’s a lon time since I dressed up gay, an’ painted an uffed. “But, I haven’t yet forgot the art, an’ *}l show ’em how to put on style! Ha! ha! Pll rae em, and there'll be blood on the altar, ! pare Armed with a rich assortment of feminine paraphernalia, the old woman then retired into a sort of inner cavern, to make her preparations, _ Where six years before had stood a rude log cabin in Buckskin Canyon, now rose a miniature mining city—a collection of shanties, tenanted for a variety of purposes, as dwellings, stores, offices, saloons, gambling-hells and dance-houses juite a respectable-sized young city, too, and” called Placer, or Placer City. Z Some two thousand souls claimed this city of the gulch as its epee and average floatin population, and the fact of its constant growt and the addition to its people was mainly owing ~ to the richness and seemingly inexhaustible sup- ply of its mineral resources. Since six y before, when the stampeders had taken possession of the eanyon, by killing the hermit, White Beard, and driving off the — Witch, it had panned out Jargely, and slowly but surely grown better. 2 The sandy formation of the bottom was strong- ly ‘‘salted” with gold, and for a mile and a half up and down the gulch, from the former site of — the hermit’s cabin, claims innumerable were lo- cated, the larger share of them in the control of monopolist speculators, with a few belonging.to single individuals. : ; General Guy Hathaway was the big man of TS ie eee at ==.

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. j 9 leading citizen, and such a person the aged gen- eval was to the little mining strike in Buckskin Gulch. He owned five different mines in com- pany with a man whose name was Sydney Ath- erton, or Santa Fe Syd, and a large interest in the shanties of the town belonged to him. His income from the five placer claims was estimated at a thousand dollars a day, and be- sides this, he and Atherton had a drift drilled into the rocky wall of the canyon, with good 3} prospects for another rich strike. - Being a man of commanding figure and dig- nity, and one of the original stampeders, he had been universally looked up to as a sort of lead- ing citizen. f a dispute occurred, or any advice was needed, the general was always looked to to de- cide the matter. His wealth he spread about with a liberal hand, and he grew to be the most popuer man in the gulch. lacer City, perhaps, you cannot find upon the maps, for, being hidden away in the wild fast- nesses of the still wilder Wind River Mountains, with only two stages daily communicating with the outside world, it has not gained any noto- ane | asa mining center, more than has a hun- dred other similar strikes. Some two hundred rude shanties and cabins were scattered about/ in the vicinity of the hermit’s old cabin, two of which served the purpose of gambling dens, fourteen as saloons where ‘‘ tanglefoot” was dis- pensed to thirsty pilgrims, one as a smithy, and another as a combined grocery, dry-goods store. and post-office, Then, there were a couple of dance-houses nightly in full blast, a newspaper office, from which wasissued the Daily Progress, a cabin used for a church, and the old hermit’s cabin, now turned into the only hotel in the place. The citizens were, as a rule, the same clasd found in all mining towns—a mixed mass of hu- manity of many different nations and natures, the adventurous class and the ruffianly element largely predominating. ‘ n the day following the night tht had_wit- nessed the race between the Vigilaites and the Branded Brows, Placer City was alive with excitement, for in mid-forenoon, General Hath- away was to take to himself a wife in the person of a charming lady of Chicago, who had already arrived. This fact, togéther with an- other, which was that this was the first matri- monial event on the Placer City records, creat- ed an extraordinary sensation, and the miners toa man, laid aside the pan and shovel, to in- dulge in a holiday, in honor to the general, And when the hour came for the consummation of the nuptials every man, woman and child that could, crowded into the rude church. The general and the bridal party. had luckily taken refuge in the ‘‘church” ahead of the crowd, and consisted of the general in person, a ortly man, well dressed, and somewhat digni- hea in his bearing, with silvered brown hair and beard, and eyes of the same hue, Next came the bride-to be, a richly-attired lady of five-or-six-and-thirty years—comely in face and form, with dark hair and eyes, the latter pierc- ing in their glances, The groomsman, Colonel Hathaway ; a brother of the géneral, was a tall well-formed man, with ® immense fiery red side-whiskers, and a counte- nance inclined to be rather prepossessing, but for the sensual expression about his mouth. He was ricbly and flasbily attired, and appeared rather disdainful in his Lhe . The bridemaid, Miss May Miner, who was said to be the bride’s daughter by a former mar- riage, was a very pretty and modest-lozkin; maiden of seventeen or eighteen, richly attired, and looking hip charming, with her fair coun- tenance, soft go. blue. And the rough audience at once decided that she was the one best fitted for the general’s ; CHAPTER III. SHOT AT THE ALTAR—THE WILL, AFTER the patience of the crowd had become nearly exhausted at the long wait before the ‘splicing ” took place, the general led his lady forward to a space that had been reserved by the groomsman and bridemaid. The minister, Jim Byles, by name, then read the customary marriage Service, in a loud voice, concluding with the following deviation: “Do you, General Hathaway, take this hyar woman fer yer legally wedded wife, an’ sw’ar - by the pin’t o’ yer bowie knife, ter hang tew _ her, in ther journey thru this weary vale o’ tears?” : “TI do!” the general replied, with a faint smile, ‘An’ do you, marm, promise ter hang ter ther general, ditto, an’ pervide hi§ repasts, an’ he a a wife, wi’out lookin’ bias at uther pil+ grims “I do,” Mrs, Miner said, a trifle haven for this uncouth fashion of marriage law Placer City, did not impress her very favorably, she being a city bred lady, and not a little proud and supercilious. , “Then in ther name o’ ther great -and only Jehova, I, Jim Byles, minister 0’ ther Gospel, do turn ther key in ther padlock, an’ prononnce ye e. Whom God hath joined ter- man and gether, let no man put asunder.” ‘“‘ Ha! ha! whom God hath joined together, I will put asunder!” shrieked a wild voice, and the next instant a pistol report rung loudly~ through the room. Witha Ree General Hathaway clutched his garments in the neighborhood of his heart, and staggered back into Colonel Carrol Hathaway’s arms, With a wild shout from the crowd, all eyes were turned toward one of the windows of the cabin, where the repulsive face of Wild Meg, the Witch, was seen glaring into the church, It was quickly withdrawn, however, and the ext ae the swift clatter of horse’s feet was eard. i While some of the spectators rushed out of the church to give chase, others crowded forw: to get a at the wounded man. + ha MM brother Guy, are you killed?” Col- onel Carrol cried, anxiously, as he supported the general to a seat, while the new Mrs, Hath- away drew near, with a whitening face ““ Where did the bullet strike you!” den hair, and eyes of sparkling ~ ' ~

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10 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. “Tw the region of my heart,” was the faint reply. ‘‘T’m done for, so carry me: home, for there is much I must attend to, ere I die!” ““ Will some one assist in carrying the general to the shanty he occupies?” the colonel demand- ed, glancing around. A half-dozen of able-bodied men instantly volunteered their services, and the general was raised and borne from the church up the street to his rude but commodious shanty, where he was laid upon a bed, in a neatly-furnished bed- chamber. He was pretty well exhausted, by this time, but a doctor soon came, and admin- istered remedies that revived him, in a measure, An examination of the wound proved that there was no help for the big citizen of Placer City, for, while it did not bleed outwardly, it did in- wardly, and he was rapidly ym up. When apprised of this fact by the surgeon, he smiled, faintly. “Yes, Iam going to die, and by the hand of a ereature I don’t know—a wild roving lunatic, who has often threatened me with her babble, . but whom I have never paid the least attention to. Doctor, how long have I to live?” “Tt is hard to determine,” was the graye re- ply. ‘*You may survive twenty-four hours, and, again, may not live over an hour. If you have anything to attend to, you had better do it at once.” The mine-owner was silent a few moments, as he lay back on his pillow, as if in meditation. The colonel, the new bride, and her daughter, together with the parson, Jim Byles, and the surgeon ‘ Doc” Lee, constituted the five who were gathered about the death-bed. “Tam very rich,” General sro eau finally said, as if talking aloud to himself. “T havea million dollars saved up, in pure gold coin and _ greenbacks, besides my mines, worth at least a Million more, This wealth I cannot take with me, and shall have to leave it to some of you, I suppose.” There was rather a regretful expression to his tone, as much as if he was loth to leave his - riches behind, and his eyes wandered over the _ faces of those around him, critically, Despite any efforts they may have made to conceal it, there was an eager, hopeful expres- sion upon the faces of Colonel Carrol, and the new Mrs. Hathaway, which seemed to suggest plainly that they were ready and over-willing to step into the dead man’s shoes, ’ The general seemed to notice this, and a gleam of cunning shot into his eyes. ‘*You two need not look so hopeful,” he said, decidedly, ‘‘for I perceive the drift of your thoughts, and shall baffle you by eae you off, short of your expectations, ouldn’t you be pleased to have me leave the whole of the popes, and cash to one or the other of you? a! ha! undoubtedly you would, Your feet are probably itching to pull on my_ shoes. mas a! that would nice, but I shall baffle you! “Guy, my dear brother, you do both your wife and me a great injustice!” the colonel said, _ evidently chagrined at the pointed accusation. “Neither of us have the least hope or desire of becoming your heirs. Indeed, we wish you to i ae Cig - use your own judgment in making your devise, | of a will, and get ready to jot down my be believing that we shall be perfectly satisfied with it,’ ‘OF course, dear husband,” Mrs. Hathaway said, bending over and touching the forehead of the dying man with her lips. ‘You must not carry such an unjust suspicion, that we have any mercenary motives. e all dearly love you, alone for your own sake and not for what you are worth.” “Humph! maybe,” the general replied, gruff- ly, ‘‘but, I shall take care you do not deceive me, Byles, will you go summon Lawyer Green, and Santa Fe Syd to appear before me?” The poe nodded, and donning his slouch hat took is departure. “Who is this Santa Fe Syd, brother?’ Colo- nel Hathaway asked. a ‘*His real name is Atherton, and I shall ap- point him my executor. He has a half-interest with me in each of my gold-mines, and is per- fectly trustworthy,” the general replied. The lawyer and Santa Fe Syd soon arrived, The former was a ‘‘ skinny,” shrunken, shriv- eled little man, with beardless face, sharp, twinkling little eyes, and reddish hair, while his attire seemed to indicate that he had not as-yet amassed a large fortune at the pursuit of his profession, The miner, Sydney Atherton, was a stalwart, handsome fellow of thirty years, although he looked five years younger, with a fresh, good- natured countenance, lit up by a pair of reso- lute blue eyes; blonde hair and mustache, and a well-proportioned form clad in miner’s habili- ments, from the inevitable top-boots to the slouch hat upon his head. ‘General Hathaway, they tell me you are badly wounded,” he said, approaching the bed, and taking the dying mine-owner’s hand. ‘Is there not something that can be done for you? ‘“No—I’m past human aid, for I am filling up with the blood that only flows internally,” was the reply. ‘‘I sent for you, Atherton, because I know you are honest. I know you are honest, because you have ever dealt so with me. i want to make a will, and appoint you executor of my estate, and have you see that everything is done asI want it, By the way, I will make you acquainted with Mrs, Hathaway. my wife of a few moments, Colonel Carrol Hathaway, my brother, and ‘Miss May Miner, my step- daughter!” Santa Fe Syd turned and bowed to the trio in — acknowledgment of the introduction, giving a surprised start, as his eyes rested upon Mrs, Hathaway, and her daughter. But, quickly coricealing the surprise he prob- ably experienced, he turned to the mine-owner. “*T am happy to meet your friends, Py pie ; he said, ‘‘and think that it would probably be better to intrust the settlement of your effairs” to your brother.” “No! no! I will have no relative of mine con- trolling my business. You are the man I want, if you will accept.” *To accommodate you, sir, I will act for you to the best of my ability,” Santa Fe Syd re- plied, bowing. “Very well. Lawyer Green, prepare the form be 3

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, il uests. Sydney, you remember that, several Aes ago, you made me an offer for my inter- ests in the mining claims, which I promised to consider,” ““T did, sir.” “T have thought the matter over, and con- eluded to accept the offer. You have the eash at your command, I suppose, when it is wanted?” “T have, sir. The offer I made you wasseven hundred thousand dollars, I believe?” “Tt. was,” the general replied. ‘‘ But, see here!” the colonel interposed. ‘1 donot believe you can sell this property without your wife’s consent.” “Aha! I thought you’d show your cloven foot,” the dying man said, fiercely. ““T think I see through the intricacies of a whole accursed game. I think I can see why you invited me, a year ago, to your ‘home in Chicago, and entertained me like a vee and constantly sung in my ears unbounded praises of yonder woman until I grew blind and prom- ised to marry her, You foresaw that I would marry her, and God only knows how much more. You plotted anyhow so that you caleu- lated you would get possession of a share of my wealth—if not by actual gift, or devise from me, from that woman I have just made my wife, and whom I have suspected of being in league with you. But, curse you, Tl block that little game! The mines were literally bar- ained for before this marriage; all that was ft for me to do being to close the bargain by ‘refusal or acceptance. That puts me without Property, and no wife can attach money that as been accumulated or disposed of by agree- ment previous to a marriage. Lawyer Green, is this not the law in Wyoming?” “T believe it is,” the pettifogger replied. ‘The general has a legal right to act aS it has pleased him in this matter, as if it were per- sonal property.” = “Tt must be a devilish queer law they have up here in Wyoming, then,” the colonel replied, sullenly. “‘Queer enough to thwart all your schemes, Carrol!” the general retorted. ‘Mr, Atherton, - please note my bequests, Lawyer Green, are you ready?” ; “ Quite ready, sir.” _. “Then, listen: I, Guy C. Hathaway, being in full possession of all my mental faculties, do, upon my death-bed, make the following last will and testamentary bequests of my personal wealth, with a prayer that God may pardon all my sins, and prevent all wrangling and ill- feeling on the part of my remembered and dis- remembered heirs. To Sydney Atherton, my Yormer business and confidential partner, I do hereby bequeath the whole of my moneyed ossessions, consisting of one millicn and seven undred thousand dollars in gold and green- backs, on the following -conditions: That he shall court and if possible wed my step-daugh- ter, May Miner, daughter of my wife at the time of my decease. Should such an alliance be effected, within a proper length of time—say a month—said Sydney Atherton, who is to keep the money in execution of m i to that y will up period, is to divide the amount with his bride, eA upon the altar, after the marriage. Should such an alliance not be effected, said Sydney Atherton forfeits all claim to the fortune, and simply retains it in his keeping subject to the second clause, which is, if Colonel Carro] Hath- away and May Miner become man and wife, on favorable and happy conditions, each is to be de- livered a portion, consisting of half of the whole fortune.” ‘That is perfectly satisfactory,” Colonel Hath- away said, blandly. “It places me out of the embarrassing position of being suspected of having a mercenary interest in the making of the will.” | “T also am satisfied,” Mrs. Hathaway said, taking the cue from the colonel. ‘I have some money of my own, and May will be as good an a as you could have chosen, dear hus- and. ; “¢ Supposi: the conditions of the second — clause are not fulfilled?” Santa Fe Syd asked. Z “Then, you are to pay the whole amount General Hathaway did not finish the sentence mere, away, but when he did, he said—‘t Nobby e CHAPTER IV. WILD MEG NARRATES. - THE will was made, and Lawyer Green pre- sented it arf received the pousrals signature, and alsothat of Santa Fe Syd and Jim Byles, - as witnesses, after which he stored it away in — his capacious pocket, and took his departure, By this time, the dying mine-owner was con- siderably exhausted, and the physicians ordered _ that the room be eleared in order that he might — ‘nave a few moments of quiet. As Santa Fe Syd was about eavang tne shanty, — he was_overtaken in the kitchen by the new Mrs. Hathaway, who had stealthily followed him, and now introduced her shapely form be- tween him and the door. ee Stop!” she said, authoritatively, ‘IT know ou!” ‘Oh! you do?” he replied; coolly. ‘* Well?” “You_are not Sydney Atherton—you are — Sydney Miner.” ; “T never give the lie to a lady,” the hand- some mine-owner said, witha faintsmile. ‘‘ You are undoubtedly mistaken, my dear madam.” — ‘Tam not mistaken at all,” she replied, in a vexed tone. “‘I knew you the minute my eyes rested upon you, and you also knew me.” ; “Tt is not impossible. A face, or afoe of your — magnitude one cannot easily forget. I did recognize you, but kept the recognition a secret, I was not surprised to find you at your old pro- fession of scheming. Do you remember the — resolution we adopted at our last meeting, ma dam?” ‘ 4 “cc No 1? ~ “‘Humph! 1 believe you lie!” the miner said, | bluntly. ‘‘ We passed a resolution, then, that : forever hence we were strangers, yet foes, and —— while we knew each other not to the world, we — were to have the privilege of balking each other’s interests whenever we so chose,” Mrs. Hathaway scowled. ; “T believe there was something said to that — effect,” she admitted, looking displeased; “but —

