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£50 a yam". _ Entered at the Post omce at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyright. 1883 , by Emu: AND Amus. February 27. 1883.
Sin le PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, ‘ Price.
VOL  Num Oh No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents- N 0' 292’

 

 

 

\SANGHO PEDRO, THE BflY BANDIT; °“' T3? sfiéfiifif‘f

BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN.

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“ GIVE ME YOUR SECRET, 03 I WILL LANCE THE JAGUAR UPON YOU l” AND SANCHO POINTED AT THE WAITING BEAST.

 

2

Sancho Pedro. the

 

 

Sancho Pedro,
THE BOY BANDIT;

The Fighting Par-do of Sierra. flat.
BY MAJOR B. L. ST. VRAIN.

CHAPTER 1'.
ran ROAD-AGENT APPEARS.

ROCKY PASS is one of the wildest, most im-
posing gaps that cut the mountains of Cali-
fornia, and at the time of which we write it
was as wicked as it was wild. Yet, it was the
only way by which ople could go and come
from Sierra Flat, an the peo le who had busi-
ness there could only put their trust in Provi-

 

. made against a sudden death, and thoug

deuce, take Mike Malone’s stage, and try their ,

luck

One afternoon as the stage neared Rocky
Pass, after crossing Luck LeVel, one of the
passengers suddenly arouse from deep thought.

“Gentlemen, how are you ‘ hee ed'f’” he
demanded.

Thor}; was a general start, for there was no
knewihg what such an inquiry heralded.

‘f..Wa-al I reckon I am heeled as wal as any
select in éaliforne,” replied a broad-shouldered
miner, as he threw 0 en his coat and showed a
row of revoked; and nives in his belt.

“ I—I carry a firearm,” faltered a pale man
in seedy black clothes. ‘

“Why do you ask?” demanded another pil-
grim looking at the first speaker. .

“ ecause we are now approaching dangerous
ground. Rocky Pass is the favorite workin
ground of Sancho Pedro, the road—agent, an
we are Ogable to be pulled up before we see the
valley our hopes. I mention this because I
perceive that I am the only resident of Sierra

lat in the party.”

“ Mercyl is t ere really danger?” asked the

:pnle-faced man.

“ There really is.”

“ Let it come, a-hootin’,” said the big miner,
«leflantly. “Ef. ther is war, so much the mer-
rifir. “I say it, an’ I’m Buck Brazer, from Lead-
v e. ‘ ' .

“That reminds me,” said the first speaker,
“ that it would be well for us to introduce our-
selves and give such further information as we

may deem best. This is a world of uncer- ,

taint -”

“T at‘s ther ideel” interrupted Brazer. “I’ve }

allays said it myself—we don’t know now
whether we are on ther u —side or ther down-
side 0’ ther farmament. t’s all onsartinl”
He heaved a deep sigh, and then solaced him-
self 8; a liberal quant ty of tobacco.

“ 0 ma neue of us outlive this journey,”
continued be men who lived at Sierra Flat,
“ and if we were to give our names and ad-

dressee, it mi ht be the means of breakin our
{:te’to our fr I am named Horace len-
11.

f‘ An’ I’m Buck Brazer, from Leadville, as you
may hev heerd me remark afore,” mid the
miner. '

“ 1—1 am Theodore Strout, late of Columbus,
girlie, and a naturalist by profession,” said the

0 man.

The next man ave his name as Alfred
Lyman. but the n h, and last, of the inside
travelers, had to be aroused from a heavv sleep
before he could explain that he was Ezekiel
Higgins, a fife-che agent from nowhere
in particular. -'

‘ That is all at’teh'ded to,” said Mr. Allenton,
with a sigh of relief.

“ That’s two more outside with Mike Malone,”
said Brazer. *

“ Bah! Only two boys, and one of them a
dark ” was the indiflerent reply.

“ al, I reckon the are more likely ter hev
amarl: than each oe sinners like us. [say
liker tor hev, fur in this world 0’ unsartinty,
rim? kit;u tell wtgicliqsligptis up. Thar Jehu

s u r we 1‘; out an (chif
th kids)? spa y

thou {they had t d a mile of compara-
tive evel, were a at enter the gloom walls
of the gap. Dark and frowning was t 0 way
ahead; a lace in which lurked Sancho Pedro
and hisro bers of the road.

Brazer looked at the box passengers.

They were, as he had said, boys, neither being
more than eighteen, but they were well-de-
Veloped young fellows and looked wide-aWake.

- i
were at the portals of Rocky Pass, and

i demon for cruelty.

 

 

In one respect they differed greatly, for while
one was of clear white blood, the other was a
very black-skinned negro.

Buck Brazer explained the danger which they
might encounter. and the provision the had
the
boys looked a little doubtful, they gave their
names—the white boy claiming to be Edgar
Benson, and the black one, John Jones.

Buck clambered back into the stage and the
vehicle rolled on more rapidly than before.

“ If any of you have valuables, you had better
secrete them, ’ said Allenton, gravely.

“ I hain’t got a dollar.” said Higgins.

“ Nor I,” said Lyman.

“ Nor me,” said Buck, “ but, I’m heeled.”
belie pointed significantly to the weapons in his

_Allenton’s pyes were on Mr. Strout, but he
dld not testify as to his financialconditiOn. He
seemed in a state of great nervousness, and each
glance at the bleak walls of the page added to
his dismay.

“ Who is this yer Sancho Pedro?" Brazer asked.

“A roadagent of the worst type. He is
young—under twenty, they say—hut a perfect
e has been known to at.-
tach a horse to each limb of a prisoner and pull
him in pieces if he did not surrender his gold.”

Strout groaned audibly, Brazer looked to his
revolvers, Lyman remained impassive, but
Higgins winked at the last speaker.

He plainly considered the statement a fabri-
cation, and from the glance he directed toward
Strout, seemed pretty sure that Allenton was
trving to harass that timid man.

f such Was his intention, he succeeded toa
charm, for the naturalist shivered and seemed
to see an outlaw in every point of rock they
passed.

Outside. there was no talk about danger.
Mike Malone knew what was liable to occur
and ke t his eyes open, but he did not cons1der
it wort his time to explain to the young men
who k t him com any on the box.

The atter had 11 strangers to each other
when the stage left Apple Head, but Edgar
Benson was not at all troubled with false pride,
andthhe had chatted freely with the colored
you .

Jones was going to Sierra Flat because he had
received an offer from a rich mine-owner there,
as he freely stated, but Benson only explained
that he “ wanted to see the country.”

Just as the bottom of an ascent was reached,
the somber walls of the pass suddenly showed
signs of life. Out from the niches rode a dozen
men, all masked save one, and this ominous-look-
ing band at once placed themselves in the middle
of the road. ,

“ Hold on! Pull up there, and rest, Mike
Malone!”

The order came sharply from the one un-
masked man, and while the driver obediently
halted, Benson-and Jones looked in surprise.

It seemed as though some old Italian bandit
had suddenly sprung into existence, in a more
youthful form. as suited to the oung land of
gold, for the last speaker was 1i 6 a walking
arsenal robed in silk and satin.

His style of dresa seemed wholly out of place
in so wild a country, being cOmposed for the
most part of a velveteen substance, With a
bright-lined blanket, or scrape, floating back
from his shoulders, and a brigand-like hat above
all which was both wild and show . _

Such a personwould be deem a mere mas-
querader in the East, but a WeStern man needed
onl to look at the array of weapons in his belt
to sure that there were claws behind the
velvet.

As we have seen all the other men seemed to
follow this gay fellow who did not careto mask
his face, and yet he was only about twenty
years of a e.

“Wal, yar we be, as yez may perceiye."
said Mike Malone. “ Phat’s ther tax tar-day?”

“What’s our car 0?”

“ Five ins do and t see two beauties.”

Mike inted to his box passengers.

“We , I hope we won‘t delay you long. I
will proceed with business at once. Here, you
black imp, get down and hold my horse l”

The last words were addressed to J ohn Jones.

‘.‘ I’m jest as much obleegsed ter you, sah, but
I ain’t holdin’ bosses, th week,” answered
John with a calm smile.

“ No words about it, confound it! or I’ll blow
out your eyes. You hear me? Come down on!
that box, and do as I say. Start!”

“ Do it ” said Mike, hurriedly; “ that thar is
Sancho edro, ther road-agent, an’ he’ll blow
dhe ha av us ter glory of yez git his mad upi’l’

“ on I want a job ob dat kind, sah,

Boy Bandit.

 

apply for it, but I ain’t a candidate now. You‘ve
got sarvints ob yer own, an’ you had better
call dem up to de dough-dish,” said John Jones,
serenel .

Sancho Pedro drew a revolver with a jerk,
his face full of fury, but at that moment the
stage door was opened from the inside, and
Allenton’s head appeared.

t “Hollol hollol what’s the trouble here!” he
asked. .

‘_‘ Tumble out and see,” Sancho Pedro replied,
quickly. “You’ve gota call and you mustn‘t
be bashful. Out with you, and bring d! our
brethren under your wing.”

“Gracious heavens!” ejaculated Allenton,
“ we may as well give up our thoughts )f re-
sistance: they are more than three times our
number.”

“ What of that?” Lyman demanded. “ Five
bullets will lessen the odds. Come, who is with
me for a fight?”

“ If mild means won't (few, I am just yeour
huckleberry,” said Hi ins.

“ ‘ Mild means!’ ould you arley with
those fellows? No: ive them pow er and lead,
and plenty of it. hat do you say, Brazer?”

“ l caVe, I cavel” the miner muttered. “They
have ther dro on us’, dead gone sure.”

Lyman loo ed at him with contempt, but
just then the voice of Sancho Pedro again areas,
this time angrily.

CHAPTER II.
SOMETHING MISSING.

“ COME, tumble out inside there !” said Sancho
Pedro, impatiently. “I hate a slow poke, and
want to see you once more on your way. Do I
see you moving?”

He carelessly cock his revolver, while the
masked men stood a 1 around the stage. Mike
Malone hel‘ped himself to a fresh chew of tobacco
and sat ca mly on the box, apparently wholly
at his ease.

“ Who is this fellow?” asked young Benson,
turning to the placid Jehu.

“Hes dher boss av Rocky Pass, an’ a bad
man wid dher irons. Sancho Pedro is his name,
an’ he takes toll all along this road. Fork over
peac’ble an’ snvo throuble. Dhat’s dher advice
av an honest man.”

Benson eyed the robber keenly. He read him
easily—a sharp, reckless young dare-devil, In W-
less and puffed upby inglorious authority, a
gain with a dandyish exterior and a heart all

a .

He toyed with his revolvers, giving the insxde
passengers time to consult, for some strange
reason, but, as careless as he seemed, It Was
1etvident to Benson that he was watching all

een

C‘

 

ly. .

01] 1” said John Jones, “dis am a adwen—
tur’ in cad ’arnest. I’s hearn ob road-adJu-
tents afore, but I neber ’spected to see one.
Shall you fight?”

f‘Hushl go slowly and softly, my 0010red
fmend. We are boys, and must take our 0110
from those inside; but if they show their teeth,
I shall certain] bark. Are you armed!"

“ Got a revo ver in my .” ‘

“I’ve a pair of them. Lie low, and if It comes
to a brush, show our teeth and bowl.” .

Evident] .the nside passengers had lost their
“sand.” hey began piling out of the stage,
one by one, with Allenton and Brazer at their
head. These two men, who had talked warso
fiercely when danger was first mentioned, looked
thoroughly cowed.

Next came L man, angry at the surrender
though he would lose but little by it; then
Higgins, as bland and calm as though nothing
was wrong.

“There is one more,” said Sancho Pedro.
“Pull him out, somebody. Here, Crowfoot,
search the burrow.” . .

Poor Mr. Stront was Introduced to BOOlety
without any ceremony, and then the robbers
had their. risoners all at the front. Every one,
includin alike Mal-e and the boys, was cov.
ered, an the time of resistance was past.

Then they were searched, one by one, begin-
ning with Allenton and ending With the box.
passengers. Sancho Pedro looked puzzled and
an 57. The gain had been small, very small,

e spoke to his men and they went through
Strouta in, examining the lining of all his gar‘
meats. sin labor! nothing mom was found.

Sancho Pedro looked perplexed and eyed his
prisoners, one after another, in a keen manner
which heralded wrath to come.

“ Look here gents,” he suddenly said, “some
of you are not acting on the square. You haVen't
panned out for all you are worth.”

“You’ve took fifty per cent. 0’ my ’artth

 

valuables,” said Brazer, mournfully. “ You’ve

 

is

 

Sancho Pedro. the  Bandit. .-

£0; ,r’ny‘Vreepons an’ I only have my wardrobe

' “ I have reason to believe that there is treach-
ery here,” declared Sancho Pedro, with as much
indignation as though he was a custom-house
ofllcial. “ In plain language, there is an article
somewhere in this crowd that I want, and I am
going to have it. Come, now, life is worth more
than earthly goods; deliver your valuables and
go on your Way l‘eJOIOIOg.”

Higgins was the only man that moved. He
slowly put his hand to his mouth and removed
a set of false teeth.

“Ma be, that air is the subject 0t dispute,”
he mil ly observed.

Sancho Pedro stamped angrily on the hard
grounl l.

“ Fool! you have chosen a bad subject for
trifling,” he said. “ Put' away your effigy or
I’ll drive it down your throat.’

Higgins meekly obeyed, while the youn out-
law looked his prisoners over again. e was
trying to discover one who appeared guilty, or
alarmed, or to be hiding a secret, but he looked
in vain.

Edgar Benson be an to feel in a belligerent
mood. From the rst. he had disapproved of
this tame surrender, but he was but a boy, com-
paratively speaking, and had not raised his voice
to protest. ' .

Nevertheless, he was a firm believer in the
right of self-government and, self-defense, and
it annoyed him a good deal to see Sancho Pedro
have his own way when the stage had contained
seven men besides the driver.

He now spoke to Buck Brazer, who stood on
his left.

“ n’t something be done?” he asked.

“ What d’ye mean?”

“Are we to stand here and be plucked like
turke s ” .

“ al, I reckon we are about plucked al-
ready. Ther durned critters hev got allbut my
pants an’ shirts.”

“Can’t we resist?”

“ Resist? Lord love yer, no? Ther idee is
insanity in that fust‘ degree. We ain’t got a
weapon now. Dry up, ,afore ther t’other critter
hears yer.” -

Edg- relapsed into silence, but he was far
from ing' reconciled to his fate. He was of a
brave, honest nature, as reluctant to submit to
an indignity as he was to inflict one, and Sancho
Pedro’s way was not pleasant.

The latter, howeVer, hall only begun. He
had stopped the stage with a purpose which
reached beyond a pocketful of money, and that
he was not disposed to give up his undertaking
was soon shown.

“ I plainly perceive that you fellows need the
rod of correction,” he observad, “and I’ll be
shot if I don’t give you a stomachful. Mike
Malone, drive onl”

“Sartin, me darlint; watch an’ see me go,”
the driver cheerfully re lied. ‘

He gathered-up his re ns, and Ezekiel Higgins
made a move toward the stage-door, but Sancho
Pedro spoke sharply:

“ Haiti One step more, and out go your
brains. Stand where you are.”

“But—but-but,” stammered Allenton, “ the

whim “mm” t Th st th
3' ~younreno. 0 age ; e
Pilgrims stay. I have room for you efloeiigi my
nest among the mountains.” '

A moment of dead silence followed, as' the
“ pilgrims ” comprehend his meaning, an
then at least half of them ifted their voices
in entreaty; but Mike Malone crac ed his whip,
and the stage rolled away, leaving the luckless
seven in the road-agent’s ras’p.

“It’s your own stupid tv , he fretfully said,
-‘ I don’t want you at the ‘l‘l’eet,’ as I call my
‘nome, but I am compelled. to take you there.
Some one of you has that in his _sion that
which I will secure it I have to b nd you all to
the rack and pull you limb from limb l” '

This blood-curdling assertion produced fresh
consternation among the prisoners, and Allen-
tou and Street-seemed completely unmanned.
The others,~inciuding the boys, were outwardly
calm. t h far from being at their ease.

You“! and dandyish as Sancho Pedro was,
he had an impruden‘which proved that he was
no triflar.

He keg: his men and they advanced and
p ed tie the- hands and bandage the
' eyes of the neoners. Of course there wasg

good deal 0 protesting. but it. was breat
thrown away, while. having surrendered their

own arms. they could not very well resist with
the modes of

The work was soon accomplished, and then

gleaming revolvers looking “them

 

the road- nts tamed. no longer; They com-
pelled their captives to turn around several
times, in order to, conluse them, and then the
start was made for the “ Nest.”

An hour of climbing and stumbling OVer
reeks followed, but none of the prisoners could
tell where they went. In fact, Sancho Pedro
led them around about the canyons, often pass-
ing the same int twice, merely for the pur-

, pose of confusing them.

If they ever went out among free men a in,
he did not intend that they should be ab e to
lead the way back to the “ Nest.”

At last the air about them changed and they
knew they had entered a cave of some kind,
but we; were still le-i forward for five min-
utes. hen they paused, and the distant mur—
mur of voices indicated that the outlaws were
in consultation.

Edgar Benson suddenly felt a touch on his
arm.

“ I say, is dat you?” inquired the voice of
J ohn Jones.

“ I think so,” Edgar answered;

“Are we gwine ter be shut up like bu’glars?”

“ Well, i don’t know. It may be that, or,
perhaps, they will burn us at the stake or fit a
rope round our necks,” said Benson coolly.

“ I’m in favor of fightin’.”

“ Well, why don’t you fight?”

“ M hands are tied.”

“ ell, I wouldn’t lot so small a thing as that
upset me. We to now in the heart of the rob-
ber cave, and one man could probably clear out
the whole crowd. ” '

Edgar spoke with a sarcasm, for the tame
surrender in the pass had annoyed him. Boy
that he was, he had knocked around the world
a good deal and learned to give as well as take;
and he was Well sware‘that the seven stage pil-
grims might have'made mattershot for Sancho

ro.

“ l ketches on to do solemnity ob de ’casion,”
said. John, “but dis darky don’t banker to be
shut up in dis hole by a road-adjutant. Tell
you what, let’s fight of we get a chance. What
say?” '

Before Benson could answer the outlaws ap-
proached, and he was roughly taken by the
arm and led apart from the other prisoners.

What new misfortune awaited him? '

CHAPTER III.
a CHANCE FOR FREEDOM.

Enoaa was led forward for several minutea.
and then, when he was halted, the bandage was
removed from his eyes. - ‘

Evidently, he was in‘ Sancho Pedro’s private
room, and some eflort had been made to render
it more inviting than nature had created. it.
Overhead was a rocky ceiling, but the floor
was covered with blan ets, and the walls hung
with curtains of red flannel—the spoil of some
marauding stroke. .

Two men stood beside the risoner, while m_a
chair, directly before him, be young captain
satin state, calmly oking a big pipe.

The two exchanged glances, and then Sancho
Pedro nodded and smiled. He looked very

ieasant, just then, and he was far from being
ill-looking, but Benson, who was remarkably
shrewd, suspected a trap. ‘

“What’s your name?’ the road-agent asked.

“ Edgar Benson, sir,” the youth answered,
with a politeness which had an object.

“ Ah. why are you in this vicinity?”

“ Your men brought me here, sir. .

“I don’t mean that, but why were youjn the
stage, where were you going and where did you
come from?” , -

“I havo been in Colorado for two years as
cowboy grid Sminer, but I struck across the
ccnn or an
look gyon Sierra Flat for the fun of the thing.
So far, however, I fail to see where the fan
comes in.” ‘

The pleasantry was lost on_ Sancho Pedm.
Something like a shade of suspicion crossed his

face.
“ I can’t see why any one 1phou'ld go to Sierra
Flat for pleasure.” be blunt y said. ”
“Perhaps curiosity be a better word.

 

would
. “ And, you had no other object!"

“None whatever.”

“ What do you know of your fellow travel-
ers?” . , .

“They were all strangers to me when we
took the stage.” ' ' ‘

“ Dig’you see any of them bays 9. package 9:

. “ o.” . . ' ‘ ‘

A sensed Pédrfi‘lobked’sha .at Edgar and
then‘ We no ’ inflict“ ., manner._ . '
‘Jthefiélioz‘mver, somgebone else entered'the

Francisco and concluded to ‘

 

place and gungNBenson grew astonished. A
woman in e ‘ est” was something he did
not expect to see, while the sight of one of such
a type as had appeared to him was enough to
cause astonishment. ~

She was, apparently, not more than sixteen
years of age, though suficiently developed to
appear womanly so far as form went. And a
fine form was here, as any one would have con-
fessed. Rather below the medium hight, she
was plump and rugged of look, though her
really pretty and vivacious face was without
coarseness. '

Her dress consisted of a dark-gray suit
with a red jacket, regular Indian moccasins,
fresh ahd headed, and a profusion of jewelry on
{in ers, neck and ears.

enson mutely aoknowled ed her about as
brilliant and handsome a gir as he had ever
seen; but, what was fine doing in the road-
agents’ cave?

She at once advanced and gave her'hand to
Sancho Pedro. '

“ Welcome home,” she said, in a melodious
voice. “ I have been so lonesome, with no one
tokeep me compan .” V

“You had Dommca,” the young robber an-
;wered, running his hand aver her shining black

air.

“ Ah! but she is old, so old. ‘ I like young peo-
ple such as my own brother. ” "

And then she threw her arms around Sancho
Pedro’s neck, but he gently freed himself.

“ I’ll see' you by-and-by, Inez,” he said. “ I
beg: b’uaineu now, you see. Benson, this is my
sis r.

The fair Inez turned her gaze u n Edgar, and
be shifted his position uneasily. er black eyes,
rosy cheeks and bright smile airected him con-
siderabl y, arid,'indeed, it was a battery to dam;
age any \young man’s stoicism. a Benson had
passed through eighteen years'of life Without
any very desperate love-aflair, but he properly
gppreciated such as were now’before

1m. _ ,  ._ . .
“Have you joined the handil'the girl , _,
and Benson could not but see that her 
one of pleasure. '. '

“ No,” he answered; grimly. “I only 
h for a in minutes. * . *

“ He is a prisoner,” said Sancho Pedro, co .

“ A prisoner!” cried Inez, clinging her ban .
“Why, that is too bad. What ave you done ’

“Nothing. so far, but I’m looking fern chance
m‘mvi‘iibi’mmmii “went: yen ii 

l e , m sorry see ere
youareto‘o—too—j A“ ‘  " ‘

She paused, seeming tobofionfigled.

