Deadwood Dick Library (v. 4) (1900 01 17)

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GASPED MER Petal? * we 106 ALTO Ia9 £8 SULLIVAN PR PRO PY Paar eee 7, by Beadle & Adams, Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15, 189¢ 7 ; M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, =... , a No 45 Issued. Weekly, (James Sullivan, Proprietor,) Price 5 Cents. Vol, lV, i 2 Jan. 17, 1900. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $2.50 a Year. GIERRA SAM HEARD A GIRLISH LAUGH, AND SPRINGING TO A S$ TTING POSTURE IN THE HAMMOCK. HE SAW CAPITOLA CARSEN STANDING NEAR AT HAND.

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EDWARD L. DEADWOOD DICK, JR. NOVELS WHEELER'S IN THE HALF-DIME LIBRARY. Price 5 Cents per Copy. 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Crimson Crescent Sign. Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Defiance. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. . 5 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dog Detective. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact. 496 Deadwood lick, Jr.’s, Inheritance. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks. 5384 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr , on His Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati. Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smug- glers. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. 678 Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Discovery. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700° Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise. 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death- Watch. 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Blow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait. 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Resurrection. 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dark Days. 787 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device. 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Venture. 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice. 807 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Royal Flush. 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-Off. 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. 822 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Scoop. 834 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Cluteh. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, High Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Devil’s Gulch, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Hole Hustle. 863 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Bombshell. 870 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Mexico. 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decoy Duck. 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Siiver Pocket. 891 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dead-Sure Game. 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drive. 904 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Trade-Mark. 910 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top. 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double-Decker. 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. 934 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Flush Flats. 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Shake-Up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Double Drop. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Right Bower. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Ten-Strike. 2 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Gold Dust. 971 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Oath. 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death-Doom. - 980 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card. : 992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Dust. 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded. 1011 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dutch Pard. 1018 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Four. For sale by all newsdealers or sent, postpaid, on receipt of price, 5c. per copy, by the publish- ers, M. J. IVERS & CO., 379 Pearn Street, New York Crry. ae ee a ae a Oe roe ae

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ct G Be SEN. 7 mii Copyright 1882-1887, by Beadle & Ada ms. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar. 15. 1589 —— - se oS. sani — topmnee J. IRS & CO., P ishers , {3 Issued Weekly. Md IVE spe & 0. E nblishe sess Price 5 Cents. | 0. F Jan, 17, 1900. (James Sullivan, Propriefor.) $9.50 Voai ol. F t Sag in 379 Pearl Street, New York. SPU aie. Loe werars a — SS ———————— — —— ‘ Zi i Wr — a , pO lle ee oars gees \ = ie WHEBEER 2”

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ae The Frontier Detective. eed The Frontier Detective: © ce SIERRA SAM'S SCHEME. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, _ AUTHOR: OF “DEADWOOD DICK,” ETC., ETO. CHAPTER I.- LADY LiL, THE ROAD-AGENT, Opp gént, it cannot avail you anything to _ hesitate, The stage is covered by enough rifles to riddle it, and if you don’t hand over your cash, chattels an’ jewelry, why I shall most cer- tainly have the horses shot, and you will bo even more at our mercy, Then you will per- haps find that Lady Lil, the road-agent, holds the winning hand!” The words came in soft, persuasive tones, which, for all, were an authoritative command, The speaker stood five feet five in the hand- some top-boots that reached above the knees, “and were met by a pair of light-gray trowsers, belted at the waist with a gold-buckled strap, containing a revolver and a knife in addition to the one held ready for use in the outstretched hand, Then followed a velvet vest, a spotless white shirt-front containing a blazing diamond pin, and a jaunty jacket trimmed,with gilt fringe and brass buttons, | A. mask, from the forehead down to the point of the nose, and a white sombrero, turned _ jauntily up on one side, completed the notice- - able habiliments of the individual, who stood “beside a halted stage-coach in a gloomy moun- tain cut, and “held” the aforesaid coach b keeping a cocked revolver leveled upon Dute Pete Priggins, the veteran Jehu. - Finely formed, and contoured not unlike a ‘woman, was this “‘gent of the road,” his pos- tare and motions were both easy and graceful; _. the shoulders and chest were broad enough to — denote strength; what of the face could be seen was fair and finely chiseled; the mouth was . decidedly a handsome feature, being capable of - winning expression, now and then exposing a _ glimpse of even, pearly teeth; a graceful mus- _tache upon the lip looked out of place there ‘somehow; the eyes that gleamed tnrough the holes in ths mask were of piercing power and macnetism, es - From beneath the broad rim of the hat, behind, flowed a wealth of wavy hair, down ‘over the shoulders, whose color was of a de- videdly golden tint. _Somuch for the person who had stopped the Bowieville stage, and had- uttered the initial words of the chapter we write—the graceful, dashing and composed knight of the road, who had announced him or herself, as the case might e, as “Lady Lil.” - For none there were, outside of her own band, in those wil! mountain districts, who knew for a ertainty whether the bold and daring Lady Lil : Pee es - eee on a mieR claiming the le to disguise his identity. = { Rey raceful figure, the white h us lw complexion, and the soft voice, indicated the womanly; while the daring deeds and unprece- dented boldness of the outlaw chief were things seemingly masculine, Yet atl who had ever encountered Lady Lil were not prepared to vouch for a certainty as t what the sex was—and so, asa rule, Lady Lil was accredited as being “she” or ‘‘ her.” “Yas, old shendts; der pest thing vot you ean do ish valse oud your stambs; und let ther stage go on!” Dutch Pete cried, from his perch on the box immediately after the challenge of Lady Lil. “Id vas no more use to buck ag’in’ dese road-agents, mine friendts, dan vot it vas toram your head mif der side off von moun- ‘* We shall deliberate upon the matter some- what!” a voice cried out from the window of the door, and the head of an elderly gentleman protruded—a head with a full, red face, orna- mented with a short gray beard, and hair to match—the head of a man who had fared sumptuously through life, evidently, and was now getting well along toward the end of his earthly pilgrimage. ‘'If you want to know it, young manor woman, whichever you are, this- coach contains six armed and desperate men!” “You must have divided yourself into six distinct parts, then!” Lady Lil cried, good- naturedly, ‘for, to. my positive knowledge, you and your lady and Dutch Peter, here, were the only humans about the stage when it left Shantyville for Bowieville, and I’m prett; certain thar ain't any passengers, additional, Seer ,picked up ’twixt here and the former urge. ; “You know too blamed much!” the old gen- tleman at the window growled. ‘Ef ye want to know it, road-agent, I’ve staged it these twenty years through the golden country, an’ never surrendered or got robbed yet?” ‘Then it’s time you got initiated, now!” Lady Lil declared, with a strange chuckle. ‘ You hadn’t ought to growl at getting bled, once in a while, after such luck. Come! business is busi- ness, an’ we've got other work, yet, to-night. So tumble out of that coach, lively, or Pll have you taken out by force and lynched to the near- est tree. Boys!” : In answer to her call; half a dozen men—burl fellows they were, and similarly dressed anid disguised—sprung from the undergrowth that bordered the trail, and surrounded their leader, with rifles leveled on the stage. “Surrender! Get out of the coach, or Dll or- der fire!” Lady Lil shouted. - “ Yes: don’d vas pe foolishness, but yoost hand ofer your valuables, an’ not keeb der stage vait- in’ here all night, vor I vants to git home!” cried Priggins, - ; “he door of the coach opened, and the portly male occupant stepped out upon the rocky trail, with an indignant oath. “This is an ontrage—an infernal outrage on — a Brien citizen!” he raved, flourishing his hands, f ‘¢That’s the kind we go fer!” Lady Lil declar-— ed, coolly.‘ Poor pilgrims don’t pan out profit- able—besides they need all their ducats and dust tor bug-jnice and grub. Et’s yo mor i ep ese a ou

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The Frontier Detective. eee we like to‘leech, you bet; so, just flip out your sundry seabs in lively shape.” * You'll not get rich!” the victim grunted. “Tm old Judge Berkley, from Californy,-an’ I allus leave my stamps at home. Here’s my old Peter Funk watch; ef ye can find any more, you’re welcome.” “Go through him, boys!” Lady Lil said, step- ping toward the ‘coach. ‘Vl try the gal. There’s money in the crowd, somewhere, an’ I know it. The Berkleys of California don’t travel empty-handed, you bet!” Within the coach sat the other’ passenger—a yous capes wrapped in a long duster, and her ‘ace vailed. Lady Lil gazed at her, a moment, with a half sneer; then,she thrust her revolver forward,until the vailed lady uttered a scream of terror, “Oh! cowardly, eh?” Lil said, sarcastically. ._ “1 always imagined the fair and haughty Louise Berkley to be a woman of bravery. But, then, we are all liable to mistakes. Pll take your jewelry, if you please!” “T have none!” the girl gasped, evidently greatly frightened; ‘‘indeed I haven’t anything of value except the clothing I wear.” : “Indeed, you lie!” Lady Lil declared, her. tones hardening to sternness, not unmasculine. “You have diamond rings, diamond crosses and gold bracelets set with diamonds; Hand them over, or I'll have to let my men search you!” A moment the vailed lady hesitated; then she took the articles from her person, and threw them into the road-agent’s face. Tiady Lil laughed mockingty, “T wouldn't mind being stoned with dia- monds every day in a week,” she said, as she picked up the valuable ornaments, that lay in the moonlight of the early evening. “But it shouldn’t grieve you to lose these baubles, because the great speculator, Berkley, ~ has a mint of money to buy more with. By the way, raise your vail; I would like to see the re- puted pretty face of the—the Louise!” , And there was another ring of sarcasm in the | speaker's tone, Louise Berkley shrunk back, She evidently feared to come into closer con- tact with this bold road-agent, who bossed the Bowieville trail pretty much as if it was her own. : ‘ “Obi you needn’t be skeert,” with a mascu- line laugh; ‘‘ I shall not disturb you, as we shall undoubtedly meet again, Au revoir !” ‘ Then the road-agent leader turned to where ne wee had just finished searching Judge erkley. j “Nary a thing more’n the watch, captain,” ~ one of them said, gruffly. ‘‘ Nothin’ but a check- book, which we don’t want.” **Certainly not. Queer that a man of stamp should travel without spondulics!” Lil said, to Berkley. once!” : And she quickly lifted the shiny plug from his head, exposing to view in the moonlight an even more shiny bald pate, whereon was but an edging of the silvered hair. é oF. ‘The spdee ‘uttered a curse as he the cap- tain it the lining of his h; likewise bills our ady “Let me tap your hat, and rugged fixtures of Bowieville’s red-bot en= “Curse your picture!” he roared. “ 1ll never leave here until I have that money!” : ‘“You'll have a jolly time in lingerin’ around ~ this vicinity, then!” Lil replied, thrusting thi money into her pocket, and then giving his ha’ a kick into the air, ‘*T here’s your old plug; now — get you into the ‘hearse’ in the liveliest manner — you know how, or Dll tickle your toes with a fusilade of bullets!” And, as good as her word, sbe began firing a his feet, which were of no insignificant size. Nearly frightened out of his wits; the Cali fornian ran wildly and tumbled into the coach after which Lady Lil turned and motioned for Dutch Pete to drive on. i “Oh! thunder! but T'll pay ye fer this out . rage!” the judge shouted, sticking his head ow of the window, as the coach rolled away; ‘Tl pay you, cuss yer picters! Ill live to sce you swingin’? fer your crimes, you infernal cut- — throat!” ° eer “Ta! ta! old full-moon!” Lady Lil yelled back, merrily. ‘‘ Better take in yer bald pate. or itll get tanned, or ketch cold!” “Ts thar any galoot in this hyar shebang wh wants ter fight any festive indervidual who’s — itchin’ ter rub ag’im’ ther tail of a comet or the — fore-gear uv an ‘arthquake—any pilgri ) wants blood an’ wants et bad? am I, Gouger & Co,, ther King 0’ the dos, ready to mutilate and dissect any sech specimen o’ the human race as may want. kill. in’! 3 = The words were uttered in a loud, brawling tone by an individual who stood in the doorwa: of the principal saloon of Bowieville. Se The man who stood in the doorway of th Galoot’s Goal was a giant, standing fully six feet six in his boots, and of massive body and — great muscular, brawny limbs, : ; Indeed, he looked as if- he could knock down an ox with one of his ponderous fists. - cs His attire simply consisted of a heavy pair 0! top-boots, a wmoud-splashed pair of pants, and a greasy red shirt, which gaped open- the neck, exposing a part of his broad, hairy breast. ; He was possessed of a large, fiery-loo face, the chin being partly covered with a long goatee, as black as coal; his mouth was lay and sensual; his eyes, dark and evil, were in under a pair of ominous, overhanging brows: nature had made his complexion dark, and ex posure had helped to add to its swarthiness hair was worn long, and capped by a ragg greasy sombrero, Within the Galoot’s Goal there were, at time, quite a number of people of the var classes that go to nsake up the population of fi average mining-town; yet none of these rough. virons had, apparently,/ever seen the gian’ stranger, and of one accord they did not se to desire to have anything to do with him. _ “Bad” men there were in Bowie, as i more commonly known—men who never too! hluff tamely, or refused a chance to fight; Souasay eee ey bavbiew instant, bot

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& ee, The Frontier Detective. row room—say thirty feet wide by a hundred | tablishment, and my name is Cap!” the-beauty and fifty long. At the extreme further end was a long bar, well furnished—somethifg vot to be said of many a miving-town. Next, looking toward the front, were a number of tables, used for lunch; then came a faro-table, several smaller eard-tables, each furnished with rude chairs; then a pool-table and a keno Jay-out. More chairs and tables were then arranged nearer to the front door, A few were playing poker at the small tables; agame of faro was going on at the ‘‘ bank,” and a girl, young and pretty, was practicing at the pool table, as the giant made his advent in the doorway and sung out his challenge. All eyes were turned toward him in a scowl- ing glance, but no one appeared inclined to an- swer, “Kerwhoop! I ain’t wanted in this hyer high- cockolorum shebang, eh?’ he roared. ‘‘ Well, neow, cuss my mule’s capacity fer oats ef that ain’t ther very’ time I’m with yer, tooth, claw an’ toe-nail!” “You're a big, overgrown braggart and ruf- fian, and you'll oblige me very much, if youll get out off of that table, and leave my establish- ment!” a voice cried, and Gouger gazed down in surprise, and beheld the girl, who, at the’ in time of his entrance, had been engaged y practicing at the pool table, CHAPTER II. SIERRA SAM AKRIVES, Tue border-ruffian was astonished, He had traveled the golden country from Dead wood to Leadville, and from Helena to Del Norte, and won his spurs in every town asa “ruffan among ruffians;” yet he had never until this juncture, been faced by womankind of the order that now confronted him. Not over eighteen or nineteen was the girl, ’ for such she evidently was, and possessed of a form that was a perfection of symmetry: and rounded grace, and arrayed in a full suit of spotless white duck—coat, pants, vest, ruffled white shirt, in the bosom of which blazed a diamond cross wort a small mint of money; then she wore a dainty pair of high-topped patent-leather boots, and a snow-white sombrero set back jauntily upon a small, finely shaped head, boasting of a wealth of soft dark-brown hair, and a face that was iu an emphatic sense beautiful. Indeed, Gouger could not remember of hav- ing seen a woman, ever before, who.was half so pretty. . Brawling, blatant ruffian though he was, to the heart’s core, with scarcely a humane or re- fined gift of nature within his gigantic carcass, he could but stare in speechless admiration at the girl, who had addressed him, and who _ stood surveying him, with a cool, imperative ‘glance. ‘Waal, may I be chawed up ay white-winged ~ whales!” he finally ejaculated; ‘‘ I never know’d ther ekal on’t before, since ther time Noah bounced me out o’ the ark, fer chawin’ the ear _ off’n an elephant. Who d’ye calculate ye aire, chap?” I'm the precise individual who runs this es- the Goul, and was an ex answered, calmly, ‘‘and as we don’t know you, or don’t permit ear-chawing round here, the best thing you can do is to scoot—puckache light out!” “Sh! Ye doan’t tell me!” the ruffian an- swered, with a leer, ‘ Ain’t Gouger & Co.’s money jest as good as ary other galoot’s, in this hyar camp? Say, you youag’ child in men’s togs—ain’t my spondulics just as good as any other pilgrim’s?? ~~ “No. We do not want your money,” the girl replie., firmly. ‘‘ All I want of you is to leave. Pve heard of Jake Gouger, before!” ““Oh! ye hev, hev ye?” the giant grinned, evidently feeling complimented. ‘I di know thet my fame had reached even Bowie, I didn’t.” 5 ‘Are you going to vamoose?” Capitola de~ manded, sternly, ' “No, [ ain’t!” Gouger declared. ‘‘I kim down hyar ter Bowie ter clean out ther fightin’- cocks o’ yer town, an’ [ shall melt right down in my boots in mortification at yer lack o’ courage, ef some one don’t kick upa fuss—knock off my hat, fer instance, tread on my toes, or spit in my ear. But, thet ain’t alll want, my - beauty; I’m goin’ ter have er kiss!” _And before the astonished manageress of the Galoot’s Goal could make a move to defend her- self, Gouger had leaped from the table, and caught her in his embrace. “Help! help™ Capitola cried, for, brave gir] though she was, and used to thrilling scenes of frontier peril, she was now really alarmed. The giant held her so tightly she could not move, and glared down into her face with a gloating expression. ; ,‘*Ho! ho! my pretty bird!” he chuckled; “‘ye'll order yer unkle what to do, wull ye? Gouger & Co., who’s swallered msre nor a hun- dred sech little critters like you? I’ve a mind to _ slap oo mouth, instead o’ kissin’ it!” “Help! help!” Cap cried, struggling with all the strength she had. from this ruffian?” A number of the miners left the gaming- tables and came forward, but holding the girl in one arm, Gouger drew a large revolver from his belt, and leveled it at them chant “Cum on, ye durned durt-diggers, ef ye want a cemetery started in this hyer town. So sail right in, ef ye want fun—admission free!” the big brute roared, flourishing his cocked weapon dangerously. : The men hesitated. Most of them had heard of Gouger before, and in a way not calculated to make them especially fearless of him. The “bully” men of many a mining-camp had he “cleaned out,” and lived to brag of it; and, therefore, it was no wonder that wherever he went, he was known and feared. Not exactly anxious, therefore, were the oc- cupants of the Galoot’s Goal to incur the wrath of the giant, even while it angered them to see him holding struggling Capitola, whom every man in Bowie liked and respected, for there were none who could say a truthful word against the girl’s character, except that she ran’ pert gamester and knew how to take care of herself. — ; r ‘Will no one release me

