. “II III Iii) H W 1.. mulch; zinm III I—

No. 755.

$2.50
a Year.

 

REBKLESS HUY’_S’ REGULATORS.

BY JOHN W. OSBON,

AUTHOR OF “ ImLLY DORRIT, THE VETERAN
DETECTIVE,” " l'Ll'CKY PAUL, THE BOY
PROSPECTUH," 1:112, mu, ETC.

CHAPTER I.
THE IMMIGRANT CHIEF.

11- was night.

The great harvest moon stood well nbovu
the horizon, bathing forest and plain with mel-
low light. Not a cloud marred the starry sk ;
not} breath of air ruffled the tall grass of the
prune, or stIrred the bright leaves of the for-
est; but over all hung a faint smoky haze,
lofteniug nud aubduing the yellow moonlight
and investmg the hour with a. subtle influence,
weird. mystic.

 

;  ‘HH’IIHII

\\\\

“"5 I.“

Entered as Second Class Matter at. the New York. N. Y.. Post Office.

PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY HEADLE AND ADAMS.
X.) m WILLIAM STRI-ZET. NEW \‘n1:1(.

117/
/// / /

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\ ////_//////////



Cupyrlxhlt‘d 18263. by HEADLH AXI: ADAM,»

Price.
5 Cents.

w)»:- /
”/a frx-‘

“Xx

‘\

IT WAS A HEART-KENDING SPECTAFLE.

.lunuu‘y '2. MI:

Vol. XXX.

#422»

GOLD-DIST DAN SHl‘UIHIflFl) AS “I HAZED ABOUT HIM. NOWHERE “'AS A SIGN 0]" LL. :4

 

  

2

Across a level, grassy expanse between the
North Fork of the Big Cheyenne and Rattle-
snake Creek, wound a train of five wagons,
their white canvas tops gleaming like snow un-
der the moonbeams.

A hundred yards or more ahead of this train
rode two horsemen, side by side.

One was Jonas Bradlaw, chief of the immi—
grant party: the other, Hackamore Hank, a

uide employed by the immigrants while at
gmithville, the last settlement through which
the train had passed.

At the moment we introduce them to the
reader, the two men were spurring rapidly to-
ward the shadow of a huge, broad-topped, soli-
tary oak on the eastern bank of a small tribu-
tary to the Rattlesnake.

This lone tree marked the apex of a slight
knoll, which commanded a s lendid view of a
wide expanse of the surrounding plain.

“ What a magnificent place for a camp!" ex—
claimed Bradlaw, as they drew rein at the sum-
mit, his eyes quick to detect the many advan-
tages of the elevation. “ Here, with the wagons
parked, and everything made snug, we could
afford to laugh at an attack of the red devils.”

“ Mebbe; but that timber line yender must be
our camp, Mr. Bradlaw,” the guide declared,
pointing ahead to a thin blue line just visible
through the haze. “Et’s ther p’int I’Ve bin
aimin’ fer all day.”

“I wish it were nearer, Guide Hackamore.
The folks are all dead tired, and the horses
can‘t keep up much longer. We have made a
long march to—day.”

“ Too long, sir, ter be made often; but of I
hain't greatly mistook et’s kerried us acrost ther
danger line, an’ leaves us but a short day’s
travel from Rapid City.

“An’ now, sir, ef ye’ll keep ther wagons
movin,’ I‘ll ride on ahead, pick out a camp-
ground, au’ go through the timber a bit. In
this kentry et's best aliers ter explore these tim-
ber islands afore pitchin’ tent in ’em.”

“Quite right, Guide Hackamore. I see that
you leave no point unguarded. Yes, I will keep
the wagons moving.”

“ I’ve fought Injuns sense I war ten years old,
Mr. Bradlaw, an’ I kalkilate I know their tricks
better’n a Methouist preacher does ther long-
meter doxology," returned the guide, and touch-
ing spurs to his claybauk mare he galloped
swiftly toward the distant timber.

Jonas Bradiaw gazed after him admiringly.

“ What a splendid horseman !” he murmured,
stroking his long beard. ‘fAnd he is a very
prince of bordermen, ever cool, prudent and
sagacious, with a frame that apparently never
tires. He has certainly served us most faith-
fully on this perilous trip.”

Jonas Bradiaw was an old man, his age ex-
ceeding three-score years. He was tall and port-
ly, with dark, piercing eyes and snowy hair
and beard, but bore himself with an ease re-
markable in one so far beyond the prime of life.
He sat his horse like one to the saddle born, was
well dressed and well armed.

His bright, black eyes foilowad the guide for
fully a minute, and then he wheeled his horse to
ride back to the train.

"‘ Old man, do you want to lose your hair?"

The startling question was uttered in a clear,
earnest voice, and came from a point so hear at
hand that Bradiaw started in surprise and alarm,
his hand dropping' to the heavy revolver-butt
protruding from h s holster.

Confronting him, with folded arms, wasa tall,
well-built youth, clad in buckskin and wearing
a black, hroad-brimmed slouched hat and. high-
topped cavalry boots. A stout leather belt ens
circled his trim waist, and sup rted an eight-
inch bowie and a braceof as he revolvers as
human skill had yet roduced.

“ Who are you?” radiaw demanded, imperi-
ously, his keen e as find searchineg on the face
of the youth. “ hat do you mean?”

“1am Gold-Dust Dan,’ was the quiet reply,
the dark eyes of the youth meeting the question-
ing gaze calmly and unflinchingly. “ And I
mean that you and those with you arein terrible

V danger of losing your scalpe.”

Bradlaw started. Then back to his mind came
the rpassuring words of the guide, and he smiled
gr m y. ‘

“ Pooh! boy, you would frighten moi” he cried,
contemptuously. “Why, we are out of range

 

of the red-skins and in less than a day’s travel
of the settlement. Be om Carry your rot to
’ more gullible markets l”

s _ flushed, then smiled in turn.
‘settlemsnt’gdo you refer to?" he ask-

., . , City.”
‘ «$3.9m City? Why, sir, that is full fifty miles

 

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

to the south, and west! Turn which way you
may, there is no camp or settlement within a
day’s travel, and but one within two days’—Em-
pire a trifling camp down on the North Fork!

“ his stream here is tributary, not to Elk
Creek, as you must suppose, but to the Rattle-
snake!

“In a word, sir, you are traveling, not into
the Black Hills, but directly away from them,
and are at this moment in the very heart of the
lIndian country, an easy prey to red-skin or out-
aw!

The earnest face, the positive tones, of the
youth, fairly staggered Jonas Bradlaw. He
tugged fiercely at his long beard, and eyed his
surroundings nervously.

But he was slow to yield his point.

“ Guide Hackamore—”

Gold—Dust Dan raised his hand impatiently,
saying:

“ Pardon the interruption, sir, but this guide,
Hackamore Hank, is an infernal scoundrel—a
murderous, treacherous decoy! He has deceived
you from first to last, with what intent you may
surmise when I tell you that he is even n0w
ahead of the train to consult with the most no-
torious outlaw and renegade who ever cursed
the Dakota hills and plains—Red Panther!”

Jonas Bradlaw shuddered, and his face lost its

ruddy glow. Dismountiug, be confronted the
youth. .
“ Youn man, how know ye this?” he asked,

the imperious tone giving way to one of deepest
earnestness. “I have reposed every confidence
in the guide. May Heaven forgive me if I have
made a mistake!”

“ You certainly have made a mistake,” averred
Gold-Dust Dan, firmly. “And now, to con-
vince you.

“ After you went into camp last night, this
Hackamore rode away, and was absent till near
midnight?’

“ Yes, sir; he asked permission to reconnoiter
the country ahead."

“ Instead of doing so, he rode on two miles to a
timber island, where, by appointment, he met
Red Panther, the renegade. I lay concealed in
that island and distinctly *heard evexy word
spoken. -

“ Do you r ognize this?”

Dan held 3c small pocket compass so the rays
of moonlight fell full upon it.

_“ That? Why, that is mine!" the immigrant
asserted, taking the compass in his hand. “I
lost it the first day out from Smithville.”

“ Hackamore stole it, that he might deceive
you in regard to the course,” declared Dan.
“If you remember,‘ there were tw0 days of
dense fog, and during that time, instead of
traveling a little south of west, you were go-
ing due northwest!”

A groan burst from the lips of Jonas Brad-
law. To his mind at that moment came many
things, trifling in themselves, perhaps, but as
a whole terribly damaging to the guide, and
the truth of the youth's words flashed upon him
with the force of absolute conviction.

“ Go on— 0 on !” he cried, hoax-sely.

“ Willing y, but I must be brief, as we have
not a moment to lose,” returned Dan. “ From
Hackamore’s talk I learned of the theft of the
Compass, and its objects. More, that on clear
days you had been led out of your course, mak-
ing long detours to avoid imaginary bands of
red-skins. '

“ It was agreed between them last night that
the timber c ump toward which Hackamore is
now riding, should be the point of attack, the
guide pledging himself to lead you straight in
to an ambush from which there could be no
escape. He has impressed you withaseuse of
security, and has counseled and urged his night.
march that you men might be tired out and the
less able to resist. In sword, he has striven
faithfully to make the fulfillment of his nicked
compact a Complete success.”

“The inhuman monster!” grated Bradlaw,
the red tide of anger leaping ovsr his face. \‘ I
believe you, lad, and ask your ardon for my
rudeness a moment a But, I ad every con-
fldenco in that man, in spite of the many unac-
countable little things wh ch had happened since
I employed him. ~

“I can hardly understand, though, why the
cunning devils should be at _such infinite’cure:
and pains to sutrap the train. It is hardly
worth looting.”

“Red Panther and the outlaw spoke of that
sir, and it would seem that you have a small
steel casket which the renegade is particularly
anxious to secure.”

Jonas'Bradlaw staggered back, and his face
instantly grew white.

“ The casket!” he muttered, in a thick voice.

 

\

“ Ah! but they shall never have it! Life itself,
first!”

“And now, sir ” pursued Gold-Dust Dan, his
keen eyes noting i3radlaw’e agitation, “ I would
ask if among the trainmen there is one known as
Zack?”

“ Zack? Zack? Not to my knowledge, sir,”
returned Bradlaw, con uering his weakness by
a des erate effort. “ H hy?”

“ here is a traitor among the men—an ally
of Hackamore. You must watch closely, and
at the first sign of treachery lay the fellow by
the heels.

“ I would suggest, too, that you hurry up the
wagons. Park them around this tree, and go
into camp. Here you will be on high ground,
in the s adow, and with wood and water at
hand, an will be better able to withstand an at-
tack.”

“ And if Hackamore returns?”

“ N o doubt he will be back shortly, and will
insist on your moving on to the timber. Have
the fellow and those who side with him seized,
bound and gagged. See that they do not es-
cape, for with their knowledge of your forces
they would be able to work you great harm.”

“ By the heavens! I’ll hang the scoundrelsi"
gritted BradlaW. .

“They certainly deserve hanging, sir, but 1
would counsel milder measures now. They may
become valuable as hostages.

“And now, sir, I have a party of friends en-
camped among the foot-hills twenty miles south-
west, experienced rangers and fighters, every
one of them; and if you desire their help I’ll go
seoure it.”

“I shall be only too glad to accept their ser-
vices until I am clear of this death-net,” earnest-
l y declared Bradiaw.

“ And they will be most willing to give you a
lift,” averred Gold-Dust Dan, and turning away
he uttered a low, trilling whistle. .

To the intense surprise of Jonas Bradlaw, a
magnificent horse, black as jet, rose from the
grass a few rods away, and gallope‘d straight
to the side of the youn ranger.

“ Remember!” cried an, as he vaulted light-
ly into the saddle, and then with a parting wave
of his hand he galloped swiftly away to the
southwest.

Bradiaw’s eyes follmved him most earnestly
for a mo nent, then turned toward the approach-
ing; wagon-train. .

ut, a rustling in the tall grass just behind
him caused him to wheel around, revolver in
hand. The grass was waving wildly, and a suc-
cession of dull, heavy sounds convinced him that
a desperate hand-to—hand struggle was in pro-
gress not a rod away. _

Dropping the 'brid e-rein, the immigrant sprung
forward. One bound, then came a dull, crunch-
ing noise, and a half-naked sava e leaped into
full view, lunged forward, and fel at his feet—
dead!

A single glance, and Bradiaw recoiled with a
gasp of horror. The head of the red-skin was
cleft from crown to chin! ‘

Then, up from the grass rose Hackamore
Hank, his dark e es agiow with fierce triumph,
a dripping toma awk in his hand.

 

CHAPTER II.
INTO THE JAWS or DEATH.

11: was with difficulty that Jonas Bradlaw re-

ressed a cry of terror as the guide strode di-
rectly toward him. \

There came a revulsion of feeling ‘18 SUdden
as startling. Dire anger swept aside his mo‘
mentary terror and despair, and he leveled the
revolver with a hand as firm and Steady as ad-
amant.

“ Guide Hackamore, halt!”

Never was a man more surprised than was
Huckamore Bank .when that stern command
rung forth. Hi8 38W fell, and his dark face
turned a sickly yeIIOW. ‘

“Drop that hatchet and throw up your
hands!” a

The order was obeyed.

“ Now come forward!”

Again Hackamore yielded submission.

“Halt!”

Not three paces separated the two men. The
immigrant’s dark eyes were agleam With intense
scorn and loathing, and his white ominously
drawn face was expressive of a relentless deter-
mination. '

“You curl -—-you .miserflble. treacherous,
craVen curl" he enuncnafed his low, even voice
so cold and cutting, that ackamore scarcely
recognized it. “ You have plotted and planned
and spread or death-net in vain! At the last
moment its atal meshes have been pointed out,

 

 

 

 

_. .--‘\~_‘

 

 

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. —.‘"....._._~.

.. ..-_._\-_‘

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. :-
:.~.——‘\-—-w——..,

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

. 3

 

 

and now you shall meet with the punishment
your perfidy deserves.”

’I‘hcu Hackamore spoke.

“ Ye must be gone clean crazy, Mr. Bradlaw,”
he protested, his voice faltering at first, but
gaining in strength as he proceeded. ‘I’ve
done my part by ye jest as I agreed; an’ es
i‘er deatlrnets, I don’t know nothin’ about ’em;
that’s all."

“It is useless to lie, Hackamore. You met
Red Panther, the renegade, last night, and
you rode ahead to meet him to«night. In
that timber island yonder is an ambush, into
which you have agreed to lead us. i know all,
sir. ’

The guide uttered a low whistle.

“l’m cleaned stumped—I am fer a gospel
fac'l” he exclaimed. “ Ef thar’s an ambush in
thet island I don’t lxnow et. I went on’y a mat-
ter ov three hundred yards when I spied thet ’ar
red sarpent creepin’ thro’ ther grass, an’ left in
hoss an came back tu sp’ile his inischief-makin .
Thet’s ther plain truth, Boss Bradlaw, an—”

A gesture of impatience checked him. Jonas
Bradlaw wished to hear nothing more; he was
thoroughly convinced of the guilt of the guide.

The first wagon in tbe train was now buta
few rods away, and the siran 9 scene between
their chief and Hackamore ank at once at-
tracted the attention of the immigrants. As a
result, the wagons were stopped and three of the
men hurried to the crest of a knoll.

The foremost of the trio was a flue-looking
man of forty years. a son of Jones Bradlaw.
He strode straight to his father’s side, revolver in
hand, saying:

“ What’s wrong, father? What’s Hockamore

been doing?”

“ Enough to hang him i” was the grim reply.
“ Upon him, boys! Disarm, bind and gag the
traitorous hound!” ‘ \

Duke Bradlaw and the two teamsters needed
no second bidding. Theimmigrant chief’s word
was law—a law they had solemnly bound them-
Selves to obey.

Silently, they closed around the ide, each
with a cocked revolver in hand. ackamore
looked from one to another, his eyes glowing
with fierce intensity, but he quietly yielded. To
rgtlst was to court death, swift, sure, and ter-
r e.
“Guard him, Duke, as you would guard life
itselfl” adjured the elder Bradlaw when the
trio had finished their task. “ Our ives are at
stake, for that treacherous hound has sold us
out, and the way before us is most desperate

now.
“Braddock, and you, Satterlee, fetch the.

wagons up with all haste and park them around
that tree. Make everything snug to resist an
attack!"

With simply an inclination of the head, the
two teamsters hurried back to the train, while
Duke Bradlaw stood oler the prostrate guide.

“What is it, father?” queried the ounger
man, drawing back a pace, and speak ng in a
tone inaudible to the captive. “ This change-—
this charge against Hackamore, is so sudden, so
wh’olly unexpected, that I can not understand
it '

“Nor do I,” was the moody reply. “ But,
enough has transpired since I quitted the train a
half hour ago to warrant the course we have
taken,” and Jonas Bradlaw rapidly narrated all
that had taken place at the. knoll.

Duke Bradlaw listened with deepest interest.

“ You are right, father. There is a cunning
plot back of it all,” he declared, when the immi-
grant chief had ended. “Aud I am equally
sure it’s the steel casket the devds are after.”

“It is the steel casket,” affirmed the elder
Bradlaw. “ And that very fact makes clear the
identity of your enemy.”

“ You suspect it is poor Jack’s slayer?”

" Yes, it is Flush Frank, the gambler.
Hackauiore and Red Panther are but tools in
his hands.” _

Duke remained silent a moment, staring
vacautly into the hazy moonli ht.

“I hardly know what to th nk,and even less
what to do," he observed, at len tb. “This
complication is so startling—so w olly unex-

ted that I am cempletely dazed. I wish
Dcou'ld have seen that young ranger, Gold-Dust
an.

“ He was ad like a rocket the moment he had
{undo the situation clear,” returned Jonas Brad-

‘W. I

“ BntListhe situation clear? Is it not pomible
that this Gold-Dust Dan is himself an outlaw,
and plotting our destruction?” Duke protested.
“ And, were Hackamore an ally of the red-skins,
would he dare slay of their number? N 0 one
knew of the presence of the red spy, and he

I \
' i 1 ’ ’
r u i

 

might have gone soot-free had the guide so
elected. No, no, father! I am dot convinced
that we are adopting the safest (mine. I can
hardly believe Hackamore guilty.”

“ But the pocket-compass, Duke, and the vari—
ous suspicious happenings of the past few days
——-what of them?’

" I confess, father, that it looks dark for
Hackamorc. Yet it may be that Gold-Dust
Dan, not the guide, had a confederate with the
train, who stole the compass and delivered it to
the ranger. There are —”

A light step directly behind the immigrant
caused him to leave the sentence unfinished.

Turning, he stood face to face with a girl—a
slender, lissom creature, with streaming red-
gold hair, starry blue eyes, small white teeth,
and face of almost faultless contour. She was
clad in a dark, snug-fitting riding-habit, carried
a small rifle, and wore in her sash a brace of
exquisitely-iiiounted revolvers.

“ Media! is it you?”

” It is 1, mph. Is it a council of war you are
holding? hat has happened i”

“ Much, or little, Media, just as one looks at
it,” returned Duke Bradlaw. “ Go back to the
wagons, pet. I will tell you all presently.
And do be careful, Media, for we may be in
dan er.”

“ es, child, you must not venture away from
the wagons alone,” added the immigrant chief,
earnestly. “ Wait; I will go with you!‘

But, at that moment Braddock came hurrying
up. There was a wild gleam in his gray eyes,
and his face was colorless.

“ Great God, boss!" he ejaculated, in a hoarse
undertone, his hands shaking as if palsy-stricken.
“ We cain’t camp un’er that oak—we da’sentl

“ Thar’s a hull haydoogin ov red-skins it
among ther limbs, ready ter drap down an’ aid
our throats ther minute we shut an eye I”

This startling announcement fell upon the
little group with crushing force

For a full minute not a word broke the grisly
silence. Then Jonas Bradlaw faltered:

” Sure—are ou sure, Braddock i"

“ Sart’in as am hyar, boss. On’y by chaince
I spied ’em, fer they’re well hidden,” was the
whispered re l_v. “ Don’t take my Word. Ye’ve
got a night-g ass; use it. but don’t let ther devils
see ye. They don’t know they’re diskivered, an’
our on’y chainco is fer make b’lieve We’re goin’
inter camp a hate-mile furder on, an’ then break
straight for ther tim’er yonder.”

Covertly, Jonas Bradlaw scrutinized the oak,
and the glass fully verified Braddock’s report.

“ They are there,” he avoi'red, “ and it is
evident they expect us to encamp beneath the

tree.

“ Duke, this trap looks bad for Gold-Dust
Dan, and certainly alters my opinion of Hackn-
more."

“I think, sir, the guide is free of any intent
to do us harm.”

“ Yes, yes; I have been misled. He must be
released at once. ‘

“ Braddock, do you go back tothe train, and
quietly pass the word that we are not to encamp
on the knoll. Be careful to create no alarm or
confusion, or we’ll have those cusses down on us
in a jiffy. l’ll jom you in a moment.”

The teamster hurried away.

“ New, Duke, you attend to Media,” pursued
Jonas Bradlaw, drawing his knife. “ I’ll see to
the guide.”

Hackamore shook his head vigorously.

“Remove the gag, father; he has something
to say.” sug ested Duke. “ Perhaps he doesn’t
wish to be re eased.”

The captive nodded approval, and the immi-
grant chief relieVed his jaws.

“ Ah! that‘s better! ’ grunted Hackamore,
moistening his lips. “Leave me bound till ye

it me in one 0v ther wagons. Thar’s sharp eyes

n that tree.
“ Better git back ter ther train, Mr. Bradlaw,

an’ move it up in a hurry. Sing out yer orders ,_

jest es ef ye didn’t know thar’s a red inside ov
ten miles. Our hair’s in danger, an’ nothin’ but
a bluff game’ll save et."

“ You heard Braddock!"

“ Yes. a‘n’ he hit ther pr r plan.fu’st op.
We must make ther timber is and ahead. ur-
ry up, now.”

Jonas Bradlaw needed just that urging. He
was completel dazed.

“ You stay yar, Duke, an’ you, gal, jest es of
ye war standin guard over me,” advised Hack-
amore, as the immi rant chief hastened toward
the train. “ Thsy’ all be up in a few minutes;
an’. my word fer et, ther reds won’t show their
heads. They’ll lay back tar ketch us in camp
later on, when they kin take usby s'priss."

