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39.50 a your. Entered at tho Post Office at Now York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyrighted in 1882 by HEAD”: AND ADAMS. February 28. 1882.
Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY DY DEADLE AND ADAMS, Price,
VOL  Number- _ N0. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents- NO° 

mLoNE K—IT, THE YOUNGGLADIAIURJ The LhEked-Vaiha};

BY EDWARD L- WHEELER,

AUTHOR OF “ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, “ ROSEBUD non " NOVELS, “ GILT—EDGED DICK," “IIONANZA BILL," ma, ETC.
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O'YCMNI KIT THEN DROVE HIS DIRK TO THE HILT INTO m TOP OF THE FOURTH BEAR’S NECK.

 

 

 

Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

 

 

Cyclone Kit,

THE YOUNG GLADIATOR ;

on,
THE LOCKED VALLEY.

A Strange Mountain Tale, of a Stranger
Place and People.

 

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,

AUTHOR or “ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, “ ROSE-
BUD HOB” NOVELS, ETC.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE WITCH or PHANTOM sons.

TOWARD the close of a mild, autumnal day,
which had been damp and misty in the moun-
tains, a horseman was riding along a sort of
dugway trail that wound around, in and among
the rugged mountains, many hundred feet
above t 9 level of the prairies.

He was mounted upon a fine large horse, of
jet-black color, whose trappings were both
fanciful and costly.

The rider was a young man, in point of years
and appearance, and was possessed of a strong,
well-molded figure, wherein were grace, sym-
metry and strength.

His face was well-chiseled and handsome,
with dark, eagle eyes, a firm mouth, and mus-
tache and narrow goatee, while his head was
crowned with a wealth of dark hair, which swept

‘ back over his shoulders from beneath a broad-
rimmed “prairie” hat.

Otherwise, he was clad in citizen’s attire, with
his pants thrust in a pair of knee-boots, and a
belt about his waist, which contained a pair of
large six shooters, and a lasso; also, he wore a
handsome rifle slun to his back.

He looked every inch a free and easy roving
scout, as he rode along and there was an ex-
pression of good-natured content upon his face,
as he took in his surroundings.

“ I wonder if I am ever goin to et rich out
of this experiment?” he solifoqu zed. “ I’ve
been wild-goosing it for about a month now,
without an result. I am inclined to think
that after a l the Walled City of Gold-Flake is
more of a myth than realit . Eh? don’t ou
think so, Primrose?” patting is horse affection-
atel upon the neck.

“ es, I reckon about the most sensible thing
for mete do, would be to pull back for civili
parts, instead of looking after a. fabulous cit ,
pictured by an old, time-hardened ilgrim, w 0
one day chanced to drop down in 1%mbstone—a
city whose streets were paved with cobble-
stones of. gold, and whOse people were banded
together in one blasted Mormon family, to keep
out 118 rowlin pr . ectors. Eg l they’ll
have a time an a hal a-keeping me out, and
they’ll have to start a Mormon burying ground
before I leave, providing I can get my work in
on those golden cobblestones.”

Then he laughed—a peculiar, ringingolaugh it
was, the echoes of which, borne bac him in
weird intonations, caused the young prospector

to start.

“ Humph! that reminded me of the mockin
reply of something unearthly ” he muttere
“ his is a region well-calculated for things
uncanny and hideous, I should say. Even the
rocks look as if they contained grim secrets,
calculated to make a man’s hair rise.”

Ni ht grew on, and still he did not draw
rein, tallowed his horse to pick its way along
the narrow trail, as it ran in a tortuous course
through the dismal mountain re ons. '

Ashe rode his e es were ever usy noting the
country around h m, and searching out a suit-
able camping-spot for the night, for he had rid-
den far, and was fatigued.

Just as the shadows were 1gathering thick into
dense darkness, he abrupt y drew rein at a
point where the mountain was split in twain by
a narrow black ravine, or more roperly,

—for its width was barely sumcfent to admit of
the passage of a, horse. .

How deep into the mountain the black pass

netrated, the lone traveler had no means of

earning ust then, but be presumed it ran
through t e range to the op to side.

This, however was not w at had caused him
to halt, he had ourneyed all day without find-
ing any water or his horse or imself, and he
knew that it would not do to go into camp
without first finding that uisite. .

Therefore, when the noun of gurgling water

 

 

reached his .hearing, be was not slow to stop,
and gazed searchineg about to learn its lo-
cation.

But though he looked and still heard the
gurgling, rippling sound, he could not see the
we r

“Queer!” be muttered. “I certainly hear
the welcome sound, but nary a stream can I
see. Ahl”

A thought struck him.

Slipping from his saddle he dropped upon his
knees, an applied his ear to the trail, just oppo-
site the mouth of the ravine.

The mystery to him was solved.

The water he heard had an underground
channel, and evidently had its source some-
where up the ravine. At the point Where he
listened was a little crevice in the rock, from
which came the sound of the subterranean
stream. Evidently the water ran several feet
below the surface, so the young scout knew
there was no, hope for supplying his needs at
that point.

“I wonder if I’d better venture into that
black flue?” he m'uttered. “ ’Pears to me as if
it might be a grizzly or a rattlesnake retreat.
But, must have water, and I might have to go
some miles before I’d strike any more. It’s
darker than the ace of spades in there, but I’ll
guarantee darkness never skeered Cyclone Kit
yet. Primrose, I guess I’d better take you
along fer I wouldn’t want to lose you.”

And remounting, he headed his steed into the
ravine, which was descending, as it ran back
into the mountain.

Once fairl within its environs, he became
cognizant o the fact that it was about the
darkest lace he had eVer entered, for it was
next to impossible, at first, for him to see his
hands before his face.

Primrose, too, did not like the place as was
evident by his snorts, and the carefuluess he
used in advancing.

“ Steady, now, Prim!” his rider said. “Don’t
get uneasy. I opine we’ve been in some
tip-over tumble-down scra , before this, and
we hadn’t ought to get frig tened easily. Who
knows, old boyl—this may be the route to our
destination—the Walled City of Gold-Flake.
I’ve had an idea a fellow would have to strike
some such a place as this, before he got to trav-
eling over those golden cobble-stones l”

Constantly descending ran the trail for half a
mile—then, abruptly ascending it continued for
several miles, while beneath it, all the way, ran
the rgling water.

“ reckon I’m up for a night of it,” the scout
muttered, after he had allowed nearly an hour

to elapse without 3 king. “ I’ve some doubts
now, if I ever reac the end of this confounded
ravine.”

But at last he did, rather sooner than he had
looked for.

He rode up and out upon a sort of table-land,
of a few acres dimensions, beyond which there
a peared to be another abrupt stepping-of!
p ace.

As he did so, his horse suddenly came to a
halt in front of a rude hut, of wigwam shape.
which had been framed of les, and sided .u
with tanned skins{ and in he front of whic
stood a wild-look n rsonaie, in women’s
garb, engaged in  a re, With some
pieces of punk.

She uttered a shrill c
snort and hastily gra
against her lodge.

“Halt! Who comes there, at this unseemly
hour, to the Phantom Acre?” she demanded; in
a cracked, shrill voice, as she raised her rifle,
threateningly. _ .

‘ The stranger took a good look at her, before
answering.

She was a woman of perhaps sixty years,
with yellow, badly-wrinkled skin glarin gray
eyes, and a mouth, which habitua y ex-
posed two tusk- ike, rotruding teeth—the only
teeth in fact, she c d boast 01.

Her hair, originall black, but now streaked
here and there with fines of white, hung matted
and disheveled partly over her eyes and about
her shoulders; er hands were bony and hard,
with lea claw-likeflngers.

What ttle clothing he wore was'iu rags,
even to a flaring red cage about her shoulders,
and her feet were shoeles.

All in all, she was the nearest approach to a
witch that the stranger had ever encountered.

“You can put down your gun, old Mother
Grundy I” he assured her jocularly. “ I am not
gain to eat you up, nor carry you off. I’m
simpI searching for some water, for myself
and hyorse. Do you happen to know of any
around this part of the country?” I

, as Primrose ve a
a rifle, which eaned

 

“ No!” was the sharp answer, as the woman
regarded him sus iciously. “ Man or beast
never comes here or water but to die. This is
the Land of the Haunted, from which intruders
never escape.”

“ Oh! the don’t, eh? According to that I
must be boo ed for sudden dissolution!”

"' You are ri ht. Death is the fate of every
one entering t e Phantom Acre. You have
come, and such a fate shall you be meted.”

” You mean to insinuate that you’re a sort of
supernatural concern, then, do you ’9”

“Hal ha! ha! No!” and the woman laughed
in a blood—curdling manner. “I’m Old Meg, the
Witch; I’m the earthly agent of those gone to
the spirit—land. I control their actions and pro-
tect their rights!”

“ Ah! so that’s the size of it. Now it looks to
me as if you ar ut as crazy an old delegate
as is often picke up. But, be that as it may,
you mind your business and I’ll not harm you."

“ Ho! ho! So you’re afraid of me i”

“ N o; I don’t easily get scared even by as re,
pulsive-looking ogres as you!” .

“ We shall see! we shall see!” she cried, ii ing
into a sudden passion. “ You have doubte my
power: you shall behold it. Zamiel!”

She stepped a pace toward her lodge and
raised her hand above her head with a weird

lalfih.
e adventurer watched her, and involun-
tafi gazed around the Phantom Acre.
at he saw was not calculated to strength “n

his disbelief in things supernatural, and he
could but give vent to an exclamation of horror.

Standing about a rod apart, all around the
table-land, at its extreme edge, were tall, spec-
tral figures, draped in flowing white and looking
very ghost-like, indeed—as ghosts are supposed
to 100 .

To add to the uncanny effect, a strange
Bluish-yellow halo of light clung around each

gure.

“ Ha! ha! hal” shrieked Old Meg, dancing
about wildly. “ What think you about my
power, now, doubtin white dog?”

It was a moment fore the stranger could
command his voice; then he turned and sur-
veyed the witch with a stern, unflinching gaze.

‘ Well, as to your happy family of spooks, I
must admit that you have got them un er good
control. But I presume if one took time to ex-
amine the mysteries of this place, a Very neat
job of mechanical engineerin could be brought
to light, whereby you work t 059 white, sheet-
covered, phosphorus-painted automatons!”

And, lancing around again, the scout er-
ceived t at the apparitions, or whatever t ey
were were gone.

Old Meg was close beside his horse, eering up
into his face, when he turned towar her once
more.

“ Your name?” she interrogated, eagerly,
huskil ; “ tell me your name!”

“ y?” he asked, 'mly.

“ Because—I must ow it—I must! You
are one out of a thousand whose name I would
pause to ask. Tell me! tell me I”

“ Well, if it will do you any good to know, I
generally blow about on a breeze under the title
of Cyclone Kit. If I have, or ever had any
other name, it does not matter to you, nor to
your automaton spirits!” was the answer the
adventurer vouchsafed.

“ Cyclone Kit! Cyclone Kit l” Old Meg mut-
tered, digging at her head with her talon-like
fingers. “A good name—characteristic of the
man. Yes, you are a cyclone—you are a rock
with a foundation—a man of steel!  can read
you better than 1 can the phantom cipher upon
the icture rocks. You are the very person
I’ve 11 looking for these many days—a man
whom man or devil or ghost could not change
from a fixed resolution!

“Humph! and may I. inquire what an old
fossil of your caliber might want with such a
man as I ’ Kit demanded, in rise.

“ Need you ask? I want you or a purpose-—
ha! ha! yes, a purpose. I want you for my
envoy—my sworn coadjutor, in all my plans and
schemes. I want you, when I die to inbent
my gold, my witchcraft, my soul! Put, before
you can do that you must go into the borders of

he infernal—you must descend, hence, into the
Walled City of Gold-Flake!”

—————

CHAPTER II.
OLD mac’s STORY.

IT might not be wondered at if Cyclone Kit
stared at this announcement. Here was this old
mountain ogre volunteering to send him to the
very place he had months ago set out to find.

A-._-4t

.‘

 

 

 

 

,--4‘—

.W. _—.-- m“- *i‘ a ’

 

 

Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 3

 

What did it mean? What trap was being
laid for him, or for what purpose did Old Meg
propose to utilize him?

These thoughts flashed through his mind with
lightning rapidity, as he listened, and looked
down upon her, as they stood in the dim night-
shades that pervaded the Phantom Acre.

“ You area great man,” she pursued, thought-
fully, after a minute, as if recalling the meni-
ory of some other brave man she had met.
“ You are fearless, shrewd to conceive, quick to
act, independent and resolute. That is just
what I want. I want a man who is not afraid
to face fire, flends and fury to accom lish an
object. Tell me, what do you think a out be-
coming an envoy to the Evil One, as they call
me in the walled city!”

“It depends altogether on what you want of
me,” Kit replied, a little sternly and suspicious-
ly. “ if you reckon to get me into some infer-
nal trap, so that you can eXercise a madwo—
man’s spite on me, on can’t do it.”

“ Hal hal no—I new that on the first seeing
of you. It needs but one glance to tell that you
are not often caught asleep. Nor do I so wish
to catch you. Come! ride forward to the edge
of the Phantom Acre, and I will show you the
Mormon cage; then, come back with me to my
castle here "—with a grimace toward the hut—
“ and I will tell you what I want of you,” and
she led ofl.‘ toward the opposite side of the pla-
teau or table-land.

Cyclone Kit sli ped from his saddle, drew his
revolvers and to] owed. He had no fear as to
his ability to cope with this strange being, un—
less she should spring a surprise on him. In
that event he was resolved to sell his life or
liberty dearly.

It did not take long to reach the oint where
the Phantom Acre ended, in an aw ul abyss—a
black, seemingly fathomless gulf of space.

Before them yawned a doe natural basin,
sunken down into the bowels o the mountains
several hundred feet, the sides of which, formed
by smoothly-worn walls of mountain rock, were
at once perpendicular and dizzy.

Half a mile wide by a mile in length was this
pocket of nature, and it was at once eminently

lain to the eye of an observer that no human
ing could scale those wonderful bastions,
either in ascent or descent, as there were no
outcropping ledges and few crevices whereby a
person could gain or maintain foothold.

“There! there!" Old Meg screamed, seeming
to grow suddenly furious as she pointed down
into the abyss. “ There is the walled city of
the Mormon saints—there lies the cursed city of
Gold-Flake, where people enter never to return i”

Cfvclone Kit gazed down into the yawning
gul , in curiosit , for, after all, it was not unlike
the place descri ed by the vagabond miner, who
had, while intoxicated at Tombstone, spun off a
highly im robable yarn about a mountain-
locked gol on city in the heart of this desolate
country.

Far as it was down to the bottom of the pock-
et, Kit was able to distinguish the log and shan-
ty structures of a village near the heart of the
basm; also there was a stream of water running
through the length of the basin, either end of
which was hidden from view in dense growths
of chaparral, which choked up the ends of the
strange valle .

“ You see! ’ Old Meg repeated, after a. mo.
ment, “ you see the walled cit of human hel-
lions down there, where law an order are made
b one wolf in man’s clothing. That is Gold-

akel Once all was mine—the gold, the silver
the land, the forest, the game—all’ Come!
will tell you about it, envoy.” .

Kit mechanicall obeyed, by followmg her
back to the but an entering after her.

The interior was barren of anything cheerful,
a few ashes of a now dead fire on the ground
b01118 .311 to show that the place had ever been
Occupled as a human habitation. There were
no 5.500195 “0 bed. no furniture whatever, to give
the interior the appearance of a home.

AS 5001! 83, ifilmy entered, Old Meg produced a
lantern. ht it. and then with her foot scra
the ashes from OR the rocky floor, until she m
uncovered a large ring which was fastened
therein.

Pullin on this, she raised a large square block
or trap oor, which disclosed to view an aper-
ture and a stone staircase, descending apparent-
ly into the bowels of the earth.

“First you go, and then I will close the tra ,"
the witch ordered, and Kit ob0yed, his curiosity
now thoroughly aroused.

Somehow be trusted her more now than at

1:.
She soon followed, and lighted him down the
precipitous staircase, until they came to a land-

 

ing or passage, out of which they entered into
an underground apartment of considerable size.

Here a fire was burning, and torches were lit
and thrust into niches in the wall.

The furniture consisted of a rude bedstead
and bedding, a few chairs, a table, and a num-
ber of trinkets, including several glass covered
boxes of various sizes.

Upon the table were heaps of gold and silver
nuggets, bags of dust and stacks of greenbacks
and gold coins.

Cyclone Kit gazed at them curiously, as he
became seated—Old Meg noted the fact, and
chuckled.

“Yes, there’s a fortune there for my heir,
whoever that may be,” she said, “ and that ain’t
all. There’s more buried on the Phantom Acre,
lots of it! And I‘ve earned it all from them
who hate me—the Mormons. But I was to tell
you about the walled city.”

She took a sip from a bottle that stood on the
table, cleared her throat, and then began:

“It was years ago—yes, man long years—
that Joe and I eloped from our omes, in New
England, and penetrated to this wild region, to
grow up with the country. We were both
young and ambitious, and wanted to get away
from sin, teni tation and worldliness. We] ,
we got this ar, and the place struck Joe’s
fancy. He looked down into the basin, and
said:

“ There’s gold, there, Meg; we’ll squat here.”
And so we did.

“ We went to work, hand in hand, and built
us a cabin upon the acre, above. Then, while I
hunted and cooked, Joe prospected for a way of
reachin the locked valley, but persevering
efforts ailed to reveal any.

“That there was gold there he felt a firm
conviction, and he meant to gainaccess to the
valley; so after months of figuring, he could
See no better route than to hew a staircase
down through a scam in the rock of the moun-
tain, to the valley below.

“In order to do this, he had to go into the
more civilized portions of the territory, and
procure the necessary tools, and this cost an.
other month of time.

“ Well, to makea long stor short, we worked
faithfully, nearly night and ay, for two years,
before we set foot into that valley; then, we
tore down our shanty or cabin, and moved it
into the basin, where the gold “wash ” of many
centuries sanded over the bottom. It was-the
realization of our wildest dreams—fortune
upon fortune lay buried in that gulch basin, at
our command.

“ In our eagerness to grasp this {olden treasure,
we were so thoughtless as to cave our stair-
case unguarded, and, one day, two wandering
ruflians gained access to the gulch, thereby,
and discovered our secret.

“We succeeded in driving them out of fie
basin, but could not get them out of the stair-

case.

“ Lees than a month after that, a score of Mor-
mon families, from Salt Lake, came pouring in
upon our bonanza, and all our visions of per—
manent pr rity became blighted. We were
unable to do end ourselves against such odds,
and were at once taken captives, and a Mor-
mon rule was inaugurated, under the lead of
one Juan Cordiz, who still occupies that posi-
tion.

“From that period dated the town you now
see there, and a reign of the devil began.
was alloted, with my little daughter, then two
years old, to one J abez Harp, an unprincipled
wretch, who already boasted of five Wives,
while my husband was handed over to an ugly
widow, whose husband had deserted her only to
be shot by the Danites.

“You can perhaps imagine, judging by what
I am now, that I would never submit to such a
fate, and, strong-willed woman that I was, I
was not long in making my escape, and taking
possession of the pass, after killing five Mor-
mon deVils, to gain my point.

“ I had ’61:}. then, I thought, for well nipped
as I was. With weapons, and, powder, could
hold them at bay, until they would have

starved. .

“ But I reck’ed Without myl host for they had
me at the weakest point of a . My prett lit-
tle baby was still in their power, and ordiz
sent me a note by a flag-o’-truce courier, stating
that unless I came to terms in the way of a set-
tlement, hewould burn my child at the stake,
Indian fashion, scalp it, and cut out its heart.
Then he went on to propose that I should re-
main in possession of the passage, in their in-
terests, and admit no one to the valley. exce t
as they might order, for which consideration 0
would permit my child to live, until such a

 

timeas I should be able to pay him ten thou~
sand dollars for its custody.

“ What could I do! I had no be but to
obey, until such a time as I could stea a march
on them.

“ To add to my misery, and my enmity against
'ondcr town, my husband not only joined the
lormons, but took to himself tWo lllid‘t‘ wives,

and is now considered one of the pillars of their
heathen church. And it was just sixteen years
ago that they took possession of the walled val~
ley of which Juan Cordiz rules as the men-
arch.”

Cyclone Kit did not know whether she had
concluded or not, when she paused, but waited
a few minutes, and then said:

“I comprehend, I believe. For a matter of
sixteen years you have remained in this vicinity
for the purpose of getting back your child, and
getting possession of your husband.”

“ Oh! no! no—not my husband! My child
only. Sixteen long years have I maintained my
Vigil, and b aid of a powerful fichhglass, have
seen my chi d day by day, as she grew up to
womanhood. But, 1 have not waited for the
brute who forsook me for the Mormom faith—
except it be to get a chance to kill him. I have
waited to get possession of my child: 1 dared
not disobe Juan Cordiz’s orders, for he is a
human wo f, and would nothesitate to kill her,
if he thought I Were neglecting my ofllce.”

“ You have, then, in all this time, never been
down in the valley?"

“No——that is, but once, when I was chased
by bloodhounds, owned by Cordiz."

“You tell a most singular storv; still, I am
inclined to believe you i” Cyclone Kit declared,
thoughtfully. “If allis as you say, you are
certainly more sinned against than sinning.
Do on think your child will know ou’!”

“Trobably not, as she was a mere chit when
taken from me.”

“ Then, why disturb her? You must be
aware that you are not a person, in point of ap-
pearance, to whom a girl would naturally turn
for mothershi ; you would repulse rather than
attract. Progab it would be a serious blow
for her to know t at an accredited witch was
her mother, and she would be unwilling to re-
co ize you as such.”

‘Your argument is not without weight. I
have sometimes thought so myself; but then
God knows I cannot give her up to a life of
Mormonism, knowing she is my c ild, and it is
my duty to save her. Until a few weeks ago, I
used to have a chance to hear how she was
treated through the deaf and dumb motions of
a lad who lives with the Mormons. He would
lie on his back, on the bank of the stream, and
make his fln ers go in the mute language, so
that b aido m field-glass I could ll what
he sai . Most a ways he would tell me—‘ Your
daughter is well and all right.’ The last time
he conversed with me, he motioned: ‘ Bertie is
to be made the wife of Juan Cordiz, in a couple
of months:’ after that I never saw him again.”