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The Frontier Detective. 5 “ “You'd better release the young lady, my friend,” a minernamed Ben Haverly cried, de- eidedly, ‘‘If you come here to run the camp, yow ll find you can't do it.” ‘Hey? Can't I? Waal, I should vomit upan alligator ef I don’t, tho’! Gouger cried, ‘Jes’ wait till I kiss ther gal hyar, an’ cuss my mule’s eye-teeth ef I doan’t show ye ther sort 0’ a har- poon Gouger & Co, is!” And, bending, the ruffian imprinted a smack ey Capitola’s lips—then another, and another, til— The girl screamed with actual terror. How long the brute’s insults might have continued— for the crowd stood looking on, aghast—is hard to say, had not a man, who had entered unno- ticed a few minutes before now leaped forward, and dealt the giant a terrible blow between the eyes, which caused him to release his hold upon the girl and go crashing to the fleor, in- sensible. ‘*Gentlemen of Bowieville, I am _ heartily ashamed of you!” this new-comer cried, assist- ing the weak and trembling Capitola to a chair, and then turning sternly to the gaping crowd. ““What are you? Is there no manhood in your party, at all, that you will stand by and see a defenseless girl insulted by a human beast? By my soul, I never knew the equal of the thing in my life!” A grunt of pes acti went up from the erowd. Evidently they did not appreciate this home-thrust. “T reckon yer don’t know what fer man thet Gouger is, ’squire,” one man volunteered to say, acting as spokesman for the rest. ‘‘We war in favor o’ helpin’ Cap\out, but we warn’t purtic’lar *bout bein’ Taid up fer er funeral.” “Valiant. heroes, every one of you,” the stranger retorted. ‘“‘I’d goand pack my traps for some Eastern farm, ef I were you, where ~ you would have to fight nothing but geese and mosquitoes. Ha! ha! : And the man laughed sarcastically as he took a cigar from his pocket and proceeded to light it. A You mustn't get riled at me, if I’m a little sarcastic, pilgrims,” he added, ‘‘fer I’m a sar- eastic cuss at best—especially so, when I see a galoot flinchin’ frum duty; 80, come along up and drink with me, and callit a hand shake, for I allow Sierra Sam’s a man clar through!” And there was not aman in the crowd who would have admitted a doubt about the matter, despite the fact that the dashing stranger had given them a rough rub to start with, He was evidently not yet out of his twenties, possessed of a strong graceful figure of just a trifle over the medium stature of men, in which muscular development and agility of motion were noticeable features. His face was almost boyish, so young, round, and fresh it was, in its manly beauty. , A graceful mustache ornamented his upper lip, waxed to a point atthe end, and a slight tuft of hair grew beneath his lower lip. His mouth was firm, yet by habit, pleasant of ex- pression, and a midnight pair of eyes gleamed imunder his brows—a powerful, brilliant pair of orbs, that could ane. read a person, through and through, is hair, after the "4 ¢ te ~~ : $y vr. Si tir ols Eee z . ieee PU ee IN. ae Se, AT Mn i ee eT prairie scout fashion, was worn long, down ah his shoulders, aud was of a dark brown color. Allin all, he was by_far the handsomest man who had ever set foot in Bowie Gulch, and it was evident that great bravery and a wild. reckless and daring disposition was coupled with manly beauty, in this instance, although as a rule, such is not apt to be the case. And any momentary affront the miners may have taken at the bluff introductory of the stranger, was immediately forgotten, when he “hit 7em on a tender spot,” by asking the crowd to *‘ have something.” _ “Drink! On course We will, pardner!” a lit- tle shriveled-up and dirty individual cried, Nha Co cares was decidedly shabby gen- teel, vouch for the rest, on my own re- Lae tbe . My name is Mugg— eremiah ugg, andl amalawyer, Soif you have any legal business to transact, I shall be happy, to accommodate Aa in a professional capacity. !” ‘tT reckon [ sha’n’t need you,” Sierra Sam replied, dryly. ‘‘Hey! Jeff, you rascal, where are you, sir?” j “ FHeah, boss!” came the answer, and the black pete of a darky aj pa in the doorway of the aloot’s Goal. ‘* Heah Tis, boss. Am de situ- ation safe, fo’ dis heah coon?” “Oh, yes! Come along, without any fear,” Samuel of the Sierras replied. ‘I’m goin’ to set em up, and I know you never refuse.” “No, sah, No,«sah!” the darky agreed, hastily entering the saloon, but giving a suspic- ious glance around him, and at the outstretched plant, to satisfy himself that no trap was being aid for bim. A queer looking companion for the handsome man—this darky, and a most comical-visaged specimen, of the colored race too, with a bull dog head, a big ae of eyes, the whites of which rolled ludicrously, and a pair of thick lips, that, when parted, exposed to view two rows of pearly teeth. He was equip in livery, and a piag bet: and would have looked decidedly more at home as footman of some Kastern city gentleman of leisure, than as companion of a man of Sierra Sam’s caliber, ; “Gentlemen!” the sport said, ‘‘allow me to make you acquainted with my right-hand man, Jefferson Davis Dump, whom you'll find a jolly good fellow, despite his tan. Jeff is a daisy in everything, except bravery; there’s no bigger coward living—got the same disease you fellows are troubled with—ha! ha! hal Drink hearty, gents— * Here’s to the tough Who tried to kiss Cap; Thit him a whack 1 And he went down ker-slap!’ ” “Mr. Dump, allow me to introduce myself— my name is Mugg, and I am a lawyer.” . “Yas, sah! Happy to meet you, Mugg!” the gentleman of color assented, loftily. ‘* Youh look jes’ like a lawyer, sah, fo’ suah. Youh mugg is de puffec’ impussonation ob de law, ‘Ah! thank you—thank you,” the dapper in- dividual returned; then as Sierra Sam and the crowd moved away from the bar—‘‘do ¥

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r) «“ | ‘She Frontier Detective, tees . iknow the gentioman with thea Jong hair, sir?— know him well?” e Jefferson drew himself up to his fullest hight. “Know dat fellah? Sho! I guess so! Dat’s my boss, dat is, fo’ suah, an’ you bet youh life he’s de reg'lar ole sorgham-sugah of a boss, too. * Ah! yes, undoubtedly. S’pose he is a man of importance,” “Golly, I jess guess so. ‘You orter jess see flat fellah clean out de folks he don’t like, suah! He jes’ pulverizes ’em—deed he does; an’ he ain’t no moah feared of any man or anymal dan Lis of a Thomas cat.” * Lots of money, eh?” : “Dead loads of it, sah—moretnan fifty mil- lion dollars right about bis duds, for suah!? Whether Mugg believed this or not, is hard to say; his smooth, unwrinkled face was a hard page to make anything out of. “And what may his name be, aside from Sierra Sar; Sam what?” he asked, gazing to- ward the faro-table, where the stranger stood watching the game. “Dunno, sah—dunno noffin more!” Jeff re- plied, suspiciously. ‘‘ Bid youh good-evenin’, sah. Town pump on de corner, sah, if you want to work it!” And then he strutted off, importantly, while Muge bit his lip, in vexation. “The devilish nigger knows enough to keep his master’s secret, at any rate,” ho muttered, growlingly. He turned to the bartender, who was a flat- visaged Chinaman with almond eyes of a keen and intelligent sparkle. ‘Did the galoot pay you good money for the drinks?” Mugg interrogated, eagerly. : ‘OMelican man muvhee square,” Sing-Low re- plied, wiping off the bar. ‘‘ No foole> John Chinaman with bad money, allee samee.” “ You want to look out for him. UH warrant he’s a scaly customer, and basn’t come to Bowie without a purpose. Ef yes’picion him of any unfair or illegal biz, Sing, ye jest want. ter put yer unkle onter it. Ye see, ef 1 succeed in mak- in’ a ‘case,’ I’ve the prospects o’ gittin’ promoted to U. 8. detective here, at a salary. So help me along if you can.” And the lawyer slipped some money into the barkeeper’s hand, which was promptly pocketed. At this juncture there was a great bellow, as et dente sat up and rubbed his now swollen ead, “What mule kicked me?” he roared. “ What’s the matter? Show me the man who hit me _ with the sledge-hammer, so that I kin chaw him up an’ swaller him—me, Gouger & Co., the fero- cious Feejee Cannibal!” CHAPTER: TIT. | trick!’ pocket. lady’s han handsome proprietress of the-Galoot’s Goal shone out in his gaze, Gouger & Co. had by this time scrambled to his feet, still feeling of his forehead, and was glaring around ferociously for a subject to Jaunch his wrath upon. ‘Hello! I say!” he repeated in bis blatant way, ‘‘ what was et thet hit me atwixt the eyes? Show me the galoot with fists like a, sledge- hammer, while I pulverize him into bone-dust an’ soap-grease! ‘““See hyar, pard!” he added, the next mo- ment, as his eyes rested for the first time upon the man of the Sierras, ‘‘et kinder strikes me yowre the identercal pilgrim w’at did the job— pasted me a sockdolager between the peepers thet made me see more than ten milyun long- ~ tailed comets!” ay “Tt kinder strikes me that way, too, my friend!” Sam replied, with a smile, ‘I reckon T took you in for the extent of your floor meas- ure, eh?” é 7 “Darn my mule’s capacity fer oats, yes, I could hev sweared by ther liberty-pole o’ Water- loo that I’d biti kicked by the HY ae uv a burro, An’ so you're the nasty little insignifi- cant morsel o’ humanity who dared ter insult ther great blood-suckin’ Fejse Cannerbal o’ the Nor’west, aire ye?” And the giant stepped nearer, his face flaming with rage, and his hands opening and shuttiag © convulsively, ““Yes, I’m the very man!” Sam replied, grim- ly. ‘I caught you in the act of insulting an un- protected lady. and ‘raised you one better!’ ” x _ “Great sufferin’ Moses!” the giant gasped, swelling with rage. 3 ‘An’ ye did this, knowin thet f war the famous gouger of gougers—ther King o’ Kolerado—ther Sampson uv all supreme smashers? Ye hev ther face ter stan’ an’ tell me this? Oh! Lordy! what shall I do with ye?— how will ye take it? Shall I chaw ye up an’ swaller ye?” : ste ‘You'd better screw down your throttle or yowll get out of steam before you know it,” the Californian rep:ied coolly. “If you're itchin; to snag yourself ag’in’ a small pocket-edition o an earthquake, mebbe you better try and seo how it will work.” ' : a I will,” the ruffian yelled, leaping for- ward. ; So spry were his movements despite his pon- derous size, that nothing was left for Sierra Sam _ but to clinch with him, as he bad no time to gob Sam gets teetotally kerlapsed an’ licked this roll of money in his hand. : “Take you, sah!” Jeff Davis Dump quickly responded, taking a huge roll of money from eee se money, sah—in de you ab.” % Died fo eh ou overgrown loafer, and I ap- ~ plied my knuckles promptly between your eyes the lawyer, Mugg, yelled, flourishing a —

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The Frontier Detective. r) Muge gazed at the darky a moment, astound- ed. He had not intended to bet at all, being well satisfied that there were few pilgrims in Bowie so flush of stamps as to care to risk so high a stake on an uncertain issue. “Guess 1 don’t care to bet with a nigger—oh, no,” he said, weakening. ‘I don’t want your money, sir; put it back,” Come, come, Mugg—that ain’t fair,” Capitola cried, indignantly, drawing a pistol. ‘* You’re so flush with your sand, just you put up now. The dark’s just as good as you are, and so’s his oney.” ‘Al this while the men were still clinched— locked together by the gripe of their powerful arms, and performing an “impromptu waltz, neither one seeming to have gained an advan- tage through the embrace. ‘Oh, squeeze if you like!” Sierra Sam chuck- led, as the giant tried to crush the breath out® of him by a terrible hug. ‘ You'll perhaps Jearn that a little fish can swim nearly as far as a. big one.” And then he returned the hug with interest, until the bully fairly groaned with agony. ‘“‘ Let up, for God’s sake!” he gasped, hoarsely. _ “You're cavin’ my ribs in!” ‘Ha! ha! that’s no hug, Gouger!” the Cali- fornian replied; ‘‘ that’s simply a sweetheart hug they have up in the Sierras. Now, here’s a real, old-fashioned Hoosier hug, right from In- juanna, you bet!” , And instead of lessening his terrib,. squeeze about the giant’s waist, the man-remarkable mn- creased it, until the overgrown bully roared loudly and loosened his stipe, brandishing his arms wildly and gasping for breath. That was the moment of real action for the apparently cool and smiling Californian. At one side of the room stood an open-topped cask, still partly filled with coal tar, which had been used for roofing purposes. i The eagle gaze of Sierra Sam had observed this when he entered the saloon; he now gave it another glance, his eyes gleaming wickedly. Seley raising the giant from the floor, and still increasing the vise-like nature of his power- ful hug, he moved forward, and ere anybody had quite comprehended his intention, he dex- trously whopped the/ giant over and chucked him, head-foremost, down info the eask, Allowing him to remain there but a second, . he drew him out, and then tumbled him rough- ly to the front door. - A worse-lookimg object certainly never graced the mountain-environed town of Bowieville, From the top of his head to the arm-pits was one mass of tar, and the only wonder was how the poor galoot could get his breath. But he had been wise enough to keep his eyes, mouth and nostrils shut during the souse, _ Outside of the door of the Galoot’s Goal he - Jay upon bis back on the ground and kicked and _. thrashed about with his feet and hands, while . “Mr, Montagu | come into t At this moment the stage-coach whirled down . into the town and came toa halt close to where ° the tarred bully lay, and two passengers alight- ed—an elderly gentleman and a young dany, Z “This way, Louise,” the gentleman ordered, and the crowd parted to let them pass into the ** hotel,” the only one in Bowie, which adjoined the Galoot’s Goal. “ Right this way, sir!” Jeremiah Mugg-eried, stepping forward. ‘* ae is Mugg and ’'m a pb ae one in Bowie, sir—fees moder- ate. Allow me the honor of lb you the way toour only grub ranch, sir; right thi “Dat yar Mugg ought to bab my boss, to teach him manners!” Jeff Davis Dump observed to a bystander, ‘‘ Somebow dese ignorant pus- sous nebber will learn not to be too. obfisshus, nohow.” “Oh! pape papa! do look here—for goodness sake! Isn’t ita shame?—the poor fellow!” the young lady said, raising her vail and tugging at the old gentleman's coat-sleeve, while she pointed to poor Gouger. “Isn’t it awful? Pray, who so maltreated the man?” “Sierra Sam, ma’am=-Sierra Sam!” Mugg hastened to exclaim, indicating the Californian, is way!” who stood in the saloon door, the moonlight . shining full in his handsome face. Louise Berkley gazed at him an instant; their eyes met in a glance of evident recognition; she grew strangely white, and turned hastily to the judge. “Come, papa, let us find the hotel; I feel sick- ened at this disgusting sight.” And Mugg guided them into Bowie’s hostelry, while Sierra Sam re-entered the Galoot’s Goal, his éyes glittering strangely, and his face wear- ing a strange gloomy expression that was not usually seen there. The only occupants of the room were Capitola, the charming proprietress, and another man of hs Sierra Sam’s age, ‘and Sing-Low, the bar- tender. . Capitola and the first-mentioned man,who was’ — well-dressed, and of prepossessing appearance, with a brown mustache and goatee, and rather handsome dark eyes, hair and features, were just about beginning a game of pool as the sport re-entered. ¥ “Oh! bold on—here is my gallant rescuer, who must take a cue!” Capitola cried, running forward and seizing hold of bis arm. don’t say you won’t, sir, for I insist. handed game is always the merriest, and this is fora hundred a side. And,” she added, in an undertone, ‘‘if you don’t know anything about the game, I'll favor you, for I want you to win. Your name is Mr.—’? > ee Now “Slocum—Sam Slocum!” the sport replied, smiling down into her fairy like face; * the way, play your best, and let Sam’l his own part of the game.” “Oh! Iam so glad —i a louder tone. ‘‘This.is Mr, Max Montague, elie “ora the Little Sunshine Mine up the gulch,’ ; S ‘4 The two men acknowledged the introduction, with a bow. os ~ é3 2 : I doso want Mr. and 1 am sur and, by tend to le; he game, and of that, Mr. Slocum,”—in : A three- -

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a eines “Well, no—providing he wants to put up, equal!” Montague replied, indifferently. Sierra Sam took a second look at the man, as if to read him, but Montague was busy arrang- ing the balls. *Ascratch game of course!” Montague an- swered, ‘‘I never play regulation with profes- sionals!” And there was a faint tinge of sar- casm in his tones. Sam somehow felt inclined to break up his cue over the fellow’s head, but remembering Capitola, he refrained. “Well,” he asserted, “just as youlike. Til MB start off with a vengeance, and a burst.” And he did too. fp bursting the balls, he pocketed the twelve, fifteen and seven balls, and left the other balls in fine shape. With a faint smile lurking beneath his mus- tache, he began an attack upon the other balls. and when he placed his cue upon the table, all the balls, from one to fifteen were piled up in the corner and side pockets. **T will quit I guess,” the miner said, with not the best-natured grace, “as no man can play against such luck.” And raising his hat, he strode from the pool table out of the saloon, not even noticing Sierra Sam, as courtesy demanded. And as he passed out Jake Gouger once more entered the room! CHAPTER IV. A WOMAN’S POWER. Ir the Cannibal of the Nor’west had looked badly when he made the unceremonivus exit from the Galoot’s Goal—his appearance was greatly changed, now. Some of the humane miners of Bowie's ever- friendly burg, had re-attired the giant in a, suit of overalls, at least three sizes too small for him and by a judicious application of kerosene oi had cleansed his face and neck of the tarry daub that had recently decorated it, although a poy of the nasty stuff still clung into his Hatless, was the King o’ the Kolorados, and looking at least ten per cent, less ferocious than was usual with him, as for the second time that night he made his way into the Galoot’s Goal, and direct toward where Sierra Sam stood at the pool table, ‘just engaging in conversation with the pretty proprietress. “T trust you will pardon me for my forget- fulness in not thanking you for coming to my rescue, so bravely!” Capitola was saying, evidently a little confused, at the awkward situation Montague had left them in, ‘I am sure [ am greatly indebted to you.” / “ Not in the least, lady. I me performed a duty which your townsmen hesitated to tackle,” Sam replied. “I am sure I wish you would often give me a chance to come to the as- sistance of one so pretty.” And he laughed pleasantly. : “Oh! that is wishing me ill. I have plenty of ills to battle with, so, pray make a good wish, if any!” “T certainly could not wish you harm. You y a strange arently fitted a higher position in life? sition, here, for one who is ‘The Frontier Detective, “Dol?” And the girls Pa were bent upon the floor, thoughtfully. ‘‘ Well, perhaps I do. But, then, every one says I_am an enigma, at best. Icame here, when Bowie started, and started with it, and there’s few but will tell you I’ve always been able to look out for Num- ber One.” “‘Tndeed, no one could think anything else, I am sure, Ah! here comes our friend, the roar- ing Fejee, recovered from his bath!” “He is a bad man. He is a brute—in fact, the only man who has ever dropped down in camp, whom I had a horror of. Will he seek another quarrel? Ob, I do so hope you will not get burt!” And her little white, jeweled hand clutched his coat-sleeve, and her eyes gazed up into bis with an earnest glance that thrilled him, ‘Thank you,” he said, returning the gaze with interest. ‘Do I look or act like a man who often gets left?” ' And a faint smile hovered about his lipsand gleamed from his handsome eyes. ‘“No, you do not,” she responded, frankly. “You are a man-maryel—a man among men, whom—” She did not finish the sentence; her gaze dropped, and she turned to the table to arrange the balls, But in that unfinished sentence the Californian read her:secret, even as he reali the fact that she had attained a firmer hold upon his admiration than any other woman had ever done, ; Gouger waltzed up at this juncture to within three paces of Sierra Sam, and stood gazing at him a moment with a strange, half-humoroug expression upon-his homely beck ‘Stranger,” he said, hoarsely, after a mo- mentary pause, during which he looked the sport over from head to foot, ‘will ye allow me to open my mouth fer ther space of about a minute?” So comical was the way in which the ques- tion was put that Sam could not refrain from laughing. ‘“Well, I suppose this is a free country, and everybody has the privilege of wagging jaw if they choose,” he said, good-naturedly. ‘Waal, then, ef you heven’t any objections, I want to express my condemn’dest admiration for you, I do. I wanter impress on yer tym- panum the certain fact that Gouger & Co., the ing 0’ Kolorado, is a licked man—a teetotally demolished disciple of a darned jack-ass, Et’sa fac’, sir, by ther stars an’ stripes 0’ old Christo- her Columbjy, an’ et does me proud ter ac- nowledge ther corn, you bet.” Sierra Sam gazed at the man with astonish- ment. He could not quite credit his sense of hearing; he was hardly prepared to believe that this noted bruiser and ruffian, of whom he had — heard hard stories told long ere he set footin — Bowie, that this hard citizen of giant size and prodigious strength, who had cleaned out many a mining-camp, should take water and ,admit his defeat in so humble a manner except he had a forthcoming scheme of vengeance to further, under the cloak of hypocrisy and pretende: friendship. ee - But there w. : 8 bully’s eye; his

