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$2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BE A DLE AND ADAMS, Price,
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The Deadwood Desperado’s
Last Innings.

BY JOHN W. USBON,

AUTHOR OF “ THE FIVAL GIANTS 0F NOWHAR,”
“ROYAL RICHARD,” ETC.. ETC.

 

CHAPTER I.
“ GOLD -A POCKET!”

EARLY in the afternoon of a day in mid-
spring, some years ago, a man and a bpy were
walking slowly along, one on each alde of a
small watercourse in the heart of the Black
Hills region I

- *  “ ~ —~ www- ‘7 7w Az-r——- Both “ere well-armed, and each earned a
As THE HILL VLGBANT BEHELD PAUL’S RICH FIND, A LOOK OF EXULTATION CAM: prospector’s klt. . .
INTO ms LITTLE WOLFISH EYES. The man was a tall, gaunt, loose-Joxnted, red-

\

 

 

 

_______W A __ __ / f; ~>

 

 

 
   

2

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

 

bearded fellow, not far from the, age of forty

years.

His clothing, tattered and earth—stained, hung
loosely upon him, and as his face and hands Were
grimed and dirty, his hair and beard matted
and unkempt, he presented anything but a neat
appearance.

. s to the boy, he was a spry, solidly-built,
well-developed lad, apparently not older than
seventeen, and a thoroughbred frontier nomad.
His hands, face and clothing were in a condition
quite as deplorable as his companion’s; and
yet, despite his uncouth, slovenly appearance,
there was something bright and attractive about
him.

“ Wal, Paul, we may es wal hold up an’ rest
a bit,” the man remarked, halting at the end of
a flat-topped bowlder beside the little stream,
and throwing down his pick and shovel. “ An-
other day purty nigh gone, an’ not a flake o’
dust ter show fer it!”

“ We might try ter turn up somethin’,” Paul
suggested, halting on the opposite bank of the
stream, and eying his surroundings suspicious-
ly. “ Biggest part 0’ the afternoon’s ahead ov
us yit, Uncle Bill, an’ of thar’s no gold on this
hyar branch, w’y thar’s none in ther Black Hills
~thet’s all!”

“Mebbe; but don’t ye try ter cattcrkize me,
Paul Park, ye shiftless critter!” growled he of
the rerl beard, producing and filling a short
black pipe. “ I’ve bin in this hyar world long
enuff ter know es how ther slow har’s ginerally
travels furdest.

“ But dig, of ye want to. Keep w’ot ye find,
an’ I’ll do ther same.”

“ All ri ht, Uncle Bill,” was the cheery re-
sp. mse, an whistling softly the young prospector
strolled on up the stream.

Reclining lazily upon the bowlder, Uncle Bill
followed the lad with his furtive, bloodshot black
eyes.

“ Peck away, my fine feller!” he muttered,
sh0wing his discolored teeth in an evil smile.
“ You’ll fetch me big money one 0’ these days—
an‘ it won’t be with pick or shovel either, sure’s
I’m Old Bill Blaze!

“Lordy!” he continued, after a moment, as
he exhaled a dense cloud of smoke; “ how long
ago it seems! Le’ me see—fourteen years, of a
day, I reckon. Thet’s a long time ter wait, an’
keep snady, but sumbody has got ter kem down
soon, an’ harnsomely, too, fer ther man w’ot
pays ther biggest wins!

“Basil Bawn’s in Deadwood, so Kernel Jim
must still live; an’ livin’, he’d orter ’a’ got my
letter ten days ago. Et’s his own loss ef he
didn’t—an’ ther kid’s; fer of ther kernel don’t
tarn u , Bawn’ll buy my secret, an’ pay fer at,
too! at I’d a leetle ruther do ther bizness with
ther kernel, fer Bawn’s a hard nut ter hull—a
teeklish critter ter han’le.”

Then the half-audible strains, hinting so
broadly at a transaction of a dark and villain-
ous nature, suddenly ceased. Bill Blaze knock-
ed the ashes from his pipe, and stealthily gained
his feet.

Paul Park had ascended the stream a hundred
yards, and was busily at work with pick and
shovel. He had been under constant surveil~
lance, and something in his actions had at last
aroused the suspicious of his shiftless guardian.

“ Thet kid’s turned up sumthin’,” muttered
Blaze, a greedy glitter showing in his little eyes,
as he narrowly watched the ad for a. moment
after descending from the bowlder.

Stealthin crossing the shallow stream, he
stole along the bank as silently as ever panther
crept upon its prey, and undetected reached a
spot within a few paces of the boy prospector.

It was a tempting sight that met his gaze.

Paul was u n his knees, absorbed in the
task of “ washing over” a mass of coarse gravel
and earth he had turned up from the bottom of
a basin worn years before by water falling from
the rocks above.

Beside him was spread his handkerchief, and
1' upon it lay upwards of a score of nuggets,

ranging from a pea to a walnut in size.

As the hill vagrant beheld Paul’s rich find a
look of exultation came. into his little wolfish eyes.

“Gold—a pocket!” he exclaimed, eagerly
springing forward. “ Pard Paul, we’re in luck!”

“ 1 am,” steadily returned Paul, without lift-
ing his flushed face, and then, as he finished the
last handful of earth, he threw another golden
pebble into the pile.

“ Which means yer Uncle Bill, too!”

it Nary I”

“ What! Ain’t we partial”

“ Cain’t say that we aire, Uncle Bill.”

“ Huh! I’d like ter know ef we ain’t i” cried

Blaze, his face assuming a purplish hue as his

protege carefully knotted he handkerchief.

_.-.

 

“ Thet war ther ’greement, an’ I reckon ye’ll
hev ter stick by it. Wa’n’t et, now?” and his
shark} tones grew wheedling.

“ ’ was onc’t,” Paul admitted, tucking his
treasure into his pocket; “ but ye must recom-
member, Uncle Bill, es how ye bu’sted ther com-
bination a bit ago. Ef ye’d bin up an’ stirrin’
when I turned up ther pebbles, hafe w’u’d ’a’
bin yourn; but ye wa’n’t, an’ so et’s all mine—
an’ I kalkilate ter keep at!”

Old Blaze protested against this decision, ear-
nestly but vainly, blustering and wheedling,
threatening and cajoling, by turns. The lad
was as unyielding as adamant; experience had
taught him a lesson by which he was determined
to profit.

‘ Thar’s plenty 0’ gold in these hills, Uncle
Bill—heaps an’ heaps ov it,” he said, when Blaze,
finding himself baffled, turned sullenly away.
“ Dig, an’ I’m with ye. Thar’s metal above
sum whar, an’ thet very dry channel may be
lined with et. These nuggets war brought down
et by a freshet, mOSt like y.

“ Enyway, ther lead is a good one, an’ is mine
as matters stand; but, ef ye want a chaince at
et, I’ll make ct hafe an’ hafe, with us] time.”

Old B aze promptly declined the 0 er.

“ W’ot ye take me fer?” he sneered. “ Ye’ve
bu’sted ther pardnership, an’ at kin stay bu’sted.
N arv a prospect fer me. I’m makin’ a bee«line
fer Deadwood at daybreak!”

“ All right, Uncle Bill; reckon I kin work et
on my own book,” said Paul quietl , and then
the two returned to the vicinity of t 3 bowlder.

“ Boy,” broke forth the old prospector, after a
moment of silence; “boy, e’re a durned fool!
Ye’ll lose yer ha’r—sure! Ther hull kentry’s
jest bloomin’ with red-skins!”

Paul nodded nonchalantly, saying:

“Know em like a book, Uncle Bill! Don’t
worry ’hout me, nor hang back on my ’count of
ye feel like breakin’ fer Deadwood! Jest trot!
I’ll it along somehow.”

0 d Blaze, extending his hand, threw back his
head and uttered a hoarse, chuckling laugh.

“ Ho! ho! ho!” he roared. “ Put it thar, kid!
Reckon ye don’t know me! Bill Blaze ain’t ther
man ter go back on a pard that-a—way!”

But Paul drew back and declined the proffered
hand.

“ I know ye too well, Uncle Bill!” he declared,
his blue eyes glowing resolutely. “ Ye won’t do
ter tie to, fer ye can t be trusted. Look how ye
fooled away the Chincapin Mine. Mebbe—”

Stealthy steps interrupted the lad. Dropping
his kit, he wheeled about, revolver in hand.

A man, evidently a prospector, was approach-
ing from the direction of the pocket.

‘ Hallo! hallo!” he hailed, halting in feigned
surprise, as he noted Paul’s action. “ Beg par-
don, gents—didn’t intend ter intrude!”

“ Come on!” called Blaze, and Paul lowered
his hand, whereupon the stranger advanced.

He was a powerful-looking fellow—short and
thick-set, with a wonderful depth of chest and
breadth of shoulder. His closely-cropped beard
hid his faco almost to his eyes, and, like his
short, bristling hair, was of a dirty straw-color.
He carried a prospector’s outfit, and in his belt
him a brace of big revolvers and a monstrous
bOWIe—a veritable Southern trail—cutter.

No sooner had Paul obtained a good square
look at the stranger, than he became conscious
of a feeling of strong aVersion and distrust.
There was something in the fellow’s protuber-
ant, greenish-blue eyes hinting at a broad
capacity for villainy.

“ I’m glad ter see ye, pards—I am, fer a
mortal fuck!” he asseverated, as he came within
easy speaking-distance. “ These hyar darned
hills is es full ov Injuns es a dog’s pelt o’ fleas—
don’t ye fergit et!”

“ Injuns?” ejaculated Old Blaze, starting
sharply, and then eying the fellow with intense
interest. “Stranger, yer han’le?”

“ Solid Sammy, boss; an’ ,yourn?”

“ 0,1,d Bill Blaze. This kid s my nephy, Plucky
Paul.

“ Ay, an’ plucky he is, too,” observed Sammy,
turning to the young prospector. “ I kin see it

in ’im.”

Paul merely nodded. The bit of flatte did
not tend to a ter his final impression of the ully
prospector. Then, too, the keen-eyed boy had
detected an exchange of signals between the two
men, and he felt assured that they were old ac-
quaintances.

Why. then, the farce of exchanging names?

“Sumthin’ dark back 0v it,” Paul could not
help thinking, and be determined to keep his
eyes and ears open while in their compan .

“But these red-rinds,” Old Blaze exc imed,
scowling at the attention bestowed upon Paul;
“ whar site they, Sammy?”

 

“ Thar’s a big passle ov ’em not more’n a mile
up ther branch,” was the prompt reply. “ I was
about ter suggest, Blaze, thet of you fellers hev
a hang-out near, we’d better git under kiver.
’Twixt ther red—skins an’ Captain Panther-Head
thar’s apt ter be ther fiend ter pay in these bills
in ther naixt few days'”

“ Captain Panther-Head l”

“ J es so, Blaze; ther shaggly cuss hes flushed
on every trail leadil’ out o eadwood in ther
past two weeks, an’ filled ev’ry time.

“ But le’s git under kiver, pards. Thar’s dan-
ger ov inhalin’ a scalpin-knife or a tomahawk
ev’ry minnit we stand hyar.”

“ We’ve a shanty a couple miles below,”
vouchsafed Blaze, dubiously. “ lt’s a rickety
affair—not bullet-proof.”

“ Et’s ther best we kin do,” Solid Sammy as-
serted, and then they started forward, Paul
keeping slightly in the rear.

The cabin was soon reached. It was a frail
structure, located in a secluded nook in the side
of a deep and narrow gorge, and stood with its
back against the foot of an overhanging clifl’.

“ Thar she be,” announced Old Blaze, with a
wave of his hand, as they entered the nook.
“ N >t ez harnsum, mebb , es sum in Deadwood,
but 0v antick design, an es snug es a bug in a

ru .

5 W's don’t keep our critters hyar, but they’re
in easy reach, and I kalkilate we’re purty well
fixed, barrin’ a flood.

“ But walk in, Solid Sammy, an’ purceed ter
make yerself at home. We kin talk over mat-
ters inside es well es out, an’ not hate ther risk
ov a fangin’ frum sum loafin red-rind.”

“ That’s es straight es 8. string,” Sammy as-
sented, grinning broadly. “ But of ther red
cusses strike our trail, they’ll walk right in 'on
us, with never an invite!

“ Now, ’eordin’ ter my idea ov sech things,
ther kerrect way ter do is ter put a sentry out
in ther gorge, an’ then sail in an’ slap things
inter ship-shape in a jiffy. Then, when ther
reds begin ter crowd, we kin jest onlimber an’
clean them right out ov their moccasins—darn
their lts!”

“ as, yas; ye’ve got ther wrinkle down
fine!” cried Blaze, with a vehement nod.

“ Paul, s ’ose ye slip down ther gorge a. leetle
ways an’ eep yer eyes peeled. Ye’re purty
spry, ,jan’ I reckon et’d take consid’able In-

un—
J The Boy Prospector did not wait for the re-
mainder of the eulogistic strain. Throwing
aside his kit, he turned and strode quickly out
of the nook.

“ Thet settles him till we’ve a mind ter call
’im in,” laughed Solid Sammy, as Paul disap-
peared. “ Pluck—he’s chockful ov et, an’ es
vain es 8. peacock! . _

“ But w’at ye bin dom’ since thet Virginia
City 'ob, Fur—”

“ 0 names, Cre—”

“ Solid Samm , please,” interrupted the
dwarfed despera o, in turn, and then the two
shook hands.

“ Let’s don’t fergit a ’in—thar’s a. heap in a
name sum’times,” said laze, leading the way
into the hovel and producing a bottle.

“ Drink, ole pard, an’ then onload yer mind.
I kin see thar’s a weight on at!”

Solid Sammy needed no Second invitation.
Nodding, he threw back his head, elevated the
deniijohn, and poured a liberal sample of its con-
tents down his throat.

“ Ah-h! thet’s milk-an’-honey fer ye!” he gur-

13d, with a sigh of contentment, as he returned
the bottle of distilled fire to his whilom pard and
squatted on a chunk of wood serving as a seat.
“ Now fer bizness, Billy i”

“ Thet’s me, pard,” granted Old Blaze, put-
ting aside the demijohn and taking his pipe from
his pocket. “ Fire away.”

Samm glanced suspiciously at the walls of
the hove .

“ Kin that kid be trusted ter tend fer his own
bizness?”

“ Yas, yas; he’ll stay right in the pass till
called—or ther reds come.”

“ Reds—fiddlesticks!” remarked Sammy, with
a grin. “ They’ll wait till I git back ’fore they
make a move—mind thet!” \

Old Blaze turned pale. His mouth opened and
his pipe fell unheeded to the floor.

“ You aire—" , .

“ White Wolf, the Decoy!” coolly anticipated
Sammy. “ Now lis’en.”

“ I need help an’ e’re ther very man I want.
Et’s big pay an’ leet 9 work. What say?”

The red-bearded desperado picked up his pipe.
His hand shock as if palsy-stricken. '

“ Tell me w’ot I’m ter do.” he muttered cast-
ing a half-fearful glance at his vis-a-m‘s.

 

 

 
 

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

8

 

 

 
 

“ Help me smuggle a gal away from her
friends.

“ What’ll ye give?”

“ Fifty dollars.”

“ I’m yer mustang!” cried Blaze, sla ing his
thigh. ‘ Go ahead and explain yer ri e, an’ ef
my hand hain’t lost ets cunning I’ll win ther
trick!”

“ Goodl thet’s the talk!” Solid Sammy ex-
claimed approvingly, his cruel eyes glittering
with triumph. “ Now, Billy, I’ll give ye ther
ins an’ outs 0v ther job, au’ mum’s ther word!

“ Down in Deadwood two days ago, ther Hon-
orable Madison Morrell run—J’

“ Madison Morrelll” ejaculated Blaze, in re-
newed astonishment.

“ Yas, thet’s w’ot!

“ I've hurd ther name.
evasive reply.

“ Wal, es I said, I ran acrost Morrell,” re-
sumed the Decoy, fixing his eyes searchingly on
his ally’s face, ‘ an’ he took me inter his confi-
dence.

“ Fer two weeks past, a party ov Eastern
folks, out on a lark, hev bin camped in ther hills
not many miles from hyar, an’ among ’em is a
gal—a reg’lar slasher for looks an’ style, an’
wu'th a heap ov rocks—an’—an’—”

“ An’ Madison falls in love with her?” suggest~
ed Blaze, with a peculiar grin, as Solid Sammy
hesitated.

“ J es" so, an’ at fu’st sight,” the Decoy admit-
ted, “ an" es thar’s no fool like an ole fool, so’z
he’s jest clean gone, With no show at all, es ther
gal‘s lover, a feller from Denver, is with ther
outfit.

“ ut ther ole man isn’t one o’ ther kind ter
Idie easy. He’s figgered et out es how all’s fair
in love an’ war,’ or sumthin’ 0’ thet sort, an’ de-
cided ter try his hand at a brace game. So he
offered me a hundred dollars ter kidnap an’ take
ther gal ter a sart’iu place, within a sart’in time,
an’ I took him up, agreein’ ther reds sh’u’d hev
no part in ther afi’uir.

“ An’ thar’s whar I’m stuck! Ther time’s up!

“ I cain’t han’le ther job alone. I need a pard,
an’ e’re ther ha’rpiu.”

Ol’d Blaze nodded his acquiescence and passed
the bottle.

“ Thar’s another p‘int, Billly, thet I’m goin’ ter
pest ye up on,” averred the ecoy, when he had
wi ed his mouth with the back of his hand.
“ ou’re lettiu’ thet kid git ther bit between his
teeth.

“ I saw him open thet pocket a bit ago, an’ I
hurd all that passed betwixt ye, an’ I mus’ say,
ye let ’im hoodwink ye awdashusl l”

“ Don’t be too sure 0’ thet,” laze retorted,
with a cunning leer. “ I kalkilate ter hev
’kerchief. pebbles an’ all before mornin’!”

Solid Sammy uttered a sneering laugh.

“ Will ye take ’em fer yer sheer?” he asked,
suddenly leaning forward his evil eyes filling
with a greedy glow. “ Ther pebbles in ther
’kerchief?’

“Eh?” .

“ Whack up, hafe an’ hafe, an’ I’ll tell ye
w’ot ya don’t know!”

“ I’ll do et, Sammy!” '

' “ Wal, then, ther nuggets in ther ’kerchief
warn’t all nor a third 0’ what kem out o’ thet
pocket!” asseverated the Decoy, speaking in a
low intense voice and glancing warily at the
walls as he uttered the words. ‘ Ther very fu’st
thing Plucky Paul tarned up war two lumps 0’
gold, neither smaller’n thet mauller ! ” _

And the desperado raised and displayed his
1 huge fist.

‘ Git out!” gasped Blaze, incredulously.

“ Oh, et’s a mortal fact!” the Decoy declared.
“ An’ es ther critter’s a-keepin’ so quiet, I reckon
et w’u’dn’t be a bad idear ter take a squint
down ther gorge. He’s no £00], an’ a s‘picion
thet all’s not ezackly right may ’a’ crept inter
his noddle." _ ‘

The two ruf’fians hurriedly left the hovel.

I’lucky Paul was not in sight, and a hasty
search of the vicinity disclosed the fact that he
had secured his kit and taken his departure!

l$Ee desperadoes stood a hast.

eir prey had slipped t em! _

“ He’s gone, and ther gold With him!” Blaze
declared, hoarsely.

“ Cuss him! he shan’t escape !”savagely vowed
the Decoy. “ Stir yerself, pardl Thet treasure
must be ourii afore we sleep 1”

CHAPTER II.
A FLIGHT AND AN AMBUSCADE.
Tm: unscrupulous schemers had wofully de-
ceived themselves as to their intended Victim.
From the moment of the Decoy’s ap earance
and the adroit exchange of signals, aul had
been suspicious and watchful, eeling assured

D’ye know ’im’i”
But go on,” was the

 

 

that the two men were old acquaintances, if not
actually allies.

Why, then, the pretense of being strangers?

The reason was obvious!

“Solid Samm , from some secure covert
near at hand, ha witnessed the opening of the
pocket, and probably knew to a nicety the
quantity of gold it had ielded; had overheard
the conversation with Billy Blaze, and knowing
the character of the old prospector, had de-
termined to join him, to the end that a dark
scheme might be concocted to secure the
treasure.

So, during the hurried and careless retreat to
the hovel in the gorge, the Boy Pros tor was
extremely wide awake, keeping just ar enough
in the rear to hear and weigh well every word
that passed betWeen the two men, and to make
the best possible use of his keen blue eyes.

His vigilance was well repaid.

Long are the shanty was reached, the shrewd
lad had heard and Been enough to confirm his
worst suspicious, and be determined to quit the
company of the two men at the earliest moment
posSible.

With the request that he stand guard in the
lower gorge came his coveted opportunity.

No sooner were Old Blaze and the Decoy
fairly in the hovel, than Paul appeared from
around the angle. Silently securing his kit, he
turned and stole down the gorge, without so
much as a backward glance.

“ N 0 need ter look out fer red-skins,” he mut-
tered, a peculiar flash lighting up his blue eyes.
“ Et’s my 0 )inion Solid Sammy lied! He’s no
better than ncle Bill; an’ I reckon thet don’t
say much fer his repertashun!

“ Wal, I’m on in own book ag’in—an’ I’m
glad 0v ct! N 0 par 5 ov ther Uncle Bill stripe
—uot any! Bin wictimized cnufi', fer a 8 ring
chicken, an’ I don’t go back ’thout a fight!
Course they’ll be arter me—hot-foot! A hunk
or two 0v gold hes a mighty drawin' power—
lon es sum other feller hes et.”

wo or three hundred yards below the nook,
Paul quickened his pace to a steady trot, and in
a few minutes arrived at a ga in the south
wall of the gorge, Where he hal .

Across the mouth of the opening were three
ropes, and as the boy lowered the heavy strands
he uttered a peculiar whistle.

“ That ll fetch Firefl ,” he observed, in a half-
audible tone, as he arted into the opening.
“ I’ll get my traps, an’ then good—by ter Uncle
Bill an’ his measly pardl”

Ere the Boy Prospector had ceased speaking,
he entered a deep alcove in one of the walls,
where he pulled down a flat stone concealing the
entrance to a small cave.

From this cavity he took a splendid Mexican
saddle, a bridle, a lariat, a repeating-rifle, and a
bulky package wrapped in waterproof cloth,
and then replaced the stone.

Scarcely had his preparations in this line
been completed when, with a whinny of wel-
come, a handsome black filly appeared at the
entrance to the pocket.

“ Ho! Firefly! ye’re on time, as ever!” cried
Paul, his eyes flashing with pride and delighi as
he turned to the beautiful animal. “ Stead ,
gall an’ we’ll git away from hyar at a liver
rate 1”

The lad worked with the skill of an expert,
and in a moment’s time was ready for a con-
tinuance of his flight.

Thrusticg his prospecting tools into an obscure
cleft 1n the rocks, he walked down into the
gorge, closely followed by Firefly. A glance in
the direction of the hove! showed no signs of
pursuit. Carefully replacing the barrier of
ropes, he mounted and rode away.

About three miles below the hovel, the gorge
entered a narrow valley leading awa to the
southwest. After justa trace of deligeration,
Paul turned up the valley, and urged the filly
into a steady lope. ’

An hour later, just as twilight deepened, he
halted for the night. Dismounting, be stripped
the trappings from Firefly and turned her loose,
with full confidence that when wanted the noble
little filly would be at hand.

The spot selected for a camp was a secluded
one, upon the borders of a small stream. With-
out loss of time Paul procaeded to make himself
as comfortable as possible, disposing of his sad-
dle and other effects in an orderly manner.

With the first gleam of day the lad was asti r.

After a thorough bath in a pool near at hand,

he opened the package and arrayed himself in
its contents, and the change thus wrought in his
ap earance was most marvelous.

he vagabond was no lon er visible. In his
stead_stood a handsome, gal ant-looking young
frontiersman, with flashing blue eyes, bronzed

 

face, and long, wavy brown hair; a dandified
fellow too, with great white sombrero, white
flanne shirt corded with silk, dark velveteen
jacket, broad leathern girdle, buckskin leggins
ornate with beads and quills, and high-topped,
patent-leather beets.

But the resolute expression of the clear-cut
face, robbed it of even a enspicion of efi’emi-
nacy, danditled as the young prospector might
be in appearance. It was from his enemies the
lad had first won the sobriquet of Plucky Paul,
and that it was not a misnomer events were yet
to )rove.

hen the transformation had been completed
to the smallest detail, Paul threw aside his cast-
off clothing, summoned Firefly with a whistle,
and a few minutes later rode on up the valley.

“ Foot-looso at last!” he muttered, without a
trace of exultation. “ The coming of Solid
Sammy forced me to take the decisive step
sooner than I intended; but I have not seen the
last of Uncle Bill, and the time will yet come
when I shall know his secret, and solve the mys-
tery surroundingr me.

‘ Now for Deadwood! I must convert these
nuggets into cash without delay—provided 1 can
elude the rapacious Captain Panther-Head l”

Achuckle followed the semi audible strains, .
and then the young prospector lapsed into
silence.

 

In the heart of a particular! wild and rugged
Stretch of country some mi es southwest of
Deadwood, and near the confluence of two
mountain torrents, stood the collection of tents
known as Camp Frolic.

At the time our story opens, the camp had
been in existence upward 0 two weeks. As its
title implied, it was not a gold—cam , but simply
the rendezvous of a party of a venturesome
excursionists.

