Deadwood Dick Library (v. 3) (1899 11 08)

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@opyright 1980-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Ent«red at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar, 15, 1899, * M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers ; ; r ; No; 35, 2 Batet Weekly. (James Sullivan, Proprietor) Brice 5 Cents. Vo ||| : S Nov. 8, 1899. 379 Poarl street, New York. $2.50 a Year. : ‘ “ oH! SPARE ME~LUFF DIS YAR CHILE GO FREE, MISTER ROAD-AGENT, FOR I’SE INNOCENT AS DE LITTLE LAMBS W’OT DE GOOD BOOK TELLS ¥& ABOUT.”

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EDWARD L. WHEELER'S DEADWOOD DICK, JR, NOVELS IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Crescent Sign. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 5 Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Continent. glers. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, 672 678 684. 690 695 700 104. 710 For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c. per copy, by the publish. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq. Price 5 Cents per Copy. Jr.; or, The Crimson Jr’s, Defiance. Jrs, Full Hand. Jr.’s, Big Round. Up. Jr.'s, Racket at Claim 10. Jr.’s, Corral. Jr.'s, Dog Detective. Jr., in Deadwood. Jr.’s, Compact. Jr.’s, Inheritance. Jr.’s, Diggings. Jr.’s, Deliverance. Jr.’s, Protege. Jr.’s, Three. Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. Jr.’s, Death Hunt. Jr., in Texas. Jr, on His Mettle. Jv., in Gotham. Jr., in Boston, Jr., in Philadelphia. Jr.,,in Chicago. Jr., Afloat. Jr., in Denver, Jr.’s, Decree. Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin. Jr., at Coney Island. Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. Jr., in Lvetroit. Jr., in Cincinnati. Jr., in Nevada. Jr., in No Man’s Land. Jr., After the Queer. Jr., in Ruffalo. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smug- Jr.’s, Insurance Case. Jr., Back in the Mines. Jr., in Durango. Jr.’s, Discovery: Jr.’s, Dazzle. Jr.’s, Dollars. Jr., at Danger Divide. Jr.’s, Drop. Jr., at Jack-Pot. Jr., at San Francisco. 716 722 728 734 740 747 752 758 764 77 776 782 787 792 797 R02 807 812 816 822 828 834 840 845 852 858 863 870 876 882 91 98 904 910 916 928 934 940 946 951 957 965 971 977 980 992 998 1005 1011 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Four. Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, Deadwood Dick, ers, M. J. IVERS & CO., 379 Peart Street, New York Crry. x Jr.’s, Still Hunt. Fa Jr.’s, Dominoes. : Jr.'s, Disguise. ‘- Jr.’s, Double Deal. ¥ Jr.'s, Death-Watch. x Jr.’s, Doublet. ¥ Jr.’s, Death-Blow. Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. a Jr.’s, Lone Hand. ¥ Jr.’s, Defeat. Xe Jr.'s, Resurrection. = Jr.’s, Dark Days. ty Jr., Defied. 3 Jr.’s, Double Device. Jr.’s, Desperate Venture. — Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. Jr.’s, Royal Flush, Zs Jr.’s, Head -Off. % Jr.’s, Rival. Jr.’s, Boom. Jr.’s, Scoop. Jr.’s, Proxy. , Jr.’s, Clutch. ; Jr,’s, High Horse. = Jr., at Devil% Gulch. Jr.'s, Death-Hole Hustle. — Jr.’s, Bombshell. 4 Jr., in Mexico. Jr.’s, Decoy Duck. Jr., in Siiver Pocket. Jr.’s, Dead-Sure Game. Jr.’s, Double Drive. Jr.’s, Trade-Mark. Jr., at Tip-Top. a Jr.’s, Double-Decker. . Jr., at Dollarville. Jr., at Plush Flats. Jr.’s, Shake-Up. Jr.’s, Double Drop. Jr.’s, Right Bower. Jr.’s, Ten-Strike. Jr.’s, Gold Dust. Jr.'s, Oath. Jr.’s, Death-Doom. Jr.’s, Best Card. Jr., at Gold Dust. Jr.’s, Big Play. Jr., Branded. Jr.’s, Dutch Pard. ; ; bis .

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LES (ae he OSS oe hoe adeoaY JAMES SULLIVAN: = NR ana meh at line a Copyright 1880-1886, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 180& e_—————_—__ - { ; M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers ats : 1 Ne. 35, Be ice Pies (James Sullivan, Proprietor.) : Price 5 Cents. Vol. Ill, Yr OV. S,-1009. 379 Pearl Street, New York. 92.50 a Year. fer (ip, (ts, Mt VYHEELER. ‘oH! SPARE ME—LUF¥ DIS YAR CHIL® GO FREE. MISTER ROAD-AGENT, FOR ’SE INNOCENT AS De LITTLE LAMB W'OT DE GOOD BOOK TELLS YE ABOUT.”

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~ Deadwood Dick of Deadwood THE PICKED PARTY. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “DEADWOOD DICK” * NOVELS, ‘“ROSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, ETC. . CHAPTER I. THE NEW HAMLET, “ Oh! bress dis yar nigger, if he ebber go east, An’ leab dis land ob de Caanan, Fo’ hyeer in de mountings am a mighty big feast, To the lubber of Hamlet with de brain on,” THe sun was just kissing the mountain-tops that frowned down upon Billy-Goat Gulch, and in the aforesaid mighty seam in the face of mighty nature, the shadows of a warm June aight were gathering rapidly. he birds had mostly hushed their songs and flown to their nests in the dismal, lonely ese and only tke tuneful twang of a well-p’ yed banjo aroused the brooding quict, save it be the shrill, croaking screams of a crow, perched upon the top of a dead pine, which rose from the nearly perpendicular mountain-side that re- treated in the ascending from the gulch bot- tom. The manipulator of the banjo was seated up- on a fallen log, that stretched, its length across the gulch, engaged in picking the strings of a handsome instrument, and evidently not con- cerned at the rapid approach of night. He was a™long-geared, bony fellow, with no superabundance of flesh, and as black as coal, with eyes and lips of the most African persua- sion, He was attired in ragged boots of a large 8izo, striped diagonal pantaloons that fitted his legs tightly; a calico shirt; greasy white lin duster that was split down the back, and a ba®- tered apology for a plug hat, set back upon his eurly-haired cranium. Taken as a whole, he was a marvel of oddity in personal appearance. the was doing in the wild fastnesses of Billy-Goat Gulch, with its volume of recorded dark deeds, was not at present apparent, as he soe solely bent on eliciting melody from his banjo, and keeping an eye upon the croak- in crow in the distant tice te ‘he aforesaid crow was evidently a center of annoyance, for the colored musician finally bide playing and shook his fist at the offend- ird. ; a Now, jes’ you look yar, you black son-of-a- sea-cook,” he cried, angrily, “* off ye don’t cry up yer chin-music, dis yar chile will adjourn de concert sine die, for suah, Dar’s no kind ob use ob musical genyess appealin’ to brute instink, I tell yer, an’ I’se got er softer snap than concert- izin’ wid a common black crow, So jes’ you take _a skip, or dis yere chile’s a-goin’ ter fro’ a stone straight froo yous, an no mistake,” The crow, however, did not appear to hear or understand the address of his sable compan- ion below—or if he did, made no move. - | wid which he’s drawn de ‘luff me alone, -Beadwood Dick of Deadwood. ‘Oh! yer ain’ goin’, is ye?” the banjoist growled. ‘* Well, bress me if you ain’t as cheeky as dat femenine fury, Nance Yuba, ’*Spect I wouldn’t like to be in de cunnel’s place, nohow. Why, bress dis nigger if de ole gal don’t baste it to the cunnel fer keeps, Better ee or Tl paralyze her, will dis chile, -I’se a bad hair-pin, an’ I carries a razor in my boot-leg. “Yas, an’ se Hamlet, too—de cullud impersonification ob Shake- speare’s hero, I is, ’Spect dese yere solitary solitudes be a fine place for unappreciated genius | to rehearse, before sailin’ forth on de tideob pub- lic condemnation. Ah! but won’t dis yar chile Stee ed ‘em, dough! Jes? wait till Hdwin ooth Snowbank, de cullud trag’diam, debut-. tah on de metreopolitan stage as Humlet, de solemncholly Dame! Aha! To be, or not te - be! dat’s de question before dis yar court, be, ob course! Fool! see ye not de stain ob my dagger? It means blood! Vehe coagulated crimson—de dewdrops ob life flowing from = noble veins, Avast, you son-of-a-sea-cook { Guff me room wharin to wield my Toled> razzor! Luff me carve my foes wid dis- zee noble toothpick, for I am Hamlet, do rince ob Denmark an’ Sebben-up—Hamlet, de noblest ob all de Siberians—Hamlet, a bad chile, wid a temper like unto a buffler bull on de war- ath! CYar de track, you Danish traitors, or is yar chile will ki-yarve you wid his stilletter, uman gore ob seven thousand noble humans!” ‘ : The irrepressible son of Ethiopia had dropped his banjoand drawn from his boot-leg an im- — mense butcher-knife which he waved tragically ~ to and fro, ashe struck an attitude more notable for its grace than his would-be Shakespearean — - lingo, Dar!” he cried, with a defiant nod to his audience in the tree-top, as he resheathed the tremendous butcher-knifein hisboot-leg. “Wat ye tink ob dat, eh? Guess dat settles de fact dat a nigger has got genyess, ef he ar’ black, don’t it? “Spect de cullud race is bound to leab de white trash in de shade, yet, Jes’ wait until — ~ ye see dis chile pasted up on ebbery bill- > in letters as big as a barn: Epwin Bootn SNOWBANE, 4 De Great Cullud Tragedian—De King of All Hamlets! Now Performin at de Grand Opera House! Bress yer life! won’t dis nig pile on de slugs dem times! Dine at de Astor House, sup at Delmonico’s, an’ wine at ebbery calf in de city? Oh-ah! go away wid ye, common ’coons! Len’t know ye! : And with a chuckle, the negro reseated him- self upon the log. responded tunefully to his touch, ! A man mle a at the edge of a small growth © of chaparral in the rear of the negro, and stood — listening. to the lively strains that waf through the lonely gulch, 3 Probably, since the days of creation, no such music had aroused the echoes in these lonely — fas‘nesses. aK “-Spect Pd better move on,” the darky solil- oquized, as he continued to agitate the banjo. and took up the banjo, which

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~~ noted the undis; Deaewood Dick of Deadwood. 3. ; De Siberian shades ob Ethiopia am enwellop- in’ dis yar universe in a mantleob oe an’ dey say it ain’t healthy for unprotec am- bletonian voyagers in dese lonely abscesses ob nature. Wonder how fur it am to Skeleton Bend?—dat’s de objective pint de cunnel ad- vised dis nigger to storm, Guess mebbe dar won’t be much ob a house for Hamlet hyar, to- night, an’ so dis solemncholly Dane must neces- sarily perigrinate henceforward in quest of ‘raft, Wonder what’s become ob: de cunnel? 4a) dis chile see’d ob him he was a-skinnin’ out ob Send City, wid old Nance Yuba arter him, wid de cowhide in her. grasp. Wonderful how de ole gai pursues him. ’Spect shell cotch de cunnel, sometime, bymeby—golly! den ye'll see de fur fly! Guess I'll walk.” And, rising from his seat on the log, the colored tragedian shouldered his banjo, and was about to set out on his journey down the | ulch, when he was restrained from so doing, = the heavy gripe of a hand upon his shoulder, With a yell of terror the darky turned to find himself in the presence of a man—a, stran- ger, too, a cocked revolver in whose right hand was leveled at the sou of the South. This stranger was of medium hight, but. rather heavy built, and clad in a sportish outfit, » consisting of corduroy pants, vest and coat, white flannel shirt open at the throat, slouch hat, and top boots, with a belt around his waist stuck full of weapons. His face was masked, and the black mustache.that adorned’ his upper lip was of tremendous size and the ends waxed to a point. ; ae A coarse laugh escaped from his lips, as he ised terror of the ay: For Snowbauk was alarmed, beyond perad- venture, He trembled from top to toe, and his eyes rolled in their sockets in a thost comical - manner. + ‘Oh! de good Lord bress dis chile, soul an’ ody!” he ejaculated. ‘‘Oh! spare me—Inff dis yar chile go free, Mister Road-agent, for I’se innocent as de little lamb w’ot de good book tells ye about.” “Shut up, you fool,” the stranger replied, sternly. eep your port-hole closed till you’re told to speak, if you don’t wanter swim Jordan without notice. What are you doing in this ‘wild spot, you infernal coon?” ‘‘Oh! beg parding, sah! I’se bound for de set- tlement ob Skeleton Bend. ’Spects I better be goin’, too, if you’s no objections.” _ “But I have, so don’t be in a hurry, What are you going to Skeleton Bend for?” ‘To meet de cunnel, sah.” “The cunnel. Who in thunder’s he?” ‘Why de cunnel is de cunnel, on course, Cunnel Yankeo Doodle Yuba,” : “Ha! ha! Colonel Yankee Doodle Yuba, eh? Fine handle, that, I’m cussed ef it ain’t. ar is this Yuba from?’ ; “Yuba Dam, sah!” ‘¢ What! you infernal black rascal?” ~ “Yuba Dam, sah!” Ss “Curse me, if I don’t like your impudence. - you black-and-tan; but, thet little game won't work with me. Come down, now, and tell me pe this Yankee Doodle Yuba comes from, or’ puta bead through your eye.” - eee t 1 eer are © * Zactly, sah. I done jes’ told you, sah, suah’s dis chile isa modern Hamlet—de cunnel is Cunnel Yankee Doodle Yuba, from Yuba Dam, Yuba township, State ob California, an’ — dis yar nigger is ready to sw’ar to dem yar facts, by de p’int ob dis little Toledo blade—dis yar infantum razzor!” And out from his boot-leg the tragedian drew the tremendous butcher-knife, and flourished it promiscuously. : ** Oh! I seo the pint now,” the. road-agent said, facetiously. ‘* Yuba, from Yuba Dam— yes, yes, I see. Ha! ha! ha! By the way, . coony, just dispense with that toy you have ~ there by returning it to your boot-leg. The magnetic influence of the blade might draw the bullet from my gun, and there'd be a dead nigger about your size, here,” : Snowbank instantly obeyed. “Now, then, what are you to this Yankee Doodle Yuba?” the road-agent demanded. “Oh! bress you, se nuffin’ to him—no rela- tion, at fi. I’se simply his body-servant—his national guard, you see. Why, lordy, chile, Pse no common nigger, you better believe. Ise Ed- win Booth Snowbank, de cullud tragedian, frum Fifth Avenue, New York, whar Use bin para- lyzin’ de denizens with ‘Hamlet.’ Suah, sah, — ley say I’se de comin’ Shak promul- gator ob de period, fo’ a fac’, an’ it was by de skin ob my teeth dat dis yar chile escaped de public demand fo’ his ‘Hamlet,’ an’ cum West on a Pullman hand-car, to recooperate an’ re- hearse, an’ at de same time accept a position ob trust wid de cunnel.” ; “Well, there’s one thing certain,” the road- agent said, gruffly. ‘Zactly, sah—dere’s a mer ob certainties about dis yar cullud pillar ob Shakespeare. But w’ot certain thing did you have ref’rance to, most amiable duke?” “The certain thing is that you area brainless idiot, or a lunatic!” the road-agent replied, with a chuckle. ‘The best thing you can do isto go start a graveyard, by planting yourself.” 2 “Gwoff!? Snowbank - cried, indignantly. **-You’s de wustest pusson I ebber see, pon my honor. ~ You’se got ’bout as much ’preciation fo" ” de fine arts asa mule. Go “long, now, an’ don’t trouble dis distinguished Shakespearean scho- Nar no more, or I ki’yarve you wid my raz- zor. 4 “Undoubtedly, if you get a chance, Yousay _ you are going to Skeleton Bend?” “Dat’s my projective p'int, sah!” ‘And you say youare going tomeect thisman, __ Yuba, there?” “Spect 1 is.” . ‘* What takes you to Skeleton Bend?” __ : ‘*Bress you, chile, he’s goin’ to start a church an’ preach to de sinners ober dar.” ‘“Well, I’m cussed ef he won’t hey worth subjects fer converts,” the road-agent said, wit a hoarse laugh. ‘‘ But, ta-ta, nigger! Dhaven’t got time to entertain you longer, but willsee ‘ou ie Am Pint e the see a P-t0 hang a pilgrim, yet, to-night, an’ must jog- * in’. Ef any one asks after the health o’ bap. ‘utthroat, over at the Bend, fee them my re- spects, an’ tell ’°em Tm well. Tra! la! la! now: ip the gutter!” ; ; a

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Pen a @ Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. Then, with a wild laugh his road-agency turn- ed and strode away up the gulch, EB. Snowbank gazed after him a second, in sublime disgust; then, turning, he made tracks in the opposite direction, as ee as the length and strength of his pedal extremities would permit. Cie ara Two miles down Billy-Goat Gulch, from where _ Snowbank encountered Cutthroat, lay the town or mining camp of some notoriety, called Skele- ton Bend. About @,mile above where tha above meeting had occurred, or in all about three miles up Billy-Goat Gulch, from the Bend, a deep, nar- row rayine struck off through the depths of the * mountains. It was a dark, lonesome place, even in day- time, but at night there were few men, familiar » with the surrounding country, who could have been hired to penetrate the dark recesses and follow the ravine to its inter-mountain end. This place had been christened the Cat-Gut, because once upon a time a vagabond miner with a passion for scraping the bow, had en- tered the uninviting place on a prospecting tour, and had hever been known to return. ence the name. : After leaving the darky, Captain Cutthroat strode rapidly through Billy-Goat Gulch, until he came to the Cat-Gut, into which narrow seam he turned and hurried on. For perhaps the distance of two miles Cut- throat followed the gulch, at last arriving at a little camp, where was a small tent, and a blaz- ing fire. A couple of men were seated beside the fire, engaged in smoking their evening pipes—rough- ly dressed, long-bearded pilgrims, with faces masked like Cutthroat’s. They nodded to him, as he paused before the camp-fire, and continued to puff at their pipes, without speaking. ‘* Well,” Cutthroat growled, after several minutes of silence. ‘What's the word? Have the boys returned from the Bend?” “No, Cap. Guess not—leasthow, they ain’t show’d up in camp,” the stouter of the twain replied. ‘*’Spect mebbe theyve found a bottle of whisky somewhere along the route, and pepe to pay their respects.’ “Curse them, they’d better attend to my busi- ness first! Ah! hoof-strokes, Here they come, now.” j Ho was not wrong. The footfalls of several horses sounded at no great distance, and were evidently approaching, coming.down the gulch. ; In the course of ten minutes four masked armed horsemen rode in upon the scene, accom- panied by afifth party, also mounted, but bound upon his horse. A young man he was, of some two or three and twenty Years, attired in the rough garb of i the mountain miner—an effeminate fellow in appearance, with his beardless face and fine-cut features, who looked as if he were better fitted for a parlor than the-mines, A gleam of exultation shot from Captain Cut- throat’s eye, as he beheld CHAPTER II. A RUFFIAN AT HOME—NEW “ PILGRIMS” aT SKELETON BEND. **Ho! ho! so it’s you, is it?” the outlaw chief cried, striding nearer, and surveying the cap- ae te miner with a malicious showing of his eeth, ** Yes, it’s me,” was the proteus response, “but I am at a loss, sir, to account for my seizure and bringing to this wild spot. I cannot under- stand it!’ t] “Oh! eon can’t! Well, I shall hev to enlight~ en you, I see. ‘S'pose you know who I am?” “No more, sir, than that your brutal com- pani here gave me to understand that when saw some such a pilgrim as you it would be Cap Cutthroat, the outlaw,” the miner answer-+ ed, undauntedly, ““HWumph! yes I’m Cutthroat,” the ruffian re- plied,—-‘‘ Calvin Cutthroat, the leader of thesa fine specimens of humanity, known as the Pick- ed Party. Cuss it, you don’t betray much emo- tion at the fact.” ‘Tam not in the habit of getting frightened at scarecrows,” was the retort. ‘‘So, say what you have to say, mister road-robber, and let me return to the Bend.” . “Oh! no, Mr. Fred Flash—that ain't my game atall. I shouldn’t hev hed the boys invite you to the (i a oe of our camp ef I was to let ye go back. No, no, m family, you’re booked for a season here, to do tight-rope performances, and you have got ter hang ter yer contract.” “Again I fail to comprehend your meaning. Surely you do not wish to imply that it is your intention to do me harm?” “Reckon them’s my precise calculations, Fred Flash, ef this old coon knows herself, an’ I ruther think she do,” was the assurance, “Oh! ye needn’t be surprised, fer thet’s an old story to the Picked Party: Many’s the pilgrim w’ot’s bin took by surprise, heer in the Cat-Gut, an’ tramped away to pn Yas, we've tuk a notion inter our heads, Fla make a fine subject for a lynch pic-nic—a sort of neck-tie party, and so I had the boys draft you, You, of course, may have some objec- tions, but we propose to overrule them. There's a heap of influence, you know, in a piece of hemp.” The miner, though not of a cowardly make turned pale—more from indignation than actua: alarm, although he well knew that Cutthroat and his gang had no enviable reputation. Through the mining country around Skeleton Bend, they had spread a reign of terror by their bold crimes and fearless depredations, until a price had been set upon their heads, which amounted to no small fortune, A brave miner and citizen was Fred Flash, and although young in years, he was gifted with a keen business tact and was one of the first. and most popular citizens at the Bend. And one of the most surprising things that had troubled him was this startling move on the part of Cap Cutthroat, “Tn the name of Heaven, man, what have I — ever done, that should cause this enmity on your part, toward me?” the miner cried, ind: gnantiy, gay young head of a» sh, that you will — ‘‘T have never harmed you nor your men, and § es i ° :

