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Deadwood Dick’s Ducais; Rainy Days Elbe Diggings. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. AUTHOR or “DEADWOOD DICK,” “ROSEBUD non,” “ DENVER. DOLL,” “ smarts SAM " NOVELS, ETC., ETC. - CHAPTER I. THE “ PLAYED-OUT ” PROSPECTOR. “DAVE! Dave 1” A clear, ringing voice uttered the cry, and its tones reVerhei‘ated alon the mountain walls ofhthe rugged gulch, wit a. mocking, weird ’00 0— “ Daval Davel” There came no other answer than the re-echo. The clouds overhead looked dark and threat- ening, predicting that the first inauguration of the inevitable autumnal wet season was at hand—that so py, soaking, steadily-pouring period, when p acer miners grow “down in the mouth ” over their inability to do much else than sit around the taverns and drink bad liquor and play cards, .uryhap varying the monoton 00w and then, by needing up weapons;—a pert- ed when the winds blow high and fierce, and when the mountain rivulets become fierce and roaring torrents, and sweep away toward the sea all obstacles coming within their reach, that a gant power could move. own in the wild, bowlder-sown gulch, where there was little foliage or verdure, exce t now and then a scrub fir or some rank-growmg, oh- noxions weed, stood a scrawny-looking burn, of sedate aspect, laden with a pack, which evi- dently contained the paraphernalia of a. miner or rospector. eside the burro, and leaning with one arm upon its back, was the person who had uttered the call. Not a man, but a girl, whose age was certain- ly not much over eighteen, and whose figure, though slightly inclined to robustness, was yet symmetrical and graceful. In face she was not to say handsome, but, as a jury would agree, “just ordinary.” This face was round, health- ful and pleasant, with a sharp pair of hazel eyes, a pleasing mouth and fine nose, while her forehead was, for the better part, hidden be- neath a shaggy mass of shingled “ bangs.” A white sombrero was set jauntin upon her' head, from which a wealth of hair flowed in ri ples over her shoulders. he was attired in a blue woolen dress, that reached slightly below her knees, there met by a pair of fringed leggings and dainty moccasins. A belt about her waist contained a couple of revolvers, and her right hand supported a Springfield repeating rifle of elegant workman- 1 sh . There was an anxious expression upon her face as she received no answer to her cry, and age gllanced more than once apprehensively at t es . “ I vyvonder why Dave don’t come?” she mur- mured, as the shadows of approaching nightfall began to increase in the ulch. “This narrow defile is no enviable camping-spot, with a deluge of rain impending, as it appears to receive the drainage of several other (rges. A hard rain, therefore, would make this ru ged bottom the bed of a fri htful torrent, in w ich no horse and rider could ive. If Dave does not return soon I shall have to seek higher ground. I cannot see what detains him." Ten minutes passed. The heavens grew densely black, and the very atmosphere was im regnated with the fore— warnings of the coming storm. Then, gradu- ally. a grayish center appeared in the black mass, tinged with a purp ish shade. “ If there isn’t a regular waters ut, it‘ll be mighty queer!” the irl mutteredlrotightening the burro’s belly-ban . “ By jingo, Jerr , it looks like we ain’t goin’ to pass a very com ort- able night, eh?” As if understanding her words, the burro laid back its ears, and squealed, viciously, while it shook one hind hoof, suggestively. “ I know it——-I've a mind to kick myselfl” the mistress declared, grimly. “That confounded Dave will be the means of getting us into trouble, yet, with his laziness mid blundering." As she was speaking, a footstep sounded, just in her rear, and Dutch Dave made his appear- once. He was a well-formed, athletic looking fel- low, of two-and-twenty, with a merry face and twinkling eyes, in which the Dutch of his ancestors was photographed. HIS hair was of a light reddish color, and surmounted by a little cap; in other details his costume was coarse and not unlike that of the every-day prospector. He carried a rifle and a brace of birds, which he had evidently recently shot. “ Well! well! are you back, at last?” the girl demanded, as she turned at his approach. “ Yah! I coom yust so quick as I shoot dose birds!” Dutch Dave replied. “ You got in some hurr , all do vile, eh?" “ f course I did! Don’t you see it’s goin’ to pour down, soon?” “ Yah! I opserve dot, purty quick, a couple two or dree times. Don’t hurt nopody, a leedle vater, don’d. I’d makes a veller grow, dey say. “Nonsense. Like as not this ravine will be neck-full of a furious flood, inside of an hour. I don’t see as we can go any further, to-night, and the main thing to look out for is a placa where the storm can’t do us much harm.” “ Yah. Dot vos so, und I know of yust der blace. Der pe von dyin’ veller, vot wants to See you, Miss Roarin’ Ruth. He pe shot mit der heart through, und vants to make der ’quain- dance ofit‘ somepody, right away of! quick. I to speag mit him his mind end, but he no to no railroad stock in me. I dells him apoud you, und he vant you to comel” “ A dying man? Where?" ROaring Ruth looked interested. “ Oh! he pe lay up der mountain, a vays, under a ledge of rock. I see him and vas goin to shoot him, vor von Injines, ven he speag oop, und dells me to ‘cheese it;’ den I know lieim white.” “And you say he is shot?” “ Yahl plum t’rough der heart. “ And he wanted to see me?” “Yah! I ’specs vot he vant to make his lasd vill und desdatorments, or somedings like dot.” “ Probably some mountain rough, whose turn has come to pass in his cheeks!” Roaring Ruth concluded. “ However, lead the we , and I’ll cup and take a look at him. Can t e burro climb up to the placef" “Yah! Jerrymiaher he go oop youst like a rabbit. Come!” and without further parley Dutch Dave led off. A stran ely associated pair, those two young people. hey always traveled, hunted and prOspected together. They were known in some of the mountain camps, but it was only as the two rovers, Roaring Ruth and Dutch Dave. They were also known to be fearless, and, iii- deed, recklessly bold, in penetrating the various labyrinths of the hills, where even old prospec- tors hesitated to venture. Already since their advent in the wilds of Arizona, they had been instrumental in the opening up of several profitable mining-camps, and it was pretty generally believed that they were well “ heeled,” as regards money. Although a young woman. and alone, save for what protection utch Dave might be able to afford her, there were few men who cared to risk the inevitable “ trouble ” resulting from of fering insult to Roaring Ru‘h. _ It was a well-known fact that the girl was perfectly able and quick to take her own part and she would as lief shoot a man that insulted her as to look at him. On the threatening night we encounter them, they were en route from the mining-camp of Casa Bianca to a new “ breeze ” or “ excite- ment,” which labored under the suggestive title of Devil’s Diggings, in Southern Arizona. Dutch Dave, although by no means an “old timer,” in the peculiar life which he and his fair companion led, was a shrewder individual than he was generally given credit for being. He was especially a g00d trailer and hunter; and he led the way from the gorge up the steep and craggy mountain side with the rapidity and dexterity of an Alpine guide. He, too, kept an anxious e 9 upon the.over- cast heavens, for