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‘12 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. I, for my part, am truly repentant. I would Instant pursuit was given by those who had like to have a iong talk with you, Sydney, if | seen the fatal shot fired, and by others who you have time.” “Which I have not,” he said, decidedly, ‘* As I said before, we do not know each other. I bid you good-day, madam.” * But, hold! you must not go until you have told me whether you mean to fight against me?” she said, hissingly, her face whitening, and eyes blazing dangerously. \ “No the bitter end!” he replied, sternly. ‘‘ You may count strong on me, too!” He then brushed past her, and left the shanty. Standing in the doorway, she gazed after him as he strode down the street, an unreadable ex- pression upon her face. As she stood thus: she was joined by Colonel Carrol*Hathaway, who had just come down- stairs. “Ah! so yowre watching the executor, are you?” he said with a disguised spice of jealousy in his tone. ‘‘ I suppose you have already fallen in love with him?” She wheeled upon him, fiercely. ‘*No, I hate hint, even as much as I love you. ‘You know how much that is,” and she laughed ' a little wildly. “You might better have said as much to the dying brother up-stairs,” he retorted, stroking his huge side-whiskers. ‘‘ By the way, the doc- tor thinks he will not live Jonger than sunrise, to-morrow.” **T hope not!” she said, coldly. “Then, yop are not pleased with the result, so far, eh?—that is, the making of the will?” No, Lam not!” was the reply. ‘It was not as either you or I had expected. The old fool suspected too much of the true state of affairs.” "We will cheerfully admit that. Guy was alwaysa hard, grasping, avaricious man, who suspected that everybody was trying to bleed him. Yet of late years, [ have always been his sincere admirer, on account of his money. Ha! ha! money is a truly great magnet! “But, the will is not so bad, after all. May must marry me, which fixes it all right.” “You forget. The settlement of the matter is in the hands of this Sydnoy Atherton, who I may!as well tell you is my enemy. He will try to marry the girl and thereby shove us out in the cold.” oi * Curse him! he shall not succead!” “You do not know that. Heisa stubborn, immovable foe, when he chooses, and is. influen- tial, here. Besides, May has a will of her own, and there is no telling when to depend on her.” “Tf coaxing and persuasion don’t fill the bill, here are other ways of bringing a ately ‘spirit inté subjection,” the colonel suggested, significantly, ‘‘ By the way, who is the ‘ Nob- by Nell,’ referred to by Guy?” ‘Ihave no idea. You must make inquiries, amd find out. Also, it will be well enough to keep on the right side of that lawyer Green!” - The Witch, Wild Meg, after firing the deadly bullet at Ganeral Hathaway. naused only long enough co note that it had taken ef- _ fect, when she wheeled her spirited horse, and : ead away up the gulch main street of the own, - : oured from the church, but all to no purpose, he horse of the Witch was a rapid runner, and she soon left the town behind, laughing wildly at the bullets that hailed around her. In an hour she was back to the retreat of the Branded Brows, which being her home had been christened Cave Inferno. None of the Branded Brows were present, when the Witch rode into the strange rendezvous, except Solid Sam, who was seated at a table in a distant corner, en- gaged in smoking a cigar, while he listened to a click! click! of an instrument, which was nbth- ing more or less than a complete telegraph ap- paratus, in working order. It was conneeted with four wires, two of which came in through the entrance to the cave, while the other two made their exit through a crevice in the rocky roof. : This telegraph contrivance was a bit pf the young roa Petits ingenuity, by which he had succeeded in haying news brought to him from the outside world, and of the movements there- of, The stage and telegraph line running from Green River City, on the line of the Union Pacific Railway, to Camps Brown and Stam- baugh, and other/ places in the Wind River ‘region, passed over another range of peaks, not over a half-mile from that in which the cavern of the Branded Brows was located. With wire had Solid Sam first supplied himself, and then made his connection and return to the line, pass- ing the wire through the cave, where it was at- tached to his instrument, ; This line connected Placer City with the out- side world, and his machine being equipped with a dumb receiver, Solid Sam knew of every message that passed over the wires, whether at his table, or away. : The other wires connected the Sweetwater mines with those at Atlantic City, and also were in circuit with his battery. “Well, I am_ back, you see,” she said, dis- mounting. ‘‘ Where are the band?” “Out hunting, I guess. Any news from the mines?” “Yes. General Hathaway is lying at the point of death. He was shot, at the altar, and I am proud of my marksmanship!” “You shot him?’ Solid Sam cried with a shuddering start. “Yes, and Pll tell you why, directly. How is it you are sitting there? Any news?” ‘Ves, The gold-producers of the Buckskin City are plotting to get off a cargo of our right- ful gold, without our knowledge. They have telegraphed to Camp Stambaugh their plans as follows: An unsuspecting German, named Fritz Steinburger, will be induced to come over to Placer City with a peddling wagon, and vend his wares. He will find ready sale through the liberality of those in the secret, and will go back to Stambaugh for a new lot of bed When he goes he will carry with him in his cov- ered wagon the gold of said producers, and de- liver it toa banker at Stambaugh, subject to orders I have not yet learned.” ‘ Wild Meg epee. her foot, with a fierce — malediction—then laughed wildly. =~ > ae ie Pe teins Oe ee

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 18 ‘f Fools! do they not know that it will be im- | tain to provide a good livelihood for her as long possible to cheat you?” she exclaimed. as she lived. ; “They do not know anything of the advan- tage I have over them, through this,” Solid Sam replied, b came his telegraph instrument. ~ “But, tell me about the assassination of Gen- eral Hathaway. Murder is a crime I did not think you capable of.” ‘Hal hal You do not know me—you do not Imow the rancor and hate of an imbittered life. If you did you would not marvel that the sight of Guy Hathaway at the altar frenzied me, and caused me to doa sinful deed. But, you shall hear the story, which I have always kept from you. Listen attentively, without interruption, and I will tell it all to you.” There was a greenish, fiery glitter in the old woman’s eyes, and a perceptible tremor to her person, as she seated herself near the Boy Road- Agent and fixed her gaze upon the floor. ig t was evident that the memories caused by the proposed rehearsal were of anything but a . pleasant or attractive nature. _. “To begin with,” she said, ‘I will go back into the far past—nearly half a century ape At the time of which I speak there lived in the city of New York, a young married couple by the name of Vance, who, being blessed with an infant daughter, were as happy as the day was long. John Vance held a position of trust in one of the city offices, at a goodly salary, and with the love of a then amiable wife, had noth- ing to yearn for or crave, in his happy exist- ence. ‘Tittle Bethel, their child, was a sweet fairy, and as she grew in years she increased in beauty of both face, form and womanly qualities, until, at the age of seventeen, she stepped upon the threshold of fashionable society, the acknowledg- ed belle of the season. i . ‘* Her smiles and society were courted by many a rich and accomplished gallant, much to the anxiety of ber parents, who knew the dangers of fashionable associations, but she passed the best of them by in a pleasant, firm way, that could not be misunderstood, and at the same time inspired the deepest admiration of her many suitors, “This, until she arrived at the age of pinhtern when her parents sent her to Paris and Italy. Here she was to finish her musical education in a two years’ course of study. “To her parents Bethel was a loving and obe- dient daughter, and in their blind affection for her they indulged her in everything she desir- ed. To such an extent, that when she returned to America, after two years’ absence, John Vance found that his bank-account was ex- hausted, ‘‘About a month after Bethel’s return, she once more entered metropolitan society, and in a short time became acquainted with a young military officer, Guy Hathaway by name, who was of a good family, and had won a general- ship for service in the war. “The acquaintance soon ripened to infatuation on the part of Bethel, and she wanted to marry young Hathaway on his own terms, which were, that she must deliver to him a sum of fifty thousand dollars, upon the marriage day, which __ he would invest for her so that it would be cer- ‘(This proposition she broached at once to her parents, but they promptly refused, agreeing that it was an unmanly scheme on Hathaway's part to swindle her out of the money. “Moreover, they forbade her to haveany fuyr- ther acquaintance with him. Hoa ** Bethel was not only disappointed at her fail- ure, but greatly incensed toward her parents, and in anger declared nothing should preven her from having the young general. “ About this same time, John Vance mortgaged his house and lot and personal property, for a limited number of days, for thirty thousand dol- lars, seeing an opportunity for a paying invest- ment. As he would not use it in a few days, he deposited it in his desk, at home, in preference to putting it in the bank, “Well, to make a long story short, the money turned up missing, and the day after this, Bethel was married to Guy Hathaway. ‘Knowing, of course, that she had taken it, her ‘father immediately sent a search-warrant after her and the young general, but all to no purpose. No trace of the missing money could be found, and both she and Hathaway denied having any knowledge or possession of it, what- _- ever, ‘Shortly afterward, Hathaway received the command of a small fort on the Western fron- tier, and with Bethel left New York fcrever. ‘The parents of Bethel, having no money to redeem the mortgage, were eventually turned out of house and home, and the friends that once knew them, knew them no more. : “The shock of the great blow which had swept away both child and fortune, was great, and had * the same effect on both—to affect their minds with a species of insanity which was a strange mixture of madness and reason. . ‘ . ‘They wandered from the city, making their way westward, They grew wild through ill- treatment and privation; folks avoided them be- cause of their shabby appearance—feared them, because of a belief that they were in some way connected or leagued with evil-doers.” CHAPTER V. SOLID SAM AND HIS FATHER. ‘You, then, are the mother of her that was Bethel Vance?” Solid Sam asked. “T am.” White Beard, who, was killed six - years ago in Buckskin Canyon by the stam- Hester, was her father. By slow stages we wan- . ered into the mining and trapping sections of the West, subsisting mainly upon what we come beg from the campers, or the game we ed, ze “Six years after leaving New York, during which time we had heard but once or twice’ from Bethel, found us located in a wild district in the Yellowstone region. At times reports came back to inquiries we sent to strangers, — that Bethel did not live happily with Guy, and — the same reports told that, though he often. abused her and her two twin children—a little, boy and girl—she still bore patiently with him, poruns to be as much infatuated with him as at firs ‘One spring—the first of our stay in the Yel- —

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14 lowstone country—there came a terrible flood, that brought us back our Bethel—but God knows, as a terrible gift. “White Beard found her, one day after the flood had subsided, somewhat—her and her little son, both washed upon a bleak point of the river, where the freshet had cast her. ‘He recognized her, and brought you home to our humble abode, tor he supposed her to be dead. But, unwilling to believe it, he at last went back, and, truly enough, found her alive, but so injured, that she died shortly afterward. Before she did die, however, she told a tale of bitter wrong that had been done her by Guy Hathaway, the culmination of which was his causing a couple of ruffians to kidnap her, and. with her children, send her afloat on the flooded Yellowstone, upon a log-raft. She was wrecked upon the bar, and for many hours lay stunned and bleeding, She remembered, however, of having her two six-year old children bound to her at her last recollection, and as White Beard found her bonds cut, on first discovering her, it was evident some one had arrived ahead of him, and appropriated the little girl. ‘*Before she died, Bethel also begged forgive- néss from her father, which was freely given, and White Beard soothed her in her last mo- ments, promising that he would care for her end: the bay, and make all efforts to find the rr “Then, I am the son of Bethel and General Hathaway!” Solid Sam cried, springing to his feet, with a start of surprise. "You are!” the Witch replied, ‘‘and I am your grandmother. You can now see why I shot the human monster, your father, for there has not been a day since Bethel died, that I have not registered an oath before high Heaven that Guy Hathaway should never live to treat an- other wife, as he treated my child.” Solid Sam was silent a few minutes, before he spoke, his gaze riveted upon the floor. “You did right in speeding that fatal bullet, perhaps,” he said, with a voice tremulous with feeling, ‘‘ for you saved me doing the same awful deed, if you are telling me the truth about him. T already hate him because he was instrumental in the death of my mother!” ‘¢T am telling you the truth, so help me God!” the Witch said, earnestly. “Before the flood, we used to send with trusty trappers who visited the various places of residence of the Hathaways, and have them make inquiries, As a result, we always received the same wee , literally—Hathaway seemed to hate his wife and children, and abused them shamefully, in addition to letting them suffer _ for want of the necessaries of life, and courting the society of other women!” “ Brute—monster, then, he is, and I. have no sympathy for him!” Solid Sam said, fiercely. “Did you kill him outright?” “No, I didn’t. Iam no fool. I meant that he should live long enough to make his will. You are his heir—the only rightful one I know of. He must leave his property to you, and if your sister is ever found, we will share it with her. Go at once. lest you be too late, and make known to him your identity, Tell him all I _ have told you; and lying at the point of death zi ae Solid Sam, the Boy -Road-Agent. as he is, he will not dare disown you or refuse to do what is right.” “True, If I have a right to his property I am to have it, for I shall never get what I don’t fight for, it appears. I will drop-in upon hin to-night, when matters are quiet, in Placer City, and if you do not see me back in several days, do not be surprised.” “You will need to be careful!” Wild Meg said, with a shake of her head, “for the miners anc roughs down there are bitter against you, and J saw a half a dozen reward papers posted up about the town, offering five hundred dollars for your capture.” . eet ha! let Peas the whole a a suc rs, ani yet snap my fingers a’ them ic whistle at their curses in defiance, But, to prepare against trouble, Pll take Fleet- wind with me.” One of the pockets of Solid Sam’s jacket was curiously constructed, being lined with sieve wire, and protected by a buttoned lapel. Going to a little cage in one portion of the cave, he took forth a small but plump carrier pigeon, around whose downy throat was fastened a oe blue ribbon, that in turn was tied to a bit of paper. pein his pocket, he shoved the bird gently into it, and then fastened the lapel to its placa with a button. The cause of the wire pocket now became obvious. While the outer view of the coat re- mained unchanged, the inside was left so that air could circulate freely through thisnovel, but excellent bird-cage, Arming himself well, Solid Sam then mounted a large gray horse, and took his departure. Pursuing a short route across the mountains he was not long in reaching the Buckskin Canyon, where he dismounted, and continued on his way toward Placer City on foot, first having secreted his horse from the view of the trail. Wild Meg had never to his knowledge lied to him, and therefore the young outlaw had no reason to believe that she had deceived him in narrating the wrongs instigated by the leading citizen of Placer City. That night, General Hathaway lay upon his bed, alone in his room, the doctor having retired for a short nap. Unable to sleep, the mine-owner lay theru with probably anything but pleasant thoughts, os there was a troubled expression upon his ‘ace, Tt was about this time that a door softly: opened, to admit a dark figure, wrap in & blanket—a, man, with his slouch hat pulled down over his eyes. The.hat was raised as the new-comer approach: ed the bedside, however, and the general gave vent to a gasp of surprise and horror. “Solid Sam! the road-agent!” he uttered, erat : 2 ‘*The same, sir,” Solid Sam replied, coolly, as, he covered the invalid with his revolver, “Don’t be at all noisy in your demonstrations, or I shall have to silence you. Do you know me, Guy Hathaway?” “No—no more than as the accursed outlaw of the canyon!” was the fierce reply,

