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Entered at the Post Office at New York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mail Races.

 

Copyright 1889, by Bubu um Anus.

Juno 1:, [$89.

NO  $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADle AND ADAMS, Price.
' ' No. 98 WIme STREET. NEW YORK. 5 Cents.

 

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The Mystery  the Island.

A Companion Story to “ Belly Dnrrlt,

,445

the Veteran Detective.”

BY J( mi? USBON,

AUTHOR OF "THE RIVAL GIANTS mr NOWHAR,"
“(mom's mum, THE MAN FROM HARD-
u‘vx," ETC., ETC.

CHAPTER I.
1' H E A "r T A C K .
ALL work had been suspended at Little Light.
nin Lode.
T e mine was situated in the wildest )ortion
. x x ‘ . ‘ fl  “  j _ t of the Snuke Range, in Eastern Nova 9. and

~~— v \ ~7~ ~~--——< was 01van and wormed by ten dashing young
“11 IS A COMPACT—A LEAGUI, m: mvwcwws [S qum’,” uc'rncmm BOLLY DARRYL fellows known as the Prune Invmcxbles.

 

 

 

 

, Grim, and ‘Red

H-

 

,rouse up!

2

The recognized head of this band, or “com-
n ,” was David Kane— better known as
‘Little Lightning”—a dark-eyed, dark-haired
Kggfih just at the threshold of vigorous man—

The second in command was David’s twin-
brother, Kent a trim, fine—looking lad, with
blue eyes, and light-brown hair.

The noon-hour was just past. Every thing
about the little silver camp had been made snug,
and the ten young miners, in holiday attire,
were lounging about the narrow ledge, upon
which their corral and cabin had been built.

In a rustic seat near the doorwa , sat two of
their number—superbly-robust, b ght-eyed fel-
lows, faultlessly attired, and, just then. objects
of special interest to their comrades. It would
have required no second lance to determine that
they were the Kane brot ers—Little Lightning
and Kent.

Though silent, both looked happy, and just a
trifle nervous. Evidently an ordeal of some
sort more or less trying, was near at hand.

“ ent,” exclaimed Little Lightning, suddenly
breaking the long silence between them, “ Kent,
Throw a little life into that motion-
less carcass and silent tongue of yours! Do you
know, every mother’s son of the Invincibles is
staring at us as if doubting our sanity!”

The young miner stared straight ahead at the
steep hillside opposite the cabin, a tender glow in
his half-closed blue eyes.

“ No doubt of it!” he returned, dreamily. “ I
don’t blame ’em, either.”

“ Nor do I,” averred David, laughingly. “ In
fact I feel charitably inclined toward the whole
world—the Brotherhood of Fortune included !”

Kent started, and his expression changed, the
smile dying on his lips, and the ’light in his eyes
turning to a peculiar s rkle.

“I can’t say that, avy!” he exclaimed, ab-
ruptly, as he turned his head to meet his bro-
ther’s gaze. “ I don’t believe we’ve seen the
last of those fellows yet! I can’t rid myself of
the idea that they are simply bidin their time
—thg.t when they strikehthe blow ,wi lbe a heavy
one!

" It is 'ust possible that you are right,” ad-
mitted ittle Lightning, his tones suddenly
becoming grave. At all events, they are at
large—haw haflled every effort looking to their
capture. Captain Marks has in many respects
proved an ab er leader than Bisho Hearne!”

“ True!” and Kent nodded shar y. “ And we
must not forget that Major enace, Gideon
’ Pepper are also at large. A
coalition would make'the hand more dangerous
than ever.”

“ But Orndare has taken every precaution.”

“ And yet he might be caught off his guard.”

“ Kentfizmi are growin morbid!”

“ No, vy, not that. e heaviest strokes
come unawares‘ when the cup of happiness is
nearest full, Fats, shows itself and the bowl is
Shilllledrll’ htning' ity visibl ' reased

l e g 3 av inc .

“We’ll tamprecmtion,” he averred.
“ If the Bro s ows its hand, we’ll try
to do better than we did before; we’ll hound ’em
down if it takes a month!” ~

“ Exactly! When the mischief is done, it will
be too late for an thing but revenge, however.”

“ Well. then, out, what is it you have to
suggest!” , ’

“Simgy, that we proceed with all haste to
Yellow ust. I have a premonition that all is
noIti'ltit‘lht  ta ed izzically t his

1 9 ng s r qu a
brother’s somber face. Then a shade of anxiety
ore t into his own visage.

‘ We’ll go!” he exclaimed, springing to his
feet and confronting Kent. “ It may be foolish—”

The report of a rifle cut off further utterance,
and the Sentence was left unfinished. A bullet
buried itself in the cabin wall directly back of
the seat the young miner had just vacated.

“ Tree I”

At that word from their chief, all became life
and activ1ty among the Prairie lnvincibles,
every lad bounding toward the cabin, securing
tree and rock as he ran. ‘

With a. single fleeting glance Little Lightnin
had read the full import of the shot—realiz
that it was nothing short of a dastardly attempt
to take his life; and, with that note 0 warning
to his comrades, he pulled Kent to his feet and
pushed him aside—just _asa heavy volley rung
out on the hillside op its.

“ The Brotherh of Fortune!” ejaculated
Kent, paling to the lips, as they darted into the
cabin and can ht up their weapons. “ Farris,
we’ve got some at work before us!”

“ An illegant toimo intoirely!” echoed a little
‘young Celt, just behind him. \

 

 

Little Lightning’s League.

“ But confoundedly inopportune!” Little
Lightning added. “Close the doors and win-
dows, lads, and take to the loopholes. We
giust drive these fellows off as quickly as possi-

e.
“Keni, keep your eye on the corral. We
may have to make a run for it. We are going
to Yellow Dust to-night if we have to ride over
Ca tain Marks and his band!”

sort of stifled cheer greeted the sturdy
declaration, and then the young rangers quietly
settled down to the business in hand.

For upward of two hours, a desultory fire
was kept up by the mysterious attacking party
with an occasional return shot from the besie ed
Invincibles. Then a man bearing a white ag
stepped out from the shelter of 8. Eggs bowloer
half-way up the hill, and strode dly toward
the cabin.

“ A fia of truce—~that’s richness!” exclaimed
Little Lig tning, his dark 0 es flashing fire.

“ Be jabers! it s a notion i hev to peng ’im
wan!” the Celt cried, fondling his ri e. “A
flag av thruce, indade! Fw’at’s he take us fur——
a loonathic ’saylum. ’

"‘ Easy, Pat!” cautioned Little Li htning. “ A
dose of cold lead would serve him ust right, no
doubt; but, in a case of this kind, it is wisdom
to meet the enemy half-way in his game—to
get a glimpse of is hand if possible. Look
Watch the others, and leave this fellow

sharp. ,

to me. We may score a point.’
At that moment the truce-bearer halted at a
distance of not more than fifty yards from the

cabin. .

“Hello! hello!” he hailed, sharply.

“ Hello!” returned Little Lightning. “ What

“ A talk—a chaince ter settle ther leetle p’int
bechuxt us by argyments.”

“ The logic of lead is good enough for us!”

“ Don’t ye be too sure ov that,” the desperado
returned, sager shaking his head. “
airs a bad lot ter buck ag’in’, I kin tell ye.‘

“ Then, too, you galoots hev jumped our claim,
an’ es et is es good a one es kin be skeered u in
ther hull deestrick, why, et’s only natteral het
we sh’u’d stan’ right up ter ther rack as lodg as
a man kin hold enter a we’pon. An’ that’s the
kind ov red-shirts ‘Ne aire—you bet! Ef ye ain’t
a pack ov dirty kiotes, send yer chief out for a
ta k, an’ act like men hed orter act.”

Little Lightning uttered a contemptuous laugh.

“ And if we don’t comply with your request-—
what then?” he asked.

“ Wal, I reckon ze’ll flnd ye’ve layed ther
durn fool,” was t a prompt rep . “ Ther
property is ourn, an’ we’re goin’ tar ev et. ,
ye refuse ter act like white men we’ll jest keep
under kiver an’ starve ye out. Not a man 0v yo
shell esca ! So what my?” ‘ ‘

“Just his: rom- claim to this mine is a
trumped-up excuse to cover the wholesale mas-
sacre you attempted awhile ag . This property,
as [{on well know, is ours, a is on record as
suc .

' “ Honest men, flghtmg’ for their rights, do not
hide their faces bahin masks, nor adopt the
methods of assassins. Go back to your Brother-
hood ot Fortune, Captain Marks. Your misera-
ble subterfuge is too tra t todeceivs an -
one. Go! and if you are not under cover at t e

do you want?”

and oh. minute you are a dead man!”

There ,was a dangerous glitter in the dark
eyes of Little Lightning, and the words came
from his lips in strains of deadly earnestnem.

The truce-bearer used only lenienough to
tear off his maskian shake his clinc ed hand at
the cabin, then turned, and with long strides
hastened up the hill, quickly disappearing be-
hind a growth of bushes at the outer edge of a
102% terrace. ,

ttle Li htning watched the follow out of
sight and t on turned to Kent. .
‘ Slou saw that face!” he asked.

“ I did," was the low-voiced reply.
my premonition was a true one!”

‘ o a certain extent—yes." .

“ No, true to the letter, I fear. Captain
Marks has not made this attack without a deep
purpose.” .

At that juncture a sturdy lad at the opposite
end of the cabin hailed the Chief of the young
miners, saying, in a quick, sharp tone:

“ Hyar, Davy—at a double-quick! Them
cusses aire makin’ a move too deep for mo!" '

Little Lightning hurried across. the cabin.
When he rejoined Kent, five minutes later, his
face wore a pertur look.

“ What was it, Davy!” ' .

“ The Brotherhood are ma a move I don’t
like. They have vacated the h! side by ,way of
the terrace. I suspect their objective point to
be Yellow Dust,” Little Lightning replied.

“ Davy,

 

“Leaving us to believe that we are in a
state of siege?”

“ Yes; their departure was cautiously taken,
and naught but Lyon’s alertness spoiled the cun-
llng scheme. Open the corral door, Kent!
Boys, see that your weapons are in trim, and
tighten saddle—girths. There’s a ride before you
that may try your nerve!”

Silently, with the recision of trained sol-
diers, the lads obe ed t ecommands. The cabin
door communicat ng with the corral was then
secured, and the corral gate thrown Open. .

Forth rode the brave youn Cohort, thtle
Li htning and Kent taking the end.

. e tortuous descent from the level of the
little plateau to the pass, three hundred yards
below, was quickly made. Turning to the east-
ward, the Invincibles urged their horses into an
easy fillop.

Per ps a thousand yards had been thus tra-
versed, when Little Lightning suddenly halted.

“Here’s the point at which they left their
horses,” he announced, as he sprung from the
saddle. " Here, Pat—you’re an expert in such
matters; help me read this trail.”

“ Begorra, sor, Oi’m yer b’y!” cried the Celt,
dismounting with alacrity.

Patiently the two bent to their task.

“Fifteen horses—probably two with empty
saddles,” said Little Lightning, after a mo-
ment.

“ Yis, sor! Oi’m afther makin’ the same
count,” Pat responded. “They left two av the
dirthy (llVllS on the hill beyant, Oi reckon!”

When the two had remounted, the cavalcade

in set forward, exercising due precaution to
avoid an ambuscade. At the expiration of an
hour, the lower end of the pass was reached,
and there it was found that the Brotherhood of
Fortune had swerved to the north, as if to avoid
the trail leading into Yellow Dust from the
soot .
The Invincibles halted, and a brief council
was held.

“It will never do to lose the trail,” declared
Little Lightning, after a pithy discussion of the

uestion. “You Bobby Lyon, take the lead.
sh on after t e Brotherhood, and hole the
varlets if you can. If they are heading toward
Yellow Dust, as I suSpect, do your has to cut
them of! from the mags.”

Bobby Lyon touch spurs to his horse and

flushed away, with the seven Invincibles at his
ee 6.
“ Now for the Yellow Dust trail !” cried Kent
to Little Lightning. __

CHAPTER II.
“ STOLEN !”

Twas a gala night in Yellow Dust.

A fair September night, bright with the sheen
of a full round moon, and odorous with the
sweet freight of soft southern breeses.

The canip was a blaze of li ht. Lamp and
lantern, candle and torch, mar ed the location
of each habitation, from the humblest wickiup
to the most imposing structure, while along the
line of the one winding street glowed and crack.
led a half-score bonfires.

As to the silver-seekers, out in full force were
they, for the most rt, y-shgven and
dmd in their be“. ‘ With not a weapon
v s a.

It was to be is slight notable in the camp’s his—

tor .

fight o’clock, Strecisely; in a half-hour would
beperformed the st marria e-servicoinYellow
Dust—a double wedding, at lint!

Little wonder the camp was indulging in a
“ blow-out!” ,

Then, too, it was to be no ordinary afleiry
but in both cases a union of beautyand chiv-

al .

Igot only were Rachel Carson and Millie Orn-
dare beautiful girls, but they were so gentle,
and true, that the toughest donisen of the camp
was avowedly the better for t if; presence.

And, as for David Kane, an his twm brother
Kent, of the Little Lightnihs Lode. they were
splendid looking fellows, generous to a fault,
and of dauntless courage, and Were pronounced
favorites. ' ,

Half-way up the irregular street, _in_ the very
heart of the camp, a large frame building reared
its ungainly p 0113. The 81 -b0ard ex-
tendin acres its front announce that it was
the “ t. George Hotel.” *

Prompt-ly at, five minutes past eight, a tall,

lank fl re , forward and mounted an
invertegd1 starch- x in front of the hotel. There
out, and in-

a shrill ctrating whistle ru
stantly’tg‘;n noisy crowd became ent.

“Et's Ole Dan Backhom. ther marshal,” 4;.

m.

 

 

 

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Little Lightning’s League.

  

3

 

 

plained a miner, to an inquisitive stranger.
“ J es’ lis’en—”

“ Gentlemen,” began Rackhoss, at that mo-
ment, with a grandiioquent flourish, “ ther time
fer action has arrove; ther event ov ther day is
at hand. Ef—”

A wild outburst of cheers checked the orator.
When the din hadsubsided, he continued:

“ Ef ye think thet arter ye git thar ye kin
hold yer jaw, keep quiet, keep yer paws off’n
things, an’, in fact, behave neral! es gentle-
men hed orter behave on ch con emned sub—
lime occasions, why, we’ll now fall in an’ march
ter ther residence ov Colonel Orndare an’ ’tend
ther weddin’. What say!”

A roar of assent went n from the crowd.

“Wait!” thundered 01 Dan, sawing the air
frantically, in an eflort to make himself heard.
“ J es’ one thin more: Ther galoot thet fergits
his promise wi settle with me I”

Rackhom started sha 1y as he uttered the
last word. A streak of had shot skyward
from the dark hillside across the narrow valley.

“ A rocket—a signal!” he muttered, his hands
dropping to his be t. “ Thar’s devilment afoot!
Little Lightnin’ must know—”

The report of a revolver rung out, directly
behind him, and, uttering a scream of in, he
staggered forward, gamer striving to cap his
feet, then pitched headfirst from the box.

Instantly, the crowd was plunged into a very
Babel of confusion, and surged toward the fallen
ofiicial, breathing threats of vengeance against
his slayer.

Simultaneously, the sounds of a fierce scuffle
arose directly in front of the hotel. The assas-
sin had been spotted.

He was none other than the inquisitive stran-

ger.

Pressed to the wall, his still smoking revolver
stricken from his hand, he struggled gamely,
desperately, but to no purpose He was buffet-
ed to and fro by the stron arms of the men of
Yellow Dust until he hung imp and senseless in
their hands. I

“ What’s the trouble, boys?”

The even—toned query came from a short,
stout man, slightly past middle age, wearing a
dark, slouched hat and black clothing. His eyes
were blue. mild and gentle, and his face fresh
and full even—boyish.

“Darrit, by Brigham l” ejaculated a miner,
stelpping back a gee.

t. t was indeed lly Darrit, the'Veteran Detec-
ive.

“ Murder, may’r—murder!” another replied,
in turn giving way to the redoubtable detective.
“This loot we’ve got hyar tried a sna shot
at Qle an Backhoss, an’ I reckon he him,
too!

Belly Darrit was staggered.

“Killed Dan, you as i" he exclaimed, as if
doubting his ears. “ here have you taken
him?”

“He— Thar—they’re takin’ him inter ther
hotel,” and the miner pointed to four men at
that moment ushing toward the doorway of the

with ckhoss in their arms.

“ Ho d on to your man, boys! I’ll be back in
a moment. Remember, I want him alive I”

Darrit elbowed his way through the throng
and into the bar—room of the bots .

That popular resort, naturally enough, was
packed; but the men of Yellow Dust rted
rifiht and left before the detective and): in a
h f-minute, he was bending over the body of
the old marshal.

Backhom had been placed upoae a table, and a
lamp hanging dlrectly above hin brought his
grizzled face into strong relies. White and
ghastl it looked in the ansh ht—so rigid
and eathlike that Bo y t uttered a

roan.
g “ He’s dead, boys-just as dead as a man can
be!” he declared, sadly. “ All we can do—”

A sudden, a mighty “Pro”. in the street of
the cam , barred further utterance—a wild out-
burst o yells and curses, the heavy crash of
firearms, the dull thunder of a troop of madly-
riding horsemen, a ringing about 0 triumph—
just a breath of absolute quiet, then: in “Gato-
rian tones:

“ Fire—fire—fire I"

The dread word rung throughout the almost
defenseless camp carrying with it a chill of ter-
ror. Men rushed to and fro, for the moment
absolutely bereft of reason, while along the
rough street glowed and crackled a dozen in-
cipient confiagrations—the lawless work of now
fast-departing riders. '

Bolly Darrit was among the first of those
within the St. Geor to reach the street. A
glance showed himt t the prisoner was missing
—a second, that the camp itself was in imminent

 

danger; but coolly, he rallied the men of Yellow
Dust, and in an incredibly short time squad
after squad, organized and instructed, hurried
in the direction of the burning buildings, until
the detective alone remained.

He had turned to re-enter the hotel, when a
hand dropped heavily upon his shoulder.

Darrit started, and, with revolver half-drawn,
faced about. ’

Confrontin him, his black eyes glowing lurid-
! , his face rawu and hao'gard, st00d James

rndare, of the Silver-Stream Mine.

“ Good heavens colonel !—you here! What
has gone wrong? ‘It is time for the wedding!”
ejaculated the detective, ling.

“Wedding?” iterated t e mine-owner, hoarse-
lly. “ Man, there will be no wedding this night!

hat devil’s cohort, the Brotherhood of For-
tune, has at last accomplished its mission of
revenge! My daughter and Miss Carson have
been stolen !’

 

CHAPTER III.

“RACE AND HIS KEN.

AN hour before sunset, one of strong vision,
standing in the doorway of the St. George
Hotel, might have seen perched at the outer
edge of a terrace in the face of the great hill
opposite, a man—a tall, trimly-built, athlete
fellow, roughly garbed, and provided with a
spy-glass, through which he was narrowly scan-
nin the camp. ,

T 's spy was a handsome man, at first glance.
His face was almost perfect in feature; his eyes
were a brilliant dark-blue, his neatly-trimmed
hair and mustache black and silken.

But a certain bold, evil look, a peculiar death-
like whiteness of skin. and a livid Xsbaped scar
beneath one eye, combined to set at naught the
first impression.

The man was bad—thoroughly bad, and his
presence on the terrace was portentous of evil
to Yellow Dust.

“ The fools! Can they have forgotten the
Brotherhood of Fortune?" he exclaimed, as be
lowered the glass for a moment. “They have
thrown recaution to the winds! The camp
will be efenseless long ere midnight, and but
for the master-stroke We have p anned they
should feel the weight of Major Menace’s hand!

“ That int settled, now for a searching
scrutin o Orndare’s dove-cote and its surround-
in i he gayety in camp mav mask a heavy
ba tery there. Those accu ex- rairie va-
grants, Little Li ghtnin and his brot er. are art-
ful—deuced artful, an as waryas the oldest fox
in these bills. To catch them napping would be
glory enough for one lifetime !”

The spy leisurely turned his glass upon the
really elegant cottage of Orndare, which stood
surrounded with shrubbery in the midst of a
grove near the center of a beautiful little plateau
about four hundred yards north of the camp.

“ Nothing—absolutely nothing !’ he muttered,
after a long and careful survey. “Our agents
certain! haVe not been deceived.”

Draw ng back from the edge of the terrace,
Major Menace uttered a sharp whistle.

The next minute a man stepped out from the
edge of the timber and advanced across the open
with quick restless strides. At a ,point fifteen
feet from the brine]: of the “ bench. he dropped
to his hands and knees and crept forward.

“ Here is your station, Con ’ said the major,
as the renew halted beside im. “ Orndare‘s
house is in plain view. When a lantern swings
in a circle in the open 08 to the left, set 03 a
rocket. Do you understand?”

“ Perfectly, major,” and Con repeated the in-
structicns.

“ After that,” pursued Menace, “ on are to
remain perfectly quiet until seen that the
boys are at work in the camp down there. Then
vamose, taking due care, of course, to cover
yqurl‘hkafl.” to f 1 bl "

‘ a ing wateras r uentyas possi e,
the outlaw added, with a cedinning smile.

“ Exactly. Resort to every trick known to
heme pursuit. We must not fail. By these men
of Yellow Dust my father was driven to his
death, and through me his scheme of vengeance
shall be consummated.” ..

The dark eyes of the outlaw chief flashed
wickedly as he spoke, and into his clear soft
voice crept a hard, metallic ring.

Con glanced at him sl lv. ' ‘

“ I don’t think we shafifail,”'he declared. “ In
a scheme of this kind success in a great measure
gepends upon the leadeHnd I reckon you’ll

0

“Then, too, the boys must have strong mo-
tive to insure their best efforts. oney wags
everything in these days; and as this promises

 

to be a rich haul, you can just gamble that the
boys will pull hard."

“ Your supposition as to the financial rt of
the affair is certainly not far wrong,” a mitted
Major Menace, laughing sharply. “As to the
rest 12:9 will tell. d k n and

your eyes open, 0 your tas we ,
you shafi not be forgotten.”

“Oh, I feel easy on that score,” Con hastened
to as , and then the major turned and t to-
war the timber, within which he seem»

pear .

Con-winked knowingly, and uttered a sound
akin to a chuckle.

“ The old ’un was counted A1 as a desperate
schemer, but I reckon the son discounts him,”
he thought, as he turned to his task. “Hearne
never tackled such a job as this!"

“ In the mean time, Major Menace had gained
a narrow pathway leading around the hill.
Striking into it, he walked rapidly for perhaps
a half-mile, then turned aside and entered an
extensive growth of young trees and bushes.

At a distance of fifty yards from the foot-path
was a small open space, in which were picketed
a number of horses, while lounging about, chat-
ting and smoking. were a half-dozen men—reck-
less-looking fellows, roughly dressed, and arm-

cap-a-pw.

“It’s boots and saddles, boys,” answered
Major Menace, as he glided into the shadowy
glade. “ The way is clear before us. Not a

recaution has been taken. If Captain Marks
as done his duty, we shali be miles away before
a ursuing party can even be organized.”

Silently, with scarcely so much as a word to
express their satisfaction at the aspect of affairs,
the men sprung to their feet and prepared to
leave the glade. Within two minutes, th
Were in the saddle, each man wearing over hm
face a black cra mask.

Menace took t 9 lead. Out of the thicket and
along the mountain-side they rode, keeping
well up in the timber, and describing a quarter-
circle in their route. At dusk, they halted a.
few minutes to await the rising of the moon,
then pushed forward again, at the same slow,
cautious pace, until they had entered a pas
leading-away to the northward.

Then Menace drew rein and dismounted—an
example that was at once followed by his men.
" Slow and easy, boys!” he cautioned.

“ Ofndare’s house is not three hundred yards
awe.

“ your lantern ready, Sulkan?”

“ An’ lighted, boss, ready ter turn on,” was
the low-voiced reply.

“ Take charge of the horses, Tybo. and we’ll
to work. Make sure of your wea ns, boys,
and if we are forced to fight, fight ke devils.”

As he finished king, Major Menace moved
firward, silently ollowed by the men in Indian-

e.

It required but a moment to ascend tothe
plateau upon which stood Orndare’s house,
where, at a word from their chief, the daring
band crouched behind the clumps of shrubbery
dotting the level.

1 its the brilliant moonli ht and the ruddy

ow

and approached a small patilion just east of

cotta
Asi ht figuredartedouttomeethim.

“ Do ores ”
“ Manuel l—it is on!”
“ It is I, girl. hat have on to tell mei—

good news, or bad?” and enace drew the
woman into the shadows at an angle of the
pavilion.

She shivered, and her dark eyes looked plead-
inglyiinto the cold blue orbs of the outlaw.

‘ anuel,”she faltered, her hands droppin
gently upon his arms; “I doubt you! Am
not our wife?” -

“ on are, my bonn Dolores,” whispered
Menace in reply, his ca dness vanishing for the
moment.

“ A re on true to the vows we took before the
good Pa re J uarezi” the woman continued.

“Yes, jealous Dolores—true to them andto
you, if to nothing e ” he lau bed. “This
aflair with the young ladies arises rom motives
{if money and revenge—nothing more, nothing
ess

“ But they are beautiful—so very beautiful!”
sighed the woman. “ I fear for—"

“ You are to go with us,” interrupted
impatiently. “ Now tell me the exactstate
qgiTh”h f ” began D

e ones is full 0 esta, oloru,
her eyes brightening. ‘ The youn

have not arrived yet, although ey were to

have been here at sunset. The young hdies an .

scores of colored anterns swi
u the trees, Menace coolly removed his

gentleme- '1

'l

  

w.

4

Little Lightning’s League.

 

alone, in the east parlor. When a light is
placed in the window thus, you may know all is
well. Bringu your men, I will openthewindow.”

“ Good! enace exclaimed, patting his wife’s
cheek tenderly, “ You are the most consum-
mate“ little outlaw in the Brotherhood l”

The face of Dolores flushed with pleasure.
Imglsively she caught his hand and pressed it
to r 1i .