“The Mormons probably caught him and im-
prisoned him, eh?"

“I think so. Oh! heaven forbid that my
ure innocent child be forced to marry that
human monster, Juan Cordiz!”

“And she shall not, if Cyclone Kit can help
it!” the young adventurer cried. decidedly.
“ If it is vour wish, I will enter that Walled City
of Gold-Flake, seek out your daughter, apprise
her of the existing state of affairs, and, With
her permission, bring her to you. You have
wealth—you can then seek a more civilised
land, and dwell in more pleasant circum~
stances!"

“And you will do this for me—ohl you will
do this for me, sir?" the old woman cried, tears
of jov coursing down her furrovwd cheeks.

“ Yes—or at least, I‘ll make a try for it!”

“Then may God bless and rosper you. But
you must not let it leak out t at  sent you. I
must not anger Juan Cordiz, until my child in

’7

“ It shall be as you say. It is night- I will
at once on in mission 1’: Cyclone Kit “is:
buckling his be t a notch tighter.

CHAPTER III.
“wn MUST FIGHT l” .

Tan joy of Old Meg seemed to know no
bounds at this decision of Cyclone Kit, and she
dropped on her knees at his feet, and prayed the
saints to guide and protect him.

Once his mind was made up, Kit was ealgor
to get to work. He according y looked we to
the condition of his weamns, and announced
his readiness to descend in the Mormon settle.
ment, first having arranged with the old witch
to care for his horse during his absence.

 

 

 

I of the Roman ampitheaters of olden times.

" .Of these, one was a tall, rawboned'vborder-

' strength.

v strength and q knees.

, Anion those engaged
soaring!

situated by
turned to . be subject of personal prowess, and

4 i t.

l ‘ f ‘/ I
I

 

/‘/

a...-

 

Y

“ Is there any outlet from the Valley, except
by the way I am to enter it?” he asked, when
a l was in readiness.

“There undoubtedly is, but where or of what
nature I am unable to sa . Some of the Mor-
mons often leave the vi] age and return with
purchases, and have done so since they livsd
there, but‘ where they make their exit or
entrance is more than I am able to say.”

"Then that will be one thing.r 1 must learn
during my sojourn in the den,” Kit announced,
with a Smile. “Now, lead ahead, and I will
make a break.”

“ It is not necessary to go out of this room to
reach the passage,” Old Meg answered, pulling
aside? the bedstead, and pointing to another slab
tra door in the floor, similar to the one on the
tab e-land above.

“Raise that trap, and you will find a conv
tinuation of the stairway it took us so many
months to complete. Follow it down carefully
and you will come out in the basin below.”

It was as Old Meg had said.

The little mountain-locked town of Gold-
Flake was a hard 1'Jplace, and in a literal sense. a
monarchy in itsel , over which one Juan Cordiz,
a. Spanish-American disciple of the Mormon
church, held supreme sway.

The majority of the people were firm believers
in the Mormon faith, and slaves to the will‘of
th ir exacting and stem Prophet, while the
other part of the pOpulation was made up of.
the ruflian element, who served Cordiz for the
gold and whisk they got, more than for any
love or respect t ey had for him or his church.

Cordiz was a. selfish and unscrupulous villain
and tyrant, and hardly a, person was there in
his church who did not fear and hate him; but
they were, as a crowd, bound to support and
uphold him in all his actions, whether distaste-
ful to them or not.

Ever anxious to extend his power and increase
his du , in number, he had from time to time
on outsiders to be bro ht to the town, and
pressed into allegiance to is rule, and the de-
mands ot the church, so that it was a hetero-
geneous collection of humans that went to make
up the gopulation of Gold-Flake.

The wn itself was quite a pretty place, of

hops sixty or seventy dwellings, mostly

, it of logs and stone; then, in addition, there
Cvim; a sort of Atemtple of1 signs; Cordiz’sfown
walling, a large, s range a piece 0 ma-
sonry, built against the side ofpfl‘iie basin wall;
a supply store, and a large, long, high inclosure
of logs, partly roofed, wherein was a ring, with
tiers of seats around the sides, remindmg one

 

Adjoining this, and connecting with it, was an-
other long, low log structure, which was used
as a saloon ~ ~

enter the pocket, 9. number of the rougher class
r “reassess: err in 
oon,enga n l g ear en,pre‘
gouty, as well as in a discussion that was at
once animated and earnest.
As usual with their class of characters, when
stimulants their argument had

as there were two sides of the dispute, there
naturally were two objects of contention in the
pouch: of the same number of local rou'vhs.

anon, withstmggfing tow-colored beard, fiery
eyes and a red nose, on the end of which was a
mason. hair. .He was brawny and powerfully
mind was ev1dently a man of prodigious

Rh companions addressed him as Coyote
 and he looked. brutal enough to merit the
it e. r

The other “ best ” man was called Alf Legree,
and was of considerable lesser size, than his
opponent, than a man of . great muscular

He was swarthy complexioned, and black
hairedgmth mustache and goatee to match,
and was theimpersonation in point of looks, of
all that was disagreeable and evil. _

Both he and Coyote Jake were attired 1n tog
boots, corduroy pants. red shirts and slouc
hate, as were the' majority of the part , and,
l ,wsre armed with revolvers and 'ves.
in or ment were

a dozen of other pigrims of the

some type, who rejoiced in. the possession of
titular aéisendages _s.s “Turkey Tom,”

I‘ a '7‘! “Grizzly George”, ‘nd
“Prairie. Phil,” while the two objects of discus-
leaning against the bar, unable often

0a the evening that Cyclone Kit started to‘ '

 

stood
to crowd a word in edgowisa. ' a
.f‘Thsr'ain‘t no use 0’ talkin’,” Turkey Tom
l .

\ .

Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

l

declared, smiting his fist heavily upon the bar.
“Thar ain’t no sech phizerkle qualities about
Coyote Jakeasthar is in Alf Legree. Alf he
jest stands high cock-olorum 0’ this hyar city,
an’ ye kan’t fetch a feller as will knock a chip
ofl’m his shoulder, or beat him at any game.”

“ Whew! one would think ter heer ye crow,
that Coyote Jack hean won his spurs, as boss
0’ the burg!” Carbonate Cal exclaimed. “Ef
any 0’ you cha s wants ter match Legree
ag’in’ Jake fer t is ‘scales,’ alt ye’ve got to do
is nominate yer ‘pile,’ an’ heers w’at’ll cover
ct, kerslapl”

“ Bah! there’s no use 0’ wranglin’ about thet,
fellers,” Prairie Phil said. “Ef thar’s enny
doubt about thcr respective qualities uv the

'gcnts. et’s bound to be settled soon, as ye may

surmise!”

“W'hat! how’s that?” Legrec asked, for the
first time speaking in several minutes.

“ How’s that?” Coyote Jake asked, also mani-
fasting interest.

“It’s how like this,” Philip declared, taking
in a huge chew. “ The Prophet is a—goin’ tow
take to himself a. fresh wife, an’ you know he
allus celebrates on sech occasions by lickin’ two
0’ the best galoots in the town.” '

The faces of the others betrayed surprise.

“ Juan Cordiz going to marry again?” several
exclaimed, simultaneously.

“ Yes, you bet! leastwise that’s the rumor.
Six ain’t enough ter keep him company, so he’s
goin’ to build on an addition an’ waltz in a

seventh.” v *’

“Phew! won’t there be war in cam then?”
Carbonate Cal grunted. “Queen will e b’ilin’
wi’ ra , and some one ’11 get a job 0’ knife-
sticlllri’n, you bet! Who’s goin’ to be the sev-
ent '4

“ The gel Prophet’s bin raisin’ up the last few
years—the old witch’s darter, you know, Bertie
Bird. She’s calculated to be the purtiest in
Gold-Flake.”

“An’ the Pro het’s a-goin’ to take her, eh?”
Legree demands fiercely. .

“ That’s the talk up at the mansion.” Philip
agreed. “Why? Hev you got any lip-in’, in
the matter?”

“ Waal, I reckon! I’ve set my mind on ap-

ropriatin’ that gal myselt an’ I don’t allow
ophet Cordiz has any right ter object or in-
terfere.” / .

“Ho! ho! ye’d better not tell him thet,’ or
he’ll-have you ju ed for resisting his rules.’

“ To blazes wi his rules! I don’t allow he’s
no better man than. I be, an’ he knows I ain’t
afeard 0’ him, if Coyote Jake is.” .

“ Who is it that says he fears not Juan Cor~
dis!” a voice cried in s accents, and the

on of men turned .to. hold the Mormon

ro et standing11 in the doorway, a frown of
dis easure upon isface.
ho was it?” he repeated, when no one an-
swered. “Speak up, somevof you lubbers, or
I’ll run you t rough with my sword.”

But the ruflans seemed inclined to shield one
ancther, despite their different opinions as to
who_was the bully of the town, and according-
ly did not answer the query propounded by
t on ruler.

“Aha! so there is a retty bit of tyranny
here, eh?” Don Juan grow ed, advancing t
emngly; “a sort of mutinous spirit that needs
quel ing. Alf Legree on are the man that
said you were not at of me. ” v

Legree did not deny it—did not answer at all.
It was plain that he was.afraid of the Prophet
of the walled. city, and that he had com ,y in
those who clustered about him for t ey all
shrunk back as the Don advanced. ' .

“ Yes, Le ee, I heard yousav it—that you
were not raid of me—and it is not the first
time I’ve heard it hinted, that you wouldsome
day ‘ciean me out’and take my place at‘the
head of our peOgle. You.must well know that
you are no mate for me in point of strength,
skill or celerity.”

“Perhaps not,” Legree finally said. “but I
presume 1 could give you a 'prett stiff rub. I
ain’t much at brag, but I never a low a man to
kick dust in my eyes. no matter ef he do feel a
few pegs hi or nor I!”

‘ The Frugal: looked surprised and angered.
.It was t e first time his supremacy had been
diguted by an of his flock.

e had». .it his aim tobefearcd and
:nyed, and had succeeded, untilnow, admxr-
. ewasnmen not calculated to inspire any
brand person with feelings of assurance or
admiration-gt mks: who stood six fin
boots,“ «w was msmively grace u
fumedisdtha dusky Spanishifnccand black

eyes, s,sweeping imam mustache, and hair“

a
’ l

 

to match—the whole combined with a habitual
facial expression that was dark, evil and)
Sinister.

He was attired in a rich gold~trimmed
Spanish costume of velvet, and armed with a
gold-hilted sword, and revolvers.

He stood regarding Legree for a. few moments,
after the latter’s declaration, with a glitter in:
his deadl eye, that meant hatred.

“Wes all see about this a few days hence,
when I take the fair Bertie Bird to my nest.
always celebrate an event of marriage, by
challenging the best man in Gold—Flake to west?
me in mortal combat, and I hereby challenge.
you to stand up before me!”

“ And I respectfully decline!” Legree said,
gruflly. “You can try Coyote Jake, here,
first!”

“Not muchly!” the valiant Jacob declared.
“ When I want to get dissected, I’ll go before a
regular mederkle body.”

Don Juan laughed, tauntingly.

“A brave gang of cowar s you are, to he
sure!” he sneered.
ages, I could tackle ten men, single-handed.
But, I am getting old, now—

“ ‘ But none too old to marry 1’

“By the way, I am expecting a party of
people from EasternUtah, to pay me a visit,
and desire that the greatest attenti n be shown.
them, in order that we may per aps induce
them to settle here with us.”

Then, the Prophet turned to dggart. But, in
the doorway, stood the comman g figure of a.

an.
And that man was none other than Cyclone

t. v

The Prophet uttered a sanctimonious oath, as
he saw him.

“Hello! what means this intrusion? Who
are you, sir stranger?” he cried, drawing his.
gleamin sword, with a lightning movement
that won d have an rised even a rofessional
swordsman. “apes , man before cleave thy
skull in twain, th a single blow. What do
you want-who are you?” '

“Well, sir!” Kit replied, composedly, “to
the best of my ideas, my name is Cy‘clone Kit,
and I just tumbled down into this it; to see
what kind of a menagerie was ept here.
Quite a fall from them rocks, above, I allow l”

“ ore of a fall than you ever made, sir!” ,
the on declared, emphaticall .‘ “Out with
it—how did you reach t is lace ’

come down on the

.“ As I remarked before,
air-line. ’8 ct, when I tumbled over them
clifls, I’ld ’a’ n smashed up urty had, only I
happened to have an am er with me, an’
that eased me down, like sli n’ofl an iceberg.”

“You are an internal 1‘, and if you don’t
tell me how! on gained access to this place I'll!
cut you up, nch by inch!” the Prophet cried,
fiyin into a rage.

“ ll bet you ducatsiynou won't,” Kit res 0nd-

with his usual urbable coo ness.
“There ain’t enough edge on your toad-sticker
there to make a crease in my pelt.”

“Ohol ain’t there, though? You evidently
don’t know whom you are talkin to, sir!”

“ Oh, es I do—know ye like agPsalm-book.”

“Wei , who am I?” the Don asked, in curiosil
ty to know if the audacious stranger really did’
know him.

“Oh! you’re a pocket edition of Brigham
Young!” Kit answered, readily. “ You claim'
the name of Juan Cordiz here—a Mormon pre-
tended Prophet—but thar’s, them that knows
you once had another name.” _ ~

Cordiz started and flushed, while his glitter-
ing eyes scanned the face of the young adven-
turer eagerly. _

“ you! perhaps 83011 are n ht,” he
owled. ‘ Imay have b a hundr names,
at it is enough that you do not, know them.
You say mu are Cyclone Kit—are you aware
that ”ou ve ventured recklessly into your

“

mb ~

“.Oh, no! I ain’t down On the books for sev-
eral years 1yet. You of course will extend me
the h ita ty of your church and city, provid—
ing I h tch on to a-dozen wives, more or less-
will on not?”

“ don’t think I will,” the Don growled.
“ You are evidently a person I don’t care to 1n—
flict’ on the people of my church as a brother.
Therefore, as no man enteringlfiilere can ever

leave alive, there is but one g else who
done—we must fight!”
CHAPTER Iv. .' , »-

mm m rum-r.
' to Cyclone/Kit when Don
that he must fight. ' ,

II was no
Juan

“ Why, when I was of your ‘

 

 

““A‘::.._;cL—__~Z‘:;'L_‘_._. .4 _ a.

 _+

, I rCyclone ‘Kit,’ the Young Gladiator.

 

 

When he had fully determined to come into
the locked valley in quest of Bertie Bird, he
lmew he would have trouble, and had made
up his mind that it behooved him to establish a
. putation from the start which would give him
presti e and ition. *

We] satisfied that he could look out for Num—
ber One, he had, on reaching the Mormon town,
made directly for the saloon, presuming he
would be able to set the ball a—rolling, in the,
way of a fuss, and at onca get up a reputation.
The Don’s proposal accordingly gave him much

“satisfaction

“ Have to fight, eh?” he said, looking the Pro-
phet over from head to foot. “Well, I don’t
mind, providing you know your business. I
dislike to measure arms with a man who is not
.at least my equal.”

“ I dare say you will find me all you can ac-
commodate,” the Don sneered, With a harsh
laugh. “What way can you fight best?”

“Oh, it's immaterial. I am a good shot, as
shooting generally goes; I can dig you in the
ribs with a home or a sword; ain’t bad at
rough-an’-tumhle or a scientific knock-down;
chewin’ ofi! noses and ears I can do up brown;
am a tolerable fair booter; au’ when it comes to
breakin necks, gouging out eyes or wrestlin’,
.I allow 'm thar.’ ’

“I may infer from that, that your specialty
iswreetling. Very well. To-morrow night I
will meet you in the coliseum, adjoinin ,and
cordially throw ou over in head and reak
your neck. Unti then I shal have you watched
'to see that you do not steal anything. Out of
my way, sir. and allow me to pass.”

“Not until on take back that insinuation
that I am a t ief!” Kit cried, sternly, and ad—
vancing nearer to the Prophet. “ Either chaw
your words], or I’ll show you a trick you never
saw ore.

“ Hal hal Indeed! Know once and for all
that Juan Cordiz, Mormon Prophet and entle-
man, never takes back what he utters. t of
my path, vagabond!” ,

And drawmg his sword once more, he strode
toward the door, despite the fact that Cyclone
blocked his path.

But Kit didn’t back at all.

Standing his ground fearlessly, he waited un
til the Don poised his sword preparatory for .a
Range; then, with a- lightning movement, he
threw himself forward upon his hands and
made a wonderful handspring that landed him
neatly upon his feet on the other side of the
Prophet. Whirliu quickly around, he caught
the astounded Don y the leg and shoulder, and
b the strength of his powerful arms, raised
him above his head and hurled him with terrific
force against a window near at hand—the en-
tire action occuaiging but a few seconds of time.
There was a c 0 glass, and the anatomy of
the Prophet disappeared from view in the dark-
ness of the night without. .

“ Next!" Kit said, turning to the bystanders.
"‘ Is there any one else who wants to try me a

' whirl?”

“ I guess not,” Prairie Phil answered, shaking
hishead. “You’re too rich for our blood, or
we’d try and odate ye. Reckon the
Prophet will interview ye again, though, as
“our!” Tenet thiiihkyou’; Kl

“ 0, on so,, 'trelied oin to
the window and ring out. “Thai-ham goes
mow, limping, a swearing ,like a. irate, for-
getting, very likely, that he is a lar of the
church. Ho! hol el” and he lung ed merrily.

And it grieved so. The Don di not return,
evident ving got his fill of the young gladi-

ator. '

Satisfied that no direct or open attack would
he made upon him for a time, Cyclone Kit
101m about the saloon awhile, watching the
P00 who came in and out, after which he
‘00 NI departure and went out into the-basin.

The hour was about midnight, and it was
veg dark and beginning to rain.

emust find some place in which to 31::
remainder of the night, and with this 0 j
YIBWs he 39“ out, Croping his way through the
misfit! gloom. .

had not 89116 for before he heard the
sound of two veioes inst ahead of him, and
pausing a moment, be me satisfied that the
owners of them were also advancing in a like
direction with himself. . i

Something impelled him to glide swiftly and
cautiously nearer, in order that he might learn
if the topic of their conversation was anything
that had a bearing upon his case. .

He at so near that even in the darkness he
could istinguish that both were figures clad in
male attire, even though one of them had a de-
cidedly feminine voice. ‘

d the
act in

 

“ There isn’t the least doubt about the matter
in in mind,” one of the persons said, in an em-
phatic manner. “The whole circumstances of'
the- case indicate that he came to this section,
and if a child exists around here bearin his
name, there can be no dispute but what it is the
link we are looking after. ’

“In that case, what good is it going to do
you? The old man and woman are living, and
you’d have to adopt the whole family, in order
to make anything out of the child.”

“Even that would pay, were it a matter of
necessity, which it is not. If the child, or
rather, young woman we are on track of, is the
right one, she is a bonanza. The old folks must
be retty old, and would sell out cheap, no
don t, and I could make my own terms as far
as the girl is concerned.”

“ You don’t know. I’ve seen women that
even on couldn’t attract, with all your suavity
and can Bruinme] perfection.”

“Very few, I’ll wager!”

“ Ay, more than a few. But, now, through
my treachery to the faith, you have learned so
much, what next do you propose to doi—how
do {on propose to work your plan, here in Gold-
Fla 9!”

“ I shall adopt the plan of introduction to the
Pronhet Juan, which you suggested to me!”

“Yes, that will be your best plan. And re-
member, if we meet, hereafter, we pass as
strangers.”

“I understand—strangers. It will be as well
“thus, as otherwise. Here is your money l”

Kit saw them pause a moment, and he
ansed. Then, when they advanced, he did
ikewise.

He followed them for some distance further
when, to his surprise, they abruptl disappeared
from view, and at a point where t ere was ap-
parently no means 0 their doin so, naturally,
the round being open, and love

“ wonder what the blaies this meansl” Kit
grunted, coming to a temporary halt. “ Is it
some more of the witchcraft that pervades this
vicinity, I wonder?”

He peered ahead, but no sight or sound of the
stran couple, did he gain.

“1‘1 be shot if they ain’t gone, for a cer-
tainty,” he muttered, “and it didn’t take ’em a
second to become scarce, neither. Maybe it
was by way of the secret exit from this place?"

After a moment’s reflection he continued on,
until he had come about to the place where he
had seen the last of them, and made an inspec-
tion of the surroundings.

There was nothing he could see having a sus-
picious look; there was no apgarent place close
at hand where the twain coul have hidden, or
where there was any chance for them to have

tten out of sight, except by sinking through
he earth, and he could see no opportunity for

even that, unless they had swum down the
stream, near by.

“ Reckon I shall have to cave in, on solving
that puzzle, for the resent,” was his conclusion.
I o ine, though, the I’ve got onto the idea of a
litt e scheme that is in course of develojpment. It
seems that there is another man, besi as myself,
who wants possession of Bertie Bird. It be-
hooves me, therefore, to look out for Number
One, if I hOpe to secure her. I wish I could have
got a view of the plotters’ faces—l should be bet-
ter prepared to pursue the case.”

It was beginning to rain harder, now, and he
knew it was adVisable to get in under some sort
og'shelter, soon, as he would get drenched to the
s in.

So he struck out again, and in the course of a
short walk came to the Mormon tem le, or
church—a large structure of stone, used y the

saints ” as a place of worship, and possessed of
as many queer angles and abrupt turns, as
Hawthorne s famous “ House of Seven Gables.”

f‘ I wonder if I can’t get a night’s lodgin in
thisnlplacel” Kit muttered, glancing arena}. to
seei any rsou was watc ing him, and then
mounting he steps. “ It ought to be a healthy
place, as long as t is a church.”

He tried the ponderous door, but, as expected,
found that it fastened on the other side.