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eee Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 16 “hen it is time that you did know me,” Solid Sam replied. ‘Iam your son, rightfully, lawfully—the only son resulting from your union with Bethel Vance!” General Hathaway uttered a smothered curse. You lie!” he , paling before the stern aze of the Boy Road-Agent. ‘I have no son iving. My first wife and children died years ago, and you are a scheming impostor!” 3 ‘¢ How did your wife and children die?” Solid Sam asked, flercely.” ‘‘ Dare you own the truth, sir, lying as you are at the point of death?” The mine-owner groaned and averted his face. upon which there was a ghastly expression of terror. ; ‘*Go on!” he gasped. ‘‘If you have anything to say, I will hear you sagh ae “You are my father, although I_am in no way or manner proud of the fact. Because of our crimes and villainy, it is not strange that Fido not bear you either the love or good-will of ason. How long have I wondered what mys- tery surrounded my early life, but was unable to learn or conceive until to-day, when Wild Meg came to the front and granted the infor- mation—the whole strange story of how you had wedded her daughter, Bethel Vance—how hes had caused Bethel, my mother, to steal a rge sum of money from her parents, which caused their financial ruin; how you had emi- grated to the West; how they had learned of your constant abuse of your wife and children; how they found: Bethel and one child—the little boy—wrecked upon the blood-stained shore of {he Yellowstone, one spring, and received from her a confession of your wrongs against her, the culmination of which was your peas Had to be set adrift on the flood, with her children, calculating, of course, that you would never be troubled by them again. Ah! Guy Hathaway, even though you are my father, I can but hate you for your black, brutal, villainous past!” “You are not to blame for hating me, boy, if you are indeed my son. I was a brute in those days—inspired by an evil, reckless nature, over which I had not the mastery. I don’t ask you to forgive me, or even regard me with re- spect, for I do not deserve it. But, go on—tell me if Bethel escaped alive, and what became of the other child?” z “ M Deer mother only lived long enough, the Witch says, to confess her woes to White Beard, who found her; then she died, I was the only child that White Beard found when he discovered her, but some other person had been upon the spot ahead of him, and without doubt, carried away my little sister, of whom no trace has ever been found since.” General Hathaway was silent for several min- utes, his face covered by his hands. * All I can now do is to be penitent, and pray to God for forgiveness and pardon,” he said, slowly. ‘‘I am sorry—have been sorry for years, but could not recall the dead to life. I will not crave your forgiveness, for you would probably not accord it.” “You are right. The story I heard from Wild Meg was enough to set me against you. Besides, as a citizen of Placer City, you have not particularly endeared yourself to me, by the unselfish interest you have manifested in a attempts to make me die by the Vigilantes. y principal reason in coming here, on learn~ ing that you are my father, is to induce you to make your will in my favor.” “No. That is impossible. The will is already made, and I cannot change it.” “Will not, you mean?” “Yes, if you like. Idonot owe youanything, Indeed, I have no conclusive proof that you are not an impostor?” “Dare you doubt me? Lying at the point of death, can you not see that I am the only one who would come forward, and give such strong fee You know I am your son, sir—have nown it, or ayy cae it, maybe, all along, which accounted for your enmity against me! ‘‘Whether I have, or not, I decline to say!” the miner-owner replied, stolidly. “At any rate, I shall not leave you a pony My pros- pects for the future are dark, and I may as well continue as I did before, as I have no faith that a change for the better would help me, now. Kill me, if you choose, as it will not make much difference whether I die now, or a few hours hence.” : “No!” Solid Sam replied, rising. ‘‘ There is : One who will give you your just deserts more 3 effectually than I can do. will, however, have a share‘of the wealth «you refuse to be- queath to me—to that I swear! Inow bid you good-by, forever; may God have more mercy upon your soul than I could have!” Then the Boy Road-Agent took his departure, as silently as he came. The next morning Placer City was acquaint- - Bete the fact that General Hathaway was e : . Pe CHAPTER VI. : THE POST-OFFICE AND THE POSTMISTRESS. ; THE night following the one on which Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, had visited the gen- eral—now lying a bert at his shanty, up the Soe! a beautiful one, with a balmy reath of radiant nature blowing upfrom the =~ south, and a gloriously bright moon soarin . through the heavens’ blue dome, with its bril- liant settings of starry diamonds. = oe Notwithstanding the great beauty of the night, and the fact that crowds of people were out upon the Rialto of Placer City, as the sim- ple gulch street had been christened by some one, more out of sarcasm than admiration, other crowds of humanity were congregated in sa- loons and places of amusement, but the most characteristic representation of Placer City cit- izens was to be found at the ‘ fice.” This was the principal hang-out of that class — who did not as a rule frequent the saloons and Genes and also of many of those who id. ‘Mail-time” was the ripe time to find the crowd there, and to-night was no exception to” the usual gathering. The “ post-offis,” as an establishment, occu- pied a large cabin, some fifty feet wide by sev- enty long, and answered, in addition to its offi- | e calling, that of a general supply store, a news and cigar stand. - = The office in question was a partitioned aparte -—

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18 ment in the rear end of the building, with a pigeon-hole of moderate size opening out into the store-room, into which each pilgrim was obliged to shont his name, and if any mail awaited them, he received it back through this aperture, A door opened ‘from this office behind each of two counters, which flanked eithér side of the pabin, and admitted of one person attending to * the seyeral businesses connected with the estab- lishment. ! Placer City was proud of its postmaster, or rather postmistress, for it was a woman who superintended the ‘business—a dashing, viva- cious, irrepressible young woman, whom every- body admired, and yet pS to “rile.” Miss Neli Nugent was said to be her name, but uni- versally she was known simply as Nobby Nell. Who she was, or -where she had come from, was among the uncertainties. Once upon a time, in the early existence of Placer City as a mining-camp, Bill Simpson, who had been deputized P. M., was invited toa *“neck-tie party” by the citizens, for fingering the contents of the mails, and when the question was put who was to fill §impson’s boots, Nobby Nell had put in an appearance, and begged the ‘city fathers” to turn the position over to er, A little fifteen-year-old midget she was, at the time, attired in a hunting-suit of elaborately- decoratel buekskin, with the inevitable slouch hat and top boots, and a mining outfit strapped to her back; and, impressed with her frank, in- dependent appearance, the “city” dignitaries had installed her ‘‘ boss” of the post-office. Little by little she had saved up money from her salary, and by what she made at weighing auriferous, until, at the time we enter the post- office, she owned the building and the whole stock of merchandise in addition to retaining her position of postmistress. Few women in Placer City were there. who did not have some cause to have some envy of Miss Nobby Nell Nugent, for the miners and men generally admired her, and then, she was pretty, which was a secret, perhaps, why the - crowd always managed to saunter into the post- office, hours before each mail was due. Let us take a peep into the aforesaid office. Some thirty or forty men are collected within, ranged along the counters—a strangely con- recied array of humanity, both in face and attire. The red-shirted, stogy-booted miner, and his more villainous resemblee, the professional ruf- fian: the well-dressedspeculator or mine-owner ; _ the flashily dresséd exquisite (card sharp) and his prototype the sport, bullwhackers, \ pros- peciores gamblers, and jockeys, in large'num- ers, with no two alike in feature, dress or ex- pression. ; Behind the counter stood Miss Nobby Nell, who, as the evening mail-stage had not yet ar- _ Fived, was busying herself in weighing out groceries for a big bewhiskered miner, and making a very pretty picture in the light re- . flected from her well-cleaned lamps. junction with a dainty jacket, vest and spotless ‘pearance, and she wore them still, in con- ime bosom, with a tie at the throat, jaunty, : cx mtd, Solid Sas; the Boy Road-Agent. She had worn “‘the breeches” on her first ap- oo broad-brimmed hat upon her head, and neat boots upon her feet, into the tops of which her loose trowers were thrust. Manly though was her attire. her, and was not “loud” or flashy; it was really very cute: In face and form, she was remarkably at: tractive. Her figure was below tha medium hight of women, a trifle, yet gracefully and symmetrically developed and rounded to a de- gree of perfection at once noticeable, owing to her neatly-fitting attire. Her face was fair and! prettily chiseled, the features being faultless in their outline and charming in expression, es~ tr the mouth, inclined to be the least biti arge, but bewitchingly tempting, which the st eel to a man, voted was ‘‘ too killing for any- ing. And who shall say they were not right? Her bright brown eyes always were aglow with the feeling of a warm, impulsive nature, yet; betokened an independent spirit, that could be aroused to stern wrath. Her hair had some day’ been shorn close to her head, and now grew in 4 confusion of short auburn curls, infinitely 'be- coming to her. j Z In fact, with her eighteen years of life left behind, Nobby Nell stood at the threshold of a glorious womanhsod, without a.peer as to beauty ae powers of fascination, in-the Wind River ines. Another attraction about ber was the fact that she was “‘all on ther squar’,” as the miners expressed it. From the time of her coming, she had manifested a sturdy will and disposition to guard and protect herself from insult, and it was said that at least a half-dozen precious pil- grims had ‘‘chawed plumbago,” as a sequel to offering her insult. ; Anyhow, while she was universally admired and respected above other unmarried women in the camp, even the boldest, or those upon friend- liest terms with her, knew better than to crowd intimacy beyond a certain point, having no fancy for a voice from one of the polished six~ shooters she ever wore in her belt. Among those congregated within the post office, to-night, were the better class of Placer City’s citizens, with of course a sprinkling of the rougher and more adventurous element, Lawyer Green was a center of attraction, of course, and m answer to innumerable inquiries, he related all about how General Hathaway’s will had been made, as many innumerable times. ‘“*So thet Colonel or Santa Fe Syd is goin’ ter be heir, eh?” a miner observed—Jem Jinks, by the way, who held the important office of con- stable in thé town. ‘‘ Waal, Syd’s one o’ our own sort o’ pards, an’ durn my boots ef he ain’t entitled ter hev ther, shake. Don’t you say so, Miss Nell?” “On course I do!” Plater City’s pretty post mistress averred, with a pretty nod of her curly © 'e Syd’s one of our citizens an’ head. ‘“‘Santa F the Easterner ain't, the cut of his coat! “‘That’s so, by thunder!” the constable ac- cepted. ‘He ain’t no rough nugget, like Syd, nohow, an’ I propose thet we a: x ther best we know how, ter git ther fortin’.” ‘*Mebbe some one else will hev something / PR which same one can tell by it well became - t ther boyee = er

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. say about that,” Lawyer Green observed, dryly. “Ther gal, Miss Miner, hez sumthin’ ter say about thet.” _ ; ‘An’ Santa Fe Syd he’s soft on Nobby Nell, heer, an’ dursen’t go ag’in’ her wishes, for fear 0’ gittin’ planted, which quashes thet little indict- ment!” declared Black Eph, who was voted by all to be the ugliest rough customer in the mines, when the ‘‘snakes” were tickling the bottoms of his feet, which was not seldom. ‘* Hello! who lipped in for me, then?’ the pretty postmistress demanded, looking up from the figuring-up of a bill of groceries, ‘‘ Was that you what made thet remark, Black Eph?” “Tl allow I’m the man,” the border ruffian answered, emphatiéally and coolly.» “I inti- mated thet, bein’ tied ter yer skirts, Santa Fe Syd wouldn’t durst take on no other craft, w’ich I opine is a complerment ter ye, right from ther shoulder.” “Well, look out you don’t make too free wi’ yer compliments,” Nell replied, a ‘little flush of indignation dyeing her fair cheek, ‘Mr. Syd- ney Atherton is in no way bound to me, nor have I any claim upon him whatever.” “On course she ain’t, Black ee interposed Jem, who always took the verbal defense of the pretty postmistress. ‘‘Y’u’re a leetle too free wi’ yer chin-music 0’ late, an’ need sum good chap ter dress ye out, you do.” ‘““ Mebbe you'd like ter take ther job?” the ruf- fian growled. ‘I’ve got an open date fer ary pilgrim as wants ter grab ther leetle persition of dressin’-maid,” But Jem shook his head, with a sad smile, Constable though he was of the town, he had no particular hankering after rough-and-tumble scrimmagers. For Black Eph held undisputed sway as the bully of the town, and was feared far more than he was respected, for a great many dark deeds had been Jaid at his door, and he was rough and revengeful at the least provo- cation. ‘Without, in the balmy moonlight night, was now heard the jolting rumble of sta, é-wheels, which cut short further argument, that might have resulted in bloodshed, for he was a poor stick who couldn’t drop his man io a quarrel in. the moral city of Buckskin Gulch. Out into the street poured the inmates of the post-office, as the creaking stage rolled up, to add to the crowd already collected, It was not an uncommon occurrence for a large delegation of new citizens to arrive in the * coffin-cage,” as the stage had been affection- ately christened, and these Placer City-ites were always on deck, ready to give the new- comers a er‘tical inspection. To-night, however, there were but four pas- sengers; but four though there were they were most singu’arly contrasted. The first was one of that class of Westerners easily distinguishad in their profession as cattle- drovers, by the fact of their constantly carry- ing a bull-whip—a young man in years, with a _ slight’ mustache, brown eyes, and long wavy” hair that tcuched below his shoulders, while in face he was particularly good-looking, wearing a fearless and independent, yet genial expres- sion. He was attired in the usual costume of the ‘greasily-attired pig-tail, was evi 17 prairie cattle-drover, with a pair of serviceable revolvers stuck in his belt—slouch hat, knee- boots, and homespun, the woolen shirt which opened with a collar at the neck, being fanci- fully embroidered. sone 4 oung in years appeared this young drover, et the grip” of fae eagle cre) baad the act that he was no coward in a big crowd, and the way he pushed through the assemblage of citizens into the post-office, was a guarantee that he was in the habit of going whither he pleased, regardless of hindrance. The other passengers who followed him, were a China- man, and a man and woman of the most strik- ing appearance—the man being every inch a six-footer, if not taller, and one of the Jankest, most ae a specimens of humanity that it bad ever been the fortune of these Placer City-ites to behold. vidently there was not a spare pound of flesh in his composition, his: skin appearing to be drawn tightly over the bones, and the loose- ly fitting garments he wore over the skin. His features were gaunt and sunken, his eyes large and of a yellowish shade, while his mouth and feet ares extremely large. His head was totally bald, and as shiny as the appearance of a full moon, not even so much as a few hairs vegeta- ting there. pon his face a sickly stubble of hirsute coy- ering had collected—that was all. His attire was ridiculously ragged and dirty, with worn-out shoes upon his feet, and a clown- pee hat upon his head. is companion was precisely his opposite, in * appearance, he was a coarse-featured, red-faced woman of four feet six, and nearly as big around as she was tall: a person, who, at the least calculation, miust Debi oo ioe three hundred pounds, She was dressed in a stylish traveling costume of costly silk, and, as compared with the “skinny” man, to whose arm she clung tight~ ly as if. afraid that the stiff mountain breeze would blow him away, she was a remarkable contrast. ‘ The Chinaman, a flat-visaged, almond-eyed dently attached either to the drover or to the two extremes. a CHAPTER VII. WYOMING WALT ENTERS THE ARHNA. Brine the first son of Confucius who had ever set foot in Placer ‘City, he was naturally regarded with anything but welcome glances— for where is the miner, old or young, from Washington Territory down to the Gulf, who bears any particular affection for the average Celestial? 3 Evident it was that this precise pig-tail was. the forerunner of more that were to follow, and a murmur of disgust and demur went the rounds of the crowd. . ss gol-durned Chinerman!” grunted one miner. ‘‘TI say, boys, who imported *im ’ere? We doan’t want none o’ thet breed.” “On course we doan’t,” assented several others, in a voice. ‘‘ Wages is low enuff, as it is, wi’out any of them p’izen cusses,” “ Hurra! that’s ther talk!” chipped in Black Eph, who now formed one of the crowd that | > ae r. eo es eh a