“ Don t forget!” she warned, drawing back
and shaking her finger at Menace.

The next moment she glided toward the house
while the major hastily made his way to the on
of the plateau bordering the pass, where he
quickly selected three men.

“Zeb, if we have trouble, you and Jim come
up as quickly as possible,” he said, as he turned
to retrace his steps to the pavilion.

“Sulkan, make your way to the lower edge
of the lateau,l and at the boot of an owl signal
Con w th our lantern."

Then, w th two men at his heels, Menace hur-
ried through the grove, arriving at the pavilion
just as a lamp appeared in the window of the
east rlor.

“ verything is all right, boys,” he muttered,
hurriedly, as the light suddenly disappeared.
“ Follow me.”

Pa.wa only long enough to read ust his mask,
Major enace glided toward the ouse, closely
followed by his satellites. \

On their approach, the window was noiseless-
ly ed, and Dolores Menace sprung out.

“ hey are there, both of them—drugged!”
she exclaimed, in a penetratin whisper. ‘ The
doors of the room are locked; ut make haste,
for Orndare is growing restless.”

“ And the servants?” queried Menace.

“They, too, are unconscious—have been for
twenty minutes.” ~

“Bravo! Stand close, boys, and go straight
for the horses when I hand out the girls.”

As he uttered the last words, the outlaw chief
vaulted lightly into the room.

Not so much as a glance did he vouchsafe his

surroundings. Directly before him, in a great
upholstered chair, la the rizes he coveted—
Rschel Carson and illie rndare—inert and
helpless!
“ Beautiful? Yes, as the fairy creatures of a
dream!” he muttered, pausing just a breath of
time, his cold blue eyes lighting u . “ Were
my true-hearted Dolores less belov , her jeal-
ou'fiwould b3$°ll"°“l‘é’§‘i£' peered u: 1' ht
en,assu enyas ap , eig
died out of his eyes, leaving them again as cold
and hard as stee .

Gliding forward, he deftly lifted Millie Orn-
dare from the depths of the chair, turned and
crossed the room to the window, where he laid
the senseless form in the arms of one of his wait-
ing followers.

be next minute Rachel Carson suffered a like
indignity; and the outlaw was alone in the
en .

Drawing a neatly-folded sheet of paper from
his pooket, he threw it u n a small table hard-

IOJI ginning it to the cost y wood with the blade
’ h how 6.

“There!” he muttered; “let James Orndare
and Lewis Carson know whose hand has struck
the blow—that, though Bishop Hearne is dead,
his vengeance lives !”

The next instant Menace was startled by a
subdued rappin at the nearest door. Then, as
the lotter sto e noiselessly toward the open
win ow:

“ Rachel—Millie !”

“Urndarel” thought the major, his hands in-

,voluntarily clinching. “In another minute he
will be through that door! It is high time we
were away i”

_Leaping to the ground, he was confronted by l

his wife.

“ Dolores! you should have gone with the
others i” he exclaimed.

“ Manuel, my place is with you,” she returned,

simply.
’_  Catching her by the arm, he led the way
2‘  serous the‘Bllateau, anon glancing back at the
' house, ag noting with anxious ear the vary-
in sounds comin up from the camp proper.
t the end of t e level, Menace and his wife
, Zeb and Jim, the two outlaws
who had remained behind. ' '
“Signal kan, one of on ” said the chief,

“ s will await h in here."
Craninog his head forwa

Zeb imitated the

  

 

 

“Things are working splendidly!” declared
Menace, gleefully, rubbing his hands, as Sulkan
came running up. “If Pepper—”

“Thet’s him, now," interrupted Jim, as the
report of a pistol came from the camp below.
“ Hark l”

A chorus of harsh, angry cries came up to the
plateau.

“ They’ve spotted him!” Menace grimly
averred. “Cut for the horses! We must get
away from here!”

The party hurried down into the pass, the
major taking Dolores in his armstofacilitate
the descent.

Tybo and the two men with the captives were
mounted and waiting, and the new-comers lost
no time in getting into the saddle, Menace tak~
ing his place at the head of the party, with
Dolores at his side.

Then up the pass they spurred, two abreast.

A mile was quick] covered; then, with the
abruptness of thong t itself, Major Menace
drew rein.

“ Easy, boys!" he warned, lifting his trim
white hand. “Look to your weapons. We
are not the only horsemen in this pass to-
night I”

Just before him was abroad belt of moon-
light. Slippin the mask from his face, he
deftly adjusted a neat-looking heard in its stead,
then slowly rode forward to the center of the
li hted ce.

hen, ust as he drew rein, forth from the
gloom ead spurred a horseman—a slender,
wiry-lookin outh, revolver in hand, halting
face-to-face w th the outlaw chief.

For a moment neither spok’e. Both sat as
inotionless as statues. Eye met eye unflinch-
n y.

hen, swift as the lightning’s flash, the hand of
the youth swegt upward and outward, clutching
the false bear , tearing it away and revealing
the stern, strangely-white face of Major Menace.

At the same instant, the horses were forced
back upon their haunches, while through the
brooding silence of the pass rung the voice of the
youth, crying:

“Forward, boys! every lad of ye! It’s our
§narry—that devil’s cohort, the Brotherhood of

ortunel”

 

CHAPTER IV.
LIT-rm Lions-Nina’s Luann.

THAT Bally Darrit was dismayed and sorely
disturbed by Orndare’s startling announcement,
was ap at at a glance.

“ Sto en!” he ejaculated, clinching his hands
and staring hard at the mine-owner’s asheu
face; “ stolen! and by that imp of Satan, Major
Menace!”

“ Exactly l—read that!” and Orndare thrust
into the detective’s hand a neatly-folded slip of

r.

pa"l‘mConfound it all, colonel!” gritted the veteran
detective, as he eagerl opened the missive,
‘° we‘ve ot to wipe out hese devils, if we have
to lick 1 Utah with ’em! Let‘s see—they say:
“‘Massas. Jane Gasman AND Laws Cases:—

“ ‘ You are hereby notified that Miss Orndare and
Miss Carson are at present the honored guests of
the undersl ned. You need have no fear as to their
comfort an absolute safety. It is for you to decide
the duration of their visit with us, with the assur-
ance that. without strenuous and well-sustained ob-
jection on your part, it will certainly be a lengthy
one.

“ ‘The media of communication are not all that
the heart of fond parent could desire just yet, as
we are at present ocated in an extremely isolated
region—a spot. too, which a dozen men might easily
ho d against athousand;; but you ma expect to
hear fromus sin and more definite y, within a
few days. I hao'rnsaaoon or Foarm.’ "

As he read the signature to the singular com-
munication, Darrit uttered an oath.

“ It’s the old game,” he cried. “ It’s been
worked hundreds of times, but these blasted
bandits have otten the thing down to an ex-
tremely flue p0 nt. They’ve waited and watched,
caught us unawares, and made a clean scare;
but the game ain't out till it’s played out, and—
Bolly Darrit ain’t dead yet!”

The veteran’s e es flashed vengefnlly.

“ Nor hyar, ’u her, rd!” gritted a voice at
his side, and, the next nstant, the deathly-white
face of Old Dan Backhoss met his gaze. “ I’m
able for a whack at ’em at, I reckon 1”

“Glory!” e aculated Emit, shrinking back
just a trifle, hen suddenly springing forward
and Wing the old man’s hands. ‘ Blest if I
didn t nk you were a goner, Dan l”

“ Only creased.” Rackhoss quietly averred.

“ Now to business—we’ve not a breath to
lose,” continued Dan-it. turning abruptly to
Orndare. “ Where’s Carson!"

 

~, .'- “h ‘ .
amafimvé ~" ’ ~‘

 

 

“ At the cottage, examining the grounds,” the
mine-owner replied, with ashen lips.

“ And the bog?
“ David and ent—the are not here yet.”
“ Trouble there, too, 1’1 bet!” muttered Dar—
rit. “ It’s a precious plot—a master—plot! But,
con, Orndare—tell me all you know of the af-
air. ‘
“That is very little. David and Kent were
to have been at the cotta e by sunset, but failed
to arrive. We were al restless and uneasy,

feeling that something out of the ordinary had'

hap ned. The girls were waiting in the east.
par or. Some time between half—past seven and
eight o’clock, I went to that reom, knocked,
called to the girls, and, receiving no r nse
tried the door finding it locked. When t had
been forced,f discovered that the room was
empty, one window being open. Pinned to a
table with a bowieknife was the message from
the Brotherhood.

“ A hurried examination of the room revealed
nothing more. I at once gave ihe alarm, and
then, while Carson headed a search of the %€m-
ises, hurried here to counsel with you. hat
can be done, Darriti”

'The mine-owner’s voice, tremulous at first,
had gradually become steady, and the question
runglout incisively.

“ on go home. colonel—and keep Carson
there, ” the veteran re lied, after a moment of
deliberation. “Just eave this matter to mt.b
I’ll attend to it.”

“ But how shall you proceed?” persisted Orn-

dare.

“Dispatch a messenger to Little Li htning
Lode at once, then pick a score bar riders
from the men of Yellow Dust, and strike sharp
and flick. Ef the lads—”

“ ar’s ther boyees, now!” interposed Rack-
hoss, pointing to the door, his grim visage light-
ing up asif by magic. “By smoke! they’ve
b’en in action, too!”

True enough; Little Lightning and Kent at
that juncture crossed the threshold of the bar-
room, their elegant apparel disarranged and
covered with dust and giving evidence of a
fierce struggle.

Orndure impulsively sprung forward. He
attem ted to speak, but his voice failed him.

“ e have heard all,” averred Little Light-
ning, quietly. “ Pra spare yourself the pain
of a re tition Mr. rndare. Bolly, have the
Invincibles put in their appearancsi”

“Notas ther court knows on,” the veteran
declared, shaking his head dolefully.

“ Singular !” muttered the oung miner.
“ Thfiy should have been here an our ago!

“ r. Orndare, I feel that _a word of explana-
tion is due you, precious as time is. Short] af—
ter noon, we were fired upon from ambus , at
the Lode, by the Brotherhood of Fortune. Luck-
ilv no one was hurt, and we retreated to the
cabin, where we remained in a state of si e-
for over two hours, when the outlaws stealthi y
withdrew.

“ Feeling assured, that Yellow Dust was their
objective point, we at once set out in pursuit.
A mile or sowest of the old south trail, the
turned abruptly to the north, and while Bo
Lyons and the boyspushed on after them, Kent
and myself hurried in this direction.

“ Three miles down the trail, our horses were
shot from under us b assassins in the brush,
and, after a shar han -to-hand fight, we were
compelled to ta e to the woods, and thusour
arrival has been delayed.”

Orndare extended a hand to each of the
young miners.

“ It is just as I feared,” he said, simply.

“ The condemned vandals have attempted to
make a clean sweep,” observed Darrit. “No
doubt they have had spies in Yellow Dust for a
month past.

” How soon can you be ready for the war-
path, boys?” .

“The mOment we can secure horses,” Little
Lightnin replied. “Luckily we are fully
armed. gf the boys were only here with Rover,
we could race down the gang by ,dayllght.”

“ My stable is at your service. ’ said Orndare.

“ Good! In fifteen minutes we can be in the
saddle. It is barely possible that we can lift the
trail by moonlight, and if we can—”

The significance of the hiatus was not lost
upon the little group. Silently they turned
toward the door.

At that juncture the 311:3 cm in the
streetsnnonncedthearri ofapartyof
honengen.

——

An oath left Major Menace‘s lips as bold Bob '

Lyon plucked awa the false beard. and as the-
young ranger’s ral ying cry rung throwh the

A as:

~ vV.

.. 17:... 

 

  
 
 

 

Little Lightning’s League.

5

 

 

pass, the outlaw threw his horse back upon its
baunches and leveled a revolver at the lad’s
head.

There was murder in the heart of Menace
'ust then. Behind him, the camp of Yellow

ust was no doubt aroused to the ighest pitch;
before him, bold, self-reliant, ever ready for
action, was a foe no less formidable than his
own redoubtable clan—Little Lightning’s Prairie
Invincibles!

It required no words, no explanations to es-
tablish their identity. Intuitively, the major
knew that Captain Marks had not been wholly
successful—that the young rangers had eluded
him, and were now in the , a barrier to the
safety to be found only in speedy flight.

So, with stern purpose and fixed resolve, his
cold blue eyes gleaming pitilessly—without the
quiver of a nerve, his heart steeled against the
faintest throb of pity—Major Menace raised his
revolver and fired.

A dual report rung out.

Utterin a cry of pain, the outlaw chief re-
coiled in Ins saddle then suddenly rose in his
stirrups, and flung his yet smoking weapon at
his wary adversary.

The missile sped truer than had the bullet. A
sharp crack follovved, and Bob Lyon’s revolver
dro ped from his hand.

Ifiidismayed, the young ranger grasped his
bowciie, rapier-fashion, and urged his horse for-
war .

At the same instant, with a whoop and a
cheer, into the lighted space s urred the Invin-
cibles, charging straight into t e shadows envel-
oping the outlaw band.

During the hurly-burly incident to the on-
ward rush, Lyon and Major Menace were
swept wide apart—the young ranger resuming
his place at the head of the dashing uad, the
outlaw chief wheeling and Opening a s arp fire
from the rear with his remaining revolver.

Then up from the gloom of the lower pass
came a sound that brought a lurid glow to
his eyes, and an exultant ring to his voice as he
shouted:

“ Steady, boys! Steady: Strike quick and
hard! Captain Marks and his men are with.
us.

High above the sharp rattle announcing the
meeting of the unflinching foes rung the words,
and Bobby Lyon, striking right and left, his
gray eyes gleaming fearlessl , his handsome,
boyish face aglow with daun courage, real-
ized that the worst had come—that naught
but a s dy and skillful retreat could save the
lnviuci les from the threatened death-trap.

_“Fall back, boys!” he cried, the command
creeping through his hard-set teeth in sharp,
bitter ’accents. “ Fall back! Lively! There
the —-’.

“y0h, God, have mercy! Help, help 1”

Clear and piercing rung that agonized shriek,
cutting short Bob Lyon’s hurried words, and
driving the last vestige of color from his face—
goiug straight to his loyal heart.

In the gloom before him—be pad the line of
fierce-battling outlaws—stru g mg in the arms
of a burly horseman, was a sender, white-robed
form, and as if by inspiration he divmed the
truth.

The captive was Rachel Carson. _ ,

Instantly, the bold boy sent forth a thrilling
rallying Cry, struck spurstobis horse, and forced
his way between two mounted outlaws, firing
right and left the last two charges of his remain-
ing revolver.

The space intervening between himself and the
captive was quiglgly cleared. Taken at a disado
vantage, hampe _ by the struggling girl, the
outlaw readily yielded, slipping to the ground
for safety’s sake.

Justa breath, and then Rachel Carson was
lifted to a perch before Lyon and given the sup-
port of his left arm.

“ Rest easy, miss; you are with friends!”
breathed the young ranger, encouragingly; then,
clearly and distinctly:

“Close in, lads—ready for hot work! The
devils are closin in upon us l”

“ Faith, capt’ a, dear. we're here—ivery mon'

av us,” returned the rollicking Celt.

“ Forward in a body l-_-we must break
through l” cried Lyon, his veice full and strong,
though his heart sunk as he noted the solid pha-
linx the Brotherhood had formed. “ Forward——
forward I” _

Obedient to the letter, with the suddenuess and
swiftness of a thunderbolt, the Invincibles
charged down upon the rigid line, breaking
through, though horses and men went down in
the mad rush.

'The last lad was clear. The ranks of the In-
vincibles were open and scattered—the inevitable

 

outcome of such an assault. Slightly in the
rear, handicapped by the rescued captive, rode
Bob Lyon, plying Spur to his noble horse.

That his position was one of direst peril, was
to be seen at a glance. To a man, the gallant
band drew rein, to put him in the lead.

How fruitless that effort to secure the fruits of
the dashing victory.

Forth from the line of the Brotherhoods urred
a Centaur-shape—a horse and rider wit out-
lines blended in the darkness. A moment of
suspense, of quick, anxious work on the part of
the Invincibles, and then——

A ringing scream, the sound of a blow,
a great sob from brave Bob Lyon, and then,
with the captive struggling in his arms,
back to his men rode Major Menace in triumph!

“Quick, boys—lend a hand, some of you,”
cried a tall youth—the first to reach Lyon’s side.
“ Poor Bob is hard hit!”

“Hard hit l—it’s his death he’s got!” another
ejaculated, catching Lyon’s arm. “ Forward
with you, boys! We must reach Yellow Dust——
the sooner, the better! Saul Scott an’ I’ll keep
Bob in the saddle.”

The outlaws were speeding away as rapidly as
the darkness would permit, and further effort in
the direction of a rescue just then would be
worse than useless. With heavy heart the In-
vincibles wheeled about, and, with their stricken
comrade in. their midst, proceeded down the
pass at a she cantor.

The ride to’Yellow Dust was accom lished in
unbroken silence. Arriving at the t. George
IIotel, they dismounted, and Bob Lyon was
lifted from his saddle.

“ He’s dead, boys l” uttered bi Saul Scott, in
an awed undertone. “ Lay a-ho t, easy-like, an’
we’ll get him inside. ”

At that juncturea group of five men appeared
at the door of the bar-room, and to the inex-
pressible relief of the Invincibles, they recog-
nized the foremost as their leader, Little Light-
nmg.

Great was the sorrow and indignation of the
young ran ei‘ chief and his brother Kent at Bob
Lyon’s sa fate, while James Orndare, Bolly
Darrit and Old Dan Rackhoss were moved
scarcely less deeply.

“ Carry the poor fellow in, boys,” said Little
Lightning, clearing a go to the door. “ Let
us do all we can for him, there—”

He 8 rung through the doorwag and pointed
to the on table 11 which Old an had been
placed a s ort whi e before.

Aglance showed that Lyon was dead—had
died almost instantaneously. The handle of an
eight-inch bowie-knife protruded from his left
breast!

“How did it happen?” and Little Lightning
turned to Saul Scott.

Minutely, the young Hercules described the
events of the afternoon and evening. The In-
vincibles had lost the trail of Captain Marks
and his men, and, after a lon and fruitless
search, had pushed on to Yellow ust, with the
intention of entering the camp through the pass
leading to the northward, and thus had met
Menace and his party.

As Saul narrated the detail of the struggle——
described in his rough yet eloquent style t e at-
tempt of heroic Bob Lyon to rescue Rachel
Carson against such des rate odds, Orndare’s
eyes grew wet and he sob like a child, while
old Belly Darrit turned away and strode mood-
:lly to and fro, making vigorous use of his ban-

ana.

. The effect upon Little Lightnin was fully as
intense, yet widely different. he color fled
from his face. His lips trembled, then settled in
hard, unyielding lines. His eyes filled with a
dark, scintillating glow, and every fiber in his
lithe young body seemed drawn to its utmost
tension. _ -

“He lived and died a hero!” he said, in a
hard, choked voice, as Saul ended, and
lag he pressed back the dark-brown hair and
imprinted upon the broad white forehead a lin-
gering kiss.

A moment he hovered silently over the lifeless
cla , his lips twitching s smodically. When
he fitted his head and f his fellows, his eyes
were dry and hotly burning.

“He was our hearts’-brother boys!” be con-
tinued, lowly and with a peculiar intonation.
“ He was brave, noble and generous. It was a
coward’s hand that struck him, and .he died
doing his duty. .

“Ye who are with me for vengeance, look
am last upon r Bob. Not a moment is to

lost. We sha 1 take the trail at ones!”

Silently ever lad of the ran r hand glided
lip to the tab e. Hand clas "hand and eye
met eye above the voiceless dead.

 

“ It is a compact—a league, the Invincibles is
makin’,” muttered Bolly Darrit to Orndare.
“ Just lent the kid the ve best you know
how, co onel. Old Dan, Orth ox Pete an’ my-
self are goin’ to have a finger in this rumpus-
mind that .'

“ An’ if it’s in the power 0’ humans to fetch
back them gals, you’ll see ’em soon; bear that in
mind, tool”

 

CHAPTER V.
’ SEEKING THE TRAIL.

Jnsr as the sun rose above the f
horizon, twelve horsemen, two abreast, splendid-
ly mounted and armed, and leading four pack-
animals, emerged from a dark defile leadiug
back into the hills, and slowly descended the
sharp slope before them, halting at the brink of
a swift, narrow stream.

Th at the twelve had seen hard service within
a she rt time was evident. All were 'aded-look-
ing, and u n several bandage an compress
show ed, hi ing the marks of bullet and knife.

These riders were the Prairie lnvincibles. In
the rear with old Rover in leash, was Little
Lightning. At the side of the young ranger
chief rode Bolly Darrit.

“Now, hyar‘s trouble!” ejaculated the vet-
eran, relapsing into the vernacular, as be sub—
jected the opposite bank to as close a scrutin as
the distance would rmit. “Et’s ther ’st
water this side ov aller Dust, an’ ther con-
demned skunks hev took to at es straight es
ducks!

“I tell ye, Davy, we hev got ter make slow
an’ sure ther words in this hyar campaign.
Menace is es keen as a fish-hook, he is, an’ es
desp’ritt a thief es ever went onhanged. Given
hafe a chaince, he’d fang ther hull outfit I”

“ You are ri ht, Bally,” Little Lightning
admitted, with orced composure. “The stake
is too great to risk a misstegé

“Kent, you and Saul ott ride up-stream,
one on each side, as far as you think necessary,
and keep a sharp lookout for an ambush. f
you discover anything, report just as quickly as

S] e.
po‘s‘ Here—take Rover with you. His nose may
prove sharper than your eyes.”

Then, as the two lads rode away on their
perilous errand, Little Lightning and Bully
turned and led the we downetream and into a.
beautiful little glade a t three hundred yards
distant, where the party halted and dismounted.

After a brief consultation, Old Dan Rackhoss
was appointed to have cha e of affairs at the
temporary camp, and then Little Lightning and
his veteran friend remounted and continued
down-stream, one on either bank.

The valley gradually widened as they pro-
ceeded, and finally opened into a broad level,
covered with a dense forest, across the lower
end of which stretched a range of lofty, heavily-
timbered hills, broken by numerous passes.

Just before reaching the base of this range,
Little Lightning suddenly halted, uttering a
sound expressive of intense satisfaction.

The next minute he was joined by Belly.

“ We’re on the track,” said the young miner,

inting to hoof- rints in the ielding turf.
‘ The Brotherh passed down t e stream.”

“An’ hev left a spy,” the veteran added.
" I don’t like the looks ov things, Davy! They‘re
p’intin’ straight fer Utah!”

“ You may be right, Bally,” Little Lightning
returned, his face cloudingi “That the rank
and file of the Mormon ierarchy would do
everything possible to screen them, I do not
doubt. In fact, the very boldness of thisraid
goes to show that such would be the case. Men-
ace and his men are not without friends, even in
Yellow Dust.”

“ Yas, yas; friends in plenty, too,” the veteran

observed.

“But the fact that the party are without
pack-animals, so far as we have been ableto
determine, indicates that their fli ht is not to be
a len thy one,” pursued Litt 0 Li htning.
“ Myi ea is, that if we succeed in pic ing up
the trail we shall hole the cusses lac—days”

“Don’t ye bank on thet, Davy,” ai'ritad.
vised with a shrewd look. ’

“ N‘ow, le’s see w’at ther galoot that left ther

water right hyar aire up w, E; we (fwd any,  

git our han’s on him—”
Little Lightnin nodded grimly, and started
forward, a fierce g ow coming over his face.
“Easy, boyee,” warned the veteran. “ ’Taln’t
in nater fer you to be tient, I rackin' I
c’u’dn’t, I know. But at

under kiver. . ‘
“Jest hol’ back an’ let me hev a whack-at

er same time 
cuss ahead ov us holds a big advantage 1511’
he‘s none too good ter drop us both, at

. (m, an.» ‘

 

NW N:

j. anti-4..

 
    

6

this wrinkle. Pile down off’n yer hose an’ git
back inter kiver, fer es soon es ther condemned
galoot diskivers that he is followed, he’ll double
on his trail an’ make back ter ther water.
When he does thet, we’ve got him.”

Without a word, Little Lightnin turned
aside, leading Dari-it’s horse and r e into a
thicket, where he dismoun .

The veteran, Winchester in hand, glided for-
ward on the trail with all the stealth of a red-
s n.

Straight up the side of the bold, wooded spur
led the trail, until the ascent became so abrupt
as to preclude the possibility of further advance
mounted, then veered sharply to the south,
rounding a mass of jutting rock.

At this point the wary old detective paused
long enough to secrete his Winchester, then
with his self-cocking revolvers in hand, crept
forward inch by inch, confident that the outlaw
was not far in advance.

A glance around the angle of the rock proved
his surmise correct.

Tethered to a dwarfed pine only a few rods
distant, was a horse. Beside the animal, busy
with a small, square package fastened the sad-
dle, stood the Spy.

After a moment the outlaw, package in hand,
lided away from the horse, laying his course
'rectly toward the summit.

Bolly watched him narrowly.

“Go ahead, my bantam!” he chuckled. “I

think I begin to see your leetle game!”

Even as he spoke, the detective again crept
forward, using every precaution possible to
avoid discovery.

Within twenty minutes the spy had reached
his objective point—a barren spot just beyond
the summit, on the eastern slope of the hill.
Opening the packa , he set to work upon its
contents with a sor of nervous eagerness, ap-
parently wholly unsuspicious of the proximity
of an enemy. 1

The task required but a moment. When he
rose to his feet he raised aloft to catch the rays
of the sun a huge. highly-burnished reflector.

Darrit uttered a startled grunt, and the next
instant sent a pistol-ball crashing through the
center of the frail disk, smashing it into a hun-

dredgieces.
“ ands up! ye condemned sneak!” he grated,
ging from his covert and confronting the
unded outlaw. “Hands up! or yer ornery
pelt won’t be wu’th takin’ !”

The muzzle of a revolver stared the fellow in
the face, the hammer half-poised under the
steady pressure of the veteran’s finger against
the trigger. and with a face as colorless as ashes
he sullenly obeyed the stern command.

