Deadwood Dick Library (v. 3) (1899 11 01)

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Sopyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Ent red at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as nh cond class matter. Mar. 15, 1899, : M. J. IVERS & CO., Publisners, pear No. 34 renee WV coke: James Sullivan, Proprietor,) pees 3 Cents. Vol, lI. Nov. 1, 1899. 379 Pearl street, New York. $2.50 a Year. Se =H

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EDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR, NOVELS IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Price 5 Cents per Copy. 443 448 453 459 465 471 476 481 A491 496 500 508 515 $22 529 534 539 544 549 bad 561 567 572 578 584. 590 595 600 606 612 618 624 630 636 642 648 654. 660 666 672 678 684. 690 695 700 704. 710 ers, Deadwood Dick, Crescent Sign. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Corral, Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dog Detective. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protege. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. Jr.; or, The Crimson Jr's, Defiance. "16 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dic kk, Jr.’s, Disguise. 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ 8, Double Deal. Deadwood Dick, Jr. rg. Death-Watch. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Blow, 8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Defeat. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, qs Deadwood Dick, aK s, Dark Days. Defied. s, Double Device. s, Desperate Venture. s, Royal Flush, Deadwood Dick, Ob a Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., dn; Deadwood Dick; Jr., Jr., Afloat. Deadwood Dick, sy JY,’ Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, in Texas. the Wild West Vidoegq. on His Mettle. in Gotham. in Boston. in Philadelphia. in Chicago, in Denver, s, Decree. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Pp ie Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. ’s, Leadville Lay. in Detroit. in Cincinnati. in Nevada. in No Man’s Land. Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Jr.’s, Chase Across the Deadwood Dick, Continent. Deadwood Dick, Jr., xlers. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr., Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ in Buffalo. Among the Smug- 's, Insurance Case, Back in the Mines. in Durango. ’s, Discovery. s, Dazzle. s, Dollars. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Deadwood Dick, Jr., s, Drop. at Jack-Pot. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at San Francisco. Deadwood Dick, J r’s, Diamond Dice. Deadwood Dick, Jr. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Scoop. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ ’s, Proxy. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, High Horse. 3 Deadwood Dick, Jr. . at Devil's Gulch, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death: Hole Hustle. 863 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ 8, Bombshell. ro) 870 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Mexico, 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decoy Duck. — 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Siiver Pocket. 891 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dead-Sure Game. 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drive. 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Trade-Mark. we 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. ey 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double-Decker. 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. 934 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Flush Flats. 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Shake-Up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Right Bower. OB Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ 's, Gold Dust. 971 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Oath, . 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Doom. 980 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card. _ 992 Deadwood Dick, be z at Gold Dust. — eS 998 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’s, Big Play... a rae 1005 Deadwood Dick, vin Branded. ned 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dutch Pard. 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Four, s, Head-Off. Siye thar For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c. per copy, by the publish- 5 M. J. IVE RS & CO., 379 PEARL STREET, New York Crry, apis

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sauhes i | 7, ee ; ~~ ore ey “bs ary re PONE " ie os Coe, SRR OM wii ee jageday da : SOAP amt a Son NN Sie Lice he wee GIG SS MVopyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., a8 second class matter. Mar. 15, 1899, M. J. KFVERS & CO., Publishers, E We Issued Weekly. (James Sullivan,Proprictor,) Price 5 Cenis, ] oe No. 34, Noy. 1, 1899. . 879 Pearl Street. Now York, $2.50 a Year. Vol. II irae — ee —— = = ws —. ' “BACK, FRANK FOSTER,” PERCIVAL ORDERED, “OR I'LL FINISH THE JOB DEADWOOD DICK LEFT UNFINISHED, UP IN THE MINES,”?

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A Game of Gold: Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR oF “DEADWOOD DICK,” “ROSEBUD ROB,” “ GILT-EDGED DICK,” ‘* BONANZA BILL,” ETC., BIC, 2 CHAPTER I, , -' A SERMON INTERRUPTED AT BIG BONANZA, Sonny and bright was the morning in spring- timo, and everything of nature seemed smiling with joyousness. The grass, the foliage, and the forests were green, birds sung in the chapar- yal their merriest notes, aud insects droned’ lazily through the air, bub everything else seemed hushed in the arms of smiling Nature, ~ Industry.and thrift had ceased at Big Bonan- za, for the time being, and the jingling of a small bell in the hands of a little urchin who - paraded up and down the one main street, seem-_ ed to point to the fact that it was Sabbath in Big Bonanza, when all goodly disposed pilgrims were invited to gather at thé church, and listen to the religion propounded by tho Reverend Cinnamon charley, from Dog City;—or when all evil-minded gaioots were privileged to retire to saloons innumerable, to engage in a quiet gams of ‘“‘seven up.” ’ It was a strictly moral town, generally speak- ing—was Big Bonanza, Some score of families - composed the population of the little settlemertt on the mountain-ridge, save it be a few tran- sient comers or goers, and these families were nearly all ‘white ”—to use*the vernacular of » the mines. -. The mines at Big Benanza paid all a very moderate xemunsration, and that was all that could be said. There was no particular margin for speculation, and consequently Big Bonanza --vanked with hundreds of other little strikes of “just its kind. It had its stores, post-office, and also. its cab#-church, and asked for no more, with a large expectation of-getting it, And when Sabbath made its periodic visits, the citizens, with a few exceptions, turned out to hear the Reverend Cinnamon Charles dis- - pense spiritual advice and consolation to the poor'and needy. To-day,.we notice a large turnout, and the rude cabin answering as a place of worship, was packed pretty full of pilgrims who had no better employment than.to hear the Rev. - Charles, en there were, as rough and un- ; per as the wildest mountain-trapper—miners n stagy boots, red shirts with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and. various styles of unruly- ooking head-gear, : Women there were none, Not only in church, but in the town as well; not one of the gentler ox was there in Big Bonanza, or had ever been ere, within the recollection of the oldest in- abitant—nor was there a prospect of any ever voming there, in the bargain. c Some of the miners had families, ‘ss ie _ Some of t mt they | chance fo preach a funeral dialogue, _ syore all boys, whose mothers were dead, or had | day isout” Penge A Game of Geld. a ee 6 - ween anes deserted, And it left Big Bonanza literally a male town, . = Being on a main page line, the floating popu: lation was considerable, but no woman or girl ever risked setting foot on the soil of Big Bo- nanza, But the stage, to-day, brought a stranger into the town, and he gathered with the other pil- grims at the * meeting~ouse,” to listen to the discourse of thé Reverend Cinnamon, es He was a handsomely-built fellow of some ey eight and twenty years, with a full, round face, set off to advantage by eyes of steely gray, a heavy brown mustache, and a rather pleasant mouth, while long brown hair fell over his shoulders. He was dressed in a stone-colored suit. of clothes, with top-boots upon his feet, and a sround hat upon his head, with a broad brim. He was also well armed; but then that was nothing, for every citizen of Big Bonanza went armed to the teeth, even to the minister, ~ Tho first impression of this stranger was apt to be favorable, but, at the second glance, an S impression of something dark and sinister and unrelishable would take possession of the mind, On leaving the stage, he sauntered up the main street of the town, and entered the church, to take a seat near the pulpit. : ‘As soon as the le ata had all assembled the Rev. Cinnamon Charley arose and gave oul the text, and began his discourse, which proved that he was better capable of crying for’a side- - show than preaching the Gospel. : But he elicited frequent applause whenever h hit the risibilities of the crowd, and that was about all that was required by the tastes of the Big Bonanzians, ; ie But, though for many kindred Sabbath days: Charles had dispensed Gospel truths without molestation, he was not always to enjoy that peaceful privilege, and to-day proved to be the exception to the monotonous rule, ‘ ed Half-way buried in the depths of biblical ex- wa position had his reverence got when the doorof = the . ‘*meeting’ouse” was unceremoniously ~ thrown open, and a band of masked men poured in, headed by a person in black, from top to toe, including the cowl that shielded from view the upper portion of his face, Pre “Stop!” this leader cried, cocking a handsome. pair of revolvers which he held in his grasp. - ‘Please to let up with your sermon, Cap, until we reduce the size of your congregation, Frank Foster, if you are here, you will do wellto comu — forward and surrender.” » : ae be coe “Thar’s nary a_galoot heer, by that name, — my. friend,” the Reverend Charley declared, laying a pair of pistols on the Bible that orna- —— mented his pulpit, and following this act by taking a huge chew of tobacco. ‘* Verily, stran- ger, thou hast struck the wrong trail.” a ““No we have not,” the first masked man re- plied, coolly. ‘There is.a man in this congre- —

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A Game : “Well, that’s bizness, anyhow, and ef the gatoot’s heer, you shall have him,” Big Bonanza’s* ministerial ight announced, promptly. ‘“‘ Ah! mebbe the stranger who cum on the stage is » wjur man.” é s “The very chap,” the masked leader said, approaching the seat where the stranger was seated, accompanied by his men, ‘* Ah! Foster, you find yourself hunted down, at last.” The stranger arose to his feet, a perceptible pallor creeping over his face—a baffled curse escaping his lips. ‘t What do you mean?” he demanded, sternly. “What would you do?” “We would put you where by treachery you sent ten of 2 he companions,” the leader replied, fiercely. Then, turning to the staring congre- gation, he continued; 3 ‘Gentlemen, it will not take me long to ex- lain this matter to your entire satisfaction, I think: Iam the leader of this band of men, who are known as the Rough-and-Readys—a band whosé aim it is to protect themselves and their own. interests from the tyranny of the law. I scarcely need mention my ownname—yon have, . many of you, doubtless seen and heard of me. 'My handle is Deadwood Dick!” Avstrange, startled murmur tan through the crowd of assembled Bonanzians, and more than one hand erept involuntarily to a pistol. butt. Deadwood Dick saw this, and smiled faintly. _ -* Oh! you needn't pull your complimenters,” he demurred, lightly, ‘‘for [ mean you no harm, and besides, my gang numbers larger by half than your own. What [am after is this traitor here, whose name is Foster. Until about two weeks ago I supposed him to be one of the most faithfulmembers of my gang, but I finally awoke | : Ee tzeacherousness when I found that he had led a squad of my men into the hands of Judge Lynch, for the consideration of two hundred gold dollars. Through his treachery my com- rades were strung up, in spite of me, and you may imagine I promised to hunt the faithless miscreant down to death! Laying aside all pe you may or may not have against eadwood Dick, gentlemen, do you. consider that I am censurable for tracking the traitor, that would betray his own comrades, down to death?” e ‘No! no!” agreed a chorus of voices, coming from Big Bonanza’s leading, citizens. *‘Of course not.” Rey. Cinnamon Charles re- - plied, with an approving nod. ‘Death is the - only doom fit for a traitor, and I recommend it, _ whether he be a traitor to humanity or to the Church of Israel.” : T see TPve struck one sensible erowd, at ~ Yeast,” and Deadwood Dick laughed pleasantly. Come, Sir Traitor! I would not settle with you in a place of worship, but outside, in the free air. Surrender, promptly, for it will avail you nothing to refuse, or waste words.” é ‘This is infamous!” the stranger cried, shrink- | ing back. ‘You are mistaken in your man. I know you not, nor have I ever known you. Gentlemen, I appeal to you for protection. I jon ‘ergus, of New York, and not Se eee ik veplanatare el” wor ick rep) si ‘to escape in that shabby wa: =: 4 of Gold, . Frank Foster, for it’s useless. I know you—tho boys know you; toaman, Think you that eyer aman served under the flag of Ned Harris whom he did not know? Seize him, boys, and take him to the tavern!” > CE; The order ‘vas promptly obeyed, The traitor was seized by a half-dozen ea of willing hands and Jed from the church into the street, follow- _ ed by the other outlaws, Deadwood Dick bring- — ing up the rear, Bat ‘Go ahead with your sermon, parson,” he said, as he reached the door, ‘‘and pardon- my. interruption.” Fs BS “Church is adjourned till ter-night, boyees,” Rey. Cinnamon Charley announced,~ ‘* I’m goin’ ter see. ther fun!” i . This seemed to suit the congregation as well as the parson, and out of the church poured the crowd, bent on ‘‘ seeing the thing through.” ace Big Bonanga’s chief place of liquid refresh. — & ment was the ‘‘ Tavern,” and thither Deadwood Dick’s men led the traitor, Foster, followed by. their chief, and-the Big Bonanzians, too, until- the large bar-room of said tavern was packed full, to the door. ; Then, Deadwood Dick hie oo ch A murmur of astonishment escaped the Big Bonanzians and the Rough-and-Readys, but the Prince of the Road smiled strangely, and-con- tinued; ; of - “T mean it,” be said, **and will tell you” pre- cisely how, As we rode into this mountain camp this morning, [observed that the southern = ~~ side is bordered upon a frightful abyss, of co siderable width and unknown depth. Across — this abyss to the mountains on_the opposite ae is stretched a wire cable used for hauling an ore-bucket across the said abyss. , Now, it is my plan to throw dice with Frank Foster, to see which of us walks that cable across the abyss, = in case he reaches in safety, he has earned his li his debt to my band, — Comra heard me—what do you say all it ave Bono :

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a : many voices in one. * All hail to our com- mander! Three cheers for Deadwood Dick!” Deadwood Dick then turned to Foster, who was held in duress close by. \ “Frank Foster, traitor, you have heard the two chances I have given you for your life and liberty. What thanks have you to offer?” “ None!” the betrayer ‘replied, with a scowl. “Tam ready to accept your proposition, but do not feel inclined to thank you fora liberty I’ shall fail to gain.” “Tf £ were you, I should feel grateful for even so small a chance,” Deadwood Dick re- vlied. ‘‘But come! I have no time to waste in talk, Barkeeper, be kind enough to set out the dice, and we will decide this matter as ‘quickly as possible,” The dice and cup were placed upon the coun- ter, and the two contestants took their places. ** What will you have it?’ Harris demanded, pushing the cup to the traitor. “ I leave you to ~ mate the choice.” | Va “One flop, with horses, will suit me very ae Foster replied, savagely. ‘‘ Shall T lead f3) ‘Yes, if you like. -Tamnot atall particular.” With a perceptible nervousness Foster seized the cup and shook the dice to and fro in a short quick jerk, a strange pallor upon his face and a wild, hopeful glitter in his eyes. To and fro—to and fro, seeming to have a fear of the result of his first throw. The crowd surged near, breathless with eager suspense. Rut-tut-tut! The box came down upon the counter, and the dice-rolled out, Two aces and a pair of deuces, and a tray! - “Two pair to beat,” Deadwoad Dick said, cupping the dice, shaking. them, and then spill- ese nae out wpon the counter. esult—no two of a kind! ; A. murmur of surprise swept the crowd. Coolly the Road Kocket re-cupped the dice, shook, and threw them, ho trace of fear upon his face. Five fours, this time, lay upon the counter, A curse escaped Foster, as he received the cup, athered up the dice, shook them and threw our deuces. ’ ‘“A& horse apiece. Now, it’s mn or yours,” he hissed, shaking the dice again and throwing thom. “Ah! Fivefives, Beat ‘it, curse you, if you can!” “T have every faith that I can,” Deadwood Dick replied, as he scooped the dice into the cup, ’ and shook them. Closer surged the crowd—miners and outlaws mingled together, all trembling with a consum- ing eagerness to know the result, Deliberately Deadwood Dick spilled the ‘fvories out upon the counter and there were at a TRATTOR’S FATE—DBADWOOD DICK IN DENVER. Bhatt Five aces!’ Hehad won! CHAPTER It. Ir was a thrilling, excitable moment, and a “murmur of surprise stirred the crowd as the re- sult of the last throw was made known. “Gentlemen, the traitor has lost the victory,” Deadwood Dick announced, calmly. ‘ Although ho did some fair throwing, I was so fortunate as to be able to better it. By the terms of my pro- ‘ A, Game of Gold. \ posal, Foster, you have yet one chance in ten for yout life—in walking the cable across Bonanza tulch, If you fail, so be it. If you succeed in reaching the further side, your ine your own, and your debt to the Rough-and-Readys is canceled. Come! let’s test the matter at once, Boys, remove the deserter.” foster was again taken in charge by several of the road-agents, and ushered from the build- ing into the street, Deadwood Dick leading the ‘| way, The town was built upon the eastern bank of a frightful abyss, which split the mountains for many miles, and was a black, terrible-looking chasm in the face of nature, descending almost straight downward into the face of the earth, and of unknown depth. From bank to bank it was about three hun-— dred feet across, and this distance was spanned by a two-inch wire cable, drawn taut, and fast- ened to trees fifty feet inland from each bank. Over this cable a pulley was tracked, and to that a large iron bucket was fastened, with ropes attached to it, so that the bucket and pul- Jey could be pulled from one side of the abyss to the other, It was used for conveying ore from the opposite hills, over to the Big Bonanza Crushing Mill. ‘ s With firm step Deadwood Dick led the wa: through the mining camp, to this wild spot, fol- lowed by his masked comrades, and the heft of Big Bonanza’s population, who had cloaked any moral scruples they may have had, under a desire to witness the novelty of the death-walk. For it seemed a natural impossibility for a man to walk across the abyss on the cable, without any balancing power save the motion of his Ys Y Foster, although he had proven himself an arch traitor, was a man of great nerve and con- trol over his emotions, and, except for an un- natural pallor upon his cheeks, he took things * as calmly as a stoic and measured _the distance over the abyss with a keen eye, Did he have any hope of béing able to reach the further side alive, he did not betray the fact. “Bind his hands behind his back, Orderly, and remove his feet covering,” Deadwood Dick commanded, when a halt was made, at the brink of the chasm, ‘“ T’ll give the traitor what mercy I can.” The command was promptly executed, and the deserter was soon in read: death task before him. For life or death it was, certainly. be Tt was life and liberty to successfully cross the chasm upon the cable and reach the other side in safety, or it was a frightful death to fail, — be go plunging down into the depths of the abyss. ; _* Allis ready, now, Frank Foster, so take ad- vantage of the means offered you to escape, Your life is now in your own hands, to win or lose, and you may thank me that you esca) instant death, at the hands of your comrades, here, Go! now, and may the Almighty guide your footsteps into the trail of a better life,” Deadwood Dick said, in stern, ringing tones. “ Yos, I will go,” Foster repli shoot me where I stand. Ba, sai yoy Dead :: 4 ess for the life-ors , fierceness in his tone; ‘‘ but ron would be more merciful te