Of this party, Nathan Alton, a Chicago spec-
ulator, was the head. He had been accompanied
by his dau liter, Alice, and his widowed sister
Angeline cMorris, together with Richar
Spears and his wife, Caroline, and Gertie, their
dau liter.

A ton was a fine-looking man, upward of
fifty years, tall and spare, with sharp snappy
gray eyes, gray hair and mustache, high cheek-
bonns, prominent nose and firm, square chin.

“ No foolishness tharl” Buck Blinkers, the

uide and scout of the outfit, had declared to

im and Bill, the teamsters. “ Rub ther ha’r
ther wrong way, an” ve’ll strike saw-teeth,
shurel An then sparks ’ll fly, ye bet!”

And the guide was correct. Nathan Alton
wasn’t to be trifled with.

As for Spears, he was Alton’s opposite in ap-
pearance—short, flesh ,round-faced and blue.
eyed. His hair and ward Were red, and he
looked like a good-natured, well-fed country
merchant. Am such, indeed, he was.

Just now, however, the corpulent little grocer
was pessessed of the gold-fever, and the greater
part of his time was being devoted to prospect-
ing, as was attested by the heap of so—called
“ s )ecimens ” piled in front of his tent.

he two weeks in camp had assed most
pleasantly. The day after they ad pitched
their tents, the excursionists had been visited
by a number of gentlemen from Deadwood
among whom was a handsome, middle-aged
man, of decided] pleasin address, who intro-
duced himself as t e Hon. adison Morrell, and
who became a frequent guest at Cam Frolic.

Morrell had represented himself to )6 the sole
owner of the Bonny Belle, one of the best- ay-
ing mines in the Deadwood district, an as
Messrs. Alton and Spears were deeply inter-
ested in mines and minin -stocks, he was re-
ceived with favor, until t e fre uency of his
visits and his attentions to Alice lton aroused
suspicions as to an ulterior motive.

About that time, however, there was an arri-
val in camp.

The new-comer was no less a personage than
Albion Mabrey, of Denver, the betrothed hus-
band of Alice, and as he was presented to Mor-
rel] as such, it was supposed that the matter
was ended.

But the mine-owner’s visits did not cease, and
his manner was such as tolead Nathan Alton to
believe that he had been mistaken in his suspi-
eions.

On the morning of the day succeeding thatch
which Plucky Paul had so abruptly quitted' the
company of Old Blaze and Solid Smmy,.0amp
Frolic was early astirv .

Immediately after breakfast, Alice and Gertie
mounted and set out for a center down the nar-
row valllfiy leading southward from the camp.
Albion abrey accompanied them.

The man from Denver was not an Apollo;

 

  

4

 

   

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

u.

be was a medium—sized, solidly-built fellow,
somewhere between twenty-five and thirty, and
an agreeable companion. He had a musical
voice, has gray eyes and mobile face, and his
hair and mustache were a glossy brown. Belted
to his waist were a brace of good revolvers and
a ten-inch bowie, and he had the appearance of
a man who could use the weapons very effectu-
ally.
Aiid Alice Alton?

A young lady, scarcely out of her teens—a
blonde, With large, liquid blue eyes and heavy
tresses of pale—golden hair, pretty features and

early teeth. She was rather below medium in

eight, but graceful and willowy, and altogether
a charming girl. She wore a dark-blue riding
habit; and from its bolster peeped the handle of
an elegantly-iiiounted revolver.

Gertie Spears was younger than her fair com-
panion by at least four years, and a brunette,
with sparkling black eyes and jet-black hair,
and gave promise of rare loveliness in future
years. She, too, was dressed for the saddle,
and armed, and looked a picture of ease and
grace.

Mabrey was unusually quiet as they galloped
away from the camp. Buck Blinkers, the
guide, had reported the presence of Indians in
the vicinity, and, if alertness could avoid it, the
man from Denver would not ride into any trap
set by the handful of hostiles.

“ lt’s risky, but I reckon you can be trusted ”
Nathan Alton had said, just before the litt e
cavalcade started. “ Buck is of the opinion that
there are only two or three prowlers about; but
use your eyes and your ears, and at the first
sign of Injun heat back to camp without delay.
This is our last day here. To-morrow we’ll fall
back to Deadwood.”

Mabrey had nodded assent to the earnest,
cautious strains, and now, as he rode down the
valley betwaen his fair charges, he was using
his eyes and his ears—and using them to the
best ossible advantage, too.

“ on are quiet, this morning,” terser ob-
served Gertie. as they swept around a. bend in
the valley, and her black eyes fixed themselves
searchineg on Mabrey’s face.

“ Yes—too quiet for anything but mischief,”
Alice added, with a laugh. “ Actually, Albion,
you’re as mute as a mummy!”

“ Can’t help it, my dear girls,” was the laconic
response. “ suppose it’s the scenery. It is
certainly enough to inspire silent admiration.”

"It is grand,” assented Gertie, and then the
party became silent.

About three miles below the camp the valley
widened, forming a marshy basin, several acres
in extent, which was covered with a dense
gr0wth of gr0wing timber.

“Just the place for an ambush!” thought

Mabrey, involuntarily checking his horse.
“ We’ll go no further in this direction. It may
alarm the girls, but better that—"

He started, and turned pale.

Crouching in the undergrowth, not ten paces
distant, were three red-skins—brawny, well-
forn'ied fellows, hideous with the trappings of
war.

For just a breath, Albion Mabrey was inca-
pable of action. The dread possibilities of the
situation flashed upon him with stunning force.

It wasa trying moment, but the man from
Denver proved equal to the emergency.

“ Alice—Gertie! Turn back—ride for your
lives!”

Uttered in the IOWest of audible voices, yet
ringing with deadly earnestness, the words
drove the color from the faces of the girls, and
frightened them into instant and unquestioning
obedience. In a flash their horses were turned,
and then the struggle opened.

Apprised of their detection by Mabrey’s ac-
tion, the red-skins, to the number of a half-
score, burst from cover. brandishing their wea-
pons and whooping and yelling in chagrin and
demoniac rage—only to shrink back under the
galling fire poured into their ranks!

The man from Denver was certain] no
novice. His revolvers cracked right an left,
and with deadly effect, for at the first fire two
of the red-skins fell. A sharp twinge in his left
arm followed the return volley, and he knew
that he had been “ pinked.”

His gray eyes aglow, his teeth hard-set, he
slipped from the saddle and sheltered himself
be ad his horse. A hasty lance in the direc-
tion taken by the fleeing gir 8 showed that they
were a hundred yards away, and unpursued.

“ The ’11 get through, thank Heaven!” mut-
med’Mhbrey, with a breath of relief. “ These

’

A fresh outburst on the part of his assailants
cut the sentence short. Then a. heavy volley

 

 

rung out, and the bullets rattled about him like
hail-stones. His horse, uttering a shrill scream,
reared up and then toppled over—dead!

Ma brey’s strait was now most desperate. He
was absolutely Without cover, and at any mo-
ment a bullet from his hidden foes might end
all. His only recourse was a speedy retreat in-
to the depths of the dense timber.

That was the course be instantly decided to
take, and in a flash he disappeared in the under-
growth, followed by a futile volley from the In-
dian ambuscade, and, a moment later, by the
red-skins themselves.

Then an appalling sound arose in front. It
was nothing less than a series of signals in an-
swer to the cries in his rear, and Albion Mabrey
halted in sheer dismay.

“ Hemmed in i” he exclaimed, bitterly.
“Why waste strength in a useless attempt at
flight? If the end must come, why not here?”

“ Never say die, pard!” advised a clear young
voice. “ This way— nick! an’ we’ll wollop ’em
inter flt sub ‘ect fer . ades!”

Albion abrey started, and his keen eyes
sought the speaker.

Not a dozen paces distant stood a dashin
looking youth—a cool, smilin , imperturbab e
fellow—revolvers in hand, an‘ clad in a bar-
monious admixture of the garb of a prairie
ranger and that of a mining—camp sport.

“ This way, I say,” iterated the youth, in un-
ruffled accent. “ That is, cf ye care to live!”

“ I think I do!” Mabrey exclaimed, springing
forward with an alacrity horn of renewed hope.
“ If there’s a way out of this death-net, in
Heaven’s name lead on I"

The youth needed no urging. Turning he led
the way at a rapid pace diagonally across the
valley, keegng just within the borders of the
thicket. ithin two minutes the fugitives
reached the band of a broad, shallow creek,
midway of which was a small island, standing
well up out of the water, and covered with big
boivlders, driftwood and undergrowth.

“ Thar’s our halt,” declared the youth, as he
plunged into the stream. “I reckon too ood
iiien c’u’d hold thet bit ov an island ag’in’ afe
t ier red—skins in the Black Hills!”

Mabrey vouchsafed no response, but promptly
entered the water. The sound in the rear told
that the Indians were rapidly running the trail
and might at any moment appear.

“Thet’s my nag, Firefly, an’ my rifle,” the
youth announced, as they claiiibered up the
steep bank of the island and sought shelter be-
hind the bowlders. “ I left ’em hyar while I
scooted ’cross ter investigate the rumpus.”

“ Now, strangei'——-”

“ ,1, am Albion Mabrey, an assayer, of Dean
vei‘.

“My han’le is Paul Park.”

“ Ranger, or sport?”

” Jest afprospecior. ca pt’in.

“ Now ll up yer barkers an’ git ready fer
bizness. Hyar come ther red—rinds, an’ I kalki-
late we’ll hev our hands full!”

CHAPTER III.
EVENTS AT CAMP FROLIC.

NATHAN ALTON had gazed anxiously in the
direction taken by Mabrey and the two girls
when they alloped away from Camp Frolic.

“ Buck, Igfear that ride is a trifle perilous,”
he observed, turning to the guide as the trio dis-
appeared.

“ I reckon it is, kernel. Et’s a leetle resky
’most any time.”

“ By heavens! I’ll sound the recall—panic or
no panic!” excitedly avowed Richard Spears,
his usually florid face paling. “I sha’n’t risk
havin’ Gertie butchered—~”

“ Hush, Dick!” interrupted Alton, his sinewy
fingers closing tightly upon the shoulder of his
friend. “ Mabrey will see that no harm comes
to them. Buck here reported the valley clear
not an hour ago, or the girls should not have
ventured out of camp. Be quiet; it’s no use to
throw the women into consternation.”

Buck nodded his approval.

“ Thet’s hoss Sense,” he remarked. “ Thar
may be reds prowlin’ erbont. but thar’s chances
—-yes, odds—ag’in’ it; so w’ot’s ther use giftin’
ther wimmen critters skeered out 0’ their witS?
H(EN—not a mite! Ther lad’ll take keer o’ ther
gals, ye kin jest bet yer pile! I know him, I do!
An’ I posted him afore he started.

“Et might ’a’ bin better to ’a.’ kept ther:gals
hyar, but sech a wrinkle, arter ther way the ’ve
bin tearin’ eround, w’u’d ’a’ throwed ther ull
bunch ov kaliker inter hystearicks, an’ so ther
fat w’u’d ’a’ bin in ther fire.

“Now, Mabrey’ll take ’em down ther valley
a couple miles, an’ then round up hyar at ther

 

camp, arter which we kin git things inter shape
to fight or to fall back ter Deadwood afore them
condemned red spies kin slip back an’ fetch up
ther bands ter which they belong.”

“ And all with no fuss nor fury,” observed
Alton. “ Buck’s idea is the right one, Dick.”

“ Perhaps,” admitted Spears, whose fears
were only partially allayed. “ But I would
suggest that at least half of us hold ourselves in
readiness to make a. sortie if anything should
happieu.”

" hat wise precaution has alread been
taken,” Alton returned. “Buck here, ill and
myself are ready to mount at an instant’s no-
tice, leaving you and Jim to defend the camp
until our return.”

Spears lifted his hat and nervously mopped
his bald pate. He was about to utter an addi-
tional suggestion when a word from Buck si-
lenced him.

“ Thar’s some one comin’ down the valley
from above,” announced the guide, after a mo-
ment of listening. “ Dodge behind thet wagon,
please. I allow et’s a leetle too airly fer any one
from, Deadwood. Sol—now stiddy. I’ll see who
et is. ’

With that, Buck slipped away, exercising
every possible precaution toavoid being seen by
any one up the valley. He was gone but a mo-
ment, and when he returned his face bore a. look
of commingled perturbation and disgust.

“ Gents, et does seem thet we’re in fer a run
0’ hard luck,” he observed, as he reioined his
emploKers. “ Ye kin thank yer stars ther gals
aire away from camp!

“ In less than two minutes, thet owdashus
outlaw, Capt’in Panther—head will be hyar, with
twenty men at his back i”

“ The devil!” ejaculated Alton, grasping his
repeating rifle. ,

“ Good heavens!” cried Spears, turning get
whiter and clasping his hands. “ Why di I
ever leave Muggville Landing! This is terrible!”

“ Shall we fight?” Alton asked, with just the
trace of a smile upon his indomitable face.

“ N o! no!” groaiied Spears. “ We shall all
be butchered l”

“ Yer friend is right,” averred Buck, in relejy
to the question. “ 'I‘her odds aire too great. f
we offer no resistance, they’ll simply help their-
selves ter w’ot vallybles they kin git their claws
on, an’ then be off.

“ But, of ye say fight, kernel, I’m hyar, an’
that’s part 0 my trade.”

Before Alton could utter a response, the re-
doubtable Panther-Head and his follovvers rode
into view not a hundred yards away.

“ Hold up your hands, gentlemen I” sung out
the road-agent chief, raising his cocked rifle to
a level—an example that “as at once followed
by his men. “ We have come to levy toll l” .

“ Hands up it is!” returned Alton, dropping
his rifle and suiting his actions to his words.

Buck and Richard Spears also raised their
hands, while the two teainsters came forward
and fell into line in like manner.

Then, at the word from their chief, the road-
agents slowly advanced.

A motley crew they were, but all superb]
mounted and well-armed. Each were over h 5
face a mask of dressed buckskin, save the chief,
whose features Were hidden beneath the skin
from a panther’s head.

“ Halt, and dismount,” he ordered when his
cavalcade had reached a point within a. few
paces of Alton and his companion. “Moses, de-
tail four men to assist you in keeping watch and
ward over these prisoners,” with a gesture to in-
dicate our friends. “If they evince a disposi—
tion to resist, or in any wise become belligerent,
make short work with them.

“ Aaron, pick five men, and with them follow
me to those tents.

“Joshua, you will have command of the re.
serve force. See that we are not molested or in-
terrupted.”

With that, Captain Panther-Head dismounted
and strode away in the direction of the tents
closely followed by Aaron and the five picked
men.

It was clearly evident that the outlaw expect-
ed to encounter resistance. _

The tents in question constituted the camp
proper, and were full fifty yards distant. The
wagon beside which lton and his friends were
ranged in line had served as the. quarters of the
two teamsters, and had been drawn naide that
they might be near the'horses.

Cautiously approaching the rear of thelar est
of the tents Captain Panther—Head inclin his
head and istened a moment, then produced a"
sharppointed knife and cut a slit in the stout
canvas.

To the opening thus made, he applied his eye./

 

 

 

His scrutiny was seemingly as unsatisfactory
as brief, for aftei'a single sweeping glance at
the interior of the tent he turned away with a.
muttered oath.

“ The girls are not there, boys, nor is Albion
Mabrey,” he announced, in a low voice. “The
two old ladies are alone. \Ve must look else—
where. In all probability the trio are off on a.
jaunt through the hills.”

“ A glance at the horses, captain, if you are
sufficiently well informed, would be the quickest
way to determine if your surmise is Correct,”
suggested the outlaw Aaron. “They are pick~
eted just beyond the wagon yonder.”

" 1 am perfectly informed, even to the small-
est detail of the camp,” complacently returned
Panther-Head. “ And, Aaron, your suggestion
was well made. I can see at a lance that three
of the animals are missing— abrey’s among
them.”

“Then,” continued Aaron, “if we suddenly
pounce upon the old ladies we can frighten
them into revealing the exact direction taken
by the two.”

To this propositiOn the chief nodded a. vigor-
ons negative.

“ We shall not attempt that,” he declared.
“ We shall not disturb or alarm them. They
are ignorant of our presence here, and it is bet-
ter so. No, if we cannot wring the truth from
old man Spears, it will devolve upon us to pick
up the trail as best we may.”

Having thus briefly outlined the course he in-
tended to pursue, Captain Panther-Head at once
retraced his steps to the wagon, closely followed
by his squad.

Nathan Alton had watched the outlaws’
movements with anxious eyes, and as he noted
their singular maneuvers he immediately jumped
to the conclusion that Buck’s surmise had been
incorrect—that Captain Panther-Head’s real
object was not simply to secure and appropriate
the valuables of the party, but to abduct Alice
Alton and Gertie Spears!

” They have discovored that the girls are ab—
sent, and the next move will be an attempt to
learn their whereabouts,” was the thought that
presented itself as the outlaws faced toward the
wagon. “Owing to the nature of the ground
below the. camp, it will be an extremely difficult
matter for them to pick up the trail, and if Dick
will only keep a still tongue in his head it will
not be a hard matter to mislead them."

At that point, PantherHead approached, and
the s 'culator’s cogitations came to an end.

“ Nithan Alton,” said the outlaw, “ I want
to ask you a question, and I must have a truth-
ful answer. “ Lie to me. or attempt to mislead
me, and you will not live to reach Deadwood!"

“ Ah, indeed !” exclaimed the speculator, smil-
ing grimly. “ A little fortearance on your
part, then, Mr. Beast, Will undoubted! save
me trouble. ‘ Ask me no questions, and ‘11 tell
you no lies.’ " ~

Uttering an oath, the strangely-hooded chief
step ed back a pace and addressed a few words
to oses.

That worthy and his four fellows immediately
advanced until the nozzles of their Weapons al-
most touched the five men.

“ Now,” resumed Panther-Head, again ad-
dressing Alton, “ the very best thing you fel-
lows cau do is to cling to the truth. Other-
wise—” He pointed significantly to the leveled
guns

“ What I want to know is, where are the two
young ladies accompanying this outfit? Where
is Albion Mabreyi

“ Answer these questions, and you are—”

t_ At that moment came a startling interrup-
ion.

Up from the lower valley, borne on the
pleasant south win! came the rattling echo of a
distant volley, closely followed by a burst of
war-whoops.

The sounds, faint as they were, told a. disquiet-
ing story.

Albion Mabre and his fair charges had en-
countered the r -skins!

Captain Panther-Head started sharply. No
second glance at the white agonized faces of
Alton and Spears was needed to apprise him of
the exact state of affairs.

“ Mount, boys, and away!” he cried, taming
to his horse and vaulting into the saddle. “ Our
quarry is in the hands of the Sioux!”

That was all. With the precision of trained
cavalr men the outlaws remounted and formed
two a roast: then, led by their redoubtabie
chief, they swapt down the valley at a dead
run-

Nor was Alton idle. As the outlaws sprung
forward in response to their leader’s command,
the gamey speculator wheeled, and, With a Word

 

Plucky Paul

 

to the guide and Bill, the teamster, darted back
to where the three horses were in readiness.

Overcome with consternation and chagrin,
Richard Spears sunk limply upon a rock and
buried his face in his hands.

” Dick! Jim! look out for the camp!” cried
Alton, as he thundered by on a magnificent
black horse, closely followed by Buck and Bill.

Spears raised his head and gazed anxiously
after the swtftly receding trio.

“ What makes me such an infernal coward?”
he groaned, in agony of spirit. “ I’d give half
I’m worth to have the sand that man has!”

“ Cain’t all be lighters, boss," Jim tersely ob-
served. “ ’Sides, of ye war goin’ whar that man
is, ye’d likely be willin’ ter give all ye’re wu’th
ter be back hyar.

“ Now, boss, while ye rest a bit I’m goin’ ter
slip up on tcr that knoll back ov tlu-r tents. I
reckon ef any one gits inter this hyar camp
’thout my seein’ them they’ll be plum‘ good
ones."

Jim did not await a response. A Swift, side-
long glance warned him of the approach of
Mesdames Spears and McMorris from the direc-
tion of their tcnt, and, as both seemed to be
laboring under great mental perturbation, the
teamster wisely bctook himself off as expedi-
tiously as possible.

The two ladies, from their position just with-
in the tcnt, had witnessed the flight down the
valley of Captain Panther-Head and his men,
and a moment later that of Nathan Alton and
his friends.

It hardly needs to be said that when the un-
palatable truth had been fairly tortured from
the unwilling hnd well-nigh pulsied tongue of
Richard Spears, that the ladies for a time
verged upon distraction.

To the wretched and despairing inmates of
Camp Frolic, the minuth seemed to drag by
with horrible slowness. Ever and anon, the
wind would waft to their ears the report of fire-
arms, or a burst of savage yells, from Some
point two or three miles down the valley; then,
again, all would become silent—the feathered
songsters cease their warbling, Nature‘s voices
grow hushed and still.

An hour had passed since Alton’s departure
from the camp, when Jim from his position on
the knoll, sung out:

“ Hello! ther camp, thar!

“ In about two minutes an’ a hafe, ye’ll hev a
visitor—ther Honabul Madison Morrcll, 0v
Deadwood l”

Spears gained his feet with a bound, a look of
intense relief breaking through the pallor of his
faCe.

“ Thank Heaven!" he ejaculated.

“ Thank the Lord!” echoed Mrs. McMorris.

A moment later Jim’s prediction was verified.
A handsome, well—dressed man of middle age,
with bright hazel eyes and a full brown beard,
centered into camp at a leisurely pace, courte-
ously lifted his silk hat, dismounted and with
the rein over his arm advanced, with hand ex-
tended, saying:

“ Good-morning ladies!
Mr.—

“Gracious heavens! what has happened, my
dear friends! What is the matter?”

“Matter enough!” uttered Spears, hoarsely;
and then, in the fewest words possible, he nar-
rated the events of the morning.

Morrell was visibly affected by the hurried
and disjointed recital. His expressive face he-
trayed both surprise and pain.

“This plagued Panther—Head has been the
pest and the terror of the Deadeod trail 10ng
enough,” he declared, when Spears had con-
cluded. “ I have no doubt that your daughter
and Miss Alton are now captives in his power,
even if the Sioux first captured them; for the
outlaws are numerically strong, and desperate
fighters.

“ But, courage, my friends. Something may
yet be done to effect a rescue. I am going back
to Deadwood as fast as my horse can carry
me. Before many hours, I shall be on the
trail, with a strong posse of picked men at my
back.” ’

“May God speed and bless you!”. uttered
Mrs. McMorris. in a choked voice.

With a swift glance at the lady’s comely
face, Morrcll pressed his lips to her hand, then
sprung into the saddle and hurried away.

CHAPTER IV.
A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE.

A GLANCE at the overgrown marsh-land
which he had just traversed sufficed to con-
vince Albion Mabrey of the truth of Plucky
Paul’s assertion.

Not less than a half-score Sioux warriors were

How do you do,

 

, the Boy Prospector.

 

5

_“

 

in plain view, advancin as rapidly as the tan-
glad undergrowth woul permit.

“ We shall indeed have our hands full," he
assented, as he hastened to reload his weapons.

“ They have not seen us yet.”

“ No,” returned l’uul, “ we airo as completely
hidden es of ole Mother Earth had opened an’
swallowed us. The driftwood an’ bowlders on
the borders of this island hide us completely, an’
at the same time might furnish us tip-top breast-
works. Barrin’ accidents, we should be able to
stand ’em off, I should say.”

“ If they do not charge down upon the island
in a body,” Mabrey obsci'vcd. “ In that event,
I doubt if We would be able to beat them off.”

“ They won’t try that but once, Denver, if at
all,” declared Paul. “ It’s not their style.
Now, you keep your eye on the cusses, while I
git lt‘irctly out o’ sight. I don’t want her to stop
any 0’ their bullets.”

To this proposition the young assayer gave a
ready assent, and Paul turned his attention to
his handsome filly.

At a word from the lad, the welltrained
animal dropped upon her side, in which position
she would remain until ordered to get up.

Paul’s next move was to examine his repeating-
ritle, to make sure that it was in perfect work-
ing order. Scurcely had he ussut'i-(l himself on
that point, when Mabrey, in a low tone, an-
nounced that the rod-skins had regained the 0;»
posite bank.

“ That’s nigh cnough-»sart’ini” muttered
Plucky Paul, as he glided back to the assayer’s
side. “ We may as well give ’cut our com li-
ments, Denver. Don’t waste your ammunition
—it’s none too plenty, an’ we cain’t tell how
long the cusses may hold us hyar.

“ D’yc see that young chief off to the left
thar~thct galoot. with the bear~claws around
his neck? \Val, I‘ll take him. You nail the
old buck. Just this way~riglit at the water’s
edge.

“ Airo ye ready 3”

“ lil'atiy."

The detonation of the Winchester, and the
lighter report of the revolver rung out exactly
together, and were instantly followed by a gen-
eral outburst of whoops and yells on the part of
the Sioux.

The next minute not a living red-skin was
in sight. Every brave had disappeared as if by
ma ric.

HtfiNow, be kccrful!” warned Paul, as Mabi‘ey
restlesst IIIOVHI aside to peer through an aper-
ture in the driftwood. “ The ’re hid in the un-
dcrgrowth overthar, :iii' they 'now exactly whar
We aire. Ef you show yourself, you’re a gone
coon l"

“ True for you,” returned Mabrey, with a.
quiet smile. “ at it is not my intention to show
in self. On the contrary-"

‘he report of his revolver ended the sentence.
With a peculiarly sharp, shrill ell, a brawny
brave, who had been crouching in the midst of
a clump of rushes on the opposite shore, sprung
half erect, then plunged head-first into the
creek.