he was weliv aware_that it was no ordinary storm that was impending. and be was fearful they might not be able to reach the point he had in view, ere the outburst came. But. by good fortune, they did, and not _a moment too soon. for the rain came down in torrents, and the darkness of night enehrouded the wild and rugged landscape. _ They had come to a halt u n a little bench, or out-cropping ledge, while a ve and prOJect- ing far out over them, was another greater ledge, which snugly sheltered them from the storm. Here upon a blanket, lay the man of whom Dutch Dave had snoken. *1 Roaring Ruth directed Dave to kindle a fire, out of some leaves and debris, and then she went and knelt beside the wounded man. She saw at once that he was neither old nor rough, as she had predicted. . He had a wiry, graceful figure, denoting great stren th and endurance, and was clad in a suit of ark clothing, with top boots, som- brero, and belt for weapons. In face, though now very pale, he was rather handsome, with dark magnetic eyes, a firm but pleasant mouth, a graceful mustache and im- rial, and a wealth of dark hair, that clustered in waves from his forehead, back, and rippled down upon his shoulders. His eyes were open, and his face bore an ex- pression of intense suffering, when Ruth knelt eside him. . She eyed him, rather curiously as if she were endeavorin to recall to mind whether she had ever seen him before or not. “Who are you?” he asked, seeming to infer that She was waiting for him to speak. “Do you belong to the Dutchman?” “ Hardly. The Dutchman belongs to me. I am Roaring Ruth, the Girl Prospector. Who are you? I fancy I have seen your face, some- where.” A peculiar smile lit up his features. " Very likely,” he replied, dryly. “The au- thorities of at least two territories have had cuts made of my phiz, so well did they like it, and you may have seen it tacked up on some tree, stump or shanty-side, where men have mined for gold. As a general thing, from one to five hundred dollars would be offered for the owner of the face.” Roaring Ruth eyed him with a uzzled look. “I don t know that I should now you by that description 1” she said. “Maybe not. I am, now, a ‘played’ pros- ctor, and have had my last chance, Iguess. t don’t matter much, though. Friends have gradually drop d off, until I can’t name a one who would shed): tear on hearing of my demise. “Have you ever heard of a wild, reckless mountain man, young lady, who defied the law at times, again only to espouse it; who faced death with as muc1 reckless disregard as he would face a single foe, and never knew a sense of peaceful Security, but to be roused from it into a state of mortal warfare? In clearer meaning, did you ever hear of Deadwood Dick?” Ruth started. “ I have!” she replied. “I have heard many reports of him, both adverse and otherwise Are you Deadwood Dick?" “1 am—or, what’s left of him. I’ve got a. bullet-hole in me that Would have killed nine out of every ten men stone-dead soon after the shot was fired. How d’ye_like the looks of that?” He opened one hand and exposed a bullet of unusua size. Only a rifle of extraordinary bore could have sent it on its dead] errand-— and, clearly, it had already been [189 . “ Heavens!” Roaring Ruth ejaculated, in as- tonishment. “It ought to kill an elephant, much less a human being!” “ Yet it failed to fetch me!” Deadwood Dick said. “It will, though—l haven’t a doubt about that. I am aware that I am filling up internally, and it won’t take long to wind up my career here below.” e spoke with a calmness that Ruth could not understand. It was because she did not know this strangest of 'culiar natures. er interest in him, however, was already greatl aroused. “ on’t you let me examine your wound!” she said. “I have a little knowledge of sur- gery. and maly be able to save your life.” “All, no: am satisfied that is impossible, young lady. I dug the bullet out myself, and now the wound will prove fatal. It has not bled externally. ' “Yet, you may be helped. If you—” “I don’t care to have the wound touched. Tampering with it could do me no good. Have you any li nor?” “ es. ave, bring me the flask.” The Dutchman obeyed, and Dick swallowed a little of the liquor. “That wiTl keepJ me up until I want to go,” he said, passing is hand over his forehead. “Young lady, I shall not last long, and while I do, I must speak. As I told you a few minutes ago, I have not a friend in the world who would shed a tear over my dead body. lam alone, and unhappiness has followed me to the last.” " You should cheer up. sir. 'Riere ma be a bright and happy future in store for yogi, ’ “If there is, it will not be here below, he :0- , I, l. l ... __._-. ‘w _. .,._,,. .‘ . m“, .__.— -_.._—‘.._A_ W I“? v-r.. —-~:~< w“ . "w‘?"“‘ V4kV‘V-J‘A w. "W ~ \ designs of robbing me. Deadwood Dick’s Ducats. plied sadly. “How the hereafter will pan- out, I have, of course, no positive means of knowing. Before I go, I have some arrange- ments to make. Where are you bound ior, youn lady?” , “ 9 were en route for Devil’s Diggings, sir, 'when Dave informed me of your presence here, and our sad condition. “ t is well. Devil’s Diggings is a future suc— cess. I have prospected every rod of the ranglei hereabouts, and know where gold is, and go is not. I have, in the past two months, taken out thirty thousand dollars in dust and nuggets, and converted it into coined gold. That gold is cached near the scene of my operations, which have been conducted nearly within rifle-range of Devil’s Diggings.” “Indeed P “It is true. I had a companion whom I trusted, and we worked to ether. We did it in secrecy. No one suspecte us of being within a hundred miles of where we really were. We took out sixty thousand dollars, and_then, by frequent trips to Tucson, converted it into com, and brought it back. On our last return trip, we talked matters over. The immense vein of gold was yet worth working. But it was dan- gerous for us to cache our com there, for fear of our being robbed. My partner said if he could take out as much more as he had done, he would be content to retire. He proposed we gamble, until one won and one lost all, including the mine. We did so. I won all. My pard then requested the privile e of remaining in my em- ploy. I granted it, a thou h I suspected he had atching my chance, last night, I removed the ducats to another safer cache, where they are now secreted. To- day, I started out for game, and was cut down by this bullet!” He paused, and gasped. “Quick! your pard’s name?” Roaring Ruth «cried. “ His name is Harry Leclede. I don’t know whether he shot me or not. Hunt down my as- sassin, and my ’ducats are yours! They are buried near my claim. Here is a sketch map or plan to guide you.” Something fluttered past Ruth‘s eyes. Dick’s hand had dro ped; a fierce gust of wind had torn the tell-ta 6 paper from his nerve- less grasp. It was swept away, far out upon the wild night, and lost, beyond hOpe of ever being found. ~ Ruth quickly applied her ear to the region 0 the “played” prospector’s heart. It had ceased to beat! CHAPTER II. KID KARL. DEVIL’S DIGGINGS wasn’t much of acamp, its first beholder would be apt to say, for, in truth, “there were but two buildings in the “cit . Th); diggings in themselves were located in the gulch bottom, and were without exception placer claims, operated upon by three-score of miners, who barely eked out enough dust to keep them in "fodder," whisky, and now and then a dollar, to venture at the card—table. Devil’s Diggings had been started