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’ gaze riveted A Game of Gold. * weod Dick, if ever I doescape, look out forme! T shall not forget your kindness of to-day, ex- cept at the muzzle of the revolver. I go, now— pe, toa gravein the bottom of the abyss, ut, die though I may, the spirit of Frank Fos- ter will haunt you and pursue you with the con- stancy of a resistless fiend,” “AW right. I shall be pleased to wrestle with | your ghost, as soonas it the Road King laughed. Then there was a silence. Every man stood with bated breath, and gaze riveted upon the traitor, awaiting the issue. It was a momentof terrible suspense, in which a human life was held on the finest thread of tissue, as it were, Without further parley, Foster stepped upon the rope, above the bank on which the multitude was assembled, and balanced himself. Then he stood still, and measured the line over which he was to venture, with a calculatin glance—the two-inch trail between time an eternity. Then, seeming to gather all his powers under control, he stepped forward over the cable—out over the yawning gulf, that seemed waiting with distended jaws, to swallow himup. Carefully, yet steadily and ray idly he moved forward, each footstep being planted with recision, Never an instant did he waver or ‘alter until within a hundred feet of the oppo- site side, when he was seen suddenly to sway to and fro, and witha yell of horror went ee madly down! down! down! into the depths o: the yawning unfathomable abyss, puts in an appearance,” Denver, Colorado, . It was midnight, the bell in a neighboring ls le having but recently tolled the hour of welve, The streets of the State Capital were pretty well deserted, at this hour, only an occasional wayfarer pee abroad. ver all objects the mellow radiance of a soaring full moon shed the most s cea beautiful effct, and the warm breeze that wa ed up from the south'seemed impregnated with the odor.«f a thousand different blossoming flowers. + A man left the portals of one of the principal hotels, and walked down the deserted street, through the moonlight, his head bowed slightly, as if he was wrapped in meditation, and his hands locked behind his back, out of habit, more than anything else, perhaps. __ He was attired in the full-dress uniform of a captain of the U. 8. Army, and_being of good figure made a fine apy ance. In face he was not unhandsome, with a firm expressive mouth, shaded by a dark mustache; eyes of the same hue, and true as steel in their glance; regular features, browned by exposure to the sun and wind, and hair well trimmed, and of a dusky brown color, He wore no weapons exposed to view, except his sword, but that was a costly gold-trimmed etWithout ap} to tention to thout appearin, ay any attention where he was goitig the Cfhiobe eoutiened on, his . upon the walk in front of him, and nis head bowe Blighly forward. In this way, he finally reached the end tet Ha! ha! probably not. But f£ wi street, and crossing retraced his steps on the op- posite side. ) Suddenly he paused, and picked up something that lay upon the walk, before him. It was a ap of paper—a half sheet of le cap, ‘neatly folded, just as it had probabl ; ped from somebody’s pocket, and been 1 pening the paper, the finder glanced it over, and made it out to be a map of the Indian Ter- ritory, drawn with a pen, and accurately loca- ting rivers, mountains, reservations and Indian villages, But that was all, except*a star in red ink, near the center of the map, surrounded by Sr trails, only one of which touched the star, There was no written peoliparegrelet! ss 8 that indicated what the map was for, or #ha was located at the star, ‘““T wonder if this is of any value to any one —it certainly is not to me,” the officer mu i. folding the paper. “I will keep it, however, Pie may serve me a good turn, some time! Sudden was the latter exclamation—it was no more sudden than the whipping of his sword from its scabbard, and turning to face two cloaked masked men who had stealthily ap- roached in the rear, A keen sense of T- ing had the officer, and the way he met the emergency, evidenced the fact, that, always ce a guard, he had been expecting the night- awks. : _ “Back! you devils!” he cried, sternly, hold- ing his gleaming blade ready for use. ‘‘ You reckoned without your host, in thinking to take me ata disadvantage. I have been aware that Lhave been followed, secretly, all the way from Omaha—and, now, perhaps, you will tell me what you are up to?” The masked men stepped back out of reach of the sword, each with an oath on his ie ‘They were both enveloped in oil-cloth coats ited at the waist, that reached to their top-boots, and wore hats and three-quarter masks of the same material. Both were men of ordinary stature, oS being the taller by only two or three inches. He carried a dangerous-looking dirk-knife in the grasp of’ his right hand, which seemed to indicate that his intention was to stab the officer in the back. But in this design he had, most luekily for the officer, been thwarted, “‘Curses on you,” the foremost ruffian hissed. Tt is your salvation—our defeat. But wait! You have not seen the last of us. Weare after your life, and we’ll.dog you to the ends of the earth but what. we'll haye it. D’ye know us? enlighten you. Iam Frank Foster!” : “Indeed! Then, Mr. Foster, if youhave any reason for wishing to take my life, perks you can borrow a sword somewhere, and_settle the matter at once,” the officer said. ‘‘ My handle is Captain Rip Percival, at your-service, and if. any person has a prodge against me, I always make it a point to hold myself in readiness ta offer them satisfaction. j

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6 ~ A Game liberal offer, we shall wait with all patience until we get a chance to slip a knife between your ribs, when you are not on your guard, Discretion is the better part of valor, you know. Ha! ha!” = “But delays are dangerous, you know,” Per vival warned. -“‘No time like the present to settle, if you are willing.” ‘ “Which we are not,” Foster returned, fierce- ly. ‘‘Don’t think we do not know you, or that we shall leave off trailing you till death.” - Then turning, they hurried back down the street, as rapidly as. they could walk, finally vanishing around a corner. Captain Percival gazed after them, until they had disappeared, a stern, half-puzzled expression upon his face. “Can it be true that they have really pene- trated my disguise, and that it was really Frank Foster, in under thet mask and cloak?’ he muttered, as he resheathed his sword, and continued on his way. ‘‘ Can it be possible that he escaped after that frightful. fall into the abyss at Big Bonanza? It seems incredible—yet it was his voice that spdke—his form, and must have been he in flesh and blood. How he -could have escaped certain death is a mystery that surpasses my understanding. And if it is he, and he has penetrated this disguise, it’s not a safe place for you in Denver, Deadwood Dick, old boy. But, why need L be surprised, or fear? Tracked! discovered! hounded from place to place, Talways manage to keep on deck. Hal a! it’s wearing on me, though, and 1 am heart- ily sick of it. What tempted me down here to Denver, away from Calamity and the boys, I scarcely know—yet, hereI am, and in jeopard too, if the meeting just now has any signifi- cance. But I will not retreat. Tl face the mu- sic, yet, and see what turns up.” : { Threading several of the prominent streets of Denyer, disguised Deadwood Dick at last came to a saloon that was still lit up, despite the late- ness of the hour, and sounds of voices came from the inside. Over the entrance a creaking sign bore the inscription: ‘Srock ExcHance—M. Mosamr.” Impelled by a curiosity to know what was go- ing on within, Percival, as we shall still con- tinue to call him, opened the door’and entered. The interior was dingy and dirty, and far from prepossessing, with a thick fog of foul- smelling tobacco-smoke nearly obscuring all ob- cts. An ill-stocked bar occupied one part of *the room; a stove stood near the cénter, and around this a half-dozen men were seated, al- ' beit there was no fire in-the stove. A door-near one end of the bar opened into an -inner apartment, which was larger, better lighted and furnished with card-tables, around which a number of men were collected. Without pausing in the bar-room, Deadwood Eick enters the inner apartment, and seated himself, — of Gold. fortably positioned himself, and made preten- sions of goinggoff into a sound snooze. x He had not long been seated thus, when two other men entered and took seats by a table near him; and some instinct told him that they were Foster and his companion. He had only to open and shut his eyes, slyly, to confirm this suspicion; but they were seated on the fur- ae side of a stove, and had evidently not seen im. Foster’s companion was*a Missourian, with a hook-nose, small, bead-like eyes, and a preedy, avaricious expression of countenance. @ was tall, lank, and roughly dressed, and as Foster addressed him as Mosher, Percival set him down. as the proprietor of the saloon. ; “Yes, there’s a deep secret connected with the man,” Mosher was saying, ‘“‘ which means mil- lions of money, and we must find it out. Ono thing is plain: he is an inveterate gambler, and one of those men who, once they get the taste of whisky on top of a loss, never know when to put on the brakes, till they’re whipped of every ducat they possess. That’s the correct analysis of the man who calls himself Jackson Bird.” “T am anxious to see. him,” Foster said. ‘t Did you say he has been losing heavy?” : ‘Yes. - He has left some fifty or sixty thou- sand dollars in Denver, to-day, just through cards, and brags that he has more to win it back. “He has drank like a fish, and an expert ~ can easily win from him. He’ll soon be in again. Ah! I told you, There he comes, now.” Percival peeped through his half-closed eye- lashes, and siw a man with unsteady gate enter theroom, He was of commanding figure and richly attired, with a bearded face, dark eyes, and sweeping hair that fell over his shoulders. The luster of the end of his nose, and the wild | blood-shot appearance of his bee however, - seomed to point to the fact that he was a hard drinker, a fact that was betrayed in his walk. As soon as he entered the room, Mosher led — Frank Foster forward. + ‘Mr. Bird, I have the honor of introducing to” you Sir Roger Stanwix, an old English friend — of mine, who is passionately fond of a social me. “Social (hic) game, d’ye say?” the een hare Her é stare. < (Hic). play (hic) *cept it’s for money. : "Ea Ahi that would auit mo still better,” Foster said, rubbing his hands together delightedly. ‘It! gives interest to the game, you know.” CHAPTER, III. DICK TO THE RESCUE. se rt PrRCIvVAL closed his eyes again, and feigned — slumber, as he saw the trio take seats at a table but a few feet from him. ; Te Foster had not yet discovered him, and as soon as they were once engro in the at) the disguised ex-road-agent formed one of the group that gathered near to watch Jack Bird part with his gold. Te a es Aes =: Directly in the rear of the traitor did Captain Percival stand, so that Foster could not notice _ him Sioa ones eat around. ~ be _‘*B-boys! T am ackson Bi ambler | never a Tye. bu moe

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* pack, a terrible glare in his eyes. _ Bird?’ Mosher demanded. - no such a secret bonanza as you boast of.” A Game an’ it’s hard to tell which has come (hic) out ahead. Guess’er (hic) I’m a leetle the most bucked jest now. Lost fifty thousan’ since sun- rise. "Tain’t nothin’, tho’, gents—tain’t nothin’. There's plenty of more gold up at Secret City, an’ it’s all mine. So ye want to play wi’ me, do you, John Bull?” “Pll take a hand, yes,” Foster replied, with a crafty glitter in his eyes, ‘‘ providing the stakes are not too higlt.” Teta “Ten thousan’ is my pile—the last T have to my name,” the gambler replied. ‘‘See me ten if you dare. Ten I have—ten to bet on a sim- ple game of the pasteboards, Where's the man who wants to see me?” “J,” Foster replied, and from his pocket he drew a purse of plethorie size and Jaid it upon the table. ‘‘There is just that amount in the purse.” “Oho! you have money, then, if not wisdom,” the gambler chuckled. ‘‘ Well! well! I care not, so long as I retrieve my losses.” e took a check-book from, his pocket, and wrote out a check on a prominent Denver bank for the amount of the wager, and then tore it from the book, and placed it on Foster’s pile. ‘There! that is the last of a fortune,” he said, hoarsely. ‘‘If I lose that, I shudder for the consequences. Shuffle the cards, man, and see that you make no mismoves, or you'll find that Ican look out for No. 1, even with a headache ‘caused by Denver whisky. Go on, I say.” Foster accordingly shuffled the cards—then they were dealt, and the game began, The crowd gathered near, and watched with f#*"srish interest, Both players were excited to a_high pitch, but neither spoke, until Frank Foster threw down the card which declared him to be the wiuner, and raked in the stakes with a triumph- ant ener “Lost, by heaven!” Bird gasped, sinking ‘Gentlemen, after years of life at the table, I am obliged to come down to the acknowledgment that-I am broke. Itis something I have never experienced before, or I should not mention it. very dol- Jar I have in the wide world is gone—to the devil. Ha! ha! yes to the devil, But hark ye —not the means of getting more—oh! no! Down ina certain mining district I yet own an entire city of gold—Secret City, ‘tis called, and only a limited few, who are my friends, know where to find it. Centuries quiphs it lay undiscovered, a mining claim valued at mullions, did I refuse to betray its location. Ha! ha! what would not you avaricious sharks give to know where to swoop down and find this bonanza of mine, with its invaluable gate and placer mines, its train- ed and faithful regiment of Chinese miners— and above all its beauteous mistress, my queen- ly cg anal Lola? Ah! could you but see her, you'd believe me that all other women are but” ‘untamed squaws, in comparison. Fair as a lily is my queen Lola, but none of you shall have ber, even though I tempt you with a chance!” z5 . : ““What yarn is this you are spinning us, now, “You surely have “But I have, though!” the gambler cried, Wie ys en of Gold, et nn SANS hoarsely, ‘‘and by it, I am _ going to win back what I have lost. In the inner pocket of my coat, there is a small map, pointing the trail that leads to my secret city of gold. Without it, no human being can ever hope to find it— with it, the road is as plain as the face of na- ture. will allow. Iam desperate. Hither I must win back the fortune I have lost among you Denver sharks, or I will lose all—every- thing, even to that pure flower that blooms in the youthful budding, down in Secret City, Ah! I promised Lola, when I came hence, that would hold my passion for gambling with a conquering hand, and cast the cards from m: way. Butithe temptation was too great, and tuned my last promise to her into a lie. Do you think then, that I would return to her, penni- less and let her know my unmanly faithlessness? No! never! Wither I will win back all, or I will lose all, and blow my brains out in this room. Do you hear me? I mean business—I, Jackson Bird, who have bucked the tiger since I was of age. I mean business! Ill bet the paper in my pocket, which js the map that locates the secret golden city I have told you of, against fifty thousand dollars, that I honestly win the next game. If I win, the cash is mine; if my opponent wins, I will surrender to him the pa- per, which not only tells how to reach Secret City, with its golden wealth, but makes the holder of the paper the sole and. only owner and manager of the mines, the town, and all in it, be it human or inanimate. There! now— whe’s my man?? : “But what right have we to believe you are not romancing?” ‘Foster demanded. ‘‘f know of no such Secret City as you speak of—nor that its value is a cent’s worth. ove to us first. that which you would have us gamble for, and we shall be more ready for the snare.” ‘‘Bah! you are a fool,” Bird retorted, sneer- ingly. ‘*Wouldn’t you like me to expose m precious paper to view, so some of you deyil- sharks could grab it and run away? No! no!— when you get the best of old Jack Bird, of Secret. - City, let me know. I have the paper, in my pocket, however, and I’ll give it over to the man who wins it, Now who speaks first?” There was no reply. : Every one seemed to hesitate. ; Men were there present, who represented large shares in Denver’s financial enterprise, but they weré chary about venturing so large a sum as fifty thousand dollars. Bird’s luck, to be sure, had been badly against him, but there was no telling when it-might change. Mosher, the proprietor of the place, motioned to Foster, and the two went aside. : “Take him up on that,” the aioe said, eagerly, ‘Sand beat him: This Secret Cit is no myth, I have heard of it before, and, — they who claim to know, hint that there are — mines there worth more than enough money to. pay the national debt.” ee “Ah! but I have but the twenty thousand, ten of which I have just won,” Foster growled. “He asks fifty, and that knocks me all out of time, 7 ‘But I have thirty to add to it, providing you recognize me asa partner, if you win, and — give me half of everything,” +

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es A Game of Gold, — ** Agreed. We have been chums for years, and may as well continue the same way. Give me the ae) an’ Ill tackle the cuss.” “But hold!” Mosher said, in a low tone, **Mind that you win. or we are both bezgars, Once you get the paper in your hand, and the secret of the whereabouts of Secret City, and we're made,” ‘Perhaps the devil is fooling us, and has no such paper “Then we'll knife‘him,” the saloon propre growled sarasely. ‘But, I reckon Jack Bird nows better’n to fool that way with Max Mosher. Go’head, The money’sin this pack- ge. And as he finished Speaking, the saloon-keeper placed a large sealed envelope in the ex-road- eaeave hands, and the two men returned to the le. : Bird was watching them, impatiently, through his shag ‘y lashes. “ Well, are ye goin’ ter play?” he demanded, as Foster seated himself. : “T am,” was the reply, “and I’m going to win, old man, fairly.” “We shall see about that,” Bird retorted. “Mosher, you man, fetch a fresh deck of cards.” The cards were produced, and Bird went care- fully over them in order to ascertain that they were all there, and new and unmarked. The crowd in the gambling saloon had by this time increased to nearly one hundred people, among which were a mass of the rougher ele- ment, a3 well as the more refined. é All crowded as near the table as possible, to watch the game of such unusual risk. It was no common occurrence in Denver for men to risk fifty thousand dollars on the chances con- tained in a pack of cards: Therefore the inter- est the contest excited, was great. Bird allowed Foster to out the cards; then shuffled and dealt thom himself, in a manner . that betrayed experience. 28) Then, the game began, neither of the game- sters speaking, but their faces delineating their r expectation. ' n breathless suspense those of the crowd who could not see the table, waited, and waited im- patiently, for the result; not that, aga crowd, they had any particular. choice as to who should win, but because of a natural desire to have one ety win, and then watch the discomfiture of he other. At last, there was a cry of desperation, and a hand struck the table heavily. Jt was Jackson Bird who uttered the cry—it was the hand of Frank Foster that struck the table, even as he gave vent to a laugh wherein was expressed the aie malicious triumph—for he, Foster, had won “Ha! hal and so it comes to pass that even youth and beauty, of the land shall conquer old he cried, rising from the table, with an affected yawn, “Come, pardner, dish over yonr stake, and P’lleretire to my hotel. I’m most devilish sleepy.” _ “Yes, you have won,” Bird muttered, hoarse- ly, his eyes riveted upon the floor—‘‘ won, and ama beggar—an accursed worthless wretch! ‘But what matters it? Gold has ever been the curse of my life, and when I’ve that life, gold and the gaming-table will have lost a point. Ah!” with a glaring glance at Foster; ‘you're waiting for the map are you? Curse you—shall I be fool enough to yield it to you, and thus place you in possession of all I hold dear upon this earth? Tell me, man—haye you the heart to demand that paper, knowing that it not only makes me a beggar and more of a wretch than I am, but? tears from me my own daughter, Queen Lola—the only redeemin; hope of my wild and reckless existence? § —tell me, man!” The gambler had risen to his feet, terribly ex- cited, his voice trembling, and a strange, wild glitter to his fiery eyes. Foster, Mosher and several kindred spirits had involuntarily rested a hand upon a weapon in their respective belts, and this fact seemed to evidence that the tide of human sympathy was against the unlucky gambler. F “‘ Heart is something out of my line, pard,” Foster responded, with a grin. ‘Fifty thou- sand dollars’ worth of heart is a surfeit, and I don’t take any stock in it. The game was fair- ly won by me, and I’ll now accept of the paper, yf you please ee “And if I don’t please—” Bird queried. “Then I shall take the liberty of making you please, or shall make you ready for the first hearse that comes along. In other and shorter words, you'll have to fork over the paper or re- ae your life grip of this earthly atmos- phere “On course. It’s no. time to play shenani- gun now,” Mosher put in. ‘‘ You’d better pony ve the paper, Bird, and save unpleasant trouble, 'o be sure we are in the States, here in Denver, but we don’t stand long on legal ceremonies when a feller shows the black flag.” And the crowd nodded their approval of this a ot Jogic—among them men who to the out- side dai cles of the town. ut an end to world graced the toned business cir- ** Yes, yes! I suppose it is my duty in honor : to give up the paper,” Bird murmured, his gaze again reverting to the floor—‘ but, in Heaven guard and watch over my poor child! Here, man,” and his right hand sought an inner pocket, “‘is the— Ah! Heaven! what is this? ba !—the paper lost! Then I, too, am lost! : “What! what is this you say?” Foster hissed, advancing with a furious oath. ‘‘Do you mean to tell me that you have been fooling me, after tas sno you have not the paper you claimed to ave? “No; I have not been fooling. I had the paper, not three hours ago, in my inner pocket, and supposed I still had if there, to this minute. But itis gone. Hither I have been robbed, or have lost it, while on the street.” “Liar!” Foster fairly yelled, his face dark with aroused passion; ‘‘ your excuses will avail you not. You have cheated me, and the conse- quences be on your own head!” A The next instant there was a sharp flash and a report, and Jackson Bird threw up his hand and staggered back—to be caught in the arms of Captain Percival, who had all the time stood in his rear, And with one strong arm supporte sh 3