Another vocal outburst from the Sioux fol-
lowed the tragedy.

“ Well done, pardncr,” cried Paul. “ You
han’le thet weepoi‘. like an old-timer! Reckon
this ain’t your first cam )aign'i”

“ Hardly,” returned . abrcy, smiliugly; “ nor
is it yours, I judge.”

“ No, l’vv bin brushin’ ag’iii’ ’em some 1 kin
remember,” responded Paul. “ Thet was the best
p’int iii Uncle Bill‘s make—up—he c’u’d fight In-
juns to the queens taste.”

“ Uncle Bill?”

“ The man who brung me up,” Paul explain-
ed. “He allcrs claimed he was my uncle, but
betwixt as I’ve thought for some time that
that yarn was the biggest kind ov a ghost
story." _ , .

“.And so you decided todlSSOlVe partnership!”
guessed Mabrey.

“ Exactly.” _

At that point the conversation ended. It was
evident that the red-skins Were about to change
their tactics, and the defenders of the island
turned their anti: 0 attention to meeting and baf-
fling the cunning 0f the savages._

Signals sounded at various points in the nu.
dergrowth. and it became apparent that the be-
siegers were retreating.

“ Now, look out for squallsi,” advised Mabrey.
“ A retreat new means that. they have hit upon
some ruse, by means of which they hope to diu-
lodge us."

ed.

“ Thet’s it,” Paul affirm “I reckon we

won’t get away till after nitrhtfall.”
Mabrey’s face visibly lencthened.
“ I am afraid you are right,” he returned, dic-

    

6

 
 

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

consolatcly. “ We can only wait and see what
turns up.”

Contrary to the expectations of the fugitives,
however, the red-skins did not renew the attack.
and it soon became evident that the entire band
Was hurrying up the Valley.

As Mabrey noted the fact, he turned pale.

“ They intend to attack Camp Frolic,” he
muttered. “ If they do the camp is doomed!”

“ VVhat’s that, pardnei‘?” quickly asked Paul,
his keen ears catching the half-audible strains.
“ You have friends up the valley 1”

The man from Denver nodded an affirmative,
and tersely explained the situation, in conclu-
sion saying: ‘

“ I fear the young,r ladies have fallen into the
hands of the wretcher. If they have, the camp
will undoubtedly be surprised and wiped out,un-
less we can in some way prevent it.”

Paul shook his head.

“ The gals escaped the red-skins, pardner,” he
declared. as positiVely as promptly. ” You kin
depend upon that. I was hyar on the island at
the time, an’ saw ’ein pass that open ’int yon-
der an’ they was not even pursued. hey war
the scouts or the band you run into, fu’stofl, an’
the gals got away ’fore the main gang came up.”

“Then the girls must have reached the camp,
and warned Alton.” decided Albion Mabrey,
with a breath of relief.

“ Barrin’ accidents on the way,” amended
Paul. “ These Hills are a mighty onsartin bit
0‘ kentry pardner.”

“ We will assume that the girls succeeded in
getting back to camp,” Mabrey continued, “ and
proceed to discuss our own cases, as it is of
the utmost importance that we get away from
here in short order.

“ The question is, when and how shall we
leave? And, more: ——how many red spies were
left in the undergrowth over there to keep an
eye on us?

“ These are the three vital points we have to
decide, my young friend, and we cannot be too
sure of our premises before we draw conclu-
sions.”

“ I guess that’s right, pardner,” assented
Paul, with the ravity of a sage. “I ain’t
quite up to your huge, but I reckon I ketch the
meanin’ of it.

“The fu’st thing to git at is the spies, an’ I
don’t know any better way ov drawin’ ’em out
than by workin’ the old trick ov the hat.”

“ Nor I,” Mabrey declared.

“ Then up she goes,” said Paul, and by means
of his rifle, be elevated the crown of his hat
abOVe the crest of the bowlder. 4

The time-honored artifice of the Indian-fighter
in this case evoked not so much asashot. If
there were spies in the undergrowth, they were
too long-headed to be gulled into wasting their
ammunition.

“ What do you think of it?” asked Paul a mo-
ment later, as he returned his hat to his head.

“ I don’t believe there is a red in the brush,”
Mabrey replied. “ You worked the trick ad-
mirably—it would have fooled me, had 1 been
across there.”

“ Still, it w’u’dn't he altogether pleasant to
get up an’ then set down ag’in socked full ov
lead,” suggested Paul.

“ No, but I am going to risk it,” was Mabrey’s
response. “ As I said I don’t believe there’s a
red-skin over there. They retreated as stealthin
as possible, with the intention of leaving us in
the belief that they were simply forming a new
scheme of attack. They probably calculated
that two or three hours would sufilce for them
to clean out Camp Frolic, after which they
could again turn their attention to us. On their
return, if they found that we had quitted the
island, they could depend upon their trailers to
run us down."

This surmise was correct throughout. The
young assavor hud hit upon the exact pro-

ramme of Black Bear, the leader of the Sioux
and.

Within ten minutes, Mabrey and Plucky Paul
had crossed directly into the undergrowth, and
from that point followed the red-skins up the
valley.

As Black Bear’s follOvvers had made no at-
tempt to cover their trail, our friends Were
enabled to proceed quite rapidly, Paul leading
Firefly and walking beside Mabrey.

As yet they had devised no plans to enter
Cam Frolic should they find it environed by
the max. The dominant idea was to reach the
vicmity of the camp, after which events would
shape the course to be pursued.

Though their advance was rapid, it was char-
acterized by prudence and caution. Both were
keenly alert. .

, They had gained a pomt something over a

 

mile from the thicket, when Paul suddenly
halted and, with a quick glance at Mabrey,
pointed to the ground.

“ What do you make of it?” asked the assayer,
in a startled tone, after he had scanned the
trampled earth. “ The trail is ’niost heavy
enough to have been made by a company of
cavalry l”

“ It puzzles me,” frankly admitted Paul.
“But ov one thing we may be sure—’twasn’t
made by any one friendly to us. It may have
bin made by a. mounted gang ov reds. or by a.
passle ov white outlaws—even by old Panther-
Head himself.

Mabrey nodded his a proval of the idea.

“ And if not friend y to us, friendly to the
Sioux,” he added.

“ An’ no ma also feel assured that they have
captured the adies," declared Paul, again ad-
vancing. “ An’ hyar is the proof they are
friendly: the rods were goin’ up the valley, the
mounted gang comin’ down; they met back
there, an’ then the whole bunch came this way,
an’ turned off into this defile.”

True enough; the trail at that point quitted
the valley.

For a moment Mabrey seemed puzzled.

“ Is it not possible that the party going down
were white men, and turned back on discover-
ing the reds in advance?” he asked. “ May not
the Sioux have pursued them into this defile?”

“ No,” and Paul nodded a vigorous negative.
“ The mounted fellows outnumbered the others
nearly two to one. They’d hardly have run
awn .”

Mabrey looked at the young nomad admir-
inglgi '
“ on read a trail as readily as I would an
open book,” he remarked. “ You may take the
lead in this matter.

“ What is to be our next move!”

“We must learn if the girls have been cap-
tured by the allies; an’ if they have, into just
whose hands they have fallen.”

Leaving Firefly in Mabrey’s hands, Paul con-
tinued up the valley for perhaps a. hundred
yards, closely examining the trail.

“ They’ve got the girls,” he declared, on his
return.’ There’s no trail leadin’ up beyond this
defile.”

The Boy Prespector then concealed the filly in
the dept s of a thicket hard by, and With
Mabrey entered the defile.

For upward of an hour the hurried onward,
using every possible precaution against an am-
bush, and in due course arrived on the border of
a second valley running almost parallel with
the one they had quit to enter the defile.

A strange scene was before them.

Down in the valley, in the midst of a clump of
noble pines, stood a temporary encampment. In
plain view, just within the entrance of a wicki-
up, sat Alice Alton and Gertie Spears, while
lounain about beneath the pines were a num-
ber of Sioux, tricked out with all the savagery
of war, and mingled with them an equal num~
ber of white men—outlaws.

Mabrey drew a long breath. At the same mo-
ment, Paul touched his arm and glided into the
shelter of a clump of bushes.

" What shall we do?” queried the assayer,
agitatedly. “ Heavens! those poor girls are in
an awful predicament!”

“ That they be,” Paul assented, but little more
calltnily. “ I kin feel for ’em—I’ve bin thar my-
se .

” New, Pard Denver, as near as I kin tell ye,
the best thing ye kin do is to slip through the
defile, git my nag an’ cut back to your camp as
tight as she kin go. From there, go or send to
Deadwood, an’ fetch down fifteen or tWenty good
men, well armed. l’ll stay hyar an’ keep an eye
on the variets. If they move, I’ll move too, and
mark ther trail so lain you kin foller it after
night if need be. ow, hump yerseltl You’d
ought to be back ’long toward evenin’.”

Mabrey arose to obey the hurried instructions.
His eyes encountered three forms crouching in a
patch of undergrowth a few rods to his right,
and he uttered an exclamation of relief.

“ It is Alton, as I live!” he. explained, in alow
tone, as Paul started up. “ And with him are
the guide and one of the teamsters.”

“ Wait l—we’ll attract their attention an’ j’ine
’em,” said Paul, picking up a small pebble.

But at that moment came a startling inter~
ruption.

A brace of revolvers clicked sharply, and up
from the undergrowth behind the two started a
pair of meanly-costumed forms, with the sibil-
ant warning:

“ Drap them stuns, ye eonjemmed runt—drap
’em. I say, or by hocus! I’ll brain yet”

The Boy Prospector started ,and his heart sunk.

 

 

   

It required no glance at the face of the s aker
to apprise him of the fact that he and brey
were covered by the weapons of Old Bill Blaze
and Solid Sammy, the Decoy!

 

CHAPTER V.
PLUCKY PAUL’S ADVENTURES.

NOW, han’s up, both ov ye!” continued Old Bill
Blaze, in the same subdued, yet angry, hissing
strains, as Paul permitted the pebbles to drop
from his fingers.

“ Sammy, ’ll ye disarm ’em?”

“ Sart’in, pard,” and the Hills outlaw moved
forward, thrusting his revolvers back into the
holsters attached to his belt. “ You first, Mis—
ter Man,” addressing Mabrey. “Ther kid
kin wait; he’s p’izen, but he ain’t so hefty.”

The aSsayer gi‘ittezl his teeth. His hands
opened and closed nervously. To be captured
now—the thought was too much; it niaddened
him. His muscles hardened; the fire in his
blood swelled his veins until they stood out like
so many wbipcords.

He darted a sidelong glance at Plucky Paul.
The boy’s shrewd gray eyes seemed to tw1nkle
an afiirmative—an assent to the proposition em-
bodied in the glance.

“New, easy, boss, an’ ye won’t be hurted,”
muttered Solid Sammy, just then, as be pro-
duced and tested a thong of buckskin. “Jes’
stick out yer paws—”

Smash!

The sentence closed with a grunt, and the out--
law Went down in a heap. The assayer had
obeyed the command, but in a way not at all
conducive to the comfort or facial beauty of
Solid Samm .

Thrown of; his guard by the unexpected on—
slaught, Old Bill Blaze had scarcely more than
time to utter a grant expressive of dissatisfac-
tion and disgust, ere he himself went down, out
of breath and used up enernlly.

At the moment of abrey’s stroke. Pliicky
Paul had niinbly thrown a sort of flip flap, dur—
ing which evolution he forcibly planted his feet
against the pit of his whilein partner’s stomach.

For a moment the two desperade were in
anything but fighting trim. Solid Sammy had
been knocked silly, while Old Bill Blaze was
curled up into a knot, gasping for breath.

“ What next, pardner i” asked Mabrey.
“We’ve got ’em down, but what shall we do
with ’en:?”

“Tie an’ gag yer man,” returned Paul, quiet—
ly. “I don't believe they want to alarm the
camp down there, but We can’t take chances,
so we’ll make it a sure thing by gag ring ’em.”

The task was not at all difficult. .ach of the
desperadoes carried with him a number of buck-
skin thongs, with which our fri-nds quickly
pinioned the wrists and ankles of both. Bits of
green wood cut from the thicket Were made to
serve as gags, and then the tying operation was
declared complete.

“ Thank Heaven! we’ve completely turned
the tables!” uttered Mabrey, with a breath of
relief, as he stepped back a pace and calmly
survoyed their work. “ Do you know, Pau ,
who these men are?”

“ I do that,” was the emphatic avowal. “ They
are no cod—two of the biggest rascals in the
Hills. he one you knocked down is Solid
Sammy, an’ rascal sticks out all over him; it’s
in his eye, an’ all over his face. ,

“ T’other one is my lamented uncle, Old Bil
Blaze. He’s no better‘n the company Vie fin"
him in.” - .

“ And their object in attacking us?”

Paul moodily shook his head.

“I’m a leetle puzzled there, pnrdner,” be r.
plied. “ So far as I kin see, it must ’a’ bin 7-
they were after. I slipped awn y, ye know, r
they have follered, not only to git my dust, I”
to take me into camp at the same time. -‘
wu’tli money to Uncle Bill, ye see, fer I’ie‘
stolen kid, an’ he expects some one to ‘ (43‘
down’ harnsomely some day on my accoun'

“Indeed!” exclaimed Mabrey. “But Vt
see that your extraordinary statement “Magi;
with ,the facts, Pauli Just look at t'.'plck
facel’ 2
True enough; Blaze’s sharp visag exPecti-
that moment fairly distorted with di.
wrath. . 9 camp

“And now,” cautioned the asaye“ The
his gaze to the position occupied by 5 s were
his party, “let us get back to the otl 9.3 or the
“ I see that our friends yonder hav i'de that
alarmed by our little fracas. sag-r
treat their attention.” "I. “‘9!” es,“

Paul signified his approval, fd moi") his *

about him for a small missile; 7"?“ PTOduéed w
ture a peculiar, wailing cry ,Fllt In the stout

pplied his eye. ’

 

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

throat of Solid Sammy, to be instantly followed

by a piercing yell!

A single glance at the miscreant disclosed a
startling fact. He had slipped the gag side-
ways, and bitten through the cords holding it in
place!

“ 0! ho!” he grated, glaring savagely at his
amazed and alarmed captors, “ ye’ve hed yer
inning, dern ye! Mine is comin’ now!”

“ Quick, pardner!” cried Plucky Paul, with a
Swift glance out into the valley. “ Those cries
Were signals! This galoot is on a friendly
footin’ with that cohort down there. We’ve
got to scoot—an’ scoot quick!”

“ But Blaze, here—your uncle!”

Paul hesitated.

“I’ll eat him loose, an' risk it,” he decided.
“ He may, or he may not, be in with that
gang.”

' That was all. His knife flashed in the sun-
light, and the next instant. with Mabrey, he
darted into the defile, just as a slight crashing
in the undergrowth announced the flight of

Alton and his companions.

There were not many points at which the de-
file could easily be quitted; but they had been
so fortunate as to secure a long start of their
pursners, and Paul entertained but little fear as
to the result.

After a run of ten or fifteen minutes at a
steady pace, the young prospector halted and
narrowly scanned that part of the defile which
they had just traversed.

There was no one in sight.

“ I’m goin’ to leave you hyar,” he announced,
turning to Mabrey. “ [don’t think they’ll make
much ov a pursuit. Skip along down the pass
till you come to Firefly, an’ then go ahead jest
as we talked it over.”

“And you 3”

“ I’ll keep an eye on the camp.”

“ It’ll be risky, since the alarm has been
given.”

“Trust me to look out for Number 1. Take
keer ov yerself. So-longl”

With that, the nomad slipped into the mouth
of a ravine opening into the pass, and the next
minute disappeared.

Mabrey, realizing that expostulation would
be useless, continued his flight.

A quarter of a mile beyond the defile, Paul
quitted the ravine, and took his way across a
stony piece of ground to break his trail. When
he felt that that feat had been successfully ac-
complished, he once more turned his face to—
ward the outlaw camp.

His advance was slow and extremely cautious.
He felt that much depended upon his efforts,
and his chivalrous young soul was in the task
of rescuing the captive maidens. If the attempt
resulted in failure, it should at least be through
no fault of his.

Thus, the better part of an hour was con-
sumed in regaining a pomt overlooking the
valley, and then a glance apprised him of a
startling fact.

The encampment was no longer there.

“ The cohort have moved up or down the val-
ley,” was the thought that presented itself asex—
planatory of the sudden evanishment. “ They
will hunt a place harder to approach.” _

And after cogitating the matter a few min-
utes, the lad shrewdly jumped to the conclusion

' that the retreat had been made up rather than

; down the valley.

“ There’s better kiver for ’em up there, aii’
)‘they know it,” he muttered. “ For who kin
1: they be but Panther-Head’s gang ’f—who, indeed?

The outlaw hang-out is up there some’r’s; but

,Est where, no honest man knows. Kin Ifind it?

U in I git back in time to meet the Denver chap?
Cain’t tell till I try nohow l”

pl_c Keeping well up on the hillside, he hurried

disu'ong for perhaps a mile, then descended and

wag‘ ssed the valley to the opposite slope. By this

. 'love he not only confirmed his suspicion as to

mg L direction taken by the outlaws, but at the

Al' no time secured the advantage of better cover.
coum‘r hours he continued onward, occasionally

Cain ding to study the trail: then on and on,
second 5 alley narrowed into a shadowy gorge,
Alton an: F; with towering cliffs and rock crags.
the exactamination of the trail showed t as“; led

“ Mour: between the yawuing jaws of the rock,
to his horhout a breath of hesitancy the Boy Pros.
quarry is 'unged into the chilling gloom.

That w: ranced warily, cautiously.
cavalr me that; peril lurked in every foot of his
two a res.- \ck-bound pathway.

Chief, they 5 ' undoubtedly led to the rendezvous

run. ble Panther—Head, and would not

Nor was Alto led. At any moment a bullet
forward in "3590 sh might end Paul’s trailing.
“10 Same? Spec“: ‘the kind happened. So far as

 

 

appearances went, the place was absolutely de-
serted. Not even a sign of animal life was to be
noted.

“ They’re too strong to keer for pursuit,”
thoulght Paul, as he glanced at the trampled
eart i.

The real explanation of the seeming careless—
ness soon presented itself, liOwever; for at a
point half a mile above the entrance to the gorge,
the way became so hard and stony that not a
trace of the trail remained.

And within the next half mile, as many as six
passages branched off, right and left, from the
main channel, each with a bottom so solid and
flint-like that a brigade might have filed away
into its gloomy recesses without_lcaving a trace
to mark the passage!

As the Boy Prospector noted these facts, he
sat down upon a bench in awe of the towering
walls to think the matter over and decide upon
the best course to pursue.

His meditations were not long uninterrupted.

Stealthy footsteps warned him of the a iproacli
of some one from below, and he dodged into one
of the numerous branching passages, just as a
small squad of Sioux braves came into View.

Had he been seen?

Paul thought not, and silently hastened deeper
into the zigzag defile. Turningr a. sharp angle,
he found that the passage narrowed to a width
of but three or four feet, while the walls over-
head jutted together to form a natural arch-

ay.

Beyond this, the passage grew wider, and then
a dozen yards further on, ended in a towering
mass of rock so steep and precipitous as at once
to banish the idea of an ascent.

Plucky Paul’s heart faich him.

He was in a pocket—a cul-de-sac .’

“ If they saw me—”

His fears were confirmed ere he could finish
the sentence A feathered head was thrust into
view at the outer end of the archway, and as
quickly withdrawn!

“ That does settle itl” uttered the boy, grimly
as he took his Winchester from his shoulder and
looked about for shelter. “ Aha! that bowlder
will do, A1. Now I’m ready for the hull Sioux
nation—till night 1”

The lad’s position was indeed a strong one.
The bowlder in question lay in a corner at the
end of the passage, and at once afforded him ex-
ecllent cover and gave him complete command
of the narrow archway. Just back of the great
rock was a low, n ide opening four or five feet
in depth, into which he could retreat should the
red-skins ascend to the top of the passage to pick
him off.

Paul’s eyes had been quick to note the advan-
tage of the 3 wt, and he at once comprehended
the truth. ntil night came, he would have
but little to fear.

And then? Under cover of the darkness, the
Sioux would creep down upon him, and he would
be utterly powerless to ward ofl’ their ap-
proach.

That the crafty red-skins had decided on just
this course was soon evidenced by their conduct.
But for an occasional glimpse of a tufted head
without the archway, the besieged lad might
easily have believed himself alone in the cal-dc-
sac.

But with the coming of twilight it became
evident that they were preparing for the final
maneuver. Paul could hear their guttural voices
as they discussed the Situation and laid their
plans.

The gray light quickly gave way to intense
darkness, and then came a faint, creeping sound.
The Sioux had begun their advance. Their cat-
like tread announced that they had formed a
chain across the pass—that no chance would be
given their prey to slip them.

Paul’s eves glittered, and his face grow white.
He felt that his last hope of escape was gone. It
would be impossible to slip through that un-
yielding, merciless line.

Shifting his rifle at his back, he loosened his
knife in his belt and with a revolver in each
hand retreated into the 10w opening behind the
bowldcr, to make a last, desperate. stand.

“ Here goes!” he muttered. “ The sooner it is
over with, the better.”

He raised both revolvers and fired at the
shadowy line.

As if that had been the signal agreed upon,
the red-~kins threw caution to the winds. Yell-
ing like demons, they charged around and over
the bowlder, straight into the shallow opening.

A moment of wild Commotion—of breathless
groping and grasping, and then a strange hush
came over the turbulent crew, to be broken byfl
burst of guttural ejaculations of astonishment
and chagrin.

 

 

The cavity was empty!

The Boy ’rospector could not have vanished
more completely or mysteriously had the solid
rock at his back miracuIOUsly opened and in-
gulfed him!

 

CHAPTER Vl.
MAmiEY SURPRISED.

SHORTLY after the noon hour, the panic—
stricken denizens of Camp l4‘rolic were startled
by a second hail from the sentinel on the knoll.

“ Hallo! ther camp!”

“Hallo! hallo!” rotnrncd Spears, springing
u ).

1“ Man comin’ up thcr valley,” Jim then terse-
ly announced.

“ Who is it?”

“Cuin’t tcll yit. He's astraddleov a black
boss. nn’ he rides like thet chap from Denver.
Lordy! how he’s gittin’ over thcr gronn’!”

A moment later Spears was able to distinguish
the beat of the flying hoofs, and then Albion
Mabrey swept into view.

A feeling of intense rclicf ('nmc ovcrthe party
at sight of the young nssnycr, and when he
sprung from the saddle he was instantly sur-
rounded.

“ I’ve no time to answer questions, my
friends,” he said, in reply to the torrent of in—
terrogations with which he was greeted. “Yes,
the girls are in the hands of the. Sioux. Alton
and. the guide and Bill are over there in the
Hills, if they have not also fallen into the
clutches of the red-skins.

“Hold my horse a moment, Mr. Spears. I
must get a fresh supply of cartridges and then
be off for Deadwood. We need help to rescue
the iris.”

“ lenven help us!” groaned Spears, as he
mechanically assumed charge of 1<‘ir(*fly. “ It
is as I feared! l’oor (lcrticl—poor Alice!”

Caroline Spears and Mrs. McMorris turned a
shade paler and rctrcntcd to their hot.

Mabrcy was but a moment in securing the
desired ammunition; but, brief as was the as—
sayer’s absence, it gave Spears a chance pur-
tiall to regain his composure.

“ Iorrell was down from Deadwood this
morning,” he said, as Mahrey resumed his )lnco
in the saddle. “ As soon as he learned of our
misfortune, he turned back to secure a force

.suflicient to pull us through and rescue the

girls.

“ He appeared an hour or so after Panther-
Head and his men had—”

“ Panther-Head?” quickly interrupted Ma-
brey. “ Has that outlaw been here?”

“ Yes, he appeared but a few minutes after
you and the girls had ridden away. He had
come to secure Alice and Gertie, and was disap—
pointed in finding them gone. At the sound of
firing down the valley, he galloped in that di-
{Selcltiom (losely followed by Alton, Buck and

l .

Mabrey’s teeth closed with a sharp click.
This bit of intelli ence not only confirmed his
suspicion as to the identity of the girls’ captors,
but at the same time suggcsted the utter futility
of ordinary measures looking to a meme.

“ I’ll ransnck Deadwood and go penniless
rather than fail to find men suited to the under-
takin rl” he muttcred, desperately.

“ r. Spears.” he continued, aloud, “permit
me to offcr a suggestion. As soon as it is dark,
mount, and have Jim there conduct you to
Deadwood. Make your preparations as secretly
as possible, as the country below hero is s“ arm-
ing with Sioux. Abandon wagons. tent- every-
thing. Don’t lose. a minute after nightfall.”

“'ith that, he gave Fifi-flydlt'l' head, leaving
Spears well-nigh speechless With terror and dis—
mn .

TSl'ie assaycr himself was scarcely less agitated,
but the emotions torturing his soul were of a
(Wynn-mm type. Doubt, uncertainty as to the
ultimate result of his mission, oppressz him.
There was nothing of personal fear in his men-
tal agony.

At an abru t turn in the valley, three or four
miles above amp Frolic, voices and the sounds
of an approaching cavalcade warned him to
turn aside and seek covcr until he could satisfy
himself as to the identity and attitude of the

art .
p Toyhis unutterable relief. the horseman proved
to be the Hon. Madison Morrell and an even
half-score thoroughly-armed men. The-111' ob-
jective point was undoubtedly Camp Frolic,
fibence they would take the trail of Panther-
ead.