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The Frontier Detective. man who had recognized his own disability, and was honest in his professed intention. And when Gouger thrust forward his great, horny palm, the Californian did not take it. “Yow ll excuse me, my friend,” he said, ‘* but before shaking hands with you there is onelittle eae you must necessarily do.” “Nominate it, captain—you proposeth an’ I disposeth. Arything in ther hull catalogue 0’ impossibilities will I do, root hog or die, jest fer ther honor o’ one friendly shake o’ yer royal old sledge-hammer fluke, you bet.” “Very well. I want you to humbly apolo- gize to the young lady here for the insult you ave her, then I’ve no objections to shaking Hands with you as a gentleman.” “‘Gentleman—me ? Oh, Lord A’mighty!” and the ruffian fairly gasped, ‘‘Pardner, you’re hittin’ me hard. Call me all ther mean things ye kin, but not a gentleman—that’s orful, I’m nothin’ but a human brute; an’ no one but you could call me a gentleman ’thout rilin’? me—no, sir-ee, Thar was a time, years an’ years ago, when thar war a chance for me, but arter the old gent an’ lady pegged out t war put up on ther wortd at public auction, an’ whisky an’ the devil bid me off. Yas, on course I'll do the squar’ thing,” and the giant dropped upon his knees in, front of Capitola. ‘‘ Lady, 1 humbly ax yer parding an’ fergiveness. do, honest Injun. Don’t speak—I can’t stand it; but ef you'll let me kiss ther tips 0’ yer pretty fingers, by ther great horned ace o’ the Big Missouri, Pll try to be a better man.” ‘* May Heaven help you to become one!” Cap- (tola said, and she extended her fair shapely right hand—the dextrous hand that many a _-luckless miner could heartily wish he had never seen. Gouger took it tenderly and gazed at it a moment, as if it were a great curiosity to him; then he raised it to his lips, released it, and arose to his feet, and with genuine tears cours- ing down his cheeks, turned and staggered from the saloon, ; Rough and rugged miner's, who had entered the ee in time to see the strange tableau, stood grim and silent in awed wonderment— men who seldom were affected, if ever, to tears, ape who were struck to see a man of Jake ouger’s dark ‘repute in such a ‘‘ weak” state. Both Sierra Sam and Capitola were not a Be affected and gazed after the giant thought- fully. “The man is deeply affected, or else he is a greater hypocrite than I ever met,” Capitola said, toying with her watch-chain. “His exhibition of feeling is genuine, I be- lieve,” the Californian replied. ‘‘It takes a man to fight a man, but a woman to conquer the human heart,” and his eyes sought hers with an earnest expression, She partly averted her face, upon which a soft blush dawned. *¢ And it remains for us to follow up the ‘lead’ we have struck and develop Gouger into a better man,” she added. ? iy Sierra Sam and Jeff. Davis Dump, his trusted companion, soon after left the saloon and struck | out for their ranch, for the night was well ad- vanced toward the wee sma’ hours. Up the gulch, a hundred rods from the Ga- loot’s Goal, was a small mountain lakelet, nes- tled down among the rugged mountains, and fringed with a scattering growth of spectral pines: Fed by a strong subterranean spring he waters of this glassy pond fousd a way of escape by a narrow channel which ran down through the mining town, the major part of which was on the further side of Miss Carson’s saloon, Upon the shore of this little basin was a log cabin, which some miner had evidently built and deserted, and this Sierra Sam had taken po of, without leave or license, as ib oasted of a table, some stools, cooking utensils and a bed of leaves—all a miner’s luxuries. ‘Well, what do you think of our first nighy in Bowieville?” the Californian asked, as the strode along. ‘Rather a fly introductory, eh?” ‘‘' Yes, sab,” the darky answered, taking off his hat and scratching his head. ‘I s’pec’ dis yer chile is all mixed up, fo’ suah, sab.” “What's wrong? as anything extraordi- ahh happened to disturb your equanimity, eff? “Yas, boss; I s’pect dar has, In de fu’st place, dar’s dat yar Mugg. I tell youh, boss, you want to look out fo’ him, He's defective hen fruit, dat Mugg is, cl’ar thr’u’. Den dar’s de fac’ dat dis yar chile won a thousan’, cool, by bettin’, an’ de fella’ Mugg he done declar' dat de young leddy was dead gone on youh— yes, sah. An’ den de general disturbance all around make dis nigger as upset.as an elevaited railroad, fo’ suah.” ‘Pooh! you're too bad, Jeff. I shall have to steep you up a degoction of nervine, or you'll never live it out in this town. By the way, what do you think of the girl, Miss Capitola Carson?” ee! “Dunno, boss, She’s cl’ar beauty on de out- sides, sure’s dar’s sugar in de cane; but den, boss, mebbe it’s only skin-deep. Dar war Clem Johnsing’s gal Suse, dat dis chile use to spark up. She was de berry purtiest galin Turkey- ville, fo’ suah, wid eyes jee as unresistable as der perfoonmery ob de pe ecat—but, golly, sie 3 it wasn’t no use at all, sah; she war jess fickelest piece ob colored nigger you ebber see, an’ de berry ebenin’ afore she was to_be mar- - ried to me, sah, what did dat Susan Johnsin; do but dun go an’ elope wid Parson Jonese’s nigger, Jake!” ! “Then you think if I was to try and win the . peer ee of the Galoot’s Goal, ’'d get eft, eh? ‘Deed I does, boss,” ** And why so?” ‘“Ca’se she’s got annudder beau, sah!” “ Ah! yes, Isee, You refer to the fellow Montague.” : _“Dat’s a fac’, boss. She’s struck after him, an’ fishin’ after youh spondulics.” “T can’t quite agree with you, Jeff. I am of ~ the opinion that she’s a brave, pure-hearted girl, and l’ve quite a notion that her name wouldn't look bad written as follows: flamuel Slocum!” Jeff put up his hands,

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“ £0 you to be on guard!” Mugg added. The Frontier Detective. + ff “Sho! fo’ de Lor’ sake, boss, don't you do it!" he said, rolling his eyes ludicrously. “If yon done go get moonstruck after dat gal, I tell youh, sah, you won’t be wuff three cents, by golly, An’ youh recomember w’at we’se come to. dese yar diggings for, boss?” A cloud came over Sierra Sam’s face. The darky’s words evidently reminded him of something unpleasant; and, too, Jeff's opinion was seemingly a matter of moment to him. “T oness you're right,” he said, as they reach- ed the cabin. ‘* To-morrow you can go to work a-prospecting among the rock around the cabin here, while I'll bear in mind your advice.” The next day Sierra Sam staked out a claim close to the cabin, purchased tools, and set Jeff to work, after which he sauntered up into the town, Some irresistible impulse drew him into the camp, and, while he had about decided to keep away from the Galoot’s Goal, he was secretly hoping that he might catch a -glimpse of Capi- tola. The first familiar face he came across belonged to Jeremiah Mugg. ‘My dear Slocum, I am delighted to see you!” Mugg began, patting Sam familiarly on the shoulder with his disengaged hand. ‘I have been wishing to see you all the morning to tell you you are making an erroneous mistake—an erroneous mistake, sir!” = “Well, how so?? Sam demanded, rather shortly, not quite appreciating the lawyer's for- wardness. ‘Plain as the nose on your face, sir—every one’s laughing at you. Why, the idea of you inhabiting the haunted cabin, that nobody can be hired to go near—and, also, of setting the nigger to work whar never a smidge of gold has been found—why, sir, you are mad!” “Perhaps!” Sam replied. ‘‘ When I’m mad, however, I have a cause for it. haunted, eh?” “Sure, sarin. Jim Bacon was murdered thar six months ago, an’ kis body thrown into the lake, an’ now his speerit comes back nights, an’ howls around villainous,” “Indeed! If Jim’s ‘ float’ gets unduly bois- terous, I shall have to speak to him and have him quiet down a little. As to the claim, Pil find gold there.” — ‘Impossible, sir! Then there’s another thing, friend Sam’l, I must mention, because of my interest in you. Beware how you are seen in conversation with Capitola, the girl gambler. She’s under a cloud, you see; thar’s divers things s’picioned ’g’in’ her, you see—ahem! well, Pil not say just what, but if you were to be took as her pard,it might go hard with you, byme-by—hemp-ingly speaking, you know!” CHAPTER V. OLD STORK’S PROPOSAL. SrerRa SAM listened to the words of Jeremiah Muge with silent indifference. - If Capitola, Carson was under a cloud, was it any assurance that she was or was not guilty of crimes without number? = A * And so you'll at once see that it behooves “Your advice- is , as far as ar F yer Aaa So the cabin is. ae instigator of it, Ml break his neck, as : it goes,” Si Sam replied; ‘‘but I am not inclined to be. _ lieve ill of a person until I have stronger proof of their guilt than the sinrple word of a lawyer, whose chief stock-in-trade is misrepre- sentation.” And the Californian shook him off, and enter- ed a grocery store to make some purchases, Within the grocery—the only one, by the way, in Bowie—stood Jake Gouger, the late roarin’ Cannibal o’ the Nor’west. : Togged out from top to toe in a bran new suit of clothes was the giant, with a ‘ plug” hat upon bis head, upon which was a mourning-band. He looked not the rough individual of the previous night, as he stood meekly at a freshly- opened cracker barrel, munching with great pera n gh “Hello, uger,” the Californian accosted, frankly, extending -his hand. “‘ Hard at work in a good cause, eh? Why the mourning-band— lost a relative? “Lordy, no, Thet ’ar’s to tell whar Jim Gouger turned over a new leaf, arter bein’ all broke up an’ his spurs clipped as the King o’ Kolorado.” ; Sam, having made his purchases, left the saloon. Gouger, following him to the door, tap 1 him on the shoulder, Ce oui man,” he said, ‘youre a brick, an? you’ve made a different galoot out o’ me, An’, now, in advance, [ want to tell you somethin’. Keep yer eyes peeled, fer you’re goin’ to be mevaced with trouble, I feel et in my bones, an’ I'll help ye all I can, but ye wanter look’ sharp at every one, an’ be ready to shoot, at an instant’s notice.” ; Sierra Sam looked puzzled. ““T don’t understand what peril you have ene en he ern “ Nor will you, until a trap is sprung on you —at least, that’s my opine. All I want yer Pe do* is look out fer snakes, an’ ef ye git stuck in the mud, depend on’t, Jim Gouger ’ll help ye out, ef he can!” Se The Californian was silent a moment; his brow was cloudy, and his eyes gleamed fitfull i ‘See here!” he suddenly cried. seizing the Coloradoan by the shoulder, his face stern in its expression. ‘‘ I want to know if you are in- sinuating against her,” and he nodded tow: the Galoot’s Goal, ‘‘for if you are, ’l m ; you answer for it. T’ll stand up for that gal, every time, no matter what any one says.” “ Glory hallelujer eplur ebum unison!” ejacu- lated Gouger; “hyar, too, Sierra—hyar too, cl’ar from the soles o’ my stogies ter ther bal- cony o’ my new plug, by gum! Stack my flush in favor o’ that gal, will I, every day in a week, an’ teetollay chaw up an’ masticate ary _ galoot as durst aver that she ain’t ther purtiest an’ worthiest piece o’ caliker thet evyer graced these hyer Bs aes Lordy, Sam’l, I hope ye don’t think I'll go back on thet ’ar gal, do ye— the only gal who give mea touch o’ her purty hand, these many years?” : “No! no, of course not; excuse my seeming roughness, for I Pk hasty. ‘ eee aoe a conspiracy working against the girl, judgin from what I’ve heard, and if I find who et A erra Sam!”

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The Frontier Detective. “Bully for ycu! I’m with you, fer every ducat Tm worth!” Gouger cried with so much emphasis, that Sam could no longer doubt the fellow’s sincerity, Then, the two men shook hands and Sam went back to his cabin “Been courtin’, sah?” Jeff queried, with a grin, as the Californian came up to where he was pecking away in the sand and rock of the lake shore. ‘* Oh! no,” the Californian replied. ‘‘T didn’t even see che girl, Jeff. I believe [ll try my hand at fishing, instead of wooing.” ‘Stonishin’ w’at an influence dis yar chile has got ober de boss,” Jeff soliloquized; after Sam had entered. ‘‘He wouldn’t no more think of goin’ ag’in’ de ’pinyun ob Jeff Davis Dump, dat Sam’l, dan a white buzzard would ob layin’ red robbin’s eggs,» Jes’ w’at dis chile advises, de boss heah done go for to do, persim- mons suah—ya! ya! ya!” ‘ Bowieville was not eminently a bonanza burg, but had several aying quarté mines, not to speak of a number of less valuable placer claims, so that, all told, she produced about as much gold as the average mining camp of her Size. Speculators did not asarule take kindly to the place, and therefore there was no particu- ie “boom,” and rarely any exchange of inter- ests.. Of the miners; a goodly number of them had lacer stakes, from which they eked out a fair iving, while the remaining element mostly worked in the quartz drifts for somuch per day. These quartz-mines, five in number, were owned by two persons—four of them by a miserly old- bachelor named Silas Stork, and we fifth, the “‘ Little Sunshine,” by Max Mon- ue. he man Silas Stork was an old “vet,” so to speak, who had gambled and speculated in stocks almost from infancy up to his present ‘age of seventy, and had accumulated an im- mense fortune, all of which, aside from his mines, was safely invested in Government bonds and other good securities, Morose, surly and miserly old delegate that he was, he had nota friend who was a friend, could ever be found about in all Bowie, and the few who claimed acquain- tance with him were “sharps,” who knew him only in the hope of ‘‘fattening” from his ~ finances. He never risked a cent unless he saw a chance of doubling on his investment: roadzagents and their like considered him no good, as no money is person or his shanty, where he lived in the most miserly and . frugal manner, with not so much as even a dog’ or cat to keep him company. On the morning after his arrival in Bowie- ville, Judge Berkley, of California, left the hotel, and Be the direction, sought out Silas Stork’s bumble shanty, which stood a hundred yards down the gulch, from the - Galoot’s Goal. Kuocking on the door, Judge Berkley awaited n answer to the sammons, but none came. — wing impatient, he rappe i Jo Eee -| her one of fi this |-s By : 12 —— And got a reply. ‘*Who’s there, and what’s wanted?” a sharp, rasping, voice demanded, from the inside. “Tt is Spire tea Ag cg of Sacramen: California,” the judge replied. ‘Open up, an let me in.” : The two men were soon after seated face to face, within the rudely furnished shanty, with . a table between them, upon which was a long- necked black bottle and two glasses, Silas Stork was tall, thin, pinched-faced and sallow, and his hair was white as driven snow. Age had bent his form, and so shattered his nerves that he trembled constantly. His eyes, however, dark and piercing, had lost none of the brightness of their youth. — - ‘* Well, old-time friend, I see that the ravages of time have made an inroad upon your con- stitution, and you are getting well along to- ward the end of life’s race,” Berkley said. “I suppose you are prepared for the inevitable, Silas?” “Ay, I can say Iam,” the old miser answer- ed, ‘‘I have long expected the end, and tried to look forward to it with pious submission to the will of our Supreme Ruler, Bearing in mind the fact that I cannot reasonably expect to live much longer, as my health has been fail- ing for some months past, I wrote you to pay me a visit, accompanied by your daughter; and E ge iy to see you here.” : “Yes, I came, not knowing how to refuse the request, when we used to be such firm friends.” “And min?” “J did, although I was at loss to know why you should desire her“to pay you a visit.” Silas Stork chuckled. “ Well, it was partly a freak of mine—ycu know I was always addicted to eccentricity, somewhat, And, then, I had another motive; I want to get married {” Judge Berkley did not look surprised. : ‘*T suspected something of the kind,” he said, quietly. ‘“‘I wonder ,you have remained so many years in a state of single blessedness, I presume you have a matrifnonial eye set upon my daughter, Louise?” “Exactly!” the miser admitted, blandly, evidently glad of the judge's ready tact in help- ing him out. ‘‘That’s the very thing, judge— the very thing, sir. “You see, matters stand this way, with me. TI am the last one of my family. I have, on the whole face of the earth, no re- lative or near or dear friend, except you. I re- cently read in a California paper, that you had failed, heavily!” j . “Tt is true—everything was apparently swept away!” the judge confessed. ‘“Well, be that asit may,” Stork continued, “T knew that a little help from me wouldn't come amiss; so I decided that I would invite you here, and if, after seeing me, your daugh- you brought your daughter, Benja- ter could make up her mind to marry me,I ~ would, after the marriage, make ouf my will, — bequeathing to her my gold mines and all my moneys, bonds and securities, thereby making: he richest women on the Western -slope