by an old, cranky-tempered and miserly chap, named Jonas Argyle. He had, with his nephew, Nick Norvell, dis- c0vered gold in the bottom, and had immediate- ly legally possessed himself of all the neighbor- ing territor that careful prospecting proclaim- eil would yield any value in the way of miner- 'a 3. His next move was to erect the only two structures that composed the camp. One was a small shanty, designed for, and stocked up as a supply store. The other building was a huge affair, some two hundred by two hundred and fifty feet, built of logs and slabs, and divided into one large and many small apartments. This building had a truly imposing appear- ance, and was desngned for the accommoda- tion of whosoever stopped of! in Devil’s Dig— gings—that is, if they had the .wealth to “come down ” for their accommodations; if they did not, they were politely invited to move on to the next town. . . When he had everything in readiness, old Argyle had “ boomed’ his t0wn, and by a mod- eratee nditure of money, secured a stage- route through it, running from a couple of more 1111 rtant camps. f course there was a moderate rush to the new diggings, and a number of claims were sold—more than enough to secure the succem of the old miner’s scheme. In leasing the claims, each miner was bound by papers not to erect any sort of habitation thereon, and it was a part of the agreement that said miners, or their employee, should board and lodge at the Hotel Argyle, paying its regu- lar rates, and should purchase all their various necessaries and et ceteras, at the Argyle supply store. Old Argyle, in leasing the claims, made a re- serve of ten per cent of all minerals taken from them; and thus, in all respects, he had an em- phatic monopoly that was bound to line his purse more or ess liberally, according as the town was successful. Some twenty claims had been taken up, and were worked by about two-score of miners, who composed the major part of the popula— tion. Very likely more claims would have been lo- cated, but it was not every miner the stage dropped off at Devil’s Diggings who cared to in- vest, and agree to Argyle’s exacting stipula- tions; hence the camp had remained since its start a two-shanty “ cit ,” and, likely, no sim- ilar “ city” existed in a] the Far West. Its population all had to endure with such ac- commodations as the Argyle afforded; miners though, in some instances, boarding themselves in their rooms in preference to paying the cost of eating at the regular hotel table. The main room, or largest one, which was lo- cated on the ground floor, was given up to sev- eral uses. It was hotel office, bar-room. gam- bling arlor, court-room (where local justice was dispensed by Judge Tamarack Splinter), dining-room, and general place of resort for the entire population. “ Judge ” Tamarack Splinter was a lawyer, and consequently was considered, and consid- ered himse f, an important fixture of the dig- ings. Old Argyle and young Norvell, although they owned and managed the monopoly through which the camp existed, were not looked up to with much res t, and were really consid— ered of less actual importance than the ‘udge. Of course the camp had its inevita 1e ruf- fian—its “ loody terror.” In this instance, the bad individual was a gent of leisure—a man about town, who lived not by the sweat of his brow, but ractically by the dexterity of his fingers, an the abnormal size of his impu- dence Professionally, Jake McBride was a gambler. He was a brawny, muscular “tough,” of the mrst pronounced Western order, with a fierce. ugly visage, dark and swarthy, that in itself was a phototype of his brutal nature. His jetty hair, mustache and goatee, too, gave tone to his evil aspect, and he ever dressed with a slovenly disregard to nentness, drank like a fish, and wore a brace of six-shooters in either bootleg, in addition to his belt weapons. He was feared by all, having already killed three men since anchoring down at the diggings, and to dispute his veracity, or argue about a point in a game of cards, was considered as fatal as would be a convicted murderer’s chances in the State of New Jersey. On the evening witnessing the events chroni- cled in our first chapter, the citizens of Devil's Diggings were congregated in the Argyle, and dissatisfaction was manifested among them. The fall rains were coming on, and that was probably the main cause of trouble, for this This wet spell, in any mining localit , is a thing that miners universally dread; ut in Devil’s Diggings there was somewhat more anxiety. The camp was less than six months old, and as a habitable place, had not yet passed through the eriodical rainy season, peculiar to that par- ticu ar region. The formation of the surround. ing country was such as to give rise to grave fears that the drainage of the mountains would resolve into a heavy freshet, that must sweep through the gulch, of course with dimstrous re- sult, washing away much of the valuable pay- dirt, and wrecking the sluice-ways and other mining apparatus that had already been planted. Then, too, if no real freshet should occur; the rainy spell promised to be an unusually severe and rotracted one, as the summer had been torri and very arid :—-and therefore, but little work could be done, ere winter set in; so that the prospects ahead were rather gloomy. As usual in a mining town, where the public pulse is ever fluctuating, the initial signs of gen- eral discouragement can best be discerned by the manner in which the miners take to heavier drinking than usual: and the miners of Devil’s Diggin s were no exception to the rule. ‘ Red-nose,” “old besam.” “carbolic acid,” “ oil 0’ vitriol,” “ straight bug,” and so forth— such, and others, were the titles used by the min- ers, clustering at the Argyle bar in search of bet~ ter cheer, and as each beverage came from one bottle characteristically labeled “Pizen,” it is safe to presume that each man got what he wanted. Jake McBride sat at a table, as usual, in a bad humor, noting the discouraged feeling that was only too plainly expressed upon the faces of the miners. He knew that when the miners felt the loss of a dollar, except it were for whisky, they were chary about wasting or risking an cash at the gaming table; consequently, his own vocation promised to be profitless. When the miners were “flush,” he was not disposed to be sociable; but he saw, now, that he must needs do something to keep on good terms with them, or they might forget the man who delighted to rake in their hard earnin After they had imbibed several roun s, be arose and swaggered up to the bar. “Waal, hoyees ” he said, “it looks like ye war in fer a leet e enjoyment, an’ I s’pose ye hevn’t no "ections ter my j‘inin’ in the quad- rille. So let’s all be merry. Nominate yer ‘ wash,’ one an’ all. Mine’s ‘ rough on rats’ 1” Now the gambler was about the last man in the camp addicted to such a spasm of liberality, and the crowd stared. “Spit ’er out, I say!” McBride ordered. “Tain’t often e hev the honor o’ grinnin’at yours truly. reduce the cistern, Satan, an’ remember, it’s the best, at the expense of Jake McBride.” Satan was the nickname for the dispenser of liquor at the Argyle bar, and he was a bar- keeper who could set out the glasses and liquor with wonderful rapidity and equal urbanity. The glasses were filled, and the health of Mc4 Bride was drank with rent gusto. The emptied glasses ad just been set down upon the bar when the door opened and a stran- ger walked into the room. _ He was cloaked in a