Darrit strode forward, a mocking grin lurk.
ing about the corners of his mouth.

‘A nice trick fer you ter play, Jimmy Pet-
tini” he enunciated, his blue eyes meetin the
dusky orbs of the captive fiercely, wrath uni.
“ You on cur! Stick out yer paws—quic ,
aforei ergit. an’ save the hangman a job!”

Mechanically the uplifted hands of the outlaw
came down to a level. His dark eyes glittered
dangerously, and into his pallid face crept a red-
dish glow.

“ It’s your turn now, Bolly Darrit!” he mut-
tered, in a voice hoarse with chagrin and rage.
“ Mebbe mine ’11—”

Like a flash of light the detective leaped for-
ward, the butt of his heavy revolver desCending
u n Pettin’s skull with - crushing forcc, drop-
p Jg him in his tracks, senseless.

ust in time. too, was the veteran’s maneuver
executed, averting, by the fraction of a second,
a duel to the death; for as Pettin sunk down
inert and helpless, a short, heavy double-bar-
reled pistol slipped from his nerveless hand to
the ground.

Bending over his captive, Darrit secured his
wrists with handcuffs, and removed his belt of

arms.

“ I’ll trust to luck thet e don’t get up an’ run
away,” the detective mu red, as he gained his
feet. “_Ug’h! a close call that! If I hadn’t

dgshged 1t—
methin like a shudder completed the sen-
tence, and t en with a grim sm‘ e Bolly turned
away, pulling from his pocket asmall field-glass.

Lou and earnestly he surveyed the surround-
ing hi scanning every nook and cranny visi-
ble; but no trace of the Brotherhood was dis-
cernible. ,

“They’re there somewhere,” he muttered, in
a vexed tone, as he put away the glass. “ Pet-
tin’s signal could have been seen a long dis-
tanoe.”

Turning to his captive, the detective found
that the fellow had re ained consciousness, and
was upon his feet, y for flight.

 

Little Lightning’s League.

“ That is all right, Jimmy!” he exclaimed,
nodding shortly. “ Forward, now—just as
straight to your horse as you can walk!’

Pettin‘s heavy jaws closed with a click.

“Have it your own way, Belly!” he gritted,
sullenly taking up the march down-hill. “ Be
jest a leetle eerful, though, an’ not crowd too
hard! Menace might git a bolt ov it, an’—”

“ Shet up!” broke in the detective, contemptu-
ousl . “ Ye’ll git chaince enough to talk, by
an’ y! Now, mosey!”

There was a gleam in Darrit’s usually mild
blue eyes that did not escape the observant out-
law, and he silently hurried forward.

Arrived at the jutting rock, Darrit Secured
his Winchester, then unhitched the horse and
compelled Pettin to mount.

“ est ye ride straight back to the p’int whar
ye left ther water,” said the detective, sternly.

‘ Don’t ye try ter twist right or left; straight
ahead—or ye don’t go at all!”

So captor and captive quietly made their way
down the long, shar slope, arriving in due time
at the point where olly had left Little Light-
mug.

The young ranger was nowhere visible.

Again and again, the detective uttered a pecu-
liar signal of frequent use among the Invinci-
bles, but as often no response came, save the
echo from the hills.

Securing the outlaw in the saddle, be tied the
horse to a tree, and began a hurried reconnais-

sance f the vicinity.

" ere is something strange about it all,”
Boll muttered, as he forced his way into a
thic et hard by, following the trail left by the
youth. “ Davy never went awn from here
without a good. solid reason. f— Hallo!
thar’s my critter!”

A shrill whinny, an ejaculation of delight, and
then with a bound the Veteran reached the side
of his faithful steed and clutched eagerly at a
scrape of paper pinned to the saddle. ‘

A leaf from a memorandum-book, it proved
to be, and penciled upon it was the following
message:

“ Bonn—Hurry hack to cam and lead the boys
down-stream. Have made a iscovery, and w ll
leave a plainly-marked trail. D. K.”

“ Glory!” ejaculated Darrit, shoving the note
into his pocket and turning tothe horse. “ That
from Davy, just at this time, means business!”

Mounting, he rode back to his captive, and
thence wit the outlaw in custody, to the creek.

At that point, he was sudden! confronted by
a horseman from up-stream— ul Scott, the
youn Hercules.

“ hat’s broke loose?” cried Belly, ere the
youth could speak.

“Nothin’,” was the cool re 1y, as Saul drew
rein. “ We lit onto ther trai a couple of miles
above camp, an Kent an’ ther he s aire on ther
move. Hurry on. on an’ Little ightnin’.”

Darrit uttered a ow whistle.

“ We cain’t do it. Saul!” he exclaimed. “ Jest
read thet,” and he handed the young giant Lit—
tle Lightning’s message.

lNeedless to say, Saul Scott was in turn non-
0

used.
“ What shall we do, Bollyi” he asked.
“ Ther best we kin. Hyar, take this galoot an’
hurry back ter ther Invincibles. I’ll push on ar-
ter Davy. Tell Kent for send three or four ov
ther boyees ter j’ine us—we’ll need ’em ’fore
many hours.” _ .
CHAPTER VI.

A MAD RIDE.

WITH what burning anxiety and impatience
Little Lightning had retreated to the cover of
the thicket, to intercept the outlaw spy and
await Belly Darrit’s return, it is not easy to por-

tra .

inr the nonce, the coolness of the intrepid ran-
ger had given place to the frenzy of the dis-
tracted lover.

What a moment of torture it was!

Why must he supinel await developements
wrought by another? as not Rachel Carson in
the hands of foes most unscrupulous?

This last was the thought that goaded him to
action. Hardly had Bolly Darrit disappeared
when he sprung from the saddle and securely
tethered the horses.

“ I can at least scout down the creek a short
distance” be muttered, leavmg the covert.
“ Even lly couldn’t object to that! If the
:Eygivee him the sli , my chances of cutting

e cunning rascal o from his fellows will be
just as good—perhaps better.” ,

And thus musing, he regained the bank of the
water-course and rode slowly onward, his eyes
bug with their quest.

of three hundred yards had he thus pro-

F
, ,

 

’__

ceeded when he suddenly halted, uttering a
short, sharp cry.

Just before him, upon the drooping branches
of a bush overhanging the water, was a hand—
kerchief—a daint combination of lace and
linen, unquestiona lo a lady’s.

Instantly Little Lightning sprun from the
saddle and secured the tell-tale artic e.

A single searchmg glance was all-suflicient in
determine the Ownership of the prize.

“ It is chel’s!” he ejaculated, his dark eyes
aglow. “ The wil devils have carried her_
down-stream, but s e has succeeded in leaving
behind her this trace.”

A lover-like outburst followed, and then, with
his precious souvenir snugly pocketed, he turned
and spurred back to the thic et.

Darrit had not returned.

Hastin writing a few lines, be attached the
message to the detective’s saddle, and returned
to the stream.

At the point’ where he had discovered the
handerchief, he entered the water, and passed
onward, closely scanning the banks.

A few minutes passed in silence; then the dis-
tant report of a revolver stung through the

woods.

“That was Darrit’s weapon,” he muttered,
pausing, irresolutely. “ To push on seems al—
most like deserting a. friend in distress.”

Then his face grew grim and dark, and he
touched spur to his faithful steed.

“ There was but one.” he continued; ‘1 and for
bush-fighting I’d pit Bolly against any man in
the hills—red or white.”

Another mile was covered, and then the chan-
nel of the stream became rough and broken, the
gill:1 on either side rising steeply and to a greater

i t.
ittle Lightning had reached a point opposite
the mouth of a mall pass, when the roar of a
cataract just beyond him, hidden by a sharp
curve in the channel, apprised him that a fur-
ther descent of the stream was probably out of
the uestion.

“ hey must have gone up the pass,” he
thought. “ They certainly have not left the
stream at a point behind me, and a dozen paces
will reveal what is below."

The surmise was correct. Not only was a
further descent impracticable, but a survey of
the pass disclosed the fact that a body of horse-
men had entered it not many hours before.

Marking his trail, the young ranger pushed
on up the pass at a rapid pace; yet noiselesslyv,
the iron-shod hoofs of his horse Sinking softly
into the yielding sand and earth.

“ They have thrown precaution to the winds,”
he mused, glancing at thqclearly defined trail.
“They did not expect a night pursuit. Saga-
cious cld Rover never entered into their evil cal—
culations.” '

Scarcer had his mind framed the thought,
when forth from a number of unsuspected cov-
erts in each wall of the pass sprung, upward of a
half-score of masked men—mug ly-clad, un-
kemptalooking fellows, thoroughly armed, and
with weapons leveled.

“ Hold, Little Lightning! Don’t attempt to
draw!” sung cut the leader of the ill-favored co-
hort, throwin himself directly into the ranger’s
pathway. “ on are our meat dead or alive!”

A bitter im recation esca the li s of . the
youth, and his _unds which ad move swxftly
to his belt, fell limply to his sides.

A single Swift glance had been sufficient to
establish the exact status of affairs. He wasm
3 trip. Resistance, just then, meant defeat and

eat !

“ So be it, Captain Marks,” harespogded. as
coolly as his intense chagrin and disap intment
would permit. “ I must acknowledge tyou ve
got me into a tight box!” ,

“ Exactly!” laughed the outlaW, grimly. “ And
the proapect is decidedly in favor of a continu-
ance of the ‘ box’ arrangement!

“ Sulkan, you and bo assmtihe gentleman
to dismount. Relieve im of his weapons, and
pinion his hands at his back.” .

An outlaw glided forward from each Side of the
pass, and the chief’s commands Were obeyed
prom tly and to the letteL I

“N‘bw, back into the saddle with him,” con
tinued Captain Marks. “ He is in, your hands,
and it is for you to see that he is not missing
when wanted.

“ Forward, men, to the horses.”

With the precision of soldie the men formed
around t e captIVe, and with in their midst
advan at a double-quick.

A few hundred feet above the point of attack
was a sharp bend in the , and just beyond
the angle thus formed. n charge of two men,
were the horses of the band.

' 5- this  d./‘;~:fll§"~r   . ' ~  r  ‘ at; r .

 

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25‘ ‘Nlif “
e '  "

«summer M was...“ ,

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' parade.

I

Little Lightning’s League.

'7

 

“ Mount.” tersely ordered Captain Marks.

Little Lightning drewa breath of relief.

“ Thank Heaven! the girls are not here!” he
could not help exclaiming, mentally.

hope!”

Then onward swept the Brotherhood, covering
mile after mile in utter silence. Just at noon,
they turned from the pass into a dry watercourse,
and thence made their way, after a sharp scram-
ble. to a small plateau overlooking the pass.

Here. Captain Marks ordered a halt.

“ We’ve got to dispose of our captive, boys, as
you know, and here is the place to do it,” be an-
nounced. “ At this point we scatter, to meet at
tile rendezvous, and we can’t be burdened with

2m.

“ Little Lightning, your race is run!

“ Tybo, your lariat! Noose one end, and fast-
en the other around the bale of that sapling.
We’ll swing him over the edge of the cliff.’

The young ranger could not repress a shudder.

Yet, he nerved himself to meet unflinchingly
the grim fate that seemed inevitable, watching
with undaunted eye the hurried preparations.

Bitterly he regretted that he had so quickly
yielded—that he had permitted his impatience
to override his judgment, but no trace of fear,
or of the emotions called into life by thoughts of
Rachel Carson, could be detected upon his set,
stern face.

“ It is hard, boy—bitterly hard!” uttered Cap-
tain Marks, slowly, his basflisk eyes gleaming
coldly through the apertures of his mask. “ But
—business is business! Were we to release you,
it would put our own necks in the halter!”

“ Right, captain!” Little Lightning] enunci-
ated, a reddish glow appearing in is black
eyes. “Were I to escape, Judge Lynch would
have business with you and yours before many
days!”

“Just so!” and the outlaw nodded viciously.
“ B0 3, help him from his horse.”

“ old, captain!” cried the young ranger, his
voice high and clear, the muscles standing out
from his body in great cords, as the men started
forward. “ Hold! I prefer death by the bullet
—if death it must be!

“ Out of the way, you devils !”

A jingle of spurs, a sudden bound of the horse,
a mighty wrench a reading, snappin sound,
and as the broken hands fell to the eart , Little
Lightning shot forward, leaning from the sad-
dle and dexterously plucking the revolvers from
the belt of Captain Marks as he passed that
worthy. _

Just a breath—then his sharp, shrill cries
ringing defiantly through .the mountain fast
nesses, the dashing youth disappeared below the
level of the plateau, charging headlong down
the abrupt descent to the We ter—c eurse!

For a moment the Brotherhood stood a

led. Then, to a man, they sprungto the r
parses, mounted, and spurred to the edge of the

“0

There they halted, falling back in confusion,
just as Little Lightning turned between the
sheltering banks of the dry channel.

“ Back i" cried Captain Marks. hoarsely. “ It
is as much as a man’s neck is worth to risk it!
Back! we can pick him off as he goes down the
pass!”

In hot haste the robber cohort again dis-
mounted, and with Wes us in hand, aligned
themselves along the brinkxbf the precipice over-
hanging the pass. - .

A moment of suspense—then a single shot,
followed the next breath by a volley—a ringing
shout, defiant and exultant, and Little Light-
nm was clear of the death- antlet!

captain Marks reeled bac from the verge of
the precipice, his hands clinched, his eyes gleam-
ing savagely.

‘Don’t waste your lead, boys!” he grated.
madly. “You might as well attempt to hit a
streak of lightning!”

’ “ You is right, Cap!” declared a grizzled des-
“ Derned ef I ever see’d sech a trick
played !”

“ The young dare-devil has the best piece of
horsefiesh in Nevada!” Marks sullenly returned.

f‘ Tybo, you and Sulkan must have bound him
insecurcly.”

“Hyar is ther cords,” responded the rufiian
addressed, stepping forward with the broken
bands. “ s all right; he bu’sted loose by
main force?“ti f

n ejacu on o In rise esca Ca tain
Marks. The buckskin thpongs had, fiesdfbeen
snap asunder!

“ me, it’s a feat worthy of Samson!” he
cried, flinging the broken strands over the
preci ice.

‘ “ ow remount and scatter. Let each man

“ To see .
me in this plight would almost deprive them of ‘

 

cover his trail, for in less than three hours the
whole pack of young devils will be on. the scent,
hot-foot!”

 

CHAPTER VII.
ROAD-AGENTS—A CONFERENCE.

A WEEK later.

The shades of hi ht, black, somber, starless,
had settled over Yel ow Dust. A chilling north
wind swept down the pass, and the streets of
the camp were deserted.

Within the bar-room of the St. George Hotel
were grouped a half-dozen men, conversing in
low, excited tones.

“ Hate—past nine!” suddenly ejaculated a
brawny miner, leaning against the end of the
bar, as he glanced at the clock adorning the wall
opposite. “ Gen’lemen, I opine thet ther kernel
hes run ag’in’ a snag!”

“I hope not!” asseverated another, earnestly.

“ Hyar, toc, pard!” a third vigorously declar-
ed. “Thar ain’t many men es squar‘ es Jim
Orndare.”

“ Ther more reason fer ther dirty galOots ter
fun ’im,” remarked the first speaker, calmly
prr ucing and filling his pipe. “ Sech critters
hate men like Jim, wurs’n a. bum does water.”

“ Edzactly,” the ’tender chimed in, with a
knowing nod, as he rested his elbows upon the
bar. “ Thur‘s no gettin’ around ther fact thet
ther huss hes bin held up ag’in, though. Et’s two
hours overdue.”

“ A 00d two hours," supplemented the man at
the en of the bar—Si Hart—pufling vigorously
at his pipe. “ Bless me! ef Yaller Dust ain’t
on ther boom I don’t want a cent! Ther gals
stolen, ther Rocky Bar coach held up twicet in
three trips, au’ ther Old Boy a-runnin’ lOOSe gin-
erall fer a week past!

“ tells ye, pards, thar’s goin’ ter be a mighty
upsplOSion in this part ov ther kentry one 0v
these days, an’ some ov these derned Mormon
galoots aire goin’ up so high they’ll need six feet
ov solid clay when they come down i”

“ Thet‘s w’ot!” the ’tender asseverated, thum ~
infithe bar with his fist by way of emphasig.
“ enace an’ his gang aire in cohoots with ther
Saints—don’t ye fergit it! Ef——” '

At that juncture, the door was hurriedly open-
ed, and a new-comer strode into the room--
a tall, well-dressed man, with flashing, blue-
gerayd eyes, long white hair, and patriarchal

a .

His face was white and drawn, and about him
was an air of nervousness that did not escape the
grou of loungers.

“ as the colonel returned 3” he asked, in a
keen, incisive voice.

Si Hart removed the pipe from his mouth.

f  Not yet, Mr. Carson,” he replied, respect-
u y.

“Then say to him, the moment he comes,
that I wish to see him on urgent business.”

“ I’ll do it, sir.”

With a curt nod, Carson quitted the room as
abruptly as be had entered it.

A moment of silence followed his departure.

_ “ More hivh jinks!” muttered Si, with a know-
ing look. “ t beats ther nation, pards—this hyar
case. Whar’s Little Lightning—”

“ Listen!” interrupted the bartender, sudden-
ly11 lifting his hand: “Thar they come—buss an’
a

True enough, the rumble of wheels and the
heavy tramp of many horses could be heard,
and then there was a rush for the door.

The next instant the stage and its escort of n
half-score horsemen, drew up before the hotel,
3) be greeted with a volley of eager interroga-

(ins.

.Promptly singling out the leader of the troo
Si Hart elbowed his way through the noispyz
crowd. and delivered Carson’s message, Where-
upon Orndare uttered a few wards to one of his
mounted companions, and then hastened toward
the cottage.

J ust as the mine-owner arrived at the edge of
the little plateau, a dark shape glided out
groin the dense shadow of a tree and confronted

1m.

" “ Colonel !” ‘

“ Who .is it?”

The chakigg of a revolver accompanied the
stern] -utter question, and Orndare peered
sba y at the figure blocking his path. ’

“ ollv, Jim~ole Bolly!" was the instant re-
ply, in the most guarded of tones. “ I’m on my
way fer ther house. Ride 0n..an’ of ther coast
aire cl’ar I’ll j’lne ye thar in a minnit. Let me
in ata side door, an’ mind thet ther servants
ain’t in ther way.

“Ketch my drift?”

“ I do. Darrit,” and then, as the ‘Shape disap-
peared from his path, the colonel rode onward.

' \

 

Ten minutes later a door in the west side of
the cottage was noiselesst opened, and Orn-
dare, stepping out, uttered a low whistle;

He was instantly confronted by three men.

“Lead on, colonel,” requested the foremost,
in a husky whisper, as Orndare started back
with resolver half drawn. “ They’re only ther

With a breath of relief, Orndare led the way
into the house and secured the door. Procur-
ing a light, he proceeded straight to the library,
where Lewis Carson was found in waiting.

There the three visitors removed their facial
disguises, disclosin the well-known features of
Little Lightning, ent Kane and Bolly Darrit.

The brothers Were in the buckskin garb of
prairie rangers, and were well armed. The
veteran detective had assumed the guise ofa
mountain tramp—his favorite role.

As his eyes fell upon the trio, Carson uttered
a sharp cry and sprung forward with extended
hands, saying:

“ Thank Heaven! you are here at last!

“ What of my daughter, David, and of poor
Millie?—have on found them?”

“No, Mr. arson. we have not,” was the
steady reply. “Menace has scattered his men
in every direction, and every known precaution
has been taken to cover the trail. So far as the
whereabouts of the Brotherhood is concerned,
we are utterly at sea!”

“Exactly!” supplemented Belly Darrit,
quickly; “ but we hain’t thrown up ther sponge.

“Colonel, we’re hyar ter talk bizuess—pri-
vately. Kin ye make sure we won’t be heard?”

“Certainb; you may proceed with perfect
safet .”

“ hen, colonel. s’pose ye toll us v ‘ot hes hap-
pened in Yaller Dust sence thet night.”

Orndare started.

“ You have heard—"

“Nothin’ definite, colonel,” interrupted Dar-
rit, (ai’iietly. “ Jest ye tell us.”

“ ell, then, to be brief, the Rocky Bar stage
has twice been held up, and Carson and myself
have been heavy losers.”

“ Wa-al!” ejaculated Darrit, rubbing his
hands softly, and flashin a si ificant glance
at Little Lightning and ent. ‘Wa-al! wa.al!
thet was hard luck, to be sure!

“ But go on, Orndare—tell us all about et.”

“ The first robbery occurred night before
last,” pursued the colonel,.as he lighted a cigar;
“ the second only a few hours ago, and at the
same place—the ford above the big island in
Snake Creek.

“On both occasions, the hearse was halted
just before entering the water, the road-agents
appearing from the numerous fissures in the
rock at that point.

“ About three thousand dollars were secured
the first haul, and to-night five thousand more
were taken, the scoundrels literally gutting the
stage to secure it..-

“Yesterday, I‘ organized a posse and rode

down to the ford, but not a trace whereby the
road~sgents might be traile could we find,
although we searched the Vicinity most thor-
ougglg.
“ en, again to-night, when it was found
the stage was late, we hastened there, arriving
on the scene just after the miscreants had
vanished.

“But, the singular part of the affair is the
fact that the attack was made upon the incom—
ing stage, and just at the right time. Any one
at all familiar with the business of tie line
would know that such an attack would very
likely prove to be a water-haul, while a like
descent upon the out-going coach Would almost
infallibly can out handsomely.”

“ True,” afilrmed Darrit, reflectively, as Orn-
dare paused. “But, colonel, how do you ex-
plain it all?”

“My explanation is simply this: The road-
agents have a spy in camp, and that spy has b
some means obtained an inkling of the fact that
Carson and myself had money in transition
those days.”

“ Ilt woald have been easy for a spy to have
obtained such information?”

“ Yes; an adroit fellow would have found
the task not at all difficult,” Orndare admitted.
“ While we have not openly mentioned the mat-
ter, yet we have taken no especial care ‘0 make
it a item secret.” ’

exas Tom had char ov ther buss?‘
_“ Yes. and a. more  fellow never held
ribbons on that line.” _

“ You’re right, colonel.” declared Bolly. Wlth
an emphatic nod. “I know old Torn—know
him like a brother!

“ Rut were thar anv passengers ’9’”

“ On the first trip, no. Yesterday [Moses

I

~

;~-

  

growing deathly pale.

Little Lightning’s” League]

 

 

 

 

Baumschell went down to the the Bar, and was
on the hearse to-night. He became impatient
at the delay occasioned by Our arrival, got a
horse from one of the boys and rode on to

camp;
“ a-al, thet’s ole Bumshell, to a cent,” Bolly
remarked, with a peculiar smile. “ I kelkilate
ter hev bizness With him ’fore many moons."

“‘ Do you suspect him?” queried Carson.

“ Yes-to be plain about it.”

At that juncture, Kent noiselesst arose and
quitted the library.

“ Now, what is your opinion of this road-
agent business, Darrit?” Orndare asked. “ Do
you connect it with the abduction of the girls?”

“ I most certainly do!” avOWed the detective.
“ More than that, can’t say jest yet.

“ We hev formed a theory 0v our own in re-
gard to ther Brotherhood ov Fortune, an’ this
appearance ov road-agents tends ter strengthen
thet theory.”

“ If we could capture one of the miscreants,”
suggested Orndare, “ We might squeeze some-
thin from him.”

Bo ly shook his head.

“ ’Twon’t work," he declared. “ We’vc tried
it, an’ ther cuss cain’t be made ter talk wu’th a
on r. ’

At that moment, Lewis Carson drew from his
pocket a letter, which he handed to Orndare,
saying: it

“ Read that, Jim. I found it awhile ago, pin-
ned to the door with an eight-inch blade. If you
saw Si Hart at the hotel, you will now under-
stand why I left the message with him.”

Bowing slight! the mine-owner nervousli}i
opened the miss ve. A glance at the ban -
writing confirmed his suspicions as to its source.

“It is from the Brotherhood!” he muttered,
“ I’ll read it aloud.

“ Gammnnsr—Pursuant to the promise contain-
ed in our communication of a week ago, we. drop you
these lines. with the hope that you are now ready
for business. You have certainly had ample time
and opportunity to learn that any and all search for
yonmnissing treasures would be without result.

“ ‘The simple truth is, they are held for ransom:-

" ‘ Upon the receipt of $25,000-—to be paid as here-

. inatter specified—they will be promptly restored to

your paternal care, unharmed.

“ ‘If you desire to accept this Mpro‘position, we
would respectfully refer you to . . oses Baum-
scheH, of vour place, with whom you are doubtless
WFII acquainted.

“ ' We have placed in the hands of this gentleman
a bill-of-sale. purportin to be an instrument w itness-
ing the. 1 al transfer 0 a certain mining claim from
Carleton esbitts and Robert Crissell to James Orn-
dare and Lewis Carson, in consideration of the
above-named sum. So far as Baumschell is con—
cerned. the transaction is bona fille, and if you are
wise'you will not inform him to the contrary.

' "' he day the Jew receives the money, and you,

. in return therefor, the bill-of—sale, your daughters

. "back from the window,
" I ture of amazement and alarm.

 

» gross directly bone

will be released and provided with a proper escort
to Yellow Dust.

“ ‘ This proposition will remain open one week.

‘ ‘ THE Bao'rmmfioon or Foarvna.’ ”

Bolly Darrit drew along breath as Orndare
finished reading the communication.

“ Thet is es art a lettle scheme es was ever
hatched!” he efiicn ated. .

“ But what shall we do in the matter?” cried
Carson. “ The artful devils have us by the
heels, and we are well-nigh powerless.”

“ It doesn’t look ver promising for us,” Lit-
tle Lightning admitt , frankly. “Yet, much
may be accomplished in a week.”

“ We had better accept their terms and pay
the money,” gloomily averred Orndare,

Darrit took a turn or two across the library.