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Zé MR ASU wick i \ myself : & Deadwood Dick oe do not see what reason you have for wishing to hang me,” ‘Oh! Tdare say not. There’s a good many things in this world that a person can’t see. But I can easily set one mind at rest on this par- ticular score. You see in the natural course of human events, there are a class of men who prosper, and, again, another class who do not prosper. You, by some providential' chance, are one.of the prosperous mortals. You own the Clipper lode over at the Bend, which, when not half developed, is worth its millions, You own that mine, and have refused fifty princely offers for it, Yet I, for one, have sworn to possess it, and also your wife Fanny Flash. She is just to my liking, and I'm going to marry her and manage the mine, after I’ve started you off on your last pilgrimage.” ‘ ‘* Villain—ruffian!” Fred Flash gasped in gen- uine horror. ‘Surely the Lord will not let you proceed in your brutal pw ae “He won't, eh? Waal, now, don’t you fool yourself! Mebbe I know about that better nor you do, Guess the old gent won’t stick his jaw inmy pie. Anyhow, et won’t come to no good, fer you aire either agoin’ to cum to terms, or aire goin’ to hang, one or t’other, Then, after you've been disposed of, I'll’ go an’ take posses- sion/of the widder.” : Ahi will you?” Fred Flash returned with a quiet smile, “‘I rather predict stormy weather before you accomplish that pretty little under- taking. When you take Fanny Flash for a fool you’ve reckoned wrongly.” “Oh! ye can’t tell me nuthin’, about her,” Cutthroat cried sneeringly. ‘‘ I know the little woman like a book, an’ she knows m* —tharfore we know each other, ye see, It’s all a put-up job between us about giving you this golden op- portunity. She’s as deep in the plot as I am; anyhow, she wants to link her fate with mine, and proposed the hempen necktie as the reme- dial agent. Only so that you are outof the way and she can marry me—that will suit the Flash- ing Fanny toa capital T. Of course you can- not have been blind to the fact that the artless Fanny was a widder when you entered into a matrimonial alliance with her. She married Tim Trevelyn, of the Bend, an’ arter Tim woke up one mornin’ a corpuss, they called Miss Panny the Widder. No one ever suspected that Trevelyn did not die of the heart disease, as was reported, but you, poet may imagine that there was considerable steel in the disease, or else a bit of dog-button. Ha! ha!” Fred Flash grew a shade paler, as he listened. “You lie, you ruffian,” he cried, sternly. “Your efforts to instill poison intomy mind are unavailing. Fanny Flash, of Skeleton Bend, is my wife, and has ever been faithful to me. All you might say in contradiction, would never change my opinion. As to AE marrying her, I have no fears whatever, for she would scorn to wipe her feet on you, and, moreover, she is perfectly able to take care of herself. As to getting possession of the mine, you will find it more of an undertaking than you imagine. That is all I have to say, If you have deter- mined to hang me, itis in your power so to do as I am your prisoner, and unable to defen of Deadwood. ‘ ‘*Ha! ha! how closely a person can arrive at the truth of a thing when he’s forced to,” Cut- throat chuckled, maliciously. ‘But, hold up, my dear Flash. Don’t consign yourself to eter- nity until you hear the terms I have to propose. First, however, it may be advisable to be on the safe side. Boys, lead his horse beneath the out- ee il Bair of yonder pine, and fasten a necktie about our friend’s windpipe, and also up to the limb, so that he will have no show for escape. The order was executed without delay, and then Cutthroat continued: ‘*Now, my dear Flash, I'll tell you what lib- eral terms I have to propose—just because, you know, I have regarded you as an honest and upright man. Either you must sign over to me the sole right and title to the Clipper Mine, and promise to at once and forever quit this part of the country, abies wen Fanny behind you, or you must—hang! Take your choice; you have five minutes to decide in, sir.” And tke chief drew forth his watch and noted the hour and minute. $6 Bee can put up your watch!” Fred Flash cried. ‘‘ I had decided long ere you con~ cluded your munificent offer!” * Ah! you will accept, then?” ‘ ‘* No! a thousand times no! Were I so great a coward and villain as to yield to that pro. posal, I hope God might strike away my life on the instant, and save you the trouble. Fool! ruffian! brute! take advantage of the power you hold over me, and hang me, if you choose, B’ for no earthly persuasion—no earthly torture, ~~ could ever change my decision!” —__ “Then, curse you, you shall have the full benefit, of the fate you have congue to!” Cutthroat cried, savagely. ‘We'll see which is the easiest route to leave the country: by, the public highway or the elevated s' Boys, unbind him from the saddle, and when I say the word, lead the horse away! he ready hands of two of the Picked Party executed the order; a third masked’ member seized the horse that had borne young Flash to ae bie by the bits, ready to do the chief's idding. ** One!” Cutthroat cried, with a horrible leer, “Say yer prayers as yer go up, friend Flash. Haven’t time to do itnow. Two—here you go, now. Three!” The instant the word “ three” was uttered, the road-agent led the horse from under the doomed miner, and he dropped—into air, the rope ta his neck preventing his touching the ground. ; A few struggles, and all was over, Lifeless the body swung to and fro, beneath the lynching tree of the Picked Party. And be ar drinking long draughts from a jug of liquor that was produced, mounted their horses and rai away through the course of the Cat-Gut, as if pursued by a hun- dred haunting demons, On the following day the tri-weekly stage, or “hearse,” as it was more frequently denominat- ed tore down into the mining-camp of Skeleton Bend, with its fractious six-in-hand, and the vet~ eran of the line, Grasshopper Joe, standing up ,

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right upon the seat, holding or rather’ guiding the rushing animals with his right hand, while with his left, or “handy” member, he flourished a short whip-stalk in such ‘a manner that the long, braided buckskin lash tickled the ears of the leaders, Spieeea ys Down grade, out of Billy-Goat Gulch, and across Dead Man’s Flats into the thriving little mining town did the stage whirl, with noisy rumble, to come to a dead halt before the prin- cipal tavern, while Grasshopper eut a pigeon’s wing on top of the stage, and his voice howled forth in stentorian accents: *“Hyar we be—Skeleton Bend! Pile out, pilgrims—-ten minutes fer supper, an’ fifteen fer whisky. Next station is Puke Center!” - And the passengers did pile out with a will—a full score in number, i be ot every phase of character usually found in mining-towns, from the stogy-booted miner to the portly speculator, dandified sport, or card-sharp. Atstage-time Skeleton Bend always presented a festive appearance, for it was. the unfailing custom of the larger class of the inhabitants to gather at or in the neighborhood of thse tavern to watch Grasshopper Joe fetch the ‘ hearse 4 into: town, a-booming. Then, in addition to the fact that the “‘ hearse” always brought a large tri- weekly mail, there was generally several ar- rivals of parties who had come to take a look at the ‘‘ city,” with a view to adopting it as a per- manent abiding-place. The Bend was quite a village of shanties and tents scattered about on the level sandy flats of the valley pocket, some of which boasted pre- tentiously of size and more than usually good finish, for those regions. To be sure there was but one street, and that was only so called from the fact that the width of a couple of ,wagon-tracks had been left, and . rows of shanties built on either side, Along this street were located the business places of the town, consisting of the tavern, which bore the peculiar title of the “ Bung-Hole,” a combined grocery, drug, dry-goods and hard- ware store, and post-office; a Chinese gaming den; a blacksmithy ; two more saloons and gam- ing-houses; a boarding-house; a strong cabin, used for a justice’s office and jail; a Jew clothing or Cheap John establishment; McK oot’s Gold Ex- change Bank—all of the above being interspersed with shanties and shaft houses—for, despite Dead Man’s Flats being arich placer field, shaft- ing had proven that the further down into the earth the mining was carried, the richer were * the returns. It was just about an hour before sunset when the “ hearse ” arrived in Skeleton Bend, and the labors of the day had been mostly suspended, while the laborers gathered at the ‘* Bung-Hole’ to see who and what were the arrivals. Out of the whole load-of passengers, there were only four persons that attracted more than ordinary notice—for the greater share of them wery rough and gruffy miners, First among these might have been mentioned the tall, lean party, with iron-gray hair and Tutton-chop whiskers, whose attire declared him to be a person of some wealth, if not im- ‘tance. His features were rather emaciated and fur- % oe Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. rowed, and wore a featy pallor, with the ex- ception of his nose, which possessed a roseate tinge, the color commencing at the roots and deepening the nearer it approached to the end. His eyes, too, were fiery, and wore a cynical ex~ pression that was not pleasant to see. His attire consisted of a suit of spotless white duck, with a white silk hat to match, a ‘‘ b’iled” shirt, sporting an immaculate collar, tie, and a blazing diamond pin; and patent-leather shoes.; A gold-headed cane in hand, and a pair of gold- rimmed glasses bridged upon hisnose only added the appearance of a nabob. The second attractive party was a younger man, dressed in the same style, less the hat, shoes, cane and glasses—the hat he wore being one of the jaunty slouch order, the boots the prevailing style of top-boots worn by border- men, while neither cane he carried nor glasses he wore. A belt about his avaist contained a single reyglver, to warn observers that he was not unarmed. 3 In face he was a handsome man, with a hand- some cut of features, long wavy hair, a pointed mustache, and eyes that were dark and of a fascinating, magnetic power. Of the two, he naturally attracted the most attention. Third among the party was a iong-geared specimen of Yankeedom, if ever there was one —a gaunt, hungry-looking individual, with a countenance of the typical ‘*Our Uncle Sam,” into which the concentrated essence of the raw country greenhorn was expressed. His hair was long and shaggy, and of a flaxen color, and a very thin goatee of the same hue ornamented his chin. In the way of attire, he wore a pair of ana : ed breeches, by several inches too short in the legs, as they came above his shoe-tops; a red velvet vest across which was strung an enor- mous watch-chain of pure brass; a calico shirt open at the throat—a swallow-tailed coat of the most antique pattern, buttoned ates around his waist, and gave him an even “‘skinnier ” ap- pearance. His head was crowned by what had once, evidently, been a res ble-looking “plug” hat, but was now riddled with bullet- — holes, and had the appearance of total collapse, A belt about the waist of this party contained a pair of horse-pistols of the largest size and iber. The fourth party referret’ to kept closein the wake of the third man, and was no less a person than the colored tragedian, Edwin Booth Snow- © bank, banjo and all. ; And the worthy tragedian was the first of the human family, of his particular color, who had ever visited the Bend—consequently there was a decided sensation as he stepped from the stage, and murmurs of surprisé from the crowd. aes CHAPTER Ill. DICK OF DEADWOOD PUTS IN AN APPEARANCE: It so happened that Skeleton Bend was as. well supplied with that class of humanity known as “toughs and aes ” as any other mining town of its size in the State or ‘territories, and of this same fact the town at ‘as proud, for the majority of large wi the inbabitants, belonged te that same type.

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x ~ Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. The flower of the fierce and lawless flock answered to the title of “‘Graveyard George,” from the fact that he had been the first to furnish a subject for the cemetery, at the Bend. He was fat, squatty and greasy, in appearance, and his clothes were even greasier and more slouchy than his erat A villainous, hang- dog look was a habitual expression of his fiery countenance, and he possessed the head, the massive jaws, the fists, and the muscles of a prize-fighter. ‘Ever around and-ready to engage in a row was this ‘‘ undertaker” of the Bend, as he had been facetiously named, and no sooner did he set. eyes upolt the dusky form of Edwin Booth Snowbank, than he spat upon his hands, Bae and cut a pigeon’s wing, in the street, «Vip! hip! hurroo!” he roared loudly as he intercepted and stood precisely in front of the tragedian. ‘ Lookee hyar, boys, what d’ye call this heer movin’ panorama 0’ Egypt? what it is, an’ lll sell ye a half-interest.” “Why, Graveyard, that’s a nigger—a reg’lar sorgum-molasses ’coon from Georgia, I tell yel” one of the miners declared, whereat the miners all laughed. “Yas, cuss me ef it ain’t a rey lar size black- an’-tan—a thoroughbred black walnut,” the ruf- fian cried, half-squatting, with his hands upon his knees, and leering up into Snowbank’s face. ‘Hello! I say, you thundercloud, whar’d ye spring from/—what’ll you take fer your com- plexion?—whar’d ye b’y the ulster?” “ Jes’ you git out ob dis yar chile’s way, or T’ll awful quick show you,” Ned asserted pomp- ously, ‘Don’ ye go ter nosin’ "bout me, you white nigger, or I'll paralyze you in two wig- zles ob a Jam’s tooth. Ob! I’s a bad nigger to ‘to anything wid, sah! I carry’s a toothpick, I does.’ 3 And from out of the sleeve of his duster a common-sized carving-knife slipped into the rat pet hand, and he made a sweep at the Sully of the Bend. But for a sudden backward movement of that individual, which precipitated him to the earth, he woulu have received a carving across the countenan+9 in reality, for the son of the South was dead i; earnest, This litth» 1ct was a sufficient guatantee that there would be a scene right there and then, and some of the bystanders applauded. Graveyare George arose to his feet with an oath, his face flaming with rage. “See hyar, you black imp of Satan, did you intend to cut me then?’ he roared, but keeping out of range of the knife. ‘Hope me die ef dem wa’n’t dis yer chile’s rzact calculations,” Ned declared, important- ell me ly. ‘I tole you to gwuff me, you didn’t gwuff —.o Treach for you with my stilletter. That’s de kind ob a two-legged ha’rpin I is. Carve you ebbery time you cum near me. *Spect you don’t know me, eh?” “No, you infernal niggers ner I don’t keer ter ~ “Now Thave ye, my nig. fer within the next jifty I. 7. de nobles’ Roman ob dem all—de triumphant Hamlet ob de , rect from de Fifth Abbenue Theater, New York.” | Another Jaugh from the crowd, who had surged en masse, near as possible, to the scene. All those who had arrived on the stage, also stood near, drinking in the scene eagerly. Graveyard George considered that his reputa- tion was at stake, and he was resolved to “lay the nigger out,” withont delay. ‘See here, you cuss, do you know what I’m going to do with you?” he cried, shaking his - huge fists at_the tragedian—‘d’ye realize what I, Graveyard George, the boss o’ this byar camp, ar’ gor to do with you, fer yer insolence?” ** Bress youah life, no—habben’t de least ijee, chile. Hope you isn’t gwine eae en- yess wid an offer ob a golden bokay?” Ned re- plied, innocently. * Golden bo’quet! Haw! haw! Yes, Pll give yea pees you black Friday son-of-a-Se tian! Ill give ye a bonanza, I will, an’ don’t ye fergit it. Tell ye what I’m goin’ to do, nigger. I'm just a-goin’ to mop this hyar street with you! “Mop 4 street wid dis nobles’ ob all de Si- berians! Shoh! No, nebber!” Ned cried, tragi- eally flourishing the knife, Jes? you keep at a respectable distance, or I'll spile ye—I’'ll ki- yar've ye, I will—I'll cut ye deep wid my razzor. Ye better not cum a-foolin’? around dis* yar chicken, for I’se a bad man, when'I get my Hamlet up. 1 carries a toothpick!” ** Ba-a-ah!” bleated the bully, in imitation of a billy-goat. ‘Dye think I’m afeard o’ one little knife, you skunk? Why, I’ve swallered a hun- dred sech playthings as them in my time.” “Bet a dollar dat’s a lie,” Ned declared, cool- ly. ‘*Mebbe you’se swallered sebberil ob dat size, too?” and out from his boot-leg he pulled the immense knife, which was about two feet long, and was his especial pride. A shout of surprise and laughter went up from the crowd as the tragedian skoved this dangerous instrument at Graveyard, with a long-reaching thrust which caused the ruffian to leap back with an oath. . “Now, jest you cl’ar out!” Ned again ordered, “or I shave you wid dis razzor—dis yar Toledo blade w’ot Hamlet used to sling in his campaign against de Siberians. Keep away, now, chile— keep away—take—take car’, now—don’t want to get slit froo de wizzen ” © traveyard George rarely stopped for oppos- ing weapons when he had a pur in view but somehow the great blade of the negro had no savory appearance, and he was not prepared yee himself upon it, so he stood literally at bay. ‘‘Curse me, ef I don’t lay you out yet!” he gritted, his face positively hideous in its spp ance. “Tf hands can’t reach you, the lead- mines and powder-magazines furnish something __ that will.” sinks And from his belt he whipped a pair of Jarge- —_ calibered six-shooters, that looked as if they had been used for deadly purposes before, and level- - ed them full at the colored tragedian, with a triumphant chuckle. ~ i * Se eee _ way yer prayers, © m goin’ to tumble - . Res

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you into eternity!” he cried, cocking the wea E ae Stop! shoot that colored man, and you die!” cried a stern, ringing voice. None of the Benders was it who thus ordered, for none were there among them who cared to rovoke the wrath of the bully undertaker of he town. 3 The speaker had stepped forward and placed the muzzle of a revolver against the side of George’s head in a very peremptory manner. And this man was the sportive individual, in white duck attire, slouch hat and top-boots, who had arrived on the stage—the handsome, cool erpeatng chap, the glance of whose eye was a sufficient guarantee that he-was a man of steel, in every sense of the word. j ; “Who are you?” Graveyard George growled, fully realizing his peril and the fact that it be- hooved him not to be too demonstrative. ‘‘ What the devil are you stickin’ your nose inter my biz’ness fer?” “Til blamed quick show you if you exhibit any more of your braggadocio about here,” the sport replied. ‘If it’s my name you want, I am Deadwood Dick, at your service—Deadwood Dick, of Deadwood—Deadwood Dick, the com+ bined road-agent, dead-shot, card-sharp, specu- lator, miner, sport, detective, gentleman, loafer and thoroughbred. That is about as good an il- lustration of who and what Iam, as I am able to give you. When I strike a town like this, where one particular rough of your type of character pretends to make a i pee one of bully- ism, I generally interfere, and either conquer the aforesaid bully, or quarter him up into regu- lar size and plant him.’ Calm and unexcited was the man of note, while speaking; and he was a center of many Sannoes for even to Skeleton Bend had the ‘ame of notorious Richard of Deadwood penetrated—brave, bold, gentlemanly Ned Har- ris, so many of whose years had been character- ized by adventures of a wild and exciting nature. Hard it was to strike any mining-town or camp, where there was not some person who knew him, or, mayhap, took sides against him. None was there now, however, who seemed particularly desirous of tackling him, save it was the ruffian, and evenhis insolence moderated when he learned in whose power he was. ‘‘Put up your tool, an’ cry quits, au’ I will,” he groWled, ‘‘I ain’t anxious to peg off, yet by a long shot; so you put up your tools; an’ ri close up.” : “Yas, you better. Oh! you suckér—you clam-chewer! jes’ wait till I get you outside, some dark night. Won't I slit you wid my raz- zor, though! Waal, I reckon I'll jest amputate you, suah!” And then, remembering that. there was pro- priety in making himself scarce while Grave- yard was in durance, the darky hurriedly re- sheathed his knives in his bootleg, and vanished into the “‘ Howtel.” Deadwood Dick then put up his revolver, and Graveyard George walked away down the street without a word. : “Waal, durn me, ef that ain’t the first time I ever see'd the undertaker thoroughly subdued,” one bystander exclaimed, in surprise, Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. ‘Don’t ye fool yersilf,” a raw-boned Irishman vouchsafed. eke George is no brat to be pacified so easy. He's gone out to cogitate as to how is the best ‘way to go at it, to put a dam~ per on the chimney of this rg oe “All rigbt, gentlemen; if he comes back in search of me, oblige me by informing him he will find me ia the hotel, here,” Dick said, com- posedly. Then, tipping his hat gracefully, he turned and entered the great barn-like shanty which bore the appellation of the ** Bung-Hole.” The interior was scarcely more inviting than the exterior—but then the tastes of the Bender did not run to fine buildings or fine dress, There was a bar across one end of the apart ment, and this and a few broken chairs and benches constituted the main part of the furni- ture visible, unless it was the glasses and decan- ters upon the shelves back of the counter. The barkeeper, a huge red-whiskered fellow, was slinging out the drinks ey and at the same time keeping an eye on the large register, where some of the new-comers were inscribing their names. Deadwood Dick sauntered near, just as the gentleman with the white silk hat and gold- headed cane was appending his signature, but stood aloof until the toned party finished. Red Roxy, the barkeeper, looked at the name signed, and nodded. © “Oh! yow’re from New York, eh? Just wait, your honor, till these human sponges get through absorbing my moisture of pure rye, and I'll at- tend to your wants.” ‘* Be spry about’it, then,” the man from the metropolis said, coldly. ‘‘I am not used to ac- cepting second-hand service; please remember that, hereafter. Hither I must be served first or not atall.” “Oh! that’s your lay-out, is it?’ Roxy re- plied, grimly. ‘‘ Waal, sir, I’ve run this bar five years, an’ I kin tell ye it won’t work heer—that nabobism o’ yourn—no sir-ee! The boys aire white, an’ they won’t allow no one to say he is better nor they are.” ““Then they’ll have to learn that there is dis- tinction between commonalty and aristocracy,” the New Yorker said, loftily. ‘‘By the way, sir, I wish the best room the house affords, and my meals served in the room.” d Roxy gave vent to a whistle of astonish- ment. “The best room in the house, an’ yer meals served in the room?” he echoed, in amazement. “Pxactly, sir.” “* Waal, I'll be shot for a lunch fiend, ef you ain’t the most conceited old mutton-head I ever saw. Why, old gent, ef the b’yees about town war ter heer what a mighty fine eyepinion ye’ve got o’ yerself, they’d rotten-egg you at oncet. As for accommydations, ye kin hev a room, ef ye come down witla the filthy, at once, but ef ye want any grub, ye’ve got ter eat along wi’ the other boys. Thar ain’t no splittin’ up on ac- count o’ style or color at the Bung-Hole; u feller _ w’ot w’ars stogy boots is jes’ as good asa feller thet wars patent-leathers, an’ he w’ot’s got -dudads ain’t nonéarer he’ving than he wotain’t, so long as he w’ot ain’t honestly promises to pay ae fer what drinks he gits'”