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‘* Silas.” he said, grasping the miser’s hand across the table, ‘‘[ can never express my true feelings ina case like this. Why, sir, lam at once astonished and delighted.” ** And I meant you should be. And now, how about your daughter? What will she to such a thing? oman-like, will she not, as a matter of course, refuse?” : “T hardly know how to decide,” the judge answered. ‘‘Louise, whose first name, you will remember, is Lilian, is a remarkably strange and scrupulous girl. She will not, if she knows ’ tt, do anything she thinks is wrong, and Iam fearful she would consider an alliance with you under the circumstances, as imwarrying for money, which I have heard her say often she never would do.” 3 “‘T admire her for that,” the miser declared; *¢it shows that she is honorable. It can be ar- ranged, however, so that she need not know anything about the fortune awaiting her.” “Oh, certainly! I think I can fix it all right. I fancy she already reverences you, just from“ my description of your noble traits of character, she is such an impulsive young thing. the sooner the matter is satisfactorily fixed, riend Silas, the Setter it will suit you.” ‘Exactly !” the old man assented, his pinched face glowing with pleasure. ‘‘ I will have the formula of my will all arranged, awaiting the time when my bride comes to me!” Judge Berkley soon after took leave of the miser, and in order to somewhat allay the ex- citement he was laboring under, walked about get a view of what few “sights” town to Bowie’s youthful city had to offer On the street he passed Max Montague, who gave him so searching a glance that the judge was impelled to turn around and gaze back after the owner of the Little Sunshine mine. ** Hang seen that fellow before. I wonder where?” Not five minutes later he passed Sierra Sam, who was just coming into town, the judge first, and a strange expression judge looked at hith as he passed by. Sam gave no sign that he reco; judge, and hurried on up the street; but not so with the judge. He gave a violent start when he saw the sport, and once more halted and turned around, his eyes following Sierra Sam in a strange, startled glance, and his features wearing a gray- ish pallor. “Can it be possible—bah! no, I surely am mistaken,” he hissed, between his teeth. ‘‘ The eyes are the same—that’s all. This man is type. If, indeed, he were the one I first took him to be, [am positive he would have recog- nized me, for I have not changed in four years, Bah! All is well, and everything is working charmingly. Once we get possession of Stork’s millions, Pll soon put out for the Hast, as it will ' not be exactly safe for me ever to go back to Sacramento, with the suspicion on me that existed when I took my midnight departure. Luck ae doveaies e, or I should I sup- it!” he mused, ‘tit seems to me I’ve He had seen passed over his face, leaving it perfectly calm when the gnized the somewhat larger, and of altogether a different cha The Frontier Detective. all her cunning, will marry him. She’s a good girl, is Louise, and I certainly have no reasor~ to find fault with her, except for her foolish infatuation for a young rascal who got drummed out of Stockton for swindling. Let me see. I believe they called him Guy Arrundel—dear Guy, Louise calls him. Bah! the fool!” CHAPTER VI. SAM AND CAPITOLA, Sterra Sam went back to his cabin and busied himseif in cooking dinner for himself and. Jeff, the aforesaid repast consisting of corn cakes and some of the large trout he had caught. Being a good cook, he prepared a ae to which he and the negro did full jus- ice. the shade of a large tree near the cabin, and armed with a novel, prepared to spend a quiet afternoon. But he was not destined to have undisturbed quiet a great while as he lay basking in the . shade of the great tree. He had got as far as where the “heavy yillain” of the story was about carrying off the heroine, when he heard a decidedly girlish laugh, and springing to a sitting posture in the hammock, he saw Capitola Cannrh standing near at hand, ‘*Tt’s just too bad!” she said, leaning upon her handsome rifle, and looking very pretty and picturesque in her male attire, with the snow- white sombrero set jauntily upon her regal head. ‘I was going to sly y give you a good swing, and perhaps a tumble from your im- pou hammock, but I never can keep from aughing when I’m doing anything villainous!” Sara thought just then that she looked very little capable of villainy--the beauteous girl, . whose eyes were fascinating enough to drive a” man into a seventh degree of ecstasy. < ‘*T am pleased to see you,” he simply saidy ‘“‘Judge my surprise, however, in seeing the Galoot’s Goal bereft of its greatest attraction.” “Oh! I found the ‘ tender-foot’ not so numer- ous this afternoon as_ to demand my attention to biz, and so I took leave of absence, and started out for a ramble, you see. But the sun was so hot that I changed my mind, and panion had struck any pay-dirt.” somehow, felt rather glad of this. “Well, I guess we’ claim,” he remarked, ‘‘ but then—” i Ea “That isn’t your object in working it!” she finished, with a strange little laugh. *“ claim pans out well or not.” The Californian looked surprised. “What do you know regarding my errand, here?” he asked, leaning forwavd, aud studying her face, eagerly. “Nothing whatever. I was only surmisin; that the darky’s mining here was a blind. To Re the subject—do you intend to remain here After dinner he fixed up a hammock beneath — Il. not get rich off of our But, as — long as it disguises your real object in coming = here to Bowie, it don’t matter whether the — - thought I’d run down and see if your sable com- _ Then, she had not come to see him! Sam, — 2

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» he Frontier Detective. - is She L poi closer, then her face suddenly changed from a gay to an anxious ression, “T want you to tell me one thing!” she said, her eyes gazing steadily into his. ‘‘I want you to tell me, and tell me truthfully—is it a man or a woman whom you seek here in Bowieville?” “Tt originally was a man!” he’ answered, and an irresistible impulse caused him to draw her close beside himn, and imprint a kiss upon her cherry lips, ‘‘ but, P’ll not vouch that I ma not also seek a woman, ere I get through wit! my experience in this place, and ask her to be my wife!” “Stop!” she cried, gaspingly, as he was about to leap from the hammock; ‘‘don’t for your own sake, for my sake and for God’s sake, dowt! - A barrier stands between us, which, no matter what our affection might be for one an- other, cannot be broken except in death. You are a man—more, a noble man; in Heaven's name let nothing of this kind again occur!” Then she turned and hurried away, the bowl- ders between the town and the trysting-place soon hiding her from view. Sam watched her until she was no longer in sight; then he hastily resumed the reading of his book as he heard approaching footsteps. CHAPTER VII. THE CHALLENGE, LATER that afternoon, Sierra Sam left Jeff to look after the cabin, and once more sauntered up into the mining-camp in search of the post- office, as he had a letter to mail. Now, Bowieville’s postal business was not so large as to require any great amopnt of room for its transaction, and so, accordingly, the lit- tle case of pigeon-holes occupied one end of the little hardware store, run by one Jersey Bill, who in himself, was a pretty tough customer in a scrimmage, ’twas said. A stage had just come in, and the mail was being distributed as the Californian entered the post-office; so he had to wait, with others, until the little wicket door was opened for delivery. There was a score of men in the room, mostly rough-dressed and dirty, and Sierra‘Sam knew that he was the center for many curious glances. Among those in the room was no less a per- sonage than Judge Berkley, all unconscious that Sierra Sam stood next but one to him. “No, sir-ee!” the judge was saying, emphati- cally; ‘‘ I can’t pay no such price for a weapon, to-day, for I’ve not the means.” “Dog cheap, that ar’ tool!” Jersey Bill de- elared, handling the handsomely plated agent of death with pride. ‘I tell ye ye can’t git no sich a tool,in ary town~along the range, fer twenty-five dollars,” “* Maybe not,” the judge admitted, * but you see, the fact is, ’m purty nigh broke jest now, fer a cussed gang ©’ road-agents stopped our stage last night, and relieved me of nearly all the money 1 brought with me—fifty odd thou- send dollars.” This was a big lie, of course, but the judge believed in telling a good story, at all hazards, ‘size was concerned, ar asked. / ‘“‘T heered the ‘ agents’ skinned out some galoot, but didn’t know who it was.” ; ‘Yas, it was me—just my infernal luck. But, then, [ shall get help, soon, as my daughter is about to wed the richest man in Bowieyville. Give you ten dollars for the weapon on tho strength of that!” 4 ‘Guess not!” Jersey Bill responded, restoring . the bicep to to its place in the showease. “ Ht may all be as you say, but I wouldn’t give much fer any woman’s chance o’ marryin’ old Stork.” The judge chuclsled. ‘ “See ef my gal, Louise, don’t fetch him up in-~ to matrimony!” he said, turning away, in tine” to see Sierra Sam just moving toward the pos- tal window. ** Now, then, to learn who that chap is!” he muttered, and he accordingly fell into line direct- ly behind the sport, his hand im his pocket, as if he sought a weapon there, Peres ‘Amy letters or papers here for Sam Slo- cum?’ the Californian asked, of the postmistress, Mrs, Jersey Bill. 2: Tbe woman shook her head, and Sam w: about to pass on—then she called him back. | ‘* Here’s two letters for Sierra Sam—do they belong to you?” : Pe ere “Tf yeckon they do,” Sam replied, and re-— ceiving them, he left the window, giving the next man a chance, who was Judge Berkley, and who received a letter, the postmark on which was Sacramento, Cal. * With an expression of anxiety u the judge stepred to the front of the store, an tore open his letter, first taking note that Sier Sam had already taken his aeparture. \ The letter was penped in a rapid hand an read as follows: a ** SACRAMENTO, 6—8—18—, ““Prrenp B.:— : SIs “I hasten to let you know that there is ro hope for anything more to be done in this country, T e | eountry is alive with watchers, and you want to look | sharp about you, even where you are, for I fancy it | is known or at least suspected where you lit out fo when you left Sacramento, I succeeded in shippi the tools to—well, you know where—and have a) started a package of ‘tens’ to you. ~ = ’ “Yours, Lizut. Coor, The judge's teeth went together, as he folde the missive, and stowed it away in an inn pocket. ** Cook is right,” he mused, leaving the, store, | “Some of the sharks may drop down here, by any stage. ‘Therefore it behooves me to br matters to a focus as rapidly as possib! that I can be ready to skip at a moment’ tice, if necessary. Afterall ] am safe yet, f the long-haired fellow is not the man I too him to be. He asked for mail for Sam Slocu —which is not the name of my enemy.” _ Sierra Sam went immediately from the p office to the Galoot’s Goal, and took a seat. he was somewhat isolated from the few mir who were lounging about the place. Capitola was engaged in rupning a gi faro at the table, Where several ‘‘ tender. were betting quite freely on somethin; ittle or none bo Shi

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The Frontier Detective, tered, and then turned her attention to the | “and I want it done right away. How much? game, — do you want to do the errand for me?’ Lighting a cigar, Sam proceeded to tear open ** Well, sir, my name is Mugg and I’m a law- nd peruse his leiters, - yer, and not an errand-boy,” the pettifogger The first one was written in a graceful femi- | replied, with great dignity. ‘Still, seeing it’s © ine hand, and was simply an interrogative, | you, Pll do the thing as an accommodation for thout date, and ran as follows: —well, say a V.’ 'SimmRa Sam: “Not hardly!” Sam replied, “Tl give you “Daan Smr:—Since we have so unexpectedly | two bits. Not a cent-more, so take it or Jet it rossed each other's track, what do you propose to | alone,” 0? Louise Berxiey.” * Well, better earn something than nothing,” A whistle of surprise escaped the sport’s lips | aud seizing the letter and money, the man of as he tore up the letter, and scattered the tiny law hurri away. BE Fike pieces upon the floor. His handsome face wore To let him carry that will pees et good at: “a peculiar, thoughtful expression. : tendance at the picnic to-night,” Samynuttered, “Tt remains to be seen what I shall do,” he | ‘‘for every one in Bowie will have full news of juttered, a trifle savagely. ‘I wonder who | the affair before dusk.” ; his letter is from?” ‘| And he was right there. _ He tore it open and perused it, surprise and Capitola gave him an indifferent glance as he ‘anger gleaming from his eyes. It was from | arose and left the saloon, which still further “Max Montague, the owner of the Little Sun- | Convinced him that there was something more ‘shine Mine, and was a source of greater as- | than ordinarily paenee in the power that Mon- tonishment to the Californian, than -anything tague held over her, if, indeed, he did have any - that had happened since his coming into | fluence over her actions. : % Bowie's classic city. - | Back to the camp went the Californian, and » Had a slide swept down from the pinuacle of . prepared supper, and he and Jeff ate in almost the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas and ingulfed bpesry sack ake silence. im, there and then, Slocum could not have |. .Atter the meal Sam made a few changes in een more taken aback than he wasat the recep- his toilet, substituting a red shirt for the white ion of this challenge to mortal combat from | one he had worn earlier in the day, and a gayly ‘the owner of the principal quartz mine in | trimmed gold-buttoned velvet jacket for his — ‘owie—tne Little Sunshine. commoner coat. K : ‘The infernal fool!” he muttered, gazing | He also shaved, combed his hair with care, across the room at the fair face of Capitola | 2nd waxed out his mustache toa point. Wip- ‘arson, but meaning, of course, Montague. ‘‘I | ing up his revolvers and addiag a handsome hope he don’t think be is going to get rid of a bowie-knife to his belt, he was ready for the ival in doing this. ..1 wonder what yonder fair | forthcoming duel. See ‘girlistohim? There is a mystery here; she is | Jeff watched the preparations in open-mouthed even more a mystery in herself. In what way | 2™mazement. s the Montague a barrier? Confound him! he shall be accommodated for his insolence, if I ver do another thing in my life.” ‘ 1 z ne side of the sheet of paper upon which | Swine to do, hab youh?’ he mine-owner had written was blank, and so None in the least, ‘Sierra Sain made use of it. 2 Bas you are not Still. if you seek satisfaction, 1 think I can arrange _ itso that neither of us will have an adv intage, St i be a'duel with knives, on horseback and hlind- olded. Place—on the street near Galoot’s Goal. me—moonlight to-nighr, : “ Yours—in yorr mind, : “Sam Srocum.”” “Pp. S.—Have you thought of any particular spot ere you would like to be planted? grim s‘nile lit up the Californian’s face as e,real over what he had written; and folded th letters and inclosed them in the torn en- ope. > faney that'll make him asdively as an cel a hot pues ™ he muttered. Ab! here’s a nee to send it te him now.” eferred to Mugg, who had just entered, | : papgronehed with alacrity as soon as he . y

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\ ree nA A Chinese Jew is.a luxury that not many a | “ You havea child belonging to that woman — thining town can boast—that is to say, a China- man with the characteristic shrewdness and business turn of a typical Jew—yet Bowieville boasted of one-of these luxuries. Hong-Kong John kept a little den not far from the post-office, where he loaned money on valuables and bought and sold second-hand things, that yielded in return a goodly , protit. John also did the banking business of fhe place, and was trusted by every one, as nené had ever discovered any dishonest tricks about him, : rs Br: John had made his “pile” in the ‘ washee” business during Deadwood’s prime, and was considered. as well ‘‘heeled” as any.man in - Bowie except old Silas Stork, 5 Having a large bill he wanted to get changed, ‘Sam made his way to the Celestial’s place and entered at a door which opened into a small store, where business was transacted, A partition some six or seven feet high separated the store from a second apartment, but as the partition did not reach to the ceiling a word spoken loudly in the rear room was also audible in the store. At the time of Sam’s entrance there was no one behind the counter, but loud voices were conversing in the next room, “There, sir!” he heard a woman.’s voice cry, “Cis the money. Take it, unfeeling man! And now, will you let me see the child?” : ‘¢ Belly muchee sorry, but I can’t,” the bland voice of the Chinaman answered. ‘* Melican lady pay backee thousan’ dollee—Chinaman givee backee child.” ste *“*T do not ask you to give me the child until TI have fully squared up every cent of my in- debtedness to you!” the woman cried, sharply. ** Already I have paid back four thousand of the five I.borrowed from you, and I fancy it will not take me much longer te earn the rest. I simply want to see the poor httle thing to satisfy myself that she is well.” , ‘*She nottee be seen!” Hong-Kong John an- swered, ‘She still safe an’ well, allee samee like before, up in mcuntee!” There was an exasperated cry on the part of the woman. ~ & : ‘*Oh! you monster!” she gasped; ‘* would to God I had a thousand dollars to free that poor, innocent child of mortgage from your merciless custody !” Then a door in the artition opened, and a woman passed hurriedly out of the store into. the street. Ss Sierra Sam scrutinized her closely as she passed out, for pity was awakened in his breast for her. : She was clad in a ragged dress, with a heavy ’-clork thrown around her shoulders: wore a hood and a thick, impenetrable vail tied closely - down over her face. She was of good form and walked with an agile, elastic step. Sam’s curiosity impelled him to step to the door and gaze after her, and he saw that she went up the gulch in the direction of the lake. _ After she was gone from view he turned to Hong-Kong John, whose almond eyes and flat visage were now to be seen behind the. coun-. ter, 32 j : as “=< | ned hugely, - The Frontier Detective. which you refuse to give up to her custody until she pays you a thousand dollars?’ Sam said, m terrogatively. : John nodded, but did not speak, es “Well, I want to buy that child’s liberty,” the - Californian announced, ‘‘So send for the child, ~ and a thousand dollars shall be yours.” , ** Can’tee do it,” the Celestial replied, with a — grin. ‘ Don’t wantee Melican man’s money.” ~~ Then, without waiting to say more, the son of — Confucius whipped a cocked revolver from un? — ~ penne, leveled it at Sam, and pointed-to @ door. ae “Melican git—one! two! three!—or China- ~ man shootee, alle samee, belly quick!” j Ps “ Well, blast my picture if you ain't decidedly — ele Sam cried, backing out for tear the hea- — hen really did mean shoot. ‘‘I guess I won't ~ stop to argue with you this eve, some other eve — will do as well.” re : Ene outside; he felt: decidedly chagrined and — simple. ad “The infernal pig-tail ain't caught napping, — that’s suye,” he muttered. ‘‘ Here is another ~ mystery or a fellow to puzzle his head over, I~ guess I'll have to get Gouger onto that ‘ washee,’ — and let him make a meal of him.” . The moon peeping over the horizon and smiling — down into the ch just then, reminded him | that the time was approaching for the forth- ~ coming duel, so he sauntered up to the vicinity ~ of the Galoot’s Goal. en Here a crowd had collected, which embraced the major part of Bowie's populatisn—men, wo- men and children, and there was a shout of ap- piause as Sierra Sam/marched up. cs “Thanks, fellow-citizens,” he said, pausing ~ and dofling his hat, ‘‘ but will some one enlighten a me as to the cause of this hyar mass-meeting?? —__ ‘“‘Kerwhoop! great cavortin’ Feejeers 0? Frogville!” shouted Gouger, prancing forward. — “Y reckon you orter kno’, Sam’l, boyee, when — -| youre one o’ ther candidatorial galoots w’ot’s ~ ruunin’ fer election this trip. Sammy, you're a — jewel, you aire, right frum ther blazin’ coronet uv Jupitar; you’re game, sir, frum eye ter yer index toe, Sam’l, an’ I can lick the aa w’ot darst express oné single opine that ye — hain’t got sand enough ter ballast six million — balloons!” eee Ba “Oh, I see—this crowd is here in antici ; tion of seeing a little deefikilty, eh?” Sam ob served. ‘‘If [I catch that nasty little monkey- faced Mugg, Vl break his head for making — such a splurge over nothing. By the way, has any one been around looking after a fellow of — my size?”, ee “ Nary a man! Durn my mule’s big ears, e you ain’t the least wanted man in this hyer bu town! Stack my chips on you every time, will I, thet ye’ll whallop seven kinds 0’ idearsonto thet pesky owner o’ the Sunshine Mine, afore— he realizes thet you’re a pocket edition 0’ millenium!” Sineem “ Presamedly you would feel glad, should succeed in overpowering my adversary,” Sai said, dryly, ‘as tis remarked that misery | ke company !” - seioe aetpee \ ; aie crowd laughed at this, and Gouger. ay