As soon as he had satisfied himself upon this
point, Mabrey spurred out from the neighboring
thicket into which he had ridden for shelter an
boldly approached the cavalcade.

 

  

‘

 

8

\v"yMo;—-—W-HF—rr- ' >

mini-r“ -

n. 41---.

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

.9- ___._._.._______—__.

At sight of the young assayer, Morrell started, The cavern was dry and commodious, and i “ If he’s not Panther-Head himself," Mabrey

then spurred forward, a pleasant smile on his

 

well lighted. Scattered about the sandy floor, in

handsome face and with hand extended, saying: i groups of two and three, were a dozen men—
"This 13 Indeed an agreeable surprise, Mr. ! stout, rugged—looking fellows, busy with cards

Mabre y.

Camp Frolic? You have come directly from
there, i presume?”

“ Permit me to ask you how are matters at 1
i

returned, accepting the proffered hand.
" Matters have changed but little since morning.

“As straight as the crow flies,” Mabreyr

“But I am indeed glad to meet you, Mr. ,

Morrell, with these well—armed men at your
back. Their services are sadly needed, and, as
they appear to be determined fellows, this
meeting saves me a trip to Deadwood.”

“ They are picked men, and can be depended
upon to obey orders,” responded Morrell, with
a lingering glance over his shoulder.
have been in service under me. before, and we
understand each other thoroughly.

“ For instance!”

Morrell, turning his horse aside, dropped i
his handkerchief from his pocket. The snowy l
linen had scarcely touched the ground ere 
there was a sharp jangle of spurs and two of
the foremost riders darted foruard, each chcck— i
log his horse and seizing one of Mabrcy’s wrists
when he was exactly between them. 1

“That was certainly well done!” exclaimed i
the nssayer. with a nod of appreciaton. “ But i
of just what use is such a trick, Mr. Morrell?”

“ Oh, of infinite use,” was the mockingly-utter-
ed reply, with a smile wl-ei'eat Mubrcy started.
“ ()ne of its uses you have jlht seen exempli-
fied. The fact is, Mr Mabrey, while not exact-
ly a tendcrfoot, you are altogether too green to
rub up against such men as Panther-Head and
ills‘ band!

“ Bind him, boys; and if he evinces the slight-
est desire to yell or kick up a disturbance, gag
him! We can’t imperil the success of our expe—
dition by having him hear us company.”

Mabrey flushed angrily and struggled desper-
ately to throw off the clutch upon his wrists.
It was in vain.

He was a captive!

In less than the time required to tell it, his
belt was stripped of its weapons, and his wrists
were pinioned at his back. Then a rude ga
was thrust into his mouth, and the task declare
com ilete.

“ . tipple away with him!” ordered Morrell.

“Come, lads, we’ll away to the rescue!” and
at the head of his nine the handsome gentleman
from Deadwood spurred on ward down the val-

ey.

Stipple gazed after them a moment, then,
with a broad grin on his homely face, turned to
his charge.

“ Et’s cur’us w’ot a devil ov a rumpus a
woman kin kick up, anyway,” he soliloquized,
as be seized the reins lying over the horn of
Mabrey’s saddle and urged the horses forward.
“ How they kin knock a feller silly! How they
kin smash a galoot’s think machinery nn’ turn
’ini inter a bloomin’, knock-knead idjit!”

With that, the fellow lapsed into silence. A.
mile further on, he turned fi om the valley into
a narrow cut running away at right angles.
On and on he rode, until the afternoon was con‘
siderably more than half gone.

They were in a perfect network of passes,
when Sti ple suddenly halted and relieved Ma-
brey of t e gag.

“ Ye’re to keep quiet—bear that in mind,” he
said, as be flung the gag out of sight. “ We’re
a proachin‘ the Horseshoe Mine, Morrell’s best
e aim, un’ ther milder ye act ther better ye’ll
be treated.”

Mabrey vouchsafed no response to the ad-
monition. His jaws were so stiff from their
long distention as to render him incapable of
uttering a syllable.

A moment later a sentry, hidden in one of the
innumerable fissures in the rocks, hailed and de-
manded the countersign.

“I—have—not—got—it!” returned Stipple,
glearly and emphatically, with a peculiar ges-

ure.

“ Ride on—ride on,” cried the sentry. “ I
know you.”

A covert smile crossed Mabrey’s face. The
cunning. arrangement of the countersign had
not deceived him.

A few minutes later Stipple dismounted be-
fore the entrance to a cavern in the rocks and
helped the captain from his horse.

_ At_that juncture. two men appeared from the
interior of the cave, and at a word from Stipple
took charge of the horses.

Mabrey was then taken by the arm and con-
ducted inside.

!
l
l
“ They l
l
!

 

A strange scene lay before him.

and pipes.

Guiding his prisoner directly across this outer
chamber, Stipple entered a 10w. wide corridor,
along which he proceeded for perhaps forty
feet, then halted before a stout wooden door set
in the rocks.

“ Your quarters, captain,” he announced,
turning to Mabrey with a grim smile, as he
opened the door and disclosed a small, cell-like
chamber. “ Step inside, please. Ye’ll find it
quite snug an’ comfortable!”

There was no helping the matter, and in the
assayer went.

“ I’d like to loosen up yer hands a bit,” Stip-
plo continued, “ but it’s ag’in’ orders. Ther
boss ’11 be in tor seo ye by-a11‘-by, an’ mebbe yo
kin fix things with him.”

Thcn the door closed, a key rattled in the lock
and Mabrcy was alone in the rock-bound cham-
bci'.

Tortured and distressed as he was in soul and
in mind, it s cmed to the young assaycr that
the promised visit of the boss was delayed be-
yond reason.

“ Curse the tricky scoundrel l” he gritted,
over and over again. ” I!" ever I escape from
this infernal trap, 1’]! call him to strict account!
To think of my being ti'ussed up here, With
Alice and G~rtic helpless in the hands of that
horde. of red and white outlaws. The wretcli!
the dam] l”

Then, in anguish of spirit, the hapless lover
would pace the narrow limits of his dark, cell-
like chamber, tugging desperately to burst the
pinions confining his arms, or dcspondently sink
upon the cool stones, fuming at his ill-luck and
breathing threats against his captor.

Thus passed the hours until nightfall. Then
the door was suddenly thrust open and a man
bearing a lantern stepped into the place.

Mabroy started to his feet in astonishment.
The intruder was Buck Blinkers, the guide!

CHAPTER VII.
IN WHICH OLD ACQUAINTANCES VEET.

“ ’SH!” cautioned the veteran bordermun,
with a warning gesture, as he put down the
lantern and advanced toward Albion Mabrey.
“ Not too loud, my friend, or some ov them
critters out tliar’ll chuck a block under ther
wheels. I’m hyar ter help ye out, but We’ve
got. ter look sharp or we’ll both land in hoc.”

As the cautious strains ceased. Buck drew his
knife, and with a few careful slashes severed
the pinions confining the assuyer’e arms.

The tightly—knotted thongs had rendered the
members temporarily useless. They were cold
and stiff.

“ Rub ’em u git the blood started,” urged
the guide. “ 9 may hev’ lively use for ’em
afore ye git out ov this den. Thar’s a baker’s
dozen ov outlaws out thar, un’ two can’t slip out
ez easy as one slipped in.”

“ That’s true,” assented Mabrey, vigorously
chafing his wrists. “ But are you sure they are
outlaws, Buck?”

The guide’s eyes opened wide.

“ Sart’in !” he ejaculated. “ They’ve got you,
an’ they’ve got ther gals. Ain’t thet enough?”

“The girls!” echoed Mabrey, starting. “Do
you mean to say, Buck, that we are in the den
of the notorious Panther-Head ’9"

“ Edzactly !” Buck asseverated.

The assayer turned pale, and leaned weakly
against the wall.

The guide stared at him curiously.

“ What is it, boyee?" he ventured, at length.

“ You are positive, Buck, that the girls are
here?”

“ Sure’s shootin’. they’re somewhar in this
hyer identical cave."

“ And Alton and the teamster—where are
they?”

“ Not three hundred yards away, keepin’ an
eye on a parsle ov red-rinds friendly ter Pan-
ther—Head.”

Mabrey was silent a moment.

“ Buck,” he exclaimed. abruptly, “I have
made a discovery—a startling discovery,” and
be briefly detailed the circumstances attending
his capture.

The guide listened attentively. The nature of
Mabre ’s revelation was such as to startle him
bayou measure.

‘ Ther condemned reptilian!” he ejaculated.

“ It begin~ ter look bad fer ther Hon’ahul Madie

son Morrell, boyee. by Christopher! He’s sar-
t’inly in league with these hyer sarpints.”

 

suggested, with peculiar emphasis.

“Right ag’in, hoyee! Who kin say? But
le’s go. We’ve tarried too long now.”

The truth of the assertion was at that moment
attested. A hasty step Sounded in the passage.

With a grimace, Buck drew his knife and
moved toward the door.

“ Wait,” interposed Mabrey, laying a detain-
ing hand upon the guide’s arm. “ If that is
Morrell, we may learn something. This way—
quick.”

He pointed to a dark cavity in the rear wall
of the chamber. It was seven or eight feet above
the stone. floor, and large enough to admit a
man.

“Into that with you,” he continued, catching
up the lantern and thrusting it into Buck’s
hand. “ Here—I’ll give you a boost.”

The next minute the guide had vanished, and
the underground cell was in total darkness.

Mahrcy hastily seated hiniSelf upon a bowl-
dei', with his hands behind him and his head
bowed in the attitude of dejection.

He appeared just as he had at the moment
Buck entered the place.

Then the door was slowly opened, and a man
with alantern crossed the threshold.

The new-comer was Madison Morrell.

As he noted the dejected attitude of the cap-
tive, he chuckled audibly.

“Aha!” ho exclaimed, “I see that you are
not exactly delighted, Mr. Mabrey, at the turn
affairs hch taken.”

“ There is me very good reason why I should
be,” returned the assuyer, coldly. “ And yet, I
must confess that out of it all comes a certain
sense of satisfaction.”

“ At what, pray?”

“At having discovered that you are a scoun—
di'el, sir, as base and worthless as treacherous.”

Morreil laughed roundly.

“You are remarkably astute,” he observed
as he put down the lantern and seated himself
upon a. stone. “ I marvel at your having been
so easily duped!

“ But, pcrsiflage aside, Mr. Mabrey. I am
here to talk business—plain, every-day business,
and I want your closest attention.”

“ You wish to sell me the Horseshoe Mine, I
suppose,” sueered the assayer.

A grim smile crossed Morrell’s face.

“Not exactly that, Mr. Mabey,” be return-
ed. “ I am here to disclose the motive leading
up to your capture, and to offer you a chance to
save your neck. That’s the plain English of it
all, and if you’re willing to listen—”

“ Proceed.” -

“ Wcll, then, to be brief, my name isn’t Mor-
rell. I’m from the East, originally, and am de-
scended from an old and aristocratic family,
which has for many generations been in posses-
sion of a vast estate, entailed in the male line
of descent.

“ That estate is now the property of Nathan
Alton. In the event of his death, it would re-
vert to a distant branch of the family, of which
branch I am the sole living representative. ’

“ 1 see,” interjected Mahrey. " You are plot-
ting to slay Alton and obtain possession of the
property.”

“ Your surmise is not wholly correct, my
friznd. I do not intend to make an attempt
against the life of my kinsman. He is older
than I by some years, and in due course, barring
accident, the estate must fall to me.

“ No, no! it is not that I am plotting for. In
a word, what I’m after. is the half-million
Alton has accumulated since his retirement from
the army. The estate “ill be niii e, some day,
but with it I must have his ready money—his
vast personal property; and to secure this treas-
ure I must make Alice Alton my wife.

“ There! do you understand that?”

“Scoundrel! dare you tell—”

“ Easy, my friend!” “arned the plotter, with
an imlperious gesture. “ Remember that you
are he pless here. Remember that life is sweet
even to the mest miserable of us. You must
listen until 1am through, and then you will be
given due time in which to frame an answer.”

“ Proceed,” uttered Mabrey, wisely checking
the threatened outburst. .

“ That is sensible.” observed Mortal]. With an
approving nod. "Now, the prepomtion I have
t2 make in the light of the facts just disclosed is
t is:

“You must release Miss Alton from her en-
gagement to you. You mnst——”

The remainder of the proposxtion was never
stated, for at that juncture a succession of
strange, muffled Sounds interrupted Morrell—
sounds indicative of a desperate conflict some-
where in the immediate vicinity of the cavern-

  
 

~c—mw, .

__\ HM! n... (we. _

. ._.,._—.A_,-“..

-.-._4.. ._ ~..-.,__ --.....__. 4.—_.._.._.__ .......u..n_...

I -.w—._.——-——--

—.—-—r'-s . ...._ A...‘.._._—.._..—-_c

 

 

   

(
...._. ~?-_,_. V-.‘._... su—‘M‘ . __...-_.,._.._, -w.-fi-——_s

....,_ ._ -- -..~

 

Elncky Paul, 1:

 

chamber, and with an oath he sprung to his
feet, and with head bent forward, listened at-
tentively.

The next minute he turned hastily t0ward the
door of the subterranean cell, as if to quit the
place. '

It was a disastrous move.

With the bound of an enraged panther,
Mabrey hurled himself upon his captor, and his
sinewy fingers closed upon the fellow’s throat so
deftly and so tightly as instantly to shut off the
power of utterance.

Although terribly surprised and taken at a
disadvantage, Morrel! struggled gainely, tearing
savagely at the deadly clutch upon his throttle.
But in the extreme terror of the moment, his
presence of mind deserted him, and he momen-
tarily forgot the revolver in his girdle, a single
shot from which would have relieved him from
that choking, vise-like grasp.

Mabrey was desperate. In his haste to secure
the cover offered by the opening in the wall, the
guide had neglected to provide him with a wea-
pon, and the assayer realized that all depended
upon his strength and dexterity, and that failure
meant instant death.

\Vith a swift movement he jerked Morrcll
backward, and tripped him, so that he fell
heavily to the floor.

That maneuver virtually decided the contest.
Breathless, stunned by the fall, the man from
DeadWood proved an easy victim, and in a mo-
ment‘s time was choked into insensibility and
disarmed.

Scarcely had this I'iSllit been attained when
Buck appeared at the opening above.

“ He came and he saw, but 1 conquered,” said
Mabrey, in response to the guidc's low whistle
of commingled astonishment and exultation.

“ I see " returned Back, with a grin of de-
light. “Ther king—pin ov ther lay-out, tool——
ther Hon’abul Mister Morrell hisself!”

“Exactly! And now, Buck, what next?"

“ Fu’st, fasten the door.”

Mabrey complied by rolling a heavy bowlder
against it.

“ Now, I’ll tell ye, I’ve bin es busy es you hev,”
Buck continued. “While ye’ve bin knockin’
one off from ther enemy, l’ve bin addin’ one ter
our forces.

“ Gropin’ down ther passidge hyar ter see of
tliar wasn’t a way out, I war forced ter roll a
consid’abul bowlder ter one side, an’ I’d no more
than h'isted ther stun than it seemed es cf 8.
segment ov ther Old Boy’s domain lied bin sct
loose to onc’t.

“ Mebbe ye heer’d su’tbin’ ov et, eh?"

Recalling the sounds which had so fortunately
thrown Morrell off his guard, Mabrey bowed an
assent. ‘

“ Wa-al,” the guide resumed, “ underneath
that bowlder war a hole, an’ in ther hole, treed
by a passel 0v Sioux, war a right smart chunk
ov a boy. Seein’ how matters stood, an’ thet
ther kid war a goner, onless Providence, in ther
shape ov ole Buck Blinkers interfered, I jest
reached down an’ scooped him out ov thet by
ther shoulders, pushed ther bowlder back inter
place, an’ left ther reds ter figurate out ther
mystery es best they c’u’d. Et’s a queer game,
but et’s true as gospel, an’ byar’s ther lad hisself
ter prove it.”

The head and shoulders of the rescued lad ap
peared beside those of the guide.

“ Plucky Paul!” cried Mabrey.

“ Ther chap from Denver!” the Young Pros-
pector ejaculated, in surprise.

Buck looked from one to the other.

“ So ye know each other?” he observed. “ I’m
’tarnal glad ov et. We’ll null tergether better
than of we war strangers.

“ But while ye’re confubulatin’, I’ll slip back
an’ See ef thar isn‘t a way out ov this con-
demned hole.”

“ Yes, _Paul. it is I, “said Mabrey, as the
guide vamShed- “ AS you see. I was unable to
leach Deadwmd, as we had planned. I was en.
gl‘iipppd on the way there, and brought directly

Pl'ti.

“ And Firefly?” interrogated Paul.

“ He is now picketed among their animals.”

Mabrey then proceeded to detail his adven-
tures, after which Paul gave a brief account of
himself.

The two friends had scarcely finished compar—
ing notes when Buck reappeared.

‘ Thar’s another way out. Jest es 1 s’pected,”
he announced. “ Thet varmint’s comin’ ter his
“"598. Mr. Mabrey. Jest hustle him onto his
feet. 511’ we’ll yank him outside an’ come back
arter ther gals. .

“ HY”. tie his hands an’ gag him, then slip
ther rope under his arms an’ we’ll jerk him out
0v thet in a jifl’y.”

 

The noosod end of a lariat fell at Mabrcy’s
feet as Buck ceased speaking. The assayer
hastened to comply with the request, and the
next minute Morrell, despite sundry protesta-
tions in the shape of kicking and plunging and
vigorous groaning, was drawn aloft.

Mabrey followed, with the lantern.

“ Now, oller us,” said Buck, taking the lead.
“ Keep your eyes on Morrell, an’ of he attempts
ter give us trouble jab a knife inter him.”

Which ferocious threat, in the form of a re-
quest, fell with due weight upon the luckless
captive.

Some ten or twelve yards beyond the entrance
to the passage, the guide turned aside, entering
a narrow, tortuous fissure, and a moment later
the party found themselves in the. open air.

“ Hyar we be,” announced Buck in a low
tone. “ We’ll tie ther critter’s laigs, an’ slip
back fer ther gals. They’re ther, an’ mebbe we
kin git ’em, mebbe not.”

“ We shall try, at any rate,” Mabrcy averred.

The party had halted just within the border
ofa small grove of dwarfed ti'ccs studding a
narrow plateau, or terrace. Urgiug Morn-ll
intotlic dense shadow of a low, broad-topped
pine, they forccd him oll‘ his fch. and finally
pinioned his knees and his ankles, after which he
was secured to the trco with a. stout cord.

The trio then retraccd their steps to the
caVcrn—chambci'.

Scurcely had their retreating forms vanished
one by one into the iissnro in the riu'ks buck or
the plateau, Wiicli the lom-r branches of the
pine shook violcntly and a lnnk i'orni dropped
to the ground beside the captivo Morrell.

Then a lucifcr flamed up, and its light dis-
closed the Visage. of Old Bill Blaze.

Morrell groancd as loudly as possible, At,
that moment he fcli‘. his hopes reviving.

“ All right," muttered Blaze, pulling vigor—
ously at his pipe and shielding the match bo—
tWeen his hands as he dropped upon his knees.
“ I’ll take a look at ye. critter, any way.”

He thrust the tiny flame close to the face of
the captive. .

“Good Lawd!” hc ejaculated, as the match
suddenly expired. “ It is Basil [faint .”’

Morrell groaned ailirinativcly, whereupon
Blaze removed the gag.

“Now my hands," urged Morrell, in an un-
dertone.

Instead of complying, Blaze uttered {a word
of warning. Some one was approaching. The
next minute a man halted within three paces of
the evil pair.

And that man was Nathan Alton!

CHAPTER VIII.
REVELATIONS—SOLII) sAMiiY’r-i PROPOSITION.

FOR a full minute Alton stood quite still, with
his head inclined, apparently listening, then cau~
tiously moved onward and disappeared in the
denser portion of the grove.

In the darkness, Morrell had not recogniznd
the speculator, nor had Alton distinguished the
forms of the two men beneath the pine.

“That was a close shave,” muttered Morrell.
“ When he approached, I fora moment believed
him one of my men, but a second thought speed-
ily dispelled that idea. This place is strange to
me, and I am sure that none of my men know
anything of it.

“Now, my good fellow, if you will kindly
finish the job you have begun so well, you will
find that you have made a paying investment.

“ And who are you'il Why did you call me by
that name?”

“Me .9” Blaze ejaculated, with assumed sur-
prise. “ Oh, I’m a burn —vag-—vagrant, a fron-
tier waif, a castaway, or anything else ye’ve a
mind ter call me, boss; but”—sinking his voice
yet lower and craning his head forward—“ I’ve
sarVed ye afore, an’ I reckon I kin now!”

“Served me before?”

“ That’s w’ot I sed, boss.”

“ When?” .

“ ‘Bout fourteen y’ar’ ago, Mr. Basil Bawn!”

“ That name again i” exclaimed Morrell, in a
tone of angry expostulation. “ Don’t let me
hear it again, please!

“Now, let me see: I don’t remember— Ah!
you are Turpin—Bill Turpin?”

“J es’ so, boss,” averred Blaze, with a furtive
glance into the surrounding shadows. “ But
don’t mention it ag’in, boss. I don’t like ther
name any better than you do ther han’le I jest
called.”

“ We’ll cry quits on that point, then,” said
Morrell, grimly. “ Now get these cussed
strings off my wrists and ankles.”

“Jest a niinnit fu’st, boss? Thet kid’s alive
an’ kickin’, an’ es tough es a pine—knot. W’ot’s
he wu’th ter you?”

hemBoy Prospector. 9

 

  

 

:

Morrell started.

“ Alive, you say?” be queried, with a. start-
led, anxious air.

“ 'l‘het’s w’ot I sed, boss,” brusquely affirmed
the red-bearded desperado.

;; you failed, then, to keep our agreement in
tn ’9

“ (l’udn’t be helped, boss,” apologetically.
“Snrcumstances pcrwented it.”

“ He is somewhere near!”

“ thar 1 kin git at ’im.”

“Then finish the job and the $500 you were
to have is yours.”

Blaze shrugged his shoulders.

“ Hit’ll take twice’t thet,” he declared. “ He’s
a holy terror, ther kid is, iin’ it’ll take a good
man ter down ’ini—niiiid tliet!”

“ I won’t pay it.”

“ Kernel Jim will, an’ no blood tcr spill.
Ho’s hyar in ther hills, too, with an inkling ov
ther truth!”

“Ha! you have sold me out!” and Morrell’s
tones again grew threatening.

“Not 1, boss,” laughed Blaze. “ But murder
will out, yo know, an’ 1 s’poso it’s bin ther same
with this hyar lcetle ail‘air. His main ()lijci'll
hyar is tor look fer his kid.”

“A thousand be it, and the money is yours
as soon as you show proof that you have done
' » )3

With a grimly—complacent smile, Blaze tlu-n
severed tho pinions confining Morrell and heipcd
him to his feet.

“ Whar shall I meet yo, boss, when it’s done!"
he ventured.

“ In lh-adwoml—my headquarters.
Madison Morrell. 1f—

“ But stay! Tell me how you recognized me
so readily. l have greatly changed in the past
fourteen years.”

“ I sh’u’d say so!” affirmed Blaze. “ But I’m
not one ter fergit a face, boss. Then, too, ye’vo
got a peculiar way about ye, an’ when 1 met yo
in Deadwood some time ago, though ye didn’t
lOok a mite fcrmiliar fu’st oil‘, yit l tliort l’d
seo’d ye afore, an’ so war not long in surmisin’
yci‘ identity.”

“So!” muttered Morrell, as if not fully satis~
tied with the explanation. “ It is strange Al-
ton—

Again he checked himself.

“ I’m wasting time—l mnst be off,” be ex—
claimed, the ucxt minute. “ You can find me
in Deadwood, Bill, ’inost any time you inquire
for me.

“ Did you notice my captorsl—did you see
which way they went?"

“They disappeared jest thar, boss, at ther
back ov this bench—cave entrance thar, I jedge.
Thur was three ov ’em—too many fer one ter
tackle in sicli a place. Mebbe I kin help ye?”

“If 1 thought 1 could trust oii———” -

“ Ye kin, boss—ye bet ye kin!” earnestly.

“It’s rather an experimental way of doing
business, but I reckon it can’t well be helped,”
mused Morrell. Then aloud:

“ You’Ve been straight so far, Bill, and I’m
going to give you a show. Myself and a party
of friends have captured two young ladies to
hold for ransom. They are in that cave, and
those three men intend to rescue them.”

“ An’ ye want ter foil ’ein’i”

“Exactly. Find the place at which they'en-
tered the cave, and take your stand there.
Permit no one to come out. l’ll go down into
the gorge and come in the other way, so that
we shall catch these interlopers between two
fires and punish them for their meddling. Be
wary, now, and cautious. If they appear,
shoot them down from ambush.”

“ K’rect, 1:055.”

With that the hardened desperadoes separ-
ated, going in opposite directions.

They were yet Visible in the darkness when a
short, squat form arose from behind a screen of
bushes on the other side of the tree.

The concealed listener was Solid Sammy.

Every word that had passed between the two
had been overheard.

“ Now hyar’s a Durty kittle 0’ fish!” solilo—

uized the ugly-looking scoundrel, as he gazed
s arply in the direction taken by Blaze. “ Thar
measly honn’! He’s hed his leetle trick in view
all along. an’ never dropped me so much es a
hint! Dern him fer a measly cur!