“ 0h, w’u’du’t I like jest ter git my two han’s
on one 0v ther galoots!” .he growled suddenly
pausing beside the table in the center of the room.
“ Oh, w’u’dn’t I make ther fur fly, though!”
W’u’dnlt I turn myself” inter a ginooine ole in-
quisition, though! Wa-al, mebbe—”

Orndare lifted his hands instantly checking

- the outburst.

A succession of startlin sounds came from
without—sounds that can! have but one inter-
pretation.

A desperate struggle of some sort was in pro-

at ;the library windows.

. Hesitating not an instant. Lewis Carson glid-
ed forward, opened the blinds and hoisted the
lower sash of t 9 window nearest him.

Then came the sound of a heav blew, and the

next minute Kent Kane a peare at the window,
half—carrying, half-dragg ng a burly form.

, CHAPTER VIII.
s: HART’S PREDICAMENT.
Urrmme a startled org Lewis Carson shrunk
is pallid face .the pic-

 

~ “By heavens! there is a mistake somewhere!”

 

 

he exclaimed, as the young ranger forced his
half-senseless captive into the room. “ What is
the trouble, Kent?”

“Nothing to speak of, sir. Will you lease to
close the window? This affair shoul by all
means be kept as quiet as possible,” and the
youth pulled his captive aside and usbed him
into a chair, where the light shone ull upon his

ace.

“ Si Hart!” cried Orndare, visibly surprised.

“Si Hart!” Bolly Darrit ejaculated, with an
inscrutable smile.

“ Exactly, gentlemen, and a spy !” Kent coolly
returned.

“ A spy l—impOSSible !” and Orndare grew
whitey) the lips. “He is one of our most trusted
men.

“ Nevertheless, he was caught listenin at the
window—caught dead to rights!” put in arrit,
cris l . “ Eh, Kent?”

“ es; he was listening at the window,” af—
firmed the ranger, with a short little nod. “ I
heard a stifled sneeze out there, and went out
to investigate. The fellow was crouching at the
window. I watched him several minutes, to
assure myself that I was not mistaken as to his
motive or object.”

“ Then, I thank Heaven that he was detected
and foiled!” fervently avowed Orndare.

“ Not more than I!” echoed Carson, turnin
from the window to the captured spy, his bri -
liant eyes flashing irefully. “ The traitorous
dog! he deserves to die!”

“ Easy, boss!” the fellow protested, suddenly
sitting upright in the chair and facing Carson
with an air almost defiant. “ Don’t ye take
everything fer granted. Et don’t need ter foller
thet bekase I war under thet winder I am a
traitor. W’ot c’u’d a man beer out tbar, eny-
way? Jes’ nothin’-—ef et kems ter thet!”

‘ But-what were you doing there?” demanded
Orndare, sharply.

“ Layin’ fer ther galoots w’ot follered ye from
ther camp!” was the bold reply. “ They war
ther spies! Ef Knne hyar hedn’t ’a’ bin too fast
fer me, I’d ’a’ nailed ’em both. Es et is—wa-al,
et’s no use ter talk—they're gone, an’ I reckon
thet ends etl”

“Hardly,” Kent returned, smiling grim! .
“ The fact is, Hart, it is useless for you to kic .
The case is dead against you.

“ Bolly, will you examine that window?”

The veteran promptly complied. He discov-
ered that the window had been tam red with—
that the utty had been stripped rom a lower
pane, so t at the glass could readily be forced
outward an inch or more, making it possible for
an eavesdropper to hear distinctly even a whis-
per uttered within the library.

As the detective announced the result of his
examination, Si Hart’s face became bloodless,
and he sprun from his seat, wild with re. e.

“ Et’s a pu t-up ’jobl” he roared, brandishing
his huge fist. “ Et 3 a putt~up job! I know w’ot
you fellers aire after, but at won’t work—et
won’t, I tell ye! Git out ov my we. —-I’m goin’
right ,out ov hyar! Darn sech a ebang, any-

wa !’

‘yEasy, now,” warned Little Lightning, cold-
ly, as he stepped between the entrapped despe-
rado and the door. “Don’t on try the frac-
tious dod e; if you do your li e won t be worth
a inch 0 snull’! ‘

‘Bolly, slip on the nippers.”

Si Hart sunk back into the chair, utterly
cowed. There was something in the attitude of
the young ranger most ominous—a something
the desperado read aright.

“ Now let’s search him,” Little LigK thing con—
tinued, as the detective drew bac . “If the
fellow" is really a spy of the Brotherhood, we
may find something about him to clinch the
fact beyond question.”

“That’s my idea, exactly,” Bolly declared,
and, despite protestations and curses. they pro—
ceeded to turn Hart’s pockets inside out.

The search was not without results most sat-
isfsctory.

A slip of paper fluttered to the floor, and as
Orndare seizsd it he uttered a cry of satisfac-

tlon.

“ That settles it!” muttered Darrit.

“ Yes, it is a message from the Brotherhood,”
the mine-owner averred, narrowly scanning
the slip. “It is without date or signature, but
the handwriting is identical with that of the
communication we have just received. It says:

“ ‘HAa'rz—The time for quick, sharp wplrk is at,
a y.‘ H

hand. Let nothing slip you. See 3—- d
A cry of ra e escaped Hart, and if looks could
have killed, t a five friends would have been
an‘nihgageg.
u c sharp work—Jet nothin slip—see.
3— daily’,’ ” mused Darrit, thoughtgully strok-

 

ing his smooth chin.
is worth something!”
“ So much that we’ll keep it,” Orndare added.
“I suppose Bolly, that the B—— of one is the
Banmschell of the other?”
“ Just so, colonel, an’ we’ll see both, later on.
“The first thing to do, however, is to make Si
Hart blah.”

“ Gentlemen, that paper

“ Never!” tted that rufiian, resolutely. “ I
won’tntalk— know nothin’ ov ther Brothers
hood!

“ So much the worse for you!” said Carson,
grimly. “ I don’t see any chance for you to es.
cape alive.” .

“ I kin die with a still tongue!” was the dogged
response.

“ That remains to be seen,” Orndare observed,
his black eyes beginning to blaze wrathfully.
“This is a des rate case, and the end justifies
any means. on shall either make a clean
breast of it, or be put to every torture that our
ingenuity can invent.”

‘That’s right!” cried Bolly Darrit, with a
vigorous nod. “ Two pure and innocent girls
have been torn from home by a cohort of inhu-
man outlaws. You a e a member of that co-
hort, and you shall te. us where t ose girls have
been taken, or, by the eternal ockies! you
shall die by inches!”

There could not be an atom of doubt that the
veteran detective was in deadly earnest. His
ruddy face had grown colorless, his usual! '
mild blue eyes emitted a lurid glow, and h s
tones sunk almost to a whisper—cold, clear,
sibilant.

“ Yes, yes!” echoed Little Lightning and
Kent, starting forward, with weapons half-
drawn. ,

As might have been expected, Si Hart again
changed color, and cowered down in the chair.
The ebullient wrath of the five was deadly
enough to have frightened a man far braver
than he.

Though visibly alarmed, the outlaw had no
intention of disclosing his knowledge of the
Brotherhood.

“Go ahead!” he muttered, between his set,
colorless lips. “ You are five to one, but I defy
you!

In the fire-place smoldered a bed of coals.
Without a word, Orndare strode across the
room, heaped on kindlings and wood, and
fanned the coals into a lurid blaze.

“ Off with his boots and bind his ankles,” he
ordered, smiling coldly as he noted the look of

consternation u n the captive’s face. “We
shall stop at not in to obtain the secret.
“Hold!” cried art desperately. “I can

stand anything but fire!

“ Give me a show, and I will talk 1”

The five men exchanged glances.

“We will give you your liberty when the
girls have been recovered,” said Darrit assum-
ing the office of spokesman. “ That is, provided
you tell the whole truth.”

For a moment Hart seemed lost in thought.

Orndare thrust the poker into the fire.

“ I’ll do it,” cried the captive. “ I can’t tell
you much, for I don’t know much; but what I
do sa , you can depend upon.”

“ ahead,” said Darrit. “Where are the

irls?”

“ I don’t know—somewhere within five miles
of Yellow Dust. The exact place is known to
but three or four men.”

Again Bolly and his companions looked at
each other.

“Oh, it’s the truth I’m givin’ you,” Har‘t de-.

clared, vehemently. “The trail led miles away,
I know, but it was to mislead you as to the
whereabouts of the rendezvous.

“ Major Menace, the head of the band, is an
extremely suspicious galoot, and to guard
against treacher he has conveyed the girls to a
secret cavern, w ere they are held in custody
by two of his mcst trusted men and his wife,
Dolores, who, by the way, is an old acquaint-
ance of yours.”

“ Of ours?” exclaimed Orndare, in surprise.

“Yes; she is none other than the Inez Carro,
who disap ared from your house the night
your dang ters were abducted. She drugged
the girls, and it was through her that Menace
and his men gained admittance to the house.”

“ The she-devil!” Darrit ejaculated. “But,
Hart, of how many men is this Brotherhood com-
posed?”

“ I don’t know—from twenty-five to thirty, I
suppose. The men remained hidden away in
the hills in small detachments.”

“ And they are identical with the road-

agents?”
“ Yes, I think so' Menace is the head of both
bodies,” was the reluctant reply.

.— ....,. ..._...

 

.‘ ma...“ . .. “am... .m. who,

   

 

\

   

uh

\

mine-owner hesitated.

‘ t

Little Lightning’s League.

9

 

 

 

“ What is the ‘quick, sharp work ’ referred to
in this message?"

“ Keepin Menace posted as to the shipment
of money. t is reported that the $25,000 ran-
30m money will be brought up from Rocky Bar
within the week.”

“ And the road-agents would seize it?”

“ Yes. It is calculated to make not less than
fifty thousand on the deal."

“ It is just as I suspected,”exclaimed Orndare,
clinchiu his hands.

“ We’fi foil ’em yet, colonel,” Bolly declared.
B “ Ncgv, Hart, one question more. Who is

“ My side-pardner, Bolivar Blackstone. But
little good will that do you, as Bolivar never
ventures into camp. ”

After two or three more questions, Bolly and
Orndare stepped aside for a brief conference.
When it had ended, Hart was conducted into an
adjoining a rtment and securely bound.

“ The fel ow’s tale corresponds with that of
Jimmy Pettin,” remarked Little Lightning, as
they re-entered the library; “ and yet I cannot
bring myself to a behef that he has told the
truth.”

“ or I,” Bolly declared. “But let’s get at
the meat in the cocoa-nut, and quickly, too.”

Seating themselws at the table, the five enter-
ed into aa earnest discussion of the situation.

CHAPTER IX.
BAITING A TRAP—THE APPARITION.
A SHORT distance south of the St. George
Hotel was a long, low building of rough slabs,
bearing across its narrow front in tall, ungainly

letters:
“ MOSES BAUMSCHELL,
“ Bonanza Stars and Gold Mine of Bargains.”

Midnight was near at hand, and the three or
four miners loanging about the interior of the
Bonanza knocked the ashes from their pipes and
sidled up to the bar at the rear of the room.

“ Give us our night-caps, Mose,” cried the
foremost, a tall, red-whiskered fellow. “ Name
yer stuff, pards, an’ we’ll drink an’ git out.”

“ Death ter ther road-agents!” exclaimed one,
as he lifted his glass.

“ An’ more power ter Orndare!” another add-

ed.

“Amen!” ejaculated he of the redbeard, and
then the glasses were drained.

A moment later the trio quitted the Bonanza,
followed by a peculiar look from Baumschell.

A wiry, da per little fellow.was the Jew, as
lithe and agi one a cat; and his nose alone be-
trayed his Hebrew blood. His eyes were as
blue as a summer sky, his hair and mustache a
bright brown, and his speech was smooth and
unbroken. - _

From the (lay Baumschell had pitched his tent
in Yellow Dust, he had done a booming busi-
ness. His was the principal general store of
the camp, and his bar Lad been most liberally
patronized.

He employed an assistant, or clerk, but on
this evening that worthy chanced to be absent,
and the task of closing the establishment for the
high: devolved upon the Jew himself.

soon as the trio had quitted his place
Baumschell came out from behind the bar, an
carelessly made his way to the front entrance.

At the threshold he was suddenly confronted
by James Orndare.

“ Good-evening, colonel!” ejaculated the Jew,
with evident surprise. “ Step in—step in !”

“Don’t care if I do, Moss,” was theindiiferent
res use. “ You may let me have a good cigar;
an , while I’m smoking, we may as well talk
business. It is late, but—”

“‘ Peeshness ish hness.’ as my country-
men have it,” said t e Israelite, briskly, as the
“Just step back to the
bar colonel, and help yourself, while I close up.
I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Nodding assent, Orndare sauntered slowly
down the long, narrow room. At the bar he
secured and ighted a Cigar, and then helped

- himself to a seat near the stove.

Moses Baumschell was not long in joining

. him.

“Now, colonel, what can I do for you?” the
Jew asked, coming at once to the Point, just
the trace of a crafty smile lurking about the
corners of his thin red lips.

“ Have iyou a paper for me—a legal document
of any k nd?” queried Orndare in return, his
piercing black eyes staring straight at the face
of the ow.

“ Mei-mo! What sort of a legal document
should I have?” Baumschell ejaculated, with a
look of surprise. “ I am not an officer of the

law.”

 

“ That is very true: but have you not been
requested to act as the agent of Carleton Nesp
bitts and Robert Crissell in a certain matter?”

“ No, I have not,” declared the Jew, and he
shook his head as if thoroughly puzzled.

“ Sure?”

“As certainly as I stand here!”

Orndare’s face expressed disa pointment.

“ I am sorry to have troubi you, Mose,” he
said, rising. “ I received notification this even-
ing, however, that you had been selected to
represent the parties I have named in a matter
in progress between us. It is probable you will

receive a like notification later on. I will See
you again.”
“ Wait,” requested Baumschell, suddenly

gaining his feet. “ It is possible that I have
spoken too soon. Let me open my mail—haven’t
had a chance to look at it yet.

“ What was the nature of this business?”

“The transfer of a mining-claim,” Orndare
replied, puffing vigorously at his cigar to hide
his Wtation at the turn affairs were taking.

“ ell, sit down, and I’ll see,” and Mose turn-
3d if? the inverted store-box doing service as a

es .

After due search, be brushed aside a heap of

papers, and with a cry of satisfaction rejoined
is visitor, bearing in his hand the document in
question.

“ Here it is!” he exclaimed, with a flourish.
“ Bill of Sale of the Yellow Jacket Claim, of
Rocky Bar— Whew, colonel! Twenty-five
thousand! Sure you’re not striking a snag?”

“ Oh, yes! But let me see the doeument,
Mose l”

- “Certainly. You’re not going to. leave us,
colonel?”

“ No.”

The bill-ofsaie had been drawn up in regular
form, and accompanying it was a letter to
Baumschell, giving him the power of attorney in
the matter.

“It all seems straight enough,” said Orndare,
as he. handed the papers back to the Jew. " Ac—
cording to your instructions, we have a week in
which to make the payment?”

“Exactly.”

“ Well, if the hearse gulls through to-morrow
unmolested, I may be a le to pay you five thou-
sand as a clincher, and the remainder in five
days. Will that be satisfactory?”

“ Father of Abraham—yes! Pa it to suit
yourself, colonel,” the Jew replie , with un~
wonted earnestness. “Why should I crowd
you? The men are perfect strangers to me—
never put eyes on ’em that I know of. I can’t
understand how they came to select me!”

“Well, I dare say it would be no mystery to

our friends,” remarked Orndare, dryl , and
idding Baumschell good-night, he le t the
store.

“ Trapped!” softly laughed the Hebrew. rub—
bing his hands briskly, as the door clanged be—
hind his departing viSitor.

 

The day succeeding this eventful night dawn-
ed bright and clear, and long ere the sun rose
above the hills to the eastward, the Prairie In-
vincibles Were astir.

After a hast breakfast, the horses were sad-
dled and bri led, the pack-animals loaded,
and then all stood awaiting the command to
move.

Little Lightning and Saul Scott had drawn
aside, and were engrossed in a low-voiced but
animated conversation.

'Old Belly Darrit, Kent Kane, and the cap-
tive outlaw, Jimmy Pettin, were nowhere to be
seen.

“Hurry up, thar, you cubs!” wled Dan
Rackhoss, the grizzled marshal of ellow Dust,
as he impatiently Clambered into the saddle.
;‘ ’St,i-addle horses, boyees; we’ll leave ’em moon«

n !

At that juncture the two young rangers turn-
ed toward their fellows, and the next minute all
were in the saddle.

“Boys, ride on to the Lode,” said Little Light-
ning. “ Corral the pack-animals, and employ
the day scouting through the hills by twos. Saul
and myself W111 probably jom you along toward
midnight. "

“The rendezvous of the Brotherhood is not
many miles from Yellow Dust, and if on strike
a, trail or sign you‘d better pr with ex-
treme caution.”

“ That’s us,” returned Rackhoss; and then
the Invincibles moved forward, laying their
course to the southwest. .

“Well. Saul,” said Little‘ Lightning, turning
to his herculean friend, as the‘ dc rtin
“brigade” disappeared behind a wood swel

 

“we may as well press on to the ford. By the
time we have secreted our horses and explored
the island, the afternoon will be pretty well ad-
vanced.”

“ That’s about my idea of it,” Saul averred.
“ By gementlyl if we kin only sight ’em, Davy,
I reckon they'll beer from us! Eh?”

The young ranger simply nodded; but the
gleam hghtiug up the depths of his black eyes
spoke volumes to his big-hearted friend.

“ Ef they’ll only fall into Orndare’s trap!”
pursued Saul, fondling his revolvers. “ Dern
’em! w’ii’dn’t I like ter puncture a few of their
i'ascally pelts, though 1”

“ I only hope the chance may be offered us,”
said Little Lightning, grimly; and then silence
came over the two, and during the next hour not
more than an occasional wor was exchanged.

“ Thar’s ther Rocky Bar trail,” Saul suddenly
exclaimed, as they rode out of the defile some
miles from their starting~point.

Little Lightning drew rein.

“The ford isn’t far below,” he said. “ We’d
better get the horse under cover and proceed
afoot from this point.”

“ Thar’s a sort of blind lch cuttin’ into ther
side of ther defile a couple undred yards back,”
suggested Saul.

“ Thet’li do. Run the critters back, and cover
the trail in and out. I’ll scout ahead as far as
the road. Kent may have left some sign.” A

Saul hurried away with the animals. Half an
aim elapsed, and then he emerged from the de-

. e afoot, and sought Little Lightning‘s trail.

Half-way to the read he came 11 n his young

chief, seated on the trunk of a fal en tree.
“The have gone down,” Little Lightning an-
nounced: gaining his feet. “ Carson and Orn-
dare have returned. We shall find Kent some-
where near the island.”

“ Geod l” ejaculated Saul. “ Le’s move on—
I’m anxious ter see ther end of this wrinkle.”

They at once started forward keeping pretty
well back in the heavy timber skirting the tra‘ ,
and after a few minutes descended into a nar-
row valleg. '

Here t eir progress was much slower. Not
only was the way all but blocked by the dense
undergrowth, but they felt that they were upon
dangerous ground, and proceeded with the ut-
most caution. ,

“ There’s the ford,” said Little Lightning,
pointing to a wide, shallow-looking expanse of
water some distance beyond them, as they at
length halted in a small 0 n space. “ We must
be just about even with t e head of the island.”

“ Then we’d better change our course so’s ter-
strike et about midway,” Saul suggested. “ Thar’s
better kiver lower down.”

Little Lightnin nodded assent, and they glid-
ed on until they ad reached the bank of the
stream, while they paused to survey their sur-
roundings. «

The ford was fully five hundred feet above
them, but from the undergrowth reaching down
to the water’s edge they could obtain a clear
view of it. A short distance below the ford,
the island rose sharply from the water, breakin
the current into two streams, neither of whic
was less than sixty feet in width.

Of this island, little was known. It was per- ‘
haps a quarter of a mile in length, and in Width '
from fifty to two hundred and fifty feet. Its
surface was extremely rough. masses of rock
rising to a considerable hight in laces, while the
lower portions were covered wit timber and a
perfect tangle of undergrowth.

After a thorough reconnoissance of the vicinity,
the two rangers continued down-stream in quest
of Kent, finding him at a point just above the
lower end of the island.

“ I am awfully glad you are here,” he declared,
as he wrung their hands. “ Some frisky outlaw
on the hill southwest of Yellow Dust has been
busy all mornin with a reflector similar to the
one Bolly smas ed for Pettin, and, without ,
joking at all, I was becoming alarmed.” '

Little Lightning’s face brightened. ,

“ I shall accept that as pretty good evidence
that their stronghold is somewhere in this
vicinity," he avowed. ,

“ But where is the canoe, Kent?” '

“ Just below us, hidden in the rushes. It kep
the three of us busy togct it here before day.
break, but we succeeded.”

“ And Belly—did you learn if he discovered
anything?”

“ Yes. He detected Baumschell stealing out
of camp about two o’clock this morning, and fol-
lowed bim; but the Jew was too slippery for
him, and vanished somewhere near the ford. As
we came down we met Bolly returning.”

“ Good enough! They are walking straight ,
into the trap! They’ll attack the coac tonight, 'I j

 

 

 

» J...— y.-...~..... ' . .s._ _ .

10 Little Lightning’s League. a i " 

 

 

i- ,

  

and we’ll be on hand to see where they vanish to
so mysteriously!”

“ Le’s launch ther canoe an’ slip over ter ther
island,” suggested Saul Scott. “ Ther upper end
will be ther p’int ter lay fer ’em.”

The proposed movement was at once enacted.
Disembarking near the head of the island, the
trio drew the canoe out of water and carried it
inland a short distance, where it was concealed
in a clump of bushes.

The next step was an exploration of the island
—a task requiring no little time and patience.
Althou b they did not then realize the fact,
their is r met with an adequate reward.

Midway of the island, at its widest int, rose
a rocky, cone-shaped hill of considers. le extent,
and to all outward appearances as solid as ada-
mant.

What, then, was the surprise of the trio to dis
cover that it was simply the rim of a large,
irregular basin—a roc -walled lake—having a
narrow outlet into the eastern branch of the
creek!

“ Et looks es of ther hull center of ther hill had
dropped out,” vowed Saul Scott, as he red
sharply at the water twenty feet elow.
“ Reckon thar c’u’d be a hole in ther walls,
Davy ?”

The question fairly startled Little Li htning.
Without a word, he turned and walk slowly
around the basin, narrowly scanning its abrupt
walls of rock.

Kent proceeded in the opposite direction, halt-
ing when he had reached the east shore of the

ad.

Little Lightning shortly appeared on the oppo-
site side of the winding fissure, or outlet.

“ The walls are solid—not a break in them that
I can discover,” he answered.

“Same here,” Kent returned. “If the ren-
dezvous in the vicinity of the ford, it is proba-
bly across the creek there. The bank is high
and rocky, and full of fissures. In fact, it looks
as if the hill might be honeycombed with

. caverns.”

“ he,” asserted Little Lightning; and then,
keeping under cover as much as possible, they
retraced their steps to San] Scott.

Completing their explorations, the three
rangers returned to the s t at which the canoe
had been concealed and t ere proceeded to make
themselves as comfortable as possible, pending
the arrival of the stage at sunset.

Saul took upon himself the onerous duty of
sentry, thus giving his friends an opportunity to
secure a few hours of much-needed rest.

Faithfully, the young Hercules ke t his
vigils. As the forenoon wore on, the s y be-
came dark and lowering, and finally a drizzling,
misty rain set in, while alight fog began to rise
alon the creek.

“ his is cheerful l” muttered Saul, with a
grunt of disgust, as his surroundings grew more
and more indistinct. “Blamed ef ’taiu’t goin’
ter be a nast ole night!”

Little Lig tning and Kent Were as yet hap— I

pily unconscious of the unpropitious change in
he weather, both being soundly asleep under
th?I sheltering branches of a low-growing live-
oa 0

As the day advanced, the fog thickened. By
the middle of the afternoon, Saul found it im-
possible to distinguish objects at a distance of
ten feet, and he became conscious of an o pres—
Iive feeling—a feeling of vague, indescribable
uneasiness—and he at length decided to arouse
his companions. '

Scarcely had the young rangers ained their
feet, when the steady dig of a pad le sounded
near at hand, warning them of the approach of
a canoe.

Little Lightning uttered a word of caution,
and the three listened intently. After a mo-
mept the slight plashmg wassucceeded by a com-
motion among the flags at the edge of the is-
land, as if the prow of the canoe had been
dr ven into them.

hen followed a faint rustling of the dampened
leaves strewing the ground, and as the lads
gripped their weapons they were suddenly con-
ronted b a slight willowy figure.
a “ My l” ejaculated Saul Scott, reeling
back and betraying deep agitation. ' “ It is
Mabel Vane I ”

 

CHAPTER X.
man’s mssrcx. '
Hercule shrunk back with that

As the yo
low, sharp c117, ruddy. honest face blanching to
adeathly or his keen. gra eyes glowing with
herror, ttle htn ng an Kent sprung to his

side in utter be e eat.
What mystery was this! .
Who was this girl—this Mabel Vane? What was

she to San! Scott that his stench heart should fail

 

him-that he should shrink back, dismayed, ap-
palled, when thus brought face to face With her?

These were the startling queries pressing them-
selves upon the ranger brothers, even as they sprung
to the support of their friend, and intuitively their
eyes sought the face of their m sterious visitor.

And what a face it was! pure oval, dark al-
most as a Gypsy‘s, yet clear and fresh, with sloe-
black eyes, curving red lips, and teeth glistening
white and pearl-like as she stood smiling at the trio.
A sim le straw hat covered her tightly-coiled black
hair: her dress was of lain, dark material, and
Indian-made moccasins ncased her symmetrical
little feet.

il  ,9,

Just the one word—that was all. and enough.
Coyly uttered, yet with a degree of expostulation in
the liquid voice, it brought be young giant to his
senses as effectually as if accompanied with a dash
of ice-water.

A burning flush instantly took the place of pallor,
and with a growl of delight he shook off the hands
of his friends and iurched forward with outstretch-
ed arms.