The gnide’s prediction proved correct. Jonas

 

Bradlaw shouted out his orders to the men as if
wholly unconscious of the presence of a lurking
foe. The train moved sl ley across the knoll,
and on toward the timber island, following the
course of the creek.

Hackaniore was picked up and placed in the
second wagon, where he was relieved of his
bonds and given his weapons. Whi-n a safe dis-
tance from the knoll, he quitted the train and
secured his horse.

Media Bradlaw, mounted on a magnificent
coal-black mare, rode at her grandfather’s side
just ahead of the wagons.

The old man was nervous and low- irited.

" I’m afraid we're in for a siege of ard luck,
Media,” he remarked, with a backward glance
at the lone oak, now growing dim in the hazy
moonlight. “ I don’t believe we’ll ever get
away from those cunning red fiends. They’d
never keepso cooland quiet Were they not sure
of their game.”

“ 1 don’t like et myself, Mr. Bradlaw,” re-
marked Hacaainore, who had silently ridden
alongside. “ I’ll jest drop behind the train an'
keep my eyes open. When they see we‘ve not
gone inter camp, but are pullin’ fer ther timber,
they’ll likely make a break." ’

The immigrant nodded acquiescence, and the
guide galloped away.

“ We can at least leave the wagons and escape
with our lives, if we fail to beat them off,”
Media suggested.

The old man shook his head.

“ There’s just the trouble, girl,” he observed.
“Of course, ten well-armed men and a plucky

irl like you ought to stand the red devils off;
but the trouble is, not one of us but the guide
ever had a brush with an Indian. and when the
attack is made it’ll create a panic, and it’ll be
every man for himself. With our horses jaded,
when it comes to flight, hardly a man Willbe
able to escape.

“ With you it will be different, and that’s just
what I wantto talk about. Hurricane is fresh,
and can outstrip any horse on the plains. If it
comes to the worst, you must ride for life. You
will promise me this, Media ?"

" If you and papa think it best—yes "the girl
replied, a tremor in her voice. " But, I no hope
that it may not come to that.”

“ But it will,” declared Jonas.
that not a man of us wnll escape. Mind you,
Media, 1 am not frightened. or nervous. See—
my' hand is as steady asa rock. lhave not a
fear. I speak out of that mysterious knowledge
that often comes to men at critical periods, and
I speak use I wish to save you, and to balk
the devils who are bounding us to death.

“ Here is the steel casket. You know its
secrets and where to find its counterpart. Take
it and secure it to your person, so that it will
not be lost.”

From an inner pocket of his coat Bradlaw
took the casket-a small steel box, oblong in
shape, and handed it to Media.

The girl acce ted it reluctantly, and fastened
it in a pocket 0 her riding habit.

“Therel I feel more at easel” exclaimed the
old man, with asigh. “I know that you will
Escape, Media, and it will baffle the hounds.

0—-

“I believe

A rifle-shot, closely followed by a sharp, agon-
ized screech, interrupted Bradlaw.

“ Hark! the battle Opensl” he cried, his eyes
lighting u with a fierce g10w. “Keep close to
the train, edia. We may be able to make the
timber, as it is now close at hand. Good~by,
pet! ’

Leaning over, be pressed a kiss on her quiver-
ing lips, then wheeled his horse and spurred to—
ward the rear wagons, urging the drivers to
greater speed as he passed. '

Behind the train, now following it, again halt-
ing and facing about with ready rifles, lode Duke
Bradlaw and Hackamore Hank.

“ Go forward, Duke, and see Media,” shouted
the immigrant chief, spurring directly between

the two men, with weapons drawn. “I Will
take your place here.”
“Yes, go,” added Hackamore. “That’s little

ter do hyar yet. But one ov the red beg are hes
shown, himself. We’ll make ther tim r all
rightl‘
The guide averted his face tohide the gilt-
ter in his evil 0 es. i - .
Thus urged, uke Bradlaw galloped forward. '
“See that gng yenderl" cried Hackemore,
D

pointing to a of a half-score horsemen that ~
sudden y swept into view over the crest of a
swell. “They’re wuss nor all ther Injunsl”

“ The leader rides like Gold-Dust Dan.” Brad-
law exclaimed, aftsra moment, a dark frown

crossing his face. '
"Gold-Dust Dani” sneered Hackamore.‘I _<

 

 

        
  

    

4

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

 

 

man, Gold-Dust Dan is a clean white sport, and
a detective ter boot! Thet felier yender who
played it on you ter-night is Flush Frank, a
gambler an’ an outlaw!”

Jonas Bradlaw reeled in his saddle, and a
groan broke from his lips.

“ Brace up-brace up!” urged the guide, a
devilish smile distorting his face; “ we’re enter-
in’ ther timber now, an’ neither Flush Frank nor
ther reds’ll be apt ter bother ye long I”

Just then Media and her father joiner] the two,
and a moment later all had entered the timber
island.

“ Ah, I feel safer now,” remarked Duke, as
they came to a halt.

“ You’re safe—you bet!” Hackamore returned,
in a tone of deep significance, dropping his rifle
and drawing his revolvers.

“ Hands tip—both of you I”

Media uttered a slight scream, while both Duke
and his father turned pale.

Before either could utter a word, however, a
shrill signal peeled from the lips of the treacher-
ous guide and forth from their leafy coverts
leaped fu l two-score men, red and white,
who hurled themselves upon the doomed train
with all the for of beasts of the 'unglel

“Fly, Media —ti ! and may od help you l”
shouted Duke Brad aw, and raising his revolver
he sent a ball crashing through the brain of
Hackamore Bank!

The next instant, both Jonas Bradlaw and his
ion fell before a murderous volley from the out-

ws.

Sick at heart, almost faintin , the hapless girl
touched to Hurricane, arted out of the
island and away over the plain, the sole survivor
of that awful massacre.

CHAPTER 111.

OLD CALAMITY, run KAN or Misron’rUNn.

“Mun-cars an’ houu’ pups! ’Chixt you an’
me, Pepper, et do look es of Ole Calamity was
erbout ter receives throu h pass fer Esarnity’s

. bri tan’ shinin’ shore! yet we be, corrilled
at t, wi’ ev’ry avynoo ov escape shet off,
s’rounded b a b0wlin’ pack ov red-skins, an
notaea’tri go left! B’goshl we’re gone this’ere
time, Pepper—gone!”

. Dolefu ly came the words, and doleful looked
the speaker: a little old man feeble in appear-
ance, sad-eyed and sad-face . Habilimen of
worn and greasy buckskin covered his t in
angular frame, and an old black hat sat well
down upon the long, thin wis s of gray hair
fallin about his shoulders. At is back hung a
rifle, n his girdle a pair of hi revolvers; but
hissole hope was new center in the weapon
clutched tightly in his skeleton' hand—a long-
bladed bowie. ,

He was kneeling in the tall prairie grass, be-
side an ugly-looking old cayuse, as thin and
gaunt as its master. The animal lay flat on its
side, breathing hard, with its sorry neck stretch-
ed to the full, its head on the ground.

“ But, b’goshl ’tain't a new thing for you an’
me, Pepper—misfortune ain’t." continued the
old man, his cracked voice sinking to a plaintive
murmur, a solitary tear steal ng down his
ghastly face. “Misfortune, b‘goshl hes stuck
tor us sence we war weaned an’ kicked out knee-
high inter ther stream 0v life, an’ we’ve bin
bufled aa’ knocked an’ cufled till we've got used
ter at, an’ expect at, b’goshl But et’s hard,
Pepper, ’chixt you an’ me—et’s hard b’mlghtyl
when we’re grewn wea ov this v e ov tears,
an’ eh trials an’ tribbi ashuns an’ misfortunes
an’ars jest ready ta lay down an’ pass in our
chips carm an’ peaceful like. b’goshl ter hev
these yer’ red impe ov perdition try tcr worry
us along, raise a calamity an’ hurry ther ob-

. ssckiesl An’ b'goshl Pepper, when I git ter
’thiakin’ on et, et r’iles all t or good blood in me
an’ makes me feel as ef"twa’n’t jest time ferns
tor vs up yit awhile. Au’. Pepper—”

mnrmuring strains ceased abrn tly. A
fierce sparkle took the place of the sail, wistful

- look h the dim blue eyes of the old man. There
was a visible swelling of his muscles as he
couched closer to the earth and stared fixedly
at a point in the grass a few feet distant.

As if mscioiiiaolf‘ the oppress}: of dianferuge
_ayusestopped eavy reat ngan ay e
an animal bereft of life.

Hare and there the tall grass swayed gently

2’. toand fro. though the hi ht was one 0 dead
‘ , calm; a tale barely dis ngnishahle, creeping,
 rustlia son camefroma osen ntsaronnd
» theeld eman—allwithina

M

,' Old Calamity heard. and theflerygleam in his
mien orbs git hm!" and fiercer. Too
file’e‘knew mes of it all. The av-

, .

ins of twenty '

 

l ages were moving up—slowly, surely hemming

him iul

But, his burning gaze swerved neither right
nor lef t. With the Sinuous motion of a serpent,
he crept forward and crouched just beyond the
head of the cayuse, one hand slightly uplifted,
the other firmly clutching the knife.

A moment thus, then the grassy screen before
the bordennan suddenly parted, disclosmg the
visage of a red-skin! .

The bead y black eyes of the warrior emitted
a flush of triumph, and he rose upon one knee,
hatchet in hand.

Whirr-r-i‘!

It was the deadly warning of. a rattlesnake,
and seemed to come from directly beneath the
red-skin. With a gas of alarm, he sprung for-
ward and upward—on y to be dropped down by
the grasp of an iron band upon his throat.

The ready knife of the old borderman rose and
fell gleaming in the hazy moonli ht like a blade
of dill? and the earthly career of t e warrior was
en 9 .

Old Calamity bent hiahead and listened.

That faint, creeping, rustling noise had ceased.
Not a sound broke the silence.

A subdued chuckle came from the borderman.
Lower he b0wed his head, and up from the sur-
rounding grass rose a series of those warning
rattles, soft one breath, furious the next, accom-
panied with a sharp, serpent-like hissing. .

A moment thus, then, with a guttural ejacula-
tion here and there, came the hasty tread of re-
treating feet.

“Fooled ’em ag’in, Pepper, b’goshl” laughed
Old Calamity, gleefully patting the head of the
cayuse. “Jest wait a minute, an’ we’ll throw
ther smoky-rinds inter tits 1”

Deftly a propriatin the cartrid e-belt of the
dead we or, the bar erman reloa ed his weap-
pons, then cautiously made a survey of the sur-
rounding plain.

The red-skins, nine in number, had retreated
about seventy yards to the north, where they
were grouped, awaiting developments, some
mounted, others afoot holding their horses.

“ Up, Pepper!”

The old cayuse scrambled nimbly to his feet,
anéidrith a wild yell the ranger vaulted into the
as e.

Up to his shoulder came the butt of the Win-
chester. and thrice in as many breaths its report
boomed across the prairie, each bullet finding its
billet in man or horse.

Confused by this sudden onslaught, the red-
skins broke and scattered in momentary panic,
then rallied and with fierce yells charged straight
toward their daring foe.

But, Old Calamity had accomplished his pur-

pose. Uttering a hoarse screech of derision and
defiance, he turned the head of the cayuse to the
southeast and darted away with the speed of a
racer.
“ x et lively, Pepper! Hoe ’er down for
Kingdom Come!” he cr ed, slapping the animal
with his old black hat. .’
gall Ther’sa conjemmed misfortune ban in ter
our heels, an’ we must kick st off of were for
die in peace, b’inighiyl”

A mile at that mad pace, then the ranger
drew mm and looked bac .

A shrill, cacklin laugh pealed from his lips.

The red-skins has given up the chase and were
turning back.

“ Ye ve given ’em a sample ov style an’ quality
they don’t often see, Pepper,” he exclaimed, pat-
ting the neck of the cayuse. “ Thar ain’t a boss
on ther plains 'at kin tech ye fer goin’—thar ain’t,
by mighty l”

Then at an easy, swinging lope the ran er
pushed onward till a swell in the prairie bid is
movements from the e es of the enem , when
he turned due west a’n urged his a into a

run.
Mlle after mile fell behind the tireless cause.
Gradually, the face of the country chang , be-

coming broken and irregular, betokening an up:

preach to the foot-hills.

An hour after midnight, the old borderman
forded a shallow stream, drew rein and div
mounted in the edge of a timber island several
acres in extent. , s

A hasty reconneissanm assured him that he
was alone in the wood, and with a grunt expres-
sive of satisfaction he returned to the cayuse, re-
moved its trappings and turned it loose, then
stretched himself on the ground and closed his
eyes in slumber.

But be was not tosleep undisturbed. An hour
before dawn be was awakened by the touch of

s nose against his face.

‘ t is ole watch-deg! Danger, chi” he
exclaimed, g1 to his feet and hurriedl
replacing the sadd and bridle on the wel-

 

“Kuock ther sod ole‘

 

trained brute. “ Jest wait, old pard, till I take
a look.”

Gliding to the edge of the motto, Old Calam-
ity peered out across the open. Approaching
from the north, and scarcely a hundred yards
distant, were a dozen horsemen, all heavily
armed and masked.

“Outlaws, by thunder!” ejaculated the ran-
ger, springing back iothe cayuse. “ Pepper, git
out 0v this, lickety-split! Thar’s another ov
them conjenimed misfortends hangin’ over our
heads, ready ter drap eny minute! Them (lasted
hellyuns hev a captive, an et falls on us ter lay
low an’ plan a resky l"

Bending low in the saddle to escape the spread—
ing branches, Old Calamity urged his steed
swiftly across the island and out into the prairie,
keeping the timber between himself and the ap-
proaching party.

Three hundred yards from the island, he drew
rein, dismounted, and forced the cayuse to lie
down in the tall rass.

“Stay hyar til I come or call, Pepper,” he
muttered, putting the animal affectionately.
“I’ve got a dusted inisl‘ortunate calamity on
hand, an’ when I want ye 1’" want ye ba-ad.
b’goslil"

A cautions scrutiny of his surroundings and a
few minutes of patient waiting and listening
convinced the ranger that the outlaws had not
detected his presence. Looking to his weapons,
be tightened his belt and crept away throu h
the grass, heading toward a small thicket at
near end of the island.

It required but a few minutes to reach the
goal, and with a chuckle of satisfaction Old Ca-
amity sign ted in the dense undergrowth to
c imtet e ext move.

cely had be settled himself in a comforta-

ble position when a faint rustling sound within a

ard of him warned him that he was not alone in

he thicket, and swift as thought he drew his
knife.

Then the f iage before him was abruptly

rted, disclos ng a massive head and a huge

and clutching a cocked revolver.

“Scatl ye wineued lectle piritl” uttered the
unknown in a hoarse whisper. “Drop thet
(knife an’ throw up ye han’sl”

“ Mud-cats an’ houn’ pups !” the old horderman
ejaculated, his eyes gleaming wrathl'ully, his
grip on the bomb tightening. “ Who are you,

’d like tcr know l”

“ I’m Bingav y, ther Hunter.” '

“Wel, ister Big Davy, ef ye’re huntin’ a
conjemmed misfortune, sail iul I’m Ole Ca-
lamity, an’ I’m rank p’ison tor smoky-skins an”
outlaws, b'goshl”

A chuckle came from the giant.

CHAPTER IV.
GOLD'DUST DAN—THE OATH.

Tun hour islmidnight: the place, the foot of
the southern slope of Owl Butte.

Under a lowogrowing scrub oak a youth lies
sleeping, his hea pillowed on his saddle, a pleas-
ant smile hovering Over his slightly-parted lips.
A stray moonbeain, finding its way downward
throng the interlacing branches, lights up the
face and the form of the sleeper, and discloses in
him a ' lendids cimeu of young manhood.

The ace is o the Greek type, and. is strong
and resolute even in repose. The maeswe shoul-
ders, swelling chest, the perfect trunk, the inns-
cular arms and firm, round limbs, are all those
of a trained athlete, and indicate cat-like agility
no less than they betray prodigious strengt .

His garb is buckskin, with cavalry boots and
a light sombrero. A ‘flne repeating rifle rests
beside him, and a belt of side-arms enc1rcles his
trim waist. _

Out in the moonlight, leisurely cropping the
Brairie grass, is a magnificent black horse—as

no a specimen of the equine as its master is of

 

man.
Suddenly it lifts its hezd, pricks up its ears ’

and looks away to the sout .

There. an the crest of a swell, in outline
against the hazy sky, is a horse and rider, and
the rider is a women! 1

“Ho! ho! ho! You wretchl you scarlet
devil! And thus ye add another to‘ the leng list.
of foul black crimes stainingmyour life! But
strike, lied Panther-strikel bl maiml mur-
der! There is none to prevent, for your arm is
strong and your minions many and merciless!
Crush, as ye crushed poor Ruth! f on spare a.
life, rob it of peace and leave the son dead l

“0b, ye (la-brill ye fiend infernal! you have
sealed your own fate—written in blood your
own doom! For Bov Ruth hath sworn to
stain”, and fall by h r hhnd ye must and
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“Ha! ha! ha! ho! ho! he!
and then the grave!”

An uncanny Screech followed that strange,
wild outburst, rising high above the warring

Revenge, oh Lord!

sounds at that moment making night hideous; a ,

screech so intensely fierce and vindictive that it
might well have chilled the stoutest heart, and
the more terrible in that it came from the lips
of a beautiful woman!

Beautiful—yes! though garbed in buckskin
and armed like a desperado—though the lithe,
exquisitely-molded form hinted the tigress in its
graceful sinuous swaying. The dark Hebrew
face was one, once seen, never to be forgotten;
and, for all the hard lines imposed by care and
grief, was yet weirdly beautiful, with its warm
tints, lustrous hazel eyesand pearly teeth.

But the crowning glory of the strange crea-
turc—the distinguishing mark by which she
might have been singled out from among ten
thousand-was her hair. Thick, soft, luxuriant,
it fell almost to her feet in rippling tresses of
silvery white!

Whence she came or who she was, no one, per-
haps, in all that wild region knew. She had
frequently been seen sweeping over the plains or
threading the mazes of the hills, now here, new
there, but always at night; and on two or three

occasions, mounted on her noble, milk-white-

horse and leading a pack-mule, she had ridden
boldly into some of the more isolated campsto
purchase supplies, in each instance making pay-
ment therefor in virgin gold.

" She’s got a pay-streak somewhere back in
the-r hills,’ the miners could! not help thinking
when this latter fact had been made known, and
some of the more unscru ulous had attempted to
trail her to her hiding-p ace, but in vain.

As Roving Ruth she had come to be known,
and the superstitious held her in awe as one pos-
sessed of pewers more than mortal, while others
believed her the victim of some dire calamity
which had wrecked her mind and driven her
forth an aimless wanderer.

That this latter view was not far from cor-
rect, the words we have heard fall from her lips
attest

At the moment we introduce this beautiful
mystery to the reader, she was seated upon the
bare back of her great write stalliOn, just with-
in the northern borders of the motto wherein the
ill-fated Bradlaw train had encountered Red
Panther’s desperate clan, and as that wild cry
pealed from her lips she urged the horse toward
the scene of the conflict then raging.

Her dark eyes burned and glitteer with a
savage light, and her face, now stern and cruel
indts look of desperate resolution, wore the wax-
en pallor of death.

Straight upon the horde of outlaws she charged,
the sharp notes of the reVolver in each hand add-
ing to the din and confusiou, each bullet speed-
ing true to its billet, her deadly aim no less than
her deathly appearance carrying fear and terror
to the hearts of the plundering wretches.

“Curse the she-devil!" uttered a hoarse voice,
as a tall man in scarlet leaped forward; “ Seize
her, boys! A thousand dollars to the man who
takes her dead or alive!”

A burst of mocking, elflsh laughter, 'a parting
shot at the nearest of her foes, a repetition of
that unearthly cry which had signalized her fu-
rious onslaught, and the beautiful mystery
wheeled her horse and darted away with the
speed of the Wind, followed by shot after shot,

Out of the motto and straight across the plain
coursed the gallant stallion, the lithe form of
Roving Ruth Swaying and bending with sup le
grace, her long white hair streaming like a all) -
nor in the breeze. . .

Far out in the prairie a brawny warrior start.
ed u . lariat in hand, a look of triumph on his
pain ed face—a look that quickly changed to
"terror and dismay as the great white horse
charged straight upon him with scream after
scream of furious rage. Frozen with fear. the
wretch dropped the lariat and turned to 1199.
As well might be have attempted to elude a
thunderbolt. Down upon him thundered horse
and rider, crushing him to the earth—mangled,

- lifeless!

Then on toward a dark, cone-shaped mass

.looming through the hazy moonlight to the

neithwest swept the noble animal, straight as a
bee flies. .
Away from the scenes of strife, alone. in the

‘ great wild, the mood of his rider changes. The

com. hard lines disa pear from her face, leaving
naught but woma y beauty, tinged With sad-
!!833 and anxiety; the dark eyes lose their vicious

' glow. and badmtwith a soft, lustrous light.

—~—

. ' l .
A shrill whinny from the black horse aroused

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

the sleeper at the foot of Owl Butte, and he
sprung to his feet, rifle in hand.

I “ What is it, good Prince?” he exclaimed,
bounding lightly to the side of the animal, his
dark eyes sweeping the plain. “ Aha! a horse
and rider—the horse white, the rider a woman!
Hornets! I believe it’s the Black Hills’ mystery,
Roving Ruth 1”

A moment’s scrutiny served to strengthen this
belief in the keen-eyed young ranger.

“ By Heaven! she has sighted us, Prince, and
is riding this way,” he continued, after a long
look at the weird rider. “Come! We will meet
her, even though rumor hasit that Roving Ruth
is ever the bearer of bad tidings."

Hastin putting the trappings on his horse, the
ranger mounted and spurred out into the plain,
eager to meet the beautiful mystery face to
face.

A half-mile from the foot of the butte he drew
rein and respectfully lifted his but as the woman
came to a halt a rod away.

For a moment the two eyed each other in si-
lence. The youth was the first to speak.