“ But cain’t I get my books in? I’m onto
ther kid racket. au’ which one ov us cits our
lian's outer him fu’st ill git ther stuff. Ef Mor-
rell kicks on my takin’ a hand, mebbe he’ll find
thar’s some red-skins in this kentry w’ot cain’t
flgger ther same way he dees.”

The renegade chuckled roundly at this con-
ceit, and then prepared to follow 1329.

Ask for

At that juncture, however. '1 (‘dlltl'Ous step

 

 

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Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 
 

Wfiwuv-w"  .. , \ . s,

 

 

 

sounded near at hand, and Sammy silently sunk
back into the covert.

“ Kin thet be Morrell comin’ back?” he mut-
tered, as his keen eyes descried the outlines of
the person approaching.

A negative answer speedily suggested itself.
The new-comer was a man considerably smaller
than Morrell.

“ Who kin it be ?” was the next query to pre-
sent itself to the brain of the skulking wretch,
and, as before, a definite answer was soon forth-
coming.

With a sound akin to a groan, the stranger
halted beneath the pine, on the very spot where
our three friends, Buck, Mabrey, and Paul had
left their captive so securely pinioned.

“ Lost 1” he exclaimed, in a low, thrilling
tone. “ Yes, es, I can no longer conceal the
grim truth. t is just as certain that I am lost
as it is that I am Nathan Altonl

“ Where is Buck? Where Bill? Or, rather,
where am I?”

“ Lost! That should be a humiliating con-
fession for me to make, but it is the truth

“ What shall I do?”

The question seemed to be a poser, for with
his head bewed low, Alton leaned wearily
against the tree, and gave himself up to
thou ht.

“ uss ther luck l” growled Solid Sammy,
mentally. “ W’ot shall I do? I don't keer ter
run ag’in’ thet galoot, and I cain’t foller Blaze
’tliout ’starbin his niejitations. Dern it all,
sez I!”

The next minute, however, the desperado
pricked up his ears, so to speak.

Alton was again communing with himself, in
a low, clear tone, audible at a much greater
distance than be suspected.

“ How can I ever forgive myself for having
dragged those two poor girls into this accursed
wilderness?” he murmured. “ Why could I not
have heeded the warning of the past? Was not
the sacrifice of one child enough?

“ It is fate—fate!”

“ First, my hey my onlydson: now my Alice,
the light of my old age. y God! can reason
withstand two such blows—two such deadly
shocks?

“ She must be recovered? Robbed of her, life
would lose its charm l” and uttering a groan,
the wretched man buried his face in his hands.

“ But may not both be found?” he resumed, in
amore ho eful tone. “That letter kindles the
hope that ittle Joe yet lives and may be restored
to me. If the writer only meets me at the des-
ignated point!

“Poor Dick! This is a sad blow to him and
his wife, too. Gertie is their only child, pet—”

A hand fell upon his arm.

“ Kernel l”

Alton shrunk back in alarm. So preoccu ied
had he been that he had not detected the stea thy
approach. He peered sharply at the facs of the
man confronting him, and, orawing his bowie,
demanded:

“ Your name, sir? Are you friend or enemy?”

“ Friend, kernel an’ my name, it is Solid
Sammy,” was the ow-voiced reply.

“ Put up yer knife, kernel, ye’ve nothin’ ter
fear from me. In fact, I may say thet ye may
yit consider this very miunit ther luckiest ov
yer life 1”

Alton started, and bent a keen glance upon
the speaker’s brutal Visage.

“ Pray explain yourself,” he requested.

“ Sart’in, boss. My name, es I hes sod, is Solid
Sammy. I am a mountain detective, an’ am
hyar in s’arch ov one Bill Tu in, who’s bin
wanted at Virginia City fer a ong time fer
murder. l’ve tracked him up in these hills, an’
at this minnit he’s not fur awa . In fact, I
may say thet I was layin' fer him right hyar
when ye came u , an’ so heerd w’ot ye sed.

“ Now, boss, wants ter ax ye a few ques-
tions.”

“ Proceed,” said Alton, visibly interested.

“ Hev ye ever answered ter ther hail ov Ker-
nel J im?’

“ I have.”

“ Did ye ever know a teller by ther name ov
Basil Bawn ?” ‘

“ I did,” and Alton started.

“ How long sence ye seen him?”

“ Fourteen—fifteen years, this month.”

“Uh, huh! thet‘s keepin’ wide apart fer kin-
folks, ain’t et?”

“ Perhaps. But proceed.”

:tVJu’d ye know ’im ef ye war ter see ’im

in

“ I doubt if I would recognize him.”

“ Thort es much! Now, kernel, does ye know
a galoot w’ot calls hisself ther Hon’abul Madison
Morten?”

 

“ I know a gentleman of that name. Why—-
Good heavens! do you mean to intimate that
Bawn and Morrell are one?”

“Jest what I asseverate—edzactly l” declared
Sammy, emphatically.

For a moment A ton stood quite still, aston-
ished and dismayed.

“ Now, kernel, another question,” resumed the
desperado, “an’ arter thet we’ll tech on llicl‘
financial part ov ther affair.

“Didn’t ye lose a son—a leetle teller-some
y’ars ago?”

“ I did,” returned Alton, quickly and tremu-
lously. “ He was stolen—kidnapped—froni
Leavenworth, Kansas, fourteen years ago!”

“ I thort all these things from w’ot I heer’d ye
say a. bit ago,” observed Sammy, with grim
complacency. “ An’ 'est lately ye got a letter
from out hyar, hintin thet ther youngster was
alive, an’ so forth, I reckon?”

“ And you were the writer?" cried Alton,
huskily.

“ Not I, boss,” and Sammy chuckled grim-
ly. “ This identical Bill Turpin I’ni arter writ
thet letter, es I hes strong reason ter believe.
He’s ther man w’ot got away with ther kid from
Leavenworth. He war paid ter kill ’iin, but
held back ter specerlate later on. Since he writ
thet letter—-this very night, in short—he run
ag’in’ Basil Bawn, recognir'd him as ther man
who had hired him ter sla yer son, an’ is now
under contract ter finish t ier job I”

“ Great heavens!” Alton ejaculated, starting
back aghast. “ Can this be the truth?”

“ It’s gospel, kernel,” assevei‘ated Sammy,
with due earnestness. “Bawn is playin’ fer a
big stake. He’ll kill yer son ter secure the en—
tailed estate, an’ intends ter marry yer darter
ter it his hands on yer ducats.”

“ ou astound me i” roaned Alton, almost
crushed in spirit by the despei‘ado’s revela-
tions.

Sammy was silent a moment.

“ Of course, I expect pay fer all this I’ve bin
a-tellin’ ye,” he observed, at length. “ An’
more’n thet, I’ve got a. proposrtion ter make

e.

“ By takin desp’rit risks on my own life, I kin
save both ther boyee an’ ther gal—pervided ye
name a proper figger. What say '1”

“ Name your own price 1” cried Alton, grasp-
ing eagerly at the straw thrown in his way.

‘ Ten thousand?”

“ Yes, yeast-twice that amount—anything if
you only save them—the two girls and the boy,
and baffle that infamous creature!”

“ Done, kernel an’ thar’s my hand on’t l” cried
Sammy, fervent y. “Now, foller me, an’ we’ll
jum right inter it.

“ ut wait l-—l’ve a passle ov friends below—
red-skins, kernel, but they’ll foller whar I lead,
an’ do w’at I say. I’ll call ’em up, an’ see w’at
we kin do.”

And the next instant a peculiar whistle stung
sharply through the calm night air.

 

CHAPTER IX.
PAULS HOWS ms Mirr'rLE.

UPON regaining the aperture in the upper
wall of the cavern-chamber, Buck and his com—
anions halted for a moment .of consultation.
iach felt that the contemplated move was an
extremely hazardous one, and that every pre-
caution possible should be taken to prevent a
disastrous denouement.

Naturally, Mabrey and Plucky Paul looked to
the old guide for counsel. Both had the utmost
confidence in his prudence and sagacity, and
that that confidence was not misplaced events
were yet to prove.

“ Boyce,” observed the old fellow, as he ut
down the lantern and leaned against the wal of
the tortuous passage, “ we now aire come ter
ther ticklish part ov ther bizness in hand. Ef
eyther one 0’ ye’d like et better ter be out-
Slde, w’y, it ain’t too late fer ye ter git up an’
eVerlastingl y git. Un’erstan’ thet?”

“ Nary git l” declared Paul.

“ Nor here,” Mabrey vowed.

“ Thet‘s good; an’ now we come ter ther naixt
p’int. Be ye both willin’ ter foller my orders—
ter do jest es I sav ?”

Both replied affirmatively.

“ We], then, you remain hyar, Mabrey, While
we go down. It’s a leetle rough «.n ye, ther
case bein’ es it is, I know, but I kalkilate ye kin
do better sarvice hyar, an’ hyar ye must stay.”

_Kn0wing that there were no appealing this de-
cis10n, the assnyer inclined his head in acqui-
escence. Nevertheless. he was disappointed.

After a moment of deliberation, Buck lower-
ed the lantern to the rooky floor of the chamber,
then slipped the noose of his lariat over a spur

 

in the side of the passage and carefully descend-
ed, followed by Paul.

“Look ter yer “e’pons, leetle. pard,” advised
the guide, in a low tone, as he closed the slide
of the lantern. “ We stand big chances ov git-
tin’ inter a condemned tight place mighty soon,
an’ we’d best go loaded fer b ar.

“ Now, gi’ me a lift on this stun ag’in’ ther
door, an’ then away we go.”

The next minute the two were in the corridor
leading down into the main cavern. .

In accordance with a prearranged plan of i
action, each closely examined his side of the
corridor as he proceeded.

Buck’s idea was that the girls were in some
out—lying chamber, similar to the one in which
Mabrey had been confined.

But the walls of the passage though rough,
continued unbroken to the cavern entrance.

“ Boyce,” uttered the guide, in a hoarse whis-
per, halting a few paces from the end of the
passage; “ boyee, we’ve got ter take our chainces
’itli them outlaws.

“ Ye’ll observe that ther fire is nigh ther cen-
ter 0v ther cave, an’ thet ther gang aire gethered
'round it. Consrquently, the borders ov ther
place aire in shadow, an’ most likely deserted.

“ Now, I’ll go for’ard an’ turn ter ther left.
You folli-r, an’ go ter ther right. Keep close
to ther wall, an’ explore ev’re nook an’ cranny.

“ Ef they diskiver ye, slide straight fer Ma-
brey. They don’t suspect anything yit, but all
the same we’Ve got a des’prit game ter play.”

With that, Buck glided around the angle form-
ed by the mouth of the fissure, and was at once
lost to view.

Waiting only a moment, Paul followed, turn-
ing to the right in accordance With the instruc-
tions given him.

A glance proved Buck’s estimate of the situa-
tion correct. Not only were the outly ing por-
tions of the cave in darkness, but they seemed
wholly deserted.

Pausing in a sheltered niche, Paul proceeded
to make a more careful and thorough survey of
his strange surroundings.

It required scarcely more than a single swee -
ing glance at that portion of the cavern visib
in the dim fire-light to determine that the place
had for some time been the rendezvous of Mor-
rell and his men.

Stores and extra accouterments were stacked
at regular intervals along the wall, while in the
niche in which Paul stood hung a considerable
quantity of clothing. ' '

The men themselves Were reclining on the dry,
sandy floor around the fire, talking and smo —
ing‘, or playing cards. , ‘

hey looked for all the world like a group of
honest miners, whiling away the evening.

Satisfied with his brief survey, Paul cautious-
ly continued his search, keeping his head against
the wall as continuously as possible in anticipa-
tion of a fissure leading away into the depths of
the rocks.

This careful search was not barren of results.

Not tWenty paces had the young prospector
taken when he came upon a gap in the irregular
wall.

A glance into the circle of firelight showed
him that his presence in the cavern was as yet
undiscovered, and with a breath of relief be en-
tered the gloomy, forbidding passage.

After a number of abrupt turns it opened in-
to a small sub-cavern, against the rear wall of
which hung a lantern.

n a. bearskin near the center of the o I
space sat the two captives, Alice Alton and er-
tie Spears. _

Again had Buck’s idea proved to be the cor-
rect one.

As Paul espied the two girls, he stopped and
raised his hand in token of silence. Just before
the lad, seated with his back against the wall,
his head bowed low upon his breast, was a burly
outlaw.

The fellow was asleep on duty.

For a moment Paul was in a quandary. He
knew not just what course to pursue. Then ac. .
cident decided the matter. In. moving forward
his foot dislodged a pebble, which rattled sharp-
ly over the stones of the passage. . .

The sleeping sentry started up, rubbing his

eyes. .
With the spring of a panther, Paul flung mm.
self forward, his left hand 010531130n the. fel-
low’s throat in a deadly clutch. his right Wield-
ing a clubbed revolver with merciless energy.

This silent, yet desperate struggle could end
in but one way. _ _

Surprised, taken at a terrible disadvantage,
the sentinel was quickly brought to his knees,
and thence flat upon his back, senseless.

Assuring himself that the fellow was not

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Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector. 11

 

 

   

shamming, Paul returned the rev-l' er to his
girdle, then caught the unconscious outlaw by
the shoulders and dragged him into the lighted
chamber.

The girls started to their feet.

“ Don’t be alarmed—he won’t molest ye,
ladies,” said the young prospector, reassuringly,
in a cautious undertone.

“ Here—let me git them cords off your wrists.
I think they’ll fit him jest es snugly.”

A moment sufficed to transfer the pinions in

uestion from Alice and Gertie to the outlaw.
Then with his knife Paul cut a rude but effec-
tive gag from one of the bearskins, and then a
number of stout thongs with which to secure
the fellow’s ankles.

When the lad had finished his task, he turned
to the girls, who had been watching him as
eagerly as anxiously.

“ You are Alice Alton an’ Gertie Spears?" he
asked, with an admiring, yet respectful, glance
from one to the other.

“ We are,” answered Gertie, quickly. “And
who are you ?” naively.

The Boy Prospector blushed.

“ I’m called Paul Park,” he replied.

“'I",hat is a nice name, and you are a brave

“ Thank ye,” returned Paul, choking down a
lump which had suddenly risen in his throat.
“ But I think w’ed better git out 0v hyar.
’Tisn’t jist safe. I‘ve come ter leal ye ter Mr.
Mabrey,” addressing Alice.

The irl‘s eyes kindled brightly.

“ In eedl Then Albion is near?”

“ He’s not fur away, miss. In fact, he’d ’a’
bin hyar in my place ef Buck ’d ’a.’ let him
come.

“ Now, foller me jest es close es is ye kin, in sin-
gle file. Don’t make a mite 0’ noise, nor cry out
on no account. We’ve got ter pass right by a
hull paSsle ov outlaws, an’ efrthey see or beer
usz ye’re wuss off than ever.

‘ Do ye understand l”

Both nodded affirmative] , and Paul at once
led the way into the win ing passage. The
venture was a severe test to the nerves of the
beautiful captives; but With the promise of
escape to buoy them up, nothing could daunt
them. -

Arrived at the end of the passage, the trio
halted a moment, that Paul might note the
positions of the various groups about the fire,
then silently filed away toward the chamber in
which Albion Mabrey had been imprisoned.

The place was reached in safety, and after a
hasty exchange of greetings between the assayer
and the girls, the latter were helped into the
passa e, Paul remaining below until they had
ascen ed. -

Ere the lad could begin the tedious ascent, a
sudden uproar in the outer cave announced that
the escape of the captives had been discovered,
or that Buck had been detected.

“Quick, Pauli—quick l” exclaimed Gertie, in
alarm. “ The outlaws are coming l”

“ Go on, Mabrey—git ther girls outside,”
cried the lad, extinguishing the lantern. “ Don’t
wait for me—I’ll git through l”

“ No, no !-—-come on i” urged Mabrey.

No response greeted him. Paul had darted to
the door, opened it, and glided out of the cham-

ber.

“ Buck’s in trouble," thought the lad. “ He’s
a squar’ old teller, an’ ef I cain’t git out I kin
at least give him a lift!”

A revolver clutched in each hand ready for
instant use, his eyes aglow with the light of bat-
tle, the bold boy swiftly retraced his steps to
the main cavern.

There an exciting scene was presented to his

gaze.

In the midst of his startled followers stood
Morrell, his fine clothing in shreds, his face and
hands bruised and bleeding, his dark eyes
gleaming With wrathful fires.

He was Just concluding an impassioned,
hoarsely-articulated barangue.

Plucky Paul had just time to comprehend the
scene. Then with the suddenuess of a thunder-
cla the outlaws Se arated in squads of three
an four, and darte away in various directions.

Morrell himself, at the head of four men,
bounded directly toward the boy.

“ Thet’s ther head devil hisself,” muttered the
lad, pressing the triggers of his Weapons until
the hammers were near a poise. “ How he es-
caped I cain’t see—nor for that matter kin I see
how I’m goin’ to do it!”

At that moment it did seem that escape was
wholly out of the question. Not only were Mor-
rell and his party advancing directly upon him,
but on both sides, at no great distance, were
other squads. Then:

 

“ I’m in fer itl I cain’t dodge, nor I cain’t go
back!”

He braced himself for the inevitable struggle.
He was cornered, but not c0wed. He would
fight so long as he could lift an arm.

Nearer and nearer sped Morrell, until scarce—
liy five feet lay between him and the young hero.

hen:

“ Ha! What’s this? Here’s one—”

Morrell never got further with his ejacula-
tions announcing a discovery. The slight form
standing so defiantly erect there in the darkness
launched itself forward. The sound of in. heavy
blow and a sharp gasp followed the movement,
and the. outlaw fell backward, carrying down
with him one of his followers.

Paul’s lowered head had caught him squarely
in the midrill‘, not only knocking him off his
feet, but literally “ paralyzing ” him for the time
being.

The three others of the squad readily compre—
hended just what had happened, and with say—-
age cries sprung forward to slay 0r capture the
bold intruder.

The odds Were certainly desperately against
the intrepid lad, and yet he possessed one slight
advantage.

The three outlaws had just quitted the glow—
ing firelight and were as yet unable to see clear-
ly in the darkness, while themselves in distinct
silhouette. against the lighted background.

Balancing himself upon one foot, Paul dexter~
ously delivered a kick against the stomach of the
foremost, hurling him aside doubled up like a
jack-knife, while a brace of snap—shots luckily
disposed of the remaining two.

In the mean time, the comnn il'nJ, brief as it
was, had attracted the attentioi of the other
squads, and at the moment the iad’s revoIVers
cracked no less than six of the outlaw clan were
advancing upon him.

A hasty glance at his surroundings showad
that there was not a breath of time to lose. At
best his situation seemed hopeless. With a deep—
drawn breath, be bounded directly toward the
fire, shouting in as hoarse a voice as he could
assume:

“ Scatter, pards! scatter! Hyar they come——
a hull regiment!”

Fortune favored the daring young prospector.

The startling cry instantly created a. mo-
mentary panic among the outlaws, and before
they could rally Paul had scattered the blazing
firebrands in a dozen different directions and
was well on his way toward the outlet of the
cavern.

Then a voice rung sharply through the dark-
ness:

“ Ho there! You are tricked—duped! There
is but one—and that one a boy! ”

The words were uttered in a deep full tone,
thrilling with anger and chagrin. There was
not an outlaw within hearing but recognized
that voice—not one but dreaded Morrell’s
wrath.

“ Pursue him—kill him!" continued the chief,
in the same intense, resonant strains, as he him-
self leaped forward in pursuit.

His followers were quick to rally. To a man,
they instantly darted in the direction taken by
the fugitive.

But Paul had secured a good start. He gained
the entrance, and dashed out into the canyon.
A burly fellow r0se up in his pathway with out-
stretched arms, but a blow from the butt of one
of the ready revolvers keeled him over half-
senseless.

A dozen swift bounds carried the fugitive
into the midst of a number of horses. As if by
inspiration, he uttered a peculiar whistle. An
answering whinny followed, and the next
breath Paul was beside his beautiful fllly,
Firefly.

Cutting the halter with which the faithful
animal was secured, he mounted and turned her
head down the canyon. ,

He was not an instant too soon. Morrell and
his men were not a half-score paces distant.

Intuitiver, the cunning outlaw divined ex-
actly what had taken place. In swift confirma-
tion of his fears came the clatter of hoofs.

“ Fire, boysl—flre, and rake the canyon!” he
shouted. “ The little devil’s——

“ Hal there be A oes! Fire .' ”

A heavy volley instantly followed the words;
but high above the resounding crash of the fire-
arms rose a shrill, elfish cry of defiance and un-
scathed by the rain of lead Plucky Paul spurred
madly down the canyon.

CHAPTER X.
BACK TO CAMP FROLIC.
“ RASH boy i” exclaimed Mabre , with genuine
regret, as his keen ears detecte Paul’s depar-

 

 

ture from the sub-cavern. “ He should at least
hayye attempted to make good his escape with
us.
“ Isn’t Mr. Blinker in the cavern?” asked
Alice.

“Yes; and I believe that that fact is explan-
atory not only of the commotion we hear down
there, but of Paul’s somewhat singular action as
well,” Mabrey returned, as he prepared to lead
the way through the winding passage. “1 only
fear that both will pay for their intrepidity
with their lives.”

“Poor, brave boy i” sighed Gertie, and then
the trio became silent.

At a point a few feet from the and of the pas-
sage Mabrey suddenly paused.

A struggle of Some sort was going on just out-
side, as was attested by the sound of blows, the
quick, irregular trampling of feet, and sharp,
hard breathing.

As a matter of fact, the combatants were
Solid Sammy and Old Bill Blaze.

Immediately after signaling his red allies to
ascend to the terrace, the renegade had has—
tcned straight toward the fissure, closely fol-
lowed by Nathan Alton. At a word from
Sammy, Blaze had stepped forth from the covert
in which he had secreted himself to await the
approach of the escaping captives, and was at
once set upon by his treacherous pal.

The struggle was short, for Solid Sammy,
while a Hercules in strength, was as agile as a
cat, and proved more than a match for the sur-
prised aud bewildered desperado of the red
beard.

As llluze sunk down senseless under a sledge—
hammer blow, Sammy turned to Alton with the
query:

“ Shell I knife him, kernel! He’s ther guloot
w’ot sent yo ther letter, un’ ther same one w’ot
stole ther kid. El' ye scz ther word-”

“ No, no!" interrupted Alton hastily, laying a
restraining hand upon Sammy’s urm. “ 'l‘hat
course is not to be thought of, 'my man.

“ You may bind his wrists and (up; him, how-
ever, as I wish to interview im later on.
Valuable in—

“ Hurkl what was that?”

Both men started, and with bended heads
listened intently.

f‘ A gun-shot, down in ther cavern,” averred
Sammy, after a moment. “ Keniel, thar’s real
ole bizuess ahead ov us down tharl Dern them
lazy reds! why don’t they git a move on ’eml”

At that momen', three figures issued from the
mouth of the fissure.

" Papa 1’

“Mr. Alton!”

Mabrey and Alice uttered the words in a
breath. With a start of surprise, almost of
consternation, the speculator thrust his head
forward to er through the darkness at the
advancing tr 0, then sprung toward them, cry—
ing wildly, incoherent y:

‘ Alice! Gertie l—and you, too, Mabrey!
Bless me! Now, may Heaven be thanked! It
is as much—it is more than I could have
asked E”

In the midst of this joyous outburst, a number
of new figures appeared upon the scene, having
stolen forward with cat-like stealth from the
outer edge of the terrace.

Uttcring a few words in the Sioux tongue,
Sammy advanced to meet them, and then, after
exchanging a few terse Sentences with the fore-
most of the party, returned to the group at the
mouth of the fissure.

“ Kernel l”

“ What is it, my man?"

“ My red pards aire hyar. I’ve ’splaiued mat-
ters, an’ they’ve agreed ter help me through
with my compact. Ye kin—”

The roar of a heavy volley a short distance
away interrupted the desperado. Then came a
shrill yell of defiance, and the sharp clatter of a
madly-running horse.

“They’re hard at it down thar!” ejaculated
Sammy. “'l‘har’s no time ter be lost. Three
ov ther red-skins will guide ye back ter yer
camp. Ye kin trust ’em. They’ll stick by e,
an’ act as scouts arter ye git thar. Ye’ll filid
bosses below.”

“Back to Camp Frolic?” Mabrey inquired.
“There is no one there. Mr. Smears and the
ladies are well on the way to Dea wood.”

“ Ye’re mistaken thar, young feller,” the des-
perado returned. “ Arter Monell had cap-
tured you, he rode on ter ther cam . 811’ ad'
wised ag’in’ ther move 6 bed suggest .” _

Mabrey was silenc , but by no means satis-
fied: Alton had tersely outlined the state of
affairs, and the assayer feared a trait

“ The fellow is a renegade, and has unques-
tionably been the ally of Morrell up to this mo-

 

12 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

 

ment,” he could not help thinking. “ It may be
that he has put this scheme afoot to get the
game into his own hands.”

Nevertheless, were his suspicions well founded,
it would be the height of folly to object, just at
that juncture, to the arrangement Alton and
Sammy had entered upon. They were com-
pl tely surrounded by the red-skins, and a word
from the renegade wuul l precipitate a massacre.

Apparently acquiesccnt and unsuspicious, Ma-
brey was in reality keenly alert, watchful for a
chance quietly to sever the hazardous connec-
tion.

At a word from Solid Sammy, three of the
red-skins advanced, two of whom lifted up the
limp form of Old Blaze, while the third placed
himself in the lead.