heavy water-proof, which reached to the tops of his knee-boots, and wore a slouched sombrero. His figure was of usual proportions, and his face darkly handsome, with its black eyes and curling mustache, and hair of the same hue. He carried a jeweled riding whip in his hand —b0th hands Were gloved with brown kid—-and had the bearing of a frontiersman, whether sportive or otherwise, might be be. His eye was as keen as an eagle’s. He took a swift glance about the apartment, and at its habitues,‘ then spoke, in a clear veice: “ ’Evening, gents! Does the man who leases claims hangout here?” he asked. “ He do, you bet!” McBride declared, getting a second ahead of Judge Tamarack Splinter, as spokesman—and that was a wonder, too, as the judge counted himself a talker, from Talker- ville. “Old Argyle aire the man, and that a'u'e be, over thar, in ihecfiice, wi’ the reen goggles an’ the turn up nose, w’at looks as if be war try- in’ to smell the brimstone o‘ futurity. But, I say, Npardner, aire ye goin’ to bu a claim!" ‘ ot one, but half-a-dozen,i I can get ’em at m terms,” the dashing stranger answered, “ ully for you, sir! I always thought some enterprising chap like you, would come along an’ give the town a start. Come lip—we’ve jest been smilin’—an’ have a drink.” “ Thanks. I’Ve caught enough moisture, out- side, forimmediate requirements,” and smiling, the stranger walked away, toward the office, wherein old Argyle, and his nephew, took turns in residing. ake Mc ride glared after the stranger, his face flaming with anger. - “ He refused ter drink wi’ me, didn’t he?” he demanded, turning to the gang, for whom he had 'ust “set ’em up.” “ course he did, an’ yer entitled ter an apology,” a miner decided. “ Not accordin’ ter law l” declared the udge. “ Blackstone sez thet refusin’ ter drink n’t no offense comin’ urder the statutes ov any legal jurisdiction 1” “ You keep yer lip out, or I’ll make a Bilson out of you!” McBride roared, so savagely that the legs light of Devil’s Diggings turned pale “Oh, yes! oh, yes! Ex—keuse me!" the judge faltered, for be real] bad a horror of bad men and most emphatica ly of the terror of the d - gings. “ I really meant no offense, sir. course the man is required to apologise to you -of course he is!" If the stranger thought so, his actions did not 0 to show it. He walked upto the counter. behind which was Jonas ArEer’s t 00 and ered Moe . nodded to the stub-nosed, wi u-e ’n Deadwood Dick’s Ducats. \_ . “You are old Argyle, I presume!” he said, com sedly. “ am Mr. Jonas Argyle!” was the stiff re- ply!” Old Argyle died a quarter of a century ago “ Ah! excuse me! I took you for him. You v‘look old enough to have been Cain’s brother, Abel. I believe you dabble a little in mining- claims—that is to say, you have some to sell?” “No, sir; I have some to lease for two years, but none to sell.” “Ab! Let me have the location of these claims and the articulars.” “I have a c art here. The lease, rclaim, is two thousand a year in advance. 0, if you think the terms would he too high, I will not go to the trouble of showing ou the chart.” “You 181 old boor. rot out your chart. Of course I intend to invest!” With an eflort, old Argyle produced the chart, and gave the required explanations. The most of the claims were on the north of the hotel. There were half a dozen below, but ‘these were comparatively worthless, he said, ‘ and he could not say for sure that there was any pay-dirt upon them. “How much will you take for them?” the stranger asked, carelessly. ’ “ On! a thousand apiece i” , “ §ay five thousand for the six, and I’ll take em! “ It’s a bargain! Give me the cash, I’ll give you a receipt, and the lease will be ready for you to-m0rrow.” Nodding the stranger took a large roll of bills from his pocket, and counted out the exact amount, receiving, in return, a receipt in full for the same. The name given b the stranger was Kid Karl ; he then walked ck toward the bar. The crowd had drawn to one side, and were conversing in undertones over the pros ts of a “jamboree?.’-—for Jake McBride still stood leaning against the bar, the ugly expression upon his ugly face, clearl provmg that it was not his intention to let t e fancied insult pass by unnoticed. ' Without paying theleast attention to him, Kid Karl sauntered up to the bar, and laying down a quarter—the price of a single drink- said, pleasantly: “ A little good whisky, please.” His face depicting considerable surprise, Satan set forth the bottle and a single glass. The stranger poured out a moderate drink, and raised it toward his lips. Instantly there was a pistol report and the glass was shattered by a bullet. The same ullet, also, took of! the tip of Kid Karl’s right forefinger. He looked around, not deifiin to notice the hjured member, and saw c ride with the smoking revolver still in his grasp, and a malicious grin upon his face. “ It was mel’ the gambler declared, with a Mr. “ Got anythinIg ter say erbout it!" “Most assuredly havel’ Kid Karl respond- ed, promptly. ‘ I want to know what you mean by our action ust now!” “Mean echoed cBride—“meanl Why, stranger, ye orter feel grateful I let ye of! slivel’ “ Had I! And what for?” It was innocsntl asked. McBride laugh outright, while the crowd aniled, broadly. “ What for ’ the gambler ejaculated. “ Why, stria’nger, ye waltze inter this shehang, didn’t e “ No, sir. I walked in!” “ Oh! ye needn’t chirp up so smartlike. Ye waltzed in. Ye found us galoots jest arter hevin’ a drink, didn’t ye i” “ e appearances went to indicate some such facti” d l ’ ‘ ’r “ inwite ye up ter smi e, an esed na ’ “ Very well. Go on i” y y “Waal, accordin’ ter the rules of ettercut, thet war a p’izen insult!” “Indeedl’ “Bart’in! Ye warn’t dry—oh! no! Yet wi’in fifteen minnits ye cum back an’ bought yer own sa wi’out as much as winkin’ at us, or axin’ us be we a b’iler. Now. as a usual thing, we plant a man ’thout ceremony for a thing like that, but I reckoned ye war sorter green, an’ so I simply reminded ye o’ yer fergitfulness by distributin’ yer slop so ther boyees c’u’d hetch ther scent of it. Them’s ther lightest alties ever inflicted, in this hyer bur : so we’ll all drink wi’ e, an’ call it squar’. me up, boyees! We al gulp at ther tenderfut’s expense. Mine’s nitro-g! cerin’!” ‘ Excuse me, gents. ou treat yourselves at my expense when I ask oul” Kid Karl cried, fiercely. “ As for you, sir rufiian, if you want to fight, put those tools away, and come and let me break your big jaw!” McBride uttered a bowl of joy. An instant later he leaped t0ward the stranger, and a wicked battle of bared knuckles be an. cBride was largely the stranger’s superior in size and muscular development, and though he was himself badly punished, he finally suc- ceeded in knocking is antagonist senseless to the floor. “ Keep our place l” a cool voice immediately cried. ‘Y will take up the man’s quarrel, and see ifg'ou can knock me out so easy! ’ An through the open doorway Roaring Ruth stepped into the room. CHAPTER III. RUTH 0N mm MUSCLE—A WONDERFUL BURRO. THE advent of Roaring Ruth, as may be sup posed, created a wide-s read sensation, coming as she did with so warlike an announcement. Right behind her came Dutch Dave, carrying their weapons, while the sedate-looking burro brought up the rear. Roaring Ruth, to make the matter seem more strange, looked to be dead in earnest. Jake McBride turned and glared at her a mo- ment in incredulous wonderment, as if he was not real] satisfied that he heard aright. Then e burst into an n roarious guffaw, while rather a suggestive smile appeared upon the faces of the rough-visaged audience. “Did I beer ye say an thing?” the ambler demanded, turning towar her and ma ing an over-obsequious courtesy. “ Did I beer ye whis- r in dulcet tones, high key of G., thet ye would ike ter glue yer ruby lips to mine in osculatory greeting?” “I told you to keep the floor, and I would taken the gentlemans uarrel,’ Ruth declar- ed coo ly. “I always di hate to see a great calf, like you, a-tryin’ ter crowd a sickly ’un out o’ the stanchion. If you want to stand 11 store me, I’ll agree to knock you out so quic thet e won‘t know yer nose from the hummix of a hara camel.’ “ Ye’ll mash my smaller, boy?” “You bet!” “ An’ spread my countenance out so flat it’ll look like a forty—acre farm?” “ Shouldn’t a bit wonder ef I would I” “ Ye’ll put mourning circlets around my eyes an' send my molars down my throat for chaw my liver up inter mince-meat?” “Come waltz me and see!” was the cool re- sponse, .which amased the bystanders beyond e ression. ompared with the gambler, Roaring Ruth was of but pi my size, for although possessed of a well-mold fl ure, she was short of stature, and illy-match to stand before such a man as the ru an card-manipulator. “Ye beer her I” that worthy cried, taming to the crowd. “ Ye hear what ther leetle saphead sez. She alIOws she kin put a nose on me l” “ Thet aire against the law. I’ll arrest ye both fer rize-fightiu’!” sung out Judge Tama- rack Spl nter. “ Wait till I get my books outer e—I’Il make ye need a grave-stone, instead 0’ lackstonel” warned McBride. “ M dear young heifer,” he added, playfully throw iig a has at Ruth, “ I she! hev to de- cline er offer ter commit suicide on ther groun s thet et would be inhuman fer me ter unchra purty piece o’caliker like you. Who 9 “ I’m Roarin’ Ruth, an’ I kin back up my cog- nomen ever day in a week. Why, ye don t opine I’m a card of ye, do ye? You’re nothin but a half-grown pimple. Ell ye don’t believe it, come an let me put a patent blister on yer jaw! I’m the boss gal from Black—an’-Tan, and you bet I’m on my muscle. Dare ye come?” “Durst I come?” repeated McBride—“dursf If Waal, I should belch up a bulldorgl—an’ remember, dear little sissy, thet it becomes our duty 0’ performin’ the last sad rites o’ plantin’ ye, an’ ye mustn’t ueal fer a preacher, ’ca’se they don’t grow in t 9 soil of Devil’s Diggings.” “ Correct. I’m not in need 0’ one yet. “Ye will be!” “ Prove it!” With an oath McBride strode forward, his fists doubled up, like sledge-hammers. It was evidently not his intention to show the girl any mercy, and he undoubtedly counted on an eas victory. But e reckoned without his host. Roaring Ruth’s arms were about as long as those of her opponent, and the instant they got within striking distance McBride received a thwack under the left eye. that, for the time,., caused him to see whole flrmaments of planets, to say nothing of little stars. He retained his equilibrium, however, and struck back, fiercely and wildly, delivering not so much as one scientific blow. This was perhaps owing to the fact that the- first blow had in a measure dazed him. rendering him really unfit for active service. His bulldog nature, however, urged him on, even though he received seVere unishment. And Roaring nth? She stood firmly braced, in pugilistic attitude, and, by sharp and telling execution proved, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that she knew just what she was about. She had surely practiced the art of self— defense before, thereb making it a “ womanly ”‘ art as well as a “ man y ” one. Every blow of the gambler she rried with perfect ease, and sent back a te ing shot in return that would elicit a bowl of pain and re e. mail and shapely though were her doubled fists, they were hard, as here and there a bleeding bruise upon the rufiian’s face gave- token. The crowd grew enthusiastic, but few of them dared applaud at McBride’s misfortune, for fear of after results. At last, with a string of vindictive oaths, the» rufiian made a final spurt, and endeavored to» grapple with his wonderful adversary. He was aware that he was badly used 11 , and- he could not stand up under the punis ment. very long, unless he soon gained an advantage- and held on to it. His attempt to grapgle, however, was antici» ted by Roaring Rut , and she frustrated it y lantin a blow under his left ear which fairylif him of! his feet and landed him! against the walLin a heap. He was not knocked senseless, but lay where- he had fallen, making no attempt to rise. He glared at Roaring Ruth, from out his. swollen e es, in a way that betrayed the wolf- ishness 0 his brutal nature. “Quit!” he growled, as she took a step toward him. “I’ve had enough. I’ll get square with you some other time.” “Oh! suit yourself about that—only don‘t, trvto ick on any one smaller than yourself when ’m about. I don’t allow thet sort 0" thing, ye know 1” Ruth declared. She then walked ofl toward the hotel ofilce, and Dutch Dave and the bum followed her. “ What are you bringing that brute into the hotel for?” old Argyle demanded savager as. Roaring Ruth approached the counter. ‘ Put it out-o’-doors, I say, quicker than scat!” “ How quick is that?’ Ruth asked, lancing at her watch. “ There ain’t no scat mar ed out on» mv chronometer!” 7‘ Take that donkey from my hotel!” the miser roared, furiously. “D’ye hear?” “No. I’m deaf as a bat, and besides, this: ain’t no donk. He’s burro, straight out-an-out, an’ his name is Jerry. Wherever I camps, there camps Jerry.” “Then, you can’t stop here!” Argyle declar- ed. “ So git up an’ git out 0’ here, at once!” “Not if the court knows herself, I don’t, an" ther court. on this occasion, do know jest what she aire about. ’Skuse me—my name is Roar- ing Ruth, I wear a number four boot or moc, and whar I sets down my fut I always stay, rvidin’ I wanter. Therefore, you’ll oblige, y callin’ up yer nigger waiter, and showin’ us to yer best parlor—fer ther three of us. under- stand. Shet up—don’t you say no, or I’ll ive you a plumbago pill, to quiet your nerves! on order a room. or you won’t haVe time, even, to appoint an executor to your will.” And drawing a pair of revolvers the eccen- tric 'rl brought them to a leve With the- miser s heart, and cocked them, in a decidedly business-like manner. Now it chanced that old Argyle had heard of Roaring Ruth, before, and this hearsay had announced her as a dangerous person to trifle with, as she would “ as lief shoot ascat.” The unpleasant prospect of getting a bullet through his heart, was something that the miser didn’t consider it safe to deliberate on, and so he touched acall—bell, and ordered a Chinese servant, that appeared, to show the singular trio to a room. ‘ They disappeared. but onlv for a short time. Then they emerged from the apartment that had n assigned them; the bum had been unburdened of his load, and appeared comm". abl more lively. - caring Ruth sauntered up to the bar, to]- 1’ lowed by Dave and Jerry, and looked inviting- ly around at the crowd. “ Well, galoots, d’ye ever h’ist?” she interro- gated. “ Roarin Ruth, the ragin’ simoon from Shootville, aire on deck, and rather opines it‘s time fer ter irri ate, ef ther shebang affords any thing good. Vill ye tumble?” “ Tumble?” echoed Judge Tamarack Splinter, who was a six-and-a-half f0oter, lean and lank as a bean-pole, and possessed of sharp, shrewd Yankee features,—“ tumble, did ye say? Why we kin do jest ther purtiest acrobatic act to- ward ther bar, thet ye ever see’d. Boys, ye