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16 **Wouldn’t I laff, tho’?’ he chuckled, exe- cuting a grotesque caper. gitlicked. Vlleven Sianas a superfluous V, right hyer, if ary galoot will pitch inter ye, an’ let ye mop up this byer thurrerfare wi’ his anatomy.” But, liberal though the offer, there were none of the Bowievillians who cared to measure strength with the cool and handsome son of the Sierra Nevadas, who had so easily vanquished the famous King o’ Kolorado, Max Montague was soon forthcoming. He rode up, mounted upon a fiery, vicious-looking gray horse, and was attired something after the style of a jockey of an Hastern race-course, There was a sullen, ugly frown upon his face, and his eyes emitted an expression of rancorous resolve, “Well, sir, where’s your horsa?” he demand- /ed, glaring at Sierra Sam, savagely. ‘* Not being the owner of a gold-mine, I don’t happen to be possessed of such an acquisition,” Sam retorted, ‘‘and I preferred uot to waste money in hiring one, until I saw for certain that you came to time. Perhaps I can now hire or purchase one!” nd he looked inquiringly around at the spec- tators. —- “Great fumigated Feejee Cannibals!” cried Jake Gouger. ‘ Tve jest the beauty fer ye—the larnedest four-futted anymile thet ever chawed grass. Jest wait till : see my Greesed Light- ~ nin’, tho’, an’ then tork!” _ Drawing a tin- whistle from his pocket, the giant blew a shrill blast upon it and a few mo- ments later a powerful black horse came gallop- ing down the street, and-paused beside its baie owner, x “That's Greased Lightnin’, that is!” Gouger explained, turning to Sam. ‘Greased, this is Sam Sierra, right down from Sierraville. I % want you two galoots ter shake bands and know each other!” _. The sagacious animal raised up one fore-foot asa dog might have done, and the Califorian ‘shook it, after which he patted the horse upon _ the neck and nose, “That anymile knows his biz,” Gouger al- lowed, «proudly. ‘Greased, this hyar feller - licked thunder out of me, and he’s going to lick the feller on t?other horse, an’ you’re to put in _ yer best licks to help him.” To the surprise and amusement of the crowd, Greased Lightning laid back his ears, showed a terrible mouthful of teeth, and squealed vicious- ly at the other horse, an’ and the squeal was re- urned. with interest. The two animals were as great enemies, evi- dently, as the two duelists, _‘*Come! come!” Montague cried, impatiently, “are you going to be all night getting ready? I'm anxious to get down to business!” _ ‘Ditto, Max!” the Californian retorted. “Jest climb off your horse, and let some one blindfold your eyes and bind one arm behind ur back—then we'll mount, ride off seventy yards from a given spot, turn around, and ome for each other—and the devil help the icky man!” “Why, I’d jest bu’st_my_Sunday-go-to-meetin’ suspenders a- laughin’, I would, ter see some other galoot The Frontier Detective. CHAPTER VIII. THE DUEL, Tum stern ring to the Californian’s voice spoke better than bis words that he was as eager to have the matter settled as was his op- ponent. Montague promptly dismounted and signaled one of the miners, who came forward with a handkerchief and a piece of cord. “This binding and blindfolding be done square!” he said, turning to the crowd. ‘Gentlemen, Pll trust to you to see that every- thing is ‘ white.’” would ‘see the fair thing done, and-revolvers were characteristically drawn on every band. ‘““ Yas, ye bet yer grandfather’s septuagena~ rian socks everything will be as clean an’ square as ther block 0’ Plymouth granite on which old Christy Columbjy fu’st landed!” Jake Gouger declared, acting as second for Sierra, and bind- ‘ing his left arm behind his back, and ‘blindfold- ing his eyes. ‘But et ain’t no use, Montague; et won't down no more than the ghost o’ Job’s superannuated turkey at the raffle. Et’s a fore- sworn and positive fact that ye’ve slung your slack ag’in’ the wrong man this time, an’ aire goin’ to git ther orfullest humiliatin’ lickin’ ve ever hearn tell on. Why, man alive, 1, Gouger, the famous roarin’ Cannerbal o’ the Nor’-west, jest sailed down hyar last evenin’, b’ilin’ for a fight, thinkin’ o’ nothin’ else but cleanin’ out the burg in two jerks of a lamb’s tail, when what did this hyar ’arthquake do but knock me flatter then a pigtail’s face. Oh! Lordy fish-hooks— : ta ta war so humiliated an’ broke up in my ife!’ . The crowd cheered at this, for they were be- ginuing to like this man-rough, about whom there was enough manhood at least to good-na- turedly acknowledge his defeat. ““The Slocum will not find soeasy a chap to handle this time,” Montague observed, with a mocking laugh. ‘“Durn iny boots ef I don’t bet you'll get licked!” Gouger protested. ‘* An’ ef you don’t, hyar’s what?ll try you a whack arterwards. Thar, Sammy, ye’re all right. Now jest strad- dle Greased Lightning, an’ when he lights out. ye want.ter hang on ter yer head, fer l’ve had the wind tear my scalp off a dozen times, the anamile went so fast.” Sierra Sam leaped lightly astride the big black at the same moment that Montague mounted the gray, and all was ready, except fixing out the dueling course. by Gouger and a miner named Haverly attended to this, each starting from the middle of the stage-track in front of the Galoot’s Goal and pacing off a distance of seventy yards in op- posite directicns, at the limit of which stakes were driven in the road to mark the starting- point. The and oi Sth aes See ; ow, then, gents, git ready!” Gouger sung out. ‘When I ay’ t’other second counts ‘ one, Great toothsome Feejees! _ band hyar to open up this circus business must A murmur from the crowd signified that they’ . fi horses were then led forward to each goal “two, three,’ in quick chorus, let fly at each other, - wish we had a brass _ we ak

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The Frentier Detective. 27 “Hold on—let up!” Jeremiah Mugg cried, darting through the crowd. ‘Here is an im- portant letter for Sierra Sam, an’ the one as sent it said as how it must be delivered at once.” Being blindfolded, Sierra Sam could not read the letter; so after Mugg had retreated, he handed it to the giant. ‘* Read it to me, Jake,” he said, ‘‘ but be care- ful not to let the others hear you.” “Thar ain’t much on it,” Gouger said, after tearing off the wrapper. ‘‘ Here’s all: ‘ Mr. Slocum: For my sake do not harm Mr. Mon- tague if you can help it, C.C.’ Thet’s all.” “Humph!” Sam said, a strange expression gathering about his lips. ee Mugg! who sent that note?” Montague shouted from his end of the course. ‘You orter be able to guess!” the lawyer re- torted, significantly, whereat the mine-owner uttered a vindictive oath. “Come, gents—all ready!” yelled Gouger. ‘Now, Haverly—one! two! three!” Quick, indeed, was the count, but no quicker tian was the shout ‘Get! given by the riders t) the animals they bestrode, nor the rapidity with which the animals responded to the order by leaping forward. Each horse seemed to enter fully into the vengeful spirit of the occasion, for they ad- vanced with vicious mien, their ears laid back, ed mouths half-opened, and eyes glaring furi- - ously. ‘Aad as the collision came, the two duelists reached blindly forward and each struck tw pd blows. ; hen, there came two rapid responses—one from brute, one from man, in the way of pain- ful screeches, and down, to the earth, the vi- cious gray went, pinioning its rider. A huzza of yells arose from the, rough audi- ence, : The horse was pried up, so that Montague could extricate himself, and when he had gained his feet, the bandage was taken from his eyes. His face was white with commingled anger and affright—his eyes gleamed, redly. “Kerwhoop! who sez the great Cannerbel 0’ the Nor’west ain’t a prognosticator o’ comin’ events!” the giant roared, pointing at the mine- owner. ‘‘Didn’t I tell ye, Monty’—thar ain’t no more use o’ buckin’ ag’in Serious, hyar, than thar is a fulein’ wi’ ther bizness end of a was- sup. 'He’s bound ter play ther winnin’ trick, every time, in ther interest o’ doctors an’ hearse- proprietors.” ** Accidents will occur!” Montague replied, with a forced calmness that was wonderfr, considering his anger. ‘Haverly, wili you bind up my arm?* : “Am I to understand you propose to finish this matter? If so, there’s no time like the pre- ee you get your wind!” Sam sug- gested. “No, thank you!” Montague replied, ‘I have had a sufficiency, for the present. en my arm gets well, t will try you another whack!” The duel was over, the crowd gave a partin _ cheer, and pulled out for their various Acatines tions, most of the masculine element however, making for the various saloons, for liquor. For the next several days, there was no par- ticular occurrences in Bowie’s little mining- camp worthy of mention, Sam spent most of his time at the cabin, engaged in writing, for be it known, the dashing and invincible Cali- fornian bad quite a little taste for literature, which he was wont to express into Sunday sketches, whenever he had nothing else more important to occupy his time. Some suspicious ones, however, had whispered about that the Californian’s town was not for any good to the citizens; but he paid no particular attention to them, and seemed to be disposed to mind his own business, until— i One evening about a week after his duel with Montague, be had a chance to give another ex- hibition of his peculiar t; of bravery. The stage had arrived fully an hour before, and rather expecting a letter, he went directly to the post-office, When arrived there he saw an unusual amount of excitement apparent about town, and men- were grouped around in knots, engaged in dis- cussing some topic that seemed to call for much profanity. As none of the men spoke or nodded to him, ere Sam passed into the office, and received a etter. / 5 Just as he was about to leave, Capitola Car- son entered, and glided up to him. “‘ Good-evening, Mr. Slocum!” she said, speak- ing rapidly. ‘*‘ Have you heard the news?” : What is the news, may I 4 t *‘Bad news;for you. I fear you’ll get into trouble, if you try to leave this room by the. front way.” ‘““Why—what’s the matter now?” he de- manded. = “Matter enough. This morning’s stage, go-. ing out, was stop by the so-styled value secured.” : “Well, what has this got to do with me? Sam asked, coolly. pe “Alas! they’ve hatched up an idea -that by the road-agents headed dy Lil, and everything of threatens to make you trouble. Itisknownyou or other, which you are here for some Bins gs do not care to divulge, and that your ‘blind’ game of mining is only to keep suspicion off. Therefore, they’ve put this and that together. and made up their minds that you are Lady Lil, the road-agent, and, even if not her, in person, are some way connected with her; and so, when you leave the post-office, to-night, they are go- ang to arrest you.” ‘Oh! they ‘are, are they?’ Sam said, with a scornful an i Humph! I am not so cer- tain about that, myself!’ \ react CHAPTER IX, STRIKING IN SELF-DEFENSE. CAPIToLa looked astonished. : Brave man though Sierra Sam was, she knew that_he little comprehended the magnitude of the danger that threatened, so reckless was he by force of habit. WAH; - resence in the. _ ‘But, you do not understand!” she persisted, Ke

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28 The Frontier Detective. _ anxiously. is imminent; the odds are too great even for you to contend with. If captured, your fate . will soon be death, for it don’t take a great while to try a case, ih the mines,” y “Solamaware. But, if they will give me a chance to prove what I am here for, T guess I can satisfy ‘em I’m not Lady Lil, or any other roa‘l-agent.” “Tam afraid they will not even give you that chance!” Cap said. ‘*They’re as hot about the matter as a nest of hornets.” “Your opinion is, then, that Vd better slide a, the back way, and make a break for it, eli? “Just what I’d advise you to do, as a friend, Mr. Slocum,” “As to your! advice, 1t is probably for the best, Only one thing could ever make me sneak out of this place like a coward, instead of going out and meeting these men who want to see me,” “And what is that, may I ask?” “Shall I tell you? I will, for I may never have another chance, I love you, Capitola— have worshiped you from the hour I first. saw you, and before other Jife experiences dawn, mayhap to divide our paths, I want to ask you to be mine, Do not say nay! No matter what seeming barriers arise to prevent you, I can overcome them all—all, if you will forever leave this place with me, and become my own faith- ful, true and loving wife!” “TI am very, very glad to learn that there is one person in this cold, selfish world who really cares for me, Mr. Slocum,” she said, in a low, vhrilling voice; “it is something I have not _ knewn. of late years. I would be only too glad to surrender my whole future to your keeping, for I could -do so in the full knowledge that I was giving myself’ into'the care and guidance of a strong and honorable gentleman—one of nature’s noblemen, But, alas! I cannot at present so give myself away.” ‘Tell me why—there must be a reason?” “There is one, but it is nothing that you- can ever remedy. A day may bringforth a change or it may take until our hairs turn gray with age. Until that change takes place, Mr. Slocum, J can never be more to you than I am now— simple Capitola Carson,” “(tod bless you for your frankness! I shall ' live for you, and yet win you, my peerless, Tell me one thing—you can afford to do that, at - least, as it cannot change my regard for you, Ave you in any way bound to Max Montague? —or have you ever been married?” A crimson flush stole over her face, “T imagived you suspected something of the kind,” she answered, ‘‘and am Glad you have asked me, for I can truthfully say no to both of your questions. Max Montague is no more to me than the bitterest enemy I have on earth, but I amso obligated to him that I must at least treat him civilly for atime. Some day I shall square u) with him, then the barrier is ' broken—between us, Good-by, Mr, Slocum! ~Xmust leave you, witha prayer that you may safely get out of the trouble so darkly over- hanging your head, and I wish it were in my power to help you.” © She released her hand then, and was gone. — its * business, you'll find me the toughest rabbit you ever attempted to catch, I reckon.” ‘‘Can’t help that, Mr. Sam, We've sworn ter take ye alive, try ye an’ hang’ ye, as an exam- ple for other road-agents to pene by, an’ I opine we allus play up Geo. never tell a lie, the less apt you'll be of gittin’ roughly handled.” “YI not surrender. Tam not Lady Lil the road-agent, and I can prove it!” Sam cried. “Ye can’t lie to us. We've got plenty 0’ pot thet ye aire ther cussed plumib-center 0’ he gang what’s bin robbin’ the stages o’ late, So jest throw render!” “‘T emphatically refuse!” Sam declared. ‘If you desire to send a couple of men forward, as — referees, I will show them papers that will clear me of the charge you prefer against me, pro- viding they agree not to divulge the secret I confide to them. n do so. Otherwise, you will lose some of your citizens ere you succeed in taking Sierra Task $ bet bigon that.” = ee “We've come to ther con. _ “TF it comes right down - ashington and © the sooner you surrender, down your weapons, an’ sur- uvtil lam ready to have them ~

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The Frontier Detective. . io Haverly turned to the crowd, ** Boyees, ye hear what the cuss sez;—now, then, shall we come to his terms?” “No.” came a stentorian shout. It sounded throughout the long line of the crowd, “Good! He must come to ours then, or we'll know why. At him, boys. Take him alive, by all means!” There was a resolute yell, and the populate made a fierce rush toward the veranda of the store, where the Californian was standing. Men went crashing to the ground bleeding and terribly injured, and still the one-sided con- Het waged, until at least a full score had fallen. Then there was a lull. ‘“ Well,” Sam demanded, grimly, ‘‘ have you got enough, gentlemen?” A consultation was held among the miners in an undertone, after which one of their number said: \ ; “T reckon, Cap, thet we won’t trouble ye, no more till we git this batch o’ pards fixed up. Then if you're still hangin’ around town we'll kill ye at sight.” ; “Very well, AsIdonot intend leaving the town till L.get ready, you will probably be able to find me at my cabin whenever you seek gore again.” Then the man walked straight toward the erowd, and the crowd parted to allow bim to pass up the gulch, without offering him molesta- tion. Sam had half-expected they would renew the attack as soon as his back was turned, but was ihappily disappointed, and reached the cabin without further incident, but by no means in the best of humor. The terrible work had not just been the thing to make him feel in a pleas- ant mood. When he arrived at the door of the cabina sight met his gaze that caused him to pause in 4 astonishment. ' Seated npon the door-sill was Jefferson Davis _ Dump, armed with a miserable apology of a banjo, whicb he had picked up somewhere about ~~ the town, and which he was now playing in a _. vigorous and masterly style, for the edification of a second party. And this second party was what brought to Sierra Sam the surprise which caused him to halt a few paces off. No big burly miver, nor even a colored belle was it that Jeff was amusing, but_a little four- year-old child, and a girl, at that—a -sweet- featured, sunny-haired little thing, with blue eyes and-evidently in the best of health. _ * Helio, Jeff! Where did you pick up this little midget?” he™ said, stepping forward, * What's your name, little one?” The child looked alarmed, and turned and ran over to Jeff. “Golly, boss, I tell youh “it ’tain’t no use 0’ your tryin’; a little kid’ll allus make friends wi? de cullud race. Dis yar chile came wanderin’ - along here to-night, lost,I_ s’pee’s, an’ I jest ~ coaxed her to stay with me.” ‘Perfectly right, Jeff. And now, little stran- olding out bis hands. -‘ Cherrie Carsor Cherrie Carson, please, sir,” the le fairy er, won't you tell me your name?’ Sam asked,- CHAPTER X. MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT. Hap a meteor descended and burst at the feet of Sierra Sam, he could not have been more as- tonished. : “Cherrie Carson!” he ejaculated— Cherrie Carson, did you say?” ‘Yes, sir, please,” the child answered, plainly alarmed at the Californian’s eager, excited manner, a f. ‘ ‘Yas, boss, you heah what she says, fo’ suah, an’ dar’s no way fo’ youh but look an unpleas- ant fac’ squar’? in de pysiognominny. tole yeuk jes’ de s’picious sentiments ob dis yar chile, ut youh done gone wouldn't hear a word to it, an’ now youh see fo’ yourself dat de nigger ain’t so bad-a prognosticator, after all do fuss.” : Sierra Sam frowned. “T know what you would insinuate—that I’ve been badly taken in, on one I deemed pure as the angels; but by Heaven I will not listen to such a thing, until it is Pee to me beyond doubt. This similarity of names may be only a matter of chance, without the child being any thing to her "—with a nod toward the town— * or a b the worst, not of her own flesh and . Then the Californian entered the cabin, and was seen no more that night. As soon as she manifested a ‘desire to go to sleep, Jeff took the child in his arms and walked about, and sung some of his pretty Southern ballads, until at last the little innocent was in dream-land. om Then he took her into the cabin, and laid her upon his. own simple bed of wild grass, leaves and pine boughs, while the hard floor, close at hand, offered him a resting-place, “ By golly, dis yar is a queer world, fo’suah!” the darky mused, as he lay looking out of the open door, thoughtfully. blongs to dat gal Capitola, you'll jes’ see de boss done go right off into a fit ob melancholic, an’ he'll never be himself ag’in, fo’ suah! By gum dese wimmen hab been a powerful sight ob trouble ebber since old mudder Eye bit a chunk from dat pippin apple, w’at we read about in de Garden ob Eden.” / : 5 And it was while such a train of thoughts was running through Lis mind that he chanced tu gaze oub upon the lake, the silent, unruffled surface of which was illuminated. by the moon- —_ light. A sight met the negro’s gaze that caused him to sit up and rub his eyes, to make sure that he~ saw aright. From the further wooded shore a small skiff- boat was coming out upon the lake, and in it were three persons—two men and one lady. One of the men used the oars; while the other sat beside the woman, evidently engaged in — earnest conversation, tne Rising from his hard bed, Jeff glanced at the face of the big silver watch which he car- ried, and perceived thatit was a few minutes after twelve o'clock, ea “ Well, by golly!” he muttered, stepping out- — side the cabii and creeping cautiously down to. | the edge of the lake; “ef dis yar ain’t de ess of roma: ‘ | about it, dis yar chila don’t “no! an ere at sich hour a ee ee nticness, 3) “Tf dat pickaninny * =