Little Lightning and Kent literally “held their
breath,” and. out of consideration for Miss Vane‘s
blushes, turned away. Big Saul Scott was looming
up in a new light.

“Hey. boyees!” he called. after the lapse of a
few minutes; “look hyarl” And then, distinctly,
as they approached:

“Miss Vane, let me make you acquainted with
my friends, David and Kent Kane. of whom you
have heard me speak.

“ Gentlemen, my betrothed, Miss Mable Vane!"

The young ran are inclined themselves profound-
l , and in grace ul terms acknowledged the intro-

uction. Then, after a few minutes‘ conversation,
they retreated to the other side of the island.

“Davy,” exclaimed Kent as they seated them-
selves in a sheltered nook, ‘pinch me! I can’t be—
lieve that I‘m awake!"

“Well, I can assure you that you are,” Little
Lightning returned, in a maiter-of-fact tone. “ This
occurrence of to-day explains Saul’s recent frequent
and hootless hunting excursions—the sly dog!

“But (1 *esn‘t it strike you singular, Kent, that
the yyoiing lady should appear here, and just at this
time

“Since you speak of it, yes; but despite the sin—
gularit of it all, I’ll pin my faith to the girl,"
avowe Kent. ,

Meanwhile, Saul Scott and Mabel Vane, at the
urgent request of the latttr, had r treated tothe
opposite Side of the island and seated themselves
under alive oak growing close to the wat<=r’s edge.

“Saul,” said t 0 girl, abruptly, after a moment
of profound silence on the ‘art of both; “Saul, do
you know why I have song t you and your friends
here today?

The young Hercules slowly shook his head, and a
strange, puzzled look crept over his expressive face.

“ I do not know,” he replied. " Ma I ask?”

“ Yes: I came at thercquest of Rae el Carson and
Millie Orndare!" was the startling reply. I

“ You I" ejaculated Saul, starting to iis feet.

“ Yes—me I” iterated the girl, in a voice of forced
calmness. “Sit down, Saul‘I have much to say,
and but little time: and t e sooner certain dis-
agfieeable facts are disposed of, the better.”

er lips quivered painfully, and as the ranger
looked down into her pale face and misty e as he
felt an uncomfortable lump rising in his t roat.
With considerably more or! rit y than ceremony, he

= complied with her request, slipping his arm between

her shoulders and the trunk of the tree.

“Go on, my dear,”. he exclaimed, with forced
cheerfulness. “If it is anything so very disagree-
hble. we’ll forget it all the sooner!"

“No, it is not to be forgotten," said she, almost
sha 1y. “ But listen:

“ ho am I?"

“MabelVanc—the dearest girl on earth!” cried
Saul, reverently, his mm tightening about her
shoulders, his lips touching her forehead.

I “And my father?” she continued, averting her
ace.

“John Vane, trapper and miner."

“ Nol John Vane outlaw and member of the in-
famous Bratherhooc of Fortune!" .

“impossible!” and Saul started as if stabbed.

“It is true!" declared Mabel, steadily. “I dis-
covered it less than a week ago, when the two girls
were laced in his custody.”

"A ! the are at the cabin?"

“No; at he secret rendezvous of the Brother-
hood. Father has abandoned the cabin for the
present." 1

” And how many are at this rendezvous?“pursued

ul.

“ The chief and his wife, the two girls, four men,
and father and myself."

"May I ask where it is located?"

“I cannot tell you that.”

Saul was silent a moment, pondering all he had
just heard. ,

l “ ltfgu say the glrls sent you here?" he queried, at
ens: .

“ Yes; we saw you‘ approach the island, and they
were very anxious to communicate with you. As
both were quite sure that on had not quitted the
island. I secured a canoe an started in quest of you
as soon as I could slip away.”

‘ "And their mess of” '

“ Saul !” exclaime the girl, in a suppressed voice.

“Well, Mabel?"

“ I’ve not to get away from that outlaw den at
once—this very nightl Do you know that Captain

Jason Marks is forcing his attentions upon inc—that
my father has sanctioned his suit?”

 

 

The announcement brought the young Hercules
to his feet, with bloodless face and flashing eyes.

“ The—the deuce he has!” he ejaculated, explo-
sively, clinching his great hands. “ Now, look ’13
hyar, Mabel—d’ye think rm goin’ to stand anything
0 that sort? Not much! I’ll wring that condemned
cut-throats neck!”

The next instant he was down upon his knees,
with his arms around the girl.

“ I‘d like t ) see ‘em tech el” he growled. with a
sort of grim fondness. a fine of triumph lighting up
his gray eyes. “ They’ll hev to git ye fu’s 1"

“Oh. Saul—" ‘ '

“ Never ye mind, girl! I kin skeer up a gospel
sha er a jestice mighty quick—no trouble 'bout
that. An’ I reckon- them sharks will diskiver
thar‘s a might difference betwixt Mrs. Mabel Scott
an’ Miss Mabe Vane!”

“ But, S ill, I must go back I” declared Mabel,
smiling through her tears. “ You forget the girls!’

The ight faded from the young ranger’s face. He
seemed in a quandary.

“ if you‘ll only tell us where to find the rendez-
vous,’ he began slowly, “ we’d—3’

“ That is out of the question,” interrupted Mabel

firmly. “Though an outlaw, I cannot forget that
John Vane is my father. You must not ask me to
betray him.”

Saul mutely bowed his head. He felt that the
rebuke was just.

“ There is one way in which the girls may escape,"
pursued the girl, after a moment of thought. ‘_ '

ave talked it ovor, and it certainly seems feasrble.

“ The outlaws feel so secure that no sentry is
00sted, day or night. If I can reach Rachel and
Milhe to-night, we will make an effort to get away.
Wait for us in the canoe at the head of the island.”

“ Eureka!” exclaimed Saul, his face ‘brightening.
“ We’ll do it! How will you come?”

“In the canoe there; and be patient, for we may
be very late.

“But now I must leave you; I’ve been away too
long,” and Mabel arose. _

A tender parting, and then the girl sprung into
her canoe and pushed out into the stream. With
arms folded across his breast, Saul gazed after her
disconsolalely.

“Dang that Ca taln Marks!” he growled, clinch-
ing his hands, an turning away, as the boat disap-
peared in the. dense fog. “ He’d best keep clear of
me—the rascnlly whipper-snapperl"

Making his w ' v across the island, the Hercules re-
joined Little Lightning and Kent.

“Wal, boyees, she’s gone,” he announced, drop—
,ing into the dialect. “Kind ov knocked ther props

rom under me at fu’st, when she sorter kem up out
ov ther fog.” .

“ So it seemec ," observed Little Lightning.
“Where does she live?”

“ Oh, back-in ther woods a leetle ways.” was .the
evasive reply. “But, I say, ain’t you folk-rs think-
in’ it’s time ter move on up toward the. ford? Ther
lluss is apt tu kem pilln‘ ’long now 'most any mm»
nit. an’ of we’re goin’ ter trick them road-agents,
we’d better be in posish ter see ’em start.”

“ There’s no dispulin that fact,” said Kent, and
he scrambled to his fee . .

“ Hush!” warned Little Lightning, lifting his
head. " I hear paddles.”

“ Thar’s a canon comin’ up—stream,” Saul crest-red,
after a moment of listening. “ Thar‘s several pad-
dles. Git down, both 0v ye. Mebbe we kin see
somethin‘ l”

The three cautiously extended themselves at full
length on the elevated bank and peered anxrously
down-stream. A moment 0. waiting, and then. just
abreast of them. and scarcely a dozen feet distant,
appeared the faint and indis inct outlines of two ca.-
nocs, moving slowly through the water. Each bark
carried three men. .

“Let’s get our boat into water.” exclaimed Little
Lightnin , in a‘quick whisper, when the outlaws had
receded rom vinw. “ It won’t do to give those fel-
iows too much of a start.”

“ We ought to 'a’ plugged 'em!" Saul muttered.
as they hastened toward their canoe. “ Dang
’em! that’s ther quickest way for hunt ’em down!"

Silently launching the boat, they placed their rifles
in the bottom, then embarked, and pulled cautious-
ly up-stream.

Just as they rounded the head of the island, they
were greeted by a rubbing, chafing sound. coming
from a rocky point on the east shore directly below

the ford. I

“The are landing,” observed Little Lightning,
just am ibly. “ Now use your addles cautiously—
we must get in sight of ’em wi bout bein' heard, or
it‘s work for nothing."

With the faintest of ripples, the light canoe moved
diagonall across the stream, then crept ahead un-
der theb uff eastern bank, until the outlaw boats
could be seen through the fog.

Running the canoe beneath a mass of overhanging
bushes opportune! at hand, the rangers settled
themselves as com ortably as oscible to await dc-
velo ments, now confidant th they held the whip-
han of the situation.

An hour passed. Then came the rumble of wheels
and the clatter of horses on the rocky trail, accom-
panied anon with the cracking of a whip and the
voice of the Jehu—announclng the approach of the
stage. Onward it came. at 3 Spanking pace—nearer
and nearer, until-

“ H'alt, Texas Tomi HOId up, or you’re a dead
maul -

The hall rung cut clearly and sharply, and the
next minute the coach game to a standstill.

“Hvar we aire, capt in! Go ahead with yerfu- .
nerall" rung out a cheer; voice, which the three
scouts instantly recognize as that of Texas Tom,

. \_‘,.,........ .

,r
i
2
l
I

 

 

 W’” ,

, fatness 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
     
 
    
   
  

 

  

a it“

‘ r, are?

Little Lightning’s League.

11

 

 

the driver. "Et's a water-haul, though—sures ye’re
born! Nary a passenger nor nary a passei this day
—chank ther Lade'

“Seeing is believing, deacon!” retorted the out-
law spokesman. “To work, boys; riddle the old
hearse from boat to box, if need be!”

Then followed the slamming and ban 'ng of the
coach doors, the restless pawing of the orses, and
finally a volley of curses from the disappointed
road-agents.

“ Satisfied, gentsi—ya-asl Wa-al,
wuss luck naixt time! Gil up, ihar!‘

A mocking lauigh from the Jehu, a fingingcrack
of the whi , an then the horses plunged riskly
into the to and the scene was at an end. .

Cursing their ill-luck, the outlaws waited until the
stage was out of hearing, [hen re-embarked and
pulled down-stream, passing within arm‘s-length of
the hidden scout. ‘ .

“ Slow and easy.” cautioned Little Lightning, as
he shoved the canoe out into the stream. " Listen,
and let the current do the work.”

Several minutes slipped by. The dip of the paddles
then ceased, and a cautious command came from
some point a short distance down-stream.

The three rangers instantly stopped their canoe.
It was quite eVident the road-agents had reached
their destination. . .

~~ Let her 3 ip along in the middle of the current."

whispered Little Li htning. “We must run right
past ’em. You fe! ows watch the main shore—I’ll
take the island.” _
The esmfilamme thus laid down was faithfully
enact . e canoe was held as nearly midway be—
tween shores as poss1ble, and permitted to slip
softly alo With the current until the island had
been ass . i .

“ ell?” queried Little Lightning, in a low tone.

“Nothing,” Kent replied.

“ Nor here. What shall we do?"

“Pull ’round an‘ n t’other side ter ther head of
ther island, an’ disem ark,” suggested Saul. “Night
is comin’ on, an’ I’m hate—starved."

“ And abandon the search?"

“I reckon so, Davyhye kin flnd nothin’ in this
fog,” and the young ercuies uttered a sound be-
tWeen achuckle and a groan. “Ye mi ht jest as
well take my advice, ferI know what in talkin’
abouts—1 do!

“ Thar gals will be raided nfore momm’ I”

“What!” e aculated Little Li htning, turning pale.

“Don’t t fie!" muttered exit, hoarsel , as he
leaned forward and peered at his comr e’s face.
“It isn‘t like you, Saul!"

Laughing softly, the young Hercules thrust his
paddle into the water and turned the prow of the
canoe, saying: ‘

“It’s no joke, Bards, but a solid fact. Jest kee
quiet now, an’ w en we git ashore— Wa-al, I’ll te
ye sumthin’ 1”

Without a word, the brothers took up their -
dies. knowing that it was useless to ,urge $11. to

so-iong, an'

make an additional disclosure Just then.

Arrive at the head of the island. the beached
the canoe, and then proceeded to lunc heartily
from the uch of prOVisions each carried. When
the meal d been finishel Saul calmly filled and
lighted his pipe.

“ Kent i"

“ Well, Saul?”

“Whar’s er boss?"

“Picke in the hills over there.”

“Wal, we’ll need ’em by-an‘ by; better fetch ’im
down ter ther ford.

“ Davy, kin ye paddle us across?” _

“ Certainly, Saul,” Little Lightning replied. “ But
what-”

“ Nary a word. Davy," blandly interru ted the
Hercules. “ Ye'il know all soon enough. est now,
Kent an‘ we aire waitin’ ter git acrost ther crick."

A ain the canoe was launched, and the trio pad-
dl toward the eastern side of the ford. When
they had reached the bank, Saul said:

“ Go back ter ther head ov ther island, Davy, an‘
wait patiently. Sometime ter-night thet gal ov
mine—God bless her l—will lgit yer sweethearts awa
from ther Brotherhood. T ev’ll come up ther cric '
in a canoe, an‘ expect tor find ye at ther upper eend
of ther island. Don’t disappoint ‘eml”

“ Disappomt 'eml ‘ e aculated Little htning,
seizing his friend’s ban in an ecstasy of iopeful-
neas. “ Disappomt ’Vem! Never! Heaven bless you,
glrli-and you. too. 511111 Scott!"

u Amen} ’ uttered Kent fervently.

Tearing himself swag, 38111 Sim!!! ashore.

“ Come on, Kent.” 6 unred- “ e’ll wait fer ye
right about nyar, DaVY- When we beer a fox‘s
bark, we’ll be on hand ter help unload ther gals."

“ All ri ht,” said Little lighten, as. cheerily, and
and hand ng his comrades their rifles he pushed off
from the bank and in the deepening gloom hurried
back to his 80st.

Night set ed down in the deepest blackness: but
as the hours were away a strong breeze s rung u ,
clearing away the fog as if by magic; 6 clou 3
rolled away to the southward, and the clear waters
of the creek reflected the light of countless stars.

Midnight was near at hand when the faint lash-
ing of paddles announced an a roach from own
stream. Bending his head, Litt e Lightning listened
attentively. The sound became nearer distinct, and
presently a canoe containin two men shot in
30?.2fadm8d1m‘ly toward the western side 0

e 0 .

The young ranger experienced a m: of disap-
intment, and silentiv pushed his at back into
me heavy shadows of the bank. ‘

“Outlaws!” he mused. sh 1y e g the now
receding canoe “IdOn’t ukgrrt—it my frustrate

label’s plans);

 

The boat disa peared in the darkness. Half an
hour passed, an then it again came into view, pass-
in down the creek.

'ttle Lightning settled himself for another
weary, yet h‘gpeful vigil. The minutes wore slowly
away. The. nd, gently swaying the trees, and the
musical urliiig and rippling o the waters, com-
bined to ull his senses with t eir drowsy so .

A piercing scream startled him into wak ness.

am and again it run out. Then cameasullen
sp ash—a loud hallo, an a series of short, sharp
cries and ejaculations. .

His eyes glowing like smoldering coals, Little
Lightning caught up his paddle and sent his light
craft flying down the stream with all the strength
of his owerful arms. '

As lg) by inspiration, he divined the full import of
that wild commotion.

The two outlaws had encountered the escaping
captives!

Swiftly as his canoe shot forward, the youth was
too late. A fter that first startling outburst, all grew
quiet. and when he reached the scene of the sup-

orerl xzieelin, the place was silent and deserted.

ot a trace 0 outlaw or captive was to be discov-
ei'nd.

Sliding a groan of anguish and despair, Little
Lightning lifted his paddle from the water and with
bowed head drifted on, hoping that some sound,
however slight might betray the position of his
enemies.

Then. as the prow of the canoe struck some bulky.

ielding substance, causing the cr ift to veer sharp-
y, toward the island, out of the dark depths slow y
arose a rigid white face, wan and deathlike—a face
which the ranger instantly and to his intense hor—
ror, recognized as that of Saul Scott, the young
Hercules!

 

CHAPTER XI.
ms: VENTURE.

“Winn ye bin, Mabel?”

There was a threatening ring in John Vane’s voice
as he asked the uestion. and his keen eyes were
agiow With susp cion. He stood squarely in his
pretty daughter’s pathway.

The girl was not iiig daunted. She had anticipat~
ed just such a salutation. and was prepared for the
emergency.

“On the creek, fishing," s :e replied. lifting into
viewadozen fine specimens of t e “tinny tribe."
“ Where’s Dolores!”

“ With ther Vals— es usual,” growled Vane, step-
ping aside. “ ut look-‘e, gal, ye want ter keep in-
side ther cave. Ther boyees atop ov Ole Eph hev
signaled thet ther woods aire full ov spies, an‘—”

“As if a spy, or an other creature wi h eyes,
couldseearod throng the fog outltherel" inter-
rupted Mabel, lightly]. as she disappeared in the
gloom be and her fat er.

“Gal-ii e!" the old outlaw muttered; with an
ominous frown. “Kaliker is a bad thing in this
biznessi" And his conscience added, “ Because this
business is a bad thing."

The scene of this meeting of father and daughter
was the interior of a cavern of considerable extent.
Off to the right a few paces glowed and crackled a
bright tire, serving in part to dispel the gloom, the
smoke escaping through the numerous seams and
rifts in the cky vault above. To the left the floor
sloped dow ward, ending at the edge of a dark,
somber-looking pool. upon which floated several
canoes. From one of those boats the girl had just
disembarked when hailed by her father.

Here, then in this dark, subterranean place, was
the retreat of Major Menace, the secret head—
quarters of the Brotherhood of Fortune, and the
Ellison of the fair captives, Rachel Carson and

him Orndare. I

As Mabel sped away from her father. something
like a gleam of triumph flashed from her bright
black. eyes. She had dreaded the ordeal of his keen
scrutiny.

Turn ng an angle in the wall of the cavern, she
ascended two or three natural steps and entered a
narrow wmdin corridor. Here. two or three lan-
terns_suspende against the walls lighted the way,
siiowmg a gradua ascent.

Having traversed this passage, the girl paused be-
fore a sort of rude table and put awn. the fish, then
in an unconcerned way lifted a curta n near at hand
and disappeari d. _

The place she had entered wasaiow but roomy
chamber, almost circular in shape, with a cheery
fire .midway of the stone floor. Beyond this fire,
lookin haggard and wan in its lurid light, sat
Racine Carson and Millie Orndare, wi their
treacherous servant, Inez Carro, otherwise Dolores
Menace.

“ Dias I You startled me!" ejaculated the latter,
springing to her feet as Mabel entered. “~Where
have you been? The gallant captain has come, and
has ought. you high and low."

"'lqndeed!" i oring the question.

e51; He was inexpressibly shocked to

“ Yes, inde
d away.’

find that you had slip

Mabel‘s eyes flasht . ” _

“The contemptible scoundreli she exclaimed,
clinching her slender brown hands.
rtggari'i”for his eyes or his face, he’ll keep his dis-

me.

A ri is of silver la hter escaped Dolores. ’

“wage!” she cri’e’d, ufiding toward the outlet of
the chamber. “I admire our spirit and your taste.
The captain is a misera le rascal-7a low, cunning
wretch, utterly devoirl of the brain and the genius
that makes even a bad man endurabie.

” But. Mabel, entertain the young ladies while I
prepare supper, :will you?"

“If he has any‘

uire assistance, call me.”
and the outlaw’s wife was
one

The three girls were silent until her footste had
died away in the corridor. Then Rachel n
looked up, saying in a low, but eager voice:

“ She sus ts n01 hing. The arrival this aftern00n
of Captain Rafi-ks was sufficient excuse for your ab-
sence.

“ Did you see the boys. Mabel?”

The erness with which the question was asked
was sim y painful, and was shared in an equal de-
gree b lillie. \

“A three of them," replied Mabel, guardedly. as
she sought a seat between the two. "And that, my
darlings, is all I’m going to tell you at present. 1m—
tp)r(i)sonment in this gloomy hole has worn upon on.

much for you to endure calmly anything 0 an
exciting nature. Keep perfectly cool and trust in
me.”

“ We shall certainly trust in you,” averred Millie,
simply as her arm stole fondly about Mabel’s waist.
“You have proved yourself true to us on more oc-
casions than one.”

Rachel nodded affirmatively.

" When we go. you must accompany us," she said.
“ Our home shall berour home.”

" I am afraid that shall have to decline your hos-
. itality,” Mabi 1 observed with a deep blush. “In

act, when I leave itere ] i-xpect to go almost direct-
ly to a home of my own.”

“ You will surely leave here with us?"

“Yes; but Saul insists upon an immediate mar-
riage, and—and—”

There the outiaw’s daughter faltered and broke
down completely, glancing, coyly from one to the
other of her friends, her winsome black eyes dewy
with 'o .

“ ix’ exclaimed both, and the next breath their
arms were around her in hearty sympathy. “ Saul ”
was a revelation.

The hours wore slowly away. To Mabel time
seemed never to have dragged by with such eaden
feet. Short] after supper Captain Marks sent his
respects, with a request that Miss Vane rant him
an audience. In answer. Mabel pleads a severe
headache, and that excuse the captain was com-

lied to accept. A little later, Dolores Menace
fined the trio, remaini until late in the evenin .

When she had ret‘ from the chamber, t e
three 'rls threw themselves upon a couch and per»
mitte the fire to die out. '

About an hour passed, and then Mabel silently
arose and glided out into the corridor. A glance
showed her that it was deserted, and she cautiously
proceeded to the lower part of the cavern. It, too,
was empty.

Returning to the chamber, she found the girls 11
and ready, enveloped in long, dark wraps, wit
which she had provided them.

“ Come on,” she whis red. “The men are out
of the way. Step ii ht y and make no noise.”

With that. she l the way into the corridor, and
thence to the ed e of the pool, where she quickly
selected a canoe. ’hen they had embarked, Mabel
took up the paddle and sent t! e light boat forward
slowly and noiselesil until what appeared to be a
solid wall loomed up fore them.

Leaning forward, the outlnwis daughter pressed 8.
small knob projecting just above the water-line,
whereupon a portion of the wall receded leaving an
aperture several feet square. Through this opening
she forced the canoe, then in the starlight paddled
rapidly away. finally passing through a narrow out
let directl into the creek.

“ Free!‘ e aculated Millie, in a low tone.

“Thank eaven!“ breathed Rachel, fervently.

“Not yet," Mabel cautioned, as. with d xterous
strokes. she sent the light craft flying down-stream.
“ Wait until we have reached the head of the island.
We are not safe until then. Our flight may have
been discovered' if so, a hot ursuit will be made."

Roundii‘g the lower end of t e island, the daunt—
less girl turned upstream, keeping close in to the
shore to avoid the current. Almost half the length
of the island had been thus traversed, when a slight
sound in their rear caused the fugitives to look

back.

Scarce] a hundred feet distant, and fairly flyin
through t e water under the impetus_ of four -
dies, came along. trim canoe, the outlines of w is]:
were just discernible. _

iy had this startling discovery been made,
when, with a slight cry, Millie clutched Rachel‘s
arm and pointed'up-stream. '

A second boat was ap roachin .

Were its occu nts f ends or cost

The three gir 3 had little time in which to decide
the momentous question. it occurred to Mabel that
the new-comers might be the young rangers, and
she grimly held to her course.

A moment, and then the two canoes ran along-
side. '

Uttering a shrill scream, Mabel clubbed her pad—
dle and struck savagely at the strangely-white, sai-
donic face of the foremost of the two occupants of
the brat. It uired no second glance to establish
his identity. e was no lem a rigzmonaieoogian
Major Menace, the chief of the nether of

ortune.

The paddle fell uarel u n his face. cutting
short a cry of comnsi‘ilngledssurggise and exultation.
At the same instant, a _ antic form rose up in the
water between the two ats, a long 0
upward in the starlight. and deacon ed to the hilt in
the breast of the second of the outlaws!

vanishin. “Ifyou
Then t e curtain fe

 

" Paddle. l—paddlei straight up-streani es
tight es ye k Jumpi” cried the man in the water,
Q sharply.

“Certainly, madame,” replied Mabel, her anger

 

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12

The warning came too late! Even as it was ut-
tered, a strong hand grasped the stern of the canoe
containing the girls, and a heavy blow descended
upon the head of the glallant giant.

With a low moan e raised his hands and sunk
out of sight, inert and lifeless.

The skillful] -planned venture had terminated in a
disastrous fai urel

CHAPTER XII.
THE uuoa AND HIS AGENT.
hr the time Little Lightning arrived at the head

1 lot the island, after setting his friends ashore, they

ll). 1 formed their plans and were moving quietly
through the woods, Kent going in one direction and
Saul in another.

The Hercules was the first to reach the rendezvous
they had agreed upon—a graffiti “ o n ” a few rods
south of the Rocky Bar t . ismounting. ho
picketed the two horses and seated himself in an
obscure covert to await the arrival of Kent.

In the course of a few minutes. the young ranger
:rode into the glade, disposed of his animal, and
joined his friend. .

“ Do you think we’d best remain here, Saul?” he
asked. “ Wouldn’t it be a good idea for one of us to
get down by the ford?"

“ Not yet,” replied Saul, shaking his head. “ The
gals will not attempt to movo for hours yet. Bime~

3‘ one of us’ll go down. Jest now, we're both bet-
.ter off right hyar.”

And With that Kent had to rest content. About
ten o’clock they bridled the horses and led them
down almost to the trail, halting behind a heavy
cluster of bushes.

“ Now, Kent,” said Saul. “ we’ll hitch the critters
right h ar. You sta right by ’em --don’t git further
awayt an ther trai thar, unless sumthin’,unusual
happens. I'll go down an’ git under kiver at ther
foréd; When ye heerafox bark, bring ther horses
on .‘

To all this Kent gave mute acquiescence, and the
next minute he was alone.

Arrived at the ford, Saul turned down-stream a
few paces and sought cover behind a huge bowlder.