“Pardo me, lady, if the‘qfii’estion seems im~
pertinent, ut are you not oving Ruth?” he
asked.

“ I am that unfortunate being,” was the low-
voicod reply. “ And you i”

“I am Daniel Deerfoot, better known in the
camps and on the trails as Gold-Dust Dan.”

“ Gold-Dust Dan!” The woman started slight-
ly as she repeated the name, and regarded the
youth with strange intentness. “I have heard
that name, but never a word of evil of it i”

The ranger bowed. ‘

“ I am glad to hear that,” he remarked, with
a slight smile. “ But you convince me that you
have encountered only my friends.” ,

“ No, no!" cried the woman, shaking her head.
“ I take the report of your enemies—the worst
enemies an honest man could haveiu this lawless
region—Red Panther’s clan!

“ They have bten forewarned of
and every cut-throat in the band
kill you on sight!”

“ Aha! you interest me, lady—”

“ Call me Ruth,” interp0sed the strange crea-
ture, urging her horse closer to that of the ran-

our coming,
as orders to

er.

“ As you will, Ruth,” Dan returned, again in-
cliningpg his head. “May I ask when you heard
t is »

“ Two nights since Red Panther announced
your coming and put a price on your head. And
I warn you, Gold-Dust Dan, to becn your guard!
The outlaw chief is powerful, and has spies in
every quarter.”

“ Thank you, Ruth.
tie ame against me.”

“ on will need to be wary to do that,” Rov-
ing Ruth averred, earnestly. “ Let me tell you,
Gold-Dust Dan, that even now you maybe under
the eye of some of his minions. Less than an
hour ago the wretches fell upon and destroyed a
wagon train five or six miles to the south, and
as it is their custom to break up into parties of
twos and threes the better to escape pursuit
after the perpetratibn of such an atrocity, you
are likely to run afoul of some of the band at
any moment.”

“Again I thank you, Ruth,” the ranger de-
clared. “ Your warning shall not pass unheed-
ed. But you—are you not in danger?”
dl'Izihe woman laughed, and her dark eyes kin-

e I

“ Have no fears for me, Gold-Dust Dan l” she
cried. “ And now—farewell!”

Like an arrow from the how the great white
horse darted away, defying pursuit, urged sim-
ply by the the tapping of a hand. ,

Gold-Dust Dan gazed after her a moment, then
touched spur to Prince, and at a swift, tireless
lope rode toward the south, his keen eyes sweep-
ing the prairie ahead, his brow knitted in
thought. '

“ And so R0ving Ruth is no camp-fire myth,”
he mused. “ Nor is she the creature rumor
paints her—a fierce destroying angel, as wild and
untamed as the veriest savage. No, no! she is
one who has suffered, for her face is sad, her
eyes mournful. if chancc-

H Aha I”

I will try to spoil his lit-

Back upon his haunches went the horse, under
the firm hand of his rider, and Gold-Dust Dan
looked long and steadily toward the southwest,
where a dull red glow roseagainst the hazy hori-

zon. ,

“ The devils have finished their work and fired
the train,” he muttered, grimly. “ Come, Prince
—that is the point for us, for there we shall
strike Red Panther’s trail.” ,

Straight toward the ominous light spurred the
ranger, his face set and resolute, every sense

 

5

alert, for he knew that deadly peril lay before
him.

In due course the fatal timber island was
reached, and riding into the shadows of the
northern border a thorough search through the
motto convinced him that the last of the outlaw
cohort had departed, and he rode on to the
scene of the tragedy-— now marked by only a
faint glow from the smoldering embers of the
wagons

That the struggle bad been most desperate,
was attested by the grim evidences strewn on
every hand. Ambusbed and beset by a murder-
ous horde outnumbering them three to one, the
immigrants had rallied and fought with a fierce-
noss born of hopeless despair, going down with
w eupons in hand and no cry for quarter. Men
and horses lay dead on every side—the men
stripped of weapons and valuables, the horses of
their trappings.

Gold-Dust Dan shuddered as he gazed about
him. Nowhere was a sign of life visible. It
was a heart—rending spectacle. .

Leaking from his horse, from form to form he
slowly made his way, scanning each cold, dis-
torted face.

“The head-devil has again escaped, though
his men suffered most severely,” the young ranger
muttered, as he drew near the end of the ghastly
line. “ May the fates preserve him for the
haugmnn’s noose!”

“ Amen I"

in a low deep voice came that one word.
Gold-Dust 151m started, and his hands sought the
revolvers in his belt. .

“Save your lead, boy,” continued that husky
voice, and a gray-haired man at the end of the
line slowly raised himself upon his elbow.
“ Were I an outlaw, I would be powerless to
harm you. I have my death-wound.

“This way—(pick, for I infer you are an
eneny to Red anther, and as such I would
speak with you.”

In a moment the oung ranger was bendin
over the speaker. ‘hat the stricken man ha
but a few minutes to live was apparent at a
glance. His life- blood was ebbing awny thrcugh
a number of gaping wounds; the gray pallor of
death was upon his face, and his eyes were fast
glazing.

“ Your name ?”gasp€d the stricken immigrant.

“ Daniel Deerl‘oot known as Gold-Dust Dan 1”

“Mim- is Jonas Bradlow. I was the head of ,
the ill~fated party destroyed here by -Red
Panther; and, Daniel Dccri'oot, I leave you a
mission to perform—a mission of revenge and
restitution, attended with a golden reward!
Listen.”

Lower sunk the voice of the dying man, and
as the words came hurriedly from his livid lifi,
Gold-Dust Dan listened with deepest interest, 's
dark eyes kindling with a wrathi‘ul glow.

And truly it was a story to excite the warmest
sympathies of the young knight-errant of the
plains—a story of ambition thwarted, treachery
and death!

Only too soon the low, husky strains ceased;
the gray head sunk back, and an ominous rattle
came from the bearded throat. Too soon, and
yet Jonas Bradlow had lived to make clear the
situation—to enlist in the cause of the haples
Media a champion, gallant and true! ‘

The smoldering embers flared up, and as the
light flickered across the face of the old immi-
grant, he suddenly llfted his head.

“ Swear it, boy l—swear {gu’ll not desert poor
Media—that you’ll stand tween- her and her
ices!” he cried, raising his appealing e) es to the
stern visage of the youth. “Swear it, upon
your honor l”

“ I swear it, sir, upon my honor!” was thedeep-
toned response. “ Media Bradlaw’s cause shall
be my cause until she is safe and her wrongs are
rightedl”

A gasp, a faint sigh of relief, and the soul of
the immigrant u inged its flight. .

Sternly, sadly, Gold-Dust Dan gazed down into,
the lifeless face. i

“ The dastards!” he muttered, turning away.
“ Let them have a cure, for as sure as there is a
God'in heaven, Dan Deerfoot will strike them
down!”

Out of the darkness came a lurid flash, follow-
ed by asharp report. With a single agonized '
groan, the young ranger reeled and fell, the vicy 
tim of a lurking assassin! - ' ,

CH PTER V.
arcch ROY’B PRIZE. . 5‘
“ HEAVEN help me! I know not which way 
to turn l” . "
The words burst from Media Bradlaw’s ii x
and she drew rein, a look of terror in her 

 

 

 

;
r

a" camp to attack and thwart him.

' tween him and the heroic girl.

  

6

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

 

Less than a hundred yards to the rear rode
three members of Red Panther’s band in hot pur-
suit, while but a rifle-shot ahead, spread out in
the form of a huge crescent and sweeping toward
her with the speed of the wind, were a full score
horsemen.

That this latter party were also outlaws bent
on her capture, the girl had not a doubt, and the
very hopelessness of her situation roused her to
decisive action.

“ They are foes—every scoundrel of them 1” she
cried, a fierce strain creeping into her sweet
voiCe. “ Yield I will not! Death before cap-
ture!"

Her blue eyes aglow, her face marble-like in
its pallor, Media dismounted and leveled her
light rifle across the saddle.

An instant, then over the moonlight plain rung
the sharp report, and the horse of her foremost
foeman went down, catchin his rider and pinion-
ing him underneath with a roken leg.

A ringing cheer from the distant horsemen
greeted the shot, but onward coursed the remain-
;ng pursuers, heedless of their comrade’s

ate.

Again and again the Winchester cracked, and
a horse galloped away riderless, while the last of
the trio flung himself from the saddle to seek the
shelter of the tall prairie grass.

It was a vain attempt, for even as his feet
touched the earth a bullet entered his shoulder
and he went down crippled for life.

Then upon the squad of approaching horsemen
Media turned her rifle, her face gleaming white
and cold in the moonlight.

“ Halt i"

As that single word of command rung from
the lips of their leader, every man drew rein,
while the speaker spurred forward with a white
’kerchief held aloft.

On and on, till scarce twentybpaces lay be-

en:

“ Hold! Explain your errand !”

Clearly Media uttered the words, and her rifle
covsred the chief of the night-riders.

“I came as a friend, lady—not as a foe!” was
the quick response, as the horseman abruptly
halted.

“Outlaws though we are. we war not on we-
men, and are here to offer you safe convoy be-
yond the reach of Red Panther.”

“ Indeed?” and Media’s red lips curled scorn-
fully. “ Between you and Red Panther, Sir
Robber, I can make no choice, for your trench-
ery is known to me.

‘ For it was you, Gold-Dust Dan, who under
the guise of friendship, attempted to lure the
train into a deadly ambush, to cheat Red Pan-
ther of his prey.

“ To your offer I say no! Go back to your
man and tell them brute force must take the
place of treacherous cunning- that while life re-
mains I will not yield 1”.

The youth bawed his head. and his face grew
white and stern. Media Bradlaw’s words had
scored him deeply.

“ Listen, lady!” he cried, his eyes flashing. his
voice sharp and imperious. “ Let the full truth
be known, for your light is most desperate, and
you should not deci e blindly.

“ I am Reckless Roy, road-agent and outlaw,
if it please you, and the men at my back are
sworn to follow me through thick and thin.
But never a cold-blooded murder can be laid at
their door or mine, nor have we pillaged the

’ r, the weak or the helpless. Our prey has

n the lawless, our mission one of reprisal
against the red-handed outlaws infesting the hill
and the plains.

“ For weeks we have been planning the exter-
mination of Red Panther and his renegades, and

.- while bounding him I learned of his plot with
Hackamore Hank, and at the earliest moment
possible warned Jonas Bradley of his eril.”

“ Under the assumed name of Gold- ust Dan,
and with a recommendation that he encamp
within the cunning ambush you had arranged, ’
uttered Media, coldly.

‘f Under an assumed name—yes!” was the
swift retort. “ To have revealed myself to
Jonas Bradlaw as Reckless Roy would have put
at naught my efforts in his behalf. Of the am-
bush you hint at, I know nothing. Indeed,
when I rode away to my band I left betWeen
Bed Panther and the train, to give warning of
the ontlaw’s approach, one Hawk-Eyes, a faith-
ful scout.

“As luck would have it, I encountered my
followers a few miles to the south. They had

of Red Panther’s design, and had broken
We are too

 g/hte to save the train, but we offer you escort to
' A place of safety.”
'« ‘ And again I decline that offer,

Reckless

 

Roy,” cried Media, sternly. “ Now go, and
withdraw your men, or I shall open fire!”

The young outlaw bowed gravely, wheeled his
horse and slowly rode back to his band.

“ Fall in, boys! Ride to the west, and leave
the way open lor the lady to pass,” he ordered.

“ Put on your masks and stand ready to give
Red Panther a tussle, for, by heavens! if he at-
tempts her capture he must first rout us!"

Silently the men obeyed, moving aside in a
solid body. Then as they halted and faced
about, a shout of horror burst from their lips——
a shout followed by a piercing scream from
Media Bradlaw!

For the girl was struggling in the grasp of a
brawny Sioux warrior, while from their cov-

‘erts in the high grass to the east rose nearly a

score more, to pour a volley into the ranks of
the outlaw band.

“ Revolvers, boys, and at them l” thundered
Reckless Roy, striking spurs to his horse, and
plunging forward. “ Leave the girl to me!”

Like an avalanche the desperate band swept
forward, fearlessly, every man with a cocked
“six” in each hand, a wild battle-yell ringing
from his lips.

Before that terrific charge the Indians broke
and fled, dro ping out of sight in the grass to
escape the eadly revolvers, intent only on
reaching their horses in safety. ,

For they had gained their end—the capture of
Media Brudlaw!

Three hundred yards to the east, and radually
edging off to the north, mounted on urricane,
with the girl in his arms, rode the leader of the
assailillt, his painted face aflame with savage tri-
ump .

But that triumph was short-lived. A warning
yell from one of the fleeing braves caused him
to glance back, and his expression instantly
changed to one of rage, not unmixed with cha-
grin.

Loss than a hundred yards distant, sweeping
over the plain like an avenging centaur, came
the chief of those dread riders in buckskin, his
horse gaining on the doubly-burdened animal of
the savage at ever bound.

That escape by ight was out of the possibil-
ities, that one glance assured the red—skin. Ut-

vteringa furious yell, he wheeled the horse and

confronted his fee.

“ Back!” he shouted, his face distorted with
fury, as he whipped out his knife and poised it
above the heart of the girl. “Back! or Long
Wolf kill the pale-face squaw.”

Back upon its haunches went the mighty horse
bestrode by Reckless Roy, for the young outlaw
knew the warrior’s words were no idle threat.

“Back! back!" roared the savage. “ Ho!
would the—”

The sharp crack of a revolver, a scream of
pain, and the glittering blade fell to the ground.
His arm shattered by that adroit snap-shot,
Long Wolf wheeled his horse and again sought
safety in flight.

After plunged Reckless Roy, urging his horse
toa magnificent burst of speed, and the chase
was ended. For, as he ran alongside, the out-
law again fired, and his bullet found the brain
of the relentless savage.

In time, too, to save Media Bradlaw from a
heavy fall as the arm of her captor relaxed, was
the lashing rider, and as he deftly caught her
about the waist and swung her to a seat before
him, the death-stricken red-skin toppled from
Hurricane’s back.

Thus eased of his double-burden. the sagacious
animal stopper], and at her request Media was
transferred to her own saddle.

“ You are a brave man, and it is a pity you
are an outlaw,” the girl observed, quietly, her

~dark blue eyes scanning all that was visible of

the masked face of her rescuer. “ You have
rendered me a great service. and I thank you.”

“ You’re welcome to the little I’ve done, miss,”
Reckless Roy returned, a grimly, earnest strain
in his voice.

“ Mehbe ye won’t thank me so much when ye
learn what I’ve determined to do i"

“ And what is that?” ,1

“ Hold ye captive till ye’re safe out of this
neck 0’ the woods! I’ve earned the right to look
after you, and I’m goin to do it!”

“ I’m pewerless to prevent you taking the
matter in your own hands,” Media observed,
“ But I should much prefer to go alone.”

“ Out of question, miss. Naturally, ye don’t
like to trust yourself in the hands of an outlaw,
and in that ye’ro right. But, I assure you no
harm shall come to you, and you may keep your
horse and your weapons. and be at perfect lib-
erty, with the sole restriction that ye make no
attempt to escape.” ‘

Media gravely inclined her head, saying:

 

“I am forced to submit. I accept your
terms.”

Silently the two rode back to the point where
the band had gathered to await their return.

“ Cap, shall I take a damn of the boys and
run over to that timber island i” asked one of
the riders, spurring alongside of Reckless Ro .
" W”e might be able to give the train a li t,
yet.

“It is too late, Idaho,” replied the chief.
“ Look yonder.”

He pointed to the timber island. '

Twenty-five or thirty horseman, red and
white, had emerged upon the plain, and were
charging straight to“ ard the outlaw band,
while back among the trees a bright red glow
was s ringing up. o

Me is choked back a convulsive sob. She
realized the grim truth.

“ You are right, Cap, an’ I reckon it’s the lady
they want now,” uttered Idaho, in a hushed
voice. “Shall we make a stand here, or back
for the hills?”

“ Break for cover, and give the devils a les-
soul” Reckless Roy replied, his dark eyes flash-
ing. “ Our horses are good yet for a ten-mi a
dash, and I know the spot we want—a hit of
timber just this side the foot-hills. \Ve’ll stand
there, and if Red Panther wants war, he shall
have it to his heart’s content.

“ Form the men, Idaho, and follow me.”

And with Media Bradlaw at his side, the
young outlaw wheeled his horse to the south-
west. The band fell in, two abreast, and with
Idaho alone in the rear, the dashing cavalcade
set forward at a swin ing lope.

Ayell from Red anther’s men greeted the
move, and then the chase began in earnest.

From time to time Reckless Roy glanced back,
and when five miles had been covered, a grim
smile curled his lips.

“They hold their own—no more!” he mut-
tered, the shade of anxiety mantling his face
disappearing.

An hour before dawn, a brief halt was called,
and Idaho, with seven picked, men, fell back
and aligned themselves along the crest of a.
swell, to hold the pursuers in check.

With his rear thus guarded, Reckless Roy
pushed on with two others of his command, SOOD
fording a small stream and entering a timber
island—the point of vantage sought.

Here the party stopped and dismounted, and
made preparations to go into camp. Guards
were set, the horses picketed and hoppled, and a
wicky-u was erected in a secluded nook for the
use of edia.

One of the men had picked up the girl’s rifle
at the scene of her encounter with Lone Wolf,
and n0w Reckless Roy returned the Weapon to
her, with words of praise and encouragement.

“Get what rest ye can,” he advised, as he left
her at the entrance of the wicky—up. “You’ll
find blankets inside, and may sleep with perfect
safety. Two men will guard against an ap-
prOach from any one who may slip through our
outer line. And now, good-night.”

“ I thank you, Reckless Roy. You are not
only brave, but generous. Good-night!”

And with tear-dimmed eyes and trembling
lips, Media Bradlaw entered the wicky-up.

The young outlaw strode away with bowed
head and moody face.

“ What a beautiful creature she is!” he mur-
mured, with an involuntary sigh. “Give her
over to Red Panther’s tender merciesi—never!
I’ve cheated him of his prize, and while life lasts
I’ll never yield it i” '

The crash of firearms out onthe lain drew
his thoughts into another channel. daho and
his men had fired on the enemy, and a moment

‘ later came dashing into cam!" ‘

“ Ca , I reckon we’re in fer a mighty tough
rustle,’ cried the leader of the rear guard, as he
sprang from the saddle. “Two gangs of red
bucks are coming 11 to reinforce tho band on
there, while old Red anther and a dozen of his
rene ades are three miles out riding like mad.”

“- ow many in all, Idaho?”

“ Close onto a hundred, I reckon. Cap.” _

“ Five to one. Not such big odd-I, boys, With
the timber fer shelter and wood and water at
hand. We’ve been in tighter places and pulled
through. . .

“ But get yourselves ready. Daylight isnear
at hand. and they’ll very likely attack us before
sunrise."

Then, as the men hurried away with their
horses, Reckless Roy walked out and made a
round of the sentries, after which he posted him.
self at the northern edge of the motto to watch
the maneuvers of the enemy.

The pursuing party, now reinforced by the
two bands of reds Idaho had reported, were

I

 

 

 

 

1‘.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, come an’ rout us out.

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

7

 

drawn up in a long line just out of ran a, and
were evidently awaiting) the arrival 0 their
chief, the notorious Red anther.

Far out on each flank, at points commanding
an unobstructed view of the plain south of the
timber island, vedettes had been posted, to give
warning of a continuance of the flight; and as
Reckless Roy noted the strength of the enemy
and the precautions they had taken, upon him
was forced the conviction that the struggle
pending would be a most desperate one.

The minutes wore slowly away, till the moon-
light gave place to the gray and purple of early
dawn, when the young outlaw was suddenly
joined by Idaho. _

“ Cap, there’s something derned strange back
in the timber,” the lieutenant exclaimed. “Two

aIOots have crept through the lines and want to '

Join our forces!”

CHAPTER \‘1.
RED PANTHER’S DEMAND—THE BAI‘TLE.

“Hoppin‘ hornits! Ole Calamity, I’ve hearn
ov ye ever sense I’ve bin big enough fer tote a
rifle or rastle a red!” ejaculated the big hunter,
as the hoarse chuckle died out of his throat.
“'Pears’s if we stood on ther same platform,
tool Shake!” .

And parting the bushes, the Hercules crept
into the little opening.

Old Calamity eyed him a moment, then
frankly extended his hand, saying:

“’Pears es of I’d hearn ov ye, Big David,
though I cain’t jest place ye. But ye look
honest, an’ are too big ter be sneakin’. Thar’s
my} hau’, Davy.” ~

hen the two men put up their weapons,
crossed palms, and settled down to compare
notes

“ Whar d’ye drop from, Calamity, an’ what’s
this leetle game ye’re up to?” the big hunter
asked, when he had gotten his massive form into
a comfortable position. “ Didn’t I see ye slidin’
through ther grass a bit ago, straddle ov an ole
cayuse?”

“ Ye did, David—-—ye did! An’ thet ole cayuse
war my pard,Pepper,ther knowin’est critter that
ever slapped ther starch out ov a smoky-hide,”
the old borderman replied. “Ye see, Davnd,
I’m a plain man, an’ a man not much given ter
gab; but this one p’int both Pepper an’ me are
finicky in—we wanter die carm an’ ceful-
like. We're both gittin’ old, an’ the constant
friction 0v rubbin out reds is tellin’ on us.
We’re jest able for toddle along, an’ our nerves
are completely upsot. We’re clean tired ov
calamities an’ misfortunes, an’ we moseyed up
inter these wilds in ther vain hope ov findin’
some nice, quiet spot uncontaminated by ther
pestiferous red-skin, whar we c’u’d lay our
weary bodies an’ gently drift ter t'other shore.
But no! ther variets w’u’dn’t hev et. Whar-
ever we lay d0wn ter breathe our last, they’d
Last night we give ‘em
ther slip. an’ laid ourselves out in this noble
grove ter await ther eend. An’ again were we
,disapp’inted, David, fer along comes a wheen ov
outlaws. an’ ter avoid a calamity we up an’ ske«
daddled. ,

“ 303. David. we didn’t calkilate ter go fer,
Pepper an’ me didn’t, fer we’d see'd enout‘:h 09"
set ev’ry gallon 07 our good blood a-b’ilin’, fer
them coniemmed variets hed kaptered a pore
lone fema e. So I jest planted Pepper out thar
in ther grass, an’ slipped back tor see what I
c’u’d do.