“That settles that
coffee,” he mused. 2&1 ess the
open housc for tramps. fiuwonderh
is fastened l”

A thought occurring to him, he tried the
panels, until he found one that rattled.

Once upon a time he had read of a Mormon
edifice in Salt Lake City, the door of which
was a marvel of mechanism in the way of
slidin panels, and so forth, and be resolved to
test tfie door before him. '

Not a little to his surprise, after working the

o
0.

don’t keep
ow the door

‘ loose panel a. few minutes,~jt suddenly swung

as the egg said to the.

 

open, making quite an aperture—mfliciently I

large for him to reach in his arm, and undo the.
bolts that secured the door.

In a twinkling thereafter, he was within the
vestibule of the temple, with both the door and
panel securel closed.

All was in y darkness within the vestibule,
so he groped his way forward, into the church
itself.

Here he stumbled around among seats, until
he reached the heart of the place, when he lay
down 11 on one of the rude seats, which con-

sisted o unplaned planks laid upon blocks and ,,

was soon fast asleep, from fatigue and ex
tion. ,

It was broad daylight, when be next opened
his eyes, and lay a few moments gazing up at
the vaulted ceiling of the rude wil erness tem-

le.
p At first he failed to remember where he was,
but presently all became clear to him, and he
sat u and gazed around him.

Agni: light had struggled into the church,
through a single window, and by its aid, Kit
could better contemplate his surroundings, than
when he had first entered. -

There was a pulpit, and the wooden seats,
and that was about all the noticeable features
except that a door opened into a room, in the
rear of the pulpit.

“I guess this will constitute my lace of
abode, during my stay here,” Kit 0 served,
rising and sauntering down the aisle. “That
is, unless I am found here, which, I suppose, no-

[19'

cording to the Mormon faith, would bea sacri~ .

le ious sin. Ha !”
e paused and listened.

A sound had reached his acute hearing.

It was well he listened.

Footsteps sounded in the vestibule, and were
evident! coming into the audiencc room.

Somet ling must be done at once. To be dis.
covered there would not only ruin his chances
for further lodging in the temple, but also
might bring him into serious .trouble, which un-
til he had an interview with Bertie Bird, Cy-
clone Kit did not desire.

There was no safe place of hiding within the
auditorium, and so he made a rapid flight to-
ward the door in the ward the pulpit. I

Before he reached it, however, he discovered

a trap-door, just behind the pulpit, and where '

the Prophet must evidently stand, while exhost,
ing to his flock of poiygamous lambs. -.
Quickly raising this trap, Kit saw a stairWQy,
beneath, which he was not slow in descending,
and closing the trap, after him, which left him
once more in darkness. . ‘.
Shortly after, he heard footsteps overhead

\

and. as there appeared to be no probability of ~

any one descending, h‘e crept close up to the
gap, and listened, through a wide crack in the
oor. -
A voice soon spoke, a he reco ined t as
that of Don Juan, the Prigmet. En
“ Danites of the Mormon church!” he was
saying.

ve out his

nd of a strolling vagebond, who
He is not on y'a‘ n flan.

name as Cyclone Kit.

but also in. villain, and I believe that be comes,

here with a. view of gettin data as to the valu-
able mineral reeources 0 this gulch, that he
may bring down upon us a sufficient force of
miners to drive us forth, and take

“ You have heard of the insult our.
giest and Prophet last night received, a the

himself. You will, therefore, see t e danger‘

with which we are menaced, and realise that it
becomes us never to allow this fellow to leave
Gold-Flake alive 1” >

A murmur of approval was then audible, evlg
dent] coming'fmm several rsons.

“ Therefore,” the Don continued, “you, Chat,
will issue placards, attain a thousand dollars
to the person who takes clone Kit, dead or

alive, and post the same a at the town. Do

you understand i” O -,
“ I do, Prophet,” a voice replied.
“ Verv And now, before we ad

we had best turn the bloodhounds loose tin;

church, as the infernal enemy may take a notion ‘

to invade the sanctity of our place of worshipl”
And, a few minutes later, Cyclone Kit was
by no means elated to hear the pattering of a

\

number of animal feet, followed by snifls,‘ am! .

a sharp howl peculiar to the man-hunter.

CHAPTER V.
OUT-GENERALED.
Tm: howl of the bound spoke better than

 

words, to Cyclone Kit, that he was discowred. _- ‘

They had scented him, already, and it would be
a matterl‘ofbnly a few minutes, until they
trdalckad him as far as the trap-door behind the
P Pl . - ' ‘ ‘

 

 

.'.:‘_"'. 2:1:

 

6 ' ‘ Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

l

r.

 

 

What then would follow?

He had no time to conjecture—he felt well
satisfied that the Mormons would raise the trap,
and give him up to the mercy of the savage
brutes.

Not knowing what kind of a pit the stairway
led to, the young adventurer was for the in-
stant at loss what to do.

Finally, he heard the patter of the dogs’ feet
overhead, followed by another Series of howls,
and this awakened him to a full sense of his des-
perate situation.

Descending the stone stairs, as fast as was pos-
sible, he soon came to the bottom of them, and
found himself in a small cellar, where darkness
was dense and the air almost stifling.

Almost ,agroan b st from his lips, as he ran
about the walls of the gloomy a rtment, with-
out finding any door or ,out et rom the place,
except by the stairs.

If the dogs were turned down upon him, What
would be his fate?

‘Death, certainly, should they be too many, in
number, for him to handle.

It was a moment of terrible suspense, as he
stood in the center of the cellar, and listened
for the lifting of the trap, while at the same
gluing, he had a revolver in the grasp of either

n .. - '

The moment of suspense lengthened into
several, and still the dogs continued to bowl,
above.

Why was the trap not raised?

That ~was something Kit could not quite un-

' derstand.

Had Don Juan and the Mormons left the
temple. and were the dogs alone in their dis-
covery? '

It would seem so, for minute after minute
glided by, with no change in the situation. The
dogs howled savagely, and dug at the floor
above, with their nails, while Kit stood below,
firmly braced, momentarily expecting to see
one of the fierce animals come plunging down
the stairs.

This idea vanished, finally, however, when he
saw no apparent probability that he had been
discovered by others than the bloodhound.

The Mormons must have let the do s loose,
and immediately departed thereafter,” it con-
cluded, “and if that’s the case, there 8 only one
safe thing to do. I must kill the confounded

' brutes. and escape while I have a chance. I
- think I can get rid of the animals without se—

rious trouble.”

Accordingly, thrusting one revolver in his
belt. be grasped the other in the right hand, and
crapt u the stairs to the trap-door.

he ogs seemed to scent his approach, for
they howled and tore around the harder, seem-
ingly furious to at at their would-be victim.

Getting direct y beneath the crevice in the
floor, Cyclone Kit red up through it into the
room above, while fing upon his back, with his
revolver ready for use.

He could see the dogs dashing to and fro di-

rectly over'liim.

’Do pick 'them off, one by one, as they ssed
over the crevice, was the easiest thing in the
world, and he proceeded to do it.

Thrusting the muzzle of his revolver into the

crevice he fired Wh'Jl the head of one of the

brutes became exposed to view.
The. next instant there were some terrible

' yelps and snarls, which ended in a dying

wail.
One man-hunter was done for, at least.
Watching eagerly, Kit soon caught another
in the same manner, and then a third.
" Listening intently, he then became satisfied
that but one remained, and that he heard trot-
ting away proving that the animal was retreat-
inguaprobah y frig tened at the fate of its com-
ons

pa .

’“ If I don’t settle that one’s hash I may not
get another chance!” was Kit’s instant decision,
and pushing up the trap-door, he leaped out into
the church. r

It was a fatal action, so far as liberty was
concerned, for he was-instantly seized from be-
hind by a number of strong hands, and forced
to the floor.

And though he struggled with the strength of

, a Hercules, he could not master the great odds

inst him.

wice he hurled them away from him, with
a superhuman effort, but each time they sprung
back upon him, half a dozen in number, and
finally sucéeeded in binding him securely, and
raising him to a standing position.

He was then able to note the fact that his
captors were all masked with thick crape vails
--also that Juan' Cordiz, the Mormon Prophet,
was perched on the top of the pulpit, where he

 

L

had evidently been superintending the whole
business.

“Ha! ha! hal”he laughed, leering evilly at
Cygl’one Kit. “ We caug t you, after all, didn’t
we. -

“ At the cost of the lives of our blood—
hounds, es,” Kit responded, quiet y.

“ Oh, he were of no account, or I shouldn’t
have turns them loose for on to kill. Cyclone
Christopher, you are what call a man-marvel
—-—a man of extraordinary nerve. You are as
brave as a lion, and uite as dangerous, if left
at lar 9. But for this fact of your bravery I
shoul shoot you dowu without hesitation. As
it is, I have some respect for you, and shall, for
awhile, keep {on imprisoned, until, for my own
amusement, can conceive some lan which,
while you are struggling for your 11' e, will thor-
oughly test your skill and nerve. I shall ar-
range a programme of almost impossibilities for
you to perform, and if you carry it out on
shall be given your liberty. Pepper, take im
to the ‘ nest,’ and give him a breakfast of raw
meat. We want to get his brute blood upl”

Cyclone Kit listened, his face passively calm

in e ression, but his eyes gleaming with a
stern ight.
“Very well. Though I don’t claim to be a

man to accomplish impossibilities, I shall take
advantage of any opportunities that may be
offered me to escape from your infernal town.
Feed me on raw meat or whatever you like, re-
membering that according as I am treated I
shall eventually retaliate, with compound in'-
terest.”

“ That I’ll risk,” the Don replied. “ Out with
him, Pepper, and while you are about it, you
may as well 've him a march about the town,
so that the fo ks may know him when they see
him hereafter.”

Acting upon these orders, the Danites—as Kit
concluded they wer —cut the bonds which held
his feet, then tWo o the men ras d him by
either arm, and two walked a ea , while the
others brought up the rear.

And thus formed into a procession, the party
left the ‘church, Don Juan slightly in advance
of the rest, and marched down the only street
of the town.

Cyclone Kit walked proudly erect, an express

sion of cool defiance upon his handsome face.
People rushed from the houses along the line
of march to get a peep at the daring stranger

,who had had the audacity to insult their ruler,

the Prophet.

Some of them vented hisses, curses and exe-
crations at Kit, and shook their fists at him
threateningly, while others did not manifest
any particular dislike for him, even though they
dared not, did they choose, exhibit any sympa-
thv for him. .

Kit received all the glances sent at him with
the test indiflerence, though memorizing
near y every face that was particularly notice-
able, and allowing a faint smile to wreathe his
lips when he saw a face wherein pity was ex-
pressed. '

Thus they passed down the street until they
arrived at Don Juan’s mansion, a pretentious
and imposing structure of stone. 4

This was entered at the front, and the march
hallway,

continued, not only through a lon
into the

but into a passage which ran bac
mountain. .

While passing through the hall Kit yught a
glimpse of a pretty, girlish face, looki out of
a side door; but it was only a glimpse, or Don
Juan uttered a curse and took a step toward the
dOOr which was s dily closed. .

“I wonder if t at is Bertie Bird?” was the
thought that flashed across Kit’s mind. “ If so,
she’s a beauty, and no mistake.”

They soon paused in front of a door of iron
grating at one side of the mountain passage
which 0 ned into a dungeon, which the ban
of man d hewn and blasted out, probably for
the same purpose .for which it was used. 'The

' door was unlocked, and Kit ushered in after

which the portal was locked on the outsi 6.
“There! I wish on merry times in your
snug cell,” Juan sai , sneeringl , as he, peered

through the gratings. “ When have devised
some suitable plan to test your bravery, I’ll
drop in to see you.”

Then he retired, the Danites following, and
Kit was left to make the best of his situation. _

“ It’s better than I expected at first,” he said
to himself. “When they surprised me, in the
church, I reckoned they’d do for me at once.
As it is I’ve a chance form life yet.” .

,The dungeon was hewn mm the solid rock,
and the iron door was of sufficient strength to
resist the attack of even a battering-ram.

What chance was there, then, for escape?

l .

 

Kit looked the situation over as best he was
able in the semi-gloom, and concluded that ‘the-
chanccs were decidedly poor. ‘

Still he was not a man to despair, and threw
himself down upon a bundle of dried grass in
one corner, to take his ease, while matters de-
veloped.

No one came to disturb his thoughts until
after a long while, when he concluded that it
must be growing close to—night, as it was quite
dark in t e passage without.

Then one of the Danites came and poked a
couple of pieces of raw deer-meat in between
the slats.

“ Thar l” he growled. “ Ef that ain’t good
enou h for you, I opine ye kin go ‘without.’

“ [inch oblceged!’ Kit replied sarcastically.
“I’ve eaten raw meat before, an 1 opine I can
do it again. Suppose you can’t turn on the
gas, eh?” ‘

“I reckon not!” was the response. “You’ll
get li ht enufl when the Prophet ets at you.”

“ our Prophet be hanged!” 't said coolly.
“I’ve seen better men than he is used to clean
street-crossings out East.”

The Danite stalked off without replying. A
smell of the meat satisfied him that it was
fresh, and palatable, but how was he to eat it.
without the use of his bands, which were still
securely fastened behind his back. '

He was considering the matter when some—
thing struck him in the back, and fell to the
rocky floor with a metallic ring.

Turning in surprise he peered sharply about
the dungeon. But he l'ooked in vain. e could
discover no a erture or crevice, through which
the missile, w ich provad to be an ivory-handled
dirk knife, could have been dropped or thrown.

“ Well, I’m shot if.I ain’t much obliged for
the favor,” he said aloud, as he gazed at the
knife. “You needn’t be bashful about enter-
ing. whoever sent in this visiting-card.”

But there was no answer.

The donator of the knife, where’er he or she-
might be cgncealed, evidently preferred to hide
from sight and keep silent.

Lying down upon his back, over the knife, he
succeeded in cuttin the bonds which confined
his wrists, giving him the use of all his limbs.

To attack the deer meat, was ajob he was:
rform. Though raw, it was

quite Willing to . . _
ad no difficulty in making a

sweet, and be

.good square meal.

He then lay down, to ponder over the mys-
tery of how the knife. found its way into the
dungeon, but, giving it up, he dropped off into
a restless sleep.

When he awoke it was with a start.

He opened his eyes, and uttered a cry !‘

A face was bending close to his, the eyes
peering at him, searchinglyl

He remembered the ace instant] —he had
seen it when coming through the l;—it was
the pretty girl! ' s

CHAPTER VI,
QUEEN.

Ha beheld a young woman of some nineteen
years, evidently, who, though rather short of
stature, was well formed, and neatly attired,

In face she was very pretty, having finely
chiseled features, a tempting mouth and mag—
netic brown e es that Sparkled, brilliantly.
Her hair was ong and heavy flowing in a
fiossy brown wave overher shou ders.

Comparing her face with that of_ Old Meg
the Witch, Kit was wondering if this fair ir
could be the egre’s own flesh and blood, w en
she suddenly spoke: «.

“ You are-not frightened are you?” .

“Oh! no—I am simply start ed,” he replied.
“I certainly was not expecting you.”

“ Of course you were not. ad you been ex—-
pectin me, ten to one I shouldn’t have come.”

“In eed! I supipose I higve you to thank for
the loan of the nife. Will you relieve me of
being mystified, by telling me where you hurled
the knife from?” _ '

“Hardly; I must first know who you are, and
what brings you to Gold-Flake. I may be able
to help you, or I may not, as the case happens
to be.

“Well—my name is Cyclone Kit,” the
prisoner responded. “‘I am* an adventurer,
wit little other object in life, than to wander
about, and enjoy myself.” . _ ' _

“ You deny that you had an obJect in coming:
to this place?” .

“Oh! no. I have a purpose In most every
thing I do.” .
he‘lg’hen, , what was the purpose of your coming

“I decline to tell.”

h,“

 

Won‘t ‘9‘

-. .;.«.:i. A .
"I‘a
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fit;

Cyclone. Kit, . the Young Gladiator.

7

 

 

, ,

“You are foolish. Listen to me, and you
will admit it. Do you know who I am?”

“No. If I were to guess, I should say you
were not Bertie Bird!”

_ A look of surprise came over her face, at
this.

“ No, I am no l” she said, decidedly. “ What
do you know of her?”

“ Not very much-simply that such a. person
is in existence, and is about to become the
latest Mrs. Cordiz!”

“So rumor has it; but it shall never he—
never!” and the girl stamped her foot emphati-
cally on the floor. “I am‘ Juan Cordizs last
wife, and the last one he shall ever have upon
this earth.”

“You his wife f”

“Unfortunately and much against my will,
yes. I was forced by my arents to wed him
not three months ago, but 6 found that in me
he had got hold of a tigress.”

“ You have no lo Ve for his prophetship, then?”

“Ha! ha! no: nor be for me. We hate each
other about as cordially as two humans can, I
fancy. It is only a matter of time when one of
us kills the other.”

“ Why do you stay here, then?” Kit asked,
thoughtfully.

“ Because I can’t well ‘leave without money.
And, besides this, I am not going to leave. I
am going to change places with Juan Cordiz-LI
am going to take this valley and drive out these
Mormons one by one, until the town shall know
a new life and a be ter people.”

“ A good resolve, worthy of being carried out,
I should sa , if you are able to do it,” Kit al-
lowed. “ guess you lack the strength, do you
not?”

“Not so much as ou mi ht suppose. There
are a few people, think Godg, who have rivate—
ly renounced the Mormon faith, and 1 stand

by me—people who were captured and pressed,

into the life they now live. I do not need a
great many more sturdy volunteers ere I shall
be able to make a strike for the right.”

“ And you want to add me to your list, eh?”

, “ I do. You are a man whom I would like to

put in command.”

“Well, I will think about it. 1 fear that,
' though your scheme is feasible, it will fail
‘ through not having sufficient strength.”

“ You will think otherwise when you see my
backers. Though only a child yet, Queen Cor-
diz has a. level head and a long sight.”

“Does Don Juan know anything of this pro»
posed mutiny?”

“Not for certain, I guess, though I have an
idea he suslpects trouble, from the fact that he
is very ru e and even brutal toward me. He
can hardly know anything of the scheme, how-
ever. as 1 have enjoined the strictest secrecy.”

“ If he should anticipate you, how would you
go to work to get dut of the scrape?” .

“ Get out of it the best way I could and abide
the consequences. I must go, now. I merely
come to let you know that you had more than
one chance for your life. You can think it
over, and I’ll see you again ere lon . If you
will face the dun eon door a minute, will not
disturb you any onger.” .

Cyclone Kit obeyed, but kept alert his sense
of hearing. -

A moment later heglanced around and Queen
Cordiz was gone, even though he had not heard
a sound denoting her departure, while the walls,
floor and ceiling of the rockycell remained, to
all appearances, as before—solid and unyielding.

 

The day following that night was a wild and
stormy one without, and Don Juan remained
indoors in his comfortably appomted librar —
a lar room carpeted with wolf-skins and ur-
nishefiewith a few chairs, a table and desk-book-
case, which contained a number of books and
pa rs. _

he Prophet sat in an eas -chair, his heels
elevated upon the table, an a pipe in his
mouth, from which he sent clouds of smoke roll-
ing ceilingward, as he was buried in deep
Lh’lun'llt. "

.“ ven skins may occupy his throne, and be
ill at ease!” heDmuttered, a frown coming over
his face. “Thin are not workin too smooth-
lz, here, in Gold- lake, and somet ing tells me
t at there is trouble in the near future, but in
what shape it Will come, I cannot say. 0f one
thing I am satisfied, however—there is a sus-
picion among the people that I am watching a
ripe chance to get possesmon of the fund of

old stored in the vault, and decamp with it.

me one ‘of those havmg gold sto d there,
constantly is in the vicinity, when go there.
Perha it is.well for them that they are so
caret for I fancy I could, With 311 that

' v  I , ,
,.

 

wealtl. enjoy myself better in the East than
here. A‘il'St, however, to wed the girl, Bertie
Bird, shall be my object. I swore years ago
that I would in this way have my revenge
upon the witch. Besides, the girl is much su-
gerior in all respects to any other woman in

old-Flake, except ueen. Curse that irl!
She’s a fury, and she hates me worse t an
poison. She must be watched for she is smart
enough, and vindictive enough, to do me im-
measurable evil. Hal who knocks there?
Come inl” he added, glancing toward the door.

It Opened, and a stranger entered—a man
whom the Don had never seen before, to his
recollection. He was a tall, well—dressed per-
sonage, of good figure and a noticeably hand—
some face, which was set off advantageously by
a pair of handsome eyes, and a finely-she d
mouth, shaded by a sandy mustache—altoget or
:i person of more than ordinary personal attrac-

ous.

“ Have I the honor of addressing the Prophet,
Don Juan Cordiz?” he asked, dofling his hat, as
he paused, near the door. ‘

“You have, sir!” that individual replied, as
he motioned to a seat. “Be seated and state
your business.”

“This will explain to you who Lam,” and
he tossed a scale letter upon the table, which
the Don found was addressed to himself.

Tearing it open, he glanced over its contents,
hurriedly.

It ran as follows: '

“ SALT LAKE Crrr June —. 18—.

“ Pro )hrt Juan, off/w Gold-Flake Mormon Church .-
“T e bearer of this note is one Arthur Carlison,
a rich New York gentleman, who has come to this
country in search of the heir to a, piece, of rop-
erty in the East. From some facts which ave
come to my notice, I concluded you might be able

to assist him, and therefore send him to you.
“Yours truly,~ Baron“! YOUNG."

As he finished reading, Cordiz looked at the
stranger, an amused smile playing upon his

stern face.
“Young man” he said “your supposed
ale. “Is

clevernem is the hight of folly.

“ Why?” Carlison asked, growing
the recommend not in all respects satisfactor ?”

“Of course not. ‘In the first place it is a or—
gery. In the second place—”

A hard glitter came into the handsome man’s
e es.

y“ How can you prove it is a forgery?” he in-

terru ted, fiercely.