"Inez expeots me to tosdionyo‘v'er a We
or roast you by a slow are, explained ’e '66
agent, gravel . ' ‘ - ‘

“ I don’t approveof all

N/I

u do, brother,"tshe

answer-cg]. H‘LWhat has th mailmantgmie,
an ,a ave on men a nce en
amid?» ’3‘1 -’.
A short silence follOwed. Sancho Pedro looked
thou htl’ullv at the prison ‘ '

er.
“ neon,” he suddenly said, “  a,”
idea lease you?” -' v.2 .
z: ,o join your band!" » - v i

63. A ‘  A '
“ I don’t think I would like it," was the frank

re . .

Ezou don‘t know the amount of fun then-dis
in it. We have a big, comfortable cave, pfiéni‘y
to eat and drink, wears safe from all enchilf ,
and money pour: into your .pocke
this that our life is the 'wildest an heat on
earth and you gain some idea of what we, .
Now, we m take in new man,
like your head and I’ll take you
the same favors my old men receive.
can .. ........ .... »  

‘ e myesl wh “ “are
dreadful when hey are angry. Join. a3! .1711

help you all I can.”
I was an all , for wild life has a
charm for every one Benson’s age, while the

flattering int.» d in his welfare was
enough to turn "on a cooler head, but the
young man from Colorado was neither a villg'in
nor a fool. ’ "

His natural inclinations were not of the‘out-
13W stamp. and with a natural. tendency. to look
for .the motives of men and women through
their actions, it suddenly flashed upon him that
there was a deliberate trap near his f ‘ '

It mightyhe possible that Sancho edro was
wil to take an utter, stranger into his bind
and vs him a ahanoetobetraaythem align
mightbe mamsm,m uh eegfl the, ed
. .geis. .l, 3; ml.‘ meadow ii ' '
3; W3 .. . 

u . . ,. _ ,

 

    
 

Add“.

 

 

 

4

Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit.

 

 

 

 

He would test the matter before deciding.

“ What would be my duties?” he asked,
slowvlg.

" ell,” said the boy ca tain, with seemin
frankness, “ I need a g man to act as a sor
of In rintendent here in the cave. have
three exican servanta but the are inclined
to be lazy, and some one is need to walk over
the place once or twice a day and see that all
is put to rights. I would give this duty to you
if you wish but as it would occupy compara—
tively little time you could also go on the trail
whenever you desired. In addition to this, we
might at times wish you to lounge around
Sierra Flat and get what news for us you could
ketch on to.”

Young Benson was thinking rapidly, but his
tho hts were a good deal disturbed as Inez
song t and pressed his hand, the movement
 concealed from Sancho Pedro by her own

s1 ion.

This high mark of her favor played havoc
with his mental condition, for few persons are
stoics at eighteen, but Benson managed to re-
main calm outwardly.

“They want to use me foracat’s-paw,” he
thought, avoiding the black eyes of the girl.
“ If refuse the offer I shall be in a confounded
tight corner, and so will all my friends of the
s e. If I acce t Ican discover what Sancho
P o wants, an also haVe some hope of freeing
the others.”

It was sensible reasoning, but Benson hesi-
tated as he thought of the danger he would
dare. It was like pla in with fire. He might
be shot by friend or oe fore he was through
with the affair, or somethin mi ht occur to
brand him as an outlaw be oreal the honest

peo le of California.
A? flashing through

1 these thoughts had dgone
his mind, and he had not elalyed so very long
ooked squarely at

when he lifted his head and
said. “ Sling out

Sancho Pedro.

“I’m with you,” he blufly
your papers and I’ll sign the contract.”

Anotheggressure of the girl’s hand; an ap-
proving n from the young captain.

“ Good enough,” he said. “ I m glad you have
decided this way, for I believe .you have ]good
material in you, while on your own rt am
sure you w ll never repent. The l' e is wild,
free and jolly: no hard work or sentimentality.
All oes merry as a marriage-bell with us.”

“ ell, if that is decided, ’ said Ine “I will
go away. Don’t change your mind, . Ben-
son, for I want the pleasure of showing you the
home we have here—our ‘ Nest,’ as we call it.
I’ll see you again soon.”

All this time she had retained his hand, and,
as she turned away, she gave a farewell res-
sure,‘ threw a kiss to her brother, and g 'ded
from the room.

Benson breathed freer when she was gone.
He had a brave, honest heart, but her beans;
and care-ashad affected himinsplteofall. e
did not care to think seriousl of a female out-
law and he felt safer away tem tation.

“ ow,” said Sancho Pedro, when ey were
alone, “ there is one thing I wish you to do at
once. I am sure that one of those stage n-
gers had in his possession, twenty-four hours
ago. certain papers that I wish to secure. Will

on enter a prison room with the rest of them,

your con and endva to ascertain

w chone ofthem or had, the papers! I’ll
reward you well to do it.”

CHAPTER IV.
JOHN Jonas snows ms rum.

BENSON to see wherein he might be
made useful. Clearly the road-agent was very
anxious to secure the papers in question, what-
evar they were, and he wished to have a spy in
the prisoners’ own camp, as we may as .

The contem tible nature of the work diagonal
the new mom r. who believed in making war
Openly, if at all; but he concealed his fdhgs
and agreed to the 

As a result, Sancho edro convened win him
for a long time, directing him to listen te an the
men said, to watch them sharply; and an to
ask questions, if necessary. bu pm tidings
ofbfhe missing papers, if such a thing were pos-
si e.

What these mysterious documents} were the
outlaw did not explain, and Benson asked no
as” w... m. a... t...

arra in he ' comp ,
Sancho Pedro called in his men and the new
convert was led away. For some time they
traversed a dark the light from the
torch alwa s falling on rocks, and then
they arriv at a point where the rec floor

 

descended abruptly, almost perpendicular y.

 

“ Hyer’s whar We leave er,” said one of the
men. “ Jest set down on t er rock an’ slide, an’
you’ll drop inter our Reflection Pit, as we call
it. Don’t be afeerd, but slide. Et is only a few
feet down.”

Benson, however, hesitated, as well helmight.
The idea of sliding down a spout of that kind
into utter ness was not agreeable, and he
showed so much reluctance that a torch was
tossed down ahead of him.

After that he sat down, as directed, and they
let go of him; whereupon he slipped ovar a
glass-like rock for a dozen feet like a flash and
then landed safely on a level foundation.

He picked up the torch and looked around,
expecting to see his companions, but, instead,
saw only an empty room, or dungeon, about
thirty feet s uare and half as high.

The fact t at his stage companions were not
there caused him to suspect some trick, but at
that moment there was a stir at the top of the
spout and then a man came sliding down the
spout, vainly clutching at the sides.

He was 9 0t into the middle of the dungeon
like a log, but in a moment more was on his feet
and stood revealed as Ezekiel Higgins.

“ Gosh all hemlocks! be yeou hyar?” he cried,
at once recognizing Benson. “ Did yeou seo me
take; the degree in Masonry Odd Fellership
or whatever they call it? I slipped like a
greased pig an’ come so fast it almost set my
pants aflre. Hallo! here’s another I"

This time it was Buck Brazer. He was pro-
jected as Higgins had been, but at once arose
and began todisturb the air with vehement
profanity. Perceiving his predecessors, how-
ever, he grew calmer, and, with Big 'ns, en-
jo ed himself considerably in watc ing the
3t ers come down—Lyman, Strout and John

ones.

None of them were injured by the fall, and
they were soon in consultation. Allenton did
not appear, and Strout explained that he had
knocked down one of the guards and made good
his escape.

After Benson had been taken away, the
entire party had been separated, probably to
prevent suspicion falling on Sancho Pedro’s new
convert, and only Strout had seen Allenton’s
desperate dash for liberty.

“ Wal, I reckon ther rest on us er hyar ter
stay.” observed Brazer, mournfully.

‘ Don’t be tew sure on that,” said Higgins,
hopefully. “I’m goin’ tew try tew climb up
that sluiceway.”

No one answered him, but some of the less
sanguine, remembering how they had vainly
grasped at the sides of the “spout” in coming

own, felt that there was little hope.

Hi 'ns, however, was a persevering man
and e at once survoyed the sole avenue e
escape. The outlook was not promising. Nature
or art had made the bottom and sides of the
spout smooth almost to a glassy nature, and in
no place was there a chance for hand or foot-
hold along the steep ascent.

Still: the Yankee went at the task bravely,
and With Lyman standing behind him te give
his aid, man to advance for a little dis-
tance. Then owever, his feet slipped and he
shot back to the bottom.

“ Gel-darn the tarnal spout!” he cried, wrath-
fully, “ I When they hev rubbed soap all the
we up an’ daown it.”

‘ You can’t get up thar,” said Brazer,
harsh] .

“W y can’t I!” demanded Higgins, open
whom this opposition seemed to act like a

spur.

“ Why, darn your butes, it’s too slippery,”
as?! Brazer turned away as though to end the
t .

Big us, however, turned to John Jones, who
had a vanced to his side, and who, like himself,
seemed interested in the ueer passageway.

“See here,” said the ankee, “ I come from
where they git inventions, I dew. I’ve got
a patent on a hghtnin’-rod, a churn, a pump-
handle and a ’lectric light—the last applied fur.
Naow do yeou s’ ’m in’ tew stay down
in this hole like a rat in a trap an’ dew
nothin’?"

“ What can we do?” Jones slowly asked.

“ I thought I could climb, but I can’t; it’s tew
darned slippery. But yeou wait an’ I will hev
an idee.” I

The next ten minutes were passed in roaming
restleme about the dungeon. The prisoners
looked at it from every possible standpoint, but
in each case it appeared to be a trap from which
there was no emape. .

Benson, remembering what he had been hired
to do, watched for some signs of the mysterious
papers, but he saw nothing of them. He did

4

 

not expect to do so. The search of the outlaws
had been thorough, and it was not likel any
tinch document could have escaped th r no-

es.
“ Mr. Sancho Pedro has some plot in hismind

which I cannot fathom," thought Benson. “ He
has a use for me, but the time is not et come.
This watch here is a farce' I do not lleve he

thinks the missing article is among our crowd.
He has a use for me2 but I hardly see what it is '

yet. The fair Inez is in the plot, and her smiles.
were as deceitful as rotten ice. What is their
game!”

The young man stared at the wall as though
he hoped to read there the explanation of the
riddle, but no light came from his cogita—
tion.

He was interrupted by a stir from the other
men, and Higgins exultantl announced that
John Jones had conceived a p an for getting out
of the dungeon.

It was a somewhat novel one, and consisted
in makin a living ladder which should reach
from the ttom to the to of the “spout.” The
slippery way could not climbed, but could
not the risoners, by resting their feet on each
other’s s oulders, “ bridge the chasm,” as Big
gins expressed it.

All caught at the idea, but when they came
to put it in operation, and Brazer was asked to
stand at the bottom, as the heaviest man in the
crowd, a new idea came to him. _

“ See yer, I b’lieve this plan has its draw-
backs.”

“ How so?" Higgins asked.

“Why, durn yer butes, it ain’t fa’r. Ther
first man kin git out all right, but how in blazes
is ther last one tor do ther trick? I’m ther foot
0’ ther ladder, an’ it leaves me an’ those Jest
about me, ter climb.”

His argument was all well enough. so far as it
went, but he was soon convinced. Evon if but
one man could at out, that much would be a
gain, for it won (1 give him a chance to aid the
others; and, moreover, it was probable that a
rope or some similar contrivance existed at the
head of the spout by which men could be raised.

With this much explained to him Brezer

ave way racefully and the living ladder was
formed. be big miner stood at the bottom
bracin himself firmly, and Lyman mounted
upon his shoulders, lying flat on the bottom of
the spout. .

Next came Hig 'ns, then Strout, then Benson,
and only the add1 ion of John Jones was need
to make all serene.

The colored boy crept up over his companions
carefully, for there was a deal of ressure
upon those at the bottom, and reached enson.

“You’ll fall a little short,” said the latter,
anxiously.

John made no answer. He crept alon and

lanted a foot on each of Benson’s shou ders.
at even then, he was two feet from the top. .

He hesitated for a moment, almost dis-
cour ed, fer he knew how slippery the rocks
were, at it was the only chance for liberty; so
hle bagged the surface' closely and his
c an ,

Every moment he expected to slip and E0

liding backward, but luck favored him and e
drew near the tap. Then he reached out his
hand and caught at a point of rock, his dark
face glowing with triumph.

The emotion was short lived.

Suddenly, from around the corner, came the
terrible form of a jaguar, and a savage snarl
was enough to prove his hostility.

The apparition put John’s courage to fli ht in
an instant. He released his hold and shot ack-
ward upon Benson, and the mishgpdwas enough
to disarrange the whole human 1 er.

Another moment and they went tumbling
down the smooth reeks like a row of ten- ms.

That no one was injured was proved y the
we in which they at once bounded to their
fee , feslin abont their waists for the weapons
they weul have had there, only for the fact
that Sancho Pedro had appropriated them. _

Had their situation been ess serious, their
misha would have been a lau hable one; as it
was, i caused consternation an alarm,

At the top of the incline, the jaguar stood
looking dowu at them, snarling in a subdued
fashion, but showing his sharp teeth suggestive-

] .

y“ Merciful Heaven l” exclaimed Strout, “We
shall all be killed. That beast will tear us in

l

« “ Go slow,” suggested Benson with the calm-
ness of one who jud by infallible Signs.
“ That fellow has no in ntion of coming down.
Don’t you see he has stopped to eta ! It is my
opinion he is a regular sentinel at t at point."

 

 

1e

 

e

 

r” ‘

Sancho Pedro, the ‘Boy Bandit.

5'

 

 

The theory impressed all as reasonable, and  For a while, they went through a passage : ing of the torch-bearers, and they began fohnve

they began to feel more at ease, but Brazur
summed up the situation in a single terse sen-
tence:

“ Ef he is a guard, he holds the fort; we can’t
pass his post.”

N 0 one disputed him. but another consultation
was held in which all tried to grasp at a way
out of the dilemma—all, excepting John Jones.

' The colored outh stood at one side, silent but
the htful. enson noticed this. after awhile.

“ erhaps John has an idea. He gave us the
other, you know. How is it, pard?”

“ Is jaguars afeerd 0’ fire?” Jones asked,
slowly. A

“I believe the are, though I never tackled
one,” answered enson.

“ Den, s’pose we do dis ober ag’in an’ I take
de torch an’ fight de animile?”

“ Hurrah! that air is ther flggerl” shouted
Higgins. “ We kin cl’ar ther road, sure.” .

Lyman echoed his words but the others heel-
tated. The plan might fai and expo.~e Jones to
the merciless claws and teeth of the jaguar. and
they had no desire to have him sacrificed for
them.

“Don’t you be afeerd,” said John. “ I kin do
it, sure.” '

 

CHAPTER V.
a anemia or m. v

Joan’s confidence settled the matter. .The
other prisoners were anxious to escape,_ and if he
felt capable of putting the jaguar to flight, they
would not object very serious y. _

Accordin ly, the torch which lighted the den
was taken mm the crevice, and then they pre-
pared for a second attempt.

The ladder was formed as before, though
Benson, who was thus brou ht within seven 01'

 

eightfeet of the jaguar, be little liking for his :

godtbn.

ercely as he saw what was
every moment Benson expected
down upon them. -

' Last of all, John Jones began ascending the
novel ladder, his torch held above his head.

ififm "gm" “$33 ad i to h ith
a e vanc ng rc w

snarls of increased fiercenees. He was plainly
ill at ease, though he could, not yet understand
the full danger. I ‘

John’s face bore alook of dogged firmness.
He was eumciently moved to eel his heart
chum in? like a drumstick, but he had nerved
him. f for the venture.

He reached Benson’s shoulders and, standing
erect, waved the torch from side to side. The
glare of light confused, angered and disturbed
the jaguar. H‘e felt there was need of “ uncens-
ing vigilance,’ but he hadno ambition to meet
a flrebrand.

Jones repared for the great aflort. He
crouched ow for a moment. and then, with a
bound which would have done credit to an
acrobat, he sprung up the incline, touching his
feet to the rock once and’then aining the to .

Before this rush the jaguar ad rotreatr a
step, but his aspect was aggressive and fero-
cious. An ominous or passed his parted lips
and in another seoon he would have leaped
up ,the negro.

hat moment of indecision ‘proved his ruin,
John thrust the blazing torc into his very
taco, and with a terrible scream the brute turn-
ed and darted away through the dark passage

beyond.

Tl‘emblin With excitement. the victor looked
hurriedly a ut him. ed rope lay on the
rock. one and fast to some object overhead.
John flung the loose portion down and the way

1 was open for the others to ascend.

They came up quickly. shook hands in some
cases. and then settled down to business.

“ We haven’t a moment to low,” said Benson.
“The cry of that jaguar may have been hear-l
by the readragents, or he may havesense enough
to seek them as a sign that something is wrong.

Let’wet out of this on the jump.”

“ hushall we go?” Brazer asked.

“ Anywhere. That will be as well as to stay
here‘.,even though we run straight into the main
den..

Thor. was truth in this and they started at
once A narrow passage led them for twenty
feet and then joined one runningat htan les.
LuckilY. 99"" 0f the party remem red t
:26); htad oomofrom the right, sothey turned to

e e . '

L . Benton and Jones strode at the head,
the, tor-carryingthetorcli. 
toseothebeysin front and such ovehsrnu as

.Bmerataoreewtut in mm
wills usually manifest

In to let p

The animal kept his lace and snarl. «,1 l
sing-done, owl .
i

p

 

which was almost as regular as though made
by hand, but all was of rock and no avenue of
exit from the cave was visible. Then the pas-
sage widened and they saw a wide chamber
littered with rocks piled about in every con-
ceivable way.

No sound of pursuit had yet been heard, and
they pushed forward. The gigantic bowlder,
which took every possible shape, often forming
pillars for the support of the low, rocky roof,
made their course necessarily zizgag, and Hig-
gins suddenly became uneasy.

“See here,” be said, “ I’m darned afraid we
are gittin’ intew troubled water. Mebbe it's
all right, but it seems tew me we ain’t holdin’
a deerect course. This darned hole is like a
labyrinth, and there is a proper good chance 0’
gittin’ turned ’round.”

The warning was enough to bring all to a
halt. They had seen no sign of any wall for
some time:-onl the eccentric iles of rocks
were visible. ad they inde become con-
fused?

“ I am sure this is the right way,” said Ly-

man. .
“ Then the cave is a darned big one,” retort-
ed Hi gins. “At this rate, We ought tew be
high a out across the sierras. It’s my opinion,
we’re trottin’ ’round in a circle. ”

“ Well, what can We do?”

“Lay rocks on the floor tew mark our
course,” Higgins suggested.

“ I will tear my andkerchief in pieces, and
drop a small hit every few paces,” said Benson.

T is plan was approved by all. though it
might be the means of guiding the road-agents
themselves; and Benson was about to gin
when Brazer again came to the front.

“Down wit ther lightl"he ordered. “Ef
ther gang ain’t on our track, I’m a liar. I
heard v’ices.”

The torch was lowered, and all listen-ed.
Then, plainly enough came a sound which all
lmew to be a man 3 vlng some order.

“ What shall we do? asked Strout, his face
growin aler than ever.

“Hi e, ’said Braner, tersely; and, with the
word, he crept into a crevice between two

rocks.

All followed his example exce t Benson and
John Jones. The latter touc ed his white
friend on the arm. ‘

_“ S’posen we keep on instead of hidin’,” he
said. “Dis torch hab split into two pieces, an’
we can leab one an’ take one.”

"We ought to hang together, John,” said

“ See here, boss,- one word wid on. I tells
you do: is a traitor in dat gang. don’t know
which he is, or I would Speak out bold. . Now,
you hear what I tell you—dens fellers will be
tooken ag’in; we mustn’t be.”

“ A traitor! Are you sure, John?”

“ Sartin sure.”

“ By Geor el 1 more than half believe you.
I have thong t—"

Ju‘Et'then the voice which had before alarmed
them arose again, this time nearer, and looking
back, Benson saw a light flickering on the high-

er rocks. _ _

The sight decided him.

“We will go,” he said. ‘

'J ones tossed one half of the torch, which had
split in twg in his hand,to Higgins, and then

L‘PV on.

The others supposed they would hide near,
and made no remonstrance.

The no ro boy went more rapidly than ever.
his brig t eyes scanning every closely.
Benson followed, thinking of what he had late-
lv said. Was there indeed a traitor among the
ex -;mssensvers of the coach!

He remembered how tamely they had surren-
dorml, although fourteen revolvers might have
inan tin-nod upon the foe. Was that surrender
the result of cowardice or treachery?

“ Who was for tight and who for surrender?”
he suddenly asked. _

“ When i” asked the negro, who had himself
been busily thinking.

“ In the pass.” ’

.“ Dunno; but I wish I did. Tell you what
’m. (is road-adjutants s ted to make a big
1‘all]. an’ dey got chea . Bay had a dner
inside de stage, an’ be worked do claim n their
1173!, but day didn’t get no great spec, I reck-
on ~

, John spoke with a sudden rush of confld
and neon was tempted to tell ,
with Sancho Pedro: ‘but, brieij his young life
“nonmagnetic ‘ nothing;-

9 ‘ ' ' 

his interview"

at their w companiontrt. the 

 

strong hopes of final escape. when all their plans
went into chaos before a sudden and startling
event.

Around one of the numerous rocky pillars
came a man who had the indelible stain of a
road-agent upon feature and dress. is ap-
pearance was most untimely; but that he was
thoroughly surprised, on his own part, was“
proved by the way in which he looked at them.

Young Benson at once showed his mettle. He
had seen a bit of wild life before his coming to
California. and had before that day fought to
save his life. He knew too the value of prompt
action.

With a panther-like movement he sprung
upon the road-agent. His left hand close
around the fellow s throat, and with his right
he snatched a revolver from his belt—move-
ments executed with remarkable quickniss.

Another moment and the weapon’s muqfle
was at its owner’s head.

“ Yield!” said Benson, in a sharp tone. “Ute
ter one cry of alarm, and, by my life, I’ll shoot
on!” - ‘
“ Hold up!” was the terrified response. “Who
in blazes be you, an’ what do you want? I don‘t

know you.” ' ‘ ‘

“ We know you and that is enough. You.
are one of Sancho edro’s men.” ~ r

“Of course I am. Take me to the captain _
an’ be will tell you so.”

Benson’s face lighted a little. The man did
not comprehend the situation. Instead of
recognizing them as enemies to the band, he he-
lieved them loyal and thought his own faith
questioned.