“ An’ now, Davy. What be you doin’ hyar?”

“I jest crawled in hyar fer a cat-nap,” the
Hercules explained, settling closer to the earth
and combing his long red-brawn beard with his
fingers. “I’ve last my boss. 811’ am hoofin’et
to’ards Empire, whar I’m ter meet my pard—ef
we both ull through. We left Slocum City,
Over in M‘bntaner, ’bout ten days ago, an’ headed
fer ther Black Hills, es my purd ’d got a letter in-
vitin’ ’im over ter help round up Ole Red Pan-
ther’s gang. Night afore last, a passe! ov red
bucks jumped us, an’ we war forced tOSepz-irate,
but ’greed ter meet at Empire. es et ar near thet
p’int we expected ter j’ine Reckl Roy. My

“Reckless Roy! ye don’t mean ter tell me
ye’re oin’ ter j’ine han’s with thet young hell-
Ylm. avid!” interrupted Old Calamity, suspi-
"loule- “Mud-cats an’ houn’ pups! he’s the
biggest fish in ther hull outlaw puddle!”

“More Regulator than outlaw, Calamity,
thotigglh thar is a price on his head,” mildly pro-
1598, the Hercules. “I’ll tell ye somethin’.
Ev rg relative ther boy bed war slaughtered in
we“ canyon massacre, ov ther hull fam’ly
he alone 690. n’. He swore ven eance, an’
tack the? tl'fl . an’ soon diskiVere thet ther

 

‘pard war forced off ter ther north—”

,chief mover back ov thet hellish affair hed be-

 

come one ov ther moguls ov Deadwood. In a
fair, square fight, he shot the dirty cuss dead,
an’ fer thet act he war outlawed, ther friends
an’ allies ov his victim bein’ men ov influence.
No, siree, Calamity: I cain’t consider Reckless
Roy an outlaw, knowin’ his hull career es I
do. An’ thar’s not a man in the band but’s suf-
fered deadly wrong at ther hands ov outlaw or
red-skin. Ther Regulators hev never lifted a

.lian’ ag’in’ an honest man, and never will. D'ye ,
1 Roy returned.

s’pose Gold-Dust Dan ’d—”

“Is yer pard Gold-Dust Dan, David?” broke
in Old Calamity, with no little interest.

“ Ye bet he is, an’ ther friend ov Reckless Roy
ter boot 1”

“ B’gOsh! cf thet be true, I’ll cave, David!

I’ve heard ov Dan’l often, an’ he’s a brave, darin’ 3

youth.”

At that moment the sound of firearms inter-
rupted the conversation, and the two border-
men made a cautious survey of their surround-
ings.

To their surprise, they discovered that a
sentry had been posted about fifty yards distant,
ata point commanding the plain south of the
timber. \

“ Begins ter look es ef we war in fer et,
Davy 1” observed Old Calamity, in an under-
tone. “ Dey’ll be on hand putty soon now, an’
at won’t be easy ter get off ‘thout bein’ seen. Ef
we’re goin’ ter resky ther gal, we’d better do et
while t: or varlets air engaged off ter ther north-
’ard, and then slope straight fer Empire.”

Big Davyreadily assented, and the two moved
cautiously into the depths of the timber. it re-
quired buta few minutes to locate the wicky-
up erected for the ca tive, but much totheir
disgust, they found it c osely guarded, and were
com elled to retreat empty-handed.

“ e’ll hev ter wait till night comes ag’in,”
Old Calamity averred, when they had regained
the shelter of the covert. “ An’ b’gosh! I reckon
we’d better levant, too, afore we run afoul 0v
some derned misfortune.”

Again the Hercules gave assent, and steadily
rose to note the pesition of the sentry—Only to
sink back with a startled grunt.

“ Hug ther ’arth, Calamity!”
stretching himself flat on his stomach.
ov ther gang’s comin’ straight this way 3"

Not a breath too soon was that warning whis-
per, for scarcely had the bushes settled imo their
wonted quiet when a steady swish, swish of
the high grass announced the approach of the
outlaw.

On and on, and then directly past the thicket,
strode the fellow, keeping just outside the tim-
ber edge, and when the sound of his steps had
died away, Big Davy turned upon Old Calamity
a startled face.

Hoppin’ hornits!” he ejaculated. “ Calamity,
we came near a-makin’ a fine muddle ov things!

“ Thcr outfit in this timber is Reckless Roy’s
Regulators I”

‘ B’mightyl I w’u’dn’t won’er ef ye"re right,
David!”

“ Right! I know I’m right. Et war Roy who
jest passed l” asseverated the Hercules. “ The
only question now is, what shall we do?”

And that qUestion was not decided without
due argument. Big Davy was in favor of mak-
ing their presence kn0wn and joining issues, for
the time, with the young outlaw, while Old
Calamity was dubious about so decisive a move.

The old plainsman finally gave reluctant as-
sent to thefiroposition, however, and quietly fol-
lowed tho ercules into the outlaw camp.

Never were a band of men more surprised
than were the Regulators when the two border-
men stepped unannounced into their very midst.

“ Who are youi—what do you want?” Idaho
angrily demanded, promptly covering the air
with his revolvers, while the men leaped to t eir
feet with weapons drawu.

“ Easy, pard l” returned Old Calamity, airily.
“ We’re two fire-eaters, an’ we want yer cap-

he warned,
“ One

’t’in, an’ we want ’im ba-ad, fer we’re goin’ ter

j’ine forces ’ith this cohort!”

Idaho nodded grimly.

“ Ther capt‘in may decide thet I” he responded,
pointedly.

“ Watch ’em, boys, while I call ther boss.”

The arrival of Reckless Roy was not long de-
layed. At sight of Big Davy, the young outlaw
uttered a cry of (Might, and sprung forward
and warmly grasped his hand.

“ And where’s Gold-Dust Dani” he asked,
when Old Calamity had been introduced and
greetings exchanged all around. “I looked for
him with you.”

The Hercules explained the nonsarrival of the
young mountain detective, and then Reckless

.Roy returned to the post he had abandoned at
ldahos call, where he was joined by the two

 

recruits as soon as Old Calamity had called in
and picketed his cayuse.

“ I say, Cap,” the old plainsman remarked, as
he eyed the warlike array on the crest of the
swell, “ct do strike me thet ye’ve got a conjem-
med calamitous misfortune a-brewin’—et do,
b’gosh! Them reds out ther, an’ ther sprinklin’
0v whites among ’em especially, mean mischief.
They’re goin’ ter s’round ther timber.”

“I believe you’re right, Calamity,” Reckless
“If we can stand Ibelllfff till
we’ll cut

our horses are rested thoroughly,
Then—

through their line and run for Empire.

“ Aha! Red Panther at last!”

The road-agent chief had indeed appeared,
closely surrounded by over a dozm of his a bite
followers, and as the desperate group came to a
halt three chiefs left the line and galloped to the
center.

“ A move will be made soon, fer thet is a war—
council they’re holdin’," averred Old Calamity,
his dim blue eyes lighting up with a strange
lire.

Five minutes passed, then the chiefs s urred
back to their places, and the long line roke,
half sweeping around the eastern side of the
motte, half to the west, the ends of the long line
meeting and forming a circle.

Not a word spoke Reckless Roy or his com—
panions. All had foreseen the move, and impa
tiently awaited the one to follow.

It was not long delayed, for no sooner was
the line complete than forth from his followers
rode Red Panther, mounted on a powerful bay
horse, and carrying at the end of his riflebarrel
a white handkerchief.

“A truce! I’ll see what the crotch has to
say!” exclaimed Reckless Roy, and he boldly ad—
vanced to meet the notorious renegade and road-
a en
gOld Calamity and Big Davy gazed at Red
Panther with no small degree of curiosity, as it
was the first time either had seen him.

The renegade was tell, sinewy and well-form-
ed. He wore a full suit of buckskin, which had
been dyed a hiight scarlet, and his sombrero,
pinned up on one side with a massive gold star,
and ornamented with a triple gold cord and a
single long, black ostrich-plume, was of the
same color. Gold spurs were at the heels of his
high cavalry boots, and his rifle an! revolvers
were ornate with the same precious metal. A
broad sash of black silk encircled his waist, and
on each shoulder, worn as an epaulet, was the
dried forefoot of a huge panther.

Masses of dark and red hair clustered around
his shoulders, and his heard, only a shade
lighter. fell almost to his waist. His eyes were
large, jet-black and brilliant, gleaming savagely
through the eyelets of his sable half-mask.

A striking figure-a figure at once odd and
terrible, was Red Panther.

Straight down to the edge of the sluggish lit-
tle stream he rode, and there paused to await the
ap reach of Reckless Roy.

be young outlaw was only a moment later
in reaching the southern bank of the stream,
where be halted, resolutely facing his redoubta-
ble adversary. ‘

“ I come to propose terms, young man,” Red
Panther announced, in a voice of purring soft'
ness. “ Are you ready to listen?”

“As well now as ever,” Reckless Roy re-
turned, with a scornful curl of his red lips.
“ Proceed.”

“ You have a young lady captive in your
camp?”

“ We have a young lady under our p'oteo-
tion, es.”

“ Well, Reckless Roy. we want that girl.
She is valuable to us. Deliver her up, and I
will withdraw my men and leave you in
peace.” - .

“And if I refusi l”

Red Panther’s eyes glittered viciously. .

“ If you refuse, on your head bathe result!”
he exclaimed, a strain of deadly menace break-
ing the purring softness of his voice. “You
are completely surrounded, Reckless Roy, and
I shall stop at nothing to gain my end.”

A ringing, scornful laugh escaped the young
outlaw.

“No is my answer, Red Panther!” he cried.
“ And were your force a bun red times as great
it would still be no! Go back to your murder—
ous c'an, and attack if you wish l” ‘

Red Panther uttered a fierce oath, and raised
his clinched hand.

“Fool !" he grated. “Poor, blind fool! you
have sealed your own doom, and that of every
man with on l" and wheeling his horse he gal-
lommad {knack to his lines.

kless y returned to the timber. >1
“ Boy!” exclaimed Old Calamity, an expres- 

I .. V . 1}“

l -;,

 

  

g.

' the moment had held him.

.mroased the timber island and spurred away to
" file southward, on the trail of Red Panther.

8

 

 

 

 

sion of delight iiiantling his ghastly face, “ boy. I!

ye did yerself proud, b’gosli! C’u’d n’t ’a’ done
better myself. b’mighty! Mud-cats an’ houn’— l
piipsl butyo putt tlier critter in a calainitous
rage! T‘iort he’d strangle—I just did l”

“ W'e’li hev a warm time before many min-i
lites,” Big Davy declared. “ See! he‘s sendin' l
runners along ther line.”

“Oh, no doubt he means business,” grimly
remarked Reckless Roy, and leaving the two
men on guurd he hurried back into the timber. i

Five-ten minutes passed, then, jUst. as the
sun pooped above the eastern horizon u burst of
yells announced the appproacli of the attacking
party.

Down upon the motte they thundered, with.
not an opposing shot to check their headlong
speed till within fifty yards of the goal. Then
the rifles of the Regulators opened in a dull,
continuous roar, and the battle was on.

CHAPTER VII.
DAN m DISGI'ISE—MEIHA’S CHALLENGE.

A YELL, limit but triumphant, followed the
fall of Gold-Dust Dun, not the hidden assas—
sin sprung half-erect, only to drop back in his
lair—weak, helpless, his face distorted with
keenest agony.

An Indian youth, on his first war-trail, and I
that trail his last; for he was wounded unto
death, the life-current streaming from a shat-
tered hip and two gaping,r wounds in his brawny ,
breast. '

The revolver slipped from his nerveless hand,
gis (lliead fell back, and in another minute he was

en .

An hour—two hours slipped by, without a
sound to break the silence hanging over the
grisly scene; then with a faint sigh Gold-Dust

an slowly raised himself upon one elbow and
wearily looked at his grim surroundings.

Mechanically his hand sought his head, and as
his fingers encountered a gaping furrow in his
scalp, he sprung to his feet and caught up his
n 9.
Back into the shadows he glided, and again
searched the grove. And again he found it
deSertcd. -

Puzzled by the mystery surrounding the
dastardly shot which had sonearly cost. him his
life, G-ild- iist Dan at length gave over the
search and etraced his steps to the point where
he had left his horse.

“ I’ll take a peep at Red Panther’s trail, then
decide first what to do,” he muttered, and
mounting he rode out into the plain, where the
trail lay broad and deep.

Long and earnestly the youth studied the maze
of footprints, then galloped back to the timber,
dismounted and singled out the body of a Sioux
warrior, from which be stripped the gaudy war-
trappings.

Then eut into the moonlight at the edge of the
motto the young detective strode, and with the
aid of a small pocket-mirror set himself to his
strange task.

. The gray light of dawn was tingin the
Eastern sky when he arose, and so perfect y was
he disguised as a Sioux brave that the scrutiny
of the keenest red-skin in all the nation might
have been defied to detect the imposture.

Just in time, too, was that startlin meta.-
morphosis completed, for even as the etective
gained his feet his ears were greeted by a low,
sweet chant, as weird as mouruful.

Startled, mystified, he sprung into the saddle
and urged his horse across the motte, drawing
rein in the dense shadows, to sweep the Western
plain with anxious eyes:

It was a strange scene that met his gaze.

Two hundred yards away and advancing at a
measured pace, came Roving Ruth, astride the
great white stallion. and uttering that weird,
plaintive chant.

Behind the mysterious woman, mounted on
black horses and riding two abreast, came eight
sable figures, bearing in their midst a huge white
cross.

, CA dozen paces from the edge of the motto,
the strange cavalcade halted. At a word of
command from Roving Ruth, the eight black
riders dismounted and with shovels they carried

work, cutting away the tough prairie sod
for a long trench.

“They came to bury the dead,” mused Gold-
Dust Dan, shaking oi! the fascination that for
“ Come, Prince] we
must get away from this, for it is growing light
and we are in ,the guise of the enemy.”

And wheeling his horse, the disguised detective

 

 

 

 

‘ «ohm. iii-mung um piling, deadly'flro

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

with grim courage, swept Red Panther’s horse——
on, till the surging line touched the motto on
evcry side. Then—cool, steady, and as yet on-
scathcd—forth from cover leaped the Regulators.
and the sharp cracking of revolvers took the
place of the roar of rifles.

Before that merciless, unerring storm of lead
no foo could stand. The red line wavered, then
broke, and in a moment more was in full flight.

“Your rifles, boys, and make every bullet
count!” thundered Reckless Roy, his dark eyes
afiiime with fierce triumph. “Teach the deVIls
a lesson they’ll never forget!”

“ Reckon they’ve ’most got thet lesson, Cup,”
uttered Idaho, pausing at the young outlaw’s
side. “Thar‘s full twenty dead, an’ as many
more wounded or iinlior3ed.”

“ And our men, Idaho?”

“ Lots 0' scratches, but only one killed, as far
as I’ve seen.”

“ Bad, yet far better than I expected.”

At that moment there came a lull in the firing,
and the two men separated, idaho hastening
away to reform the broken -ine, while Reck-
less Roy returned to his man at the north end
of the island.

“ Cap, thaws more mischief a-hrcwin’, b’goshl”
assevei'atcd Old Calamity. as lhc young outlaw
came up: “ Red Panther got off with a hull hide,
1111’ cf I ain’t mistook he’s goin’ ter call up more
ov tlier smoky-hides. Jest look out yender.” _

A glance across the plain verified the old ran-
ger’s assertion that there was trouble brewmg.
Red Panther had retreated toa safe distance,
and was now surrounded by a group of rene—
gades and Sioux braves, all watching the move-
ments of a half-dozen warriors in short distance
to the eastward.

“ I opine they’re goin’ ter send up signal
smoke,” continued Old Calamity. “ They’re
fixin’ fer three separate columns, too, an’ ’cordin’
terghet we’re goin‘ ter hev high-jinks byme-

“ I’m afraid so,” Reckless Roy admitted.

Eagerly the trio watched the maneuvers of
the distant red-skins. Presently three columns
of dense smoke mounted upward through the
calm morning air, one after the other, and the
worst fears of the little party were confirmed.

“ We’re in for it,” declared the young outlaw,
with a grim smile. “ Were our horses less jaded,
I’d favor a dash for the camps; as it is, We must
beat the devils off or go under.”

“ Wal, ct do look coniemuied misfortunate,"
Old Calamity observed. ‘ But they ain’t got us
yit. Thor’s room fer us ter feel a heap sight
wuss ’n we do, b’mighty.

“ Ef we c’u’d on‘y ’a’ wiped out Red Panther,
at ’d ’a’ ended ther muss, short-off,” remarked
Big Davy, regretfully. “ Ther cuss must b’ar a
charmed life. I drawed a dead head on his car-
cass four times, an’ he never so much as flinch-

m

“ Try his head next time,” ad vised Reckless
Roy. “It is said he wears a coat of mail, which
doubtless explains your failure.”

Big Davy nodded grimly. Then silence came
over the party, and for a half-hour no one spoke.

At the expiration of that time, their continued
surveillance having disc0vered nothing, Reck-

lless Roy turned back to consult Idaho and to

look after affairs in the t mber, and it was not
until noon that he rejoinei the bordermen.

“Anything new?” be asked, as he again crouch-
ed down between them. a

“ Nothin’, on’y tn enty-flvs or thirty reds hev
come stragglin’ in,” replied Old Calamity.
“ Reckon ther critter’s got about his full force
mustered.”

"Then if luck stays with us, we’ll have little
to fear. .

“ But look yonder!” and starting half-erect,
Reckless Roy pointed across the plain.

“ Red Panther, an’ with a flag ov truce!” ejac-
ula ted Big Davy.

True enough; the renegade chief was again ap-
proaching, bearing aloft a white flag,

“ What can the fellow mean?” continued Reck-
less Roy, for the moment nonplused. “What’s
his game this time?"

“ Et’s,thcr old story—lie wants us ter give up
tber gal ’thout a fight,” Old Calamity declared.
“ I reckon be hes an idea we’re weaker’n we war
this mornin’." . .

“ Possibly,” assented Ray. “ It strikes me,
though,‘ his coming is to mask some treacherous
move on the part of the red-skins. Just keep an
eye on them and I’ll go meet him.” ’

And forth from the shelter of the island again
strode the young outlaw, halting as before on the
southern bank of the little stream cutting through
the plain. \ ~ .,

Red Panther was only a moment later in
reaching the rendezvous. , .

“ Well, young man, I’ve come to offer you yet
another chance,” the renegade announced.

“A chance at what? The total annihilation
of your gang?"

“ I came to talk sense, Reckless Roy l” was the
fierCely uttered rejoinder. “ I have no time for
foolish biidinage.

“ You and your men are completely hemmed
in by a force even stronger and more determined
than that which assailed you this morning. If
we attack, sheer weight of numbers will give us
the victory, and not a man of you shall be
spared,

“But while certain of final success, I know
that it would be purchased at dear cost—the lives
of many of my men, and to avoid further blood-
shed l have come here to make you a proposi-
tion.

“ It is this:

“The girl in your camp, one Media Bradlaw,
has in her possession a small steel casket—a
trinket now utterly valueless to her, but most
valuable to me. Give over that casket, and I
pledge you my word I‘ll withdraw my men and
leave you free to go when and where you will
with the girl.

“ Now, Reckless Roy, think over the matter,
and think well, for in one hour I shall return for
an answer, and that answer must be final.”

And Red Panther wheeled his horse to, ride

away.

“ Hold, chief!” cried Reckless Roy, sternly.
“ I have decided, and you shall have an answer
now!
“ ‘irst, though, let us see if I fully understand
the matter. I

“According to report, among the first white
men to enter the Black Hills in search of gold
was John Brndlaw, the brother of Media Brad-
law. With him Were two sworn friends. The
three found gold—found it in abundance, and for
nearly two years Worked a secret mine, at the
end of each month storing away in some hidden
place their golden earnings.

“ Then came the great influx of fortune—hun-
ters. Deadwood sprung up, the Bills were over-

run with gold-mad miners, and Bradlaw and his /

friends were discovered.

“ The three were alone, their claim was in an
isolated recess of the hills, and an evil gang led
by one Flush Frank, a gambler, conceived the
idea of routing the piirds and jumping the claim.
The attempt was successful, one of the three
miners being killed, while Bradlaw and his
surviving pard, Jubal Bonnet, were forced to
flee for their lives. ,

“ The two succeeded in reachin Rapid City,
and there organizad a force to reta etbeir claim.
Knowing that a desperate struggle was before
them, Bradlaw and Bennet drew up a paper, ac-
curately describing the exact location of the
buried treasure. This pa rwas torn in two
from corner to corner. radlaw incloscd his

half, with a letter fully explaining the situation ,

save as to the location of the treasure, in a small
steel casket, and ex ressed it East to his father.
Bennet disposed 0 his fragment in a similar
manner, except that be deposited his casket with
J ake Rose, a banker in Rapid City, to be held
until called for by himself, by John Bradlaw, or
John Bradla w's duly accredited heirs.

“ This precaution taken, the two men went
forth to do battle for their property; but their

rty was defeated, Bennet receiving 'a wound

rom which he died ere reaching Rapid City,
while John Bradlaw fell at the mine, shot down
by Flush Frank.
I “ That Was nearly a year ago, Red Papther,
and now you have secured the casket left in the
keeping of Jake Rose, but to secure the olden
freasure mustalso have that held by Media rad.
aw. , .

“ Is it not so!" .

The renegade uttered an oath. ,

“ Yes, it is so, Reckless Roy,” he admitted.
after a moment’s deliberation. “ You have de-
scribed the situation exactly. .

“ And now, your anSWeri” '

“ That in due time, Red Panther." was the
stern reply. “ I do not know that Media Brad-
law possesses the casket; but that there may be
no mistake between you and me, let me finish.

“ The great uestion with me is. who are you?
Are you Jake (Rose? Or Fluathranki Or are
you simply a murderous tool in the hands of one
or both of these men?” V” ,

“ Curse your tongue! gritted the renegade.
'“ I’ll never—”

“ Wait!” interruptedReckless Roy. " I’ll not
ask you to disclose your identity. suffice it
that I know your color. I overheard you plot~

.ting with Hackamore Hank two nights ago, and -. f. ‘

that was enough!