“O l it’s proo enough in itself. In the first
glace, I am a renegade sheep from Brigham’s

ock, and we being deadlyene'mies, he would
never address me at all, much less as a Pro het.
Brigham does not allow another genuine or-
mon Prophet to exist, aside from himself. I
am a Prophet over the people, here who recog-
nize me as such, but no_further. That is how
I knpw the imposition you would practice on
me.

Carlison’s teeth went hard together.

“ Knowledge is power, so I must admit the
forgery. I knew of no other way I could gain
access to this place, so I fixed up the forgery as

a pa‘s‘sport. . ‘

‘ ell, sir, havmg arrived so far, now what
is your business?” .

‘I will tell you,.if you will grant. me your
attention. You Will probably recognize some
of the points of the case, by having heard of
them before. .

“ To begin with: years ago—it matters not just
how many—the daughter of a wealthy and aris-
tocratic ew England family elo d with ,a
worthless laboring man, and despite the fact
that expert detectives were sent out after them
they eluded ursuit, and escaped to the wilds of
the West. Here they have remained, unheard
from, until about SIX months ago, when the
man, Joe Bird by name, wrote back to one of
his Eastern associates of fOruier days, disclos-
ing his whereabouts. ‘

“He wrote that he was the inmate of a Mor-
mon village, where he was doing well, and had
several Wives-Twat his first wife. and his
daughter. Bertie by name, were still living; the
latter in the Mormom settlement, and the for-
mer a ravmg maniac in the mountains. Shortly
prior to the reception of this news, the father
and only surVivmg parent of Bird’s first wife—
whose maiden name was Margaret Mather—
made his Will and less than a week, afterward

died.

“ His will disposed of a snug little fortune as
follows: To. the child of his only daughter,
Margaret Bird by name, if such a child ,be \liv-
ing, he u'eated two thirds of his entire
wealth; to leve_Carlison, if he be living, the
remaining one-third, pronding said Cleve Car-

‘-

‘
\er

 

lison found, courted and wed said child. be it a
girl. of said Margaret Mather Bird. In case
Cleve Carlison be not alive, the third third to ,
go to Arthur Carlison, providing he fulfill the
same terms exacted of Cleve Carlison should
said child of Margaret Bird be a girl. In event
of no female heir being born to said Margaret-
Bird up to the date of the publication of the will,
or in event of either Cleve or Arthur Carlison’s
not wedding such female heir of Margaret Bird,
should one exist within three years after date
of will—then t e third third to go to a local
church society. '

“As the third third of the fortune niy friend.
left behind him amounts to the sum of about
thirty thousand dollars, you can readily see that
I am anxious to meet the daughter of Joe and
Margaret Bird.” .

“ I should resume so,” Cordiz remarked,
gruflly. “An so on ,have come here with a
view of capturing t is prize, have you?”

“ You’ve hit it, exmtlg.”

“ But how about this lete Carlison?”

“ Oh! he’s not in m way. He was areckless,
harmless sort of a fel ow, who has been roving
about the West for some years past, and at last
accounts had been shot and killed by the In.
dians, down in Arizona, thus leaving me master
of the situation. I presume this Bertie Bird is
still a resident of this place, and is to be seen?”

“Well, I resume notl” the Don replied, with
a sneer. “ f the information will give you any
satisfaction, Miss Bird is already engaged to
me, and is about to add to her ha piness short-
ly, in becomin one of my severa wives i”

Arthur Carlison uttered an oath.

“ Your wife 1” he ejaculated. “By heaven“
no—this must not be, sir l”

“ Allow me to know best I” Cordiz said fiercely.
“When any one has to say what shall, or what
shall not be done, in this town, I presume you’ll
learn it is always myself. You have come here ‘
on a fool’s errand, young man, and according
to our laws. you cannot a ain leave this valley,
which you have the free om ofas long asyou
mind your business and earn your own livmg.
If you become in any way meddlesome “or
obnoxious I shall hand you over to the Danites.
So you can go now, and let me see no more of

White with rage, Carlison arose. ‘.

“ I will go,” he said, “and I’ll look to it t at”
you never marry her whom I have come so ar
to secure.” ' ‘

Once outside, however, a more furious fit
struck him. I r '

“ The outlook i devilishbad, but I’ll not give
up. His Prophetshi ‘will find that I am a
worse man to dea with than my genteel
appearance implies.”

CHAPTER VII.
IN THE RINGI ,

AFTER the departure of Arthur Carlison from
the Cordiz mansion, the Don sat awhile logfir

in his easy-chair, evidently in 'an unenv 19,
frame of mind, jud 'ng by the frown of -
pleasure that cloud his brow.

" Curse the fellow! He must not see the, l, ‘
for she is the ve one to fall in love wi ,a‘
baby-face like his. I must enjoin «harsher.
measures to prevent so many strangers‘entedn
this ulch. It is evident that the witch, ()1
Meg, s growmg less particular how she serves
me. ' ' ‘
He ra ped smartly upon the floor with h
cane; a cor of an adjoining room opened, an
a queer dwarfed fl ure appeared whose shaggy-
haired head was ouble the ordinary size, and
whose eyes were made to match and were wild V
in their glare.

, “Pietrcl” the Don said. speakin sharplyto
him "how is the bird of Bird’s th ,morning?”

“ hure, she’s as sassy an indepmdant as iver,
yer honor,” Pietro re lied, with a stron Irish
accent, which proved hat he was not an talian,
as his name would seem to Imply. .

“Her 1nde ndence Will haye to be toned
down a lit e, I fear,” Cordis~ said, darkly. -
“Show her into my presence, Pietro.”

With a nod of satisfaction the dwarf die-
appeared, and soon returned, half dragging by
the wrist a young and pretty maiden of some
seventeen summers—a fair-haired lassie, whose,
face was fresh and beautiful, whose gray-black
eyes shone lustrously, whose whole appearance
was neat, refined and intelligent.

“ Unhand me, rufiian!” she gasped, as Pietro
ushed her forward in'io the Don’s,presence.
‘Siri”—-turning to the Prophet—“ have you no

manhood or manly honor, that you rmit me
to be abused by that misshapen wretc ’

“None whatever, miss, until you are tamed
suficiently well to know who your master isl”

\

 

 

7.: .1! ..-:-;:'.-A ~-, ;;' .. ; .;— -_

. . ~ ......n-..A.L.-_...........-.m...

'8, ‘ _' - ' . " Cyclone Kit, the. Young Gladiator.

 

 

w
.was the unfeeling response. “I demanded that
you should marry me, and you v unwisely
re I ‘then gave you over to Pietro’s care
until you should be conquered.”
A scornful smile fiitted over Bertie Bird’s

face.

“ Do you have any hope that you will ever be
able to con uer me, Jan Cordiz?” she
demanded, wit sarcasm. -

“Of course I shall,” he re lied complacently.
‘f/I’ve a great faculty of res 'ng in young
fillies, like you. I dare to presumaI shall not
have much further trouble with you, as I am
arr aging to have the ceremony take lace in
th am hitheater this evening, be you wi ling, or
not. receding the ceremony I shall enter the
ring and fight a noted gladiator and sport,
Cyclone Kit by name, and rove to on that in
the way of manly accomplis meats uan Cordiz
knows no equal. If I succeed in killing him,
Elder Magold will unite us. It will avail you
nothing to whimper or protest—my will is ’law,
and I will have my way! Pietro, you may
remove her.”

“0h! on monster!” Bertie gasped, as the
dwarf se ed her once more by the wrist, and
dragged her back to her place of imprisonment,
in an adjoining room.

After she was gone, Don Juan seized pen, ink

. anwfiaper, and roceeded to write, rapidly.
- en he ha finished the following was the

d
result . ,
“ TO-NIGHT !

Grand Entertainment at Amphitheater, Gold-Flake.
The Bi ht Reverend Prophet of the Mormon
Church, nan Cor ' will, in public, take unto him-

self another wife, in the person of Miss Bertie Bird.

“ Previous to the Marriage Ceremon . Prophet!

Juan ‘will meet in battle a noted Gen ile bravo
Cyclone Kit by title. A general attendance desired.’l

“There! that will fill the bill,” the villain
mutteredI as he perused the'contents of the
paper. ‘ I’ll do for the long-haired foe, to-
night, and then turn my attention to the latest
arrival. I fancy he is more to be feared than
the other.”

 

That night arrived. It was dark and gloomy
the tgrind soughing down into the basin, in fitful
gus

As soon as darkness began to gather thick,
and lamplight was a necessity, the citizens be-
gan to assemble ‘within the amphitheater, of
which mention has previously been made.
Throughout the town notices had that day been

. concerning the forthcoming entertain-
ent, and of course, as it was under the aus-
pces of the Prophet, the whole population
turned out, and the raised seats surrounding the
rin were well filled including several box
stafis, always reserved for the elders. One of
w boxes was Occupied by Don Juan’s right-
. I d man, Pietro, and his prisoner, Bertie Bird,’
whohad been warned that if she did not conduct
herself accordin to directions she had been
fish by Juan etro would cut her throat,‘and

her out in o the ring.

. Knowing by' ex rience from childhood, that
Cordiz never h tated at crime, the poor r1
not disobey—indeed, she knew the it

I we do her ifilgood to disobey or ofler protest

not the w of the Prophet, as all of his
ormon flock. were bound to support him in all
his views and uphold him in his actions, no mat-
ter what they were. .
,Tae “entertainment” as the Don had an-
nounced it, was to begin at eight o'clock, and

' . long before that hour arrived, the interior of the

:mphitheater, which in  time was used
or religious serVices presen an a arance
at once novel a chdracteristic, remiliging one
not a little of t e similar amphitheater scenes
of the Romans and Spaniards, of ages past and

gone.

The tiers of seats were thronged by an eager
and expectant peeple, who looked strangely
'rou h and uncouth, in the wavering glare of
the ight of a hundred resinous torches .

Around the outskirt of the ring below, sta-
tioned about! a yard apart, were a number of
slouch—batted, masked men, attired in red

' shirte,‘black pants and to boots, and armed
with rifles. hose were ormon Danites, and
constituted a guard, while at the'same time
they occupied pos1tions in a sort of sentry boxes
where the could not be attacked. .

About e ht o’clock a gong was sounded, and
Cyclone t was brought forward into the rig
by a couple of roughs, who immediate! retir ,
leaving him the center qf attraction or many

3 pairs of eyes.

He had been specially prepared for the ordeal
he wasforced to undergo. He was stripped to

 

the waist, while his lower garments consisted
of a pair of tight-fitting buckskin pantaloons,
and a ir of moccasins and leggings, gany
trimm with ribbons to match.

His long wealth of hair had been tied up into
a tuft on top of his head, Indian style, and gave
him a wild, unnatural appearance. . .

Around his waist was a belt, containin a

. single dirk knife of stout make and razor ge.

fter he was left in the ring by the two men
who had ushered him in, .Cyclone Kit stood gaz-
ing about him in curiosity, not knowing exactly
what to ex t.

He saw he many strange and varied faces
that were turned toward him with expressions
of expectanc , and knew that they were ready
to applaud t e heartiest when he should have
to fig t the hardest for life. He had no Fity to
expect from them, who were possessed o a dis-
like for all declared Gentiles; he knew that it
was next to useless to expect mercy at their
hands. .

He saw the guards in the sentry-boxes, and
knew they had been placed there to ‘shoot him
down, should he attempt to escape from the

run .

I-Ie saw among the faces in the audience that
of Queen Cordiz, caught her eye, and received a
sim le nod. '

T on he saw a door 0 en at one side of the

rin , and a savage-loo ing bloodhound leap
to h, while at the same time the audience gave
a shout of approval. '
. A glitter came into Cyclone Kit’s eyes, ex-
cited y a spirit of indignation, that these peo-
ple, who claimed to be civilized, should delight
to see a man matched against awild beast.

Waitin until the dog was half-way to him,
he raise his .hand above his head, and gave
vent to a sharp, peculiar cry.

The bloodhound, whose eyes glared redly,
paused witha growl and licked his chops hun-
grily, but made no move to advance further.

Quickl takin advantage of this res ite, Cy-
clone Ki jerk the knife from his elt, and
hurled it at the savage brute.

True to its aim, the point of the blade struck
the r animal mid way between the eyes, and
near y cleft its skull in twain.

Without even a bowl it fell to the ground
dead, and Kit stepped gracefully forward and
extracted the knife, after which he waved his
hand at the audience triumphantly.

If he - had expected applause, which he did
not, he would have been isappointed, for only
a faintly perceptible murmur of an rise es-
caped the tators, and all was then lank si-
lence for t e space of a minute, when a starn
voice cried: .

“ Turn in the bears!” _

Kit looked quickly in the direction whence
the voice came, and saw the Den standing upon
a box, near one of the sentry-boxes, looking the
picture of rage incarnate.

“Yes, turn loose whatever you choose, old
Sardine!” Kit shouted back, good-naturedly.
“I’ve just struck my gait, now, and can kill you
oflenough meat in five minutes, to last you a
week, big hog as you are.”

“ We shal see!” the ruflan ruler rstorted.
with an oath. “ You have received but the
first installment.” '

So Kit perceived, when he saw the door open
again, and a regular army of huge grizzly,
bears came lumbering out into the ring.

For once in his life, he realized that he was
confronted by danger with which no man could
successfuly hope to cope.

There were six of the bears and eve one of
them huge in size, and judgingby th gaunt
ap arance, on the verge of starvation.

ey were growling amo themselves, and
as they came forward the argest of the lot
reared erect.

Thunders of applause went up from the
audience. as 'they saw the terrible odds the
young Gentile had to contend with. Bertie
Bird, in her box, realized that the brave fellow
could never conquer the bears if not properly
armed. ’

Instantly seizing a revolver from the belt of
Pietro, who sat/b her side, she threw it into
the ring, behind Iy;clone Kit.

80 intent was t e audience in watching the
approaching bears, that the act was not noticed
even b Pietro himself, until Kit had possessed
himsel of the Weapon, and firmly stood his
Egnnd, with the weapon cocked, and ready, in

“Step! stop 1” Don Juan roared, fiercely;
“ don’t dare to shoot those bears.”
' “Shut up, you devil, or I’ll shoot you!” Kit
cried turning upon him so fiercely, that the
Prop t dodged down out of sight, at which

I

a

 

fibers was a perceptible titter among the specta-
ors '

Immediately, Kit be n to run like a deer
around the outer ed 0 the ring.

The object in this was to get the bears to_
chase him, in which device hgwas not unsuc-
cessful.

They immediate] gave chase, one following
the other in single 1e, the biggest bear leading.

Being an expert runner Kit had no difficulty
in keeping ahead of them as long as they made
no “ breaks” or “ crosscuts.”

Two or three circuits about the ring were
made, when he suddenly closed in on the rear
bear, and drove his dirk to the hilt into the top
of his neck; the next instant leaping over him
he attacked the fifth in a like manner, and then
the fourth third and second, amid thunders
of applause from the electrified spectators!

The whole wonderful action had occupied but
an instant of time, with such lightning celerity
did the daring beast-killer move and strike!

Even Don Cordiz could but stand and yell
and clap his hands, so strongly did the great
act impress him.

Every blow had been deadly fatal, for neither
beast went many steps after the knife had been
buried and withdrawn from the back of their
necks, and all dropped dead, ere the applause
had died out.

Cyclone Kit did not tackle the last and
largest bear in this way, but leaped to the cen-
ter of the ring, and allowed the giant brain to
take his own course.

After lumbering around the ring until he
came to his first rostrated com nion, the
monster halted, an reared upon his hind feet
with a growl of anger.

Then, seeming to comprehend that Cyclone
Kit had been the author of the wholesale
slaughter, he rushed savagely after him.

., But Kit was after him also!

Firmly standing his ground he raised his re-
volver and fired a single shot—then walked over
to one side of the ring and sat down upon one
of the lifeless bears.

The big bear staggered as he received the
deadly bullet—tottered unsteadily, and then,
losing his balance, went plunging forward to .
the ground, from which he never was to rise in
life again. ' r l

The bullet had pierced his brain, entering
through ‘one of his eyes!

As soon as the beer was floored, Kit rose,
waved his hand to the audience, and turning to
Don Juan who stood upon his perch like one
stupefled, he cried out:

“‘ Have you any more live stock you want to
dispose of, on holy old brute?”

‘ You wi 1 find out!” the Don roared, leaping
forward into the ring. “I'll see whether you
can cope with me now. Guard, bring two good
swords at once!” I

“ All right,” responded Kit, evidently pleased
with the turn affairs were taking. “ I am good
at hog-sticking!”

CHAPTER VIII.

CARLISON rams ms am.

“ Hana come the weapons new. Threw
them on the ground, Pierre, and let the Gentile
take his chqaice.” p

The man beyed, and then departed.

“Pick out your weapon!" the Don ordered,
pointin to two handsome swords, which lay be-
tweent em. “Itis the last weapon you will
ever use}, let it be said you had a choice of the

ewe

“See: I ick out the slenderest blade and
leave on t a finer one. Take it, and square
yourse f, if ]you wish to fight with a man, you
miserable o d rip l” reto Kit.

The Don throw off his coat, and seizing the re.
maing sword, at once stood on guard.

Kit simply glanced at his wea n.

The two men then advance l Only a few
pacekthen the clash! clash! clash! and ring of
steel; the battle had commenced.

Knowing, as they did, that Don uan Cordiz
was a most expert swordsman, be excited
throng rose to their feet and gazed down into
the ring with eager expectancy.

 

 

In the mean time, when the eyes of all were
turned upon the scene in the ring below, another
nian was alert to the execution of aprearranged

an. .

p To. reach the private boxes it was neces-
sary to enter a narrow hallway from the street.

aiting until he saw that every one in the
amphitheater had no eyes but for the scene in
the ring, Arthur Carlisen slip from his posi-
tion on one of the seats and urnedly left the

\

 

 

 

Cyclone Kit, the Young gladiator:

 

buildin , to recenter it a 'n b way of the hall
and me. a his way tower the x93.-

“ It must be she that is so jealously guarded
in the first private box,” he muttered, since it is
announced that the marriage is to take place to-
night. And, if such is the case, I’ve a notion
that the Mormon Prophet will lose his prospec-
tive bride l”

A walk up the hallway brought him to the
door openin into the box occupied by Pietro
and Bertie ird.

This door was not entirely closed, and Carli-
son was enabled to get a partial view of them
and note the fact that the attention of both was
directed to the battle going on in the ring be-
low, the dWarf at the moment being in the act
of speaking.

“Och! s are the Don will be afther gettin’
tha div1ll” he was saying, evidently addressing
Miss Bertie. “ He be a good ’un wid the sword,
it is true, but divil a wan has he iver tackled of
the loikes of his prisent antagonist.”

“ Would to Heaven that he gets punished, the
brute!” Bertie replied, indi antly. '

“ Och! sorry’s the hast-in ou’d .be afther get~
tin’ did he hear you say t im words. If the
loikes of him gets kilt, I suppose you’ll be mar-
ryin’ the loikes of mesilf, me darlint, and'es~
capin’ from this bi -family city?”

“ Oh! undoub ly l” was the sarcastic reply.
"You are such an improvement on the other
ruflian, that I almost fancy I see myself getting
read to elope with you.”

“ n that case, I’d better prevent such rash-
ness, as you can esca without all that sacri-
fice!” Carlison cried, in a low tone, as he stepped
quickly into the box and presented a cocked re-
volver at Pietro’s head. “Miss Bird, I have
come to rescue you from this living tomb and
restore you to your rightful position. Will you
go with me?”

“No, she won’t do a wan av the loikes, sur!”
Pietro protested, frightened and belligerent at
the same time.

_“ Shut up, or I’ll doctor your eye with a lead
pill if you raise any disturbance. Keep your
mouth shut and I’ll not hurt you. Will you fly
from this place with me, Miss Bird?”

“ Oh! no! no!” Bertie gasped, shrinkingaway.
“ I do not know you—you are a stranger to mel
I cannot go with you.’

.“Nonsensel let not such a thin hinder you.
Life-long misery stares you in t a face, unless
you improve this opportunity and escape to a
place where I can explain the mission that

rings me here in search of you. If you delay,
you are lost, for the marriage ceremon is an-
3011;138d to take place immediately a ter the

no .

“But how do I know you are speaking the

, truth! How do I know but what you are trying
to lure me into some terrible trap?” Bertie de-
manded, suspiciously.

“ You have in word of honor as a gentle-
man, dear lady, t at I mean well for you.”

Bertie was silent for a moment, her eyes at—
tracted to the scene in the ring below, where
the ante. were doing some 1i ht fencing
neither one of them ap aring to ave gaine
an advantage over the 0 her. ‘

‘_‘ How would we escape without dan of
being retaken?" she finally asked, turning to
Carlison. 3‘ This bloodhound of the Don will
give us trouble.”

“Not the least whatever. He will go right
along with us until we are safe out of hearing,
then we’ll send back word by him tothe Don
to the efiect that ‘ there’s many a slip ’twixt the
cup and the lip.’ Come, sir, rise and proceed
quietly a few few paces in advance of us, or I’ll
kill an uicker than scat, and escape with Miss

in t e bar ainl” .

“ Holy murt er!” Pietro exclaimed, as he
arosehwith evident unwillingness; “ d’ye think
tha leikes av me a fool i I’ll be decent, av course
I 75%;” .

e that you are!” Carlison said. warningly.
“ Conga. Miss Bird—now’s our time, before we
are discovered.” .

With e 60!? reluctance Bertie obeyed, fol-
lowmg Ca 11: and the trio hurried down the
hall and out into the ni ht.

'At the door Garhson aced Pietro about, and

said:
“Now, air, the likeliest thing you can do is
at back to the place you started from—the
x—in the uickest and quietest manner you
know how. shall listen here at the door until
I hear you safely there. If you try any funny
nose, you’re a dead man. ’
Pietro uttered '9. gm t, and made haste to
y. He was an arran coward at heart when

it came to hi‘s‘own safety, and was glad to es-
cape thus easily.

 

Carlison watched him lunti he disappeared l
then be turned quickly to ertie, who stood
near by.