beer? She Sez juice; hence, we acrobat! Any- thing ter please ther fair sex!” And at a motion from the disciple of Black- stone, the men formed in line, abreast, and at- tempted to turn a hand-spring, after the man- ner of gymnasts. The result was most amusing. But tw0 men of those who had attempted the feat accom- plished it. The others came down upon the floor with a solid force that made the great building trem- ble, and the positions in which they fell were numerous. Judge Splinter completely “barked” the skin off from his nose, and ran a big sliver in his cheek—wonderful thing to relate, as be after- ward acknowledged, considering the hardness of it; one man broke his neck, and another his wrist, and all were more or less bruised. Yet all came promptly to time for their bev- erage, except t e man who had broken his neck, and even he made a last effort to join the “boys,” but his lamp went out too uick. “ You’ll excuse usl” Jud e Sp inter said, .apologetically, as he hoisted his beverage. “ The dampness of the floor made it slippery.” “Oh! cert’,” Ruth acquiesced. “ Ah! here is the vanquished stranger just getting up. Join us, pard!” “Thank you, I believe I will,” Kid Karl said. “ Maybe a hit of liquid lightning will help me to Collect mv scattered senses.” “Good. ominate your p'izen, gents. I take kerosene. Dutchy here drinks whisky-sours, an’ Jeremiah takes it straight from the nozzle. ,A special bottle fer Jerry, bark’er!” The drink was produced and poured out, and “h’lsted.” At a. word from Roaring Ruth, Jerry, the burro, advanced to the bar and, rearing upbn his hind legs, placed his fore feet upon the coun- ter, and opening his mouth, actually grinned in the face of Satan, the beverage-mixer. “Jerry, what’s yours?" Roaring Ruth de- manded, patting him. “Speak up lively, as the gents aire waitin’ on ye!” Jerr wiggled his huge ears intelligently and utters an ear-splitting bray. “That means whisky in French,” observed Ruth. “Barkeeper, give me an extra bottle. .Drink, gents.” The did drink. All ut Jake McBride. That worthy had retired to his own room, in scompan wit the local surgeon, to have his battere face dressed. Dashing off the neck of the bottle, Roaring .Ruth poured a part of the liquor into the open mouth of the burro, who swallowed it all with ‘the gusto of a habitual bummer, and as if he wanted more. 80 Ruth gave him the remainder, and it dis- appeared the same as the first. “ Come now, Jerry, haven’t you had enough?” .Ruth said, as the burro gazed at the row of bottles behind the bar. "Get down, now, and let’s have a little fun!” Jerry promptly obe ed, and “ itched ” his ‘sides with his hind-boo s, which seemed to indi- cate that he began to feel and appreciate the warming effects of the liquor he had drunk. “Now, gents, perhaps ye ain’t aware o’ the fact thet Jerry aire a wonderful animal in more than one way. Not only aire he as fond 0’ his ‘bitters as any 0_’ you gents, but he kin do seve- rial different likely sarcus shines, w’ot sh0ws how I fetched him up. Jeremiah, where is the clock?” ' The mule pricked up its ears, and turned its 'head from Side to Side, inquiringly. Then it raised one fore-foot, and pointed in the direc- tion where a large time-piece was fastened against the wall. . A murmur of surprise escaped from the lips of the tators. ' “ Oh thet ain’t nothin’l" Roarin Ruth chuckled. “Thet aire burro knows a t ing or two, of it is hoss sense. Jerry, my dear, tell the gents what number the hour-hand is on by wigglin’ your left ear; then the minnit—hand by ‘wigglin’ yer right!” Deadwood Dick’s Ducats. To the amazement of all, Jerry s uinted at the clock, with one eye partly close , and his left ear bobbed forward nine times; next his right ear performed a similar movement fifteen times. “Correct!” Ruth said, turning to her audi- ence, with a triumphant nod. “You perceive it is fifteen minutes of nine o’clock—which illus- trates thet Jeremiah kn0ws purty near what he is about. But, I say, Jerry, what do you generally do after you’ve performed a trick!” The bur-r0 wheeled promptly around, reared, planted his forefeet upon the bar, and brayed loudly. A yell of delighted applause escaped the crowd, at which Jerry brayed louder. “ Come, Jerry: you’ll get boozy if you tickle your throat any more. Get dowu and put your ar 3 around my neck.” The bum-o wheeled around, walked over to the girl prospector upon its hind boots, and placed its fore legs upon her shoulders, affection- atel . Ahotlier cheer went u . “ Get down, Jerry,” Ruth ordered, and make yourself at home. If any galoot tries to make luv to you paste him one on the jaw. Dutch Dave?” “Yah! yah! I vas beer." “ Good. See that Jeremiah don’t get into any mischief.” “I looks oud for dot!” Dave assented, and sauntered away. Jeremiah walked serenely about the great room, eying every one and everything with human intelligence. “Excuse me, young lady, but what price do you place 11 on that wonderful animal?" Kid Karl asked, ( offing his sombrero to Ruth. “ Price? I‘Vhy, stranger, thar ain’t enufl gold in these hills, to purchase thet ’ar burro. He, Dutch Dave an’ I, aire one firm, an’ thar ain‘t no dissolution o’ partnership, onless one 0’ us )asses in our chips. Luk at thet muel, will ye? see‘d what he war aimin’ fer!” Jerry had paused by a table, where old Jonas Argyle and another man had just commenced agame of cardS, and was looking on with all the a parent interest of a human player. “ eopines he’d like to take a hand,” Ruth observed. “ Hope the old chap won‘t rile Jerry, he may get his scalp snatched off!” Jerry was the center of attraction for the evening, and the crowd gathered in the vicinity of the table. “Take yer darned mule away!” roared old Argyle, addressing Ruth. “ e don’t keer about havingj .ckasses mixed up in our games.” “Jerry ain t hurtin’ ye,” the girl replied, coolly. “He likes ter luk on, an’ ef thar’s an’y,cheatin’ he’ll apprise ye of it, by squeal- .n , “ I tell ye ter take the brute away. I don’t want a mule’s breath in my face, ner won’t have it!” “His breath aire as much Sweeter’n yourn, than shooger is sweeter than vinegar. An’ as fer gittin’ Jerry away from that table, it’s out o’ the question! I’ll bet an even ten dollars, that there ain’t any five men in the room as kin git him away ’thoutusin’ a lasso, or Weapons!” N 0 one appeared to be desirous of riskingthe ghalnces of battle with the sagaciousanimal’s ee 5. ‘ " Tell ye what!” Roaring Ruth went on, light- ing a cigarette, “ thet animal knows a heap, he do. He’s a claryovoyent, he ar’. Ye kin shuflle ther keerds, deal out a hand, face down on the table, then deal out one card 0’ each set, face up. He’ll p’int out w’ich keerd o’ the face down ones b’longs to the set up ’uns, an’ indicate how man spots aire on it, by wigglin’ his ears.” “ Osh! nonsense!” stormed old Argyle. “Even but few card sharps can call the turn of a card, unless they know the deck.” “ I’ve a Stray dollar ter bet, an’ the ‘ bug’ fer the shebang. thet my burro, Jeremiah Jefferson Joccoraldi Jones, ken do jest thet very thing!” declared Roaring Ruth, coolly. “Bosh! I’ll bet a hundred dollars he can‘t! Why d’ye mean to tell me, if I lay six cards down on the table, faces down, and then in an- other place, lay a heart, club, spade and dia- mond, face up, the brute will point out which of the turneddown cards, suits with those turned up, and indicates the number of spots on it, without turning it over?” “ I do, you bet!” “ Why, curse me, but you’re crazy, girl. I’ll bet five hundred dollars