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18 had partially surrounded the Celestial. ‘Say, see hyar, you John Chinaman, don’t ye know you're invadin’ a Paradise thet warn’t nevyer intended fer pig-tails, an’ sech like? You've got to bounce.” **Nixy! Chee Fee Ching-go no bouncee. ’Meli- can man no makes Chee lee Ching-go bouncee!” the son of Confucius declared, independently. “*Melica free land—Chineeman he heapee likee *Melica—go wheree pleasee.” ‘* Waal, Pll be cussed ef we won't jest erbout seo ter thet, ye durned almond-eyed, flat-snooted sucker!” Black Eph cried savagely. And he sprung forward and seized the unoffending Chee Fee Ching-go by the collar, and yanked him around unmercifully. ‘‘ Bring a rope, boyees, an’ we'll hev er leetle pick-nick, jest as nice as ye please, all by ther light o’ ther moon.” A dozen miners hurried away in quest of the desired halter, for it was down in their rough code that a Chinaman was not fit for anything else but to hang. The young herder had heard the disturbance, and now came out of the post-office to learn the cause. ** Hello!” he ejaculated, as his Spee ore took in the scene, ‘‘ What’s the matter? - at are you a-goin’ to do wi’ thet Chinaman, old man?” “Hang ’im, by thunder!” Black Eph chuckled. of Mebbe you’ve got some lip to chip in ag’in’ it? ‘‘ Mebbe I have,” the herder declared coolly. ‘“T generally mix in my gab, when I see fit. What's the Celestial bin doin’, that ye want to send him up?” ‘* Nothin’—positively and precisely nothin’,” Black Eph replied, with a leer. ‘‘So what are you Rong to do about it, my young gobbler?” Tn going ter persuade an to abandon all notion o’ stringin’ up the Chinaman, I opine!” the young herder replied, quickly whipping a pair of revolvers from his belt and cocking them. ‘Take your hands off from that China- man, and let him go, or Pll put a semi-colon right between your eyes quicker than a kitten can Bey its oe goer i aes uss ye, d’ye mean it, you young popinjay the ruffian demandad fiercely. ‘ “T don’t mean notHing else,” was the reply. “The Celestial hasn’t harmed any one, “and don’t deserve to be hung, or even molested. This is a free country, and Sli AS at has a right to go where they please, except when the law interferes, and therefore you’ve no business to lay a hand on that fellow.” A murmur of disapproval came from the crowd. It was not to their liking, this inter- ference. ~The young cattle-drover still stood with his revolvers leveled in a way that seemed to indi- cate that Black Eph’s prospects for a funeral were large, unless he speedily obeyed. “See hyar, young feller, this ain’t no fair shake,” he growled. font “Pll allow ye’ve ot ther drop, but I want argy ther pint, in ther behalf o’ our citerzens, to whom I’m a re- presentative. Et’s an established fact that ther cussed Chinamen hev did more to’rd fetchin’ down wages than ary other race on ther earth, an’ et ain’t nateral fer us laborin’ class ter love Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. ’em for it, overmuch, Up ter date, we've ke our town free frum ther pesky devils, an’ Pll cuss blamed ef we aire a-goin’ ter let ’°em swarm = ers cut us out o’ our jobs, Ain’t this so, joys A. grunt of assent from the miners, was the answer. “On course et’s sol” Black Eph averred, warming up, in an oratorical way, to the sub- ject. ‘‘ We ken’t be blamed fer tectin’ our mutual interests, an’ w’en a pig-tail galoot cums a-waltzin’ inter our town—w’ich same be a foretaste o’ more thet’s ter cum—I opine et’s our moral an’ religyus duty ter treat ther cuss ter a private hempen celebration, an’ thereby encourage ther Tope manufacturin’ interests o’ ther land. Hain’t et so, boyees—hain’t thet logick right frum ther foundation? On course et is, an’ ev’ry mother’s son o’ ye in favor 0’ givin’ ther pig-tail a boost, will make manifest ‘by sayin’ I!” “Tl” was the ringing response, from many a throat, I!” “Contrary no!” cried the young herder. ‘““Tf you are all in favor of hanging this China- man, Jam not, and Pll drop the first man who attempts to boost him! That's me, ie Walt, right down frum ther cattle regions, a: chock full o’ pure beef an’ blood, in the bar- ain. Remember! I give you fair warning. he first man who offers to invest in this lot- tery, will get a grand prize of a two-by-six pine box, eS the town authorities sees fit to supply it. © crowd were waiting on Black Eph, for the decision, for one and all had long him as a lawless leader in scrapes of this sort. nown — The ruffian knew that he was left judge, and glared around him, as if in doubt what to do, “Waal, boys, ye’ll hey ter give me a minute ter decide ther case,” he said, *‘ but ye kin draw yer pop-guns, 8 thet ther cowboy don’t get too frisky.” “Stop!” Wyoming Walt yelled, ene and ee a stern ring to his voice. ‘1’ll blow the skull off of the ga oot that draws a pistol!” * And so will I!” All he were turned toward the door of the post-office at the sound of the ringing voice, and all-eyes beheld Nobby Nell, the precy post- mistress, standing there, a pair of si ed revolvers in her hands, leveled at the crowd. “Oh! it's me!” she observed, “and I guess I'm pretty partes known. I just remarked ‘ And so will I, the translation of which means T'll blow the head off of the pilgrim who offers to harm the pig-tail or the herder!” ‘“‘Boyees, et’s ‘Our. Gal,’ w’ot speaks,” said Jim Byles, stepping forward. ‘‘Be we a-goin’ ter hang by the luv we've allus hed fer Nobby Nell, or be we goin’ ter hang ther pigtail? Wich?” “Hang ther pi, fiercely. ‘' Nobb: ner she ain’t got -tail,” growled Black Epk, ell don’t run this yere town, her say in. this matter.” “Ther gal is trump!” a half-dozen different miners replied. ‘‘ What shesays we'll make our ee she says.don’t hang ther Chinaman, so ““Well, I do say it and I mean it,” Nobby Nell replied, decidedly, “The young stranger ver-mount-

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ae is right. You citizens an’ landmarks of Placer City haven’t no more right to lay hanas on the Celestial than Solid Sam has to rob the stage. Let ther pig-tail go, boys, an’ you’ll sleep better fer not hangin’ him to-night.” The words seemed to have an immediate ef- fect, for the men mostly restored their weapons to their belts, and Chee Fee Ching-go was per- mitted to go his way. The cattle-herder, iyo Walt, thenturned back into the post-o! ice, from which he had emerged on hearing the disturbance, and came face to face with Nobby Nell, who had evidently been waiting for him, as she was not behind the counter. ‘See here,” she said, motioning him aside from the immediate hearing of any chance by- standers, ‘‘ Maybe it isn’t any of my business, but I’d like to know your name, if you have no objections.” ‘‘None at all,” the young herder replied, pacar “T gave my handle to the crowd as yoming Walt—Ill give it to you in the same ashion,” * But, that is only an assumed name.” *¢ How do you know that, pray?” ** Because I guessed so. There is a young cattle-drover named Wyoming Walt, but you are not him?” ** How do you know that, pray?” was the re- joinder, ae 3 : “Because I have seen this Wyoming Walt. and he is not at all like you—is cowardly, and ruffianly, and ugly-looking, while you are quite the reverse,” Nobby Nell said, gazing at him, unflinchingly. : ‘Oh! as to that, there could easily be two rsons by the same name, in such an extensive erritory as W" ing,” the young herder re- plied, ‘Indeed, I know of a good many per- sons who go under one nom de plume.” é se But you are not ny Some wat Piao ‘ity’s pretty young postmistress persisted, wi a smile. oH is not likely there would be two by that peculiar name. You are some one else, who have hit upon the expedient of disguising yourself, Tell me, is this not so?” “Possibly! Everything you know is possible, nowadays. But, whether I am the person I claim to be, or not, what does it matter to you?” “Well, Pu tell you. My name is Nobby Nell, or Nell Nugent, for short, and lam a great: admirer of bravery. You showed good grit, a bit ago, but it occurred to me that you were some one else than Wyoming Walt, and were running a great risk in coming here.” ‘“* Thanks for your kind anxiety in my behalf, but I am not at all in danger I opine, and were I, it does not matter so much. You are the postmistress, I believe?” “c Yes ” “Tent there a letter here, for Wyoming Walt?” Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. f s cause. But here comes the mail, and I must change it,” The coach-driver now entered, burdened with a well-filled mail-bag. And that very fact caused many a miner’s eyes to sparkle with anticipations of the recep- tion of letters from home. j Nobby Nell nodded to Wyoming Walt pleas- Antly, and then vaulting lightly over the coun- ter, she received the mail-bag and disappeared behind the partition. A faint gleam of admiration entered Wyoming Wall’s eyes, as he watchcd her leaye. ; ‘*She’s as sharpas a razor, literally speaking,” he muttered, under his-breath. ‘‘ She is pretty, too, and of a lovable nature, I allow. I won- der who were ker parent, and what are her antecedents?” Quick of sight and quick of touch, it did not take Nobby Nell long to assort her mail. No boxes did Placer City’s postal system boast of, but -behind the partition Nell had con- structed a sort of trough, containing twenty-ix compartments numbered alphabetically, so that A’s mail was put into Division A, and so on, . which enabled her to know just where to look for each party’s mail without trouble. The little wicket-door soon flew open, and a crowd surged forward to receive their install- ment of letters and papers. Many were the recipients of both, but some there were who received none, as was eas 2 tell by the gloomy expression upon their ‘aces, Then there was another class who inquired at the delivery as regularly as the mails arrived, who had no idea or hope of receiving even as much as a postal card. No friends or relatives had they who cared enough about their welfare to inquire about it, and their main reason for asking for mail seemed to be because they wished to hear Nobby Nell’s pleasant, musical “No,”—terse, but a treat when vouchsafed by Miss Nell. More out of curiosity than anything else, probably, Wyoming Walt joined in the line of inquirers, and when it came his turn, put forth his call, and to his surprise a letter was placed in his hand. : Not glancing at it, he stepped from the line, and allowed the next man to take his place, who chanced to be the bullying ruffian of the town, Black po upon whose face there was suddenly’ seen a strange, triumphant leer. Stepping to one side, Wyoming Walt glanced at the direction upon the envelope of his letter, and gave a surprised start. Tt was addressed to ‘‘Solid Sam—the Boy Road-Agent,” in a bold, graceful style of chi- ORE B AY: faint scowl of annoyance rose to the herd- er’s brow, and he glanced set ies around to see if any one besides himself had seen the direc- tions. As he did so he caught the leering gaze of Black Eph, and at once decided that he, if no one else, had seen them, : But, with a coolness that evidently came na- tural to him, he tore open the letter and glanced over.it, his senses; however, so much on the alert, that he was well aware of what was going — ; on around him, 19. t

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iat La eee aes oe 20 He was also aware that the ruffian was ap- proaching him, and accordingly, without appa- rent design, he put the letter ito his pocket just as Black Eph came within arm’s reach. “Hello! got a letter, did ye?” the bully de- manded, pausing, with a cunning grin. ‘Well, what if I did?’ Wyoming Walt re- lied. ‘Any one got a better right, I should ike to know?” * Tuk out, ye young bantam; don’t go to sas- . sin’ me, or I'll suddenly chaw ye up, I will. Let’s see yer letter,” “Well, I guess not,” the herder declined, cool- ly. ‘* What for?” ‘Ca’se I wanter see it, that’s all,” Eph an- swered, blusteringly. ‘‘Cum, pass et erlong, will ye, or shell I takeitaway frum ye? “Maybe you'd better try to take it away, if you imagine it would be healthy amusement for you!” was the calm suggestion, and the young man folded his arms complacently across his breast. “Oh! ye defy me, do ye?” the ruffian growl- ed. ‘Ho, hol maybe [ hold the game ecard jest about now. I see’d ther directions uv thet eetle billet-ducks, I did. What d’ye say to that ?” ‘* Nothing of particular moment. The letter was given me through mistake, evidently, and not meant for me.” “Oho! thet won’t work, me boy. 1 know all aboutet. Jest let me see thet ’ar epistel, or Pll tell who ye aire, an’ then thar’ll be fun!” ** You will?” “Bet yer/stogiest boots I will!” “ What'll you make by it?” “Tll make you fill ther same noose ye got ther Chinaman's neck out of, cuss ye!” “ You will? “May I be shot fer a Pigeon, ef I don’t!” “Then, go ahead! defy you to do your very worst!” was the youre herder’s answer. With an oath, Black Eph stepped back a few ee and pointing his finger at Wyoming alt, he cried, in a loud voice: P ot im, now! That feller’s ** Boyees, we've ‘ agent!” Solid Sam, the ro CBAPTER VIII. SOLID SAM STEPS OUT—FREE ADVERTISING. Tue effect of the ruffian’s words was magical. Out came a great number of revolvers from different belts, to be grasped by sturdy hands, and the miners and citizens and adventurers who filled fhe room advanced a step, with dark scowls, that were threatening in the extreme. “Yas, sir-ee! that feller’s Solid Sam, an’ I know it!” Black, Eph declared, with triumph. | ‘“T smelt a durned big rat, did I, ther furst min- nit I see’d him, an’ so when he went up yander -ter ther mail delivery, I peeped over his shoul- der, and see’d him get a letter addressed ter * Solid Sam.,’” “Ts this so, young man?’ asked Bill Bolivar, who aspired to be Mayor of Placer City some day, should epics ever attain sufficient di- mensions to need a mayor. ‘‘Is Eph a-tellin’ the truth erbout this yere letter?” - 2 sf is, undoubtedly,” Wyoming Walt re- iy ed, not at all disconcerted, still standing fac- the scowling crowd, his arms folded across Preah Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. his breast. ‘I received such a letter from the post-office, but it evidently was handed me through mistake.” “Oh! no it wassent!” Black Eph chuckled. ** Nobby Nell she knows her biz, you bet, an’ she wouldn’t be apt ter make a mistake like that.” ‘Of course she wouldn’t.” Bolivar agreed. ‘an’ so, Mr. Road-agent, you may as well sur- render, ter oncet. Thar’s fifty on us ter one o’ you, an’ escape is impossible.” wt is, eh?’ the young herder cried, ‘‘ Then you are perfectly well satisfied that I am the genuine Solid Sam eae “We are,” Bolivar assented. ‘* All the differ- ence *twixt ye is thet ye hain’t got no black streak across yer brow.” ‘* Which ought to be conclusive evidence that I am not Solid Sam,” was the calm reply, a faint expression of amusement lurking about his mouth, ‘If, however, you will have it that I am the notorious outlaw, I do not see in what way I can help it.” “ What's the matter here?” Nobb manded, emerging behind the counter from back of the posta] partition. ‘‘ Ah! are they trying to get you into trouble in, stranger?’ ‘Tt would seem so,” Wyomin alt replied. “You gave me a letter through mistake, evi- Nell de- © dently, which was addressed to Solid Sam, the © road-agent, and this man they call Black Eph saw it, and now accuses me of being the party sige ih to introd nd so they propose introduce you to Judge Lynch, eh?” z ‘“That’s about the size of it, I reckon,” was Wyoming Walt’s response. ; “Well, if I can help it, they won’t. Gentle- men, you’ve made a mistake here, I allow,” the pretty postmistress said. “This pilgrim, Wyo- ming Walt, is a herder from _up in the cattle regions. hes got ascar across his brow, an’ this pilgrim ain’t.” Solid Sam, indeed! Why, Solid Sam > “See hyar, Nobby Nell, nobody axed you fer — yer lip-in, in this case. Ef you're a pardner ter this galoot, that ye back his case so strong, why, we'll boost you too, mebbe!” Black Ep snarled, savagely. “I’ve been in Wyoming Territory fer a dorg’s age, an’ never heerd sech a chap as Wyoming Walt, afore.’ Ef he ain’t Solid Sam, why in blazes did ye give him the letter?” ae ‘The letter has been lying here in the office for several days, and so I thought I’d give it to some one in order ter git rid of it, and Wyoming Walt happened to be the one that got it, I didn’t epee any such harm,as this or I shouldn't have et i o out of the office. That’s what’s about ther letter, old man!” * But mebbe we won’t take yer -word fer thet!” Black Eph replied. ‘‘I opine. you’ve hed yer way, hyar in Placer City, about long enough, an’ et’s time we hed a change. This- es Solid Sam, an’ we're goin’ ter hang im. What d’ye say, boys?” : ee: “We say yes, on course, ef he’s really Solid Sam,” Bill Bolivar proclaimed. ut, Nobby Nell orter know, mebbe, for she knows ’most_ everybody.” 2 Sa “ Gentlemen!” Wyoming Walt cece te Nol xeedn’t argue the case any longer, — Miss. t ey Len ce .