' “Come 1” he exclaimed; “we must run for it
now, ere the Irishman raises the alarm and the
Mormons 've chase;” and be seized her arm
and ulled er swiftly along.

“ here are you going to take me!” Bertie
gasphed, many misgivings for her safety assail-
in er. '

$‘ To a safe retreat I to-da discovered within
the confines of this gulch. e cannot leave by
either secret pass to-night, for the reason that
both passes are doubly arded. Do not fear—
we shall safely elude‘ t e pursuit, if pursuit is
made.” '

How true this was, whether to believe it or
not, poor Bertie did not know. She had started
forth with him, and must follow his guidance
until it was too late or until he had proven him-
self her friend.

As fast as was possible he hurried her along.
and in due time they came to the chaparral
thicket, which filled up the upper end of the
gulch and made it almost impassable.

Into this jungle Carlison led the way.

So thick was the growth that it was impossi-
ble to make rapid progress, but finally they
came to a sort of opening or glade, where the
roar of falling water reached their ears.

In front of them was a waterfall of consider-
able width and hight, pouring down from over
a rocky ledge on the mountain side into a deep
basin, from which it escaped by we of the
channel that ran down through the ength of
the locked valley. Directly across the receiving
basin of the waterfall was a fallen tree. It was
a large, long pine, that had evidently been down
some years, and one end of it was hidden from
view under the falls, as Bertie could see, dark
as it was.

Carlison immediately drew an immense
rubbler blanket from under a rock near at
han .

“Our snug retreat for the present is behind
those falls,” he said, “and to reach it I shall
have to carry you across that log in under the
falls. Toaccomplish it, I shall have to raise
you in my arms, and we shall have to have the

lanket, which I brought with me from the
East, over our heads, to save getting wet. It
will take but a second to pass through the sheet
of water, when we once get to it, so don’t be
afraid.”

He raised the bewildered girl in his strong
arms, and then pulled the huge waterproof over
their heads and wrapped it around them.

Then stepping u on the log, in a few moments
gaudisappeared w th his charge in under the

s.
As he had told Bertie, it took but a Second to
dart through the thin sheet of water, but it was
an awful second to the terrified girl.

Carlison set her on her feet and threw-oi! the
blanket which had shielded them.

All was Stygiaii gloom, but after fumblin
around a moment, arlison lit a nia‘ch, am
then apine knot, which he thrust into a crevice
in the rocky wall at one side.

Now that the scene was illuminated, Bertie
could see that they were in the mouth of a lar e

cave, that awned just beneath‘the falls. t
had evident y been washed out is water at
some remote period, and ran bac into the

mountain for a considerable distance.
There was no furniture whatever, proving
that the place had not been used as a resort.
“Well, how do you like the looks of the re-
treat? Do you imagine they will find us here?”
Carlison asked,'a smile u n his face.

“ Not unless Juan Cor iz knows of the‘place, .

or the bloodhounds trail us,” she replied. How
lonfipm I to stay here, sir?”

“ ntil I can make satisfactory arran ements
to leave the town,”‘was the reply. “ reckon
we are safe frorn Mormon vengeance, and I
shall’not make a move until I can make a sure

“ But what do you intend to do with me, sir.
after you make this sure move you speak of?”
Bertie demanded, facing him, and gazing at
him in uiringly. ‘ ‘ .

“W I, that depends somewhat upon circum-

stances,” he replied, with a mocking coolness of

demeanor that made the blood chill in her veins;
“ it depends altogether on circumstances, my'
dear. f you agree to marr me when we get
once into civilized parts, we s all go immediate-
ly East, to take possession of an immense for-
tune that has fell Jointly to you and me by the re-
cent death of your uncle. Instead of becomi‘ilisg'l
the fifth or sixth wife of a Mormon, you in
becbme the first Wife of a gentleman—that’s me,

Arthur-German, 

 

CHAPTER IX.
WHO TEE VICTOR was.

LET us return to the ring in the am hitheater.

For nearly half an hour had the we gladia-
tors confronted each other and fenced in a way
that indicated their thorough acquaintance wit
the sword exercise. Fora time it looked as it
they were too well matched for anything but a
draw duel. ,

But to an observing outsider it would have
become apparent that the Don was getting out

i

of “ win but Kit appeared just as fresh as ‘
when be commenced, and if anything, more
agile and limber.

“ Come! come!” he said, as be perceived that
the spectators were growing impatient for a
break in the monotony, “ are you not Ring to
fulfill your promise to the people? 9 are
gettin tired of havin to waitso long see

on ki 1 me, as you dec ared your intention to

H

“Never fear! I’ll kill you yet!” the Prophet
growled, savagely, as he made a fierce lungs.
“You d—”

He never finished the utterance, at least not,
at that juncture for Cyclone parried his blow
with a powerful stroke which wrenched the
Don’s weapon from his grasp and sent it flying
{wit-way across the ring, leavmg him defense.
ess.

The next instant he received a crack alo 
his head from the flat of Kit’s sword. that -
bled him upon his back with surprising quick-
ness.

Placin his foot on the Don’s breast Cgione
Kit heldiis sword .ready to finish the Job ore '
him. . ,
A thunder of ap lause broke‘ from the audi- '
ones. They had 0 one accord expected adif- ‘
ferent termination' th were astonished at the

rowess of this den stranger; they could
But give vent to their admiration of his won—
derful skill. . ' I,

“Mercy!” Don Juan gasped, glaring up into
the face of his antagonist. .

“ lie! on beg for mercz, do you?” Kit re-
plied. “¥)o you think you ave got enough i”

“I should not beg for quarter if I did not,”
was the gruff reply. . .

“ Well, sir, when I have your promise that I
can remain at liberty in dyour town as long as
I please, unmolested, an come and go when I
please, you can reasonably- consider that I shall '
spare your life, for the present. Otherwise, you.
can rise and grasp your sword, and behave I
shall not let up on on so easily, a second time.
What say ou—if spare you, am I to have'the \
“flat” 0 thert’mdghi gritt d an n ‘ to

o—never r z e , s g ng
get up—but he might as well havo made no
effort at all, because the foot of the Gentile
ladiator held him firmly down, untilhe ceased
is struggles, when Kit stepped to one side, and
allowed im to arise. ‘ , .

“Now, sir!” he cried, “get your sword, and ~
come at me. It is either you or I now! This
is no country subject to monarc yh—I allow
there ain’t no locked kingdoms where a‘fellow
hasn’t the rifihtsto go, if he ch , there-
fore, we sha see whether I haven’t the right to
stayYhere in Goillcll-Flage'ty” mod mung t

es,-we w see uan ,
his blade. “ I’m ruler of this town and when“?
say a man cannot stay or depart, I nelson my
word is law.” ‘

With acry of re e, he rushed forward, and
steel once more me steel, with rapid ringing
clashes. . a -

Thrust, parry, faint: there was nowno child’s

lay about the skilled and scich fenoi .
fiend efriigst were the two tag?“ Gill-{2:3
evident tent upon a n

The spsectators watch th feverish interest
—their whole minds and souls seeming to be
centered in the scene below them.

“Clash! clash! clash! .

Then a cry of mortal in, as Juan Corals
staggered back, while at 8 same moment 0y-
clone Kit drew his weapon from .the Mormon’s
breast, and with a wavo of his hand, as the Don
fell to the ground, Cyclone Kit \turned and
strode from the ring and out of the amphi-
theater, his sword ready for use upon any one
who should presume to blockade his way. . .

There were no cheers, this time, until the _.
gladiator was gcne; then a feeble applause went
up, but qmckly died out. -

Don J nan still lay where he had fallen, and it
looked quite evident that Gold-Flake had lost,
or was about to lose its Prophet and ruler.

The sensation day in Gold-Flake had fairly
dawned, the morning after the gladiator-lid con»

6
0

 

test.

 

 

 

 

 

  

10

.._ .. , Amman-mammauu. ....._._ acne“... ...s
- I

cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. '

 

People were wildly excited.

U n a bed in his mansion, Juan Cordiz lay
ahe pless an mortall wounded man—so 
the advices sent forth y the on] doctor in the
town, who had ordered that the ophet be left
in rfect quiet.

ming about the town, with as much appa-
rent unconcern as though he had been guilty of
no oflense was Cyclone Kit.

He in e no advances to anybody—spoke to
nobody unless they spoke to him, and, armed to
the teeth, seemed perfectly at ease as to his per-
sonal safety.

This, too, in face of the fact that the town was
in literally a boiling state of commotion.

People of both sexes were gathered in knots,
here and there, engaged in excited discussions,
as was evident b the wild gesticulations they
made; a crowd o the same was constantly en-
tering and leaving the temple; but what it all
meant, C clone Kit made no attempt to pry in-
to, as be lieved it did not concern him.

About noon he chanced to meet Queen Cordiz
near the chaparral, in the vicinity of which he

‘ was strolling.

She put on a pleasant smile, and stopped to
speak to him.

;‘ You did uobly in furtherance of my plans,
last night,” she said, enthusiastically. ‘ I am
getting mvyirtrap ready to spring at a moment’s
notice. by didn’t you kill him, and have
done withit? ’

“ That was not my intention!” Kit replied.
“I wanted to make him suffer as he made an-
other' suffer—the inhuman brute. Do they
think he willpeg out?”

“ So the doctor reports. Probably he is right.
I, as one of his wives, can say I heartin hope
so. ‘You knew this man, before coming here,
then ?”

“By re utation only. A year ago, if you re-
member, is Danites attacked a small emigrant
train, and murdered every one except a beauti-
ful girl, named Lily Lee, and her brother. The

'rl was brought here, together with her bro-
t er and both were brutally treated b Juan
Cardin—the girl so brutally t at she d1 , while
the boy succeeded in escaping, and lived long
enou h to tell me of their wrongs. He also tol
me at he had made the discovery that this
same Juan Cordiz had been a former rejected
suitor of his mother, and that was the reason

v why Cordiz had caused them to suffer such in-
human treatment. The dead girl had previous-
- ly‘heen an intimate acquaintance of mine, and
on hearing of her sad fate I swore vengeance
on the Don, and set out to accomplish it. How
well I have succeeded you have seen, and you
Brobably recall the articular instance of the
airs rufiianism, which I have been speaking
o

Queennodded, with a shudder.

"I shall never forget it, or the' victim,”
she said a tear, springing into either eye, “ and
I must beg leave'to admire you for avenfiin
he“: wrongs. Do you know where Bertie ir

“No. Is she gone?” Kit asked, quickly.

“Yes. Nothing has been seen of heror the
Irishman, whom the Don called Pietro, since
the occu ied a box at the amphitheater last
night. here is evidently foul play some-
where.”

“I am sorry to hear this. It is certain that
she is not within the confines of the gulch
basin?” -

“It is certain she has not left it. The ards
were doubled last night, but deny any owl-
edge of her whereabouts.” , ' g

h; She must be somewhere in concealment
t n.

“ That is hardly probable, as the Don has or-
dered‘ every known place of concealment
searched, but nothing of her has been found.”

“ Humph! It is singular. I should have liked
to seen the girl.”

I“ And why so? What was she to you?” Queen
, asked, quickly.

“ Nothing to me in particular, except that I
was concerned in her welfare by promise to an-
.other.”

“ Ha! you are the agent of the witch of the

,mouutains, then?” the youn woman accused.
“ Well, es, inasmuch as? romised to rescue
her daugh r for her, if I con (1 do so. I should
me that you are not possessed of a friend-

y irit toward the rl.”

9' ou are right. hate her worse than oi-

j soul” can cried, her dusky eyes flashing e.
;‘ She "as about the same amount of affection
or me .

“wiiy‘is this dislike for each other, may I
" Oh! I don’t know, more than it is a sort of

\

 

natural repugnance. And then, too, before I
married the Don, we both were in lovo with a
young prisoner of the Don’s and row to more
thoropghly dislike each ot or t ough jeal-
ousy. -

“I guess you are of a pretty jealous and
changeable temper,” Kit remarked a little sar-
castically. “ the way, what do you think
the opinion of the people is toward me—what
are their intentions?” ‘

“My people are favorable; they are willing
that you should command them in the capacity
of leader,~in their proposed insurrection, in case
you-are willing to accept one provision.”

“ And what may that be?”

“This. After taking possession of the gulch,
the Eropose to elect a mayor to the town, who
she ave the power of govorning, making laws
and appointing officers, the same as though we
were a State by ourselves. They are. after
noting your great rowess last night, willing to
elect on as their eader, providing you marry
and t us prove your faith and intention of re-
maining as their representative.”

Kit laughed.

The idea was both preposterous and fun to
him—the more so, rhaps, because he ha no
idea whatever of elping either party fight
their battles, or of remaining longer in the
gulch than was necessary to accomplish the re-
mainder of his mission—the finding of Bertie

1rd.

“ Well,” he observed, “ I must say your rty
have a good way of cutting and dr ing t ings
to suit their own convenience. hom may
they have selected for my bride to be?”

“ N 0 one less than their present leader, my-
self!” the Mormon’s wife declared unblushingly.
“It is their opinion that our combined busmess
tact would work together harmoniously, and I
am sure—I—I—”

“ You wouldn’t have any objections to marry-
ing me, eh?” Kit finished with a smile.

‘ Exactly 1” Queen assented. “Pardon any
seeming boldness on my part—I simply mean
“its?” I W 11 1

! yes; so perceive. e , in repy it
will be only business-like of me to tell you that
 never enter into a transaction of that

in

“ You would not, you mean?” she replied, a
little sternly. ,

“ I cannot 1” Kit replied. “ I have other ar-
rangements made for my future which I could
not set aside were I ever so much inclined to
favoMou plans.”

“ ich you are not—that is plain to me. I
see the who e thing now—you have another in
view, and also a witch’s reputed boarded for-
tune. Oh! Cyclone Kit, that shall never be,
take my word for it.”

“ You talk foolishly my dear woman. Were
I of a mind to marry fBertie Bird. as you hint,
I, should undoubtedly do so. without asking
your permission!” Ki replied coolly. “I will

id youa leasant good day, ma’am!”

And he urned and walked back toward the
town, Queen Cordiz following at a distance,
her pretty face assuming some remarkably ugly
expressions to say the least. _

.‘We shall see,” she muttered, fiercely. “ I
Will devote the best days of my life but what
I’ll win you, by fair means or foul—what care
I, which way since .my young life has been
wrecked to all good, by this Mormon monster,
Juan Cordiz? They who have heretofore
known Queen as a simple we ward child, shall
find her suddenly develope into a powerful
and stron —handed woman!”

And ju ging b her angry appearance, she
meant every wor of it.

“And as for the girl, Bertie Bird. I’ll see to
it that she don’t get into Cyclone Kit’s path.
Once before she was my rival, and lived to tell

of it, but as true as I live, she shall not triumph -

a secoud time. Oh! no! no! no!”

 

Cyclone Kit went back into the town, and
step d in at the saloon, to get a cigar. As he
sto leaning against the bar, Alf Legree and
Co ote Jake entered, and called for drinks.

fter they had finished, Legree turned grufliy
to Cyclone,his face grim and ugly in its expres—
sion: ' '

“ Well?” he said, interrogatively, “ hev ye
heerd the news?” '

“ It depends altogether on what the aforesaid
news may be,” Kit replied, blowing out a cloud
of smoke. I

“It’s about the Prophet—he’s jest about

h said. “ That

breathin’ his last!” t e ruflian
means you’re a—” - V w

“ Victor—not a murderer.” Kit declared, an-
ticipating him, '

I

 

“ That’s what’s the matter. You’re a cuss on
wheels—leasthow, that’s what the hull caboodle
0’ Mormons say, Elders and all, and the ’ve
convened, and put their heads together, an’ ’ve
been detailed to read you the result!”

And with these words the “bully” man of
Gold-Flake drew a roll of manuscript from his
pocket, unfolded it with an air of importance,
and mounting a chair close by, cleared his
{groan waved his hand, to enjoin silence, and

gan:

 

CHAPTER X.
GRIM.
“ GOLD-Fuss, UTAH, - 12th, 18—.
“ To Whom It May Comwm .'

“ Whereas, in the course of human events, it be-
comes a people, and those people adherents to the
Mormon faith, to be represented b a leader or
Prophet, who is of exceeding divin t , grace and
pOWer of personal prowess, and— .

“ Wlm-eas, it has become the Will of the Great
Ruler that our beloved Prophet and Ruler, Juan
Cordiz, should be smitten down and taken off, by
the hand of an assassin, and—

“ Whereas, it becomes our duty as a ople to be
not without a form of government, in t iese days of
sorry sin and treachery:

“Agreed, that we dld assemble and convene, in
body, at the Temple in the town of Gold-Flake, in
communion, as one person, and made the following
resolutions, to wit:

“ Resolved, that, having been bereft of our Prophet
and governing ofilcer, through the medium of death,
and agreed that the town and people’s interests be-
ing in need of a. guiding and irotecting hand to fill
the lace of the one just stric en down—

.“ esolreri that we elect anew Prophet and Gover~
norto fill the vacancy. And, an inventory of the
worthy men of the town having been made. and
their general good and bad points having been pre-
sente and discussed— .

“Resolved, that out of the entire lot, no man )8
so admirably fitted for the position as: he who ad—
heres to the name of Cyclo‘ne Kit, and further—

“Resnlvell, that such bein the case, and he the
evident chaice of the peop e, that we pronounce
him Prophet of the Gold-Flake Mormon Church.
and Governor-Mayor of the Mormon State and town
of Gold-Flake. , (Signed) Tm: PEOPLE.”

“Thar—how d’ye like the taste of that. my
huckleberry i” Legree cried, as he finished.
“Didn’t expect tew be treated tew sech a pic-
nic, did ye?”

“ Well, hardly, if you denominate such a pro.‘

ceeding a ‘ picnic,’ ” Kit replied. “They’re
evidently all bucking up the wrong tree, con-
cerning your humble servant. I’m not an ofii-
cer of any faction, whatever, nor am I a candi-
date thereforl”

“ Oh! you won’t step into a fat ofice like
that, eh? Well, in thet case 6 ain’t got so soft
a sna , after all,” Legree dec ared.

“ or instance, here’s a few words on .the p’int,
which I didn’t read: '

“In case the party hereby elected by us, shall
refuse to perform t e duties customary with his

redecessor, or shall at any time attempt, unlaw-
ull to escape from the town, a. jur selected from
thealders shall be impanneled, and e ishall be ad—
judged guilty of misdemeanor and sentenced to
death, in whatsoever way said Elders may decide."

“ That sounds better—more business-like, you
see,” Kit retorted, in his sarcastically cool way.
“And now, my ferocious-looking ‘su ,’that on
have exhausted so much of your win in beha fof
your muchly-married Mormon friends, you can

ave the privilege of exhausting another stock
in a prising them that I shall neither play up
Brig m for them, nor burden myself with a
number of wives; more, I shall remain in the
ulch as long as I please, and leave it whenever
please!”

Then, with his usual composure. the gladiator
turned on his heel and sauntered out into the
gulch once more. _

Here he wandered. about during the remain.
der of the day keeping his 9 es sharply about
him, and wondering howit al would terminate.
He had now refused to Side With two different

arties, and had thereb incurred their enmit .
It would be but_natura , then. that they should
lay traps for his capture. Once the secured
him, harsh measures would most I'ikely he
adopted. 1

But, though the same commotion was per-
oeptible about the town all day long—the same
groups of peo 19 here and there, and men hur—
rying to and r0, Kit could not see that they
were making any hostile demonstrations toward

Just before sunset he resolved to make a tour
around the edge of the valley, and a thorough
examination thereof, to ascertain whether or
not he could find the secret eXIt from the pocket
other than the one by which he had entered.
That this second trail ex1sted was beyond ques-
tion, but as yet he had not come across its
starting-point.

   

sf

' approaching ‘ nearer

 

Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

.11

 

 

A thorough inspection of the first or ri ht-
hand side resulted in no discovery, except t at
he came across the place where began the stone
stairway, which ascended through the rocks to
the Phantom Acre above.

Two rough—looking fellows guarded the arched
entrance to the stairway, who gave Kit an ugly
look as he approached, but he walked on with-
out paying any attention to them.

He soon came to the Chaparral jungle in the
lower end of the gulch, Similar to that in the
upper end where the falls were located. Search-
ing about, he soon found a narrow path along
the bank of the stream, which penetrated into
the heart of the thicket.

Following its course, he soon came to the
mountain end of the ulch in that direction,
and likewise into a smagl clearingin the thicket.

Before him the rapid stream rushed down un-
der the base of the mountain through a black,
tunnel-like hole of considerable size, there being
enough space in the tunnel alongside the stream
for a wagon track, which had evidently already
been im roved.

This t en was the avenue by which the Mor—
mons found their egress and entrance, when
Old Meg, the witch, was laboring under the
supposition that she had until recently held the
on pass herself. The one before Cyclone Kit
h evidently been in use a number of years.

This was not the only discovery that the
sharp eyes of Cyclone Kit made.

Lying upon the ground in the clearing, not
far from the tunnel entrance, were two dead
men—ruflianly-looking fellows, who had been
shot through the temple.

Near by, perched composedly upon a. bowlder,
and engaged in gnawing some meat from a
bone, was a skinny, withered-up little old man,
who looked as if agood wind would blow him
away. In face he was wrinkled and shriveled.
with a bi mouth, hook nose and little black
e es, whic peered out from under a pair of
s aggy overhangin brows. His face was barren
of beard, and his air Was long, shaggy and
tow colored.

_His clothes were of the commonest descrip-
tion, and his only arms consisted of a revolver
and a repeating rifle.

Kit came to a halt, and surveyed the fellow
narrowly. .

“Did you ‘kill those men?” Kit demanded,
pointing to the bodies.

“Yas, stranger, I rather calculate I did, at
old Vermont knows herself, an’ what’s more,
I’m liableto fix ye the same way if e come
any 0’ yer bulldozin’ ’round me!” was t e reply
in a shar nasal voice.

“Oh! on’t get in a fever on my- account”
Kit answered composedly. “ I am not liable to
hurt you unless you get obnoxious.”