Sammy, with the main body of his followers,
silently entered the fissure.

“ Kevp your eye on these fellows,” Malzrey
whispered to Alton, as they set forward across
the terrace. “ This arrangement may be a cun-
ning trick on the part of the renegade; or, fail-
ing that, now that we are virtually in the power
of these redskins, their natural inclinations
may prove stronger than their respect for their
white leader.”

“ I believe that if these red—skins can be de-
pended upon to obey their chief’s orders we are
safe enough,” returned Alton; “ but, as you
sav, their taste for blood-letting may get us into
trouble. You are urmedf”

“ Yes.”

“ As am I, so We are not altogether helpless.
If they contemplate treachery, we shall soon
discover it.”

The descent from the terrace to the gulch was
slow and difficult in the darkness, but was
finally accomplished without accident, and a.
moment later the party, turning an angle in the
rocky wall, found themselves within the glow
of n camp-lire.

Although there was no one visible, it required
no second glance'to determine that it was the
night camp of Solid Sammy and his braves.

Leaving the fugitives in a. shadowy nook, the
three red-skins glided awny, crossing the lighted
Sii’u't‘, and disappearing in the gloom beyond,
whence they speedily returned With a number
of horses.

“ Let your party mount,” said the red guide,
addressing Alton. “Time short. Here’s gals"
bosses and saddles. All git back fr’en’ camp
heup soon now.”

True enough; the horses and saddles belong-
ing to Alice and Gertie were among the num-
her.

In another minute the entire party were
mounted. Two of the red-skins assumed the
lead, while the third fell back to the rear, lead-
ing the horse upon which Blaze had been tied.
Then came the Word, and the strange cavalcade
proceeded down the defile at a sharp center.

After a steady ride of perhaps three hours,
the vicinity of Camp Frolic was reached, and a.
moment later rung out the bail:

“ Ho, thnr! who comes?”

“That was Jim‘s voice!” exclaimed Alton,
with a long breath of relief. Then:

“ Alton and Mabrey, with the girls!”

“God bless you, Nate! Ride up—ride up!”
came the voice of Richard Spears, thrilling with
joyous excitement.

The red-skins in advance turned aside.

“ We ride behind,” explained the spokesman
of the trio. “ White man in camp not know
Injun fr’en’—shoot pore Injun putty quick,
lnebbe."

“ That’s a good idea, sustained by sound
logic,” laughed Alton, and then the party rode
forward, and dismounted at the entrance of the
main tent, where Spears and his wife and Mrs.
McMorris were waiting to receive them.

What a joyous, happy reunion it was!

With what fervency and earnestness the en-
tit- party returned thanks to Heaven for the
mercy shown them!

In the midst of the general rejoicing, Spears
su'ldenly sighted the three red-skins in the back-
ground. With a. cry of alarm and dismay, he
dro v his revolver.

Alton promptly grasped his wrist.

“ They are friends, Dick,” he explained. “But
for them we would not now be here. They will
, remain with us until morning, or later, to guard
us against a. surprise by Morrell and his cut-
throat gang.

“Morrell I” gasped Spears, changing color.

“Morrell f" Mrs. McMorris ejaculated, lifting
her hands in genuine horror. “Oh, dear! oh,
dear! Did you call Mr. Morrell a—a. cut-throat.
Nate?”

“ I did, and he’s the meanest kind of a one,
too,"ufiirmed the speculator, with considerable

 

asperity. “ He has presented himself to us un-
der false colors, from first to last. Not only is
he an outlaw—a. desperado of the worst type,
but he is my kinsnian, Basil Bawn.

“ But enough of this, for the present. Our
red friends are growing restless, and then, tee,
they huVe a captive there whom I desire to in—
tervnew.”

With that, the ladies vanished into the tent,
while Alton, with Spears at his side, advanced
to the waiting horsemen.

After a brief council, into which Jim, the
teamstcr, was called, Blaze was lifted from his
horse and carried into Alton’s quarters. The
horses were then pickcted, and the three Sioux
braVes went on duty as sentries.

“ Come, Albion, I want you to accompany
me,” said Alton to Mabrcy, when ull had he-
come quiet. “ Dick is with the ladies, but as a
further safeguard I’ll put Jim on duty near the
tent until we are through with this man Blaze.”

Together the two took their way to Alton’s
quarters, and Jim was promptly transferred
to sentry duty at the main tent.

Blaze hailed their entrance with a groan. The
ruflian was lying flat on his back, bound hand
and foot, and gagged. His bloodshot little eyes
gleamed hopefully as his gaze rested upon Al—
ton’s face.

At a Sign from the speculator, Mobrey closed
the tent-flap and seated himself upon a camp-
stool, revolver in hand.

The significance of the action was not lost up—
on Blaze. Tho grim faces of his custodians he-
spoke deally earnestness of purpose.

Freeing the captive of his pinions and the gag,
Alton assisted him to a seat upon a stool, then
sternly confronted him.

“ You are Bill Blaze, the man who wrote me
this letter?” he grimly interrogated, producing
and holding up to View the document in ques-
tion.

“ Bill Blaze, boss,” returned the captive, his
tongue working stillly, a sickish sortof smile
creeping chr his face. “ Nice treatment ye‘i‘c
givin’ a man who was doin’ ye a favor!”

“ You are the man, too, who abducted my
Child from Leavenworth, fourteen years ago?”
pursued Alton, his tones growing cold and in—
flexible.

Blaze shrunk back in dismay.

“ Answer!”

“ Ef I must—yes! I’m ther identical galoot!”

“ You were employed by whom?”

“ Basil ann.”

“ You were to kill the boy i”

“That war ther bargain; but I didn’t mean
ter do anything ov ther kind—-nor I didn’t boss,
so help me! Ye see, ther galoot offered me a
big pile; I war a pore cuss—a shiftless critter,
an’ hard run, an’ in course I took ther money——
I jest c’u’dn’t help it!”

The despcrado uttered the words with all the
earnestness due his situation.

“ Did you not to-night renew your devilish
compact with Bawn?” continued Alton, his gray
eyes gleaming pitilessly. “ Answer me, you
soulless wretch! Where is little J oe?—where is
the son on stole from me? The truth now, or
you sha ! die!”

Blaze turned ghastly pale. The speculator
had moved forward a pace, cocked revolver in
hand, and the desperado realized that a crisis of
life or death was come.

His tongue was palsied with fear. He at—
tempted to smak, but only a choking, inartieu-
late sound escaped his lips. He cowered down
upon the stool, and glared around as if seeking
some avonue of escape.

Then a startling change swept over him. New
strength and energy seemed suddenly to have
been infused into his lank form. He started to
his feet, his eyes glowing redly.

“There!” he cried, in a low, intense voice,
pointing to the tent entrance with his long in-
dex finger. “There!”

Alton cast a; swift, suspicious glance in the
direction indicated.

Just within the but, with uplifted hand, stood
Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector! .

CHAPTER XI.
THE CAVERN CAPTIVE.

LET us now turn back and follow the adven-
tures of Buck, the veteran guide.

Like Paul, upon quitting the corridor he had
kept close to the shadowy wall of the main cav-
ern until he encountered a. fissure leading away
into the rock.

A moment’s exploration proved it a blind.

passage, howeVer, and Buck retraced his steps
andl resumed his examination of the irregular
wal .

 

Just three paces had be taken when he found
himself in the jaws of a second 0 euing, which
had the appearance of extending ar back from
the cavern proper. -

Bending a keen glance upon the group at the
tire to assure himself that their suspicions were
as yet unaroused, the guide silently entered the
cavity, which proved to he narrow and winding,
and in many places so low that he was compelled
to stoop.

He had proceeded perhaps twenty feet, when
a. sharp, metallic sound, not unlike the clanking
of chains, caused him to- pause and listen.

A moment of silence, and then again came
the mysterious noise. It was accompanied with
a groan.

" That’s jest ahead,” muttered Buck, shiver-
ing despite his iron nerve. “W’ot or who in
turnatiou kin et- be? Not ther gals, sart’in. I’ll
hev ter ’vestigute ter find out. Mel)be et’s some
pore cuss these owdashus outlaws hev chained
up for ter git ransom money.”

The next minute it seemed to the guide that
his surmise was certainly correct. His extended
nnnds encountered a heavy chain, and then the
shoulders of a man.

“ My God! who are you ?” ejaculated this cav-
ern captive, in a hollow voice, starting up so
suddenly as to set his chains to clanking sharply.
“ ln Heaven’s name, man—speak! Are you
friend or foe?"

Although expecting something of the sort,
Buck was startled.

“Hist! not so loud, man!” he cautioned, in a.
hoarse whisper. "Ye may put me down as a.
friend. Ye’re a captive, I take it. Held fer
ransom, or su’thin’ ov ther sort, ain’t ye?"

“ Yes, yesl—a captivo in the clutch of this
Morrell—this master-devil of the Hills,” was the
aluiostincoherent yet earnest reply. “ lf you’ve
a heart within you. if you’ve an atom of feeling,
strike off these cold and dragging chains and
help me to escape from this zit-cursed death—Imp.
Aid me, and you shall be a rich man. Do you
hear?—a rich man !”

“ Not soloud!” warned Buck, again. “ Thar’s
not less than a dozen ov Morrell’s llll'll within
hearin’. I don’t want yer money, but. I‘m goin’
ter do w’ot I kin for ye. Ther fu’st thing‘s ter
git a look at these hyar llxin’s they’ve putton
ye.»
The guide softly ignited a match as he spoke.
Its flickering light disclosed a startling fact.

The captive was shackled hand and foot,
and heavy chains extended from the shackles to
iron rings set solidly in the wall.

From these trappings, his gaze wandered to
the captive himself.

He saw before him a tall, well-built, dark-
eyed man of perhaps forty years, pallid and
emaciated from long confinement in the noisome
suhtei'ranetin chamber. His clothing was dis—
colored and rotten, and dark hair and heard
were matted and unkempt.

“ I don’t see just w‘ot I kin do at present,”
the guide observed, as the match expired.
“ These shackles aire locked, an’ will hev to be
broken or cut ofl’. EVI'U of we be! an nnvil,a
hammer an’ a cold chisel, we c’u’dn’t work ther
trick, fer the noise w’u‘d fetch them galoots
outer us.

“ That is all very true, my friend,” returned
the captive, in a tone of suppressed excitement.
“ But fortunately, weshall not have to do vio—
lence to these shackles. [1. his intense nialignity,
Morrell keeps the key where it is just beyond my
reach but in plain view during the hours of day-
light. If you will turn back into the passage
about three paces and feel along the left wall
at the level of a man’s head, you will find a bit
of greenwood wedged firmly into a crevice.
U )(m that hit of wood hangs the key.”

hick at once followed the instructions, and
the next minute had the key in his grasp.

The captive was quickly relieved of the

iron.

“ Thank God i” he ejaculated, stretching forth
his wasted arms. “ I have been kept in this ill-
odored place for upward of a month, and hope
had died within me. My release just at this
juncture seems little short of miraculous. This
was to have been my last night, for it was
Morrell’s purpose to slay me before morning.

“ But lead on, lead on, my friend. 1 am
only too anxious to quit this accurSed den.”

“ Aire ye strong enough ter go on?"

“ Yes, yes! Though half-starved for weeks,
the prospect ofa speedy escape giycs me new
strength. Lead on! I am all impatience.”

“ Be cautious, then, an’ foller me closely. Thar
aire other captives in this cave, an’ they too
must be released as we go."

A moment later, the two glided out into the
main chamber, and Buck resumed his sehrch

  

lulu-A

 

 

rospeotor.

13

 

 

Plucky Paul, the Boy P

 

for Alice and Gertie. the rescued captive follow-
ing him as noiselessly as a shadow.

The remainder of the wall was solid, and the
two men soon found themselves at the cavern
entrance.

“Which way now?” breathed the captive,
eagerly.

“ Back,” returned Buck, as cautiously.
“Thar’s a better way out. Moreover, I’ve a
pard sum’er’s in the cave thet I must see afore
we leave. Ye may—”

The guide started, and checked the just audi-
ble words.

With a quick movement he drew his compan-
ion close against the wall. Some one was ap-

roaching from without at a run. Just a
Breath, then a tall form darted into the cavern,
and 3 ed directly toward the fire, crying:

“ l , boys, up .’ The captives are escap-
i [H

“ Thet’s Morrelli” uttered Buck, with a grunt
of disgust, as he recognized the voice. “ Ther
Old Boy sart’inly favors his own, else how’d thet
ri tiliau escape?”

or the space of perhaps a minute the guide
stood motionless, using his eyes to the best ad-
vantage ossible. Then a roar of rage rung
through t e place.

“ They’re gone!” Morrell yelled, suddenly re-
appearing, fuming and cursing, from a fissure
into which he had vanished. “ Scatter! Spread
out! and liVely, too—they’re not far away!”

“ Come, ardner—we’ll vamose while thar’s
room,” Buc eXclaimed, grasping his compan-
ion’s arm, and drawing him toward the out-
let.” “ Lordy! ther kids made quick work ov
et!

The captive needed little urging. The two at
once quitted the cavern, anda moment later
found themselves among the horses.

Then came the sounds of a desperate struggle
within, and for a brief space Buck seemed sore-
ly tempted to turn back, and hazard all in a

esperate struggle to save the dashing young
pros ctor.

“i o, no!” he muttered. “Ei' ther lad hes
failed, an’ I sh’u’d go under, et w’u’d cut off
ther last chaiuce ter rescue ther gals from
Morrell’s devilish clutches. ’Twon’t do ter resk
et!

“Pick a good mount, pardner, an’ we‘ll be
off!”

Scarcely had the words passed his lips, how—
ever, when a trim figure came bounding down
the pass and darted in among the horses. A
peculiar whistle, an answering wliiuuy, and
then, before either of the two fugitives crouching
in the shadow of the wall could realize the ex-
act turn affairs were taking, came a sharp
clatter of hoofs, a maddened cry from the out-
law chief, the crash of a volley, and a ringing
yell of defiance.

“ Dell—Bosurt-Locke! mount and ursue
that infernal young hoodlum!” ordered ll orrell,
hoarsely. “Don’t quit his trail until you have
killed him, if it takes a Week!”

The three men called upon instantly sprung
forward. Within two minutes they were riding
rapidly down the pass.

‘Come, boys, We’ll see what has become of
the girls,” continued Morrell, as his desperate
trio sprung forward to secure mounts. “ They
have doubtless quitted the cavern, but if we
move lively we shall overtake them before many
minutes.”

“ I hope not!” breathed Buck, as the outlaws
moved away. “ An’ ef Mabrey’s got ’em away,
.I hopes he’ll make sech good use ov his time
thethyée’P never see ther purty creeters ag’in—by
mi y

‘gBut, come on, pardner. Ther puss’ll be cl’ar
fer a minnit or two, an’ now’s our time ter
light.”

With what eagerness the escaping captive
hastened to comply! How his dark eyes glowed
and flashed as he finished adjusting the saddle
and rose in the stirrup!

“ Aire ye ready?” queried Buck.

“Ready!”

“ Then bend low in yer saddle, au’—away we
go!”

A yell of alarm, then three or four random
shots followed the rattle of flying hoofs along
the stony pass. Around a sharp angle sped the
fa itives, and the way was clear before them!

at until they were clear of the canyon and in
the shelter of a timbered valley did Buck draw
rein. All sounds of pursuit had long since died
awafl.

“ y strength is about gone,” observed the
cavern captive, as they halted in the shadows of
a fine rove. “It has been twenty-four hours
since ood or drink passed my lips, and i’m
worn down—played out. I can’t eep in the

 

 

saddle much longer. You’ll have to ride on
without me, my friend."

“ Never say die, pardner!” encouraged Buck.
“ My pouch ain’t empty—ct never is when I’m
in a kentry like this, whar a man cain’t one
hour tell how things Will be ther naixt. Hyar—
while ther hOSScs breathe a bit, help yerself.”

“ Thank you !” uttered the captive, briefly
but fervently, as he eagerly accepted the prof-
fered food. “ Do you know, I believe it was the
intention of that devil slowly tostarve me to
death 3”

“ Wa-al, make up fer lost time while ther
chaince is offered ye,” returned Buck, smilingly.
“ Ye’ll need all ther strength ye kin muster up.
Thar’s a hard ride afore us.”

“ May I ask your objective point?”

“ Deadwood, by way of Camp Frolic.”

“ Camp Frolic?"

“ Yas; it is ther camp ov a party ov Chicago
folks an’ is in a valley jest beyond these hills ter
ther left. Kernel Nate Alton is at ther head 0v
ther party, an’ I um ther guide. Morrcll cap-
tured——”

“Colonel Nathan Alton, did you say!” inter-
rupted the late captive, with a startled air.

“ I did,” affirmed Buck, not a little surprised.
“ Do '0 know him?”

“ es, yes!" was the agitated re ily. “ But
pray proceed, my dear fellow, and t ion we will
away to the camp. Of all men, Nathan Alton
is the one I most desire to see. I have done him
a grievous wrong, and must make immediate
re )aration !”

at, before another word could be uttered, a
steady volume of sound announced the approach
of a, cavalcade, and Buck hurriedly dismounted.

The approaching riders could be none other
than Morrel and his men, and a whinny from
the horses just at that juncture meant capture
or death!

CHAPTER XII.
CAPTAIN PANTHER unan‘s GAME.

NATHAN ALTON’S face flushed and his eyes
lfiindled joyoust as his gaze rested upon Plucky

an].

“ Do you mean to tell me that this lad is my
boy—my son!” he demanded, turning to Blaze.

“I (lo—he is, so help me Heaven!” aVOWed
Blaze, eagerly, hopefully. “ He’s ther very
youngster I stole from Leavenworth !”

“ Hist!” warned the young prospector, at
that juncture, with a wondering glance from
one to the other of the tent’s occupants. “ Be
as silent as the grave! Captain. Panther-Head
and his men arc stealing into the cum I”

“ True, youngster—but you’re too ate with
your intormeddling!” enunciated a Cold, hard
voice just behind the lad, and at the aperture
appeared the strangely-cowled chief of the out—
laws!

His weapons covered Alton and Mnbrey.

“ Raise your hands empty, gentlemen,” he
continued with the utmost ca mness. “ Twenty
rifles are leveled at this but, and even a hint in
the direction of resistance shall be your death-
warrants!”

'Ihe speculator and the assa or turned pale.
Whatever might be the state 0 affairs outside,
it was quite certain that the outlaw chief had
the drop on them, and they silently complied
with his demand.

Paul, too, remained quiet, and made no at-
tempt to draw a Weapon.

“ My unfortunate friend, you will please arise
and disarm the three gentlemen,” continued
Captain Panther-Head, addressing Blaze. “ The
tables have been completely turned. and the
sooner that fact is duly impressed upon them,
the better for all concerned. ’

Blaze obeyed with alacrity. ‘

“You will now bind their arms,” pursued the
outlaw chief. “ There is a hall of heavy twine
in the chest just behind you that will answer
admirably.

“ You will observe, Mr. Alton, that the
knowledgei have gained during my frequent
visits to your camp was not acquired without a
view to its ultimate usefulness.”

Nathan Alton’s eves flushed and his face
crimsoned at the taunting strains, but he re-
mained silent.

“ Thar—l reckon they won’t bother nobody,”
remarked Blaze, when he had securely pinioned
the hands of the last of the trio. “ W’ot naixt,
capt’in?”

“ See that the gentlemen are comfortably
seated, and then sit down yourself.”Panther-
Head returned, with a peculiar smile. “ They
are friends of mine in whom, under the circum-

 

stances existing, 1 place the utmost confidence.
And thereby hangs a tale.

“ Are you ready to hear it, gentlemen ’i”

Alton inclined his head.

“ As we really have no choice in the matter.
you may as well proceed,” he observed, bitterly.

The outlaw bowed elaborately.

” How complaisant you are, to be sure!” he
snecred, deftly removing his grotesque cow]
and laying it aside to fully reveal himself as
Madison Morrell. ‘ lint I tell you frankly,
Colonel Alton, the information I am about to
lay before you will be all~suflicicnt to break
your heretofore undauntcd spirit.

“ Now to business:

“ You have known me as the Hon. Madison
Morrell, and you now know me as Captain
Panther-Head, the Outlaw Chief; but our ac-
quaintance by no means began in these Hills.

” No, no colonel! We knew each other even
in our boyhood days, for I am none other than
your kinsman, Basil Bawn!”

“That admission is not in the nature of a
surprise,” grimly retorted Alton.

‘ No!l Well, no matter,” laughed the outlaw,
icily. “You are wonderfully astute, yet you
were not shrewd enough to block the desperate
game I have played.

“ To—night the noble inheritance of Cedar
Vale is as good as in my possession; and within
a week I shall be the only living representative
of the Alton line, and heir not only to the vast
entailed estates, but to your personal property
as Well, for within the next four-und-twenty
hours Alice shall become my wife!

“ Ha! that causes you to wince, does it?
Well, it is laying it on with a vengeance, I
must ndinit! Revenge is the masterqnotive of
it all, however, and the heavier the blows the
sweeter my satisfaction. You robbed mo of the
woman Iloved, and in return 1 have wrested
from you your idolized son, your daughter, and
finally shall take not only your riches, but life
itself!

“ That is the game I have played from first
to last, and the (lcnoucmcnt is at hand!

“ Behold in that Vagabond of the Hills the
miscreaut who stole your clnld! Behold in this

-ignorunt nomad, this frontier dandy, your

cherished son!”

His voice ringing with cruel trium h, his face
satyr-like in its expression of wicker joy, Mor—
rell pointed from Blaze to Paul.

The red-bearded desperado grinned cfl‘usivcly,
as if he enjoyed the affair hugely, but the Boy
Prospector sat as if turned to stom‘.

Alton’s head sunk upon his breast and he ut-
tered a low moan.

Mubrey grittcd his teeth savagely. Had his
hands been free at that moment the brave
young assaycr would have hazardcd all on an
attempt to throttle the life out of tho uncon-
scionable outlaw.

At that juncture, the flap just behind Mor—
rcll was cautiously lifted, and two men stole
silently into the tent. Tall, mumps“,,u[(],.r,.d
fellows were they, roughly dressed and heavily
armed, and over the face of each hung the folds
of a black mask.

Mabrey was the first to notice their presence,
and a peculiar gesture on the part of the fore-
most warned him not to betray them!

Then, all at once, Blaze started slightly. n!-
most imperceptibly, and the hyena-like iii in
abruptly fled his face. His furtive little «yes,
too, had made a discovery. A cocked revolver,
grus ed by a huge brown band that 'sccmcd as
sten y as rock, had been leveled straight at his
head!

“Such is my Vengeance—the vengeance of
Basil Bawn l” exultantly continued Captain Pan.
ther-Head, aftera moment. “ It has been slow,
but as sure and remorscless as—”

A slim white hand dropped lightly, yet
menacingly, upon the shoulder of iilf' minuma-
hle outlaw, and, as the sentence died on)” his
lips, he wheeled half around—to find tlu- muzzle
of u self-cocking “six” ominously storing him
in the face!

“That will do, captain—not another word!”
enunciated the foremost of the two intruders, in
a cold and steady tone scarcely ahovea whis ,r,
his dark eyes glittering wickedly, his long w _ite
fingers closing upon the outlaw’s shoulder With
the clutch of steel. “Utter but a sound above
a whisper, and I’ll scatter your brains to the
four winds!” _

“ Ditto, ye red-headed skunk!” as cautiously
uttered the second intruder, slipping past Pan-
ther-Head and approaching Blaze._ “ l’ve a
notion to shove alimiil'e mt," yer nns’ahle car-
cass envwa or no

By this but? both Alton and Pin-cky Paul
were fully alive to all that was transpiring, and

\

 

 

v . mg. C l _ , i
a ' WZM'JW ._W3“ y,

.-—~

. .{)’07 ~ ‘ any”.

gasps»: .

14 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

With startled, expectant'mien they closely watch-
ed the varying phases of the strange scene.

Within two minutes, the ball of twine had
been brought into use, and so effectively, too,
that neither Blaze nor Captain Panther-Head
could stir hand or foot.

“ Now, a couple of gags,” ordered the intruder
standing oveiithe outlaw chief, who was visibly
ihe leader of the two. “ And see, too, that they
fit so closely that they cannot utter so much as
a groan.”

The order was promptly obeyed.

“And now, gentlemen,” pursued the spokes-
man of the strange pair, turning to Alton and
his companions, “ you are about to be released.
I beg of you, however, that you will not utter a
word or make a sound that will go beyond these
canvas walls. Captain Panther-Head spoke
truthfuly when he told you this tent was closely
surrounded.”

“ Your request is certainly most reasonable,
sir, and you may depend on us not to alarm the
villainous cohort without,” promptly responded
Alton. in carefully guarded tones, as his pinions
fell to the floor.

“But may I ask, sir, to whom we owe our op—
portune deliverance?”

“ Assuredly, air,” was the smiling return.
“In fact, I may say that my mission here would
be most incomplete and unsatisfactory did I
withhold that information,” and the speaker
removed his mask, disclosing the face of the
cavern captive.

“ Do you recognize me, sir?”

Alton gazed searchingly at the ha gard counteo
nance of his deliverer, then slow y shook his
head.

“ I do not,” he re lied, “although there is
something strangely amiliar about your eyes.”

“ I do not wonder that you fail to recall my
face," remarked the late captive, with a faint
sigh. “Yet, I am one who has wronged you
deeply.

" I' am Basil Bawn !”

Alton started, and his face (grew yet whiter.