“ There is one way for you to rave it,“ said
the quick-witted youn man. “ eareonour
way to the outer wor d. If you can lead'us
there, I will believe you one of the baud. Other-
wise, ofl goes your head!” ’ ’ - , -

 

CHAPTER. VI.
INEZ

Tun captured road-agent, who was a ' late
acquisition to Sancho Pod ro’s martial band, say!
nothing unfair in this proposition. Really, the
encounter had been a most fortunaw one”
Benson and Jones, and they began to see their
whly clear. A J

he outlaw was released, and thohthe started
off through the rocky labyrinth at are ' pace.
At his heels followed his captors the re»,
volver covered his head. -- “"4

John was cularly delighted at the wow
which his w ite pard had ontwitted he‘lrg: ,
and being a young man of nerve' himself, ‘dev
clded that Benson would be a gooi man tots-oval"
with regularly. ‘ ‘

At last the blaze of the outlaw’s torch nick-
ered backward, and as a slight ptfl' of wind
rounded the nearest column, it became evident
that they were nearing the entrance of the cave.

A little further and they stood under no roof
except that of the heavens; ‘ a

Night had fallen since their cameras capflveoi
began, and sit was quite dark, though a few
faintly-gleaming stars were visible. till they '
had no means of knowing on ,what
portion of the mountain they were.

:e'gherel haven’t I kept my word?” the robber’
as .

“ You’ve done nobly.” E lgnr answered:
“ Are you the man who joined us a little while
ago?’ r ‘, ‘
“ lies. A week ago Monday. My name is

“ Oh! I remember that rt.” said Benson", a: '
carelessly as thou h Moss ad long been a homo
hold word with h in. “Are you busy now?” '

“Not icularly.” * ‘

“ We , we are going down to wheretho eta
was attacked. The captain lost sonieihingthe
Will ou come with us and get a chance to win
Sam: 0 Pedro’s good-will!” ,' -

“Sartin,” the man declared. -“Did‘ he lose
anything valerablel" , ‘

“Yes. A diamond ring, worth a cool hun-
dred. Of course he is worried about it, and
afraid it will be ground under the hoof of some
horse before morning, so he told me» he would
give twenty dollars to the man who found it; '

Once more Benson’s strategy was nieces“.
He did not know the way to the stage—road, all
wished the man to guide him there, while at”
same time he wanted to keep him away from
theotherrobhors. u" 

The scheme was entirely successful
the start was ‘

l'. ,.

, - _ own-m
but its mass» rm  ..

 

 
 

,.


it

/

B t V Sancho Pedro, the Boy v Bandit.

 

_,

concluded to let it pass for the sake of getting
on Bg)ood terms with the others.

th the young meii had a good deal of reluc-
tance in regard to abandoning the other prison—
ers, but each wiaelgI decided that their best
course was to go to '

in.
The genuine road- ent led the way toward
the read most faithf y, and all was going well
when some one suddenly stepped into the path

‘ in front of him.

He paused and lifted his hat, recognizing Inez,
the female outlaw, but on Edgar Benson the dis-
covery fell with the aspect of a great calamit ,

Knowin that she would recognize him, a
snatched e revolvar from his belt and sprung
toward her, but with a hard little laugh, she
thrust out her own glittering six-shooter, just a

e before him.

I “Halt!” she cried derisively, “I have you
foul. Up with your hands, and keep them there
-I hold the drop. Up, l as 1”

Deep disappointment mar ed the face of the
youth, but e knew Inez was not to be trifled
with in any way. When she caressed his hand
in the can, she had seemed like a panther
which, in a spasm of short-lived good nature,
fawns upon the creature it is its nature to read.

Benson put up his hands, obediently, but
far from being subdued and a single look was
enough to make John follow suit.

The male road- out, too, believing himself
addressed, fell into ine but looked astounded.

“ Now, then,” cried as, “ what does all this

“ What does what mean i” gasped the fellow.
” are you guiding these men away?”

‘.‘ We re oin’ ter tind ther cap’n’s diamon’.”
u  ' mond?”

“ Therone he lost in the pass.”

Ines, during the conversation, had kept her
0165s on Benson. It was well for her she did so.
1 I he desired was a shadow of a chance to escape
her bullet and’he would promptly act.

’ In the darkn she could not read faces, but
she stamped her oot ugly.
i “Benson, what does t ' mean?” Sh0.demand-

I .
’ “In Why, it’sjust asMoss says,” he replied, re-
tnlvsdto try strategy on her, small as was the
l f."1‘he captain lost a diamond in the pass
we are oing to at it.” .
Ines . moo ingly and then, with a
change of m‘ood, stain her foot again. The
(love of the cave had turned to a vixen. -
“Moss, where did you find these men?” she

e'fellow told all, while Benson watchedin
vain for a chance to use his claws. Inez watched
him. the little revolver which covered his
face not once waver.
He saw all the co er-stones of his p tive
liberty demolished, ut he was game to t e last.
1. when of the truth dawned u n the girl,
hm that was lacking wo d keep; she
did not for that. .
“ Se, Ben ” she said “ you have been play-
.with us. e you, and you use your
t chance to attempt escape.”
“Can you blame me?" Ed
.“I do; I hate treachery.
i-"I'hat is why I decided not to play the spy
on those who trusted me,” he rater-ted.
" Corns, you are toosharp; you are impudent,”

‘ lam wgds, d to their force of con-
struction, we absent said. Then she fell
 thought, durin wh oh all' watched her.

I " Benson, she as d, arousing at last, “I want
tospsak with you priv ly. Will you sacred-
Iypromissnottoat mewhile weareby
onrsal es!"

v
“ I promise,” he replied.
as though confident he would keep

She
his word befollowed in t tth
mania; his revolver  firings-iii:
 feet awa Ines'paused, and then as
heeameupghelaiiiherhandu hisarm.’
“first, she said, unsteadiy, “you have
pit-same” tly.

“I trusted and—yes. I trusted you. We
Win the cave, and I thought we had be.
goodfriends. Yonsaid on was a stran-

_ ,th country, and I.reso ved to hel you.
Echo Pedro liked your looks. a saw

. too.
, onware'bold, into entand quicbwittsd
gauche man as he ikes to have lathe

‘  3‘ awaiting» ’
. . 4 . , w
fire-Ladle.” ~ .- r 1”

erra Flat and spread the

 

gar, who was only human, began to think he
ad not done just right.

“ We all like libe ,” he muttered.

“ Where can ou ad more that. in Sancho
Pedro's cavol t is the home of the freest men
in California. Liberty, wealth and all possible
pleasure are ours; we are a collection of sov-
ereigns. We asked you to join us. Sancho Pe—
dro. had honors tor you, and 1—1 liked you, too,
Ec'llgar!”

be fair outlaw laid her hand upon his shoul—
der, and her face was dangerously near his own.
He felt like one intoxicated on some rare ele-
ment of the air—a blissful intoxication, since it
brought such shapes to his view. -

One moment he wavered. and then his strong
common-sense came to his aid. This girl, beau-
tiful though she might be, was an outlaw, a
companion of assassins, and her tender ways
were but assumed to make him a pliant tool to
do the work of her brother and herself.

“I am very much obliged for your good
opinion,” he said, “and I sup so I am foolish
to kick over the traces; but don’t believe 1
would like the life of a cut-throat and thief.”

Inez started back in amazement. She had ex-

ted some resistance. but she did not imagine

a would speak so bluntly. She was surprised,
disa inted and angry. , .

“ on are very complimentary l” she cried.

“I tried to get as near truth as possible,” he
said modestly.

“ Edgar Benson you are a fool l”

“ Indeed! Well, really, this is interesting.
We are getting into statistics now. Go on 1”

She looked at him steadily for a moment, and
then suddenly raised her revolver so as to cover
his head. . . .

“ Enough of empty words,” she said, in a
way which smacked of menace. “You and I
will be everything or nothing. Take Ia’your
choice now—swear allegiance to Sancho edro
or die I” _

Young Benson calmly folded his arms. across
his breast; but the movement brought his hand
near the lately-concealed revolver, and he was
far from being subdued.

“Ain’t you a little severe—"he be an; but
she interrupted him by a stamp of her oot.

“ No words,” she said hotly. “ Make your
choice!” . '

CHAPTER VII.‘
smear FLAT.

“ Nor yet!” .

The words fell upon the girl’s ear in a new
voice, and at the same time a hand closed upon
her wrist, turning her revolver upward in the
air. She bounded fiercely, but. a strong. arm
crept around her waist: she was in the grasp

'of one in whose hands she- was like a child.

Youn Benson laughed.

“ Wel done, John,”vhe said cheerqu ,. " We
have won another move in the game. Inez,
allow me to take your revolver.”

One glance over her shoulder had shown
Inez that it was the colored outh who had
Eeiggd her, but she was far rom being sub-

“ 0

As Benson took her revolver, her lips
in a shrill scream—a cry for help-but it was
checked at an early stage as Edgar clapped his
hand over her-mouth.

“ Beware l” he earnestly said. “ Do not force
us to use violence to a girl. We must and Will
esca from here, and if need be, we will tie

on and and foot. We prefer milder means,
hough. If on promise to remain silent,
nod your hea , and I will removamy hand.”

Promptly enou h came the sign and he
lhiepiil his word. ohn, however, at retained

is o d. _ _
“ Well?” questioned the girl, with surprising
coolness. ~
“ hat do you wish to know?”
“My fate.’

“ It lies with the future. So far as I am con-
cerned, my actions will not govern it. You age
your own judge and jury. as I may say. e
are going to escape, though, and I now request
you to aide me to'the pass.”

“Ang I refuse.” l

“ We are sure to find it, an way.” 1

“Very well; find it. I aha not help you.”

She had assumed another of the. moods .
liarto women of her nature. With her ttle
foot beatigg the ground, she pouted like an

' gugbfllotnewiththesirl'flw as
sf“ .   v -mmmaui imam/hams»
Mkvoiuarmidndfl '

would‘seoa bring the flaws down than.

.1

Vfi

“ I tied up dat skunk ober dar wid some strings
I had in my pockets. S‘pose we change ’em to
dis female road-adjutant, an’ make Its-m guide us
to de pass?” . _

Edgar caught at the idea. and in a short time
Inez was bound as planned

The work was thoroughly done, but the used
all possible gentleness and left her Scale on a
roc , like a captive queen. She had stormed at
first, and tht n relapsed into a deceitful (:9 1m ', but
when the gag was added, she was litCGSSdI‘lly
quiet.

Young Benson had, however, made an enemy
who might cause him bitter trouble in the
future.

Next they turned their attention to Moss and
ordered him to lead the way to the pass. Ht de-
murred, of course, but the muzzle of a revoZVer
is a convincing argument in the majority of
cases, and did not fail on this particular occa~
$100.

In ten minutes they stood in the pass.

“ Now. my little man,” said Benson, who had
naturally grown exhilarated, “ you may return
and free Queen Inez.” , .

“I’m everlastin’ly obliged ter you," said the
fellow, “ but I reckon I won’t.”

“ You won’t?”

(t No.”

“ Why not?”

“My life ain’t insured! Why, that tiger-cat
would kill me deader’n a mummy. I know her
an’ I know Sancho Pedro. No sirree, no more 0’
ther ‘ Nest ’ fur me. I’ll now set my face east an’
slope.”

“ Desert?”

“ That’s ther English on’t.”

“But, see here, what about Inez? We left her
bound, and—”

“.So you can’t blame me fur leavin’ lier
bound.” ,

Bad'as Benson believed the girl-outlaw to be,
he wished her no harm, and resented her dan-

er in a feelin manner; but- oss declared that
s e was exact (y in the beaten path of the rob-
bers and woul not long‘remain undiscovered.

“Mebbe they’ve found her already, an’ my
advice to you is ter slope. That’s my present
plan. I don’t bar you no ill-will fur what

ou’ve did, fur 1 can’t say I loved ther life:
but you’ve made this part 0’ Californy so hct
fur me that my ha’r will stand on eend until i
cross ther divide. So long!” _

At the last word, Moss wheeled and strode
awa toward the East. -

“ reckon his advice is good,” said Edgar.
“ We will do likewise.”

And away they went on the road to Sierra

1: .

For a mile they wasted few words and. man’s
time which would have done credit to a pro-
l'essional runner, and then they eased up some-
what und discussed the situation.

It was their intention to spread the news of
the danger of the other captives, as seen as
possible, and they hoped a party would be
organized to go at once to the rescue.

J’ohn Jones also told how he had so oppor-
tunely appeared when Inez held the revolvoar at
Ed ar’s bead. _

hen his white partner was taken made by
the girl John felt sure no good would come of
it. and, e was not 1011 in making an attack on
Moss. Despite the di cranes in their years, he
soon found that he was the outlaw’s superior,
and be was able to bind him, and then appeared,
as described, to trifle the charming Inez.

Thus they went (in, without meetin any iris.
hap, until Sierra Flat was reached. It was not,
a pretentious village, nor yet tin-insignificant
one, lint a bustling mining town which had
grown up where a little level space had bun
left by Nature amid the peaks which arose an
every side. ‘

It was nearly midnight when our young
friends arrived, but several saloons wore S’lhll
open, and toward one of these they made their
way. Neither of them was ac uainted With ill i
village, but over the door of t a festive estab-
lishment was a sign proclaiming it a hotel. so
in they Went. . .

They saw-the usual saloon Fights—men in all
stages of inebri'ation, drinking, smoking, play-
in cards, and telling stories.

it first their advent created no attention but
Benson went to-the man behind the her. and
bra-fly told. who they were and whentheyhsd
come from, and then the bar-tender gave the
“I?” a bid 31% is. been h

' .th. Wore, soon "'9
 of« attention, aadethey W that
sum. the , stage W at» max-st-

 

~ mismmu'
mnedmeonorthem ..  /.

 

 

Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit.

4

I

“ What has been done in the way of rescue l”
Ed at asked.

‘ othin’,” some one answered.

“ Nothing l”

“That’s what I said.”

“But, surely, you into“ to do something?"

“Not that we knows on. What: be we citi-
zens 0’ Sierra Flat goia’ tei‘ run our necks inter
trouble for ther sake o' a pack 0’ tonderfoots?”

“I wasn’t but one tenderioot in the crowd.”

“ Wal, they’re interlopers, anyhow. D’ye
s we will help ther men that come for ther

at ter take ther bread out 0’ our mouths! I
reckon not I ” _

And this the pards found to be the sentiment
of the cr0wd. They hated and feared Sancho
Pedro, but they had little more love for new-
comers.

Edgar was perplexed, and it was with a good
deal of embarrassment that he asked thaland-
lord if he would take him in and wait for his pay
until he could make a raise. .

He expected a refusal, but old Abe Durgm
was not a mean man, and as a result the boy
pards were soon domiciled in a private room._

They had agreed to hang together for a while,
at least. -

Some time was spent in planning for the res-
cue of Brazer, Lyman and the others, but no
googld came of it and they finally went to bed and

co .

It was still dark when Benson awoke, and,
turning over, he was about to settle down to
sleep again when he became aware that John
Jones was not in his place.

He called his name, but there was no response;
he arose and lighted a lamp and 'found that he
was not in the room.

Considerany perplexed, he was considering
what to do when the window was shoved up and
John entered. He nodded and smiled at sight of

nson.

“ here the dickens have you been?” the lat-
ter demanded.

1“ Out to get a hrs! of fresh air,” was the re-
p .

Y~ '
“ Good Lord! didn’t you get enough of that
before we came in 9"

“ Wal, you see I’s been to borrow some money
tor. pay our bills. We needed it,-an’ hyer de
article am.”

And the negro displayed several ten-dollar
gold vpieces. ‘

“ here did you get those?” asked Edgar, his
face changin .

John smile .

“ You t’ink dat I stole um, but I didn’t. You
see, I played de roots on Sancho Pedro an’ his
road-adjutants. When we started in de stage I
s’pecteddar might be trouble, so I hid dese yar-
ler b0 s in de corner ob de wehicle.
lucky did, don’t ou t’ink so?” '

The negro look innocent and sincere, but his
com nion still had his doubts. The story sound-
ed li e a fable, and though he preferred to think
,well of Jones, he went back to bed in a state of
great uncertainty.

CHAPTER VIII.
GYPSY.

On the afternoon of the following day, and at
apoint amile north of Sierra Flat, apicture was
presented by the mingled elect of nature and
in" Which Would have attracted an artist.

Ordinarily, there w. nothing in the im
E11011. with a. bleak rock and absence 0 all

.1168 Of Verdmje, to iateresta lover of the bean-
tiful, but on this occasion there'was an unusual
“‘3” “ii ii: 81??

n a sma w or a young :1 wag “and-
lag and watching the top of the In years,
she could not have been more than sixteen, but
she 'had the Bhysxcal development of a woman
united with t e freshness of a mere lgirl.

Very retty she was, though p alnly clad,
for her see was fully formed and fill of color,
her eyes bright, black and searching, and her
hair clustered about her head in ringlets that
Were‘as dark as night.

In her bands was a small rifle, and from her
manner it seemed as though she e ted some
animal or bird to reappear at the shire top, but
it came not and she stepped down from the
bowlder.

“.TOO bad!” she said, aloud. “ Had the big-
born shewn his head I would have had acup-
Pel' worthy of a king, and now I must take
what I can ." . v _ ‘

She had a udoned her hopes, but she stood
still for several minutes, occasionally gaming
Wendi a newsosndcaused her. whee

Mighty '

she sai curtly.
r “Onfihecon’trary

 

\

Scarcer three feet from her stood oflof that
species of beasts of prey before which Wen the
hardy hunter and trapper of the West stands
back in fear.

It "was a great, smooth-coated jaguar, hand-
some in his way as any beast can be but with a
suggestion of terrible claws and teeth that made
his appearance anything but a pleasure.

The girl was undeniably frightened. She be-
trayed the fact in her vanishing color, in her
quivering mouth and startled eyes, but she had
grefince of mind sufficient not to attempt

l l .

ust then, the jaguar did not seem in a hostile
mood. He neither growled nor showed his
Eeetllli, but looked at the girl steadily and paci-

ca y.

She saw all this, and, wild as the idea might
be, resolved to tr to make friends with him.
She _had heard 0 such things, and it might
poss1bly occur again, im robable as it was.

“Tiger old fellow! ood boyl good boy i”

She did not know exactly how to “ talk
jaguar,” but she must say something, and she
made her voice as smooth as possible. It quiv-
ered a little at first, but grew stronger at the
end as the animal showed unmistakable signs of
pleasure.

His lips parted, but, instead of snarling he

urred ike a'cat and advanced toward her.

hen upon her flashed the conviction that he
was not an untamed rover of the mountain but
the pet of some one who had a taste for strange
company.

Acting on this idea, she put out her hand, and
the jaguar advanced and rubbed his head against
it. at the same time increasing the volume of his
amiable urr.

He he been like a dog who awaits a sign of
friendly recognition.

The girl’s fears fled. She caressed the glossy
coat of the animal, and he gave every Sign of
pleasure. He was a owerful fellow, larger
than the average of is specws, but nothing
could exceed his good humor at that moment.

She talked to him as though he had been a
human bein , anxious to strengthen her hold
upon him. S e called him pet names and stroked
his head, and he, in turn, gave every proof of
brute friendship.

Thus half an hour passed awa . Then she
grew weary of her company, an wished she
was back at her cabin in the village. She was
anxious to go; but what of the jaguar? An at-
tempt to depart might arouse his hostility, or he
mi t insist on to lowing her to the village,
whtljia she had no ‘desire to adopt him perma-
nen y. ‘

Finally she moved away, and he followed,
keeping close by her side and appearing as
amiable as ever. ‘

'In this way a hundred ards were traversed,
and then a shout arose n a man’s voice. The
girl hooked up quickly, but the unknown was
concealed by a series of rocks.

A deep note from the jaguar’s liips drew her
attention to him. He, too, ha heard the
shout, and his gaze was intently fixed on the

int from whic it had proceeded. His parted
ips revealed his teeth, and his look was omin-

ous.

The voice of the man had changed his mood,
and he seemed ready for any act of hostility.

For a moment he seemed irresomte‘, and t on.
partially wheeling, he made a single lea , and
gained the top of the ledge. Another had
and he was gone from sight.

The girl was still surprised at his abrupt de-
parture when, from around apomt of rocks,
came three men. _

Her color retreated a little at the eight; they
were not desirable neighbors.

Two of them were big, brawny fellows,
coarse of feature and dress; but he who strode
at their front was gaudily clad, and his smooth
face looked boyish and handsome. . v

“ Sancho Pedro!” muttered the girl.

The discovery was simultaneous, and with a
new light on his face the road-agent came to-
ward her. She wished to flee, but well aware
that he could overtake her if he tried, stood her
ground with the outward calmness of one na-

turally brave. ‘ ,

He advanced and lifted his hat.

“ dear mGyszam pleasedtosee
cu,” he said. hlandly. , ’s a long While since I
Irave” had the pleasure of looking on your
ace. *

“ I hope you have borne it philosophically,”
ed Fi'or my old playmate of the San Jungzin

valle .”
“lycannot nthavcshed anytears. Ia-

 

I

 

v
7, 7 v

deed, I thought. until lately, that on had
probably graced a rope of hemp now.”

“ You have a high opinion of me,” he said with
evident pique.

“ I have not forgotten how you left the San
Joa uin valley.”

“ hat was a bad business,” he said, shaking
his head, “but ’twas the one dark spot on' my
life. "Since then, I have lived in a blameless
wa .

sy laughed shortly.

“ ou have plenty of check,” she said.

“ What do you mean?”

“ Simply that I know yeu as you now are. I
am noti orant of the identity 0 Sancho Pedro,
the roa -agent.” ,

The man looked confused and angry for a
while. He had thou ht that no one near Sierra
Flat could connect im, the present chiefot
robbers, with the flfteen-year-old boy who had
fled from the San Joaquin valley with his hands
red with blood. Such being the fact, however,
he was sorry that he had approached the

girl.

“ Well, do you blame me?" he asked catching
at a straw.

“Perhaps no one is to blame for living by
glunder and murder, but the honest miners of

ierra Flat entertain such an opinion on the sub-
ject that it would not be safe for you to show
your ‘head there. ” ,

“ What do I care for their opinion,” he mut-
tered sullenly. “ I am my own master; I make
my own laws. More than that, twoscore brave
men follow where I lead and our money-box is

L zen——

7 .

[

well filled. That! for the miners of Sierra mu." ‘

He snapIped his fingers contemptuously.

Gypsy id not answer. '

“ 0 you wholly condemn the!” he asked,‘after
ause.