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t Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. 9 eo re If the New Yorker ‘‘ took to” this idea, he did not make it manifest, but threw down a ten- dollar note upon the bar, ‘“There, pply that on my board,” he said, briefly. ‘Now, I want to trouble you by mak- ing a few brief inquiries,” ‘Goahead; Yorky; ef yeax nothing personal, ye’ll find me a regular town Directory.” “Ttis well. I will pay you well for your in- formation, if it proves valuable to me, What I understand is, that there is a young miner in this town by the name of Fred Flash?” “Waal, I s’pect not,” Roxy replied, wiping an imaginary tear from his left eye. ‘‘ Poor Flash is dead—crossed over the range, you see. Some o’ the boys found him is the Cat-Gut, hangin’ to ther limb of a tree this mornin’ ’arly, whar he’d bin slung up bysum unknown encmy. An’ now his widder, Miss Fanny, she be down at her sha ete nearly distracted.” ; “ Ah! poor child. How opportune that I have arrived at such a sad period, as I may be able to offer consolation!” the man from New York said with manifest solemnity, But there was something unpleasant in his | tone, and a strange glitter to his eye that did not escape the attention of Deadwood Dick, whg was lounging near by; nor of Roxy, who was lean- ing upon the bar. ‘Dunno *bout your consolin’ her,” he said, with a queer smile. ‘I tell ye, my nabob, ye don’t want ter go ter monkeyin’ around Capt’in Fanny, as the boys call her, onless you’ve got a- license, for she’s a nice little gal, an’ thar ain’t none 0’ ther boys but what?ll stand by her.” “A fig for that,” the nabob said, snapping his fingers contemptuously. ‘‘ Wealth is omnipo- tent, and if I choose, I can buy the whole town, girl and all.” And with this declaration he sauntered away, As soon as hehad left the bar, Dick stepped up and examined the register. “Honorable Ira Maxfield, of N. Y., eh?” he commented, addressing Roxy, ‘A very high- toned scoundrel—not? “'That’s it, precisely,” the barkeeper replied with anod. “Tallus kin read a feller when I set my peepers on him, an’ I booked that rooster fer a reg’lar villainous skinflint, you bet! Won- der what he wants of the Flashes?” : ‘* Probably has some speculative scheme afoot,” Dick replied, “Who are the Flashes you men- tion? = 7 “ Well, Fred Flash w’ot got hung, was one o’ the whitest an’ most respected pilgrims in camp. He cum heer an’ bought up a claim that no one else would have, an’ went to diggin’ on it all by hisself. About two weeks after he arrived, he married Captain Fanny, an’ good-luck seemed to cum o’ this, fer shortly after he struck rich sand, an’ the Clipper Mine war a success. Since then Fred an’ Fanny has lived together, ap- parently happy, an’ the Clipper hes bin rollin’ out the rock. an’ sand beuutiful, till she stands wu’th half a million to-day, at least calkylation. Fred had refused big offers fer it, an’ some think thet’s ther reason why they found him wi’ his neck in a noose.” “Humph, Did they bring his body here?” “‘No, The boss buried it, as the wild animals had disfigured it.” 5; “Nobody is suspected of the job, then?” “No, I reckon not, though it’s mighty likely Cap Cutthroat and some of his outlaws had a finger in the pie. Goin’ to register?” z “Well, I think I will. Didn't intend to stop over, but betwixt you and me, I opine the New Yorker has a villainous game afoot, and ’m going to take the liberty of watching it,” He took a pen, and wrote in a graceful busi- ness hand— ‘Deadwood Dick, of Deadwood, D. T.” Red Roxy gave vent to an exclamation, as he saw the signature. ; ‘What! you the famous outlaw?” nine : am Ad ie Have Once I paid the penalty of a road-agent by hanging, and no man can rightfully molest me. Sti might is right here in the mines, and I am molested, whether I travel as citizen or outlaw—openly or in dis- ani Therefore, I have decided to not attempt isguising my identity, To you I am Dead- wood Dick, the ex-road-agent—to the world I am thesame. I earned my freedom from the vengeance of the law by hanging; I mean to keep it, if I have to fight all my life. If any one dares.attempt to disturb me, he is the man I shall at once freeze to, and one of us will en- courage the grave dineer? business.” Red Roxy brought his hand down on the coun- ter with a tremendous thump. “Bully fer you!” he said, with enthusiasm. “Youve got timber, you have, and can count on mine veriest friendship.” ‘* And mine too, for verily Daniel was good to the lions, and with the will of the Almighty, they cheweth him not. But thunder! how Dan must hev felt! Ay! verily he must have trem- bled. But, my beloved brother, cannot I beg your attention for a moment?” eadwood Dick turned, to behold in _ the speaker the long-geared Yankee who had ar- rived on that evening’s stage. CHAPTER IV. - Bie eee wR =< ine WELL, old pilgrim, if you’ve got an’ particular to say, bee ae it’s your prieiiens to do so,” Dick replied, smiling. : “Thanks, my brother. Surely I have seen thy benign and reverend countenance some- where in my pilgrimage, but my mind forsaketh me as to the exact time and place, Allow me to introduce myself, sir—the Right Reverend Col. Yank Yuba, late of Yuba Dam, also a minister of the church of Israel. My dear bro ther, I was once an arrant sinner like yourself, but I besame inspired with holy thoughts, an pulled at once out of my old sphere, to take up smy clerical duties as a shepherd of some erring flock. By thunder, pard, I had to pull, for Nance—that’s my wife—she gave me a cu cowhiding,“sech as no cow could stand, But, excuse my digression from the road of right- — eousness, for sometimes I get tectotally off the track, I have come here, dear brother, to es- tablish a church—also an insurance ee I represent the National Compety of Kalamazoo —assets; twenty billion; liabilities, ten dollars. Reliable, safe, cheap, Let me insure your iif, sir, and then induce you to join the church of Israel and betome one of the Emanuel’s band.’ —

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10 **Guess not. Don’t want to cheat you, Yuba, because you see I am liable to go up in a cloud of smoke most any time, bein’s its known around és town who I am.” ay “ That's all the more reason why thou shouldst f take out a policy, dear beloved brother, and mike thy peace at once. For ten dollars will I insure thy life in the sum of ten thousand dol- lars, and for ten dollars more [ll inake you one of the pillars of my church of Zion—yes, I will, by thunder and lightning!” Both Dick and Roxy, the bartender, laughed, not so much at the words of the stranger, but because they thought him crazed, or ‘‘ off.” And then, his appearance was enough to arouse a « smile from a stoic. “Tm afeard you won’t abide long in'Skeleton Bend, pilgrim, ef them’s your politics, Ther b’yees don’t goa cent on doctrines, and it wasn’t over a month ago they tucked a minister about your size, away in under a pine log, over yon- der on the flats, “You don’t say!” Yuba gasped, in evident horror. ‘‘ What a heathenish set of people for a poor disciple to tackle! But, then, they ain’t no circumstance to my old woman, Nance, wot I left down at Yuba Dam—no, sir-ee! Why, pil- _grims, ef ye could once see thet woman git on one 0’ her tantrums, ye’d say she was worse’n any two-legged wild-cat w’ot ever lived. Mad! why cuss my eyes—I mean bless my eyes, if she isn’t unduly violent. Ah! here comes my body-servant, Sir EH. B. Snowbank, Ah! Edwin, my dear colored brother, is it you? I was just telling the gentlemen, how I, a meek, docile man—a son of Israel, am afflicted with a virago wife—ah! um! such is fate!” 5 Oe darky, who had approached, nodded his ead. * Bress dis chile’s soul an’ body, ef he’d like to ‘z bs in your boots. Ruther would I be Hamlet a 5 thousand times an’ allus hab my Toledo blade $ with me—my razzor—my noble Siberian tooth- pick. Why, sah, if dat old daisy ebber catches you, Yankee Doodle Yuba, you’se a dead nig- ger, jes’ as sure’s you’se born.” ** Alas! it’s all the same old story,” the colo- nel sighed, putting on such a doleful expression, that Deadwood Dick laughed, outright. ‘‘ The same sad sacrificial story, gents. She has sculp- _ ed me, she has choked—yes, she has even Seat = lyzed me, and yet I live to tell the story. Verily my will to be a great and good man is strong, but when old Nance Yuba rises unchristianlike before my gaze, I feel a blamed sight more like cussin’ than I do like prayin’,” “Hope me die ef ye won't feel de most like prayin’, ef dat yar Nance ebber learns you’se yar,” the tragedian grinned. ‘*’Spect she'll g° through you till dar won’t be de side ob a shadder left ob you. Tell you what, Marse Yank, you batter lie low, ar’ put an additional thousand insurance on yer lifein my name, fer Nanee, she be a-skirmishin’ along on de war- ach sumwhere’s ’twixt heer an’ Yuba Dam, a- lookin’ fer you, wid dat yar bull-hide whip.” **Then, verily I must die, dnd it may as well ‘be hore, as elsewhere, Gentlemen—noble disci- Jes of Emanuel’s army, I leave you now for a time, it may be soon that I will see you—it may ve never, alas! n-ever!” And pretending Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. to wipe a tear from his eyes, Yank Yuba turned away, closely followed by the negro. Shortly after, Deadwood Dick sought tha ; room that had been assigned him, and turned in for the night, his mind busy with thoughts con- cerning those who arrived on the stage, that evening, and all of whom were destined to play parts in another wild western drama, in so many of which he had previously been cast as a character, ‘ But, suspicious of villainy, he was determined = a and see the thing through, if it cost him is life. Capt’n—Miss—or Mrs, Fannie Flash stood by the table in the kitchen of her little shanty, on the following morning, making a very pretty picture, as, with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, she washed and wiped what few dishes. were used in a meal for oue person, and that — person herself. A petite little lady was the “* Captain,” as she was called, at the Bend, with a graceful little form which seemed all life and animation when it moved. In face she was fresh and pretty. with merry, expressive eyes of brown, that seemingly had the power of penetrating where- soever they were directed; a pleasant, tempting; mouth, and generally ete en east of features, whilea wealth of soft brown hair bung below’ her waist. 4 She was attired in a dainty pink wrapper. just short enough before to reveal a daintier pair of slippered feet, and wore no jewelry or other adornment. Such was Captain Fanny, who, though still young in years, had beer twiee married and twice divorced by death—. for she was not yet twenty. _ At the Bend she was considered a dangerous. woman—women envied her, women shunned her—not because she was not respectable or well behaved, was this, but because she was a enigma—that was the whole answer to the thing. She was fearless—perfectly able and ee to go and come when and where it plea: her fancy, and ever on guard to take care of her- self. She had ‘shot, but not killed, several of the town roughs, for hinting darkly against her — character. She had once rescued a horse-thief from the jail, and set him at liberty, because she took a notion—and then defied the whole town. For all, she was quiet, unobtrusive, fas- cinating. 7 The fact that she was fascinating was why the men avoided her. Said they who knew, ste ad the power of charming any one whomsoever if pleased her; once she cast her mysterious fas- cinating influence around a man, he must be a brute who could withstand her. There were traces of tears about her eyes, which betrayed that she had been weeping, this morning, which might not have been wondered at, taking into consideration the death of poor Flash, so recently. 3 She had finished washing the last plate when a footstep caused her to look around, and she: beheld a man standing in the doorway of her little kitchen—an utter sti r to her. The man was the Honorable Ira Maxfield, from New York, scrupulously clad in nobby ate ry + ee

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. e ee ‘Po, and lovking proud aristocrat. ‘Ah! good-morning, my noble lady,” he said, doffing bis hat, politely. ‘It gives me pleasure to know you—for I believe Iam addressing the charming Mrs. Flash, relict of the late lamented Frederic Flash.” “Sir! I do not- know you,” Fanny replied, coldly, ‘* Your presence is an intrusion.” “Ah! right my dear girl—quite right; but it won't be, after you know wholam. Allow me to introduce myself to you—the Honorable Ira Maxfield from New York. Perhaps your late lamented husband may have mentioned me, as I am his me ge by marriage.” “You Fred’s step-father?” Fanny ejaculated, distrustfully. ‘‘I do not believe it, sir. He never told me he had a step-father!” ‘**Oh! I do not doubt that. Such a queer, re- tentive fellow the dear boy was—he never con- fided anything of account, even when younger. How well I should have liked to have seen the poor fellow, before his siiddendeath. But, then, it is opportune that I have arrived so soon after our husband’s demise, to take control-of his usiness-— most opportune, indeed.” The ‘‘ Captain” looked astonished. **T don’t understand you?’ she ventured, in- terrogatively. ‘‘In what respect will you take charge of my husband’s business?” “As sole and absolute master!” the New Yorker replied, coolly. ‘‘You see, my dear, you being merely a relative by marriage, can- not hold the least interest in your husband’s property.” } ‘“‘Humph! we shall see about that,” Fanny replied, her anger beginning to show itself in the flash of her eyes. ‘I rather guess you have made a mistake, as to the ownership of the property of my late husband, As Fred Flash’s wife, and only living heir—for he told me he had no other connection—I am the owner, by inheritance, of such earthly wealth as he left behind him. If it’s your game to come here and attempt to get possession of what does not belong to you, you will do well to speak for your coffin—you mind it.” The Honorable Maxfield laughed sneeringly. - “Oh! I have heard little girls talk before,” he retorted, sneeringly. ‘But my dear S. Fanny, I trust, will not find it advisable to buck against me, as I am a hard pilgrim to buck against, I have money, and money without stint, and that will buy me friends and influ- ence, A thousand dollars judiciously expended will make me so many friends that I can step right into control of the Clipper Mine, and the majority of the people will back me.” “Villain! scoundrel! do you dare to stand there and talk to me thus?’ Fanny cried, indig- ‘nantly. ‘‘ Leave my house, sir—leave it, I com- mand you. You area villain—an unscrupulous knave, and if you dare to stick your nose in my business, I'll shoot you.” “Oh! call me all the pet names you like!” Maxfield replied, provokingly calm. ‘TI love epithets when es by adarling of a mouth like yours. As far as leaving your palatial abode, I shall do that whenever I feel disposed. I didn't come here to threaten, my dear, but to the picture of a vain, purse- . murderer of Fred Flash, That is one thin propose terms. [merely mentioned my power, i to illustrate the fact that I hold the game, to do just as I please with it, Hither you must yield to my reasonable demands, or I shall compel you to. “Oh, you will? Well, go on with your vil- lainous game, and see which will have the most tricks when it it ended.” “ Ah! my child, I see you still do not compre hend the true situation of affairs. Let me illus trate to you. There are whispers afloat in the town that you are queer—that is to say, not exactly what a thorough lady should be, you know. You have been rather wild, they say and inclined to flirting, and so forth, and now i is hinted that you were tired of Flash, and hired him summarily disposed of. Of course these are ~ yet only the comments of some of the citizens. but if they are not contradicted by a person of influence like myself, they will soon gain general circulation, and the first you know you will find your elf pointed out as a low woman and a or you to consider. Then there is another thin that has come to my notice, Before you marricd - Flash youhad a husband by the name of Tre- — velyn,avho was supposed to have died of heart disease. But he did not die. He was chucked away in a grave by some of the miners, without coffin, and only ‘lightly covered, and on coming to his senses, after a spell of inanimation, he du out and still lives; so you see you are a bigamis' as well as a murderer, end being such, have no claim on the Clipper Mine, which Secor ine, descends to the nextnearest heir—myself! Hal ha! you see 1am bound to win anyhow; if not one way, then in some other, I hold you at my mercy, but‘as you will hereafter see, 1 am in- clined to be merciful.” _ j “Curses on such mercy as a villain of your — stamp would offer!” Fanny cried, fiercely, — “May Heaven protect me, for I never heard 0: such an out-and-out devilish schemer in all my life before.” ae “Oh! Tam a great villain, no doubt, butIal- ways win, ITassure you, Nor will it avail you to scorn my mercy, for you will either have to — accept it, and my terms, or go out to the gallows — Listen: I am rich, good-looking, s leasant, kindly companion, when not riled. I myself as proprietor of the ace apart x : sh—T- =

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~ and backed quick) ss you virago! You have 12 more fitted for low iter nat Ha! ha! do you see the point?” and Maxfield laughed, villainous- ly. ‘‘Oh! I am not afraid of the chastisement, and will retract nothing. You are a murderess —a bigamist, and a low thing. Now then, Miss Pert, horsewhip me if you dare—if you dare, mind you.” “Well, I dure, and I'll bet you'll find it out,” the girlish widow cried, and with the words she seized a long snaky- pEPerine bull-whip, which had been secreted behind a chimney board. Maxfield uttered an oath, for seeing no whip until now, he had supposed her to be ‘‘ gassing” about it; but just about now he began to realize his mistake, for, ere he could dodge, atta § ave him a cut about his rather superannua egs, which elicited a howl of pain. * Til teach you how to fool around me, you tear she cried, earnestly. ‘* Take that! and a And the stinging cuts she administered with the bull-whip—showed she was no novice in its , use, “Curse you! Stop! Stop!” Maxfield cried, in pain and rage. ‘‘ What do you mean in'thus striking a gentleman?” “Pll show you what I mean!” Fanny replied, resolutely, striking him a blow in the face—that raised a welt. ‘‘ You'll find that you can’t in- sult the girls and women here in the mines with impunity, as you can the city people. Get out —be gone! I'll cut you to pieces, if you don't go, you vile whelp!” axfield evidently piorcngey believed this, out of the house into the street—then turned and ran hastily toward the Bung-Hole, which was some hundred rods across the valley from Flash’s shanty, He calculated flight was this time the better part of valor; and would put an end to the matter. But in even this he was mistaken; for, in- stead of stopping her chastisement, and confin- ing it_to the tyes of her own shanty, Cap- tain Fanny had followed him into the street, and came on in hot pursuit. "A long-lashed stage-coach whip was now in her grasp, in place of the bull-whip, and crack! erack! it sounded, as the snake-like buckskin Jash leaped throu +h the air and bit theshanks of the fleeing New Yorker. Of course, this animated scene attracted in- stant attention, and from every direction the Bendites swarmed to see the fun. Straight to the Bung-Hole hotel did the plucky young woman pursue her man, until with curses of rage, he got within the doorwa: of the place, where she could not reach him with a whip, “Oh! you Jezebel—you wretch!” he fairly shrieked, as he rubbed his shins—his face of an apoplectic color. ‘I'll pay you for this, oh! ken all the skin off my lower limbs.” 4 “Yes, and I'll take and skin you alive, too, if you Jon’t take back those unmanly things you said of me a bit ago!” Fanny cried. “* Ah! lady, has this man been molesting you?” Deadwood Dick said, stepping forth from the crowd. “Yes. the villain! ‘He came here with the Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. — > intention of driving me from the Clipper Mine, claiming to be my husband’s step-father. When he found that I wouldn’t drive worth a cent, he commenced to abuse me by threatening me. calling me a murderess, a low, vile woman, an so forth, Having no defense pie self-de- fense, I took the matter into my own hands and hors y pee him, The next time he dares to ‘Ace show his upon the-street, Pll repeat the operation!” “Oh! will you? will you?” Maxfield fairl elled, so intense was his anger. ‘Oh! you girl, ‘}tend to your case. I'll teach you to strike a gentleman, I will. Whip me again, will you? O- o-h! you Jezebel!” And he shook his clinched fist at her threateningly. “Miss, you need have no further fear or trouble from this scoundrel, as I will attend tc your wants in the way of answering insults. Ii! you will lend me your wits I will guarantee ta give the metropolitan sn a second thrashing on the spot.” 2 “Oh! you will, will you?’ Maxfield roared, walking out upon the street. ‘* You dare to call me a sneak, sir, and a scoundrel. Ob! but you shall aaswer for this insult—answer in the way entlemen settle such matters, too. You must ht me, sir, Do you hear me—jight me !” ** Of course I hear, and I never refuse to ac- pti a challenge!” Deadwood Dick replied grace- fully. ‘‘ You having preferred the challenge, it becomes my pleasure to name the weapons. Gents, is not this so?” And Dick addressed the crowd poorely: “ Ay!” came the responsive shout. ‘‘ Who challenges doesn’t. choose!” “Then I would Tepecrany, name the weapons for this oceasion to be unhealthy hen fruit—that is rotten eggs!” Dick said with a broad grin, CHAPTER V, THE ‘‘ LOUDEST” DUEL ON RECORD. Tue crowd uttered a ringing showt of ap- proval. Already ae: were in strong admiration and sympathy with the cool gent from Deadwood, who was always ready to side with the weaker party if that party was in the right. And then, the idea of a rotten-egg duel was so extremely novel, and igs rte of a laugh that the proposition was hailed with general approbation. “ Thet’s ther ticket! Eggs fer weapons—who has got er genuine smellers?” a miner cried eagerly. ‘‘ Eggs! eggs! who’s got any ancient eggs?” a Bill Murphy has got fifteen dozen!” a towns- man announced, ‘‘T’'ll go fetch ’em!” And away toward the grocery store the man dashed, in quest of the hen fruit. “Stop! stop! I protest against this outrage!” Maxfield cried, in horror. ‘‘Iam a gentleman —not a ruffian, to fight with things of a dis- gusting and offensive nature. Hither use the regular dueling weapons, or I will not engage.” \ ** We'll see about that, om villain,” Captain Fanny cried, as she seized a pair of revolvers from Dick’s belt, and cocking them, held them leveled at Maxfield’s head.- “ This gentleman was kind enough to interfere in my behalf, and — © ‘ou must ©