“ Impossible!” he ejaculate , his voice scarce-
ly above a whisper.

“ It is nevertheless a fact—I am your kins-
man. And that unconscionable wretch—indi-
eating the captive outlaw—“ is none other than
our old-time schoolmate, Godfrey Tarelton!”

A ain Alton started.

“ on and he were rivals in love, if you re-
member,” pursued Bawn. “ You were the suc-
cessful suitor, and Tarelton secret] vowed ven-
geance upon you. His opportunity to strike
came even sooner than he had suspected it would.

“ You and I quarreled in his presence one
day, and that night a mysterious attempt to as-
sassinate me was made. A secret investiga-
tion of the affair convinced me that you Were
the guilty party—wherein I grievously wronged
you, as have but lately discovered. Deeply
wounded by your dastardly conduct, as it then
seemed to me, I quietly quitted the country, re-
turning but three months ago after an absence
of fifteen years.

“ Within six weeks after my return, I found
myself in Deadwood, and the first man I met
was Godfrey Tarelton. He invited me to ac-
company him out to his mine the next day; I
went, and was conducted into an outlaw ren-
devous, where I was set upon and knocked sense-
less, to find myself securely chained in the depths
of a cavern when consciousness returned.

“ Tarelton was the head of the gan . He un-
bosomed himself—explained his ten purpose
from beginning to end. He had stolen my pa-
pers, and intended to assume my name.

“ In regard to yourself, be informed me that
he had abducted your only son. years ago; that
you were now located in Chica o, and that it
was his purpose to get you out o the way, and
to step into possession of the entailed estates as
Bawn. Your arrival in the Hills caused him to
modify his plans somewhat, and as the result
of it all, he has overreached himself.

“ In his bold attempt to rescue the two oung
ladies to-night, your guide discovere and
released me; on our way hither, we were joined
by Bill Simmons, one of your teamsters, and
later, we sur rised and overpowered three of
the outlaw co ort, whose masks and apparel we
appropriated by way of disguises, as we had
reason to suspect that we should find Camp
Frolic in the hands of 'l‘arelton, alias Captain
Panther-Head.”

As Bawn 'ceased speaking. Nathan ‘Alton
moved forward with extended hands, saying:

“ I welcome you as one from the grave,
Cousin Basil! Thank God! you are alive and
here to clear away the doubts and misgivings
which have been pressing so deeply into my
soul!”

 

Then with moist eyes and tremulous lips, he I “ No, sir!” was the prompt reply. “ The un-

turned to Paul and infolded him in his arms.

“ My son—my son!” he murmured, fervently.
“ You, too, are as one risen from the dead!”

Even as he spoke, Alton brushed back his
hair from the young prospector’s left temple.
There, plainly visible even in the dim light,
was a small but vivid crescent-shaped scar.

“ It is there—the evidence to dispel every
doubt I” continued Alton, with joyous mien.

The expression of satisfaction and delight
which swept over Paul’s face at this announce-
ment was simply indescribable. His breast
rose and fell with the strength of his emotions.
His eyes filled, but through the glistening drops
shone the light of a great and pure joy.

Before he could utter a word, however, the
disguised guide started slightly and raised his
hand in warning.

The next instant the flap was lifted, and into
the tent strode Solid Sammy!

Buck promptly covered the desperado.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A DARING Russ—CONCLUSION.

THE burly intruder seemed not a whit'abashed
or alarmed at the menacing reception acccorded
him. On the contrary, he grinned broadly as
he looked from one to another of the group.

“ Sort ov a family re—union, eh?” he remarked,
in a low tone, as he briskly rubbed his hands to-
gether. “I sh’u‘d jedge an’ asseverate, Kernul
Alton, thet from ther looks 0v things sarcum-
stances hed riz up an’ knocked our leetle con-
tract endways!”

“Nearly so, my man,” smilineg affirmed the
speculator. “ But you may yet be of service
to us if ou are willing to strike a bargain.”

“ That 5 me! Ef thar’s an honest penny ter
be turned, count on Solid Sammy l”

At that juncture, a peculiar scratching against
the tent entrance attracted the alert Buck’s at-
tention, and he promptly applied his ear to the
edge of the flap.

“ Wait—it’s a signal from Bill Simmons,” ex-
plained Bawn.

“ An’ he says hurry,” Buck announced, in al-
most the same breath. “ Ther gang outside aire
gittin’ restless.”

“ I fear we have tarried too long!” exclaimed
Bawu, hastily resuming his mask. “ We must
make a decisive move of some kind—and at
once.”

But, at that juncture, Solid Sammy pushed
forward, saying:

“ Hol’ on! W’ot’s et wu’th ter ye, kernel, fer
me ter pull ther hull passle 0v ye straight an’
safe inter Deadwood?’

“ If you can do it, name your price, man.”

“ A thousand, clean cash, with ther tents,
wa one, an’ camp-fixtures throw’d in.”

‘ Done!” exclaimed Alton, Bawn and Mabrey
in a breath.

“ Thet’s bizness! Now, le’s hustle. Hyar,
young feller ”——catching up the outlaw chief’s
grotesque cowl and addressing Mabrey—“ I
don’t hear ye no ill—will fer all thet smash in
ther cabeza ye guv me this mornin . Putt this
on an’ play ole Painter—Head awhi e.”

The young assayer instantly understood the
rum and obeyed.

“ Now, kernel, mask yerself,” pursued the
des erado. “ Twist a bit ov twine around that
kid 5 han’s, es ef they was tied, but so loose thet
we kin chuck et off at any minnit. Then keep
a stifi‘ upper lip an’ wait till ye hear us comin’
back when ye kin git ther ris’ners up, putt out
ther light an’ march out an mount ’thout sayin’
a word.

“ D’ye understand?”

“ Perfectly,” returned Alton. “I even be-
lieve that I catch the idea you propose to put
into execution.”

“ Then b’ar up yer send, an’ we’ll win.”

With that. the desperado withdrew, closely
followed by Mabrey.

No sooner were the two outside of the but
than they found themselves in the midst of a
grou of impatient outlaws, just beyond whom
sto a line of dusky warriors.

Mabrey prOVed himself equal to the diflicult
and hazardous part assigned him.

“ Have patience, boys!" he exclaimed, the
heavy cowl muffiing his tones beyond recog-
nition. “Arrangements are about complete .
Six of on fetch up fifteen of the horses—four
with Side-saddles for the ladies, and hold them
in waiting here.”

“ Aren’t we all goin’ back ter ther Hoes-shoe
tor-night?” queried one of the men, in a tone of
surprise.

 

expected arrival of reinforcements has caused
me to amend my plans. There is a quantit of
valuable stores here, including several gal one

of fine spirits, which it will be impossible to re- _

move to-night. ThlS plunder is too valuable to
lose, and from present indications the only way
we shall be able to retain possession of it all is
to stand guard over it till morning.”

The inquisitive fellow retired with a chuckle
of satisfaction. Of course, the captain had
reference to the arrival of the thieving red-
skins!

Mabrey and Solid Sammy then hastened
toward the main tent.

At the entrance they encountered a sentry.

“ Are any of the boys inside?” asked Mabrey,
halting.

“ N o, captain,” was the instant response.
“Your orders have been rigidly obeyed.”

“That is well,” and Mabrey passed into the
tent, leaving Sammy with the guard.

He was instantly confronted by Richard
Spears and the teamster, who promptly covered
him with their revolvers, while the ladies started
up with ejaculations of alarm.

Lifting the cow] so that his face was revealed,
the young assayer said:

“ Be quiet, my friends; it is I—Mabrey. Ca
tain Panther—Head’s cut-throat clan are in o
most absolute possession of the camp. but we
have a deep«laid scheme afoot to bathe them.
Be wary, now, and cautious.”

Then, as the cowl settled back into place, in
cold, crisp strains came the words:

“Hands up, please! Not a hostile move, or
you are dead men! There—that will do. You
are sensible—that I’ll swear!”

“Sammy!”

The desperado promptly a cured, drag in
by the shoulders the body of trhg sentry. g g

“ C’u’dn’t help et, boss——et jest had ter he
did!” he exclaimed, apologetically, as Mabrey
started forward. “ Ye war a leetle loud in set-
tin’ matters straight with yer folks, an’ be
kotched a word or two, an’ get so s’picions thet
I hed ter rap him one over ther head. He ain’t
dead by a jugful, but I’ll bet he keeps quiet till
we’re out ov ther way!” -

“ You are sure none of the others took
alarm?”

“ Putty sart’in, boss. But, le’s git ter work—
we cain’t git unner way too quick.”

That was Mabrey’s idea, too, and in due
course the inmates of the tent were gotten read
to filed out with their hands behind them, as if
securely pinioned.

A moment later, the party reached the open
space between the tents, where the horses were
in waiting, and while two of the outlaw clan
assisted their pseudorcaptain in getting the
supposed captives into the saddles, Solid Sam-
my hastened to Alton’s tent, whence he shortly
returned, followed by the speculator and his
contingent.

In another minute the entire party were
mounted, and ready for flight.

“ Capt’in, hedn’t we better tie ther galoots in
the saddle?” queried one of the outlaws.

“ No need,” returned Mabrey. “If any of
them attem ts to jump, a little lead will settle
the matter or him, as well at one place as an-
otner.

“Put out for the rendezvous as soon after
daybreak as you can, boys. So-longl”

“ So-long, captain, an’ good luck ter ye!”

The cavalcade moved forward, and the next
minute the fugitives found themselves beyond
the camp’s eonfines.

The daring ruse evolved by the cunning Solid
Sammy was proving a comp ete success.

“ Do your red friends understand that they
are to defend us against pursuit?” anxiously
asked Mabrey, of the desperado, as soon as the
outlaws were fairly left in the rear.

“ They does thet, purely!” chuckled Sammy.
“ Ther three ye had posted fer guards brought
me news ov ther lay ov things as soon as
Mister Painter-Head entered camp. an’ 1 fixed
ther hull job fer ye, then an’ ther. Ef—”

A shrill yell in their rear interrupted the des-
perado.

The cheat had been discovered!

At the same instant, the horse bestrode by
Captain Panther-Head SWerved out of line,
turned, and, with the daring outlaw bending
low in the saddle, headed toward the camp at a
dead run!

With a fierce curse, Solid Sammy wheeled and
dashed away in pursuit, the wild war-cry of the
Sioux peeling from his throat.

“Forward 1” shouted Mabre and closing up,
the cavalcade galloped swi tly away in the

 

 

l
l
i .
l

 

  

,,

Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector.

 

 

   
   
  
 
 

kness, while, in the rear, run forth the

nds oiadesperate hand-to-hand ghti .

’Da'yiggdak found the fugitives in safety lll
w

 

 

’ That midnight battle at Camp Frolic almost
totally annihilated not only Captain Panther-
Heads road—agent clan, but the party of red—
skins as well.

Godfre Tarelton—“ Captain Panther-Head ”
?—-and So id Sammy—“ White Wolf, the Decoy ”
—-were found lying side by Side cold and rigid
I. in death, near the entrance of the main tent, in
:1 the afternoon of the succeeding day.

0..
».

 

.2 Years have passed since the enactment of the

 stirring scenes recorded in these pages.

i: , Old laze, the Hills vagrant, has passed from

f .v earth to the bar of eternal judgment. He died

‘* in rlson.

 n uck Blinker, and Jim and Bill are employed
on an extensive cattle ranch in Montana. All
have been handsomely remembered from time

. to time by their friend and whilom employer,

a _ Colonel Nathan Alton, by whom the rough true

 9 hearts swear.

‘ a The other characters of our story are all liv-
v ing), and make their homes in Chicago.

, f course, Albion Mabrey and Alice Alton
were married. as were Plucky Paul Alton and
Miss Gertie Spears, some‘ five years later. In
the elegant home of the assayer and his beauti-
ful Wife may yet be seen the grotesque cowl
once worn by the redoubtable Panther-Head,
while Paul and his fair bride treasure highly a
chance collectlon of Black Hills nuggets, which
the ex-prospector evar declares has been the
keystone to all his good fortune.

THE EN D.

 

 

Beadle’s Half-Dime library.

BY J. W. OBBON.

' 469 The Rival Giants ofNowhar’.
498 Cactus Burr. the Man from Hard Luck.
537 Old Bucke e. the Sierra Shadow.
564. Powder P i], the Boy Miner.
609 llolly Don-Pit, the Veteran Detective.
., _ 690 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery oft-e Island.

p BY FRANK DUMONT.

f“ , 190 The Branded "and: or, The M n ofM sts .

v  , a: gin-giro. the BossT oh: .11.}. Rand; y '7

' 7 no uses or o res 0’ Bo (R k Is.
‘  3 171 Ebon Dan; far The Rivsl Learner- yno 0' y I
. 185 Evil or or, The Vultures oi‘ the Rio Grands.

.V BY CAPT. MARK WILTON.

956 Young Kentuck: or, The Red Lasso.
 . i 370 Blizzard Ben or The Rl t tK C .
f\_ , aso Josh. the Bahama-raid "3° a”

‘ . I, . BY BRAOEBRIDGE llEMYNG.
* g .> ‘ "   Jim's critic  ol'bthe Family.
> - e a a n o e ' .Th R'
 101 Jack ulrknwsy n. Ngw’xgirk.” "H mm"

BY \VILLIAM R. EYSTER.

 X190 Dandy Burke; or. The T1 rs of Hi h Pi .
810 [Faro Frank; or, Dandy Dull-ken GofDowillePards

. BY COLONEL BELLE SARA.
108 The Lion ofthe S v, Th V ii d Lad .
186 Cool Desmond: 013Tth Gambler: Big Gsmye.

 

 

 M,

  

  

BY JAMES L. BOWEN
 107 One-E sd film; or, The Abandoned Forest Home.
~ no The Black Stood ofthe Prairies. A Story of Texas.

, I BY C. DUNNING CLARK.

4.185 Captain Paul: or The Boy S of the Mountsl s.
880 The Yankee Rajish; or. “fir... oi‘ the Blacklishersei.

. BY COL. A. F. llOLT.

v' 9131mer kki ,

 19 Kennethrtchelknlid-13h:The Mm“ M” °f 13”“ “'1”-
l 5 Little Lightfoot, ths fillet of the Woods.

, BY GEORGE O. JENKS.

. b gfl’filfiar O)wney ’thfiflnknown.

,1, ' ' ar wn a edge.

'2‘ l fibula?" D:fl;°": Pi h

i on e- urve an no to

its Flute. the Singer Detdctivo; er Damn".

l Doug 15:31:11." Detective s Foil; or, Double Curve DunnI
6 The Ocean Detective; or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear,

BY EDWARD S. ELLIS. /
Bil tilddon, Trapper. , w /
Hot #011“; or, e Captives of the Fronilo‘.
Nut odd 3 or, The Fate of the Sioux Cupttvs.
, he Frontier Angel.
1 0 Bo! Killers; or, The Enchanted Island.
9. v e llunted Hunter; or, The Strsn Horse-as.
v, ' The Half-Blood; or The Panthsro the Plains.
; .The 11m Hunter: r, The Steam Pralrls Mas.
, .

" BY LIE . A. K. SIMS.

aptain Cactus th Chaparral Cock.

r. .52.: a" '3. °- o

, ilnon sol. ATM... wm. a Shadow

v- on at and Pard: or. The Desd Set at Silver City
1' guild fill-:3 1"".1? "ho" “doll lea. '
1. .30!” out-0:3- Trlltdcfm m“

    

 
   

ca
I-l
l’

 
 

n
.i

  

I'I‘

  
   

   
 
 

  

   
  

   
   
 

 

 

RY LIEUT. 11. D. PERRY. U. 8. N.

176 The lloy Runaway; or. The ilurl‘nnesr oi‘the Bay.
190 The Son Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept.
199 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point.

BY HARRY HAZARD.

828 Arkansaw Jack; or The Scourge of the Mines.
829 Red-Gill's Tom or, The Demon’s Trail.
848 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Junk. ths Outlaw.

IRY FREDERICK DEW EY.

818 Clmarron Jack, the Kin -l"ln uf Rifle-Shots.
478 Tanxcmund. the Desert )stectivc.
542 The C,- *on i’urds.

lil' ARTHUR C. GRISSOM.

“0 Little Fox foot. the Gold Bowie Kid.
558 The Sure-s ‘~ st Pards.
621 'l‘rutht‘ul Juana, the “Pecoollar” Man.

BY ‘1'. J. HAMILTON.

68 The Red Brotherhood; or. The Twelve Avengers.
66 Sin le llnnll; or, A Life for a Life.
Ma Tom \Veli,ern, the Texan Ranger.
88? Ben Bird. the Cave King; or, Big Pete's Scoop.

BY CAPT. ALFRED ll. TAYLOR U. S. A.
191 Builan Billy, the Boy Bullwhscker; or, The Doomed

T lrteen.
194 Builan Bill’s Bet; or. The Gsmblor Guido.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.
78 Blue Dick or, The Yellow Chief’s Von sauce.
87 The Land ’lrates or, The League of ovll’s island.
13? The ilel lean "on g or, Backwoods Retribution.
989 The Gold-seeker Guide: or, The Lost Mountain. .

RY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD. Ex-Boout. ‘

806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Du Out l’nrds.

846 Rs. ier Ra hael: or, The wordsmen oiZscstscas.

1191 K1 -Glove it, the Dandy of the Rockies.

898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pardl or, 'l‘hs Gold King.

406 The Mad Man-limiter; or, The Mystery of Gold“

Gulch.
‘05 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant.

BY HARRY ST. GEORGE.

80 Roaring Ral h Rockwood, the Run or.

44 Rattlln Ru e; or, The Nifhthawkso Kentucky.

59 Old llic orys or, Pandv Ell s's Scam.
108 During Davy : or, The Trail of the rder Wolf.
166 lliekory llarr 3 or, The Tru er-Brlgsde’s Spy.
128 Thunderbolt on; or, the elf-Herder,

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

11 The Two Detectives; or,Ths Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl.
76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer.
79 Sol Gln er, the Giant ’l'ra per.
288 Joe Duo ‘ ofAngels an Ills Boy Pard.
447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham.
458 New En land Nick; or The Fortunes ofaFoundling.
464 Nimble ick, the Circus rince.
498 Taos Tcd. tne Arlmnu S on.
510 Cool Colorado, the Hal -Breed Detective.
518 Cool Colorado in New York.

RY GEORGE “’ALDO RROWNE.

86 Dnnd Rock the Man from Texas.
90 The 1 rend Rider; or, The Texan Duelist.
99 The Tiger ofTuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel.
115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom.
181 The Golden llund: or, Dundv Rock to the Rescue.
164 Dandy Rock’s Pled e; or, Hunted to Death.
178 Dandy Rock’s Riva 1 or. The Haunted Maid of’i'sos

BY CAP'I. J. 1“. C. ADAHS.
84 Oregon Sol; or Nick Whlflles’s Boy Spy.
46 Glass- Eye. the Great Shot of the West.
'54 Ned lluzel, the Be Trapper.
56 Nick Whiflles’s set; or, in The Valley of Death.
The “'hite Indian; or, The Scout or the Yellowstone.
70 Old 21 ’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods.
81 Lizhtn 11¢ .10, the Terror oi the Prairie.

5 Duck Rnekram 3 or, Bess. the Female Tra per.
94‘! Old Grizzly and ills Pets; or, The Wil Huntrsss.
951 leht-house Lige: or, Osceola, the Firebrsnd.

9 he Lost Hunters; or. The Under round Camp.
988 The Scalp Kim“ or, The Human hundmolt.

BY ROGER STARBUCK.

95 The Boy Captain: or, The Pirate’s Daughter.
114 The Black Schooneu or. Jib Junk. the Old Tar.
959 The Golden llar oon: or, Lost Among the Flees.
348 Fly-filled: or, 0 d Sklntlint, the Death-Shadow.
854 Ill; Ilorn l 'c. the 1111] Tramp; or, The Odd Pards.
.61 The Phantom Lip: t-house.
870 Breaker lien. the Reef-Runner.

BY “'11. G. PATTEN.
489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Fa
519 Ca tuln Myster ' ; or, Fiw in One. c. or Bed no“
531 DR sy Dare the . port from Denver.
587 Old Bombshell, tho Runner Dclecilvc.
60‘ iron li‘crn, the Mun oi Fir».
619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness.

BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN.

I98 Sancho Pedro the Boy Bltnllll.
301 Loadville Niel. u. u..- Sport.

9 Redtop Rube. t e Vigilante lacs.
88 Brimstone Bob, and His Li tnlng Horse Quark“...
59 Tombstone Tom. the Arizona Boy of "Sand."
59 I’Iurnne‘o Dave. the Yunnu "vllNIIIl-ll‘li “’rssti".
1’1 kin bolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective.
80 Ava anehe Alf. the Foothills Guide.
90 Jaguar Joe. of the Mountaiin Mail-Lino.

\

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.
(if Patent-Leather Joe. or, Old Rattlesnake the Charmer.
75 Captain Ariaonat or. Patent-Lentil" Joe's ill; Guns.
lit: ilaptain Mask: oi.an tent-Leather J oe’s Defeat.

 

ilea ard, the Due at: er, The Mountain Vsmpirss:
83 A 0115‘ Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge.
68 Little ornado: or, The Outcasts oi' the Glen.
78 Little Jingor or. the Queer Yard.
88 Little Oll-mylg or. Caught in His Own Trap.
1 L01 Little hhoo- Iy x or, A Race for s Ranch.
1 08 Little Leather-Breeches: or. Old Jumbo's Cures.
‘ 31 Little All flint or, The Curse of Blood.
4 .51 Colorado Rate. A Tale of the ullnes.
4 80 Till-De Jolly Pards.
1? Jim Gladden’s Depot .
8’? The J olly Purds to tile Rescue.
4? Sandy Andy; or. A Good Man Down.
56 Billsh‘lé Lil; lo? The guiifor a Life.
ease - o t u an with the Do .
198 Keen Clem. thallium-h Imp. p
>9 andy the NmName Sport.
“16 Billy Blanca: or, The Skeleton’s Legacy.

 

 

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

860 Silver-Mask the Man oi“ Mystery.
869 Shasta. the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead.
490 The Incl. He’s A prcntice: or, A Boy Winont aNallil.
434 (llbutu Jo n; or, leIi‘HOl Times al- An“ 3..
4359 Handy Ham. the Street Scout.
46? Disco Dun. the Dnis find...
490 Broadway lllll '. t e Bootblack Brnvo.
506 Red]! ht Ralf , thr- Prince of the Road.
514 Bron way ’s Boodle.
524 The Enuln cor etcctlvo.
586 Broadway Billy's ‘ Ilflikilty.”
‘18 Murt, the Ni rht Express Dctuctive.
no? Ilrondwuv lllly‘s Death Racket.
fig}. A}I|:-L(II'|I(I! Lukefltho YouniiiEnfilneelhm ’ s
’ ‘ c ‘ mncy 11y: or, run way s muJ’uty.
598 'l'lNl lioy Pinkerton. y r
605 “’Illinm 0’ Broadway; or. The Roy Deisotlve's Big lasing.
615 Fighting llurry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone.

BY JO PIERCE.

39? Rob 0' the Bowery; or, The Prince. of Mulberry street
415 The Vagabond Detective; or. Bowery Bob's Room.
452 "a" u.- Bob, the Street-Buy Detective.

460 The .awyer’n lhldmvt 0" Lulu" Mm-

472 Jgunty Joe, the You lions-Ring.

494 Hurly Mm. the Young erryman Detective.

504 Five Points Phil.

509 Jack Ja gen, the Butcher Boy Detective.

516 Tartar Ins; or. Flvu- l’olnia Phil’s Menaggifl.

596 North River No the Pier Detective.

583 Wrestling Rex. t e Pride oi'the Sixth Wall.

541 Jeil’ Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective.

551 Nick Nettle, the 30 Shadow.

559 iiarlcm Jack. the )fllce Boy Detective.

569 Brooklyn Ben. the On-iiln-Own-Hook moan.
57’? Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter.

688 Jnck-o'-Lnntern, the Under-Sea Prospector.

608 Wide-Awake Bert. the Stroet-Stesrsr.

614 Whistling Jacob, the Detertlvo's Aid.

628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer.

BY BUOKBKIN SAM (Mnior Bans. !. llall.)
984 gidkRooky s “Boyees; or. Benito, as Young Horse-
lfil 61’.

‘46 Giant George; or, The Ang'l of the Range.

915 Arlaona Jack I or Giant George's Yard.

997 The Tarantula o Tana or, Gisuthorgs's Rev

807 The Strange Pard or, lttlo Ben's Death Hunt.

819 Ker-whoa . Ker-w on: or, The Tarantula ol'l'sos.

827 Cree in: Eat, the Caddo; or,The Red andWhitsPards.
firred or, The Tonkaway’n Trust.

844 The F1 ht ng Trio: or. Rattlesnake, the Tsuhaway.

649 Wild 011’: or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front.

857 The Ranch Raiders or, The Siege of Fort Pagatory.

864 Snap-Shot, the Roy (anger.

875 Chlotu. the Creek: or. The Three Thunderbolts.

881 Bandera Bill: or. Frio Frank to the Front.

899 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Belesgusrsd Rmh.

404 Little Lariat: or Pecan Pete's Big Rampage.

414 The Dalsy from Denver.

48’? The Three Trailers: or, Old Rocky on the “page.

“a Binfl' Bill; or The Lynx oi'ths hone.