“ 0h! ye don’t say! Well, young man, that's
good of you, an’ ef I didn’t remember your
cool independent ways from boyhood‘I should
be inclined to be offended!" ‘ v
‘ Kit surveyed the man a second time in
astonishment.

- “You know me?” he exclaimed, incredu-
lom% ,

"‘ ell, I reckon I do!” the shriveled-up indi-
vidual declared. “ You look jest as natteral as
ye used to, by gum. Spect on don’t know
me, eh? Rathera hard-lookin old crow-tail, I
know but then, I’m all here, what’s left 0’ me.”

“ o, I do not know you—never saw you that
I remember of before today, and I presume
you are mistaken about knowing me.”

“Not in the least. You are Cleve Carlison,
as natural as life, except for your long hair,
goatee, and frontier attire!” . _

Cyclone Kit uttered a surprised e aculation.

“And who in blazes are you?” e gasped

to the superannuated
stranger.

“ I am Josh Grim at your service—formerly
your father’s family servant, confidant and
frlend» but now of the Boston detective force.”

Cyclone Kit went forward and extended his
hand heartily.

“I believe I have heard my father speak of
you—and Speak W811 too—prior to his death, but

do not remember your face. What in the
world brings you so far from Boston?”

“Business,_*s1r-—business, to the backbone!”
Joshua relplied, taking a. chew of tobacco.
“ Ostensib y to find two heirs to a fine fortune

—in reality to find the same and also a noted '

criminal. You may possibly have known him,
since it was he who caused your departure
Westward, ho!”
“What! Arthur-my brother?”
“ e same.” - -
' “ Well this is news, indeed. Of what has he
been guilty. pray ?” .

 

“ Oh! a ood many things. In the first place,
and most im ortant, he is a murderer!”
Cyclone it staggered at this, and turned

pale.

“My God! I never thought he’d come to
that!” he said.

“And why not? A man mean enough to
charge forgery upon his only brother, in order
that he might win his brother’s promised wife—-
a man like that, sir, is capable of any crime.”

Cyclone Kit bowed his head in acknowledg-
ment of the fact, a hard expression coming
over his face.

“I never heard how that came out,” he said.
“Arthur and I had had a dispute, a few days
before the blow came, during which I had oc-
casion to knock him down, for slandering Ma -
gie. He swore dire vengeance on my heag,
but I laughed at him. But I awoke to my mis-
take a few nights later, when, while standing
at the depot, a friend came and told me that
father’s name had been forged in a Iar 9 sum;
that it was in my st 10 of chirograp y, and
that Arthur had open y accused me of it, and
the officers were hunting for me. In one single
moment I foresaw the disgrace that must fol-
low, whether I were proved guilty or no. I
shrunk from disgrace; I jum ed aboard the
train, and forever turned my ack upon our
home, of which I have never heard since. I
suppose, however, that Maggie married Arthur,
because she all the time rat er favored him.”

“Yes, oor fool, she married the infernal
rascal an got her fpay for it. He abused her
like a pirate, and nally capped the climax by
killin her, because she ma 9 oath before court
that e was guilty of the forgery, instead of
you. How he escaped, I do not know, being in
Boston at the time, but escape he did, and I was
wle raphed for and put on his track.”

“ t will not be well for him ever to run
across my trail!” Cyclone Kit said, “ for, even
thou h be is my brother, he shall find me his
dead y enemy.”

“ Presumedly, if I don’t happen to nab him
first, and bounce him back to Bosting.”

“But, you don’t expect to find him in this
confounded hole?”

“ Well, I do. I trailed him like a fox, and
am satisfied he is in this very Mormon town.”

“ You must be mistaken. I have seen noth-
ing of him.” ‘

‘ Well, that matters not. I’ll tell you why I
think he is here!” -

And then Grim went on to relate in sub-
tance, if not exactly word for word, the same
stor of the Mather will—also that he believed
Art ur Carlison had come to Gold Flake for
the purpose of securing Bertie Bird, and win-
ning her by representing Cleve Carlison as
dead or by force, if by no other means.”

“And the rascal is evidently here, then!”
Kit cried, excitedly, “for Bertie Bird sudden-
ly disappeared last night, and has not yet ‘been
found.’

“ That settles it! Arthur Carlison is theman
who be her,” the detective said, emphaticall .
“ I£ he has escaped from this hole, he may elu 9

“But, in event of his securing the girl, and
inducing her to marry him, what can that ac-
quisition possibly avail him? He could not go
back to the scene of his former crimes, without
running the risk of arrest.”

“ No; but he probably has some plan in view,
whereby he can arrange matters—for instance,
like growing out his beard, and passing himself
off as you, which, though a bold attempt, he
could probably do, as you look alike as two
peas, with conception of a few items which
could be remedied. He is a great schemer, and
any scheme is not too good for him to_ execute.”

t this juncture, further conversation was in-
terru ted, on that subject by the sound 'of ap-
proac ing‘footsteps, and a moment later several
rough-loo ing men entered the glade, at the
bee of whom was Alf Legree, looking as fierce
as was his wont.

“Hello!” he cried, with an oath, as he beheld
Kit and Josh Grim, and at the same time the
dead guards.

“ I thought we’d better look here for you, my
festive gladiator, at which. point it becomes me
to arrest you in the name of the law, for the
murder of Juan Cordiz!”

CHAPTER XI. .
Josn mom A SIX-IN-HAND.
The announcement was made in a peremp-

 

to manner, but did not seem to aflect Cyclone _

Ki , whose revolvers were cooked and ready in
his hands, the moment he can ht sight of the
men. And Josh Grim was no slow in grab
hing up his rifle, on the defensiveu

‘ their

 

“You are (probably huntin for another per-
son!” Kit sai ,as he survey Legree and the
Danites, coolly. “I am not a murderer, and
you cannot try me as such. I met Juan Cordiz
fairly, at the point of the sword, after first hav-
ing mastered the beasts he turned loose on me
—— had him down, once, and offered to make
tarms when he plead for mercy, but he refused,
when I gave him another show for his life, and
a dig in the side. Is be dead 'l”

“ No, not et, but since you have refused to
assume his p ace, at the head of the people, they
have resolved to arrest you and treat you the
same as any common murderer. Until the Don
dies, you will not be hun .”

“ I am of that same opinion, myself,” Kit re-
torted. “ I am not even a prisoner, yet, and I
doubt if I ever am taken by such a locking
gang as you.
enforcements.”

“What! do you mean to say that you will
not sufiender? ’ Legree demanded, evidently
surprised.

“ That’s the very ticket I vote, you bet!” Kit
responded. “There’s not enough man-meat in
Vour whole crowd, to capture one side of me.
Seeing is believing, and you have seen my cali—
ber; so you’d better let up, while ou’ve a
chance. If you Were to get into a ght with
me, you’d need a fine-tooth comb to rake to—-
gether your remnants, after the trouble is over!”

Legree and the other ruflians exchanged
glances. Evident it was they had none too
much confidence as to how such a battle would
result, after having seen Kit’s prowess in the
ring the night before.

“ e aint so sure about thet ar’ matter,”
Legree torted, gruflly. v “We’ve orders from
the peop e, to nab and cage you, and we ain’t.
liable to get blufled out of our urpose!”

You’d better go back and get re-

“Then, sail in, and take t e consequences, \

I’ve given ydu fair warning,” Kit answered.
Joshua, you are with me, are ou not?” ‘
“ Clean up to my cravat!” t e Yankee detec-
tive assented, a dangerous twinkle in hiseves.
“Count me a dozen, at least, as I’m purtickler
death on Mormons.” - . ,
“We’ll see!” Legree yelled. “Forward, boys
--at ’em hard I” ' .
And the Danites sprungigrward With yells.
Crack! bang! crack! g! The reports of
firearms awakened the echoes of the approach-
ing evening and sent them rover
through the walled basin. .
Alf Legree id the penalty of his foil before
he had taken alf a dozen steps. A bul at from
Grim’s repeating rifle effectually settled hisse-
counts, as far as this world was concerned. '~
Coyote Jake immediately took the lead, and
rushing on, weapons were clubbed in a desper-
ate hand-to-hand conflict.

It is highly probable that the conflict would;

have resulted disastrously for the Danites had
not re-enforcements come to their assistance,
when they were beginning to stagger and waver
under the fierce attack of Grim and Kit in the
shape ofa dozen Mormon citizens, who 0 course
sided in with the Danites, and in a jiffy our two,
defenders were surrounded and overpdwered by
sheer force of numbers. ‘-

Struggle as best they could, Kit and the de-
tective were securely bound hand and'foot. .

Their feet, however, were released! by order
of Coyote Jake, and the were marched to ,
the Mormon town ami boots of victory from.
their captors. - '

As the entered the village a mob Of the HOP-
mon bel evers lined the street, and howled,
screeched and shook their fists threateningly.

“We’re in for a picnic now,” Kit remarked
to the detective, who was marched beside-him.
“They’re r’iled enough to string us up at once.”

“I don’t believe they’ll go as far as that,”
Grim re lied.

And hr; was fight. They were taken direct
to the temple and put under gland. on separate
sides of the buildin ,after w 10h the majority
of the crowd took t on de arture:

People came in and out or awhile during the
evening, but about midnight they ceased their
calls, and all was qu1et until morning.

The two guards who kept watch over Cyclone
Kit, and the same number who Grim,
were wide awake and vigilant the whole night.
In the morning, relief-guards were sent to take
lace, -and they brought the”. news that
Juan ordiz was still alive, but'sink' fast, and
had e ressed a wish to see Cyclonefi hanged
before e died.

Kit heard the report with seeming indiffer~
ence. .

“I presume, accordin‘goto that, 1 will hava a
speedy trial,” he said the guard who lied
granted the information. ‘

\

erating '

/

 

 

“yam- ...

 

12

1.:___5.T._..-..+,>.:...s,f.... ., _ .-....._V...«_V.l._:” .. .J . . I. .

8 group ofsix women, who were hudd

:backse

 ‘policytok

\

a a

V Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

 

 

“You’ll not be apt to Iget any trial at all l”
was the gruff response. “ reckon they’ll. string
you up without ado.” .

During the earl partof the forenoon one of
the elders enter the temple and approached
god; Grim, who sat with his head bowed in his

an s.

The elder’s name was Jones; he was a hard,
cruel, selfish-looking man, who ap‘phefred better
capable of conducting a massacre n a meet-
in or revival.

rim looked up as he approached, his withered
countenance wearin a oleful eXpres ion.

“ Well, sir,” the e der began, ste y, “what
have on to say for yourself?”

“ othingl nary a gol—darned thing,” Josh
res ended, with his genuine Yankee twang.
“ l m like the boy who eat a bushel of dried ap-
ples ovar in Vermont; I hain’t a word to se. .”

“ ’Well, sir, we shall see about that. be
are {don—what. is your business here i”

“ goname—wh it’s Joshua Grim fikwire
from sting, an’ ’m agent fer ther ’Nonpareil
Lightning Rod Company, by jingo and you bet
thar ain’t another rod invented that can tech
within forty—rods o’ cum, on wardin’ off light-
nm . r

“If so, why did you take sides with yonder
outlaw, and help to kill off several of our best
men?”

“Waal, ye see, I didn’t_ know which was

’ wrong,-au’ which was right an’ so I chipped in

wi’ ther weakest side. Them’s my sentiments—
I’d help a hen any time of she couldn’t lick a
rooster.”

“ Then you had no purpose, other than this, in
entering the aifray ?”

“ Nary a darned one, by; gosh i”

-"‘It is well for you. nder any other cir—
cumstances you would be subject to a sentence
of death. As it is, you will be ranted a fate
altogether different and better. on will have

' , to become a Mormon among us, and your first

initiation will be to marry at once. The late

“Elder Grimes, who died recently, left behind

him six young and buxom wives—all workers,
too—who would be glad to hitch up in the
matrimonial harness again.”

“Joe—beeswax! Ef that’ll settle the thing

t trot out yer stock, an’ I’ll couple-up, you

t, vidin’ they’re good-lookin’.”

‘f hen, Mr. Grim, come right along with me,
and you shall see for oursel 1” Jones said, out-
tigg the detective’s nds. “When you are
w ded, you will be a full-fledged .Mormon and
«titled, to the privileges of a ully established

$1288., I .

And so Josh left the temple in company with
the elder.

Once he was a Mormon, he argued to himself,
he would have a better chance to work. That,
of course, was his only object in joining the
Iormone—it would disarm them of suspicion

, and enmity, and give him libert to do what he
could toward flu

ding Bertie ird, and res-

cuing Cyclone Kit from his impending peril.
- Soon after leaving the temple they came“ to 9.
ed together
excited] , and evidently expecting

the new catch the e der had in tow.

.‘They ranged in age from twenty to forty
years, were dressed alike in calico, and there
was not one of the sextstte, who was not
beastly homely.

'_Grim’e he‘s sunk within him in utter horror,
as the elder paused and waved his hand toward
them' he wondered .what would be his fate,
should he not be able to get out of this scra
into which he was about thrusting his nec l
The thbught was appallng

\ “There they are, sir-rt ey’re all yours as I
hereby pronounce you man and wives!” Jones
announced. . “What do you think of them,
Joshua!"

“Oh Lord! [—1 don’t know!” Josh an-
swered his teeth chatterin . “ I—I wish I was

lling lightning rods.” I

“A little timid you see,” the elder observed
to the women, “ but he’ll soon break in and be
as dy asayoung butterfly; then, you want
to ook’out for him, or he’ll be bringing home a
seventh Mrs. Grim, for you six to nourish and
support in luxury and e egance.”

‘ Never l” the six women said in a chorus—so
forcibly that the shock of their utterance made

‘ i Joehfeel ' ht-headed, in the extreme.

“ You i” he'chimed in, believing it the best
on the right side of the squad,
until he'coul give them the slip. “ I‘ain’t anx-

ious to shoulder over half a dozen, jest now, till

, I get thernaok o’ supportin’ ’em.”

I guess ou’re level—beaded on that score,

, young man, Jones declared; “ and now, I’d ad-

vise you to get a pan an’ shovel, an’ go to work

 

on the flats, down yonder, in order to get
zscailles :, enough to buy edibles for your large
am .

“ es, and you better, be back hum, by sun-
down, or I’ll come arter you with a strap!” the
eldest of the six declared emphaticall —a large,
raw-boned feminine,  much of t e bull-dog
in her face.

“ Keerectl” Josh agreed readily. He was
only too glad to get off so easily. ‘ I’ll be with
you at six r.u., honey!”

Then, he meandered off, at no mean sort of a
pace, and procuring the necessary implements,

0 Set to work with a number of other miners,
on the gulch bottom, at the outer edge of the
village, on the bank of the creek. '

He worked steadily through the day, finding
the ‘pay-dirt’ very rich, and while laboring,
kept a weather-eye out to see if he were
watched. '

Once or twice he saw the big wife, No. 1, at a
distance which was enough to satisfy him that
she was keeping a watch of his movements.

“ I wonder how I’ll manage to elude the old
catamount?” he muttered. “One thing is cer-
tain—one thing and no more just at present. If
the ,old imp catches me, she’ll have to hunt for
me.

He waited until it was growing dark, and the
other miners had quit work; then he skulked
away to_ the vicinity of the temple, where he
took refuge in a tool-house, until it should get
dark enough for him to venture forth, with
safety. _

“ If I can get Cyclone Kit free, and the girl
Bertie Bird, and then capture the assassin,
Arthur Carlison, I shall be pretty well satisfied
with this trip,” he mused, ‘as shall make a
snug sum, out of it.”

While sitting in the tool-house he was by no
means idle, as many would have been.

Unbuttoning his vest, he took from an inside

cket a black false bend, wig, and misshapen

t

a .

The heard be fitted to his face and the wig to
his head. The hat also was donned in place of
the battered “ plug ” he wore.

Next he took off his clothing, turned it inside
out, and put it on again.

Being reversible garments, he now resented
an entire chan of appearance. e cloth-
ing had evident y been grepared for a purpose
for the side now expose to view, was cover
with patches and mud, and he looked every inch
a rough miner, and also strikingl resembled
some of the Mormons whom he ha seen about

thaianey' r11 Pass M t br'd ’t
guess . recon l as won
know me in the arkness.”

“ In troth tha won’t,” a decided] Irish Voice
exclaimed. “ Shure ye are the la y-buck for
make-ups!” , .

Grim started, and peered about him. Dark
as it was he was able to discern the outlines of
a man’s figure, looming up from behind a stack
of im ements behind him.

“ ellol Who in thunder are you?” was the
Yankee’s exclamation, as he sprung to his

eet. '

“ Faith, I’m mesilf,.an’ who in the divil be
you?” was the answer-

“I’m a man, every inch of me, as you will
find. Are you hidin here?” Grim demanded.

“Share, am, an' t’s expectin’ to be hauled
out an’ have the skilp taken from me any unn-
ute, I am.

“ What for? How came you here?”

“Ooh! I came here a.divil a long slpell egg,
an’ the ould Turk the called Don nan, e
wouldn’t let me leave, an’ made me act the
loikes of his servant, au’ called me Pietro. An’
d’ye know, the. worst of all, he called me an
Italian, the bloody thafe!” _

“,And so you’re hiding from him for that,

e

“ Divil a bit! Faith, he set me to guard the
Eirrul, the other night an’ a feller widblud in

is eye walked oif wid her, leavin’ me nothin’

to do but go back to the Don an’ git kilt ontire-
ly, or hide away. So I’ve been scbroochin’ in
here ever since, an’ I’m as hungr as the sha-
dow av a buckthorn bush after a routh.”

“ Well, then, ou’re the very chap I want I"
the other said: ‘ I’m Josh Grim, detective from
Boating, Mass., an’ I want you to help me 1”

CHAPTER XII.
GBIM AND on!) . MEG. .
IN a short time after their meetin Grim and
the Irishman had come to faverah 0 terms, by

 

l which the latter was to give the Yankee detec-

tive such assistance as was in his power, and
Grim in turn was'tdhelp the poor Iiiberman to
escape from the gulch and to civilized parts.

I

' \

 

After collecting some points he needed to be-
gin with, Grim left the tool-house, promising to
return before daybreak and report.

On getting out into the night, he found that

‘ the darkness was not nearl so thick as when he

had entered his place of re uge.

The cause for this was at once apparent. In
front of the residence of Juan Cordiz, near]
the whole population of the town was gathere ,
watching or participating in some strange work
that was going on.

In one place a number of men and women
Were carrying and adding fuel to an alread
large bonfire, the reflection of which lit up the
heavens with a lurid glow.

In another place, and directly in front of a
low veranda of the house, several other men
were engaged at carpenter work.

It needed but one glance from Grim’s eagle
eye to inform him what they were building.

It was a scaffold!

Who for—Cyclone Kit, alias Cleve Carlison?
It struck the detective so, and he uttered a
moan of regret.

“It’s too bad!” he growled. “They’ll han
him in spite of me, unless I am smarter than
give myself credit for being. B blazes, I
wish”I had a squad of Bosting po ice up here
now. .

But he hadn’t, and knew something had to be
done, and that, too. right livsly, if he succeeded
in saving Cyclone Kit’s neck from the noose.

A lot of the men and women were booting
and yelling in anticipation of what was to come,
evidently, while another portion stood partly
to one side, and took no part or interest in the
demonstration. _

Grim’s keen eyes noted this fact, and he won~
dered at it, even while racking his brains in
search of some suitable plan by which he could
avert the impending doom of the prisoner of the
temple.

For one single man to attem t to take the
captive from such a crowd woul be utter folly,
as be well knew. To attempt to rescue him
from the temple was equal foolhardiness, in all
probability, as it was likely it was strongly
guarded.

Again, there were chances that the guard had
been lessened owing to the approaching execu~
tion; and a ter viewing the matter 11 both
lights, Grim decided to skull: around to the
tem 1e and make a reconnoissance.

e was about to do so, when a hand touched
him lightly on the shoulder, and he turned
quiclééi with a smothered cry of anger.

“ o the—” he began; but a cool, harsh
voice interru ted him. *

“ Not so set, Joshua Grim!” the harsh
cracked voice exclaimed; “ 1 know yeof old!”
§he getdective looked (grizzled. “81 loom

e a seen a many -
human hein sin his Eime, but none who Will-lg
hold a can _e to the woman who stood before
him, witharms akimbo.

And this woman was the soostyled witch of the
PhanYtom Iignore, Oldxlllie Mather!

‘ ou ow me 'm gasped, surveying
her critically, the light of the great bonfire
li hting up er furrowed features gmtesquetlg'é
“ ell, if you do, I must say you’ve got
advanta e of me.”

“No haven’t. You knowme well, and I
know you.”

“But I say you’re wrong. AllI know about
ygu is that you’ve got the ugliest mug I ever

held on mortal woman.”

“ Indeed? How strangely currents of thought
will sometimes run. I was lust congratulating
myself. I always supposed was the ‘homeliest
person living, but I find that I am wrong. You
are so much uglier looking than myself, that I
already fan myself quite pretty.”

Gr'm laug ed, for he appreciated the retort.

“ ell, be tlfat as it may, who are you, that

on appear to know my name, here in a strange
and?’ edemanded.

“ I am one whom you used to hook apples for
when we were, many years younger'than now
-you were livmg w th the Carlisons at the
time; 1 am one whom you used to throw admir-
ing and wistful glances at, but never had the
courage to pop he question, until it was too
late; am no more nor less than Meg-Mather—
that was, in those bygone days.” .

, “ You—you Margaret Bird?” Grim ejacu-
lated, incredulousl . .

“Ay—the wrec of that once free-hearted,
sunn -tempered and pretty girl. But why are
you ere? Tell me.”

Grim did tell her, in as few words as possible,
what he had told Cyclone Kit, and what is
already known to the reader, concluding by
saying:

 

 

 

, him, for he had fears of the old_witch

Cy

 

.——Lv——7 p

" And now, they’re oing to ban g this Cyclone
Kn. for running the ormon Prophet through
with the sword during their combat the other
night. If we do not do something for him at
once we shall not be able to help him!”