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Se rt Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 8h Nell evidently made a mistake in giving me the letter, and believes me to be yoming Walt. Nevertheless, she is mistaken, for I am the very individual you have been trying to make me out ---Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent!” A murmur of astonishment escaped the crowd, for this was certainly startling information, boldly delivered. Even though many had at first believed him to be the notorious young out- law, they had hardly been expecting his bold declaration of the fact. Coolly stood he there, after vouchsafing the fact, with arms folded across his breast, and his eyes flashing a dangerous light. “Ves, I am Solid Sam,” he repeated, ‘‘ the road-agent of Buckskin Canyon, the boy whom you drove out of this gulch six years ago. Do you wonder I am forced to take matters intomy own hands, gentlemen, when you look around Pheod a realize how much you are usurping my rights % we. ain’t usurpin’ nothin’,” Black Eph wled, .*You lie, you are!” Solid Sam declared, un- dauntedly. ‘‘ All this gulch had been staked off, and rightfully secured by John Vance, alias White Beard, previous to the time when a party of invaders, you included, came into the gulch, killed my grandfather, and drove my grand- mothér and myself away from our home. We both swore then that not much of our rightful gold should ever leave the canyon, and I allow there hasn’t much left.” : “Oho! ye brag 0’ yer robberies, do ye?” Black Eph shouted. ‘Waal, ye may’s well play. game while your courage is up, fer we’re goin’ ter boost ye to glory, d’rectly. Cum, ye may’s well surrender, and save us ther pleasure o’ salivatin’ ye!” / “T rather reckon not,” Solid Sam retorted, coolly. ‘Nor will you make the least oern to take me. While you were intent upon catic ing your game, you were being igen your- selves. Ha! ha! if you look at the windows, my loving pilgrims, you will undoubtedly see what I mean.” 5 They did’ look with a start of surprise, and what they saw, carried significant weight to . the words of the Boy Road-Agent. Three windows there were upon each side of the building, looking into the store-room, and through these were leveled a glittering array of rifle-barrels, some score or more in number, in such a shape that nearly every person in the room was covered. < A murmur of rage went the rounds, while Solid Sam laughed, tauntingly. “ You see how it is, boys!” he said, smilingly. “My hand happens to be ‘ flush,’ and [ take the_ game. Ha! ha! Lamsorry to rob you of your anticipated pleasure of hanging mé, but ’m not ready to cross over the river yet, which makes the difference. You see you are covered, and of eourse you will be wise. You will make no _ \gttempt to hinder my departure, for each of the rifles you now see gazing at you, is manned by a Branded Brow, who will shoot the first; man who offers to raise a murmur of dissent, Make way to the door, please, and don’t stir from your tracks to follow me, under penalty of instant death!” B He was obeyed. : Loth, though these citizens of Placer City were, to let him escape, who had abstracted so much from their pecuniary possessions, they werein no way desirous of losing their wind, as they were liable to do, if they offered to prevent his departure. Therefére, a passageway was cleared to the door, with grim scowls, and Solid Sam walked through it with as much indifference as though he were a monarch marching through a body- guard of his admirers. : < When he reached the door, he turned and raised his hat triumphantly, a pleasant smile ae his face; then turning, he quickly left the office : ‘At the same instant the rifles were withdrawn from the windows, and when those within the t-office gained the open air, nothing was to e seen either of Solid Sam or his Branded Brows. Had the earth opened up and swallowed them? On the following morning, Placer City’s daily newspaper contained a ‘‘boom” in news, and had a ready sale. Among its local items of interest-were the ap- pear which the editor had evidently labored d to present to his patrons: ~ “Sons Sam Acam.—The notorious Boy Road- Agent, Solid Sam, again came to light last night, but as usual madéhis escape, not to the eredit of our citizens. This young outlaw is constantly growin: bolder and bolder, and some certain measures shoul be taken for his eradication. If our citizens—all of them hardened and manly nuggets of the old school —cannot effectually put a stop to the fellow’s wild, lawless career, why not send to New York for Cap- tain Williams, thé champion clubber of the ‘finest police in the world?” He probably could fix our youthful road-agent. y: “Tt is hinted by some, that Solid Sam is aided and abetted by the strange o'd hag, Wild Meg. who is credited with being possessed of witchcraft, also that there is dang-r to every citizen of our town, from this unnatural pair. It seems that. in the first history of this town, the hag and her husband, together with the boy, lived bere, but were driven away by the settlers. The man was killed for re- fusing to go, claiming that he and his wife owned this canyon Ni i of actual compliance with the rules of the Government. Whether this be true or - not, the Witch and the young road-agent still claim — to be the owners of the canyon, and give this as thei reason for their constant depredations upon ou- citizens. Prompt measures should be taken for ths early ‘planting’ of this precious yet dangerovs crop of human thistles.” Tn another place was: “The funeral of our esteemed citizen, Genera’\ Hatbaway, of whose assassination by the Witch, we spoke in yesterday’s issue, occurred before day- break this morning, as his early decomposition ren- dered quick interment necessary. But acertain few were present to witness the last sad rites.”” Tn still another place, was another item: ) the deceased’s wealth, t rs

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22 The lawyer tells a singular story which he claims the general confessed to him, before he breathed his last, and as the lawyer is a man noted for his vera- eity, we are in duty bound to believe him, although the story seems incredible, and we refrain from pub- lishing it, In case, however, that it is true, lively times are impending, for Solid Sam is not remem- bered in the general’s will, The will is as follows: If our townsman, Syd Atherton, can effect an ami- cabie matrimonial alliance with Miss Min r, the gen- eral’s pretty step-daughter, the property goes to him and her, jointly. not, in case the same ar- raugement can be effected between Miss Miner and C>lonel Carrol, the general’s brother, uns proper. goes to them, respectively and equally neither of these alliances can be effected, the whole wealth, of which Atherton is trustee. is to be handed over to our petty postmistress, Nobby Nell Nugent. Itisa novel case in the ex reme, and its settlement sug- gests a fair chance for six-shooters and gunpowder,” The reading of these extracts caused quite a sensation among all conditions of Placer City’s citizenship. It did look, indeed, as if there was a big chance for a grand struggle, and the matter was discussed by every man and woman in the town. Colonel Hathaway and Santa Fe Syd were chief centers of notice, but neither spoke to the other, and both were rather quiet. Several days passed by—days of feverish an- ticipation to the gossip-mongers and excitement lovers of the town, who were eagerly awaiting developments that did not come. Nothing had been seen or heard from Solid Sam since his escape from the post-office; never- theless he was expected to be heard from, again, at any moment. The notice he had received in the newspaper had but served to increase his notoriety, and also the dread of him that was generally preva- lent, and those who had any quantity of golden treasure in the town, held fast to it, hardly dar- ing to'risk sending it out of the gulch, for fear it would fall into the hands of the watchful young outlaw. One stormy, windy night, about a week later, the publisher of the daily paper, while sitting in his sanctum, received a caller. No unusual occurrence was it for some pil- grim to drop in, for the perooee of soliciting a putt, or to examine the latest papers and smoke ihe editor’s pipe; and, therefore, the aforesaid editor, a lean, anery-looking man, did not look up from his writing, until the cold contact of something hard was pressed against his temple. sending a shiver down his sensitive spine, an he made the horrifying discovery that the muz- zle of a formidable six-shooter was indeed threatening his head, held in the unwavering gripe of an individual of some eighteen years, acroz. whose brow was a_ black streak, as if painted there by a searing instrument. No man of mighty courage was this weak re- presentative of the newspaper fraternity, whose name was Bloffs; indeed, he had a mortal terror of warlike instruments, and the fact that one of these dangerous tools was pressed agdinst his head caused him literally to wilt in his chair, and tremble all over. _ “Heavens! don’t—don’t kill me!” he gasped, ; 3 : “about me!” May replied, firmly. Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, — his teeth chattering. ‘W-who are you?” ‘“ Well, my Christian friend, I happen to be that notorious ‘thistle’ you deem easy to re- move from this moral sphere,” was the response. “ Otherwise I’m Solid Sam, and I mean bizness!” CHAPTER IX. MAY AND SANTA FE SYD—SOLID SAM’S POSTERS, Axourt this same minute, when the Boy Road- Agent had the newspaper man covered with,his revolver, Santa Fe Syd left the post-oluce, equipped with an armful of groceries, and hur- ried down the street, through the wind and ~ rain toward his bachelor’s shanty abode. It was a wild night in the extreme, with a fierce gale blowing down over the mountains driving before it a continuous sheet of rain, an there were but few persons abroad on the main street of the little mining-camp. Yet when in the neighborhood of his shanty, the handsome mine-owner met a cloaked female figure, whom the strong wind was seemingly trying to pre- vent from going-up the street. A second glance discovered who it was. ‘““Why, can it be possible that is you, Miss . Miner?” he exclaimed, crossing over to her. “What in the world ever brought you out in the storm—or isn’t it any of my business?’ "Yes; ee 5 on business, for you are the per- son I star forth to find,” was the gasping reply, for the so) rain-drops beat tattoo in the maiden’s pretty face. ‘‘ I had no idea it stormed- “THs a wild night,” Syd replied. ‘* But come —you must get in out of the storm. Yonder is my shanty, if you will accept of its friendly shelter.” I have had a short talk with you yes,” and Miss Miner timidly took the s‘alwar gold-digger’s arm, until they were safely at the shanty, and she was seated by a cosey fire. “Ts a rough night—the roughest I’ve seen for some years,” Santa Fe Syd said, as he ‘de- posited his purchases upon a table, which form- “TI beg—don’t shoot! ‘ed. one of the appointments of a neat room, ‘Something of unusual moment, I take it, must have occurred, to bring you out in such a storm, Miss Miner?” “No. I only came to talk with you concerning the willof General Hathaway and other matters, sir,” was the answer. ‘‘ But, first, I want to know if the woman I have been led) to suppose was my mother, is my mother?” } 3 The mine-owner looked surprised. : “Why, do you come to me to ask this?” he — demanded, turning upon her with a searching — is glance, : ‘* Because I know that you know something “The glances exchanged between you and Mrs. Hathaway, on your meeting, did not escape me, and then, she has often hinted to me that I was nothing to her. Tell me, Mr. Atherton, I beg of you,if T am in any way related to that woman? ‘You know—you can tell me that which I most want to know—who IT am!” “Do you have any recollection of a former life?” he (eat Pre

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_ her a short Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. “Does your memory date back to—say twelve years ago?” - ‘*No. I cannot remember back as far as that. Iremember when I was eight years of age, I lived with the woman I now call mother, and that one day when I played truant, she threw me upon the floor, and pounded me so badly that I was sick a great while, and in under the care of a doctor. Further back than this all seems to be a blank to me, Yet Ihave some- times thought that I have seen your face, a good while ago, for it issingularly familiar in feature. Where or when, I have no idea, but yet I am almost positive that I have seen it.” ‘Tt is not impossible,” the miner said, slowly, gazin at the blaze upon the hearth. “But, be- ore I answer any of the questions, I want to ask you a few. What do you think of General Hathaway’s will?” ~ “*T think it is the strangest’ affair I have ever heard of. Did you read the piece in the news- paper about another who is a rightful heir?” ‘Ves, and believe it. The Boy Road-Agent, as he is called, has borne the name of Solid oan Hathaway ever since I knew anything about him, and I have often heard General Hathaway speak of him in a bitter way that caused me to believe that he knew something more about him than he pretended. Lawyer Green claims that the general sent for him, just before he died, and made a confession of his sins, and owned that Solid Sam was his only lawful son, but the will being made, he refused to change it. He told Green that it was his strongest hope that you and I could form an alliance as man and wife, and thus inherit the money, accord- ing to ee stipulations wt his Hae ve course, I ave no designs upon his property, being in my own right moderately wealthy, and would of a choice wish myself well clear of the whole mat- ter. Still, 1am heart and hand free, and may marry when I find some person I dearly care for. “I do not believe you would care to bind yourself to a person for life whom you have never know or eyen had reason to give a mo- ment’s consideration.” “No, I should not. But there seems for me only two choices. Hither I must marry you, and get the fortune in that way, or I mustmarry the colonel, which I would rather be a beggar for life than do.” “Why, must you marry him if you do not choose?” the miner demanded, with flashing eyes. F “They would make me, Oh, sir, you do not know them—the colonel and Mrs. thaway. They only came here intent upon getting pos- session of the general’s property, and if the Witch had not taken his life, I candidly be- lieve that they would have done so. And now, they have tried to persuade me. to wed the colonel, and when I refused, have threatened violence.” vas “Tf this is true, they'll find me on deck and to the front, and don’t you fo-get it! The woman isnot your mother, miss, nor is she in any way re pied to you. Years ago, when you were a seven-year-old child, I gave you over in e Id child, I gi into th hands of that woman, who was then my bride— unfortunately so, perhaps, for I only lived with thes months when she deserted me and fled to Chicago, where I found her, on giv- ing chase, in company with this man, Colonel Carrol Hathaway. “7 immediately applied for and received an absolute divorce, and also tried to get you from her, but as I had given you‘to her, lawfully, I could not take you from her. Making her first promise to treat you well, I then left for this part of the country, and never have seen either of you since, until you came here to Placer i “Thank Heaven she is nothing to me!” the irl said, fervently. ‘‘ But still, you have not id me who I am—whose child I was, before I was given into her care.” “No, and ec e e now, for I do not even know myself. I will make efforts to find out, however, and report at another time.” “Very well. What information you have vouchsafed to me is of greatest value to me, andI will be content to let you use your own jude- ment as to when to answer me the rest. Bu there is another thing to settle ere I go, What is to be done in regard to the will?” = * ‘There is no hurry to decide that. Let it go awhile; in the mean time utterly refuse all posals on the part of Carrol Hathaway and the other, keeping me _ posted occasionally as to their conduct, If they go to showing-too much of the cloven hoof, I will sogn dispossess them of shelter, for the shanty belongs to me.” ‘““Then you have the upper hand, eh? Well, I am glad of it. But I must now be going, as the storm has somewhat abated.” It had not entirely ceased raining, but Santa Fe Syd produced an umbrella, and accompanied her to the door,of the Hathaway shanty, where he bade her adieu, and turned his steps back to- ward his own humble habitation. No one with an eye to business could have doubted, by the way he spoke, that Solid Sam did mean just what he said, and even the frightened editor had no doubts upon the sub- ject. : Wild stories of the bold deeds of the hand- some young outlaw had caused many a shiver to touch his spine, even as he wrote of said deeds for the edification of the readers of his paper, and, now that he was literally a prisone; of the notorious boy, he felt that he could al- most hear the carpenters driving the nails into his coffin. . ‘Yes, I am Solid Sam, and [ mean business,” the chief of the Branded Brows said, signifi- cantly. ‘‘ Ye needn’t be skeared, however, old honeysuckle, for I don’t intend to swallow you whole unless you give me due offense, and then it’s hard tellin’ what I won’t do. They say I’m_ awfully bad when I ain’t obeyed. By the way, I suppose you're the proprietor and prime factor of this roost, ain’t. ye?” “Tam, sir—Timothy Bloffs by name, ye see,” the editor declared, with a trifle more of assur- ance. ‘‘Karect. You're the precise man I want to see, then. I want you to dust around lively, now, and print me half a dozen posters quick- erin’ eo cat ever swallowed a niouse. Dye » + “ Yest-yes! I hear. I can get you out some re ; = J .

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24 very fine poster-work at very short notice for ten dollars a hundred, cash in adyance—war- ranted to give satisfaction.” “ But I am not going to pay you a cent for it,” Solid Sam assured, with a laugh. ‘‘I own this hyar-guich, and everything in it, having never received any rent, and consequently I don’t pay for any little jobs I may want done. So just you climb fer yer stick lively, and set up ther form, or I'll make your ideas scarcer than the teeth in a Centennial mule,” “Don’t shoot! don’t shoot,” Bloffs protested. eS Pul do just as you say, if you only don’t shoot “Well, get to your work, then. Haul out your biggest type, and form a_head-line of Notice.’” With perceptibly trembling limbs, Bloffs left his chair todoasrequested, and Solid Sam seated himself and lit a cigar, not forgetting, however, to keep the lean ndlatsher covered. Soon the type ‘‘ form” was begun, headed in big letters by the word ‘‘ notice.” “So far, so good,” Solid Sam said. ‘“ Now, if ae please, set the form after this copy,” and he aid a piece ee ges ot! upon the table. . Bloffs obeyed withalacrity. No desire had he to get the contents of the young road-agent’s re- volvers, and consequently worked away as earnestly as though kig money was in the job. Long into the wee small hours of the night was it ere Solid Sam left the office, armed with anarmful of posters, and took his way boldly through the now deserted streets of the infant metropolis pitched down in the depths of Buck- skin Canyon. On the following morning, when the natives crawled out, each and every one experienced a thrill of alarm, for, pasted conspicuously to the fronts and sides of various buildings, was the following: derorarehn “To Aut Wuom Iv May Concern:— “ Know ye, one and all of ye, who do reside within that mountain inclosed gulch, known as Buckskin Canyon, that I, Sam Hathaway, sole heir and owner to said canyon, do hereby warn ye to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars in currency, and Bee it at ay, disposal, being the purchase money of he deed, which I will promptly hand over on the si of said money. In case said sum of money is not placed at my: disposal, within the next ten days after the appevrance of this notice, | swew to cause the certain destruction of the town as it now stands, and turn the inhabitants from their abodes, without any shelter, whatever. This is final, and I shall keep my promise. “ Signed, Soir Sam Harnaway, “The Boy Road-Agent,” That was all, but it set the ball of excitement once more in motion, with renewed vigor. > The two queer people who arrived on the stage the night of the disturbance at the post- office, were characters, in themselves. - » Evidently neither were gifted with an extra- ordinary allowance of brains, and they were unconsciously the butt of much ridicule by the Joafers and adventurers. According to their own “ tell,” they were in no way related to each other. ? The lean individual claimed to be Bill Romeo Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Shakespeare, a modern poet, engaged upem some Hastern literary paper, and stead that the woman was a love-sick admirer of his poetical gems, who persisted in tagging after him, in a that he would make her his wife, The woman’s name was Juliet Clawhammer, she said, and also declared that ‘‘ B. R. Shake- speare had promised to marry her, and she was ‘a-goin’ to make him do it, if forced to follow him to the ends of the earth,” These declarations on the part of the eccen- tric pair furnished a fund of amusement for the miners and usual street loungers, day after day. for the hb and his Juliet were here, there every where, “Where went the poet, followed his feminine admirer; if he laughed, she ue if he smoked, she smoked; if he drank, she drank, The lank man ever carried with him a bundle of manuscripts, and his chief aim seemed to be to dispose of them, at exorbitant figures. n the night after Solid Sam had billed the town with his posters, Colonel Carrol Hathaway was peniona Shee who lounged in the post-office awaiting the arrival of the evening mail. But instead of mingling freely among the different classes, which had been a popular characteristic of his brother, he held himself haughtily aloof, and busied himself in airily stroking his luxuri- ant side-whiskers. Tt was while thus engaged that he felt,a tap upon his shoulder, and turned to find standing in his presence, the lean, long, hungry-looking poet, Bill Romeo Shakespeare, whose compan- ion, the faithful Juliet, was not far away, keep- ing an eye on the aforesaid poet, in a way that elicited a titter of amusentent from the specta- tors. ‘ “Well, what do you want?” the colonel de- manded, gruffly, surveying the would-be master of the Muses, with displeasure. “Hf ye please, capt’in, I’ve a little verse o’ poetical logic to read you,” the poet replied, with a bow, CHAPTER X. CORNERED. AnD from his pocket the second Shakespeare took a roll of writing paper and proceeded to untie it, a bland expression upon his strange face. “Stop! You need not trouble yourself, for I do not want to see or hear any of your non- sense,” the colonel replied, savagely. ‘‘I will not be bored!” A “Oh! I do not intend to bore you, as I have no auger, handy,” Bill Romeo replied, calmly. ‘‘Nor is the verse Tewould read you, nonsense, It is a grand masterpiece, equal to any of those old-time effusions, credited to the immortal bard. Just listen, I pray thee: “ Prom down behind the mighty hills 5 Where all mankind attains the chills, A scoundrel came in guise of man, Who leagued is with the devil’s band; A man of keen, design‘ng mind, A single ace—no two ’f a kind; He flees from where the eastern sun Along the morning’s horizon run. . Close at his trail, a shadow tags, Like a bloodhound on the trail of stage. But, see! a cloud is on the sky, Which signifies that I am dry” ;