‘How can I do otherwise? Your hands are
red With blood, and on are still in the midst of
your wmkedness. here is pardon for those
who repent; there can be none for the "pérsistent
smner. " ‘

Her solemn words and manner onlybtought a
sneer to his face. ' "

“ You makerather a pretty preacher, but on
are only a child, a girl of sixteen years. hat
do you know of such matters? But, m9. a’S’P'
sy, let us be friends. We woman 0 that once;
let us renew the olden tie.”, ‘ ’

“ Thank you; but I must decline. I never
liked ou in the San Joaquin valley. for fl, read
vour eart as few girls of twelve years could.
You dproved in opinion correct whsnyou mar-
dere your n his and fled. That not cut the
frail bond between us. Now, I do not car‘s to
renew our ac uaintance.” ‘ ‘

She s ke p aini , but without defiance. She
knew ncho P ro well enough to dread a
quarrel. He hesitated before answering, and
was plainly engaged in subdning the anger she
had 5mm? k h til G ' in. t if I

“ ono spea as y ypsy. _a
should tell you that it is in my power‘ to aid
you greatly?” . '

“I should decline your aid.”

“Wait, Gypsy, wait. You probably think I
have some scheme for enriching £911 h the
mono I have taken on the road. his not
my p an, but, my dear girl, it is a fact t I
can pour money at our feet inashower.
b92253" Emughi t 1 x *
spi ‘ y sy, el «u can make on the
heiress of a undred tgousand dollars."y

“ Again I thank ou—and decline!"

“Fool!” he exclaimed, harshl .

a

i .
s 'honest wealth to be 21:.- '

“Money is not to be despised, but there is‘de- ‘

ceit, or worse, in whatever on would do.”

“ I swear there is not. T e fortune to which
I refer is really our own. and you have but to
prove your iden ity and claim it.”

CHAPTER IX.
a CHAHPION ma GYPSY. _

GYPSY looked at him earnestly. He seemed
to be sincere and she almost believsd for a mo
ment. She lmew of no one in the world who
could have left a fortune to her, but such a
thin was possible.

“ here is your proof?” she asked.

Sancho Pedro legghed shortly. _ \

“My dear girl. am not exact] a Santa
Claus,.to go about pouring the film 1 of
life into people’s hands unrewa ed. it
a.

 

pointtol
I will make you the possessor of this

fortune, but you must dome a favor in u-

:ammer ” 
s to marry‘ me. ’. .
“ Never!” “claimed Gmy » . a _ .,

The young outlaw’g face clouded with m.

\

ook outfor number one stall ames._
lam

I--.

 

  

 

 

‘less

“s.

. \—-v-w_-

“WW *......s:.,._,." w - .w‘». «Ta...
. - . < .

‘ mph...“ '

 

.3

hut he mede an eflort and kept theemotion
 cezn'ol. G '

“ s'ni again, 3’? . . ‘

“th l have thought enough, already. The
mensidaisherribie. * a“ I nod h

he spoke in uleiuv , ~regro er

glam-s the rho-gem the words we uttered.

other stfil gnaw lensho Pedro's face and his
hand closed our lun- arm with a cruel grip.

“Beware, G ' ; do not arouse the devil in
my nature. en say yon know me well, and,
if so, you knew I am not to be irifled with. Fer
the last time, will yon become my wife and, at
the same time, the owner of this immense for-
tune?”

" Jose,” she answered, calling him by his boy-

 

hood’s name, “yon require an impossibility. :

.WhenI mnrr , if I ever do, it will be with a
man who hol my~my love. I shall not stop
to iquire whether he has money or not, but a
millien in fold would not influence me.”

He coul not doubt her sincerity, and a stub-
born look settled upon his face.

“ Then, by my life, yon shall go to my cave
and remain there until you will consent! My
wife you shall be, even though it is a ferwd
marria e. If it comes to that. I can find a min-
ister w o cares more for money than you Seem
to do.”

“Jose!” she murmured faintly, terrified by
his manner. .

He laughed mockineg and began dragging
heraway, while his two fellow rufiians looked
on with coarse smiles. _

Suddenly, however, Gypsy remembered that
die was armed, and her hand had already
sought the pocket where nestled her revolver
when the scene abruptly changed.

A clear, sharp veice rung out on the air, and
the import of the words was not tebe mistaken:

“Sancho Pedro! Stand where you are, all
of von, and put your bends above your heads!"

The three road-agenu wheeled like a flesh.
They were Veterans in wild life, and had often
heard and them-hes uttered the well-known
commend, end Riey did not need a dictionary
to hunt in its meaning. .

One of Ohm, hewever, Considered binnelf a
very canmn and invincible fighter, and as he
turnedfhe ung up his revolver ready for a

snap shot.

A mt followed but it was not caused by
the road-agent. In .,'his revolver went rat-
tling. to die ground and his right arm hung help-

. at his dds, broken by a well-aimed shot.

“ s that lemon threwn away, or will you fel-

lo obey nae! Hands up, I say!”
our revelva'e were covering Sancho Pedro

and his men, and they sullenly obeyed the com»

mand. They plainly saw that en eflort to raise

their own weapons would cost them dearly.
an: who had thus appeared to, block their

pa

Simply Edgar Benson and his black pard,

John ones.

They bed suddenly appeared from among the
rocks, and with the coo ness and precision of far
older men had taken the game in hand and
secured “ the drop.”

Plalnl , thongh strangers te the Sierra Flat

on, t ey were not new to life of adventure.

‘ That’s the cerrect eeper.” said young Ben-
son approvingly. “ Now, just keep them there
 give you leave to drop."

res you i” roared Sancho Pedro. “What
do you mean by such work, you young heund!"
“ Easy and slow, my good sir. I plead guilty
to being young—I lack the maturity of your
own nineteen years; but that scarcel weighs
against me in t is case, for I hold the til-op! As
for m motive, I don‘t propose to see this young
laddy ragged away by you and your crowd.”

y y, while he was ing, went to his side,
and t on calmly turn - her own revolver upon
the b0 road-agent.

The atter was mad with rage. He had tried
to wheedle Benson into his service at the cave,
but the young man had outwitted him and es-
caped his clutches, which, of course, made theen
deadly enemies: and now, to have him reap-
2601;. sud wrest Gypsy from his DOWBI'NYSS mad-

.“ 8.

Be stormed and threatened for a while, but
it suddenly occurred to him that, if he oonld
evolving marched. into the village as e pris-
oner would be v lucky. ,

A; a result, he ually abandoned his rage
 indignation,_acknowled himself whipped
aered to draw out o the game. . ,

i _  now committed their-sole mistake.
With outlaw in their grasp. they should
have hold fast to him; but, instead, he woe al-
lowed to go before they realised that there was
more than 9 pm motive fordetdainghim.

L"; ‘

~ a-._..-*._...-. ..

 

 

Sancho Pedro,,tliemBoy Bandit.

. .g'g‘Js i

(‘i‘ I reckon it am do  dis plutflt to best
a o ickretreat, ohn «mes,aste
helium went awn . “.When dem fellers
git out ob sight. dey’ll ouble on deir track, an’
try to shoot us."

" That’s sound sense,” said Edgar. “ Do you
live at Sierra Flat, miss?" ‘ ,

“ Yes sir,” answa Gypsy; “ and I think I
will return there at once.”

“Another sensible idea. Well, if you’ll al-
low as to escort you, we will try to take you
throuh all righi." - -

Gy y expressed her pleasure at the plan,
and t us they returned successfully to the vil-
lage.

Their prompt retreat baffled any scheme
Sancho Pedro might have for turningthe tables,
and by the time they had reached the little
place mutual explanatiens had been made.

The full name of the girl was Gypsy Morri-
son, and she was a relative ef Allenton, their
companion of the late sta e adventure. She
had once lived in the San oaquin' valley, but,
her parents dying, she had for two years been
the ward. of Allenton.

All this served to make her seem like an old
acquaintance to Benson, and he was so leased
with the girl herself that he mentall ecided
to often avail himself of her invitation to call
at the house.

He had not particularly liked Allenton; but
he believed the perils they had met together

' would serva as a sort of bond.

Leaving her near her own door, the boy pards
went toward their own quarters at the hotel.
" What de yen think of her?” Edgar absently

asked. _

“ Mighty fine gal,” said the negro, unhesitat-
in lv.

g‘ We have made at least one pleasant ac—

uaintance, in Sierra Flat,” said the other,
t oughtfully, “ and I intend to follow it up.” _

“ Do you s’pose she is really Gypsy Morri-
son?”

“ Why, of course. What cause did she have
for claiming a false identity ?” ,

“ None, dat I knows on.”

“ Did you ever hear of her before?” _

“ Prob’ly not, dough do name sounded fami-
liar,” said John, quickly.

“ A queer name it is, too. She’s a confounded
pretty'girl, and I mean to keep up her acquaint-
ance. We will settle down to minin and fall
into Sierra Flat ways as soon as possi is.”

The negro did not answer, but seemed in deep
thought as they moved along.

On enterin the hotel, they found their old
friend, Mr. Hi gins, pcurin a flood of eloquence
into the ears 0 the landlor ; for, that morning
Higgins, Brazer, Lyman and Strout had reached
the village in safety. .

They, too, had succeeded in escaping from the
read-agents’ cave: so there was no occaSion for
the men of Sierra Flat to go to the rescue of the
pilgrims who had suffered by the stage adven-
ture.

 

, CHAPTER X.
EDGAR BENSON’S PERIL. ‘

IMMEDIATELY after supper, John Jones disap-
peered, and Edgar, after looking around for him

or some time, concluded to go out alone on the
stroll he had decided to take. _ _

He went, and wandered through the principal
streets of the little town—for, though yet an in-
fant, every cabin was built on a. line and minin-
ture Broadways were abundant-observing
eve thing as people of his nature will.

thile thus engaged night fell upon the moun-
tain, and Edgar was about to turn toward the
hon-l when two men approached him. “

“ Hallo, young teller!” said one, blumy. Is
your name Benson?”

The youth looked at them shar ly but he
knew he had made more enemies t an friends
since crossing the divide.

“ Yes,” he said, quietlly. ,

“ Wal. we work for e d man Allenton. an he
would like ter see you at his house. He says

on gin a lift ter his gal, ten-day, when she was
tn tro'uhle, an’ he wants ter pay you turn for

urn.

The plausible explanation smothered Benson's
suspicions. He thought it natural that Allenton
should send fer him. while on his own part, he
would be delighted to visit Gypsy again.

“ n, g ; 1'11 can at ence,’ he answered. .

And then the men fell into place, one on
finch side of him. and in a way se natural that

e suspected nothing. .
One of them be to talk in a 10 way,
M ed been  when

batonl. f b
gewawrtugn

’s left toniple, and

I thd‘othefr fellow spgteina sharp voice.

. iii-2'1”: ~

a.

,‘.;...-.; , l... _...-._,.._ .v.....,e ....._._._.._.

M—

“ Surrender or die, youngster! I’ve got my

six-shooter at your beau, an’ one h 0v ther
trig or means sure death. 3111— your
ban 3 away from your weapons! Ho hard,

or I shoot 1’ .

The argument was convincing, and knowm
his life was at stake, Edgar stood still. He h
been outwitted, and he must abide by the cou-
se uences. _

6 might, hOWever, be able to show his teeth
anoz.

“ Well. what’s the‘racket!” he asked.

“ You’re our prisoner.”

“So you said before; but who are you and
what do you want of me?” ‘

“You’ll l’arn allthat bime-bye.
turn ver face 'West an’ trot along.”

“ Have you been hired to kidnap me?”

“ That’s our business.”

“ I‘ll raise the pay-roll if you’ll let me go

‘9

“ Et’s no use, young fellcr. You’ve got tcr
go ter ther [IN nut-sins or lay down here an’
pass in yer checks. Them is our orders. Take
yer choice.”

“ I’ll go,” said Benson, promptly, but coolly.

They took away his only Visible weapon, a
revolver, and the march to the higher hills was
begun. A man walked on each siue of the pris-
oner, and he was not foolish enough to pit his
strength against them. .

He asked more questions, but they stubbornly
refused to answer and then he tried to solve the
riddle himself. Who was at the bottom ef his
trouble? ' _ _

Naturally, the answerto this question was-—
Sancho Pedro. This merciless young fellow he
had twice defeated and thwarted of coveted
m It was natural that he should strike

Fur now,

For some time they wound about among the

sees, and then he was led into a dark opening
in the rocks, which was plainly the entrance to
a cave. He suspected it to be a rear way to
gain Sancho Pedro’s lair.

After stumbling along in the dark for several
yards a light became Visible in front and they
soon entered a small chamber, wherein were
two men. .

Torches lighted the den but not an article of
furniture was visible. The two men before
mentioned sat on howlders and were closely
masked. .

They looked up as the new comers entered,
and one of the two arose. _

Benson saw two keen eyes gleaming through
holes in the mask, but not yet did he recogn
the unknown.

“Is this Edgar Benson?” he_asked, in a deep
voice'. which was plainly disguised.

' “ That’s my name,” was the prompt reply.

‘_‘ Very good; I want tosee you on important
“W? t t 1 k l”

‘ ‘an on nei orawee orso

“ Thereyis ggstlgie like the present. You
came to Sierra Flat, as the bearer of certain
documents intended for one Gypsy Morrison, I
believe.”

“Yon believe wrong, then,” retorted Ed gs r,
convinced that the man was indeed Sancho
Pedro. '

“ Do you deny it? .Well, I. am surprised.
Permit me to say my information is complete.
I know more than you think. These papers a”
of im rtance, because they relate to a fortune
right ully belen ng to Miss Morrison, but there
are those who w 'h to deprive her of her rights. .
Sancho Pedro, the boy road-agent, so called, is
one of these men. He captured the whole gang
ef stage passengers; but. not knowing which
one of the seven was the dispatch-bearer, made
inf be’tch of the whole affair, and you bamed

im.

" Hold on. just one minute,” interrupted Ben-
son. “I hate to interru t a man when he is
wading waist-deep in statistics, but you re clean
off. as far as I am concerned.”

“ What do you mean?”

“I didn’t ceme to Sierra Flat for any such
urpose, and I know nothing about the matter.
merely came to the village to dig gold and see

the sights.” , .

“Pardon me, but yonm notspeaking t_ruth~
fully. My sourcos of information are reliable.
You came to hand those pape: s over to Gypsy
Morrisen. Have you yet done so?”

 

 

Young , W88 “any perplexed. He
knew noth whatever about the . re 0:-
-_ 't what 11 been developed since steal!

‘vanture, and he, knew not what to m .0!
thisde man.»  ,. ., , ,

Was he. 017$!a he notBMofiodml  .

If so, both 103 Md for-m ware ‘ fl 
Edgar more “PM “WWW it «a  ‘

  

.u, “‘14:, “.39: .1 . .‘S 4&5

 

 

Us,” .: it" .

'flesh an

Sancho Pedro, the  Bandit. a 9 -

 

 

He answered the last question after a brief

pause.

“ No, I haven’t,” he said. _

“ Then you admit possessing them?" cried the
unknown, quickly. -

“ Not that I am aware of._”

“Your manner indicates it.”_

“Then, my manner is an infernal liar. I
don’t know you, nor do I know what on are
driving at, but, friend or foe, saint or smner. I
want you to understand you are working the
wrong claim. I_did not come to Sierra. Flat
with any papers in charge, and I know nothing
about them.

“See here !” cried the masked man, “I am
tired of this farce. Why do you lie to me?”

“1 have told the truth.”

“And you persist in your statement!”

“ I do.’

“Then I will find a way to make you speak.
Mi us], come here!”

is fellow masquerader advanced.

“Place your revolver at this man's heart
with everything ready for firing. Iwill count
twenty-five, and at the last word you will press
the trigger. Do you understand 3”

“Si, senor,” the man answered. I

.“”l,‘hen take your place and let the musm be-
gin.

There was a firmness about these words which
told Ed ar Benson they were not intended as a
jest. is life indeed hung trembhng between
earth and the future world.

At the same time he could have revealed
nothing if he had twenty lives to lose.

From what had already occurred, be under-
stood pretty well what was causing all this
commotion. Some one had died and eft a for-
tune of which G Morrison was the heiress.
Valuable papers been sent to Sierra Flat by
a messenger, but who that person was, or what
‘had become of the papers, nobody seemed to

now. -

The plot evidently was to cheat the girl out
of her heritage, and when men scheme for a
hundred thousand dollars lives frequently fall
below par in their estim on.

Yet, Edgar had no desire to be a victim in
thocaee,and he did not hesitate to make an
earnest appeal to the masked man. He de-
clared his innocence'of any and all connection
with the affair, his manner bein most solemn,
but the masked man was a convinced or
moved.

Miguel placed his revolver at the young pris-
oner’s head and his superior tocount.
The numerals were slowly and distinctly
uttered, and four pair of eyes were fixed on
Ed °' tch' lifth hopedto h'

ain wa in ey see 1m

uail. He face: them boldl , his head well

t rown back, for he was reso ved to die like a
man, if die he must.

Internally, he was less calm. He had a bold,
manly nature, which ids recent wild life had
hightened, but where is the man who can face
death without an inward struggle? Life is
sweet toal and especially to the young, who
have not lved long enough to taste its many
cugs can»: disappointment.

o, gar Benson, in spite of his outward
composure felt a horror never before known.

. The given limit approached. The masked
man neared the end of his counting; he pro-
nounced the fatal word:

“T scanty-five ! ”

Click!

The hammer of the revolver fell, but no re rt
followed. Either it had been unloaded, or ad
missed fire; and Benson, who had closed his lips
tightly, opened them to gasp for air confused
and  that he was still in the land of

CHAPTER XL
a TERRIBLE run.
A coasn fell from the lips of the naked

man. '

“ made of iron?” be asked.

Are y(Samson had been week about the

knees. but his strength came back slowly.

“ How can 1 tell what I do not know?” he
asked. » '

“That a not it. Did you think I was fooling
in  to giant riozolver btuginesl”

“ oath you earned .

“ And would die rather than toska

“Iha nachoice. .Itsllyoulkngwiicthiag

ahaitthismatteri’! . '
The meted man tuned

awa in disgust-
The revolver had not been loaded d he did'

notwanthispflm ,. an.
hohedholhfil um
   ' 'n-i'e} A, - ..

L}, ..?’l-. t

 ‘I’Hcontesel’hewillhaetentome,

 

 would

Failing, he 3 eat five minutes in thought and
then came bac to his prisoner.

“ I’m going to gve you a few hours to ro<
fleet,” he said. “ on will beleft alone in this
room, but. just outside, will be one of my men
who will ut a bullet through you if you try to
escape. hope you will decide tosave your life
and tell the truth; for if you are stubborn when
I come again, I will send you to a fate which
will horrify you. I swear it!”

He went out, followed b his men, and Ed-
gar was alone. He did net Ieel thankful for the
reprieve. If he had got to die, as seemed cer-
tain. the sooner it was over the better.

“They had better kill me now,” he muttered,
darkly, as he sat on the bowlder. “If I live,
I’ll do my level best to get a uare with them.
They named me 'Fighting ,’ down in Col-
orado, when I whipped the two cowboys, and
I’ll show these fellows that, boy though I am,
th€y!3an’t wipe me under their feet with impu-
m y

After awhile, he began to think about the
mystery of the missing papers. What were
they, where were they, and who had brought
them to the mountain country? What had be-
come of them when the stage was attacked?

All these questions he considered without ar-
riving at a satisfactory conclusion.

Again, he wondered who would benefit by
the disappearance of the papers.

“ Pm not posted in regard to the Morrison
family,” he thought, “but it strikes me that
Mr. Allenton is the next heir. Yes, and now I
remember that Higgins said there would have
been a fight when the stage was attacked, only
for Allenton. He counseled surrender. Yes,
and, by Jupiter, I now believe his escape from
the cave was all a put up iob. He got away
Ester: the rest of us, and. thought it queer,

hen.

With suspicion once started in this channel,

was not long in workin out a chain of
evi once. Allenton had hear of the death of
the rich man, and of the papers, and he had
hired Sancho Pedro to waylay the stage and se-
cure the documents.

Both the villains had been ignorant of the
identity of the person bearing the papers, which
explained all subsequent movements, but it
seemed that at least one person had decided that
Edgar was the required rty.

t the end of a time w ich seemed more than
four hours, the masked man returned.

“ Well ” he said, “ have you decided?”

“I rec on you will have to drive on your
hearse; lIncan t tell what I don’t know.”

' 1

“Anything more?" V .

“Benson, ou madden me. Your obstinacy
is terrible. am tempted to shoot (you in your
tracks; but you are a mere bov, an I will give
you abchance for your life. Bring him along,
men!

The leader turned away and his subordinates
followed with Ed between them. His feet
were free, but his ands bound as from the ho-

innin . _
g They8 left the cave, and, standing once more
under the sky, walked for half smile. When
the masked man paused,_ the prisoner had an
inkling of what awaited him. _

Just above them stood a spreading tree, a rare
article in that land of rocks. Edgar saw this
landmark and drew his own conclusions.

“Now,” said the mifisked man, “ Iifim going
to at on inastateo torture ouw' scarce
like: lvregret that I am obliged7 to deit, but iti’s
your own fault. Mount that stone!” .

He pointed to a rock about three feet high,
and nearly square, which was directly beneath
the tree.

With outward calmness Edgar obeyed, but
when one of the men step d to his Slde and
noosed a rope about his nec , he had to shut his
teeth tightly.

The loose end of the rope was thrown over a_
stout limb, and then the young prisoner expect-
ed to be suspended in space. Instead, however,
the rope was tightened until hestood on his toes,
and then tied firme about the trunk of the tree.

“Perhaps you see my game.” remarked the
ma! man. “ I am going to leave you thus.
The condition of the rope will compel you to
stand on tip-too, for if you settle down you will
stran 1e. Atnrstthiswill be a Knmntexer-
cifl. t,'anon,~l think . V will d it elastic

' This is to your will, and I shall
ve'aman nesrhem,scthat,the first tings
lie-released from yourfix. . That is all.

P. 1'":- . '

 

- _ J” 1)."; 3‘.\ '. . , ,4
And the party 'went awayfland left Edger:
no; - . r as she  first on.

. ,5 'r ‘ ‘ "“‘f""%i

Their departure was scarcely a relief, for he
was left in a most precarious duration—a very
little exertion would hang him up to dry.

In one respect he had fooled the masked hen.
He had pretended to be shorter than he really
was, b settling his body down together, and
now t at he was alone he was able to stand
squarely on his feet without choking.

His hempen cravat was unocmforhblo, but
not yet painful. ‘

For an hour he stood and listened, taking
matters as coolly as possible. He was confident
that shouting would do him no good, so be here
his troubles in silence.

He had, howover, ceased to find his position
comfortable. He was obliged to stand so erect
that he was in an unnatural position, and little
pains were shooting through his limbs, body,
and neck.

And so the night wore away, not a word

assing his lips, but thoughts in his mind which
Boded no good to the ant ore of his torture.

“ Let me once get out of this scrape and I’ll
have revenge—l swear it!”