“You say he has mado efforts to secure my
lost child for me?” the witch demanded, her
features working and her Wild eyes directed
toward the gallows, nOW nearing completion.

“Of course! A flner fellow does not exist,
and it' he gets free he will undoubtcdl
endeavor to find Bertie and restore her to you. ’

“I believe you, and we must free him from
this accursed Mormon mob!”

“ Come!” she said, setting out toward the up—
ps-r end of the village; “I think l have a plan
that will secure his escape, and also vengeance
for myself.”

Grim followed, keeping his eyes well about
of the
peril Kit was in, and of the cneral result.

He placed none too mucg confidence in the
fidelity of the Irishman; he was afraid Meg did
not know just what she was about; still, he fol—
lowed her.

In the course of five minutes they came to a
large shanty, and taking a bunch of keys from
her pocket, Meg softly unlocked the door; then,
inotioning Grim to follow her, she flung open
the door and entered the front room of the
s‘mnty. The detective followed, and closed the
door after him.

They found themselves in a very commonly-
l‘urnished room. where a man was seated at a
table, enga ed in reading by candle-li ht from
a book, evi entlya Bible—a man of mi die a 0,
who was red-haired and bearded, and of port y
build—a man with keen gra eyes. .

He sprung up with a start ed cr as he beheld
the unceremonious intrusion of he witch and
Grim. He reached toward his hip-pocket, but
a motion from Meg warned him to desist, and
he obeyed.

“Ha! ha! you know better than to pull a
weapon on me, Joe Bird 2” the witch cried.
“ You fear my vengeance, and know better than
to trifle with me!” ‘

“’Who are you? What do you want?” the
Mormon demanded in 3 sp, looking in alarm
first to Grim and then to he witch. '

“ You know who I am!” Meg retorted,
fiercel . “ I am the one you left to shift for
hersel when you turned ron ado to join the
accursed Mormon gang of t eves and cut-
throats. I am the wife you promised to love,
honorand protect.”

Bird was silent. His head was slightl bowed;
his eyes were fastened upon the floor, w ile Meg
went on: '

“ You turned me loose with the wolves in the
mountains, and there I have since remained.
Where is our child, Joe Bird? Speak! Tell me
where she is!”

“ I do not know ” waothe reply, in a sort of
whining tone. “'I’ve heard she is missing—
thou h likel you had her.”

“ you lie, oc Bird—you lie! You knew bet-
ter than that, and had not a care what had be-
come of her: Do you know what I’ve sworn to
do, Joe Bird?”

“ No- I know nothin about yo woman.”

“ Well, I’ve sworn an oath that will kill you
and rid the world of such a viperas on are.
What is the present number of your ormou
wives?” I

“Six,” was the unblushulg reply.

“ What! so few? I supposed you had a score
at least. , Well, sir you can depend upon it,
then, that you will ave to die sxx deaths to pay
for your folly. But not yet: I have other wor
for you'do do ' by doing which you will prolong
your lease of life. You have heard that a young
man named Cyclone Kit is about to be exe-
cuted?” ' _

Birdnodded. ~

“ This man, Cyclone Kit,” Meg went on. 9‘38
the eldest son of Judge Carlison, who once
bellied You to 893 money to save on from
going to the war. Put on our hat. on have

got to secure for him his 'berty andsave him -

from hanging.” .
“ i cannot do It!” the renegade husband re—
plied, nervously. “ l cannot—really I cannot!”
“ But, on Will, though, or die right here, in
your tree . It’s your Only chance to rolong
vour life! Take your choice; Free Byclone
it, or die 1" . ,
“ How can I free him i” the man asked, growl-
iuglyi “ I am not his jailer. or his judge! ’

I“ 0, but on have access to the temple, and
can easily 81 p in and set him free, before he is
led forth to execution. Quick! decide! If you
do not obey, I’ll kill you, and attempt his res-
cue, myself i" .

_. ._.r—____..._.. .__~._ ..

Bird reached for his hat, proving that he
knew what was best for his rsonal safety

“ Go ahead, and 1 will fol ow,” he said.

“ Hard] l” Me sneered, “ on go ahead and
we will to low. but will loo better!”

Undoubtedly Bird would have demurred, at
this, only that the sight of a cooked revolver, in

any great amount of courage.

So he led off, Meg followed, and Josh brought
up the rear, in great anxiety.

The parley in the shanty had been a source of
agony to him.

He feared that they would be too late, in
reaching the temple, to save Kit—and he was
not wrong.

On reaching the queer stone structure, Joseph
Bird softly unlocked the front door, and enter—

d

C .

A moment later, he came out, and paused
upon the steps.

“ You are too late!” he announced. “They
have already taken the prisoner to execution.”

“ Then you die on the portals of this sacrile-
gious church l” “Ml-g cried, and raising her
weapons, quickly fired. '

“ith a groan, her failhlcss husband placed
his hand over his heart, and fell, never to rise
again in life, as she supposed.

“That is murder, robably, but it is at least
ridding the world 0? one viper!" she gritted,
turning to Grim. “Comel we’ve work to do.
Plan your own actions, and execute them—I
will do likewise, and see you later l” '

Then, she was off, like a deer, and out of
sight ere the Yankee could speak.

Seeing that he was left to work by himself,
he turned his footsteps hurriedly toward the
bonfire. ’

When he arrived near the place of execution,
he ansed, and gazed sharply around him.

few of the villagers noticed him, and nod-
ded, seeming to mistake him for some one of
the Mormon miners. .

The scaffold had’been completed by this time,
and looked ominous and umnviting enough, as
medie plain toview in the light of the roaring
hon re. ‘

in c urge of four strong men.

At an open window of his mansion, Don Juan
sat, bolstered up in a chair, so that he could
have a good view of the gallows. _‘

Beside him was a revolver, which he was to
fire at whenever he wanted the prisoner
brought upon the scaffold.

Ringing a bell, at his right hand, a servant
809511362311“er an inn”: b d l” h aapcd

me a g ass 0 ran y o .

The wigiter obeyed. With a  t wouuxlid-

1 en

ed Prophet downed the fiery
smacked his lips.

“ That imparts new life i” he said, a glitter in
his baleful eves. “ I shall get well, yet, in quite
of them. But that fact shall not stay the
execution. Oh! no!"

He raised the revolver, and fired it out
through the window, aiming the shot at Queen
Cordiz, whom he saw standing below, the
magicrity of the sturd men of the town at her

, and all notices ly well armed—u fact he
had not noticed, until now. -

Immediately after the shot was fired, Cyclone
Kit was led upon the gallows; then his feet were
bound, the noose placed around his neck, and all
was in readiness!

“ Cyclone Kit this is your chance to utter a
short prayer w 119 I count one! two! three!"
Don Juan called from the window. “ You are
too great a man to live in this age—you must
om rate to the Better Land. One I” '

0 answer from Kit. Brave fellow that he
was he evidently disdained to speak to his
enemies.

“ Two I” shouted the Don, eagerly.

“ Three—at glour peril I” a voice the next in-
stant hissed in is car!

quor,

 

CHAPTER XIII.
AT THE GALLOWS.
Wrrn an oath_born of cowardly fear, Juan
Cordiz jerked his head around to behold the
horrible grinning visage of Old Meg, close to his

0WD.
“51"” “1° Wm“ hissed again. be? “Praised
hand clutching a large glittering knife; .

not a
word, or I’ll cut your at from ear to car,
you wretch ” ’

'Hal ha! no—not until I have made you
spite rself. Speak not- tho ’

 

I’lllca' y wélterlnghcrqinb'onr
' ve on ,
zrplc’sblwd. Direct "

clone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

.I. -__._..._....__. ..-.,..-...._ .*._,. .

Meg’s hand did not seem to inspire him with

C clone Kit stood at the bottom of the stairs,‘

‘ one had be
“ Curse you ! get away!” J nan gasped, shudder— .

 

 

 

Cyclone Kit his liberty, and I will leave you to‘
die a natural death l" . ‘

“No, no! You shall not cheat meof my
vengeance!" Cordiz gritted» .“ Threel”'

Promptly, as the words burst from his lips. to
the hearing of the s tutors, the trap of the
scaffold dropped, an —” ' .

Bung! the re ort of a rifle was next heard,
and, instead 0 dangling in mid-air, Cyclone
Kit dropped through to the ground, unharmed.
The bullet, sent by the unerring aim of-Josh
Grim, with a rifle he had secured, had cut the
death nonso in twain.

A murmur of mingled approval and, dis-
approval burst from the spectators ;—-then came
a great cry as the crowd of Queen Cordiz
rushed forward, and drew u in line confront-
ing the other villagers, wit leveled weapons,
Queen in the lead. ‘

“Halt!” she cried, in a stern, shrill voice.
“Henceforth, I am ruler of Gold-Flake, and
Mormonism is at an end. Surrender, 'or we
will shoot you down, like the dogs you are!”

“Never!” nman cried, springingto the lead
of the Mormons. “Rallv, subjects of Juan
Cordiz, and members of the Mormon church,
and we will sweep these renegades' from‘ the
earth!” '

The up a] was not in vain.

Comp hendin the peril that menaced them
the Mormons rew their weapons, and re-
sponded to the call—men, women and children
joining in, as a rush was made upon the in-
surrectiomsts. ‘ '

Wild yells, ringing) commands, fierce curses
and screams, an t e deadly rattle of pistol

shots Were the sounds of the next few moments ,

-—a spell when it seemed that pandemonium had
broke loose. ‘ .
Fierce and deadly waged‘ the conflict, each
party fighting with all the power they possessed.
t was a strange sight, too, nearly two-thirds of
the -Mormon area being composed of sturd
women, while only one woman headed the a. '
tacking party.

Men were there in Queen Cordiz’s force who »

were flghtin inst their Mormon wives, who

a .
had refused go greake their faith in the church. *

Josh Grim, as soon as he saw the condition of
affairs, withdraw a short distan and then
made a roundabout circuit through t e darkness
so asto reach the Cordiz house frbm the side,
and without bein observed. ‘

He was an , but to his disappointment,
found no mode of entrance to the dw 
that side, and was obliged to make a rotten ..

In the darkness, at a. safe distance, heated
and watched the conflict, knowinf it must econ
end. He could do no more, until t
inv ate.

And e was right. ‘

The Mormons soon broke, and beat 8 mt
toward the falls and of the locked valley.

The victorious band gave (a? but speedil \ "

Y
ve it up as their enemies d ever
f: the darkness, and succeeded n making!
their esca . ‘ ‘
I The anti- Mormons then returned to the vicin-
i of the bonfire, and held a consultation; -
hile this was going on, Grim saw several of
them enter the Don’s mansion, only to speedily
return with some communication that seemedto'
cause a deal of excitement, among their com7
pamons. ‘ -
Shortly afterward, water was thrown on the
bonfire until it was entirely extinguished
darkness reigned supreme, in the‘lockod valley.
For once in his life Grim was at a. 1088 What to
do. But, ‘one thing— it was necessary for him to
maintain his liberty, in order to accomplish the
mission on which he had come to this ,wild and
outlawed country: __ ,

' In the mean time, what had become of, Cy.
clone Kit! '

So suddenl after his'drop from the hows,
had the batte occurrediithat probabl gnao. one,
except Josh Grim had ta en the soco thought

of him. - v '
when “ two ” was spoken by Juan Cordiz, Kit,
had uerved himself for the final end. ,

And when “ three ” came, and the trap gave
away, 'he had but one thought—that was ex-
pressed in Pnyer- I '

But, when after a sharp jerk on hisneck, the
rope parted, at the instant of therifie import,
and he drofp

r

ended him, i only temporarily.

His wits were not so strangled out of him lg“; ‘
t 0

what he knew enough to fall forward cu

ground with his face downward, and lay por-

ect'lébstill—end that was probabl .whct so.an
’

13*

was saferto'

.and'

upon the ground, he knew some!

although he  no thou t of its doing

‘ . Iva-Frrzrr'".-.* ’i'L’P"

 

 

 

I Mather’s Phantom A

._ --..-_xs;f-. . ..  . -

1.....-

A H..- ..,... v

14 . 

I

Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

\

 

\

He heard the battle, and listened to its fury,
understanding that Queen Cordiz had struck
her blow for obtainin the rule of the locked
town of Gold-Flake. e heard the retreat of
the Mormons—heard the chase given by 'the vic-
torious y. Raising his head and glancing
around, e saw that now was his opportunity to

j escape.

HIS feet and hands were bound, but at once
rolling over to the edge of the fire, be ap lied
his wrists, or rather the rope that bound t em,
. toa fagot, and allowed the fire to so eat into
therope, that he was soon able to burst the
Bonds, and his hands were free. Before he
could serve his feet in a like manner, however
he heard the tramp of approaching feet, and
knew the anti—Mormons were returning.

So to save himself from recapture, he hur-
riedly cre t of! into the darkness, lea -frog
fashion, go to a safe distance before ha ting.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
CONCLUSION.

Tmnmnx, it was, that, after the anti-
Mormons had retired from the vicinity of the
gallows, Josh Grim cautiously approached the

lace where he had seen Cyclone Kit fall,

ut found'him not. .-

“ It is probable that he is in the power of the
victors,” was the detective’s conclusion, after
he had thought the matter over. “ I must wait
till morning, for further investigation.”

. So he crept into the Cordiz mansion, which
was to all appearances deserted, and lag down
in; fiort of an alcove, which opened oi! t e main

Here he remained until the first streaks of
dawn were visible through the open door, when
he arose, and went out o the house.

From the doorstep he made a reconnoissance.

Queen Cordiz’s party had camped in the lower
on of the valley, near the edge of the chapar-
ral, and as a matter of course, held .the tunnel

' avenue of escape from the town.

The Mormons had cam just beyond the

in the other part 0 the gulch, and were

adjacent to the stair exit, by way of old Meg
cre.

Both forces were already astir, but whether
pr ng for hostilities or not, Grim Was
ulna le to determine, owing to his distance ffom
t em.

Outside, in and about the Cordizmansion, the
greatest uiet revailed, and nowhere could he
,see an th ng o 0 clone Kit. .

The dies of t ose whohad been slain, the
night before, still lay in front of the mansion
stark and stifl, but investigation proved that
the young gladiator was not numbered with the
unfortunatea. '
’ ' “Behas eitheresca
hiding, somewhere!” rim muttered, “ for I see
no'thin of! him in either camp. I’ll make an
impact on of this house and see if there is any-
thing to be discove , here; then I’ll go in
search of Kit.”

He re-entered the mansion, and made a tour

from the gulch, or is

of the different rooms, most of which had been‘

used as sleeping apartments, by the Don’s bevy
.of wives. .

The last room he entered was the one which
Don Juan had occupied, at the time of the in-
terrupted execution, and here a strange sn ht
awaited the vision of the Yankee—a sight t t
caused him to pause on the threshold.

U the floor, lying partly inapool of his own
life load, and with h s throat cut from ear to
ear, was the Mouton Prophet of Gold-Flake,
JuKmnoeCloirdizbeside hi d ri l i to

m, an e r y n
his rigid ‘fgce, was a clumsymutfii-lming lad

A of some seventeen years, who was clad in rags.

and was dirt and disgusting-lookin in the ex.
treme. His e was beardless; his w-colored
hair looked as if it had never known the w
quaintanee of a comb; his eyes were sharp, and
like unto a‘» mink’s.

He heard nothing of Grim, evidently, until
the latter uttered an.exclamation 0t surprise;
then, he spru to his feet, and made a motion
to run, but Joe ’s revolver caused him to halt.

“Stop!” ’ Grim ordered authoritatively.
“ What are you afraid of? I’m noMormon, and
I guacaou ain’t, neither, judging by your
scare. ho are you?" .

The boy’s shrewd eyes looked the Yankee
over, th ly, are he answered; then he put

hishe . 1&1)deon idi made
23!). (1&an w effing. and

“0h! dumb, eh!” Grim said. understand-
ingly. “Yournemeis'lbm Hayman, ehl"

 

The boy' nodded—then shook his head and
pointed to his ears, as much as to say he could

ear and understand.
“I see!” Josh said. “You are not deaf, but

dumb. How long have you been so?”

“Three years, the mute answered, in his
dumb lan e; then he opened his mouth and
showed t e detective that he had no tongue.

It had been cut off, ’way back in his mouth,
rendering him speechless.

Josh shuddered at the sight; to him it was
more than terrible.

“Did ou know him?” he asked, indicating
the mur ered Don.

“I know him” the b0 telegraphed back
slowly, so that josh coul read his motions.
“ He cut my tongue out, so I could not betray
his crimes to the authorities. But he’s dead
now, and I’ve got the best of him!”

And he held up a key as he spoke—a huge
one it was, made of iron, and evidently hand
wrm‘ilght.

“ hat is that—what does it belong to?”
Grim demanded in surprise.

The mute lau bed.

“ It means a ortune for us,” he said. “ It’s
the key to the Mormon treasure vault, and if
you’re an honest man, not in league with the

ormons there’s enough for us both.”

“ That hits me to a capital Z i” Josh assented.
i‘I guppose you want to escape from this val-
ey

“ I want to g East, where the money will
an port me wh I live,” the boy replied.

‘ Then all you’ve got to do is join forces
with me, and we’ll soon leave this place behind.
Who killed the Don?”

The ton eless boy answered that he had
found the rophet dead a short time before and
did not know who was the .author of the
crime.

Grim then glied him with questions, and
learned that yclone Kit .was indeed in the
power of Queen Cordiz, having been retaken
shortly after escaping from the vicinity of the
gallows by the Irishman, Pietro, who had
swooped down on him ere he could get his feet
free, and struggled with him until some of
Queen’s men came to his assistance.

“ If I get a whack at the blamed Irishman,
I’ll fix him,” the Yankee muttered, emphati-
cagv. “He deserves killing.”

9 further learned from the mute that by
following the valley stream down thro h the
mountain tunnel he would eventually de uch
into another stream that, after many miles of
winding, crossed the Union Pacific railroad,
near one of its stations, thus aflording a ready
outlet to civilization.

They left the mansion and stole into the very
heart of the vill e, where they sought shelter
in a one—roamed o cabin, which boasted of one
small window an a stout oaken door.

Entering this the fastened the door on the
inside, and pr ed to make themselves at

ome.

The day seed quietly, no sound of hostile
demonstra, one on the outside reaching their
hearin . ’

S g to Dumb Tom concernin the
whereabouts of Arthur Carlison and rtie

'Bird Grim found that the lad .knew not what

had become of them, which was strange, seeing
that Tom was familiar with nearly every hiding-
place in the limits of the walled valle .
Just as the shadows of another nigI tfall were
beginning to approach the two men eard foot-
steps in the vicinity of the cabin.

What shall we do?” Grim asked. “If dis-
covered here we’ll be in a had fix.”
“ Never mind 1” Tom answered. “ Keep still,

and we stand a good show of not being dis-
covered.”

Soon the footsteps came close up to the door,
and then all was quiet for several minutes, after
which a dark shadow loomed up in the little
window near the roof—the head and shoulders
of no less a personage than Pietro, the Irish-

man.

d  :3; he‘ gelled, his face distortedaI in a

e . on are caged, e s ns,
an’ this is me revenge on the umbydivlll’Pee

He dodged down then, just in time to escape

a bullet from Grim’e revolver, and his footsteps

were heard rapid] retreating.

“Wears l” Grim said, unharrin the
door and trying to n it. “The in ernal
Irishman has barred t on the outside, sure
enough!” I

«rflpfiifi'fi “signaledmd' with hi a

s s ngers.
“Ifwecan’tgetoutwereu

f mm “3.3233 “33’.
or , .me arm 1:
new  g,

 

«—

“ And is there no way of getting out of this
place?” Grim demanded, excitedly.

“ I see or know of no way,” was the answer.
“The window is too small for us to get out. and
the roof cannot be reached. So I uess about
the best conclusion to adopt is t at we are
prisoners!”

And the more they tried to studya way out,
of their dilemma the firmer became their con-
viction that Pietro had told the truth when he
had said they were caged.

Darkness grew dense and denser Without, but
after awhile it seemed to chan e. .

Grim pointed to the window. The night cer—
tain] was gr0wing rapidly lighter.

“ ire!” he gasped, growing pale.

“ Ay! fire l” the dumb boy answered by
finger telegraph. “We’re in a bad fix now, for
sure. Old Meg, the witch, is carrying out her
throat!”

“ What was that?”

“ She threatened years ago to some day lay
the Mormon town in ashes. And it looks as if
she were at the work now!” _

Grim had no doubt of it when through the
little window he saw the red glow upon the
heavens and the smoke settling into their

nson.

Were they to become helpless victims of the
confiagration ?

It looked so!

Dumb Tom had not lied when he said that
Cyclone_Kit had been retaken.

Surprised, and bound as he was, he had little
chance to fight a ainst the Irishman, who

run upon him an held him until some of the

ueen 3 gang came to his assistance, when Kit
was once more overpowered and taken along
with the anti-Mormons to their camp.

Here he was bound upon his back to a falfin
tree, which had some time tumbled down the
mountain side into the gulch, and was left to
make the best of his situation until morning.

As soon as day dawned, Queen Cordiz ap-
proached him and looked down into his face
trium hantly.

“ ell, I see you’ve come down a peg or
two,” she observed. “You ain’t so much of a
bravo as you used to was!”

“Perha l” Kitretorted,nonchalantly. .“Be-
cause I’m n harness, I am not tamed to sub
mission by any means.”

“ Well, admire your pluck. Yen certainly
do deserve_the title of a rave man, and I am
ready to give you your liberty at a moment’s
notice, if {on are agreeable to the conditions.”

“Whic you know I am not. All that I
‘want is to find Bertie Bird, and then escape
from this accursed valley.”

“Ha! hat the beauti ul Bird is where you
will not get her very soon!” Queen said, taunt-I
in ly. “ She is in the power of your enemy as
we as mine !” ,

" You mean Arthur Carlisonl”

“Yes; the resent successor to Don Juan!”