465 Little Lone than or. The am. our. Club.

RY CAPTAIN FRED. WillTTAKER.
15 The flea-Cat: or. The Witch of Darisu.
39 The Dumb Pa o‘er, The Dnge’s Daughter.
48 Dick Darling. t a any Express Rider.
150 Lance and Lanna: or. The Children of the am.
154 The Sword Hunters; or The Land oiths ll hsutRIdsrs.
159 The Lost Captain 3 or, Slipper Jaben Cofln's amiss to tho

0 n Polar Se .
.00 We Roy Bedouin“ or. The Brothers of the Flamed Lanes.
214 Wolfgang, ths Robber of the Rhino.
949 §llo1 Homer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World
All 6701’.
965 The Tiger Tamer; or The League of the tails.
881 Black iris. the Demon «1.1».
895 California Joe’s War Trail.

MISCELLAN EOUG AUTHORS.

"4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Csst. Russ Reid and
Frederick Whittaker.
9 Adventures of Baron Mnnchausen.
12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift.
14 Almldlnl or, The Wonderiul Lamp.
16 Robinson Crusoe. (91 illustrations.)
18 flindbnd the Sailor. His Seven Voa'aged.
BS  Sea Serpent: or, The Boy Rob nson (hues. By Juan

W I.
88 The Ocean Bloodhound: or, The Red Pirates of the
Carrillo-vs. y S. W. Pierce.
86 ThFe Roy Clown: or, The Queen oi‘ths Ar-s. By Frank

S. inn.
8!! Ned \Vylde. the Boy Scout. B Texas inch.
51 The Roy Rifles; or. The Un erground Ca-p. By Arohls

C. irons.
95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Frssbootsrs orbs Mississippi.
y Lieut.-Col. I-iaseltine.
98 Robin flood. the ()utlawed Earl; or,'l'he Merry Men clam-
wnod. B ' Prof. Gilderslesve.
105 Old Rn e, the Hunter: or, The Crow Csotivs. By Captain
Hamilton Holmes.
1151 The Mad Hunter: or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Bass.
194 'ginpy, the Texan: or, The Young Champion. Dy Georg.

. BIO“-

188 Title \éounfi‘lgrivateera or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By
1* s .

148 81:23:) “8:11:11 01’, The Advsn turss of a Frisudls- Boy. 3, y,

lsxsndar Patton.

997 Dusky Darrell. Tra per: or. The Green Ranger olths Ysl-
{gunmarlly Edward"t 5mg. Yuk Boy 3 a L Mk

961 ns carnau no aw _. . I a.

966 IBKilEb’pr.CtlII)e v93?an or.sty Croehtts army“ 1-...“

s o E s

'98 Raggnéfiw "M 330-15?“ Tum on'nso Maid oiths cur.
B s ta 1: mus .

81'! Plugs]: Pete. the Hull Lid from Lssdvilis. By Liss-
tenant Allrerl Thorns.

8.8 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy’s In,“ g, “I. “a “on...
11 Mnlor Mickey Pros.

850 lived Ralph. the River Rover; or, 11.. moan». .,
venue. By Nell: Bun i-lgnefim’r l k D

865 Raltlmore on t e n so amok“ 3 A. n u

974 Gold-Dust Torn: or. Ben's Danni. Much. ’3’ a...“

Mom.
876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Tho-
418 iii 1°; $th tlsCliilCli t a r s who:
F l I . g I
s u The lllack Iii-Ii»! By John smvtiim...’ m
4 Comanche Bio and Ills Three TIMI“- 3’

ass all" “2.73%” h n. r Holt.
nar-rmt. dSrt. Artn .
he Cowboy; liaise.“ ly Elwin “lynch arrest.
‘59 Ariel the At lute. By David Druid.
585 Will Waters. the Boy remt. By “JIM.-
A New Issue Every Tuesday.
The llalf-Dilne Library is (or sale by all now-dumb
9"“ P" 90W. or sent by mail on receipt ofsix outs sash.
BEADLE AND ADAII. Publishers. I
98 Willia- ltrost. New York.

  
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
    
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
   
     
    
   
  
    
   
  
  
       
       
       
         
        
 
     
       
     
 

 

 

    
     
   
     
       
         
     
       
     
     
        
     
    
          
         
      
        
         
      
     
     
    
         
          

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMEarLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

BY EDWARD L. \VIIEELER.
Deadwood Dick Novels.

I Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road.
.0 Double Daggers bor, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance.
.8 Duifalo lien‘ or. eadwnod Dick in Diuguiae.
85 “'Ild Ivan. tie Boy Claude Duvul.
42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick‘a iionilnla.
49 Dulaha 011 or Deadme Dick in Danger.
5f Deadwood Dick’l Eagleu; or, The l’ardn of Flood Bar.
78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or. Calamity June,tho Heroine.
77 Corduroy Charlie: or, Deadwood Dick’a Luat Act.
100 Deadwood Dick ill Leadvllle.
104 Deadwood chk'i- Device; or, The Double Crone Sign.
109 Deadwood Dick an Detective.
1291(D4eptilwood Dick'n Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon'a
II (' I.
188 "lunch: Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’l Home Base.
149 A Game 01' Gold; or. Deadwood Dick’a Bill Strike.
156 Deadwood Dick 01' Deadwood or. The l’leed Part .
195 Dead wood Dick’a Dream; or, he Riv-Ila oi‘tho Roa .
901 The Black lllllll Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick'a Ward.
205 Deadwood Dick‘s Doom; or, Calamity Jane‘l Last Ad-
venture.
7217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Bri and.
221 Hu ar-Conted Ham; or, The illar Gown.
.82 Go d-Duat Dick. A Romance of “might and Tonghn.
368 Deadwood chk‘a Divide or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake.
.68 Deadwood Dick’a Death ‘rall.
509 Deadwood Dick’a Dix Deal; or, The Gold Brick of
Help)".
821 Deadwood Dick's Dozen; or, The Faklr ofl’hantom Flat...
‘ M7 Deadwood Dick'a Dneata; or, Rainy Dnyl in the Dig-

input.

551 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta.

.82 Deadwood DIck’l Claim.

‘05 Deadwood Dick in Dead City.

410 Deadwood chk'a Diamonds.

4” Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A "Cute Cane."

480 Deadwood Dick‘a Duct; or, The Chained Hand.

44B Deadwood Dick, Jr.

448 Nickel-Plate Ned; n1, Deadwood Dick Jr‘a Defiance.

458 laun‘llower Sam, oi Shanta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’a Full
llll -

459 Flu-h Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’n Big Round.

U i.

“5 shillomli'ly. of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’a Racket at
,, a m .

471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dirk Jr’a Corral.

476 IDIunlIboldt Harry the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’-

0;; )etective.

41511 Moll Myntcry; or, Deadwood Dirk Jr. in Deadwood.

491 g'ritzeo Plutol. the King of the Went; or, Deadwood Dick
r n lemma-t.

496 Monte Crinto, Jr.; or, Deadwood Dirk Jr'l Inheritance.

 Readwoot: girl's, I“; Inga; or, Dr. Death-Oriya Swoop.

eat wool c I e H-ranee.

5l5 Deadwood Dick's Pratt-gee.

522 Deadwood Dick‘n Three.

529 Dead wood chk‘a Danger Ducks.

531 Deadwood Dick‘a Death Ilunt.

539 Deadwood chk Jr. In Texan.

5 l 1 Dead wood Dick, Jr. the Wild Well. Vidooq.

519 Deadwood Dick on Illa lit-tile.

551 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in Gotham.

501 Deadwood Dick In llouton.

567 Deadwood chk, Jr. in Philadelphia.

572 Deadwood Dick. .1 r. in Chicago.

5‘?" Deadwood chh, Jr. Allout.

514-1 Deadwood Dick, Jr. In Denver.

500 Deadwood Dick. Jr‘u. Decree.

595 Deadwood chl. .lr. In licclzehub'n Basil.

600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at (‘oncy Island.

600 Deadwood Dick Jr'- Lend ville Lay.

612 Deadwood chl. J r. In Detroit.

till-l Deadwood Dick, J r. in Cincinnati.

62-1 Deadwood Dick, Jr. In Nevada.

.-

othcr Novcla by E. L. \Vheelel’.

’6 Cloven "00", the liufihlo Demon.
32 "0b 1VIlllli'; or, The Girl Dead-Shot
59 Death-Face. Detective; or, Life in New York.
45 Did Avalanche: or, Wild Edna, the Girl iirlgand.
3 Jim ltludaoe. Jr.. the lioy Phenix.
6| Huckhorn IHII; or, The lied ltiile Team.
69 Gold Rifle lhe Sitar mhoutcr; or. The iio ' Detective.
80 Rant-bud I ob or, 'umzet Ned, the Knight.
84 ldyl, the Girl ,iiner; or, Roaohnd ltoh on Hand.
98 Photo ra ll Phil; or, itosahud Ruh’a “happenan
92 ('Illlal ll 1' let; Ur, ()l-l Anaconda in Sitting Bull’l Camp.
1" IItt-II-i'iye : or, Aruhn and Amp-la ofu Great City.
Jack llovle the Young Slwrulntor.
Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp -rt Detective
Cinnamon I‘hln, the Girl Sport.
Bonanza lilll. .Vilner.
Ito-a liob the King of lloothlnrkn,
1 Solid Sam the lioy Road-Agent.
5 (gang-liln P‘erret, the New York Detectivo; a, no. 305:.
(Il'i II c
1 New York Nell the Boy-Girl Dotu'tivo.
77 Nohb Nick of Nevada; or. The Sierral Scamp;
131 “'Ild ‘runlt, the Bucknkln liruvu.
209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective.
213 It‘rltz to the. Front; or, The Ventriil uiat Hunk.
£28 Rnoozer the lloy Sharp; or, The Arab elective.
230 Apollo Pull, the Trail Tornado. .
240 C clone Kit. the Young Gladiator.
24.1 b‘ erra Haul, th. Froutn-r Ferret.
94" Sierra Hnm‘a iiccret; or The, Bloodv Footprlnu.
953 Sierra flam'n l'ard; or. The Angel ol Bit: Viata.
258 Merra Ham'a Seven; or.'l‘he Stolen Bride.
273 Jumbo Joe, the lloy i’airol; or, The Rival Helm.
277 Denver Doll. ilm Dumilw Queen.
881 Denver Doll‘n Victory.
9N5 Denver Doll‘u Decoy ; or. Little Bill's Banana.
I91 Turk, the Boy Ferret.
390 Denver Doll'n Drll't; or. The Road Queen.
899 A No. I. the Dashing round...
1108 'l.|za Jane. the ‘iirl Miner; or. the lion-Nerved Bpofl.
825 Kelley. Ilickev .k' 00.. the il-‘tel'tlvcn of Philadelphia.
880 Little Quick-flhot; or, The Dead Face of Daggenvlllc.
884 Kangaroo Kit; or. The hiyaterioul Minor.
.89 Kangaroo Klt'n Racket.
8411 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood.
858 Fir-t-Cluaa Fred, the Gent lrom Gopher.
868 Yreka Jim. the Gold-Gatherer; or, The low oi

Life

878 Yreka Jim'n Prize.
878 N ahob Ved ; or, The Secret ofSlah City.
8’42 Cool Kit. lh-e Kim! "1' Kids; or. A Villaln’a Vellum“,
8135 Yreka Jlm‘n Joker; or, The Rivall or Red No...
889 Bicycle lien; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode.
894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Data.
400 Wrinkles, the NithWatzh Detective.
416 Illgh Ilat Harry. the Blue Ball Detective.

6 Sam lilalndde the Beggar-Boy Detective.
484 Jim Beak an Pal, rlvate Detectives
‘38 tin-ta Fe Sal, the Slasher.
‘86 Seahkln Sam. the Sparkier.

an annual-lu—
a hfiflfla-fl-c
acct—ant:

 

BY CHARLES MDRRIS.

118 Will Romero, the Boy Detective.

122 Phil Ilurdy, the lion lioy.

120 Picayune l’cte; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective.
130 Detective Dick; or, The lien: in Rage.

112 Ilandnome Harry, the liooihiur-k Detective.

147 \i'ill “'lldllre, the Thoroughbred.

152 lilack lie“. \i'iii \‘l'lldtire‘u Run-r.

157 .1111‘1‘ Merry, lllc llarhor l’ulicv lioy.

102 Will “'ildll re In the “'ooda.

105 lillly Baggage. the Railroad Hwy.

70 A Trump Card; or, Will \l’ihliire Winn and 1.000..

7 l Ilob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York.

79 "ab ltockelt the liunk ltunnu.

an ’l‘he Illdden llund‘ or, Will wuunre'. Revenge.
13’? Fred Ilalyard, the Me Boat ism; or, The Smugglen.
18" Bob Itockctt; or, Driven to the VI'ull.

190 Hhadowod; or, iloh ltorkutt’a Fight for Life.

206 Dark Paul. the Tiger King.

219 Daahing Dave, the Dandy Detective.

220 Tom Tanner; or, The liluck Shut-p oi the Flock.

225 Sam Charcoal the. Premium Darlty.

235 Shadow Ham. the Menuhger Boy.

24% The Two “ Blood-- "3 or, Shrnandnah Bill and Hit Gang.
25$ Dick Danhllway ; or. A Dakota lioy in Chicago.

26’) The Young Hhurpnx or, Rolllcking Mike's Hot Trail.
274 Jolly Jim. the lil'tt‘l‘tl\l§ Ap welding.

289 Jolly Jlm’a Job; or. ’l'h» lioun Deteclive.

293 The \Vater-llound; or, 'i‘ho oung 'i‘horou hhrod.
305 Danhaway, 01' Dakota; or, A Weatern Ln In the Quaker

(lit).
524 Ralph Ready, tho Hotel Boy Detective.
811 Tony 'l‘horne. lilo Vagabond Dntectivc.
858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fn-d i‘lyer'u Blizzard.
80? W hie-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Timon.
879 Lav-r . the Leveler; or. The Bluodl oi the Boulevard.
408 Fireay Jack, the River-Rat Detective.
423 Tile 1.0!“. Fill er; or, The Entrapped thier.
423 Fred Fl er. t to iteportrr Detective.
482 lnvlnolb 0 Lo an, the Pinkerton Ferret.
450 Dilly lirlck, tfie Jolly Vagabond.
466 “'lde-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive.
479 Dctective Dod e; or, The hiyutery oi‘ Frank Hearty.
 n lld Dit|~k Illac ft. I”

note, t to toy ‘iremnn ; or, Too Shar for t or.

566 The Hecret Service Dov Detective. p M
596 Jllnmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Woivg.

BY 01.]. (30031128.

5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew.
13 The Dumb tiny.
27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide.
31 Keen-knife, the Prince ofihe l'rnirlca,
4| Lnauo Jack, [in- Young .‘lllfltflllgcl’.
58 The liordcr King; or. The Sum-t Foe.
7| Delaware Dick, Ihv Young Itanyer Spy.
7“ Hawk-eve Harry the Young 'l'lupper Run...
88 Rollo, t e Ito Ranger.
154 Sure Hhot l-‘etTI, th.- iioy iliih-mnn.
143 Scar-Face Faul. the Silent lllllltcl’
140 Silver Htar, the Boy Knight.
153 Eagle Kit, the lioy lit-mun.
163 Little 'l‘exaa, the Young Mustanger.
178 Did i-‘olllnl-y, the Hermit ’l‘rnppur.
1893 Little Hurricane, the lio ' (.apiuin.
20,3 I’ron lect Pete; or, The i’onnz ()uilnw Hunter;
203 The oy Ilercnlea; or, The l’rairn- ’l‘rumpe.
218 Tiger Tom. the Texas 'l‘error.
22 I Dnnlllll Dick; or. 'l'ruppur 'l'om‘a Castle.
22" Little 1 Ildilre, the Young l'lllll’ll‘ Nolnud.
28H 'l'he I’nraon Detective: or. 'I‘lm i.iii|..- Ranger.
248 The Dingulncd Guide; or, \\ ild Raven, the Ranger.
200 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young l’rniric Ranger.
272 “lulu-kin Mike. the Iiov Shurpdiootor.
290 Little Foxfire. Ike iloy Spv.
800 'l'ln- .‘lty "ennui; (yr. linlnholi, the Ranger.
3’41 \‘l'hln-Ixing Joe. the ilov llnnchcl'o.
40!. Ilerculen; or, Dirk, the lioy ltnnyur.
417 \\'chl'oot )loac. the 'l‘nnnp lh-iccilvi‘.
422 Iluhy Sum. [he lluy Giant oi the Yellowstone.
441 l l: tle Ducky-kin. lm- Yoinn.r l'rnirle Centaur.
45? ‘u iurrcdl'oot Fred; or. Hid l‘olar Saul.
463 '2 nnutrnc Tom. the lily l‘rn umr lloy.
47:: Did 'I‘ Rattler, the Red {ivcr Epidemic.
452 Mont-wall lloh. the lin)‘ ’i'roinn.
562 ltlunderinz Ila-ll, the ii.-rmit lioy Trapper.
B" T. 3. llAltllAUGll.
23 Nick 0’ the Night; or, 'l‘ln- lloy Spy of ’76.
The llldden Lodge; or The idith Hunter.

87

47 Nightln ale hat: w, 'Ine Eureilt (‘u tnllll.

g: Dnnil . ack; or. ’l‘in- tilltlnwa of the regon Trail.
4

 

Kit 1 arei'oot the Wood-Hawk.
9 Midnight Jack; hr. The Key Trapper.
100 Did Fronty, the Guide; or, The White Queen.
128 Kiowa Charley the White Muninnger.
189 Jud e Lvnch, Jr.t or. The liov \‘itri'lante.
155 "llllf'l‘l'i‘ er, the S u-vrt; or, The Girl Avenger.
109 Tornado ‘om; or. lnjun Jun-it From Red Core.
181% Ned Temple, the llordcr lloy.
193 Arkannaw; or, The (inn n oi Fate‘a Revenge.
20? Navajo Nick. the Boy Gold Hunter.
215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot'l Crusade.
2151 I'lllcky l’llll; or. Rom, the Roi Jezeszl.
241 Hill liravo; or, The Rouzha or the ltockiea.
255 Captain Apollo the King—Pin of Bowie.
267 The Duck-skin etectlve.
279 "hi “'inch; or, The lluvkskln Denperndoel.
294 Dvnamiie Dan: or. The Bowie lllmle of Cochatopa.
802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bull].
316 Did Eclipse. Trump (Yard of Arizona,
826 The Ten Purda: or. The Terror ni Take-Notice.
386 “It: liellnon; or, The Queen of the Lil-a0.
345 I’itilenn Mutt; or, lied Thunderholt’n Secret.
850i "-ml Mun nml I’arrl; n" The Terrible Six.
866 Velvet Foot, the lndiun Detective.
Bil“ Captain (lunar-a; or, 'he li'rcuneer’e Girl Foe.
896 Ron II Rob: or. The len Ciutmpiona of Blue Blaul.
411 liken Lanao: or, The Rone oi‘ Ranch Robin.
41“ Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter.
425 Texan Tramp. the Border Rattler.
480 Phil Flat-II. t me New York Fox.
445 The City Vampirea; or, lted Roife’r Pigeon.
46I 0ne Again-l. Fifty; or, The. Last Man of Keno Bil.
470 The Itoy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’a Hunt.
477 The I'lxcclaior Sport; or, The Wuhlngton Spotter.
499 Single flight, the One-Eyed Sport.
502 Branded lien, the Night Ferret.
512 "Ioda'er Dick. the Wharf-Spy Detective.
521 ‘lodger Dick’s Beat Dodge.
 {or andlfial‘eor'luge iiolt‘tvery'shadowc.
rm .0. e , tie oc erre .
543 Doc zer Dick’n Double; or, The Rival Boy W
558 3.. .... Dick’a Duper-ate Gale.
5... .u Dick. the Boy Vldocq.
578 The Two fihadowa.
582 Dod er Dick’n Drop.
594 idtt 0 Lou, the Street-San Detective.
‘0 01d Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Harp Cl C“

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY COLDNEL PRENTISS INGRAIIAM.

7 The Flying Yankee; or, “‘e ()t-can Outcast.
17 Ralph lo ', the lioy lilit‘t‘llilrrl’; or. The Fugltive Yacht.
24 Diamond lurk or, The Myaiury oi‘thu Yellowutone.
62 The Rhadow Ship; or. The Itivnl l.icut.-nuniu.
75 The lioy Dnellnt; or, The Cruim: oi' the Sea-Wolf.
02 Dick Dead-E e, the lioy Snnmuicr.
11 Tile flea-Devil; or, The Midahipnum'n Legacy.
16 The Ilunaar Ca itain; or. ’l‘hr lit'llllll. oi Ilull Gate.
9? Little Grit; or, elaie, lilo Stork-'l'nndur'u Daughter.
(1 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport.
210 liluon Hill. the Prince oi the Reina.
222 Grit. the llravo Hporl ; or, The Woman Trailer.
229 Crimuon Kate or, The ('owhoy’a Triumph.
287 Lone Star. tin- Cowboy Cu >tain.
2‘15 Merle the Middy or, The Fret-lunch lieIr.
250 The l ldnhlpman » utlneer; or, lirundi, the Buccaneer.
264 The Floatan Feather; or, Met'lu Monte‘u Trellqu

in arm.

969 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condu'nnn-d.

276 alert}: Mouton Crulae; or, The Chuao of “The Gold
. up.

2M) Merle Monte‘a Fate; or, Pearl. tho l'irfltc'l Bride.

984 The Ben Marauder; or. Merle Munm'u I’icdgo.

2’47 Hilly Blue-Eyea, the lioy lion-r oi' the [tie lira-do.

804 The Dead Hhot Dandy or, iienit”, the Buy Bugler.

50H Keno Kit; or. Dead Shot Dandy": Double.

314  My-terloua Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Lon.

I'll .

877 Bonodel. the Day Rover; or, The Finale“ Schooner.
883 The Indian Pilot; or, The Sealell for Pirate island.
88? “'arpatll “'ill, the lioy Phantom.

898 Seawall‘, the lioy Lieutenant.

402 Ilodor, the Young Conaplrator; or, Tho Fatal beam
407 The Boy Ill-urgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta.
412 The 1Vild Yachtuman; or, The War‘Cchd'a Cruise.
429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee.

483 A Cabin Boy’a Luck; or, The Cnraair.

48? The Sea Raider.

44] The Ocean Firefly; or, A hiiddy'a Verge-0..
440 llaphazard Harry; or, The Scapogmm of the Sn.
450 “'lzard “'illt or, The Boy Ferret ofNew York.
451- Vi'izard “'Ill’u Street Scoutn.

462 The Born Guide; or. The Snliur Boy Wanderer.
408 Neptune Ned, the liny Counter.

474 Flora; or, 'v'v'iznrd Will'a Vugahond Ford.

488 Ferrets Aiioat; or, Wizard “'ill’a Lut Can.

48’? Nevada Ned. the Rovolwr Ranger.

495 ArlzonaJoe the Boy l‘ard .u"|‘.x.....1.u~lt.

49? Buck Taylor, King oi the Cowhoyl.

508 The Royal M lddy ; or, The Shark and the Soc C...
507 The llunted Mlduhlpman.

511 The Outlnwed Middy.

520 lillcknkln Bill. the Comanche Shadow.

525 lirothern In lint-kain.

580 The lluekaklu Bowers.

585 The linear-kin Rovers.

540 Captain Ku—Klux. the Marauder oi the“;
545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte,

550 Lailtte's Legacy; or. The Awnging Son.

555 The Creole Cor-Hair.

560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadow“.

505 Kent Kingdon, the Curd King.

510 Camille. the (‘ard Queen.

575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective.

580 The 0utcaat Cadet; or, The Fake Dem
536 The But-Lakln Avenger.

591 Dclmoute. the Young Sen-Rover.

597 The Young Texan Detective.

602 The Vagabond oi'thc Mlnen.

60? The Rover Detective; or. Keno Kit'a Champion,

61? Ral ill, the Dead-Shot Scout; ot,The Roldan ufl the
Red tillers oi' the Rio.

nun-nu
v

BY BUFFALO BILL (lion. Wm. F. Cody).

8 Kannae King; or. The Red Right Hand.
19 The Phantom Spy: or,The Pilot of the Prairie.
55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout.
08 Border Robin lloodi or, The Prairie Rover.
158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper'n Tm“.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

626 The Champion Par-dc; or, The Lucifer ofSilver Bar. B,
T. C. Harbaugh.

627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or. The Wolfin the Fold. By
Churlea Morria.

898 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or. The League of the
Sworn Seven. By J. C. Cowdrlck.

629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jucktown.
By Win. G. Patten.

680 Deadwood Dick. Jr. in No Man’s Land; or, Golconda,
the Gladiator. By Ed. 1.. Wheeler.

681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or. The Cowboy Detectlvo'l
Own Cute. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Ready August ‘21.

632 The Dead Detectlvc’a Double. ,By Gerald Carlton.
Ready September 3.
Pluck Paul the Boy ProI actor; or The Deadwood D...

688 peratio’ayLaat Inn’lnga. By J. . Oabon ’ Ready September &

II C 1 ii a Chico Giant: or, The True Hearts cl u

884 gfionfmtfhy’ lecluklu Sam. Ready September )1.
Old it ma 1" the Blue Coat Scout; or, The Boo-ell U

685 Buttil. 08y 1’. S.’Warnc. Ready September 24.

A New que Every Tue-day.

The Half- Dime Library In for Iaio by all neth
can. pay copy, or not by mail on receipt of II: all. each.
BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pablhhorl,
98 Willia- ltreet New York.