For upward of an hour nothing occurred to at-
tract his attention. Then, all at once, a faint, regu-
lar splashing greeted his ears. cuming from a point
two or three hundred yards down the stream.

“ That’s them!” thought the Hercules, craning
his neck in a vain endeavor to pierce the darkness.
"' Mabel has succeeded 1“

But as the minutes sped b , the approaching boat
shot past the up r end 0 the island, and headed
direct toward t 0 western side of the ford. And
as it t rew nearer, Saul could distinguish, not the
outlines of the three girls, but of two men, and his
heart sunk like lead.

Hardly had he made this discovery, when rapid
but stealthy steps on the trail above him attracted
his attention, warning him of the approach of some
One, and a minute or two later the fl tire of a man
loomed up in the darkness, right at t e edJe of the
women and not a dozen aces distant.

No sooner had the f ow halted than the prow of
the canoe struck the bank at his feet. Then, as the
light craft swung around, one of its occupants
sprung ashore. saying:

“Tie in close to t e bank, Con. There may be
spies abroat .”

"Exactly, major. let‘s get to business," pursued
the first speaker, turning to the silent figure at his
side. "Have you anything special?”

“ I have. major," was the prompt replg. “Come
—let us retire to a more secluded s ot. ur faithful
Con will excuse us, I know, when say tuat the re-
port I have to make concerns you alone.”

“Go on, paras—don‘t mind me," urged Con, avert-
ing his face lest even in the darkness its expression
should put the plotters on their guard.

The two men then proceeded up the trail a short
distance and halted in a secluded spot. '

Saul was not far behind them.

The young Hercules had reco ized them by their
voices. The first was Ma or ii enace, the Brother-
hood chief; the other the ew. Moses Baumschell.

“Thar’s a confab of sum sort on hand-a confab
wu‘th hearin’," he mused. as, with the adroitness of
a red-skin he crept through the nude wth in pur-
suit of the sche'mers, determined to e desperate
odds, if need be. to learn the object of the Jew’s
nocturnal errand. “Mose Bumshell isn’t out at
midnight fer nuthin’.“

At that juncture he was interrupted in a startling
manner.

The peculiar chirrup of a cricket sounded off to
the left, and then abulky form suddenly loomed up
before the young giant, answering the rasping notes
with an excellent imitation.

Saul halted, his hand slipping down to the. long
knife in his rdle, his keen gray e es fixing themv
selves upon t 8 men in his path. ven in the dark-
ness there- was something familiar about the Fal-
s‘afnan proportions of the prowler, and with just a
trace of a smile the young ranger caught up and
repeated the answering c'hirrup. Then, as he ad-
vanced, in the most cautious of whispers came the

“El ht, Belly,” the Hercules replied. as guarded-
hv, as "is hand met that of the detective. “ What

u

“ Stalkin’ Bum an' ther major."

“ Same hyar. D'ye see Kent?" ~

“ Yes: he told me all. Ye’d bestgit back ter ther
crick. ‘We’lllfl this wrinkle."

“Good! E ’m missin' bimaby, keep close tar
ther ford-till e see me. Ef ther gals fail tor git
out I may fin ther way to 'emi"

“ All right; but look sharp.”

'but I reckon you can‘t hear it sooner,

 

Little Lightning’s League.

With that the friends se arated, Bolly Darrit
creeping forward, while San silently retraced his
ste s to the bowlder.

aking up hi sition behind the great stone, the
Hercules carefu ly scanned his surroundings, then
turned his attention to the canoe.

The boat was em ty.'

As he noted this act Saul chuckled outright. The
explanation of the outlaw’s absence had readin
presented itself.

The wily Con had abandoned his post to overhear
the secret conference between Menace and his cun-
ning spy. . .

His ace aglow with satisfaction. Saul laidhis rifle
at the foot of the bowlder,sileiitly removed his boots,
belt coat and cap, and then, armed only With his
kni e, lowered himself noiselessly into the creek.

The canoe had been moored at an off-set just be—
low the ford, and the water was quite deep. With
due. caution the young ranger swam tip-stream, (le-
scribintz a semi-circle, and approaching the boat at
the stern. ’

“ I kin do it,” he muttered, after a brief examina-
tion of the craft, and with that he sought a conve-
nient nook in the bank.

Meanwhile, Major Menace and his ally having, as
they sup osed, gained the seclusion so urgently de-
sired jus then, were talking over certain matters
fully as interesting to Belly and Kent, and the out-
law. Con, as to themselves.

“I suppose, major, that we shall run as little risk
of being overheard right here as at any spot in the
vicinit ," Mose had observed, after seating himself
upon t e trunk of a fallen tree.

“ I don’t believe that we could select abetter place
without going a considerable distance,” Menace de-
clared. “The only thing we have to fear is that
that rascally Con may get an idea into his head thar
it would be profitable to steal up and hear what you
have to sa . ‘

“The fe low isn’t to be trusted,” averred Mose,
sagely. “It will do ve well ordinarily, or where
his neck is in the ha ter. But in a job of the
sort we have in hand to-night, he’s just one too
many. .

‘j My idea exactly; But. to business."

“ The coach yielded nothing to-day?”

“ Not a sou.’

“ So I heard," and the Jew laughed grimly. “ It
wasn’t Orndare’s fault, however. He came to my

lacc tonight and explained the matter. Carson
Bad neglected to wxite their agent at the Bar, and
cotiseq’uently they were just five thousand do
ahead. ’

“You think, then, they are going to accept the
proposition?"

“ l‘he will be prepared to do so at the last min-
ute. Of, course, they hope to discover your hiding-
Elace during the time intervening. That brigade of

ids are scouring the hills, leaving no stone un-
turned.”

“ {go said the signal on top of Old Eph this morn-

" I know; but the signal did not save Pepper and
his detachment.”

“ What I" 6* acnlated Menace, gaining his feet with
a bound. “ ave they taken Pepper?’

“ Have you not heard?" the Jew queried, incredu-

lousiy. .
11“] ot a word," and Menace dropped limply upon
t e 0):.

“ Well, I dislike to be the bearer of bad tidings,
" said Mose,
grimly.

“Four of the Invincibles routed out Pepper and
his men, killing three at the first fire. In the en-
counter that followed. five more were wounded,
more or less severely, and only one escaped cap-
turcl"

For a moment Major Menace seemed deprived of
the iower of speech.

“ our againsu ten, and the four victorious!” he
muttered at last, in a husky undertone. “ They
must have fought like devils 1’

“So they did, and with charmed lives," averted
the Jew. “ To-night. Yellow Dust is wild over Little
Lightning‘s Leagpe.”

‘ And what of op er?" asked Menace, suddenly.

“ Killed,” was the conic reply.

“Then the secret of our retreat is safe!” ex-
claimed the major, with a breath of relief. “ Other-
wise, I would flee at once to our friends and backers
in Utah.”

“ And leave the harvest ready for the sickle!”
Mose egaculated, sneeringly. “ Where’s your nerve,
ma or ” r

“ Well. go qn—~have your say.” cried Menace, in a
savag tone. “ This affair nettles me, but I’m ready
for bl ness.”

“ That’s more like you!" laughed the Jew.

“ ’l’o resume: Natur , Orndare was elated over
the triumph his forces had achieved, and waxed
confidential. Day after to-morrow, accordi to his
statement, the sta e from Rocky Bar wxll b ng up
the treasure-box o the firm, coutaining something
over fifty thousand dollars!"

“ It is a hoax—a bait! He suspects you i” assev-
erated Menace, striking the log a- blow by way of
emphasis. \ I .

" I beg leave to hold a different opinion,” said
Mose,smllin%ly. “Ordinarily my conclusion would
beexactly t 0 one you have limped to; ust now,
however. the circumstances are such tha I can’t
help believin the fellow spoke the truth.

“ He ment oned the fact. too, that the Invincibles
would be on hand to protect the coach against road-
agentsbgnd that at the first sign of such gentry there
would blood spilt." «

“If that crew are to. accompany Texas To the
treasure shall go through unmolested, so far as am

 

 

concerned,” Menace firmly declared. " It would be
man against man; and the boys will be disheartened
and unnerved when they learn of this Pepper mat-
ter. and would be no match for those reckless
devils.”

“'Oh, that’s all true enough," cried the Jew, im-
patiently. “But listen: Assemble your men, and

iave them encamp somewhere in the bottoms below
here. Then, a couple of hours before the hearse is
due at the ford, send a pitted squad of ten or
twelve, well-mounted, do“ n the trail to make a
feint at the treasure. A glimpse of them will be all
the lnvincibles need‘ they will give pursuit, your
men will scatterand draw them on; and the unpro-
tected coach Will kecip right on to the ford, where
you cpn op. rate upon t, just as you have hereto-

ore.’

“The lan certainly seems feasible,” Menace ad-
mitted, iii a reflective tone.

“Not on] feasible. but wholly practicable,” de-
clared the ew. “But the nub to the entire thing is
yet to come.

“ Let the men believe the extent of the haul to be
twenty-five thousand dollars—the amount of the
ransom demanded. Then have the box carried to
the treasure-chamber and deposited unopened where
we can remove the surplus at our leisure, wit none
of them the wiser.

“ What say i" .

“ I’ll do it!" avowed the major, springing to his
feet. “ But are you sure that it Will contain the
amount on have mentioned i”

“ it wi i be more rather than less,” was the reas-
surin': reply.

After a moment of less important talk, the evil
pair separated the Jew returning to Yellow Dust
while Menace slowly retraced his steps to the cance.

Con was awaiting his return, paddle in hand. As
soon as his chief had taken his place in the boat, the
outlaw pushed off, turning down-stream when he
had gained the middle of the western current.

The canoe dragged and at times hung back since
gishly—a fact unnoticed by either of the outlaws, so
preoccupied were they with the J ew’s startling dis-
closures. A single glance over the stern of the boat
would have revealed the nature of the incubus.

Clinging to the craft with both hands. his bowie be-
tween his teeth, his face white and grim, was Saul,
the young Hercules.

CHAPTER XIlI.
n: mrmaur'rnn REPRIBLL.

No sooner were the major and Mose Baumschell
out of the way than Old Bolly Darrit was rejoined
by Kent Kane, the two then taking their way to the
bank of the creek in search of Saul.

The lad was not to be found, and afterahnsty
consultation Kent returned to the horses, leaving
Bolly at the ford. _

The footste s of the retreating ranger had hardly
died away w en there arose the commotion occa«
sioned by ajor Menace‘s interruption of the canoe
containing Mabel Vane and the escaping captives—a
commotion that startled the veteran detective, and
brought Kent hurrying back to the ford.

“ Easy, lad,” warned Darrit, grasping the arm of
the excited and agitated ranger. “ That’s ther
gals. I know, j'grst so well es ye do; but w‘at ye
goin’ ter do? 6 cain’t reach ’em, an‘ we’ll hev ter
own up thet Menace lies beat us on this tack-bar-
rin’ quick work by Saul an’ Da 1”

Utterinfi a groan of dismay, ent crowded at the
edge of t e water, peering anxiously down-stream.
All was a blank, black waste. .

“ We can do nothing,” he admitted, in husky
tones, as he gained his feet. “ All is over, down
there, and unless Dave and Saul were on hand the
girls are worse-off than before,”

“Prezacklyl And ef our friends have failed, it’d
’a’ bin better of they hedn’t ’a’ tackled Menace a’
tall!” averred Bolly, grimly. “They’ve showed our
hands, mebbe, an’ done nothin’ !”

With that, they became Silent and crouched down
on the bank to await developments as patientl as

possible. To Kent, the uncertainly and enforc in— .

activity were bitter and gelling.

In due course, the sound of a paddle came to
them throu h the darkness, warning them of the
approacho a canoe and after a moment'of'sus-
pense the boat touched the bend and Little Light-
ni? sprung ashore.

e was instantly joined by Bolly and Kent.

“ They sli ped ye, Davy? ’ queried the detective,
peering bar at the colorless face of the ranger.

“Yes. Help me ashore with Saul,” was the
hoarse response.
sharp work to bring him around.”

“Don’t ut crselves ter any trouble on my ac-
count. parg on’t i” came a voice from the canoe,
and the next instant the oung Hercules arose to a
sitting posture. “But. say. Bolly Cf eve. sum-
thin‘ warm in yer pocket, ye may jest rot it for‘
em!"

The request was no sooner made than granted,
and the mo were immeasurably relieved when
Saul stepped ashore apparently httlc the worse for
his adventure.

After a long pull at the detective’s flask the Her-
cules hastil pulled on his boots, resumed his coat,
cap, and be t, and took n his weapons.

“ Which way, 8?” is asked.

“To the Lode. 'replied Boll ,quickly.

“I don’t like to leave the is and, jus yet,” Little
Lightning observed.

"Bollys idea is the right one,” averred Kent.
“It is not at all likely that we could do anything
more to-night. Then. too, Saul

for the Lode and take a fresh start in the morigng.

«That’s it, ‘BOIIy declared. “Ther fact 18:- a”  .

“He’s hard hit, and it‘ll take '

isaswatas amtz‘
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Little Lightning’s League.

13

 

we’ve jest heerd a long confab ’twixt Menace an’
Mose Baumschell, the Jew, an’ I kalkilate we’re in a
mighty fair way ter t ther under holt-ef we don‘t
crowd our game too rd."

“Then to the Lode be it,” said Little Lightning.
quickly “ Where’s our horse, Boll l"

“Up ther trail. it yer critters out—I’ll hoof it
till I come u with mine.”

In utter s lence, the four friends drew the canoe
out of the water and concealed it, then set forward,
riding slow! and cautiously until a half-mile from
the ford. T en, at the suggestion of Little Light-
ning, they q litted the trall, takin a “short cut "
through the hills in the direction 0 the Lode.

The trip was accomplished without adventure.
At the Lode, Orthodox Pete was found on ard,
and the horses were promptly given into his c arge,
while the three young rangers hurried silently into
the cabin.

Bolly remained with his veteran pard.

When the horses had been corraled, the two
detectives returned to the sentry‘s post a few paces
from the cabin door, filled their pipes. and sat down
to compare notes.

An hour ed, almost unnoticed. Then it grew
lighter in t eeast, and the darkness gave place to
the dim gray light of early dawn.

The detectives had been silent some minutes,
when Pete started and touched Bolly‘s arm.

“Don’t move. pal-dner—we’re watched l" he an-
swered, in a hoarse whisper. “ By heavens! we’re
completely hemmed in! ‘

“ An' kivered, tool" supplemented Dari-it without
the quiver of a muscle. “ Ther Brotherhood hev
stole a march on us!“

“ W’at’re we goin’ ter do?"

“I give it up, gal-d! Ef we sot still, we’ll be shot;
eugenmako a reak fer ther cabin, we’ll be rid.

“Most assuredly, m dear sir," interpolated a
wheezy voice, just :at t at juncture, and forth from
the cover afforded b a neighboring bowlder strode
ashort, thickset fel ow, masked and bearded, and
with revolvers drawn. “1 must reguest you to
elevate your hands and remain .rfect quiet."

“Oh! ah! indeed!" ejacula Orth ox. “This
is suddent, an’ in ther nater ov a s’prise, tool"

“A ful surprise!” echoed Darrit. “I say, is
thet you, Gideon!

“I reckon it’s Gideon," readily affirmed the out-
law, hls blue e es flashing through the apertures in
hisy'mask. " ou fellows haven't forgotten me,
e I

“ Not much—thet is, of ye’re Gideon Grim w’at
was at one time not so long ago ther May’r ov Yal-
ler Dust,” Bolly declared. “Be ye thet onhanged
Mormon reptilian 1’”

“I’m that same Gideon Grim, tax-Mayor of Yellow

Dust. But enough! ds u . gentlemen. or
you’ll lose your last chance of e! We‘ve trifled
enoug ‘

“An’ enough’s es good es a feast," uoth Bolly,
ashe obeyed the sava e command. "le’ve quite
captivated us, me nobe may’r that was. But go
easy—thar’s a prime you hornets' nest right in
that shanty there, jest news tin' ter swat ye a few!
Ye da’sn’t——"

“Shut up!" steme iterated Grim, advancing,
“ The hornets' nest, will be attended to in due time.
Now s —-both of you I"

“Thar! knowed it had tor come!" Belly ejacu-
lated, with a swift, sldelong glance at the cabin

door.
“the‘d only 'a' ke tstilll”utterod Orthodox,
in the same breath, wit a jubilant ring in his low

tones.

The outlaw, startled, threwn on his guard,
twisted his neckto obtain a fleeting glance at the
door: and that lapse of vigilance, though so brief as
to be hardly noticeable, decided the encounter.

Like twin flashes of light, the detectives rung
forward, dashing the revolvers from his han s an
hurlin themselves u n him ere he could utter
more t an an inartlcu cry.

The lurking members of the Brotherhood dared
not fire. To a man they left their coverts and
darted forward vowing vengeance against the wily
old sleuth-houn 3.

But Bolly and Orthodox were not idle. No sooner
had they disarmed the luckless Grim than they
started with him in a z ~zag line toward the door-

‘ wa of the cabin, swerv Hz to and RD. twisting and

w rling about, as if in the throes of a desperate
strug lo, and thus preventl anything like accu-
rate 15m on the part of their 098-

Straight toward the open door rushed the outlaws,
and the space between them and the detective-de-
cre ominously. Then. at the very instant the
def t of Body and Orthodox seemed assured, the
scales turned.

A wild cheer rung out, and forth from the cabin
gauge! a half-dozen of the Invincibles. revolvers in

an .

A panic seized the outlaws. The dashing. reckless

seemed to strike terror to their ve souls.
they beat a precl ltate retreat to t e cover

Turning,
* they had so valiant! vaca

A mocking laugh ollowed them. Not a shot was

At a word from Boll ,the oun ranger! glided
back Into the cabin 'Ihen, it thg last moment
Gideon Grim slipped awn from his captors Ind

around the cornero the house.

“ Good enough!" exclaimed Orthodox, as he 0W
thedoor. “Amiss iscsgoodesamilo!

“Boyees, keep yer eyes peeled (a that variets;

but don’t pnnctun any ov ‘eln, do. ye hev to. Eh.

Boll t”
“lilo, for we'll need 'em later on," said Dari-it,
with a chuckle. “Jest stand 'cm off—they'll go

’ after a

 

away by an‘ by. Old Gid hes bin a-schemin’ter
squar’ u fer Pepper an’ his gang. He’ll git tired
arter aw ile—ef e ain’t tired now!” _

Meanwhile Gideon Grim had succeeded in rejoming
his outlaw companions. Not only was he crestfailen,
but he also marveled at his escape, which he finally
attributed to accident.

“The never let me slip purposely,” he decided,

brief consultation W! h two or three of his
men. “If you fellows had drilled a few holes into
those detectives right at the beginning of the muss,
we: ’a’ cleaned the gang out, and no trouble
at 1.”

“Oh, yes!" sneered one: “ but after you’d cap-
tured ’em an’ started toward the house, we c’u’dn’t
tell t’other from which. An’ es fer cleanin‘ out the
gang, thet‘s easier talked about than done—specially
when they’re 11 an’ ready. Eh, pards?“

"That‘s w‘o !" asseverated he others within
hearing.

Grim removed his mask and vigorously mapped
his brow.

“Well, gentlemen." he exclaimed, in sheer des—
peration, “ what ‘re you going to do about it?"

“Starve ’em out " suggested one. '

“ Burn ther cabin, an’ ick ’em on es they come
out,” cried another. “ e‘ve tter wipe ‘em out
or take jest Slch medicine curse vesl"

“And the quicker it’s over with, the better,”
added Grim. “The question is. how shall we fire
the cabin?"

At that juncture, the group were startled by foot-
steps directly behind them, and the next moment
Capitaain Jasanlllldzfirks conértin‘ ed them.

‘ c you’ ave l0 e er our proposed opera-
tions,’¥?iuoth the redoubtableyoutlaw, quietly. “I
came directly from our chief, and you are to go with
me at once.

“ Grim, signal the men to retreat to their horses.
In due time the shall pay their respects to the
Invinplbles, but or the time being the matter must
rest.‘

With a muttered curse the ex-Mayor of Yellow
Dust obeyed the comman .

CHAPTER XIV.
'rnl: masons-onset.

Tans Tom, the driver of the stamtween Rocky
Bar and Yellow Dust, was highly e .

Two or three trips had been made without the
slightest molestation, and the Jehu unhesitatinrrly
gave it as his opinion that the horde of outlaws in-
festing the trail had either grown disgusted and
quitted the vicinity, or were lying in wait for a
heagy1 haul.

" ey’ve crowded their game too hard,” hens-
serted, one night in the bar-room of the St. George
Hotel. “When athing ov that kind ha pens, ther
bizness ov ther line falls oil, an’ than t er durned
sharks hev eyiher ot fer hunt fresh water, or else
hold back an’ lay er a chaince et a ten-strike. An’
es ten-strikes sire es scarce es hens’-teeth on this
hlvar dlfetle line, I opines thet ther galoots hev
s o ‘7 .

be next morning, gist before sunrise, the
“hearse” rolled out of ellow Dust, with Tom in
his accustomed place, pulling away at his long
cheroot.

At a point about two miles below the camp, a
slight form suddenly stepped out from the under-
growth Just ahead 0 the stage, with the hall:

“ Ho! up, Tom—I‘m going with you to-day!”

“Baumschelll by ther Rockies! ’ ejaculated the
driver in an undertone, as he drew the reins sharp-
ly. Then, aloud:

“ All right, Mose! Jump aboard lively—I’m anx-
ious fer a quick, clean run to-d%

“ But whar ye bin so ’arlyt at’s—"

“Out for a constitutional," interruped the Jew,
crisply. “ Take it every morning I find time. Here
-have a good cigar.”

“That’s me—every time,"Tcm returned, touch-
ing w) his leaders.

ebbe you‘d like to moisten our throat—"

“Nary time! Thar‘s a time er drink an'atime
fer play. When this hussisback in Yellow Dust,
I’m foot-loose till mornin’. Jest now, I belong ter
ther com . No rye, pardl”

“ As you w 1!," and the Jew shoved the half-drawn
{lag}: bgzck into his pocket. “Look for any trouble
0- a ‘

“ Myebbe—an’ mebbe not ‘7
“That isn’t vet satisfacto . Ithou ht of fetch-
ing pg) a few hun reds from t or Bar, i —”

‘f eep a still tongue an' suit yerseif!" was the
pomted interruption, an as the Jew caught a swift,
sidelolngiglance from the Jehu‘s gray eyes his face

rew .

8 That glance betrayed suspicion. ‘

“See here, Texas Tom.‘ he exclalnied, ina tone
of forced carelessness; .“ ou're waikin on stilts
this morning. Now. that' do ve w with me
but with some men I might name i wouldn’t do aé
all. Just remember that!”

The Jehu uttered a contemptuous little laugh.
Taking the cigar he had accepted a moment before,
his coolly snapped it in two and flung away the

p eces. ..

Baumscheli noted the action. and his blue eyes
glittered wickedly.

“ What d’ve mean by that!” he demanded, angri-
ly, half-turnip in :l’le seat. “D‘ye know you've

me ’

“ Val, I wouldn‘t wonder,” drawled the cool
Tenmmmlyknoeslng theuhelfmmhis
chemot. “Thor fact is. loses, ye've bin a Jonah
tor ther buss everyl trip ve‘ve made lately. This i!
ther last time ye down with rue—mind that!
i’m deuced tired ov gin‘ held up on your account !"

"Oil! is that all? Well-fl

 

“Stop er music—I’m tired!" sternly interrupted
Tom, de tly gathering the ribbons in his left hand
and shoving the muzzle of a revolver almost against.
the face of the Jew. " Ye want (er know too much!”

“Put up your  and let that settle it!” cried
Baumschell, shrin 'ng back white-faced and trem-
bling. “ It wasn’t my intention to offend you.”

“No, I reckon not! ’

“ Upon my honor!” "

“Yer honor? H00!” and the Jehu broke into a
grating, ironical laugh, then slowly returned his re»
volver to his belt. “ Cowards hev vex? leettle honor
--et’s all fear 0y quinsequences with hem!"

That ended the conversation- but as the stage ap~
preached the ford a half-hour later the Jew became
restless and nervous—symptoms that did not escape
the keen-eyed Texan.

Just as the leaders plunged into the water. a.
closely—folded sheet of paper was slyly thrown o
the side of the trail by the spy. .

Tom instantly detected he act. In a tnce the
lines were twisted around the iron railing surmount-
ing the stage, and then he turned upon e Jew with.
the fury of a tiger. -

Baumschell, warned by the actions of the Jehu,
had sprung to his feet, and was fumbling with his:
belt, t 'ng des rately to draw a weoipon.

The ew had ong borne the reputa on of being a.
decidedly “bad man ” in an encounter of this sort ;.
but he had a wholesome fear of the Texan and just
now he was so nervous and confused that his hand,
for the moment to ot its cunning. ‘
hith this latter fac Texas Tom undoubtedly owed.

s ife. ,

With a terrible smile upon his lips, his clear gray
eyes glowing like coalshhe flung imself upon the-
treacherous Jew, and t en ensued a struggle that
bafles description. .

The stage had entered the ford, and in its up -A
ed dpassage over the rocks was swaying ma y to
an fro, with a fair pros t of upsetting at any
moment. The Jew succee ed in drawingba revolver,
only to have it stricken from his hand his wary
antagonist. Then, as they clinched, a s den lurch,
of the coach tched them both from the box to the
railed top of he vehicle, and wrenched them apart.

The agile Texan was the first to n his feet.
With a growl no; unllliklef thrgigt of a mad ened lion, hg
sprung upon t e a ~p rate spy, seized an
whirled him aloft in his sinewy arms.

“You spy—you treacherous hound!" he grated,
bracing his feet for a mighty eifort, and in his wrath
almost striking the breat from the body of the Jew..
“ Yer work is one on this trail—go!“

As he uttered the last word, the enraged Jehu
buried the spy from him with all his strength, then,
to save himself from going Overboard, dropped in-
erglvv upon the roof of t e wildly rocking stage.

ith a terrified shriek, the Jew shot outward and
downward, striking the water headflrst just below
the rocks, and instantly sunk out of sight.