“ Ah! is he in the lead of the Mormon forces l”

“ He is, curse him i”

“ I see! I see!” Kit said, a new thought dawn-
ing upon his mind. “ It was you and he whom
I saw walkinfiein the valley, one night, not
lon ago, and gave you mone l”

“ es. It was me you saw wit him. I was
first todiscover his presence here,.and flndin
he was in quest of my fair enem , Bertie Bir
I, lelfdcpurse, gave him what lit e assistance i
co

“ And now you’ve got your pay by his turn-
ing eig‘xainst you?”

‘ actly! but he’ll find that he’s sided with
the wrong party. I ex ect a new recruit of
fellows from the silver 61 tricts, soon, and then
we’ll clean the Mormon gang out, sure, if we
don’t do it before. And on can bet that I’ll
take so good care of the air Bertie that she’ll
never stand in mi way a am 1” '

“If on ever arm a air of that innocent

1’s head, l’lLtake your scalp to pay for it, if

have to hunt the world over for it 1” Kit re-
plied, a dead! flash in his eyes, that the girl
ca tain did no like. endently, for she utte
a. efiant lau h and turned away.

Kit was le t in the same bymo-means pleasant
position, the greater share of the day, and no
attention was paidto him.

Toward sunset, however, Queen again ap-
proached him.

She was accompanied bin-slow burl
wrihgo looked amply able to die the

p ner.
“'0 clone Kit!” .the young woman said.
y, “once and forthelast iineIadk yo -
win'yoncome to the terms I1lately proposed to
you

then,
elpless

 

’ Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator.

15

 

E

“Empbaticagliy, once and for all, no!" the
gladiator repli , firmly.

“Very well. Your fate be on your own
head then. I have come to the conclusion that
you would be adangerous party to have around,
at best. and not wishing to kill fyou outright
I have prepared a better scheme or getting rid
of you. I’m going to send you on a long voyage,
down-stream, and if you don’t happen to at
spilled out and drowned, you will eventuafily
find yourself in the gulf of Mexico, providing
you are not rescued. Bring him along, boys.”

The men out Kit loose from the log, and rais-
ing him, carried him to the shore of the creek,
where they deposited him upon his back, in a
small skiff and pushed him of)? into the current,
as they d1 so givinglvent to some of the wild-
est screeches Kit ad ever heard, the Queen
jomin in with them.

But it did not reply.

He knew something that caused him not to
mind their yells.

In cutting him loose from the log, one of the
men had accidentally, and without noticing the
fact, cut one of the ropes that bound Kit’s
wrists.

Waitin till the boat had drifted into the
cover of t e chaparral, Kit sat up in the boat,
and freed his wrists.

By this time the frail craft had dashed into
the tunnel, and all was inky darkness, the rush-
ing‘ waters makin a terrible roar.

_ or fear of getting his head severely bumped
Kit bad to lie down, again, in the boat, an
work to get his feet free, in that position.

The boat was going with much velocity,
owing to the rapid descent in the water-course,
and he knew he was in imminent peril, unlem
he could soon get free; besides. he was bein

caifi'ied further and further from the lock
va e . =
F‘in’fall he succeeded in freein his feet, and

nerving ia'self, he dropped over ard, still re-
taining a hold on the boat.

The water was up to his waist, and nearly
swept him from his feet, but he struggled man-
fully, and at last reached the side wagon-trail,
and landed himself and the boat.

. He calculated that the little craft might come
into play at some future time, if not now, and
apogrdugglydstcad it up on 111d in I? dgfi'k, rgcky
nce sie etrail,weree o tit
wprigd not bengioticedt his 

en, wri ng ou garments as best he
could, he set out up the gloomy tunnel trail.
thanking Providence that he had got out of the
scrape so luckily.

“ f I know myself that’s the last time Cy-
clone Kit gits ro in hereabouts,” he mut-
tered, as he tramped along through the dark-
ness. “ I’ll go back and capture my Bird, hunt
up Grim, an then light out, you bet!”

The boat had carried him a greater distance
than he at first had supposed, and it took him
over an hour to get out of the tunnel. '

In'tbe lads he'saw the bodies of the victims
of the a ray that he and Grim had participated
in, and noting the fact that the were well-
armed, he proceeded to  b mself with a
fiod pair of revolvers, a e, a rifle and a

l cartridge-boxi .

Then he crept a ong the bank of the stream,
until he came to the open valley.

Just ahead of him laythe camp of Queen
Cordiz, and not desiring to run the risk of re-
capture, he waded acrpss the stream, and
dod ed along the oppomte side of the valley
not he was in close proxxmity to‘ the cam
where the Mormons were go he aroun
several fires, engaged in cooking their suppers. 1

From his position, Kit could see his renegade
brother, Arthur Carlison, and his temptation
to shoot him was great; but he desisted.

Bertie Bird was not among the crowd, he
concluded, for he could not see that‘any of the
females were guarded, or under any restraint,
whatever.

“ Be must have her concealed in some of the
habitatious,” the gladiator muttered, “ and now
is in timtzdtgsesrch for her, while the houses

are ese . ,
He forded the stream, once mo and a
hurried inspection of the shantieste'nearly of
which boasted of o n doom.
Soon after, the re broke out—first in one
lace—then in another, path buildings we" on
fire near] all around him.
it It’s 1! h time for me to be  out of
this, as soon as convenient,” was is conclusion,
ashe sawthat itwas indeed destinedto boa
general tion. .
“Theron cue cabin, yonder, however, who”

 

 Iwould'lihstoex-J

§

80 he ran over to it, and listened.

“ Who’s there 24” a voice cried from the inside,
which he recognized as belonging to Josh Grim.
“ For God’s sake, whoever ou are open the
door and save us from being urnt alive!”

“Certainly!” Kit replied, cheerily, and open
flew the door.

Josh uttered a joyous cry, when he saw who
was his rescuer, and there was a hand-shake,
after which Kit said: '

“Come! we must not get hedged in by the
flames. Let’s get to one end of the gulch, or
the other.”

“ Then, let it be to the falls end,” Grim said.

They accordingly left the village by the dark-
est route 1possible, and succeeded in reaching
the edge 0 the Chaparral in safety.

Here they pause to view the conflagration,
which was making all parts of the gulch as
light as day.

“ Look!” Grim said, pointing toward the
Mormon camp. “Some one is coming this

W8. .

8’1’11‘6 enough, they saw a man coming in the
direction of the Chaparral.

As quickly as possible they got in under cover
and waited. The man who was Arthur Carli-
son, came and entered the thicket. He was
gone about ten minutes when he returned,
leading Bertie Bird by the arm.

J
“See!” he said, pointin to the flames; “ the

town is oh fire, and now 3 our chance, during
the confusion, to escape. What do you so —
will you c with me, willingly and peacefu y,
g ggall kill you on the spot, and end the mat-
r
“Kill me a dozen times, on wretch, butI
will never yield to your ' lainous purpose!”

the brave i cried, scorufully, drawing her
figure to its lest higbt. ‘
“Nor need oul” Josh cried, leapin from

the thicket, fo lowed by Kit and Dam om.
“ Arthur Carlison, I arrest you in the name of
the law for wife-murder!”

The renegade glared at the confronting trio
an instant—then before they could prevent
lfiimfie drew a knife and plunged it to his

ear *

 

Three day later, Cyclone Kit, Dumb Tom,
Grim and ertie left Phantom Acre forever,
taking with them all the gold the could carry
—not from the Mormon treasur , ut from the
pile old Meg had boarded up in or cave.

The poor woman, it was found, had been
killed by some avengins Mormon. ,

Cyclone Kit proceede with Miss Bird to Boe-
ton, helped her settle her business there, and
than accompanied by Dumb Tom, returned to
the or West.

But it is probable be will return East at no
distant do to wed Bertie.

0f 'Gol ~Flake nothing new remains but a
few black timbers, and desolation rules supreme
where Mormon rule once held sway.

run END.

 ’Jnlui

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The \V to Buii‘alo. C. E. Lasalle.
Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THE BOY PHENIx; or,
THROUGH To DEATH. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Ned Hazel. By Ca J. F. C. Adams.
Deadly- Eye, THE NHNOWN SCOUT- or, THE
BRANDED BROTHERHOOD. ' Builnlo Bill.
Nick Whiiiies’ Pet. t. J. F. C. Adams.
Deadwood Dick’s Bag es. By Wheeler.
The Border King . By 011 Coomes.
Old Hickory. By HarEy St. George.
The White ndian. apt. J. F. C. Adams.
Buekhorn Bill. ByEdward L. Wheeler.
The Shadow Ship . BV Col. P. lngraham.
The Died Brotherhood. W. J. Hamilton.
Dand Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh.
Hurr cane Bill. % JCS. E. Badger. Jr
Single Hand. . J. Hamilton.
Patent-leather 00. By Phili S. Warne.
68 Border Robin Hood. 33% aloBfll.
69 Gold Rifle. By Edward L. eeler.
70 old Zip’s Cabin. By'Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.
1 Delaware Dick. ByOll Coomes.
Mad Tom \Vestorn. By W. J. Hamilton.
Deadwood ck on Deck; or, CALAHITY
J ANE. THE HEROINE or WHOOP-Up. By Wheeler.
Hawk-eye Harry. By 011 Coomes.
The Boy Duelist. By Col. P. Ingraham.
A be Colt, THE CRow-KmLER. By A. W. Aiken.
CorduroB Charlie, THE BOY BRAVO; or.
DEADWOOD ICH's LAs'r ACT. By E. L. Wheeler.
Blue Dick. By Ca tain Mayne Reid.
Sol Gin er,GIANT Tammi. ByA.W. Aiken.
Rosebn Rob; or NUGGET NED, THE KNIGHT
OF THE GULCH. By E ward L. Wheeler.
Lightning. Jo. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.
Kit Haretoot. By T. C. Harbau h.
Rollo, the Boy Runger..  O Coomes.
-, Idyl the Girl Minor. By .L. Wheeler.

Buck Buckram. B Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
Dandy Rock. By .Waldo Browne.
The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

SLEUTH; or.

RANGE. By E. L.Wheeler.
89 Island Jinn. By Bracebridze Hemyng.
90 The Dread Rider. B G. Waldo Browne.
91 The Captainwoi‘the C ubg or, THE YOUNG

RIVAL A By Bruce ridge Hemyng.
92 Canada :fiet. By Edward L. Wheeler.
93 The Boy Miners.

By Edward 8. Ellis.
94 Midnight Jack, THE ROAD-AGENT;
THE BOY TRAPPER. By T. 0. Harbaugh.

95 The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltino.

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96 “latch-Eye, THE SHADOW. By E. L. Wheeler.
97 The Outlauv Brothers. By J. J. Marshall.
98 Robin Hood, TIIE OUTLAWED EARL; or, THE
MERRY MEN ON GREENWOOD. l‘rof. Gildersleeve.
99 The Tiger of 'l‘aos. By G. Waldo Browne.
100 Deadwood Dick in Lea.lville; or, A
STRANGE STROKE FOB. LIBERTY. By Wheeler.
101 Jack llarkaway in New York. By
Bracehridge Heinyng.
102 Diek Dead-Eye. By Colin raham.
103 The Lion 01‘ the Sea. By Co . Delle Sara.
Ileadu'ood Dil'k’s Device. By Wheeler.
’ old Rube, THE HUNTER. Capt. .Ilohnes.
Old Frosty, Tin; (lrnm. By T. C. liarbaugh.
One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen.
’ Daring: Davy. By Barry St. George.
Dead\vood Dick as Detective. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
110 The Blaek Steed of the Prairies. A
"Thrillingv Story of Texan Adventure. By Bowen.
The Sea-Devil. By Col. 1’. Ingraham.
The Iliad Hunter. By Burton Saxe.
Jack Hoyle, THE YOUNG SPECULATOR; Or,
THE ROAD TO FORTUNE. By lid. L. Wheeler.
The Black Sehooner. Roger Starbuck.
The lllad llliner. By G. Waldo Browne.
The H ussar Captain. Col. P. lngmham.
Gilt-Edged Diek, THE SPORT DETECTIVE;
or. ’l‘IIE ROAD-AGENTS DAUGHTER. Wheeler.
.“'ill Somers. THE BOY DETECTIVE. Morris.
Mustang Sam. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
The Branded Iland. By Frank DuInont.
ClnnaInon Chip, THE ilRL SPORT; or,
THE GOLDEN IDOL or MT. ROSA. l<‘d. LJVheeler.
Phil Hardy, THE Boss BOY. Bv C. Morris.
Kiowa Charley, THE WHITE MUSTANGER.
By T. C. Harbaugh.
Tippy, THE TEXAN. By George Gleason.
Bonanza Bill, MINER. By Ed. L. W'heeler.
Picayune. Pete. By Charles Morris.
“’ lid-Fl re, Boss OI-‘TIIE ROAD. B ' Damont.
The Young Privateer. By H. ‘awndish.
Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Wheeler.
Detective Dick. By Charles Morris.
The Golden Hand. By Geo. W. Browne.
The Hunted Hunter. By Ed. S. Ellis.
Boss Bob, THE KING OF THE BOOTBLACKS:
or, THE PAWNHRORER‘S PLOT. Ed. L. Wheeler.
Su re Shot Seth, THE BOY RIFLEMAN; or THE
YOUNG PATRIOTS OF THE NORTH. By 01] Comnes.
(‘a itain Paul, TIIE KENTUCKY MOONSHINER;
or. HE BOY SPY or THE MOUNTAINS. B Clark.
Night-Hawk Kit. ByJos. E. Ba ger,Jr.
The He] "can Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid.
Blonde ill; or, DEADWOOD DICR's HOME
BASE. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Judge Lynch, Jr. B T. C. Harbaugh.
Blue Blazes; or THE REAR 0‘ DAY BOYS
or ROCKY BAR. By ’Frank Dumont.
Solid Sam, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT; or, THE
BRANDED Bnows. By Edward L Wheeler.
Handsome Harr , THE BOOTDLACII DE-
TECTIVE. By Charles orris.
Scar-Face Saul. B 01] Coomes.
Daint Lance, THE OY SPORT. By Badger.
(fapta n Ferret, THE NEW YORII DETEC-
TIVE; or. Boss Bon’s Boss Jon. B Wheeler.
Silver Star, THE BOY KNIGHT. y Coomes.
Will Wildfire, THE THOROUGHBRED; or,
THE WINNING HAND. B Charles Morris.
Sharp Sam. By J. exander Patten.
A Game of Gold; or, DEADwooD Dicx‘s
BIG STRIKE. B Edward L. Wheeler.
Lance and asso. By Capt. F.Whittaker.
Panther Paul, THE PRAIRIE PIRATE- or,
DAINTY LANCE To THE RESCUE. J. E. Badger.
Black Bess, WILL WILDrIRE's RACER; or,
WINNING AGAINST ODDS. By Charles Morris.
3 Eagle Kit, THE BOY DEMON. B Oil Coomes.
4 The Sword Hunters. .Whittaker.
5 Gold Trig er THE SPORT. .C.Harbaugh.
56 .Deadwoo Dick 0! Deadwood or,
THE PICRED PARTY. B Edward L. Whee er.
157 Mike Merry, THE ARBOR POLICE BOY;or,
THE NIGHT-HAWKS or PHILADELPHIA. Morris.
1 58 Fancy Frank of Colorado. BuffaloBill.
159 The Lost Captain. By Whittaker.
1,60 The Black Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr.
1‘61 New York Nell THE BOY-GIRL DETECTIVE;
or, OLD BLAHESLY's lONEY. By E. L. Wheeler.
182 \Viil Wildfire in the Woods. Morris.
163 Little Texas, THE YOUNG MUSTANGER. A
Tale of Texan Prairies. By 011 Coomes.
164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne.
165 Billy Ragga e, THE RAILROAD BOY; or,
RUN To EARTH. y Charles Morris.
166 Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George.
67 Asa Scott, THE STEAHEOAT BOY. By Willett.
8 Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.
9 Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh.
0 A Trump Card; or, WILL WILDIrIRl WINS
AND LOSES. By Charles Morris.
bony Dan. By Frank Dumont.
underbolt Tom. By Harry St. George.
Dandy Rock’s Rival. By G.W. Browne.
Bob Rockett, THE BOY DODGER. By Morris.
Captain Arizona. By Philip S.Warne. .
The Boy Runaway' or, ’IHE BUCCANEER
or THE BAY. Lieut. H. D. Perry U.S.N.
Nobb Nick at Nevada. E. L. Wheeler.
01d olitary. By 011 Coomes.
7'9 Bob Roekett THE BANE RUNNER. Morris.
180 The Sea Trailer; or, AVOw WELL KEPT.
By Lieut. H. I). Perry, U S N.
181 “'ild Frank, THE BUCIIsIIIN BB v0; or.
LADY Lmr's LOVE. By Edward L. eeler.
182 Little Hurricane, THE BOY CAPTAIN.

2y Oil mes.
183 he Hidden Hand. By Chas Morris.
184 The Roy Trailers. By Badger, Jr.

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--200 The Boy Bedouins.

 

Evil Eye, KING or CATTLETIIIEVES' or. THE
VULTUREs or THE RIO GRANDE. B F. bumont.
Cool DesInond. By Col. De 0 Sara.
Fred Halyard, THE LIFE BOAT BOY: or.
THE SIIUGGLERS OF THE INLET. By C. Moms.
Ned Teanle, THE BORDER BOY. Harhaugh.
Bob Roe ctt, THE CRACKSIIAN. By MorrIs.
Dandy Darke. By Wm. R. Eyster.
Buil'alo Billy, THE BOY BULLWHACKER.
By Capt. A. B. aglor, U. S.'A.‘

(‘aptain Kit. 'yHLieut. H. D. Perry.U.S.N.
Captain Mask, E LADY ROAD-AGENT; or,
PATENT-LEATHER JOE‘S DEFEAT. By Warne.
Buii‘alo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor.
Deathvoo Dick’s Drealn. B Wheeler.
Shadowe ; or, BOD ROCKETr’s <‘IGHT FOR
LIFE. By Charles Morris.

Little Grit, THE WILD RIDER. By ingraham.
Arkansa‘v, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE.
By T. C. Harbaugh.

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198

199 By Edward Willett.
By Whittaker.

The Black Hills Jezebel ' 0r, DEAD-
WOOD DICH’s WARD. By Edward . Wheeler.

Prospect Pete, OF THE BOY BRIGADE; or,
THE YOUNG OUTLAW HUNTERS. By 011 Coonies.

The Boy Pards. By JON. E. Badger, Jr.
Gold Plume, THE BOY BANDIT. Ingraham.
Deadwood Dick’s Doom. By Wheeler.
Dark Paul, THE TIGER KING. By C. Morris,

Nava'o Nick, THE BOY GOLD HUNTER. A
Tale 0 Arizona. By T. C. Harbaugh.

The Boy Hercules. By OllCoomes.
Fritz, THE BOUND-BOY DETECTIVE. Wheeler.
Faro Frank of High Pine. By Eyster.

Crooked Cale, THE CALIHAN or CELESTIAI.
CITY. By J 0s. E. Badger, Jr.

Dashing Dave, THE DANDY DETECTIVE.
By Charles Morris.

Fritz to the Front. By E. L. Wheeler.

\Volt‘gang THE ROERER or THE RHINE.
By Captain B rederlck Whittaker.

Caénain Bullet, THE RAIDER KING. By
T. . Harhaugli.

Bison Bill, THE PRINCE OF THE REINs.
By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

217 Captain Crack-Shot. By E.L. Wheeler.

218 Tiger Tom, THE TEXAN TERROR. By 011
Coomes.

219 Despnrd, the Duelist. ByP. S.Warne.

220 Tom Tanner SCALAWAG AND SCAPEORACE.
By Charles Mo .

221 Sugar Coated Sam. By E. L. Wheeler.
222 Grit, the Bravo Sport. By ingraham.

223 Ozark Alf, KING OF THE MOUNTAIN. By
Edward Willett.

224 Dashing Dick; or, TRAPPER Tom‘s CASTLE.
By 011 Coomes.

201
202

203
204
205
206
207

208
209
210
211

212

213
214

215
216

225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Dar-
ky. By Charles orris.

226 Snoozer, THE BOY SHARP. By EdwardL.
Wheeler.

227 Dusky Darrell, TRAPPER. By E. Emerson.

228 Little Wildfire. By 01! Coomes.

229 Crimson Kate, THE Gnu. THAIum. By
001. Prentiss hgraham.

230 The Yankee'Rajah. By 0. D. Clark.

231 Plucky Phil, or'rHEMOUNTAINTRAm By
'1‘. C. Harbadgh.

232 Gold-Dust Dick. By E. L. Wheeler.

233 Joe Buck, ofAngeis, AND H18 BOY PARD
PAUL POWDERHOHN; or THE THREE WILD MEN
or EAGLE BAR. By Al rt W. Aiken.

234 Old Rock ’s “Boyees3” or BENITO,
gm; YOUNG CREE-BREAKER. By Buckskin
am.

236 Shadow Sam, THE stsENGER BOY; or,
TURNINGTHETAsLEs. By Charles Morris.
236 Apollo Bill, THE TRAIL TORNADO. By Ed-

wardLWheeler.

237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain or,
THE MYSTERJOUS RANCBIRD. By Colonel litan-
tiss Ingrahaxm

238 The Parson Detective; or, Lin-u:
SHOCRY, THE RANGER or RAVEN BOOST. By
011 Coomes.

239 The Gold-seeker Guide: or, Tax Law
MOUNTAIN. ,By Captain Mayne Reid.

240 Cyclone 'Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler.

241 Bill Bravo and His Dear Pards.
. By ’1‘. C. Harbaugh.

242 The TWO ‘ Bloods’; or, SHHNANDOAH
BILL AND Hts GANG. By Charles Morris.

243 The Disguisod Guide. or WILD RAVEN,
THE RANGER or THE NORTH. By bl] Coomes.

244 Sierra Sam THE FRONTIER FERRET. By
EdwardLWh er. Ready March 28th.

A new tame every week.

The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all
Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on
receipt 0! six' cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS,
Publishers, % William Street. New York.