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. Ne challenged him, which, by the regular duel- & code, gave him the choice of weapons to be used. Now you would like to back out, like the coward Ph are, but you can’t come it! You've got to do just as the gentleman here, wishes, or yowll get twelve bullets lodged in your thick ekull. That’s just what kind of a hair-pin I am —and my name is Mrs. Fanny Flash—otherwise Captain Fanny!” eadwood Dick gave a start, for until now he had been ignorant of whose cause he was es- ne bby pil the lad ks th “Yes, my nobby pilgrim, the lady speaks the truth,” he pe and reeahits Maxfield. ‘‘ You’ve made your bed, and you've got to lay in it— you've got to tdke a doso of eggs, or a dose of Seceot just whichever suits your fancy the most. “Biggs! eggs! them’s the terms!” shouted the row ‘¢ Wither the New York chap has got to fight with eggs, or up he goes to the limb of a tree. Heer cums Pottsy, now, with the eggs.” The miner was seen hurrying up the street, with a basket upon his shoulder, which was filled with eggs, No hen fruit of local manufacture were these eggs, for not a hen or chick was there known to exist within fifty miles of the camp. The eggs had to be shipped in from Denver, and when spe came to hand two-thirds of them were sadly affected, to say the least. : The crowd cheered vociferously, and Honora- ble Mr. Maxfield looked very crestfallen, as Potts came up and deposited his unsavory bur- den in the street. \ ‘Are these warranted. unsound, pardner?” Dick asked, as the miner deposited the eggs. “Waal, I'll allow—phew! smell of ’em, ef ye don’t believe it,” was the reply. ‘* Murphy-has bin. cullin’ out them ar’ beauties fer a year ast, an’ can vouch fer their all bein’ gay and estive.” “Good! Now, gents, this New York scoundrel who sails under the name of the Honorable Ira Maxfield, has been guilty of insulting a lady, and the lady, as I hear, one of your respected townswomen, Therefore I have taken it upon myself to espouse her cause by offering to horsewhip him. He.fires up and challenges me to meet him in a duel, all of which I accept, and name oges as the proper weapons, desiring to thoroughly instruct -yonder scoundrel in the ways of wisdom without resorting to the old- time instruments of defense used by our fore- fathers. The terms are that the parties of this duel shall take their places in the center of the street here, twenty paces apart, and each hay- ing an equal number of eggs, will pelt each _other until the eggs are exhausted, or one or the other cries ‘enough! And the first one who backs ont or attempts to flunk or escape—he is to be taken by the crowd and hung to the near- est: tree!” § ‘Hip! hip! hooray! Gentlemen, let nie be chairman o’ this committee,” cried the man from Yuba Dam, suddenly putting in an ap- pearance. “I ama minister of the gospel, and verily I may be of some comfort to him that shall be stricken, in, his departing moments. - Then, oh, brothers ot Israel, I am likewise an- insurance agent, and, cuss my eyes ef I don’t ; insure the purtection of this pretty gal, while the great Deadwood Dick oe Yorky all over with rare old perfume.” i Anc promptly beside Captain Fanny the in- surance man planted himself, a huge pair of re- volvers in his grasp. Edwin Booth Snowbank stood not far away, his eyes rolling comically, anda broadgrinupon —— his face. Hope me die ef dis yar nigger wouldn't like to see de old woman sail in on de lan’scape, jes’ about now! Go ’way off, chile’ How she would s’prise dat dar Yuba! Bet youh life dag she’d paralyze him—she’d skin *im alive,” 2 ‘“Take your place thirty paces away down in the center of the street, Ira Maxfield,” Fanny — ordered. ‘‘ Obey, or Pll lame you!” z Maxfield did obey, and paced off the distance down the street. pa T, but He was no fool, this New York sh: on the contrary was keen as glass, and under- stood full as well when he was at a disadvan- tage as when he had pained a point or two. eadwood Dick also took his position, and — then the miner, Potts, counted out the eggs in two equal piles, and carried Maxfield’s share to him in the basket. i f “Now, then, gentlemen, before this sanguin- ary strife begins, let me implore you to cast — your thoughts from things earthly, and seek our Master to forgive you!” cried olonel Yuba in aloud voice. “It’s a matter of uncertainty e in which clime, you are going to land, and it well to Jbe prepared, cuss my eyes ef it ain’t! So, ef either o’ you pilgrims don’t know how to pray, I am prepared to do jobs of that kind with promptness and dispatch, and on reasonable — charges, the price depending somewhat upon the length of the prayers and its elequence. For instance, I can do a regular bona-fide, first- class offering of half an hour’s duration for ten dollars, in advance—dog cheap, bet yer life! The regular price is twenty-five, but where two birds can be hit with one stone, i always make — a discount. Think of it—when in all your lives — did you have so profitable a job done you, at so. cheap a price? Then, too, let me insure your lives in the sum of ten thousand dollars—anoth- er small item of ten dollars cost to you. Verily, gents, it will pay you to let me do something for ou ‘Better tackle the New Yorker, He wi need consolation before he swallows all this hen fraky? Deadwood Dick suggested, with a light augh, ; a ‘Ah! yes! exactly. My dear beloved brother, somewhere upon the tablets of the church of Israel have [seen your name enshrined,” Yuba cried; advancing toward the capitalist. ‘“ Let me then do something for you, ere you are sud- denly called away to the sphere where there ar two climates for two varieties of souls.” ey _ “You get back out of\ the way, or U will a an egg at you!” the capitalist cried, dere ly. ; “Yes, dar, you chile, Yankee Doodle ube: you jes’ come right straight foremost back, for T.sw’ar to goodness ef you ebber gits any ub dat omelette splattered on your pusson, you can ais no more wid dis chile—for suah! N cri one” 5 =

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14 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. “Yd advise that the whole crowd retire to the sides of the street, and give us the center,” Dick said, ‘‘for eggs are difficult things to throw, and some one standing near might get an egg intended for the sharp, yonder. et ready, Yorky, and when you hear three counted, let ’em slide!” Maxfield nodded. He was pale with rage, and had already arm- ed himself with a handful of the fruit, ready for use. Dick did the same. ‘Now, then, all is ready,” he said. ‘ Colonel “Yuba, will you count one, two, three?” “Will I? Waal, I opine 1 will! the man from Yuba Dam replied. “Verily he has no ‘heart who can refuse to accommodate,” All became silence, : The crowd had retreated to the side of the street, as much as possible, to get out of reach of the eggs. The very fact that they were pro- nounced ‘‘ unwell,” was oanet to cause every ~ Pee, except those concerned in the duel, to ; eat a hasty retreat out of range of the afore- said weapons, i Colonel Yuba pulled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, unloosened his belt a notch—then cried: “One! Two! THREE!” : _ It was the signal for the beginning of the novel duel. No sooner was the word ‘‘three” fairly out of the minister’s mouth, than Deadwood Dick dextrously hurled one of the eggs at the New Yorker; the latter was scarcely an instant later in following suit. Smash! Dick’s missile struck the Honorable Ira square between the eyes, and the uxsavory contents were scattered liberally over his coun- tenance. By dint of expert dodging, Dick of Deadwood escaped the egg hurled at him, and it passed on, and spent its force against the side of Grave- yard George’s head, Roars and shrieks of laughter escaped the _erowd of spectators. Such sport as this had ne’er before been wit- - nessedin the town of Skeleton Bond, and its -. Judicrous character ‘‘ tickled” every one, down to the oldest inhabitant. “Time!” shouted Yuba, fairly dancing with delight. ‘Verily, the brethren do finely. Give the Yorker a chance to wipe off his bazzoo, you _ Richard of Deadwood—then proceed with your ~ funeral.” ___“ How do you like it, New York?” Fanny “Flash called out, triumphantly. ‘‘ Getting your pay in advance, ain’t you?” _ “Curses on you!” the capitalist shouted, sav- —agely. ‘‘You shall pay for this! For every egg that strikes me, I'll cut short one year of your miserable existence—mark that!” Oh! you will, eh?” Dick cried. ‘‘I have ap- pe pied myself guardian of the lady, sir, for a _ time, and any grudges you have against her, you can settle with me. Ready, now.” ~The next instant Maxfield got an “old resi- --denter” fair in his month, which he had opened to hurl back some reply, and the crowd fairly made the earth tremble with their shrieks of laughter and derision, ; i 1 x 4 < 2 interrupted him: *« Bress de life of dis yar child, if dis amn’t de wu’st eggsageration ob de true instinks ob low comedy dat I ebber saw. How old Shakespeer would sigh to see his noble ideas ob dueling thus- ly discomflooberated! Verily, there is nebber a hope for Hamlet in dis yar town—but, oh! pe dar is a big openin’ hyar for Dock andis, Berry Mitchel and Count Johannes!” Maxfield spat the filthy mess from his mouth, amid frightful curses; then, seeming stung to desperate madness, he seized a handful of the sickly smelling eggs, and commenced to hurl them with all the rapidity he could muster. Not to be beaten at. his own game, Dick fol- lowed his opponent’s example to the letter, and the way the eggs flew through the air was live- ly, to say the least. : And two things there were, most wonderful to relate—one was, that never an egg left the hands of the ex-road-agent but what hit the capitalist—the other was, that hurl his missiles as dextrously as was in his power, Maxfield could not succeed in hitting his man, for, with all the triumphant and agile moves ofa profes- sional base-ballist, did Deadwood’s dashing re- presentative dodge the eggs, until every egg of either party was exhausted without his getting ‘Ca flizzard.” But, in the Sppeanante of Maxfield, there was a change indeed. : From head to foot was he stuccoed with the loathsome substance of the eggs—indee~ a more horrible plight for a man to be in wa. a thing to imagine. “Guess you won't want any more omelet, will you?” Dick interrogated. “On course he won't!” Yuba asseverated, grandiloquently. ‘A man w’ot’s afeard to in- ure, orter be pasted all over jest as thet ornery skunk, Ef he had cum up like a man, he'd had pay for all this.” “Tl have my pay, yet!” Maxfield groaned, as he staggered away. ‘All right! When you want it just walk right up to the captain’s office and settle,” Dick sent back. ; The crowd began to disperse. : The battle was apparently at an end for the time being—and then, there was another. and more powerful inducement to cause the specta- tors to seek another locality. And no one with half a nose could reasonab!y ask why, for che sickening smell created by ihe breaking of the eggs was liberally distributed about the place where the duel had occurred. And such a rare old smell had never struck the town since the earliest recollection of the oldest inhabitant. “Come! this is not a good place for a lady,” Dick said, approaching Fanny. ‘' Allow me see you to your home.” : : She readily accepted, at the same time giving him a glance of warmest admiration as she took his arm and they walked away. | The crowd paused to stare, for, undisputedly, — they made a fine appearance. This man from Deadwood was the ideal of gallantry and grace when he chose to ‘put on the lugs.” Dick accompanied the “ widder” as far as her ‘i shanty, and was about to leave her, when she +

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NEE EAS Sri ROSE “You must not go yet,” she said. into ‘he house, you.” Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. 18 “Come |“ What? the t outlaw?” I would like to speak with “Not an outlaw now, though once I was,” the pee replied. : “Then I have heard of you. Do you remem Of course he obeyed. It would have been a breach of etiquette to bave refused—and then— Somehow the bright eyes that gazed so fear- lessly and winningly into his own, had the effert to inspire him with admiration for their fair owner. Within the shanty, they both became seated— Captain Fanny in the doorway, and Dick in the center of the apartment. . “** Now I will tell you what I want,” the widow ane j thoughtfully, “T wish to be advised what to do. ‘CAh! you flatter me, You can perhaps find a better adviser than I.” “No! not if I was to search the mining coun- try over. You are keen of perception, cool, brave, and above all, intelligent. All this I have studied out, in what little I have seen of you. Any one could safely take your opinion, and abide by it.” “T thank you for your good opinion of ‘me, Mrs, Flash. If there is anything I can do for you, you need not hesitate to command me,” ““And you need not fear that I am so bashful _ as not to do so,” she replied, archly. ‘What I wished to say was, that I want to enlist you in my service as an adviser and defender, This man, Maxfield, has come here with the appar- ent intention to cheat moe out of the mining in- terests that reverted tomo at the death of my oor ill-fated husband. Perhaps he can do so, fut he shall not succeed without a struggle on my part. If you will listen I will relate to you the precise substance of the interview to~lay, which resulted in my taking to weapons defen-> sive.” Dick acknowledged his readiness to give au- dience, and accordingly the pretty widow re- lated all that transpired in the interview, as accurately as though she had made a memoran- dum of the proceedings, Dick heard her through, his brows darkening at the recital. “T had no idea that tho fellow was half as bad a villain as that,” he was fain to confess, “or I'd have never-let him off with a simple in- stallment of eggs. He evidently has had this little thing all planned. out some time, and by Jove! it looks just as if he might have been pee in the untimely lynching of your hus- and. “Indeed, it does seem strange that he should happen here, unintentionally, so soon after my husband’s death,” Fanny replied. ‘* Ah, sir! matters look darker now tome than they ever did before.” “Take courage, and do not despair, my dear lady. If this New Yorker double discounts me, he will have his hands full. I’m a sort of a guardian angel, you see, and I make it my busi- ness to fight on the side of the weak and unpro- tected.” “But you have not yet told me your name; which, indeed, is scarcely strange, as we have had no introduction.” “My name is a notorious one,” was the reply. “One you may have heard before—Deadwood Dick, of Deadwood.” et J. camp’s population, from the genteel ber of being captured one night by Indians, several years ago, and left bound and helpless on the prairie, while a Epa sea of fire swept adown the plains toward you?” “T do not think I ever forgot a thing that happened to me, from infancy, up. But why do you ask?” ‘Because, when the flames were not a mile off, two riders dashed up, set you free, and then swept: f on. You hurled your thanks after them, and plunged away to escape the fire.” ; ** And my rescuers were—” ‘¢ My husband and myself. I thought I recog- nized your features when I first saw you to-day, for I remembered the wild, handsome expression upon your face on that particular night; it im- pressed me with a feeling of admiration, even ~ though {loved only my husband.” : “Then Inmust doubly thank you now, for which I had no time to do then,” Dick said, warmly. ‘I would be more than an ingrate, not to offeryou all the assistance in my power. — As you say, there isa dark outlook—one which ~ seems to point to the fact that Maxfield may — ossibly win, as he has money to purchase — ‘riends and influence. But, I havea little of _ the filthy lucre m , and Tcan make it warm for him, But, how is it about this. first hus- band of yours? Do you believe what Maxfield said, in regard to his being alive?” “Oh, sir! I scarcely know whether to believe — it or not. If he still lives, then there must be such a thing as returning to life after death, for he died—everybody knows that, here in the Bends, God forbid, if it is true that he hascome — ack | ‘ *“ Ah! then you were not on pleasant terms?” “No, He was ugly—brutal and unmanly. He often used to beat me, at no provocation at — all, and I never knew a ceful hour while I _ was married to him: for he seemed to take an — unholy delight in tormenting me, and deyising — the most exquisite torture for my accommoda= — tion. You cannot wonder, then, that I felt re- — lieved when he died.” : ‘“‘No, But this fellow may possibly be alive, which would be a bad thing in the start, as you F would not be legally Mrs. Flash, and that fact would make it impossible to hold the mines on — heir title.” t F They conversed a while longer, after which — Dick took his departure and went back to the ~ “ Bung-Hole.” : : : Within the bar-room of that theater of Bac- chus, a scene was already drawn. agp? CHAPTER VI. NANCE ON A PRANCE AND CAPTAIN FANNY’S- DEFIANCE. i THE scene in question was rather an amusing one; indeed, when they did have a scene, at the ra it was generally of an ‘‘ amusing” na- ure, & The bar-room was well filled with pilgtims of the various types of character that m: ude up the meee att % t

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a eee > oD ery. ru sharp, down to the veriest bullwhacker and rufflan. Crouching in one corner was the combined minister and insurance man, Colonel Yuba, while in front of him stood a brawny, rawboned woman, with sharp, angular features, and mussy hair, a queer-looking party, with a posi- tively ugly expression of countenance, a red nose, and toothless gums—-a woman whose at- tire consisted of a pair of stogy shoes upon un- stockinged feet, bloomers that reached to the ankles, a flaring red petticoat and green waist, and a corn-colored sky-scraper bonnet upon her head, gayly ornamented with loud ribbons and rosettes. - And this party stood in a tragic attitude be- fore the cowering colonel, with an umbrella, or rather the literal skeleton of one—upraised threateningly in her grasp. “Oh! I've got you, you skunk!” she vocifer- ated, ferociously. “Yo needn't stand there a- winkin’ an’ a-blinkin’, like as ef ye was afeard 0’ bain’ skun alive, You know what ter expect, don’t ye, you infarnal desateful old sun-of-a- gun Oh! you viper! you critter—shall I peel the hide off’m you, right heer afore this crowd a - treacherous lizzard?—you lying rascaily scape- grace—you miserable apology of a human man?” “No! no! don’t you tech me!? Yuba cried, pleadingly. ‘‘ Don’t you hit me, you old virago, Gentlemen, I appeal to you to take off this vicious - old termagant--rescue apoor suffering pillar - of.the church of Israel from the clutches of a m)iern Philistine!” “What! what! call me a virago and a terma- ant, will you?” tha woman fairly shrieked, hit- a ee whack on the head with he um- Oh! Yank Il teach you that — Pm your sane and ae scan ru ove é back to ‘Yuba Dam—won’t I tan your pelt fer you? won't I make you dance though! An’ ye _ needn’t appeal ter the crowd, neither—twon’t ~ dono good, fer I’m old Nance Yuba from Yuba - Dam, an’ [ can lick any pilgrim in the room, evouy, day in the week, ef 1 am old and hand- some. This assertion elicited a loud laugh from tho spactators, Altogether Skeleton Bend was _ blossoming out into a first-class repository for - queer characters, “Ob! you needn't laff!” announced Edwin Booth Saowbank, from his perch on top of a barrel, where he was enjoying the scene, huge- ly. ‘Dat old rat-eater moans bizness, you bet, now, an’, bress you, she’s as good’s she looks, ailde time. Yas, sah! An’ w’en she let’s inter - Yankee Doodle Yuba, why, youh jes’ orter see » de fur fly! Ob! I tells youh she’s a bad plum, is dat yer Nance!” __ “Ned! Ned! verily I do believe thou art. for- - seking thy master and the church of Israel!” the _ colonel groaned, keeping a watchful eye upon the umbrella in the grasp of his confronter, After all the holy ‘teaching I have given yu, canst thou see me suffer insult and abuse?” — ‘OSnect, Mass’r Yank, I kin watch de ole ten- n lam it to you wid more genuine composed- f of gawpin’ galoots? Shall I dissect you, I say, | $3, dan dough she was raisin’ dis yar chile!” | é = Aare days passed, at Skeleton Bend— warm, : Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. Ned repliedy with a grin. ‘‘ You see dar’s 4 pilg of differunce, too—you’se bin dar afore, an’ has got a heap of knowlyedge about how it works, while dis sy ret is merely a novice. "Spect a feller kin hab religyum, too, ef he don’t mix up ~ in quarrels wid de common white trash, an’ git his skull dislocated; by golly yes! Feel mighty bad for you, Mass’r Yuba, but I can’t help it— ‘deed I can’t. Ef dis yar pusson was to at- tempt your rescue, dar’d be trouble, for suah, and jes’ as like as not dar’d be gore spilt—gore! blood! coagulated crimson, an’ dis yar chile w’u’d cut sumbody deep!” ““Shet up, you nigger!” Nance ‘yelled, turn- ing a wrathful glance uponhim. ‘ Ef youdon’t Lil come over there and swipe you one across the jaw, that'll make your teeth chatter.” ‘“* Bress dis yar chile, ef you’se eber cum near me, Pll cub you deep—l’ll ki-yarve you wid a razor!” Ned cried, standing erect, and flourish- ing his huge butcher-knife about im a way that was rather dangerous to those standing in his immediate vicinity. ‘Better you keep off, now, I tole youh, of I—I—£ stab you. I’se a bad chile, when I gets my Hamlet up, I is, an’ I carries a six-by-ten toothpick in my bootleg— dis yar historical Toleder blade, w’ot I’se a- slingin’ around, now!” if Mrs, Yuba glared a moment at the son of the South, as though she could annihilate him; then turned abruptly upon—not the victim of her in- tentions, for he had sloped! The valiant Yuba had taken advantage of the diversion, to slip through a side door of the saloon, and make his escape. A howl of rage came from the termagant, and brandishing her umbrella, she plunged after him, in hot pursuit, having caught a glimpse of his disappearing coat-tails. : : : Pm oi ou, Yanik Fubar sel, cian ena hem villain—you desateful wreteh! wait ‘til | git you cornered, you old puke, an’ ef I don’t snatch you bald-headed in less’n a holy seckont, oe iny name ain’t Nance Yuba of Yuba am, : : But the ill-tempered Nancy was not destined to catch the colonel, for his long legs were won- derfully bred with power of F ie dashed down the street and into a grove that bounded the northern side of the town, ere she had made a third of the distance. : She still kept on, however, evidently bent upon hunting up her recreant spouse, and wreaking summary vengeance upon him. “Oh! glory hallelujeram! I shouldn’t like to be dat yar Col’nel Yankee Doodle Yuba, ef dat Nance once more gits her flukes clamped onter his anatommy!” Snowbank cried, as he, with the crowd, watched the chase. ‘Oh! she’s a reg’lar ole wildcat, suah’s you lib, I tole you.” his ended the sport, and the crowd having become thirsty adjourned to the prehee to lubricate, much to the satisfaction of Red Roxy, who registered a silent vow never to turn away a ie character who had any evidence of fun in him, for it was always after having a little amasement that the “boys » became thirsty, and walked up to the ‘‘ captain’s office.”