Again and again be repeated the words, but
there did not seem much ope of his keeping the
vow. '

Morning dawned. The scene had not changed,
but Edgar’s appearance was dreadful. His face
was haggard, his eyes bloodshot and swollen,
and in such a chaos of aches, he know not where
he felt the most pain. . _

At times he almost lost consciousness, and‘hu
head nodded as though he was falling asleep
But each time the consequent choking arou

1111.

Half an hour after daylight a man cautiously
approached the gallows-tree. It was Bancho
Pedro, in all the lory of his velveteen suit
and brigandish som rero. In one hand hecarried .
a rifle, and small weapons showed in his belt.

Close at his heels trotted the sainojaguar that '
we once saw in the cave. - I ‘

Having gained sight of Edgar, he paused and
reflected for a moment, and then made a num-
ber of signs which the intelligent uninial well
understood. r

“ Go, Blucher, go, old fellow l” said the young
outlaw. '

Straight ahead went the animal, instinct to
attack. He had not been soorderedn He ran
forward to-the rock on which Benson stood.‘
elevated his f ward feet to its to and then. ‘
when he re nod still unseen. W a

li ht blow with his paw on the boy‘s leg.  ' ‘ _
ightasitwasitarousedhi andholooked
down and saw Blucher. The t was a -

ling one, for he had no means 0 knowing t
he was tame, and a fell frdm his 
Sancho Pedro laug ed as he saw 
the jaguar had caused, andthen heetrede -
ward and attracted Edgar’s attention. .
“ May I inquire what are doing new he
asked, in assumed sui- ‘ .
The unfortunate youth could not repress e

groan. r
“ For Heaven’s sake. release me!” he said. v
“Who put you here?” asked the madagent.

in real or pretended surprise. , ‘

d ‘fI dpn’t know; I can only say that I am
in . ~
y“ ou sha’n’t die!” the other declared. “ I l
release you: I‘ll give you food and drink; I?
nurse you back to health. and unish those
who put you here. But, I Say,
telllme wrhet you know of those missing papers,

w1 ou ’

“ o perdition with the palpers!” cried the
prisoner, as he remembered a be had under

one. “ I know nothing about them.”

“ It’s false!” shouted Sancho Pedro, furioml' .
“Fool, will you die through obstinacyl I to
you I’ll have your secret or your life!‘ It
was I who put you here, last ni t—-I’w:s the
masked man-and you can in go whet or I
am in earnest. Now, listen to me. Do you see
Blucher?” .

He pointed to the jaguar. The animal had‘
drawn several feet back from the rock, and was
looking up into Edgar’e face as though longing
to attack him. '

:2 £331.” heI answered coldly. u m

,unes‘s one our pea wk,-
his claws and film rend your flesh.

Whether he does or not depends on your own "

course. Give me your secret. or]: Wk

the jaguar upon you!” and Sancho at
the wait beast. ‘

Ithwos ak aable scene‘wflexhauotod 
on eroc .‘ rope a is neck, ’ r ;
merciless outlaw on the ground, and, near“

the W!“ ' I  ”
aw moles-w W ‘W ’ ' -
“WW of“   . “is! " '

neon, just. '

 

 

W*.h
., . .,,_.,. . -

w”»»-V-«~.~’~W

~w

 

. deuce of

 
 

/

10 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit.

 

7*

were exposed, and his tail swept back and forth
like a fan.

that moment, however, a rifle cracked
sharply, and Sancho Pedro threw up his arms,
reeled and fell to the ground, almost touching
the jaguar.

Then quick, light steps were heard, and some
one upon the rock behind Benson. An
arm as p aced protectineg around his waist,
the rope was severed above his head, and, free
at last. he looked into the dusky, earnest face of
John Jones.

“ Heaven bless you!”

Edgar uttered the words feebly, but the col-
ored. boy did not answer. He half-led, half-
carried his boy pard to where, a few feet away,
fresh, cool water shed out of the earth.

Then Benson rank of the fluid with the
nest only known to.those who have similarly
suffered. To the thirsty man, nothing is like
pure water.

It was several minutes before Edgar showed a
disposition to arise; and while he lay there, John
bathed his face and hands.

Nature’s medicine soon brought back a

ood deal of his energy, and he arose to his

set. .
“ Where is Sancho Pedro?” he asked, in an
ominous voice.

CHAPTER XII.
0 N 'r a it '1‘ R a I n.
s returned to the tree, but both

 

Tnboy

Sancho P o and the jaguar had disap ed

Where "the had one was uncertain, ut the
fact show that t 0 two friends had no time to

lose.

“ lucked we hes’ get out ob here," said John.
“ Ef dat young debbil git a chance to send his
men ag’in us, we are gone up, for sure.”

There was reason in what he said, and they
at once started for Sierra Flat.

As they went the negro told of his adventures
on the trail in search of his white pard. It had
been mere chance that he found him. however;
but he had promptly covered Sancho Pedro,
and fired. .

‘What damage that young fiend had received,

that o‘g'talnedkmw. th‘ th a nd
, I strong as ey wen , a as
the, vi] _. was neared, ha showed little,evi-
late adventure.

“John,” heisuddenly said, as he paused and
took companion by the arm, “ do you know
what is to be the result of this series of adven-
tux-eel”

f‘fl »

. " Well, do you think a man justified in seek-
revense?’ - v
mg .
We], in ole mummy used ter say it wasn’t
ht but i ’s dereflul nat’ral.”

, j  John, hear me now when I swearto
devote my time to ferreting out this myster
and, thwarting the villains in the case. With
Sancho Pedro I shall have a rsonal debt to
settle, by-afi-by, but I wish rat to llearn tlge
mysteryo.hesepa rssoanxious sougt
for b. the road-agent?” . y

“ ebbe I can help you,” said the negro,

slow] .
_ ether. John.”
“An’ef. you kin nd de right parties, you

' will help her to dis fortune?” »
_ u or

course. There are enough schemers in

the case already; we must work on the square
and help the cause of the ii ht.”

den,” said Jones, ‘ I am de individual

gi rte bring de papers ton to Sierra Flat!”

“Y uh 7)

Q “ What in'the world do you mean?”

....Wth You see dat I was de sarvint ob a
rich ole gentleman down in Mont‘erey count .
0 died a month ago, but afore he crossed e

agar]: riber, he called me an’ tole me dat Miss

Gypsy Morrison, ob dis town. was his hem“.

- law. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘she libes wid Horace
gallantonyho isa bl rascal. If hehears datI
am dd: he Will t to t Gynsv out ch de

way an get dis property hisself. Quinsequontl

John I want you to go to Sierra Flat on de cg:
an’glb deae papers to degal unseen by ebery-
body.‘ Day proge dat she am de heiress, an’ all

t’l, 
32%;“ “‘4 Edgar. 8336213.“. I u ,
3”“ M’ inn
1 would: organ.”in wast gee-333%
’ l  m. , my  m
 in a cog-Fer am seat.
9,  crack lies, a metamomw.

. andmove towar

 

 

semiarid

“ Dat am jest whatdis uiggah wants to know;
I reckon you remember how I slid out ob de
winder de first night we was hyar, an’ how I
brought back do money? Wal, sah, dat was my
owu money, an’ I found it whar I put it, but de
papers was gone!”

“ Gone?"

it Yes, Bah.”

“ Where could they have gone!”

“Somebody took dem.”

“ Then the may be in the bands of Allenton.”

“ I’s gota eory in de case.”

2‘ ngat ishiti” k d

‘ ,sa rec on e pers went to some-
bodygvdat didn’t know shell: value. Ef it had
been Allenton, dey wouldn’t be arter you now;
an’ of it had be’n a fist, he would hab took
(is gold pieces, too.”

“ That’s solid. But, who the dickens can
have taken them?”

“ Wal, I dunno. Dey was all in a big brown
envelo , an’ inside ob dat was anudder ad-
dr to Miss Gypsy Morrison.”

“In that case, somebody may possibly de-
liver it to her, so the sooner We see her and tell
the whole business, the better.”

‘.‘ Dat’s m idee.”

After hal an hour’s further talk, they re
sumed their way to the village.

Edgar was surprised at his black pard’s rev-
elation, but he saw no cause to doubt it. All
men, if they possessa grain of common sense,

learn, sooner or later, the value of kee ing their-

secrets to themselves, and it was more credit-
abletoJohn Jones that he had learned t e lesson
while so youn .

As for their. enemies, it was evident that
Horace Allenton had somehow learned of the

death of the rich man, and that a messenger

was on his way to Sierra Flat with important
papers, but he had not been able to learn Just
who that messenger was. .

Sancho Pedro was probably a mere_ agent in
the case, but he might yet find that his connec-
tion had made dangerous enemies.

The ho pards went to the hotel where Ed-
gar em yed a couple of hours ln putting
himself in good order again. He succeeded so
well that beacon. felt as well as ever.

When they left the hotel it was in a. hurry.
They had seen G y Morrison leavo her house
the hills.

It was a most fortunate occurrence and they
wore not hag in overtaking her.

She gree them kindly, even with pleasure,
if their eyes did not deceive them, and then Ed-
gar at once proceeded to business. He asked

what relatives she had in the southern part of

the State, and she answered that Horace Allen-
ton was her only surviving relative in the world,
so far as she knew. -

Of the rich man of Monterey county she had
never heard. .

Then Ed and John, speaking alternatively
told the ‘w le story and Glypsy was inform
of the fact that she was res y a rich girl. She
at first doubted, but ended by believing.

Next came the question of how the had best
proceed, and. some time was consum in form-
ing 3. ion. John’s instructions had been to se-
cretly eave Sierra Flat and hasten to Monterey
county. as soon as the papers had been placed
in Gypsy’s hands, taking her with him, of course.

Now that the papers were lost, .what should
be done?

It was Edgar who settled the matter. He had
a strong hope that the missing documents might
res pear: so they resolved to wait fora while
an see the result.

While waiting, the three would sharply watch.

This much settled. they so ated. Gypsy
Event. back to Allenton’s, and t e boys to their

Ote

Evoning brought no change in the situation,
but the boy pards were resolved to let no chance
escape. so they went to the bar-reo- te watch
the wild revelers as they bowed at the feet of
the god, Bacchus. ,

“ Maybe, we’ll see some fellow try to light his
pipe with the papers.” said Edgar, acting on the

heory that the articles in question were even
then reposi in the pocket of some one who
knew not their value.

Sierra Flat was reckoned as below the average
of Western towns in print of “ liveliness,” but

it was auflcienfly incised that way to suit a

man’s . The walls 1 the nine-
werefullofhnl hd-andotberrsliesdtbo
strayed bywdays, but thalaad fever was
pronetobuakuatleastonceiawusandnaw
marks would variagate the dullness of as» old
Intofih
1’09" .

e

fl young men went with the
a “ clew.” They want fearless-

vthis noisy rufilan was

 

41"..—

l

1%, for both were capable of taking care of
t emselves, but they had no taste for such
scenes. ,

They went to one side, sat down and proceed
ed to watch the revelers
. So far as they could see. no one took any no-
tice of their arrival, and for half an hour all
went well, though they saw no sign or the miss-
ing apers.

A the end of that time, two men who had
been at the further end of the room arose and
walked across the floor. They had evidently
been drinking heavily, for their steps were none
too true, but they were in the best humor, judg-
in'gi:v from appearances.

hey came very near the boy pards, with-
out seeming to see them, and then there was
a stumble and crash as one of them went down
on the floor in a heap.

He had fallen when just in frontof Edgar,
and as the latter believed it but the uncertain
movement of a drunken man, a faint smile
naturally arose to his face.

It vanished. however, when the fellow sprung
to his feet and confronted him with furious
anger.

“ I say, you young villain, what do you mean
by that?” he roared. -

“ By what, sir?” Benson politely, but calmly,
asked.

“ B trippin’ me up!” .

” on are mistaken, sir; I did not magi you.”

“ l'say you did!” roared the man, sh ng his
fist in the youth’s face.

“ My feet were drawn wholly back out of
your way, sir.” '

“ I kin sw’ar to dat, myself,” said John Jones.

“ Silence, you black monkey. Wait for your
turn: 1’11 settle your case bime-by. See yer, you
white puppy, that runs with a black one, you’ve
ctal’led me aliar an’ I’m goin’ ter lick you fur

"‘ Pardon me, but I have not called on a
liar,” said Benson, quietly, but without 'nch-

in .

g‘I say you have, an’ I’m goin’ ter beat you
to a jelly. I’ll walk right over yer, arter- which
youéll be as flat as a floor-board. You hear
me

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THE monmo PARDS.

Tm: loud talk of the man who claimed to
have been trip had by this time attracted
the attention 0 all in the room, and as fighting
is the pet pleasure of the average miner, cards
and bottles were promptly deserted and a ring
formed around the chief actors in the scene.

The man who was causing all this troublemnd
who seemed to be named Burns, was solidly
backed by his friend, while the boy ards kept
their place on the bench and seemedp reluctant
to enga e in trouble.

Luck' y, however, the sympatth of the
crowd were at once given them. -

The had been long enough at the Flat to be
regar ed as (itizens, while the men who were
trying to bully them were utter strangers, and
we have already seen that strangers were not
popular in that section. ~

‘onsequently, many a dark look was given to
Burns and his companion. r

“ Billee, old man," said a salad gold-digger
to his next neighbor, “ I re on you an’ me Will
hey g; cthip itn.t’ T Tb t
' ‘ iii a i, cm. a youngster i. no
slouch. Let’s see what he’ll do, an’ then chip in
at ther crisis.”

Burns did not long dela hostilities. He drew
back his fist with a uic motion and sent out
a terrific blow, calcu ated for the head of the
quiet young man, who had not yet movsd:
but the latter's hand darted upward and the
stroke was skillfully 'ssed over his shoulder,
to spend its force on t e hard wall.

Burns uttered a how] of painnand at the same
moment E or slipped set him. Gained POSI-
tion, and s at ha . get and fearless, he
faced the whim wit flashing eyes, which told
that he was at in: tony around-

“ Bravo fur ther boycel”

“Stand yer ground. young fellerl”

“ Hons-ah fur ther leetle barium)”

Such were the cries which arose from the
crowd. and Benson began to breathe freer.

Moors before he had received V
m m adapt boxer, and he knew Mable“
lly “seientilc”‘;he
couldrtakeeare of h -, despite fie odds‘ct

years. _» '
Reflectance-wheeled- . 
Wheres-teat with hem

to take revenge on the

no rushed at him,  out awkwardly

 

with both fists, but he hit only the air, and then
another series of shouts arose from the crowd as
Benson dodged under the brawny arm of his
enemy, escaping all punishment.

The ruflian turned and looked at him with
mingled surprise, re 9 and vmdictiveness; he
was like a buffalo bu wounded in his obstinate
head, and anxious to do more damage than
seemed ible.

“ 80 t at’s your game 1” he roared. “ You’re
a slippery eel, be you? You don’t stand up fur
a fair fight, but you dodge an’ run.”

“If you don’t like my style go and sit down,”
retorted the youth.

“ I’ll smash your head,” Burns reiterated.

“Not with my consent.”

The rough looked at him in silence for a
while, as though wondering how he could get at
so slippery a customer, and then he moved
slowly forward.

On his face was a cunning smile, and it was
clear that he meant to force an open fight and
give ,no chance for dodging.

Benson stood with his hands in faultless posi—

‘ tion, and he had never been cooler. He felt
himself the superior of the bully, and he in—
tended to prove it if further trouble was forccd
upon him.

Burns measured his distance, and then his
right fist shot out in Sledgehammer fashion. It
was, however, but a feint, and in a twinkling his
left followed in a crashing blow.

His idea was a good one, but his execution
was miserable.

Edgar, scarcely stirring from his tracks,
warded 03 both lows, and then the rough ex-
perienced a singular sensation in his teeth as he
received a stinging blow in return.

“ Hoorah fur ther little ’unl”

“ Name him Fightin’ Benson!” ,

“ Did he break your china, mister?”

These cries from the crowd maddened Burns
and he rushed forward and sent out blow after
blow, resolved to beat down his slight opponent
and crush him out of shape

The result showed the

plans: . . .

“ Fighting Benson,” alternately parrying and
dodging, evaded every blow, and, suddenly,
Burns went crashing to the floor, felled like an
ox in the shambles.

Then his young adversary, full
last, stood awaiting his next attac
in eyes and compressed lips.

s gained a sitting position and paused to
wipe his eyes. The blow had fallen fairly on
the bridge of his nose. filling hiseyes with tears,
and he felt the need of a clear vision before

At last he arose and, with a volley of curses,
rushed at the he pugilist, but, before the first
of his blows ha been delivered, down he went
a sin with a force that made the tables and

in rattle. , ,

Thus far, his couliipianmn had stood a , but
flaw be rushed at gar with a wicke light in

eyes.

The movement brought John Jones to the
front. He grasped the fellowls arm and held
him back, a resolute look on his dark face.

. Down to his belt went the ruiflan’a hand, and,
in a moment more, an ugly-looking knife flashed
in the light. It arose, while murder flamed in
h)“ 93798. but a slight crack followed and he fell
like a log, once more knocking down his friend,
who was agathering his feet beneath him.
f John ones’e flat had produced this last ef-
ect. -

There were men present who we ted what
would follow. The affair had reac ed the point
where revolvers usually come into play, and the
crowd "drew " very freely.

Their judgment had been good. Up cam. the
roughs, wea ns.in hand, and for a moment the
case looked for the boy pards. ‘

Crack! crack!

Two shots led the music, and others chimed
' loud yells arose and the crowd hurled them.

vea upon Burns and his fellow assasSin.

For a few minutes confusion reigned and
arms and legs arose promiscuoust above the
knot of fighting men, and then all fell back; the

ht wasover. '

t had been as tragic as such aflairs usual]
are. Burns lay dead on the floor and his frien ,
bleeding from two wounds, was a close prisoner-
some of the miners were hurt, but not se-

gm .
giggir Benson lacked the slightest of scratches,
to tell of the stag, but John Jones had a hfl‘,
hole 7 h but which would have been
in his lb- uet ducked eo promptly
his ro-
vclvu'. '

futility of human

aroused at
with flash-

himwlth

 

\

Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit.

11'

 

The emotions of the miners were at fever
heat, and some one suggested a' rope for the
survivor of the roughs.

At this point, Benson came to the front.

“ I have a suspicion in this case,” he clearl
said. “This fight was forced upon me, and
believs these men were here for that purpOSe.
They pretended to be drunk, at first, but it was
a sham. Next, yonder fellow claimed that I
tripped him, when I did not touch him in the
slightest degree. His pard, who still lives, may
now wish to explain.”

Evidently, tile fellow had no such wish, for
he swore that the fight was not premeditated.
even as he clung to the assertion that Burns had
been tripped.

Just then, John Jones advanced, holding a
sore of white paper in his hand.

“ ’5 found dis in de pocket ob dat critter,” he
ex lained, “ an’ dar seems to be sufiin’ in it.”

enson took the paper, which was commer—
cial note, and found it covered with writing.
He read as follows;

“ Sumac l’nnaoz—Those cussed boys are still at
Driscoll‘s Hotel, and they are tpoking their noses
into every crack and corner. I you can send two
men to force a quarrel upon and kill them, I will—”

Here the note ended abruptly, the lower part
having been torn off.

It was, however, enough to throw a good deal
of light on the subject.

Edgar held it toward the miners and read the
visible portion aloud.

“ Some one has torn the letter in two,”.he
added, “and we have no means of knowmg
the writer at present. This fellow, though, is
clearly one of Sancho Pedro’s men, and he can
tell the truth if he will.” . .

A violent trembling had seized upon the pris-
oner and his face was ashen. He know Just
how much mercy he might expect, for Sancho
Pedro was‘ cordially hated wherever he oper-
ated, and it was no wonder he shook.

The miners turned on him in fury ahd he
grasped at his only visible hope of escape.

“ Ef [tell all Will you free me?"

A mcrrsnt’s hesitation fnl'nwer‘ And then all
looked at Edgar.

“ That depends on how much you know.
you tell who wrote this note?”

The prisoner hesitated, in turn, and finally
admitted that he could not. Benson, watching
him keenly, was convinced that he spoke the
truth, and, in this. he was right. '

Situated as he was, the fellow would have
been delighted to give full particulars, gain his
liberty and then flee from the country. ,

CHAPTER XIV.
FOLLOWING ran: cmw.

Amn due deliberation, the miners decided to
consi n their captive to prison without treatin
with im. Plainly, he was one of Sancho Pe -
ro’s men, but he had evidently come to the Flat
knowing no more than that his chief had sent

him. . . _
Had Burns been alive, he might poss1bly have
told more.
Th bo rds ad ourned to their room, and‘
then ‘iBenzogadrow obi; 'the letter, which he had

ta' d. .
re“ Eien you make anyt’ing out ch datf” asked

the ne . _

“ I’igmoing to try, though the trail looks blind.
It is la n to me that die writing is disguised.”

“ ow can you tell do

“Well, whogmo 1niian disg'uifid his writigig', it

mes a a t easier ers yan
2:36”, this: I believe this to be
such a case. The letters and words, though
well-formed, look cramped and unnatural.”

John stared at his companion hi ourpnp. He
was quick-wittcd, himself, but not especially so
where penmanshi was concerned.

“Now. I’ll tel vou what I see has,” con.
tinned “I. “This lotta' n- gram it .
man of emutlfl. The writing ll ovou and
flowing, and the words are correctly spellod.
An educated man may ans-e mar-use, but
an ignorant man can’t coma-education. ’

“ BY [til i ole Allenton writ do 10er”

“ Y I pr ck the marrow of my willo- now.
Yes, I believe Allenttm w- the writer. There
is another item which counts that mm This is

Can,

 

regular note paper, clean and neatly fddod,
Had the writer been a comma miner. it is not;
likely he would have had 'wrflm , u, if
he had. it would have been adl ” greasy,
from long kich around In M -

“50%! you ought tor. be e lawyer,” said
Job “my. . . . .

“ rhape‘ yucca  our neut'irp.”
John selected- ' > ‘-

 

 

9

“ Ef we can find out who uses writin’-

pa r—

J“)eThat’s the idea. Now, you aee this sheet is
ruled with pink lines, instead of blue, as is
usually the case. Here is a slight claw. Come
with me, John!” ‘

The arose, left the hotel and went to alit e
store ept b one Tin Web, a Cbinaman. e
sold various inds of notions, and was the only
dealer of the kind in the villadge.

The pards entered and E gar made knowu
his want. .

Tin Wah laid out'a quire of stationery, but it
was a common article, ruled with blue.

Benson examined it critically.

“This don’t suit me,” he hnally said.
me See your other kind.”

“Dis well good paper," Tin Wah said.

“ Splendi , ohn, splendid: but I banker for
the other. Please trot it out.” .