 

‘ ‘ Having orphaned Media Bradlaw, you wOuld‘

 

\«

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

  

r

a

.
wt

v

 

\

 

 

 

' my friends must be permitted

‘ ‘ “rt-n

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

’ 9

 

x

now rob her of the gold—slay her, if need be, to
obtain your end.

“ My answer, Red Panther, is this:

“Between you and me there can be no com-
promise! Not the girl,not the casket, not so much
as a tress of her hair, would I deliver into your
foul keeping as the priCe of life itself!

“ Do you understand me? Is that plain
enough? Begone, you dastardly hound! Get
back to your kind, or, by heavens! l’ll forget
your truce, and riddle you With lead!”

Loud, clear as a bugle’s note rung the voice of
the young outlaw; his hands were upon his re-
volvers, and his flashing eyes betrayed the deep-
est feeling. _

Red Panther rec0iled, then started sharply.
His lips moved, but with a mighty effort be

choked back the torrent of curses called up by'

that hold defiance.

“ Spoken like a hero, my friend, yet I crave
permission t_o act for myself,” uttered a clear,
flute-like voice, and down to the brink of the
stream, rifle‘m hand, rode Media Bradlaw, pale
and determined, her blue eyes glowing and
glittering with an appalling fire.

v“ You hero?” gasped Reckless Roy, reeling
b indly. ‘f Go back to the timber! You are in

' de dly danger!”

“ Na J I shall remain!” Media returned, stern-
ly. “ on have incurred peril enough for me

p and mine.

“ Go, you, and leave me with this murderous
wretch!”

“ Thanks, my beauty! Such words were al-
most praise from your sweet lips!” cried Red
Panther, with an ill-concealed sneer. “By
heaven ! I’ve a mind to possess you as Well as
your tr sure!”

A hoarse, inarticulate cry burst from the lips
of Reckless Roy, and swift as thought he drew
and leveled a revolver.

“Wait!” enunciated Media, her firm white
hand closui around the weapon and forcing it
down. ' .“ ave I not suffered at his hands?
Leave him to me! If I fail, then may you
avenge me!”

Mutely, reluctantly, his eyes aglow with sup-
pressed fury, the young outlaw returned the
weapon to his belt and awaited the outcome of
that strange scene.

_ Media turned to the renegade, her eyes meet-
ing his burn' gaze unwaveringly.

“ Well, my ady-bii'(il”inockin ly exclaimed
Red Panther, after a moment. “ §ou came here
to meet me. Now, what is it?”

“ To challenge you to mortal combat I
came!” was the ringing reply. “ In cold blood
you have slain the last of my kindred. Dare
you meet me face to face, you to contend for
the prize you’ve stooped so low to gain, I to
seek the vengeance justly mine! Or is the
last a ark of brute Courage within you dead?"

An aloft in the burning rays of the mid-
dttgLSIln, Media flas'Ee-l the casket of glittering
s

 

CHAPTER VIII.

A BOLD STROKE—GOLD GULCH.

A Hpansa cry escaped Red Panther as his
gleaming eyes encountered the coveted casket,
and for usta breath of time it seemed thathe
would p unge forward and hazard all an an at-
tempt to rasp and wrest it away.

“ Stan ! — yo_u_ devil!” warnineg uttered
Reckless Roy, divming the thou ht upperth
in the mind of the reneflfidec ‘ One step, and
you'll never take another l" and agairy his revol-
ver swung up to a level. . .

“Easy, my rash young'fnend!” was the grim
rejoinder. “ I’ll never tempt Providence at
your hands! _

“ And now, my dainty lady, to your challen e

' ~yes! You‘re a girl of grit, and I like you t e

' better for it.

“ But I shall not slay you. I’ll make you cap-‘

tive, for your beauty and your spirit have won
my fancy.
“New name your terms, and let the game
go on. i 1;
Media bowed hanghtil .
‘l The terms are simp e ” she returned. “ Do
You ride back a hundred yards, and I’ll cross
the stream, when both shall be at, liberty to
31'0- If -I fall, then the casket is yours, and
lasted‘ iii ld I sla kloddegal‘it illul‘imo.
i 0“ ' u re s a ave
has“ "an ed. 5’ 3’0“. my V

A. With one exception. If Reckless
Roy is to remain on the field, then one of my
“men “mu!” Mitted to come forward to‘
3"” “5“?” “Winery or interference on his

Again Medialinqiiued'her a, and wheel-

i;/‘

 

ing his horse Red Panther galloped back the
required distance, then halted and commanded
ii. warrior standing slightly apart from his fel-
ows.

As Media noted the renegade’s movements,
the steely glitter in her blue eyes deepened.
Turning to Reckless Roy, she mutely extended
her hand.

The young outlaw eagerly clasped it. between
both of his own.

“ Media Bradlaw, you must give up this mad
idea,” he protested, in a voice husky with emo—

tion. “ You meet that iiiercilem devil in a fight
to the death! Girl, it is madness! You shall
not do it!”

Media withdrew her hand. ~

“I can, and I will!” she returned coldly.
“Not while he lives shall I know ce or rest.
He has wronged me deeply, cruelly, and I must
strike for vengeance.

"As for the peril, I care naught for it. I
am willing, even anxious, to inc’et him on an
equal footing, for I am a dead shot and will
snuff out his life as I would the flame of a
candle!"

“Let me take your place,” urged the youth,
with nchous energy. Let me—” ‘

“I thank you, sir, but it cannot be,” inter-
rupted the girl, sternly, and then a touch of
her spur drove Hurricane into the sluggish
stream ere Reckless Roy could lift a hand.

Meanwhile, Old Calamity and Big Davy had
not been idle.

Surprised by the sudden appearance of Media
Bradlaw, they had at once bpconie deeply inter-
ested in the strange scene, and awaitedits out-
come with no little anxiety.

N early every word spoken beside the sluggish
little stream had been heard by them; they be-
lieved a desperate crisis was at hand, and each
crouched behind his leafy covert with rifle
ready.

Then, just as Red Panther turned back to
the position assigned him, Idaho hastily ap-
proached the two rangers, and it became evi-
dent at a glance that the outlaw lieutenant was
greatly perturbed.

“ Cal! in ther cap‘n an’ ther gal,” he requested,
in a hurried tone. “Do it cautiously, t00,50’s
not to alarm ther gang out that. Ve’ve got
but work ahead.”

And he turned to hurry back into the depths
of the timber.

“ Mud-cuts an’ houn’ pups! Don’t go off at a
run, inanl” protested Old Calamity. “ What’s
gone wrong] ’

“ A lookout in ther trees reports a big band 0’
reds on’y three miles ter ther north, lieadin’ this
way at a lope. With them, Red Panther’ll hev
force enough ter crush us by sheer weight 0’
numbers. We must be up an’ doin’."

At that moment from over the plain came a
faint signal.

Big Davy started. A peculiar look crossed
his face, and he narrowly scanned the distant
group of red-skinned horsemen.

Old Calamity, regarding Idaho intently, utter-
ed a long whistle.

“Things do be gittin’ calamitous, L’goshl” he
exclaimed. “ We cain’t git ther cap’n norther
gal jest now, Idaho. Ther leetle she-tiger’s got
a duel on hand with Red Panther, an’ in course
Cap’n Roy won’t come in till thet’s settled.”

“ A duel with Red Panther—that gal?” e jacu-
lated Idaho, his tation visibly increasing.
“ Good Lord! why did I give her permisSion ter
ride out thar!”

“ ’Case ye c’u’dn't help yerself, I reckon!”
chuckled Old Calamity. ‘ But, Idaho, we can’t
make sech a bad matter wuss, b’mighty! so ye
take my advice. Jest git ther critters ready fer
a run, an’ hev yer men so’s ye kin call ’em in at
a minute’s warnin’, fer I’m thinkin’ we’ll hev ter
cut our way out, b’gosh l”

Idaho nodded assent.

“ I’ve got things fixed jest that way,” he
averred, and turning he strode aWay. -

Scarcply had the sound of his hasty steps be-
come inaudible, when from across the stream

‘came the sharp detonation of a rifle.

It was the report of Media Bradlaw’s gun.

“The girl had ridden out into the plain full fifty
yards. and there halted and fired. .

Rad Panther remained upright in the saddle. a
grimly defiant 8 lie on his full lips. Evidently
the girl’s bullet ad gone wide of the mark.

_Again Media raised the rifle, took deliberate
aim at the heart of the renegade, and fired; and
again was the sh t without apparent result.

. Then for sever 1 minutes the girl regarded her
foe with stran e intentuess. What could it mean!
She was per ectly cool and collected, and her
hands were as steady as those of a veteran bor-

derman could have been. Yet she had fired .

 

j-r

twice with deadly aim, and Red Panther sat un-
touched and unharmed. '

Iinpelled by some subtle impulse, she turned
her gaze upon the red-skin guard—a magnificent
specimen of the Sioux brave, mounted upon a
powerful coal-black horse, armed cap-a-pie, and
carrying in his right hand, hidden from the
maiden’s view, a, coiled lari'at!

Slightly to the rear, and ten paces to the east
of his chief, was his guard, and as Media
glanced toward him he slowly raised his left
hand and pressed it for a moment against his
hideously-puinted face.

Was there aught significant in that simple
movement? Was it intended to convoy a hidden
meaning—to covertly disclose the vulnerable
point in her seemingly iinperforable foe? The
very source of the suggestion compelled a nega-
tivra answer!

And yet that movement influenced the course
of the girl. Her eyes emitted a steady glitter,
and her i’cd lips settled in straight, hard lines.
Swift as thought the rifle rose to her shoulder,
and again its sharp report broke acroxss the

lain.
p Red Panther swerved in his saddle, and a lock
of his long red hair fell to the ground.

That shot, so nearly fatal, roused the rene-
gade into action. Uitcring a fierce yell, he
flung himself forward in the saddle and spurred
his horse into a. run.

Media saw her peril, and was prompt to act.
Raising her ready repeater, she pressed the trig-
ger, and with a scream almost human in its in-
tensity, the noble bay went down, hurling his
reckless rider end over end.

There was the look of a fiend on Red Panther’s
face as he scrambled up from the luckless tum—
ble. Drawing his revolvers, he charged straight
toward the dauntless girl, uttering an oath at
every jump.

Then four reports crashed out as one, for as
Media and her foe exchanged shots, Reckless
Roy and the red-skin guard also fired, and the
renegade chief fell back, with blood gushing in a
torrent from his face.

A warning yell from Reckless Roy, and the
rapid cracking of his revolvers, gave notice to
the girl of a fresh peril, and she wheeled her
horse to confront the red—skin guard.

Too late! With the full of Red Panther, the
Indian had touched spur to his horse and swept
forward, covering the distance between himself
and the girl in less than the time it takes to de-
scribe the act; and as Media turned, a triple
coil of the lui‘iat fell and tightened around her,
pinning her arms and her rifle against her sides,
while a red hand grasped Hurricaue’s reins!

A burst of exultant yells from the red-skins
strung around the motto—a single answering
whoop from the quick-witted brave, then'due-
west across the plain he sped, the gallant little
horse of his captive keeping pace with his own
clcun-limbod black.

Dazed, stunned by this bold stroke, stood
Reckla-ss Roy, till that savage outburst warned
him the game was slipping from his hands.
Then thrusting his revolvers back into his belt,
he seized and leveled his rifle.

“ Stay! Fire not! That brave is Gold-Dust
Dan disguised, an’ he’ll save ther gel or perish!
Fuller niel”'

And Big Davy’s hand closed ’round the rifle-
281561, forcing it up just as the young outlaw

Reckless Ro turned to the Hercules a startled,
incredulous fa e.

“ Come!” urged the big hunter, sharply, as
he pointed to the border of the timber.
horses aire ready, an’ ther boys mountin’.
Rus’le now, or we’re too late ter make ther
game!” .

A glance confirmed the words,‘and with a de-
fermined shout Reckless Roy bounded back and
Vaulted into his saddle. .

“ Forward!” he ordered, in a ringing voice,

and away in swift pursuit of the fleeing bravo ‘ '

thundered the daring Regulators. r

Then, as’ the warrior and his captive swept
safely by, from right and left the red-skids
moved to the center, massing lo block the way-
—to hurl back the charging cavalcade; but on-
ward, with a fierce, resistless rush, swept the bri-
gade, their deadly rifles pouring out a continu-
ous volley.

With saddles emptied on every band—with
mono and horses going down at every breath,

that reckless charge was more than Indian na- ' 

“ Then .

a

ture could stand. A single vain attempt to roll '

back the tide of defeat, then the red horde broke
and darted away in open flight.

Stopping only long enough to pick, up their
wounded and their dead, the Regulators hgain‘
pm! on, and in a moment more closed hound.

 

    

    

10

Gold-Dust Dan‘s Oath.

 

 

Media and her captor, now known to all as
Gold-Dust Dan.

Just in time had the motto been abandoned,
for as Reckless Roy and his band coursed away
to the northwest, a backward glance discovered
a strong force of Sioux warriors, under com-
mand of a tall war-chief, pouring over the crest
of a distant swell in hot pursuit.

Gold Gulchl

For months that had been a magic name in
the Black Hills region, the camp itself the Mecca
of the fortune-seeking pilgrims. From every
quarter they had come, singly, in pairs and in
groups, until the camp’s denizens numbered
about half a thousand. '

Then the bubble burst.

The mines “played out ”——d windled to two in
number; a hegira followed quick upon the heels
of the exploded boom, and within a Week from
the break the population of Gold Gulch was less
than a. hundred.

And yet, the Gulch was rated a “ live” camp.
The two mines in operation yielded handsome
returns, and there was employment, at good
we es, for all willing to work.

en there was a hotel, a number of stores,
and two or three dance-halls, while nightly, in
the half—dozen saloons and gambling-dens whisky
and cards held sway.

Down in the little valley belOW the camp was
a graveyard. too, and it was the boast of the
Gulcbites that not a man buried there had failed
to meet death with his boots on.

Another point on which the rough miners
prided themselves was the camp’s govern-
ment—“ Ther best in ther hull deestrick,” they
were wont to declare.

Sidney Graft, Owner of the two mines, and
generally known as “ Sleek Sid,” was the mayor
of the camp, and a burly giant answering to the
unique name of Weeping Moses filled the office
of marshal, while three of the most influential
citizens served as a town council, with powers
judicial as well as legislative.

Just at sunset of the second day after the suc-
cessful enactment of Gold-Dust Dan’s daring
me to rescue Media Bradlaw, four horsemen
drew rein at the door of The Mint, the Gold
Gulch hostelry.

The foremost of the four was Gold-Dust Dan,
n0w divested of his red->kin disguise. Behind
him were Media Bradlaw, Reckless Roy and
Idaho.

The young Regulator chief was pale and bag-
gard, and was strapped in his saddle in a po-
sition as comfortable as possible. It required no
second glance for the loungers to determine that
he was severely wounded.

Dan dismounted and hurried into the hotel to
secure rooms for the party. On his return,
Reckless Roy was lifted from his saddle and
carried up-stairs, while the landlord sent a miner
in search of the camp’s surgeon.

“ Doc ” Leech was not long in making his ap-
pearance. He skillfully dressed the wounds of
the young outlaw, installed Idaho and Media as
nurses, and quietly took his departure.

Shortly after nightfall, two men rode into the
camp and sought the quarters of Gold-Dust Day.
They were Old Calamity and Big Davy.

Together, with Media Bradlaw, the three men
remained closeted till a late hour. When the
conference was ended, Old Calamity and Big
Davy quitted the hotel and rode away, one going
north, the other south.

And early the next morning, Gold-Dust Dan
mounted Prince and gallo Ad out of Gold Gulch,
taking the trail to Rapid gity.

CHAPTER IX,
JACOB ROSE, THE BANKERé-AN AMBUSH.
OVER the doorway of a certain building
fronting on the principal street of Rapid City
hung a sign, containing the following, in bold
red otters on a black ground:

“JACOB ROSE,
“ BANKER AND BROKER.
“ MINES BOUGHT AND SOLD.”

Late in the afternoon of the day on which
Gold-Dust Dan quitted Gold Gulch, a rough-
looking man walking leisurely through the
street espied this sign, and stopped and slowly,
letter by letter, made out the words thereon.

Then an expression of deep satisfaction came
OVer his face. .

“ By criminyl et’s ole Jake Rose’s place, fast
enough i” he muttered, and quickening his steps
he a proached and entered the building.

. “f wanter see Jake Rose, and I wanter see
- ’11::
the

 

 

mighty quick,” he hrusquely announced to
solitary occupant of the outer omce, a thin

 

little old man, who was evidently a clerk. “Got V

him ’round hyar anywhar?”

“ Is your business very important? Mr. Rose
is very busy this afternoon,” was the clerk’s re-
sponse, as his keen little eyes ran over the
visitor. “Can I not attend to your wants as
well?”

" Nnry, ole man—nary! Git yer gimblet eyes
off'n my duds, an’ perjuce ther ole original
Jakey Rose ter wun~t. or I‘ll ber-derned ef I
don’t make ye think Solomon’s riz in all his
ga-loryl Git, I say I"

And the burly stranger poked the muzzle of a
cocked revolver under the old man’s nose.

“ All right! all right!” cried the clerk, hastily.
“Give me your name, and I’ll take it to Mr.
Rose. He’s just back from Cheyenne, and is up
to his ears in business, but will see you if pos-
sible.”

“Again, ole man, I say—nary!” uttered the
bully, menacingly. “ l’m Durnngo Dave, I am
but thet’s nuthcr hyar nor thur. Jest ye lead
ther way ter his noble jukrship, an’ I’ll interjuce
merself. An’ new—scat I"

Realizing the utter futility of further parley,
old Silas Lunt reluctantly led the way into a
rear hall, and thence to the door of a private
oflice of Jacob Rose, where he paused.

“ This ther place?” demanded Durango Dave,
suspiciousl .

“ Yes; r. Rose is inside. I’ll knock.”

“No, e Won’t. Ye’ll scoot—skip! Hop er-
lonlg live y, or by ga-lory, I’ll help yel”

hen, as Silas Lunt beat a hasty retreat to the
outer office, Durango Dave flung open the door
and strodeinto the banker’s room.

Jacob Rose started up from his desk and bold-
ly confronted the intruder.

“ What do you mean? What do you want
here?” he demanded, his black eyes snapping
angrily.

“I mean biz—strictly biz: an’ ef ye’re ther
ole original Jakey Rose, I might want you!”
was the significant reply, and the rough closed
the door and braced his broad shoulders against
it. “ I’m Durango Dave, I am, an’ I’m a bum-
min’ bird f’m sev’ral counties back, an’ when I
howl ther wolves keep still—you betl”

A peculiar expression crept into the banker’s
swarthy face, and he nodded grimly.

“I see! I see!” he exclaimed, extending his
hand. “ Your disguise is perfect, Re—”

“ No names, please!” laughed the rough, as he
took the roifered hand. “It’s my first trip
here. and hated to come, but had lo.

“ We must get ready for war, Jake!”

“ I thought we had done that.”

“So we had, but our plans all failed, and
now fresh complications have presented them-
selves.

“The party was hotlv pursued,and made a
running fight, in which Reckless Roy was badly
wounded and several of his mcn killed. After
running into two deadly ambuscades, the red-
skins grew sick of the job. and backed out; and
as Red Panther was not at hand to lead them,
the renegades grew wary, made a fcint at with-
drawing frcm the chase, and under cover trail-
ed the game home.

“And, Jake, you may know the situation is
most grave when I tell you the girl and her
friends are now in Gold Gulch l”

The banker chuckled grimly.

“ I see no cause for alarm in that," he ever-
red. “ They certainly can suspect nofliing.”

“Oh, but they do,” cried Duraugo Have, with
an oath. “It turns out that the red-skin who
ran the girl through our lines back there at the
timber island, was none other than that young
mountain terror, Gold-Dust Dan, in disguise.
He has enlisted in the girl’s cause, too, and last
night they held a confab to map out their cam-
paign. I got onto it, and through Landlord
Jerrv managed to hear most of the talk.

“ Not only do they suspect you of double-deal-
ing, Jake, in the matter of the casket, lut they
know that the Gold Gulch Mines were the
property of Jack BradlaW. They intend, not
only to bring you to bot‘k, but to oust Sleek Sid
as well.”

At this announcement, the banker’s confident
look vanished and his face grew dark with rage.

“ Oh, the deuce they do!” he exclaimed, shak~
ing his clinched hand. “And how do they in-
tend to proceed?” .

“ Their first move will be to regain the casket
left in your keeping. That accomplished, they
can at once recowr the buried treasure, and
then, with the thews of war thus provided, pro-
ceed against Sleek Sid.

. “Gold—Dust Dan is now on his way here to
demand the casket; in fact, on may expect to
meet him at any moment. 9 left the Gulch at
daybreak this morning; I followed an hour

 

later, coming through the blind pass and thus
getting in ahead of him.”

“ You should have waylaid and finished him,”
the banker gritted. “I can’t give upthe casket,
and it’ll never do to let him come here and pick
up a hobhery. W’e’ve too much at stake.

“No, no! it will never do! You should have
gotten hin‘ out of the way—must do it yet.

“ Of 0011139, I have receipts to show that I am
no longer responsible for the casket; but if
that young bloodhound is permitted to live, how
long will it take him to nose out our secrets and
prove the receipt was forged? Tlure are some
weak points in our game, Durango Dave— notu-
bly the attempt to secure the Bradlaw casket.
Reckless R0 suspects that Red Panther is either
you or I, and now we can stopat nothing to save
our necks from the halter.”

“ To save our necks and gain the treasure,"
amended Durango Dave. “But to play a win-
ning game we’d better let the detectiVe show his
hand. The records show that the Gold Gulch
Mines were legally transferred from Jubal lien-
nct to Sidney Graft, while you hold Bennet’s
receipt for the cmket. Now let us see if Gold-
Dust is prepared to prove that Bennct was dead
before these papers were signed. “If so, we’ve
got mi about him out of the way mighty quick;
it' not, we can laugh at his claims and bide our
time.”