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. a al sunny days, when the sky was a deep blue, and ‘ld Sol’s warm glances were counteracted by a pleasant breeze which blew down the valley, neross the sandy flats. = The miners toiled away in their usual routine of labor—some in the golden sands upon the flats; others in the depths of underground eae to which numerous shafts and slopes led the way. During the above mentioned days Deadwood Dick lounged about the camp, visited the mines, and took matters easy, at the same time keep- ing a thorough outlock for his surroundings and inaintaining a close watch of the movements of two men, namely—Honorable Ira Maxfield of New York, and the ruffian, Graveyard George. Both had very much quieted down, neither noticing the yous ex-chief, Wtill it did not escape the understanding of Deadwood Dick, that there was an undercurrent gradually working against him—as it were, un- dermining him of what little foundation he had ' . by his coolness and boldness earned. Of course he knew that Maxfield and the mule-driver were at work. The New Yorker had money, and he was secretly buying up the roughs of the town by the liberal use of it. Graveyard George, too, had a deal of influ- ence among the average citizens, and it became apparent that he was using it in turning the minds of such people against this citizen from Deadwood. Dick was too keen not to notice the eovert scowls that the bolder of the roughs leveled at him, nor how they gathered in groups, and noaded, looked grim, and sometimes pointed to- ward him. A storm was brewing, which sooner or later was aan a to burst upon him in od full re = nh La @ fad tern ly © ded the he ad's ne bie soon if came, for he was resolved if it came to a pitched battle, to make a hole in the popu- lation of Skeleton Bend, which would forever after be a warning to the citizens never to tackle _n party from Deadwood. e called occasionally upon the ‘‘ widder,” as she had been re-christened, and reported such news as he deemed advisable, or might be of in- terest to her. d The further their acquaintance progressed, the more Dick was forced to acknowledge a kindling admiration for her, for she had many noble traits of character; and then, the same fascination—tho literal spell of enchantment that had attacked many a pilgrim who had formed her acquaintance, was gradually gain- - ing a hold upon him. Not that he had forgot- ten or ceased to love the girl who had been faithful to him so long—Calamity Jane, whom he had left up at Leadville, while he came on into the Skeleton Bend districts, bent on finding and purchasing a pale DEOpETLY on which to make a home for himself and her. No; he had not ceased to think of her lovingly —but then— ! He could not help admiring this fascinating Fanny Flash. That was the whole sum total of the matter. ; 14 small town are certain to be aware of other people’s business better than their own, and, of -course, there were remarks—not a few, but many. And as might have been expected, they were of no complimentary nature. Dick mentioned, or rather hinted at the fact to Captain Fanny, but her lip only curled in scorn. “Let them talk,” she said, angrily. ‘“Talk- ing never killed a person yet. It is none of their business if all the gentlemen in the town came tosee me, I ad hose who would slan der me, and consider them beneath my notice. If you are seen to call on me, it is my business to receive or dismiss you.” That ended the matter, so far as Dick was concerned. He knew there was utterly no reason for remark, as his visits were purely of a business nature; and as long as there was no objection on the part of of the ** widder,” it was proper for him to use and consult his own con venience, « About noon of the third day after the lively scene last recorded, Dick chanced to be passing . the Flash shanty, when he saw Fanny standing in the doorway, motioning him to approach. She was looking more charming than ever, attired in a pretty pink mull dress and her hair braided in two strands, school-girl fashion, down her back, “‘Come in,” she said, as Dick approached, ‘‘T have cooked a nice little dinner expressly for ourselves, and you must dine with me.” “Do you think it would be best?’ Dick asked, a ae doubtfully—‘‘ especially since there is Then, just as he spoke came the thought what him dining would C: y say, were she to see with other a that woman : 8 ‘or dh miners ha, ly hint oy ea ac of Fanriy’s conquest power. ‘Best, of course it will be best,” pacha) “Tf I want you to dine with me is it anybody’s business? I should say not. Besides, I have decided you are the man to superintend the Clipper Mine.” Accordingly Dick yielded, although it was secretly wi luctance, : eo pleasant dinner, and a good one, it proved The Captain was an excellent cook, and then she was a fascinating conversationalist, two very valuable requisitions to a pleasant meal. * When they had finished, she said: ‘‘Here is a paper which I have drawn up, and want you to post up at the entrance to the Clipper shaft. It will give those who read it to understand that you have a perfect right to visit me. ; Dick received the paper with some curiosity, and-glanced it over. The contents occupied a page of foolscap, and was pen-printed, as follows: ‘ » “NOTICE: “To Ati Waom rT May Concern —Noticeis here by duly given, that 1, Fanny Flash, SOLE PRO- PRIETRESS of the tipper Mine, have this day pi pointed Deadwood Dick, of Deadwood, my The le were very cognizant of his _ Wisits to the Flash shanty, as the people of every i agent, aud superintendent of my business interests.

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18 Asa firm, we will contratt to furnish ready-made coffins for those who mind our business better than they do their own. Signed: , “EANNY FLASH, The ‘ Widder.’” “There! post that in a conspicuous place, and consider yourself engaged in my employ at a salary of two hundred dollars a month,” the young woman said. —— CHAPTER VII. CUTTHROAT REAPPEARS, THAT evening the tri-weekly stage rolled along across Dead Man’s Flat, into the town, laden Gcown, as usual, with passengers of every nation- ality, nearly, and all types of character were represented in the crowd of both sexes that dis- embarked from the old “hearse,” but, that was not a remarkable coincidence, for hardly two of a kind was there to be found among all of the inhabitants of Skeleton Bend. Among those arriving, the goodly share were miners—rough, uncouth fellows, all ready and equipped for working in the mines; but then, there were also the usual sprinkling of women an‘ a few well-dressed men—these latter might safely be classed either speculators, sharps, or sports. ernie them was a dark-browed fellow, with “eyes to match, swarthy complexion, and a long, black mustache—thick-set and villainous looking in the extreme, and well provided with belt weapons. He left the ‘‘hearse” and entered the hotel, with a swagger, and Sep the bar, or- zerd whisky, which the obliging Red Roxy set forth. Tt so chanced that the Honorable Ira Maxfield had stépped up “ to lubricate his throttle valves” at this same juncture, and in raising the glasses to their lips, the two men turned nearly facing each other, and their eyes met. The result was simultansous—the glasses dropped from their hands to the floor, and ex- clamations of incredulity escaped the stranger and the capitalist. “ Weil, by thunder! How are you, old man?” ‘the former cried, putting out his hand, ‘‘T hadn’t the least idea your old shell was held to- gether by earthly ties.” ~ “Bot you now realize your mistake,” Max- -field replied, with a chuckle. ‘‘ But, Milton, my son, you are looking well and hearty. Getting rich, I dare say?” ‘Devilish rich!” the other replied, sarcastic- ally. ‘‘ Haven’t put by a thousand since I came West, All I could get went for sundries. Have a bonanza laid out now, however, which prom- _ ises large returns.” - “Ah! is that so? Iam glad to hearit, Let’s - take something at our leisure.” - They retired to a table in a deserted part of the room and became seated, after which Max- field ordered a bottle of wine and cigars. -“* Now tell me of your good fortune,” he said, eagerly. ‘‘ It pleases me to know that you have * some fair prospects.” _ “The pleasure thereat being hightened by the hope peat 78 may be able to get a smell,” Mil- ton replied, sarcastically. ‘* Don’t mind telling you, however, that I’m figuring after a certain Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. sleettetiinies Saeeael little stake known as the Clipper mine—with a widow at the end of it.” “The devil! Why, J’m working to gain pos- session of that same property!” the New Y declared, excitedly. : “So I heard, and that’s. Renney, what in- duced me to meander down this way,” the other retorted, gruffly. ‘‘ You've got to drop your as- pirations in favor of me.” ‘ Get out!” the capitalist cried. ‘* Don’t I al- ready own the mine? Fred Flash was my ste son, and having no other heir the mine descen to me. “Humph! we'll see about that. V’d ipl st hate to carve my own father, who gave me suc’ a good start in the world a few years since, on the toe of his boot; but, business is business, and I must have a piece out of the mine, or bang goes ame shanty into teetotal collapse. That’s just the kind of a hair-fastener T am!” ** But, my dear boy, listen to reason,” the New Yorker said, persuasively. ‘Right. ts right, and cash makes right. $ me induce you to withdraw your claim in favor of mine; » money is no object to me—the mine is, for with it Lintend to rake in the widow. Betwixt you and me, too, it was through my clever planning that Flash got his head into the noose. Not a word of this outside, now, for it would go against me, and if the widow should ever get note of it, all of love’s young dream would vanish.” Milt Maxfield laughed loudly. FS “You cussed old whelp!” he said, coolly. “Tll be shot if you ain’t the cheekiest dad a-fel- ler ever had. ems to me your cheek petrifies more and more, the older you grow. That's pretty good of you—that pun about love’s young m—ha! ha! Reminds me of elysium dreamlets and rotten eggs. Ha! ha! I heard about your getting mucilated by that pilgrim Dick, of Deadwood, Guess there’s not much hope for you as far as the widow is concerned. and as for your puiting Flash out of time, t happen to know thut’s a lie, because I was the Judge Lynch that officiated on that little occa sion myself!” . “What! what! You tell me this?” “T have that honor. No offense because you wanted to steal a little of another man’s thun- der, however; but, you see, I happened to have the ventilator key to that little lie.” e “Well, let that pass, then,” Maxfield said rather sheepishly. ‘‘ Now, you say you intend to have a piece out of this Clipper Mine, eh?” ** Most assuredly, yes. I shouldn’t hey went — to any trouble had I not an object in view. I~ intend to have a big piece, too.” ; ‘““Humph! That's easy enough to say, bu fit tip next place, how are you going to it? ; Oh! I’m going to m athe widder, tostart . ro and get possession of the property afters — ward. “Oh! you are! Maybe you'll get her, and then, again, maybe you won’t. She gave mea ; public cowhiding, and then got a young ruffian ‘to paste ee oyer, with rotten eggs, all because J 10) er. prop ; Di eae ee

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oF nation, nor beauty, like your duti a vas, he said. ‘No wonder, you old fool, that whe mittened you.. You've neither outh, fasci- son. * But I have the rocks,” the elder Maxfield vhuckled, ‘‘ the greenbacks—the glittering coins. Jia! ha! Youth and beauty pales before such vpposition—eh? But, come—come! Fill up your glass. We cannot afford to be at swords’ points, and must amicably arrange this mat- ter. They tossed off a couple of glasses of wine piece, and then lit cigars. ‘‘Now, then, to business,” the capitalist re- sumed. ‘‘ What kind of occupation have you been in since you've been sojourning here in the hills, my son?’ “We ], various styles, and patterns dark, I should say,” was the answer. ‘Sometimes a miner, sometimes gambling, sometimes disinflat- ing ‘highway conveyances and footsore pil- ims, Under this latter professional calling, I Pete been successful in achieving some fame under the handle of Captain Cutthroat.” “Ah! a road-agent, eh? Then, you are in league with the fellow they call Deadwood Dick, eh?” ; “JT opine not. I run my own shop. Be- sides, this Deadwood Dick is a deserter of the profession, and below an’ honest road agent's notice.” ; “Hal ha! pretty good. -Now, my boy, I see that you are not at all troubled -with scruples, nnd so I am going to talk turkey to you. ich would you rather have as a choice—the widder or the mine?” : ‘Both of ’em,” Captain Cutthroat replied, rententiously, ‘‘I ain’t no hog; I know when I nin’t got enough.” “On the contrary, you are very porkishly in- flined. ‘You had better come to liberal terms, or youll get none at all.” “Bah! How will you binder me?” “Very easily. Money is power, and power is might. By slinging out a few ten-dollar notes, I could hire youdrummed out of the camp—or your throat cut, for instance.” The younger Maxfield gave vent to a prolong- oa whist le, “ Well! I’m blamed if you ain’t the coolest old ‘uss I’ve met ina long time. But, you seem to forget that I am Captain Cutthroat, and a par- t/cularly bad man to deal with.” ‘It matters not; I, do not intend to quarrel with you.- Pd rather buy you. What will you _ sell yourself tor?” “Well, now, I reckon you talk business. How much will you give me, spot down, for my interest in the widder and in the mine?” “Tl give youa hundred dollars to go in snucks with me and get the mine. The girl we willalso get in our possession; you can have her and a uarter interest in the mine; Pll take the other three-quarters for my trouble.” i “ Aoreed! Dish out your plans, andif palata- tle PI digest them.” | : The older villain took occasion to turn his tead one side and cough, and at the same time smile. It was a crafty, villainous smile of satis- ~ faction, which did not reach the notice of Cut- throat. ‘TU tell ques you what my plans are,” he said,| But a Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. ; 19. : pouring out another glass of wine, “Inthe first — place this chap, Deadwood Dick, who has as- sumed protection of the girl, must be gotout of the way. He is entirely too sharp and danger- ous an individual to buck against, andifhecan be fixed so that he will be short of his wind, it will be a great item in our favor.” ‘Leave him tome. He is. precisely the kind of a pilgrim I’d like to make wilt,” Cutthroet said, tfully. ‘‘Pve planted many a worse customer than he.” ‘Well, don’t be rash, You may get snagged ourself. He’s got the reputation of being a ad person to handle, and you don’t want to gocareless by any means, If I were you, I'd geta shield. For instance, there’s a rough in town here, whom they call Graveyard George, who hasa grudge against the chap from Dead- wood. Gethim interested, and manage so that — if anybody.gets carved it will be him.” s ‘*Pretty good idea, that’s a fact; but then, I’ve a better one, which I'll putinto execution, — if I cannot mow down the galoot without. — What else?” : “Well, after the ex-road-agent is out of the way, we'll try on the girl. She being evidently ~~ under age, it can be made to appear that she is in need of a guardian, and I can get an appoint- ment in that line, I guess. If we fail to Hee re suade her, then—or if I should failin that plan, Til prove that her first husband is alive, which makes her a bigamist, and consequently not an heir to the property of the late Fred Flash. — ‘You can then spirit her off into the mountains, and I, being the only relative of Flash, will take ossession of the mine in our mutual interests, hat will be the cloud the end of which is tipped with gold for us—ha! ha! yes, and no insignifi- cant sum, either, for the Clipper Mine is a eatch, mind you.” oy “Yes, and of all the villains I ever encounter- — ed, you are certainly the most villainous, The plan cannot help but work, if you speed out — your ducats. But, something just struck meas a little queer, my royaldad. You whooceupied — such a eae nancial and social position in the East, should suddenly change your base te the West. Little singular isn’t it? Had to ga West, eh?” 2 Maxfield, senior, grew pale, and glanced nen vously around him. “Oh! how dare ee think, much less utter — such'a thing? You know I never could be guilty — of such a misdemeanor as would make it neces- — sary for me to skip. You may go, now, lest we attract attention, and, mind you, don’t let it es- at that we are in any way related, as it might ruin our prospects, you see.” if Cutthroat nodded, and arising mingled with — the crowd that swarmed about the bar, eager to wash down the dust of their journey. ery, It so happened that Deadwood Dick sauntered into the “ Bung-Hole” at this juncture, and took a seat in one of the lounging chairs near the door, to enjoy a cigar, while he thought of — Calamity Jane, his betrothed, whom he had left up in the Leadville country—blithe, faith- — ful Calamity, in whose merry composition there was so little: to merit the ominous name she bore, except to those who incurred her wrath. ~ tow minutes, however, was the ex ae + ss ieee:

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x0 prince to be left unmolested, for soon into the saloon the ruffian, Graveyard George came tumbling, ‘‘ half seas over,” and evidently ripe for a quarrel. Dick being the first he came to, was of course tho first to catch his attention, and he stopped directly in front. “ Hillo!” he grunted, with asavageleer. ‘So et’s you, is it? Tho't I told you ter git out o’ this hyar town.” “Oh! did you?” Dick replied, carelessly. ‘If you did, I really must have forgotten it.” Well, ye know it now, durn yer picture; so it ! ‘What for? I’m very comfortable, here,” ‘* Yas—-I see you aire. But it ain’t comfort- able fer me to see ye around this hyar town, an’ so I want ye to climb out. [Pm boss o’ ther camp, an’ my name is Graveyard George, ’cause I ‘killed the first pilgrim ter dedicate ther new cemetery, down yonder on Dead Man’s Flats, an’ when I order ’em, they pe to pass or I turn atrump. So git, now, for [ mean business.” “Tf that’s the case, you and I may as well settle,” and Dick arose to his feet. A miner stood near and he addressed him: ** Who is the chief magistrate, or who has the governing power in this town?” «Speck John Schmidt has,” was the reply— *‘leastwise he is justice, mayor, chief of regula- tion, an’ common council, all in one, That’s him—the pussy Dutchman.” Dick caught Schmidt’s eye, and motioned him to oar which he did. “Vel, vat you vant?” he queried, surveying the man from Deadwood, critically. “T want to knowif you have a hearse an coffin near at hand?” the sport replied. ‘ 5 ae I dink so,” Schmidt answered. + ‘* Vot or . “Because if you have, you'd either better be tting them in readiness, or else put this man, raveyard George, out of my reach, for if he doesn’t proceed immediately to mind his busi- ness, I shall give the town of Skeleton Bend a chance to put on craps!” ; Rie CHAPTER VIIL A STREET SPECTACLE, GRAVEYARD GEORGE seemed rather dazed at the utterance, but) Schmidt chuckled good- naturedly. “Dot is all right,” he declared., ‘‘ Et dot fel- ler don’d vas let you somevat a good deal alone, sat you split him vid a cleaver.” *“Mind—I warn you, if you do not remove him, I'll kill him,” Dick said. ‘His life will be on your head, not mine, as I gave you notice to take him away.” “‘T don’d vas dake any of dot description,” the worthy Schmidt said, making a wry face as he waddled toward the bar. I dake nod- dinks but lager.” «On vourse he don’t!” Graveyard bellowed looking eminently ferocious,—‘ ner thar ain’t ary a galoot in this hyar camp as ain’t afraid o’ ther Undertaker.” ** You lie there,” Dick of Deadwood retorted, “JT am not afraid of a dozen of your precise - character and pattern. If you doubt it, and think it worth while to buck against me in your Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. insolent fashion, just waltz out here into the one cee and wo will start a meat market withou elay! € and, following his words, which were audible: in every part of the room, the man from Dead- ‘wood marched out of the ‘‘ Bung-Hole” saloon, into the middle of the street. With a fierce curse, Graveyard George follow- ed; then the crowd came also, reh the whole mining country over, and it is doubtful if more than twenty men out of every hundred, would not rather go without a good square meal, than miss a good street fight or quarrel, D2adwood Dick took his position in the middle of the street, just opposite the door to the saloon —Graveyard George took his pose further down, Evidently he was determined not to get too eats until he was sure of what the result was to 2, . In five minutes the street was black with people, who flocked around, forming a sort of ring around the two men. “Gentlemen!” now cried Dick, in ringing tones, ‘‘I came to this town to mind my own business, but I find that I am to have assistance, The loafer yonder with a cemetery hitched to his name, has ordered me out of the place and I refuse to go, whereat he shows fight. Irequest- ed your town magistrate to interfere, and cor- rect the chap’s behavior, whereat he refuses. If I engage in a quarrel with the aforesaid loafer, I shall kill him. Therefore, if any of you are interested in his welfare, please remove him while he yet pripes his wind. If you fail to comply with thi make an example of him for others to profit by. Tam not disposed to pick a:quarrel with him or with any one ay on proyocation—but I never was known to be drummed out of atown, except — in return I acknowledged the favor in a way oe to myself. Furthermore, my hearers, here has come to my notice the fact that any little respect for my individual self that I ma’ have created among you, is being undermined. I understand it all, and know to whom the cause can justly be assigned—the snob and scoundrel whom I egged, being the man; his loose cash being the servant that secures public disfavo~ to me, But, don’t think for a moment that I care a cent’s worth, If you as a people do not like my style, you needn’t haveit. Now, once more, is there any one sufficiently interested in the loafer to take him and put him where he ~will be of no more trouble—or shall [ enlist in the little service?” ‘““Mebbe you’d better try it,’ Graveyard George growled. ‘Ef et be a dooel ye want, all you’ve got ter do is nominate your weapons, I tell yer.” Tbe crowd was silent. Evidently nobody was so greatly interested in the Undertaker as to care whether he “ went over with his boots on,” or not. Dick saw this; knew that the general hope and opinion was that he would get “‘layed” by the town bully; saw the eager face of Ira Max- field peering from the crowd; then became fired is reasonable request, I shall _ ¢ with a resolye to make good his promises, and — defy the worst to come. “We shall not need deadlier weapons tham — FS a ea ea Se tr ee oT og ah RE

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. our handls,” he said cocily, turning to the Un- dertaker. ‘' We will decide this thing in a rough and tumble scuffle, and the one who gets his neck broke can consider himself the vanquished, Get ready!” and he emphasized his declaration by epee off his hat, coat and vest, and standing in his shirt and lower garments, In this much, he pleased the crowd, for in no part of the world is a resolute man admired as much as in the West. Graveyard George hesitated a minute, his right hand lurking in the neighborhood of his pistol-belt in a way that seemed to indicate that he had much rather settle the difference at a safe distance from the bard fists of the ex- road-agent, ‘Come! come!” a voice cried, and the lank figure of Col. Yank Yuba pushed forward, closely followed by his ebony companion. ‘No flunky business hyar, feller-citizens. Ef thet ar’ Graveyard chap ain’t a-goin’ ter do ther fair iigele in this heer leetle shake, he can’t show no hand at all, by thunder! I’m a disciple uv ther Church of Israel, an’ hey converted sum thirty or more of the Yuba Damites, but, cuss my boots, with all my religious principles, ef I will stand meekly by an’ see shennanigun prac- ticed—no sir-ee! I'Jl spill blood first!” “Ay! blood! gore/—coagulated crimson!” Edwin Booth Snowbank cried, tragically; ‘‘ we must diffuse its deep-hued currents, rather than that Hamlet, the noblest of all de Siberians, shall not be met with fair play! Plenipotentate dis yar chile’s perluvial system, ef dem ain’t de prime facts before dis yar court!” “Come! pull off yer duds, an’ perigrinate right up ter thet man from Deadwood, ef ye’ve ot a smidge of heeroic marrer in yer back- Bone!” Yuba continued, addressing the ruffian. ‘None o’ yer feelin’ fer yer weepons, fer, ter pull one o’ em will be ther means 0’ yer slippin’ yer wind, , sir-ee, my man—Yuba am I, of Yuba Dam, an’ a minister of the Gospel, whose bizness it is ter inspire pious ee in- ter my flock 0’ two-legged lambs—but, by tho thunderin’ blazes! ef you don’t come to time without enny 0’ yer slippery boots, cuss my old blind mule’s left hind paw ef IJ don’t bury reli- gion in ther innermest corner o’ my reverend stockin’, an’ fill yer carcass so full o’ ‘prepared plumbago, that ye’ll fetch double yer worth for . a sodderin’ block.” And to back his assertion, the reverend Colo- nel whipped out a pair of navy revolvers, the equals of which insize and uninviting aspect had never been seen at the Bend. During all-the talk Deadwood Dick had stood with folded arms calmly awaiting the issue, as unconcerned as though the crowd were his warmest friends, and his opponent a mere child with whom to contend. “Yas, git down ter biz, you white pussons, or dis yar chile will afflict you witha recitation ob Hamlet, in de Shakespearean tongue. Yas, sah. I’se a bad man when I orate. I gets en- fired wid de spirit ob ’thusiasm. I raises my voice to sech a wextent dat de berry earf trem- bles wid de power ob my inspired eloquentious- ness. Sometimes dis yar great tragedian hab been known to draw this yer large Toleder blade, in a moment ob enthusiousness, an’ wade 21 right into de populace, in ed ob gore intent, in de belief dat he was de ole man Jet his- self, in quest ob scallups—for suah, sah! So you better commence dis yar funeral at once, chil’ren, before I am tempted to spout a whirl- porn torrent ob burnin’ Shakespearean laver at ye. oe Yes, if the loafer has any intention of meet- ing me, he had better jerk off his raiment, and come at me, before I die of ennui!” Dick an- nounced, laughing. ‘‘No weapons except our natural ones; the scrimmage to be rough-and- tumble, and the intention mutually to make the opponent’s heels break his neck,” raveyard George was loth to take a hand in such a scramble, witha man of Deadwood Dick’s physical ssibilities, and probably would have « flunked,’ had not he feared to inherit the con- tents of Yuba’s tremendous revolvers, He was at heart an arrant coward, and to ‘*take water ” now he rightly believed would be disastrous, and he therefore began to prepare for the fight, by stripping to the waist, and re- moving his rough feet covering. : Dick also removed his boots, but not his socks, Then the two men face deach other, the Un- dertaker savage in aspect, the ex-road-agent, composed and defiant. ‘““That’s the sermon fer ye!” Yuba of Yuba Dam cried, delightedly. ‘‘ You both look like a reg’lar pair o’ Philadelphia smashers—praised be the church of Israel! Thar was my old dad, Bill Yuba, used to be a bruiser, until he got a belt in the stummick what forever collapsed his balloon, Git ter work, now, boyees, fer ther crowd ar’ anxiously awaitin’, an’ so am I! Verily, my fodder receptacle feels as if the good church of Israel had been on a long fast, and joy shall be mine when I can once more buy the staff of this life, wherewith to satisfy the cravings of a voracious appetite. But, un- til some pilgrim passes in his checks, and gives me a chance to make a few last sad remarks over his inanimate mud, am I destined not to hear the jingle of loose coin in my pocket, or experience the gratifying effects of a good square meal in the interior gentleman. Verily the ser- vants of the good cause deserve such spiritual consolation as they get, as an off-set againsé such material consolation as they do not get.” ‘‘ Bress youh life, Marse Yankee Doodle, ef dem ain’t one ob de trufefullest truefs w’ot you's ex- pelled from your maxim-trap in seven ages ob cats!” E. B. Snowbank cried. in seeming sober earnestness, ‘De scarcety ob chuck hab bin so skeerce since I took you inter my employ, dat — RS de enammul hab actually worn off’m dis yar tragedian’s teeth fo’ want of vitular gravy- fietlon=fact.? Further remarks were then and there for the instant snependee) for the two men now began to approach each other with a panther-like mo- tion, when suddenly with a howl of rage Grave yard George bounded toward his enemy, like au infuriated beast bent on the instant destruction of its prey. But in this instance the ren was too game to be destroyed so easily. light bound aside, and Dick saw his antagonist lunge forward with outstretched arms; then turning as gu! i flash. he caught, the rufflan by the throat and Ae nick asa