He was talking at a venture, but his artifice
succeeded well. The Chinaman raiseda b' box
of pink-ruled commercial note, and even uhn
Jones perceived that he had been anxious to dis-
pose of the first lot because it was only a min».
nant. ~ ,

The pink-ruled was a new acquisition.

Benson grew more hopeful. lie purchased a,
small amount, threw down a com which would
have urchased the paper three times over, and
told 'lpin Web to keep the change.

The Cliinaman’s heart was touched.

“ Do you sell much of this stuff?” the young
detective asked, carelessly.

“Berry llttle. Melican man not lite my
letters.”

“ That lot is new, eh!”

“Yes. You first man dat buy.”

“ I reckon there was one ahead of me. That
package was broken. iyou know. Don’t you re-
member any one buin of you?” i

The Chinaman loo of blank and then bright—
ened. He did remember. . 0n thelpreviousdey
IImlorace Allenton had purchased two quires of

im.

“ Are you sure he is the only person to whom
you be e sold '9”

Tin Wah was sure' but, to settle the matter,
he counted the halt-quires remaining in the
broken package. Exactly the quantity‘ he had
said, was no. '

The pa. 3 went back to the room. '

“ That much is settled,” said Edgar. “ Allen-
ton bou ht his paper of Tin Wah and wrote to
Sancho edro to kill us. .It is as plain as day.”

“Yes; an’ I reckon it’s purty plain dot we
will be in hot water while we stay hyar.” .

“ John, what in the world has becomeofithose
missing papers? If we had them do could take
Gypsy and at once leave Sierra t.” «- > 1

‘ I’s been flnking on de sub , but-I. can’t.

ill-fit

ject
get no light. Once I thought'de stagodriver ,

might hab tooken dam to wipe do roses from
de ends ob de axle, when puttin'on ah grease,
but dough I ‘namiiied ebery t’ing in his shed, 1
found nuffin ob dem.”

Benson did not answer. He relapsed into
thougbt, and tried in various ways to account
for t e disap arauoo of the tapers. Hewas
sure that they ad not reached enton’shands;
but where were they!

It did not seem pessiblo that an jar or jolt.
of the wagon could have lost t em out on
the road. ' ‘

No; he felt sure they had been removed by
human hands, and that, too, by those of some
one who was ignorant of their value. Nature
ally, a person finding an envelope

pers of an oflcial look would hasten to barn
what the were, and in this case, toroadwoste
see‘tlhfiirbemportance.

any mone that the vantage. fell
into the hands of somyo one who can’t read—
he have them all now, safe and sound-—
but there are probably twenty men in camp
who are as unlearncd ao‘that,” said Edgar.

Th3 was about so far as their investigation
went that night, and they sought weir bed at
an early hour to gain needed 3 eep. -

Whoa they appeared for their breakfast the
next moo-hi ,t oy found they had been elo-
voted to the we] of heroes. .o men of Sierra.
Flat lihod pic of com , and when, two
bye show sch kill an nerve, the rough
minors were ready and anxious to give them
‘l‘fi’mi‘tho m gin o‘lyim' mined '

ence,’ , . were it e that

th had  giv. the “Mt 01.1%!!!»

Fig {Mafi-oud‘were invited to tuho

in the c ristening by imble over w

cell’s  ' mu -.:::" ,

,Theu thatgontlomau handed a lo _ you.”
" " ‘ ~'  ~~"~A.,.e;.

flldeith‘

 

  

 

'12

,ninshand, which at once aroused his interest,
and he hastened to open it.

A sheet of pinkcruled commercial note-paper
la inbia hand! i

e significance of this was oviden however,
when he saw the name of Gypsy o.riscn at
the end, andhe at once read it.

Brie , it informed him that the writer bad
news 0 importance to communicate, and he
was requested to meet her at a designated time
s ld place. v
. Edgar read the note twice and then studied
it for a while. He knew he had cause for great
vigilance, and this mi ht be a decoy sent by his
enemies, but he fins y decided that it had
really been written b 0 pay.

At the first oppo ni he read it to John,
and they pro ed to keep the appointment.

Ten o’e cc was the hour named by the
writer, and the pards were prom t. They went
to the lch she had named, and In a abort time
Gypsy orself ap .

Benson was a tide surprised at the pleasure
with which he saw her approach, but he was be-
comin _ more interested in pretty Gypsy than
he med.

In her own cheeks there was an increased
color no she held out her band, but she had
come on business and they let little tune go to

waste.

Her information may be briefly stated.

The previous evening, after she had retired,
she heard her guardian receive a guest, and as
she had her suspicions in the case, she did not
hesitate to arise and secure a view of the
caller. r

He proved to he Sancho Pedro, and from
their talk, she learned that they were indeed
imbd together as had been suspected. The
:- agent was workin in the interests of Al-
lentou solely as a hir man; and, moreover,
they were as much perplexed as any one to
know where the missing papers were.

 

CHAPTER XV.

I _’ nnuon‘na nouns run roar.

'l'nnnn wu nothing new or startling a-
bout the news brought by pay. but it
served to confirm the intone of e boy
Honcefortb, there would be no doubt as to than

roper mode of procedure. Allenton flood
Breaded as a plotter against human life, as the
deadly enemy of his ward, and as an ally of

00:25er oxtr ‘ t

uen y, any ems measure a as
that achemer would be perfectly proper. gm

“ The only stumbling-block now in at path
is that coming from the loss of the pagers.”
cold Edgar. If we had them, we coul slip
away hro- Sierra Flatoguietiy, or we could tell
the miners what sort a man‘Allenton is and
truotwtheantotakecereof him.”

“ They hab woken an int’rest in us,” said John,

“ ap’ day would back us up in a fight.”

a solid,” his pen! a .
“Are these papers absolutely necessary?”
GYPSY. thoughtfully.
“ hat a the great conundrum. Old Mr. Dex-

ter told John they were very important, and

would prove your right to the property, but it
seems hable to me that your claim could be
prov without them.”

“ I move dat we levant at one’t.” said John.

Before any one could answer,something struck
lightly at their feet and all ew startled as they
new form ofa aguar. A cry had
arisen to Gypsv’a lips, but it died awa as the
animal fawned upon her, acting mu like a
greens! dog that is overjoyed at meeting a
iris .

She instinctively put out her hand, and he ran
’hla great tongue ovor it with mute assertions of
fidelity. She  the animal which had
before appeared to or in the hills, and the con-
;iction grew upon 1101' till-t the was safe with

im.
The pards had drawn their revolve but the
paused as they saw what followed.  y
Edger, however, was not slow to recognize
the terrible tof the road-agents. He had seen
him when ehn Jones put him to flight with the
torch, mania, with Sancho. Pedro 
WI- . . v '.

' Warheadtonarrau herownaiperlsnce
*and' then Edgar plain] _aaw that
 to

to .  . .
“houseflyudmyma “on;

 

 Y .
 as ,mn'én' 

ground, rubbed his head against her hand and
purred like a gigantic oat.‘

“ He is no mean friend to have,” said Gypsy
with sparkling eyes.

“A might protector, as long as he is loyal,
but I doubt is being trusty.”

“ Golly! I Wouldn’t like him in - n bed-fellow,"
said John.

“Wait!” said Edgar. “ I have an idea. We
are not the only persons who have cause to hate
and fear fisncho edro. He has been the scourge
of the miners of Sierra Flat. They have often
gone out to hunt him down, but have never been
ableto find his cave. Now, they would gladly
follow whoever could show them the entrance
to the cave—why can’t Blucher he nsed‘as a
guide?”

It was a happy thong
course knew the secrets 0 the cave -rfectly;
be con d lead them there if he would. ith such
:plan in mind,the great question was—would he

0 it?

The trio were discussing the probability of the
case very earnestly when a new voice broke in
on their rivaey.

.“Han s up! We hold you covered, and it’s
surrender or die! Which do you choose ?”

The pards had wheeled at the first words, but
what they saw was not reassuring. A dozen
rifles were covering their persons, and back of
them, as many men stood ready to press the
triggers.

A ittle in front of the others stood Sancho
Pedro, a mocking smile on his evil, but hand-
some face.

“igereful with your hands. Put them up, I
say

The second command was sufficient; the boy
pards, fighter-s though they might he, were not

oolish enough to revoke certain death. In
the In of the est, the enemy “held the
dro ," and the muscles of the rifles never quiv-

er .

Sancho Pedro laughed mockingly.

“ Now, then, this is a si ht worth seeing. You
two bantams, who fought ike fiends last night,
are now as meek as Moses. Why, where’s your
backbone?" ‘

" Give me a fair chance and I’ll show you,”
said Edgar, in a deep voice. “ All I ask, Sancho
Pedro, is to meet you as man to man. You have
seen fit to torture me with devilish skill, and I
have sworn to have reveng‘e. l’ll meet on with
knife, revolver or empty ands; all ask is a
chance.” ‘

“ You’ll never get it, for I intend to leave
your bones in this gulch. I am goin to assume
your role of lover toward the charm n G y.
l’lfltrparry her and roll in the wealth ol Dexte
e . ,

“ Never,” the girl exclaimed.

“ Never la along day; don’t be too sure of
thefutnro. Isa itistobeso.” _

“ I’ll kill you rat,” flashed the girl.

The young outlaw did not answer. He had
changed his to Blueber, who was crouched
at Gypsy’s eet. This position the djaguar had
taken as soon as his master appeare , but there

ht. The jaguar, of

~had been no leasure in his face.

Instead, h joyful spirits had" abruptly van-

, ished and there was menacing expression on his

brute features.

“ Come here, Blucher!” said Sancho Pedro.

The jaguar did not stir.

“ Come here, sir, I my!”

The outlaw spoke more sharply, bat the only
sign that he was heard was a parting of Blu-
cher’a, lips.

His master stamped an rily on the ground.

“ Come here, you rasc , or I will dog you!”
he shouted, with a menacing gesture.

Then ,Blucher partially arose, but threw him-
self into position for a lea . His s tted fur
moved along his neck, forming a , and an
ominous snarl broke from his ips. .

Sancho Pedro retreated several steps precipi-

tately. . _

11“th a plan 0f. salvation flashed upon
G , Because of his, sudden fancy for her,
the as r ‘ had turned, against his master.
Might not Ehat fact he used to save them all? .

‘ Good lucherl'good fellow!” Ashe,sa1d, in
her tenderest voice.

The s'gtiar responded at once. He gave her
tour: erstand that he heard and appreciated
her kind words. but at the sometime he kept
cicae watch of Sane, j Pedro. _ .

9m! wean m 7 one that she knelt
by . age, put he; arms about his neck and

fl .

, hedbe keep bachm. Sancho Pe-
bravely. ‘ ”  
“may”  M de‘

, l , - -

I

Sascha Pefdrb. the hay Bandit-

 

l

 

 

‘1

“I have bound him to my service."

“I should say so. He is my own property,
and I don’t understand this freak of his.” .

“ To me all is plain. He has tired of serving
such a master; robbers and assassms are not to
his taste for friends.” "

Gypsy spoke boldly, but the road-agent did
not heed her. He was looking thoughtfully at
Blucher. After a little reflection be advanced
and tried to win back his allegiance With soit
words, but the jaguar was not to be deceived.

He snarled and started forward space, and
once more his master fell back.

“Curse the brutal I’ll soon end his career.
Here. Brown, shoot him through the head.”

“Thank ye, cap’n,” the man replied, “but I
don’t kecr fur ther job. Ef I fired an’ missed,
who would eat my soup ter-night'i No jaguar
shootin’ fur me, ef you please.”

Sancho Pedro then called forward half his
men to execute the order, but Gypsy put both
arms around Blucher’s neck, preventinga shot.

The boy rufllan was furious. He Wished to
kill Edgar and John and abduct'Gypsy, but the
jaguar stood like a rock in the way. .He had
planned to make the girl his Wife, and he would
not run any risk of injuring her.

Another misfortune now oceurred to the hold
road-agent. In the warfare against Blueber,
Edgar and John had been forgotten for the
time, and they had not let their opportunity

as.
p “Sancho Pedro, look this way!” suddenly
said a stern voice.

The young road-agent wheeled and saw Ed-
gar cover-in ' him with a pairof revolvers,
while John ones paid similar attention to the
other men.

On their own part, they were no longer tar-

gets.

“ Hold hard, sir outlaw," continued Edgar.
“Keep your hands from your weapons, and the
mmeto an of your men who would draw a
head. We ld the drop now, and we’re 
to keep it. The first person who raisesa an
against us dies in his truck!”

A furious oath fell from Sancho Pedro's lips,
but be dared not buok against the powers that
were. its the force of numbers, he knew
Eh: fighting parda had the game in their own

do.

n

“ You are my prisoner,” said Edgar, firmly,
“ Your risoner?"

“ Exact y.”

“ Well, what of it!"

“ Nothing, enxcept' that you are all going to '

an: with us.
“ c you intend ter take us there!” '
“ I do, sir.” ,
Sancho Pedro broke into a laugh, hut‘it was
an unmusical and uneasy one.

CHAPTER XVI.
m JAGUAR GUIDE.

THERE was plain] a good deal of collate rue-e
tion among the re agents, but Edgar Benson.
bravely as he talked, had little hope of accom-
plishing his expressed intention. The odds
were so greatly against them that he would
have been delighted had be seen any wafiof

rting from the human brutes without in ry

his own party.

His boast was really only intended to
strengthen his position. ,

Sancho Pedro began to storm, but the Gordian
knot was cut by outside means. There wasa
sudden shont justbeyond the chief actors in the
drama, a rattling of bullets and cracking of
rifles, and then one-half of the outlaws went
down lifeless. - '

Another moment and. with wild cheers, half
a dozen of the men of Sierra Flatcame boond-
ing over therocks, firing their revolvers as they
“I.

It was a terrible slaughter for the road- ts,

 

who did not offer to strike a blow in de enne, Y

but took to their heels and went as fast and as
far as they could. ' 1

Both the fl bting pards added lead to the
general contri ution and, on the whole, it was
a very bad day for the mountain robbers. ‘

Blucher stood erect and snarled continuously,
his eyes full of lire, and only Gypsy’s restrain.
ing hold, kept him from dashing away in par.

sni . 4
J'ddging from appearances, he had abandoned
the gang forever. ;

. None of the ' miners stepped; they clashed
away on the trailv?nd our young friends were
left as the. 0111? h 118 persons on the we
-, Dead men were there in abundance, new;
nine pf the thirteen road-agents wofld‘gc no
mom‘upon the. mil: hilt Sancho m who?
among the slain. ‘ ‘ ‘- it“ ~' ' If", “I

no, N

 

 

Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit.

    

13

 

 

“This will prove a terrible blow to the ganggo’:
said Edgar, “and I believe if Blucher can
made to ide us to the cave the miners ma
now stri e their fees so heavily that they wil
not er recover from the stroke.’

“ B gollyl it am wui! tryin’,” John as-

so
The trio started for the town, but they had
one but a few steps when the miners returned
rom their pursuit. The four surviving road-
agents had made good their escape.

One of the miners so pleased Edgar that he
decided to tell him the whole stor of the trou-
ble caused b Horace Allenton. e man, who
was named ird, was just the person to lead in
an important enterprise.

As a result, the story was plainly told, the
boys cards and Gypsy acting as narrators by
turns, and nothing was kept back, not even the
disappearance of the papers. _

They had made no mistake. The sympathies
of Bird and the other miners were at once
aroused, and they promptly advocated a relent-
less wsr on Allenton and Sancho Pedro. The
latter was not a favorite at Sierra Flat, and
all would be glad to see him humbled.

As a result, Gyps went to Bird’s house, in-
stead of back to Aiienton’s, and a meeting 0f
miners was convened to consider the latter’s
crimes.

Bird was outspoken against him, and Lyman,
Hi ns and Strout, o the ate 0 adventure,
ad ed their voices- and as a resu t, the popula-
tion arose in a bed and marched to the house.

Allention was ta en out and forced tolisten to
the story of his crimes. Everything was clear-
ly told, and he was shown the fragment of the
letter he had written to the ho road-agent
aski him to kill the fighting par s.

Be ore this accusation all the man’s coura 0
gave wa , and he declared his innocence 11
wild wo s. There was, however, no room to
doubt. In the interview with Sancho Pedro,
overheard ob! Gypsy, his own unwa tongue
pad betray all, even to the authorsh p of the
etter.

After devoting a proper length of time to
him, he was consigned to a room in the jail
with five men for a guard; after which the rest
of the old-diggers prepared to go on the trail.

The agnar had refused to leave Gypsy, but
Bird had thought of a simple way of gaining
the animal’s good ll. Benson re-
mained with Gypsg‘, and, forgetting how nearly
the robber’s pet ad once come to ending his
life, did all he could’to win his confidence.

At last all was ready for the start, and
twenty-four miners, fully armed, onl awaited
‘tlheir dumb guide to march against ancho Pe-

ro.

Blucher was reluctant to leave Gy y. He
crouched at her feet—nor would he called
away by Benson; but his good training was
proved at the end.

Gypsy told him to “Go home!” as she would
a deal. and, only protesting by a look, Blucher

obey '
P ainly, the command was a familiar one to

him.

And thus the war- arty started u the
mountain, led by the jaguar, and closey fol-
lowed by the boy pards, Bird, Lyman, Higgins,
and the others.

Once beyond the village, the strange guide
seemed to for t Gypsy entirely, and was con-
tented while gar was near him. He went
firward without hesitation, always choosing the
easiest paths, but so sha‘pin his course that the
miners no lenger felt a on t

Barring accidents. they were pretty sure of
being led to Sancho Pedro's lair.

 

whil the oung outlaw and his
thi'lefe“slieirtv'iév‘i‘ii1 meet; had yreached their strong.
hold, weary, fiisheartened, and angry. The
nine men lost in the gulch had made a great

' i band. .
8‘ 1: geylcaptain went at once to his private
room. First of all he took a great draught
from a whisky-filled flask, and then he flung
himself in a chair. ”
“I have now to decide a at question,

he muttered. “Shall I, or s all I not,_ give
up Gypsy Morrison! She is pretty and intel-
lisent 311° Pleases me and is rich, but she hates
me- What Shell I do! If I take up With her,
Ines must be made way with, and no other
woman will serve me so devotedl as she has
done. Her loyalty, is undying. hich of the

hall I cheese
tw1:20; half an hour he remaixied deep in thought,
and then he at”, drank again from the
and began. 01118
He had,

the room.
ewever, settled the previous ques-

 

tion; a new and complicated one was being con-
sidered.

In the midst of his meditations, Ines entered
.the room and come to his side. She looked into
his face with tender, pitying eyes, but he met
her with a kiss and a smile.

Young as they both were, she was his wife
and he had cared for her as much as he could
care for any one. The thought of how he had
been tempted to doom her to death made his
demonstration more than usually sincere.

He led her to a seat as though she had been a
queen of more than outlaws.

“ You have heard the news?” he questioned.

" Yes,” she said, caressing his hand.

“ Do you know the extent of our loss?”

“ Nine men, they told me.”

“ Ay, that was the number. Nine brave,
true souls we left dead in the gulch. It was the
fiend’s own luck. Ines, can you account for
it?’

“ Not in articular.”

“ Well, wish to call your attention to the
fact that all this trouble has occurred since those
infernal ‘ fighting ards,’ as they call them, first
entered here. Be ore that, not one of my plans
had miscarriedz and not a prisoner had escaped
from the cave.’

“ We were lucky.”

“The luck changed with their coming. The
whole lot of prisoners escaped, and every scheme
I have formed has failed. Now, nearly half
our band dies at one stroke.”

“ I am so sorry,” said Ines.

“ Next,” added Sancho Pedro, gloomily, “I
suppose they will find the entrance to the
cave.”

“ I do not believe any man can do that.
Those prisoners who escaped did so in the night
and, luckiiy, cannot retrace their steps. Have
courage; edro, querido,’ our good luck will
return.

“Your words give me fresh hope.”

“ It will be necessary for you to bevery care.
ful for a while."

“ I sup so. Yes, I’ll let Allenton work
his own p ots; I'll lay low. And yet—yet—”

He used and scowled darkly.

“ et what, Pedro!” Ines asked.

“ That accursed Benson does not leave Sierra
Flat alive, or if he does slip throu h my fingers
I’ll hunt him down if I give him he death-shot
in the streets of San Francisco 1”

“I am sorry I did not succeed in winnin
him over when I pretended to be your sister,
said Ines, smiling faintly.

“ He wavered; but he is a mere lum of ice.
But come with me, m queen; I wish 0 watch
for signs of my enem es. They may still be in
pursuit.”

Arm in am they went to the entrance.

This place, which was concealed by bushes
and vines, as well as by artificial means, opened
into the head of a gulch.

The road-agent stepped forward, and stand-
ing beneath a spreading tree, looked down the
gu ch. Then a furious look crossed his face,
and he uttered an oath.

“ What is the matter?” Ines faintly asked.

“There is matter enou h; we are doomed,”
replied Sancho Pedro. “ hat infernal jaguar
is guiding the miners to our cave. Quick! bring
a rifle. I must shoot him before it is too late!”

CHAPTER XVII.
sancno rnnao AT BAYl
linsz needed no second bidding. She darted
back into the cave. and the road-agent continued
to watch his enemies. The were winding along
the rocky gulch with Blue er at their front, but
so near now that no decent marksman could

in ss.

The boyish face of the outlaw grew fiendish
of expression, and his lips curled back from his
teeth.

“ Oh, if I on] bad the means of making this
lch a grave or alli How I hate them! But
am not yet taken. I have eleven good men
left, and once the ja r is dead no one can find
the entrance. I wil hang on their track with
W braves; I’ll pick them ofl one by one—-
here is the rifle ”
t .No wonder he ew impatient. The men of.
Sierra Flat had vanced very near. He recog»
nized Benson and Jones at their head.
A curse fell from his lips, but just then Ines
"HP ed. She hurrie 0 his side, bearing
the tie, panting and breathless.
“ I had to go clear to the magazine-” she be-

m.
“Never mind; you are in time, and I will

 

soon settle this matter,” said the road-agent, as.

he the Weapon forward.

ying his aim against the tree, he covered

the body of the brute guide and took careful
aim.

“May the holy Virgin speed the shot!” ut—
tered Ines.

“ Our lives depend on m aim,” said Sancho
Pedro; “ the jaguar must iel”

He p‘ressed the trigger.

Clic !

The hammer fell, but no report followed; the
wee on had missed fire.

“ it demonias I" hissed the outlaw. “ Are
we doomedi Quick, woman, a cartridge!" ,

Inez handed one and he shoved it into plaCo
as uickly as possibie but for once his nerves
he become upset. fiis hands shook so he could
scarcely hold the rifle, and when he thrust it
forward, the sight of his enemies only a few feet
away was not calculated to add to his com-
posure.