The banker nrdded moodily, and was about to
speak when hasty stops in the hallway caused
him to start and change color.

“Can that be he?” he exclaimed, with a vio-
lent tremor. “ In here, Frank—quick l” and he
flung open the door of a roomy closet.

Durango Dave needed no urging. With
stealthy tread he crossed the room and bid him-
self, just as there came a knock at the door
opening into the hall.

The banker sunk into the chair at his desk.
Under such control were his nerves that he was
now outwardly cool and collected.

“ Enter," he cried, and with the word the door
was flung open and into the room strode Gold-
Dust Dan.

“ Are you Jacob Rose?” the detective. asked.

“ I am Jacob Rese,” the banker replied.

“My name is Daniel Deerfoot,” pursued the
detective. “ I hold the ower of attorney from
the lawful heir of John radlaw, deceased, and
come to reclaim a parcel left in your pOsseesion
some months ago by one Jubal Bennet.”

The banker uttered a low whistle.

“ Sir, cu surpriSe me!” he exclaimed, spring-
ing to h feet. “ MayI ask to see your power
of attorney i”

“Certainly, sir. Here it is,” and Gold-Dust
Dan handed over a carefullylolded pnpel‘.

“ It’s as straight as a string,” commented
Rose, as his black eyes ran over the contents of
the document. “it is made out, signed, scaled
and witnessed in due form.

“ I am sorry to inform you, Mr. Deerfoot, that
your errand is in the nature of a wild goose
chase.

“ The parcel in question was called for by Mr.
Jubal Bonnet in person less thana week from
the day it was deposited!

“ If I am not mistaken, I have his receipt for
it,” and the bunker turned to a file of papers on
his desk from which be selected a slip.

Gold-bust Dan eyed the pa er mos-t critically.
It was indeed a receipt from ubal Bennet.

“ I am sorry to disappoint you. Mr. Deerfoot,”
continued Rose, calmly stroking his huge black
beard. “ But you see how the matter is.”

“ I do indeed,” the detective returned, signifi-
cantly. “ I am afraid you have been imposed
upon, Mr. Rose. Jiibal Bennet was killed three

,days before this receipt was written, so it must

be a forgery.” . _

“ Oh. no! the receipt is genuine,” ssseverated
Rose, in a calm. matter-of-fact way thatgwould
have gone far toward convincing many a man.
“ I was intimately acquainted with Bennet, and
could not have been im used on. ,

“ But sit dawn, Mr. eerfoot, and let us talk
over the matter.”

“ There is nothing to talk over," declared Dan,
bluntly, as he declined the offered chair. “ If
that casket is gone, it must he found, and that,
too, with its contents intact. .

“ On our part we are prepared to furnish ab-
solute proof that J ubal Bennet’s death occurred
on a certain date, and that date was prior to the-
one contained in this receipt.”

“I don’t think you can produce any such
proof l” sneered Rose, anger getting the better
of his prudence. “ It is you Who have been imv
posed on.

“ But if it is war you want, war you can have,

V position is impregnablel” I

Dan smiled oddly, and his dark eyes looked

 

 

 

 

 'i’.

 

 

is
, Gn ch Mines.

 

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

11

 

J -

straight into the strangely-twitching face of the
banker. ,

“ The scars of war are not always so quickly
healed or easily hidden, even when dealt by a
woman’s band!” he observed, then strode out of
the room and quitted the building. _

Jake Rose’s face was convulsed With rage.

“You’ve signed your own death-warrant,
Gold-Dust Dan l” he gritted. “ You know too
much 1”

Meanwhile, on reaching the street, Dan had

used a moment, and stared moodily around,

is brow knitted in thought-

“ Might as well havea look at the records and
go back to the Gulch. As we’ve got to fight, we
can’t get ready too 800“-

“ Jake Rose is thoroughly aroused, and will
now stop at nothing.”

Having thus .(lEClded, the detective set about
his task. Straight to the recorder-’s office he

roceeded, and there found that the Gold Gulch
ine had been dul transferred from J uhal Ben-
net to Sidne Gra t.

“ It is as feared l” he exclaimed, as he noted
the entryo “ The slippery scoundrels have every-
thing fixed. Strong y fortified, with a show of
law on their side, it will indeed take sharp and
desperate work to dislodge them.

“ Itis fortunate Big Davy was a member of
Bradlaw’s ill-fated force, else we might readin
have believed Bonnet. had indeed escaped and
signed these papers.”

His errand finished, Dan procured his supper,
mounted Prince, and just at sunset rode out of
Ra id City.

hen a mile beyond the t0wn, a horseman a
hundred yards ahead suddenly emerged from
the shadows bordering the trail, and calmly
awaited the detective’s approach.

The waiting rider was Old Calamity.

“ Mud-cats an’ houn’ pups!” ejaculated the
ranger, as Dan drew up beside him. “ I’m glad

e’re out ov thet pestiferous nest alive, Daniel.

t’s a wicked, calamitous place, Rapid City is,
an’ four ov et’s beui hted sinners air in ambush
fer ye jest a half mi 0 furder on.”

“ An ambush, eh?” exclaimed Dan, betraying

but little surprise.
_ “ Edzactly, Dan, an’ they’re headed by a cuss
1n buckskin, who rode inter camp a hafe-hour
ahead ov ye this afternoon. F’m words they
let drop, I kalkilate they jest naterly intend ter
wipe ye ofl f’m, ther face ov ther ’arth, b’gosh l”

 

CHAPTER X.
DURANGO DAVE’S LAY-OUT—MEDIA MISSING.

LET us now return to the banker’s office.

As Gold-Dust Dan quitted the room, the
closet doe; was swung open and Durango Dave
reap .

“ ou heard it all. Frank?” inquired Jake
Rose, turning to his ally.

“I heard it all," was the grim reply. “ But
for. heaven’s sake drop using my name. You
forget that Flush Frank is a being of the past.
and that Durango Dave now has the floor. I’ve
too many enemies in this camp to take many
Chaisiis° t f c l

{10 orge aga n, Dave ' But that oun
bloodhound has got me rattled. He knovzs to:
much.”

“He does indeed,” assented Durango' Dave,
helping himself to a chair. “Sit down, Jake.
We must arrange to get rid of him.”

“ That is it, exactly!” the banker cried. with a
finick breath of relief. “ If We let him, live the

radlaw girl will oustus. root and branch. Not
only will our chance at the buried treasure Vim.

h but we will be compelled to give up Gold
No, no! we cannot afford to let
him apt back to the Gulch with his report!”

“ e shall have to .move quickly to cut Him
Off, for he may start Within an hour or so. It
will not take him long to examine the records.

“ I’ll go shadow him. He hasn’t seen me.
and no can suspect nothing if we meet You get
three or (our of the boys—fellows you can trust,
Ind have them get out of town one_ by one. Tell
them to await my coming a mile down the
Gulch trail. As soon as tho detectlreflets ready
to start, r11 slip out ahead of him, 30m the boys
and arrange an ambush.”

{new Rose sprung up exultingly. ‘

“9'9. you’ve hit the right plan 1” he cried,
the dark look vanishing from his face. “ G0 at
once, and P11 and out the boys, If you want to
31015:.” you'll find me at the Blazing Stump

chi‘é’él nvgttzenture in there,” Durango Delve do];
a W n.
wants'me too bad a sgrgflpe. Judge ync

 

‘out into the trail.

 

“ No, I’ll not want to see you till the job is
done, if you do your part well. Then, I shall
c0me straight here.”

“ Agreed i” cried the desperate schemer. “ I
shall await you here."

Durango Dave then took his departure, Rose
naiting a few minutes that they might not be
seen leaving the building together.

Shortly before sunset, Durango Dave rode out
of camp. Half a mile up the trail, he came up-
on a man waiting by the roadside.

“ Good-evenin’, cap’n,” the fellow saluted, as
his glance met that of the desperado in buck-
skin. “ Lookin’ fer a pard i”

“ Three 0v ’em,” Durango Dave re‘plied. “ You
wear good weapons, pard.”

“ An’ kin ,use’em,” the fellow returned, riding
“ I’m Number 1. Number 2
an’ Number 3 airc on ahead.”

The two then rode forward, side by side. In
a. few minutes a second rufiian ggpeared, and
then a' third. 0 '

Thus far, Jake Rose had fulfilled his part of
his villainous compact to the etter.

When the gang was complete, they drew rein
and the three Rapid City roughs looked to Dur-
ango Dave for instructions.

‘ Now, cap’n, w’at is ct?” the first of the trio
asked.

Durango Dave looked from one to another.

“ You were Sent here by whom i" he asked.

“Jake Rose,” the spokesman replied.

“ To do what?”

“ Ter meet you, an’ then down a man.”

“ Very “ ell. He will be along shortly. We’ll
ride ahead, dismount and lie in ambUSh.

“ Remember, there must he no failure. Let it
be sure work, or none,” and there was a menac-
ing ring in Durango Dave’s voice.

“ Oh, we’ll get him!”

“ We never misses l”

“Ask Banker Rose ef we ever failed. Reckon
he knew us, or he wouldn’t ’a’ sent us.”

Nodding grimly in res onse to that chorus of
protestations, Durango ave moved on, with
eyes alert for a suitable spot.

Half a mile thus, then just as the twilight be-
gan to deepen the way grew rough and broken
and the word to halt was given.

A mass of rocks lay on one side of the trail,

a grOvvth of bushes on the other, and Durango ’

Dave at once stationed the men and led the
horses away, tethering them a safe distance
back from the trail.

Returning, the desperado posted himself at
an advantageous point and patiently awaited
the approach of his victim.

The gray twilight gave place to the darkness
of night. An hour went by, and Gold-Dust Dan
had not appeared.

“ Boss, aire ye dead sure ther critter’s cemin’?”
grumbled one of the men, at last.

“ Oh, es, he’ll be along directly. I expected
him a in l half-hour ago. Something has delay-
ed him, but you can count on his coming,” Du-
rango Dave re lied.

“Reckon th s hyar leetle icnic won’t be a
s’prise party fer him!” chuck ed another of the
miscreants:

“ He’ll neVer know w’at hurted ’im!” boasted
another. “ When four sech men es us go fer a
feller’s scalp, why he’s jest as good as boxed an’
planted!”

,“ Don’t be too sure of that,” cautioned Duran-
go Dave. “This fellow is no tenderfoot, and if
you givo him the ghost of a show he’ll make the
biggest kind of a fight.”

“ He’s got no show ng‘in’ four sich men es us,”
persisted the boaster. “ He’d hev ter be—”

Just then an iron band grasped the fellow’s
throat, choking off the words, and the next in-
stant be was hurled bodily through the air, to
land on his back in the middle of the trail.

As he scrambled to his feet, a faint yell of ter-
ror burst from his'lips and he broke away at the
ton of his speed.

h Durango Dave sprung up, a revolver in each

and, .

“ What the—”

“Stan! and defend yourselves, you inl uman
wretchee!” interrupted a stern voice, and Gold-
Dust Dan leaped from cover, claser followed by
Old Calamity.

With cries of consternation, the two remain-
ing Rapid City roughs rose to their feet and
fled, leaving Durango Dave alone to bear the
brunt of battle.

. ttering a savage oath. the desperado braced
his back against the howlder and raised his re.
volvers to fire at the advancing figures.

Too late! Even as be pressed the triggers,
streng hands grasps! his arms, destroying his
aim and dragging im down. A revolwr butt
descended with crushing force upon his head,

 

and he fell at full length on the stony trailJ
senseless.

Durango Dave’s lay-out had been met and con»
queredl

“Quick! Calamity! Let Us bind the gentle~
man!” exclaimed GoldDust Dan. “ When he
comes around, we may be able to squeeze some~
thin out of him.”

“ e kin try, but I doubt ef we git a whimper
b’gosb! Ther cuss hes grit, an’ he’s ther only
one in ther hull kapoodle thet showed et, fer
t’others broke jest as soon as they see’d thar war
a calamitous misfortune a-brewiu’.”

And the old ranger gave his head a dubious
shake.

Leaving Calamity to secure the desperado,
Dan hurried away to fetch up the horses, and.
shortly returned with the animals.

“This critter hes an annymile ’round somee
whar in ther bresh, an’ we’d better git ct,” the
ranger then suggested. “I’ve ot an idea we’d
best tote him straight for ther egulator camp,
an’ we’ll be able to jog along faster with another
boss.”

Accordingly, Dan glided into the thicket, and
in a few minutes succeeded in locating the out-
laws’ animals.

The four horses were tethered in a bunch, and
after a moment’s listening to assure himself that
none of the trail assassins were prowling about,
Dan cautiously approached and singled out one:
of the animals.

Cutting the hitching-strap. the detective thrust
his foot into the stirrup, and swung himself into
the saddle just as the animal shied sharply. At
the same instant a revolver cracked, and so close
to Gold-Diist Dan’s face was the muzzle of the
weapon, that for a moment the flash blinded
him.

With a sharp cry he slipped out of the saddle,
missed his footing, and fell heavily to the
ground.

“ Aha! I’ve bagged ther gamel” exclaimed an
exultant voice, and then from behind the horse
a peared the dark outlines of a man. “ It’s an
o d sayin’, but mighty true, thet ‘ he who runs
away may live ter fightanother day,’ an’ Rocky
Randall, ye skedaddled back ther jist about
ri ht.

And the'fellow dropped upon his knees beside
the supposed corpse.

It Was a fatal move. The butt of a heavy re-
volver landed upon his head with terrific force,
and the trail assassin kieled over, while Gold-
Dust Dan, untouched and unharmed, leaped to'
his feet.

The words uttered by the miscreant convinced
Dan that he had been alone, and that nothing
was to be feared frcm the others of the evil
crew. Assuring himself that the fellow was
senseless, not dead, the detectiVe disarmed him,

inioned his hands and strapped him across the
orse.

Cutting out another of the animals, Dan then
returned to the trail, where he found Old Calam-
ity awaiting his reappearance with no little anx-

iet .

K glance at the young detectire’s captive af-
forded the old ranger an all-snfiiment explana—
tion of the brief racket he had heard, and he
silently assisted in getting the prisoners ready
for the trip.

When both had been restored to consciousness,
they were gagged and lashed upright in the sad-
dle. Then, just as the moon rose, Dan and Old
Calamity mounted and set forwaid on their long
ride.

Mile after mile fell behind them. The moon
rose higher and higher, then reached and crossed
the zenith. Gold Gulch was yet five miles dis-
tant, the camp of tho Regulators twice that far.

“ Dan’l,” observed the old ranger, as the party
drew rein in a small stream to water the horses,
“ Dan'l, I see’d su’thin’ derned strange, b’goshl
w’en I Went inter camp last night. I tamed pg—
stream right hyar, an’ about two hundred ya 8
fnrder on rid inter ther purtiest leetle glade I
eVer putt ther two eyes ov me on. An’ right in
ther middle ov .tber glade, Dan’l, war a lone
grave, marked by a big white cross. Thar war
letters on ther cross. but it war dark in thar
then, an’ they war too much for m ole eyes,
b’goshl Can’t see very well n0w,_ an’l. Ole
age is a calamitOUs misfortune, b’mlghty! But
about thet cros=, Dan’l—I forgot ter look this
mornin’. es I left in some’at ov a hurry, an’ I
jest wish yc’d ride up ther, tarn ter yer left,
shot one eye an’ take a squint at them ’ar alpha-
betical signs. What Say?”

The detective gave a ready assent, and turned '
his horse up-stream.
reach the glade, and as Dan glanced over it he

felt compelled to admit that Old (‘alamity’s' V 

praise of the spot was not misplaced.

 

It took but a moment to . _

 
 

close a scrutiny from the occupants of the two

.cavalcade was safely beyond the confines of the

W88
ooi Gulch.
»_ V H.

r v boots caused him to draw rein, and the next
I minute a horseman dashed into view, coming at
 ‘ from the. direction of the Gulch.

12

 
 

Owing to the position of the moon in the heav-
ens, the Western half of the beautiful pocket was
n0w in dense shadow; but standing out clear
and distinct in the yellow moonlight was the
huge white cross spoken of, and Dan started as
his gaze fell upon it.

Bat-k to his mind came that strange scene at
the edge of the prairie motto in which the Brad-
lnw party had lest their lives, and be half ex~
pected to see Roving Ruth and her black riders
lurking amid the shadows.

Straight to the lone grave he rode, and there
in black letters on the white body of the cross
was the following:

“IN LOVING Ramannaancn
or
JOHN BRADLAW,
KILLID AT Gonn GULCE,
November 10, 187-,
BY
FLUSH FRANK,
THIS Caoss IS ERECTED
BY
ROVING RUTH."

“Ah, it is more of that strange woman’s
work!" exclaimed the detective, as he nervously
:scanned the fading lines. “ Hers is a bitter
history, and I would give much to know it.”

His errand accomplished, he hastened back to
the trail, and reported to Old Calamity, and
then in renewed silence the march to Gold Gulch
was resumed.

It yet lacked two hours of daybreak when the
camp was reached. The long, winding street
seemed utterly deserted, but the horscs were
urged into a faster pace to avoid the risk of too

or three all-night resorts.

The precaution was well taken, for half a
dozen tipsy fellows, roused into a semblance of
activity by the ringing hoof-strokes of the four
horses, lunged out into the street from one of
the saloons, with a bellowed order for the night-
riders to halt and give an account of them-
Selves.

A mocking laugh from Gold-Dust Dan was
the only response, and a moment later the little

Gulch, dashing away toward the distant camp
of the Regulators.

At a. point about four miles north of Gold
Gulch, the party abruptly quitted the trail, on-
tering a narrow gorge leading off to the west,
and a mile further on halted in response to a
sharp challenge. '

As they drew rein, alman emerged from the
bushes ahead, and approached with quick, rest-
less strides.

“ It’s all right, boys. ldidn’t know you at
first,” he exclaimed. “But to reach the camp,
you’ll have to go back a few rods, enter the
first fiesure on your right and go due south
About a. mile. The boys have moved,

“You see, this afternoon the Gold Gfilch
council, headed by the mayor, paid us a visit
and ordered us to clear out, as we're not want-
ed in the vicinity of the camp, and as Big Davy
didn’t like to cut off the mayor’s jib he told the
boys to pull up stakes as soon as it was dark
and shift camp to avoid a. ni ht attack.”

Dan and Old Calamity exc anged glances.

“All right, Bob," the detective returned.
“‘ We’re obliged to you for your information,
and will go on to camp- Any word to send hi?”

“Nothingi except that all’s quiet, with no
3i of the ulchites as yet.”

urning back, the party sought the fissure
and bore away to the south. In twenty minutes
the reached the camp, where they were rested
by lg Davy, who was now acting chie of the
Regulators.

Briefly'exglaining the presence of the two cap-
tives, Gold- list Dan had them separated and

laced under double guard, then looked after

is horse, and turned in for a much-needed.
sleep.
, It was high noon when the detective awoke.
A plunge in a neighboring stream, followed by
a hearty meal, put him in fine condition for the
work in band, and after a brief conference with
,Big Davy be carefully cleaned and loaded his
yous mounted Prince, and started toward

reached the trail, when the rapid clatter of.

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath;

As he gazed at the rider, Gold-Dust Dan
started, and a shar cry burst from his lips. '

The man was daho, the Regulator. His
clothing was in shreds, his hands were pinioned
at his back, and he was bleeding from a 'dozen
wounds.

The recognition was mutual.

“ Quick!" cried the outlaw, as Dan reached
out and checked the flying horse. “ If ye’d save
Recklcss Roy—ride! Those devils at the Gulch
are ready ter lynch him!”

“ And the girl?” exclaimed Dan. “Is she—"

“ God knows wbar the poor critter is. A
gang broke inter ther hoth jest after daylight,
ca )tured Roy an’ myself, tried usas road—agents,
an ordered us hanged. Trey took me first, putt
me astraddle ov this boss an’ led mo out for t”er
rope: but I broke away and run fer at, an’ hyar
I amj, barrin’ ther blood I’ve drapped on ther
way.’ .

Dan nodded grimly. Cutting thel thongs
pinioning Idaho’s hands, he pointed out the way
to the Regulatorfiamp.

“Send the boys along at full speed,” he re-
quested. “ If I’m not too late, I’ll'hold tho dev-
ils in check till they come.”

And touching spurs to Prince, he sped away
at full speed on his perilous mission, his face
white and stem, his e) es glittering with an om-
inous light.

CHAPTER Xi.
JAKE BOSE ADOPTS DESPERATE MEASURES.

“ boss, we tried hard, an’ got ther wu’st ov
et. Ther cuss bed all ov a dozen men waitin’
out in ther hresh, an’ when they got onto our
leetle game they jest walked in upon us from
behind, shootin’ right and left, an’ gobbled up
Durango Duve an‘ Rocky Randall. My pard
hyar un’ me dropped three of the critters, then
lighted out, fer at war ‘getting too derncd hot
tcr breathe.

“ We run ag’in’ tber'biggest kind ov a snag,
boss,”but did ther best we could, an’ hyar we
aire. ’

' Such was the report of the attempted assassi-

nation conveyed to Jake Rose by the two mis-
creants who had succeeded in getting back to
Rapid City.

As the banker listened, his face flushed,
then grew White, and he uttered a groan of
dismay.

“Curses on the luck!" he‘ cried, starting to
his feet. “ I feared as much! We might have
known Gold-Dust Dan would not ventu e to
heard the lion in his lair without help at his beck
and call.

“Poker Jack, are you ready for a twenty
milo ride?"

“ Ready ef I bed a boss, boss. My critter war
badly hurted in the scrimmage,” unhesitatlncly
returned the ruffinn who had delivered that
flanring report.

“I’ll give you an order for a horse, and you
can start at once. Strike straight, for the camp
on Elder Creek, and tellJoaquin to take every
man and push up to Gold Gluch as soon as day
dawns. It is a ong ride, but he is notto spare
horsrfiesh.

“ D.) you understand?”

“ I’ve got et all, boss,” and seizing the order
Poker gunk hurried out of the office.

“And you, Jim Burns, I want you to re-
main rig t hero in Rapid City to Watch the
Gold Gulch trail,” pursued the banker, turn-
ing to the remaining desperado. “Sandy
Barnes will have the day and you the night
Wétcil. Report all comers to Silas. here in the
o co. .