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A Game of Gold. 0 ing the gambler, Percival drew a revolver with his other hand. q “* Back, there!” he ordered, his eyes flashing fire, and his weapon on a level with Foster's breast, as the villain would have sprung upon | his victim to finish the deadly job he had inau- rated—t back, Frank Foster, or I’ll finish the job Deadwood Dick left unfinished up in the mines, You know what I mean—so git out of my sight, or you’re a dead man!” ‘Ha! you here? the traitor gasped, leaping back, as he for the first time noticed his former captain, ‘‘Curse you! curse you! this is a pleasant surprise, for I now can kill two birds with one stone, and obtain my promised ven- geance, Ha! ha! you are mine now, even as I was yours in that little rope-walking scrape up at Big Bonanza. Boys, look at the precious pilgrim—does he not; look like a thoroughbred— aregular ourang-outang? That’s a road-agent, boys, and none other than the notorious indi- vidual called Deadwood Dick!” : “Ay! Lam Deadwood Dick, and they have all heard from me—now, if never before!” the fous man cried in a stern, ringing tone, while is eyes flashed a glance of defiance. ‘‘ You ‘eed not draw your weapons, gents, for Iam no neat of yours. Iam going to assist this gambler tere to a place where he can die in peace, as I see he is mortally wounded. “Tf you mind your own affairs and let,me take my departure without interruption, all will be well; but if you attempt to.prevent me from ai hd out my intention, the past record of Deadwood Dick shall be a guarantee of what will follow. Remember! I am but one man, and alone, but when forced to it, I can do the deadly work of a half a score!” And half-carrying, half-dragging the wound- ed gambler upon his left arm, and keeping the revolver in his right hand leveled at the crowd, the brave ex-outlaw retreated step by step to- ward the door. Involuntarily the;crowd moved after him, but paused when Mosher stepped in front of them, and cried: : “Back, boys! It’s certain death go some of you to follow that man, who’s filled more grave- ards | than the devil himselt, Foster, come ack! f : “When I do, it will be with the heart of Deadwood Dick in my hand!” the traitor re- turned, ferociously. ‘Stand there like a pack of cowardly coyotes, if you choose. I am not vafraid to face the tiger. Ah!” He had no tiger to face, for, with an unex- cted suddenness, Deadwood Dick had leaped hrough a window, with his charge, and was lost to view—an action so quickly executed that it had freed him from the crowd! CHAPTER IV, EXIT BIRD—ROBBED. Once in the street, Deadwood Dick lifted the - wounded man more upon his shoulder, and sped slong in the night, beneath its great soaring wmioon and starry dome. { ‘Not far had he gone, when he heard a shout and turning and looking back, he saw the crowd pouring from Mosher’s saloon, ie Yy, then, he dodged into an Sead street, at his right, in time to escape discovery, and hurried up its course,between rows of high but dingy habitations, for the most part inhabit- ed by Chinese. . He finally came to a building, however, on the door of which was posted a ‘‘To Rent” places and mounting the steps aud trying the oor, he found it unlocked. The next instant he bore Bird into the dwell- ing, which proved to be tenantless, and barred the door behind him, A heap of refuse and old worn-out id were the only things that told that the place had ever been inhabited before, except for the dust and cobwebs strewn around. . Quickly arranging the carpets and rags about into the shape of a bed, Deadwood Dick deposit- ed the gambler upon them, as tenderly as possi- ble, and propped up his head. He was very white, and also weak from a copious loss of “blood, some of which had ome the garments of the ex-Prince of the oad. ‘Who are you?” Bird asked, as Dick knelt by his side, and endeavored to stanch the flow of blood. ‘Whoever you are, I thank you and my Lord ‘hat I have yet life in my worthless carcass, for there is yet something I would say. if Then confide whatever secrets you may deem best to my care, and 1’ll not betray your confi- dence. y name is Edward Harris—or at least that has always been the name I claimed alle- giance to—my nom de plume, however, is Dead- wood Dick!” “Ah! yes—Foster called you that, and I have heard of it before. agent?” ““¥es—so-called. Be it said to my credit, however, I have never been guilty of one-half of the misdeeds shouldered upon me. But, your wound—that is of the most importance now, Can you remain alone while I seek a phy- sician?” % “Nol no! It is no use to seek medical aid, for I am past all help. I feel the grip of death already fastened upon me, and T’ve but a few minutes yet on earth, Still, Iam not afraid to make my last journey to my Maker’s home, for, gambler and reckless man though I have been, t have ever been honest in my dealings been guilty of no heinous crime, Hark! are they not coming?” ; ‘No; I,hear nothing,” Dick replied, after lis- tening, ‘ Your fancy is leading you off-track, Go on, and fear nothing, for I flatter myself I cleverly eluded them.” The light of the soaring moon shone through zabler, e great a window upon the face of the dying whose gaze rested steadfastly upon tl luminary. You have been a road-~ iy and have —

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. 10 A Game _ Pace of Gold. renter ate renin te nna NSeilieioattnanissinnattnar tinea the very document.” Deadwood Dick said, pro- dueing the paper he iad found upon the street earlier the same evening. Bird gave vent to an utterance of joy as he saw it, “Ves, yes! That is tho paper. God be oraised that it is found. Where did you get it, sir?? Deadwood Dick explained ina few words; then added as he listened intently: : | ‘‘ You had. best intrust it to my eare again, for I think I heard footsteps outside, and Foster or some of his men may be spying about, “Yes! take it, young man, and keep it, I know you will be as good a fellow asI can in- trust if to, for I have heard that, though an out- law, youarea man of honor, Surely you would take no mean advantage over the fatherless, motherless girl whom that paper consigns to your ower. , “No!” Deadwood Dick said, proudly, ‘TI will hunt wp. this pir and give her her liberty and this paper. T.am no villain, to take advantage of my power over the weaker sex, nor even over my own sex, unless they drive me to it.” **Good! Your words catise me to feel easier. , Another thing—these two blood-hounds, Foster and Mosher, may attempt to ferret out my Secret City, and succeed. Should they do so. my daughter will be at their mercy. Can hope that you will strike a blow in her de- fense?” + “ Ay! you can rely upon it. I will guard her and her interests.” Then all besame silence in the room. Jackson Bird lay peacefully upon his rude but easy bed. is gaze continued fixed upon the moon, which gleamed through the window, and. his lips were parted, as though he were in silent prayer. And ths he continued, until his eyes slowly srl through holes made for their accommo- ation, “Who are you?” the ex-outlaw demanded, stepping. back, and surveying the new-comer sharply. ‘* What pritee you here?” “JT am Toothpick—Little Toothpick they call. me. Icame to warn you of danger, and assist you out of it,” was the reply. And why? at good turn have I ever done you, that you should wish to favor me?” was the query; for seldom, in his life experi- ence, thus far, had Deadwood Dick met with favors that had not in some way been be- stowed, os = “No turn at all, Sir Stranger, but I was in the saloon a bit ago, and saw how matters went, and so took sides with you. Besides, I have often heard of you as a man whose cause it would be an honor. to espouse—a brave, fearless, faithful man, who was ever a friend to friends, and foe to foes, without exception.” f ‘‘Well, then, Fam glad to meet you,” Dead-= wood Dick said, extending his hand to shake with the stranger. ‘‘ Toothpick, you said your “name is?* : 3 « Yes—Little oy you may call me, _ Another name once belonged to me, but a bank defalcation occurred, and the crime was pointed to me, although God knows I was innocent. But, in order to escape ten years behind prison” bars, I was forced to skin out, and hide my indentity ina disguise. Yousee me now. Iam an outlaw and am outcast. I have to skulk - about at night, and lie low in day. I heard of youand saw you. I watched and waited, and saw an opportunity to assist you. Here 1 am, ready to do it.” “Ah! exactly. “And after you release me from a tight place, I suppose it will be in order for you to want a compensation for your trou- ble,” Dick said, endeavoring to study the fellow, — in a thorough way , : closed, a‘ peculiar, deathly pallor stole over his countenance, his bosom ceased to heaye—and he was dead. ‘ It did. not seem that he had more than fallen asleep, yet Deadwood Dick was aware, without investigation, that his spirit had passed into the realms which noearthly being can penetrate un- til summoned by the hand of the Almighty. To e sure, he placed his ear over the gam- bler’s heart, but his first conclusion was only verified, for the heart had ceased to beat, .. Carefully covering the body with some of the old carpet, Dick once more rose to his feet, and stepped toward the door, bent on leaving the place, and sending an undertaker to care for the remains, 4 . As he did so, a hand was laid upon his arm, and a voice said;-in a low, warning tone: *S*Sh! don’t venture out that way, or you are lost. Foster and Mosher are waiting for you, backed by some of the latter’s pals, and the dep- uty sheriff.” “No, pard, you mistake me. That isnotmy _ lay-out-at all. If we succeed in escaping from — this nest, my only hope shall be that you may see fit to let me remain with you asa valet, or servant.” J : _* And why thus?” : ‘Because, there is power in union, and I would be among those who could fight tor me, : needed, and whom I could fight for, in re- urn.” \ iy ; “Then you may accompany me, until I find you untrusty,” the young chief said.” “* Treach- ery is punishable with death—so beware, You say the front is guarded?” “Yes, doubly guarded, Your.only hope of — rescue lies in following me, Come!” _ ote Motioning for Dick to follow, Little Tooth- — pe Jed the way back sorough a rear hall that _ nally opened into a sort walled yard or — court, from whence led a narrow alley, in a “northerly course. Rnb : eres ae a2 Following this route, they entered one of the principal streets of Denver, and soon after — came to the hotel where the ex-Prince of the — Road was registered, Pai tehsary _»“ We won't stop here,” he said, ‘b seek another place, in order to avoid. | 1 fortuna t] ave

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A Game Another large hotel soon loomed up, and, as itwas open, Dick announced his intention of turning in for the remainder of the night, . “Then I will bid you poe until I can go and remove my mask, and sufficiently dis- guise myself, so that I can join you,” Little Toothpick said. *‘I may not be able to join you soon, and again I may; but do not be con- cerned if you do not see me again before you leave the city.” ; Very well. Ishall pull out of Denver, be- | fore another evening, probably.” He then entered the hotel, and secured an apartment, and was soon by himself. His room contained a bed, centre-table and chairs, of a pretty appearance, and every ap- of Gold, il Denyer there must be a shorter way of reach- ing it than going down into New Mexico to hunt up the trail, This map is really of no ac- tual value; yet it occurs to me that it will be ‘well enough to make a copy, in case I should lose this, or it should be stolen, If I mistake not, Foster will not give up the hope of getting _ -on track of what so neatly slipped from his « grasp, and in that case it will be advisable to be prepared for him.” It did not take many minutes for him to pen an exact copy of the map, as cleverly as though he were used to such work, Folding the original document neatly, he placed it inside the lining of his hat, and threw the latter carelessly on the ~ floor. The other paper he thrust into a vest pointment was neat and cleanly, in the extreme, tery ps 428) Red iver S pres. Turning on the gas, and seating himself | Deadwood Dick took the map of Secret City »from his pocket, and glanced it over, closely, marking with his sharp eye, every feature of it, as penciled out by its former owner. No Secret City is marked down here, that I ean see,” he muttered, at length, unless the star is meant to indicate the location of the place. All evenso!” - He had chanced to hold the paper between him and the light, and the secret was revealed. Stamped in water color just across the star, were the words; “Secret City.” . Above isa fac-simile of the map that Dead- wood Dick had received from Jackson Bird. “The golden camp lies somewhere between the two Canadians,” Dick mused, ‘‘ but it is hard to tell just where, without following the dotted line, which is probably meant to repre- sent a wagon trail, or Indian route, But from pocket, carelessly. any 43% ‘- ide Apback! 29 Ang cle ra “There, - If I Jose one I have a duplicate. Ta case an attempt is made to rob me, they may find the copy, but not the original. Now, then, for a snooze—something I have not had for the — last forty-eight hours.” Sekty He threw himself upon the bed, and was soen ~ off in a heavy sleep—the first, as he had said, that had visited him for over two days and nights, _ It was broad daylight, when he awoke, and... the sun was shining in through a window, upon his face, a. : «Ah! I have overslept myself,” he said, rising, and preparing to make -his tonet. ‘*Aht I wonder if the papers are all right?” * Slipping his finger into his vest poctret, he felt- the paper still there, and as his hat still lay where he had thrown it upon the door, he thought no more of the matter at the time, After washing and combing, he tool a parcel from one of his pockets and untied if,

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wan and activity. A Game of Gold. f It proved to be a jet-black wig and long false beard and mustache, and removing the mus- tache he wore, he donned the disguise in short order, the change being most strikingly artistic and complete. : **Ha!l ha! I can pass friends or foes, x -w, without risking discovery,” he muttered, as he surveyed himself in the glass. ‘‘I look likea veritable Black Donald of modern days.” He next stripped off his scldier’s garb, and underneath was revealed a tasty suit of black. Removing the military trimmings from his hat, he stood transformed from Captain Percival, U. A., to Deadwood Dick, of Deadwood. It was while removing the trimmings from his hat, that he made the startling discovery that ee pied was.gone from his hat, and the map so . Hastily thrusting his hand into his vest pocket, he drew forth the other paper, which was sim- ply a blank piece! He had been robbed while sleeping! There was no two ways about this, and he gave vent.to a cry of vexation. ‘* Huchered, as I’m a man!” he gas by whom? Some one smarter than —‘and credited, anyhow. But, never mind. If Frank Foster: has got the papers, it does not signify who will win this little game, I have a faint idea that Til be the man!” : cHaPreR Ws f ANGEL, SUNSET. Soft blue skies, with a hazy horizon of east- warl mountains, into which the red luminary of day was dipping its lower crest, while into a wild, bowlderous, valley, silvered by a rushing mountain streanlet, the first shadowy harbin- gers of night were creeping. It was a ru , wild scene, this valley, run- ning northward and southward, as the crow flies, and its width of two miles one vast broken tract of rocks and bowlders, with a few trees scattered here and there. - Along down the bank of the stream a wagon- track ran, but it was not used much, peace ys judging by the fact that grass grew in the eas as if there was no track at all. Hist! a voice! A sweet, melodious voice, too, breaking out in a snatch of weird song, the words of which cease, as the singer strides into view, and the ~ echo goes detonating on down the valley. Is it a girl—or is it a man? ) Thus wonders a man, at least, who, half re- clining upon the grass, beside the stream, gazes at the approaching person in surprise and ad- == @miration. A medium-sized fellow, this stranger, with a browned yet handsome face, and a figure which, as it stretched out, denoted strength, endurance A dark mustache, with broad, wavy ends graced his lip, and partly shaded a resolute but pleasant mouth, and hair of the same hue.waved back from his forehead and fell upon his shoulders. His feet were incased in knee-boots, which were in turn met by buckskin breeches and hunting-shirt, both nicely fringed and em- broidered, and a dark cape about his shoulders, ¥ a Le if: 4 His hat lay upon the grass by his side, and the cool evening breeze fanned his brow, A rifle also lay upon the ground near his hat and a pair of silver-plated revolvers in his bel spoke of the fact that he was not unarmed. And the girl—this creafure coming down the disused wagon-trail! : z If beauty ever graced theface and form of woman, she certainly had a goodly share of both, Of medium hight of women, she possessed a rarely curved and symmébtrically proportioned i rm that appeared to advantage in the neatly- fii mg garb she wore—a costume of Indian tanned buckskin, consisting of breeches and hunting-shirt, the latter belted at the waist, and touching nearly to the patent-leather knee- boots she wore, A hat upon the jauntily-poised head and a single revolver in her belt com- pleted her costume, ’- As for the face of this sylph, it was in one de- fined word ‘‘ handsome.” Every feature was perfectly chiseled and prettily ovtiined; the mouth wore a habitual winning expression, with lips tempting enough to kiss: the cheeks were suffused with a boats - ful tint; the eyes spoke forth a glance just bold enough to suggest courage and will, even while they shone with the same Tesctitins expression of winsomeness that characterized the ‘mouth, \ An abundance of golden. hair was tossed about her shoulders from beneath her pier hat, its color corresponding harmoniously wit some of the reflections of the hazy sunset hori-« zon. As he gazed at her, there came a strange ex- pression over the face of the man lounging by the stream. ‘Like Calamity Jane, and yet not like her,” he muttered, thoughtfully. ‘‘ Who in blazes can it be, I wonder. Sep in this wild spot? Not Jackson Bird’s daughter, I fancy, even though she lacks not beauty. Guess she does not see me yet. Perhaps I may learn from her whether or not I am anywhere near the goal of os ambition—Secret Se : he man, as the reader has probably sur- mised, was none other than Deadwood Dick, the ex-road-agent, maaan Nearly three weeks before he had set out fronr Denver in search of the euiaen camp that had once belonged to Jackson Bird, but until now he had journeyed through the Indian eb un- successful in his mission and meeting with ad- ventures that would have appalled many a man less brave than the ex-chief. Without the maps he had found that he could only depend upon guesswork and patient search, and it was some bad guessing he had made. The young woman came nearer and nearer and was almost upon him before she discovered him. To Jessen her alarm he feigned to be doz- ing, until her sharp exclamation aroused her to such an extent that he glanced around. ~ She was standing hut a few feet distant and surveying him in a way that evidenced surprisa but not alarm, “ Well,” she said, with business-like precision, as Dick arose and bowed, “‘whoare you” “Ab your service, Edward Harris, miss j \ ; B

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x , A Game of Gold, Sar ‘more commonly called Deadwood. Dick,” was the courteous reply. ‘‘And may TI be so bold 5 to reverse the interrogation, and ask you whe *ou are, miss?” . “Weil, I reckon whai’s fair for. the hoss is fair for the wagon, as they say over on the Las Vegas route; and as for my name, it?s Arnot— angel Arnot. What fetches you down into this locality, stranger?” be | pee go pertinently reverse that interroga- tive, and inquire what you, a young and pretty woman, are doing in this wild place, but I re- frain, as itis none of my business,” Deadwood Dick returned, with a faint smile. ee Arnot eyed him, inquisitively. “Then that’s as much as to say that it’s none of my business what brings you here?” “Oh! certainly not, I have no objection to stating my errand,.as it is no secret. I am in search of a place called Secret City, and a young woman by name Lola Bird.” “Humph!” And Miss Angel Arnot gave vent to a prolonged whistle of surprise, ‘‘ Eyery- body scems to be on that same track, jest about now. Twasu’t only about a week ago that a feller, who calls himself Foster, cange down here on my stage, along with another chap he calls Mosher, an’ they both were after finding Secret City and Lola Bird,” ; Deadwood Dick gave vent to an exclamation of disappointment. Then I am too late, es to be of any use,” he said, sadly. ‘‘ What has been the re- sult of these men’s coming to Secret City, miss?” **Dunno, "cept that Foster steps into old Jack Bird’s boots, and bosses things about pretty much as he takes a notion. Can’t boss this chicken, though. He come up and give me a dose of his chin-music, last night, on the street, an’ I give him a slap across the mouth that made it look like-a collapsed balloon.” Deadwood Dick laughed. Some of the girl’s mannerisms reminded him of Calamity Jane, in her ‘‘ tearing” moods. ~ **What is your business or profession?” he in- quired, growing interested in her, without knowing it. ‘‘f suppose you have some calling to keep you in this uncivilized region.” “Reckon I have, Mebbe some liar will in- sinuate that I ain’t jest as much of a saint as I ought to be, but, don’t you believe it, I hang around, and drive the stage down inter New Mexico, once a week, fer supplies, on a contract wi’ Bird. That’s my biz. Then, I’m what they call a ‘moonlighter’—that is, after all the folks is to bed, I do a little private mining on my own hook, and accumulate .a couple o’ dollars every ee or so, Guess Tll get snuffed out, one of these times, but it won’t make much dif- ference. They won’t spill any brine ove: my. grave.” Andithere appeared to be a tinge of sorrow- ful loneliness in her tone, as if she had no friends—nothing to draw her back to earthly assoviations, ; “But, mind you,” she continued, aftér a_mo- mefit, ‘there ain’t the pilgrim that can douse my glim, if they give me equal chances, Going to Secret City?” a _ “ Téhardly know whether I shall or not. ‘This > @nnouncement that Foster and Mosher are ahead Feat Nox, * : though you're of me, causes me to hesitate—not because I fear them, but because my visit to. Miss Bird would probably now be useless,” x “Well, I dunno. There has a charige come over Queen Birdie, as we call her—and that change has all ap red since Foster came, She is no longer the blithe merry Jass she used to be, but keeps herself indoors, and closely reclused. *Spect something has happened to old gambler Jack, the miserable old sot and card-sharp.” “Ay. Something has happened to: him,” d Deadwood Dick replied, ‘‘ something irrepara- ble, for he is dead!” \ “Dead!” The girl staggered back at’ the words, as though she had been dealt a blow. “Jackson Bird dead?” ‘¢-Yes, miss. Iwas with him to the last. He got into a row over a wager he could not pay. and Foster shot him iu the breast. He lived scarcely an hour afterward.” ‘“ Ah! I see then what brifigs you to Secret® City. He sent you.” “Yes, You've heard, probably, of the map he S reage ieee and how, at hi death, the mines — and the daughter all reverted to the party who was so fortunate as to inherit the map.” “Yes. Only the day before the man Foster came, Lola was telling me about it, and trem- bling with fear lest the map should fallinto the — hands of some unscrupulous villain, who would use the power he held over her. So you have the map, have you?” nie “No, Lhadit, but it was stolen from me, and I was left unarmed, without the least clew to guide me to the secret gold-mines, except my memory of what I had seen upon the map. Be- lieving that either Foster or Mosher bad obtain- ed possession of the map, I resolved to work m way hither, in hopes of reaching Miss Bird first, telling my story, and thus baffling the precious 2 pair of scoundrels. But Iam too late.” “Yes, Treckon you are: They must have had the dockyments, or the Queen wouldn’t never have let ’em take charge of matters. Suppose they’re not werry soft on you, eh?” 5 “T presume not,” Dick replied, with a smile, ~ “inasmuch as I made Foster meet the reward of treachery not long ago.” fie salava se ath. tka Ok an “Probably that was the reason of Foster's porns a placard at all the principal approaches the camp, warning strangers to turn back and avoid unseen perils that lurked in the wil- derness, which had encompassed a band of sturdy ~ emigrants a week since.” “Hal ha! aclever way of keeping back the ‘tide of immigration, no doubt, but PU vouch that it was not meant for me, for Foster knows at me well enough to be positive nothing “could seare me off, once I set out to reach a certain — point, Not even death bas ever turned me “Well, I admire your grit, anyhow, and if — you want any assistance or advice, just call on me.- I’m a particular friend to Queen Birdie, but not to the, fellow- Foster or his villainous looking colleague. Going to town?” mish ‘* Well, that is something I cannot ariswer — just now, as I have yet to learn where this — golden camp is located. d ae, “Oh, that’sit, eh? Well, T can enlighten yous, or © first. pilgrim as ever learn