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\ 20 an’ Julyer used to paddle deir own canoe. Bress youh, I’d jes’ like to know ef dem couple is out spoonin’, or uff dar is odder bizness in do process of incubation. S’pects Marse Sam would like to take in dis yar circus, but he hain’t de side-show ob a chance, fo’ I won’t wake him up, nohow. I’se jes’ aoe to see w’at’s to be seen, myself, an’ den I'll be a peg wiser dan de boss.” Tbe boat was rowed on and outward into the lake until it reached a point near the center, when the rowing ceased and the boat carfie to a standstill. As soon as the boat had come to a literal halt the three persons rose. to a standing position, the man and woman clasping hands, and the other man facing them with an opened book in his hand, \ : : “Jerusalem Jobnsing!” the darky gasped, matters beginning to dawn upon him in their true light. ‘*Dar’s goin’ to a splice right dar on de lake, fo’ suah! Two mortals aire ‘wine to be kerfoolished in de bonds ob pad- ock. I wonder who day be, I do, fo’ true.. Hil olly. Maybe de gal is Miss Capitol a-gittin’ itched to some other fellow! "S’pects de boss would tear de wool all out ob his head if he know’d dat.” Whether the prospective bride was Capitola Carson or not, the darky could not tell, for he was at a considerable distance from the strange bridal scene, and, besides, the woman was A di in a cloak, and wore a vail over her ace, The man who was evidently going to take her as‘ his wife, however, was more recognizable, from the fact that he wore one arm in a sling. |. That he was none other than Max biel ae Jeff was pretty certain, and it also struck him forcibly that the individual with the book was .~_ Jeremiah Mugg, The marriage’ was evidently taking place, for the three persons still retained their standing * position. i Jeff watched eagerly, but s.w nothing of fur- ther particular moment except at the conclusion of the apparent ceremony the man with the helpless arm bent over and kissed the woman; then, a moment later, all hands took their seats and the boat was pulled rapidly back towar the shore, As soon as it grounded upon the beach the trio disembarked and disappeared in the cover of the fringe of trees, and nothing was left for Jeff Davis Dump but to ‘‘ gib it up so,” and re- turn to the cabin. When Sam arose the next morning he was of course treated to a vivid narration of the oc- currence of the previous night, which he listened to in not a little surprise, without remarking a word in answer, much to Jeff’s disgust, for he had og it on as thick as possible, expecting ..to rather electrify his hearer, ’ “You needa’t work ay,” Sam simply said, as the darky concluded, ‘ but devote your attention to caring for the child. If a China-. man cames here and asks for the child, see that ‘ou do not give her up without my permission.” hen he wandered down to the lake to bathe his hands and face, leaving Jeff to prepare the The Frontier Detective. “Dem yar fac’s jes’ cut de boss like a raaor, an’ rather dan admit de corn he wouldn’t say nuffin’,” Jeff consoled himself. ‘‘ S’pec’s he’ll be as grum as a greedy *‘skeeter on a fresh nigger for de next fen days, Sierra Sam did not appear‘in the most pleas- ant mood on bis return from the lake, and ate a few mouthfuls of breakfast in silence, aftr which he rose and put on his hat and coat. “Tam going into town for awhile to-day,” he said, and left the cabin. ze Straightway he entered: the mining-camp, as if there had been no trouble the night before. In front of the Galoot’s Goal ne met the giant Jake Gouger, who was engaged in reading a notice which had evidently been recently tacked up on the outer wall of the saloon. There being no one in the vicinity aside from Gouger, Sierra Sam paused and read the notice over the former’s shoulders. There it was, in plain black and white, where every one could read it, the communication of this female footpad who termed herself Lady Lil, the daring road-rider who had stopped angl robbed more than a score of stages on tip Bowie trail. is “Durn my mule’s appetite fer oats ef that ain’t ther best thing I’ve read sence I read about A, B, C, in ther Primmer!” the Fejee of the North-west cried, slapping his thigh, ex- citedly. ‘‘That clears you as cl’ar as clear kin be, Sam!” “Tam not so sure of that. These Bowievil- lians may not see fit to view matters In that light,” Sam replied. “I could hardly blame them if they were to lay ’most any plan for my rei haar after the clean-out I gave ’em, last night. : i “Et war just poe-lorious!” Gouger declared, ~ with emphasis. ‘I couldn’t ’a’ done better my- self, Great toothsome Fejees, but you did lay ’em out, though, an’ Pll war tew breeches ef thar ain’t the skeartest passel o’ men in this town at prisent, o’ any burg in the if Don’t ye worry yerself. They realize thet they’ve no use 0? foolin’ wi’ ther bisness-end uv an ’arthquake, an’ they’re of a decided dispersition ter let ye perlitely alone, you-bet.” But Sam was not quite convinced on this score. He could not readily believe that these men of Bowie would pass the wholesale defeat by, without making another attack upon him; he knew thatit would be hardly human for them to resist a temptation to avenge those of their fellow-citizens who had fallen by his and, He entered the Galoot’s Goal for a cigar, but not seeing anything of Capitola, he soon took his departure, and wandered aimlessly about the camp. * Sine is perhaps with her newly and romantic- ally made husband,” he muttered; ‘‘if so be the nig’s view of the lake proceeding is correct. Fool IT have then been, to put any faith or trust in her! She is false like nearly all the rest of the world, if it is true that she has married Max Montague. But I will not accept merely cir- cumstantial proof. I must be convinced.” During bis rambles, he came face to face with Loujse Berkley, for the first time since her am Bowie, °° s ies DC a) >

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The Frontier Detective. They came together near the mouth of one of old Silas Stork’s ‘ drifts” in the mountain-side, and each involuntarily paused, their eyes meet- ing in a strange gaze. here was a silence of a moment; then Miss Berkley spoke. She had evidently waited for him to speak first but he was not inclined to, “ Well, Mr. Gilbert Vane, we have met, since a would not answer my note,” she said, ina usiness-like manner, that showed she was not afraid to speak, whenever she had occasion so todo, ‘I am exceedingly glad to see you.” “T am sorry I cannot say so, in regard to age Sam replied, with a tinge of sarcasm in is tone. ‘‘ Besides, Ido not happen to be Gil- bert Vane.” “Oh! you don’t, eh? Well, times and names change, sometimes, once in a few years. I am sure you will not deny that you once laid claim to the name of Gilbert Vane?” “Very likely, but the name was fictitious.” To serve a detective’s purpose, yes. Well, what may your name be, now?” “Tt may be Schuyler Froman—but it is not,” Sam returned, dryly. Miss Berkley grew as white as death;—she staggered, as if faint—she shuddered. ** Don’t!” she gasped, putting up her hands. * T am aware that you know the terrible secret, rs Se I never knew it, until you had left steel Sam apparently had no intention of helping along the conversation, : ‘‘ Well,” she pursued, ‘I must thank you for not betraying me. I have suffered years of torture, in fear you would.” : His eyes oer a coldly. © ‘ ‘You will suffer more, in eternity,” he said, yee “T found out your crime the night quitted your society forever; but not wishing to create a sensation, just then, I pulled out without giving you up to the law. ince then, I have been too busy.” There was not much assurance for the future in his speech. “You have been busy,” she said, in an angry tone. ‘* You have not eluded me, in coilin; your net, however. Iam able to tell you jus why you are here in Bowie, even if the dull \ citizens cannot.” : ‘ Indeed?” he said, elevating his\ eyebrows, gr ete ‘ “Yes, [ can. You.came here just in ad- vance of us, and very naturally, you came in search of Captain Croix, the noted California counterfeiter.” . “Well, then, I didn’t go far wrong, eh?” he said, coolly. ‘‘ Croix is here!” CHAPTER XI, STOPPED IN THE GULCH. For Louise Berkley to deny the assertion of the Californian was folly, as she well knew, a so she accepted it with the best grace pos- le. “Tam as well aware of the fact as yourself,” she admitted, “ and already ee : tention, wonder that you have not him, as is 2 21 ; ‘‘T shall shorten up his rope sooner than will be agreeable to hitn, no doubt,” Sam replied. ** Does he know me?” ‘* No—that is, he is not sure, by any means, — He believes that Jack Keene, whom the coun-— terfeiters poisoned and threw into a well, is dead, and though your appearance is a source of much annoyance, I guess he is firmly con-— vinced that you are not his enemy.” es “It is well, and even better so, perhaps, until” I get ready,” the Californian remarked. ‘* Have you anything further to say?” - “Yes, I want toask you to forgive and for- get that which drove you from me, and let me | 'y once more, and anew, to win’ back your love?” 3 She spoke earnestly, eagerly, thrillingly. eT neeer had a particle of love fa you—noth- | ing but commonplace friendship—and even that’ expired when [ learned that you had been mar- | ried once before.” He turned and retraced his steps into the vi lage, not pausing to see what effect his words; had had, = Louise Berkley did not faint, although the | ominous words of the Frontier Ferret caused her to stagger. Te. “ May the wolves of ill-luck poe you!” she gasped, as she watched him depart. ‘* Blood” hound though you are, I will not submit to your superiority without a struggle.” ¢| She went back to the hotel, her face wearing . yest expression, and her eyes gleaming fi She found Judge Berkley seated in the ma apartment of their ill-furnished suit of rooms,} engaged in Beemer) a bottle of wine, while h perused an Hastern paper. ‘““Well, what bave you seen to-day, pat demanded, gruffly, without raising his s tacled eyes to look at her. “at **T have seen a ghost of the past!” the youn ise ip epiai-s lak exer e started and gazed at her sharply. * A ghost of the past!” he eameds “What do you mean, Louise?’ my: “T mean just what I say. I bave seeh talked with Gilbert Vane, the only man, exc you who knows that I had to do with the deat of Schuyler Froman, whom I met married while at school in Stockton!” “Bad, girl—very bad! J thought you tol me he was dead, and that that secret buried forever, between us!” “T took your word for it that he was di for you told me he was!” ae “7T—I tell you that Gilbert Vane was de You are crazy, girl!” Not in the least,” Louise. replied. told me that Jack Keene, the detective been is 2 away with—and know you the Gilbert Vane I know, and the Jack Keene was after the Croix counterfeiters, were and the same person.” A fearful oath escaped the judge. “How long have you xnown this?’ h manded, savagely. : _ ‘Since you told me of Keene's po 1 and believing best to let the past bury the the girl ed, a shud

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*¢ And you tell me you have seen this sleuth- hound Keene, and talked with him?” _ “Not ten minutes ago, He is here in Bowie “under his rea] naine—Sam Slocum, but is better _ known as Sierra Sam. He knows of our being ‘here—he came here expecting we would step into his trap, and sure enough, we did, and are caged! Sooner, or later, arrest stares us in the face—you for being the chief of the boldest band of counterfeiters that ever infested Cali- ~ fornia. Undeniably we are caged!” __ Judge Berkley arose and paced the floor, his _ face the scene of many contending emotions, _ “Not necessarily caged yet!” be hissed be- tween his clinched teeth, with a curse. ‘We -noust hurry up matters, and make out escape from this infernal town, ere he springs the trap Did he threaten any immediate aping him, as well he may have none; for if if is true that he is the road-agent Lady Lil, then he of course has every avenue of escape securel uarded, so that we cannot get away from his yengeance,” ‘Perhaps you are right. ‘The fellow is sharper than lightning, and it will go hard with sif we allow him to surrender us to the tender mercies of the law, So nething must be done!” ~ “You never spoke so truthfully in your life!” Lonise Berkley declared with emphasis. ‘In am Slocum we both have an unrejenting foe, hom it will tax our ingenuity to overcome, if ndeed we are that fortunate. He isa man of ‘men, and men fear him. He is a man of urage, skill and sagacity, and knows of no defeat,” : ‘Yet we must defeat him!” After leaving Louise Berkley, Sierra Sam en- red the upper gulch beyond the town in quest f game, for he had’ noted the fact that the cabin larder was in need of a fresh supply of eat, After rambling through the mountain fast- asses for a couple of hours, and securing noth- ng but a couple of rabbits, he once more sought the main gulch, and turned his footsteps toward Bowieville. But he had not advanced via the main gulch ore than a mile, when there suddenly rose on all sides of him a score or more of men, coming ~ as though risen from the earth. Well, gents, what’s the matter?” he asked, -Yeaning composedly upon his own rifle, and ooking first from one to the other coolly. ‘ One would naturally suppose that something 1s about Yom Aappen.” ‘Well, if ye ain’t a cool ’un!” one of the out- ws exclaimed. ‘Of conrse there’s something ing to bappea!. Why don’t ye skeer up, an’ 6 flustrated?” ‘ ae Sam smiled vaguely, 2 Probably for the reason that ton’ happen “bé ong -of ths skeery sort.” he said, good- moredly, ‘May I inquire why f am honored a visit from your august body?” we aire, an’ ss jest dropped inte ef. dn’é donate : ¥ to arblint We're the road-agents of Lady |. r yer way | yward The Frontier Detective. answered, with a chuckle at his own attempt ta be facetious. ‘‘Your cause is admirable!” Sam retorted, “and by making an inventory of my present moneyed possessions, [ dare to presume that you will realize about fifty cents.” * Well, durn it, if I had ‘a’ know’d ye war so broke I’d not ’a’ bothered with you,” the road- agent said, in disgust. ‘‘ Are -ye sure that’s the extent o’ your pile?” “ Quite positive.” ‘*Then hand it over and light out fer Bowie.” ‘* Tf you are at all anxious for it, youd better come and get it!” Sam suggested. ‘I’m one of the laziest men in seven counties, and never raise a finger unless it is for ‘make.’” ‘The road-agents exchanged glances. They were evidently not in favor of this eae ari ‘‘T guess we don’t keer enough about the sum to get in reach o’ your fists, my friend,” the spokesman said. ‘“ By the way, here comes her ec a the ‘boss,’ She can settle to suit her- self. a Sam looked up the gulch, and saw the notori- ous Lady Lil riding toward them. She was mounted upon a coal-black horse, but otherwise looked just the same as when she and her band had attacked the stage the night of the Berkleys’ arrival in Bowie. Sierra Sam surveyed her critically as she rode up, but could not remember that he had ever met with such a character before, although he could not decide for a certainty, as her face was masked and she wore a mustache. at This, he was satisfied, was false, as there was no semblance of beard upon her chin, which was decidedly feminine in appearance, She galloped gracefully up to within a few feet of her circle of agents, and, drawing rein, swept the scene with her eagle gaze, an exclama- tion escaping her lips as she saw Sierra Sam. * Hello! what does this mean, Paul?” she ex- claimed. ““Why have you stopped this man, sir? : *“ And why not?” asked the road-agent who had previously addressed Sam. ~-‘ We don’t make distinctions, do we? One man’s rhino is as good as another’s; and, by hookey, this pil-_ grim’s pile only aggregates a half-dollar, he tells “You are fools!” Lady Lil cried, in a sharp voice. ‘*Do ye know who you’ve halted here?” “‘T reckon we don’t stop fer introductions,” Paul allowed, with a chuckle which was villain- ous,