it cannot be done 1” “ So will I!” declared the man who had been playin with Argyle. “Unless we are in an age 0 miracles, such a thing is utterly pre- posterous l” 5 4 “All right and well, if you think so, but I shall just have to go ye, gents,” Roaring Ruth declared, producing a rol of bills of large do nomination. “In the classic phraseology of Shakespeare, or any other man, please put up, or shut up!” A rgyle and his companion exchanged glances, and hesitated. “ Hurra, boys! Two gallus old Spats blufled by a burro !" yelled a miner. That settled it. Two thousand dollars were stacked upon the- tahle, to be won or lost. “Git your cards ready, gents, whileI get a glass of water!” Roaring Ruth said, turning away. Pricking up his ears, Jerry followed her, and an instant later, his fore feet were planted upon the bar, and he uttered another ear-splitting bray. “ No use,” Ruth said. “ Thet anymile is allus on deck, where beverage is concerned. Give him another bottle, bub!” Satan sat forth another bottle of whisky, and Ruth gave the burro a small portion of the con: tents. They then went back to the card—table. In one place old Argyle had spread out the jack of spades, queen of clubs, king of hearts and queen of diamonds, faces up. In another place lay six cards, face down- ward. Roaring Ruth led Jerry up to the table, and patted him upon the head. “ N0w, Jeremiah, the gentlemen want you to show ’em what you know about the paste- boards. Here is a little stick with which to operate. Look! are the cards all on the square?” Jerry gazed at the face—down cards a mo- ment and then shook his head. “ e sez there’s something crooked about the cards,” Roaring Ruth said, and reaching quick- ly forward, she turned over the cards. They were all blanks .’ “ A man who would try to cheat a dumb brute ought to be hung!” the girl cried, grimly. “ Smart as you were, old scorpion, ye couldn’t fool Jeremiah. Thet war about as contemptible a trick as I’ve frustrated in a long time, you miserable apology for a man. It won’t save you a cent, though. Dish out your cards, wi’ spots on, an’ do the thing squar’, or I’ll shoot an ear off of you!” Looking decidedly sheepish over the discovery of his attempt to cheat, old Argyle produced a. fresh deck of cards, and shuffled them. He then dealt out six cards, in a row, faces downward. ‘ ‘ Now, go ahead wi’ your jackass-intelligence show!” he gritted. ‘ Without a reply, Roaring Ruth placed one end of a pointed stick, about a foot long, be- tween Jerry’s teeth. “ Now, then, Jeremiah,” she said, “ to what suit of cards does the first turned-down card belong?” Shifting his head, the remarkable animal at lowed the int of the stick to drop upon the upturned ageen of Din monds. “ He says the card is a diamond. Now, Jerry, how many spots are there upon it. Wig- gle your left ear as many times as there are numbers, or spots!” Eight times, did Jerry’s huge left ear nod for- ward! “Ah! the eight spot of diemonds,eM Are you so positive, Jerry, that you can afford to assure these galoots it‘s a fact?” Jerry nodded, whereat the rough audience gave way to thunderous applause. “ Old gent, to satisfy all that Jerry know! 0' thing or two, please hold up the card !” Roaring Ruth directed. Old Argyle obeyed, sharpl utteria an oath It was, indeed, the eight 0 diamon s! CHAPTER IV. KID KARL’S SCHEME. Foaa minute afterward, the building from bled, owing to the reverberating effect of the tumultuous applause. “The wa er is fairly won !” cried Mr. King:- land, one rgthe losers, as he handed the stakes over to Ruth. “But, by the dpowers of St. Michael, it’s something beyon my compre- hension.” “It’s infernal humbug. The accursed brute is leagued with the devil!” growled Jone! Argyle, furious over the loss of his mone , which the girl~sp0rt demurely tucked away,I1n her ket. “ t war all square,” Ruth declared, with a. chuckle. “Jest ter show ye Jerry understand.- «we , '. ,I a“.-.... ._. I_ . . _.. » ,:.._. an»... ’»‘v.. 9" .'.u—j; \ Deadwood Dick’s Ducats. hisbiz, we go‘ through wi’ the rest 0’ the per- formance.” They did. One card after the other did the bum “ call,” in his peculiar way, and never missed a one. The excitement and enthusiasm was intense. Never had it been equaled, in Devil’s Diggings. As soon as racticable, Jerry was taken to the room, by utch Dan, and no more was seen of them, that night. Roaring Ruth, however, lingered about the main hall, awhile longer, and was at once a popular and respected personage. After a litl le ingenious maneuvering, Kid Kiri, once vnore succeeded in drawing her into conversation. “ I have justlearned that I am much indebted to you,” he said, gallantly. “They tell me that you took up my quarrel with Jake McBride and punished him, and I am sure I owe you much gratitude for that.” " Oh! that’s of no account. I saw him floor you and thought it would boa good opportunity to introduce myself and com )ilnlOIIS inter the fashionable Society of Devil’s iggings,” she re- sponded, dryly. “ Stranger here. eh?” “ Yes. I just arrived to-night, and bought up half a dozen claims, which are coisidered worth practically nothing.” “ Indeed! What’s your Object?" “ Oh, a. notion. I mean to realize a fortune. You seem to be a pretty shrewd sort of Bohemian; how would you like to go in with me and share the profl s?" “ ,I, ain’t investin’ in poor claims just at pres- ent. “But, listen. My venture is bound to prove a bonanza. Promise me that you will take a hand with me, if Iprove it, and I’ll let you into my theory.” Roaring Ruth looked Mr. Kid Karl over criti- cally. Although young in years, she was old iri experience, and the knowledge which ex- pcrience, as a rule, brings to those possessed of anv aptitude to profit thereby. Reared almost from infancy among the rude and peculiar associations characteristic of the mining districts of the far West, she had grown to be a remarkable oung woman in more re- spects than one; ha learned to be a natural student of human character, without, possibly, being aware of the fact. She was not greatly impressed with the ap, pearance of the stranger, whose cause she had recently espoused; there was something about his e es that reminded her of the snake. “ f you have any ideas you wish to throw away I’ll listen,” she said. “ I am not aware that I ever promised to do anything that I don’t know anythin about.” “Wel , in that case, I’m not inclined to give away my secret, not knowing whether it will be kept or not.” “ If it is worthy of keeping I shall not betray your confidence,” Ruth replied, calml . “Re- member, hOWever, that I have no particular de— sire to pry into your aflairs.” “Oh, probably not. Well, relying on your discretion, I’ll tell you: You understand, I’ve purchased these claims at the lewer side of the camp where (previous prospecting has failed to discover pay irt worth the time of taking out.” “So much the bigger fool are you!” “ You’re complimentary. It, however, re- mains to be seen, how much good sense I’ve got. I’m going, in the beginning, to dig a deep, wide ditch, from one side of the gulch, to the other— .ten’ feet wide, perhaps, and as deep as I can get “Oh! I see. You’re preparing your own grave, eh? Why do you make it so large? ,D’ye expect to bloata great rleal. out of the riches you’ll accumulate in Devil’s Diggings?” “ Hardly. Your facetiousness would seem .rather far-fetched, wouldn’t it, if you were, eventually, to see me ride out of this camp with a couple of millions, in gold?” “Oh! you bet! But, go ahead. What in ther name 0’ common hoes-sense d’ye expect to git by diggin’ them trenches? I reckon ther placers don‘t run over two or three feet.” “Mavbe not—I don’t care a continental for that. Listen. Outside, the inaugural of the au- tumnal wet spell is at work. A few days— per- ha , only a few hours—of steady rain, will flood th gulch. From many a mountain siding and .crewce, and fissure, will this gulch receive the off- urings. and outpourings, impregnated .wit mineral substance, for the most part, flakes of pure gold. This wash, consequently, must 'be swept along, from point to point, settling here and there, whereVer there is a depression. You, therefore, must see the idea of my ditch. Gold being heavy matter, a large share of the wash will not pass over the ditch, but will drop into it. If I cannot, after the flood is over, Eaklenout a snug fortune, I’ll count myself a 00 . “ Your idea is not original!” Roaring Ruth, said, grimly. “I tried a little racket o’ thet kind, in self, once upon a time, but it didn’t work. Ihadn’t got the ditch done when the galoots in the camp got on their ear, an’ give me short notice to vamose. As I had less ex- perience then, than now, I skipped.” “ You don’t allow my plan will work, then?” “It might—ag’in it might not. I opine you couldn’t get the help to put the job through.” “ Bah! I’ll risk that. Will you join me?” “Nary. I’ve a better lay-out!" Just then there was a commotion in the for- ward part of the saloon. CHAPTER V. MASKED MOSE MAKES A CHARGE. THE Commotion was caused, by the entrance of a single individual, who was plainly a. stranger—a well built man, rather powerfully deVelUle, and dashing in appearance—one, at a glance. who nght prove a formidable antag- onist. He was fairly well-dressed, in citizen‘s garb, and wore a slouch sombrero upon his head, and a belt of weapons at his waist. All this was not so singular, in itself; it was the. full black mask, upon his face that gave him an air of mystery. He had entered the Argyle, without hesita- tion, and adVanced to the bar, before any one had had time to pay any particular attention to him. The diseavery of 'his presence, however, had served to create quite a flutter among the ha,- ln'tucs of the AI yle; for a person who sported a piece of blac cloth in front of his face, might reasonably be classed as being a fair-to- middling“ bad” man. “ Whiskey l" the masked man ordered, grim- ly. “ Ef the other galoots are addicted to the use of ‘ bad habit,’ they’re included in ther em- pressive ceremony l” “ Free p’izen, hycr, bo‘ysl” announced Satan, in stentorian tones. ‘ You mortals as war born thirsty, ather at the fountain!” A number 0 the miners cheerfully responded to the invitation; indeed, they were never known to do otherwise—would have considered it the hight of impoliteness, on their part, to re- fuse a drink. Some of the knights of the pick, pan and shovel, however held back, and looked 'on;— they were a little chary about drinking with a pilgrim who was afraid to show his face. ‘ Iopine I generally knows who I h’ists my buttermilk wi’l” one miner declared, taking no care to have his remark unheard. “ If you don’t want to drink, Mr. Snooks, ye hev the privelege o’ lettin’ it alone!” the masked man said, blunt] . “I allers likes ev’ry hair- pin ter consult is own convenience. As fer my name, ye as aire purtick’ler to know, can call me Masked Mose. Ther reason I keep my mug under an eclipse, is beca’se it is too ugly ter be let loose. Tell you, for an actual truth, what happened onc‘: thar war a sarcus pro- cession, an’ I happened ter meet the elerphant. My mug were so humbly thet the elerphant got skeert, run away thru the crowd, knocked OVer a six-story house, killed fourteen people, an’ I war ’rested and had to pay a thousand dollars cost. Since then I've kept myself muzzled!” And, with a chuckle at his explanation, the st ranger pressed the mask close to his face and dashed off the beverage through the mouth aperture. The minersalso got “ outside ” of their “ three~ fingers ” with admirable dispatch; then Masked Mose. vaulted lightly to a standing position upon the bar. ‘ “Now, galoots, ef you’ll lend me yer listeners, as Socrates or Demosthenes would hev sed, I’ve a little suthin’ to remark which I opine concerns ye all. On course ye don’t know who I am or who I ain’t; fer all ye know I may be a mur- derer, road-agent, boss-thief or cowboy. or the Sultan 0’ Turkey, or General Grant, Henery Ward Beecher. or even Jay Gould or Mrs. Langtry, the Jersey grasshopper. Yet I ain‘t none, of this—nothin’but jest a mortal man, with a face that would scare an electric light out o’ countenance. To be sure, I kin h’ist p’izen, kill a gust with a rifle-shot at a hundred yards, and hev even licked ten galoots single- handed. They were all tied to a tree, hOWever. I ain’t a magician, ner a patent-medicine fakir, ner a broken-down song-and-dance man or red- flre’ actor. nor am In hook or lightningerod agent. But I’ve {lust drapped enter the fattest discovery ye ever earn tell!” . The miners pricked up their ears instanter. Roaring Ruth also drew near, considerany interested, where, until the utterance of the last words, she had paid but little attention to the stranger. What discovery had he made? Her mind went back to the mountain ledge where she had left Deadwood Dick after he had breathed his last. Had this Masked Mose fallen into possession of the secret of Dick’s buried treasure and its whereabouts? If so, there were but two sides to the matter: either he had found the map that had waited ofl’ upon the wild winds of that tempestuous night or—he was the Harry Leclede, who had been Deadwood Dick’s partner, and who, in all probability, had been the unknown assassin. “I see ye’r’ all qut‘ m've wi’ expectation!" Masked Mose pursued, waving his hand oratori- cally, “an’ that’s quite proper. Ef thur’s any- thing I like to see, it’s a lot 0’ swill-swallowers, like you-’uns, git enthused on a wet night like this. “As 1 war sayin’, I hev made a wonderful discovery, an’ hevin’ by nature been gifted wi’ that feline—ah! excuse 111e, I mean feminine -——accomplishment of not being able to keep anything to myself, I have of course but one thing to do—let you inter ther most extraordi- nary secret. Tbarfore, ye see, thar’s nothin’ werry hoggish about me I” and he struck a high ly dramatic attitude. “If you’ve got any data to give us, why don’t- you sling it out—accordin’ ter law 1” grunted Judge Tamarack Splinter. “That’s just what I’m gettin’ at, my slab- sided shyster—that‘s just what I’m gettin’ at. Never interrupt a man from developin’a im- portant discovery. As 1 war sayin’, et aire a big thing on ice—a reg’lar bonanza. So beer" goes ter relate, an’ I trust every tynpanum in the room is free from all obstructive matter, so thet my elucidations will be perfectly clear an’ circumskute. “ New, then, gay and gentle galoots, ye hev all heerd of sech a feller as Deadwood Dick, I suppose—a guy and festive individual, who won his reputation as a road-agent and dare—devil during the ’75-’77 excitement in the Black Hills?” There was an audible murmur of assent from the rough audience. “Know him—wan], I should sneeze l” cried Jake McBride, who had just made his reappear- ance, his face patched up with court plaster, and a bandage over one eye. “The son—of—a- sea-cook robbed a stage coach I war in, once, an’ ‘ca’se I called him names, he putabullet through my shoulder, layin’ me up for a month!” “‘Waal, he won’t tap no more stage, an’ do- no shutin’, ’ca’se he’s kerflumix