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4 A Game of Gold, ——— p w~ = where Secrot City was. through my instrutnen- tality. Follow the trail up the stream, and just around that bend you'll find all there is of the camp. Then, turning abruptly, the girl Jehu wan- dered on down the trail without looking back,’ her pretty lips emitting a flow of wild, peculiar melody, as weird and strange as tho wilderness around her, Deadwood Dick watched her until mighty rocks had hidden her figure from view; then he sat down once more upon the bank of the little stream, and gazed thoughtfully into . ~ the rushing waters. . “A queer character, that girl—but, then,’tho whole world is made up of queer characters. I wonder if I had best venture into the town, and - ook into matters? Yes, that is my duty, for I _ promised Bird I would look after his child, and to back out, because two men have got ahead of would not be according to my principles, f I mitsake not, there will be warm times here- about yet.” Angel Arnot, in the mean time, continued on down the trail which followed the serpentine curvings of the stream, her voice awaking the . echoes from many-a rocky fastness of the wild rugged valley. : - hat. she was happy, ahd utterly fearloss, ap- peared evident, for such was her appearance, even as the sun died entirely out of sight be- hind the western range, and dusky shadows crept phantom-like, over all objects in the val- ley—shadows piled upon shadows, behind which. a countless horde of silent lurking foes might easily find concealment. Still she kept bravely on without quailing or apparent hesitation until— - A’ man stepped from behind a huge black _ bowlder, and stood*in her path, just as the ~ moon raised its upper crest above the eastern ' horizon—a man wrapped in a heavy oil-cloth eoat that reached to shis boot-tops, and wore a slouch black hat upon his head—a man whose beard of a jetty color nearly hid all the shape of his features. and corresponded with the color of his long shagey: hair. 2 Angel Arnot had evidently been expecting him, for she stopped, without betraying either surprise or alarm, and put out her fair hand, _ which the dark man grasped and shook warmly. -, ‘£80 you've come, eh?” he said, in a hoarse. unnatural voice. “Well, Pm glad of it. i _ thought you was lying to me when you said ~ you'd come!” “Bah! Jeb MeKandlass, you did not think any thing of the kind, or you would not have come twenty miles, You know, that Angel Arnot mikes no practice of lying.” “Waal, that’s so; gal, I guess you’re purty straight, as fur as that is concerned.’ But the _ gold—did you fetch it?” “TY did;’ and she drew asmall leathern bag from her pocket, as she spoke.‘ There itis— all I have got in the wide world.” : “What! what is this, Angel—I don't undo ‘stand—” é Stop!” the girl said, imperatively— stup, Jeb McKandlass. It is your gold now—it was An my gold before. Understand me, mine. You are Jeb McKandiass, a bold, bad, designing | allow Old Scowler, the Sioux, to descend in his man—more, a trusted Indian agent of the U.S. Government, you claim. You discover a secret miner’s camp here in Indian territory, which is forbidden ground to the pale-faces, ou know T have some interest in the camp, and therefore | you come to me and propose to silence your honest seruples with a hundred dollars, and ley the Secret City exist as such. There is the hundred dollars—now, what more have you the face to demand?” ‘ “Hal hal as for the face, Miss Angel, I reckon Jeb McKandlass has face enough for ta demand a million. But ‘ye kno’ there’s some lettie sense o? honor in every dorg, be he a eux or a mastiff, an’? [’ll allow I ain’t any exception, The swag is satisfactory, an’ ye/can depend on it Pl keep mum fer a while. But et’s bound te leak out, gal—it’s bound to leak out, an’ don’t - ye forgit it.” ; “How do you mean?’ the girl demanded, s startled expression flitting across her pretty face, betraying the anxiety she felt, 3 CHAPTER VI, AT BAY, MoKaAnDLAss paused.a moment, as if weighs ing his words before answering, -*T mean,” he said, finally, “that 1 am not the only outsider who knows of the existence of this mining-camp hidden away here in the heart of this reserved Indian land, Old,sScowler and his braves—or, at least, a trusted few of them— know of the camp and its location, and being as tough a gang o’ red-skins as ever salted a scalp, and having no particular love for the waite race, it looks altogether likely that there’ll be a . big petores soon,” * But there must not!” Angel cried, anxious- ly. ‘You have the power, Jeb McKandlass, be. eld these red furies in check, and you must 0 ib. ; “Humph! a fellow might as well try ter hold a double condensed tornado in check, miss, as ter stop a pack o’ Injuns, once they get their: mind sot_on anything, I’ve Varned thet long ago, an’ fixed my mind on ther fact that as long’s a feller ain’t got but one scalp, he’d better hang to it,” mrs fale “Then you won't interfere for me in behalf of —the town yonder?” the fal demanded, her» eyes wandering up the valley toward Secret — City. - Reckon not, gal; *twouldn’t do no special — good, for Scowler ain’t of a coaxitive disposi- tion,” was the reply. r ‘But still I declare that you must not allow him to raise his hand against aught in Secret City. Listen, Jeb McKandlass! There is that in yonder aed so dear to me, that I wonld, sacrifice a hundred human lives, rather than harm should come to it. It matters not what it js, to you; but my reason for wishing the town = to stand is one of the strongest of my life. Say no more of that, then. You are, you claim, Jeb McKandlass, an Indian agent, appointed by _ the Government. You have known me or of the } existence of Secret City but three months, vet, : in“that time T have rescued you from death ai the hands of a grizzly. Can you stand there — and face me, then, sir, and tell me that you will I ?

Page 17

vengeance on this town withont an interven- tion on your part?” “Waal, I dunno, I ain't a werty hard cuss ter deal with, tho’ thar’s some dark streaks been’ wiped ag’in? my character, Miss Angel. I’ve kinder tuk er notion ter re who ar’ ther only woman ’cept the mother I had, years ago, w’ot ever thought me worth noticin’, I’m all alone in ther world, too; an’ now, ef Iwas to slip a knife scientifically and systematically into Old Scowlor’s human pulsometer, would you—would \ you—blame it, would you marry me?” “No!” the girl replied, with stern emphasis. “You're a fool to imagine I'd have such a man as you, Jeb, Nothing but a lord or a duke will. ever get me! Why, I should dig your eyes out before we’d been married a week!” - “Phen you can marry your duke, Pil pa aul MeKandlass said, in his quick, grim way. ‘Ive hed one dose o’ them same kind o cattymount women, an’ I ain’t purtickler about bein’ wisited wi’ another dose—no, I'll be eursed if I am!” “Hal hat I thought you wouldn’t. Youre a man of good sense,” Angel Jaughed. ‘Old Kit Carson used- to say a mad woman is more dangerous than a mad—a mad musketo, an’ I believe it. But I must not be tarrying. here. Night is setting in, and itis time I were in my shanty. Promise at least one thing, Jeb Mc- Kandlass—that is; when you learn of any pro- posed attack of the Indians upon the town, ou will warn me as soon as possible, before- and, : *« Yas, gal, Pldo that, anyhow, on my own hook. Thar, now, run erlong back to camp, afore spooks get hold of you—or shall I accom- pany you?” ' “Oh! no, you need not put yourself to that trouble,” Angel answered, as she turned and ‘hurried away. McKandlass gazed after~her, a strange gleam tn his eyes. y “What the devil has that girl got in the min- Ing-camp, that she’s so afraid and particular about?” ne muttered. ‘Jt must be a mighty big secret, or she wouldn’t care whether the blamed place went to Sg ys or not, But, it won't make no difference ter Old Scowler. Hf he takes a notion to light down on the place,-why nothin’ couldnt step him.” And giving a strange chuckle, as if there were something entertaining in the fact he had ut- tered, the Indian agent strode back down the Se and was soon lost to view among the rocks, Maer ten: City was not much of a place, taken all all : z There was a grocery, hardware and dry goods store combined, two saloons, in one of which was Jocated the pest-office; a smithy and some fifty tents and shanties, This camp which Jack- son Bird had been the originator of, was located ina portion of the ruggéd valley where a soft sandy bottom took the place of the rocky one, ~ and being locked in on all sides except one, by pulenty mountain: walls, the effect of a glance e over the little collection of habitations from an elevated point, was doctiiedly picites Gy ~~ The principal saloon_and_hostelry bore the of the“ Red-lye,” painted A Gamo of Gold. ‘| reply, and the keen eyes of the ex-road-agent ~ 45 its doorway, and a very fat Dutchman holding a glass of lager in his hand, Sot As a miner—m rough patched ts and) 4 shirt, heavy. boots and battered hat, and his face and head disguised with a shaggy, grizzled ~ wig and beard—Deadwood Dick entered the — town early in the evening after his interview — with the girl stage-driver, and the Red-Eye — being the first place of busmess on his way up — the Sreuar street, he dropped in, with a oe my osity to learn what was going on indoors, as. had as yet been able to discover only a couple of Chinamen out of doors, Within the saloon, the aspect of affairs was entirely different. : The rude little apartment used as a bar-room was crowded with a mixture of dark-haired, villainous-looking men, and flat-faced, almond- eyed sons of Confucius, the numbers of either set of humans about corresponding. betes All were talking, drinking and smoking; some «— were gambling at the bar, with dice, for the —~ drinks; others were sleeping off the effects of too many “potations in chairs, or curled up in the corners of the room, ie They -were an evil-looking set, these blac haired, bearded men, without exception. — Strong, overruling passions, and bardened brutal natures seemed photographed in every face; and their well-stocked belts of weapons told better than words the kind“ of men the were—who had as lief fight aseat. Py ewe All eyes were turned inguiringly upon Dead- — wood Dick, 4s he entered the saloon, and the general run of expressions were not friendly. — “Tsay, hello, pilgrim,” one miner said, step- — ping forward, importantly, ‘‘ Guess you're on ther wrong tack, ain’t ye?” ate “Not that I am aware of, sir,” was the calm fired a searching glance at his inquisitor, “ what way am I on the wrong tack, sir?” _. “Oh! youre a strangér in town, s ain’t allowable ter hev strangers, we hev ter pee em, ter take French leave, by direction « e king.” wae ig “Ts thatso?” Deadwood Dick inquired. ‘Who oa is this mau king, pray?” : sa e “The king of this golden valley, old hoss, : Frank Foster, and a bad man he is, too, He is high hoss, an’ when he wants his say, he gin ally gits it, or other party gits inwited ter funeral. ”Tein’t long the king’s been high, heer, ‘but he’s got the cemetery in a flourishing con, dition, I tell you.” ~~ +4 **Oh! well, if he don’t want me here, Tl ta my departure as soon as Heck ready,” was Dick’ retort, as he walked up to the bar and called acigar. ‘*Smoke, gentlemen?’ eet The crowd looked surprised, and shook heads, to a man. x ee “Oh! you needn’t, if you don’t feel inc S’pose you trot around your king and let me a peep at him.” ‘ Ree ‘““That’s precisely what we're going fo do we're going to trot. you, around to the that he can have the privilege. of pass: tence upon you,” the first er said, savage laugh. ‘‘Come! throw up your ant surren ter, 7 Fe cos eh he Pani a

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A Game of Gold. 16 { replied, as he calmly backed against the wall, and laid his hand upon a pair of revolvers. ‘I generally go about when and where I please, without dictation from any one, and if youdon’t , believe ié, why perhaps you'd better attempt to take me.” . “Ohi you think you can bluff us, do ye?” the spokesman cried, angrily. “‘ Well, my pilgrim o’ Plymouth Rock, ye can’t do et fer a cent. We've seen sech bantys as you, before, we hev; learned how to tame ’em, too. My name is Skuffy, and the b’yees heer will tell ye that I ain’t no saint.” ; “Tl take tho liberty to presume not—a saint would blush toresemble you,” the ex-road-agent replied, sarcastically, ‘‘ But be you saint or sin- ner, ’'d advise you not to crowd we, or I shall , be forced to add another dark spot to the face of a dark past. I warn you, fairly, that [am not harming any one, and will not surrender to any one man’s will—or that of a hundred. Let me alone, and Pil let you alone; try to take me a ; Piaener, and I'll kill the first man who puts a . foot forward to the attempt, and drop as many more as [ conveniently can!” _ Skuffy uttered an oath, and the rest of the 5 Ct deg petgrman wondering but baleful glances. f vident it was that men of Deadwood Dick’s stuff were not often met with in Silver City, and the crowd were not blind to the fact that _ they had no child upon their hands to deal with. “Cuss you! You'll sing af different song di- - rectly,” Skuft'y growled, ‘‘Againlorder you to - throw down your weapons and surrender!” ~ ‘And again I deliberately and emphatically refuse!” Deadwood Dick cried, sternly. _ With a howl of rage Skuffy leaped forward, ~ closely backed by his companions, toward the Jone miner, bent on capturing him by the vie strength of overwhelming numbers. 4 But in this he miscalculated his man. _ Crack! flash! went the revolver in the left hand of Deadwood Dick, and Skuffy staggered ’ back and fell without a groan! Crack! crack! crack! cra¢k—four times then spitefully spoke the right hand revolver of the besieged, and down went as many more ruffians after their leader, dying or dead, as the case _ might bee . ' More yet would have fallen, as they rushed toward the brave ex-prin¢e, had not a man at ‘this moment dashed into the saloon. He gave a ‘fierce yell that caused the ruffians to desist from their deadly thet rad for they halted, and stood eci > _ “Stop!” the new-comer cried authoritatively, as he pushed forward. ‘What in the devi are you up'to— Ah! what is this—a stranger here?” : 4 _ And Frank Foster, for it was he, scowled at _ his disguised former captain. “Yes, king, it’s an old pilgrim who rolled in heer jest now, and Skuffy was a-tryin’ to induce ~ him to vamoose, when he up an’ plugged it to - Skuff an’ four 0’ the boys quicker’n lightnin’,” _ one of the ruffians exclaimed. y so you’re on your muscle, eh?’ Foster emanded savagely. ‘‘ You no doubt have an tea, however, what I intend doing with you for murder of these (eee i as if half-un ed what to do. ; + et Z = a a EP SS EE a ES A ee ea a ct a ee Ee ‘Not the slightest—indeed, I don’t believe you will find it advisable to attempt to do any- thing with me,” was Dick’s calm answer in a disguised voice. ‘‘ Yonder on the floor lie five / specimens of my handiwork. In case of provos © cation, I’m a for ten times as many. It is, not murder I have done—it is killing in self- defense. They forced themselves upon me, after I had warned them to desist, and I accommo- dated them with just what they got. lf there are any more anxious for like treatment, Tl) hang out my shingle and make a business stand right here.” - Cool were the words of the man—cooler was the tone and nonchalance of their delivery. No eat Be get flustered at any embarrass- ment was he—a calm, calculating, self-possessed individual, on the contrary, to whom fear was a stranger, and enemies were merely nominal obstacles. Foster surveyed him from head to foot criti cally before replying; his anger was evidently: , deep-seated, but thoroughly under control, ‘Perhaps you are not censurable for de~ fending yourself,” he said, sternly; ‘yet you should not have disobeyed the orders of ‘my men. This place belongs to me—the buildings and their contents, the gold mines, the men, women and children—all are mine, material, body and soul. And it pleases me that strangers: shall not trespass in my little kingdom; conse~ quently when they come they are baetbe to. imprisonment for life, in order that they shall not bear the news of this camp’s existence to the outside world, ‘You being no exception to the rule, you are virtually a prisoner, and will sub- mit to arrest, without demur.” “Oh! I will, eh?” Deadwood Dick retorted, laconically. “ Yi iA ou are sure of that?” i ; “Sure of what—that you will not surrens der?’ ‘That's about the photograph of it. I am not nite so sure that I will surrender at your will. ndeed, I am pretty positive that thefe will bea _ couple of dozen or more carcasses lying on the floor, there, fit for a eoroner’s inquest, first, which simple assertion evidences something of the style of ahairpinTam!” : \ A.faint murmur of approval ran through the assembled crowd, The coolness of the stranger seemed winning favor rather than enmity. — ** Curse your impudence!” Foster cried, fierce- ly. ‘“*By my soul, if I did not know better by the sight of my eyes, I could swear that you~ were an old friend of mine. No two men as cool as he, are often met with—yet you have the assurance of a mule—an ornery burro, sir. But, T'll take all that out of you—curse me for a coyote if I don’t.” ~~ *T don’t believe you there,” Deadwood Dick responded, with a faint chuckle. ‘I’m like to an Asiastic lion—untamable. But, by the | way, who is this individual whom I resemble, - may Task?” ‘ : y “That is none of your business, in return, Still, you may call me Soapy, if it suits you, or anything else that fits your ideas. As to who I~ really am, I have no doubt I am the identical party whom you recently mentioned as bearing a somewhat striking Hees tone co to me, asTex —