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Deadweod Dick of Deadwood. teft leg and with a strength only credited to a Samson, raised the burly body high above his head upon his hands, and held it there a mo- ment, triumphantly! The next instant he hurled the man to the ground with all his strength, and the wretch struck with a dull, sickening thud. The blood gushed from his mouth, nose and ears; the fall had deprived him of his senses, ‘““Thore!” Deadwood Dick cried, glancing sternly around, his face slightly pale; ‘‘ now, who is next on the list? Speak up, lively, for I want to settle any outstanding grudges there may be against me, while ’ve got my hand in, I gaye this town an illustration of my metal not long ago, by rotten-egging a New York. black- leg, and to-day I’ve had to give one of your fel- lows a lesson, consisting mainly of the fact that I’m the kind of a hairpin that always runs my own machine, and don’t let out the job to a sec- ond party. Consequently, if there’s any one anxious to test my yar for fun, now’s just the time to enter for the next race.” Some of the crowd tittered—others looked menacingly angry. Graveyard George had not budged an inch, and it looked as if he had participated in his last combat, ““Why don’t you try to get in your work, now, Milt, my boy?” the elder Maxfield whisper- _ ed to Cutthroat, near whom hestood, ‘‘ There’s a splendid opportunity for you to step in and kill bim, and establish yourself as bully of the town—while at the same time you willbe aiding our little scheme.” “ Too splendid, entirely,” the outlaw replied, “Tam not fond of tackling small-sized earth- oS I’ve a batter idea of getting rid of the ellow. The ruffian yonder probetey. will not live, if he is not already dead. We will take charge of his carcass—or I will, and after he is _ dead we will have that sport arrested.” To which proposition the elder Maxfield chuckled, villainously. “Good thought—good thought,” he said, rub- . bing his hands together. ‘‘ You area chip from the parent block, Milte? __ “Come!” Deadwood Dick again cried, inquir- ingly gazing around—‘“‘is there no one else’s neck I can break? You have forced me to shut off the wind of one tough, by not clearing him out, and now I’d just as lief clear out the rest of the same class of characters, while I am at it. Don’t allspeak at once! Come out and see me one by one, and without bragging I'll agree to furnish Skeleton Bend with a better swept street than it ever had before. And that’s the style of a hairpin I am!” ‘And a hairpin, you, that ary lady in any fw’st-class town might hke to wear—cuss my boots ef he ain’t! But, gentlemen, let thy cleri- cal servant humbly beseech you to pan out at once, if you are going to accommodate Richard of Deadwood, for verily [ am getting anxious to - examine the purse of yonder recumbent indivi- dual, to ascertain if the state of his finances be sufficiently large to expedite me in makin’ a few professional remarks over his inanimate -mud—and I will be very reasqnable, arrenging the length of my essay according to the length of - bis purse,” 2 : 5 ~s And the “ preacher” from Yuba Dam, placed his hand upon his stomach in a mournful way, which made the crowd laugh, But, although requested, no man _ stepped forth to accommodate Deadwood’s representa- tive citizen. : Too suggestive an illustration hud he made with the undertaker for any person to crave like treatment. Seeing that he was not likely to be pitched onto singly, Dick resumed his wearin; iat and left the crowd, going straight to the shanty of Fanny Flash, He had that day made arrangements to board there, it being handy to the Clipper Mine, of which he had taken charge as superintendent; but he lodged in the shanty that covered the mouth of the shaft. ; The charming little widow was busied with her household duties, and so Dick amused him- self by glancing over a newspaper. $ The shower ate rsed from the street, but he tt had been done with Grave did not notice w: yard George. He was well satisfied in his own mind that he had not killed the ruffian, and therefore was but little concerned about it. _ Darkness had _ pretty well enveloped the mining-camp, and the stores and saloons were lighting up. ‘anny came in from the kitchen, bearing a lighted lamp, which she deposited upon the table where Dick was reading. - “You were in trouble to-night again, I see, Mr. Harris,” she said pleasantly, stauding just back of his chair. ‘I was d you would get hurt, and was nervous as a kitten, till I saw you throw the ruffian. ~ Did you hurt him?” ‘“‘T imagine I jarred him a little, but am not sure,” Dick said with his usual smile. “I guess _ he’ll recover—a wiser man, I se : “You are very brave,” the Widow said, ad- miringly. “It is a wonder some pretty girl has not fallen in love with and married you— or maybe you have a love?” : “*T am so fortunate as to possess the affections of such a desirable being, and am proud to ac- knowledge an earnest return of that affection,” Dick replied. ‘‘ And, too, I have been married several times, but Fate has as many times de- prived me of the companion of my choice. Do you not think that a girl who could remain : faithful to a man even Bede he marryand | marry again, is worth prizing?” 5 ** Ay—of course; but then a woman could afford to wait, if she had any hopes of getting - such a@ man as you. Your fearless disposition suits me to a dot, and I do not.care who in this — town knows it. Doyou know, Mr. Harris, that we are even now watched by prying eyes? Hai ha! ha! if they look to learn, they shall find that _ Fanny Flash despises them for a set of sneaks, and hereby expresses her open defiance!” pada ss The next instant, tothe great astonishment of Deadwood Dick, she threw her arms about — his neck, and imprinted a kiss upon his cheek, » before he could help it or had the least idea of © her intention. — ports She released him the next instant burst _ into a merry laugh. a : xi: Dick turned to giye expression to his iY

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. _ ment in words, and as he did so, he caught a glimpse of something that caused him to utter a faint ery, In turning around toward the widow he faced & window which opened out into a vacant space beside the cabin, His eyes happened to fall up- on the window, and closely pressed against the w indow-pane, he saw the unmistakable print of a human face and wildly staring eyes. With the same instant the face disappeared from view. Seizing his hat, and rising from his chair, he leaped through the open door of the shanty to the street, and dashed around the building to the vacant lot. But no person could he see anywhere in that direction, in the dim gloaming of the evening, If any one had been at the side window to the shanty, that person had taken good care to get quickly from view in some mysterious way. When Dick returned to the shanty, his face wore a sober expression. “You were inconsiderate and rash in-acting as you did, Mrs. Flash,” he said, gravely. ‘‘ At that moment a woman was gazing in upon the scene through that side window yonder.’ “Pshaw! that’s nothing, ‘Two men were standing on the opposite side of the street, gaz- ing in through the open doors, That's why I kissed you—I wanted to give them a little illus- tration of my independence and my defiance.” “But the act,if seen, will not add to your | “ty. _ good reputation.” ‘*Bah! They always suspected me, unjustly, because I was of a fearless disposition, can- not change their opinion—do not care to gratify them enough. Who was the woman you say was gazing in at the window?” “That woman was the only one now living whom I love—the only one who is ever liable to become my wife,” Dick answered. ‘‘She has followed me here for some rveason—and she has caught me in a very delicate position, as you are aware. Her name, or the cognomen she always goes under, is ‘ Calamity Jane,’ ” CHAPTER IX, A LITTLE GAME THAT WORKED, AND so it was. Dick had recognized her face in an instant as that of the famous Girl Sport, and hence his speedy exit from the shanty. ; But as he could not find her, it at once oc- curred to him that she had seen the kissing act. and, filled with indignation and jealousy, ha taken her flight—no one need guess where,-for there were thousands of hiding-places in and about the prosperous town of Skeleton Bend, Indeed, the act of the widow was such as might make any betrothed woman jealous, and for the life of him Dick could see no way of get- ting out-of the very embarrassing position the widow had, by one intentionally harmless move, placed him in. : He saw that she was sorry, and did not chide her, but soon after left the shanty, and directed his footsteps toward the shanty at the mouth of the Clipper shaft. It was but a rude, barn-like slab shanty; still Dick had rigged up the interior with a cot-bed and a cole of chairs, and it offered a dry KS 3 ht £3 shelter to lodge under, and, moreover, the sin- . gle door could be locked on the inside. Arriving at the shanty, he entered, and lighted a lantern which was suspended from the rafters by a string; then sat down on the foot of his bed, and gazed -thoughtfully down into the depths of the shaft, the round uncovered curb of which occupied the better portion of the cen- ter of the ies “That was Calamity,” he muttered, “and she saw the widow kiss me. Curse the luck! will she want any better reas of my faithless- ness to her? No! this will be too ta blow to her, and her proud spirit will not stand it. I fear that I have looked upon her face for the last time.” : He passed a sleepless night, his thoughts con- stantly with her whom the indiscreet act of the widow had undoubtedly offended, Early in the morning he arose, and went .tc the Flash shanty for his breakfast, which was in waiting. ~ “Have you seen your lady-love, yet?” Fanny asked, as she poured out the coffee, ‘*I am se sorry, now, that 4 did such a rash thing, last, evening, as it may cause her many pangs of . jealousy.” : ‘“No, I have not seen her, and naturally infer that I am not liable to, after what she saw Jast night,” Dick replied, ‘* She wouldn’t need man; such illust¥ations to satisfy her of my disloyal- “Tt is really too bad; I wouldn’t have done it for the world, only I saw the man who claims to be poor Fred’s step-father, standing across the street in company with another man, end ‘knew they were trying to pry into my-business, and I wanted to show them that I did not. care a whit for their opinion,” the widow declared, “But, take courage, Mr. Harris. As Ihave — been the doer of wrong, I will be the undoer. I~ will hunt up this Calamity Jane, as you cail — her, and explain everything to her satisfaction, - so that she can have not the least doubt of your affection for her.” “Ym afraid you'll find that a difficult task +o accomplish,” Dick replied. ‘* Calamity is per- haps the queerest character to tame or coax, that you could find in all the Western mining — country.” ee After finishing the morning repast he went back to the mine and set the men to work; then again left the mine, and strolled about the town, in hopes of eatehing a glimpse of Calam- ity,or of learning something of her where-abouts. ut she was nowhere to be seen—nowhere to be found, evidently, for nobody appeared tu know anything about such a person. In a? probability she had left the town as quietly az she came, : Skeleton Bend was a lively place during the — day, as well as the night, and was, then, made — still livelier by the peregrinations of the maa Yuba Dam’ and his eccentric negro servant, hunted and pursued by the vengeful Mrs, Yuba, who always turned up just in time to miss catching the frisky minister. : ; And the way in which she promised to deal — with the aforesaid Yank if she succeeded in ~ capturing him, catered strongly to the risibilir ties of the citizens. — liegt are laa saree nase WES a

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_ who was so invincible eculd-not happen along and lick blazes out of 84 It was a long, anxious, unsatisfactory day to Deadwood Dick, and he was glad when it came night, for after partaking of hissupper, he went directly to his rude lodgings in the shaft-house, To bis surprise, on arriving there, he beheld the lantern lit, and a man reclining on the cot bed, engaged in smoking a pipe—a masked man too, attired in rough garments, top boots. and a slouck hat pulled down over his forehead to meet the mask, And this individual nodded, as Dick paused and surveyed him sharply. 3 “‘Good-evening,” he said, not offering to va- cate his position, and his tone as free and easy as though his was no intrusion, “I found the premises unoccupied, and thought TP’d wait till you arrived. Nice evening out of doors?” “Very nice,” Dick replied. ‘Is there any- eet can do for you?” “Well, yes, there is a little matter you can accommodate me in, and it was to arrange with you that I came here,” the man replied, ‘‘ You are Deadwood Dick, [ believe—or am I mistaken in the man?” * Not at all, sir; Iam Deadwood Dick.” “T thought so. You see I don’t often make mistakes, You are also boss of this hyar Clipper Mine, eh?” ‘* By direction of Mrs, Flash, I am superin- tendent. A notice posted outside the cabin will tell you that.” “Ah! exactly. I read it as I came in, Let me introduce you to myself—Deadwood Dick, you are most happy to make the acquaintance of Captain Cutthroat, professional road-agent.” ‘Humph! you are speaking a word for your- self, and two for me, I reckon,” Dick replied. “Tn what way am [ indebted for this interview, Mr. Road-Agent?” ; ‘In the way of business, » youlike. I am an'outlaw, and a terror in this region. I am reported to be a man who always removes every obstacle from his path, no mat- ter how much a gH or how many lives the rémoval involves. you stand somewhat in the way of a little scheme of mine, I thought Yd drop in this evening and apprise you that ‘ou will save life and funeral bi aa? by mak- ing a hasty and final departure from this hyar own. “Oh! is that so?” Deadwood Dick retorted with biting sarcasm. ‘t Well, really, I admire your cheek, but find myself under the necessity of refusing your very tempting offer. 1 suppose you are innocent enough, as you may not have m aware of the style of pilgrim you were dishing your advice out to.” . ot ‘oat stared a moment—then uttered an oath. ‘And do you mean to say for true that you won't leave the town?” he demanded. _ ** Precisely and exactly that same,” was the calm answer. ‘T never a saw but one man, tf some other man I will explain, if “him.” “And who may this exception be, whom no other man can lick?’ Cutthroat asked, half ex- what the answer would be. * His name is Deadwood Dick, sir!” ‘Oho! you mean yourself, eh? Well, if you’v> Fe eh g aN Be Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. got that opinion of yourself, you are liable te ve to change it. Iam not the kind of a man to stand long on words. You see, I want pos- session of this Clipper Mine, and I’m going to have it, and may possibly add in the widow. With you in the way, I might experience diffi- culty, and have therefore concluded to set you aside. The terms of your choice are simple— either you can take your leave, betwixt now and to-morrow night, or your earthly career will come to a sudden termination.” “Yl run all risks in that respect,” Dick re- plied, drawing a pair of revolvers from his belt, ‘And, now that you have disclosed your busi- ness, V'll give Mb a cordial invitation to bounce —b-o-u-n-c-e, bounce!” = ‘* And T'll acquiesce, in the best of grace, hop- ing to be able to attend your funeral soon,” Cut- throat said, mockingly, as he arose and bowed himself out. : When he had gone, Dick locked the door, and prepared to retire. ‘** Another man anxious for the mine,” he mut- tered. ‘‘I wonder what the ultimate result of this business will be, anyhow?” Another day dawned upon the town of Skele: ton Bend, bright and exceedingly hot. Summer, with its feverish, ape: heat, was getting fairly under way, now, and Old Sol was putting on radiant smiles with that flourish that makes the average pilgrim long for an iced sandwich. \ After setting the men to work in the mines, Dick borrowed a rifle, and set out intent upon spending the day in the mountains—not s¢ much that he anticipated capturing any game, in particular, but from a hope that he might poem ress in the dark ravines find Calamity ane. ioe But he was destined not to leave the camp, as had been his intention. Just opposite the ‘‘ Bung-Hole” Hotel had he got, on his way, when Lo heard a sudden whiz, and the next instant. felt a lasso tightening about him, and was jerked backward to the ground, P Ere he could arise, a score of men had sur- rounded him, and a crowd poured from the hotel, yelling and cheering. Foremost among those who first surrounded him, was Ira Maxfield and his son, Milt—Cap- tain Cutthroat; and it was the latter who had thrown the treacherous lasso, evidently, as he held the other end of it. Ha! ha! Stratagem can conquer more than kings, any day,” the elder Maxfield cried, tri- umphantly, as several men hastened to secure the ex-road prince, by binding him band and foot. ‘‘ You see, we thought perhaps you might be a little unruly, my boy, and so took ft simple means of securing pat good will with our capture. Ha! ha! ha! secure him sure, ys, for he’s as slippery as an eel.” “Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this treacherous act?” Deadwood Dick demanded, . sternly. ‘If you have any reason for wishin; to take me a prisoner, are you all cowards thai zou dare not face me and take me ina pape way, instead of lassoing.me as you would a wil mustang?” “Yas! that’s it, by thunder! It was the

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. sneakin’est thing thet ever I see’d!” cried a yeice, and Colonel Yank Yuba pushed forward upon the scene, ‘‘ What’s ther feller done, enn how?” - ee pa oe one of your business, you long Yank!” the elder Maxfield retorted. ‘‘ You need not stick your nose in this business, or you may get it punched!” ‘Blessed be Israel! who'll punch it, my very interesting friend—you?” ‘*N-n-o—that is, I never engage in _fisti- cuffs, or soil my hands on persons of your ilk!” “Aha! Ira Maxfield—that’s pretty good of you—a pretty good lie, I mean. Verily, were 1 not an advocate of peace, I’d knock your smeller so much out of shape that folks would take it for a smashed bull-frog. -And as for our never pies yer hands, people out East Leow better than that!” Maxfield turned gray with rage, but did not retort. “T again ask to know the reason why lam taken a prisoner?’ Dick asked. “I am not aware of any reason that should warrant this indignity.” “But you don’t vas happen to know some- dings aboud eberytinks,” the Bend’s magistrate, John Schmidt, responded, swelling with im- rtance. ‘You vas pen guilty off some mur- er, in der seckont unt a haff degree, und you must pay der penalty mit der law.” @ What! I guilty of murder? In what way, age Who have I killed?”. ‘You vas gone proke der neck mit one of der mosd respected citizens, an’ dot ish so, unt now you must giff your neck ter pay for it. Der man, hish name was Graveyards.” ‘Oh! the ruffian,eh? I do not believe thut he is dead!” ‘Vat! Vat! you vas doud der word off der Schmidt families!” the Teuton cried, in a rage. ‘Py sbimirfy! I vas sentence you to pe shot, six, sefen, or sa times!” ‘‘Yes, my dear friend from Deadwood, we have to make tie sad announcement that Grave- Mas George passed in his checks at a cabin u n the mountains, but an hour ago,” Maxfield, Sr., said, with sarcastic delight. ‘‘ Of course, his demise resulted from the injuries he received at your hands, and you are responsible. There- fore, your arrest. Boys, you may take him to the jail. Mr. Schmidt, when do you think will He ae time to try this criminal for his “I dink ve gif him a trial shustat dark, ven de poys dey vas readty for to hear unt listen to de case!” the dignitary replied. And so it was arranged. | é Deadwood Dick was borne off to the town jail—for such an establishment the Bend did ave, being a strong cabin purposely built to “jug” unruly pilgrims in. The door was made of sheet iron, and the win- dows were heavily barred with upright strips of iron. Many worse guarded jails might be found in larger towns than Skeleton Bend; Dick noted its strength as he was borne into it between four ' men, ‘The news, before night, had spread through- 7 out the town, concerning the arrest of Dead- wood Dick, and elicited much attention. People gathered in groups, out of doors, and in’ doors, to discuss matters. Some of the miners heard of the arrest and quit their work to join in the van. : pinions were various—as various as were the and character of people. me said it was wrong to arrest Deadwood Dick for ridding the place of a man who was feared and detested; others held the ex-road- agent answerable for the death of the ruffian; Neorg still doubted if the Undertaker was even lead. ‘ Nobody appeared to know what had become of the ruffian, and only the word of Maxfieldand his son, who had given out-his name as Bill Bart- lett, and a mine “named Green, was given to vouch for the bully’s death, ‘ The general opinion seemed divided as to the Tight of punishing the cool stranger from Dead- wood. Still, money was secretly at work, and a man with even ordinary perceptions could have seen that Maxfield’s money, which was being circu- _ lated freely, was gaining him popularity; so that it was evident, that while there might be a few in favor of giving Dick his liberty, the ma- jority would side with the Maxfields. f Fanny Flash heard of the arrest and set her little foot down upon her kitchen floor most em- phatically. ‘* He shall not be hanged,” she said. ‘‘ Dll see to it myself.” pane. She put on her jockey hat, and set forth into the street. z On her way to the store, that morning, she’ had noted the fact that curtains were up to the windows of a shanty, at the upper end of the street, which had not been tenanted for several months. Straight to this shanty she now directed her footsteps, the resolute arose of her pretty mouth enhancing her beau’ Y. On reaching the shanty, she knocked promptly upon the door—then waited for an answer, “‘T may be mistaken,” she murmured, “ but I do not believe I am.” No answer came—no stir audible within. She knocked again—this time louder, There came a sound, then, of something that sounded Jikea moan. _ A frightened expression swept over Fanny’s face. ee Be She did not finish the sentence, dreading the omen of the words. “T will see,” she said, the door open.” _She stepped off, hurled herself against it heavily, and—with a erack the inside fastenings gave way, and the door swung back into the room, leaving the way Re clear to enter the shanty. a CHAPTER X. CALAMITY JANE HERSELF AGAIN. Anp she did enter. There was but one room, and this was wholly — unfurnished, and musty-smelling in the ex: treme, : 4 we “Perhaps I can burst — gathered her full force, and. ; ee $ d : =