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The Frontier Detective. Lacy Lil replied, *‘ and live to tell it. You de- serve more compliments than you are ever like- ly to get for the act, and did you have a thou- sand in your pocket, ’d scorn to touch it. You can take your departure, sir, and I shall endeavor hereafter to convince the pecple of Bowie that Sierra Sam is not Lady Lil, the road-agent.” “Tm much obliged, I’m sure,” Sam replied, placing his rifle across his shoulders and strid- -ing down the gulch toward the mining town. Tie never was more puzzled in his life, and twice gazed back to get a parting view of the female road-agent, ‘Strange that she or he—whichever it may be—should give me such an exceptionable dis- charge from custody,” he muttered, as he strode along, ‘1 came here to Bowie to capture old Croix, the counterfeiter, alias Judge Berkley, at the instance of the detective bureau; but, hang me if I expected to get mixed up in so much mystery. It isn’t one fog to me, but it’s several, all of which I am inclined to believe will develop into a stranger denouement than that of any other adventure I ever got into There’s the mystery about Capitola Carson and the fellow Montague; there’s a mystery concern- ing the child; then there’s one about the mid- night marriage on the lake, and ‘still another about this female robber. Mugg must serve me as a phonograph, or Pll play muggins with him, I think [ couldn’t have stumbled across a better man to answer my demands,” With these thoughts in his mind, he went back to Bowieville, and spent the rest of the . day in lounging about the different resorts, ust. at evening he was standing outside the pe where were ulso a dozen or more oungers, when some one gave a cry, and a mo- ment later a band of horsemen dashed down through the main street of the camp from the direction of the lake, and were gone from view up the gulch almost before any one could com- prehend what had happened, so furiously did they ride, ! Every man was masked, and at the head of the party dashed Lady Lil, the road-agent. As they swept past the post-oflice she swung her sombrero above her head, and cried, higb above the clatter of the horses’ feet: “Hurrah! Long live Lady Lil, the road- agent!” C The miners heard it, and drew weapons and fired after the bold outlaws, but without effect, Lady Lil had kept her word to the California detective; she had shown to the Bowievillians that Sierra Sam and Lady Lil were two distinct and different persons! But who was Lady Lil? CHAPTER XIL A CLAIMANT FOR CHERRIE, Ir hot-headed and reckless to a fault, the bards of Bowie were not afraid to acknowledge the *corn” when it pinched them, and no sooner had the news of the outlaw dash spread through the camp, than the citizens thereof turned out en masse and sought Sierra Sam. Then there was a he of splpgining ta the e _ Californian such as he had never before known, Se he was frosty — e _‘* two tousan’ dollee, or Melican child go ven for his slaughter | 3 Lee even by men whose arms he had broken, heads — cracked and faces flattened. : : As soon as he could conveniently, Sam left the enthusiastic crowd and sought his own cabin on the luke-shore. 2 He found that Jeff had supper ready, and so — the trio sat down and ate heartily, little Cherrie seeming quite at home, but being of a reticent aye, she said but little, and the most of thet to Jeff. ’ : After supper Sierra Sam coaxed her to come and sit on his lap outside the cabin, wile he smoked his pipe, Jeff building a bonfire to fur- nish light and keep off loneliness, till the moon — came up—for darkness had many terrors to the sable son of the South. 5 ‘“So your name is Cherrie Carson, is it?” Sam remarked, ‘‘That’s a pretty name. You've — been up in the mountains, haven’t you?” ~ “Yes, sir,” was the answer, “« Who did you live with there?” “ The Chinese woman, sir. hard, and I ran away.” ; ba Indeed! Do you know where your papa — is a rae: ‘No, sir. I want to find papa.” : “Do you. know where your mamma is, little — one?” ei ‘Tn heaven, sir.” : ** Ah! weye you ever here before this?” “€T don’t know, sir.” 3 ‘*How came you with the Chinese? do you know that?” : ‘No, sir, please. I awoke there.” rs Sam desisted from further questioning, for he heard approaching footsteps, and a moment later Capitola Ca:son darted in upon the s¢ene, and She whipped me, — snatched the child up in her arms, covering its — face with kisses. ae e ee ‘Ob! my darling! my sweet dear little child!” she cried, rapturously. ‘‘ Oh! Mr. Slocum, how © can I ever thank you enough for finding my — precious Cherrie. I am sure I was never so grateful in my life!” 5 “s “Jefferson Davis Dump, here, is entitled to~ what tlanks you haye.to dispense with, as he found Bee wandering and took it in,” Sam replied, less cordially than was his wont in ad- . dressing ber, ; : ¥ ‘“Mr. Dump, I thank you sincerely. If I can ever accommodate you with a favor, do not for-— get to ask it,” Capitola said. ‘ Mr. Slocum, ig am so glad you have been recognized in a favor- able light, by the people, It is so much nice than to be at swords’ points,” ae “Indeed, yes; [ am quite satisfied with the result,” Sam responded. ‘You, too, must be a eon of * But shall nottee be happee long!” a vindic- tive voice cried, and the Chinese money-lend sprung forward, out of the darkness, ‘** Tha’ child belong to me, Melican woman no own child, It belong to Hong-Kong John!” “Oh! no! no! no!” Capitola screamed, pri ing the child to her breast, in affright. “It is— not yours’ You shall not take her from me.” _ “Den Melican woman givee Hong-Kong Jobn ~ two tousan’ dollee!” the Celestial cried, fiercely* Hong-Kong John.” ater At ~ “Youlie, Lheard you say a thousand |

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24 The Frontier Detective. Jars, in your shop, a few nights ago, There’s your money, sir,” and the Californian drew a roll of bills from his pocket, and cast them at the Celestial’s feet. ‘‘ Take it, sir, and get you out of this neighborhood as quick as your legs are capable of carrying you or I'll guarantee you'll never see another sunset.” ‘‘Muchee ’bligee!” the Celestial grinned, eagerly snatching up the money, and skurrying away. Capitola burst into tears when he was gone. “Oh, Mr. Slocum, you ought not to have done that,” she sobbed. ‘‘ You are too kind to me, whom you know so little of, It may be a good while ere I can-win enough to repay you!” ‘¢ You need never win a cent to repay me, as I ' would not take it,” Sam replied, quietly. ‘* For the child’s sake, I give it its freedom, and you are welcome ‘to all the cn opeent thereof. There is one favor, however, J wish.” “Oh, sir, what is it?” * Give me the child—at least for the present.” **Oh, no—no! I could not do that—indeed, I could not. I am surprised at your request.” ‘“‘Ttis both for your sake and the little one’s that I make it. You are now married a second time,.and I could not bear to see that innocent misused by a step-father!” She staggered back as if she were shot, a deathly oe coming over her face. “My God, Mr, Slocum, what do you mean? I am not the mother of this child—I am not married a second time, nor have [ ever been married.” “Then what was that scene on the lake, last night at moonlit midnight? Tell me that?” he said. TY cannot, sir; I do not know what you mean, as the One above will bear me witness!” She faced him, unflinchingly. Her cheeks were now burning, and her eyes had in them a look Sam had never seen there before—a look of commingled truth, injured honor and indig- nation. ‘ Sierra Sam stood with folded arms, studyin; the picture as one in a dream, for he realize: that all his doubt was undeserved. **T am pleased to believe you, never to doubt again.” = hen he stepped closer to her. “You know my great passion for you, and you will forgive me. Go; take with you the child. You have told me it was not yours—you ave told me that you have never been married, nd I will believe you. I will accept, without question, the mystery of your young life, until you choose to come forward and explain it to me, and give me my reward!” Then eye met eye in an expression of undyin, love, and with a quivering sob Capitola turne and fled from the spot, carrying the child in her arms, which Slocum’s kindness had saved from he custody of Hong-Kong John. “ After all, I have won,” Sierra Sam mused, looking after her. ‘I have been suspicious, 1d am cured. Henceforth, no man’s testi- mony can alter my opinion of yonder peerless It was after midnight when he suddenly awoke and felt a hand gently shaking him, and a voice whispering: ‘‘’Sh! ’sh! make no noise. ” He sat up and saw a person standing in front of him, whom he first took to be Capitola, but he noted an instant later that he was mistaken, for the intruder wore a mask, and was none other than Lady Lil, the road-agent. E ‘Sh! she repeated, in a whisper, ‘don’t wake the nigger, but rise and come with me, for I want you to bear witness to something. Do not be afraid—no harm shall come to you, Pll guarantee, nor to any one else.” e thought of her leniency to him some hours batons, and at once decided to accommodate er, 7 So arising and putting on his hat and secur- ing revolvers, he followed, her softly from the cabin, . Once outside, they walked along together un- til they came to where two other men stood— another road-agent, for one, and Jeremiah ugg. ; ‘So far so good,” Lady Lil said, as she saw these men, ‘‘ Now, Messrs. Slocum and Mugg, if you will come with us to the cabin of Mon- tague, the owner of the Little Sunshine Mine, all that will be required of you will be to watch a little game of cards and see that it is played straight.” In great surprise the two men followed the lead of their masked acqaintance, neither one speaking, for in truth they knew not what to say. Taside of ten minutes they reached Montague’s shanty and entered the only room the place af- forded, It was lit by a couple of candles and rudely furnished. F Montague sat at a table in his shirt and panta- byes He had evidently but recently got out of ed. : Just opposite him sat a road-agent, ready for business, They took their seats, and the watchers their positions. It was just twenty minutes of two when the game began. They played carefully but fast, neither seem- ing to have a desire to cheat, t sharp two o’clock the game was won, and announced by the four watchers’ voices, in chorus: “The money is Lady Lil’s who has won it fairly, according to the best of our judgment!” CHAPTER XIIf, : THE MARRIAGE, ; THE game was ended—Sam and Mugg at once took their departure, as did Lady Lil, the road- agent, and her followers, Sam went back to his cabin, and passed the remainder of the night without sleeping, for the events of the last two hours had been too excit- ing to him, to warrant his getting drowsy. When morning dawned, he went up to the town, to learn if there was any news, and there was, : The Galoot’s Goal had not’ opened, doors, and _ its fair mistress, Capitola, was nowhere to_ found. What had her no one seemed

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The Frontier Detective. See to know, as she had not been seen since the saloon had closed for the night. Sam received the intelligence with no outward show of emotion, but a feeling of regret weighed down his heart. Tbe news of Capitola’s strange disappearance seemed to effect the miners and other citizens with a feeling of gloom, for as ‘boss’ of the Goal she had won a strong place in their respect and admiration, and to know that she was gone was to greatly regret her. And this was not the only bit of news that pervaded the precincts of Bowie’s little burg, that morning, } Another rumor was afloat, and that was to the effect that Miss Louise Berkley, the Cali- fornia lady, was at sunset, that day, to mar the old man of millions, Silas Stork. This created a decided sensation. Judge Berkley was abroad, earlier than usual in elaborate attire. After extending a cordia invitation to everybody to be present at the ceremony, the judge made his way to the shanty of one Zeke Zeilley, who lived at the upper outskirts ot the town, Berkley found him in his rude shanty, seated at a table with a piece of venison before him, a blear-eyed ruffian, whose look was decidedly wolfish, = He and the judge ovidently had met before, however, for the latter at once helped himself to a chair, in a business-like manner, and took a handful of gold coin from the pocket of his coat. “ Well?” Old Zeke growled, interrogatively. “ Yes, the time is at hand,” the judge said, with a knowing nod. ‘“t The marriage is to take place, to-night, just at sunset. TP have it ar- ranged so the last words are spoken at precisely ten minutes past six o’clock. At fifteen minutes past six, you are to fire the shot which is to earn you your money, of which here is fifty dol- lars—the other fifty shall be paid you when you have earned it.” “« Keerect!” the ruffian replied, raking in the coin, greedily. ‘‘Yecan bet I'll do the think up scientific, Ye want a dead sure go made of it, eh? “Of course. There must be no half-way business about it, you mind!” “ All right. Leave thet to yer ’umble sar- vent,” Zeke said, with a grin, Sierra Sam was as much interested by the _ news of the approaching marriage. as any one else, and tock a turn about the town, his brain active in deep thought. ° ‘‘My time is drawing near, to complete my mission here,” he muttered, ‘‘ and I must strike while the iron is. hot,” He went back to the village, and sought Jere- miah Mugg. ‘*Come!” Sam ordered, authoritatively, as the lawyer looked up. ‘‘I want you, Mugg, on im- portant business.” Sam led the way to the Galoot’s Goal and un- _ locking the door, they entered, and closed in be- hind them. . y The miners had appointed Sam trustee of the lace, and given the key into his charge. =) 25 other at a table, Sierra Sam lit gazed at the pettifogger sternly. ‘* Mugg,” he said, ‘‘do you know my object in. bringing you here?” af hee Sam’, I can’t say that I do,” the lawyer replied. : . ** Well, I'll tell you. I came here for the sole pur of converting you into a buman auto- maton, who shall do my bidding. In the first lace, I happen to know you, but you don’t now me. Jam Vampier, of New Orleans; you are Scriggins the scuttler!” Mugg turned pale, but did not speak. » , “You are wanted in N. O.!” Sam went on, ‘for scuttling some dozen trade ships, at the in- stance of a band of coast wreckers, and in my — breast pocket [ have a little docunient for your arrest, wherever found. F A rather peculiar smile came over the lawyer’s a cigar, and ace. * ‘““Yes, [know more than I am given credit for knowing!” he answered, ‘‘and. I knew you~ from the moment 1 first saw you here, but be-— lieved you did not recognize me, I know why — you come here also. I am only too glad to join forces with you, @nd henceforth renounce vil- lainy, for T am heartily tired of the checkered — existence I have been leading for years past.” ‘* And I am glad to hear it,” Sam said, seizing” his hand, « ‘‘ You know much, 1 am aware, dnd I~ want you to answer me some questions I shall — ask you.” ‘*No—do not ask me any. Come to the wed. ding ceremony to-night, and take my word fo: it, many will answered that you would no! ask. There will also be some denouements tha soe are not expecting, and your time will be a and to arrest those whom you come here to secure,” ; “Very well. I will abide by your advice and see what comes of it,” Sam said. ‘I hav suspicions of something that I think will Ha but will withhold them. But, tell me one thing —do you know aught of Capitola?” a “T donot, While I know much more about the strange girl and her history than any other | man in camp, I cannot account for her sudden iy Sanebsieels Fi ‘One more query—why is it that you appear | to hold a grudge against the girl and a desire te crush her?” ; ‘**You are blind! She has not a stro friend living, unless it be you. But, enoug! for further developments, weit /” i “ Very well; I will do so.” ; Shortly after they left the saloon, and lock the door after them. : Judge Berkley met Mugg soon after the pe fogger separated from Sierra Sam, and sto, ‘im “You are prepared to do the marriage this evening, I suppose?” the judge said, b ly. “*Oh! most certing,” Mugg assured. one of my greatest accomplishments, this tyin: act.” ; Nee * There is another matter I wished to speak ou about; do you know whether Silas Sto as recently made his will or not?” the jud

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* The Frontier Detective. is the funniest kind of a will you ever saw, It _ ig an out and outer, you bet.” “ And my daughter Louise is heiress to all the old man’s wealth, eh?” * Well, I should smile that your daughter jest about gits thar,” Mngg allowed, bowing himself away with greatest suavity. ‘‘I am instructed, sir, to read the’will immediately after the cou- clusion of the ceremony.” The judge went back to the hotel in great » glee. “Ts all right!” he. announced to Louise, “The old man has done ped i all right, and now you want to get yourself fixed up to look your purtiest, so there wont get no hitch “in the matter.” ‘ _ “But how about Sierra Sam? Have we noth- ing to apprehend from him?” '“T think not, At any rate, we shall have to a ~ ruu the risk,” _ And Louise. Berkley made arrangements to “marry old Silas Stork, that evening, for his -money. Tu the mean time Sierra Sam was not idle, Selecting a. half-dozen of the most honestly dis- ‘posed miners of the town, he'took them to one side and explained to them his professional call- ‘ing, and asked their assistance in capturing a noted criminal who was to be present at the wedding ceremony, and also that they should hold the prisoners in custody until he, Sam, could send to Sacramento for the proper authori- ties, Y Long before sunset that night the villagers beyan to collect in the vicinity of the miser’s shanty, on the qui vive to witness the remarka- ‘ble union of youth and old age. Owing to the fact that Stork’s cabin was a small, the ceremony was to be performed upon the veranda in front, so that outside spectators » could get a good view. It was a motley assemblage, too. A good “many strangers had come into the town from the neighboring ‘ washes,” and.as_ good clothes and fashion were things unknown in Bowie, ex- cept among a very few, the audience was by no means elegantly accoutered, red shirts, slouch ats, mud-splashed pants and stogy boots pre ‘dominating, to say nothing about polished bowies and six-shooters at every waist. Gouger, the Fejee of the Nor’west, was not lacking. He came upon the scene shortly be- fore the bridal party made their appearance, and sought out Sierra Sam, who occupied a rather retired position. “Great toothsome Fejee, Sammy, they do tell 6 thar’s goin’ ter be a public splicin’ hyar!” he exclaimed, gleefully. ‘An’ in honor o’ ther oc- ae I’ve went an’ had my ha’r annointed. wi’ ‘ther ile’ bergamont, price three bits, an’ had ‘breath invoiced wi’ Love Among the Roses, ce five bits; an’ now d’ye thinketh thar’ll be sa o’ my gittin’ a chance ter kiss ther fi ride? *T wouldn’t give much for your chance,” am replied, dryly, ‘and Vd want a good ry todo the job if I got the chance were I ou. You have a note in your hand—” i “Yas, an’ it’s for you. I nearly forgot,” the nt replied, handing him a slip of paper. Sam opened it and read what was written thereon. It was from Capitola, and ran: “Mr. StocsmM—Do not make any disturbance un- til I have made mine, and oblige, Yours, “*Caprrona.” The Californian put the missive in his pocket, a strange expression coming over his face, Just then the bridal-party appeared on the veranda in front of Stork’s shanty, and here they took their positions—Silas Stork and Louise Berkley standing together, and the, judge not far away, while Jeremiah Mugg took a poston just in front of the bridal-party, with a book opened in his hand. There was a pause until the audience became in a measure silent; then Mugg, in a clear, loud voice, read the marriage service, and pro- nounced Silas Stork and Louise Berkley man and wife. : He then took from his pocket a legal-looking document! CHAPTER XIV, AN UNEXPECTED CLIMAX, “Tapes an’ gentlemen!” he cried, turning to the spectators, ‘‘I have been ordered by Mr. Stork to read to you his last will and testament which I drew up for him, So with your kind attention I will proceed!” Then, clearing his throat, he read the forepart of the singular will of the old miser; “TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; “ Br rr Known tro Aut Mun—That being of sound mind, but knowing that my end draweth nigh, I, si- las Stork, do hereby make and publish my last will and testament. Being pozsessed cf no earthly kin or relations, I do choose and make the sole heir of all my worldly goods, the—”’ Mugg didn’t finish just then—there was a sharp rifle report, and Silas Stork uttered a scream, threw up his arms, and toppled back to the floor. : And, almost immediately ene) the shot, Zeke Zeilley, the murderer, staggered forward, crying: ; aene job’s did, judge—give’s the fifty dol- ars Sierra Sam uttered a yell, and, leaping for- hee tis knocked the ruffian to the ground, sense- ess. i Then, turning to his aides, he cried, sharply: “Secure ’em, boys—they’re answerable for this murder!” And in another instant the two Berkleys were in custody. Seeing the spell of amazement that Bares the crowd, Sam then adyanced to the front steps, and took a position thereon. ‘Ladies and gentlemen!” he cried, ‘‘in the name of thelaw of the United States, I, Sam Slocum, have arrested this man and woman for a rae of desperate crimes, last but-not least, the instigation of this foul murder, so unexpect- edly perpetrated. I am av official detective, and have orders for their arrest, And now, be- fore this crowd disperses, let the reading of Silas Sto: k's will be finished, Mr. Mugg,

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> c= The Frontier Detective. Yos, read on!” Judge Berkley cried, defiant- ly, “and you'll find my daughter Louise is the heir. I plotted Stork’s death, myself, so she could come into immediate possession, and she is innocent of complicity. But, her riches will ae her father’s freedom, Ha! ha! ha!” ugg unfolded the will once more and began, the crowd listening attentively: “Being possessed of no earthly kin or relations, I do choose and make the heir of all my wordly goods, the moneys and eyerything included, the only daughter of my friend Judge Berkley, whose first name is Lilian—” _ ‘Stop! stop!” Judge Berkley cried—‘‘ that should be Lowise!” = y “Silence!” Mugg cried. ‘*In witness whereof, I do hereby set my hand and seal, this the —th day of —, 18—, e si a “Signed, ‘onN HemMina, : ” “ Marranw Lawns, Witnesses. “Tis false!” the judge cried, beside himself with rage. ‘It should be Louise instead of Lillian!” “* And, if the Stork property belongs to Lillian Berkley, I might as well claim my own, now as at any future time, for 7am Lillian Berkley, the only daughter of Judge Berkley,” Capitola cried, stepping forward from the crowd. “The woman he has given the name of Louise Berkley, is an impostor, and his second wife’s first daughter by her first husband.” A cheer went up from the crowd. Judge Berkley uttered a fearful oath, and whitened and trembled. : The girl noticed it, and her lip curled with scorn, ; “Yea, tremble, you inhuman father!” she eried, ‘‘ for well you may.” And with tears streaming down her face, she turned and fled from the spot into the heart of the samp. Si.rra Sam at once ordered the prisoners-taken to a strong cabin, and a heavy guard placed over tiem. Louise had fainted, and had to be carried, Other miners looked after the dead mine-ow \er, and Zeke Zeilley was also taken and lock, \ up. While wae party were en route to the primi- Smas SrorE. ~ tive jail, a man came running up, bare-headed and excited, ‘Stop! VWenat’s the meaning of this outrage?” he cried, and he was none otker than the owner of the Little Sunshine Mine, Montague. , ‘* That woman, whom you are taking to jail, I under- stand is my wife !? “ And my prisoner! She is a murderess, and T, Slocum, detective, of California, have a war- .Yant for her arrest, and also one for her step- father here,” Sierra Sam responded, calmly. ‘* And, in addition to that, the woman is no more your wife than mine!” Mugg declared, triumphantly. ‘‘She has been married three - times before, to my positive knowledge, and two of her husbands are living undivorced!” In hearty disgust Montague turned away amid the hoois of the crowd, and the jail was reached without further incident. : it was a strong affair, with one stout door and no windows, and Sam concluded 16 would not be necessary to station a guard, -over a year, So the prisoners were bound and left unday lock and key. = - Tt had been a twenty-four hours of excite. — ment to Sierra Sam,and he was tired when — darkness set in, but resolved to see Capitola, iz — possible, before he turned in for the night, On making inquiry, however, he learned that the ready money and bonds of the miser, which — had been found buried beneath the shanty floor, had been given to the girl, and after re-— ceiving it, she bad turned over the mines to the — superintendency of no less a man than Jake — Gouger, and mounting her horse, had taken her departure from the town, promising to come — back frequently to collect the profits accruing from the mines. Of the child, Cherrie, the vil- Jagers knew nothing. So Sam went bac gloomy state of mind. ‘Ym fearful that I’ve set my heart on a vain — object!" he muttered. “She has gone away, leaving no clew to her whereabouts, and {shall be much surprised if I ever hear from her — again !”” But he did hear from her! “ to his cabin in a rather | CHAPTER XV. SIERRA SAM’S DISENCHANTMENT, Lars that night, or rather, early in the mor ing, Max Montague heard a rap at his shanty door, and a rap too that had a very business like sound, . ee | Rising and pulling on his pantaloons, he an- | swered the summons, only to find Capitola | steps just witbout the door, | “ Well?” he demanded, gruftly, ‘* what do you | want?” bs ““T want you!” the girl replied, with em- phasis, ‘so come right straight along, or T wing you, and then force you to go!” : eas: Sbe meant what she said too, it was evident, | “Vou talk foolishly. Have you got five thousand dollars?” he demanded. 4 “Ves, I have. Come!” <i ‘You're mighty pert!” he growled, ‘‘ since: fell heir to Stork’s lay-out, just through chan I don’t believe you’ve got the money, though “ Believe what you please. I have got t balance of the money with which to purcha: my poor brother’s freedom—so come on, ati oni and set him free—you who took him from me, | and have kept him, God only knows where, for ‘Pshaw! If you were to harm me the see’ ef of your brother’s prison would be lost forever!” “By that. threat have you held me at will, ever since you captured my brother, as \ were en route to Bowie. But it will not wo any longer. I’ve got the ransom you demau ed, and will no longer be put off.” ; “Well, Bie our money, eu eee your brother, ontague growled, perceivin that he could no longer cat with her arcente herownterms. ~ Ee : “Not a cent until I see Fred, alive and w Then I will pay you, You know my wor good—eren as firm as my sisterly devétion Without a-word they went down the

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(29, acto passed by Slocum’s cabin. and continued along the shore of the lake, After passing beyond it, they followed the gulch for half an hour—then branched off into a narrow ravine, in which they presently stopped, and the place was in front of a perpendicular wall of rock, Taking a small key from his pocket, Montague thrust it into a crevice, when lo! a rocky door swung open, ‘Come out!” the mine-owner shouted into the aperture, and a moment later a tall young man, with full beard, but rather thin in flesh, made his appearance, and he and Capitola became locked together in each other’s embrace. * _ _**'Phere’s your money, sir,” the girl cried, as _ She tossed a sack of coin upon the ground, when _ the rapturous greeting with her brother was over, ‘Take it and see to it that you are never seen again in Bowieville, or it will be the worse for you. these parts again with the same success,” Maybe two hours later, when it was the dark- est bour before the dawn, owing .to the late moon being obscured, Lady Lil, the road-agent, rode silently down into Bowie’s slumbering city, ‘ Saetbabag by her full band, a good score in num- - ber. _ Dark and grim the cavalcade looked, as they silently rode up to the jail and dismounted. To open the door was a matter of but a few - minutes’ work, and Lady Lill stepped within the _ threshold. “Judge Berkley, if you are here, come, for _ your liberty is at hand,” she announced. _. The guilty couple eagerly obeyed, but shud- _ dered when they saw the band of masked men, ' Judge Berkley had roughed it long enough in _ the West to know thatia band of masked men _ seldom visited a jail for any good purpose. “Don’t fear,” Lady Lil said, with a laugh, no- ticing his start. ‘‘This isn’t a necktie party. We come to give you a chance for escape.” The Berkleys were then placed upon two ex- tra horses; the road-agents remounted, and the cavalcade left Bowie’s little town as quietly as it had entered, no one at the time being the wiser for their visit. Three days later the same cavalcade halted up- on an eastern prairie, and at the head of it were the judge an Berkley! : / And it was Lillian, whom we have known as Capitola who spoke: “Mr, Be te ! “Mr, Stocum, Dari Sm:—You will perhaps be urprised to receive this from me, bufl could not away, without telling you a few things. My er in Bowie is over. A few years ago, as you low, my peer entered the counterfeiting business. brother discovered it, and because he would not join the band, false evidence was brought up against ‘for his life. You can never play brigand around= The Frontier Detective. him, through my father’s instrumentality, and ho was covicted of murdering @ man he never sav, and sentenced to be hanged, At my solicitation, he did not give up the secret of father’s guilt, even though death stared him in the face. Themurderer was one of the counterfeiters, I did not know this, then. My brother’s wife and I rescued Fred and we all fled into the wilds, taking the name of Carson. Fred’s wife soon died, and he and I and little Cherrie, his child, were alone. We drifted about, here and thére, and finally set out for Bowie. On the way Fred was captured Pe Max Montague, a former enemy, who theatened if I did not pay him ten thousand dollars ransom, within a year the mean time maintaining the greatest secrecy, he would turn Fred over to be hung. I came to Bowie and started the Goal; I mortgaged the child to the China- man, to get money to make the first payment: I even became a road-agent under the nom de plume of Lady Lil. And, now, I’ve, freed my brother, and we have freed my father, and are going tolet him fly I know you can never forgive me for this, Mx. Slocum, butas much as Llove youl couldn’t let my own father be hangei. Forgive and bey and hope that we may meetin afar bere worl wit never again in this, ‘APITOLA,” Such was the letter Sierra Sam found upon his breast, the next morning after the fatal wedding! And a few days later, Hee mane by J. D. Dump, he packed up, and left Bowie forever, a sad, sorrowing man! THE END. BEADLE AND ADAMS’ Dime Hand-Books. Young People’s Series. Beapie’s Dims Hanp-Booxs ror Younea ProOpLe cover a wide range of subjects, and are especially adapted to their end, Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer Book of Etiquette. Book of Verses. Book of Dreams. Book of Games, Fortune-Teller. Lovers’ Casket. Ball-room Companion, Book of Beauty, Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports, Book of Crequet. Yachting and Rowing, Chess Instructor, Riding and Driving. Cricket and Football Book of Pedestrianism. Guide to Swimming. Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, et. Song Books. Brapie’s Dime Sone Booxs, Nos. 1 to 34, contain 5 the only popular collection of copyright songs, Joke Books. Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Book, Paddy Whack Joke Book. For sale by all newsdeailers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents. , BEADLE AND ADAMS, PcsBLisnmrs, _ 98 William Street, New York, —

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BEST AUTHORS. A CHOICE COLLECTION OF Beautiful Compositions | Carefully Compiled for SCHOOL, LYCEUM, PARLOR, AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENTS, — BY —— f | FRANCES P. SULLIVAN. | Issued Quarterly, June, 1886. Subscription, 50 Cents per Year. | Mid. IVERS SCO. ~ PUBLISHERS, Se a ee ae Se ree TS id ; il is

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SMART TOASTS FOR THE SMART DBT, Vest Pocket Size. 64 Pages. By Mail, Postpaid, Sewed Book. Up-to-Date. i2c. per Copy. BEST LINE OF HAND BOOKS PUBLISHED. “YIDDISH” YARNS.—A Collection of Hebrew Jokes, Stories, ete. 3ENTS’ 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, etc. VAUDEVILLE JOKER.—Best Jokes by Eminent Vau- deville Artists, BOOK OF ETIQUETTE.—Society, Visits, Introduc- 5 tions, Dress, Balls, etc. FORTUNE TELLER.—Fortune Telling by Cards, Tea or Coffee Grounds, Eggs; Palmistry, ete. BOOK OF 100 GAMES.—One Hundred Games for Social Parties and Home Amusements, COOK BOOK.—Economical, Practical, Excellent. LADIES’ LETTER WRITER.—How to Write; ,When to Write; What to Write. RECIPE BOOK.—For the Parlor, Nursery, Sick-room, Toiiet, Kitchen, Larder, etc. BOOK OF BEAUTY.—Beauty of Form, Color, Head, Hair, Complexion, Skin, ete., with chapters on Perfumes, Cosmeties, etc. BOOK OF VERSES.—Comprising Rhymes, Lines, and Mottoes forduovers 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” JOKER.—The Doings of “Our Country Cousins” in a Humorous Way. ‘ “TRAMP” JOKER.—Good “Handouts” in this Book for Professional and Amateur Enterta:ners. “COON” YARNS.—Best Joke’ Relating to Our “* Dark- er-Skinned Brothers.” “TRISH” Joker No. 1.—The Wittiness and Whimsicali- ties of * Pat” at His Best. “VARIETY ” JOKER.—Good Things from all the Na tionalities: ‘* Pat,” ‘‘Alphonse,”’ ‘‘ Hans,” “‘ Jona than,” “ Moses,” and ‘‘ Ebenezer.” The above books are bound in handsomely illustrated lithographed covers. Price by mail, postpaid, 12 cents per copy. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, 379 Pearl Street, New York City. BEADLE’S BOYS’ LIBRARY. PRICE 5 CENTS PER COPY. 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 peedecod, rs Ca as eee By E. L. Wheeler. 7 Wild Bill. By Ingraham. 8 The Prairie Ranch. ly J. E. Badger. Ps pono ee By. Ss ee) ‘Texas Jack. y Ingraham. 11 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By H. B. Stoddard. 12 Brimstone Bill’s Booty. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 13 Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall. 14 The Tieket-of-Leave’s Trick. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 35 Wide-Awake George. By E. Willett. 16 Wide-Awake Ned. By B. Ringgold. 17 Peter, the Dandy Greenhorn, By Noah Nuff. 18 Adrift on 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 Harbangh. 23 Old Grizzly Adams. By Dr Powell, 24 Woods and Waters. By Whittaker. 25 A Rolling Stone. By W. R. Evster. 26 Red River Rovers. By C. D. Clark. 27 Buckskin Sam's Wild Ride. By Ingraham. 28 The Sword Prince. By F. Whittaker. 28 Snow-Shoe Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. 80 Pavl De Lacy. By C. D. Clark. 81 Round tl® Camp-Fire. By J. EB. Badger, Jr. 82 Fancy Frank’s Drop. By Ingraham, 83 The Boy Crusader. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 8% Kit Carson. 34 The Chase of the Great White Stag. By C. D. Clark, 85 Old Tar Knuckle. By Rover Starbuck 36 ‘The Dashing Dragoon. By F, Whittaker. 87 Night-Hawk George. By Ingraham. 88 The Boy Exiles of Siberia. By Tl’. C. Harbaugh. 39 The Young Bear Hunters. By Morris Redwing. 40 New York Bill, the Dodger. By Edward Willett. 41 The Settler's Son. By Edward §. Ellis. 42 Walt Ferguson's Cruise. By C. D. Clark, 48 Rifle and Revolver. By F. Whittaker. 44 The Lost Boy Whalers. By 'I’. C. Harbaug‘.. 45 Bronco Billy. By Ingraham. 46 Dick, the Stowaway. By Charles Morris. 47 The Colorado Boys. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 48 The Pampas Hunters. By T. C. Harbaugh. 49 Nebraska Charlie. By Ingraham. 50 Jack, Harry, and Tom. By F. Whittaker. 51 'l'om Stone, the Old Sea Dog. By C. D. Clark, 52 The Boy Detectives. By T. C. Harbaugh. 58 Harry, the Country Boy, in New York. By Charles Morris. 54 California Joe. By Ingraham, 55 Tip Tressel, the Flatboat Boy. By Edward Willett. 56 The Svow Hunters. By Harry De Forrest. 57 Harry Somers, the Magician. By S. W. Pearce. 58 Captain Jack in Rocky Roost. By Ingraham. 59 Tim, the Mule Bov of the Mines. By Charles Morris, 60 The Young Trail Hunters. By T, C. Harbaugh. 61 The Tiger Hunters. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 62 Doctor Carver, the Champion Shot. By Ingraham. 63 Black Home Bill, the Bandit Wrecker. . By Roger Starbue { 64 Young Dick Talbot, By A. W. Aiken.

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THE Deadwood Dick e Library @ LATES%? AND BES‘. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS. 82 Pages, Issued Every Wednesday, Price 5 Cents. buy One and You Will Buy the Rest . axtracts from the New York Evening Sun. TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. in only one sense of the word can it be regarded asa aovel statement when the fact is here recorded that litera- jure has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader will have to think a moment over @his remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home, But it is most essentially a half dime novel statement wmat will be news to many when it is added that litera- jure;if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam as a mere child down to the present day, would show t few heroes that in the eyes of boyhood would be en judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest ‘}@roes known to American literature, or, to promptly re- veal them, Deadwood Dick and Deadwood Dick, Jr. * * * The modern heroes of fiction for young America, who are now as countless as the sands of the sea, and of whom thy ‘eadwood Dicks are much the most important * * it .. but natural that their * * * should bear way the palm of popularity, and suchas * * *-be left ‘sar behind tn the race. It can be easily believed, therefory, that the two Dicks te so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature {jor boys and young men, that their position is assured * * and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which they have lived, and for which one of them has died. American boyhood, and that is a tremendous factor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good veal 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 hungrils for the next volume, which on every Wednesday appear. with the certainty of the Wednesday itself, and a new se. oF Selignttal thrills go thrilling away from Maine to Calfi- ornla, There are the volumes each se crowded with thrills and heart-tugs that it were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be tween them, > To abandon the idea of giving a few extracts causes In finite pain, but if once a start were made in that direc tion, it would be cruel to The Evening Sun's readers te stop, and it is therefore better not to relate one single adventure, Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. { Deadwood Dick, the Priace of the Road 4 The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Deflance S| 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 3 Old Avalanche, the Great Annihilator; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand Bob Woolf, the Border Rufflan \@ Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger ry a Piodioe, Jri, the Boy Phenix; or, Through to : eat a i Sela Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar i: Byer, Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team i@ Gold Rifle, the Shee : te Read wood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane # orduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo i Repu Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the as ulc! ! dg}, thre Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand ‘Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance Watch-Eye, the Shadow a Preiwocd Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross @ Vanada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief 98 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty ; Deadwood Dick as Detective % Gilt-Kdge Dick - % Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker; or, The Secret Twelve _ 9 Chip, the Girl Sport ~ p Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune _ ® Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks ‘ Lr tag Dick's Houbie; or, The Ghost of Gorg: ’s c) F) Bote bet, er, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base c 33 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 34 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike 35 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Koy-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 Jezebei 42 The Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp 43 The Ventriloquist Detective. A Romance of Roguer 44 Bane: Josh Grim; or, The Young Gladiater’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 pices pants Sentence; or, Little Luck at Rough anc! 52 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 58 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Ruckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped ‘ 68 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The Messenger Boy's Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Spore 60 Dumb Dick’s Fard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission ’ 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s pees. 63 a Liye Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sasse. ras City * 64 Cede Charlie’s Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings M. J. IVBRS & CO., Publishers (James Sullivan. Proprietor), BD Donel Gtraat NEW VORK ~ ~~

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Copyright 1882-1887, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second class matter. Mar, 15, 1898 is mee THE ARTHUR WESTB No. 45 ; Cleveland, oe es Vol. LV GIEERA SAM HEARD A GIRLISH LAUGH, AND SPRINGING TO A 8 TTING POSTURE IN THE HAMMOCK, HE SAW CAPITOLA CARSEN STANDING NEAR AT HAND.

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Gopyright 1882-1887, by Beadle & Adams. Entered at Post Office, New York, N. Y., as second elass matter. Mar. 15, 18! rele or 3 apie ate Dama aL Te ante ' snes THE ARTHUR WESTBROOK CO, : No. 45 e Cleveland, Ohio Vol. IVi SIERRA SAM HEARD A GIRLISH LAUGH, AND SPRINGING TO AS TTING POSTURE IN THE HAMMOCK, HE SAW CAPITOLA CARSHN STANDING NEAR AT HAND,

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THE Deadwood Dick e Library e 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 (0 Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger 1 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix; or, Through to Deat 12 ie ain Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood ar 13 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team 14 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter.. 45 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane 16 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo 1? Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch 8 Idyl], the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand 9 Photograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance Watch-Eye, the Shadow 1 pence Dick's Device; or, The Sign of the Double ross 2 Canada Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty Deadwood Dicix as Detective 5 Gilt-ldeed Dick 6 Bonanza Bill, the Man-Tracker ; or, The Secret Twelve 7 Chip, the Girl Sport 28 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune 29 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks 30 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch 31 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent eee oos—ooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemn LATEST AND BEST. HANDSOME TRI-COLORED COVERS. 82 Pages. Bay One and You Will Buy the Rest! For Sample Cover See Other Bide. DEADWOOD DICK LIBRARY. 83 Tony Fox, the Ferret; or, Boss Bob’s Boss Job 84 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwoud Dick’s Big Strike 85 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party 86 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective yi - ; 87 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Scamps of theSierras — 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 iar ent 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 anch 52 The Girl pyar or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise 53 Denver Doll’s Device; or, ‘I'he Detective Queen 54 Denver Doll as Detective 55 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the Sport 56 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss 57 Deadwood Dick Trapped 58 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, The- Messenger Boy's Fortune 59 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or, Wild Walt, the Sport 60 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or, Eliza Jane, the Gold Miner 61 Deadwood Dick’s Mission 62 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy 63 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassa- fras Cit; 64 Polaadd Charlie's Detective Dash; or, The Cattle ings C—O