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\ ; ap toreotten that I have the honor of holdin | any of the men wh my own men? At the outlaw, I say!” fair! \ A Game “What! the devil, you say?” * Well, no; not that dusky gentleman him- self, but a devotee of his cause, say the ones who set themselves up as wise-acres!” ** Curse gt! Deadwood Dick?” ‘* Yes, old, boy, Deadwood Dick, at your ser- vice, and off came the false beard, and the keen, clear-cut face of the ex-outlaw was re- vealed. ‘‘Ha! ha! Frank Foster. Met again, face to face!” ‘* A thousand furies!” the villain cried, step- ping back. ‘You here? But it is well, The time for niy vengeance has arrived. Seize him, boys, I command you!” ‘Stop, pilgrims—J command you!” Dick cried, sternly. ‘‘I’m alone, but for all that I fear you not—a hundred times no. Come on if / you dare—if you dare, mind you, and attempt to lay a hand on me, and as true as my name is Edward Harris, Pll fill your cowardly carcasses ‘so full of lead that a dozen rubber balloons tied to your back won’t keep you afloat as you cross oe river, Ready now!—come and see mé! - CHAPTER VII. TO GO, OR STAY!—UP. A TREE, Tuts time there was no precipitate rush. Dauntless and fearless, Deadwood Dick stood facing them, the cynical smile that shet from his eyes and lurked about his mouth, correspond- a with the poate er reflecting from his polished weapons, held firmly in either hand, and leveled unwaveringly at the crowd. There was no movement at all among the roughs over whom Frank Foster claimed to hold sway. They stood there, held at bay, by the will of one man. 2 ‘At him! at him, curse you!” Foster roared, infuriated at the hesitation of his tools. ‘‘ That man is the outlaw and road-agent, Deadwood Dick, and a bitter enemy of mine, and I com- mand you to take him alive.” “Ha! hal yes, come and see me!”? Deadwood Dick lavghed. ‘‘T’ll do the very best I can for you, boys.” ; But, even this enticement seemed to hold no charms for the ruffians, “T guess ye better let out ther job o’ takin’ that salamander to some one else, king,” one of the party said, shaking his head, ‘ Pve seen some of his work, and I don’t care to go the same way Skuffy did.” « “Nor I!” agreed another. ‘Nor I!” chimed: in a chorus of voices, ema- nating from the larger part of the men in the bar-room. - Indeed, this sentiment seemed general. ‘“ What! by the gods, am I to be disobeyed by ‘Foster ‘ly screamed, ina passion. ‘‘The first man who refuses I’ll blow his brains out!” : And out came a reyolver at full-cock, in a significant way, that caused the roughs to ex- change glances. : “Hold on, Frank Foster—just have the kind- ness to restore your weapon to its belt!” Dead- wood Dick ordered, sternly. ‘‘ You have evident- o ai drop! Attempt to blow out oa men who refuse to’ ai the brains. tle with = LN oe ee of Gold. |. 1? earthquake, and off goes your spirit on an eter nal flight. Oh! you need not doubt me, I think you know quite well that Deadwood Dick is a man of his word!” 2 : Foster stood glaring about him, white with rage. He was baffled at every turn, and knew” not what to say or do except give vent to a tor- rent of fearful oaths, “Now, if you comprehend that I hold the game, Frank Foster, Pll talk business to you,” the ex-road chief said, calmly. ‘‘ We are enemies —that is flat. Moreover, we are 0 little game of gold, and you hold the greatest number of tricks, But this shall not be so long. ~ T’ve come here to clean you out, and I shall do it Ca msi pear unless fates are against me. ad that I mean, we will toss Dp aR to decide matters. Heads up, I remain in Secret City so long as it may please me; tails up, I immediate- ly and forever take my departure, promising to keep my lips sealed iw regard to the existence of the place. As you cannot drive me out nor'Luy me out, I dare say you will see the good sense of accepting my offer!” “Curse you! curse you! curse you!” Foster itted, savagely. ‘If I could get at you, fa crush the life out of your’ worthless car- * cass, ‘ / “But you can’t, you see,” Deadwood Dick taunted, “‘ and even if you could, you’d have to have the hug of a grizzly to accomplish your I’m a bad man to buck against.” offer,” one of the roughs adviséd—whose name was Carling—‘‘ for a snake got rid of is better’n a snake tamed, any day.” _. “ Yes, you’re right, man, I will toss up, to decide this matter, and T'll win, too. If heads is up, Deadwood Dick is not to be molested by any of you; if tails is town within an hour, toss the copper?” “Tl leave that to you,” Dick replied. “If you lose, it will then be your own fault, and you can vent your spite on yourself.” “Then, Carling, you-may toss. Here is an old-fashioned mi geod cent, with a head on one side, and a shield on the other, The shield will be tails. Toss it up, so that it strikes the ceil- ing, and let it fall to the floor. Then pick it up, and see which is uppermost—heads or tails.” -* Hold on—not quite so fast, if you please, Mr. Foster,” Dick said, calmly. ‘‘ Your man, © Outlaw, who shall copper after it strikes the seen which side is up!” | . _ “Qh! youre suspicious of treachery, eh?” Foster growled, savagely. “Yes. I always suspect a man, in a moder- ate way, until I see him proven above suspi- cion. ‘ = “Then, go ahead, Carling. ‘Let it be as hi me ha No one need touch the coin until all a satisfied which side is uppermost,” floor, until J have moment as if studying how to toss itso thet it would turn up to his satisfaction, the crowd in — the mean time surging nearer, to watch the result. ; _ Then, after Etna it a1 a nents ina . ee Yes, king, you'd better take him at his ~ ups he is to get out of - ie , Carling, will have the goodness not to touch the — Carling took the copper and exqmined ita x

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28 the copper struck the ceiling with a ring, then fell to the floor and rolled directly in“front of Deadwood Dick, and stopped. ~ It took but a g’ance *to apprise the ex-road- agent that he had—won! * For the head side of the copper was facing upward! A murmur of astonishment escaped the crowd while fierce curses broke from the lips of both Carling and Frank Foster. ‘Thanks to your kindness, friend Carling,” Deadwood Dick said, triumphantly. ‘‘ The first time [ find a nickel rolling up hill, VU make you a present of it asa reward of merit. Ha! ha! ha! By the way, King Foster, am I to havemy undisputed liberty?” “Until you stick your nose in my business, yes,” was the reply. ‘‘I always do as I agree.’ “That isa lie; but then, let it pass. As for rotruding my nasal appendage into your af- airs, I shall consult my own notion about that. If Ahe aforesaid appendage, however, should blockade your passage, I advise that you at- tempt to spurn it aside by the administration of a pair of fists.” ‘oster turned away without a reply, and called for whisky, at the bar. He was beaten, and chose evidently to bear it as best he could. Restoring his revolvers to his belt, Deadwood Dick sauntered about the saloon, a while, and then quitted it, for the street—or the space be- tween the shanties and tents which might have been meant for a public thoroughfare. As he did so, he came face to face with Angel Arnot, who was walking hurriedly along. She stopped, with.a startled exclamation, as she saw him. ; “* You hore, and not disguised?” she articulat- ed, in surprise. : “ Hxactly,” ho replied. ‘‘ I’ve conquered the lion, and won my freedom—that is, I ‘tossed copper with Frank Foster to see whether I was me stay, or go, and the result is—I am going to stay. Poo! Tam glad,” Angel aly ae a ‘A few such men as you in Secret City would bring about better order. There is going to be musi¢e directly, however.” ‘How do you mean?” f “T mean thatere many suns rise and set there'll be a band of miners in here who will not recognize Foster as boss.” ‘Ah! say you so? Then Iam glad, for per- haps I can find friends among them. But, if you will tell me where Pll find Miss Lola Bird, ‘1 not detain you?” i “You are going to see her?” ‘Yes, if Ido not find too many obstacles in the way.” _* “Took out for Foster. If he were to catch » you there he’d kill you.” ‘Oh! would he? Well, I am not so sure of that. Iwas never killed but once—then I got hung. But, I recovered, shortly afterward. _ Tho residence of Miss Bird, is yonder, eh?—in ~ the most pretentious of all the shanties!” ‘ < ee Yes,” ” a Ithought.as much, You can : poner, look = find a fine bird ina goodcage. you,” a A Game of Goid. SEGRE ASR ORT RS a STS STE ie IRE IIE at MTT RRL TRE OLY oa Se ood-evening “ Good-evening,” the girl said, as she hurriéd away. { Dick gazed after her, until she had vanished, in the darkness; then he sauntered down ithe pas and out“of the village, on the northern side, f : ““T scarcely know whether J better attempt to see the girl, to-night, or not. Maybe now is my best chance, and maybe it isn’t. I shouldn’t like to spoil Foster's head, which I should have to do, if it came to a meeting, and a row.” j Just outside of the town, he stopped in under— the shade of a large tree, and sat down, to think —for he was not the old-time.Deadwood Dick, ba os a ready fund of lightning thought, to- night, ‘ For some time he sat, absorbed in deep reverie, until he was aroused by a hoarse, deep voice, in the neighborhood, ; The voice was not far off, either, and called, inquiringly: “Hello! Scowler—are you there?” ‘“Wach!” a guttural voice replied, from an opposite direction—evidently that of an Indian, hen Deadwood Dick heard footsteps ap- proaching from both points of the compass, and pon Clided that the twain would meet just in under the tree where he was sitting. oe *“This won’t do,” he muttered. ‘ Hither I’ve got to vamoose, or be discovered. I’ve a kind of a curiosity to know what these two parties. are meeting for, at this late hour. So I believe Til shin the tree, and commit the atrocious sin of playing eavesdropper.” ZS o act was to follow thought, with Deadwood Dick, and jumping up and catching hold of a lower limb, he drew himself up into the tree, with the greatest of ease, : He was scarcely comfortably ensconced, when the new-comers met beneath the tree, and shook hands. ; One was a burly, black-whiskered individual; the other an Indian, decorated in war-paint, _ and attired in a suit of buckskin, while his head- gear consisted of a tuft of hair stuck full of wild turkey-feathers. a3 ‘That the two had met before was evident. After shaking hands, each took a swig froma loug-necked bottle that the black-whiskered man produced, and then seated themselves on the _ grass, beneath the outreaching branches of the — ti : ee A small moon soared in the blue dome of — Heaven, and cast a faint, spectral light upon ~~ the earth, and upon the two crouching figures. By this light, Deadwood Dick was enabled to see them from his place of ensconcement, as well — as though he had been upon the ground. ae “ Well, Scowler, what’s the word?” the black- »whiskered man queried, as helithispipe. ‘How has things went since I’saw you last?” — via. “Bad!” the Indian replied, in unbroken Eng- — lish, ‘‘There’s been nothing to keep a-feller — awake, incamp. ‘The braves are getting ugly ‘ Be t hold Be vicki on = Have you seen the — from an impatience to whom to do barber work,

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* ‘to be enemies, although A Game of Gold, * 4 hundred dollars!” . “Bah! a paltry sum.” ; “Best I could do, tho’. When ye can’t git poate whisky outen a bax’l, what ye goin’ to lo “ Squeeze it,” the red-man said, laconically. Then both men laughed hoarsely, “Tm afeard a feller’d git hold of a catty- mount, ef he was ter try squeéziu’ the Angel,” the white man averred, grimly. “Yet I’ve made up my mind to make her the queen of my wigwam,” the chief declared, with a nod of his feathered head. ‘She'd make an ornamentito my lodge, McKandlass.” ‘ Jest like you'll make an ornament fer a pine box, some fine mornin’, if ye get her,” the ruf- fian chuckled. ‘Better let her alone, Scowler. TIve seen more o’ her than you, an’ I tell ye she’s an earthquake all by herself. Why, ‘twasn’t only about a week ago she plugged Jim Lake through the cheek, ‘cause he winked at her, an’ only yesterday she slapped Max Mosher across the mouth fer offerin’ to kiss her—slapped him right off his feet, wi’ one blow, jest. as purty as ye please. Oh! you can have’r ef ye want her —I don’t. I know what it is, orter, anyhow, when my wife, Sal, us’ter black my eyes once a week, reg’lar. You bet!” Scowler uttered a guttural grunt of disap- proval. “You were a fool,’ he said; ‘‘Iamnot, I can soon tame the gal, once I get her to camp. And as for the mining-town yonder, my braves only want a minute’s notice to-pounce down an’ make sausage-meat of it.” ““T don’t believe it'll be best to do it,” Me- Kandlass said, thoughtfully. ‘t The mines are eo out rich, but not so rich as they will, ymeby, when they get ’em thoroughly opened. As none of the filthy leaves the town, 1 don’t see why we should be ina hurry, 9s it’s all ours, in the long run.” .. . “Yes, thet’s so; but ef there should happen wind of it to git outside, you'd see an inflation of miners, Then we’d have to fight, and like as not git licked in the bargain. Now, it’s all easy enough to butcher what fow there is.” eadwood Dick shuddered, as he_ listened. Such a straightforward exhibition of heartless- ness he had never seen or heard equaled. “Tl risk the inflation,” McKandlass said, knocking the ashes out of his pipe, and refilling and lighting it, ‘‘ Fer my part, I don’t keer a ‘cuss how soon the folk are sculped an’ gotvrid of. ‘cept for the gal, Angel. She's got a secre tucked away in her buzzom, or else it’s up at the shanty where she hangs out, and she’s fearful anxious that no harm don’t cum to | ae town, Thet’s how she cum to fork over the thy.” - ‘What is the secret?” “Cussed ef I know; ner hev I got any idea. Sumthin’ big, er she wouldn’t keer a cuss how things went, I reckon.” ; “Humph. Find out what. the secret is. got a notion to know.” “Then all you've got to do is go find out for yourself; ’'m no waiter.” . 5 **Bah! curb your temper. We can’t afford ; é allow. it would do us Tve a heap of good to cut each other*s throats, just to try the temper of our knives, what has become 0’ Jack Bird?” By. the way, “Gone to glory, I reckon,” was the laconic ~ reply. us Anyhow, he hasn’t turned up. The feller Foster is runnin’ things pretty much his own way, an’ the miners tow around better fer him than they do fer Bird.” “What's become of the gal?” “Twixt you an’ me, Seowler, T don't know. Thar’s a critter housetl up in Bird’s shebang, but ef she’s the same ’un as allus used ter ride thru the gulch wi’ Bird, on hossback, I’ve lost my, reckonin’,” ‘What! you don’t think there’s been a change, Jeb?” - ‘ Sts “Waal, I do!” the black-whiskered man averred.. “My old optics ar’ gettin’ along in yout Pll allow, but they ain’t easy fooled ona, “But, what do you think! Has there been shenanigun?” “That's my idea. . Et looks to me as if Bird’s gal had been fe a off, and this new par’ smuggled in. An’ sech is the case, hyar’s what'll go a hull heat, in two-forty, in seein’ things sot back shipshape.” ; “ And, that’s precisely my fix, pilgrims !” The two.men leaped: to their feet, with ejacu- lations of surprise. , ; From out of the branches of the tree a figure ae dropped, and Deadwood Dick stood smiling- ly before them, : “Them’s my sentiments, to a capital ‘T)? *gentlemen,” he continued, ‘“‘and if you want to shake hands ao on it, give~ us a paw, without claws CHAPTER, VIII. UNWILLING SLAVES—LITTLE TOOTHPICK, Tar sudden descent of Deadwood Dick had thoroughly startled the red-skin and the white tuffian, and their hands flew, by force of habit, to their belts, in quest of weapons.” “Oh! you needn’t trouble yourselves,’ Dick as- sured, coolly. ‘Weapons won't do me any harm, [ll guarantee. Why, my dear friends, you've not got a chunk of lead about your ef-. fects strong enough to force an entrance into my system, ‘“Humph! we'll see about that!” McKandlass cried, sourly. ‘Jest stand whar you ar’, and give ’s your handle.” “Correct. My handle is Deadwood Dick.” **Deadwood Dick?” . an “That's what I said—Deadwood Dick.” ‘But, surely, you ain’t ther same fris! who used to perambulate up in the Hills?” ; ‘*Guess Iam the ha’rpin,” Dick replied, with - a smil it, and the discrédit, too.” “Well, wot McKandlass demanded, gruffly. healthy agents.” : “How is it you two precious rascals are salu- briatin’ so fine here, then?” Dick retorted. “But, © laying aside all by talk—I've come down here on cuss- lack “Bt ain't a locale fer hoss-thieves and roads | business, A few weeks ago I met a fellow in fs, sy _“ Leastway, I’ve had all the credit of ye doin’ down this country?”

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20 A Game of Gold. Denver, named Jackson Bird—or, at ieast, such he claimed was his name. “ He gambled garam he had a pile oe lost it. Then, in a fit of desperation, he offe! to wager a paper against a sum of money—the paper was a guide to the Secret City yonder, and it was also understood that the. paper mort- gaged away all right and title to these mines and everything in the locate even to Bird’s own daughter, to whomsoever should present the paper after Bird’s death, ‘ “The game was played between Bird and one Frank Foster who formerly had belonged to my band of road-agents, and Foster won—by a sly trick, which he thought no one had observed. But I had seen it. : _ “When Bird came to look for his paper, it was gone. Then there was a row, and Bird was shot. I escaped with him, and bore him to a deserted house, near by, where he died, Before his death, however, I told him that I had found the missing paper, in the street, a few hours be- fore, and he bade me keep it, and come here and take the place if assigned to me, rather than that Foster should do so. I consented, all except to pine the girl, whom I proposed to give as much liberty as she had always enjoyed. After Bird was dead I went to my hotel, intend- ing tostart the next morning for Secret City, on my errand. Puntos the night, however, my papers were stolen, and I was disarmed of my power to find this place. I came on, however, a have succeeded in finding it after a long unt.” ; ‘But what is all this, to us?’ McKandlass de- manded, impatiently. ‘‘ Ef ye got beat, it’s none o’ our bizness.” “Of course not, but, ve got some proposi- tions to offer, just the same,” Deadwood Dick replied. ‘‘I overheard you in your conversa- tion a bit ago, remark that you did not believe the girl at the Bird cabin is the original canary of Jackson Bird’s rearing. Now, just such an idea popped into my head not long ago, and without any cause whatevér. But tho more I think about it, the more I believe that Foster has put the real heiress out of the way, and sub- stituted another to fill the position more to his - satisfaction, Therefore, we must give the mat- ter proper investigation, and if we have been . correct in onr surmises, we must oust the im- postor and find the real heiress, and restore her to her rightful position.” ; “ We!” McKandlass ejaculated, “We!” Scowler growled. ‘Yes, you; ourselves combined. Don't argue against my will, for it’s useless, I’m king— ou’re only a pair of knaves, who must co my idding.” Both men haw-hawed outright. To them the idea, was preposterous, The idea of theirs playing second fiddle to the jead of Deadwood Dick was something they had never thought of—something they regarded as ridiculous, “Well, if you ain’t the cheekiest feller out, Pll | loss my guess.” McKandlass chuckled. ‘* Why; how in thunder, man, kin you make us do as you want, ag’in’ our will?” ane SEO bd that is easy enough,” Deadwood Dick said, confidently. “Tl explain what may seem r “cuss! a mystery to you. As a mortal I was gifted by my Maker with a magnetic eye. Indeed, I have conceit to believe that no other human being can compare with me in that respect. While we have been speaking, I have mesmer- ized you both to a certain extent, without your knowledge, and so that you are under my con- trol, Ithas all been done with the aid of my eyes, and power of my mind over yours.” “Bah!” McKandlass growled, a startled ex- pression coming over his face. ‘“ You lie, you “Do I? Dick replied, coolly. ‘‘ Well, may beI do. Better try and see if you can move your hands.” » More surprised than ever, the ruffian and his painted companion did try, and curses of rage and astonishment escaped them when they dis- covered, true enough, that they were powerless to move a muscle or stir either hand or arm, ‘Ah! why don’t you strike out?” the ex-road- agent prince commented, with a provoking laugh. ‘‘ Find yourselves as inoffensive as a pair of chickens, don’t you? Thought you would. Can’t walk, either, can you?” No, they couldn’t stir a foot, try though as they would. By the same mysterious power that Deadwood Dick had rendered their hands , powerless, he had also chained their lower limbs fast, , “Well, I'll be cussed,” McKandlas growled. ‘You're possessed of the devil, pilgrim.” “Tf the iis is consoling to you, I shall not gainsay it. Indeed, maybe the old gent and Tare related—there’s no telling. Now, what do you think about matters, my worthy subjects? Looks as if I held a full hand, don’t it?” “Yas, you've got the game now, but, cuss ye, et wait till I get free, an’ I'll soon spring a eak in your system, w’at’ll fix you all right, fer a voyage.” " “Bah! Isee you are ignorant,” Dick replied. -~ “Why, man, after I throw you out of this mes- meric state, you are even more in my power than before, One glance from my eye will then be sufficient to stop you stock-still, and hold you a prisoner, until I choose to wave my hand and set you again in motion. If I see you fifty yards away, and catch a glance of your eye, that is all that is required. By my request you will find it convenient to lie down in the dirt, creep on all-fours; or do whatsoever I may di- rect. Utterly in my power, you mu’ ' sooner or later realize that I am in truth your mas~* ter. The two villains gazed at each other in a du- bious, doubtful way. The red-skin was more composed than the In- dian agent, but, there was a gleam of alarm in © his eyes. “Well, what do you want of us?’ McKand- lass demanded, surlily. ‘‘If you ain’t lyin’ to us, I spose we'll have to knuckle under. But, mind, we'll sip a knife between your ribs, the first opportunity we git.” Men “Oh! that will be all right, If you catch m off my guard, you are welcome to do your sats worst. ‘Look! do you see this?” Both men uttered cries of astonishment, — Deadwood Dick held in his hand a nugget of pure gold, as big as a goose egg! ?