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Seeth Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. SET eee aes 4 coe shall we go have something at your ex- pense’ The crowd tittered again. 2 The colonel bit his lip with rage. ‘‘ Curse you! get out with your nonsense. want none of your poetry, nor am I in the habit of drink- ing with lunatics!” And with mighty dignity he turned and strode from the office. Down the street he went, for several blocks; then paused abruptly and gazed back in the » direction of the post-office. ““No, Iam not blind,” he muttered, a danger- bus glitter to his eyes and hoarseness to his tone that betrayed hisemotion. ‘‘ There was.a mean- ing for me in that rude composition—perhaps there is also a similar meaning in the fact of (hat cursed fellow’s.presence here. I must have ‘another look at him,” He retraced his eis toward the post-office, a (lark scow! upon his face. 1 Instead of entering he positioned himself at a window, and gazed eagerly within. The poet was still there, attacking others with rehearsals of his compositions, the fat Juliet now keeping a close hold to his arm, seemingly with fear lest he should escape -her, or get within (peaking distance of the pretty postmistress, ‘who was an amused looker-on. ; ' For several minutes Colonel Hathaway watch- od the strange pair narrowly; then, with an »ath, he left his position and walked rapidly to the Hathaway shanty, where he found the late general’s wife seated in the sitting-room, en- gaged in perusing a novel. : “Where is May?” he demanded, as he laid his hat upon the table and bit the end from a fresh cigar. ‘Is she in her room yet?” Mrs, Hathaway looked up with a vicious ex- pression. “-Ves—under lock and key. She declared she will die before she will marry you; moreover, jhe claims to know that I am not her mother. Santa Fe Syd has been putting her up to |. this!” “Undoubtedly,” the colonel assented with a frown. ‘He is altogether too much mixed up in our affairs. Besides, something has got to be done!” “How do you mean?” ‘‘Oh! in various ways. If we hope to get a bite out of the money, we’ve got to make new and rapid calculations. I saw a couple of queer people in town, to-night, whom I am infernally suspicious of!” Mrs. Hathaway’s book dropped from her hand, and she grew suddenly pale. : “Ts it possible? You are joking?” she gasped. “ Devilish poor plan it would be to joke about that,” he growled. ‘‘I may be mistaken, but don’t believe Iam. One of the parties isa man —the other a woman, to all appearances. The man claims. to be a poet, and attacks every- body that comes in his way, with an appeal for them to listen, and buy his mongrel composi- *tion. : ‘A wild glitter took possession of Mrs. Hath- away’s eyes, as she heard. z “T believe you are right. If so, there is urg- ont necessity for lively action, What do you Propose?” | ‘T scareely know: pcan the girl not be per. me suaded to marry “No, I do not believe she can. Shé has plen' of grit in her composition, and I candidly thin she would suffer death before she would marry ou. “Curse her. . Providing that she is in posses- sion of some of our secrets, as we have suspect- - ed, from time to time, she would be better dead than alive, anyhow!” : ; “No! no! Harm must not come to her—I promised Syd that!” ‘ ; ¥ ‘‘Humph!” and the colonel sneered, fiercely, ‘Then you regard your promises to him, eh?” “In this case, yes. Had I staid with him, I should to-day be the better for it, But, let that ea Laying aside May, what other plan have you “There is but a narrow path left, Hither we must put Santa Fe out of the way, and take possession—or, we must make a raise of all we ean, and skin out, It’s our only chance of sal- vation, to leave this town behind us, as quickly as possible. Did the ruffian, Black Eph; come, to-night?” “Yes, andI sent him into the kitchen to await your arrival,” ““Then I must see him and consult with him. He is probably the very party I want.” Several days passed by. Days of anxious suspense, they were, to the rer class of the citizens of Placer City, who ooked eagerly to the monopolist mine-owners to raise the one hundred thousand ‘dollars de- manded by Solid Sam, and thus save the town from an unknown peril; But, no sign of any such a move was made among the wealthy ones, except in!the case of Santa xe Syd, who offered to donate one-tenth of the amount if others would come to the front with the other nine-tenths, This they positively refused to do, believin: that it was only a scare on the part of Soli Sam, and consequently putting no faith in the warning he had placed before their eyes. The same night after the occurrence of the events last narrated, a muffled figure stole into the town from down Buckskin Canyon, when the golden camp was wrapped in slumber, and to the rear of the cabin used as the post-office building. - Here he paused, and cautiously removed his — boots; after which he carefully fitted a. key inte the lock of the rear door, and in a moment it ‘was open. Stepping within the building, he found him- self in the small apartment, sacred to the uses of the postal service. ' There was a table on which were spread a number of letters and packages destined to go upon the morrow’s mail; a lamp furnished a dim illumination, being turned down; in one corner, upon a rude couch, Nobby Nell had thrown herself at. the conclusion of a weary day’s labor, to seek rest in repose. pee ith a sharp glance at her, as if to assure himself that she was asleep, Solid Sam—for it vas he—stole quietly to the table, and assorted — ae letters spread out upon it, with cool auda, city.’ :

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26 Not finding aay to his liking, evidently, he next proceeded to look over those in the delivery- trough where they had been placed, subject to the morrow’s ba toate He was thus busily engaged when he felt a tap upon his shoulder, and turned to meet the unflinching gaze of a polished revolver muzzle— the same sey. instrument being held in the grasp of Miss Nobby Nell. “Oh! it’s you, is it?” the young outlaw inter- rogated, coolly, proceeding to assort the letters over with the greatest nonchalance, ‘I didn’t know but some of Judge Lynch’s pardners might have got the drop on me. Nice evening out of doors, isn’t it?’ ‘Probably !” Nell retorted, tersely. ‘‘ But, if you ever hope or expect to onjoy another one, you'd better keep your hands off from that mail. Come! who are you, and what do you want?” “Oh! I’m Solid Sam, you see,” and the night- hawk unbuttoned his huge cloak collar and raised his hat enough so that she could seo his face, with its Branded Brow. ‘I had a desire to learn if these Placer Cityites have been at- tempting to smuggle any of my rightful prop- oy. through the mails.” obby Nell lowered her revolver and restored it to her belt, ' ‘*No, they have not,” she said, ‘Did you read that letter I gave you, when you were per- sonating Wyoming Walt?” “TY did,” the Boy Road-Agent replied. ‘‘ It was from you, and stated that you had inter- eepted moneys that had been sent from here, in my behalf. For that I am sorry, as I want no person to sin for me.” _ ‘T did not sin,” the girl said, with flashing eyes. ‘‘The money is all rightfully yours, and IT don’t think I did wrong in holding it for you.” “Nevertheless, I want you to forward it to its destination,” Solid Sam returned. ‘T pre- fer to deduct my own toll, and if there is an future penalty to pay, I’ll-stand the blunt. Why, may I inquire, do you manifest so much interest in my behalf?” ‘No, you need not ask, because I will not tell you. I like you—that is all I can explain,” the oung postmistress said, gazing confidingly into iseyes. ‘ Like myself, you seem to be a waif of the world, and perhaps this is the reason m interest has been aroused for you. Besides, am. ever a friend to the weakest side, and I al- low that your side is right. If these mines be- ' long to you, why, it’s your right to have pos- session of them.” “That, I fear, I will never get, until Placer City is level to the ground to rise no more!” the young man replied, bitterly. ‘‘ I’ve offered to surrender the deed to these miners, for a mere nominal figure, and if my order is not ac- cepted, I will not be to blame if I wage a stronger and more effective warfare than I have done, heretofore. They can either purchase m: friendship, and secure my retirement from road- agency—or they can gratuitously receive my enmity.” ‘ ~ “Good. I admire you for your grit,” Nobby Nell said, with an enthusiastic nod. “If you eannot deal fairly with them, you are not cen- _ surable for reversing things. At all events, count strongly on my friendship, for you can ea Be Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agént. POs Gon” have it free gratis, and.if you ever want any Of my assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for it. B: the way, it happens by chance that you and x are inclined to be rivals in this will business. You are the real heir—yet I’ve better prospects of winning than you!” =: “So it would seem, unless the girl, May Miner marries either the man Atherton, or Colonel Hathaway,” “She won’t do either,” Miss Nell declared, firmly. ‘‘ Santa Fe Syd is not the man to mar- ry his hand where his heart cannot go, And, as for the colonel, I do not believe the young lady could be hired to link her fate with his. eisa thoroughbred scoundrel, if ’m a judge of human nature, and the PAS lady appears to be a lady in every sense of the word.” ‘‘ Perhaps!” Solid Sam replied, thoughtfully. ‘* As for the fortune, my sire refused to give me even honorable mention, and Tam out. TI shal\ not interfere in the settlement of the case, un- til it is decided who is to have the gold—then, it is not unlikely that I shall put in a bill, for my share.” ‘Of course, and if I am lucky enough to get the heritage, you can have the lion’s share of it, or the whole of it if you insist. When I take a notion to a person—” ‘OSh!” Solid Sam whispered, with a start, ** Listen!” They did listen, and heard the faint murmur: of human voices, outside the building. “Tm cornered!” the young outlaw whispered, ‘“‘T was impressed with a sense of danger, to- night, and once or twice thought I was follow. — ed, but could see no one. But, those voices tell the tale, there are Vigilantes outside waiting for me! Nobby Nell laid her soft white hand upon his shoulder, a strange, wild expression in her eyes. ‘They shall not get you, if I can help it,” she said, resolutely. ‘Stay here. I will see what the chances of eseape are, in front,” : Then she pide away, leaving Solid Sam to - gaze curiously after her. She was an enigma to _ him—gvraceful, pretty, cool and voluble, and he already greatly admired her. ; In three minutes she returned, with no sign of encouragement in her face. “No show in that direction,” she said, shak- ing her head. “The Vigilantes are thicker’n flies on a carcass, and more are coming. It looks pretty dubious for you now. Are any of your men in town?” : ; “Not to my knowledge. I left them: at thu stronghold, as I did not anticipate getting cor nered, But Ill fix ’em!” : *“ Who—the Vigilantes?” “cc Yes. ” & How? “Pil show you. You'd better get back to you! bed and feign sleep; or, better still, ’'l bind Fb which will prevent your being suspected of be ing in league with me.” “Nixy! I won't do that. I don’t care if they know I’m your friend—I ain’t afraid to — Re tell ’em so.” ; “But that would be foolish, as long as you have a chance to save yourself and your posi- tion, Besides, if it is your desire to aid me, you

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. can perhaps help me better as a silent friend than as an open one.” ‘ ‘Maybe you are right, and I'll do as you wish. She accordingly once more laid down upon her couch, and permitted him. to bind her hands and feet and tie a handkerchief over her mouth. ‘The night is light as day, the moon shines so brightly, and I am going to set my carrier pigeon loose,” he whispered, ‘‘ then surrender, upon conditions.” He seated himself at a table, and hastily pen- ciled afew lines; then taking the pigeon eon his pocket, he fastened the note under his wing. A cnimney hole in one side of the cabin served as a means of exit for the bird, which was soon sailing away through the moonlit night, toward the stronghold of the Branded Brows. Then drawing and cocking his revolvers, Solid Sam approached the rear door and rap- ped upon it smartly. CHAPTER XI. SURRENDER. In the mean time, let us return to the shanty of the Hathaways. Colonel Carrol hastened from the presence of Mrs, Hathaway, to the kitchen where he found the ruffian, Black Eph, seated, engaged in smoking a grimy pipe, and samp. ing a bottle of ol wine, which latter he had found in a close’. He looked up with a nod, as the colonel en- tered, his eyes htoodsbich from excess of drink. ‘-Well, I got yer card, an’ so I cum,” he said, as the Chicagoan seated himself. *‘Ye sed ye wanted ter engage me in bizness?” “Bxactly!” the colonel assented. ‘I want a man who is not afraid to do a nasty job, so oe as there is a straight hundred dollars be- ind it. “Then I am your huckleberry,” the ruffian assured. ‘‘ Where ther’s cash, I’m allus ready. Hain’t particular what ther job is, neither; an’ wat’s more, I can allus be depended on ter work fer.ther interests o’ ther man w’at pays highest. Want me to give some galoot ther send-off?” “Ves. You've hit it exactly. Now, first, I'll give you a few pomts of explanation, and the directions, afterward, ~You see, by the will of my brother, his wife was almost totally ignored, and I, his brother, left with no hope of coming in for a share of his fortune, except I marry his step-daughter, which I do not find it convenient to do. This leaves the fortune to outside par- ties, and we, the rightful héirs, have come to the conclusion to make a struggle for our share. As there does not seem to be much of a chance for getting possession of it by fair means, I propose to resort to ‘oul. To-morrow night, you and I will pay a visit to the shanty of Santa Fe Syd and while you take care of him in an effectua’ way, I will take care of his fortune, and slide out, To-morrow alee perhaps, I will dis- patch Mrs. Hathaway to Camp ser and on the following morning, I’ll send her v the stage, a sachel, containing the swag. will _ pemain a few days, to avert suspicion, and then will join her, first having paid you your hun- dred, See?” 22 ‘You bet! I ain’t blind,” Black Eph replied, © ““How do ye want Santa Fe Syd sent off—by lead or steel?” ‘Steel is the safest,” the colonel replied, sig- nificantly, ‘‘ That will do for the present. You can go, now, and come around to-morrow night about this time, ready for business.” Dark shadows hovered about the Hathawa shanty; from out of them the form of Santa Fe Syd glided a few minutes after the termination of Blac« Eph’s interview with the colonel. If he had overheard the import of the inter- view, he did not betray it in his appearance. Standing upon the steps, he listened, and ~ heard Colonel Hathaway leave the kitchen and enter the sitting-room. He then softly opened . the door and entered the kitchen, which was wrapt in deep. gloom. This did not matter to oe however, for he thoroughly knew the ouse, X Removing his boots, he crept cautiously from the kitchen into the hall, and up the stairs to the floor above. ; Here he paused and listened, . Voices came from the room below which told him that Colonel Hathaway had joined the late general’s wife in the sitting-room; whereat a grim smile came across the miner’s face, “So far, so good,” he muttered. ‘It was a ‘lucky omen that caused me to play eayvesdrop- per, and overhear Mrs. Hathaway make the re- mark that May was locked in her room. They say love laughs at locksmiths, and although Tam not in love, I shall nevertheless Jaugh at the locksmith.” Creeping along the hall, he soon came to the door of the room in which he believed May to be confined, and rapped softly on the door. - Instantly there was a stir within, and a voice demanded: “‘ Who is there?” as ‘Sh !” the mine-owner cautioned . “Itisme~ le We “Solid Sam?” the yoice interrogated, in evi- dent surprise. ‘ -“No—Santa Fe Syd. ‘’Sh! don’t make a noise, and I will try and get you out of this.” A bunch of keys had the miner in his posses- sion, but none out of the lot fitted the lock. The next best thing was to remove the lock itself, which was fastened on the door outside. This ‘was soon accomplished by aid of the miner’s ~ strong sheath-knife, and the door swung open, revealing May Miner standing inside, all ready cloaked and hatted for the street, ‘ “T am so glad you have come,” she said, in a low tone as she put her hand frankly into his. ‘*T have been suffering many apprehensions that they would offer me some harm,” ‘ “They ll not get the chance, now,” Santa Fe Syd assured, ‘“‘for I shall take your guardian- ship upon myself. Come! let us get out of here as quickly and quietly as possible.” Solid Sam’s rap on the door, was answered by an oath, without. bes “Well?” a voice demanded, interrogatively— “What's wanted?” m “T want to know why this building is sur-_