The a pearance of Blucher had grown omi—
nous. omething seemed to warn him that he
was no lon erlapproaching his former home as
a friend. marched slowly, and his keen
eyes swept every visible point of rock and land.

The miners, too, were on the alert; his aspect
told them the crisis was at hand.

Once more Sancho Pedro pressed the trigger,
but it had been with the rifle barrel shaking like
a reed in the wind.

The result was not surprising, for to one side
sped the harmless shot.

Was it harmless? To the miners and their
guide it was so, but it brought about a startling
result.

Almost instantly a terrible scream burst from
the jaguar’s lips, and he crouched for a spring,
his eyes fiashing furiously; then u , and for-
ward he went like a cannon-ha , crashing
through the branches of the tree.

Sancho Pedro had one glimpse of a ellowish
object shootin through the air, an then he
was beaten to t e earth by the jaguar's weight.

For one moment it looked as though the min-
r utes of the boy road-agent were numbered, but
strangely enough, Blucher did not follow up his
attac .

To Ines this was not remarkable: she had
seen that the sguar had struck his head against
the tree as e fell upon her husband, and,
though such a thing was most unexpected, it
seemed that he was stunned, as he lay motion-

less.

” Quick!” cried the woman. “ Throw off the
carcass; there is yet time to escape. To the
cave! to the cave 1’

She ve her aid, and Sancho Pedro released
himsel ; they bounded toward the cave en—
trance, and disappeared.

They were none too soon. Another moment,
and the miners broke through the bushes, our»
and excited.

Blucher was on his feet, but he shook his
head and reeled as he tried to walk. Still, he
did not forget that he was bound for the inte-
rior of the cave, and he moved forward, with
the men at his heels.

Bird, the leader of the miners, was just in
time to see Sancho Pedro swinging into lace a
bowlder which would have blocked their wa ,
and he fired his revolver, and sprung bol y
fermrd.

A moment more and his rson andthe form
of the aguar formed a ving impediment to
the fast er working .of the patent door.

He struggled for a moment, and then the
bowlder rol ed wholly away, revealing a clear
road through the 

Whatever had n t e eflect of his shot, it
had at least had one ood result—the boy
road-agent had taken to flight.

The miners pressed inside, rejoicing that one
step,had been gained, but by no means inclined
to think all trouble over.

. Blucher had deserted them and bounded awa
in advance, so the must now do without his
aid, and in that ‘ tion all was dark and

silent.

f‘We must have torches," said a cautious
miner.

“No,” said ' gins. “Make a rush an’ hit

’flen:l hard afore t ey hev time tew prepare for
g t.
The sug§e¢ion was favorabl receivad, and
alon the ark passage rushed t 6 whole party.

“ lly! dis am pokerish business!” John
Jones said to'Edgar,

“Hold your breath and sail in. It’s do or
d»i%‘liifow,f” the Illattei' anfiswei'ied.u h

'ty eette wen an a gtapeared-a

little further an they emerged inter: spaeidue
cave chambels

It was lighted by torches which threw a dull

 

ht on ged walls, low rooAand natural ‘ s
“15., butt: road-agente were visible. p“

 

  
 

 

 

)MX

 

'14

 

 

" Where new!” Bird  pausing.

“This we ” answered ggins, turning to
the right. ‘ remember this hole; foller me!”~
The correctness of his ' d ment was soon

proved. Outof aniche rus a doaen d r-
ate men with Sancho Pedro at their head.
volvers and knives were in their hands, and the
music at once began.

With such men there could be-no half~way
Work. No words were wasted, but the sounds
of revolver shot and clashin steel at ance
sounded and the wide cave-c amber took up
the echoes.

At the first, Sancho Pedro’s gaze wandered in
search of Edgar Benson. Even then he did not
forget his hatred. He saw him, and a fierce
joy flashed over his face. I?) came his revol—
Ver, with the muzzle not ve feet from his
target.

He did not press the trigger. With a great
leap, John Jones sprung forward, struck up his
arm and the Weapon went fiyiug away over the
crowd.

Then the negro struck out, flight and sure,
and the road-agent dropped.

The fighting pards Sprung ferward together
but the negro suddenly fell, and Inez rushed
forwfird with a revolver in each hand, firing
re 1 y.

lieving his partner dead, Bonsai sprung to.

ward her, resolved to risk all, but just then a

surge 3:. the battle caught and bore 1-5!!! Away
t.

Be saw'pthe arm of a burly rutfian raised
above him, holdiu a knife. but he sprung aside
and then knock
naked flat. ' . -

Even asbefore,  mass of fighting
men brushed him aside. rtevozvers cream: and
1:?ng gushed. It was the old scene and sound
0 att ' '

Then a cheer arose from the miners. They‘

found themselves without an enemy with whom
to fight. Several outlaws lay dead at their feet-
the others had watched their opportunity and
slip ed away. ~

. victors looked around, one thought in
each mind.

“ Where isflancho Pedro?” ' -

No one could answer the question, for no one
hadseeltldm go: but Edgar Bensnn, who had
been surprised to find John alive and unharmed,
pointedtooneof the passages leading from the
chamber. ' .

“ Yonder is they way to his- private room.
You may find him there."

“Cannon!” said Bird.

He strode forward, with the fighting parda by
his side, and they soon reached the room of the
chief.

The scene which there met their gaae caused
“ambit: ' hhalfiti dblflyin
pan cone , s t 'ng an a g,
SanchoPedro was awaiting their arrival.’ Be-
yomi-a doubt he was near death, for he had a
terrible wound near one temple and the blood
was fast, but his courage did not
W-l'fl‘.
In each hand he held a revolver, and the
mullet were covering the door. v
‘ Beside his couch, her arms around his body
h"  “I “ma $3333.11“? mi
means 0 ury o
Klein dare.
crack!
n, for twice

dandno

Twoeheta rang out in moccasin
"had Sancho Pedro pulled the trigger but, fired
with his last strength, _ fie

theyw

fell from hhnervelees'hands, his head fell back
and hiaearthly battles were over.
Still the miners did not stir, for,'asbitterly

as had hunted the boy road-agent, the ser-

row the woman-s-the girl-wife—who knelt by‘

hiuide, went straightto their rough, but kindly

hearts.

“Let us leave them,” said Edger touchin
Bird on the am. “He can do noharm,an§
we have no war against her.” '

" Bight, boy, right!” was the earnest reply.

CHAPTER XVIII.
new I!!! mama rams can not.
.Tnl miners left the roomtand went to the
main chamber, there to discover the fruits of

 

As ncar' astbey could" go, not more than
eeca ,- and the:

five of the; restang
Sande .Pedro was notdive to
hand, there was little fear that Siam would

revealed. eased man -
at

articlqof value, file What lawless raids,

the fellow down with his'

pockets 0 the dead. v
Whether the members of the band had been

cave, or carrying it promptly away to another

. place, none of our friends ever knew.
At last, ready to leave the lace, they thought ‘

of lnea and hesitated as to t eir proper course.
Not one of them had a desire to harm her, but
was it well to leave her i v, the cava?

After a consultation, they decided to visit
her and efler, in a spirit of friendship, an escort
from the neighherhoed of Sierra Flat.

They went to the deer and then grew hor-
rified anew. The dead boy chief lay as they
had left him, and Inez was still on his breast,
but a change had come over her.

As still as the man she had loved was she and
when they saw the red line down the side of
her face they knew the truth.

Unwilling to survive him whom she had
loved well, if not wisely, she had taken her own
life with the revolver which had fallen from
his aerveless hand.

The young outlaw and his girl-wife lay dead
to ether.

or was this all.

At their feet crouched a lithe, sinewy term,
with spotted back and yellowish bellyw—t-he
jaguar, Blueber.

Removing their hats, the rough miners ad-
vanced. .but the front of the in war at once be~
came the ' . do many

arose and, re- I

Sancho? Padre- the 

 

A ‘4 fl:

 

no mono whatever except what .was in the V ’ The Celestial was at first reluctant to admit

anything, but. convinced at last 110 produoed‘a
packs eof papers from under the counter, and

in the habit of burying their. “dust” in the ' John ones was once more in possession of the

precious documents with-which he had jour-

[ ne ed to Sierra Flat.

 

vealing his wic ed-look‘i’gr teeth, uttered a note '

of warning before which hey retreated.

Once more he was on guard, but this time, as .

he believed, in defense of the master and 
ti-ees to whom he had been temporarily unfaith-
I‘ll.

Edgar Benson and the others spoke to him
kindly, but he had evidently. to ten them,
and no coaxing could make him a] ow them to
approach the bodies. _ - -

“Let him alone,” said Bird at last. ‘f Why
should we disturb this couple who are united in
death asxin life? This rocky chamberis a fit
so uloher—let us leavethem ere.” ~ v

be plan was. approved and they went out
and at onceIlett thecave.

Sierra Flat was reached in due time, and the

lace went wild with joy over the news they

relight .
At last the terrible road-agent band was
destroyed. and the town was tee from its

 

scourge. ~

After a little time spent in rejoicing, Bird re-

- minded the people that Horace Allenton was in
prison, and that the crime of attempted murder
was roved against him.

W at should be his fate!

After some deliberation, Bird and ten other
men were appointed a jury to retire and con-
sider his fate. Before they went, Bird came to
Ed ar Benson. ~ .

“ oung man,” said he, “ I take it you are a
good deal of a mholar, and we want you to
write out a full account of the death of the
road-agents. We had petitioned to the Governor
for a force to clean em out, and now he must
be notified that his help is not needed. Will you
go to Tin Wah’s and get paper and ink and
mg? the atccounti” d, _ .ed

gar, 0 course, agreed, an accompam
by John Jones, went over to the Chinaman’s
store. He recognized them, and grinned
broadly. ,
“ Wanton more pla i” he asked. -
Edgar said they find a sufficient quantity

“ Now 've me an envelo ” he added.
TinWaE pe’

definagewauione. v - - wassuon procured.
imultaneons with the shots, the revolvers »

one over the counter.

“ghat’s small. Haven’t you a bigger
one
“ He got erone but hecostmoromouey,”
said the wily lestiai. '

“Obi of course. Hang the expense. Trot it
onto JOhne”

Tin Wah obeyed, and Edgar saw that it was
netwhat he wanted, large and stout; but John
ones uttered a cry, sprung forward and seized

it.
“ W'har g3
 ah.
The Chinaman looked frightened.
“ Me buy him of Melican man,”-he mid.
. “ No, you didn‘t; I’ve seen dat'envelope afore.
KIWI-it like do nose on my face”.
The negro wae’a good-deal excited, but he
anl calmedéhim If ‘ *

w so .
“Loo -a-h ar, Tin Wah,” 'he said, “I ainlt
ind

& nnfln,aa’1’il yeua-pfie'ob .
M donate. Youihifildiseuvelope, .
insideetdhtoo. f

 

didn’t on? Thmwaepapsra
'I'Ifiy‘yoiletsobmwpeudenobui"~

I

’ .

 

l

i u  dis envelope?” he demanded, ,

 

in Wah explained the whole case. He had
found the envolope and its contents in the stage
where John had secreted it, but, unable to read,
had no way of knowing that the papers Were of
value unless he took some “ Melican man ” into
his confidence, which was against all the im-
pulses of his cautious nature. .

Thus were proved true the suspicions once ex.
prosced by Edgar Benson, that the uckage had
fallgn into the hands of some one w 0 could not
rea . .

Tin Wah, however. never let a chance all to
make money. The big envelope, being unso ed,
he could of course sell, and he had strong ho
that he WOllld be able to find some li uid t at
would remove the writin from the ot er docu-
ments so that the could utilized.

Luckily, thong he had experimented. he had
done no harm, and fhe papers were once more
in the roper owner’s hands.

The Boy pards paid 'fin Wah well, and then
hastened to deliver them to vaéy.

Meanwhile an excitement had sprung up in
the town, for it was found that Horace Allentou
had escaped from prison. All the guards lay in-
sensible at their posts—drugged.

All? No, for one-Buck Bruzer—was missing.

Then the truth began to dawn upon Lyman
Higgins and the other ex-passengers of the stage.
When that .vehicle was stode by Sancho Pe-
dro, Allenton and Brazer, who seemed to be
great fighting men, had been the first to show
the white feathe .

The cause was now plain.

Allenton learned that the pars were on their
way to the Flat, but he con duct learnwho was
the. bearer. He had hired Sancho Bedro to
waylay the sta e, and with Braner for an ally
he had himsel taken passage to watch an
work upon the other passwgers.

Strout’s cowardice had at first brought him
under inspicion; no one looked seriously at {be
u o a . .

obody had suspected that Buck Braser was
mixed up with Allenton’s aflairs' he had been
ted at the prison as one of the guards, and
hen he drugged his fellow-workers and freed
his employer.

.Sooner or later. judgment is rstt sure to
come to the evil-door. A week a ter t e events
last stated, two men, stran ers, quarreled in a
mining-cam twenty-five m esnorth of Sic
Flat. One s ot the other, and then was himse

 

' banged by Judge Lynch.

The assassinated man was Allsnton, and the
victim of the lynchers was Buck Braser.

Gypsy Morrison had no trouble in proving
her right to the immense property in Monterey
count , and she was soon in possession. That
was t ree years ago, and we have just received
news of her man-is e to Edgar Baum.

is“ “if” “m ’°"€i“i°{s m. . ..

care a tosay a ow to 0
boy pards en ed with the death. of Sancho Poo
dro. They are now quietbut useful members
of society, and we are sure that pretty Gypsy
will never regret her choice.

The tamejagn-nr was never seen again by om-
friends. At t as Gyps thought of him‘and
of the strange fancy w ich had for atim
bound him to her, but he was not a mfe pet to

- After the dewnfall of Sancho Pedro the cm‘
zens of Sierra Flat had no more t with
road-agents, and they often so their good for-
tune wais‘hrought to them by MO MP

ingPar
man.

 

. TEE
Sunnyside Library
1mm Rooms. By‘l‘homuhfoore .....  me
3002: anugyLos-dlo n film.“ ........ ..  mo
(’11sz: or  Sir Walter'""" "2 10c
15 LUCILE.’ ByOwen'Meredith .. . loo

3 m; _ ran WATERSPI‘MT. Fime -
Ué‘ePi-manof erlch De'LaMottemu 100

r sale b all newsdeale seat. poet-co. d.
on or t g! . twelve court: gar single 
ADAMS, VICTOR& 00., Publishers; .

1 I. “Were stud IX: .,

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.,...

 

        



 

LIBRARY

 

 

l Adventures ofBuil‘alo Bill. From Boy-
hood to Manhood. Deeds of During and Roman-
tic Incidents in the early life of William F. Cody.
By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

2 The Ocean Hunters; or, The Chase of
Levmtlmu. A Romance of Perilous Adven-
ture. By Captain Mayne Reid.

@1171 Ertra Lam» N'IIIl/Irl'.’\§,fi

3 Adventures of “’ild Bill, the Pistol
Prince. Remarkable career of J. B. I‘likok,
(known to the world as “Wild BilL”) giving the
true story of his adventures and acts. By Col.
Prentiss Ingraham. v

4 The Prairie Ranch ; or, The Young Cattle
Herders. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

5 Texas Jack, the Mustang King. Thrill-
ing Adventures in the Life of J. B. Omohundro,
“ Texas Jack." By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

6 Cruise of the Flyaway; or, Yankee Boys .
in Ceylon. By C. Dunning Clark.

7 Roving Joe : The History of a Young “ Bor- ‘
der Ruffian." Brief Scenes from the Life of
Joseph E. Badger, Jr. By A. H. Post.

8 the Flyuway Afloat; or. Yankee Boys
'Round the World. By C. Dunning Clark.

9 Brain Adams, Old Grizzly Adams’ ‘
Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingruham.

10 The Snow-Trail; or. The Boy Hunters of
Fur-Land. By I‘. C. Harbaugh.

l 1 Old Grizzly Adams, the Bear Tamer;
or, The Monarch of the Mountain. By Dr.
Frank Powell.

12 \Voods and Waters; or, The Exploits of
the' Littleton Gun Club. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

13 A Rolling Stone : Incidents in the Career ,
on Sea and land as Boy and Man of Colonel I
Prentiss Ingraham. By Prof. Wm. R. Eyster.

l4 Adria on the Prairie, and Amateur ‘
Hunters on the Buii‘alo Range. By
011 Coomes.

l5 Kit Carson, King of the Guides; or
Mountain Paths and Prairie Trails. By A. W.
Aiken.

16 Bed Bivor Rovers; or, Life and Adven-
tures in the Northwest. By C. Dunning Clark.

17 Plaza and Plain; or, Wild Adventures of
“Buckskin Sam,” (Major Sam 8. Hall.) By
Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

18 Rifle and Revolver; or, The Littleton
Gun Club on the Buffalo Range. By Captain
Frederick Whittaker. .

l9 Wide-Awake George, The Boy Pioneer;
01', Life in 8 Log Cabin. Incidents and Adven-
tures in the Backwoods. By Edward Willett.

20 The Dashing Dragoon; or, The Story of
General George A. Custer, from West Point to
the Big Horn. By Captain Frederick Whittaker.

21 Deadwood Dick as a Boy; or. Why
WildNed Harris, the Now-England Farm-lad, be-
came the Western Prince of the Road. By Ed.
ward L. Wheeler.

22 The Boy Exiles of Siberia; or, The
Watch-Dog of Russia. By T. C. Harbaugh.

23 Paul De Lacy, The French Beast Charmer;
or, New York Boys in the Jungles. A Story of
Adventure, Peril and Sport in Africa. By a,
Dunning Clark.

24 The Sword Prince: The Romantic Life
or Colonel Monstery, (American Champion-at.
arms.) By Captain Frederick Whittaker.

25 Round the Camp Fire; or, Snow~Bound
at “Freeze-out Camp.” By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

96 Snow-Shoe Tom; or, New York Boys in
the Wilderness. A Narrative of Sport and Peril
in Maine. By T. C. Harbaugh.

27 Yellow Hair, the Boy Chief of the
.Pawneos. The Adventurous Career of Eddie
Burgess of Nebraska. By Colonel Prentiss In-
graham. .

28 The Chase of the Great White Stag

- and Camp and Canoe. By C. Dunning.
Clark. '

 

w > Boris

 

.30 “'ult Ferguson’s Cruise.

29 The Fortune-llunter; or, Roving Joe
as Miner, Cowboy, Trapper and Hunter. By
A. H. Post.

A Tale of the
Antarctic Sea. By C. Dunning Clark.

3 l The Boy Crusader; or, How a Page and a
Fool Saved :1 King. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

32 \Vlnite Beaver, the Indian Medicine
(thief; or, The Romantic and Adventurous
Life of Dr. D. Frank Powell. By Col. Ingraham.

33 Captain Ralph, the Young Explorer: or,
The Centipede Among the Flocs. By C. Dunning
Clark.

34 The Young Boar Hunters. AStory or
the Flaps and Mishaps of a Party of Boys in
the Wilds of Northern Michigan. By Morris
Redwing.

: 35 The Lost Boy “'haler ; or, In the Shadow

of the North Pole. By T. C. Harbaugh.

, 36 Smart Sim, the Lad with a Level Head.

 

By Edward Willett.

37 Old Tar Knuckle and His Boy Chums; or,
The Monsters of the Esquimaux Border. By
Roger Starbuck.

38 The Settler’s Son; or, Adventures in the
Wilderness and Clearing. By Edward 3. Ellis.

39 Night-Hawk George, and His Daring
Deeds and Adventures in the Wilde of the South
and West. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

40 The Ice Elephant; or, The Castaways of
the Lone Coast. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

41 The Pampas Hunters; or, New York.
Boys in Buenos Ayres. By T. C. Harbaugh.

42 The Young Lund-Lubber; or, Prince
Porter’s First Cruise. By C. Dunning Clark.
43 Bronco Billy, the Saddle Prince. By Col.

Prentiss lngraham.

44 The Snow' Hunters; or, Winter in the
Woods. By Barry De Forest.

45 Jack, Harry and Tom. The Three
Champion Brothers: or,.Adventures of Three
Brave Boys with the Tattooed Pirate. By' Capt.
Frederick Whittaker.

46 The Condor Killers; or, Wild Adventures
at the Equator. By T. C. Harbaugh.

47 The Boy CoraloFishel-s; or, The Sea-
C‘avern Scourge. By Roger Starbuck.

48 Dick, the Stowawa ; or, A Yankee Boy's
Strange Cruise. By Char es Morris.

49 Tip Tressell, the Floater; or, Fortunes and

Misfortunes on the Mississippi. By Edward
Willett.
50 The Adventurous Life of Nebraska

Charlie, (Charles E. Burgess.) By Colonel
Prentiss lngraham.

5 l The Colorado Boys; or, Life on an Indigo
Plantation. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

52 Honest Harry; or, The Country Boy Adrli't
in the City. By Charles Morris.

53 The Boy Detectives; or, The Young Cali-
fornians in Shanghai. By '1‘. C. Harbaugh.

54 California Joe, The Mysterious Plainsman.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

55 Harry Somers, The Sailor-Boy Magician,

By S. W. Pearce.

5 6 Nobody’n Boys; or, Life Among the Gipsies.‘

By J. M. Hoffman. .

57 The Menagerie Hunter; or. Funny Ho-
bart, the Animal Queen. By Major H. Grenville.

58 Lame Tim, the Mule Boy of the Mines; or,
Life Among the Black Diamonds. By Charles
Morris.

59 Lud Lionheels, the Young Tiger Fighter.
By Roger Starbuck.

60 The Young Trail Hunters; or, New
York Boysin Grizzly Land. By T. C. Harbangh.

61 The Young Mustangers. ByC. D. Clark.

324 The Tiger Hunters; or, The Colorado Boys
in Tiger-Land. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. ,

63 The Adventurous Life of Captain
Jack, the Border Boy. (John W. Crown,
the Poet Scout.) By Col.  V ‘

 

 

64 The Young MooseI-Hunterl; or, Trail
and Camp-fire in the New Brunswick Woods. By
Wm. H. Manning.

65 Black Horse Bill, the Bandit Wrecker; or.
Two Brave Boys to the Rescue. By Roger
Starbuck. »

66 Little Dan Rocks; or. The Mountain Kid‘s
Mission. By Morris Redwing. '

67 ’Longshore Lijc; or, How 8 Rough Boy
Won His Way. By C. Dunning Clark.