“ Kerrect, boss,” and with a nod the fellow dc-
parted.

Locking the door, Jake Rose stripped off his
huge black heard and n runniugly arranged wig,
and threw aside his outer clothing. Then from
a secret locker in the wall he produced and
donned a complete disguise, including a full
suit of fine steel mail and a splendid set of
weapons.

When thus arrayed, he stood forth as the
Black Hills scourge—Red Panther!

Carefully putting away the discarded articles,
the daring outlaw closed the secret locker. sat
down to his desk, and on a letter-sheet wrote:

“Sims:—
“ if any one inquires, l have gone to Doing. ”
‘ SE.

That done, he picked up his rifle put out the
light, and quitted the room. Passing along the
hallway to the rear of the building,,he entered
his private stables. saddled and bridled his
horse. mounted and rode out into the night lay-
ing his course toward the Gold Gulch trail and,

I

 

 

\
keeping in the shadows as much us prssible
until clear of the camp.

The moon was noww nearly an hour high, and
the outlaw knew he ran a fearful risk in boldly
taking to the trail in his present guise.

There was a round price on his head—a sum
large enough to tempt any lurking (lesperado to
try a shot from ambush, and then there were
brave men in the Hills, who, wronged by the
renegade chief, had sworn to have his life if he
ever came their way.

But the danger thus braved was less than that

face Red Panther struck spurs to his horse and
galloped on.

Five miles up the trail, he swerved abruptly
to the north, entering a gorge leading to th
blind pass. spoken of by Flush Frank. ‘

This course not only lessened his peril, but
shortened his ride by many miles, and two hours
after midnight he drew rein on the outskirts of
Gold Gulch.

A brief survey of his surroundings satisfied
him that his approach had been unobserved,
whereupon he dismounted and tethered his
horse behind a small thicket a hundred yards off
the trail.

Then from its place back of his saddle he took
a poncho, and with his tell-tale garb hidden be-
neath its folds, strode boldly down into the
camp.

Straight to the hotel he went, entering and
passing thrr ugh the hallway to a door in the
rear of the building, which he opened with akey
from his pocket.

Passing through into a small chamber, he
closed and locked the door, and lighted a lamp,
then pressed a bell-knob in the wall.

Red Panlbcr’s every move thus far had be-
trayed the utmost familiarity with his surround-
ingS.

Five mix utes passed. then there were stealthy
steps in the halls, followed by the click of a key
in the lock, and the door opened, admitting the
landlord. -

claimed, as he in turn cosed and locked the
door. “Flush Frank went down to take you
tho news, but we’d no idea you’d v-mre up.”

“ Frank is in the hands of the Philistinrs, and
it devolves upon us to get him out,” grimly re-
plied Red Panther. “ Go, you, and send Sleek
Sid and Weeping Mose to me, and see that we
are not interru ted or overheard.”

' Simply nodd ng, the landlord hurried away.

A few minutes elapsed, and then the mayor
and the marshal were ushered into the room.

The first, Sidney Graft, was an undersized
Well-dressed man of thirty years. He was 0

heard, a narrow, retreating forehead, anlli deep-
set pale-gray eyes. A keen reader of' lumen
nature would have put him dowu at once as an
un rincipled scoundrcl.

he marshal, on the other hand was a big,
burl , roughly-dressed man, dark almost as an
Ind an, with coarse, long black hair and board,
and a Jewish cast of features. His eyes were
red and inflamed, and required almost- constant
uiping; hence the singular sobrlquet of Weep-
ing Mose. ,

“ Landlord Jerry tells me Frank has come to
grief,” the mayor exclaimed, with a startled air,
as the Boniface locked the door and took up his
station in the hall. “ Is incl” 1

“ I have Poker Jim'l‘wm‘d for it,” Red Pan-
ther replied, and he briefly detailed the day’s
events. ,

The other liltened with closest attention, and
the ma or was the first to speak when the recital
was en 0 :

“ It’s my opinion You and Frank played right
into dthe detective’s hands!” be promptly de-
clare .
ho was bidding for that very move when he
called to see you.” . '

“ Et kinder strikes me that 'ar way, 1500.” the
marshal observed, with an extremely ragacious
air. “An’ et’s a darned bad business. Ther
galoot war not dead outer yer croORS, Jake. but
I’ll bet forty dollars he is now. He made his
leetle blufl’, you 11de .at at an’ putt up ther
game, an’ he he bed‘ two 0v ther gang—fer
what? Why, ter squeeze ’em all they d squeal,
ov course!”

“ If so he got the wrong men. Rocky Randall
and Flush Frank will go to their graves with
sealed lips.” ‘
" We can’t tell about that,” Sleek Sid re.
marked, reflectiVely.. “But it’s of no use to
lament Over é illed milk. ’ _
“ The quest on is, what are we. going to do? - z

 

V ' . i i

to be hazarded by inaction,and with a grim '

“This is a surprise, ca ’n,” that worthy ex- 1

rather pullid complexion, with sandy hair and

“ The odds are about a hundred to, one 1

“Perhaps,” Red Panther admitted, grimly. 

‘f We’ve got- to strike, a sharp, quick blow, or; ,

 

J‘i

 

 

 

is l

 

 

 

lose the mines and our chance at the buried
treasure, and end up with our necks in a halter,

“Frank got onto it that there was trouble
brewing, warned us, and went to Rapid Clty ‘10
warn you and Hose and I went down and noti-
fled the fiegulators to clear out of the Vicinity,
under pain of being driven off. But the cusses
laughed at us, and simply shifted their camp 8.
mile nearer the Gulch."

“You can leave the Regulators to me,” Red
Panther observed. “ M men Will be here
shortly after noon, and shall proceed at once
against the gang. ‘

“ The main point is to secure Gold-Dust Dan.

“As for Reckless Roy and the Bradlaw girl,
they are herein the hotel, if I understand the
matter right, where we can put our hands on
them just when we want them.”

“Edzactl l” cried the marshal. “ An’ I
moves, par 5, thet ye snake ther young varmint
an’hig pard out ov this hotel in ther mornin’,

ivo ’em a trial an’ then h'ist ’em by ther neck
er bein’ road-agents an’ outlaws.”
I The maior and Red Panther nodded appmval.

“ And t e girl?" queried Sleek Sid.

“ Keep her in ther hotel till ter-morrow night,
then run her ofl inter ther Hills. Most likely
she’s got ther casket We’ve bin wantin’.”

“ Corroct you are!" quoth the mayor, ap rov-
ingly. “ Tomorrow will be a fine day or a
lynching-bee. The camp will liker be cked,
as It. is the day for Professor Flyer s be] con as-
censmn and that event has been widely adver-
tised. lt will be no trouble at all to shuffle them
03. if we only have a few good witnesses.”

“ Trust me tar find them,” chuckled Weeping
Mose, carefully wi ing his eyes. “I'll go out
an’ hustle ’em up, y an’ by.”

Jubilant at the prospect of success, the nefari-

ous trio took a couple of drinks around, and then
Weeping Mose departed to “ flx " the witnesses,
while Red Panther called Landlord Jerry into
the room to arrange ’for the capture of Reckless
Roy and Idaho.
‘ That done, the rene ade rose, drew his pon-
cho about him and qu tted the hotel. Securing
his horse, be mounted and rode east nearly a mile,
where he went into‘ camp in a secluded little
dell to await the appearance of his band.

An hour after the departure of Red Panther,
the marshal rejoined the mayor, with the an-
nouncement that he had procured and coached
the necessary witnesses. Then, just as day be-
gan to show in the east, the two wretches
sallied forth to set their nefarious schemes afoot.

Their first move was to arouse the three
men constituting the town council. This body,
let it be known, was as plastic as wax in the
hands of the mayor and the marshal, and now
readily fell in with their scheme, without
knowing the depth of villainy underlying it.

After a brief consultation, the five proceeded
to get out a half-dozen miners, and then the
crowd started for the hotel, with Sleek Sid
and Weeping Mess: the lead.

Landlord Jerry, was just opening up the bar.
room, and met the posse with a wondering stare.
The rascal was Well up in the part he was to

play.
Sleek Sid briefly explained their mission. The

landlord pleaded ignorance as to the character

of the two men, and vigorously protested his
innocence of any desire to harbor Qua“... In-
viting the crowd up to the bar be set out“.
liquor, then closed and locked the door .nd
announced his readiness to conduct them to the
quarters of Reckless 

No time was lost. ith stealth tread the
twelve men ascended the stairs an tried the
door of the young outlaw’s room. It was locked
on the inside. v

“ Stand read , pardsl” uttered Weeping Mose
in a hoarse whi’sY r. “ Hyar she gees)”

With the worc s the burly rough hurled him.
self forward with a force that shook the build-
ing and sent the door crashing inward, torn
from its hinges.

Uttering a triumphant yell, the mob surged
into the Mom. '

Idaho, awakened from a light slumber by the
“Pm”, unit to his feet, revolver in hand. A
“n09 thrilled glance, then he retreated a pace,
“med “=0 weapon and fired.

Tam ban W true. With a convulsive bound
Wee“ K nOlle dropped to the floor, dead.

a

At the “m6 instant, Reckless Roy sprung
half-dressed from his cot and seized his weapons;
but before eitharmonoould fire a second shot,
. “harem was upon them, and in less than the
time 1.: takes to tell it, both were bound and

‘ ,' A.de mv am, I.
  Sleek Bid,

wa, you are caged at

 

pale-gray eyes glowe-

Gold-Dust “Dan’s Oath.

ing with devilish satisfaction. “And, my word
for it! you shall swing for this hour’s work!

“ Away with them, boys! Take them to the
lock-up, and inform Ish Wade that I shall hold
him responsible for their safe-keeping. Before
the sun sets again they shall be tried and pun-
ishedl”

In grim silence the prisoners were hurried
awav, followed by four men bearing the corpse
of Weeping Mose.

“ Now to secure the girl,” the mayor ex-
claimed, turning to Landlord Jer '* 18 soon as
they were alone. “ Lend on, for we must get
this business over.”

“Thor sooner ther better,”i.he Boniface re-
sponded, and he led the way to Media Bradlaw’s
apartment.

A vigorous knocking elicited no response. Ut-
terin an oath, Sleek Sid tried the door and
foun it unlocked.

“Aha! that is strange!” he ejaculated. “Can
she have fled ?” .

“ We kin see,” the landlord replied, with a
startled air, and pushing the door open he strode
into the room.

It was empty!

The two rascals stared at each other in mute
astonishment. '

“ Gone, by thunder l” ejaculated Landlord
Jerry, after a. moment, and then a torrent of
profanity burst from his lips.

A thorough search, first of the apartment,
then of the entire building, failed to discover so
much as a clew to the missing girl’s whereabouts,
and the two men were forced to the conclusion
that she had slipped out of the hotel and fled into
the hills.

Rouudly cursing his ill-luck, Sleek Sid hur-
ried out, and within a half-hour had three of the
besitl' trailers in the Gulch quietly hunting the
tra .

That done, the mayor turned his attention to
another matter—the trial of Reckless Roy and
Idaho.

As the forcnoon wore away, the men from the
surrounding hills came in to witness the balloon
ascension, and by eleven o’clock there were near-
ly two hundred men in Gold Gulch.

Of this number, when noon came, but a small
grou were clustered around the balloon, which
was ing inflated, while for perhaps fifty others
the lock-up was the center of attraction. /

The saloons and gambling-dens were doing a
thriving business, for there were most of the
miners to be found; and between these alluring
resorts and the coming trial, Professor Fiycr,
the aeronaut, was in a cold sweat, as his chances
for a paying collection looked poor.

Just at noon, forth from the lock-up came the
mayor, followed by the three members of the
council, and the two prisoners under heavy
guard, and the court was formed and the trial
opened, with the mayor presiding.

Then the saloons and gambling-dens gave up
their inmates, and as the balloonist saw the throng
gatherin around the doomed outlaws, he took
heart an grimly waited. His chance at the
crowd would surely come next!

For over an hour the trial dragged on, and in
the o inion of the miners the accused was iven
“ the iggest kind of a chance ;” but the evi once
of outlawry was strongly against them, and
then in resisting arrest they had killer] Weeping
Mose, the marshal, so that hanging was a fore-
gone conclusion.

The judge delivered his charge to the jury,
and after half an hour of grave deliberation,
the twelve men returned a verdict of guilty
against both men.

Then came the sentence, and preparations
were made for an immediate execution. One
member of the council hurried away and brought
up a horse, another a re , and Idaho W8!
placed in the saddle, with h a hands pinioned at
his back. .

Down near the swaying balloon stood a lone
oak, and thither the crowd surged. YOHOWIDS
the doomed outlaw. The rope was deftly thrown
over a strong limb fifteen feet above ground,
and as the end descended it was grasped by
ea :- hands and a noose hastily formed. ’

daho, erect and defiant. With 3 wt, MON“!
face, watched the hands upon the reins with an-
faltering eyes. Hope was tugging fiercely at the
outlaw’s heart, for by so estrange chance tbe
horse singled out for th execution was his
own.

And the moment he watched for came. The
completed noose was firm forward, and hands
left the "into grasp it a place it around the
outlaw’s neck. ,

Un'm‘lls move! A sharp thrust of his spurs,
a wild yell, and Idabonbendinglow in the sad-
dle, swept forward with the speed of a‘thnflidcr-

 

bolt, the powerful roan horse hurling men right,
and left from his path!

A moment of stupeiicd inaction, then up from
the crowd rose a mighty roar, followed y the-
sharp rattle of revolvers. The daring outlaw
reeled in his saddle, then recovered, just as his
horse plunged out of sight around an angle in
the trail!

A pursuing party was hastily organized, with
the mayor in the lead; but after two miles of
furious riding without catching so much as a
glimpse of the fugitive, the chase was abandoned
and all returned to the Gulch.

The crowd was clamoring savagely for the life
of Reckless Roy. Naught but the determined
front of the strong guard holding him in charge
had prevented his being lynched during the ab-
sence of the mayor.

Enraged at his combined ill-luck, Slick Sid at»
once gave the order, and the outlaw leader was
hurried forward and thrown upon a bOI‘Sr.

The noose escaped by the daring Idaho hung
in Waiting for a victim, and in another minute it.
settled firmly around the neck of Reckless Roy.

But, a moment before, unnoticed by the excit-
ed throng, a man mounted upon -u matchless
black horse had ridden into Gold Gulch, sweep-
ing along with the speed of the wind, and now
plunged straight through the crowd, to draw
rein abruptly beneath the tree.

A knife glittered in his hand, and with a single
Swift stroke be severed the tightening ro ._

Then, as a roar of rage went up from t e baf—
fled roughs, he dropped the blade, drew and lev-
eled his revolvers.

“ Where is the mayor of this camp?” he stern—
ly demanded, his dark eyes fearlessly meeting
the sea of angry faces around him.

“ I am the man 1” Sleek Sid enunciated, in a
Voice hoarse with fury, as he leapz‘d forward
with weapons in hand. “And curse youl I‘d
know why you interfere in the execution of this
outlaw!”

“Because it is my duty to do so,” was the
measured response. “Roy St. Clair, or Reck—
less Roy as you kn0w him, is no longer an out-‘
law!

“ In my pocket I hold for him, not only a full
and unconditional pardon, but also his commis-
sion as a United States Marshal!

“Stand back, for he goes from heron free
man!” '

“ He is guilty of the murder of Weeping Mose,

and I say he shall hang for it!” cried Sleek Sid, -

and an a proving yell went up from the crowd.

“ Andil) say he shall not!” sternly rctorted the
youth, a 10ok of dire ire flashing rom his dark
eyes, and he quickly covered the may or.

“ And Red Panther ordered him hangedl”

“ Hands up, Gold-Dust Dan!” uttered a

werful voice, and forth from the cover of a,
lig'ge building hard by spurred the notorious
renegade, closely followed by a lull score armed
men!

A hush like that of death came over the turbu-
lent throng.

 

CHAPTER XII.
ROYING an‘rn‘s REVELATION.

Wan had befalien Media Bradlaw'f

Up with the first gleam of day from a sound,
refreshing sleep, she had quietly dressed herself
and put her room in order, then buckled on her
belt of arms and donned her hat in, readiness for
an early morning walk.

Assuring herself that the casket was yet safe
in her pocket, she opened the door and stepped
out into the hall, just as the poses under the
load of Landlord Jerry appeared at the bottom
of the stairway.

Something in the appearance of that body of
armed men struck a chill of terror to the heart.
of the girl, and unobserved she retreated into
her room and softly closed the door.

A moment of suspense, then came the crash of
assault and the report of ldnho’s revolver, and
Media felt that her worst fears were confirmed.

A lance into the upper hail showed that it;

was eserted, and catching up her rile the girl
cautiously quitted the room and glided toward
the stairway, and thence undetected descended
to the lower floor. ‘

The key was in the lock of the door opening
upon the street, and in another minute Media
was in the open air. _

Hardly pausing to choose her course, the M
darted away through the windin street, flitt ng
along like a shadow in the .1) t of the early
dawn. On the outskirts of the cam she paused
a moment to look back. then hurri on over the
rough trail ata rapid walk,

And now that she was safely clear of the camp,
her courage returned, she became coal and on)".

 

 

Gold-Dust Dan’s Oath.

 

 

 

lected, and the full peril of her situation dawned
upon her.

Alone and afoot in the Black Hills—in a re-
gion overrun by hostile red—skins and lawless
white men! The situation was indeed grave,
and as the bitter black truth forced itself upon
her, Media pansed, and for a brief space seemed
half-determined to return to the Gulch.

“ Tue perils ahead can be no greater than the
danger in Gold Gulch,” she decided, after a mo-
ment, with a firm compression of her red lips.
“ The worst of it all is, am afoot. Had I Hur-
ricane, I should have no fears. But if it comes
to the worst, I have my weapons, and shall use
them.” '

So, with a resolute face she resumed her flight,
and for over an hour pushed on at a rapid walk.
Then, on the crest of a rise she turned and
looked back.

A startled cry escaped her.

A half-mile below, coming up the trail at a
steady, easy run, were three men—the trailers
sent out by Sleek Sid. As Media halted, the
trio hastily sought cover in the undergrowth
and behind the numerous bowlders scattered
alon the wayside.

“ t is as I feared l” the girl cried, and a hunt-
ed lo'ik came into her blue eyes. “Now, what
shall I do?”

Even‘as that question presented itself Media
turned and walked slowly on, wissly checkin
an impulse to run until the crest of the hi1
vailed her movements from the trio of trailers.

Then down the sharp slope with the speed of
a deer she darted, at the foot instinctively turn-
ing from the trail into a winding gorge, adown
which tumbled a noisy, brawling stream.

On and on she sped, until a break in the south
wall of the gorge opened to view a beautiful
“ pocket”-—a grassy glade dotted with flowers
and hemmed in with broken, craggy walls so
densely covered with vines as to resemble huge
banks of foliage.

And near the center of this pocket was a lone
grave, above which a heavy white cross reared
its head, for here it was that Gold-Dust Dan
had come at Old Calamity’s request the night
before.

Tue glade invited entrance, for the masses of
vines suggested concealment, and with a single
backward glance, Media nimbly sprung from
stone to stone across the shallow stream and
hurried over the grassy level.

Beside that lone grave she hesitated, then
paused. The flowers blooming upon the narrow
mound, and its neat, well-kept appearance, be-
trayed the care of a loving hand. Media raised
‘ her eyes to the inscription painted ,on the cross.

Her face grew ghastly white.

“ It is J acki It is my brother!" she moaned,
and with a low, wailing cry, she reeled forward
and fell senseless across the mound.

 

“Thar’s ther critter, shure enough, pards!
-’cross thar in Dead Man’s Pocket! An’ f’m
ther looks ov things, I reckon et won’t be any
great shakes ter kaptivate her, uther! Come
on, an’ we’ll finish up a mighty good day’s
work."

And one after another Sleek Sfd’s trailers
leaped across the little stream and hurried to-
.ward the ,lone grave, eager to capture Media
Bradlaw and claim the reward named by the
Mayor of Gold Gulch that morning.

The hapless girl lay just as she had fallen, look-
ing more dead than alive, her face gleaming cold
and white in the ra s of the morning sun.

“ She is swoond , by thunderl” exclaimed the
foremost of the trio of roughs, peering sharply
at that set, white face.

“Bring up some water, Benjy. Et’sa good
seven miles ter ther lone cabin, an’ I’ve no mind
'ter tote her tharl”

“Nary a tote, Boss Bill,” chuckled the rascal
addressed. “But et’saheap sight quicker tar
get her down ter ther drink than ter fetch ther
drigk up ter her. Jest lay a-holt,-an’ away we

0!

“Halt! don’t touch that girl, you miserable
sooundrelsl”

The words rung out in a voice as clear as the
peal of a bugle, and with one accord the trio of
trailers sprung to their feet and drew their wea-

Simultaneously, a cry of alarm broke from the
lips of each.

Out from the a rently solid wall back of
that mass of sway n5 vines rode Roving Ruth on

her snow-white , closely followed by eight
cowled black riders.

“ moor weapons and up with your hands!”

sternly end the beautiful mystery, as each of
her dread riders leveled his rifle. .
A bowl of terror went' up from the three

 

roughs, for a single backward glance had veri-
fled the woman’s words. Four black horsemen
had appeared at the entrance to the pocket.

“ Order your imps not ter shpot, m’am, fer we
does cavel” uttered Boss Bill.

“ It is well,” Roving Ruth returned, and then
at a word from her four of the men rode for-
ward and dismounted, to disarm and bind the
roughs, while a fifth lifted Media Bradlaw in
his arms and bore her back of that netwurk of
vines from behind which the party had so sud-
denly emerged.

Here was the yawning mouth of a huge cav-
ern, and leaving her faithful followers to se-
cure the entrapped roughs, Rovmg Ruth dis-
mounted aud led the way into a curtained recess
of the cave. .

There Media was placed upon acouch of skins,
and under the kindly care of the beautiful mys-
tery soon returned to consciousness.

“ Be not alarmed, for I am a friend,” uttered
Roving Ruth, as the blue eyes of the girl sud-
denly opened and fixed upon her face in a won-
dering stare. “ You are Media Bradlaw, and it
is your brother who is buried out there. The
men who killed him also seek your life, but you
are safe here.”