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A Game of Gold. 81 “ Thunder and lightning!” McKandlass gasped —‘‘ Whar ye git that?” ; “ Noné of your business,” Deadwood Dick re- plied. ‘‘I found it, where ‘there’is more of the same kind. This nugget weighs eighteen ounces, ure gold, Now, then, I'll tell you what Pll do. ou are a pair of unprincipled scoundrels, with hearts .of less measure than the most savage brute; still I am going to make you an offer. You are to both enter my service, body and soul, and work for my sole interests, and pre- cisely as I may direct, for the next four months, You are to do gothing on your own account or for yourselves—you are to commit no crimes— do no villainy, whatever, but adhere to my di- rections and consider your tinte no one else’s but mine. If you will do all this, and faithfully follow such diregtions as I shall give you, at the expiration of the time named, I will deliver to you the directions where to find the place in which I discovered this nugget, and will’ also give you two hundred dollars apiece.” **-You sw’ar to this?” ‘Yes, a dozen timés, if necessary, if you per- form your parts.” \ a t d’ye want us ter do?” “One thing—I want you to assist mo in find- ing Miss Bird and restoring her to her rightful patton, and ousting the party-who now usurps er place—another, you are to fight for me, and in my behalf, if necessary, and leave the girl Angel Arnot alone, without attempting to mo- lest her, or attempt to pry into any secrets she may have!” te ‘* Hain’t you goin’ to give a feller'a chance to spill a little gore, just to keep his hand in?’ Mc- andlass demanded, with a wolfish grin. : **No! you infernal ruffian. No blood shall be spilled, unless it is in defense of life. Come, what do you say? I have no time to parley.” **Dunno about it,” the Indian-agent replied; dubiously. ‘‘ What d’ye think, Scowler? Kin we aftord ter play up honest fer four long months, fer only a trifle of fifty dollars a month?” * Reckon et ain’t enough,” the noble red-man said. ‘‘ Honesty is at a premium now-a-days, Pe he w’ot wants it, must expect ter pay fer it. ~“ Not a cent more than I have offered!” Dead- ‘wood Dick said fenly “The mines I shall send you to, are yet un- known, except by me, and are unworked, and. worth a fortune. Take my offer, or let it alone, as you will. Ifyou refuse, I'll throw you intoa deeper mesmeric state from which you'll never awaken, except in the hereafter. Iam waiting for your answer.” **Waal, I reckon I’m willin’, ef %cowler is,” the Indian-agent said, doubtfully. “Willing or unwilling, we'll accept your terms,” the Indian said, an’ we'll honestly an’ faithfully work according to your directions. And ef ye don’t keep your promises, after we've done our part, we'll set my band of howling reds upon you, an’ see if you can mesmerize them, afore they get a grip on your scalp.” “You need not fear,” Deadwood Dick, re- pies “T always “keep my promises. Now, hen, I must be going. To-morrow I will inter- -view the Bird whom Frank Foster has in his Biter, eh ee te and ef it don’t strike mé that sho is the right right.one. You'll find to-morrow night,” “ Allright, We'll be thar.” ‘ i Then Deadwood Dick waved his hand and backed out of the presence of the two 1 until he lost sight of them, when he turned his footsteps back toward Secret City. ; “Maybe I'll get fooled, in heaving ee to do with those unruly cusses, but I’ve an_idea I can make them work,” he muttered. ‘If I can ete interest them in my behalf, by the promise somewhere to lay my head till morning, when Tl pay the bogus Bird a visit, and see what kind of a song she'll sing. Ah! Frank Foster, this is a bold game you are playing, but if you are not sharper than I think you are, you'll get beat!” ; The hotel acéommodations of Secret City were not extensive, consisting of two saloons, which furnished board and lodging to Lt trons, up-stairs, providing said patrons had a bird for the position, we'll hunt up the me at one of the hotels | ‘old, I am all “oe And now for | $3.00 per day with which to liquidate. No § ~ second Leadville was this sécluded golden camp, yet, butits prices were high as though it was that metropolis. Not fancying the idea of putting up at the establishment where he had had the ~ row with the miners, Deadwood Dick hied him- self to the other saloon, and was about to enter - his name in the register upon the bar-counter, when the keeper, a red-nosed Hibernian, inter- posed. : **Whist, now! Would ye be afther lettin’ the book alone, bad luck. to pur he said, insolent ly, as he stood facing Dick on the opposite side: of the-bar. ‘‘ Phat cheek yez have, sure, enny- how, to be writhin’ yer name forninst another man’s books.” “Oh! excuse me,” Deadwood Dick said, > Be cee “but you see I took that for the re rT. * An’ so it is tha hic engl but phat in the divil would you be puttin’ your name down~ there for?” “Why, I want to be accommodated with lodging and breakfast, sir.” pes ““Divil a bit of aither will ye be afther gettin’ here, shure.” y “Ah! full, eh?” : “Bad luck to your impudence—I neyer git full, at all.” : E : ““T mean, is your house full?” ‘‘Divil a won in it, mesilf an’ me ould woman es el Mites “Phen, confound it, man, why is it, you can- not take me in, and ave me lodging and break- fast?” Dick demanded. “Och! howly Moses! breakin’ the king’s orders, shure? Didn't he -ecoome to tha likes o’ mesilf, an’ be after sayin’: ‘Dennis, ye divil, ef a stranger do coome an’ apply for anything in your line, do ye refuse im, an? give *im a bounce, or Pll come.down an’ cut yer cussed head ontirely off,? An’ nda’ Phat for would I be © I see St. Patrick’s spirit in me nixt glass 0’ red- — eye if I don’t obey orders.” Deadwood Dick gave a whistle of surprise. “So Foster is showing his cloven foot, eh? 7 he muttered, with a frown, ‘ Well, if is noth ee, : Pt BR eae ae 4 aE ae Wie tee

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ing new for him, But, I say, old Emerald, supposing I was to slip a ten-dollar gold-piece * into your paw—couldn’t you store me away for the night?” “Divil a time, yer honor. You see as bow the king be the boss, an’ we hev to go by his or- Ors. “All right. You're not to blame, for being a fool, maybe, Tl try slsewhere.” Leaving the saloon, he stood for a moment un- decided what course,to pursue. “Tt wou’t be healthy to try and get lodging anywhere in this town, I reckon,” he muttered, ** And as the night is warm, I’ll make my bed beneath the sky. It won’t be the first time Deadwood Dick has hugged terra firma ei- ther. Again secking the outskirts of the town, ho selected a grassy spot in the shadow of a large bowlder and stretched himself out to rest, After an undisturbed rest of several hours, he was wakened by something he knew not what, until he discovered that it was daylight, and also that he was not alone, . A. person sat upon the rock, just in front of him, gazing down upon him, curiously—a man, evidently, but the possessor of a girlish figure in male attire, with a slouch hat upon his head, and a mask upon the face, through which a pair of eyes gleamed, piercingly. And this was the person who had rescued Deadwood Dick from the old house in one of the by-strests of Denver—Little Toothpick. CHAPTER IX. MISS BIRD, “You here?” exclaimed Dick, springing to’ his feet, in surprise. *“F-seem to be,” was the reply. ‘‘Is there any ' thing surprising in the fact.” 3 ““To me, yes. I leff you in Denver.” * And I followed you here, not far in the dis- tance.” “ Humph! If you met with the same expe- riences I did, I must admire your pluck and per- severance. hy did you come?” ** Bocause I chose. As your valet, I. presume I wouldn’t be of much ise to you—I in Denver and a here,” : “Well, I dare say not. But I really have no use for a valet, under present circumstances, and encompassed as I am by danger, constantly, itis not safe for a girl here in Secret City, and Tadvise your return to Denver.” “A girl, you say?” _ “Yes, a girl, for such I am satisfied you are, attempting to pass yourself off fora boy. It won’t work, however.” 5 ‘What right have you to think that I am not - what I appear?” was the next query. : “Oh, as to that, I had a dream that you were a girl in disguise. Besides, your whole appear- ance betrays femininity.” “Ha! ha! that is the first time Lever heard any one say that, Maybe I'd better adorn my- self in feminine attire, if I'd make a_better- looking te than I doa boy. Don’t you think _, So, eh? But don’t fora moment think me a girl, or you'll be awfully fooled. If you don’t want 2 valet, why, it is immaterial to me, as I can A Game of Gold. Ne Li get other positions. By-by. Ill see you some other time.” i And dropping to the ground, the Toothpick sauntered leisurely toward the town. _ Deadwood Dick did not immediately follow. He sat. upon the ground and watched Little Toothpick, a studious expression upon his hand some face, f ‘*Maybe I'm wrong,” he said, “ but itstrikes me mighty strong that yonder party is a girl, despite the denial. There is a mystery about him—or her, whichever it is—too, that I cannot quite solve. By Jove! 1 don’t waut to get-too many mysteries aboard my craft’, or there'll be a swamp-collapse for sure! The next important thing to do is to get an interview with the Bird whom I believe to be usurping another bird’s cage. Just how I shall accomplish my desire I cannot quite see, but a way will soon turn up, doubtless.” Awhile later, he made his way into the camp, and strolled about leisurely, but independently. as though the place were his own individua! Prope 7 : The miners who were at work regarded him with curious glances, and more than one scowled at his approach, but scowled in vain, as he paid them not the least attention. — During his strolling, the ex-road chief kept a close watch upon the shanty habitation which had formerly been the residence of the ill-fated gambler, Jackson Bird. ; It was a rough barn-like, battered-frame two- story building, with a front and side entrance below, and several windows, Yet though rough it was, it was much the superior in WS setene ity. of any of the other buildings in Secret But, watch though he did, Deadwood Dick saw nothing of particular moment, or anything that interested hi 2 About noon, as he was standing near the first saloon, where he had previously been refused lodging, Frank Foster left the Bird mansion, and walked rapidly down the street. He stopped, with a frown, as he came opposite the cool ex-road-agent. 3 “‘ Ah! you here yet? Have younot seen enough so that you can afford to get out?” “Oh! no!” Dick replied, tantalizingly. ‘1 am so taken up with what I secret camp, that I have half a notion to take up my permanent abode here, I so admire the hotel accommodations.” ‘Oh! I had no doubt you would,” Foster _re- plied, maliciously. ‘‘I planned so that your visit should prove one of pleasure. But, laying ae joking, I want to know what you intend to lo “Oh! just as I please, as a matter of course. You know that is second nature fp me,” “ But that isn’t a-going to work here, and T’ll tell you for your own good, and laying aside all enmity on my part, that you’d better skip out while you’ve got your freedom.” | ~*“You don’t mean to say that you are really sO pile as to make that suggestion for eae my benefit?” Dick exclaimed, sarcastically. ‘For your benefit alone. Jt matters not in — particular, to me, whether-you remain or not, as you cannot do me any harm. But m : —and a queer lot of boys they are, too--haven’ « D have seen of the — 4 boys, ee

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A Game of Gold. = 28 taken any notion to you, and are studying mis- chief, and if you do not make yourself scarce soon, I anticipate that they will find it necessary to invite you to a lynch picnic, or neck-tie party, in which instance I cannot interfere. I merely make these remarks for your personal welfare—not that I am at all interested, under- stand you; oh, no! Good-day, sir, good-day!” And with a villainous laugh he hurried on. “ Bxactly—good-day, Mr. Foster,” Deadwood Dick muttered, gazing after him. ‘‘ Many thanks fur your warning. One would say pu are more concerned for my welfare than I am myself, But; you can’t deceive me—not in the least. I nave been a student of human character too long, to get badly taken in by a pilgrim of your denomination. I wonder where you are aiming tor? Foster soon left the camp, and Deadwood Dick’s eyes trailed him until he entered a piece of timber, beyond the town. ‘Then with a chuckle of satisfaction, Dick sauntered up the street toward the Bird shanty. “Now is my time,” he muttered, “‘ to seek an interview with whatsoever female T may find in the place, be she a dragon, Venus, or Cleopatra, Wonder how I’m going to get in?” Hardly ever at fault, he now quickly hit up- on a plan of attack, . Quickening his footsteps, he walked briskly toward the Bird shanty, as Foster might have done had he been in a hurry, and mounting the steps, two at a time, he tried the door and found it locked. “Tet me in, cuss it!” he cried, shaking the door fiercely. ‘‘ D’ye hear, you lazybones?” There was a moment of silence—then foot- steps were audible within, and the door was un- barred and flung wide open. . Without awaiting an invitation, Deadwood Dick boldly entered the shanty and closed the door behind him, placing his back against it. For he stood in the presence of the very erson he had come to see, evidently—a fair- haired young girl of seventeen or eighteen years, who was the possessor of some beauty of face and form, but was far from the beautiful creature Jackson Bird had declared his daugh- _ ter to be, ’ : She was attired in a dark plain dress, and her ' hair was combed back and fell in an unconfined ; wave over her shoulders, “Sir!” she exclaimed, her eyes flashing with indignation as she saw the action of Deadwood ~ Dick—‘‘ what means this intrusion?” ‘©Oh, P’ve been watching my chance to get an interview with you when Foster was_absent, and have embraced this opportunity, Don’t be alarmed, as I come from your father!” “My father, sir?” : - “That's what I said, I believe.” “But my father is dead.” . : *Fixactly. Noone ought to be better aware of the fact than I, since I happened to be the only party who was with him in his last mo-. _ ments,” jee se “ You—you!” the girl cried, in evident excite- . ment. “Oh, are you telling the truth?” “Tam speaking the truth, miss, and it was by Your father's request that Tam hefe.? come! Be seated, please, and tell me of my father—my poor, erring father!” i And the pee. face became buried in the ~ handkerchief in her hands. Pas “You mourn his absence, then?” Deadwood Dick asked, it age ‘Oh, so much! . He was ever good and kind to me, ‘Well, [ll relate what I haye to relate in a very few words,” Dick said, ‘‘and you will see EN Tam here.” e accordingly did relate the substance of what is already known to the reader, in as few — words as possible, «So you see the man, Foster, by theft got here before I did, and the deuce knows what he has not done in the way of villainy.” “ Sir, I cannot credit this story,” Miss Bird said, gazing thougbtfully at the floor, “Tt seems impossible to me. Mr. Foster came to _. me with papers which, by an understanding — between me and my fafher, I recognized as a ~ mortgage of eve’ Thing in Secret City, inelud- © ing myself, to the bearer of the said pape As: to your statement, I cannot believe that you~ ever had possession of this paper, but should — uicker believe that you, somehow, obtained a clew of the matter and proposed to run a little — game of your own.” ae “Humph! a very complimentary opinion have of a fellow, I must confess,” Deadwoc Dick said, dryly. “But, then, it chances to be — about equal to the one I hold of you—namely, ~ that you are not the real Lola Bird, but are the — impostor whom I believe Frank Foster has sub- — stituted in place of thegenuine. There! to use ~ the vernacular slang, you are at liberty to put © that in your pipe and smoke it.” _ “Sirf you shall repent for this insult. You ~ shall be severely punished for it!” the girl eried, ~ sternly, her face flushing with anger. ae ‘*Perhaps—perhaps not,” Dick aes replied. “Tt takes a man to punish me. But, maybe you've got some men here in Secret City cap: ble of doing the job up brown, but I’ve yet get a glimpse of them. As for your villainous champion, Foster, if you want to see him pre- ared for a photogren of a Be pe prize- hter, send him around, and Pll do a good” toh, or not charge a cent’s worth of satisfac- a Z tion. 2 “Sir! you are the most impudent person J ~ ever met, Leave my house, or I shall call for — assistance.” es ‘ x and shall not leave until Lamready.” ‘And you still dare to insinuate thatI am — not myself?” reais : re ae _ “Oh! no. You are yourself, no doubt, but — you are not Lola Bird.” - oe “Tam! Tam!” ~ ‘*T say you are not, miss,” “You lie, sir!” st _ “Tf I do,"may I never be a second — ee at » “You lie—you lie!” the girl repea cally. “Lam the real Lola Bird, and “yy, : ag

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i _. Ifaney, but must be done. 24 A Game of Gold. wan, but you shall not cheat me out of what is righttully my own.” ‘I have no desire to cheat Miss Bird of a far- thing, my dear lady; indeed, I came here to ten- * der fer any assistance she might need, and it was my intention to deliver up to her the strange paper that bad fallen into my possession, and thereby render her sole heiress, and bound to no, one. But, Lam impressed with the idea that I have not seén Miss Bird, and believing that there has been foul work here, I propose to make an investigation. If you are wise, you will throw apa bad game, and makea clear confession which will restore the rightful heiress to wha ' balongs to her.” “Never! never! Iam Lola Bird, and have nothing to confess, You think to drive me, but eh will be disappointed. I shall inform Mr. ‘oster about you, when he returns.” “Do so. te to him that by calling, I hoped to have the opportunity to pull his nose, but if he will call on me, at any seasonable hour, I will unch it for him. Good-day; Tam going, now. m’t be angry at me for interfering ‘in this matter, as Iam simply looking after the welfare of one whom I have sworn to befriend.” Then, with a low laugh, Dick made his exit ' from the shanty. leaving behind him an infuri- ated woman, whose rage was photographed in _ the deathly pallor of her face, and the wicked gleam of her eyes. While Deadwood Dick sauntered back down the street, a hard set.look upon his face. __ “Tam more satisfied now, than ever, that she is an impostor, But, where can Foster have picked her up? She holds her own well for one so young, but.she cannot deceive me, The next thing is to hunt up the real Biri, and place her back in her cage. It willnot be an easy matter, Hello! Yonder is _. the Angel!” a . E _, toiled in the sand, _ shanty and closed t! He saw her as he glanced toward a neighbor- ing shanty. She was sitting upon the steps, engaged in perusing a book, but the instant she saw him, she arose, and hurriedly entered the he door behind her. Which act oe Dick a second surprise. “So Ive got another cut, eh? Well, I'll get used to this thing, by and by, and not mind it. I think I’! understand this thing after a while. Angel Arnot, as She calls herself, has a ber a Ba that cabin or shanty, and she guards it closely. Sooner or later, however, it will leak out.” The afternoon was warm and breathless in the little valley. The sky was unclouded, and the sun poured down with burning intensity. Even the miners were lazy at theim work as they Aftera successful attempt to procure lunch at _ the grocery, Dick wandered off to the shade of _ the grove, which bordered the northern side of _ the camp, and lay down upon the grass. rubbed his eyes and glanced first at his watch, and then around him. wees been a change—a change almost as incredible to him as that which grée old Rip Van Winkle when he awoke after his twenty years’ snooze. The glance at his watch revealed to Deadwood Dick that it was eleven o’clock in the forenoon, now, where it had been two, at least, in the af- ternoon, when he went to sleep. F A glance toward the camp disclosed something else, ' The street was full of people—men, women - and children—of horses and yelping dogs, and white-top) wagons, Not a few, but a t many, and the very fact was indicative of one certainty, namely—that Secret City was storm- ed by a herd of stampeders, to whom word of the golden riches in the forbidden territory had in some way been communicated. ** And it means that there’ll be fun for awhile, and that Foster’s days of tyranny are over,’ Dick at once concluded. ‘‘I must have sien from yester afternoon until now, too, althoug! T can swear that I Mave had none of the dwarf schnapps that did the biz for old Rip of the Catskills. Guess I'll waltz over and see how Foster enjoys this little pic-nic. Bet he is as mad asa Fourth-of-July hornet, when all the lemonade is gone. Ha! hal” CHAPTER ; A BELLIGERENT ANGEL _A NEW-COMER, WE pass over a week, and once more glance down upon the town or camp known as ret City. A great change indeed has taken place. Larger by half is tho village in the golden gulch, and the streets are full of people hurry- ing toand fro, — eadwood Dick came sauntering down the street, just at the edge of evening, and dropped into the ‘‘ Red-Eye,” for a cigar. After procuring what he wanted, and Kght- ing it, he turned and saw a couple of men oma at a table in one corner, and went over to them. They were McKandlass, the Indian agent, and his associate, old Scowler. ““Well, what have you learned?” Dick de- manded, inguiringly, “Waal, we've learned one thing,” McKand- lass said, with a grin—‘that is, that it’s tougher to live an honest existence than it is a rough one, But we've stuck to our quill, an’ don’t ye fergit it.” “Which is right. Idare say you are in a bet- ter condition, fake it all around. But, what about our Bird—have you learned nothing con- cerning her?” “Not a thing. I reckon you’re runnin’ a wrong trail, boss. Guess the gal w'ot Foster’s got os ther genywine article, every day in the week. During tho period of his slumbers there had | ”*”Karee