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28 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. rounded?” the Boy Road-Agent demanded. “Seems tome you're crowdin’ things a little.” “Waal, we opine not,” the voice responded. “rf you're Solid Sam w’at’s speakin’, an’ I reckon ye aire, we’ve got ye cornered, now, where thar ain’t no hope fer ye. Thar’s only two ways ter ther caso—one’s thet ye’ve got ter cum out and surrender yerself—t’other thet ye’ve either got ter surrender yerself, or stay cooped up in thar, ontil you're so lean ‘ye ken’t make ’er respecterble shadder.” “Which I allow LIsha’n’t do,” Solid Sam as- serted. ‘‘When I am cornered square, and don’t see no opening, I am one o manageable persons in the whole world, and don’t you forget it. Now, in case I surrender, what's ter be done with my anatomy?” There was a low murmur of voices for a few minutes; then the first speaker replied: “Ther best ye can expect is a good clean rope, and a stout limb,” was his comforting assur- ance, Bu‘, don’t you intend to give a fellow a lit- tle breathin’ spell—a short reprieve, during which he can say his prayers, and make new re- solutions for the future?” Solid Sam demanded. ‘Tf not, a surrender would have no advan- tages.” ‘See hyar! aire ye chaflin’?” savagely; “‘fer ef ye aire et won't do you no good.” ‘No; honest Injun, I ain’t giving you a rack- of IfI can have from now till day after to- morrow, ‘thout bein’ lynched, Pll surrender. If not, I won’t. That’s the long and short of that matter.” There was a protracted silence. Evidently those who surrounded the post- office were holding a consultation. “T guess they’re deliberatin’,” the Boy Road- Agent said, approaching Nobby Nell. “if I can get a reprieve of about forty hours or less, it will give the Branded Brows a chance to ring in a deal.” : ; * But are you not afraid theyll promise you, till they get you in their power, and then go ‘back on their word?” the young postmistress breathed, through her gag. “T hardly believe they'll do that; anyhow, V’ll run the risk, Ah! here comes the answer,” as a rap thundered upon the door, ‘Hello, there!” came from th outside. ‘Well, hello yourself,” Solid Sam returned. “Tf you've got anything to say, say it.” “ Waal, open ther door an’ surrender. We've tuk a vote on et, an’ ye kin hey till Thursday, at sunrise, in ther jail, afore ye’re boosted. hat do ye say now?” ' 1 Solid Sam took out his watch and gazed at it, meditatively. It lacked fifteen minutes of being Wednesday. He would have a little over twenty-four hours’ chance for escape, if he sur- rendered. : That, he argued, wou'd be a sufficiently long period of Sete providing the carrier-pigeon safely reached the stronghold. “Ts this all a square deal, now?” he demanded. “Tf I give myself up, can I depend upon what you have said?” _ ‘On course,” was the reply. ‘‘Mebbe you ain’t luved enny too much, but we'll keep up our sido o’ ther trace, all right.” the most_ “Correct. Dll take you at your word,” Solid Sam declared. ‘If you go back on it, the crime will be on your own heads. I will surrender on the conditions proposed.” And unbarring the door, he threw it open, and stepped out into the night. nstantly he was surrounded by ‘a scowling crowd of town-people, and his arms made fast behind his back. Not a few curses were leveled at him, and the aspect of affairs seemed to threaten that he would be strung up without regard to the prom- ised reprieve, but such did not prove to be the ease, for he was marched along to a strong | cabin near the northern outskirts of the town, which had been pereweny constructed to serve the purpose of a jail. Into this he was thrust, and the door locked after him, while a guard was placed outside. The crowd then dispersed. Excitement reigned supreme, in Placer City. and the night was suddenly filled with cries o triumph. The news that the hitherto invincible young outlaw, Solid Sam, was captured and in custody, naturally created a big noise in the little mining- camp, and men, women, and children crawled out of their nocturnal abiding-places, to have a talk over the event. ; Santa Fe Syd and May Miner had just ar- rived at the former’s shanty, when the crowd came along that was marching Solid Sam to the town jail, which boasted of the somewhat sug- gestive name of the *f Tomb,” They. had just arrived from their flight from the Hathaway shanty, and paused in the door-. way, to gaze upon the crowd that surged by. “Ah! they’ve captured Solid Sam, at last,” Atherton said, as he saw the Boy Road-Agent being hurried along. ‘I wonderif they’re going to string him up, at once? I hopenot, for I can~ not seé that he is so much to blame for his wild eareor. The people are in reality usurping his rights.” Lawyer Green a up, at this juncture, from among the crowd. ‘““They’ve got the true heir to the Hathaway millions, at‘ last,” he said. ‘*They caught him up at the post-office, and the aspect looks dark for him.” “Going to lynch him?” “Yes. Not now, however. He’s got a short reprieve. ‘Tm sorry for him,” Atherton said. “ But it may be lucky for the town, that they’ve been — able to nab him, before his threatened destruc- tion of this place.” » Green shook his head. n “Tt is my firm belief that his capture will only hasten the promised event,” he replied. “The Branded Brows will soon hear of his cap- ture, and we may expect lively developments. It seems strange, too, that he should be the late general’s only son, and rightful keir.” “Yes; but is there any conclusive proof that he is such?” Santa Fe Syd queried. t ‘Oh! yes—plenty of it. The general himself told me the whole strangestory. It seems that he, the general, becoming dissatisfied with life, with his first wife, left her up at a village along the Yellowstone, and cay on into the ix

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. terior. In the spring, twelve years ago, he hired two roughs called Black Eph and Boston Bill, to go up to the village on the Yellowstone, and put his wife and children out of the Bere They followed his instructions by capturing t mother and her two six-year-old twin children, a little boy and girl, and pes them, afloat, upon the raging river, on a frailraft, the mother bound hand and foot, so that she was helpless, and the children in turn bound to her. “Tt was the calculation of the ruffians that they would all be washed or spilled from the raft and drowned, but in this they would have been doomed to disappointment, had they taken pains to follow the raft, for it was tossed high upon a projecting bar in the river, and neither the mother or her little boy wasdrowned. What became of the little girl is not known. The mother and her boy were later found by old White Beard, the hermit, who it turned out was the father of General Hathaway's discarded wife, “Mrs, Hathaway was too much injured to live, and died shortly afterward, but not until she had placed her boy in White Beard’s charge, and: made known to him her pitiful story. White Beard took Sam—which was the boy’s name—and he was reared in a hermit’s home, until the latter was killed by the stampeders, in this canyon, six years ago, since when-young Hathaway and his grandmother have lived to- gether somewhere in the surrounding moun- tains.” “But was nothing learned in regard to what became of the littie girl?’ Santa Fe Syd asked, “ with sudden eagerness, “‘No, not so far as the general knew. I saw the old Witch to-day, lurking near the town, and ‘collared’ her, on the subject. She cor- roborated ‘the late general’s story, with the ad- ditional charge that he was one of the greatest villains at heart that ever lived. I asked her in regard to whatever became of Solid Sam’s sister, and she did not appear to know. She stated that when White Beard found the waifs of the wreck, there were cnly Mrs, Hathaway and her boy, lying upon the shore, in an appar- ently lifeless state. Near by, however, were bonds that it seemed had once bound them, but had been severed by a sharp blade. Horses’ tracks also Jed from the spot, and White Beard ' had surmise that some horseman had previous- ly crossed the river at this point, and finding the little girl alive, and the other two aRnen ently dead, had mercifully taken charge of the female child, and proceeded on his journey. Wild Meg says they made every effort to trace the,party, but all tono avail. The man had as surely pe ge Aer et with Solid Sam’s sister, as feongh the earth had opened up and swallowed im, ‘‘And from your story. I am, no doubt, the identical man.” Santa Fe Syd said, with a mean- ing smile. ‘Twelve years ago, in the spring- time, I found this same shipwrecked party, up- on the Yellowstone shore. The woman and the hoy were, to all appearance dead, and as the little girl was still alive, I took her in charge, and continued on my southward journey, never dreaming that any romance would come out of the case.” > oad Lc ‘““Then—oh! Mr. Atherton, am I the waif you found?” May Miner gasped, excitedly. “Yes, you are the same,” Sante Fe Syd re- plied; ‘‘moreover, according to Mr. Green, you are the daughter of the late eral Hathaway, and are Solid Sam’s sister!” CHAPTER XII. ‘ THE END OF PLACER CITY—CONCLUSION. “Can all this be true?’ Lawyer Green ex- claimed. ‘Well, well. It is altogether a most romantic romance in real life. it turns out that if you come into possession of the Hathaway wealth, Miss May, you will only be getting what is rightfully oo own.” ‘Oh! sir, 1 do not care so much about the in- heritance as I do that the mystery of my past life is cleared up. So that young man we just saw marched past is my brother?” ‘* He is,” Santa Fe Syd assured. ‘‘ But he, of course, knows not that his sister is so near to him. Lawyer Green, if you can get en oppor- tunity, I would like you to make this new dis- covery known to him; and, also, you may as- sure him that I will look to his rights, and his sister’s. The Hathaway wealth is all in my possession, and I have made up my mind that n0 one shall ever finger itahead of the legitimate heirs of my stapes “Very well. will ath and get the message to him,” the lawyer replied, as he bade them adieu, and hurried on down the street, while os Fe Syd and his ward entered the miner’s sl At the same time a strange figure stole from the shadows near the door, and dodged away among the crowd. © 3 The attire of this party was that of a man, but in the ugly repulsive features it was not hard to discover the identity of Wild Meg, the Witch, although there were blac) none among the surging crowd in the gulch street who noticed the fact. : She had evidently been an eayesdropper to the, conversation between Santa Fe Syd and the lawyer, and there was a peculiarly unreadable expression rpon_her face as she hurried away. A noisy night it was in the town of Placer City; nevertheless it quieted down to some ex- tent before morning. Shortly after the departure of Green, Santa Fe Syd conducted May Hathaway to the hotel, which nearly adjoined his shanty, and left her in the care of the hostess for the night, while he returned to his own abode and * turned in.” It was, he judged, well on toward morning. when he was aroused to the conscious fact that he was bound hand and foot, securely gagged, and in the power of two men, who were bend- ing over him... 4 f Who they were he could only infer by the black, scar-like bands across the lower portions of their forehéads,/and their eyes. Being unable to speak,-he could only look daggers at them and wonder what was their purpose. After carefully inspecting the bonds, evident- ly to see that they were secure, the two night-. hawks laughed, and taking the miner by the head and heels, bore him from the shanty into the little canyon street. Here they were jolued

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\ $0 hy two other Branded Brows, who bore between them no less a person than May Hathaway, also securely bound! The street was at this hour deserted; the saloons had closed their doors; no longer the eracked music and sounds of drunken revelry came from the neighboring dance-houses. In fact, the camp was wrapped in repose, whieh a:counted for the boldness of Solid Sam’s azents. Two horsemen now rode out from the shadow of a building, and were handed the two prison- ers before them in the saddle. Then, with the utmost caution, they guided their horses down the street and out of the lim- its of the golden camp. When morning once more dawned upon the little city, the former posters of Solid Sam were replaced with fresh ones, which read as follows: : “Last Cau! “Tose ettizens of Placer City who are wealthy and influential, having made no move toward pay- ing fur the rights they are usurping, I hereby warn them that unless Svlid Sam is set free, by noon to- day; and the money demanded previously, is paid over to him, the town of Placer City might better have never existed; and I warn those who desire to escape without injury, to take their everlasting leave of this place at once, if the prisoner and money are not forthcoming, by the above stated hour. “ This is fair and final, and should be heeded. “ LYEUTENANT BREEZE. * Acting-commander Branded Brows.” No matter what had been the previous excite- ment, in the mining-camp of Buckskin Gulch, this capped the climax. Business was quite suspended, and through- out the day the street presented a crowded, ex- cited aspect. At times it looked as if mob-law would pre- vail, and the speedy lynching of Solid faze seemed inevitable; but the influence of a few sturdy miners as peacemakers, prevented any open rupture. All day long a restless set of humanity surged , in the street, and sentinels were posted at every approach to the aur by those capitalists and speculators who would not pay the money de- manded by the Boy Road-Agent, to preventany of the Branded Brows from gaining access to the town. ' The discovery was made during the day that several miners and their families had taken leave, and this fact only served to add to the fears of those remaining, that the proposed vengeance of the Branded Brows would come, as promised. Noon arrived and passed, buf Solid Sam was not set at liberty, nor paid the money. That fact sealed the fate of Placer City, as a mining town. “About dusk Colonel Hathaway left the street, where he had been promenading, the most of the day, and entered the shanty that had had formerly been the abode of his brother. = In the kitchen he found Black Eph and Mrs. Hathaway, evidently waiting for him. ~ The latter was arrayed in male attire as well sh ne former and both were armed to the : “ Biverything is ready, and success promises _ fio greet us,” the colonel announced, € Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. b “Santa Fe Syd and the girl are missing, and unless they took the a with them, which is not likely, itis ours. Eph, you may accompany us, until we get safely out of the ulehe for there may be trouble, yet.’ They left the shan and hurried rapidly to that of Atherton. he door was unlocked, and they had no difficulty in effecting an en- ~ trance, In ten minutes they emerged again onto the street, the colonel armed with two hand sachels, which were crammed full of something bulky and heavy. - As they left the shanty, there was a migh thundering roar that made the very eart tremble—a vivid flash that illumined the sky, and the air seemed full of sparks, and particles of burning things, : ““By Heaven, Myers’s supply store has blown up!” a miner cried,-rushing by. A demonium of yells followed the report, and the vast crowds surged eagerly toward the scene of the disaster, leaving the other parts of the town fairly deserted. ‘The Bi Brows have begun operations, evidently,” the colonel had to confess. “* And now is our time to bid good-by. Heir by craft is fully as good as heir by law, and having the Hathaway and some of the Atherton ~ wealth in our possession, we need not complain. Come. We will find saddle-horses waiting just beyond the town.” ‘Yes, an' et “ll be healthy ter get out o’ ther place as soon as we can,’ Black Eph added with an oath. ‘‘Look, will ye. The Branded Brows are keeping their promise!” He pointed, as tions of the compass. The blowing u } of the supply-store, evidently, _ had been but a signal of what was to follow. Here, there, yonder—everywhere, sheets of lurid flame began to ereep up in the nighf, all over the village, from the sides of shanties that incen- diary hands had fired. A circle of fire sur- rounded the doomed town, seemingly in a single instant, and the lurid reflection upon the sky grew brighter and brighter each minute. “Come!” Colonel Hathaway cried; ‘‘ there is no time to be lost. Let’s escape while there is a chance.” And with fear-blanched faces, they hurried away toward the northern part of the camp, falling in with the yelling, frightened mass of women and children that were also endeavoring to escape beyond.the fiery limits of their former abedes. 4 A pandemonium of yells and curses rung upon the night. , : Every person seemed only intent on saving as many of their personal effects as possible, for it needed no second glance to tell that the town was doomed by the destroying element, A fierce breeze was blowing through the canyon, and it was not in the power of mortal hand to check the conflagration. In five minutes after the blowing up of the supply store, there did not seem to be a building in the towm except it was wrapt in flame. : Nor were any of the Brand-d Brows caught : in the act of setting fire to the shanties, sq e spoke, in the several direc- aul Fre