68 Flatbout Fred; or, The Voyage of the “Ex-
periment.” By Edward Willett.

69 The Deer-Hunters; or, Life in the Ottawa
Country. By John J. Marshall.

70 Kentucky Ben, the Long Rifle ofthe Plains;
or, The Boy Trappers of Oregon. By Roger
Starbuck.

71 The Boy Pilot; or, The Island Wreckers.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ,

72 Young Dick Talbot. By Albert W. All:

73 Pat Mulloney’s Adventures; or, Silver
Tongue, the Dacotah Queen. By G. L. Edwards.

74 The Desert .Bover; or, Stowaway Dick
Among the Arabs. By Charles Morris.

75 The Border Gunmaker; or, The Hunted
Maiden. By James L. Bowen.

76 The Kit Carson Club; or,Young ENVI-
eyes in the Northwest. By T. C. Hal-beach.

77 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-Knife. By
Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 1 _

78 The Boy Prospector; or, The Scout of. the
Gold Ravine. By Roger Starbuck. ~

79 Minonee, the Wood Witch; or. the Squaw»
Secret. By Edwin Emerson.  V

80 The Boy Cruisers; or, Joe and Jay's 353
Find. By Edward Willett. i

81 The Border Rovers; or. Lostoathsm
land Trail. By J. Milton Hoflman.

82 Alaska, the Wolf Queen; or, 'l‘he‘Glriy
Brothers‘ Double Crime. By Capt. C. Howard.‘

83 The Young Nihilist; or. A Yankees”
Among the Russians. By Charles Morris.

84 Little Rifle; or, The Young Fur H
By Capt. “ Bruin " Adams. --

85 Fighting Fred; or, The Castaways ct
Grizzly Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh. ‘

86 Dr. Carver, the " Evil Spirit” of'the Plains; '
or. The Champion Shot of the World. ByCd.
Prentiss lngraham. ‘

87 Bufl‘ Bob-art and His Bear. ByOspt.
“ Bruin “ Adams. - ‘

88 (many. the Cowboy. Britain-3.3.804-

89 Gaspar, the Gaucho; or, I“ on the
Pampas. By Captain Mayne Reid.
WA“ lib-1rd Largo Numba'sfl .

90 Texas Charlie, the Boy Ranger. 3' out,
Prentiss Ingraham.

91 Moscow to Siberia; or, A Yankee Boy
to the Rescue. By Charles Morris. . ,

92 Boone, the Hunter; or, The W
Brothers. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

93 Oregon Josh, the Wizard Rifle; or, The
Young Trapper Champion By Roger Stab
buck.

94 Christian Jim, the White Man‘s Friend. '
By Edward 8. Ellis.

95 Plucky Joe, the Boy Avenger. By Jill.
Hoffman. ' ,

96 Roving Biile, Custer’s Little Scout ByT.
C. Harbaugh.

97 Hurricane Kit; or, Old “811M118 onthc
Rampage. By A. F. Holt. ‘

98 The Broadhorn Boy. ByEd. WM.

99 Little Buck, the Boy Guide; or, The Go]!
“Eye " of Montana. By Barry Macmley.

A mm ism every week.
ann’s Bar’s LIBRARY is for sale hyali new.

deale five cents co or sent 1)
coith sixcents. per py’ ymwmw

BEADLE AND ADAMS, mm 
98 William 

 

    

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i BEADEE’S

 

 

‘-

lldllalliiillfillll -------

 

 

PM"
' enowngme Jack. B ' Joseph E. Bad r, Jr.
w B. By M 0 Bill. (Hon. . F. Cody. ‘

 

00d Dick, the Prince of the Road. By E. 1.. Wheeler.

1 e
4 The WIld-iifirrse Hunters. By Captain )iuynJReid and

Captain Frederick Whittaker.

5 Vugbond Joe‘ the Young Wandering Jew. By Oil Coomas.

Davide number 0 (tenta.
6 Bill Bidders ’rrnpper. 12°15.in 8.1mm

T The Flyingynnliee. By lonel Prentiss inmham.

8 80th Jonca; or, The Captives of thr Frontier. By E. S. Ellis.
9 Adventurers of Barn Munchau

nets.
10 fig; Todd Or, The Fatgof the Sioux Captives. By E. S. Ellll.

11 The 'llwo Detectives. By Albert W. Aiken.
12 Gulliver’n Travels. A
llruiniiummir. lly Dean Swift.

18 The Dumb tip . By Oil Coomes.

14 Aladdin; «r, 'i‘ a Wonderful Lamp.

15 ’l‘he sen-Cut. By Cll tnin Frederick Whittnlver.

16 Rohlmson Crunoc. (‘l llluatrntinna) B Defoe.
£17 RBI in R0 , the Boy lim-v-unc-Ir. By Col. ’reutisa lngrahnm.
l8 Bin had i a Sailor. From the Arabian Nights.

19 The Phantom Spy. By lililllill) [ill].

20 The Double Dn‘ggern. By Edward L W'heeler.

2 The Frontier Angel. By Edward 5. Ellis.

22 The Boss rerpentx Ur, le lioy Robinson Crusoe. By J. Lewis.
28 Nick 0’ the .N ith' or, The Boy Spy ot"76. By T. C. liarbaugh.
24 Diamond Dir . By Colon.) l’rentisa iugmhnm.

25’s TheJlo Ca taln. By Roger Sturbuck.

23 Oloven loo . the Bulliili) Demon. llv Edward L. Vi’heolor.
27 Antelope A be, the Boy Guide. liyOll Coonms.

2U liuil'alo Bell. the l’riuceol’thc Pint/ll. B E. L. Wheeler.

29 The Dumb Page. By Cnpmiu Frederic “'lllttukcr.

80 Roaring Ralph Roe wood. By Hnrr St. GrofKe.

81 Keen-knife, rince of the Prairies. B ' O 1 Common.

82 Bob Wooli’. the Border Rnli’inn. By ward L. Wheelel

88 The Ocean Bloodhound. By s. w. Pierce.

34 on hol. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

85 ‘1'" Ivan, the: Boy Claude Duval. By E. L. “'heelen

86 The "03' Clown. By Frank S. Finn.

den Lodge. By T. C. Harbau h.

3% Ned “' lde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Mk.
8 i‘uoe, the Detentive. By Edward L. Wheeler.
4-0 Rovih Bell. B ' John J. Marshall.
41 30k, the nuns: Mostnnrrer. By Oil Coomes.
£2 The Phantom Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler.
the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. Whittaker.
itiin Ru e. By Harry St. George.
ld A" final“: the Great Annihilator. By E. L. Wheeler.
Eye the Great Shot of the West. By J. F. C. Adams.
gt“. 'le N at: or, The Forest Captains. By Harbaugh.
luck Jo n, the Road-A ant. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
naha Oil, the Masked error. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
B Ibo“ , the Tra p06. dEy C. Ealénaal e. B LC 1

0 ea or, e n rgroun tun . y . ran.
ngto Bullolo. By C. . its. F
Jr" the Boy Phenix. By E. L. Wheeler.
line], i is Bo ‘ Trapper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
-E e, the Lnknown Scout. By Bufl'alo Bill.

hi ea’ Pet. Bv Captain J. F. C. Adams.

Dirk’a Eagles. By Edward L. Wheeler.
order King; Or, The Secret Foe. By Oil Coomu.
inherit or. I and ' Ellis’s Scalp. By Harry St. George.

hite radian. y Captain J. F. C. Ada-vs.
urn Hill; or, The Red Rifle Team. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
8 By Colonel Prentiss ingrahsm.
. By W. J. Hamilton.
Jae . By T. C. Harbaugh.

Hand or. A is for s Lila. QP’WIZ‘J. Hamilton.
Matias- Joe. 3 Philip S. srne.
' r obi- noal. By Budnlo mu. '
d e the Sb ooter. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
70 Did Zip’a Cabin. Captain J. l". C. Adams.
1'1 Delawara Dick,the l’oang Bangor Spy. By Oil Ooomss.
'2 “Toni Wooten, the Texan Ranger. By W. J. Hamilton.
’ Ni Deadwood Dick on Deck. By Edward L. thalsr.
74 Hawk-aye liars-y. By Oil Coornes.
75 The Boy Duelist. By Colonel Prentiss hafnium.
7. Abs Colt, a. Crow-Killer. By an... w. Alien.
1"! Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. By a. L. thsier.
78 Blue Diak. By Captain Mayne Bald.
3’1) (Jul Ginger, the Giant Trapper. By Albert W. Aiken.
80 [Rosebud Rob. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
“Lightning Jo. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.
8. Kit Harofooi, the Wood-stk. By T. C. Harbsngh.
88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oil Coomss.
84 ldfi, the Girl Dinar. By Edward L. Whoalar.
85 Buck Buekran. By Captain J. if. C. Adams.
:56 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas. By G. Waldo Brown.
8?“. bid Fir-tel. By Captain Mayne Reid. '
88 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
 “In. By the author of “ Jack Harluwsy.” '
9. The Dread Rider. By Gaorga Waldo Browne.
91 Tho Captain oftlse Club. By Brusbndgs Hemyng.
 the Counterfsiter Cblal. By E. L. Wheelsr.
st “they Miners. By Edward a nun.
94 Hidnight Jack, the Road-Agent. By ‘1‘. C. Harbaugh.
9‘ ‘5'. “'31 Rovers. By Lisut. Col. Hmltins.
es Watch-En, the snide... By Edward 1.. wind"
97 an. outlaw Brothers. 3, Jolsh J. Mir-tint.
as Italians“. the Outlawsd a»). By Pror. Gildsrslsavs.
99 Thefl‘igar of To... By George Waldo Browns.
100 Deadwood Dick in lac-drills. By E. L. Wheeler.
101 Jack liarkaway in New York. Bracabrldga Hsmyng.
102 Diek‘ Dead-Eye. By Colonel Prentiss lngrsham.
1.. Tie Lioa attic Sea. By Colonel Dalia Sara
104 Deadwood Dick’s Device. 'By Edward L. Whaalar.
1“ 01d Rube. lbs Hunter. By Captain H. Holmes. '
100 Old Fmty, the Guide. By T. C. Harbaugh.
107 one-Eyed Sill. By James L. Bowen. .
108 Daring Davy, the Young Best-Killer. By K. St. Goorgs.
109 Deadwood Dick an Detective. By E. L. Whoslar.
110 “IBiaok Steed of the Prairies. By J. 1.. Bowen.
111 The Baa-Devil. By Colonel Prentiss lngrahun.

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~ 112 Tho Mod Ills-tor. By, Burton Sass.

118 Jack Hoyle,.the Young Speculstnr. _By E. 1.. m...
114 The Black Schooner. By Roger Siarbuck.

115 TM '31! Miner. By George Waldo Browne.

116 The Huasar Captain. By Col- Prentiss lngrsham.
117 Gilt-Edged Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler.

1!! Wm  the Bay Dostaciive. By Charles W
110 Mustang Sara: or. The Kit-z ui‘ the Plains. By J. E. Badger.
I” The Branded Hand. By Frank Burnout. V. '

1.1 ‘ on Chip, the Girl Sport. By E. L. Wheeler.

1 "gm,  R w B r. Br (‘lmrius Morris.

1.. Ki.“ a 0.3.7,?“ , :f. \\‘z infill n'rr grr. By T.C. Harm‘h.

r

4

oyage to Liliput, and 3 Voyage to

/

 

124 Tippy, the Texans. By George Gleason.

125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler.

126 Picayune Pete. By Charles Morris.

12‘? Wud.Fl|-e, the Boss of the Road. By Frank Dulnont
128 The Young Privateer. By R. Cavendish.

129 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
130 Detective Dick. By Charles Morris.

181 The Golden Hand. By George Waldo Browne.

182 The Hunted Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis.

188 Base Bob, the King of the Bnothlncka. By E. L. Wheeler.
134 Sure SD01. Beth. By Oil (‘in 11103.

185 Captain Paul. By C. Dunning Clark.

136 Night-Hawk Kit. By Joseph E. Bridger, Jr.

18? The Helpless Hand. By Captain Mayne Reid.

188 Blonde Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler.

139 Judge Lynch, Jr. By T. C. llarhsugh,

140 Blue Blazes. By Frank Dumont.

141 Solid Suns, the Boy Road-Agent. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
142 Handsome Harry. By Charles Morris.

148 Scar-Face Saul. By 011C00mes.

144 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By Joseph E Badger, Jr.
145 Cuptuill Ferret. the New York Detective. By Wheeler.
146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. By Oil Coomca.

147 “’ill Wildfire, the Therouirhbred. By Charlea Morris.
148 Sharp Suns By J. Alexander Patten.

149 A Game of Gold. By Edward L. Wheeler.

150 Lance and Lasso. By Cuptnin Frederirk Whittaker.
151 Panther Paul, the Prairie l’lrnte. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
152 Black Bean, 'Will “'ildfiro’a Racer. By Charles Morris.
158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Damon. By 011 Common. ‘
154 The SWord Hunters. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
155 Gold Trigger, the Sport. By T. C. liarbnugh.

156 Deadwood Dick 0 Deadwood. By E. L. Wheeler.
15? Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. By Charles Morris.
158 Fancy Frank of Colorado. ByBuflaio Bill.

159 The Loni Captain. By Captain Frederick Whittaker.
160 The Black Giant. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

161 New York Nell. By Edward L. Wheeler.

162 Will Wildfire in the Wooda. By Charles Morris.
168 Little Texan, the Young Mustanger. By Oil Coomel.
164 Dandy Rock’a Pledge. By George Waldo Browns.
165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. By Charles Morris.
166 Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George.

18? Ana Scott, the Stesmi‘ont Boy. By Edward Willstl.

168 Deadly Dash. By Joseph E. Bridger, Jr.

169 Tornado Toni. By T. C. Harbaugh.

170 A Trump Card. By Charles Morris.

171 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dnmont.

11'2 Thunderbolt Tons. By Harry St. George. ‘
178 Dandy Rock’s Rival. By George Waldo Browne.

174 Bob Roekeit, the Boy Dodger. By Charles Morris.

175 Captain Arizona. By Philip S. Warns.

176 The Boy Runaway. By Lieutenant H. D. Perry, U.S.N.
12'? Nobby Nick of N erada. By Edward L. Wheeler.
178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. By Oil Coomes.

179 Bob Roekeii, the Bank Runner. By Charles Morris.
180 The Sea Trailer. By Lieutenant H. D. Perry, U.S.N.
181 Wild Frank of Montana. By Edward L. Wheeler.
182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. By Oll Coomes.
188 The Hidden Hand. By Charles Morris.

184 The Boy Trailers. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

185 Evil Eye, King of the Cattle Thieves. By Frank Dumont.
186 Cool Desmond. By Colonel Dells Sara.

18‘? Fred Halyard,_the Life Boat Boy. By Charles Morrl‘I.
188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By T. C. Harbaugh.

189 Bob Roche“, the Crucksnmn. By Charles Morris.

190 Dandy Darke. By William R. Eysler.

191 Buflalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. By Capt. A. B. Taylor.
192 Captain Kit, tha Will-o’-ths-Wisp. By Lieut. Perry.
198 The Lady Road-Agent. By Philip s. wine.

194 Bull'an Bill’s Bel. By Cnptnln Taylor.

195 Deadwood Dick’a Dream. By Edward L. Wheeler.
190 Shadowed. By Charles Morris.

19? Little Grit, the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss lngrahnm.
198 Arlinluuw, the Man with the Knife. By T. C. Harbangh.
199 Featherweight. ,By Edward. Willett.

200 The Boy Bedouin. By Capt. ,Fredoriek Whittaker.
201. The Black Hills Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler.
202 Prospect Pete, of the Boy Brigade. By Oil Coomes.
208 The Boy Portia. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

204 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
205 Deadwood Diek’l Doom. By Edward L. Wheeler.
208 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. By Charies Morris.

20? Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunur. By T. C. Harbsugh.
208 The Boy Hercuien. By Oil Coomes.

209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. By Edward L. “'heolor.
210 Faro Frank of High Pine. By William R. Eyster.
211 Crooked Cale. By Joseph E- Budaer. Jr.

212 Dr's-hing Dave, the Dandy Detective. By Charles Morris. '
21.8 Fritz to the Front." Brenna L. Wheeler.

214 Wolfgang, the Robber o! the Rhine. By Capt. Whittaker.
215 Captain Bulletgflm Raider King. By T. C. Harbaugh.
216 Biaon Bill, the Prince oi the Reins. By Col. P. ingrahaln.
21? Captain Crack-Shot. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.

218 Tiger Tom, tho‘fl'oxan Terror. By Oil Cootnss.

9119 Mad. the Dieliat. By Philip 3. war.»

220 Tons Tanner. Scalade Scspsgmo. By Chen. Morris.
221 Sugar-Coated Sara. By Edward L. Wheeler.

222 Grit, the Bravo 8 By 001. Prentiss lngraham.
223 Dark Alf, King of the Mountain. By Edward Willatt.
I“  Dick. By 011 Comes. ' '

5m anus Cliareoai, the Premium Darky. By Charlss Marni.

and Sam a. Boy at... "3, Edward 1,. Winder.

22‘? Dunk! Darrell, Trapper. By E Emerson. V

228 Little Wildfire. By Oil Coomes.

 

229 Crimaon Kate. By Colonel Prentiss lngrshnm.

230 The Yankee Rajah. By C. Dunning Clark.

231 i’lucky Phil, of the Mountain Trnil. By T. C. Harling
232 Gold-Dunc Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler.

288 Joe Buck oi'Angein. By Albert W. Aiken.

284 Old Rocky’s “Boyeea.” By Buckskin Sam.

285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. By Charles Morris.
288 Apollo Bill. By Edward L. W'lweler.

237 Lone Star. the Cowboy Captain. By Col. ingrahem.
238 The Parwn Detective. By ()ll Coomen.

239 The (laid-seeker Guide. By Captain Mayne Reid.
240 Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler.

241 Bill Bravo and “in Boar Pardu. By T. C. llarbmigh.
242 The Two “ Blood-i.” By Clmrlea Home.

243 The Dinguincd Guide. By Oil Coomes.

21-1 hicrra Earn. By Edward L. “'heelef.

245 Mcrlc. the, Mlddy. By Colonel Prentiss ingraham.
246 Giant George. liy Buckskin Sm”.

24’? (Did Grizzly and Hi! Peta. lly Capt.“ Bruin ” Adams.
243 Sierra Fum‘fl S‘ccret. By Edward L. Wheeler.

249 Milo Router, the Animal King. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.
250 The Midshipman Muilnccr. By Col. P. ingrahnm.
251 Light-hound: nge. By Cnptnln J. F. C. Adams.

252 Dick Dnahaway. By Cllfll‘lcs Morris.

253 Sierra Snm’a l'strd. By Edward L. Wheeler.

254 The llulr-nlood. By Edward S. Ellis.

255 Captain Apollo. By T. C. llnrhnuch.

256 Young Kcniuck. By Captain Min-k Wilton.

25’? The Loni Hunters. By Citpt. .1. F. C. Adams.

258 Sierra h‘am’a Seven. By Edward L. Wheeler.

259 The Golden Harpoon. By Roger St‘nrbuck.

260 Dare-Devil Dun. By on Coomes. '

261 Fergua Fcarnaught. By George L. Aiken.

262 The Young Sicutha. By Charles Morris.

263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide. By Edward L. Whaler,
264 The Floating Feather. By Col. P. lngrahsm.

265 The Tiger Tamer. By Captain Fred. Whittaker.

266 Killb’ar, the Guide. By Ensign Warren.

26‘3‘L The Buckskin Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh.

268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. By E. L. “Finals.
269 The Gold Ship. By Col. Prentlu lngrahstn.

270 Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton.

271 The Huge Hunter. By Edward 3. Ellis.

272 Mink-kin Mike. By Oil Coomes.

218 Jumbo Joe. By Edward L. thsler.

274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morris.

275 Arizona Jack. By Buckskin Sam.

278 Merle Monte’s Cruiae. By Colonel Prentiss ingrshun.
2‘32 Denver. Doll. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.

278 The Three Trapper-s. By Major Lewis W. Carson.
279 old “'inei, the Rifle King. By T. C. Harbaugh.

280 Merle Monte’a Fate. By Col. Prentiss [mgr-shun.

as: Denver Doll's Victory. By Edward L. Whealsr. '
282 The Typo Detective. By Edward Winstt.

283 Indian Joe. By Major Lewis W. Carson.

284 The Sea Marauder. By Colonel Prentiss lngrnhsm.
285 Denver Doll’s Decoy. By Edward L. theler.

286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
28’? Billy Blue-Eye's. By Colonel Prentiss ingrnhun.

288 The Scalp King. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

289 Jolly Jim’a Job. By Charles Morris.

290 Little Foxfire. By Oil Coomes.

291 Turk, the Ferret. By Edward L. Whaler.

292 Sancho Pedro. By Major R. L. St. Vrain.

298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper. By Captain COM
294 Dynamite Dan. By '1‘. C. Hnrlmngh.

295 Fearieu i’hii. By Edward Willstt.

296 Denver Doll’s Drift. By Edward 1... Wheeler.

291‘ The Tarantula of Taoa. By Buckskin Sam.

298 The Water-Hound. By Charles Morris.

299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. By Edward L. Whoa“
800 The Sky Demon. By Oil Coomes.

801 Loadvllle Nick. By Major E. L. St. Vrain.

302 The Mountain Detective. By T. C. Harhangh.

303 'szg Jane, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler.

804 The Dead Shot Dandy. By Colonel Prentiss him
805 Daahnway, 01' Dakota. By Charles Morris.

806 Neck-Tie Ned. By Mujor H. B. Stoddard.

80’? The Strange Par-d. By Buckskin Sam.

308 Keno Kit, the Boy Bug/lur’a l’nrd. By Col. P. lngrlhan.
809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. By E. L. Wheeler.
810 The Barr-anon Wolf. By Joseph E. W . 3b

811 The Roving Sport. By Edward Willatt.

812 Rcdtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. By Maj. E. 1.. St Vrain
818 Clmarron Jack. By Frederick Dewey. _

814 The Mysterious Marauder. By Col. P. ingraharn.
815 Ned. the Cabin Boy. By Jack Farragut.

316 0111 Eclipse, Trump Card of Arlsona. By T. C. Harm
812' Peacock Pete. By Lieutenant Alfrai Thoma.

818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo! By Buckskin Sun.

819 The Black Rider. By Joseph E Badger, Jr.

820 The Sea Sorceress. By Jack Portugal.

821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen. By Edward L. win“...
822 Nemo. the Detective. By Edward Willatt.

823 Arkanaaw Jack. By Harry Hazard. ' '

824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. By Chg. Harri.

826 K lie Hick Jr .
Bimini"! L. “of Company, dams-thaw

eater.
820 Bill Blake, the Slayer. By T. C. Harland:-
A New Issue Every Week.

The Half-Dime Library is (or sale bysli sends-isle. k
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, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,
98 William Street, New’ York,

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