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7 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, Hoes the floor lay a woman, stretched out at full length, with her face downward and pillow- ed in her folded arms. Not a stir she made as Fanny entered, except by a quivering sob. Quickly the widow closed the door behind her, and glided forward to kneel beside the re- cumbent form, and by the united strength of her arms, raised the woman to a half-sitting position. The wildly beautiful face that met her gaze was stained with tears, and the eyes were filled with them, proving that this pretty, well-dressed girl had a sorrow. f ‘There! don’t ery,” Fanny said Merce her head against her breast. ‘‘ wouldn't if I were you. You have made a great mistake in sup- posing him faithless to you.” “What do you mean?” the weeping girl de- manded, pushing her off, and arising to her feet. “ What do you— Ah!” : She uttered a gasp as she looked fairly into the widow’s face, and staggered back, “You! you!” she articulated. ‘Yes, 1!” Fanny said, frankly. ‘‘ Please do not condemn me until you know all. Are you Deadwood Dick’s promised wife—the girl, Ca- lamity Jane, of whom he speaks so fondly?” The light in Calamity’s eyes lessened a trifle of its sternness. “Yes, 1 am Calamity,” she replied, coldly. “Once L was the betrothed of Deadwood Dick.” ** Until you saw another woman kiss him, and grow wild with jealousy,” Fanny suggested, merrily. ‘ Really, you are right, I suppose, but ie do Deadwood Dick a wrong in believing im faithless. Z am the one who is to blame. Do you want me to prove it?” 3 “T am not at all particular,” the Girl Sport replied, frigidly, ‘‘I scarcely see how you can exonerate Mr. Harris sufficiently to satisfy my opinion.” Shoe had wiped the tears -from her eyes, now, and faced the pretty widow, more calm in de- - meanor, and looking gravely handsome. - “But, I can, thotigh,” Fanny said. - “‘ Now, ee you come right down to my shanty, and if cannot satisfy you in every particular, Tl take a pistol and shoot myself.” 7 “Thank you—you need not go to that trou- ble,” Calamity said. ‘* I donot care to go there—” “For fear you will meet Deadwood Dick,” Fanny interrupted; ‘but you need not fear that. He is in jail and not likely to get out.” Calamity started, whitening. “You are lying?” she said, incredulously. “No, Iam not,” Fanny said, ‘‘ Sit down, and Jet me tell you all.” _ She found a box and they sat down upon it, side by side. Fanny then related all that had any particular - bearing, how she had lost her husbandhow - Maxfield had villainously beset her—how Dead- wood Dick had generously come to her rescue _ and protection, and in fact, everything, ing the kissing affair, which she explained in _ the same way she had done to Dick. She also “narrated how Dick. had been -arrested and .thrown in durance, at the instigation of Ira “Maxfield, and the uninviting prospect there was instore for him, includ-- ‘¢ And, now, are you not satisfied?” the Httle widow asked, as she wound up the narration. ‘*T have not decided. Perhaps you are telling the truth, and in that case, Dick is not to blame. I will, however, conquer the foolish- ness I have so recently been guilty of, and try to secure Deadwood Dick’s release. You may go, now; I will see you again.” Fanny impulsively threw her arms about the girl’s' neck and kissed her; then turned and left the shanty. After she had gone, Calamity stood severa) minutes, with her eyes riveted upon the Hoor wrapt in deep thought. ‘‘ Hither I have been unjust, or else I am a fool by listening to that woman,” she said. ‘* Loving Deadwood Dick as I do, I wonder that I can believe her, after what 1 saw. Still, I will try them! It will not take long for my sharp eyes to tell whether he is true, or faith- less. ! ha! no. Sharp eyes are mine. But I must not tarry here. I will assume my old- time costume and takea hand, These dresses seem odd enough to me, and [ would rather go back to my old style. Still, if lever marry, I shall do so as a woman—not as a tomboy.” She had cheered up visibly since Fanny’s nar- ration, although a pitiful expression yet haunted her eyes and mouth, betokening how deeply she had taken the blow. She was propre to leave the shanty when a form darkened the doorway, and Captain @ut- throat doffed his hat pleasantly. ** Ah! excuse me, Mrs, Flash, but I have just come from the jail, and Deadwood Dick re- es me to say to you that you must not be downhearted, as he has strong hopes of soon be ing oe with you a free man!” he said bow . ing low. ‘Sir!’ Calamity exclaimed stepping back, a paler shade to her face; ‘you are maintakont 1 am not Mrs. Flash, but Calamity Jane.” “ Ah! I beg pardon for the intrusion, then,” Cutthroat mpoleiet gallantly. ‘‘I was told Mrs. Flash came here a few moments ago, and took you for her. But stop! Deadw Dick mentioned you, I think—let me see? What was it he said?—oh! I have it, now. He asked me if Thad heard of any woman in the place, called Calamity Jane.” “ “ He did?” ‘“Yes, and seemed pleased when I told him no. Excuse me, lady—you have grown pale! San it be possible that—that—why, hang it, that—you have any love for this tricky Dead- wood pilgrim?” ** Any love ?” Calamity gasped in a cnc ene voice, as she staggered back against the wall, her face deathly pale. ‘‘N-no! no love. God help me—no love,” 4 “Your words belie you,” Cutthroat said in a kindly tone; ‘‘and your only too apparent anguish at heart arouses my sincere pity, Tell ei miss, were you ever betrothed to this man } “T was, yes,” was the faint reply, ‘until I came here and saw that which caused me to be- lieve he was faithless to me.” “Poor child. He has been faithless then, for his attentions to the widow have been remarked — by every one. He is a rascal and a criminal, a ee ede es Seis paras :

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. end as his destined hangman, I shall take delight in knowing that I am avenging the wrongs ofso fair a lady when I send him off.” A sudden change of expression swept over Siera i face, and she eyed the man sharply, a color livening her cheek. “ You will hang him?” she interrogated. ‘*’'You bet I will do that same.” ‘And I bet you won’t!” Calamity retorted. ** See here! Do you'know what I think, sir?” “i No; I haven't the slightest idea, my dear “Pl tell you,” Calamity said, coolly. ‘You have a grudge against Dick, and in some way - learned of my jealousy of the widow Flash. aes came here, hoping to turn me against them. ah! you villain—you have aeey failed. ‘Yonder is the door; make use of it by taking your departure.” ‘But, listen. You misconstrue my purpose,” Cutthroat replied, affably. ‘ Indeed it is of no interest to me, anything concerning you—only I sort of took pity on you.” ‘* Another lie, which will avail you nothing,” Calamity answered, coldly. ‘‘ You cannot de- ceive me, so you need’not try. The sooner you take your leave the less will be the liability of your getting hurt.” “Ha! ha!” Cutthroat laughed. “I like to hear you talk, and could listen to such lulling eoihe all day long, did not business call me elsewhere. But your yim, and your poor opin- ion of me make me of a_revengeful spirit, and before I go I must have just one kiss from your pretty mouth.” And with a bound he was by her side, and had thrown his arms about her. “Help! help!” Calamity screamed, wildly; then she ies te violently with the ruffian, clawing and digging into his face with her hands and biting bim, But he persisted determinedly, in a vain at- vie A to pollute her lips with his kiss, . “Help! help!” Calamity screamed again. And this time it was heard, her call for assist- ance, as was evidenced by the sound of ap- proaching footsteps, and the abrupt entrance of a person into the shanty. ith an oath, Cutthroat turned from her to meet the colored tragedian, Snowbank, with bis huge knife in hand. Oho! what do I see?—what doth my Shake- SoS optics behold?” he cried, with a flour- ish of the dangerous-looking blade. ‘‘ Hamlet ‘am I, de noblest ob all de Siberians—de sweet- scented Shakespearean slinger ob de sword. as Pg son ob a sea cook, w’at you been doin’ yu “* The ruffian has insulted me by attemptin to kiss me!” Calamity cried, indignantly. ‘1 you willlend me arevolver, sir, I will teach him |- that Calamity Jane ain’t a gal that every pil- grim can kiss!” E ‘* Jes’ don’t you go do nuffin’ ob de sort, Miss Calamity!” Ned replied. ‘‘ Gib dis yar chile room to tackle de job! Oh! Hamlet, look down from Hamilton on de noble subject, an’ watch wid what artistically graceful revolutions an’ Venus- like motions dis yar cullud tragedian doth pro- ceed ter massycree!” ~ - Qf came the coat of the son of the South in a 27 twinkiing, and he began to rake his huge knife across the floor in a manner that was suggestive of the way the average housewife attempts to sharpen a knife on tke stovepipe. Cutthroat stood for a moment surveying the scene, scarcely knowing what to do, and by. no means liking the dangerous look of matters. For a wonder he was not armed, except for a dirk-knife in his belt, having just left his revol- vers at a gun-shop to be cleaned, and the pros- pect in store for him was not encouraging. ‘Come! youh bad dyspeptic—square yourself, for dis yar chile iscomin’ at you,” Ned cried, sternly. ‘‘T’sea bad man, an’ I carries dis yar Hameltonian Toleder blade jes’ on purpose ter shave de sinfulness offen sech extemporaneous excruciators ob de nateral classic laws ob hu- mee like you—I does, fo’ suah!” ‘And Nea grasped his Sa dation knife firmer, and spat on the back of his hand in a business- like manner. “Stand off! don’t dare to touch me!” Cutthroat rowled, ‘*The young woman has been lyin you, and I have not been insulting her at all If you know when you are well off you will be sates in Betting out of this ey i ‘* Hope dis yar chile goes ie t an’ dies ob de eae a4 ef he budgethde tion ob an inch, panne raphs—no, sah!” the irresistible Snow- nk dee ** Missy. C’lamity, if you will jes’ stan’ wid your back ag’inst de door, you'll jes’ see de resentative ‘Hamlet’? ob de age go froo dat heavy villain wuss’n a lobster goes froo de salad, an’ escapes ag’in "fore de salad am served up!” ricasseed frac- ontil he amputates one ob your %y With angry, flashing eyes, Calamity took a” — pistol from the darkey’s belt, and took her po- sition with her back against thé door. “For God’s sake, will you let him butcher me?” the outlaw gasped,- growing white with rage.and fear. “Dis yar chile don’t agwine to do nuffin’ ob 2 de kind!” Ned cried, pompously. ‘He ain’t no hullsale butcher, you ignorant fellow— only a — Pia oad jes’ as de lady insinuates, an’ ebbery erican born citizen ob dese yere Yewnited States is bound by ties ob honor to pertect an? — avenge de insults ob de feminine gender. dis yar chile is jes’ a-goin’ ter clip off de left. ear from your cranium, an’ let you go!” : Cut off my. ear, you infernal black rascal? Tl see you in Kingdom Come first!” , “ @ess not; you'll see youah own shadow dar, grinnin’ at you in reeomemberance!” Ned grin-— Come now! be turnin’ dat yar pumpkin ~ ned, face ob yours sideways, so dat dis yar carver can get a whack at dat sprout ob yours. *T'won’t take sea’cely de twinklin’ ob a cat’s tail—den you can go! With a knife from his belt, resolved to sell himself dear- ly, at all hazards. but in this he mai por of rage Cutthroat drew the — i

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28 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. knife quickly and dexterously, he brought its keen edge with wonderful accuracy down beside Cutthroat’s head, completely shaving hisleft ear off close to the side of the face! “ Stan’ off! Don’ you disturb dis chile any more or he'll cut you deep,” Ned cried. ‘ I’se a bad Senator from Kalamazoo, I tole ye, an’ Tl ki-yarve you wid my razzor if ye don’ luff mo be!” But he had no need to tender the admonition, for Cutthroat had withdrawn from the battle as suddenly as he had entered it, and with his hand clasped to the earless portion of his head, from which the blood was oozing copiously, he pranced about the room at a tremendous and not partic- ularly graceful hop, skip and jump. : “Ow! ow! ow!” ho roared. ‘‘ You have killed me! Tam dying! help! help!” “*T guass you won't perish entirely,” Calamity said, with her old hard sort of laugh. ‘ Here! the door isopen. Take a scoot now, and tellthe boys you represent the compliments of Calamity Jane.” > On seeing an opening Cutthroat made not an instant’s delay in ee advantage of it, and away down the street he patie at full tilt, howling at every bound. Straight to the Bung-Hole establishment the stricken man went, and between curses and groans related the kind of treatment he had re- ceived at the hands of Calamity Jane’s defend- er, the negro. This added another bubble to the day’s excite- ment which fairly boiled in the mining-camp, to use a figurative expression. Calamity Jane made her appearance that night, just before the time for the trial of Deadwood Dick bezgan—walked into the Bung- Hole, twirling a cane in her right hand, and sporting a small cigar between her teeth. She was attired in her famous sporting attire, and in her belt a pair of six-shooters, Cutthroat had gone to bed, but the elder Maxfield was about, and no sooner did he spy the Girl Sport, than he stepped up to her, im- portantly. “Just you look here, my girlin male attire!” he said, laying a detaining hand on her shoul- der, ‘SAre you the party who calls herself Calamity Jane?” “You'll mighty quick find out, if you don’t drop your feeler from my shoulder!” was the girl’s retort, and the N, Y. capitalist made haste to do that very thing, not admiring the pecu- liar fire in her glance. “But you haven't answered me!” he persist- od. “T am Calamity Jane, then, if you wish to know!” “Ah! then you were concerned in the bar- barous criminal act of cutting off a man’s ear, I understand?” “T held tho door while the nigger did the slicing,” was the sarcastic response. ‘‘ The fel- _ low tried to kiss me, but I guess he won’t have as much lip for kissing hereafter. Maybe you would like to imitate his example,”—and, as - she spoke the girl drew, cocked and presented her revolvers. ‘Just take a reef, old gent, if - you don’t want your skull perforated; and _ vaind you, if Deadwood Dick ain’t cleared an Py hberated to-night, you had better contract for your coffin, grave-stone, and ceremonies.” All day the tide of excited humanity surged in the strect; but little work was dee every- pode seemed in one way or the other interested in the fate of Deadwood Dick. The street of the town grew more and more crowded as the day progressed, and as the sun sunk within a couple of hours of setting, there was a black mass of hats and heads assembled in-a vast throng around and near the jail, in which Dick was held a prisoner, Ira Maxfield, accompanied by Cutthroat, whose head was bandaged up, left the Bung- Hole, and proceeded to the Flash cabin, at the door of which they were joined by John een the justice and general town control- ler. | Fanny was seated ata table, paring some po- tatoes as they entered, without knocking, and she rose, her face flushing with indignation, at the boldness of the intrusion. ‘* Str |! How am I indebted for this intrusion?” she demanded, as the trio took seats near the door, without an invitation. “Qh! ve don’d vas charge you nodinks for dis interview,” Schmidt assured, facetiously. ‘‘ You see, my dear young voomans, ve haf some leetle pits of pizness mif yous, und ve dake der pres- ent obbordunity off seddling it.” ““T am not aware what business you can have with me,” Fanny replied, coldly. — “No, I subbose not,” Schmidt said. “ But T makes dot quide blain to you right avay, al) de wile. You see, you haf lost Fred Flash, who pe gone deadt. Dot is right?” “Unfortunately for me, my poor husband is — reported to be dead,” Fanny replied, gravely. ** Yaw! he vas deadt, unt ve all vas mourn his loss. His death leaves you his vidow, don’t it? Yaw! dot ish vot you dinks. But ve haff some furder proof ash dot. You haf gota first hus- band living. Vot you tink of dot?” “T think it is an outrageous lie!” Fanny re- plied, candidly. ‘‘My first husband died, and was buried. It does not look reasonable that he could come to life again.” “Yet such vas der gase,” Schmidt averred. “He vas not deadt—he vas simbly in some ‘swoons ven you up an’ haff him carted off mit der bone-yard. Pime-by he vakes up, mit him- self, unt he finds ash how he don’d vas covered oop so deeper ash he might haf pen, unt so he digs out. He vas sick mit married life, unt so he goes off indo der upper mines for a six mondths deadt drunk. Ven he returns here, he finds ash how you vas married mit annoder mans, unt not vishing to make you some droub- ea he goes off again for anoder drunken ash pe- ore. ‘But, why are you telling me all of this?” Fanny said. ‘‘ There must be some object back of it all.” ‘The only object, by dear Mrs. Flash, was to have you understand, from a legal source, that you had a husband living when you were wed- ded to Flash—consequent are a bigamist, and not a legal heiress to Flash’s property!” -** Ah! I thought you had some scheme afoot. Well, sir, if you can prove that my first hus *

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Deadwood Dick of Deadwaod. band is alive, I will surrender all claim to the Clipper Mine, and move out bag and baggage. But, until you do prove that to my satisfaction, I won’t vamoose—nor would I take your words on oath.” “Vot? you don’d vas take dot wordt off der Shustice off der Peace?” Schmidt cried, of- fended. f ‘Bah! no;” Fanny retorted. ‘‘I wouldn't trust a saint out in this country, except he was under watch.” “We can easily prove that he is alive, by producing him,” the elder Maxfield said, ‘ but it is not our intention to be severe with you, if you can be prevailed upon to do what’s fair. We have got it in our power to take the Clip- per Mine entirely away from you, asI am next of kin to Flash, you not being his legal wife. Also, you, I learn, are not of legal age, and be- ing incompetent to take proper care of your- self and your affairs, you need a guardian, to look after your interest, and this the controller of the town has the right and power to ae point. Consequently, the honorable : Schmidt confers on me the position of your guardian,” “Oh!” Fanny exclaimed. ‘‘ Does he?” Of such an open-handed case of villainy, fore- planned, she had never heard the equal. “Yes” Maxfield, Sr., continued, blandly, ‘and so, being such, I propose to make you comfortable, on conditions — easy conditions, My son, here, has had the misfortune to lose his left ear, and is in a critical condition, He needs |. anurse. I wish you to take charge of him, and I have no doubt, during your care of him, you will both fall in love with each other, and a union will be the ultimate result.” “Undoubtedly,” Fanny replied, with stinging sarcasm. ‘‘Ialmostfancy I’m in love with your son already, he’ssucha beauty. Indeed, I think he’d do to dry and hang up in a drug store, to eut emetics from, But, most magnanimous though your terms have been, Ira Maxfield, I cannot quite see the point, and so you can direct your miilatiions schemes to better ee for ‘ou can’t contrive torun my machine, nary a ime. When you produce my first husband, alive and well, I will claim no further interest in the Clipper Mine. As for your assuming my guardianship, I have to inform you that I ar- rived at my legal majority, this morning at five o'clock, and am emphatically my own boss, And as for marrying your no-eared son, when I wish to marry a full-fledged baboon, Pll select one out of his native clime. Now, f have said—so go! get out! bounce! It is no use for you to re- sist, Stay here three minutes longer, and I'll callin my men from the mine, and have them boot you out of the house, and down the street.” “Yes, and Ull help the job along,” a voice . eried, and Calamity Jane sauntered into the shanty, leisurely, accompanied by Colonel Yank Yuba, his fiery-tempered better half, Nance, the everlasting and tragical E. Booth Snow- bank, and a long red-whiskered miner. ‘‘ Come! take the widow’s advice, and vamose, or thar’ll be a bee here, that will illustrate how sin must knuckle!” - : 4 Bees The trio of knaves saw that there was logic in the Girl Sport’s words, and made haste to 29 adopt her advice by leaving the shanty, and marching back to the Bung-Hole, in a crest- fallen spi ~~ Great arations had been made for the trial of Deadwood Dick, for it was the first trial of any account that had ever been held at the Bend, A grand stand, consisting of a platform made on top of acouple of empty flour barrels, and supplied with a chair and table, wa’ supplied for the judge of the occasion, John Schmidt, who, as the hour approached for the trial, was gradu- ally inflating with importance and lager beer. Seats had also been- arranged out of logs and stones and slabs, in front of the judge’s stand, for those who were to take a hand in the cere- monies, ° At prompt six o’clock—which time was an- nounced by the blowing of the whistle at the Red-rock Mine—Deadwood Dick was led forth from the jail by two burly miners, and posi- tioned in front of the judge’s stand. His erie face betrayed no trace of alarm; indeed, the faint semblance of a cynical smile lurking at the corners of his mouth, would seem to indicate that he courted rather than feared - the fate that was in store for him. ** Silence!” John Schmidt cried, climbing up to his lofty position. ‘‘ Let der barties unt wit- nesses of de brosecution come forward unt pe seated.” Ira Maxfield and his son, and a miner took seats as directed. 5 “Now, if there pe any persons vot knows somedings apoud dis matter in favor off der pris- oner, let dem sdep forward.” In answer to this call, there were six persons who came forward, 7. e.: The two Yubas, now locked arms; the Shakespearean disciple, Snow- bank! the widow, Fanny Flash, Calamity Jane mae the red-whiskered miner once before alluded The eyes of Deadwood Dick and Calamity met ina giants that none but themselves, perhaps, could have interpreted; then the voice of the great Schmidt was heard again: ‘¢ Let der first barty off der brosecution rise - mit his feet unt open de case!” he cried in the voice of a Stentor. ‘' Waiter, em lager, sir!” The lager was forthcoming from the portals of the Bung-Hole in short order; to dispatch it was the matter of half a jiffy with the portly Schmidt. Ira Maxfield arose from his seat and took off his hat in deference to the judge. “Tf you Sees, your honor, I would like to offer that the prisoner at the bar is guilty of the erime-of murder. It is well known to you all how he publicly engaged in a quarrel with one of your respected townsmen, and cast him upon the earth with all his strength. I took pity on the chap, and with Mr. Slink, one of my witnesses here, carried him to Slink’s cabin in the mountains, where he has since died of his injuries. The man at the bar has long beena ‘road-agent, ruffian and a terror to all honest people, and now that he has added- another crime to his dark and evil list, does it not be- — hoove us, as a people, to see that he receives @