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A Game of Gold. wo pave to find the gal, shall we fetch her to ou “ By all means; but, hold her outside of town. and one of you come and inform,me, I would not have her brought here yet; it might be bad for her sa‘ety.” * s: Then, the ex-Prince of the Road passed out. As he gained the street, a person touched him on the arm. A glance proved. it to be the masked creature, girl or boy—Little Tooth- pick. y “Stop!” he said. ‘‘Dof’t interrupt me. What is the girl, Angel Arnot, to you?” “Nothing that I am aware of,” Dick replied, in surprise. ‘“*Vhy?”? " “ Because, she is in trouble, Look yonder.” He did look toward the girl Jehu’s shanty, and saw a crowd of men, women and children ‘before it—a rough, boisterous, clamorous mob of irate humanity. Angel Arnot was at an open window, w stairs, gazing down upon the assemblage, with a determined look upon her fair face, and a pair of six-shooters in her | hee With rapid steps Deadwood Dick burried to- ward the spot, to ascertain what was the mat- ter, for he knew that something unusual was ' brangpiring. © He was soon near enough to ascertain that Frank Foster was at the head of the mob, and was evidently the leader. P “Dye hear?” Foster cried. ‘‘ Come down and open the door, or we'll break it down for you, d save you the trouble.” “ Just you try it, if you think it healthy, my lad!” Angel replied, ‘About the time you're smashin’ in my door, ll be smashin’ your skull in with a chunk of lead no bigger than a pea.” “Bah! don’t talk to me that way, girl, or pon be sorry for it. I’m boss of this town, ‘Il have you to know, and intend to have my pwn way about things. Suspicions are against ou, hard, my girl, and the people want. to now what it is you’ve got in your ranch that. you're so afraid some one will ‘see. That’s what we're after, and what we are going to find out!” “You are, eh?” the girl cried, her pretty face flushing, and her eyes flashing. ‘Well, go ahead and try on your little game and see how it will fit. Tam all alone and have no one to defend me, but you'll learn before you get fbroeh with me, that Angel Arnot can defend herself! I’ve got twelve lives or deaths right in my grasp here, and a half a dozen more six-shooters within reach, and I'll put an electric shock into the system of every man, woman, or | child that tries to enter my shanty, against my will. Itis my shanty, and I'll protect it, Jack- son Bird made mea present of it, long ere you and your foul rabble came here.” “Can’t help that, young woman—every thing tn this town now belongs to me,” Foster de- vlar-d. ‘Every body and soul -here is my property yourself included, therefore, I am to obeyed, when I command. “It will be to your advantage to obey. You are shadowed with suspicion. A hundred rumors concerning you, are afloat, none of which are flattéring. ou keep your shanty constantly locked, and allow 00 one to enter,' What are we to think of this? | come right over and try it] Maybe you think a 5 ? 25 Does it not indicate something wrong? Then, again, a few aes ago some of my men were passing your place when they beard peculiar ~ cries, and heard you singing as if husbing a - ee sleep. Now, what have you to say to a . “Nothing! If I were hushing twenty babies to sleep, instead of one, it isnone of your busi-~ ness, or any one else’s!” was the contemptuous reply. ‘I suppose you will all die, yet, out of sheer curiosity, if you do not root out my secret - or secrets, but you are at perfect liberty to drop away as rapidly as may suit your convenience, as you'll not get ssion of any of them, as ~ long as I can pull a trigger. t secrets I may have, is none of ate usiness. I am a re- spectable woman, and generally try to live a hristian life, unless I sin in the nature of my attire—but that is a matter of my own choice, — and my own business, That is all the explana- tion I shall offer, and I simply request you to goaway and attend to your own affairs. If you do not, I shall not beg of you—that is against my principles—but Pil show you that. a irl can be a girl, anda man too, s0 far as de- ending one’s rights is conceyned.” ~ t ‘Miss Arnot is right,” Deadwood Dick said, posing forward, ‘‘and it is no one’s business ut her own what her secrets may be; and I for one will spend my bullets in her defense.” “ Ay! and so will I! The child not be | hurt or disturbed, while there is a whole bone in si body!” ; : ‘he speaker pushed forward, and stood beside — Deadwood Dick. 3 He was a new-comer in the town, evidently, € as all eyes were turned upon him with glances _ of surprise. And considering that he was quite a curiosity, it was no wonder, y In form he was bent and decrepit, and walk- ed with tottering steps, supported by a gnarled cane. 3 His face was nearly all covered with a sweep- ing white beard and mustache and long white hair, only his nose, eyes and a portion of his — forehead being visible. . _ J His beard in particular was of extreme length, reaching his belt. His attire con-— sisted of long-legged rubber hip-boots, met by roughly patched trowsers and red woolen shirt belted at the waist and worn through at the — elbows, A broad-rim slouch hat upon his head and a heavy cavalry-pistol and knife in his belt ~ ’ right, ‘ : ir ¥ A fierce oath escaped Frank Foster as he saw the pair of HS eae “You'd better have the good sense not to meddle in this matter, Deadwood Dick!” the — king cried, ‘‘for if you do, your famous ca: is will come to an unpleasant end. And as for that old rack-a-bones beside you, Ill smash his — head if I hear another peep from him.” : a, “Oh! will you?” the old man cried, shaking his cane threateningly. ‘Maybe you'd better z x tf

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I’m some superannuated sraveyard—but you'll et tuk down on that. My handle’s Seth Wick- am, from Arizona, an’ ef I’m gittin’ along in years, I kin lick a hull crowd of such miserable skunks as you, any day.” ‘Hurrah! that’s the talk for you, old covey! You've got sand and so has Deadwood Dick, With such a pair of defenders, I ain’t afeard put what I can lick the-whole United States,” Angel eried, from her perch, ‘' How are you, Foster?” ~ ‘Curse you!” the villain cried. ‘I do not fear a trio when I have a double score to back me. Once, and for the last. time, IT command you to come down and open that door. “Refuse to comply with my request, and I will have this shanty torn down over your head. Then, curse you, we will discover the secret you guard so closely!” : ‘And onee more, and for the last time, I de- liberately refuse, and hurl my defiance at you!” the girl cried. ‘‘ Move one foot to disturb me or my shanty, Frank Foster, and Tl send a bul- Jet through your black heart.” And Deadwood Dick, cocking a pair of revol- vers, added: = “On the whole, my dear Foster, you'd better drop the job just here and back oub with your life. Sha’n’t urge aoe at all, but your death is a matter of certainty if you proceed to execute your thréat.” _ * Yes, you'd better close up like a jack-knife and wait for a better opportunity to prosecute your villainous little game, my dear king,” Angel assured sarcastically. “Ani so £ will!” Foster gritted. ee dusky face nearly black with passion. “Pt pide my time as you suggest. ut, mind you, I'll yet know what secret you have housed ih that “shanty, that you are so afraid to disclose—yes, even if have to wade through human blood to find out, And as for you, Sir Road-robber, al- though you have the liberty to remain in my town, look out that you don’t wake up some morning and find yourself attending your own funeral. You will then realize that I have not forgotten the littleevent up at Big Bo- nanza.” j ; “ And, turning upon his heel, he strode rapidl away. Tho crowd rapidly dispersed, but Dead- wool Dick waited until they were all gone when ho tipped his hat to angel, and walke back down the gulch toward the Red-Bye. __ The old pilgrim who had given his name as Ssth Wickham, was standing outside the saloon, _ evidently awaiting the ex-road ate approach for he motioned to him, with his gnarled cane. “Well, uncle, what is it?” Dick demanded, with a smile. ‘We settled the hash, down ‘yonder, didn’t we?” _ “Wedid, in truth, young man, and were part- _lythe means of checking what might have been a bloody affray, I wish to thank you for taking sides with the girl against such odds. I am “interested by chance, in the child, and wish that -ho harm shall céme to her.” _ **No need to thank me, pardner, for I should have done the same, had it been a negro woman nstead of a lovely white girl, who was being ersecuted,” : ee ee els A Gad of Gold. “That's right, my boy! There’s the right metal in you, that’s clear. But do you know who the girl is?” ‘“No—no more than that she calls herself Angel Arnot, dresses in male attire, and is as cool and independent a creature as I ever met.” “‘ Ah! yes, so I should say. “Do you suspect what her secret is?” ““T have had no cause to. But from what was said, to-day, by Foster, I should infer that there may possibly be a bundle of infancy in the cabin, Who it belongs to, however, is quite another question, which I shall not make it my business to ingure into.” ‘Nor I. J came here for another purpose, T came to find an old friend of my youth, whose name is Jackson Bird.” “Oh! you did?” ag “Yes. I learned that he and his daughter liva here, and came to visit-them,” “Then I fear you will be-badly disappointed , old gent, for Bird himself is dead, and his daughter is not to be found!” “Not to be found, sir? What do you mean?! P eet F my words would seem to con vey—Miss Lola Bird is not in Secret City, and £ can’t find any trace of her.” ‘But I understood by inquiry that she still lives in her father’s shanty yonder, from a man I asked.” “Yes, there is a young woman there, but hang me if I believe it is the original.” “Ah! say you so? What do you think has become of the real Lola Bird, then?” ‘‘ Heaven only knows—I do not. My suspi- cions, however, are that Foster has had her se- cretly removed, and the impostor substituted.” ‘* How did this Foster come to be here, and in possession of what I supposed belonged to my friend, Bird?” Wickham asked, in surprise. “Tf you care to listen, I will tell you Dick said, and he accordingly related what is already known, “Tt is very strange,” Wickham said, ‘and these villains from Denver shall not prosper. I can soon tell whether the woman at the shanty is Jackson Bird’s daughter or not, if I can get a glimpse of her. I saw her, not a great many weeks since, and would not be apt to forget how she looks—oh, no!” ; “ She is beautiful then?” ‘Ay! beautiful as a gazelle—as a fairy. In- deed, sir, I do not think there is another as beau- tiful a woman in the whole world.” ‘““ Well, then, I'll guarantee it is not the girl up at the shanty yonder. She is moderately pretty, but Pll be hanged if she is what you make out.” “Doubtless it is an im r. But for the sake of my friend Bird, I shall look into the matter. In his behalf, too, I must thank you gratefully for what you have done, and if Lola — is ever found you may reasonably expect « handsome remuneration for youk services, for per re 2 queer family, these Birds—a queer ‘amily. : And then the old fellow stumped along up the _ street, cane in hand, giving vent to some unin» telligible muttering, pea: “Yes, they’re a queer family,” Deadwood Dick thought, ‘‘and you are as queer as the rest!

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—_ of them, old man. I wonder who and what you are? I had a notion a moment ago—but pshaw! it was ridiculous, _And as for the really beauti- ee original Lola Bird, I have a desire to see ‘her. As he was cogitating thus a little boy ap- proached and hauded him an unsealed note, which on opening he found to be penned in small, neat chirography, and signed ‘“ Little Toothpick.” Tt ran as follows: “Tf you wish to learn something of importance, come, to-night, to the first dead pine tree down the southern wagon trail, and call ‘Toothpick,’ I have something to communicate that may prove interest- ing to you,” CHAPTER XI. A STRANGE WARNING AND A GLIMPSE OF A ALOURT, THAT was all the note containea. “T wonder what she can want of me, or can have to tell?” Dick muttered. ‘‘Must be some- thing of importance, or she would not write. Well, Vil saunter that way, when darkness comes, and see what she has to say for herself.” Once during the forenoon he chanced to be passing in the neighborhood, when he heard his name called, and saw Angel Arnot beckoning to him from the steps of hershanty home, where she was sitting. zs He aecordingly approached hef, and tipped his hat respectfully. “You called to me, lady?” “Yes, sir. I wished to extend you my sin- ¢pre thanks for your braveness in taking my part, awhile ago. It was a favor I shall never or Bet é “Don’t speak: of it, pray. I simply fol- lowed the dictates of duty in coming to your rescue,” . ‘Then praised be your sense of honor,” the girlsaid. ‘‘ But there is something I am eager ce ore oe have you made ont about Lola in a“ £. j ; be P poche, miss, except that she is gone! “Yes, that is, the original. The girl up at the ped yonder, is not Lola no more than am ‘“ How do youknow?” . *T do not know—I merely surmised.” “And rightly too,.I think. I have believed the same thing’ ever since she has kept herself housed up. Oh) sir, what can have become of Miss Lola? She was one of the loveliest, sweetest of girls, and we were the greatest of friends until Frank Foster came here; then I was re- fused admittance to the shanty.” “*T didn’t wait for a refusal,” Deadwood Dick said with a laugh. Then, after a few more words, he went on down the street. Frank Foster also received a warning by mail that day, which a teamster brought in from a New Mexico supply station. eet og in handsome chirography, at. es eee

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“ Well, what’s to be done?” he demanded. “Curse me if L know. What do you make of it, anyhow?” “That Bird is alive and coming back.” ‘*Puries! it shall not be! It would be dis- astrous to us.” ' “Even so, but we have a choice left.” “Blight?” 4 * Yes.” : “Never! I will play tha game to the bitter end, before ll yield.” : “But will get beat, ’mafraid. Bird is a bad man to buck against. What did he mean about a lake?” E “Cursed if I know. Merely bosh, probably.” “T doubt that. He may know more than we do about the place.” e “But, the men—do you not think they will hang: by us?” ““Nol~ They are all right now, but let Bird eome back, and Ill wager my life every mother’s son of them will go over to him,” “Then, what are we to do?” “That must be a study, on our part. Scheme the very best we know how, must we, if we hope to carry through the game of gold we are laying, to a successful end. Lola Bird must ie! . ed ‘Oh! no!” Foster criel, firing up. ‘She is mine, and shall be my bride sooner or later!” “But, hold! Not so fast.- Perhaps you don’t remember that there is a certain agreement be- tween you and me.” “You refer, to my promise to marry your daughter, eh?” “Hxactly.” 5 ; “Oh! well, as to that, it was merely a verbal promise, and is not binding Maybe if I do not > peeae to take the real Bird, I'll take the im- Tr. “ Ah! thatis your game, eh? Well, go ahead, with it; but, mind you, if you do not keep your ee to my daughter, your life shall answer or it. We have assisted you in your infernal schemes, but shall hold up a bit, in order to see how this matter is coming out.” “Just as you please,” Foster replied, with a sneer, “I am not afraid of what you can do, atall. I-shall remain here as long as I see any chance for retaining the mastery—then, with the queen beduty of the world, I'll seek foreign tea and live on the laurels I’ve won here. a ! ; as ce with a derisive laugh the villain left the cabin, Deadwood Dick went to the first dead pine - tree By the southern gulch trail that night, just as dusk was merging into darkness. Little Toothpick was not yet there, but soon : ae tripping along, failing in an attempt to whistle. “‘Tt\won’t work,” Dick declared with a smile, -as she came up. ‘Try ae be you may, you cannot make yourself seem less than a girl in ‘ boy's clothes.” oe ‘Oh, is that so? Well, if it suits you any better to know it, [am a girl in boy’s clothes. ‘There! there! don’t faint—let me take your hat and got some water,” and the strange ereature gave vent to a sarcastic laugh, “You needn’t mind,” Dic assured, in return, ‘a thes al} oe en A Game of Gold. “T never get scared at. scare-crows—or milliner’s signs!” “Tm glad of that. Also that you came here, for I wanted to talk with you.” “So you said in your note; so go ahead. My organs of hearing are in a prime condition.” ‘Well, to begin with, I want you to acknowl- es you are in lové with that Sonne woman down: at yonder shanty, whom they ca Angel Arnot,” - “What! acknowledge what isuntrue? [never thought of such a thing as being in love with her, girl.” s +4 ‘“You swear to this?” “Tf I deemed it requisite,” was the reply. ** And will you swear that you love no one woman on the face of the earth—that is, as a lover should love?” ‘Ay! there is one I am fond of,” Deadwood Dick responded, ‘‘I do not know how it can matter to you, however.” j ‘““Yet it does matter,as you shall learn to your satisfaction, hereafter. Who is this girl or woman you love—the said-to-be-beautiful queen of the mines, eh?—the missing link, as it were?” : “No—far from being her. If you wish to know, there are but two women in all the world who care for me or whom I loye—a sister, up in Deadwood country, and a wild dare-devil of a girl, up about Leadville, whom I have known ‘or several years.” Ae . * This latter personage is called Calamity Jane, eh?” = “Yes, How did you know?” ““Oh! her notoriety has a wide circulation, such as it is,” sarcastically. “Stop!” Dick cried, sternly. ‘Cast no slur upon her character, or you will make me forget that I am a man and you a weak woman, What the girl may have been concerns you not;. a single misstep need not curse her for eternity. Please to understand in speaking of her that she is betrothed to become my wife when I return to her, and she is all in all to me.” ‘* Oh!” Miss Toothpick said, her tone denoting doubt. Then, after a’ moment of silence, she added, ‘‘ And you are confident that the fasci- nation and influence of no other woman could

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= A Game of Gold. isin my charge. It ts not necessary for you to take charge of her, for I shall place her in the care of him who joined you in interfering for the girl at the shanty. e will care for her, and already knows where she is, through me. But, if you wish to look at her, and will promise not to look at or speak to her in a loving or admir- ing way, and will.come back wlién I request, you shall see her.” J ‘*T cheerfully promise that,” Dick responded, eagerly, ‘‘for I have a desire to look upon this girl. Not that the sight of her could attract me from mY betrothed, as you seem to infer, but from.a natural curiosity to see a woman who is pronounced so beautiful.” “Then permit me to blindfold you and bind your hands, and I shall be ready to conduct you to her.” Deadwood Dick was thoughtful a minute, but ‘finally decided to acquiesce. She first secured his hands with a strong cord, and then doubled a handkerchief and tied it tightly aroynd his head, over his eyes} ‘Phere! now come cn. Follow close at my heels,” she said, wken she had finished. ‘‘ [ guess you'll do,” She then led off, and he followed as she had directed. Remembering the positions they had stood «in beforé starting, he knew their course 5s down the gulch. ut after the first half-hour’s walk, he was unable to arrive at any decision what way they were going, except that they were ascending over a rough and rocky surface, among trees and brush, A full two hours the tramp went on, and then they came toa halt in what Dick conclud- ed was a cavern. “Sh! make no noise,” Toothpick said. ‘She is asleep, and I do not wish to disturb her.” She then removed the handkerchief from be- fore his eyes and pointed ahead. They were indeed in a small, natural cavern, and just on the opposite side, in front of them, a young lady was reclining in a graceful posi- tion upon a couch of skins, One glimpse Deadwood Dick got of her, then . Toothpick returned the bandage before his eyes, with a chuckle, “Quite enough,” she said, sarcastically. ‘I do not want to carry your heart back to Secret City in pieces. Was she not beautiful?” “More beautiful than I ever imagined a hu- man being could be,” Deadwood Dick replied. ““The sight of her could not help but stir the pulses of an anchorite.” ; ‘Ah! then Calamity Jane is nowhere in com? parison, eh?” ‘Calamity Jane is pretty—yonder girl beau- tiful. Calamity Jane is dear to me; yonder _ girlis nothing tome. Indeed, I would not care to own such a creature for a wife, for fear I should some time awake to find it all a terrible delusion and mockery. Come; let’s go. I am | a i" a 2 one burly black-whiskered individual who seem- satisfied.” In all his after life, Deadwood Dick could Lever describe the appearance of Lola Bird ashe saw her—no language within his power was ad- equate, All the meaning that could possibly be ~ associated with the word beautiful failed to touch the case, and all he could do. was to remember | he’s as good’s his wo 29 the picture, a single glance of which had thrilled his very being with a sensation he had never be~ fore experienced, Toothpick once more led the way, and they took their departure. Not till they once more tleated the town did she remove the bandage from his eyes, and the cords that bound his wrists, ‘There, ‘You may direct your own course,” she announced. * You bave seen the most beau- tiful woman in the world; now go your way in peace. But, look out for yourself! Extraordi- nary events are about to transpire, and I warn you, by direction of another, that the mountain ~ top is safer than the gulch bottom.” en, turning, she fled rapidly away into the- darkness, leaving Deadwood Dick to pursue his way back to the town, which he did, in astrange frame of mind. ¢ Matters were terminating, ovidently—but how or by what means, was yet to be seen. CHAPTER XII. & URAND DISSOLVING SCENE, Tux next morning, there was great « excitement ~ in Secret City. { During the night there had been posted upon the door of every business establishment, and many of the dwellings, huge placards, bearing ‘the following notice, printed in large letters, with red ink and black. ; ‘ “WARNING, “ To All Whom it May Concern;—Be it understood, ar. that on this day, I, Jackson Bird, thé original owner and founder of the mining camp known as Secrets oy have returned from a aan into the grave and the mysterious eternity beyond, to find my home and possessions occupied by usurpers, an ' the charm of my past rule broken. Even my. child, the hand- somest’ woman in the world, hath been spirited away and my servants have served the usurpers of my kingdom as menials, Therefore, with my heart in- flamed with dissatisfaction, | have taken anger and offense, and decided ‘that the bag of Secret City shalt be short. Take warning, then, and fiv from the gulch, all you who would escape with life, for within the next twenty-four hours, the pace where now exists the mining-camp, shall be transformed | into a boiling Jake, in which the wicked shall find a ~ foretaste of what there awaits them in the next world, For such shall be the vengeanceof “ Jackson BRD, THE VAMPIRE.” Crowds collected to read these notices and ~ discuss their import; men grew excited, and cursed and swore; women cried in alarm. Some scoffed at the idea; others were serious and doubtful. oe On the whole, there was a general pat peat oan and all work was left to care for itself, while _ the miners stood here and there, in groups, and ~~ discussed the probabilities or improbabilities of the consummation of the threat. Gradually.the main crowd gathered around ed to be a leader in public Seti ; “T tell ye what it is, feller-pilgrims, it’s a : dead open and shut,” he argued, flourishing him- ~ self, from the top of an up-turned barrel. ‘‘ Most of_ye hev served under Jack Birdy a0) She es

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30 A Game of Gold. ; ee er He's put it right plain. afore yer nose that he’s | the matter a secret, and you av the second per- goin’ ter bu’st up matters, and sech pilgrims as | son I have ever told of-it: But thank Heaven, I don’t skip, is a-goin’ ter git. bu’sted. nowin’ | am now out of the fog of suspicion. The certi- Birdy as 1 do, I’m Meat ter sing my songs no | ficate was found and returned to me last night. more but seek a healthier locality.” Ah!—listen!” : “Just my fix, exactly,” another mimer Loud yells, curses and pistol-shots were heard agreed. ‘I’m goin’ to pull out at once, fer | outside, together with horses’ footfalls. Dick when Jack Bird sez.a thing ye can count thet | sprung to the door, followed by Angel. = ~ et?s goin’s ter come—an’ T allus did say he was Down the street upon horseback, and the leagued with the devil—he an’ his purty daugh- | horse running at that, rushed the old white- ter, too.” beard, Wickham! This opinion seemed prevalent. In the rear followed what was left,of. Secret) Foster and Mosher moved about among the | City’s ge ep me howling and yelling, and men, and urged them to go to work and pay no | firing at the fleeing stranger. attention to what they called the ‘‘ malicious “Stop bim! stop him, dead or alive!” Frank - device of some envious person,” Foster cried. ‘It is Bird, the Vampire. . Five But all their talking proved unavailing, for the | hundred dollars to the man who takes him, men were, as a rule, disposed to act according | dead or alive!” 3 <a to their own feelings in the matter. “That man Jackson Bird?” Deadwood Dick And when Morgan, the leading spirit among | asked, turning to Angel. ; them, saddled and packed his horse, and rode Sy Yes that is him. Ha! ha! they waste their away out of town, it was the signal for some | bullets on him, you may rest assured. Bullets twenty others to follow his example, during the | don’t go through padded buffalo-skins.” c course of the day.’ On—on dashed Bird, and the crowd followed The few who remained Were composed of the | determinedly, but could not effect a capture, new-comers of the rougher and bolder class, After they had gone by, Angel turned to who were thoroughly allied to Foster’s rule. | Dick. : Hiven they refused to work, and stood around “You had better go now, or they may return doubtfully. and seek to wreak vengeance on you.” * aah Deadwood Dick watched matters, quictly,-| ‘Bah! I fear them not. I prefer to remain, until the sun began to sink below the horizon; | and see that they offer you no molestation.” ~ then he left the -Eye saloon, and started to He had not long to wait. ; leave the town as he had no desire longer to re- They soon returned and passed by, without even looking at the shanty. main. : ‘ As he was passing Angel Arnot’s shanty | Soon after Deadwood Dick took his departure, she came out and closed the door behind her. and left the town. : . “ Are you quitting the gulch?’ she queried, As he arrived at the outskirts, he met Me- * ™ eagerly. Kandlass and Old Scowler, both of whom greet- Yes, I thought it best totakethe warning, | ed him with a friendly hand-shake. F if it was meant for me,” he replied. ‘We was just coming to see you,” the former “You are wise. I bid you good-by, then, if | said.” We wanted to ax you if you could get I should not see you again.” _~ along without us?” : Diese “What! are you going to remain?” “Ah! what now? Getting tired of leading a — _ “No! but I shall wait till after dark, Come | good life?” ; j in and see my baby girl!” 1. “Not by a long shot, old boy. On the con- - ** Your baby?” : trary, we've found it a hanged sight more com- ‘Oh! yes; that was the secret I had housed | fortable, an’ decided ter pull out fer the Hast, up;” and with a laugh she led the way into the | where we’ve both got families w’ot we've been shanty, away frum for years. So ef ye’ll let us out, A three-months old babe was sleeping peace- | we'll pull fer the East an’ j'ine them w’ot’s been fully in its little crib, and Dick noted that it | waitin’ fer us a long time,” ‘ ¢ looked like Angel Arnot. “Are you in earnest, McKandlass?—do you — ~. PI) confide my secret to you,” shesaid. ‘I | really contemplate reform?” Dick asked, earn- am Jackson Bird’s wife. We have been mar- | estly. — i ‘ ried a year, but a short time after our marriage, “Shoot me ef we don’t mean thet same, Cap, our certificate was lost. Lola would not be- | an’ we thank you, ffom the souls o’ our boots, — ligve that we were esity married, until we | fer startin’ us in the right path. Webebrothers, _ cate. My husband, as | me an’ Scowler, an’ we've roughed it fer a Sea ea long time, an’ I’spect that we’ve got more black —__ stripes on the Big Book than thar’s ha’rs on our heads. But, then, we’ve concluded since you in- duced us to go straight, thet mebbe by sincere — repentance an’ livin’ as we orter, we will stand _ a small show in the hereafter, an’ so we're goin’ - ter brush up and let no future sin darkep our already dark prospects,” Sete: nite ‘* And may God grit en you in your pur: pose, my friends,” Dick said. grasping them cordially by the hand, a moisture in his eyes, “You are free to go, and if I have been’ the | cause of your proposed reformation; I have my : aa Soe zs

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it or foe, they hada we. . See A Game of Gold. es. Ss sight, the earth and flames nearly reaching #0 reward, ce the knowledge, that in my wid career I have at least been instrumental in Going some good. Go, and may the blessings and encouragement of all honest men be with you. But hold! have you money?” “Not much, Cap—only about a hundred; apiece.” “That is insufficient to getb-you East, to say nothing about starting you in an honest way. I have some queer little golden rules of my own, you see, and among them is one, that it’s harder |, for aman to break from villainy into an honest existence without cash than itis fora burro to be made to understand that gravel is shelled corn. Here!”—and the ex-road prince took a pouch of * coin from his pocket. ‘I will give you a litile lift. I have a small mine upnear Leadville that turns out a few hundred a month, which I have no ph ae use for. There are twenty twenty- dollar gold pieces in this pouch, and they are ours. Take them and leave this gulch at once, or it is not safe here.” : “May God bless you, Deadwood Dick,” Me- Kandlass said, in a choked voice, ‘‘ We shall never. forget you.” Then they turned and walked down the gulch and disappeared from view. ‘ Dick took an opposite course, and ascended the mountain, : Night closed in dark and cloudy. A storm was brewing, the fact being evident by the rumbling muttering of thunder along the horizon. ; Half-way up the mountain. Deadwood Dick stopped and seated himself upon’a rock, where he could overlook the town below, with its few gleaming lights glowing like stars in a midnight sk - Pee grew the rumblirg along the horizon —darker grew the night; the storm was gather- ing volume before breaking. The occasional glares of lightning lit up the night vividly. causing a spectral effect upon the rugged face 0! nature. For an hour Deadwood Dick sat gazing down into the dark valley, then a strange drowsiness came over him and he dropped asleep. When he awoke it was with a start. ; The earth and rock in under him shook as by an earthquake, and there was~a report like a hundred cannons. In vain he struggled to move. but found that he was bound hand and foot, and “blindfolded. In astonishment he waited the result. of—he knew not what, Half an hour passed; then to his joy he heard footsteps approaching. Be they those of friend eae sound to him, Later came an exclamation, as some person approached, and his bonds were ‘cut and the - bandage torn from before his eyes. In surprise he beheid Little Toothpick stand- ing before him. “What! you? How did you find me?” “By mere chance. Who bound you and left You. here?” Em ae ‘“‘T came here myself, and fell asleep. When awoke, I was as you found me. What noise ‘ms that awhile ago?” “The bottom of the gulch has all been blown ont by a terrific explosion. It was a terrible the sky.” rf ‘* Ah! it was then the work of Jackson Bird?” ‘Yes, even so. some one has left. What is it?” R Dick received it, but could make nothing out, He accordingly it had not yet rained, and ignited them, : By the light from the fire, he was enabled to decipher the writing. Tt ran as follows; “Drapwoop Dick, Smr:—By the time you will have ' regained your liberty, and perused this, all that was is no more—I mean where stocd the town of Sceret City. TI have blown up the place, and had my ven- geance. Nothing now remaius but a sheet of water, About a year ago I made a etn avERy that directly beneath the town, in under the ground, was a great sheet of water. By research I learned that this underground Jake was fed by an underground stream which flowed through a mountain cave, Experiment taught me that the ground was about a foot above the water, leaving a vacuum or space. : “The surface of the water was oily, and in ‘this — vacuum, belween the water and the earth, a ore volume of gas collected, some of which found exit from a seam ‘in the opposite mountains. Yester evening I plugged this vein or seam up, and laid a train of powder to the mountain cave, which is also filled with this natural gas. ceive this, I shall have fired the powder. It willeom- municate with and the gas in the cave. The fire will follow the oi] and gas in under ground, and a terrible explosion will follow, and death to those: who failed to heed the warning of Jackson Bird. As for yourself, and the person called Little Toothpick, we heartily thank you for what you have done for us—youin particular, having shown an honest hand; and in reward for your services you will find. behin the rock on which you fell asleep, a bag of golden nuggets which is yours to take and keep, being a gift from my wife and daughter—for we have plenty more. Ina canoe laden with the gold of Secret Cit we sail across the lake, and plunge deeper into the. wilderness, lost to the world, forever and ever, . “ Jaoxson Brrp.” As he finished reading, Dick turned to—not Little Toothpick, the masked, but to Calamity Jane the unmasked, who stood regarding him with a roguish smile, 3 “Yes, it’s me,” she said, in answer to hisex= _ clamation of astonishment. “TI followed you, to test your loyalty tome, and am- satisfied, Come, here is the bag of nuggets—a good thirty pounds or more, Let's leave this God-forsaken spot, for you took a hand in a game of gold,and have made a hit by getting the joker. Lest your luck forsake you, let’s go at once.” “1 am willing,” Dick said, embracing her, fs * Come.” ; Another sunrise found them far from the wild 5 spot, which had lived and expired at the will of Jackson Bird, the so-called vampire. Side by side they rode through the wild mess bound for other wild and exciting scene> of at mighty West, ~ ; = Abe oa THE END, i Reg But ‘see—here lies a paper © gathered afew dry fagots, for~ To-night, ere you re- |

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BY BEST AUTHORS, A CHOICE COLLECTION OF Beautiful Compositions — Carefully Compiled for | SCHOOL, LYCEUM, PARLOR, AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, —— BY ——— FRANCES P. SULLIVAN. Issued Quarterly, June, 1886. . Subscription, 50 Cents per Year. A M. J. IVERS & CO, < PUBLISHERS,

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E Hart TOASTS FOR THE SMART SET. Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. By Mail, Postpaid, Sewed Book. 12ec. per Copy. Up-to-Date. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. ““YIDDISH’’ YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, ete. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence. FAMILY PHYSICIAN.—Family Diseases and Their ‘Treatment; Rules of Health, ete. BOOK OF DREAMS.—Their Romance and Mystery, with a Complete Interpretation Dictionary. HOUSEWIFE’S MANUAL.—How to Keep House; How to Dye, Cleanse, ete. VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introduc- tions, Dress, Balls, ete. ‘ FORTUNE TELLER.—Fortune Telling by7Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Eggs; Palmistry, etc. 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, Toi.ct, Kitchen, Larder, ete BOOK OF BEAU'TY.—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” ‘eams on the Stage. “ HAYSEED” JOKER.—The Doings of ‘‘Our Country Cousins” in a Humorous Way. “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good “ Handouts” in this Book for Professional aud Amateur Entertainers, “COON ” YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our “ Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsieali- ties of “‘ Pat’ at His Best. “VARIETY ” JOKER.—Good Things from all the Na- tionalities: ‘t Pat,” *‘Alphonse,”’ “* Hans,”’ ** Jona- than,” “ Moses,” and ‘‘ Ebenezer.”’ The above books are bound in hazdsomely illustrated lithographed coyers. ‘ Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. , ' M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ ; . PRICE 1 Dandy Bill’s Doom. By Oll Coomes. By A. W. Aiken. 4 Lillie, the Reckless Rider. By Stoddard. 5 Old Grizzly in the Rockies. By Ingraham, 6 Deadwood Dick asa Boy. By E. L. Wheeler. 7 Wild Bill. By Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch. by J. E. Badger. 9 Roving Joe. By A. H. Post. 10 '’exas Jack. By Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. 12 Brimstone Bill’s Booty. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 14 The Ticket-of-Leave’s Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 15 Wide-Awake George. By E. Willett. 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. 17 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn, By Noah Nuff, 18 Adrift on the Prairie. By Oll Coomes. 19 Joe, the Rover Sport. By A. H. Post. 20 Giant Pete and his Pards. By Harbaugh. 21 Yellow Hair. By Ingraham. 22 The Snow-Trail. By Harbaugh, 23 Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr. Powell. 24 Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. 25 A Rolling Stone. By W. R. Eyster. 26 Red River Rovers. . By C. D. Clark. 27 Buckskin Sam's Wild Ride. By Ingraham. 28 The Sword Prince, By F. Whittaker. 28 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh, 30 Paul De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. 81 Round the Camp-Fire. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 382 Fancy Frank's Drop. By Ingraham. $3 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 8 Kit Carson, “ LIBRARY. 5 CENTS PER COPY. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By C. D. Clerk, 35 Old Tar Knuckle. By Rover Starbuck. 36 The Dashing Dragoon, By F. Whittaker. 87 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By T. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing. 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett. 41 The Settler’s Son. By Edward $. Ellis. ‘ 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D, Clark. 43 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugk. 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham, 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham. 60 Jack, Harry, ana Tom. By F., Whittaker. 51 ‘om Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark. 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 53 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham. 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Edward Willett. 56 The Spow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. By S. W. Pearce. 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost. By Ingraham. 59 Tim, the Mule Bov of the Mines. By Charles Morris, 60 The Young Trail Hunters. By ‘’. 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. 64 Young Dick Talbot. By A. W. Aiken.

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Deadwood Dick e Library e 6002202 000000000000 LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-GOLORED COVERS. 32 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Resi Sxtracts from the New York Evening Sun. ‘ TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. in only one sense of the word can it be regarded asa aovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- jure has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader will have to think a moment over this remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home, But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement shat will be news to many when it is added that litera- jure, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was ® mere child down to the present day, would show put few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be sven judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest ‘heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- yeal them, Deadwood Dick’and Deadwovd Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom the Deadwood Dicks are much the most important * * * it is but natural that their * * * should bear away the palm of popularity, and suchas * * * be left tar “eshind in the race, «6 Can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks ‘@ 80 firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature for boys and young men, that their position is assured * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them inas died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor im the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet- ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in hie everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable mysteries, ' Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appeare with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set a: Ses ct OE thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Calt- ornia, There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that 1t were madness to hope to do justice te them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be tween them. To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes im finite pain, but if once a start were made in that diree- tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun’s readers te stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one simgle adventure. Suffice it to say that the stories are cleam and weil written, DEADWOOD DICE LIBRARY. i Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Deflance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 6 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval @ Death-Face, the Detective ? The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bomanz € Oid Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian y¥@ Omaha Oli, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Diek in Danger | a a Jr.,the Boy Phenix; or, Through to eat 2 ogect wood Dick’s HKagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 48 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team i4 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 1% ae Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the v ulc 18 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 3% Watch-Hye, the Shadow + | Deanrsoe Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross #@ Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief % Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty ™ Deadwood Dick as Detective % Gilt-ldge Dick % Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 37 Chip, the Girl Sport % Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune % Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 0 Sheri Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ulc! #1 Bionde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base ® 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 Strifze 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Partg 36 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective r 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of the Sierras 88 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 89 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure 40 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road 41 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 48 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Denne Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiater’s ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 48 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 ‘ves 51 eet Baris Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc 32 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 68 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 ies Detecpre Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sass ras City 64 eg Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 879 Pearl Street, NEW VORK.

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Vopyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 1899, Te THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO, Vier No. BA Cleveland, Ohio \ ol. III ‘* BACK, FRANK FOSTER,” PERCIVAL ORDERED, “OR I’LL FINISH THE JOB DEADWOOD DICK LEFT . UNFINISHED, UP IN THE MINES.” ,

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Mer. * 18 Cleveland, Ohio No. 34 i ‘1. i... THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK -CO, Vol. Nab s Ter =i EE Z Z “ BACK, WRANE FOSTER,” PERCIVAL ORDERED, “OR ULL FINISH THE JOB DEADWOOD Dic! a art ¢

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/ ve 48. 49. ' salo by all Newsdealers Singlo copies, 15c. ante WESTBROOK CO. BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES 15c. Per Copy. The Shawnee’s Foe. The Young Mountaineer. Wild Jim. Hawk-Eye, the Hunter. - The Boy Guide. War Tiger of the Modocs | The Red Modoes. Tron 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 Snout. 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 Tuscarora’s Vow. Deadwood Dick, Jr. A New York Boy Among the Indians. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. Hank, the Guide. F 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, . The Shawnee Witch, Big Brave. Spider-Legs. 98. 99. . Harry Hardskull. Madman of the Oconto. Slim Jim. . Tiger-Eye. The Red Star of the Seminoles, . Trapper Joe. The Indian 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 Queen’n - Old Kit, The Scout. The Boy Scouts. Hiding Tom. Roving Dick, Hunter. Hickory Jack, Mad Mike. Snake-Eye. Big-Hearted Joe. The Blazing Arrow. The Hunter Scouts. The Scout of Long Island. Turkey-Foot. The Death ‘Rangers. Bullet Head. The Indian Spirit. The Twin Trappers. Lightfoot the Scout. Grim Dick. The Wooden-Leggeed Spy. The Silent Trapper. Ugly Ike. Fire Cloud. Hank Jasper. The Scout of the Sciota. Black Samson. Billy_Bowlegs. ; The Bloody Footprint. . Marksman the Hunter. . The Demon Cruiser. Hunters aud Redskins. Panther Jack. . Old Zeke. . The Panther Paleface. The Scout of the St. Lawrence, Bloody Brook. 100. Long Bob of Kentucky, _ BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES are always in print and for x 3 or will be sent powtoand to Se addregs: CLEVELAND, OHIG |

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THE Deadwood Dick e Library @ LATEST AND BEST.: Bay One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See Other Side, DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road % The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol : 5 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death-Face, the Detective % The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick's Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 4 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 10 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick : in Danger li pee ee Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to ea 12 ao Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 18 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle,the Sharpshooter 15 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 17 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch 48 Idy], the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 20 Watch-Hye, the Shadow 21 peered 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 4 "% Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-Edged Dick 26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 27 Chip, the Girl Sport . 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch 81 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 82 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 Jezebel 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Rogues 44 Detective Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiator's Game 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam’s Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam's Double; or, The Three Female Detect ives 51 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough — anch 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 87 Deadwood Dick Trapped : 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's — Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Spurt 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Deco 63 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- fras vane 64 Colgate harlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle coe ings 7, See.