“ Et‘s nothin’ wuss’n a duckin’, l’m afeard l" mutr
tered Texas Tom. as he red down from the top
of the coach. “ Ef he’d a’ struck three feet furder
this way—" A shudder completed the sentence.

ickly descendi into the box, Tom seized the
just as the 0rd was cleared. His long whi
cracker sgietefully, the burros broke into a swi
trot, and t scene of his desperate adventure was.
soon left far in the rear.

The remainder of the down-trip was accomplished
without adventure, and short] after twelve o‘clock
the 5 rolled out of Rocky on its return to;
will“ b" d tri it tried

on t e own- p, on no passengers:
but re g snugly upon the backs of the seats

was a bug wooden box—“a box blfinough an"~

stron enough for a fu’st class co ,” as Tom
had described it, and bearing across its top the-

word:
“ Onsnm & Cannon,
“ Yellow Duct, Nee.”

It certainly was a substantial chest, although its
tttigd and sides were profusely and fancifully perfor-
a .

It was of oak, iron-bound, and provided with a
solid-looking lock. .

Thisbox had become a familiar object to Tom.
It was the treasure-chest of the firm whose name it
bore, and he had frequently carried it to and from

Rocky Bar. -
The oldcoachbowled alo without interru on
until the afternoon was half gone. hen,
ust as it entered a shadowy defile known along
he trail as Half-We. Pass,a man suddenly step—
ped into view with a gnai to the Jehu to pull up.
“ Thet's Little Lightning, an’ new ther band‘ll be-
n tor y!" muttered t e driver, instantly check-
his 0 . “Airs ye ready, Davy!”
“Yes; tess me the key, Tom, and I’ll get inside
coach."re‘lied the ypung ranger. advancing.

.the
“The trail all 0 car below

“Puflectly; not a sign ov a road-agent. Had ter
throw Banmschell overboard at the ford this morn-
in‘. thong ,” the Texan returned, as he handed
gag, the key of the coach. “ Aire ther boys on

a l.
‘ “ Just at the other end of the pass."

Entering the coach, the ranger locked thedoor and
Madam up to the driver, and then quietly
seated

At the u . end of the eleven horsemen
rode out o the timber, and sign.

behind the h “110%“b "193’;
Wren Kane, wig Madman hfig up
rear.
These silent riders were the Prairie Invincibles-
League.

thtie thtmng’s . ,
Twoorthreemiles were coveredflth scarcely a.

 

     
  
 

  

14

 

Little Lightning’s League.

 

 

word to break the silence; then, with startling.sud-
denness. the report of Texas Tom's whip rung out
twice in as many seconds.

“Ri ht and left, boys, and form in front," cried
Kent, 8. low, penetrating tone, and with the words
the column parted, half sweeping one way, and half
the other, around the stage, to form in solid lines
across the trail. ‘ .

in the open timber, scarcely a hundred yards dis-
tant, were twelve or fifteen masked men, mounted,
and spurt-in directly toward the s e. .

At sight the League, however, t e masked nd-
ers suddenly halted, then wheeled and dashed away
in full retreat.

“Ready—aim—flre.” shouted Kent, and in re-
spinse to the command the read rifles of the
Le ue cracked almost as one. en the smoke
lift , it could be seen that two or three saddles
had been emptied by the voile , while the panic-
:fricken road-agents were fieeng in every direc-

on

“After ’em, pardsl" roared old Belly Darrit, driv-
ing home his spurs. “Give ’em Hail Columbia an'
-remember Bobby Lyon!”

That was enough. With an outburst of fierce
shouts the band dashed forward in hot pursuit,
quicki Easing from the view of Texas Tom.

Littlg ghtning had been an interested specta-
tor, and as he noted the headlong flight of the
Brotherhood he smiled grimly and muttered:

"That voile was a ittle more than they had
oily was right—we are getting the

But let us follow the Invincibles. After the wild
outburst with which the pursuit was inaugurated
naught was heard but the swift rush of the horses
through the o n woodland, and the occasional
crack of a ri e for upward of fifteen or twenty

u on kent sounded the recall—a clear,
sharp whistle.

At that time not an outlaw was to be seen, but as
the way was becoming choked with undergrowth
and young timber, it was almost a certainty that
they were not far in advance, and further pursuit
would be at the imminent risk of ambush.

As soon as the last lad of the League had fallen
into line, Bolly and Kent slowly led the way toward
the distant trail, walking their horses and maintain-
i strict silence.

n due time they arrived at the ford, without hav-
ing sighted the stage. After a brief consultation,
they crossed the stream and pushed toward Yellow

us .
A half-mile beyond the ford Kent dismounted and
picked up a piece of bark lying in the middle of the
trail. On the under side, printed in red chalk, were
the letters:
It 0. K."

“ That means business.” observed the ranger.
handing the bark to Darrit. “ It’s from Tom. We
must find some place to leave the horses, and make
all haste to the Island.”

“ You‘re right ” Darrit assented. “No great need
to take ther critters far—two or three hundred
yards off ther trail ‘11 do."

Nodding. Kent remounted and led the way to a
grassy dingle OR to the ht a short distance, where
all dismounted. When t e horses had been picket-
ed. two lads who had been slightly wounded during
the skirmish were detailed as sentries. and then the
party hastened back to the cross, using every pre-
caut on to keep under cover

B the time they had reached the vicinity of the
fo nieht was near at hand; but, after consulting
Bally, Kent decided to cross at once to the island,
and the canoe was accordingly brought from its
place of concealment and launched.

So, in due course the lnvincnbles found themselves
upon the island. The canoe was carefully hidden,
and then the party pl oceeded to the hights sur-
rounding the basin, w ere they halted to await dos
veiopments.

An hour or so after nightfall Boil and old Dan
Rackhoss made a thorough reconno nce of the
island, and on their return re rted everything
quiet with not a trace of the out aws.

“ ey are somewhere about this island," affirmed
Kent, doggedly, “and here I’m going to stay till I
know the secret of their haunt.‘

“ Well, they cain't stay holed-up long at astretch,”
Bolly sage! observed, and then he proceeded to
make himse as comfortable as ble.

His example was s iiy followed by the others.
Even Kent, who was urning with impatience and
anxiety, finally sought his blanket.

For hours not a sound marred the intense silence
brooding over the island. The night was clear and
cool wi bout a breath of wind, and the dark waters
on either side swept by without a ripple or a mur-
mur.

Then. all at once, there came a confused murmur-
ing a ringienig clash, as of steel against steel—faint
and subdu . yet near at hand, and in an instant
ev member of the League was alert and wide-
aw e. I

A moment of painful suspense ensued. Then an
agonized cry, muffled and indistinct, rung out, and
Boiiy Dari-it sprung to his feet, his eyes agiow wi'h
exciftement. f I

“ ards, we‘ve ouud ’eml" he exclaimed. in a
hoarse. chuckling whisper. “Kent was right—this
“13111:: ire-tack llair, and was solved the secret!”

avy " acula t w v.
Darrit started. and his rudd vi’sage turned white.
::Byhcaml Ifoarhah /" hegroaned. Then:
Saul Scott, take two of the boys. get the canoe,
and go around to the mouth of that basin. We’ve
agg’fprce our wayinto that den, by land or by

 

 

No response followed.
A hasty canvass disclosed the fact that the young
Hercules was missing!

CHAPTER XV.
nononss Psorosns A PLAN.

Anna her ill-starred attempt to liberate Millie ,
and Rachel. Mabel Vane was thrust into the gloomy .‘

chamber of the captives, and a sentry posted day
and night at the lower end of the corridor.

Toward the close of the second day of this close
confinement. however, to the intense surprise of the
captive girls the bearskin covering the entrance to
the chamber was stealthin lifted, and Dolores ap-

ea .
p “ Hist!" she warned. lifting her hand as the three
girls started to their feet. “ Not a sound, or you
ma betray me! The guard is near at hand!”

T en, as the heavy curtain descended, the out-
law‘s wife glided toward the center of the chamber,
sa ing in a subdued voice:

‘ 'l‘ney are all away but the guard, and I succeed-
ed in eluding him; but we must be extremely carev
ful, for he has keen ears and an incautious word
would spoil all."

“ You may trust us, my dear Dolores,” returned
Mabel, reassuringly, as she seized the woman‘s

hands. " You come with news?”
“ Dias! es—and bad news I” was the hasty reply.
“ To—day

e Brotherhood will capture the money
with which the fathers of these young ladies inten -
ed to ransom them. Wait-don’t get excited, or
faint, m dears; there’s worse to tell you, and after
that a p an to esca .”

“ Go on," urged achel, speaking with an eflort.

“ Well, to be brief the situation is ust this: The
Kane brothers and t eir young frien seem to have
obtained an inklin as to the location of this rendez-
vous, and the Brot erhood has become alarmed and
toward morning will quit this place. to cross the line
into Utah, where the major has influential friends.“

“ What will they do with us?” faltered Millie, her

face blancing.

“I was about to s ak of that,” said Dolores, sim-
ply. “ But before proceed, there is a word I wish
to say concerning myself.

“ When I consented to aid my husband in this af-
fair it was upon the distinct understanding that
neither of you should suffer any indignit or harm
beyond being abducted and detained untl the ran-
som money could be aid. whereupon you were tobe
returned to your f ends. Within the East forty-
eight hours, however I have learned t at I was
grossly deceived as to his real purpose. and it is now
my mission to undo so far as possible the work I
have been instrumental in doin .

“ You, Mabel, are to be forces into marrying Cap-
tain Marks.

“You, Rachel. and you, Millie, are to be carried
into Utah. to become the wives of certain pol ga-
mous bishops—men high in the aflairs of the or-
mon Church, Wealthy and unscrupulous!

“ These Saints have been the prime movers in this
miserable affair—furnishing the men and the money
necessary to carry out the nefarious scheme. My
husband has been a willing tool in their hands, out
of motives revengeful well as mercenary. You
will remember that his father, Bishop Hearne was
secretly a Mormon di nitary, and that through the
abduction of Millie t ere. only a few months ago,
he came to his death."

“We remember only too well.” said Rachel, with
a shudder. “ But for David and Kent—”

“They were the object of m husband‘s revenge
fully as much as were your athers." interrupted
Dolores hurriedly. “The major's wickedness ap-
palls me! He must be thwarted— on three must
escape! and covering her face wit her hands, the
woman 3 mm convulsively.

Despite her ionate un uestioning devotion,
she was begin ng to see Major anuel Menace in his
true colors -to realize the enormity of the deed she
had blindly helped to commit.

A moment, and then she lifted her head. Her
tears were gone, and in their stead was an angry
sparkle. On her ashen lips was a bitter smile.

“Come!” she exclaimed. almost sharply, as she
noted the puzzled gla cos of the three ir . “ You
must at away from ere—you must ig your way
out! have brought on the knivesl.’

“ But where?" ven red Mabel, with a dismayed
look at the stone walls.

“ There is a weak spot," Dolores returned. “ I
have heard the men s air of it. Here—this wa ,“
and she glided to the gloomiest recess of e
chamber.

Her assertion proved true. The nook was about
three feet wide and lprobably four in hight. The
end and the arch/over and were of earth.

“ You can tunnel throu b there in a few hours,"
declared Dolores, after a riot examination. “The
knives are bowies—long, sharp and strong-re lar
trail-cutters. Slant the hole upward, but no too
much. Spread something on the floor for the earth
to fail in. so that you can carry it awafv and dump
it in the out-of-the-way corners. A ter I have
brought your suppers, leave as soon as possible.
When you get outside, turn to the left and keep on

argon come to the creek. Wait there until I come '

a canoe." ‘

The captives listened attentively to the rapidly-
spckes words, and as Dolores ended she handed
each a knife, cutting short their thanks with an
imperious gesture.

“ There k one thing I shall have to ask," she said,
turning back as she was about to leave the chamber.
“ Promise me that in the event of your escaping you
will not disclose the whereabouts of this cavern un-
til my husband has had time to escape "

l panions unhesitatingly joined her in the pledge,
' whereu n Dolores stealthily quitted the cham—
ber. e girls uickly formed their plans. As
but one could wor in the narrow nook, it was de—
cided that while one dug, another should carry away
the dirt. and the third guard againit surprise.

A blanket was then spread in the recess, and
Mabel began operations With her knife. The earth
was har , an the work progressed slowly. By
the supper hour each had taken a turn, and they
were not more t an a foot nearer the surface.

When Dolores heard this, her face clouded.

“ That is not as well as I could have wished,“
she observed, reflectively. “But rsevere-—the
nearer the surface you get, the so ter the earth
will become.”

As soon as they had disposed of s
tives resumed their task, Mabel, as
the initiative.

But the tunnel lengthened slowly—so slowl , in
fact, that by the time three feet of it had 11
comPleted the girls were exhausted.

“ t must be near midnight.” observed Millie,
wearily. “ If it were only completed 1”

“ We are nearer through than you suspect," Mabel
averred, turning toward the recess.

“ Yes, we are near the surface," said Rachel. hope.-
fully; “the earth is becoming not cnl loose and

orous,”but darker—a certain indication t at the end

near.
“ Well, it can’t be too near," grimly declared Ma-
bel. “ It is high time—”

A culiar sound interrupted the girl.

A aint, rumbling sound, as of sliding or falling
earth, and then a succession of heavy bumps.

“The tunnel has caved in!" ejaculated Millie,
catching up and holding aloft a brand from the fire.

“ Exactly! an’ thanks fer ther light; gals!" came
a voice from the recess. and the next instant, a tall
form, covered with clinging particles of earth, step—
ped into view.

Mabel started, and uttered a cry of joy. :

The intruder was none other than Saul Scott, the
young Hercules.

u per, the cap-
gefore. taking

 

CHAPTER XVI.
its-MICE SURPRISED.

IT was with no little satisfaction that Texas Tom
the Jehu. witnessed the defeat of the Brotherhood
at the hands of Little Lightning‘s League. and no
sosner was the trail clear than he whipped up and
drove rapid! in the direction of Yellow Dust.

In a seclu ed spot a half—mile east of the ford, he
stopped the stage, descended, and opened one of the

doors.

“ Pard, we is gettin’ nigh the ticklish p’int." he an-
nounced. " Et 5 a reskv game, Better guv et up
an’ try sum other way.”

“ N 0. Every foot of ground about the island has
been covered, and eve other expedient resorted to,
and the mystery rema ns unsolved.

“ Drive on, Tom and if all goes well leave the mark
in the trail beyond the ford."

The Texan seemed nonplused. .

“I wishes I c’u’d argie ye out ov et, pard!" he ex—
claimed, lifting his hat and running his fingers
through his long hair. “ But ef ye mil go good
gel: to ye! Do ther best ye know how. Shake,

avy! ‘

Their hands met in a warm clasp; then the door

' closed the keyoclllijgked in the lock, the John clams

bored 7back in
toward the ford.

Just as the leaders were entering the water the
e cted hail rung out:

‘ Halt, Texas Tom, and throw up your hands!"

The demand met with a y compliance, and
then out from the rocks south of the trail came
flourdmen, ail masked, and each with a revolver in

an .

“ Don’t try any crooked business, Texas, or out
goes your light!’ ste warned the foremost.

“ Ye don't see me foo ’ any. Ca ," growled the
J ehu. “ Ef them Desk kids war w they’d orter

be, I‘d singyeaso ,t oug .
“ They‘re a brigh lot!” the road-agent sneered.
0 door. “ Heliol—lockedl That's

perch, and the stage rolled on

as he tried the s
a new wrinkle on t is line!

“ Throw us the key. driver!" ,

“ Oh, sart’inlyl Any thing else I kin do for ye?"

Ignoring the snarling query, the outlaw opened
the door and sprung inside.

Save the treasure-chest, there was nothing in the
stage. Little Lightning had disagpeared.

As the road arrest noted the dress on the box,
his eyes sparkled greedily.

“ I 's the enuine article!" he exclaimed, lifting
one end. “ ere, give us a little help, one of you
fellows. From the weight of this chest, Carson and
Orndare must be shipping a lead mine! ’

Two of the men sprung forward. and the box was
lifted out and carried to the side of the trail, each
1movement being accompanied with a musical clink-

11Then the road-agrnt chief locked the coach-
door and politely returned the key to the driver,
88. mg:

‘Whip up, Texas Tom—push on the ribbons, and
adieu till another day! _

With a. muttered imprecatlon, the John obe ed the
mocking command, urging the horses into t e ford
anditplyfing his whip relentlessly on gaining the op-

s as are.
pq‘He tat" “7 hardly. fO-day.“ laughed» the chief

 

33m. “ Losing the’treasure will cost him his sit -

on.
“ But lay hold—me must get away with our booty.

 

“I so promise," responded Mabel, and her com.

That devil s cohort. the Invincibles. may sweep down
upon us at any moment. »

turning to the box as soon as the hearse was outp w

 

.t

.. ' ‘r _ Hm,

i

i
,
i
i
I z

 

 

i
l
l

 

 

, all on one bold stroke, bewilde

Little Lightning’s League.

15

 

“ Ho! Tybo, you and Vane lend a hand."

The two men addressed at once advanced from

the shelter of the rocks, each armed with a re-
peating-rifle. ' '
La ing their guns upon the hd, the six road-agents
careful! lifted the chest and carried it back from
the tra‘ to a small willow inlet, where three canoes
lay moored at the edge of a fiat, shelving rock.

Across one of these boats a platform had been built,
and upon it the treasure-box was carefully laced.

The chief then gave the word, and the oremost
boat moved out into the creek with the treasure in
tow.

The chief and two men kept a short distance in
the rear, permitting their craft to drift With the
furrent and keeping the ford under close surveil-

ance.

Arrived in the cavern, the party disembarked,
and the chest was at once conveyed to the treasure-
chamber.

“ It will be opened to-night, boys, in the presence
of the entire band," announced the chief, removing
his mask and disclosigg the gnsly face of Major
Menace. “ Go, now, a make your reparations
to de art. The treasure will be apport oned among
you s ortly before we evacuate this cavern."

A moment later the chamber was deserted.

No sooner had the footsterfzs1i of the retreating
road-agent died awa than a nt clicking soun
broke the silence. on the lid of the treasure-box
was cautiously raised. and a little form scrambled
out.

Instead of gold and silver, the coveted chest had
contained a man; and that man was the dauntless

I Little Lightning!

Closing the chest, Little Lightning made acare-
ful survey of the chamber, aided by the dull gray
li ht from a half-dozen rifts overhead.

t was evident. even in the darkness, that the
place was little used. It contained a few boxes and
parcels, and over all was a damp, must odor.

“ A miserable hole—a fit place for a t 'eves’ den i"
muttered the ranger. ‘f Heavens! if Rachel and
Millie are shut up in a place like this, death would be
a welcome release to t em!

“ But if they have sufilered, their wrongs shall not
go unavengedl If I live, just and due punishment
shall be meted outto Menace and his men!

“ Now to find the outlet to this hole. If anything
is to be gained by this venture, I must find my way
out and rejoin the Invincibles at the earliest possible
moment. Then—"

Little Lightning’s teeth came together with a
sharp click. and into his black eyes crept a danger-
ous glitter.

Groping across the narrow chamber, he followed
the wall until he came to a stout wooden door,
which, he speedily discovered, was secured with a
heavy lock.

"I can’t get through that," he decided, after a
brief examination of the barrier. “ I ma as well sit
down and await the coming of the head evil of the
gang. As he and the Jew were to have the first
Whack at the chest, I may expect them as soon
after nightfall as they can elude their companions
in villain .’,’

Rot to the chest, the ranger sat down and
made himself as comfortable as possible. to await
patiently the coming of Major Menace.

After what seemed ages, thou h in realit but
four or five hours, akey click in the 100 and
With a faint creaking the door swung cplen.

Leavin the chest, Little Lightning 3 ded behind

a lie of xes a few ces distant.
he spy had chan ed his position when
a match crackled sharply, ans the stealthy intruder

lighted a lantern.

As Little Lightning had suspected, the fellow was
Major Menace.

Locking the door and slipping the key into his
pocket, the outlaw chief at once advanced to the
ca, ured treasure-chest. lantern in hand.

is mode of proceed! compelled Little Light-
ning to amend his plans ht .

Just as Menace placed torn on the stone
floor and produced a bunch of skeleton keys, he was
startled by a light touch upon the shoulder.

Turning, he found the m of a revolver star-
ing him strai ht in the face.

u male L18 thing!” he ejaculated, his natural pal-
m, deepening, his and seeking the weapons in his

t

be! .
“ Exactly, major—Little Li htning, one of the men
on have so bitterl wron l ' was the cold, even-
oned response. “ on't try to draw—it’s death to

you.

“ Hold 11 our hands!”

Utterly cgvyved, the road-agent chief obeyed. There
was something in the grout, £1133: fgcgigfvgh; 1;) r
t t t 8 rue .

biltwglérgefimgfir captives—Millie Orndare and
Rachel Carson!”

The question was ill-timed. It recalled to Menace
his senses. The full significance of his position
dawned u n him. and a fie sparkle appeared in
his dark- lue eyes. A brie s ruggle, and he was

himslelf again—as cool, daring and iron-nervedas
evm-

" And what if I refuse to say?"he demanded,
quietly.

“Then I shall kill on. and find out later on,”
calmly replied Little htning. “I am not here to
waste words. war, or—”

How it was done, neither could have told. The
road-agent chief, nerved todesperation,‘mhazarded
in its ness.
Little Lightning’s revolver rattl to the floor, and
the two were face to face. neither with a weapon in

and.
“ We’re man to man !" grated Menace, recoiiing a

 

trifle, and whippin out his bowie. a move in which
he was disconcerte by Little Lightning. “Are you
ready?"

“ Readyl" was the laconic response, and the next
insiant the ten-inch blades met with a crash.

Then the ranger realized that he had his redoubt-
able adversary at a disadvantage, that he was a no-
vice with thc wea on, holdin it with his little finger
against the guar , his thumg and forefinger around
the outer end of the handle.

A pass or so, a few thrusts, and then Little ht-
ning lunged forward, his arm extended, his b de
rasEed rapier-fashion, his forefinger and the end of
is t umb against the short guard.

Menace uttered an agonized cr , and staggered
back, dropplni his knife. His rig t shoulder had
been pierced t rough and thro hl

Thrustin his bowie into its s eath, Little Light-
ning icke qu his revolver and s rung forward,
knoc ing the isabled outlaw sense ess with a blow
from the gold-bound butt of the weapon.

Hastily securing the key, the young ran er seized
the lantern. a preached and unlocked 8 door,
then extin uis ed the light and hurried out into the
wide corri or.

Along this left fork of the corridor Little Light-
ning made his way for perhaps a hundred feet, mov-
ing n almost a semicircle; then it suddenly opened
out into a large chamber, near the center of which
glowed and crackled a hugglflre.

Beyond this fire, and at e foot of a short slope,
afloat on agloomy-looking pool were a number of
canoes.

“That’s the outlet,” the ranger muttered. after a
brief scrutiny of the place. “As this part of the
den :eems deserted for the moment, I’ll risk the at-
tempt!" and springing down from the ledge on
which he had been standing, he hurried toward the
we er.

Then out from the shadows bordering the pool
darted two men, uttering shouts of _ .

“A spy! a spy!" aim the foremost. a burl des-
perado armed with a knife. “Onto him, Jim! ’

For just a breath Little Lightning knew not
which way to turn. Then. trusting to fortune, he
darted into a narrow, dimly-lighted corridor, hotly
pursued by the two outlaws.

The end of the passage was sgeedily reached.
There was no outlet visible. With rawn revolvers,
the ranger faced about. to await the onset.

At that juncture. a bearskin hanging against the
stone wall at his side was thrust away, and a great
hand Seized his arm.

“ Hist! Pard Davyl~this way!" e'sculated a
familiar voice, in cautious strains; and w eeling, Lit-
tle Lightning found himself face to face with Saul
Scott, the young Hercules.

CHAPTER XVII.
m mum) xvs'rnav soLvsn.

Tun-discovery that Saul Scott was missing was a
startling one, and Belly Darrlt and his companions
were sadly mystified

But it was no time. just then, for idle conjecture.
There was a strong ecprobabilit that Little Light-
ning had been detect in the is and lair, and was at
(211%; moment battling for life against desperate

“ Kent " cried Bolly, when it had been established
that the Hercules was missing, “ take two or three
of ther boyees an’ git ther canoe inter water es soon
es go kin. Beat 11 an' down ther creek thar till ye
fin sumthin'—ef takes till daylight!"

The lads required no urging. . No sooner had Kent
named his two than the trio set out in nest of the
canoe. Launching the boat on the eeéern side of
the island, they embarked and were about to paddle
down-stream when a sound a short distance above
arrested their attention.

“It‘s Texas Tom, with Orndare and Carson," ut-
tered Kent with a breath of relief, after a moment
of tient listening and watching.

ithin a minute or so the canoe containing the
mine—owners and the Jehu was alongside that of the
young rangers, and after a brief consultation both
crews pad ed down the stream, keeping close to
the island shore.

They had not proceeded far when Kent uttered a
word of warning, and the paddles were instantly
lifted from the water.

The precaution was a timely one, and well taken.

Coming up the stream were three canoes, each
containing four or five men.

At a point oEposlte to the hollow cave, they
turned toward t e island and silently entered the
narrow outlet of the basin.

As soon as the last canoe had disappeared, Kent
quickly put one of his companions asho with a
message for Bong, then pulled at once into t e cl!!!-
bordered basin, etermined at whatever hazard to
learn the secret of the retreat.

He was just in time.

The canoes had crossed the basin and were in the
shadow of the opposite wall. a section of which was
just~o ening out, like a door upon its hinges. and
thro n across the water a belt of light.

“ Mar the spot, Pat!" exclaimed Kent, in cautious
tones. “That s our road. if we have to batter down
the door!" "

 

rm,
havin’ rdo, fer et’s divil gvglim av the kaehole
we’ll be nittin’ this night! e’se ucké, indade—”-—

A strange sound intorru led the elt’s hurried
utterances—shouts. cries. t e report of firearms—
sounds indicative of a fierce struggle—a strange
sound, stifled and indistinct, yet coming from a
point not far distant.