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Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. oe siegithily did they plan and execute their work, Nor in the panic of the fire did any one seem to think of the imprisoned Boy Road-Agent, Solid Sam, except one person, and ske the pretty postmistress, Nobby Nell. As soon as Myers’s Supply had blown up, she left the post-office, and hurried in the direction of the cabin-jail as fast as her feet could carry her, A brawny guard stood before the door as she ran up; an expression of impatience upon his face, which declared his desire to be at the fir a, “Wor Heaven’s sake, go help to put out the fire!” Nobby Nell cried, as she ran up, ‘The Branded Brows are trying to destroy the town and unless prompt measures are taken the) ay succeed, Go! you can help better than I. Pll take your place here!” A nod from the miner expressed how agree- able this was to him, and the next minute he had surrendered the keys to Nobby Nel, and hurried away. To unlock the door and liber.te Solid Sam was but the work of a few seconds, on ‘he part of the pang. girl; then the young road-agent gras e her hand warmly. “7 thank you,” he said. thought ul of me.” $ Then he went to the door and gazed out into the night. i “The town is doomed!” he muttered, bis eyes flashing, ‘‘ and its own supporters are to blame. Before morning it will be in ashes!” And he was right. When day came again, where once had stood the mining-camp of Placer City, was now but a series of heaps of smoking ashes and charred embers; to tell of the vengeance of Solid Sam. While, toiling through the gulch, away from the desolate scene, a caravan of vehicles and horses bore those who had peopled the campin Buckskin Gulch. Later, a rude wooden cross might have been seen upon the ashen site, on which was inscribed the words— ‘“Trespassers beware!” . Later, there was a reunion in the cave of the Branded Brows, between Solid Sam, and May Hathaway, his long-lost sister, whom, with Sydney Atherton, the instrumentality of old ild Meg had caused to be removed from Placer City, previous to the conflagration. Unneces- sary to state the meeting was a joyful one. ‘* You were very ? THE END, And when Santa Fe Syd made the announce- ment of his fears that all his own and the Hatha- way fortune had gone with his cabin in the fire, Solid Sam shook his head. 3 ‘*No, not so bad as that. It is, however, in the possession of Colonel Hathaway and the late general’s wife, who are wandering somewhere inthe fastnesses of the motntains. They stole it from your cabin where I was confined, they told me this, and mocked at me. Unfortunately I did not gain, my liberty in time to over- take them, but Lieutenant Breeze and a dozen of the boys are after them and their capture is only a matter of time.” And so it proved. § The fugitives were overhauled, a few days later by Lieutenant Breeze and hismen, and the stolen fortune retaken. At the same time two horsemen rode up who ar pores to be Romeo Bill Shakespeare and his -— ouncing Juliet. “Colonel Hathaway,” the poet observed, uietly, ‘‘ allow me to introduce you to Messrs. eterson and Pratt, detectives, from Chicago, where you and your female companion, here, are wanted upon the charge of forgery and bank robbery. After having so extended a tour for our health, I dare say you will be ready to ge ck with Us. Have you any objections to parting with the precious pair, Sir Road-Agent?” “None whatever,” Breeze replied, as he and his men rode away with the treasure, leaving the unfortunates in the charge of the clever pair of tracers. Down in Buckskin Canyon no second city rose, phenix-like, upon the site of the former mining~ Camp, for shortly after the fire, Leadville’s fame became heralded to the world, and proved a magnet for the mining-class. Yet a couple of cabins there are in the Santa Fe Syd and she that was May Hathaway live Laden asman and wife. The other cabin is tenanted by Wild Meg; for to her and his sis- ter, jointly, in the mines, and in the Hathaway fortune pre- vious to his disbanding of the Branded Brows and departure to other parts of the golden West, where a love for excitement led him as by a powerful hand. Nobby Nell also left. for parts unknown, al- though it was surmised by the Athertons that she would eventually bring up wherever did the strange youth—for whom she seemed to cherisi more than a girlish fancy—Solid Sam. . reagents ret + ich, and in one of them — lid Sam gave over all his intcrest- tee: Sip Whe ys, San Eierker ay

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BURFALO BILL Novels $2 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; or, Life and ove in a Prontier Fort. By Buffalo Bill, : 4 - is yd "ité The Doomed Dozen; or, Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts. By Dr. Frank Powell. qe. wild Bill, the Pistol Dead-Shot. A Romance of Buffalo Bill’s Old Pard. By Col. P.jIngraham, 45 Witd Biil's Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trail;‘or, The Desperate Dozen, a Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 43 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweetheart, By Buffaio Bill, Government Scout and Guide, Feels aia $19 Wild Bill, the Whirlwina of the West. «By Buf- falo Bill my The League of Three; or, Buffalo Bill’s Pledge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, . ‘7 The Wizara Brothers; or, White Seuver’s Trail, By Buffalo Bill. ; 4 The One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution in Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. {7 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody, the Pony Express Rider. 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Ingraham. _ Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men, By Col, P. ' {nograham, ~ 2uffalo Biil’s Blind. Ry Col. P. Ingraham. .s3 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand; or, Texas Jack's Pravos. By Col, P, Ingraham, 150 buffalo Bill’s Big Four. By Col. P. Ingraham, %67 Buffalo Bill’s Donble; or, e Desperado Detec- tive. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. : "61 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot, or, Death Valley Victim 0, 18, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. '@3 Buffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk-Ribbcn Sam, By Col Prentiss Ingraham, : ‘69 Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake, By Col. Ingraham. y AT? Buffalé Bill’s Spy-bhadower. By Col. Ingraham ' ‘87 Buffalo Bill's Dead Shot. ky Col. Prentig® inthe DIME LIBRARY ¢ 800 Wild Bih, the Dead-Center Sho or, Rio Grande Ralph the Cowboy Chief. By Buffalo Bill, 807 Wila Bill, the Wild West Duelist; ur, The Girl Mascot of Moonlight Mine, By Buffalo Bill, 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell; or, The Red Rand Riders of the Rockies _ By Col. 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P' Ingraham. £ 882 The Threc Bilis: Buffalo Bi}}, “ ild Bill and Bana box Bi'l; or, The Bravoio Broadcloth. Ingrabam ~ 890 Buffalo Bill's Life-Stake; or, The Pledged Toree, _ By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, . 895 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Aliy; or, The Texan™ = Dovble, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, _ 900 Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack” Snarp-Shooters. By Cil. bP. Ingraham. 904 Buffalo Bili’s Tangled Tral, or, Gevtlemar Jack, the Man of Many Masks. By Ingraham, 909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or. Red Butterfly. By» Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 915 B ff4lo Bui and the Surgeon Scout; or Go wan: 0, the Redskiu Rider. By Cul. P. Ingraham. 921 Buffalo Bill’s Quandery; or, Velvet Bill's Vow By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 927 Boffalo Bil’s Biuff; or, Dusky Dick, tbe Sport D By Col. P. ingraham. 936 Buffalo Bill’s Black Pard; or, The Gold Bo mer; of the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingraham. i 948 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game, By Colonel BP, ; Ingraham, 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay. By Colonel Prentiss tf Ingraham, 956 Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes. By Col Prentiss Ingraham. . 960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade. By Coloner oe Prentiss Ingraham. ; E 964 Buffalo Bill’s Invincibles. By Col. Prentiss — Ingraham. 069 Texas Jatk, the Lasso King; or, The Roh- ie Rangers of the Rio Grande. By iuffale 3 The Dread-Shot Four. By Buffalo Bill, Buffalo Bill's. Relentless Trail. By CA. Prentiss Ingraham, Buffalo Bill's’ Life ees or, The Doomed Bullet. By Col, i hree. Ready Sept. 1. Buffalo Bill's Marked Ingraham. Ready Oct. 6. ¢ ¥ Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand. By Col. P. In =~ graham, ; 900 Buffalo Bill's Grim Guard. By Col. P, In-~ graham, J The above Dimz Libraries are For Sale by , on NEWSDE4*.7ERS, ten cents per cagp, o ént by mail on” at af nrica, mr Re

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7 ; ; kif 5 Old Grizzly in the Rockies. vs SWART TOASTS FOR THE SMART SBT, Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. Sewed Book.. Up-to-Date. By Mail, Postpaid, 12. per Copy. Pins BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH” YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, ‘ Stories, etc. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence, FAMILY PHYSICIAN.—Family Diseases\and Their Treatment; Rules of’ Health, etc. 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, Introduc- tions, Dress, Balls, etc. 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.—Economiceal, 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 BEAUTY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair, Complexion, Skin, ete., with chapters on Perfumes, Cosmetics, 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.—“ Duteh” Jokes and Gags” by best “ Dutch” Teams on the Stage. “HAYSEED” JOKER.—The Doings of ‘Our Country Jousins * in a Humorous Way. “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good “Handouts” in this Book for Professional and Amateur Hntertainers. “ COON * YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our * Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “IRISH” 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. “4 M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. PRICE 1 Dandy Bill's Doom. By Oll Coomes, 3 Kit Carson. By A. W. Aiken. 4 Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Stoddard. By Ingraham, 6 Deadwood Dick asa Boy. By E. L. Wheeler. 7 Wild Bill. By Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch. By J. E. Badger. i 25 A Rolling Stone. :. 28 Snow-Shoe Tom. a ik ae Bis F Brimstone Bill’s Booty. ss : ‘oad ‘exas Jack. 1 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 4 The Ticket-of-Leave's Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr. _ 35 Wide-Awake George. By E. Willett. _ 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. 17 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn. By Noah Nuff. 18 Adrift on (ho Prairie. _By Oll Coomes. 19 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. Giant Pete and his.Pards. By Harbaugh. _ 21 Yellow Hair. By Ingraham. 22 The Snow-Treil. By Harbaugh. — 28 Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr. Powell, 24 Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. By W. R. Eyster. 26 R@d River Rovers. By C. D. Clark. 27 Buekskin Sam’s Wild Ride. By Ingraham. 28 The Sword Prince. By F. Whittaker. By T. C. Harbaugh. 30 Pavl De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. 81 Round the Camp-Fire. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 82 Fancy Frank's Drop. By Ingraham, _ %8 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. Ff, Whittaker. By A. H. Post. By Ingraham. BEADLE’S BOYS’ 5 CENTS PER COPY. LIBRARY. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By ©. D. Clark, 85 Old Tar Knuckle. By Rover Starbuck. 86 The Dashing Dragoon. By I. Whittaker. 37 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia, By I’. C. Harbaugh. 89 he 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 The Lost Boy Whalers. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugt.. 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham. 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys, By J. K. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T’. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham. 60 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker. 51 ‘tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark, 52 Bhe Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh, 53 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. Morris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham, 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. 56 The Snow Hunters. By Harry 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. By §. 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 IT’. 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 Starbuek. By A. W. Aiken, By Charles By Edward Willett, e Forrest. 64 Young Dick Talbot.

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HANDSOME. TRI-GOLORED COVERS, 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest i Deadwood Dick e Library e axtracts trom the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. In only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which ther wovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- have lived, and for which one of them has died, yure has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor In (ore than one reader will have to think a moment over the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., agood beal bet: ‘his remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young strikes home, minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in hig But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending shat will be news to many when it is added that litera- solving of impenetrable mysteries, jure, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks was a mere child down to the present day, would show his visious victims to their undoing, and then, when the ‘wut few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily rven judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears svroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set seal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. of delightful thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call. ® * * Phe modern heroes of fiction for young America, fornia, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of There are the volumes each ‘o crowded witb thrills and whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important «| heart-tugs that It were madness to hope to do justice te > * * {¢ is but natural that their * * * should bear them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be away the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left tween them. ‘ar behind In the race, To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes in tt ean be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc 80 firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun's readers te (Rt boys and young men, that their position is assured stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one singte * “ and that they stand to-day head and shoulders pata Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written, DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. $ Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 2 The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Defiance 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 8 The Buffalo Demon; or. The Border Vultures 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol : 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir! Detective % Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or. ‘he Scamps of the Sierra ‘6 Death-Face, che Detective 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane's Last 3 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Adventure Edna, the Girl Brigand 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Sa § Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jeze Omaha Ol, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp in Danger 48 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogue ‘) Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to | 44 Dae Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's Death ame 18 Deadwood Dick’s Earles; or, The Pards of Flood | 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme Bar 46 The Jimtown Spert; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 8 Buckhorn Bill; or, Tue-Red Rifie Team 4¥ The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 14 Gold Rifle, the prerpencoiee 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the iS6 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane Road-Agent 46 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective ? Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the | 50 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect- Gulch ives 18 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 51 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance Ranch # Watch-Eye, the Shadow 52 The Girl Sport: or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 1 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Sign of thy Double | 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen Cross 54 Denver Doll as Detective # Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big buexskin the Sport % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke | 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss for Liberty 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped #4 Deadwood Dick as Detective 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's 45 Gilt-l'dge Dick Fortune #6 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 59 Deadwood Dick's Disguise; or, Wild Wait, the Sport % Chip. the Girl Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or. Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner *8 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission #9 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 62 Spotter Fritz: or, The Store-Detective's Deco; % Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s | 63 fei ene Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- Gulch ras City £) Blonde Bill; or. Deadwood Dick's Home Base | 64 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, Tue Cattle 2 Solid Sam the Boy Road-Agent Kings M. J. DWERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), ‘ 379 Pearl Street, NEW YORK.

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right 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class iatter. Mar, 15, 1899. THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. Clayelatidy OHiG Vol. III SA. Piss J : 2 ““WELL! WELLI’’ THE OLD MAN DFMANDED, AS HB SURVEYED THE LINE OF HORSEMEN, EVIDENT QISPLEASURE “WHAT BRINGS YOU UPON THE LAXD OF WHITE BEARD?”’

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\ JOM AMS Ah

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ve «4. THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. Cleveland, Ohio WELL! WELL!’ THR OLD MAN DFMANDED, AS EE SURVEYED THE EINE OF WITs HORSEMEN, \SVIDENT DISPLEASURE, “WHAT BRINGS YOU UDON THE LAXD OF. WHITE REARD?~ 3

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BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES {5e. Per Copy. The Shawnee’s Foe. The Young Mountaineer. Wild Jim. 4 ” 5. The Boy Guide. “™ 6. War Tiger of the Modocs The Red Modocs. ! Iron Hand. Shadow Bill, the Scout. - Wapawkaneta, or the Rangers of the Oneida, Davy Crockett’s Boy Hunter, < The Forest Avenger, Old Jack’s Frontier Cabin. On the Deep. Sharp Snont, The Mountain Demon. Wild Tom of Wyoming. The Brave Boy Hunters of Kentucky. The Fearless Ranger. The Haunted Trapper. Madman of the Colorado, The Panther Demon. - . Slashaway, the Fearless, - Pine Tree Jack, . Indian, Jim, Navajo Nick. The Tusecarora’s Vow. Deadwood Dick, Jr. A New York Boy Among the Indians. + Dendwood Dick’s Big Deal. Hank, the Guide. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen. . Squatty Dick, The Hunter’s Secret. The Woman Trapper. The Chief of the Miami, Gunpowder Jim. -Mad Anthony’s Captain. The Ranger Boy’s Career. Old Nick of the Swamp. . The Shadow Scout, . Lantern-Jawed Bob. . The Masked Hunter. . Brimstone Jake. . The Irish Hunter. . Dave Bunker, . Khe Shawnee Witch. 48. Big Brave. 49. Spider-Lega. y os ie Hawk-Eye, the Hunter. i 50. 51. 52. 53. i. BA, 5B. 56. ¢ . Harry Hardskull. Madman of the Oconto. Slim Jim. Tiger-Eye. \ The Red Star of the | Seminoles. Trapper Joe. t The Indian Queen’s Revenge. | Eagle-Eyed Zeke. Sear-Cheek, the Wild Half-Breed. Red Men of the Woods. Tuscaloosa Sam. The Bully of the Woods. The Trapper’s Bride. Red Rattlesnake, The Pawnee. The Scout of Tippecanoe Old Kit, The Scout. The Boy Scouts. Hiding Tom. Roving Dick, Hunter. Hickory Jack. Mad Mike. Snake-Eye. Big-UGearted Joe. The Blazing Arrow. The Hunter Scouts. The Scout of Long Island. Turkey-Feot. The Death Rangers. Bullet Head. The Indian Spirit. The Twin Trappers. Lightfoot the Scout. Grim Dick. } 83. The Wooden-Leggred Spy. 9 99. The Silent Trapper. Ugly Ike. \ Fire Cloud. Hank Jasper. The Scout of the Sciota. Black Samson. Billy _Bowlegs. ts The Bloody Footprint. Marksman the Hunter, The Demon Cruiser. . Hunters and Redskins. . Panther Jack. Old Zeke. The Panther Paleface. The Seout of the St. Lawrence, Bloody Brook. 100, Long Bob of Kentucky. ; BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES are always in print and for sale by all Newsdealers; or will be sent pontine to any address: Single copies, (5c. ARTHUR WESTBROOK C0. CLEVELAND, OHIO.

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Deadwood Dick e Library e LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-GOLORED COVERS. 82 Pages. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See Other Vide. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road © The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Deflance 3 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 Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to Dea 12 Saou hae Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 13 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Suarpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 meres Rob; or, Nugg’t Ned, the Knight cf the ule. ,8 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow 21 yeeiwos Dick's Device, or, The Sign of the Double ross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 28 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-dged 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 30 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch 31 Blonde Bill; or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 32 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 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 Jezebe) 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Pee 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 1 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch 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 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 683 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- fras City 64 be Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings o