1'.~"-~‘\vJVI"-4!|I\|'ft-\ .- Luv-u.- .~.- .uuv -. ...-.,.._.« ""97" v .. ;,"._-u»fz-u 2 . ., h. I ' A“ @272; ‘2; .. too? Sure! And so—you grappled Har- ry? You had a wrestle and a dog-fall, didn’t you? ”‘ “ Yes, but—” “I knew it! And being fighting drunk, as you say, and feeling that he was getting all the worst of the muss, he picked—why, a blind man could see it all with his eyes shut! ” " Then you know—” “Of course I know! And so would anybody else know who toted even a modicum of sound sense about with him! Know? Why wouldn’t I, when it’s all so plain that—where were your reasoning powers, Spottsround?” But the mine-owner shook his head in silent response before saying: “You’re wrong, sir; it wasn’t Rock- weed’s own knife.” “How do you know? Who says so? Of course it was his own knife, and he fell upon it when the lads went down together! ” grufliy declared the big Sport, with frown and shake of hairy pow. A brief silence, broken by Spottsround, speaking slowly, seriously: “ And it was Marqueduc’s worse luck! ” “ No, no, 'I never—I didn’t—I had no knife with me! ” ‘ Seneca Spottsround in silence pointed at the waist of the accused. The empty scabbard hung there at his hip, just where a hand 'would find it easiest to grasp hilt and draw weapon. Headlong Hugh gave an ominous growl at this, lips curling back from strong white teeth as he faced the mine-owner to utter: ' “Are you trying to knot the rope around his neck? Are you one of his dirty enemies, sir?” “ No, no, Hugh! Only for him Iwould have been lynched like a sheep-killing cur! Only for him—he is one of my best friends, Eddlong.” “Let that answer your doubts, Mr. Eddlong,” gravely spoke Spottsround. “What I want most is to get. at the bottom facts in this ugly affair, and in order to do that the truth must be told on all sides. And so I repeat: ’Twas Harry's own sheath-knife which we found sunk to its very hilt in the back of poor Rockweed.” , The Sport turned again to his pard, and choking back his emotions as best he might, Marqueduc answered that si- lent query. “It may be. It must be so, since he says it. But I never had my knife with me—then! I mislaid it, some way, some- where; I can’t remember now. But this much I feel fairly sure of: Miles never tried to cut me; how could he when we were wrestling? Yet—it surely must have been an accident, somehow! ” Headlong Hugh frowned and shook his pow. "Such accidents don’t happen, pardy. ’Twould split sober reason wide open to make it cover so much, and— What’s biting you now, Hal? ” Marqueduc shrunk away, shiveringly. “ You mean—you can think I really did it?” “Haven’t you told me you never out Rockweed, pard? ” “Yes, but—” “That settles it, then! You never played Miles dirt, but somebody surely did; and that’s just the point I’m going to make clear enough for wise men and idiots to read as they canter, you bet . your delicious existence! ” “Oh, if you only will—if you only could, Hugh!” , ,“ I’ll do it or bu’st a hame-strap, pardy! I’ll find out the whole truth and drag the dirty whelp of Satan to justice if it takes the rest of my lifer'that’s said and sworn to! ” . During all this time eager eyes had kept watch without, and curious ears were being strained to their utmost in striving to follow what might be said within the calaboose. Neither sight nor sound proved suf- ficient for some of the more turbu- lent spirits, however, and at this junct- ure some one raised the ominous cry for a life for a life! “Hang him! Lynch him! Rush the Injun and snatch the knifer bald-head- ed! ” Marqueduc straightened up at this, tossing head back and looking more like his natural self for the moment. Lip curled with fierce scorn ere gloomy despair came to darken that swarthily handsome visage. “You hear? ” he spoke, bitterly. “Even if you can find out the whole truth, Eddlong, ’twill come too late for my neck! ” The Sport moved a bit closer to the door, speaking sharply to his redskin pard: “Hold ’em level, Chonesta! Shoot the first fool who tries to crowd you ofi your guard, and I’ll be there with both hands full of sudden death! ” “ You bet! ” assured Black Dog, cheer- fully. “ I’ll give ’em little old h—l in big chunks; that’s so! ” Headlong Hugh turned back to his luckless pard, gripping both hands in his as he spoke again: “Brace up, old man. You’ll never stretch hemp for another’s crime, so don’t you think it, even for a minute. I’ll see you safely out 0’ this nasty hob- ble, and we’ll both tail on to the rope that yanks poor Rockweed’s assassin clean into eternity! ” “If it hadn’t been his knife! ” mut— tered Spottsround. “That comes in with the rest of the day’s work. I’ll get it all straightened out in good time, never you worry, sir. And now, try to make it just a bit more clear, pardy. Tell us just how the row started, and just what it was all about.” Even now that seemed no easy task for Marqueduc, and his voice faltered more than once ere he could get his'explana- tion fairly under headway. But, encour- aged by Eddlong, he finally got at the kernel. That came in lowered tones, which could be understood only by those three, for in spite of the imminent peril which menaced his very life, Harry could not bring himself to forget or ignore the re- spect due a lady. He spoke of the taunts and hints let fall by his partner in the Homestake Mine, growing angry and hot as he dwelt . upon that tender point. “ You know he lied while saying it, sir!” he appealed to Mr. Spottsround. “You know Milly was and is true as steel! You know that she loved me alone, even as she promised to marry me! Don’t you, now?” . Instead of making prompt acknowledg- ment as Harry plainly expected, Seneca Spottsround shrunk back a bit, like one painfully embarrassed, or one reluctant to tell all he might. Just then an interruption came from without, which was welcomed byat least one of that trio. . “I say, boss!” called a gruff voice through the heavily barred window. “ You’re wanted by Miles Rockweed over to the hotel! ” V_ “ What! Then he is not—he’s still living?” demanded the capitalist, step- ping toward the door, while looking at the face by the window. “ Yes, but—waal, now, he’s mighty bad off, an’ of ye don’t make a holy hurry of it I wouldn’t give a tinker’s dam fer yer chairices o’ seein’ him this side 0’ ’tar- nity; no I wouldn’t now! ” “ I’ll go—I’ll come at once! ” But a strong hand checked his move- ment, and he turned with a frown to see Headlong Hugh shake head and hear him speak: “ Don’t be in such a mighty rush, pard- ne'r. I like your company too well to take the dirty shake like this.” “ What do you mean by that?” “Well, I reckon if Rockweed can see one, he can stand a couple, so—good- night to ye, pardy! ” turning a smiling visage toward Marqueduc and reaching back a cordial hand for grip and shake. “You’re going, Hugh? You’re not—- must you go? ” “It’s on your business, pardy, so take a good brace and make up your mind to this blessed truth: the right is bound to come out on top 0’ the heap, and we’ll both play horse together ages after the real assassin has fattened the worms.” “Unless they lynch me, out 0’ hand! ” with a sickly laugh. “With you two true friends gone, what protection have I? ” CHAPTER VI. A PHYSICIAN ON GUARD. “ Oh, you’re too low down in the mouth by far, pardy,” briskly assured the Hap~ py—go-lucky Sport, with a light laugh, which seemed entirely free from care or uneasiness for the future. “ Where we go, a round score of just as honest and honorable men stop behind. And—wait a bit, pardy! ” Seneca Spottsround was opening the door, and as it swung inward to grant them exit, he raised his voice higher, speaking to the crowd in general. “ You understand, gentlemen, I’m going bail for Henry Marqueduc. I swear that he is guiltless of harming Miles Rock— weed, and my life stands pledged to not only prove as much, but to fetch the real knifer to the gallows.” ‘ A few scattering cheers greeted this emphatic announcement, but there were less agreeable sounds coming from more quarters than one at the sMe time. Ignoring these, Headlong Hugh spoke on: - “Having given you one and all this honest pledge, I’ll show you the other side of the document. I know what a few dirty whelps can bring to pass if they set their minds upon it, but if there is any foul play attempted this night; if harm is ofiered my pard in here before we have a fair chance to show his com- plete innocence, I’ll kill the leaders if I go down while doing so! ”_ Seneca Spottsround likewise begged all concerned to withdraw, and to take no decidedmove that night, hoping, as he believed, that Marqueduccould still be proven innocent of attempted murder. Bidding BlackDog keep guard over the jail and its occupant until he could go and come, Headlong Hugh gave Harry a final word of encouragement, then hur- ried away through the night in company with Seneca Spottsround, their immedi- ate destination being the hotel to ‘which unfortunate Miles Rockweed had been conveyed. ‘ But few words were spoken during that brief tramp, for each man had an abundance of food for sober thought. Now that. the eyes of his young pard could no longer read the change of his countenance. Hugh Eddlong looked grave enough, for his mind was sorely puzzled to account for that ugly happen- ing. . Not that he would for an instant doubt his friend. He would as quickly believe himself guilty of assassination. But how was that innocence to be made manifest? Only for that luckless weapon! Whose hand had dealt the fatal stroke? How could it have been done without either man’s knowledge? Even though locked in fierce wrestle, it seemed past all probability that such a blow could be administered and he who gave it escape recognition by one or the other adversary. Yet, granting Harry’s innocence, that must have been the case. For, surely, Rockweed would not be carrying his partner’s knife in addition to his own? Or, if so, was it likely that he would have drawn that to accidentally fall upon, instead of his own tool? Such perplexing thoughts kept the Sport’s brain fairly busy until the hotel was reached and they stood near the head of the stairs where was located the chamber assigned to the wounded miner. Before a hand could fairly rap at that barrier, it swung silently open and the tall form of Dr. Branscombe emerged, a frown upon his face, as he seemed to recognize their purpose without words. “ He’s still alive, doctor?” asked Spottsround in lowered tones to suit the occasion. “ Alive, but little more. What do you want? ” “ Admittance, of course. sent for me, and I wish to—” But the physician on guard shook his head peremptorily. “ You cannot enter, Mr. Spottsround.” “ But, he sent word for me to come; that he wished to see me at once,” urged the mine-owner and capitalist. “Can’t help it, sir. Mr. Rockweed is Rockweed my patient, and I feel in duty bound F" serve him to the full extent of my abil- ity. He is far, too low for conversation, 111d so—you cannot enter! ” Spottsround fell back like one abashed at this, but Headlong Hugh Was film so readily repulsed, and that cold, Sum for" bidding manner had no Particmar terror' ."or him. ‘ Stepping more to the front as Seneca. fell back on silent toes, he SPOke “1 low but earnest tones: _ “ You’d be all right under ordinary 00‘ casions, sir, but this doesn’t happen to be such. Rockweed sent for Mr. Spotts- round—” “ I am not deaf, sir.” With a Stiff bOW,', “ Don’t try to be deaf to reason. the”, , retorted the Sport with a brief show Of his teeth. “Although his physiolan, Y0“ are hardly Mr. Rockwood’s father con— fessor, I imagine?” ,, “ Possibly not, but neither are you. “ You can’t prove it. I want in—” “ I’ve’already said that You 031mm 911‘ ter. Surely that is plain enough lan- guage, sir? ” “Come, come, now! ” with growing impatience. “This may be all right “’1' der ordinary circumstances, but not right now Rockweed can tell how he came by his hurt, and so hinder an innocent neck from stretching hemp- That's Why I’m begging for YOU—" “ What I’m constrained as ‘a physician in charge to deny, Sin” “ But he sent for Spottsround, and you have no right to deny, him admittance when—” “ Surely Mr. Spottsround is able to speak for himself? Since he has taken my answer as final, why need, you kick? So—good—night to you, sir! ” curtly spoke the man of medicine, opening and slip- ping through the door, closing it just as deftly in the face of the sport. EddIOng was taken completely, by sur- prise, for as he glanced around at those words, he found himself alone; Seneca Spottsround had vanished without sound or word! . , And yet that feat was easily, enough accomplished. As stated, the chamber door was close to the head of the narrow flight of stairs, and doubtless knowing [from past experi- ence that Dr. Branscombe could not be moved from a stand once taken, the capitalist had but to slip back a pace or two, then descend to the lower floor and pass out beneath the stairs. That was precisely what Seneca Spotts- round did do, and before his absence was so much as suspected by the deeply interested sport, he was fairly clear of the hotel and striding along through the uncertain moonlight at a rapid rate. There was naught of hesitation or of irresolution to be noted in. his moves ments, and Spottsround evidently had some particular destination in view from the start. v It did not take him long to reach that goal, for presently his pace slackened and he cast a slow, sweeping glance around like one dreading espial. Failing to detect aught which might confirm that dread, Spottsround strode on a few paces further, pausing in front of a rude and small frame building, at the rough door of which he rapped after a peculiar fashion. ‘ Silence. A brief pause, then another series of taps with knuckles, and the plank barrier swung open a couple of feet, while a rough tone made itself heard: “ Come in, can’t you, boss? Nobody’s looking, I don’t reckon? ” . Spottsround slipped through the open- ing and as rapidly shut the door back of himself before speaking in turn. “.That’s all right, Beebe, but I’m past taking any off-chances, you want to un— derstand. And this night is—pah! I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth already! ” Bulldog Beebe gave a. nondescript sound which could hardly be interpret- ed, .movmg back to where a couple of chairs stood by a rude table supporting a guttering candle. Dropping into the nearest seat, he waved a huge paw toward the other in speechless invitation for his guest to be seated as well. ., .Spottsround accepted that invitation, giving a long breath as he tossed aside his. hat, brushing one long-fingered white hand over his damp temples as he leaned back in his chair. . Bulldog Ben leaned forward, elbows on table and massive jaws clasped by his big hands, little eyes twinkling evilly as they scanned that face, now looking {legagkablyé page, in spite of the mask of . - ray ear with which ' - plied by. nature. It was sup “ Well, what is it, Beebe? ” asked Spottsround, after a bit of waiting. “I was just wondering, boss,” slowly answered the ex—pugilist. “ What about, pray? ” t that little trick, anyway, Spottsround? ” abruptly asked Beebe, leaning still fur- ther across the tablein his undisguised interest. Before an answer could be iven that decidedly leading question,ga souffg from just without the door drew both pair of eyes swiftly that way; and then came a. hurried rap, followed instantly1 by lifting latch and opening barrier. Bulldog Beebe half-rose from his chair with a snarl of angry surprise, but as quickly dropped back again on recogniz— ing the .fellow who made such an un- ceremonious entrance. “Hellow, Quinn! You, is it? But what in blazes are you doing with that mop of hair on the mug 0’ you, man alive? ” The intruder was looking at mine- owner rather than pugilist, and he gave a low, odd-pitched chuckle as one hand went up to pluck from his face the false beard and mustache which he had worn at entrance. Looking at this afiair for an instant, still with face on the broad grin, as though he found something particularly humorous in that connection, Owe-n Quinn leaned back against the closed door, growing fairly sober of face as he gave a nod toward the capitalist, then slowly extended his right hand that way before speaking. “What are you trying to get through “This: how did you 'manage to turn‘ munummmumum m" you, anyway, Irish? ” harshly demanded Bulldog Ben, frowning blackly. “ Faith, sor,” with a nod which clearly indicated Seneca Spottsround, “ maybe ’tis you, sor, can give me the informa- tion, thin? Hayre’s the blessed pelt, sure, an’ now—whayre’s the men that wore it, bedad?” (To be Continued—Commencedoin No. 744.) ’cnrrm' JIM. We boys ’ud run, an’ romp, an' play From early morn till close of day; We’d tramp for miles with dog an’ gun, An’ think that huntin’ was such fun— ’Ceptin’ Jim. He wuz a cripple from his birth, An’ wuz no sort 0’ use on earth. ’ His mother wuz the Widder Flynn, Who hadn't nary chick nor kin—— ’Ceptin’ Jim. She lived by takin' washin’ in, The wldder’s face was sharp an’ thin; Hard work had left its creases there, An’ no one thought her sweet ner fair— ’Ceptin' Jim. One day we went below the mill, Where shadders fell so cool an’ still, A-fishin’ thar fer perch an’ trout, An' no one knew we were about—— ’Ceptin’ Jim. When some one came an’ raised the sluice, _ An’ turned the rush of water loose, While everything began to go, ' An' we were all down thar below— ‘Ceptin’ Jim. He got a pole, an’ limped aroun’, An' pried the gate back to the groun’— Then slipped. * * * * We used ter gather by A leetle grave where grass grew high— All 'ceptin’ Jim. M. T. ~. Buffalo Bill in Arizona; Buckskin Sam’s Shadow Trail. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. CHAPTER XXXIX. THE WARNING. Buflalo Bill left Fort Verde in good time to keep his appointment with Miss Redwood, when he was to meet those whom she had called the Revenge Rang- ers. The scout was anxious to see and know just what they were, and was fully aware of their great value as allies, if they were what they were represented to be by their fair captain. Numbering, as she had said, thirteen, and all being men who had known what it was to bitterly suffer under the cruel persecutions of the Black Brotherhood, they would be just the ones to make the trail under his, Buffalo Bill's, lead. Then. too, the fort, flhe ranchers, and the regulators would all doubtless be watched by the outlaws, to see that they were not set upon their trail, after their frightful holocaust at the cabin of Manton Marr. — c The scouts of Buckskin Sam would also be kept under espionage, to see if they were ordered on their trail, and they had more cause to fear these rang- ers than any one else, should the com- mandant of Fort Verde put them on the duty of hunting down the Black Broth- erhood. ‘ Buffalo Bill was rbherefore most ankio‘us camp, to prove just what he needed in his work of bringing the guilty ones to just punishment. He was glad to have made Buckskin Sam his bower in the work, for he knew how thoroughly he was able to rely upon the Texan, and, if need came for them, the army scouts under his command could be readily brought into use. Soldiers could not move without notice, and if they did their coming would be heralded very quickly, so that they, would be of little use in hunting outlaws. -With great hope of success, now that he was embarked in the work of ferret- ing out the outlaws, and with such allies as he expected to command, Buffalo Bill lefit Verde in the full belief that the trail would be followed to_.the end. He had held a long talk with Colonel Garrett, and that officer had told him to call upon him for all the aid he needed, and added: “ Now that you are upon the trail of this band of outlaws, Cody, I feel that their doom is sealed.” . Taking the trail he had come, as though bearing back return dispatches, Buffalo Bill rode away from Fort Verde, having made a most favorable impres- sion with all who had heard much of, yet had never before seen the great scout. He soon dropped the fort out of sight, and begun to turn his attention to the trail ahead. His time of departure had been kept a secret, but it was well known that he was not to remain long at the fort, and there were those who would be only too anxious to head him OE and hold him up, if not kill him. This he knew, and he was correspond— ingly cautious not to be entrapped. He had fitted himself out at Verde, be. tween the commissary, quartermaster, and sutler, with all he needed for a long trail, hot fighting, and comfort in camp- ing, along with provisions, for he was a good liver when good food was to be had, yet never grumbled when he had to live upon the worst, or nothing at all, if it was in the discharge of duty. He had ridden some twenty miles from the fort, when he suddenly saw a band of antelope flying along a. couple of miles away from him. He saw them dash along at the foot of a range, but suddenly make a wide and startled swerve away from some rocks that lay right by the side of his trail. There was a pine tree there, and about it was a group of boulders, several of them being six or eight feet in height. They were closely, grouped together, and the trail led around them; but from. for the men he was to meet at the little . the further side they were open, and any one hiding there could have been seen from the ridge beyond. . The ante10pes were dashing along on a. line that would have carried them on the further side, but suddenly they swerved far away from them and passed between the rocks and the scout, thus continuing their flight up the valley. “ I could bring one of you down easily, but I’ll spare you and go without my steak, for you have just saved me from riding upon an ambush, for these are men hiding among those rocks, said Buffalo Bill. CHAPTER XL. THE FOE UNEARTHED. A man reared as Buffalo Bill has been, to look for danger in every sound, every movement, naturally saw something to dread in the sudden swerving of the band of antelopes from their direct course. ._ They had scented danger in that group of r0cks. It was not then danger to them, but to the scout. Those who lurked there were after~ human game just then. But the scout read the sign, and at once decided to profit by it. He did not make a movement to indi— cate that he had even observed the act of the antelopes. Twice he raised his rifle, as though to bring down one of them, but lowered it with the air of one who thought that a. shot would be a miss. He felt eyes were upon him, and so this was but acting. He could readily have brought down one of the beautiful creatures, for he was within easy range. After they had passed he kept straight But he kept his eye upon the rocks. He was measuring the distance per- fectly, having no intention to get within too close range of a rifle. If there was some one in ambush there, and he was sure of Ithe fact, whoever it might be would allow him to come very near before firing, perhaps attempt to hold him. up before doing so. So on he kept along- the trail, and his eyes were taking in the situation. He saw that the base of the ridge be- yond the rocks was fully a couple of hundred yards distant. Here and there the ridge was broken by clumps of cedars and boulders, afford— ing a safe retreat. On either side of the lone tree and the surrounding rocks there was no place of refuge, the scout observed. Keeping on his course in the even tenor of his way, Buffalo Bill approached ‘ to within a couple of hundred yards of the lone tree. Then he suddenlyI grasped his reins. swerved to the right, and at a. full run started to flank the rocks, making for the ridge the other side. . That :he had studied the situation well was very quickly proven, lfOI' the heads ‘ of ltwo men appeared above the largest boulder, a couple of rifles were~~ thrust over, and aim' that might have been deadly was taken at the flying scout. But he had planned for this, and as he dashed along his repeating rifle be- gan to rattle shot after shot. The shots were aimed as well as they could be by the scout riding at full speed, and they so incessantly and rapidly rained upon the top of the rock, and with such true aim, Ithat one of the men drapped~ back with his rifle discharging as he fell, while his companion pulled trigger quickly without seeking a good aim. While he was firing the scout was going like the very wind, his horse at full speed, and circling the spot. of am- bush. He was riding for one of the‘breaks in the ridge already, spoken of, and was not long in gaining its shelter. Placing his horse under shelter of a boulder, he sprung to shelter himself, and a glance showed him that he was master of Ithe situation. ‘ He had the two men in the rear. He had completely and quickly flanked their position. One of the men lay upon the ground motionless, and near him two horses were hitched. ' , The other had dashed around the boul- der for protection, but his rifle was all he had. Hc'had lefit his horse, his provisions, blankets, and comrade behind, and in full view of the scout. And his comrade was dead, or, if not, utterly helpless. How long could he stand a siege was the question that. he had to confront. If until night, he might escape, for his chances weregood if the scout left his shelter to advance upon him. “ Ho, pard, come out and surrender, thus saving time and trouble," shouted Buffalo Bill. “ I’ll see yer in Hades firs ," was the very decided answer. “ All right. “I’ll give you just twohours to de- cide, and then down go your horses and then you are on foot.” The man evidently realized the truth of this, but did not surrender, and the scout quietly sat down to await the com» ing of Buckskin Sam, whom he‘felt very sure was then on his trail, and would drive the fellow into a position between two fires. CHAPTER XLI. BETWEEN TWO FIRES. With the patience of an Indian Buffalo Bill sat down to . await the coming of Buckskin Sam. He might be a little late at the render:- vous with the Revenge Rangers, but he would get there as soon as he could. He was anxious to take this man alive, to discover just who he was, and see why the attempt on his life was made. So he calmly waited. Twice the man behind the rocks called out Itto hinlil to make terms. ‘ “ i you’ draw off, I’ll with mchall it quits,” he my M u o. I. It was the only reply. on his way, as before. \ ,1 a ‘.I w», A :2‘,‘ < I A. . 513;" m ' a _‘ A =. r .