“They’ve discovered Davy!“ cried Kent, an in-
describable thrill betraving itself in his voice. “ Ha!
the secret entrance closes! Back, Pat—we must

' of the intrusion, were in a dense

sori Et‘s thet rame we’ll be afther‘

 

 

pick up Bolly and the boys and force our way in—
quick! If they’ve murdered him—J’

"Hold! Kent Kane, I‘ve a word for you!" inter-
polated a low clear voice, and out from the gloom
to the left of the rangers darted a canoe, bearing a
single occupant.

“ By Heaven! u is a uoman I” burst from Kent’s
lips the next instant, as the boats came side to side.

“ Yes—Inez Carro, otherwise Dolores Menace!”
was the swift response.

" Ha! you, traitress?"

“ Yes, 1, Kent Kane!” roudly returned the we-
man. " But this is no p e or time for useless re-
crimination.’

“Swear to me that the life of Major Menace shall
be spared, and you shall know the secret of the en-
trance yonder!”

e ranger started.
.1“And if I refuse?” he asked, after a moment of
s) once.

“Then you‘d better return to Yellow Dust], for
gear errand will prove worse than useless. ohn

sue, the man who contrived that gateway of stone,
is one of the most skillful artisans known. He
worked months upon it, and-Lem the secret—if
you can!”

“Hold, woman!"

“ Your romise! Not—"

“You ave it, Inez Carrol" interrupted a voice,
which all recognized as that of James Orndare, the
mine-owner. " I have heard all. Now, forward
and open the gateway, without the loss of an in-
stant! '

Burning with impatience lest she should betoo
late tosave the life of her rascally husband Dolores
Menace needed little 11 ng. In an incredi ly short
time, the six men ha been piloted through the
gateway, and were at last within the cavern.

Reaching their canoes, they silently sprung ashore
and hastened up the slope to the level of the cham-
ber. revolvers in hand.

The outlaws of the Brotherhood. as yet unaware
group at the Iowa
0nd of the corridor leading to the chamber in which
the ca tives had been confined.

Their first notification of the turn afiairs had
taken was the stern command:

“Hands up, gentlemen! The game is played, and
you are risoners at last!"

Had a mb desc+ nded in their midst, the rascal]
crew could not have been more terribly astonishe .

“ Boys, they ’ve got us, front and rear! The jig’s
govt; cried Captain Jason Marks, raising his empty

an 3.

His example was at once followed by the men.

Then down the corridor came Little Lightning,
Saul Scott, Belly Darrit, nrd the others of the
League, while in the , background were to be seen
the three girls, Rachel, Millie, and Mabel.

The task of disarming and secan the prisoners
was accom lished quiet! and effect vely, and then
it was foun that Major cases was missing.

Just as this discovery was made, a pistol-shot,
closely followed by a scream, rung out in a remote
part of the cavern.

“ That came from the treasurechamber," averred
Little Lightning. “ Menace and his wife are there."

The surmise proved correct. On investigating, it
was found that the chief of the infamous Brother—
hood, regaining consciousness on] to find that his
stronghc d was in the hands of ttle Lightning‘s
League, had blown out his brains.

The grief of Dolores was heartrending.

When everything had hem made snug and secure
for the remainder of the night, the three girls and
their at lovers, to other with James Orndare
and wis Carson, me. e their way to the chamber
of the late captives, where around a glowing fire
the whiled away the hours of darkness with ani-
m conversation.

The only sad one in the was Mabel Vane.
Her father was a crimin and a uplive. But a
half dozen quickly-spoken sentences from the mine-
owners removed the weight of anxiety from the
heart of the brave girl, and when mowing came
John Vane was missing. He afterwardbecame a
stra htforward citizen of 

“ ul,” exclaimed Kent, du g a brief lull in the
conversation, “how did you fellows gain the interior-
of the cavern i”

“ Fell in!" laughed die Hercules. “ While we
were loafing around on the hillside out there, wait-
in’ fur something to turn up I concluded to scout
‘round a bit on my own boo and about the next
thing I knew, I was riggt here among the girls.
They had been digging t lr way out, and the tunnel
was almost to the surface: I happened to step on
the right spot. and down I came.

“ ’ just tten the tunnel cleaned out, when
Da turn up, chased by a pack of outlaws.
Whvile he held ‘em off. I fetched Bolly and the boys
down, and we’diust been a-wi in' it to the Brother-
hood when you eliows came below and stopped
the fun.

And the entire party voted the affair apiece of
blunderlng good luck. __

The remnant of the once powerful and thorough-
ly organized Brotherhood o Fortune received just
and due unishment, and the remarkable campaign
of Little ghtning's e was not soon “>130th
by the he an toughs of the district.

Dolores enace d sho after the
death of her husband, an it is thought made her
way into Mexico and entered a convent.

A week after the triumphant return of ourfriends
to Yellow Dust, three marriages . solemnimd at
the Orndare cottage. .and the camp “held
its breath. an’ then went wild!”

1-3: m.

 

 

BEADLE’S*HALF-DIMEaeLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

 

BY EDWARD L. “'llEELl-IR.

Deadwood Dick Novela.
l Deadwood lilek, the Prince of the Ronni.
20 Double Dnggcrat nr, Deadwood lliru'e Defiance.
28 Knifan lien; or. )«mlwomi Dick in Disguise.
85 “ lid lvun. the Boy Cinudn Din-u]. '
43 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Ilirk'l Bonanza.
49 Dmnha (Ill ' or Deadwood Dirk in Danger.
5.‘ Deadwood lllt'ii’l Eagle»; or, The Punk niFlood Bar.
73 Deadwood “It-k on Deck; 0". Calamity Jane,the Heroine.
77 (‘orduroy Charlie: or, llemlwoud Dick's Laat Act.
100 Deadwood Dick In Leadrille.
104 Deadwood Diek‘a "1M lee: nr, The Double Crou Sign.
109 Deadwood Dick an Detective.
139 D‘eudwood Dick‘s Double; or, The Ghoet oi Gorgon'e

(rulch.
188 lilonde lllll: or, Deudwood Diek’l Home Ilene.
‘49 A Game of Gold; or. llemlwuml Dick'a llig Strike.
166 Deadwood Dick oi‘ Deadwood or.’l‘he Picked Part .
195 Deadwood Dick‘a Dreams nr, he Rivuln orthe Ron .
’01 The “look lliill Jezebel; 0r. Deadwood Dick's Ward.
805 Deadwood DIek’a Doom; or, Calamity Jane‘e Lalt ltd-

venture.
.17 Captain Crook-Shot, the Girl Brigand.
291 8a ar-Goated Sam; or, The nlnck Gown.
982 Go d-Duat Dick. A Rofllnnre of Rough nnd Touzhl.
'08 Deadwood Dick’n Divide nr, The Spint of Swamp Lake.
.68 Deadwood Diek’a Death rnll.
809 Deadwood Diok’e Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of

Oregon.
8.] Deadwood Dick'a Dozen; or, The Fnkir ofi’haniom Flnu.
847 Deadwood Dick’s "acute; or, Rainy Daya in the Dig-

tinge.
.51 Deadwood Diok Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendeitn.
3‘2 Deadwood Diok’e Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro

late.
405 Deadwood Dick In Dead City.
410 Deadwood Dick’a Din-undo; or, The Myetery of Joan
orter.
“I Deadwood Dick In New York; or, A “ Cnie Care."
480 Deadwood Dick's Dust; or, The Chained “and.
448 Deadwood Dlek, Jr.
448 Nickel-Plate Nod: or, Deadwood Dirk Jr‘a Drflanre.

finndflower Sam, oi Shula; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’e Full

an .

459 Flnah Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’l Big Round-

«5 Philo Pix, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’a Racket at
Claim to.

471 Roles-an Bill; or. Deadwood Dick Jr'a Corral.
476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’.

D D leettve.
481 0‘ e
“I

 

oil )1 artery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood.
Intel, the King of the Welt; or, Deadwood Dick

1.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr'a Inheritance.

’e DI nga; or, Dr. DeathvGrIp'l Snoop.
De veronce.

l’rotegee.

 

Danger Docks.
Death Rant.
r. in Texan.
Jr. the Wild Wm Vidoeq.
on Ilia Kettle.
Jr. In Gotham.
In Boaton.
Jr. in Philadelphia.
Jr. In Chicago.
Jr. Anon
Jr. In Denver.
law'i "Tract" h In Baal
r. n ee ne a e n.
Jr. at Cone, lala .
mm Jr’e Leadvllle Lay; or,BrIatol and

Other Novel. hy E. 1.. Wheeler.

.0 Olav .II “MP, the BuiTnlo Demon.
8. Bob e\Vooli't or, The Girl Drnd'Shot.
89 Death-Face, Detective; nr, Life in New York.
45 Old AvalancheJ or, Wild Edna. the Girl Brigand.

ill l‘llud r., the Boy Pheuix.
ill Buckhorn II II or, The Red liiile Team,
69 old Rifle the blur Inhooter: or. The no new“...
80 mhud lion Mar, ugget Ned, the Knight.
II. the Girl . Inert or, Roachud Rob on Hand.

ra h Phil; or, Thy-ebud Rob’e Reap oar-an“.
‘ ct. or, Old Anaconda in Sitting ull’e Camp.
9 - I 9.3 or, Araba and Angela ofa Great City.

J aok lloy e the Young Speculator.
ll Gilt- Edged Dick. the Sp vrt Douctlv.
DI Cinnamon Chip the Girl Sport.

ll inn lliil nor.

Iloh the king of Boothlarkl.
a“ the Boy Road-Agent.
.In ferret, the New York Detective; or, Bole 30V!

0 u.
w Y I'll Nell the Boy-Girl Detective.
ifilek of liievndat or, The Sterne seam”,
rank, the Burlukln Bravo.
i'l'ita, the Bound-Boy Detective.
"ritl to the Front; or. Th Ventrll u’ilt Hunter.
“logger the Boy Sharp; «r. 'l' 0 Arab tecttve.
lpollo DI“, the Trail Tormvio.
3 clone Kit, the Young Glndiator.
un— Saul, the Frontier Fern-t.
we . .. Sam's Secret; or The Bloody Foot rinta.
“erra Sarn'a Ford; or. The Angel or Big iota.
.58 ii-‘erra Sara's Seven nr,:l‘he Stolen Bride.
’18 Jul-tho Jo the llny ntrol; or, The Rival Haiti.
2 7 "lenver Do the Detective Queen.
Denver Dol ‘a Victory.
Denver Doll'a I troy t or. Little Bill's Banana.
‘nrk, the Boy error.
Denver Doll'a Drift t or. The Road Queen.
No. I, the Druth Toll-Taker.
’Liza June, the 'iirl Minor or. the Iron-Nerved Sport.
Kelley llielte Jr 00.. the Detective. of Phlledelphln.
.Ittle Oniek- at or, The Dead Face 0! Dagger-ville.
gangoroo KI or. he Mylterioue Miner.
.laniaroo Kit a Racket.
Jinn ottan like, the Bowery Blood.
"Iret-Clllo red, the Gent lrom Gopher. ,,
Freka din, the Geld-Gatherer: or, The Lottery of

’e Prise. I
hi it? n"! litigifisl'i  v m...
t o no r or ' n I on
e. Rival. of Red oee.

 

:E

 

 

;::~

 

 

aha Dan.
Watch Detective.
. he Bale Bali Debatin
r- M '0.
: Pal. "than
Die-her.

 

R Y CHARLES MORRIS.

“'ill Romero, the lint Dt-tectn‘e.

l’lril Ilnrrly, thr lines Hwy.

I'Icuyuue Pete; nr, Nicodemus, th» Dog Detective.

Detective Dick; or, The iirt'u In Rugs.

Ilandaome Harry, the Boothhu-k Detective.

“'Iil Wildfire, the Thoroughbred.

llluek It"... Will wndur. A Rm".

Mike Merry, 1h.- linrbnr i‘uiieu Boy.

“'ill “'Ildilre In the “'ooda.

Billy Bug age. the. Railroad iiuy.

A 'I‘rulnl )nraig or. \l'lll Wildfire “'int and LOIOI.

ken g or, Myrteriea oi New York.

Bob Roe ket the Bank Runner,

The llidt on land‘ or. Will \l‘lldfire‘e Revenge.

Fred lia yard, the .ih- hunt lint" «.r. The Sinuxglerl.

ii lloh R kettt or. Driven to the Wall.

19“ shadowed; or, Bob Roriieti'a Fight. for Life.

206 Dark I’nul. tho Tiger King.

212 Dar-hing Dru-e. the hand?‘ Detective.

“0 Tom Tanner; or, The H nck Sheep ol the Flock.

2.5 flnm Charcoal the Premium Dnrky.

9815 Shadow horn. the hirereuger Boy.

848 The Two “ Illooda "a or, Shenandoah Bill and Ilia Gang.

252 Dick Dani-away t or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago.

«I The Y g Bilarpnt or, Rollicking Mlke’e Hot TrniL

; the llrieetlvr Apprentice.

239 Jolly Jim a Job; or, The Iounz Deterilve.

298 The “'uier-Ilound; or. The Young 'l‘horonghbred.

805 :‘i‘nahaway, or Dakota; or, A “'eatern Lad in the Quaker

. t).
3.4 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective.
on Tony Thorne. lhe Vnznhnnd Detective.
858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Fiver‘a Blinard.
867 W Ide-Awake Joe; or, A Iioy oi the Timer.
.7” Lurr*. the Leveler; or, The Bloode oi the Boulevard.
408 Fire y Jud-R. the River-Rat Detective.
488 $he Loni. I“! err or, The Entrappod Cuhier.
498 red l'i er t e Reporter Detective.
48¢ lnvlnclb e .0 an, the Pinkerton Ferret.
450 Bill Brick, t e Jolly Vunbond.
460 “i e-Awake Jerry, Dem-five; or, Entombed Alive.
479 Detective D e] or, The Myetery of Frank llenrty.
or ll "'l "l." are r:— . s. . . ..
ooa, e o, remnnlor, oo tnrporte or r.
:66 The Secret l-crvlee Bov Detective. P.
596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among wow".

BY 01.]. 00031158.

5 Vagabond Joe. the Young Wandering Jew.
18 The Dumb Spy.
2? Antelo e Abe. thr Boy Guide.
81 Keen- nife, the Prince of the l'rnirlea.
4| Loo-o Jack, the Young Mutt-tiger.
68 The Border King; or. The Secret Foe.
71 Delaware Dick, 0 Young Renrer Spy.
74 Ilawk-evo Ilarrv the Young Trapper RID‘CL
38 R‘ollohthe Ito Ran er.
184 Sure hot flet th. Riflemnn.
I“ Sear-Face Saul: the Si ent Hunter
148 flilver Star, the Boy Knight.
158 Eagle Kit. the Boy Demon.
168 Little Texan, the Young Murinnger.
I?“ Did fioiiiyary. the Hermit ’l'rn per.
180 .Ittle llnrrlennc, the Ho .nptnin.
’roa Oct Pete ; or, The onuz Outlaw Hunter!
8 The 0‘, llereuleat or, The Prairie Tramps.
‘Iger Tom. the Texas Terror.
inahin
A 
F e =-
e ..

I I tour-roan
out: "

 

HHHI-Indt-Ihenl-t-t-Ia-Inlna—H-l

Dick: or, 'i'ruyper 'l‘om‘l (Tulle.

ildlre, the Yuung l’vnlrle Notnnd.
nu. De teciivct or The Little Ranger.
.1- ...1 Guide; or, il‘ild Raven, the Ranger.
Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger.

 

 

 

. tevi
'7’ M in Mike, the lioy Shnrps-hooier.
.90 LI Foxfire. the Boy Spv.
800 'I' e a, "(mum ; or. lininiwit. the R1113".
884 “ hilt-king Joe, the HM nnchero.

409 llereul-ee or, Dirk. the lloy Rnnger.

4'7 “'elli'oot one. the Tramp Detective.

Hub sum. the itny Giant oi thr Yellow-lone.
“4 Lin e Buck-Mn. the Young l’rnlrie Centaur.
457 “'Ing di'oot Fred; nr, Hid l‘nlnr Saul.

68 Tang, ar- ’I‘om. the ill: Treat-er Boy.

78 Old Torn Rattler, the Red lver Epidemic.
489 fltotlewall lit-h, lite itny ’l‘rninn.
56' Blundering llaail, the Hermit Boy Tapper.

BY '1‘. C. "ARBAUGII.

28 Nick o’ the Night: or, Th~ no Spy oi "It.
37 The Hidden lgodget or The L ttln Hunter.
ale at or, The Fore-t Ca taint.

:- Outian oi the on Trait.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or. The Bow Trapper.
(lid Frooty, the ulde- or, The White Queen.
Kiowa Charley the 'nlte MuIinnger.‘
Jud e I. neir, Jr.t or. The Bo ' lel‘lanh.
(Sol Tr er. the s ort; or, T e Girl Avenger.
Tornado ‘onlt 0r, njun Jack From Red Core.
Ned Temple, the Border Boy.
Arkanaaw : or, The Qua-in oi Fate's Revenge.
' Nick the Boy Gold Hunter.
on or, Little Tonknot‘e Cruude.
. I t or. Roan. the Rel ezebel.
“I lull Itravot N. The Rough of the Roeklee.
.55 Contain Alroli' the King-Pin of Bowie.
.8 T . otcctive.
.79 Old \Vineh} or. The Burk-kin Dee eradon.
DIM Dfnarniie tan; or. The Bowie ll ride at Corhetope.
803 'l to Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger liar Baily.
8‘6 "id Eclipse. Trumn Curd of Arimna,
89“ The Ten l’nrdnt or. The Terror otTnke-Notlce.
886 "ll Benson: or. The Queen of the La-eo.
845 l’ltlleeo Matt; 0', lied Thnnderholi'l Secret.
85" ":mi Mun l m.‘ For“ or The Terrible Six.
868 ‘ elvet Foot the Indian Detective.
8’“! Contain (‘ut an or, 'I he 3"rcnneer’e Girl Fee.
896 “on It Rob or. he l'wln Champione of Blue Blane.
II The liken .aeao or. The Rare of Reach Robin.
I“ Felix Fox. the Boy . potter.
485 Texan Truln the Border Rattler.
480 Phil Filth, t e New York Fox.
445 The City V an iron or Red Rolfn’l Pigeon.
:4" One Aria-t Il' fly; or, The [All Man of Keno Bar.

'.‘HHIIHHHH
-oeoaunoo
cantcacoo

The 0 fl adow or Felix libx'e Hunt.
477 The .x’ or 8 'n'; or, The Wuhingtoe Spotter.

el
.I ht. the 0-3 ml Sport.
d glen the Nigh’t Ferret.
:- ck‘ihe Whnrf-S y Detective.
allK ' 33:30 shadow.
00.9 V"!
k it “not.
hie; or, The Rival In Mr-
aerate One.
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B‘ CDLONEL l’RENTISh‘ lNGRAllAM.
7 The Flying: Yankee: or, The Ocean (mm-st.

l7 thipll “o ', lite lioy iiueenn—cr; or. The i'huitive Yacht.

24 Diamond Dirk Lor, The Mystery of the \‘rliowatone.

“2 The h‘hudow ii In: 0r,'I‘he Rirul Livuicunnte.

75 The lioy Dnellat: or, The Club»- of lilL' Sen-Wolf.
102 Dick Dead-Eire, the Boy Sniucgier.
lll Tin- fir-n-llet I z or. The Midnhipnmn’s Lcum y,
116 The lluauar Ca tnin; or, 1 he liellllii nl Hell am,
'97 Little Grill Ul', exile, the Stock—Tomi- r'e Daughter.
204 Gold Plume; or, “Me Kill-Ginve Sluirl'
2|“ Iiiaon Illll. the Prince oi the Reina.
222 Grit. the llruvo “port l “T. The Women Trailer.
2’” Crlmaon Kate nl’. The (‘nwhoy‘a Triumph.
 Lone fitur, ihr ,nwiboy Cit Ilain.
245 Merle "u- Mlddy or, ' ‘hr Freelance lirir.
950 The )ildahlpmun . ntlneer; or, ilrnndt, the Bucmneer.
304 '[l‘lhe Floating Feather; or, Merle Moute'l 'l‘rurure

I and.
969 The Gold Shiv; or. .‘irrie. the Condemned.
876 flierlye Monte a (ruin-t or, The Ciuae of “The Gold
t

_ y.
230 Merle Monte‘a Fate: or. Pearl. the l’irnle'l Bride.
4 The Rea Marauder; or. Merle Monte‘a rimlge.
887 Billy liiue-Eyea, the Boy Rover oi the Rio t-‘mn-ie.
304 ,lIe Dead Shot Dandy; or, lit-Into. the Bu} hugler.
30“ keno kit; or. liend Shut lintnly‘n Ilwnhlc.
814  MIIWPIouI Marauder; or, The Boy iiugier'n Long

TI .
877 lionodel, the Roy Rover: or, The Fleglrsl Selim-nut.
87‘“ The lndiun Pilot; I-r. The Sean h for Pirate ialnnd.
337 “'arpath “'III, the Boy Phantom.
398 Santa". the Hay Lieutenant.
40! laudor. the Young Conllglirnior; or. The Fatul League.
407 The Rev ln'enrgcnt; or. he ('nl-nn Vendetta.
419 The “'ild \ aehtamant M, The War-Cloud. Crulee.
429 Duncan Dare. the B0 ' Refugee.
483 A (‘ahln Do "a hue ; or, The Corsair.
48? The Eco Rn der. ..
44] The Ocean Firefly: 0". A Middy’a Vengeance.
446 Ilaphaznrd llarr ; or. The Sea} rare at the Son.
450 “'Iznrd “1": or. he Buy Ferret a New York.
454 “'Ilnrd “'Ill’a Street Seouta.
462 The Born (-‘aldet or. The Sailor Boy Wanderer.
488 Neptune fled, the ltny'Cogttter.
4?" Flora: or. Wizard Will a \n alroml l'nrd.
488 Ferrets Afloat: or. Wizard 'ill’e [out Case.
4"? Nevada Ned. the Revolver Ranger.
495 Arizona Joe llw lluy l'nrd of'l‘eue Jack.
49? line-it Taylor. Kin] oi 1h.- Conboya.
508 The Royal Midd ‘ or. The Shark and the Sea Cat.
507 The limited Midi man.
511 The Outlawod Id 1.
520 llueknkin Bill, the Comanche Shadow.
535 Brothera In Buck-kin.
580 The Huck-kin Bowen.
585 The Rue akin RoVera.
540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio.
5415 Lieutenant Leo. the Son of 14mm.
650 Laiitte’l Legacy: or. The Avengiux Son.
655 The. Creole Corr-air.
500 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower.
565 Kent Kin (ion, the Card King.
570 Camille, t 0 Card Queen.
575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective.
5’“) The “nu-ant Cadet; or, ‘lhr Fniee Detective.
586 The Buck-kin Avenger.
591 Delmqnte. the Young Sea-Rover.
fill? The h on Texan Detective.
602 The \‘agn nd of the Mince.
00? The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kii'e Champione.

BY BUFFALO BIL]. (lion. “'n. F. Cody).

8 Kan-la: King; or, The Red Right Ilnnd.
19 The Phantom Spy t or,‘l'he Pilot ofihe l'rnlrio.
55 Dudly-Eye. the Unknown Scent.
OS Border Robin "00‘; or, The Prairie, Rover.
158 Pane: Frank of Colorado; or. The Trapper'n Treat

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

608 The Pitcher Deteetive’e Poll; or, Double Curve Dan‘e
Double Play. By Geo. C Jenka.

609 Bo“ Don-It, the Veteran Detective at Ltltla Ll htnin 'a
lnviuzl‘lea. By John ‘. Oabon. ’ ' t g

010 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or. Tony Slurp on Guard. By
T. C. Harbnuuh.

611 BIldad Barnacle. the Detective Ilerculee; or, The Tunic at
T hie Mountain. lly Lieul. A. K. Sima.

ID Deadwaod Dick Jr. In Detroit or Turnin the Table:

“ on Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler. ; ’ g

618 Billy Blanca; or, The Skeleton’r Legacy. By I'.S. Wune.

014 “'lllltlillg Jacob, the Detectlve’a Aid; or, The Queer Coni-
bination. y Jo Pierce. '

615 FIghiin llarr , the Chief of Chained Cyclone; or, The
Heathen inee‘e h iuion. By J. C. Cowdrlck.

616 The Ocean Detective: or. The Lut Cruise 0! the Black
Bear lly Gee. C. Jenn.

OI? Rain . the Dead-shot Boo-t; or, The Rnidora and (h.
Red idera oi the lilo. liy (‘ol. Prentiu lngmham.

618 Deadwood Dieh. Jr. in Cincinnati; or, The Climber
Campaign. liy Ed. L. Wheeler. '

619 The Boy Tramp Detective; mn’l'hc DoubTe Grip Wlinm.
llv “'m G. I'nrt n

620 Little Lin-lit-‘ing‘a League; 1".le MVW‘TY “WW lllnml.
ll)‘ John \\'. “Mum.

021 Trnihml Janice. the "Pecoolinr" Manzor, The spun...
Dilpoiled. By A. U. Grin-mu. Reedy Jane l~.

.C t'n Triad; 0r Th. Que" Adair at Tomb.
622 Efigfllgvolmug-A. K. Slim. Rehdy Jane 98,

hlehee the “ark. Hummer; or The
.38 Bili%¥p3iii'fldovin¢ flinch. By Jo Pierce. ’

Reedy July ‘1.
on; new...“ Dick, Jr a Nevada: or, The Preacher of
Reedy July 9.

. I
Pokerville. By E. L. Whoeler.T
i D“. the BC raIle or The Hero oi the
"53:3...hy'1ml.mw, r. Road, ui,'|L

A New Ilene Every Tneeday.
Tholalf-DI-onhrary 1- ll» tale hyail Mire
upm,uaelthyulionreeeiptafaixeeateeael

3w“ AND’ADAII, Pnhlhhern.
’0 Willie- ltreet leer Yeeh.‘