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80 merited punishment? I leave it to you, most noble judge, to decide, knowing well your hon- crable and just nature,” “Yah! you vas right. Waiter, ein lager. Next witness, take der stand.” ' Slink was the man to rise this time, and tes- tified that he had been with Graveyard George at the time of his death, and had given him a decent burial, vutthroat then arose and confirmed the re- port, and prayed the court to pass a severe sen- tence upon the prisoner. “Yah! dot pe shust vot I do, mit der greatest ob bleasure,” Schmidt assured, ‘‘ Ash der shudge and der shury ov dish hyar court, I do hereby sentence Deadwood Dick to be shot mit der heart vid rifles, sefen times, at sunrise, to-mor- vow. “Rut, hold on here, old beer-keg!” Calamity Jane cried; “that ain’t a-goin' ter work in this hyar court. I’ve got proof that Deadwood Dick is not guilty of what you say.” “You haff proof off dot?” “Bot your sweet life, I have! Graveyard George ain’t dead at all, but is over in the edge of the woods yonder, dead drunk from the effects of a bottle of old red-eye-rampage he’s been guzzling. This little plot of the old black snake from New York 1s purely out of revenge- ful desire to get Deadwood Dick out of the way!” E It’s a lie! it’s a lie!” Ira Maxfield cried, in a 4 **See heer, just you look out!” Calamity cried, ‘‘ Better you let ihe calling mo a liar, if you don’t want me to boot you clear out of town. Your race is up, anyhow, and the _ | quieter you keop, the better it’s going with ou!” ‘os, Ira Maxfteld, the race of yourself and er son is up, emphatically,” Colonel Yank uba cried, sternly, and the next moment there was a tableau. Both Yuba, Nance and Snowbank had sprung forward, and before any one was aware of their ar se, had securely handcuffed the two Max- elds, S “Sdop! sdop! Vot for you dakes dem two men brisoners?’ John Schmidt roared, pound- ing his table authoritatively.. ‘‘Vot for you comes into my court, unt makes dish disturb- ances.” ; “Tn the name of the law,” Yuba replied, coolly, having dropped all his former pious de- meanor, ‘I will introduce myself to you, as Yankeo Keen, detective of Chicago, and I have in my possession papers authorizing me to ar- rest one ‘Ira Maxfield, formerly of New York, wherever I might find him, on the the charge of murdering his second wife some months ago. My. two companions here, are also prominent members of the detective profession.” “Let me see dot order,” Schmidt commanded. “T gan dell so quicger ash der tuyfel off you vas - some humbugs.” Yuba alias Keen, took an_ official-looking document from his pocket, and handed it to the ae Dutchman, and he in turn bridged bis spectacles -/ upon his nose, and gave it a careful perusal. Dot ish all right,” he said, jap eng return- ing it. ‘You haff de right to dake Ir 2 ‘a Max- | checks!” Deadwood Dick of Deadwood. a field. But how apoud dot veller vot haff his ear cut off?” “Tt can speak for his arrest. The chap isa notorious outlaw,” the red-bearded man said, rising. ‘‘ You have all heard of him, as Captain Cutthroat, vo doubt, He it was whe lynched Fred Flash, in hopes of getting possession of the ete eS Mine.” 2 “Who vas you, dot you know so many dings ash dot?” Schmidt demanded. : “T'll show you who,” was the reply, and off came the red whiskers and hair, and a smooth, pated brown-haired young man stood re vealed. The crowd gave vert to:a shout of astonish- - ment and Fanny Flash sprung to her feet, witht a joyful cry, and was clas in the stranger’s embrace. y “Fred Flash!” Schmidt ejaculated. “Yes, Fred Flash,” the young man epee “You may wonder how I escaped being hung, and so Dll set your miads at ease. I wag captured by some of this ruffian Cutthroat’s men, and spirited away to a place known: as the Cat-Gut. Here I was strung up by Cut- throat’s orders, and left to make the best of my situation, while my executioners rode away, Fortunately for me, the noose was not placed poe y about my neck, and I did not strangle, but hung by the neck for several hours, endur- ing excruciating torture, till this young lady, Calamity Jane, came along and rescued me, Resolved to have revenge upon my execution: ers, I decided not to be alive to the world, and so got some parties to give out notice of my death and burial, In the mean time, I traced out Cutthroat, and found hit to be the son of Ira Maxfield, who had come here to the mines to get hold of my mine, if villainy and schemin: could accomplish that object, and learned tha’ the two were in league; so I lay low until some such a chance as the present arrived, giving me an opportunity to putin a word.” : The crowd gave a cheer; Maxfield and Cut- throat were the picture of sublime rage, “Vell, it vas all yust like a Sund’y school novel,” Schmidt averred, “und I git so dry ash a fish, efery dime I hear of such dings; so I vill close dish hyar court, py sending der brisoners back mit der shail.” ; “But hold on! you have not given Deadwood Dick his liberty?” Calamity cried, anxiously. ‘*Und vot ish more, I don’d vas got some in- dendions off dot same kind,” the judge replied. ** Deadtwood Dick haff long been knowed undt feared ash an outlaw of der aeepey dye-stuff, unt now vot ve cotch him ve shood him yustlike a dog, und dot vill end all furder dispute in der matter. _T leaf dot to der crowd, if dot don’ vas der pest bolicy.” ; There was a second of silence; then came a at shout of approval, that seemed to issue rom the whole assemblage, and fairly made the earth tremble. . E It told the story straight enough, taat. the me ority ruled, and that one man virtually con- € trolled the majority. ‘ “Dot settles him!” Schmidt said. dake dot brisoner pack mit der shail, unt him up. ** Poys Tock Tn der mornin’ he shall passin his . if 4

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Deadwood Dick of Deadweod. he crowd cheered again, and Dick was hus- tted off to jail. : ‘Yuba did not pee his prisoners in the prison but as soon as the stage came put them aboar of it, and with them and his two associate de- tectives was borne away, Eastward bound. Calamity, at Fauny’s urgent request, accom- anied the FJashes to their shanty, where a Tteval council of war was inaugurated, to de- Se what was do be done in be! of Deadwood ick. : “Tf you can devise any means to effect his " rescue, we will tender ries all the assistance in our power,” Fanny said. “ Don’t fear that he will be shot, as long as I mm around. I have already devised’ a plan, an you bake bread?” was Calamity’s query. ‘Well, if I pride myself on one accomplish- nent more than another, it is on my bread- tuaking,” Fanny peended enthusiastically. “Then, you mix the stuff for a loaf about as hig asa dripping-pan, and I'll show” you how I um going to get Deadwood Dick out of prison,” Walamity said, : While Fanny hastened to obey the Girl Sport procured a small steel saw, a screw-driver, and i revolver from among some effects she had hrought to the shanty in a sachel. As soon as Fanny had the dough properly waixed, the revolver, a knife and the saw and tcrew-driver were wrapped into a compact bundle, and the dough covered over and around ie * adage oa and put into the oven to lightly bake it. “You area pane Fanny said. your pluck and nerve.” As soon as the bread was browned, Calamity titintoa basket, and added a knife, some Eatters a, piece of cake, and some cold meat. Then, with the basket on her arm, thefaithful pirl made her way to the jail when it was dark, xnd the crowd of the day had for the most part xdjourned to the saloon to “gargle” and discuss the things discussable, A burly ruffian paced before the door of the lock-up, with a gun upon his shoulder, and he uttered a savage growl as he beheld Calamity. “Well, what-do you want?” he demanded, yruffly, unshouldering his gun, and holding it in readiness “Get out of this, or Pll plug ou. “Botter you try it, if you think best!” Ca- Yamity retorted, independently. “ Bet a cookie _Pl show you a trick you never saw before. 1 only come to give the prisoner some yictuals— 80, what you Sytite about?” : ‘He don’t want no victuals!” ““T know better!” Calamity replied. ‘tHe hasn’t had anything to eat since he was first ooped up in here. Don’t you like grub?” “Waal, I opine!” was the laconic response. ‘‘Of course you do!” Calamity agreed, ‘and #0 does every other pilgrim, so be half-wa fair, now, and hand this chuck to Dick of Dead- wood.” “Yowre tryin’ to smuggle in some tools to him,” was the next objection. “Get out!” the girllaughed. ‘I wouldn’t be “T admire as suspicious as you for a good deal. Here take _ whe basket an’ examine it, and then give it tohim _ sourself,” ae et | anv Apams, Publishers, 98 William st,, N. ¥, The ruffian laid down hi rifle, took the basket, and went through its contents, carefully. ; ‘Don’t see nothin’? wrong,” he finally said, “Guess there won’t be no harm. Tell you what VU do, gal; it’s a very hot night, and I’m as See as a fish; so jest hee © get me a wee bitof a bottle of licker, and Til slip in the greb fer yo vu.) “Allright; it’s a bargain,” and Calamity hur- ried hastily away only too glad of the chance that was now open to her, At the Bung-Hole ee a quart bottle of the worst red-eye; then hurried out into the night again, ‘ Now for liberty!” she said, joyfully. ‘The _ morphine that I got for my own use, this morn- ing, will put the guard peacefully to sleep,” And she slipped a powder into the bottle, and shook it well, Z x Arriving at the jail, she found tha¢ the guar? . had performed his agreement, and a grin of CC — light broke across his features as C ity ex tended him the bottle. ; “ Ah! youre a jewel!” he said palzings. it with ; avidity. ‘‘ Pll make that ar bottle look vacav’ ina jiffy.” : a “T hope you may enjoy it,” and Calamixy ~ withdrew out of hearing in the darkness, an waited—-five, ten, twenty minutes in all, G. e At the expiration of that time she glided back to the jail. Be The guard was stretched out before the door like a log. : She searched his pockets, found the keys, un- locked the door, entered, and found Deadwood Dick munching his food, “Come!” she said; ‘‘the way is open. Will — you go with me away from here?” His reply was to take her in his arms.and kiss her; then they left the jail andthe town of Skeleton Bend behind, of A week later, in'a quiet town miles north. ward, they were united in matrimony. THE END. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. BeAvie’s Dive Hanp-Booxs ror Youna Propum — cover a wide range of subjects, and are aspecially adapted to their end. 24 Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Book of Games. Gents’ Letter-Writer Fortune-Teller, Book of Etiquette. - Lovers’ Casket, Book of Verses. Ball-room Companion, Book of Dreams. Book of Beauty, —* Hand-Books of Games. Handbook of Summer Sports, Book of Croquet. Yachting and Rowing, Chess Instructor. Riding and Driving. Cricket: and Football Book of Pedestrianism, — Guide to Swimming. : iandbook of Winter Sports—Skating, ete, 2" The above books are sold by newsdealers: everywhere, or- will be sent, post-paid, to ony ed- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each, PBrinuy

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Wo. 12. BEST AUTHORS. A CHOICE COLLECTION OF Beautiful Vompositions Carefully Compiled for SCHOOL, LYCEUM, PARLOR, AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, —— BY —— FRANCES P. SULLIVAN, ~ Issued Quarterly, June, 1886. Subscription, 50 Cents per Year. . M.: J. IVERS: &-Go,.. PUBLISHERS, : —— NWASSAU STREET, Ny. dS : ! AR : | Entered at the Post Office, Y. N., ond class matter, >) NIN PVG ie, YN serial cont | E ;

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Swart Toasts ROR THE SMART SBT. 2 Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. Sewed Book. Up-to-Date. By Mail, Postpaid, l2c. per Copy. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH” YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, ete. GENTS’ LETTER WRITER.—A Perfect Guide to all kinds of Correspondence. FAMILY PHYSICIAN.—Family Diseases and Their Treatment; Rules of Health, ete. BOOK OF DREAMS.—Their Romance and Mystery. with a Complete Interpretation Dictionary. HOUSEWIFE’S MANUAL.—How to Keep House; How to Dye, Cleanse, ete. VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists. BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introdue- tions, Dress, Balls, ete. FORTUNE TELLER.—Fortune Telling by Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Eggs; Palmistry, etc. BOOK OF 100 GAMES.—One Hundred Games for _ Social Parties and Home Amusements. COOK BOOK.—Economical, Practical, Excellent. LADIES’ LETTER WRITER.—How to Write; When to Write; What to Write. The above books are bound in handsomely Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. RECIPE BOOK.—For the Parlor, Nursery, Sick-room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, etc. BOOK OF BEAUTY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair, iecleg cere 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.— Dutch” Jokes and “Gags” by best ‘‘ Dutch ” Teams on the Stage. “ HAYSEED ”* €OKER.—The Doings of ‘Our Country Cousins ” in a Humorous Way. “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good ‘‘ Handouts” in this Book for Professional and Amateur Entertainers. “COON * YARNS.—Best Jokes Relating to Our “ Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsicali- ties of “ Pat’ at His Best. é “VARIETY ” JOKER.—Good Things from all the Na- tionalities: ‘t Pat,” ‘‘Alphonse,” ‘‘ Haus,” ** Jona- than,” “ Moses,”’ and “ Ebenezer.”’ illustrated lithographed covers. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ 5 CENTS 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. Whee.cr. 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.£ -ddard. 12 Brimstone Bill’s Booty. By J. FE. Badge-. 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. 26 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 30 Paul De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. 31 Round the Camp-Fire. By J. E, Badger, Jr. 32 Fancy Frank's Drop. By Ingraham. 32 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker. < ‘ 83 Kit Carson. LIBRARY. PER COPY. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By C. D. Clark, 835 Old Tar Knuckle. By Rover Starbuck. 36 The Dashing Dragoon. By F. Whittaker. 37 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham.’ 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing. 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edwara Willett, 41 The Settler’s Son. By Edward 8. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D, Clark, 43 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By ‘I’. C. Harbaugt,, 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham. 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris, .47 The Colorado Boys. By J. E. Badger, Jr. ° 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh, 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham. 60 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker. 51 ‘Tom Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark, 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 53 Hany, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles ‘ orris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham. 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Udward Willett, 56 The Snow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers. the Magician. By 8. W. Pearce. 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost, By Ingraham, 59 Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines. By Charles Morris, 60 The Young Trail Hunters. By ‘I’. 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 Dict e Library e &xtracts from the New York Evening Sun. a eed HANDSOME TRL-COLORED COVERS. 82 Pages. Issued Every Wednesday. Price 5 Cents. Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. in only one sense of the word can it be regarded as a aovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- | ture 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- ture, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, would show Dut few heroes that In the eyes of boyhood would be even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest heroes known to American literature, or, to prompely re- veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young Amerie who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and o 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 far behind In the race. It can be easily believed, therefore, that the two Dicks as 80 firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature r boys and young men, that their position is assured * * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes or ve public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good beal bet- ter than it knows its catechism, and millions of young minds absorb the thrilling incidents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable mysteries. Millions of boys follow his stealthy footsteps as he tracks his vicious victims to their undoing, and then, when the victims are thoroughly undone, the millions wait hungrily for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appears with the coreainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new set Hs a thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Call orntia, There are the volumes each so crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be tween them, To abandon the idea of 2' ‘ing a few extracts causes In- finite pain, but if once a s.art were made in that direc tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun's readers to stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road 8 The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol & Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval % Death-Face, the Detective 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian @ Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger ‘1 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to Death 12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar i8 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the layla consol 156 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo i7 ee Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Guile i8 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 0 Watch-Eye, the Shadow Lt need wood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Toss 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 23 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty %4 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-ldge Dick 26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve 37 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road te Fortune 29 Boss Rob, the King of Bootblacks 0 rigs Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon's ule $1 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base ® Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob's Boss Job 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 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 ame 45 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam’s Scheme 46 The Jimtown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado 47 The Miner Sport; or, Sugar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; or, Apollo Bill, the Road-Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 50 Sierra Sam's Double; or, The Three Female Detect- ives 51 Sierra Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise ~ 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hav-k, 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 = sy-78r Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sasse ras Cify 64 nasa Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 879 Pearl Street, NEW YORK. 4 -

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sopyright 1878-1884, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New % ork, N. Y.,as second class matter. Mar. 15, 1896 No 1 THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. , No. 17 Cleveland, Ohio Vol. II “OH! SPARE ME~LUFF DIS YAR CHILE GO, FREE, MISTER ROAD-AGENT, FOR I’SE INNOCENT 48 DB LITTLE LAMB W'OT DE GOOD BOOK TELLS FB aBouT,”*

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esse * 1 Dy by Beadie THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO. Cleveland, Ohio * Adams, tntered at Post Oitice, New York, N, ¥., a8 secona Class mntter, Mar, 45; 158 Vol. If “on! SPARE ME—L UFY DIS YAR CHILE GO FREE, MISTER ROAD-AGENT, FOR 1'SE INNOCENT AS D& ee ee le _ ‘LITTLE LAMB W'OT DE GOOD BOOK TELLS YE ABOUT.”

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_ © BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES 13c. Per Copy.» 1. The Shawnee’s Foe. 50. Harry Hardskull. 2. The Young Mountaineer, 51. Madman of the Oconto. 3. Wild Jim. 52. Slim Jim. 4, fre Pia: the Hunter. ay oF eer xe: 5, She Boy Guide. . The Red Star of the 6. War Tiger of the Modocs ay Seminoles, 7. The Red Modocs. “55. Trapper Joe. ' 8, Iron Hand. 56. The Indian Quecen’s 9. Shadow Billi, the Scout. Revenge. 10. Wapawkaneta, or the 57. Eazle-Eyed Zeke, a neon eh ds ens 58. aie eat, the Wild - Davy rockett’s oy alf-Breed. Hunter, t 59, Red Men of the Woods. 12, The Forest Avenger. 60. Tusealoosa Sam. 18. Old Jack’s Frontier 61, The Bully of the Woods. Ad Cabin, ee The Trapper’s Bride. - On the Deep. . Red Rattlesmake, The 15. Sharp Snout, Pawnee, A 16. The Mountein Demon. 64. The Scout of Tippecanoe 17. Wild Yom of Wyoming, 65, Old Kit, The Scout. : 13. The Brave Boy Hunters 66. The Boy Scouts. of Kentucky. 67. Hiding Tom. 19, The Fearless Ranger. 68. Roving Dick, Hunter. 20. The Haunted Trapper, 69. Hickory Jack. es adioen of the Colorado. ae oo eek: 22, e Panther Demon. - onakesliye. 23. SInshaway, the Fearless. (2. Big-Hearted Joe. 24. Pine Tree Jack, nae ane Basie Fei 5. Indian Jim. ie : er outs. 26. Navajo Niel. 75, The Scout of Long Island. 27. The Tuscarora’s Vow. 18. Turkey-Foot. 28. Deadwood Dick, Jr. 77. The Death Rangers. 29. A Bee Nore Boy Among ae Whe tien Mee the Indians. a is = 80. The Twin Trappers. 80. Deadwood Dick's) Big $1" tasnttoot the Beant, ee 82. Grim_ Dick, 31. Hank, the Guide, ’ H . “8 32, Déadwood Dick’s Dozen. Bee ae qwooden“Leeged Six 33. Squatty Dick 84, The ‘Silent Trapper. 84. The Hunter's Seeret. A ho Ete Bend: 35. The Woman Trapper. 87. Hank Jasper. "yy . a 'e 36. The Chief of the Miami. °° the Seout of the Sciota. 37. ‘Gunpowder Jim. 89, Black Samson. 38. Mud Anthony’s Captain.’ 90. Billy Bowlegs. 39. The Renger Boy’s Career. 91. The Bloody Kootprint. 40. Old Nick of the Swamp. 92, Warksman the Hunter. 41, The Shadow Set 93. The Demon Comiieee 42. Lantern-Jawed Bob. 94, Hunters aud Redskins. 43. The Masked Hunter. 95. Panther Jack. 44, Wrimstone Jake. - 96, Old Aeke. 45. The Irish Hunter. 97. The Panther Paleface, 46, Dave Bunker. 98. The Seout of the St. Lawrence. 47. The Shewnee Witch, 99. Bloody Brook. 48. Big Brave. 100. Long Beb of Kentucky. 49. Spider-Legs. : BEADLE’S FRONTIER SERIES are always in print and for gale by all Newsdealers; or will be sent postpaid to any address: | Single copies, 15c. % onTeUR WESTSROCK CO. GLEVELAND, OHIO

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THE Deadwood Dick e Library e HANDSOME Th gLOED GOVERS, 82 Pages. $e Buy One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See @ther Side. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road & The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Deflance 8 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures 4 Buffalo Ben, Prince of the Pistol 5 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval 6 Death- Face, the Detective 7 The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza 8 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand 9 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian 10 haa Ol She Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick n Dang 11 Jim ‘Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to 12 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood 13 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 28 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 19 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance 20 Watch-Eye, the Shadow 21 Deadwodd Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross 22 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 23 Deadwood Dick in Leadville} or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty 24 Deadwood Dick as Detective 25 Gilt-l’dged Dick 26 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 27 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 80 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ule’ 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 = 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective 87 Nobby Nick of N evada; or, The Scamps of the Sierraa 38 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo 39 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, Sngar-Coated Sam's Claim 48 Dick Drew, the Miner’s Son; oe ral Bill, the Road- -Agent 49 Sierra Sam, the Detective 2 50 ar Sam’s Double; or, The Three Female Detect 51 Sterne Sam’s Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough Ranch 52 The Girl Byars or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll's Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Deco: Y 63 price rte ie Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- ras ; 64 ae Charlie's Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings ——————— ee ee