“ And you—who are you?” Media asked, chok-
ing‘ back a sob as she rose to her feet.

be women laughed oddly, and with her hands
pushed back her long white hair.

“I am known as Roving Ruth,” she replied.
“ But you are his sister, and should know all.”

“ Listen: My name is Ruth Gordon. For
five years I lived in the hills with my father,
who was a hermit miner. Then came John
Bradlaw and two friends, and they, too, discov-
ered gold, and for two years secretly worked
their mines. John and I met and became en-
gaged, but a week before the da we were to be
married, he was slain by Flush ‘runk, a tool of
the Rapid City banker, Jake Rose, who is none
other than the renegade chief. Red Panther.
On the same day, my father, Kenneth Gordon,
was shot down by the same evil band, and I was
left utterly alone and helpless. Some say I
went mad, and perha s I did. But I had gold—
gold in plenty, and I ived and plotted for ven-
geance. I have haunted the guilty wretchcs,
sparing nothing to secure the full proofs of their
guilt, for I have sworn that every man of them
shall hang. With gold I hired good men and
true, and now am at last on the eve of complete
success.

“This cavern is one of our stopping-places,
and here we came last night. Isaw you enter
the glade, and heard your words upon discover-
ing poor J ack's grave. A lookout reported that
you were pursued, and my men laid a trap for
the wretches, and they are now in custody.

“Such, in brief, is the outline of our resent
positions, but I would like, Media Brad aw, to
hear your story. As the sister of my dead lover,
you are near and dear to me, and it there is
auzht I can do for you, it shall be done.”

With a look far more eloquent than words,
Media expressed her thanks, then sunk down
upon the edge of the couch, and in a voice
broken and faltering, told her story.

Leaving the two girls thus strangely brought
together, we shall now turn toa more stirring
scene.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
CONCLUSION.

FOR a full minute after that hoarse command
from Red Panther rung out, Gold-Dust Dan
neither moved nor uttered a word.

That both himself and Reckless Roy were face
to face with death, he could not doubt; yet his
iron nerve did not fail him.

“ Your demand seems most reasonable, J acob
Rose but I shall hava to refuse to comply With
it,” he smilineg exolaimed. ~ “ Our Circum-
stances are undergoing such _a decided change
that it would be a waste of time for me to ield.

“ May I ask you to take a look at the ower
trail?’ ‘

Even as the detective spoke, a startling change-

swept over the renegade chief, and a fierce oath
came from between his clinched teeth.

“By Heavens! it is Roving Ruth and her
band of Black Bravos!” he ejaculated.

“ Exactly!” blandly assented Dan. " And
Eowfi”my good sir, Just glance at the upper
rai

There, indeed, 'ust entering the camp under

the lead of Old alamity and Big Davy, were
the Regulators!
I And at the same moment, the bewildered
crowd awakened from its stupefled inaction and
with a mightyroar surged toward thedaring
renegade, utent- on his capture or death.

“ all back, boys!” ordered Red Panther

I.

 

hoarsely. “ We’ve run our necks into a 110036,
and must trust our heels to esciipel”

But even retreat was cut off, for forth from
the very covert from which Red Panther and
his band had appeared a moment before, now
spurred a horseman in the uniform of a captain
of the United States Army, closely followed by
a strong detachment of cavalryi”

“ Halt! Throw down your arms and sur-
render, every mun of you i” commanded the
cavalry captain, in a ringing voice. “Resist,
and we’ll cut you dOWD as we would ravening
wolves!”

“ It’s Captain Maxwell’s blue-coats—curse
them! I thought we’d slipped them hours ago!”
gritted one of the renegade clan, spurring along-
side his chief ever. as his comrades dropped their
weapons in token of submission. “Quick, J akel
—We’re hemmed in and that balloon is our only
chance!” ,

Though almost speechless with terror, Red
Panther was guick to seize upon the faint hope
suggested, an with his daring fol10wer sprung
from the saddle into the car attached to the
Swaying, tugging balloon.

A frantic ell from Professor Flyer—a mighty
shout from t e crowd, and then the balloon shot
Skyward with the two men, followed by a storm
of lead.

A thousand feet straight up, then away to the
northwest it swept, in the grasp of a strong
current; on and on, till it became a mere speck
in the hazy distance.

“Gentlemen, the gas is escaping, and in ten
minutes the car will touch the earth 1” suddenly
cried Professor Flyer, shutting his powerful
glass with a snap and turning to the excited
crowd. “Who will go with me to recover m
property and learn the fate of those two men?

“ Here!” exclaimed Roving Ruth, quittin
Media Bradlaw’s side and riding forward. “
would know Red Panther’s fate!”

“ I will send three of my men,” Captain Max-
we‘ll”said. “ I, too, must learn the outlaw’s
en .

“ And three of the Regulators shall go,” added
Reckless Ro , while many of the miners set. up
a shout an hurried away to secure horses to
join in the search.

Ten minutes later a strong party galloped out
of the camp by way of the upper trail.

Not until the next day did they return, and
then their report was one to send a thrill of re-
lief through every honest man in Gold Gulch.

Red Panther had perished—ban been dashed
to pieces by the sudden collapse of the balloon.

Of his reckless companion not a trace had been
found. '

“ I am read to return and make my report,”
said Captain axwell, when his lieutenant had
finished. “ Our orders were to stick to the trail
till we’d ca tured or wiped out that scourge.
He is dea , and his men are captives, so our
work is done. ‘

“ Reckless Roy, you have my thanks for send-
ing a courier with the timely information leading
to this happy result.”

 

Upon her return to Gold Gulch, Roving Ruth
at once sought out Media Bradlaw and delivered
into her hands the counterpart of the casket held
by the girl. It had been found upon the mangled
corpse of Red Panther!

In due course, the caskets were opened. and
the secret of the buried treasure was solve".

Contrary to all expectation both Flush Frank
and Rocky Randall made full confession when
brought to trial, and so Media Bradlaw was
enabled. to recover her dead brother’s property,
the Gold Gulch mines.

Both of the desperadoes were hanged.

Dill ent search was made for Sleek Sid
and andlord Jerry, but neither was found.
Learning that they were likely to be wanted ata
re ’s end, both had made good their ,esca . '

er mission in Gold Gulch accomp lshed,
Roving Ruth rode away at the head of the Black
Bravos, with the promise to return from time to
time.

Reckless Roy and Idaho both recoVered from
their wounds, and for some time thereafter
made Gold Gulch their headquarters. as did Old
Calamitv, Big Davy and the Regulators,

And Gold-Dust Dan?

His oath totbe dying immigrant fulfilled, the
young knight-errant was ready for a fresh ad-
venture, and’ one day mounted his horse, the
matchle- Prince, and rode away toward Dead-
wood, to try a joust with a particularly auda-
cloul road-agent who had recently made his 3
pearancepu the trails entering the Black 3
metropolis. ,

. TE! III).

A

 

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Col. Ingraham’s Splendid Wild-Southwest Romance!

       

 

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Enteregighsugegnngssfimatter at the fieinork. N. Y.. Post Office. A wwgopyrimhfed 1892. by BRADLE AND ADAM». 7  January 19. 1892. __
, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price.
" NO'  a Year- No. 9% WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. 5 Cents- VOL 
D
O
Q
‘ ‘ I 51;]
on,
d ’ G t'
The Renega es ap we.
| BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM.
j CHAPTER 1.
a B 0 Y n n a o .
5 “ Han's a letter from Omaha! newf and we
‘ will hear all about Charlie, for xt ls rom my

‘ brother.” ,
The a aker was agenial-faced mat} 0! middle
age, an he was seated in apleaeant alttxngfl'oom
of his own comfortable house in the State of
Kentucky.
[t was away back among the “’Fiftifil," be-
fore the Clvil War that shook our land from one

and ‘0 the 0th". and when the “Far West" was / /" //’ // '//// " / I //’ 7/7 /« 

 

beyond the now great city of Chicago. THE nasvuun‘ ) “me ms LASSO; m: NOOSE sanun oven nu: HEAD or DASHING 01“an

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMEieLIBRARY.

esday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Umform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. I

Published Every Tu

632 The Dead Detectivc’s Double. By Gerald Carlton.
633 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector; or The Dead-
wood Desperado‘s L lst Innings. By J. W. Osbou.
634 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant; or. The True Hearts
of Red Eye Roost. By Buckskin Sam.
685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue—Coat Scout; or, The
Boomer's Last Battle. By P. S. “True.
6% Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Quevr; rr. Saw-
dust Snm’s Last Green Game. By Edward L.
ee cr.
637 Dick Donn, the Dock Boy Detective.
Harhaugb.
688 Tom Cat‘s Triumph; or. Black Ivan’s Great
Combine. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.
689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret.
Pierce.
640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle.
J. C. Cowdlick.
641 Dismal Dave’s Dandy Pard; or, The Glow to
Captain Claw. By W illiam G. Patten.
642 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Bufl’alo; or, 4-11-44. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
643 Hapgy Harry's Big Find; or The Beautiful
Jeze l‘s Last Stake. By P. S. arne.
644 The Hercules Highwayman: or, The Mounted
Miners of the Overland. By Col. 1’. Ingraham.
645 Kit. the Pavement Sharp. By T. C. Harbaugh.
646 Cowboy Girl the Cattle-Range Detective; or.
The Grand Corral at Cross-Notch. By Lieut. A.
K. Sims.
647 Typewriter Tilly. the Merchant’s Ward'
Amateur Detective against Professional. B
C. Cowdrick.
61.8 Deadwood Dick Jr‘s. Chaso Across the Conti-
nent. By Edward L. Wheeler.
649 Gamln Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a
Slippery Set. By J0 Pierce.
650 Butterfly3 Billy. the Pony Rider Detec‘lve; or,
Buflalo ill‘s Boy Pard. By Col. P. lugruham.
651 Bound-Boy Frankthe Young Amateur Detective.
, By William G. Patten.
652 Don Barr. the Plain’s Freelance. By 011 Coomes.
7 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Har-
baugh.
654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By C. Morris.
656 Butterfly Billy‘s Man Hunt. By Colonel Prentiss
Ingraham. ‘
657 Warblinsr William, the Mountain Mountebank.
By Lieut. A. K. Sims.
658 Sky-P. vcket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm-
Wait of (ii nt’s Boot. By Jo Pierce.
689 Moonlight Morgan. the “ l’izenest " Man of Ante
Bar; or, Cibuta John‘s Champion Chase. By
J. C. Ouwdrick.

660 Deadwood Dick, J r‘s., Insurance Case; or,
‘ Corlaling a Cunning Trio. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
661 Old Kit Randy’s Delivomnce; or. Banner Ben,
the wildfire ol’ the Prairies. By 011 Coomes.

662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanzaz'or. The Specter Soldier

of the overland. By CoIOuel Prentiss Ingmhnm.
663 Violet Vane’s Victory: or. The Jaspar City Clean
Out. By William G. Patten.
664 Cheeky Charley. the Special' or. he Life Racket
' at Rattlesnake Rid :e. By B. S. Warne.
665 Jolly Jeremiah. the Plains Detective' or,
Warbling William’s Home Run. By Lieut.
A. K. Sims.
. 666 Deadwood Dick. Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The
Mountain Amazon’s Double Game. By Edward
, L. Wheeler. .
667 Bob and Sam. the Daisy Detectives: or, The
Gomin Spies’ Big State. By Charles Moms.
668 The Buccaneer Midshipman' or, The Sea Rover's
Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss liigraham.
I69 Broadwa Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack
Bravo in n Francisco. Ally J. C. Cowdrick.
670 Norwa Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The
Rival ochmen. By 011 Coomes.
671 Jersey Jed. the Boy) Hustler; or,‘ Shadowing the
Shadower. By T. . Barbaugh. >
. 672 Deadwood Dick: Jr.. in Dnrango; or, “ Gathered
In " By Edward L. Wheeler.
«:3 Ralph Renwooi. the Lightning Express Detec-
tive. By A F. Holt.
674 The Wizard Sailorbor. Red Ralph, the Rover.
‘ By Colonel Prenti ~s lngruham.
675 Broadway Billy‘s Br-s': or. Beating San Fran-
cisco's Finest. 'By J. C. Cowdrick.
676 Slznal Sam. the 7011i Scout; «r. The Tussle
. the Big Ron 9.. By Lieut. A K. Sims.

By T. C.

By Jo
By

or,
y J.

 “an ehlmmn Dan‘s Second Trail; or. The Baffled
. m

. Hawk’s Fate. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.
.‘ ‘m Deadwood Dick. Jr’s Discovery; or. Found a
' . Fortune. By Edward .. \\ beeler.
lee-cy-

"m , Mower or,'l‘ho Freebooter's
"  lost-sham. ' ‘

in Arcadia. By 011 Gnomes.
Double Curve Dan‘s Dead Ball.
(J. Junks.

682 Wild Vulcan, the Long Range Rider. By William
Cr. Patten.

Unseen Enemy. By Jo Pierce.

684 Deadwood Dick’s Dazzle: «r, The Nemesis of
Nutmeg Bonanza. By Edward L. Wheeler.

685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detecflve' or,
Breaking the Eureka Spider’s Web. By in C.
Harbaugh.

Name By (‘01 inel Prentiss Illél’llhllln.

687 Broadway Bill in C'ovcr: (r. The Ruction at

ke Tulare. y J. C. Cowdrick.

688 Chincapin Dan‘s Home Stretch: or, The Con-
s irators of No Man's Land.
l adger, Jr.

689 Billy. the Cy .y Sp ' or, Workin out. The M 's-
tery of Two fives. yBy Lieut. A. . Sims. 3 |

690 Deadwood Dick. Jr‘s, Do lars; or, The Humming
Bird of Honeysuckle. By Edward L. \\ hecler.

691 Headlight Harry‘s Haul; or, The Railroad Pards'
big Day. By A F. Holt.

692 The Rival Sharps: or. Redfern. the Secret Self
Vice Scout. By L 01. P. Ingraham. '

696 Violet and Daisy. tho Posy P1 rds; or, The Racket
at Red Hot. Ry Wm. G. Patten.

694 Spicy Jim. the Only One of His Kind; or. Head-
ing 01! the Crooks. By J .; Pierce.

696 Deadwood Dick,Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Do-
vcl ping the Dead Secret. By E. L. Wheeler.

696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or. Rounding Up the
Red River Rusdera By J. C. Cowdiick.

697 The Scarlet Sombrerc ; or. The Sharp from
Texas. By Col. P. lngrahnm.

698 Old Crazy. the Man Without a Head ; or, Light- i
heart Luke‘s Clean Sweep. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. 1

699 Simple Sim, the Itroncho Buster: or. PlaEng the I
Fool for Bi: Stakes. By Lieutenant A. Sims. .

700 Deadwood Dic'c, J‘ ’s, Drop; or, The Sojourn at
Satan's Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler.

701 Photogragh “red, the Camera Sharp; or, The '
Fight to t e- Finish. By T. C. Hurbaugh. l

702 lilue Jacket Bill; or. The Rerl Hat Ranger's Red
Hot Racket. by (1)1. Prentiss lngraham. '

706 Broadway Billy's Brand; or, The New York |
Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick. -

704 Deadwood Dick. Jr.. at Jack-Pot: or, Making
Crooned Things 8 might. By EdJ‘L. u heeler. l

705 Violet. Vane‘s. Vow: or. The Crafty Detective's
Craft. By William G. Patten. '

706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective: or. The
Harlem Sport‘s Star-Faced Pacer. By Jo i-ierce.

707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or. Redfa-rn’s Last
Trail. By Col. Prentiss lngrnham.

7m Light-Heart Lute‘s L“ vacy; or. The Lucky Lad's
Winning Hand. By Joseph E Badg'. r, Jr.

709 The Curbxtone Detective; or. Harry Hale’s Big I
Beat. By Charles Morris.

710 Deadwood Dick J r., in San Francisco; or, Kodak
Kate. the Snap Shot. By Edward L. Wheeler.

711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe' or. The Pard De
tootivcs‘ Clever Deal. By J.  Cowdrick.

712 The Mesmerist Sport: or. The Mystifled Detec-
tive. By Lieut. A K. Sims. I

713 Carl the Mad Cowbog: or, The L:‘.riat Queen. I
By Col. Prentiss lngra am. ,

714 Old Misery, the Man from Missouri: or. The

é Mystery of the Mountain League. By Wm. G.

Patten. 3

715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret; or.
Caging the Cormorants. By T. C. Iarbaugh.

716 Deadwood Dick. Jr.'s. Still Hunt; or. The Sec-
ond Raund in San Franclsc ). By Edward L.
Wheeler. ‘

717 Mosquito Jac‘r. the Hustler Gamin; or. Move-on .
Mike is Grand Catch. By Jo Plercr. . i

718 Light-Heart Lute‘s Last Trail‘. or The Gold
Crater‘s Secret. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. I

719 Pawns" Bill’s Pied“: 0r. The Cowboy Kidnap-
per. By 001. Premisel lngmham. ‘

720 Broadway Billy's Full Hand: or. The Gamln De- ;
menu's Double Snap at San'a Fe. By J. C. I
Cowdrlck.

M Maverick Mose. the Arizona Detuctivo; or, The
Wizard of Urkoc Pass. By Will Liscnbee.

7‘92 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘s. Dominoes; or, The Rival
Cnmps of the Northern Border. By Edward L.
Wheeler. i

 

723 Silver-blade. the Shoshone; or. The Border
. Beagle’s Secret Misdon. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

724 Violet Vane‘s Veneeance; or. The Wipe-Out It I

 

White Water. By William G.‘ Patton. ,

681 The Pitcher Detectivo’s Toughest Tussle; or, ‘
By George .

683 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator; or, The

686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or. The Tarnished

By Joseph E.
l

._._..__AA. a”...

680 Dauntless Dan. the Freelance: or, Old Kit Bandy 725 Daring Dick. l’n 110v Bill's Ford: or. The Red

(‘ztvslry Raid. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

726 Dennis L'uil". the lirnun Sport‘s Kid; or, The

' Covers and Blinds o: Gotham. By Jo Pierce.

‘ 727 Headligh' Harry’s Siren; or. Mad Madge; the,
Outln. . Queen. By Co]. A. F. Holt. '

728 Dr-ndwo: (1 Dick, J r.’s. Disguise; or. Ivan, the
Man of lron. lly Edward L. Wheeler. -

7:9 Silvvrblade, the Half — Blood;. or, the Border
Beagle at Bay. By J os. E. Badger, Jr.

730 Violet Vane's Verdict; or The Crooked Game at
Coffin City. By Wm. G. Batten.

731 Ruth Redmond. the Girl Shadower: or. The.
Rivals m Buckskin. By 001. Prentiss lugraham.

732 Daisy Dell. the Pavement Detective: or, Tmp‘
ping Big Game. lly T. C. Harbaugh.

738 'Iglltec Tom, the Mad Prospector: or Unearthing
t e Cavern League. By Lieut. A. K Sims.

734 Deadwood Dick,‘Jr.’s. Double Deal- or. The All-
Around Surprise. By Edward L. color.

735 Broadway Billy‘s Businéss; or, Waking Up Wind
Canyon Camp. By J. C. Cowdrick.

736 Larry, the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every
Side. By George C. Jenks.

767 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive; or. Buck-
skin Sam to the Rescue. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-
ham. ‘

788 Broadwa Billy‘s Curious Case; or, The MES
terious isapEeamnce at Manitou Springs. Y
J. C. Cowdric . V

739 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle's
Ghost Troll. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

740 Deadwood Dick, Jr ‘5. Deathwatch; or. The
Moving M stery arMexican Mustang. ByEd
ward eeler.

v a /: v;
741 Violet Vane, the Ventril ulst Yld - or s rt
against Sport. By Wmffl. Pattenocq’ ’ p0 .
742 Billy Winks, the Bell-Boy Detective;
ing the Meshes of the Golden Coil.
Hirbaugh.
743 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or TheRed Riders of the
Rio Grandc. By ( o]. Prentiss Ingraham.
744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or. The
'\\ ater Wall’s Dead Past. By Jo Pierce.

745 Kn sas Jim, the Crass~Cut Deteotlvo- or, The
Raiders of the Range. By Lieut. A. L‘Sinls.

let Jack the Secret Serv e Spv: or, T00
glitch ’ ry. By 

or, Break—
By T. C.

746 fur Bed Lea unning. (of the

S cret Service Corps).

"' 1 ' 0d Dick. Jr. 3, Double» or The Tandem

“7 i333} Teddy’s 'l‘nilings. ny'nd.’ L. Wheeler.

748 Sil rblade, the Friendly;or, the Border Beagle‘s
BoyePard. By Joseph E. Badger. Jr.

49 Dashln Charlie the YoumrScal Taker; or, The

7 Kentuchy Tendertoot's First rail. By Col.
Prentiss lngraham.

760 Violet Vane. the Van uished; or The Life Strug-
gle at Shanty City. y Wm. G. Patten.

751 Gold-Dust Dan. the Trail Patrol. By John W.
Gabon.

789 Deadwood Dick Jr.‘s, Deathbhw; or The Little
Circus at Lust Chance. By Edward L. Wheeler.

758 Broadway Billy in Denver; or, The On the-Catch
Combination. By J. C. Cowdriclr. .

764 Billy Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 'By T. C.
Harbaugh.

756 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or. W ROY. the
Regulator. By J. W. Osbon.

756 Dashing Charlie's Destiny; or. The Renegade‘s
Captive. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahan.

767 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakes: or. A Very
Remarkable Expose. By Charles Monks.

758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Des to Strait“. or, The
Demon Doctor of Dixon’s posit. By'Edward
L. Wheeler.

1 
7'” entrants ages...
Ready February 9t . I .
’ wnee Pard'
m gigsl‘lfenrfigihdgmenay  Prentiss l
Ready Fe III.
A mm mm every Tuesday.

The Haul-Dime Library 18 for sale by all!
Newsdealen. flvo cents per copy. or sent by mil.
«receipt out: cents each. . -

BRAD“ AND ADAMS. Publishes-t I
wWimnmIMHwYofl.' ‘

or The Railroad
1'. Bolt.

01'. Red Hair,
ngrsbam.

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